Chapter 8

I'm pretty sure today is the day Drew is going to make penguins fly. I'm excited to see what he has planned for me. I trust Drew now, and I feel that I'm falling for him fast. 

I complete my usual morning routine, washing my hair with my mango scented shampoo, getting dressed, and brushing my teeth. I walk downstairs to see Mom has prepared breakfast, per usual. But this time, it's a different breakfast. In fact, it isn't breakfast at all. My mom had mozzarella sticks on the table with marinara sauce, something we would never eat for breakfast in this house. I look up at Mom with a questioning look on my face, and she just shrugs. 

"I guess I just wanted to change things up in the house. Ever since your father walked out, everything has been the same. I guess just seeing you move on and make an effort to overcome your fear of trusting people made me realize that I should move on, too, and start a fresh new me." My mom says. I am overwhelmed by this sudden change. It's true that I developed this fear of trusting people after my father left, but I never realized that meeting Drew was changing me for the better. 

I walk over to give my mom a hug, just us two in the kitchen enjoying each others' presence. As the only child, we have a tight bond between us, and I'm sometimes worried about what Mom would do after I leave for college. 

"Come on, let's eat, yeah?" My mom gives me a tight smile and we sit down to eat mozzarella sticks together. 

We're halfway through the plate of mozzarella sticks when Mel walks into the kitchen. 

"How did you get in?" I asked her, bewildered that she just entered so casually. 

"Oh, I gave her a set of keys since she comes here so often. I should've done it sooner." My mom answers in the place of Mel. 

"Yep. What your mom said. Anyways, I need to take Zoey away from you, because I have some important places to bring her today." Melanie tells my mom, stressing the word "important." Where did Mel want to go today? Last time I was dragged out of the house by her, I ended up at a beauty convention. It was the worse 3 hours of my life. 

"Woah woah woah. I refuse to go anywhere until you tell me where we are going." I demand. 

"Nope. It's a surprise. Now come with me. I forgot how stubborn you are." Mel sighs. My mom seems to understand what Mel is doing, and she starts pushing me to go outside, too. 

"Honey, go with Mel. If you don't go outside today, you will be very bored at home. Plus, she has somewhere fun to bring you." Mom winks. I shudder. This is all so creepy. 

When I still don't budge, Mel starts pulling my arm, trying to drag me out of the house. Before I get my arm pulled out of my socket, I begrudgingly agree and walk upstairs to get changed. I slip on my favorite pair of jeans and put on a t-shirt that says "Why be human when you can be a penguin?" I put my converse on and walk downstairs. 

I see Mel impatiently tapping her foot while typing furiously on her phone. Hm... I wonder what is going on. 

"I'm ready." I tell her, but she is still focused on her phone. I snap my fingers in front of her eyes for a few times before she jumps, scared. 

"Oh phew, you scared me Zoey. Let's go." Mel chirps. We jump into her small convertible which she has parked in front of my house with the roof down. 

She brings me to school, which I'm really curious as to why. We walk into the building, which is quiet because no one is there. Mel drags me to my locker, and tells me to open it, which I do. When I turn around, she's gone. What the heck? 

I look around in my locker, bored and wondering where Mel is when I see it. A small envelope tucked under my history textbook. I grab it and open it. 

Go to the place where we had our first race 

- Drew 

On the top left corner, it says "Note #1" I'm utterly confused now, wondering where this is leading to. Was Drew going to have another surprise for me? I decide to ditch Mel and just go to the park, the place where we had a race to the playground. It was also the place I gave the challenge to Drew. Since I don't have a car, I have to figure out a way to get to the park, which is 10 minutes away from the school. When I walk out of the school, however, I see my bike parked on the sidewalk. I shrug, and jump on, riding as fast as I can to the park. 

When I get there, I see the usual. Children playing on the playground, the elderly sitting on benches, and birds chirping everywhere. Am I supposed to find another note? Where will I find one? Then I think of it. The slide! That was where Drew and I raced to. I run to the red slide in the middle of the playground. I see my mom standing at the bottom of the slide, which was really awkward. I walk over and tap her on the shoulder. 

"Mom? What are you doing here? I thought you have work today?" I ask her. But my mom merely shakes her head wordlessly, handing me another envelope. I open it gladly, hoping that it is Note #2. 

Go to the place where your favorite pretzels are stored. 

- Drew

Sure enough, the small letters "Note #2" are scribbled on the top left corner. My favorite pretzels... wouldn't that be the mall? I wave goodbye to my mom, and go back to search for my bike. Except it's not there. I look around frantically. I need to get to the mall, not to mention my bike was just stolen. 

I hear two loud beeps, and Mel pulls up in her convertible. I blink rapidly, as if I'm dreaming. She motions for me to hop in, and I do. 

"Where to, Z?" She asks. 

"The mall. Why are you here? How did you get here? Why did you leave me back at the school?" I ask her, firing question after question. 

Mel just ignores me, and continues driving towards the mall. I huff, crossing my arms and leaning back on the seat. 

We arrive, and just as I am about to ask her to wait for me, she drives off, leaving me standing on the curb. Oh well... 

I run into the mall and get stopped by the mall security, who tells me not to run. I nod, and fast walk to my favorite pretzel store. 

"Hello, how may I help you today?" The lady at the counter asks me. 

"Um... can I have the cinnamon pretzel bites? Oh, and I'm Zoey Camden. Is there a note for me, by any chance?" I ask. She nods, giving me the third envelope. I pay for my cinnamon pretzel bites and walk away, reading the note. 

Go to the place where I surprised you with a video. 

- Drew 

Again, the small lettering "Note # 3" is on top. I remember the video Drew made for me. It was so sweet. The problem is, I don't know how to get there because he blindfolded me and drove me to the place. All I remember are the trees and the green grassy field... grassy field. It's in the meadow near the creek! 

I'm back at the entrance of the mall, but Mel is no where to be found. Instead, my mom pulls up in her car, honking her horn to tell me to hop in. I do, but at this point I am so confused about this. I disregard it, because I need to get to these places and get these notes so I can find out what is going on. 

Mom seems to know where I'm supposed to be going, because she drives quickly to my destination. 

"Thanks Mom. Do you want the rest of my cinnamon pretzel bites?" I ask her. She nods happily, and I give her the rest. 

I'm at the meadow now, and I recognize the place I stood when Drew surprised me. Running over, I see the 4th envelope sitting on the ground. I pick it up, eager to read it. 

Go to the place where we had our first date. 

- Drew 

Our first date. The fairgrounds! I love that place, and Drew knows it, too. It was the place he brought me to for drawing. It's a good thing the fairgrounds are not too far from here. I start running, gasping for breath. I really need to get in shape. Nevertheless, I keep running until I see Mel. She guides me to this specific spot on the fairgrounds, which I recognize is where the Ferris wheel sat. Melanie tells me to stand there as she ties a blindfold around my head. I want to tell her to stop, but I control myself because I feel that something amazing is going to happen. 

A few minutes later, I feel someone take the blindfold off, and I'm met with my favorite person: Drew. A wide grin slips onto my face as I give him a big hug. Of course he would plan all this, just for me. He gives me a huge hug, and we just stand there for a few moments, enjoying each other's company. He pulls away first, but he starts talking. 

"Zoey, I want you to know that I care about you so much. So much that I think about you every day, all the time. It's like you're engraved into my brain, because that's how much I think about you. I love it when you draw, when you have that look of concentration on your face, I love it when you tease me, or glare at me, I love it when you spend time with me. I know we aren't dating yet, but Zoey, I love you." He finishes with a huge grin on his face, and he moves out of my line of vision, to let me see the beautiful sight that was in front of me. 

Stuffed animal penguins were tied to balloons and flying, yes FLYING, in front of me. Drew had made my wish come true, and he had completed the challenge. He made penguins fly. Sure, they were only stuffed animals, but he actually took the time to try and make them fly for me. When all the penguins fell to the ground, that's when I registered his words. Did he say he loves me? I turn to face Drew, who is looking at me. 

"Did you say you love me?" I whisper to him. He nods, and I jump onto him, hugging him tightly. 

"I love you, too Drew. Thank you for making penguins fly." I mumble into his neck. I feel him laughing, his chest rumbling. 

"You're welcome, Zoey. I would do anything for you." He sets me down gently, and I see him take one of the penguins from behind his back and hold it in front of me.

"Zoey, will you be my girlfriend?" 

"Yes, yes, yes, 100% yes!" I shout, exhilarated by today's events. I take the penguin out of his hands, and tip toe to bring my lips to his. I hear clapping and shouting, so we break apart. Mel is there, laughing and clapping. My mom is there, clapping and shouting. All of Drew's friends were here, teasing him. 

I look at the penguin carefully. It looked like someone had taken the time to stitch the seams together. 

"Drew? Did you make these penguins yourself?" I ask him. 

"Yep. It took me a long time and some help from my mom, but I made them in time." He smiles, eyes twinkling. 

"Aww, Drew. I love you." I give him another huge hug . 

"I love you, too, Zoey. I love you, too." Drew smiles. 

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wahhhh Drew made penguins fly ahhhh <3 should i write another chapter? or should I end the story here? 


  








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