Exchange+Student's+Link

On the Wings of Curiosity – continued…

Laurella and Gregory exchanged glances and said in unison, “Home.

Definitely home. “Nice meeting you, Terrence, But gotta go,” added Laurella as she

pointed to her watch. “Right,” exclaimed Gregory over his shoulder as the two ran a

away. “My Mom’s expecting me, and I’m hungry, and I have school, and…” Gregory’s

voice trailed off as they disappeared through the Crystal Forest.

“OW!” yelled Laurella as she tripped over a boulder. “I hate those things!”

The two arrived, out of breath, at the Club Sunshine gazebo, and thought

about their adventure.

“Gregory, y’all out thaya?” Greg’s mother called.

“I hate when she talks like that,” Greg said to Laurella.

“But isn’t she from the South?” asked Laurella

“Yes, but she also channels Reba McIntyre and it’s really annoying.” Greg

paused, then called out, “Right here, mom, I’m coming!”

For days Laurella and Greg tried to get back to their normal routines. They

even stayed away from each other, except on the school bus which picked them up

on the street between their houses. Neither one wanted to talk about their

experience in the Crystal Forest or Fairy City, and definitely not about Lord Wart.

But there was no denying they felt guilty about Shadowfax, the Wonder Horse.

Every time they looked at each other, each knew what the other was thinking. But

what could they do? They had to get home, they had to go to school, and they had

to get back to their normal lives – whatever they were for a schizophrenic boy with

a southern-dialect Mom who channeled Reba, and a girl whose family did not seem

to exist.

But nothing would ever be normal again.

The first indication was in school, when Laurella’s English teacher gave the

class a theme assignment. It was close to the end of the year, and the students were

so done with being there. Many never even made it to class, but for some reason

chose to lurk nearby.

“Come out of the shadows, you two! Okay, class, we needs facts for this theme…”

All Laurella heard was Shadowfax.

That same day (of course!) in Gregory’s class, one of his friends mentioned

his new dog. “He’s black so we named him Shadow, and he’s the size of a fox…”

All Gregory heard was Shadowfax.

“Twilight Zone” music was playing everywhere. The two friends could not

hide any longer. They met at Club Sunshine.

“Wow, this is really weird!” said Greg.

“Yeah,” said Laurella.

“Whaddiya think? Should we…”

Laurella looked at Greg. Greg looked at Laurella. Even Phineas made an

appearance.

“Naaah!” they said in unison.

THE END