For some reason, I'm fascinated by this pairing. I think it's cute, and there's a whole past to play with there! I refuse to believe that the Kiss was the first time these two met.
Chapter One: A Touch of Class
Memphis was always tall. As a baby he was about a head taller that all the others, and remained this way for the rest of his life. It was this unusual height that attracted Mrs. Astrakhan's attention in his first class at Penguin Elementary.
"Memmmm-phees! Have you found a Hear-r-rtsonk yet?"
"Uh, I think so"
"Then sink darrlink!"
Memphis throat froze up. He was thinking "How bad can it be? Every penguin has a song. That means me. I have a song, why am I not singing it?"
"Um, Miss? Can I just have a little time to think of the words?" he blurted out, holding onto this excuse for dear life. Mrs. Astrakhan looked suspicious, but asked another penguin to sing first, nevertheless.
D- D-ahem. Don't have to be… rich,
To be my pearl,
You don't have to be cool,
To rule my world,
Ain't no particular song I'm more compatible with,
I just want your extra time and your,
Kiss.
Memphis had intended to be plucking up courage during this song- not to pay attention. But this unknown female's voice made his heart beat faster and his head snap upwards to look at her.
"Luffly Norma Jean, luffly."
Norma Jean he thought, I'll remember that. He didn't have many friends, and wanted as many as possible. He became lost in his thoughts, playing her song over in his head when he got a nudge from his friend Maurice.
"Memphis? Are you okay?"
He snapped out of it to realise he had been staring wide-eyed into space with his beak slightly open. He shook his head violently, and mumbled "I'm fine, I just spaced out".
"Meeeeeeeemphees?"
"Yes, Miss, I'll sing now".
"Goot".
Norma Jean searched for the shy singer, but didn't have to look far. He was very tall, with dark amber eyes like her own. He looked around and she smiled when his eyes met hers. It's okay, it's not so hard. You can do it. She tried to convey this message in the smile, but he looked away too quickly.
Well,
Since my baby left me,
I found a new place to dwell,
It's down at the end of Lonely Street at,
Heartbreak Hotel
She tilted her head to one side, sizing up the song. It doesn't sound great with a young voice she reflected but it will get better. She gave him another smile, this one without a message, before facing the front to hear the next singer, little knowing that most of the males in her class would be her suitors.
After class, she approached him and said "Hello. I'm Norma Jean. I liked your song."
She knew she was blunt- she hadn't been alive all that long so as to develop a sense of subtlety and tact. He on the other hand was withdrawn, hiding emotions and thoughts, even if there was no reason to hide them.
"Thanks. Yours was nice too" he said quickly, the white feathers on his cheeks turning a little pink. Just put your foot in your beak why dontcha? He thought to himself, shuffling his feet. She barely noticed the blatancy and carried on the conversation. At the end, each penguin had found a new friend.
Very short chapter. I'll be posting the next couple in rapid succession. Next up- Graduation Day. Hope you like!