1In early August, the Saturdays have a family meeting in the afternoon. Drew started the conversation. "Zak, you are growing up. Your father and I feel that you should go out into the real world and learn new things. You can't have just Fiskerton, Komondo, and Zon as friends. I mean yeah, sure, they are really great friends, but we think you need human friends too."
Zak turns to Doc and looks at him with a confused look on his face. With a sure tone in his voice, Doc says, "Zak, we were thinking of sending you to School."
Fiskerton, who was sitting behind the couch, said, " Wazzuh??" Drew replied, "Yes Fiskerton, Zak is going to middle school."
Zak was shocked. He had to go to an actual school! His parent's home schooling was fine. He was worried but at the same time a little excited. "You'll have so much fun!" His mom's voice startled him a little. He looked at Drew and she smiled. Zak faked a smile. "I'm sure I will." He lied.
"I'm glad sweetie. It starts in September. We'll get your supplies this month so you'll be ready. Goodnight Zak."Drew gives her bewildered son a hug and so does her husband. She walks with Doc towards their room door and turns off the light. "Goodnight mom and dad."
Zak walks down the hall to his room with his friendly gorilla-cat. He changes into his pajamas and jumps in bed. "Fisk?" "Wazzah?" "What do you think middle school is like?" Fiskerton shrugs. "Whazzawhow." "Well, you never went to school due to being a cryptid, so you wouldn't know."
On top of her bed, 11 year old Essence was shocked. Her mom was sitting beside her having a important conversation the same night. "But, my friends... they won't be there!" "Honey, your father and I think that this will be better for you. You'll like it much better here." "How will I like it better than this middle school?" "Well, this school is a private school and we want the best for you." Essence sighs. "You don't have to if you don't want to. Maple says you should go because she thinks your friends are crazy." Her mom smiles.
Maple, Essence thought, my annoying younger sister. Always making fun of me. In the past, she embarrassed Essence in front of most of her class. Essence was sitting in the oddly quiet lunchroom. Her sister had the same lunch period that year. Essence was scratching the top of her nose when Maple blurted out, "Why you pickin' your nose, sis?" Just about everyone glanced and laughed at the impression of Essence picking her nose. Essence put her hand down immediately. Her embarrassed face turned red like a tomato. The "popular" groups was grossed out and made a loud "ewww!!"
Essence makes a final decision and says, "Yes, I'll go. I'll make a bunch of new friends. I'll learn a lot more too, right?" "Right. You'll have fun." Essence's mom, Robin, gives her soon to be sixth grader a hug and tells her goodnight. As soon as Robin closes the bedroom door, Essence makes her lamp dimmer while her cat jumps up onto the bed. "So, what's up, Dodor?" She says to her white cat. He had a black leg, ear, tail, and had a brown streak on his head. "Meow." "Yeah, I am going to a different middle school. But, I have a feeling that I just can't explain... like, something's going to happen."