Chapter 12: The Peacock Feathers Madness Part 1
I was happily eating a meat taco with nachos. Yeah, Mom decided to make mexican food for dinner this time, and I liked the way she cooked the juicy meat. Yummy!
I saw her pulling out a jar of hot sauce.
"Jenny darling, what's with that... Ooh, your armband is really nice." She said, looking at my right arm.
"Oh, this?" I also looked down at my arm and touched the soft, red fabric. "It was from the Ninja. He used a small piece of his scarf to cover a... a wound."
"Oh, darling. Are you hurt?" Asked Mom with concern as she dropped the jar and held my right arm.
"Nah, it's just a mild cut. I'm fine. I just cut myself when I tried to climb a tree at school during a monster attack. The Ninja had saved me and noticed my cut."
I honestly didn't wanted to tell Mom about me being kidnapped by McFist and that Viceroy dude brainwashing me and making me destroy the Ninja. I would never put my family at risk. I rather risk myself, and even more when I'm the Kunoichi. And that is a secret I won't unfold to anyone, not even Randy or Howard.
"Oh, Jenny. You're always risking yourself too much. Did anyone else noticed that?"
"Nope." I smiled. "Just the Ninja, nobody else."
"Okay, hon." Mom said smiling.
I looked back at the small living room and decided to sit on the furniture with a cup of grape juice in hand. I then looked for something fun on TV. Actually, every show was boring every single day.
"Ain't there anything fun?" I asked a bit angrily and made such a face.
...
It was Thursday, it was noon and everyone at Norrisville High was seen walking here and there around the locker halls. I was one of those people. And I still had my red fabric covering that part of my arm where I got the wound. I never took it off considering I was still the Ninjas greatest fan. Yeah, I was crazy enough to keep it on like an armband.
Also, I had a newest haircut today. This time, my hair was shorter than before. It was shorter to up the neck, and I moved my bangs to my right side of my forehead. Today I was wearing a pink T-shirt with no designs, blue skinnies and black tennis shoes that had pink straps. I wore small hairclips designed as black bows on each side of my head and obviously I had no makeup on. I still hated it!
Today I was feeling beautiful, but not THAT kind of beautiful as in attractive, just pretty. I used to do this less often considering the amount of eyes that stared at me every five seconds as I passed by.
I opened my locker and put in some books. Then I looked at my reflection on the small mirror I had put in. Mom's haircut on me was pretty nice.
"Oh my wowsers! Is that a new haircut?"
I looked around to find the owner of the voice. A ginger-haired girl seemed to admire my haircut.
"Uh... Yeah. Recent haircut." I said.
"Well, you have been invited to our Feather Dress Festival. Only girls with awesome fashion styles come in. As a special gift, you've been chosen to wear the peacock feathered dress!"
My eyes widened at that. "Peacock... feathered... dress?"
Yeah, I forgot to say... PEACOCK FEATHERS ARE MY GREATEST WEAKNESS! I wouldn't resist my fears when they get like three feet closer to me. And those things look like honkin' eyes!
"Yes!" Said the girl excitedly. "It's our very unique exotic dress. Nobody has ever tried it on in the history of high school. I bet it'll match you perfectly!"
"Um... Thanks for that. Uh... I'd love to participate!" I lied and made a fake smile.
She gasped. "Really?"
I nodded.
Just then, the bell rang.
"Whew! Saved by the bell!" I thought. "Well, I have to go. Time for class!"
...
I ran to my seat next to Randy and sighed deeply.
"I can't wear that feathery dress! Peacock feathers scare the juice out of me!" I whispered to myself.
"Jennifer?" Randy called, raising an eyebrow.
I looked over at him. "Oh! I'm sorry. I used to speak to myself when I'm... you know... kind of like this."
"Uh huh..." He nodded. "If it's about the Ninja, I know what you're going to say."
"It's not!" I exclaimed blushing so bad.
Everyone on class heard that and stared at me. I felt awkward.
"Um... Sorry." I whispered.
As the class continued, I turned to Randy again.
"It's not about what occurred between the Ninja and me. Thanks for reminding me, though. I still have that piece of scarf he used to cover my wound."
Randy looked at me kind of awkwardly.
"Okay, let's get to the point. Well, some ginger-haired girl just invited me to what she called the Feather Dress Festival, and I just can't use a feathered dress."
Randy laughed at that.
"What's so funny?" I asked.
"Oh, nothing. Just thinking..."
"What were you thinking?" I asked with a funny face.
"If you're afraid of chickens, then I'm with you."
"Chickens?" I laughed. "Not exactly. It's worst than... chicken feathers. It's a dress... made of peacock feathers. Peacock feathers, Randy. And those things scare the juice out of me!"
"Peacock feathers are your weakness?"
"Yeah." I sighed. "A dress made of those things is like torture to my mind! And the worst thing is that I told her I was going to be in the festival. I know this is all girls' stuff, but I just hope you can understand and help me."
"Chill, girl. I'll convince my best friend's sister to count you out."
"You know her?"
...
The three of us walked out of the school. It was a relief because today I had no homework. Not to mention, I couldn't help but think of the peacock feathered dress.
I tried and tried to make something up to distract myself a bit, until something popped out of my head.
"So, what are you boys going to do today?"
Yeah, it was weird for a girl like me to hang out with boys like Randy and Howard. But hey, those were the only guys I just met and talked to at school.
"Nothing really, just playing video games all day long." Says Howard. "Do you know what Grave Punchers is?"
I laughed. "A game where you punch graves? Seriously?"
Howard gave me a serious look, kind of saying that it wasn't lame.
"Okay, okay." I laughed again. Then returned to being serious. "How's it like anyways?"
...
I'd say this was one of my good days ever. Randy had invited me to his house, and the three of us did too many fun stuff! We ate snacks, laughed, made the most ridiculous and awkward things ever, and also, Howard challenged me to play Grave Punchers 5.
I have to admit it was a pretty cool video game actually. I used to play video games back on my former hometown when I was little. That sure was a long time ago. When I first became a teenager, I was no longer playing video games until now. So bruce old times back there. I really missed it.
Anyways, I did enjoyed the game a lot that I was at "the edge of my seat". I either sat, kneeled or laid on my back staring at the TV as I played.
"You guys were right. This is pretty cool." I said as I crazily pressed every button on the controller.
And then... I win!
"Boom! In your face, Weinerman! I beat the juice out of ya!"
"Wow, Jennifer! First challenge and you actually made up a new high score!" Says Randy.
"Yeah, baby! 1,743,910 points! This rocks, dude!"
"Nah, it's just the beginning." Said Howard, not admitting that I beat him for the first time.
I got up from the floor and went to see Randy. He was kind of working with some papers and notebooks.
"So, what's up with those papers?" I asked as I sat next to him.
"Just doing some math practice. We've got a test next week."
"Say WHAT?!"
I quickly dug out my my math notebook, a pencil and a few papers, and stared at him. I started to blush.
"I know this is kind of weird, well... I've never asked people to help me, so... can you please help me with the math exercises? I just can't decipher those honkin' things! A reason why I'm not that good at math is because I hate it!"
Minutes later...
"Oh my gosh, I totally did it. I discovered the most difficult part of the exercises!"
I was finally done studying some math and put my stuff away. It was time for some personal entertainment!
I dug out my sketchbook, colored pencils, a pen of black ink, a regular pencil, a HUGE eraser that said "BIG MISTAKE", and my other drawings. I so wanted to show them my drawings.
I unfolded every paper that had my drawings on and placed them on the floor next to my tools. They were mostly about the Ninja, some were about the Kunoichi, and only one was about both together since I gave the epic one to the Ninja as a gift for saving me.
I took my regular pencil and an empty paper and thought of something I could draw. I thought harder...
And harder...
Twice as harder...
Three times as harder...
Four times as harder...
And nothing came to my head.
It was then when I saw a hand picking up one of my drawings of the Ninja. I gasped a little, then looked down at my empty paper, then pretended that I was drawing some flowers so that I would not look up at him.
"Wow! You've got talent, Jennifer." He says with a smile as he eyed on my drawing.
I looked up at Randy and, yet again, another blush filled my cheeks. "Um... thanks."
As I looked at my drawings, then at the empty paper, then at my drawings again, I couldn't help but think about what had happened recently. I know I should've rid off those thoughts, but just thinking about how harsh I fought against the Ninja brought up some tears.
"Excuse me..."
I dropped my pencil and got up, then walked out of the room.
"Jennifer?"
Cunningham watched as the girl left with her head looking at the floor. She felt so depressed by then. Randy couldn't understand why Jennifer was like that, and why was she so scared after she had been 'brain washed' and attacked him.
"Where did that kid go? I thought she was in for more challenges." Said Howard, interrupting Randy's thoughts.
"Maybe she just needs some air outside." Replied Randy, then he saw her pack and picked it up. "I'll be right back. I gotta'... you know... something."
He then dashed off, leaving Howard playing a single mode of Grave Punchers 5.
"She's such a weirdo. I still can't believe she just beat the juice out of me." He said as he kept playing.
I stood on the front porch of the house. I laid my back on the wall and stared aimlessly at the beautiful sky. It was intensely blue and there were several clouds passing by. I loved these kinds of days. They always brought inner peace and tranquility to my life. A good way to relax.
I took off the soft, red fabric from my arm and held it to my chest. Then I thought about that moment again. I felt so angry, so powerful, so invincible, but that didn't stopped me from being the Ninja's greatest fan.
I closed my eyes and let myself take over by the warm waves of sunlight and the relaxing breeze of the wind. Such great elements of tranquility. I smiled and took deep breathings.
"I wish every day was like this." I said calmly.
"You forgot your pack." I heard Randy say.
That caught me by surprise. Randy had come to give me my pack, and he actually scared me.
"Sweet ninja, Randy! You scared the juice out of me!" I panted.
"Sorry." He replied with a sheepish smile and sat next to me. "Were you meditating or something?"
"Yeah, just clearing my mind. It's a way to relax every bit of you and lose negative energy."
"Cool." He responded with a smile.
I turned my sight to the sky again, clearing my thoughts. But my calm moment was ruined by the noisy sound of my phone ringing. I pulled it out of my pocket and read...
"Great. Mom needs me back home right away."
...
"Hon, I know you're really busy with your school stuff, but your father and I are planning to help build up the Feather Dress Festival at your school. Would you please help us with the exotic feathers?"
I looked over at the pot full of... yeah... peacock feathers. My eyes widened. They seemed endless.
I picked up the pot with my eyes closed tight, not wanting to stare closely at the freaky feathers, and went to place them somewhere else.
"It's just a feather, it's just a feather, it's just a-"
At the time I opened my eyes, the honkin' feathers were, like, staring at me. I let out a shriek and accidentally dropped the pot. It shattered to pieces and the feathers flew everywhere.
"Jennifer, what was that?"
Mom and Dad came into the scenery and gasped when they saw the nicest pot already broken.
"I'm so sorry!" I yelled desperately, my hands were shivering.
"Oh, Jennifer. That was our most fancy pot."
"Mom, I promise I will repair this!"
"It's alright. We can go and buy a new one." Says Dad. "But we wouldn't do anything if you keep breaking stuff. Now, go to your room and do your homework, okay?"
Dad shoved me out of there and to up the stairs.
"Dad, I broke that pot. I have to fix it!" I protested.
"No, Jennifer. We can handle this ourselves. Please, go to your room." He insisted.
"Fine! If you don't let me help you with your stuff, then have it your way!" I cried as I stomped my feet up the stairs and into my room. Then I slammed the door and locked it.
I couldn't believe that! I used to help my parents with almost everything, even with the impossible stuff! But that was in the past, when I lived back on my former hometown...
I threw myself to my bed and punched the pillows many times, then jammed my face on a pillow and cried out loud, though it wasn't that noisy.
I then gasped to a red glow under the other pillow beside me. My NinjaNomicon. I dragged it to me and held it with both hands.
I sniffed, wiping my tears away. "Please, make it quick, Nomicon."
The Nomicon flipped many pages before I got my consciousness absorbed in...
"Arg!"
...
I fell flat on my face to the floors of the dojo I used to be when my dreams were interrupted. I massaged my face as I got up.
"Listen, I know I should keep going with this Kunoichi stuff. I know I should start training my Kunoichi powers, though I never knew how I summoned lightning that easy. But can't you teach me how to be useful enough and rid off my fears? Actually, those honkin' peacock feathers are killing me."
A new message from the Nomicon appeared in front of me.
"A Kunoichi never stands useless." I read before it changed to another one. "To control your fear, you must embrace your fear."
"Thanks! Hey, another thing, how's about I train this weekend? I mean, I may not have anything to do, so..."
Suddenly, some kind of feather sketch tickled my nose. I giggled a bit. It sure tickled. Then I felt myself being pushed back to reality.
...
I could still feel the tickling sensation at the tip of my nose, and I heard someone saying the word "tickle" several times. When I opened my eyes, I saw... you don't have to be a genious to know what it was.
I jumped off my bed and crawled backwards to a wall. Yup, my worst fear stood in the hands of Howard Weinerman and Randy Cunningham.
"Okay. First, that was not cool! Second, what the juice? Just how did you guys came in?"
"We came by the window while you were sleeping." Says Randy.
"Yeah, kind of wondering why did my big sis Heidi invited you to the feather party." Says Howard, rubbing the peacock feather with his fingers.
"I don't know. She just admired my hairstyle."
The boys raised an eyebrow. Then... awkward silence.
"Yeah, I know this is all girls' stuff, but you have got to count me out once the festival starts. I don't know, invent an excuse, like... I got sick or something."
"I don't think it would be easy to convince her, you know. She'll always keep going 'til you give in."
"Really?" I asked in disappointment. "Then I think it's no use to talk to your sister. I just don't want to use that stupid peacock-feathered dress!"
I almost failed to notice my Nomicon still opened and rushed to my bed, pretending that I was making it up so I could hide the book under a pillow.
"Please don't give me the weird looks. I do this all the time, so I guess it's just another of my habits. About the festival thingy, I'm not so sure I can wear that scary dress, but let's see what happens next. Oh, and don't be too surprised if my parents show up. They're volunteers now."
"I see." Says Randy.
"So, what's up for tomorrow?"
The next day, at Norrisville High...
"...But honestly, I'm a great lover of archery. These guys should make some kind of archery competition instead of a boring feather festival."
"And it's all girls' stuff." Said Howard, rolling his eyes.
"Yeah. Girls are way too obssessed with fashion. I'm a girl too, but not like THAT kind of girl." I said, then whispered "Jeez, I think I'm half-tomboy."
Me and the boys walked up the stairway to the school entrance, chatting about our little interests. We were having a pretty good time.
My normal, happy self became a frightened one as I entered the school. On the walls, over every locker, pasted on the doors... Peacock feathers everywhere!
My eyes widened with fear. I felt my heart thumping against my chest, and my nerves were taking over me.
I couldn't move of how scared I was. Why did it had to be honkin' peacock feathers? I felt petrified.
"Cunningham, I think she's acting weird." I heard Howard say.
"Maybe she's a little bit panicked. Knowing her, she can't stare at those feathers that much."
"Then do something! We're wasting our time here doing nothing!"
Randy didn't hesitated. He snatched a water bottle from some other kid and threw all that water over my head. I reacted at the chilling, fresh water and removed my wet hair from my face.
"Thanks." I breathed, not really caring about what happened. After all, I felt relieved from my levels of panic.
"Finally! I got the fitting size for you!"
Coming towards us with an excited face was Howard's sister, Heidi. I faked a smile and walked to her.
"Fitting size for... what?"
"For your dress! Didn't you know? The festival starts today!"
"TODAY?!" The three of us screamed.
"Yes! You have to come, new girl. The peacock feathered dress awaits you!"
"Uh, okay."
Heidi took my arm nicely. Before I got away from the boys, I looked back at Randy and made an "I'm so dead!" gesture. He kind of flinched, but then he left with his best friend.
