"I'll see you tomorrow, Sally." Pocahontas said as they clocked out.
"See ya." Sally hurried out to the parking lot where Jack was waiting for her.
"Pocahontas, can you come back here?" Thomas called out.
Pocahontas sighed and made her way to the back. Thomas had Meeko in a cat carrier on the table.
"He's ready to go home with you," Thomas said.
Pocahontas let out a small squeal. "He is?"
"Yup." Thomas picked up the cat carrier and handed it to Pocahontas.
"Oh, Thomas, thank you." Pocahontas gave Thomas a one-armed hug.
"You're welcome."
Pocahontas brought Meeko out to her car and set him on the passenger seat. She drove carefully so the cat carrier wouldn't fall off the seat. Meeko stirred in the carrier and let out a small noise to let her know he wasn't happy.
"I know, sweetie. We're almost home," Pocahontas told him.
Pocahontas pulled into her driveway and got out of the car. She walked around the front of the car, opened the passenger side door and picked up Meeko. She then hurried into the house. She couldn't wait for everyone to meet him.
Nakoma was lying on the couch reading a magazine, but Pocahontas didn't see anybody else. Pocahontas brought Meeko over to her. Nakoma sat up as Pocahontas set the cat carrier on the couch.
"Aw! Who is this little guy?" Nakoma asked.
"Meeko. Someone brought him into the shelter a while ago with a broken leg. Thomas has been taking care of him for me," Pocahontas explained.
Pocahontas' aunt and uncle came in from the backyard then and joined the girls in the living room.
"Hi, Pocahontas," her aunt greeted her. "How was work?"
"Good." Pocahontas unlocked the cat carrier and pulled out Meeko. He looked around with wide eyes and snuggled close to Pocahontas.
"What is that?" Pocahontas' aunt asked.
"This is Meeko."
"Why is there a rodent in my house?" Pocahontas' uncle asked.
"He's mine."
"Absolutely not, Pocahontas," her uncle said. "That thing is not staying here."
"Why not?" Pocahontas asked.
"It's a raccoon, sweetie, not a pet," Pocahontas' aunt said. "I'm sorry, but it can't stay here. Please get rid of it."
Pocahontas pet Meeko and then put him back in the cat carrier. She bought him outside and sat down on the front porch step. She pulled out her phone and called Thomas.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Thomas, it's Pocahontas. I need another favor from you," Pocahontas said.
"Sure. What is it?"
"My aunt and uncle said I can't keep Meeko here. Can he stay with you?" Pocahontas asked.
"Oh, I don't know, Pocahontas. I don't know if my dad would like that. But, I'll ask. Hold on."
Thomas was gone for a few minutes. Pocahontas took Meeko out of the cat carrier and held him on her lap. He looked up at her with big eyes and she kissed his nose.
"It'll be okay," she whispered to him.
"Pocahontas?"
"Yeah?"
"My dad said you can bring him here," Thomas said. "He can stay in the shed, but you have to feed him and take care of him."
"I will. Thank you so much! I'll be right over."
Pocahontas got to John and Thomas' house in record time. Thomas was waiting for her outside. He brought her around back to the shed. There was a towel and some newspaper spread out on the floor. There was also a bowl of water and some lettuce on a plate. Pocahontas let Meeko out and set the carrier to the side. Thomas opened the window enough for Meeko to have some air, but wouldn't be able to get out.
"I'll be back to check on you, sweetie," Pocahontas said.
Pocahontas and Thomas made their way back into the house. As soon as Pocahontas saw Thomas and John's dad she gave him a hug.
"Thank you so much," she told him.
"You're welcome," he said. "Just remember that he's your responsibility, Pocahontas, not ours."
"I know."
"Who's your responsibility?" John asked, coming downstairs.
"Meeko," Pocahontas said. "He's staying in your shed."
John laughed. "I like him."
Pocahontas smiled at him. "Looks like you're gonna be seeing a lot more of me. I'll be coming by every day to check on him and feed him."
John kissed her forehead. "It'll be nice to have you around."
XXX
Ariel couldn't sit still. It was the night of the trip to see Wicked. Not enough people in choir had signed up to go, so Mrs. Rabbit extended the invite to the drama club as well. Now Ariel was sitting in the theater with Andrina, Aurora and Wendy. Aurora and Andrina were talking excitedly to the people sitting behind them and every once in a while they'd randomly start singing one of the songs from the musical. Wendy was looking around the theater in awe.
"This place is so beautiful," Wendy said to Ariel.
"Yes it is," Ariel agreed.
The lights dimmed and everyone stopped talking. Ariel watched the play, completely amazed. She had never seen any plays or musicals outside of school productions and she absolutely loved it.
When it was time for the intermission, Aurora and Andrina quickly got up and made their way to the bathroom. Wendy stayed behind with Ariel. Ariel noticed Wendy was fidgeting nervously with something.
"Are you enjoying the play?" Ariel asked Wendy.
Wendy nodded, but didn't look up from whatever was in her hands.
"Is everything all right?" Ariel asked.
"It's just..." Wendy hesitated. "It's just Peter. I think I'm losing him to Tinker Bell."
"I don't know Peter very well, but I know you deserve someone a lot better than him," Ariel said. "Maybe someone like Jim."
Wendy shook her head. "That would just be weird. Jim is like my brother."
"Then just be single," Ariel said. "Focus on school and your acting. Those things are gonna get you a lot further in life than some immature boy who can't make up his mind about which girl he likes better."
"Maybe you're right, Ariel." Wendy said, but she didn't look up and continued fidgeting.
"What is that?" Ariel asked pointing at Wendy's hands.
Wendy smiled and held up an acorn. "It's a kiss."
Ariel stared at her blankly. "I don't understand."
"You're not supposed to. It's an inside thing between Peter and me."
"The line in the bathroom is ridiculous!" Andrina announced as she and Aurora returned to their seats.
As the theater darkened again and Wicked started back up, Ariel got a text. She snuck her phone out of her pocket and cupped her hand around the screen so the light didn't distract anyone.
A-
I'm gonna pick u up from the school tonite. Cant wait to see you.
-E
Ariel smiled. She was glad Eric was going to be the one picking her up. She wanted to spend as much time with him as she possibly could.
I'm looking 4ward 2 it, Eric. I miss u.
I miss u 2.
XXX
Esmeralda sat down on the front steps and Mulan handed her a bottle of water. Esmeralda took a long drink, then set the water down next to her.
"I can't believe how out of shape I am," Esmeralda said.
Mulan laughed. "You're not out of shape, Esmeralda. You just aren't used to such an intense exercise routine. But, if you stick with it, it'll get better."
"Do you do that every day?" Esmeralda asked.
Mulan shook her head. "That's just the basic routine. My dad started me on that routine a few years ago. My daily workout is much harder."
Esmeralda looked at her in disbelief. "Well, kudos to you."
The girls were quiet for several minutes while Esmeralda caught her breath. Her entire body was sore and her arms legs felt like wet noodles.
"How is Phoebus?" Mulan finally asked.
"He's good," Esmeralda replied. "Don't you talk to him?"
"No. I haven't seen him or heard from him in a while. He's been busy," Mulan said.
"I'm sorry. That's probably my fault," Esmeralda said.
Mulan smiled at her. "Yeah, it is. But, it's all right. I'm glad Phoebus has found someone. He deserves someone good, unlike the tramp he lost his virginity to."
Esmeralda tilted her head to the side. "Wh-what do you mean?"
"I don't know much about her. All I know is he went out of his way to make the night perfect for her and she never talked to him again after that night," Mulan said.
Esmeralda opened her mouth to say something, but changed her mind. She wasn't sure how Mulan would react if she found it had been Esmeralda, and she really wanted Phoebus' best friend to like her.
"Hi, Mulan."
Esmeralda and Mulan looked up. A soldier, who appeared to be only a couple years older than them, was walking passed Mulan's house.
"Hi, Shang," Mulan greeted.
Shang waved at her and Mulan blushed. When Shang was out of ear shot, Mulan sighed. Esmeralda cleared her throat and raised an eyebrow at Mulan.
"What?" Mulan asked.
"You like him, don't you?" Esmeralda accused.
"No, I don't. He's just-"
Esmeralda laughed. "Mulan, please. You're not fooling anybody."
"It's irrelevant," Mulan said. "He doesn't see me like that."
"He likes you," Esmeralda stated.
"You don't know that."
"Yes, I do," Esmeralda said. "I'm sitting here in nothing but short shorts and a sports bra and he didn't even look at me. Either he likes you, or he's gay."
Mulan looked in the direction Shang had been walking. "You think?"
"I know."
Mulan turned back to Esmeralda. "Well, what do I do?"
"Flirt with him, boost his ego," Esmeralda said. "But, whatever you do, always always be yourself. Never pretend to be somebody else to impress a boy. Either he likes all of you, or he's not worth your time."
"I don't know, Esmeralda. I've never dated anyone before…"
Esmeralda thought for a moment. "I'll make you a deal. You help me tone up and I'll help you get Shang."
Mulan smiled at her. "Deal."