The next morning before the sun came up, I got out of bed, snuck downstairs and went into the lab in the basement. You see, I decided to use a transformation formula to change myself to a regular human. Once I'm a regular human, no one will be scared of me and I'll make some new friends and get to be with Cindy.
Neil: Now, let's see! What do I need to make this formula to change my appearance?
I read the recipe carefully, then looked around for the ingredients I needed. When I found all of them, I got right to work. I measured the ingredients, pounded some of them into pieces and added them to a flask, hanging over a heated candle to mix them altogether. When the formula was done, I poured a drop of it in my water and drank it. The instant I did, I began to feel twitchy, as if something was happening.
Neil: Oh! I feel strange!
When I stopped twitching, I looked at my refection in the mirror and saw that my ears were rounded and my front teeth were squared. Now, I look just like a regular human!
Neil: Ha-ha! Success! I did it! Now, I can make friends without causing a panic.
That also meant I can actually be with Cindy too. But then, I thought of something that needs to be known.
Neil: Wait a minute! There may be an antidote to this. Nothing must be overlooked!
I looked in the book again until I found the recipe for the antidote. It was a good thing I did! I didn't want to risk my teeth and ears changing back to their original state and scaring anyone.
At breakfast, my family was surprised by my new look. They couldn't believe it! But now that I looked like a regular human, I can be with other humans.
Later when I went outside, many people saw me and they smiled and waved at me. How I had longed for this! It was nice to be greeted by friendly smiles instead of screams, for once! But as I reached the park, I heard someone crying.
Neil: What's that? Where's it coming from?
I followed the sound into the park, across the path and past a great big tree. And there was Cindy, sitting on a park bench and crying. I wondered what was wrong!
Neil: Excuse me, miss! But, what's the matter? Why are you crying?
Cindy looked up and saw me. Still having tears in her eyes, she told me what was wrong.
Cindy: It's Ahmed! He doesn't like me! When I went to ask him to the school dance, he didn't respond.
I didn't want to see someone so sad. So, I pulled a tissue from my jacket pocket and handed it to Cindy.
Neil: There, there! Here, blow!
Cindy blew her nose into the tissue. This toned down her crying.
Cindy: Thank you!
Neil: You're welcome! By the way, my name's Neil. I'm new to the neighborhood.
Cindy: Nice to meet you! I'm Cindy! But I don't know why Ahmed never knows how I feel.
Neil: Well, I could ask him, if you like.
Cindy: Would you? Oh, thank you, Neil!
Well, I cheered Cindy up, but it was clear that she had feelings for Ahmed. I don't want to get in the way of that. But what Cindy told me was true! Ahmed barely pays any attention to her. So, I decided to find out why. And luckily, with my new look, I can blend in and ask without scaring anyone.
My chance of asking Ahmed came sooner than I thought. Because later that day, my parents told me that they made arrangements for me to go to a real school. This was a first for me, because in the past, I was homeschooled.
The next morning, my butler, Igen, dropped me off at the school.
Neil: Thanks, Igen!
Igen: Have a good day, Master Shadowton!
I felt like I had butterflies in my tummy, but at least I'll get to talk to other humans. Inside the school hallways, I saw a lot of teens near the lockers. It had the usual people you would find in a middle or high school like influencers, cybergoths and jocks.
Neil: (thinking) How am I going to find this Ahmed person in this place?
Suddenly, when I went to put my school things in my locker, there he was.
Neil: Oh, hello! You must be Ahmed! I'm Neil! I'm new to the neighborhood.
Ahmed: Nice to meet you!
I can tell Ahmed's really cool! I was just going to tell Ahmed about Cindy, when another girl came down the hallway and saw me. It was Tamira, Cindy's rival! She went right up to me.
Tamira: Hi there! My name's Tamira! Where are you from?
Neil: Very far away!
Tamira: Amazing! You're going to love it here! If you want, I can help you catch up on your homework.
I didn't like it when Tamira backed me into a locker and leaned closer to me. But luckily, Ahmed pulled me away from her. Boy, was I glad he did!
Ahmed: He doesn't have any homework. But thanks! I'm gonna show him around.
And with that, Ahmed and I left our lockers and went down the hallways. I sure was glad to be away from Tamira! She was really getting on my nerves!