(Okay, Diane's turn! …What? Ya thought it'd be Wolf's turn next, did ya? Feeling a hint of lacking motivation to write rn, but I'm trying to come up with stuff to do. I guess mentally, I haven't been doing too good. But I'll be fine, I'm trying to work through it. Anyways, enough about that. Enjoy!)
Zeke was interested in today's class, because it was about stars! Mr. Oak was a great science teacher and knew great things about astronomy! "All right, now who can tell me what the closest star to the sun?" Mr. Oak had asked, "Uh…I think its name is Alpha Centauri?" Jack had asked. "Nice job, Jack!" Mr. Oak said.
"Alpha Centauri is more than just a star, though. It's a star-SYSTEM, made of three stars. Can anyone tell me the names?" Mr. Oak said.
"Oh! Oh! Mr. Oak, I have an answer!" Zeke said, "All right, Zeke, what's your answer?" Mr. Oak said, passionately. "One of the stars names was Proxima Centauri or uh…Alpha Centauri C." Zeke said, "Wow, Zeke. I'm impressed!" Mr. Oak said, smiling.
"My dad used to take me to the observatory a lot. My uncle disguised himself as my mom one time." Zeke said, remembering those days a little. "What, did you and he steal from there, too?" Another student—Hugh had said. "N-No…I-In his case, I hope not." Zeke said, brushing his ears, "Ha! You can't even deny it, crook!" Hugh said, smiling and acting cocky.
"Hugh, that is uncalled for. Apologize to Zeke." Mr. Oak said.
"Why? HE'S the criminal here!" Hugh said, "I-I never asked to be a criminal, g! I woulda preferred being like Zorro if I WAS a thief." Zeke said, "But still no! I don't want to do bad things anymore." Zeke said.
"Zeke, let me handle it, okay?" Mr. Oak said, "S-Sorry, Mr. Oak." He apologized, ears drooping in embarrassment. Akio couldn't tell what was said, because the translator stopped when they heard the arguing. Liv tried to signal that Zeke needs support.
"Yeah apologize, you criminal." Hugh said, smirking, and trying to mock him. "Hugh. That is enough." Mr. Oak had said. "Mr. Oak, don't defend him. His dad was literally the leader of The Bad Guys! He—" Hugh was cut off. "Except he's trying to start a new life. You're judging him and not setting a better example for him." Mr. Oak said, "We'll be talking about this after class." Hugh & Zeke looked to their sides and looked upset.
(Later)
Zeke was working on drawing during recess. "What's it this time?" Akio asked, "Uh, it's a shield. How I want to imagine the metaphorical Shield of Faith."Zeke explained, drawing out the shape of a shield with blue flames surrounding the edges. "There are those two crooks again!" Someone had said again, Zeke had sighed, "What'd they say?" Akio asked.
"They called us crooks…" Zeke said, "Sorry, Akio." Zeke apologized.
"Dude, let's tell Mr. Oak, this is the thing he's here for." Akio suggested. Zeke sadly sighed, "May as well build a rep of being a snitch, too I guess…" Zeke said, sarcastically.
(More later)
Zeke was called him early, but he wasn't expecting that anyone besides Uncle Lou picking him up today. "Maybe he had a thing to do…" Zeke said, before he made it to the front office. "Hi, sweetie." Diane's voice had said. "Mom!" Zeke ran up to hug her. "How was school?" Diane said. "It was great. Mr. Oak was teaching astronomy and Kipo came in and read a book for us!" Zeke said, "Kipo?" Diane asked. "Mr. Oak's daughter. She's volunteering from high school."Zeke explained, walking with his mom. "Oh, that's awesome, Zekey! Did you learn anything new?" Diane asked. "I learned about the star systems, and I learned about Alpha Centauri." Zeke explained. "Sounds fun, kiddo." Diane said.
"But…Something did happen earlier…" Zeke said, getting into the car. Diane could tell by her son's tone that he was becoming sad. "Was it Hugh again?" She asked. "Yeah…I don't know what they didn't get about me…I'm a Good Guy, now." Zeke said, putting his hand on his chin. "I'm trying my best to be someone good…" Diane patted her son's head. "I know you are, sweetie. Don't be upset." Zeke just sighed, "I know, Mom, but…I was honestly hoping I'd be accepted a little better." Diane looked upset, "It takes time, honey. This is the same thing I told your dad; it won't be easy, but there are things you have to accept. Either people'll trust you or they won't…" She explained to her son. "But it's the matter of finding the right people in your life to stay friends with that makes it worth it. Like Akio and Liv." Diane explained. Zeke thinks he understands, but still looks down. "I wish…everyone was accepting. If they don't accept me as a former-criminal, will they accept me as a Christian?" Zeke asked. "Some will, some won't, honey. Like I said, the people who love you for you are the ones you want to be friends with." Diane explained, "If people want to know you, that's their loss, okay?" Diane asked.
"Okay, Mom." Zeke said, nodding his head. "Let's head to the store." Diane said, patting her son's head.
(Later)
Zeke had gone to the store with his mom to go get some groceries. "Can we go to the craft store?" Zeke asked, "Not right now, Zeke. I'm getting groceries, not spray paint." Diane said, "Don't ask for a deed either. That's too much money and paperwork right now, okay?" She asked her son. "Aww…" Zeke said, ears drooping. "I can take snack requests, but nothing more." She said to him. "Can we get those berry looking candies?" Zeke asked. "Much better. I'll buy some other things." Diane said. "You'll come see me on Thursday, right? I hope you'll see the sets I helped make!" Zeke asked. Diane looked unsure, "We'll see, sweetheart. I do have to attend a bunch of meetings and there's an opening for a venue I have to sign off on." Zeke nodded, "Okay, I just hope Dad goes to see the play, too." Zeke said. "Did we still have push-pops?" He then asked. "If your uncles didn't eat them all." Diane said, Zeke giggling at the joke.
(Back home)
Zeke tried to guess the code to the secret room on the microwave. "Come on…" Zeke typed in the last few numbers. "Zeke, no." Diane said, sternly. "Make your food and stop pressing the buttons." Zeke then sighed, "Awwww…" he said, dejectedly. "Even if you have the code, honey, it still wouldn't open for you." Diane said. "Oh right, the retina scan…Well played, Governess." Zeke said, squinting his eyes at his mom. Diane just laughed, "Why do you wanna get in there so badly?" Diane asked.
"All your cool spy stuff, g. Dad taught me how to use the grappling hook and stuff, and I wanna see if I can use that giant shuriken again!" Zeke explained, heating up a bunch of French fries. "Uh-uh. Zeke, you're not a spy, and I don't want you hurting yourself with that shuriken." Diane said. Zeke just groaned annoyedly, "Fine…I guess this doesn't prove I wanna be a Good Guy, anyways. Sorry, Mom." Zeke said, pulling out his French fries. "Now, I gotta show you what Mr. Oak taught us in science today!" Zeke said, pulling out his notebook for school. Diane smiled and watched as her child went on about how much fun learning was for him. Zeke happily showed his mom all the stuff that he was learning at school, his mind would wander to how his biological mom would've loved to see this, but he loved Diane and Diane was more his mom now. Zeke smiled when he explained the star systems to Mom.
(Okay, we're at the end. I figured I'd add the nuance of Zeke's situation and write that he'd still be prejudiced here. One thing I love about his bond with Diane is that she—like with Wolf—acts as an inspiring force for Zeke to do better. Also, I've wanted to throw in a Kipo: Age Of Wonderbeasts reference in there. Also I wanted to say to Klonoa happy birthday! Anyways, I'll keep praying for u guys! stay strong and awesome!)
Psalm 8:9 KJV:
O LORD our Lord,
How excellent is thy name in all the earth!
