Talented Me! 27

At the door to the greenhouse, she spotted Mr. Greene. He held a watering can in his hand letting a stream of water flow down.

Mr. Greene saw her as well and waved. "Hello, Wilona. All your friends are inside watering the plants. You can grab one over there."

Avina looked over to where he was pointing to. At a small corner was watering cans lined up. She picked a light green one and filled it with water.

"Thank you," Avina said. "I'll go over there."

Mr. Greene nodded and went back to his plants. Avina looked for just a little longer at this scholarly man who threatened her to attend his club before leaving.

'I can never understand him,' Avina told 5025. 'First, he's threatening me to join. Next, he's back to being nice. I still don't even know why he wanted me to join.'

'Maybe he thinks you like plants?'

'But I don't like the dirt.'

Turning at the corner, Avina saw her friends laughing while watering the plants. Gina and Ben were splashing water against each other, while Daisy was scolding them; only Eli was actually watering the plants. Noticing that she arrived, they waved towards her.

"You're finally here!" Daisy dropped her can and ran towards her. "Now, you can help me take care of these kindergartners!"

"Kindergartners! Me!?" Ben dramatically pointed towards himself and then pointed at Daisy. "You seem more like one! So short!"

Ben ruffled Daisy's hair with his wet hands. Daisy puffed her cheeks before smacking him away.

Smoothening her hair, she turned her attention back to Wilona. "Anyways, we're watering the plants. Wanna help us?"

Avina lifted her watering can and said, "Sure. Got a can right here."

They went back to the plants and began watering them. After a few minutes, Gina and Ben returned to their playful antics and fought with each other again. Splashes of water wet the ground and playful screams filled the greenhouse.

Avina laughed at her friends before joining in the fun. Swinging it left and right, she swished the water at Ben, Daisy, and Gina. Eli stayed a safe distance away spectating them. He still diligently watered the plants nearby.

Daisy giggled while wringing her shirt. "We're all wet now!"

Avina wrung her shirt as well before reaching into her bag for a towel. Patting herself dry, she asked them about tonight.

"Dinner? You're inviting us for dinner?" Daisy took her towel and patted herself dry. "Sounds like fun! I'm in!"

"So am I!" Gina called out. She was changing her clothes in the shed.

Ben, who was standing outside the shed waiting, also agreed. Eli placed his watering can down and also told them he was in.

"Great! I know they'd be so excited!" Avina smiled. Drops of water on her fringes slid down her face. Against the sun, she was a fresh flower. Smile pure and sweet with a touch of innocence.

"You're so pretty, Wilona," Daisy couldn't help but blurt out. "No wonder you're about to become a star."

At her compliment, Avina's smile widened. Even though it was directed at Wilona and her pretty face, she still felt warm knowing that these friends were nice to her. Nothing motivated her so much to return home than remembering the similarity between nice friends and Bea.

The group changed into dry clothes, said farewell to Mr. Greene, and started to walk to Wilona's house. The distance was far, but the presence of friends made it short. Arriving at her house, the group was still laughing and teasing each other playfully.

Avina opened the door and shouted inside, "I'm home!"

Mom peeked out from the kitchen and her expression brightened at the sight of Wilona. "Sweetie! Welcome home."

"Hello, Mrs. May! I'm Wilona's friend, Daisy," Daisy peered behind Wilona and greeted her mom.

"You brought your friends! Wonderful!!" Mom wiped her hands on her apron and walked over quickly. "Come inside. It's a little messy, but you can sit at the table or go hang out in Wilona's room. I'm whipping up some dinner."

"You didn't have to Mrs. May," Gina said. "We're just happy to be able to visit. Don't want to bother you too much."

Mom laughed at her comment and pushed them inside. "Bother me? You wouldn't ever! I'm happy you're taking care of Wilona. She can be a little shy sometimes."

Wilona looked at her mom and nudged her. Drawing out her words, she complained, "Mom! I'm not that shy."

"Says the girl who's blushing," Mom teased. She pinched Wilona's cheek and left a soft kiss on her nose. "Go get some treats for your friends while I make dinner. I'm almost done."

Wilona pulled them into her room and left to get drinks and snacks. The others curiously looked around the small room being mindful not to pry.

"Look! I found a lil' Wilona!" Daisy pointed to a picture on the desk.

On it was a picture of the family from a few years ago. Constant exposure to light made the color fade, but it was tenderly cared for. The glass on the frame had not a speck of dust, and the picture itself was carefully preserved with no signs of wrinkles.

Wilona, about 5 years old, sat on her dad's shoulders. In her hands was a stick of cotton candy half-eaten. Her hands were thrown up with the happiest grin lining her face. The rest of the family had lovely carefree smiles. Even though a photograph, you can hear their laughter.

"I remember that photo," a voice muttered. Everyone looked behind them, and Wilona had returned.

"We went to a carnival," Wilona talked under her breath. It was a low volume, but everyone could hear perfectly. "The cotton candy was sweet, the sky was blue, and carnival music played in the background. It was a good day."

"Want to go to one someday?" Daisy asked. Her voice, different from normal, was low and comforting. A soft smile replaced her energetic one, and she handed Wilona the frame.

"Yes." Wilona smiled back and placed down the picture. She handed them the snacks and drinks and gestured over to a small foldable table in the middle. "Don't eat too much or you'll ruin your appetite for dinner."

Ben grabbed a bag and immediately opened it. His hands went in grabbing a handful of chips stuffing it in his mouth. "Don't worry about me. I got lots of room for everything."

"Wish you had room for shame," Gina mumbled as she sat down next to him.

Ben glared at her with his cheeks puffed from the chips and jabbed her. Gina jabbed him back before opening her bag as well.

The group sat around the small table chatting and laughing. Every topic discussable was discussed and every joke was laughed at. A stream of lovely youth flowed inside the room- joyful laughter and happy smiles.

Avina's phone rang during their conversation. She signaled to her phone before picking it up outside the room.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Wilona! It's me, Sandra," her voice, staticy, echoed in the phone. "Wondered when was a good time for our cats to meet."

"You want to?"

"Of course! Unless you were just jesting," Sandra giggled. A hint of teasing was visible in her voice.

"No no, I didn't mean that! It's just that you're usually super busy."

Sandra laughed again. "I'm never too busy for dear Toffee! He's a sweet boy."

"Then, what's an ideal day for you?" Avina asked.

She didn't expect Sandra to actually be interested! She thought it was just to humor her!

"What about tonight? Or is it too late? Toffee, here, is a little energetic," Sandra said. A soft meow could be heard in the background as Sandra hushed him.

"I have some friends over if you don't mind," Avina told her. "You can join us for dinner if you want."

"Sounds like a plan!" Sandra replied. "Give me an address, and I'll head over there right now."

"It's XXXX XXX XXXX."

After a little more chatting, Avina felt the adrenaline rushing inside her. A star was coming to her house!! And was going to eat dinner with her!! Their cats are going to become friends! How many times does this happen!?

'Quick, 5025! Come on out! Show them your charms!'

'But Host, don't you remember? I can't. Wilona didn't have a cat, and the family doesn't know I exist.'

At its words, Avina's mood quickly dampened. What was she going to say now? Can't reject Sandra, but can't just say she has a cat either...

"What's wrong, Wilona?" Daisy poked her head out from the door. Wilona had been gone for so long, and she was worried.

Wilona scratched her head. "I don't know how to tell my parents I have a cat now."

"You have a cat!?" Daisy shouted before covering her mouth with her hands. Looking left and right to make sure no one was listening, she lowered her voice.

"You have a cat?"

"The white one," Wilona said. She took out her phone and showed Daisy some pictures.

Daisy, being the brilliant-minded friend she was, had an idea. As we all should know, if one has an idea, it must be shared and hopefully, not fail.

"I got an idea. So you go to your parents and tell them how much you want a cat."

Avina nodded. She could do that. But how is that going to get a cat in the house?

"And I just so conveniently tell them about the white cat I have only a few blocks away and just give it to you."

That sounded so stupid it may just work! For the sake of Sandra and 5025, Avina was willing to do it! So while Daisy waited at the corner of the kitchen, Avina went in and started to do her master performance.

There were puppy dog eyes, pictures, pleas, the pity trick, the spoiled one - you name it, Avina's got it. From minute 0 to minute 5, her attacks were precise and impeccable. Even Daisy got a little shocked about her unknown talents, not to mention mom who got the full brunt of it. In the end, she couldn't help but give in.

"Fine, fine, fine. You can have a cat," Mom sighed. "But only, and if only, you take care of it. You know how little we get together, and I don't want to see the poor dear starving or be dirty."

"Really! Great! I promise that I'll take care of it! I love you, love you, love you so much!" Avina cheered and hugged her. She ran towards the corner to where Daisy was and gave her a thumbs up. Now it was Daisy to put up her performance.

The combined forces of two girls were no match for the lovely Mrs. May. At minute 10, Daisy went out of the house to bring the "new" cat.

"Mom, can we have another guest for dinner?"

Mom stopped what she was doing, wiped her hands on her apron, and turned around. "Who?"

Avina didn't want to say it was a big celebrity with millions of fans, and she still needed to keep a secret. "Just a friend."

Mom knew what that meant. Isn't that what every girl her age said? It must be a boy!

"Then, ok," Mom said and added a wink at the end.

'What was that wink for??'