Nova, tapping continuously at his phone, was waiting inside the kitchen for his mother, Isabelle, to cook breakfast.
“Morning dear,” the polar bear greeted while preparing the table. “What do you want for breakfast today?”
Since the day they had settled in their new house, the panda never truly had a real breakfast with his mom and dad. Marvin never woke up in time. Pandas weren't morning people and Nova wasn't in the best shape to care about getting out of bed.
Yesterday's events helped him to move on a bit. Despite his looks he didn't have the same curse his father carried. In his blood coursed polar bear genes.
“I'm not really hungry mom. I'll take a cup of milk and some coffee,” he yawned.
His mother, upon hearing his reply, slammed an empty tray on the table violently. The sound it made conveyed her disagreement and bottled rage perfectly hidden behind a happy expression.
“I-I mean I could go for a toast,” he stuttered, “Why not!”
“That's a nice idea sweetheart.” Isabelle nodded, gracefully placing plates and utensils next to her son.
Nova shivered. If there was one thing he couldn't stand up to it was Mom's wrath. She must have it her way, otherwise you'll suffer.
“Nova, could you go upstairs and wake Marvin up? I really want to have some quality family time now that you feel better.”
The panda knew that it wasn't a request; her courtesy and gentle manner couldn't hide the simple fact that it was an order.
“I'll try…” He sighed, dropping the phone.
When Nova opened the bedroom door an obnoxious sound welcomed him. Marvin, occupying the entirety of a king sized bed, was snoring out loud, destroying the ears of whoever dared to enter.
“How mom survives this every day? Out of my comprehension.” He blinked confused.
“Love and earplugs dear!” She shouted from downstairs. “And sometimes a broom.” The bear chuckled.
The younger panda poked his father that seemed like he had never slept in weeks.
“Dad…wake up.”
Marvin rolled over, now snoring directly in his face. The poor victim covered his ears but it felt like an earthquake just hit him.
“No wonder Mom punches you…”
Nearing the end of his patience, Nova pulled away the sheets and attempted to push him out...to no avail. Marvin was too big and heavy to be moved around and didn't seem to care about being completely exposed to the outside.
“Oh come on… Don't force me to go into mom mode.”
“Nova! Did you do it? Food is almost done here!”
“I'm trying! I don't know what to do!”
“If you don't want to hit him use the emergency supplies!”
Nova rose a brow in confusion. “What about the eating together part?”
“Oh please, you know that those are not enough for him. Give him a taste and he'll run downstairs even hungrier.”
“Okay, so…where did you put them?”
“There is a key under the lamp. Open the drawer.”
Following Isabelle’s instructions, Nova found a plate filled with homemade candies. The sickly sweet smell of sugar and syrup didn’t waft out until he unlocked it.
“Oh, I remember these candies…” He said taking one from the dish.
It had a white gummy texture that he couldn’t keep in his paw as it started to melt, sticking to his fur.
“I hope you’re using a handkerchief!” She shouted.
Nova's eyes widened.
“OF COURSE!” He panicked, shoving the candy down his throat. “Tasty though.”
The panda took another one, this time safely protected, and returned everything where it was before.
“Dad! Wake up! Look at this!”
When positioning the candy under Marvin’s nose, the unconscious bear took a deep sniff as a wide pleasured smile began to form. He didn’t fully wake up, yet his mouth opened to eat the candy.
“You wish!” The son laughed, stepping backwards.
The lethargic panda kept sleeping, unaffected by the situation.
“I guess I gotta try harder.”
Nova repeated the same action several times until his father finally showed a sign of waking up.
“What are you doing with that?” He yawned, oblivious to their previous proceedings. “Wait…is that Isabelle’s special candy?” The older continued, already drooling.
“Oh…you recognize this small treat?” He grinned. “Maybe…”
“Give it to me!” Marvin extended his paw to get it but Novahad already started sprinting downstairs. “HEY! COME BACK HERE!”
In a few moments the formerly weak and sleepy panda burst out of bed to chase after him.
Nova waited at the kitchen’s entrance, candy in paw, and swallowed it as soon as his father showed up with a smugly satisfied expression painted on his face.
Dramatically falling to his knees, the beast roared in anguish, “NO! WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?! THOSE ARE MY FAVORITES!”
Isabelle giggled in the background, “Maybe I’ll give you one later; that is, if you’re a good boy.”
The younger panda turned around, leaving his defeated enemy on the floor.
“Ehm…Mom?”
Nova's eyes widened, pointing a shaky finger to the table he left empty five minutes ago.
“Yes dear, what is it?” She smiled, pretending that everything was perfectly alright.
“You know that I can't eat this much, right?” He remarked, sitting back at his place.
“But I've made such small portions. I hate wasting food, so try to force yourself a bit…”
She was mocking him, judging by the incredible amount of food that appeared in front of him. His parents sitting across the table were barely visible through the piles of pastries and beverages: milk, coffee, bread, candies, cookies and a cake right in the center.
“I think you should revisit your opinion on small portions Mom.”
Marvin jumped between them, inspecting the table carefully. “BUT WHERE ARE YOUR SPECIAL GUMMIES!? HOW DID HE GET THEM?!”
“Oh dear, you know that those are off-limits for everyone. My mother would never allow me to cook those on a daily basis.”
Marvin sighed, sitting at the table. “Give me a slice of that cake then…”
“Okay Mom, serious talk now…” Nova began, pouring himself a cup of milk, and coffee. “If you like making sweets and cakes why don’t you look for a job?”
“Actually I was thinking about it.” She handed the cake to her husband. “Working in a bakery has always been a dream of mine I put aside…”
“You have talent hon,” Marvin spoke, mouth full. “I would hire you instantly.”
“You have Grandma's secret recipe too. Isn’t it a bonus or something?” Nova carefully took a cookie from the mess hoping not to cause an avalanche.
“I'm not sure…” She sighed, taking a pastry. “A job takes time. Marvin works almost full time and I want to stay around to keep Nova from feeling lonely.”
“I'll be fine," the son opposed. “I don't want to be the one that drags you down.”
“Oh dear, you're so cute.” She smiled, “I promise I'll think about it in the future, okay? We just transferred; let's all get used to the new city first.”
“Your mom won't need to work as long since I'm here to take care of you two!”
Nova rolled his eyes while dodging the leftovers Marvin discarded everywhere.
“Shouldn't you be going to work now?” He asked, checking the time.
“Huh?” The panda looked at his son's screen, eyes widening in disbelief. “FUCK! IT'S ALREADY THIS LATE.”
Isabelle stood up and handed him the biggest lunchbox he had ever seen.
“Mom…are those?”
“Leftovers from our breakfast in case he wants a snack and a small lunch.”
The package clearly contained more food than it was able to carry. Opening it meant triggering a food bomb.
“Okay, you really need to change adjectives.”
“Nova do you need a lift?” He asked, hurrying to change clothes.
“They said we'll receive a letter or something. I guess for now I need to wait.”
“Don't worry Marvin. I'll go with him in case he needs a lift.”
“Perfect. I gotta go. See you tonight hon, Nova.”
The panda kissed his wife and rushed outside.
“Hey Mom, if Dad takes the car how will you take me there?” Nova asked.
She froze. “Oops, I forgot about that.”
Words couldn't escape the panda's mouth before a loud crash from outside captured their attention where Marvin just headed.
“I wonder what he destroyed this time…” Nova sighed walking away.
“Please tell me that the small dog statue I bought is still in one piece,” Isabelle prayed, following her son.
Nova didn't expect his father to run over someone, at least not this soon and right outside their door. The two were still on the ground as they slowly got back up. Judging by how far they were and that Marvin was crushing the poor animal they must've rolled a bit before their run stopped.
Isabelle went to assist her husband that was having trouble standing while Nova, ignoring how hilarious the scene was, helped the stranger instead.
“I'm sorry for my father," he apologized. “He can be quite careless…”
“I can see that.” The canine brushed dust and dirt off his body.
The panda took a few seconds to look at him. It was a black wolf, presumably around his age, dressed in dark clothes.
What really caught his attention were his eyes; two different colors. He heard it's a condition called heterochromia, but he has never seen one before. The right eye was red and the left was black; quite the scary appearance.
“Marvin, you okay? Do you want a cookie to refresh yourself?”
His ears perked up. “Well…maybe one.”
“Dad.” Nova narrowed his eyes, “You should go to work.”
He sighed, “Yeah, I know…”
Isabelle accompanied her husband towards the car leaving the young boys behind.
“So uh…who are you? What brings you here?” The panda reluctantly questioned the wolf. He seemed indifferent and that red eye was sorta intimidating.
In response, the canine opened his jacket and pulled out a white letter sealed with a Phoenix emblem.
“Are you some sort of mailman that works in the school? Is this for me?” he questioned, not knowing what else he should expect from that place, and quickly snatched the envelope from his paws.
The panda opened the letter and pulled the content out while peering at him once more. The wolf standing as still a statue bothered him. Nova tried to shake off the feeling, took a deep breath and started to read.
Dear Nova,
On behalf of the Wonder Phoenix High School, Yvonne, headmistress and leader of the school, have finally come to a decision after a challenging assembly with professors and staff members.
After witnessing the last day, we have decided that you will be granted a chance to join our school. You have showed us everything we love and seek in a student: courage, sincerity, humility and will power to keep trying no matter the outcome. We would like to congratulate you on your admission and hope to see and discover more about you soon.
Wonder Phoenix High School has been created to support young proteges in achieving their dreams, which may include getting the job they’ve always wanted. We also offer you the highest quality teachings simplified to allow students to dedicate themselves to what their heart truly desires.
We would like to meet you again as soon as possible to discuss further matters that will allow you to officialize your enrollment and beginning of your new school life.
Sincerely,
Yvonne the Lioness.
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