Changeling; Chapter 1

"Smile!" Mom orders, lifting her phone as well.

"Wait, who do we look at?" Ava demands.

"Just look between all of them," Phineas responds. "They're going to take multiple anyway."

"Then we'll all be looking at different cameras in each picture!" Ava protests.

"Hey, hey, hey!" Ava's mom calls lifting a hand to point down at herself. "Me first."

"At least you don't have to wonder where she gets her attitude," Phineas mutters.

"Oi!" Ava reaches around behind me to give Phineas a light shove. "I heard that."

Trying not to laugh is a losing battle. "Stop bickering and smile."

"Only because I love you," Ava responds, immediately posing and smiling.

"She just went cheer mode, didn't she?" Phineas asks through his smile.

"Just go with it," I tell him smiling.

"Phineas, stand between Kaelynn and Ava," Phineas' grandmother says, watching us through her phone. "I want a balanced picture."

"Isn't it balanced with the shortest in the middle?" Ava asks.

I gap in mock offense. "You're only taller because you're cheating."

"You could have also worn six-inch heels," Ava counters.

"And risked wiping out in front of everyone present? I think not."

"Just appease my Nana," Phineas says stepping back so he can duck around me as I side-step.

"Diplomas up and smile," Phineas' grandmother orders.

We all fall silent as we comply.

"Now family pictures," Ava's mom crows.

"I'll take pictures for you, Mrs. Nicholson," my dad offers Phineas' grandmother.

Phineas's grandmother turns to him smiling, holding out her phone. "Thank you, Con'el." She turns to Phineas, waving him over as she steps forward. "Come here, Fin."

"I guess that means I'm getting yours," Mom says looking at Ava's mom.

Ava's mom turns her phone over to my mom. "Then I'll get yours. We all know how photos turn out when you let Phil take them."

Ava's dad makes a face as Ava's mom moves toward her. Ignored, he shakes his head and follows.

"Kaelynn!"

I turn at the call of my name. Gina waves at me as she moves toward me.

"Since I found you, I want a picture with you," she says.

I move toward her, smiling. "Alright, you caught me at a break."

As soon as I'm within her reach, she throws her arms around me. "Oh, I'm going to miss singing with you in show choir. And fighting with you for all the best solos."

I return her embrace. "Every time I'm auditioning, I'll be pretending it's you I'm up against."

Gina laughs as she pulls back. "I'm honored to be the source of your spite." We pause our conversation so her dad can snap a picture. "You are coming to Turners for the grad karaoke night, right?"

"Yes. Ava's coming too, Phineas is a maybe."

"Good. I want to make sure we get one last duet together before we're both gone for college."

"Kaelynn, ready when you are!" Mom calls.

I give Mom a quick wave of acknowledgment. "I'm being summoned for more pics. I'll see you Friday."

"See you then!" Gina waves her fingers at me as I move back toward my parents.

Mom immediately hugs me again when I reach them.

"I'm so proud of you," she says as she releases me.

"Alright, big smiles you three," Ava's mom orders. "Con'el, your daughter just graduated, smile."

"I am smiling," Dad counters.

"Like you mean it. Don't scowl at me."

"Just give her one big smile, honey," Mom tells him.

I can see Dad shake his head. "This is absolutely inane."

I lean into my dad. "I love you, Daddy."

"There's the smile I’m looking for," Ava's mom croons.

Ava shakes her head. "You are such a daddy's girl."

I stick my tongue out at her. As always, she responds in turn.

"And pictures are done!" Ava's mom announces, lowering my mom's phone. My mom steps forward to accept her phone back at Ava's mom holds it out. "Or are there any other photos you kids want?"

"Oh!" Ava steps toward me holding out her hands. "I need one with my best boo."

I step toward her, reaching out as well. "How could I say no?"

"Hug," Ava demands when we reach each other.

"And don't forget to pop the foot," I remind her as we lean into each other, lifting my own foot.

"Cheer and show choir really are losing their best," Ava's mom sighs, shaking her head.

Last of the photos done, we say our goodbyes before making our way toward the parking lots. I run into a few other friends on the way, stopping for a picture with each of them.

When we finally make it to the car, Dad huffs a breath. "Four more years before we do this again."

"Then again in another two to four depending on how I decide to pace out my masters," I remind him.

The car is silent as Dad stares out the windshield. After a moment he looks over at Mom. "How did this become normalized?"

Mom reaches over, patting his head. "It's just how things work."

Dad shakes his head, starting the car. "Absolutely ridiculous."

"Random question," I interject. "Are we still going to the city for dinner tomorrow?"

"Why do I have a bad feeling about where this is going?" Mom sighs. "What's your question?"

"Could Ava come? Please."

"Just Ava?"

"Fin's family is coming down to celebrate tomorrow. So, yeah, just Ava."

Mom looks over at Dad. "You okay with that?"

Dad issues a quick glance in her direction. "Do I really have a choice?"

"Well, since it is supposed to be my celebratory dinner-"

"Which is supposed to be a family affair," Mom counters my point, turning to look at me over her shoulder.

"Ava is practically family."

"Fine, she can come," Mom concedes.

"So, I'm not being asked to weigh in?" Dad cuts back into the conversation.

"I'm not going to fight this one," Mom tells him, shaking her head. "Oh, do you still plan on helping out at the clinic in the morning? I know you were still leaning toward yes last time we talked."

I can feel my eyes narrowing. "This suddenly feels like a trap, and I want to say no."

"There is no trap, Kaelynn. Marge may or may not be able to come in in the morning, so I'm just trying to figure out if I need to ask Valorie to come in."

"Oh. Then, sure, yeah. I can come help out."

"Perfect. Thank you, sweetie."

"Is Mr. Floof still there?"

Mom shakes her head. "Yes, if you come in before opening you can play with the kitten."

"You could just let me adopt him."

"You say that like you've asked before."

"So, I can adopt him."

"No."

"But he needs a forever home."

"And last I checked I have two possible ones lined up already. One is coming tomorrow for a meet and greet."

"If those fall through, can I adopt him?"

"If we don't get anyone else wanting a meet and greet."

"What if I signed up for a meet and greet?"

Mom just shakes her head.