Howard 2: Round 21

Last round, for some...reason, everyone in the Howard household decided to try knitting. Kumquat seemed to really take to it, and by the end of the week he had made new rugs, toys, and sweaters for everyone in his family, including his baby cousin Surprise. Meanwhile, Kiwi grew to a teenager and began high school.

Hi, Sadness...

Sadness: Well, it's about time...

I know, I know. I got a little mixed up. Listen, did you get the letter about the town meeting?

Sadness: Yeah, I did...you know, we can't all just drop everything and come to a meeting whenever you say. We do have lives, you know...Ah...stupid omelette...

I'll just leave you to it, then...

Allegra: So, are you ready?

Kiwi: Ready as I'll ever be, I guess.

Ready for what?

Allegra: She's trying out for cheerleading tomorrow.

Oh, really?

Kiwi: Yeah, but...you know. I probably won't get in.

Allegra: What are you talking about? Everyone gets in!

Kiwi: Then why do I have to try out?

Good point.

Hi, Tangerine!

Tangerine: Ugh...you made me loose my place.

That's a pretty thick book for a kid your age.

Tangerine: Yup! I'm the best reader in my class!

Well, that's good to know. 

And I guess Kiwi's a cheerleader now!

Tangerine: Why do you have two mops?

Kiwi: They're not mops. They're pom-poms.

Tangerine: Looks like mops to me...hey, look! They match that red zit on your nose!

Kiwi: What?

Oh, don't worry about it, Kiwi. You can barely see it...

Kiwi: So it is there?

Kiwi: Can you still see it now?

Um...no. Actually, I can't see any of your face now.

Kiwi: (phew)

Um...ok then. Looks like Cyrus is still plugging along at gardening. Nice job.

What's going on? Why is everyone out on the sidewalk?

Kiwi: Fire drill...

Oh, yeah...those were a thing...

Noah: Hey, you were just in Mrs. Nelson's math class, right? Can you tell me what's on the test today?

Yup...fire drills were definitely a thing.

Hi, Crayola...let me guess. Another late birthday gift?

Crayola: Well, sort of. I heard about Kiwi joining cheerleading and I thought Tangerine might like a practice mat of her own.

Tangerine: But I don't want to be a cheerleader.

Crayola: It's not a cheerleading mat. It's a yoga mat. You can use it to do stretches to help yourself feel calm.

Tangerine: Oh...cool!

Just don't hurt yourself there, Tangerine.

Kiwi: Ok, just a little more...

Um, Kiwi? You know that putting all that stuff on your face usually makes the problem worse, right? Plus, what's the big deal? It's not like you're the only one.

Kiwi: You don't get it, do you? I'm a cheerleader now. And cheerleaders don't have zits!

Fern: Hey, what's all that stuff on your face?

Kiwi: What?

Fern: Your face is like...a different color than your neck.

Kiwi: Uh...no it's not. It must be these lights. 

So now you're eating in your classroom?

Kiwi: It's better than the alternative.

Kiwi: Ow!

Careful, there. What happened?

Kiwi: This stupid face cream keeps dripping into my eye when I sweat...

You know...it seems like the cream's causing more problems than the zit was.

Kiwi: (sigh) Yeah, maybe you're right.

Oh, hi there Kumquat. I think this is the first time we've seen you all week.

Kumquat: I'm gonna do the biggest cannonball every!

Tangerine: I'm gonna jump in backwards!

Ok, I guess we're going to the pool?

Kumquat: Of course we are. It's Splash Fest!

Tangerine: Mom, wanna see how fast I can swim?

Sadness: Sure, honey...

Tangerine: Ok...watch me swim around the whole pool!

Sadness: Ok...three...two...one...go!

Tangerine: Did you see me, Mom? Did you see how fast I was?

Sadness: I sure did, honey! That yoga must be making you stronger.

Hera: Hey, I didn't know you could swim fast. I just thought you could read fast.

Tangerine: People can be good at more than one thing.

Anger: Yeah...like I'm good at eating and playing video games.

Hera: I don't think that's really the same thing...

Tangerine: Wanna see me jump over it?

That might not be such a good idea on the concrete, Tangerine.

Aww, looks like everyone had a good Splash Fest.

It's fireworks time!

And I guess Kumquat just missed having a Splash Fest birthday.

And it's prom night too?

Kiwi: Yeah, we're meeting up at Tatooine's house beforehand.

Oh, ok...so you're all going together?

Kiwi: I think so...but I think Tatooine and Trumpet are also going as dates? I didn't know you could do both.

Well, I'm sure it will all work out...

Besides, it's not like you don't have other friends here.

Fern: Glad to see your face is back to normal.

Kiwi: Yeah...that stupid cream didn't even work, anyway.

Fern: It didn't? But...the zit's gone.

Kiwi: It is? It just...went away on its' own?

Kiwi: Come on, let's take a picture...

Well, let's hope this goes better than the last afterparty...

...Guys, you have a weather channel...

Ok, well, let's get this taken care of now...Happy Birthday, dear Kumquat...

Huh...ok, that can work.

Not sure about the sunglasses, though.

There we go. And now, I must be on my way. I'll catch up with you guys at the town meeting, and then I'll see you next round.

A Message From the Mysterious Voice: We're so close to being caught up! I don't know that I'll always be going to school with all the teens, but so far it's been a nice change of pace. And I also realized while writing this post that I did not take one picture of Cyrus all week; trust me, he was still there. He just didn't have much to do with Kiwi's skin problems or Tangerine learning yoga. And in case you're wondering, the town meeting will be happening after I'm caught up on posts. Just a few more to go!