Emma crawled out of bed, feeling a bit confused. She glanced at the clock, which read, 11:30am. She shuffled over to the team.
"Morning." She yawned, forcing a smile.
"Morning, sis." Skipper said, smiling at her. Rico called out a barely understandable morning.
"Morning Em." Kowalski greeted cheerfully.
"Morning Emma." Private greeted, smiling at her. "Hey are you alright, you don't seem like yourself." He asked worriedly.
"I'm ok Private." Emma replied, smiling at his shyly. "I just didn't get much sleep last night." She explained. Though this was true she didn't want to say why.
"Hmm, ok." Private replied, looking curious. He was sure there was madami to it, but he decided not to ask. Emma sat down at the table, and let her mind make the breakfast. Kowalski watched, still a bit curious about it all. As it plopped down in front of her, she began eating it slowly.
"I still find that amazing Em." Kowalski remarked, smiling at her.
"Thanks Kowalski." Emma replied cheering up a bit. They all started chatting about walang tiyak na layunin stuff, and what happened with the pups yesterday. Emma started feeling madami like herself again, as she woke up fully. But her mind kept drifting back to what happened yesterday. She smiled to herself, as she thought of the walk home.
"Hey, Em do you want to try and finish the teleportation machine after training?" Kowalski asked, looking eager.
"Sure, I can't wait to test it too." Emma replied enthusiastically.
A while later, Skipper ushered them up to training, which was surprisingly ordinary today, which Emma was a bit disappointed about. A ball of excitement was sitting in her stomach, just ready explode. The minute, that they finished training, and entertaining the guests, Kowalski, and Emma rushed down into the lab excitedly.
"Ok, so all we have to do is fit the turbo shifter in, and attach the wires, then we can start the test run." Kowalski explained, looking happy.
"Awesome, so lets get going then." Emma replied, putting some music on and picking up the Turbo Shifter carefully. Kowalski came to help her, and they brought it over to the machine. After a few minutos of moving some wires, they fit the turbo shifter in perfectly.
"So just the wires now." Emma remarked, looking proud at their work. Kowalski picked up some wires, and started attaching them to the turbo shifter and other wires. Emma helped attach them, and in a a short hour, they were done.
"Wow, I can't believe we're done!" Emma exclaimed happily, looking at the completed machine with pride.
"I know." Kowalski agreed. "We just have to test it now."
"Yup, I think it's best to use something that's not living, as the first test just incase." Emma suggested.
"Good idea." Kowalski replied, getting a pair of goggles, and putting it in the machine, he put the co-ordinates in, for the other side of the lab. Emma pressed the button, and the goggles vanished. After a few seconds, they reappeared on the other side of the lab.
"It works!" Emma cheered.
"Lets test it on a living thing now" Kowalski said, going outside for a minuto and coming back with a ladybird.
"I hope the ladybird comes out ok." Emma sinabi worriedly.
"I'm sure it will." Kowalski replied, reassuringly, smiling at Emma. He put the ladybird in and Emma pressed the button. The ladybird appeared on the other side of the lab, and flew away.
"Yay!" Emma exclaimed, joyfully. "Should we test it now?" She asked, looking eager.
"Sure, the ladybird came out ok." Kowalski agreed. The two of them got in the machine, and Emma pressed the extra button that was on the inside. About 5 segundos later they appeared on the other side of the lab.
"Yes, it works for us too!" Emma cheered, jumping around.
"I know right." Kowalski added happily.
"Horaay for teamwork!" Emma added, beaming at Kowalski. Kowalski gave her a hug, in happiness. Emma was took sa pamamagitan ng surprise at first but she hugged him back, feeling instantly warmer, and her puso beating really quickly. They both blushed a bit when they pulled away.
"So should we ipakita Skips?" Emma asked, looking towards the lab door.
"Sure." Kowalski replied, walking to the lab door. They went back into the main room, and saw that Skipper was watching Shirtless Ninja Action Theatre.
"Hey Skips, Rico, Private." We've finished the teleportation machine!" Emma burst out excitedly.
"Ealyandnokabooms?" (Really, and no kabooms?) Rico asked disbelievingly.
"Yup." Emma confirmed proudly.
"Ok then, lets see this machine." Skipper said, walking towards the lab door. The 5 of them went in and Skipper, Rico ,and Private's eyes widened when they saw the machine.
"So, would one of you like to test it or should we ipakita you?" Emma asked.
"I'd like to test it." Private said, looking eager.
"Sure Private, just step in the machine, and we'll see if we can direct you to susunod to the fridge." Emma explained. Private stepped in the machine, and Kowalski reset the co-ordinates. Emma pressed the button, and Private disappeared. They all went to the fridge in the main bit of the HQ, and Private was standing outside of it, looking surprised.
"Wow, one of you inventions actually worked Kowalski." Skipper remarked, looking completely astonished.
"Well why wouldn't it?" Emma asked, crossing her flippers and looking at her brother.
"Nevermind." He mumbled.Emma wondered if her and Kowalski would make anymore inventions, when Skipper piped up. "Emma, Kowalski, so what if you teleport to somewhere really far away, how do you get back?" He asked. Emma looked stumped, and she looked at Kowalski desperately. She definatley hadn't thought of that.
"Well then, they just wear one of these wristbands, and they can press the button on it, and come back." Kowalski replied holding up a little wristband. It reminded Emma of a watch.
"Hey, when did you make that?" She asked, looking surprised.
"Yesterday, when you and Private we're visiting the puppies." Kowalski replied.
"Oh ok." Emma remarked.
"Hey do you want to try and invent something else sometime?" Kowalski asked, a little shyly.
"Sure." Emma agreed, smiling at him a little nervously. She looked at the clock, and it was only 4:30pm. "Hmm, I think I'll go and see Marlene for a bit." She decided.
"Ok, see you later." Skipper said, turning back to the Tv.
"Eeya." (See ya.) Rico chimed in.
"See you later Em." Kowalski said, feeling a little disappointed.
"See you Emma." Private called, getting a butterscotch lolly out. Emma hopped out of the fishbowl and headed for Marlene's habitat.
"Come in." Marlene called, as Emma knocked on the side of the cave. She walked in and saw that Marlene was trying to play the Spanish guitar.
"Hey Marlene." Emma greeted, cheerfully.
"Hey Emma, how are you?" Marlene asked, putting the gitara down.
"I'm pretty good, you?" She asked, walking up to Marlene.
"I'm alright, I've just got a bit on my mind. Please, sit down." Marlene replied, gesturing to the slab of rock she was sitting on. Emma sat down, and looked at her friend.
"What's up?" She asked, curiously.
"Promise you won't tell anyone." Marlene said, looking a bit embarrassed.
"I promise." Emma said, looking interested.
"Well, don't be weirded out or anything, but I... kinda have a.. crush on....... Skipper." She managed, looking away.
"Really? That's cool Marlene." Emma replied, hiding her surprise.
"You think so?" Marlene asked, looking back up at her friend.
"Yup, you'd be a cute couple." Emma replied, smiling at Marlene.
"You think so? Well, that's good" Marlene remarked, brightening up. "Hey, so you looked a bit distant when you came in, is something on your mind?" She asked.
Wow, Marlene's pretty good at pagbaba people, I don't even remember looking distant. Emma thought, a bit surprised. "Well, yeah, there is actually, a guy problem." Emma admitted.
"Ooh, really, tell me about it." Marlene, replied, suddenly looking much madami interested.
"Well, I know I've already been here, for 4 days, but I've got a crush on... Kowalski and Private." Emma explained.
"Ouch. That's gotta be frustrating. Do any of them like you back?" She asked, curiously.
"I don't know." Emma sighed, resting her head in her own flippers.
"Well, you've obviously been watching them, over these few days, how have they acted since you've got here, explain everything that's happened between you and them since you arrived." Marlene advised. So Emma told her about everything that happened, from the incident in the science lab to the walk tahanan yesterday. Marlene was looking thoughtful, and after about a minuto she spoke up.
"Ok, I think that Private definitely likes you, holding your flipper on the way back yesterday was pretty much him telling you. And Kowalski, well I think he might too, but he's quite shy, and reserved, so he's trying to hide it, because he doesn't know if you feel the same." Marlene explained.
"R- really?" Emma stammered, looking astonished.
"Yes, from what you've told me, I get the impression, that they're crazy for you." Marlene answered. "But what matters is, which one of them do you like more?" She finished, looking questioningly at her. Emma thought hard.
"I.. I don't know." Emma replied, desperately, looking at her feet, as if they held all the answers.
"Well, tonight, you've gotta think this over long, and hard." Marlene advised. "The answer will come to you eventually." She reassured her, patting her on the back.
"I hope it will." Emma remarked.
"Say, do you wanna do some painting for a bit? I've got a load of paper we can use and two big easels." Marlene asked.
"Sure, that sounds fun." Emma replied, looking happier. They got out the paint sets, and both started painting on the canvas's. They chatted, merrily as they drew, and talked about the guys. "So what do you think of all of the penguins?" Emma asked, swishing her paintbrush over the canvas.
"Well you already know my opinion on Skipper." Marlene replied, winking. "As for the other well, I'm not as sure, I don't get to talk to them as much as I'd like to. But I'm still good mga kaibigan with them. I think Rico's really crazy, but a lot of fun to be around. Kowalski's very smart, and shy, but he's a sweet guy. Private is really kind and sweet. He's always been nice to me, and he tries to be nice to everyone." Marlene answered, carrying on her picture of a certain ibong dagat playing the Spanish guitar. Emma smiled at this bit of info, and carried on her painting of her sitting sa pamamagitan ng a Willow Tree, with a shadowed figure, with a roundish head.
"Which one of them is that?" Marlene asked, pointing at the shadowed figure with her paintbrush.
"I don't know." Emma admitted, shrugging. "I tried to make the figure as ambiguous as possible."
"As what?" Marlene asked.
"So it has a double or unclear meaning. So basically, I'm sitting there with someone, but the viewer doesn't know who it is, but they don't know that I also don't know." Emma explained. "Because I can't choose." She added sadly.
"Wow." Marlene marvelled. "My picture's pretty straightforward." She added, with a giggle.
"Yeah I guess it is." Emma admitted, giggling too. They carried on their pictures, and when they finished them, they waited for them to dry. Marlene passed her some sweets and they sat down chatting about some of the other walang tiyak na layunin things in the zoo. A while after this, they checked and the pictures were dry.
"So what are you gonna do with yours?" Marlene asked.
"I'll just put it in my drawstring bag and get it out when I want to look at it." Emma replied, shrugging. She had already explained the bag to Marlene when they we're talking earlier. She picked up the picture, and stuffed it in the little bag. "What are you going with yours to do then?" Emma asked.
"I'm gonna hide it." Marlene answered, smirking.
"Cool." Emma commented. She glanced at the clock, which read 8pm. "I guess I'll go back now." She decided.
"Alright, see you soon." Marlene called, a little disappointed.
"See ya." Emma replied, sliding out of the habitat. She waddled over to the penguins habitat, and a walang tiyak na layunin thought struck her. She had no idea what petsa or araw it was. She hadn't checked since she left Hoboken. Pretty surprised with herself, she pulled her phone out of her bag, and looked at it. It read 4th January, 2007. Oh yeah pasko was 10 days ago. She reminded herself. She jumped in the fishbowl and looked around. All of the team we're playing cards.
"Hey Em." Kowalski greeted shyly, looking up from his cards.
"Hey Kowalski." Emma replied, smiling at him. The others greeted her, and she greeted back, as she walked up to her friends.
"So do you want to sumali our card game?" Private asked, hopefully.
"No thanks Private, I was thinking of watching a bit of Tv." Emma sinabi giving him a small smile. She sat down sa pamamagitan ng the Tv, as switched it on. After a few minutos of channel flicking, she found The Simpsons on, and she kept that on. She found herself gigging at parts of it, and even Rico and Skipper started to pay madami attention to the Tv. Emma checked and it was on all night, so she got a cushion, and lied down on her stomach, resting her head on the cushion. After about half a hour, the other joined her, and they watched it till the late hours of the night. Emma was feeling a bit giddy, since Kowalski was sitting to her left, and Private to her right. After a while they all got a bit drowsy, and they all started falling asleep where they were lying down. Emma closed her eyes, feeling exhausted, and fell asleep, leaning against a sleeping Private.
Kowalski's eyes opened slowly, and looked to his right. His eyes widened, as he realised he was leaning on Emma, who was leaning on Private. They were both still asleep, so Kowalski closed his eyes and relaxed again, blushing a little bit.
Later that day, they all woke up, and tried not to blush when they realised what had happened. Skipper and Rico were already awake, Skipper was drinking his isda coffee, and Rico was sitting susunod to his dolly.
"I see you three are finally awake." Skipper remarked, taking a swig out of his coffee mug.
"Why, what time is it?" Emma mumbled, standing up.
"Waterasttwelv." (Quarter past twelve) Rico answered. Private's eyes widened and he started at the clock disbelievingly.
"Why didn't you wake us up?" Kowalski asked, wonderingly.
"Becuase you all looked so snug down there." Skipper joked, sarcastically. "No really, it was becuase I thought you deserved a break from the morning training, and the annoying zoo visitors."
"Oh ok. Thanks Skippah." Private sinabi smiling at his leader.
"Now we only have 15 minutos until the susunod training session, so you lot might want to get some breakfast. Or lunch." Skipper advised, pointing towards the cupboard and the fridge. The three of them scrambled over to the fridge, and got pagkain out of it.
The araw went surprisingly quick, as they completed training, and entertaining the zoo visitors, in what felt like a matter of minutos to Emma. She and Kowalski were working on making madami teleportation wristbands that day, and they made up to 6 as the sky began to darken. In the main bit of the HQ, Private was lying in his bunk, debating if he should tell Emma how he felt.
I feel like I just have to tell her, I don't know how much longer I can hide it. He thought desperately. But what if she doesn't feel the same? One part of him said. But she let me hold her flipper on the way tahanan when we went to see the pups, I think she might have been blushing. He argued back. But you don't want to ruin your friendship do you? The part of him asked. He sighed. He just didn't know what to do. He looked around wondering if he should ask Rico or Skipper about it, but he didn't think that was such a good idea. His eyes fell on the box of mani mantikilya Winkies. He picked up a Winky and sighed. Ok, so if it lands on Winky face, I tell her, if it lands on the back, I don't. Private decided, throwing the Winky in the air. He caught it and looked at the wrapper. The Winky face was staring back at him. Private closed his eyes, took a deep breath. He gazed at the lab. I'll tell her later tonight when she comes out of the lab. He decided his stomach feeling very giddy and queasy.
Meanwhile in the lab, Kowalski and Emma were working on the 7th and 8th teleportation wristbands. Music was playing in the background. They were tapping their feet along to the music merrily. Emma's head was full of thought.
Well I don't know if Marlene's right or not, and if she is, how on earth could I chose between them both, they're both amazing, and sweet guys... She wondered, sadly. I guess I'll have to choose one or none. She added starting to feel a bit gloomy.
"Hey Em, are you ok?" Kowalski asked worriedly.
"Huh? Oh, I'm ok Kowalski." Emma lied, smiling at him. "I've just got a bit on my mind right now." She admitted, trying to concentrate on the wristband. Kowalski looked at her, feeling concerned.
"Do you want to talk about it?" He asked, hiding his shyness.
"No thanks, I just want to think for a bit more." Emma replied, giving him a small smile. "Thanks for asking though." She added, blushing a bit.
"Um, well no problem Em, if you ever need to talk I'll be here to listen." Kowalski said, his stomach filling with madami butterflies. Their eyes met, and they smiled shyly at eachother. They continued working in silence, a very suitable song playing in the background. Emma knew all of the words so she thought along to the song. We started as friends. But something happened inside me. Now I'm pagbaba into everything. But there's no sign you hear the lightning, baby. You don't ever notice me turning on my charm. Or wonder why I'm always where you are. I've made it obvious. Done everything but sing it. I've crushed on you so long, but on and on you get me wrong. I'm not so good with words. And since you never notice, the way that we belong. I'll say it in a pag-ibig song. Emma Nawawala herself in thought, and time whizzed on. Suddenly they heard a shout from the main room.
"Emma, Kowalski it's late, lets get to bed." Skipper called. Emma snapped back to reality, and shuffled out of the lab with Kowalski. She glanced around and realised that Private wasn't around.
"Hey Skips, where's Private?" She asked.
"Oh, he's probably, still outside, could you go and get him?" Skipper answered, hopping into his bunk. Emma climbed up the ladder, and saw Private sitting down looking up at the stars.
"Hey Private, what are you doing? We've all gotta head kama now." Emma said, closing the fishbowl.
"Just thinking." Private answered, a queasy feeling in his stomach. Emma walked over to him curiously and sat down beside him.
"What's up?" She asked. He sighed and looked up at Emma.
"Well, Emma, I've got something to tell you...."
"What?" Emma asked curiously. Private took a deep breath, and looked up at Emma.
"I think I... pag-ibig you." He eventually managed, looking away, going red. Emma felt shocked. Even though Marlene told her this, having Private actually say it to her, surprised her a lot. Her stomach filed with butterflies, and she looked up at Private. "Do.. do you feel the same?" He asked, looking hopeful, and worried all at the same time.
"Well, yes, kinda, but I've got a lot on my mind recently, and I need time to think." Emma replied, blushing too.
"Oh, urm, well ok." Private mumbled quietly, looking distant.
"We should probably go in now." Emma said, trying to change the subject.
"Yeah, ok." Private agreed, walking slowly towards the fishbowl. He looked up at Emma. "You won't tell anyone will you?" He asked worriedly.
"I won't tell a single soul." Emma answered, looking serious. The two penguins went through the fishbowl and headed for their bunks.
"Finally." Skipper remarked, already in his bunk. Everyone called out their goodnights, and Kowalski Rico and Skipper, fell asleep instantly. Private curled up in his bunk, a horrible feeling in his stomach.
Why did you tell her? He asked himself angrily. Well the Winky face did tell me to. He reasoned back. Well it doesn't matter, now you've just made things very awkward between you both. He added feeling upset. She did say she kinda felt the same. A reasonable part of him replied. Yeah, kinda felt the same. He argued tears beginning to fall from him eyes. He closed his eyes, feeling awful, foolish and stupid.
"Goodnight Private." Emma whispered from the bunk above. Private brightened immediately.
Emma's already sinabi goodnight, but she's saying it again, to me only! He thought, beginning to smile. He then fell into a calm sleep.
A few days passed by, it had now been a week since Emma had came to live at the zoo, and Kowalski was feeling a bit desperate. He had to tell Emma but he didn't dare to. He looked up at her, working on the last of the teleportation wristbands. The had made enough for them all to have one, and a backup one. They had also made one extra, incase they had to rescue someone who didn't have one. The last one that they were working on, was the back up for someone who didn't have one. Emma looked for a screwdriver, and brought one over to her, with her mind. She screwed on the segundo to last screw, and passed the birador to Kowalski who screwed on the last screw. He wiped the sweat off his forehead.
"Finally." He commented, looking at the teleportation wristband proudly.
"We've got them all done!" Emma cheered. Even though she was really happy about this, what happened a few days nakaraan still stuck at the back of her head. Meanwhile Kowalski was trying to build up the courage to tell her something.Emma looked at Kowalski, and he looked distant. "Hey what's up Kowalski?" She asked. Kowalski looked up at her.
"Well I've have tell you something, I don't quite know how to put it, so I'm just going to come out and say it." Kowalski answered, taking a deep breath.
Uh oh, is Marlene gonna be right then? Emma thought worriedly. This was going to make it even harder for her to choose.
"Em, I... pag-ibig you.." Kowalski said, looking up at her bravely.
"R.. really?" Emma managed, even though she knew the answer. Kowalski nodded shyly, blushing a bit.
"So, how do you feel about this?" Kowalski asked going even redder.
"Well, I sorta feel the same, but I've got a lot to think about." Emma admitted, looking directly at him. She pulled her eyes away, and looked at the wristband. "I can't believe we made 12 of these in only a few days." She marvelled.
"I know right?" Kowalski added, smiling again. They began discussed what they would invent next. Eventually, they settled on trying to make a growth ray. Just as they were about to attempt to start it, Rico called for them.
"Ema, Walski! Etinere!" (Emma, Kowalski! Get in here!) He shouted. They walked out curiously, wondering what was going on.
"We're watching a dvd, come and watch it with us." Skipper said, gesturing to the floor.
"Sure, what are we watching?" Emma asked, sitting susunod to Private.
"It was my choice today, so we're watching Men in Black 2" Skipper answered, looking pleased and putting the dvd in. Kowalski at down susunod to Emma. The film started, but Emma didn't pay much attention, even though she loved the film. Her mind was too busy, wondering who she should choose. Her mind was still wandering when they got into kama that night. She lay awake for hours, trying to decide. In the early hours of the morning something struck her.
I've been trying to decide with my head, not my heart. She thought, feeling a bit stupid. She closed her eyes, and tried not to think. And then it came to her.
She knew who she would choose.
Emma woke up the susunod araw and looked up at the clock. It read 11:30am. She shuffled out of her bunk, as if everything was normal. She couldn't have Skipper and Rico finding out yet, and she knew it would be better if she told Kowalski and Private in secret first. As she walked up to the cinder block mesa the team gave her the normal morning greetings.
"Morning." Emma replied through a yawn. She glanced around at all of them. Private was watching The Lunacorns, Kowalski was sitting sa pamamagitan ng himself, scribbling on his clipboard, whilst Skipper and Rico were playing cards again. "So Skips, what's the training about today?" She asked, trying to look cheerful.
"You'll have to wait and see Emma." Skipper answered as mysterious look in his eyes. Emma perked up, looking madami interested. Before she could get anything else out of him, Private caught her attention.
"Hey Emma, Futurama's on." Private sinabi pointing towards the Tv. The Lunacorns had finished, and the familiar theme song came on.
"Ooh, awesome!" Emma exclaimed, practically jumping put of her seat, and sitting in front of the Tv. Luckily enough, her favourite episode was on too.
"Imemberis." (I remember this.) Rico remarked, whilst eating a fish. Emma didn't answer, she was too busy staring at the Tv. It was on until training started, which was even madami lucky.
"Hey Em, you've still gotta get your lunch." Kowalski reminded her.
"I'm already on it." Emma replied, grinning. Kowalski looked over at the fridge, and the cheese spread.,and mantikilya was flying out, and the tinapay was already out. About 10 segundos later a sandwich, and a pack of crisps flew over to her on a plate and landed in front of her.
"Y'know what's funny. You don't use your abilities for training or anything, yet you use them to make lunch." Skipper commented. Emma just shrugged in response and turned back to the Tv.
About an oras later, it finished, and Skipper ushered them up to training, whilst explaining what they were doing today.
"Ok, so I'm going to blindfold you all, and put you on teams, Rico and Private, versus Emma and Kowalski. You have to get as many points as possible, and you get points sa pamamagitan ng punching/ kicking the other team, but you lose points if you attack your own teammate." Skipper explained, handing red blindfolds to Private and Rico, and the blue blindfolds to Emma and Kowalski. "Now I'm going to spin you all around, and when I blow this whistle you can all go." Skipper finished. Emma started giggling, and Skipper looked at her sternly. "Emma what are you laughing about?" He asked, looking irritated.
"Oh, nothing, I...I just thought that this is like, a tumawid between Pin the Tail on the Donkey, and one of the training techniques from bituin Wars." Emma managed through giggles. To her left, Kowalski had to hold in a chuckle when he heard that.
Hmm, I didn't know she likes bituin Wars.... He thought, a small smile creeping onto his face.
"Emma stop being silly and start to focus." Skipper ordered strictly. Emma got annoyed sa pamamagitan ng this, and she was in a rude mood today, so she read his mind.
She's not wrong though... Skipper thought. Emma tried not to smile, and got into focus.
How are we supposed to get them if we can't see them? She thought.
"So remember team, this is a test of the mind aswell, as the body, so concentrate.
That's it! I'll just read their brain signatures, and since everyone's is different, I'll know who is who, and where everyone else is. Emma decided. She quickly scanned their brains, and got a different signature off each of them. Private's was very happy and sunny, it reminded her of the colour yellow, it also seemed like jelly. Rico's seemed almost bumpy and pointy, like a sharp rock, it made her think of blood red. Whilst Kowalski's was smooth, and calm, like the colour turquoise, it also kinda felt creamy, like yoghurt. Good. She thought to herself. I've assigned them a colour, so I'll just be on the watch out for the colours. She kept her brain alert as Skipper began to spin the all around.
"Ok, now go!" Skipper called, blowing the whistle. Emma staggered around, trying to regain her balance. She felt a sharp, red presence behind her, and she jumped out of the way, as Rico tried to get her. She turned to him, and kicked him in his stomach. She then went to an area, where she couldn't feel any minds. She was also keeping an eye on Kowalski who was about to get punched sa pamamagitan ng Private.
"Kowalski, duck!" Emma yelled. Kowalski ducked, and kicked out in front of him. She felt Private's surprise as he fell over. Infact, all of them were starting to be a little surprised. Emma kept scanning for their minds, and she suck up behind Rico, and kicked him, causing him to fall over with surprise. Suddenly, she felt a smooth calm presence to her left. "Kowalski, it's me." Emma called. Kowalski was took completely sa pamamagitan ng surprise, and he let his guard down. Emma felt the red presence get nearer, and it was right susunod to Kowalski. "Kowalski ilipat to your right!" Emma shouted, getting out of the way. Rico went to manuntok him, but missed, and punched Private instead, and both of them fell down, going from surprised to astonished in under 5 seconds. Skipper blew the whistle.
"Ok, would you all remove your blindfolds." He said. Emma realised that he was totally gobsmacked. He took Emma's blindfold and looked over it carefully. He then looked at his sister with bewilderment. "Emma, how on earth did you do that?!" Skipper gasped. "There's no hole in your blindfold, yet you seemed to know where everyone was."
"Well it's actually to do with my abilities," Emma admitted. "You see, everyone gives off a different kind of brain signature, it's another thing that makes them unique, like a flipperprint." Emma explained. "So I just scanned for all of your brains, except for yours Skipper, and it gave me a clear image of what was going on."
"So what are our brain signatures like?" Kowalski asked, looking interested.
"Well it's quite hard to explain." Emma began. "But they all go with a shade of colour, and either a general emotion, or a feel, for example, Private's reminded me of a bright sunny yellow, and seemed cheerful, whilst Rico's was madami of a dark red, and if felt sharp. And yours Kowalski was a smooth, calm turquoise." Emma finished. Kowalski looked really curious, and just as he was about to ask another question, Skipper piped up.
"So what about mine?" He asked. Emma closed her eyes, and focused on it, it was smooth, yet rock solid, like a car. It seemed like a dark blue to her. She told him this, and he looked pleased. He was about to comment on this when a group of humans walked into the zoo, and made their way to the habitat, and got into their cute and cuddly positions. A while later the humans went and they decided to get snowcones. "Emma, Private, could you two stay here, and guard the HQ?" Skipper asked.
"Sure." Emma replied, hopping into the HQ, as Rico, Skipper, and Kowalski walked off. Private came in after her, and Emma thought it would be best to tell him now, with no one else around. It was going to be hard the say though.
"Hey Emma are you ok?" Private asked, turning to face her.
"Yeah, I'm alright, I just need to talk to you." Emma replied. Private filled with worry, curiousity, and excitement. They sat down at the cinder block table, and Emma looked directly at him.
"Private, I thought a lot about what you said, and I've decided that I.......
...want to go out with you." Emma eventually said, smiling shyly at Private.
"Really? Are you serious?" Private asked, looking, completely astonished. Emma nodded, blushing a bit. The worry in Private's stomach went away instantly, and he wrapped his flippers around Emma, and hugged her gently. Emma hugged him back, enjoying the moment. He stroked her hair softly, and a happy chill went down Emma's spine. They pulled away slightly, and looked at eachother lovingly. Private stroked Emma's cheek, and they went a little closer. Private acted on instinct, and kissed Emma. Emma was taken sa pamamagitan ng surprise, but she kissed back. A few segundos later, they pulled away, and they blushed. Emma couldn't help thinking that he tasted, of sugar, and chocolate.
"I pag-ibig you Emma." Private said, affectionately.
"I pag-ibig you too Private." Emma replied, running her flipper through his head feathers. Something struck Emma then. "How are we gonna tell everyone?" She asked a little worried.
"It'll be easy, i'll tell them if you want." Private answered confidently.
"I don't think it'll be that easy, you see....." Emma began.
"See what?" Private asked curiously.
"Kowalski likes me too." Emma finished, sheepishly. Private's eyes widened. "And I don't know how to tell him without upsetting him."
"I don't think there's a way of telling him without him being upset." Private remarked.
"Good point." Emma sighed, looking worried. Private took her flipper.
"Don't worry, he'll be ok in time." Private sinabi reassuringly. Just then Skipper, Rico, and Kowalski came in the hatch with the snowcones.
"Hey sis, we've got the- uy what's up with you two?" Skipper asked, looking at their expressions. Emma looked at Private, who started explaining. Emma glanced at Kowalski, who's face had fell. She watched him silently, he didn't notice, as he was too busy focusing on what Private was saying. His eyes had became sad, and he looked heartbroken. Emma felt really bad for him. When Private had finished, they looked at Emma, for conformation.
"EriuoslyEma?" (Seriously Emma?) Rico asked. Emma nodded, still keeping an eye on Kowalski, who still hadn't sinabi a word. Part of her wanted to read his mind, to find out what he thought, but she stopped herself.
"Well congrats sis." Skipper sinabi eventually, giving her a hug, and Private a pat on the back. Rico nodded, and Kowalski forced an unconvincing smile.
The araw went quickly again, and Emma spent most of it, watching Tv with Private. Around 10pm, Emma realised, that she hadn't seen Kowalski in a few hours.
"Hey guys where is Kowalski?" Emma asked, worriedly.
"He sinabi he was going to get some air." Skipper answered. Then he frowned. "That was an oras ago, I'll go and find him." He added, standing up. Emma stopped him.
"I think it's best if I go." Emma advised. Skipper looked confused. "Private you tell him what I told you, and I'll go and find Kowalski." Emma said, walking towards the fishbowl. She lifted it, and saw Kowalski sitting sa pamamagitan ng the edge of the habitat, his feet dangling in the water. He was looking up at the stars, his eyes full of heartbreak, confusion, and hurt. Emma watched him sadly, and walked over to him. "Hey." She said, sitting down susunod to him. Kowalski forced a smile, and looked at Emma.
"Hey." He managed, giving up on trying to smile. Now that Emma was sitting closer to him, she saw that he had been crying. Emma wasn't sure what to say. She thought of something but she didn't think it was going to be entirely comforting.
"I don't know if it'll make you feel better, but it took me ages to decide between you two, becuase your both sweet, and amazing." Emma began slowly. "And I care a lot for you too. This decision I had to make, was the hardest one I've ever had to make in my entire life." She scooted closer to him."And I never wanted you to be hurt sa pamamagitan ng my decision."
"I know." Kowalski replied, forcing another smile. Emma looked at him sadly.
"Hey come here." Emma said, outstretching her flippers for a hug, hoping it would make him feel a little better. He took the hug instantly, and wrapped his flippers around her, smiling genuinely for the fist time since Private had told them. He closed his eyes enjoying every moment, but feeling sad that he may never have a hug like this again. Emma pulled away, and Kowalski did hastily. "Are you coming in?" Emma asked, nodding towards the hatch.
"Not right now." Kowalski replied, the smile falling from his face again. Emma forced a smile, and went back into the HQ, taking one last look at him. Kowalski sighed, and looked up at the stars, tears starting to fall from his eyes.
Why do things never work out for me? He asked himself desperately. Why do I always have to be the one who gets hurt? He looked up at a very bright star, and was temped to make a wish on it. Wishing on stars doesn't work. He reminded himself sternly. He closed his eyes and let the tears fall down his face.
Meanwhile in the HQ, Emma was pretty content and happy, though feeling slightly guilty, but what she didn't know is that in a few years, she'd be asking herself.
Had she made a mistake?
"Morning." She yawned, forcing a smile.
"Morning, sis." Skipper said, smiling at her. Rico called out a barely understandable morning.
"Morning Em." Kowalski greeted cheerfully.
"Morning Emma." Private greeted, smiling at her. "Hey are you alright, you don't seem like yourself." He asked worriedly.
"I'm ok Private." Emma replied, smiling at his shyly. "I just didn't get much sleep last night." She explained. Though this was true she didn't want to say why.
"Hmm, ok." Private replied, looking curious. He was sure there was madami to it, but he decided not to ask. Emma sat down at the table, and let her mind make the breakfast. Kowalski watched, still a bit curious about it all. As it plopped down in front of her, she began eating it slowly.
"I still find that amazing Em." Kowalski remarked, smiling at her.
"Thanks Kowalski." Emma replied cheering up a bit. They all started chatting about walang tiyak na layunin stuff, and what happened with the pups yesterday. Emma started feeling madami like herself again, as she woke up fully. But her mind kept drifting back to what happened yesterday. She smiled to herself, as she thought of the walk home.
"Hey, Em do you want to try and finish the teleportation machine after training?" Kowalski asked, looking eager.
"Sure, I can't wait to test it too." Emma replied enthusiastically.
A while later, Skipper ushered them up to training, which was surprisingly ordinary today, which Emma was a bit disappointed about. A ball of excitement was sitting in her stomach, just ready explode. The minute, that they finished training, and entertaining the guests, Kowalski, and Emma rushed down into the lab excitedly.
"Ok, so all we have to do is fit the turbo shifter in, and attach the wires, then we can start the test run." Kowalski explained, looking happy.
"Awesome, so lets get going then." Emma replied, putting some music on and picking up the Turbo Shifter carefully. Kowalski came to help her, and they brought it over to the machine. After a few minutos of moving some wires, they fit the turbo shifter in perfectly.
"So just the wires now." Emma remarked, looking proud at their work. Kowalski picked up some wires, and started attaching them to the turbo shifter and other wires. Emma helped attach them, and in a a short hour, they were done.
"Wow, I can't believe we're done!" Emma exclaimed happily, looking at the completed machine with pride.
"I know." Kowalski agreed. "We just have to test it now."
"Yup, I think it's best to use something that's not living, as the first test just incase." Emma suggested.
"Good idea." Kowalski replied, getting a pair of goggles, and putting it in the machine, he put the co-ordinates in, for the other side of the lab. Emma pressed the button, and the goggles vanished. After a few seconds, they reappeared on the other side of the lab.
"It works!" Emma cheered.
"Lets test it on a living thing now" Kowalski said, going outside for a minuto and coming back with a ladybird.
"I hope the ladybird comes out ok." Emma sinabi worriedly.
"I'm sure it will." Kowalski replied, reassuringly, smiling at Emma. He put the ladybird in and Emma pressed the button. The ladybird appeared on the other side of the lab, and flew away.
"Yay!" Emma exclaimed, joyfully. "Should we test it now?" She asked, looking eager.
"Sure, the ladybird came out ok." Kowalski agreed. The two of them got in the machine, and Emma pressed the extra button that was on the inside. About 5 segundos later they appeared on the other side of the lab.
"Yes, it works for us too!" Emma cheered, jumping around.
"I know right." Kowalski added happily.
"Horaay for teamwork!" Emma added, beaming at Kowalski. Kowalski gave her a hug, in happiness. Emma was took sa pamamagitan ng surprise at first but she hugged him back, feeling instantly warmer, and her puso beating really quickly. They both blushed a bit when they pulled away.
"So should we ipakita Skips?" Emma asked, looking towards the lab door.
"Sure." Kowalski replied, walking to the lab door. They went back into the main room, and saw that Skipper was watching Shirtless Ninja Action Theatre.
"Hey Skips, Rico, Private." We've finished the teleportation machine!" Emma burst out excitedly.
"Ealyandnokabooms?" (Really, and no kabooms?) Rico asked disbelievingly.
"Yup." Emma confirmed proudly.
"Ok then, lets see this machine." Skipper said, walking towards the lab door. The 5 of them went in and Skipper, Rico ,and Private's eyes widened when they saw the machine.
"So, would one of you like to test it or should we ipakita you?" Emma asked.
"I'd like to test it." Private said, looking eager.
"Sure Private, just step in the machine, and we'll see if we can direct you to susunod to the fridge." Emma explained. Private stepped in the machine, and Kowalski reset the co-ordinates. Emma pressed the button, and Private disappeared. They all went to the fridge in the main bit of the HQ, and Private was standing outside of it, looking surprised.
"Wow, one of you inventions actually worked Kowalski." Skipper remarked, looking completely astonished.
"Well why wouldn't it?" Emma asked, crossing her flippers and looking at her brother.
"Nevermind." He mumbled.Emma wondered if her and Kowalski would make anymore inventions, when Skipper piped up. "Emma, Kowalski, so what if you teleport to somewhere really far away, how do you get back?" He asked. Emma looked stumped, and she looked at Kowalski desperately. She definatley hadn't thought of that.
"Well then, they just wear one of these wristbands, and they can press the button on it, and come back." Kowalski replied holding up a little wristband. It reminded Emma of a watch.
"Hey, when did you make that?" She asked, looking surprised.
"Yesterday, when you and Private we're visiting the puppies." Kowalski replied.
"Oh ok." Emma remarked.
"Hey do you want to try and invent something else sometime?" Kowalski asked, a little shyly.
"Sure." Emma agreed, smiling at him a little nervously. She looked at the clock, and it was only 4:30pm. "Hmm, I think I'll go and see Marlene for a bit." She decided.
"Ok, see you later." Skipper said, turning back to the Tv.
"Eeya." (See ya.) Rico chimed in.
"See you later Em." Kowalski said, feeling a little disappointed.
"See you Emma." Private called, getting a butterscotch lolly out. Emma hopped out of the fishbowl and headed for Marlene's habitat.
"Come in." Marlene called, as Emma knocked on the side of the cave. She walked in and saw that Marlene was trying to play the Spanish guitar.
"Hey Marlene." Emma greeted, cheerfully.
"Hey Emma, how are you?" Marlene asked, putting the gitara down.
"I'm pretty good, you?" She asked, walking up to Marlene.
"I'm alright, I've just got a bit on my mind. Please, sit down." Marlene replied, gesturing to the slab of rock she was sitting on. Emma sat down, and looked at her friend.
"What's up?" She asked, curiously.
"Promise you won't tell anyone." Marlene said, looking a bit embarrassed.
"I promise." Emma said, looking interested.
"Well, don't be weirded out or anything, but I... kinda have a.. crush on....... Skipper." She managed, looking away.
"Really? That's cool Marlene." Emma replied, hiding her surprise.
"You think so?" Marlene asked, looking back up at her friend.
"Yup, you'd be a cute couple." Emma replied, smiling at Marlene.
"You think so? Well, that's good" Marlene remarked, brightening up. "Hey, so you looked a bit distant when you came in, is something on your mind?" She asked.
Wow, Marlene's pretty good at pagbaba people, I don't even remember looking distant. Emma thought, a bit surprised. "Well, yeah, there is actually, a guy problem." Emma admitted.
"Ooh, really, tell me about it." Marlene, replied, suddenly looking much madami interested.
"Well, I know I've already been here, for 4 days, but I've got a crush on... Kowalski and Private." Emma explained.
"Ouch. That's gotta be frustrating. Do any of them like you back?" She asked, curiously.
"I don't know." Emma sighed, resting her head in her own flippers.
"Well, you've obviously been watching them, over these few days, how have they acted since you've got here, explain everything that's happened between you and them since you arrived." Marlene advised. So Emma told her about everything that happened, from the incident in the science lab to the walk tahanan yesterday. Marlene was looking thoughtful, and after about a minuto she spoke up.
"Ok, I think that Private definitely likes you, holding your flipper on the way back yesterday was pretty much him telling you. And Kowalski, well I think he might too, but he's quite shy, and reserved, so he's trying to hide it, because he doesn't know if you feel the same." Marlene explained.
"R- really?" Emma stammered, looking astonished.
"Yes, from what you've told me, I get the impression, that they're crazy for you." Marlene answered. "But what matters is, which one of them do you like more?" She finished, looking questioningly at her. Emma thought hard.
"I.. I don't know." Emma replied, desperately, looking at her feet, as if they held all the answers.
"Well, tonight, you've gotta think this over long, and hard." Marlene advised. "The answer will come to you eventually." She reassured her, patting her on the back.
"I hope it will." Emma remarked.
"Say, do you wanna do some painting for a bit? I've got a load of paper we can use and two big easels." Marlene asked.
"Sure, that sounds fun." Emma replied, looking happier. They got out the paint sets, and both started painting on the canvas's. They chatted, merrily as they drew, and talked about the guys. "So what do you think of all of the penguins?" Emma asked, swishing her paintbrush over the canvas.
"Well you already know my opinion on Skipper." Marlene replied, winking. "As for the other well, I'm not as sure, I don't get to talk to them as much as I'd like to. But I'm still good mga kaibigan with them. I think Rico's really crazy, but a lot of fun to be around. Kowalski's very smart, and shy, but he's a sweet guy. Private is really kind and sweet. He's always been nice to me, and he tries to be nice to everyone." Marlene answered, carrying on her picture of a certain ibong dagat playing the Spanish guitar. Emma smiled at this bit of info, and carried on her painting of her sitting sa pamamagitan ng a Willow Tree, with a shadowed figure, with a roundish head.
"Which one of them is that?" Marlene asked, pointing at the shadowed figure with her paintbrush.
"I don't know." Emma admitted, shrugging. "I tried to make the figure as ambiguous as possible."
"As what?" Marlene asked.
"So it has a double or unclear meaning. So basically, I'm sitting there with someone, but the viewer doesn't know who it is, but they don't know that I also don't know." Emma explained. "Because I can't choose." She added sadly.
"Wow." Marlene marvelled. "My picture's pretty straightforward." She added, with a giggle.
"Yeah I guess it is." Emma admitted, giggling too. They carried on their pictures, and when they finished them, they waited for them to dry. Marlene passed her some sweets and they sat down chatting about some of the other walang tiyak na layunin things in the zoo. A while after this, they checked and the pictures were dry.
"So what are you gonna do with yours?" Marlene asked.
"I'll just put it in my drawstring bag and get it out when I want to look at it." Emma replied, shrugging. She had already explained the bag to Marlene when they we're talking earlier. She picked up the picture, and stuffed it in the little bag. "What are you going with yours to do then?" Emma asked.
"I'm gonna hide it." Marlene answered, smirking.
"Cool." Emma commented. She glanced at the clock, which read 8pm. "I guess I'll go back now." She decided.
"Alright, see you soon." Marlene called, a little disappointed.
"See ya." Emma replied, sliding out of the habitat. She waddled over to the penguins habitat, and a walang tiyak na layunin thought struck her. She had no idea what petsa or araw it was. She hadn't checked since she left Hoboken. Pretty surprised with herself, she pulled her phone out of her bag, and looked at it. It read 4th January, 2007. Oh yeah pasko was 10 days ago. She reminded herself. She jumped in the fishbowl and looked around. All of the team we're playing cards.
"Hey Em." Kowalski greeted shyly, looking up from his cards.
"Hey Kowalski." Emma replied, smiling at him. The others greeted her, and she greeted back, as she walked up to her friends.
"So do you want to sumali our card game?" Private asked, hopefully.
"No thanks Private, I was thinking of watching a bit of Tv." Emma sinabi giving him a small smile. She sat down sa pamamagitan ng the Tv, as switched it on. After a few minutos of channel flicking, she found The Simpsons on, and she kept that on. She found herself gigging at parts of it, and even Rico and Skipper started to pay madami attention to the Tv. Emma checked and it was on all night, so she got a cushion, and lied down on her stomach, resting her head on the cushion. After about half a hour, the other joined her, and they watched it till the late hours of the night. Emma was feeling a bit giddy, since Kowalski was sitting to her left, and Private to her right. After a while they all got a bit drowsy, and they all started falling asleep where they were lying down. Emma closed her eyes, feeling exhausted, and fell asleep, leaning against a sleeping Private.
Kowalski's eyes opened slowly, and looked to his right. His eyes widened, as he realised he was leaning on Emma, who was leaning on Private. They were both still asleep, so Kowalski closed his eyes and relaxed again, blushing a little bit.
Later that day, they all woke up, and tried not to blush when they realised what had happened. Skipper and Rico were already awake, Skipper was drinking his isda coffee, and Rico was sitting susunod to his dolly.
"I see you three are finally awake." Skipper remarked, taking a swig out of his coffee mug.
"Why, what time is it?" Emma mumbled, standing up.
"Waterasttwelv." (Quarter past twelve) Rico answered. Private's eyes widened and he started at the clock disbelievingly.
"Why didn't you wake us up?" Kowalski asked, wonderingly.
"Becuase you all looked so snug down there." Skipper joked, sarcastically. "No really, it was becuase I thought you deserved a break from the morning training, and the annoying zoo visitors."
"Oh ok. Thanks Skippah." Private sinabi smiling at his leader.
"Now we only have 15 minutos until the susunod training session, so you lot might want to get some breakfast. Or lunch." Skipper advised, pointing towards the cupboard and the fridge. The three of them scrambled over to the fridge, and got pagkain out of it.
The araw went surprisingly quick, as they completed training, and entertaining the zoo visitors, in what felt like a matter of minutos to Emma. She and Kowalski were working on making madami teleportation wristbands that day, and they made up to 6 as the sky began to darken. In the main bit of the HQ, Private was lying in his bunk, debating if he should tell Emma how he felt.
I feel like I just have to tell her, I don't know how much longer I can hide it. He thought desperately. But what if she doesn't feel the same? One part of him said. But she let me hold her flipper on the way tahanan when we went to see the pups, I think she might have been blushing. He argued back. But you don't want to ruin your friendship do you? The part of him asked. He sighed. He just didn't know what to do. He looked around wondering if he should ask Rico or Skipper about it, but he didn't think that was such a good idea. His eyes fell on the box of mani mantikilya Winkies. He picked up a Winky and sighed. Ok, so if it lands on Winky face, I tell her, if it lands on the back, I don't. Private decided, throwing the Winky in the air. He caught it and looked at the wrapper. The Winky face was staring back at him. Private closed his eyes, took a deep breath. He gazed at the lab. I'll tell her later tonight when she comes out of the lab. He decided his stomach feeling very giddy and queasy.
Meanwhile in the lab, Kowalski and Emma were working on the 7th and 8th teleportation wristbands. Music was playing in the background. They were tapping their feet along to the music merrily. Emma's head was full of thought.
Well I don't know if Marlene's right or not, and if she is, how on earth could I chose between them both, they're both amazing, and sweet guys... She wondered, sadly. I guess I'll have to choose one or none. She added starting to feel a bit gloomy.
"Hey Em, are you ok?" Kowalski asked worriedly.
"Huh? Oh, I'm ok Kowalski." Emma lied, smiling at him. "I've just got a bit on my mind right now." She admitted, trying to concentrate on the wristband. Kowalski looked at her, feeling concerned.
"Do you want to talk about it?" He asked, hiding his shyness.
"No thanks, I just want to think for a bit more." Emma replied, giving him a small smile. "Thanks for asking though." She added, blushing a bit.
"Um, well no problem Em, if you ever need to talk I'll be here to listen." Kowalski said, his stomach filling with madami butterflies. Their eyes met, and they smiled shyly at eachother. They continued working in silence, a very suitable song playing in the background. Emma knew all of the words so she thought along to the song. We started as friends. But something happened inside me. Now I'm pagbaba into everything. But there's no sign you hear the lightning, baby. You don't ever notice me turning on my charm. Or wonder why I'm always where you are. I've made it obvious. Done everything but sing it. I've crushed on you so long, but on and on you get me wrong. I'm not so good with words. And since you never notice, the way that we belong. I'll say it in a pag-ibig song. Emma Nawawala herself in thought, and time whizzed on. Suddenly they heard a shout from the main room.
"Emma, Kowalski it's late, lets get to bed." Skipper called. Emma snapped back to reality, and shuffled out of the lab with Kowalski. She glanced around and realised that Private wasn't around.
"Hey Skips, where's Private?" She asked.
"Oh, he's probably, still outside, could you go and get him?" Skipper answered, hopping into his bunk. Emma climbed up the ladder, and saw Private sitting down looking up at the stars.
"Hey Private, what are you doing? We've all gotta head kama now." Emma said, closing the fishbowl.
"Just thinking." Private answered, a queasy feeling in his stomach. Emma walked over to him curiously and sat down beside him.
"What's up?" She asked. He sighed and looked up at Emma.
"Well, Emma, I've got something to tell you...."
"What?" Emma asked curiously. Private took a deep breath, and looked up at Emma.
"I think I... pag-ibig you." He eventually managed, looking away, going red. Emma felt shocked. Even though Marlene told her this, having Private actually say it to her, surprised her a lot. Her stomach filed with butterflies, and she looked up at Private. "Do.. do you feel the same?" He asked, looking hopeful, and worried all at the same time.
"Well, yes, kinda, but I've got a lot on my mind recently, and I need time to think." Emma replied, blushing too.
"Oh, urm, well ok." Private mumbled quietly, looking distant.
"We should probably go in now." Emma said, trying to change the subject.
"Yeah, ok." Private agreed, walking slowly towards the fishbowl. He looked up at Emma. "You won't tell anyone will you?" He asked worriedly.
"I won't tell a single soul." Emma answered, looking serious. The two penguins went through the fishbowl and headed for their bunks.
"Finally." Skipper remarked, already in his bunk. Everyone called out their goodnights, and Kowalski Rico and Skipper, fell asleep instantly. Private curled up in his bunk, a horrible feeling in his stomach.
Why did you tell her? He asked himself angrily. Well the Winky face did tell me to. He reasoned back. Well it doesn't matter, now you've just made things very awkward between you both. He added feeling upset. She did say she kinda felt the same. A reasonable part of him replied. Yeah, kinda felt the same. He argued tears beginning to fall from him eyes. He closed his eyes, feeling awful, foolish and stupid.
"Goodnight Private." Emma whispered from the bunk above. Private brightened immediately.
Emma's already sinabi goodnight, but she's saying it again, to me only! He thought, beginning to smile. He then fell into a calm sleep.
A few days passed by, it had now been a week since Emma had came to live at the zoo, and Kowalski was feeling a bit desperate. He had to tell Emma but he didn't dare to. He looked up at her, working on the last of the teleportation wristbands. The had made enough for them all to have one, and a backup one. They had also made one extra, incase they had to rescue someone who didn't have one. The last one that they were working on, was the back up for someone who didn't have one. Emma looked for a screwdriver, and brought one over to her, with her mind. She screwed on the segundo to last screw, and passed the birador to Kowalski who screwed on the last screw. He wiped the sweat off his forehead.
"Finally." He commented, looking at the teleportation wristband proudly.
"We've got them all done!" Emma cheered. Even though she was really happy about this, what happened a few days nakaraan still stuck at the back of her head. Meanwhile Kowalski was trying to build up the courage to tell her something.Emma looked at Kowalski, and he looked distant. "Hey what's up Kowalski?" She asked. Kowalski looked up at her.
"Well I've have tell you something, I don't quite know how to put it, so I'm just going to come out and say it." Kowalski answered, taking a deep breath.
Uh oh, is Marlene gonna be right then? Emma thought worriedly. This was going to make it even harder for her to choose.
"Em, I... pag-ibig you.." Kowalski said, looking up at her bravely.
"R.. really?" Emma managed, even though she knew the answer. Kowalski nodded shyly, blushing a bit.
"So, how do you feel about this?" Kowalski asked going even redder.
"Well, I sorta feel the same, but I've got a lot to think about." Emma admitted, looking directly at him. She pulled her eyes away, and looked at the wristband. "I can't believe we made 12 of these in only a few days." She marvelled.
"I know right?" Kowalski added, smiling again. They began discussed what they would invent next. Eventually, they settled on trying to make a growth ray. Just as they were about to attempt to start it, Rico called for them.
"Ema, Walski! Etinere!" (Emma, Kowalski! Get in here!) He shouted. They walked out curiously, wondering what was going on.
"We're watching a dvd, come and watch it with us." Skipper said, gesturing to the floor.
"Sure, what are we watching?" Emma asked, sitting susunod to Private.
"It was my choice today, so we're watching Men in Black 2" Skipper answered, looking pleased and putting the dvd in. Kowalski at down susunod to Emma. The film started, but Emma didn't pay much attention, even though she loved the film. Her mind was too busy, wondering who she should choose. Her mind was still wandering when they got into kama that night. She lay awake for hours, trying to decide. In the early hours of the morning something struck her.
I've been trying to decide with my head, not my heart. She thought, feeling a bit stupid. She closed her eyes, and tried not to think. And then it came to her.
She knew who she would choose.
Emma woke up the susunod araw and looked up at the clock. It read 11:30am. She shuffled out of her bunk, as if everything was normal. She couldn't have Skipper and Rico finding out yet, and she knew it would be better if she told Kowalski and Private in secret first. As she walked up to the cinder block mesa the team gave her the normal morning greetings.
"Morning." Emma replied through a yawn. She glanced around at all of them. Private was watching The Lunacorns, Kowalski was sitting sa pamamagitan ng himself, scribbling on his clipboard, whilst Skipper and Rico were playing cards again. "So Skips, what's the training about today?" She asked, trying to look cheerful.
"You'll have to wait and see Emma." Skipper answered as mysterious look in his eyes. Emma perked up, looking madami interested. Before she could get anything else out of him, Private caught her attention.
"Hey Emma, Futurama's on." Private sinabi pointing towards the Tv. The Lunacorns had finished, and the familiar theme song came on.
"Ooh, awesome!" Emma exclaimed, practically jumping put of her seat, and sitting in front of the Tv. Luckily enough, her favourite episode was on too.
"Imemberis." (I remember this.) Rico remarked, whilst eating a fish. Emma didn't answer, she was too busy staring at the Tv. It was on until training started, which was even madami lucky.
"Hey Em, you've still gotta get your lunch." Kowalski reminded her.
"I'm already on it." Emma replied, grinning. Kowalski looked over at the fridge, and the cheese spread.,and mantikilya was flying out, and the tinapay was already out. About 10 segundos later a sandwich, and a pack of crisps flew over to her on a plate and landed in front of her.
"Y'know what's funny. You don't use your abilities for training or anything, yet you use them to make lunch." Skipper commented. Emma just shrugged in response and turned back to the Tv.
About an oras later, it finished, and Skipper ushered them up to training, whilst explaining what they were doing today.
"Ok, so I'm going to blindfold you all, and put you on teams, Rico and Private, versus Emma and Kowalski. You have to get as many points as possible, and you get points sa pamamagitan ng punching/ kicking the other team, but you lose points if you attack your own teammate." Skipper explained, handing red blindfolds to Private and Rico, and the blue blindfolds to Emma and Kowalski. "Now I'm going to spin you all around, and when I blow this whistle you can all go." Skipper finished. Emma started giggling, and Skipper looked at her sternly. "Emma what are you laughing about?" He asked, looking irritated.
"Oh, nothing, I...I just thought that this is like, a tumawid between Pin the Tail on the Donkey, and one of the training techniques from bituin Wars." Emma managed through giggles. To her left, Kowalski had to hold in a chuckle when he heard that.
Hmm, I didn't know she likes bituin Wars.... He thought, a small smile creeping onto his face.
"Emma stop being silly and start to focus." Skipper ordered strictly. Emma got annoyed sa pamamagitan ng this, and she was in a rude mood today, so she read his mind.
She's not wrong though... Skipper thought. Emma tried not to smile, and got into focus.
How are we supposed to get them if we can't see them? She thought.
"So remember team, this is a test of the mind aswell, as the body, so concentrate.
That's it! I'll just read their brain signatures, and since everyone's is different, I'll know who is who, and where everyone else is. Emma decided. She quickly scanned their brains, and got a different signature off each of them. Private's was very happy and sunny, it reminded her of the colour yellow, it also seemed like jelly. Rico's seemed almost bumpy and pointy, like a sharp rock, it made her think of blood red. Whilst Kowalski's was smooth, and calm, like the colour turquoise, it also kinda felt creamy, like yoghurt. Good. She thought to herself. I've assigned them a colour, so I'll just be on the watch out for the colours. She kept her brain alert as Skipper began to spin the all around.
"Ok, now go!" Skipper called, blowing the whistle. Emma staggered around, trying to regain her balance. She felt a sharp, red presence behind her, and she jumped out of the way, as Rico tried to get her. She turned to him, and kicked him in his stomach. She then went to an area, where she couldn't feel any minds. She was also keeping an eye on Kowalski who was about to get punched sa pamamagitan ng Private.
"Kowalski, duck!" Emma yelled. Kowalski ducked, and kicked out in front of him. She felt Private's surprise as he fell over. Infact, all of them were starting to be a little surprised. Emma kept scanning for their minds, and she suck up behind Rico, and kicked him, causing him to fall over with surprise. Suddenly, she felt a smooth calm presence to her left. "Kowalski, it's me." Emma called. Kowalski was took completely sa pamamagitan ng surprise, and he let his guard down. Emma felt the red presence get nearer, and it was right susunod to Kowalski. "Kowalski ilipat to your right!" Emma shouted, getting out of the way. Rico went to manuntok him, but missed, and punched Private instead, and both of them fell down, going from surprised to astonished in under 5 seconds. Skipper blew the whistle.
"Ok, would you all remove your blindfolds." He said. Emma realised that he was totally gobsmacked. He took Emma's blindfold and looked over it carefully. He then looked at his sister with bewilderment. "Emma, how on earth did you do that?!" Skipper gasped. "There's no hole in your blindfold, yet you seemed to know where everyone was."
"Well it's actually to do with my abilities," Emma admitted. "You see, everyone gives off a different kind of brain signature, it's another thing that makes them unique, like a flipperprint." Emma explained. "So I just scanned for all of your brains, except for yours Skipper, and it gave me a clear image of what was going on."
"So what are our brain signatures like?" Kowalski asked, looking interested.
"Well it's quite hard to explain." Emma began. "But they all go with a shade of colour, and either a general emotion, or a feel, for example, Private's reminded me of a bright sunny yellow, and seemed cheerful, whilst Rico's was madami of a dark red, and if felt sharp. And yours Kowalski was a smooth, calm turquoise." Emma finished. Kowalski looked really curious, and just as he was about to ask another question, Skipper piped up.
"So what about mine?" He asked. Emma closed her eyes, and focused on it, it was smooth, yet rock solid, like a car. It seemed like a dark blue to her. She told him this, and he looked pleased. He was about to comment on this when a group of humans walked into the zoo, and made their way to the habitat, and got into their cute and cuddly positions. A while later the humans went and they decided to get snowcones. "Emma, Private, could you two stay here, and guard the HQ?" Skipper asked.
"Sure." Emma replied, hopping into the HQ, as Rico, Skipper, and Kowalski walked off. Private came in after her, and Emma thought it would be best to tell him now, with no one else around. It was going to be hard the say though.
"Hey Emma are you ok?" Private asked, turning to face her.
"Yeah, I'm alright, I just need to talk to you." Emma replied. Private filled with worry, curiousity, and excitement. They sat down at the cinder block table, and Emma looked directly at him.
"Private, I thought a lot about what you said, and I've decided that I.......
...want to go out with you." Emma eventually said, smiling shyly at Private.
"Really? Are you serious?" Private asked, looking, completely astonished. Emma nodded, blushing a bit. The worry in Private's stomach went away instantly, and he wrapped his flippers around Emma, and hugged her gently. Emma hugged him back, enjoying the moment. He stroked her hair softly, and a happy chill went down Emma's spine. They pulled away slightly, and looked at eachother lovingly. Private stroked Emma's cheek, and they went a little closer. Private acted on instinct, and kissed Emma. Emma was taken sa pamamagitan ng surprise, but she kissed back. A few segundos later, they pulled away, and they blushed. Emma couldn't help thinking that he tasted, of sugar, and chocolate.
"I pag-ibig you Emma." Private said, affectionately.
"I pag-ibig you too Private." Emma replied, running her flipper through his head feathers. Something struck Emma then. "How are we gonna tell everyone?" She asked a little worried.
"It'll be easy, i'll tell them if you want." Private answered confidently.
"I don't think it'll be that easy, you see....." Emma began.
"See what?" Private asked curiously.
"Kowalski likes me too." Emma finished, sheepishly. Private's eyes widened. "And I don't know how to tell him without upsetting him."
"I don't think there's a way of telling him without him being upset." Private remarked.
"Good point." Emma sighed, looking worried. Private took her flipper.
"Don't worry, he'll be ok in time." Private sinabi reassuringly. Just then Skipper, Rico, and Kowalski came in the hatch with the snowcones.
"Hey sis, we've got the- uy what's up with you two?" Skipper asked, looking at their expressions. Emma looked at Private, who started explaining. Emma glanced at Kowalski, who's face had fell. She watched him silently, he didn't notice, as he was too busy focusing on what Private was saying. His eyes had became sad, and he looked heartbroken. Emma felt really bad for him. When Private had finished, they looked at Emma, for conformation.
"EriuoslyEma?" (Seriously Emma?) Rico asked. Emma nodded, still keeping an eye on Kowalski, who still hadn't sinabi a word. Part of her wanted to read his mind, to find out what he thought, but she stopped herself.
"Well congrats sis." Skipper sinabi eventually, giving her a hug, and Private a pat on the back. Rico nodded, and Kowalski forced an unconvincing smile.
The araw went quickly again, and Emma spent most of it, watching Tv with Private. Around 10pm, Emma realised, that she hadn't seen Kowalski in a few hours.
"Hey guys where is Kowalski?" Emma asked, worriedly.
"He sinabi he was going to get some air." Skipper answered. Then he frowned. "That was an oras ago, I'll go and find him." He added, standing up. Emma stopped him.
"I think it's best if I go." Emma advised. Skipper looked confused. "Private you tell him what I told you, and I'll go and find Kowalski." Emma said, walking towards the fishbowl. She lifted it, and saw Kowalski sitting sa pamamagitan ng the edge of the habitat, his feet dangling in the water. He was looking up at the stars, his eyes full of heartbreak, confusion, and hurt. Emma watched him sadly, and walked over to him. "Hey." She said, sitting down susunod to him. Kowalski forced a smile, and looked at Emma.
"Hey." He managed, giving up on trying to smile. Now that Emma was sitting closer to him, she saw that he had been crying. Emma wasn't sure what to say. She thought of something but she didn't think it was going to be entirely comforting.
"I don't know if it'll make you feel better, but it took me ages to decide between you two, becuase your both sweet, and amazing." Emma began slowly. "And I care a lot for you too. This decision I had to make, was the hardest one I've ever had to make in my entire life." She scooted closer to him."And I never wanted you to be hurt sa pamamagitan ng my decision."
"I know." Kowalski replied, forcing another smile. Emma looked at him sadly.
"Hey come here." Emma said, outstretching her flippers for a hug, hoping it would make him feel a little better. He took the hug instantly, and wrapped his flippers around her, smiling genuinely for the fist time since Private had told them. He closed his eyes enjoying every moment, but feeling sad that he may never have a hug like this again. Emma pulled away, and Kowalski did hastily. "Are you coming in?" Emma asked, nodding towards the hatch.
"Not right now." Kowalski replied, the smile falling from his face again. Emma forced a smile, and went back into the HQ, taking one last look at him. Kowalski sighed, and looked up at the stars, tears starting to fall from his eyes.
Why do things never work out for me? He asked himself desperately. Why do I always have to be the one who gets hurt? He looked up at a very bright star, and was temped to make a wish on it. Wishing on stars doesn't work. He reminded himself sternly. He closed his eyes and let the tears fall down his face.
Meanwhile in the HQ, Emma was pretty content and happy, though feeling slightly guilty, but what she didn't know is that in a few years, she'd be asking herself.
Had she made a mistake?