I am Allegra Classic, aka, the BEST CLASSIC.
I have an "eclec-tic fashion sense." I like stars and polka dots and stripes and plaid and lots and lots of rainbow colors. I like my clothes and my things to be bright and happy and awesome, just like me!
I do figure I'm only the best until I have a kid, because we just keep getting better and better. This is my mom, Eureka. She just made her second Simbot.
I didn't get to see the Simbot or meet the Simbot or whatever. Oh no! That'd just be too easy! I had to stumble onto Cassidy and Cassandra Classic, abominations of steel and cogwork, during my family tree project. How embarrassing.
"Daaaaad! Why are there robots in my relationship panel?"
"Not now, Aly, I've got to go into another mineshaft looking for pink diamonds!"
"Whatever!"
It was a pretty big surprise though. I know everything about our history. I read all of Granny's books (in fact, I spent 40 minutes searching the bookshelf for Granny Classic until I remembered her name was Coralie).
I want to be a flirt like Grandpa Hiram, I think. And to be on stage like Dad. I just want to be all sorts of the best. School is pretty much a let down right now. There's only one other kid in my whole class. His name is Curt Bobo, but I just call him Bobo.
"We could go to prom one day, you know," he said.
"I'm pretty sure you'll be an elder by prom. Being a paper boy and all."
"You're very bright. Sometimes looking at you hurts my eyes."
"Are you negging me?"
"huh?"
Whatever. I've got no time for boys right now. And the magic 8 ball doesn't seem very optimistic about my future with them either.
Mom says I should learn to entertain myself, but I find that even the best playtime isn't much fun without someone to watch you.
Then I remember, I'm pretty much always being watched. Oh, that's right, I know you're out there. Granny wrote about the watcher and her "forums" and the "spectators." Sure, sure, you might say it was her sci fi opportunity, but I know better. I see you and you see me. Let's just acknowledge that, okay?
I don't even mind so much. I understand the appeal. Really, I do.
Plus, I figure it helps to know there's a whole world of Watchers out there who care when something hurts the Classic family. For example, you know my Grandma Nini is getting pretty old. She turned 100 recently. You also know I love her lots.
So, I guess it's not a big surprise that one night, while we were doing homework, she sparkled for the last time.
It was awful. I don't cry much, but it was the worst feeling ever.
Mom and Grandma Eden ran inside and they cried a lot too. Death is pretty much the saddest.
The worst thing was that I had my ballet recital that night. I wanted to go alone since everyone was so sad, but Mom and Dad insisted on coming with me.
Grandma Eden said she was very sorry but she had to go do something herself.
No one has ever said outright, but I'm pretty sure Grandma Eden is magic. That night, it started to rain. The rain wasn't normal, it was big hot raindrops and it made everyone act a little crazy. When we came out of the recital people were singing and dancing and playing in puddles. I had no doubt that Grandma Eden had done this for Grandma Nini. As a goodbye.
That was the night Penni started sleeping with me. She just wants to make sure I'm okay.
Penni is a good friend. I have always hated sleeping alone or being by myself, and Penni makes it easy to fall asleep at night.
That Bobo boy is already too old to hang out with, so I spend a lot of time with Penni when I'm not dancing or listening to Grandma Rosetta play the piano. I guess you could say she's my BFF.
Sometimes she's out hunting for gems when I'm ready for bed, so I'll nap on the couch until she gets home. She always licks my face awake and we go to sleep together.
But guess what! Tonight, it was Grandma Mona Lisa that woke me, not Penni.
"How are you holding up, kiddo?" she asked, and I knew she meant about Grandma Nini.
"Little better," I said.
"Did you forget that today is your birthday?" she asked, and then I realized she was right!
Suddenly, I realized here was
my chance to make a good goodbye to Grandma Nini! She always said I was her jewel-toned girl. She made my room and my clothes and everything to be bright and happy just like me. I could do the same as a teen. I could keep Grandma Nini's vision alive!
Thinking about that made me feel ready. And happy. And excited!
The sparkles came for me while Granny Mona Lisa cheered.
And boy, I just couldn't wait! I could start on my supermax! I could meet boys and go to prom and throw parties! No more being a stupid kid! Bring on the good stuff!
