To Soar Without Wings

     Just because Weewoo’s don’t have wings does not mean that they can’t be a functioning part of society. No matter what Neopians say or how little they think we can achieve, it has always been my life’s ambition to prove all of them wrong.

     The Academy of Excellence is renowned for the subjects it offers students of all species, no matter their origin, colour, experience or ambitions. There is something there for everybody, the only downside being the enormous amount of Neopoints it takes to guarantee a spot within their curriculum. I was very lucky to be a part of a select few Petpets whose Neopets had already enrolled in the academy, meaning we also got the opportunity to not only accompany them, but also enroll in our own courses. I was so excited I felt elevated, which cannot otherwise be possible since I don’t have any wings!

     The First Day

     On the way to the Academy for our first day, the nerves really started to show themselves, and the knot in my stomach did not ease as we got closer. I had been so preoccupied with the sparkle of the opportunity that I had forgotten how anxious I can be around Neopets and other Petpets I do not know, many of whom often tower over me simply because they are so much taller.

     We walked up to the courtyard where there was a massive crowd gathered; some walking briskly with confidence as this was not their first day, whilst others stood still, looking side to side, trying to navigate the enormity of the grounds. They were all in such a hurry, and I instantly shrank back into myself and suddenly felt very small amongst it all.

     I looked up at my Neopet Flynn, who was standing beside me. He is a Darigan Kougra, and even though he appears menacing, he really is so gentle at heart. He had promised me that he would watch over me no matter what, to which I replied “we are going to different classes, and you can’t always be with me. I am here because I need to learn to stand on my own two wobbly feet, no matter how impossible that may seem right now”.

     “Just remember,” Flynn started off, “you are here for your own reasons, and are strong in every sense of the word. You are brave, and no one can stop you from achieving your dreams. Soar high, little one”. With this he gave me a hug, and we walked in opposite directions.

     The classes for Neopets and Petpets seemed to be in different sections of the academy, with only a few joint classes in which we both participated. I liked it this way, because at least amongst my peers I was not the smallest one of the class!

      9:00 am NST, Room 7B, Expectation vs Reality

     My first class was ‘Neopet Expectations of their Petpets’ and honestly, I had no idea what to expect. I began to worry that maybe I wasn’t meeting Flynn’s expectations as his companion; hopefully, this class will teach me how to become the best Petpet I can be.

     The room bustled with the patter of little feet as each Petpet found a seat. I found a seat in the second row from the front, next to a young Buzzer who smelled of sweet Appriberry’s.

     “Good morning, class, and welcome to your first lesson of the year”, beamed a tall Lenny professor, who wore her Lenny Librarian Glasses and Duchess Lenny Dress with poise. “My name is Professor Lanting, and I am here to teach you about your obligations as a companion Petpet, compared to what is realistically possible. This is also very dependent on species and experience, but can be open to interpretation”.

     She told us to take our notebooks out and start taking notes whilst she wrote some things on the blackboard behind her.

     “Psst!” yelled the Buzzer, who was sitting on my right side, his attempt at a whisper failing. “How are you going to write when you don’t even have any wings?!” The entire class broke out in laughter and I could feel their eyes burning into the back of my head. I slunk into my seat, stunned and too embarrassed to move. I could feel the sweat rolling down my beak and the tears welling in my eyes.

     “Hush, class, I will have none of that in this classroom!” bellowed Professor Lanting, with a booming voice that made the walls feel like they were about to crumble. “There are many ways to learn and write, without the use of paws or wings.” She gave me a wink as she turned back around to finish writing her notes on the board.

     Curriculum Topics - Year 1

     1. Size does not matter.

     2. In order to gain experience and trust, one must take on tasks outside of one's comfort zone; however, one must also know one's limits.

     3. Petpet etiquette.

     4. There is more than one way to eat a Blueberry Jam Sandwich.

     5. Companionship goes both ways.

     I was embarrassed about what had just taken place and really did not want to draw attention to myself. I also knew that if I kept shying away from learning just because I was scared or embarrassed, I would have come here for nothing. I picked up my notebook with my right foot and placed it on the chair I was sitting on, just in front of me, with enough space to write. I grabbed my pen and started writing notes, elaborating on my thoughts about the topics Professor Lanting had written. I could hear snickers coming from behind me, but I didn’t care. I needed to do this for myself, and I needed to shut the cruel outside world out, for now. I have always been an excellent writer with great ideas and will not shy away from that, even if I have to do it just a little differently.

     Professor Lanting walked between the desks, looking down at the Petpets furiously writing their notes. She walked past my desk and said out loud, “At least the Weewoo in the class has a mind of his own and can formulate his own ideas. He seems to be the only one. Well done, little one.” She added with a wink, “and impeccable footwriting”.

      1:00 pm NST, Room 12A, Gym: Obstacle Course

     After barely surviving the first class of the day, I was dreading going to Gym Class. I was not the athletic type. Though Flynn and I often played outside, and I loved taking long walks, sports were not really my strong suit. The only fact that lifted my mood was that there would be no Neopets in this class. They got their separate lessons, which were probably more advanced and more challenging.

     Upon arriving, I noticed an obstacle course, and the little courage I had was slowly disappearing. That seemed quite difficult; the obstacles were very high for a Petpet, and they would be difficult to get over. Maybe it wasn’t too late to call in sick? Or maybe I could pretend to have a broken foot? Or… or…But as soon as those thoughts popped into my head, I shook them away. No, I was here to face challenges headfirst! There must be something I’m missing; the other Petpets will have to face the same problem as I.

     There were some Neopets packing up and leaving the court when they noticed me. I tried keeping my head down while walking past them, but they stopped me. There were three of them, and they came to stand in a circle around me.

     “Well, you’re too late for the class, aren’t you? We just finished,” a Skeith said. I was a bit surprised by the question. Did he not realise Petpets and Neopets took separate gym classes?

     “What do you mean? My class should start any minute now,” I answered cautiously.

     “Oooh, you’re not here to be the ball?” the Skeith replied and walked away, roaring with laughter.

     His friends were laughing so hard, too, one even had tears in his eyes. My cheeks flushed, and while I was searching for a fitting answer, I heard in the distance, “Parker, I think your next class will be starting soon, unless you’re staying behind to clean the locker room?”

     “No, Professor, we’re leaving straight away!” the Skeith answered quickly, and the three of them darted off.

     The Professor, a Camouflage Wocky, then turned to me, “Well, what are you doing here?” he asked briskly.

     “I’m supposed to take this class,” I said quietly, feeling discouraged about having to explain myself again. If even the Professor thought I didn’t belong here, there was no way I was staying. “Don’t worry, I’ll get out of your sight.” I sighed, “That obstacle course looks way too difficult for me anyway.”

     I turned around, heading off as that felt like enough humiliation for one day. That’s when I heard the Professor say, “I actually meant, why are you not in the Petpet section of the gym yard? The class is about to start.” He gave me a stern look and added, “Although, if you’re so eager to quit, you might be in the wrong class after all.”

     “I’m sorry, it’s been a tough first day. I’d love to still join though!” I said eagerly.

     “Well, then I suggest you find your classmates so we can finally begin” the Wocky said while turning around and walking away. I followed him, and when I turned the corner, I saw a much smaller obstacle course. Maybe this would all be okay afterall! Some Petpets were already trying out the obstacles and some, including a Palmplat and a Darblat, were even wingless like me. My spirits instantly lifted, and everything felt possible again.

     “Petpets, gather round. I’m not going to waste any time here,” The Professor called out. I still didn’t know his name, but now didn’t seem the time to ask. “Today’s objective is very simple: I’ll be waiting at the end of the obstacle course, and you just need to give me your name. I will cross you off my list, and then you are dismissed. You will need to cross the entire obstacle course, and you are not allowed to skip any obstacles. How you conquer them is entirely up to you. You can work alone or can team up. Good luck.”

     “Can I go first?” a Pink Greeble asked enthusiastically. “I tried the obstacle course earlier, and it’s very easy. I can show you all how to cross it.” The Petpets all agreed quickly as no one else seemed to want to try it out first. I was going to pay close attention and then just copy whatever she did.

     The first obstacle was a pyramid. To get over it, there was a rope that you used to climb to the top; then, you slid down the other side. That seemed straightforward enough; I figured I could use my beak to grab the rope. The Greeble did not use the rope, though; she took a giant leap and ended up on top of the pyramid. Well, the plan of copying her went right out of the window.

     She just hopped from one obstacle to the next. I barely had time to follow her; she was so quick. Before I knew what happened, she finished the course, and after giving her name to the Professor, she waved us goodbye and left the courtyard. I was glad to hear the sigh of the Patamoose who was standing next to me. I felt like we were thinking the same thing.

     “I guess we’ll have to find our own way to cross this,” he said with a polite smile.

     “I will go next,” I said quietly, trying to muster up the courage to go.

     “Excuse me? You will need to speak up. I can barely hear you,” replied the Professor.

     “I said, I am going next!”

     I slowly walked up to the pyramid, my breath shallow and my stomach in knots again. The class went quiet, and the only thing I could hear was the echo of my slow footsteps. I looked up at the obstacle, and as it loomed over me, casting a great shadow, I told myself that I have everything it takes to do this. I will show the class that they are wrong.

     I grabbed the rope with my left foot and pulled my body up. I then grabbed it with my right, then my left again. I used my beak to hold myself steady and upright, which worked surprisingly well compared to what I was expecting. Being a Weewoo meant I naturally had lots of strength in my legs, and since my feet are often used to carry out a multitude of tasks, keeping hold of the rope was rather easy.

     I got to the top in what felt like no time at all and gleefully slid down the other side of the pyramid to complete the challenge. No one cheered for me, but I didn’t need them to. I felt joyous from head to toe, and no one could take that away from me! I walked over to the next obstacle with a skip in my step, and I am sure the others noticed because they very quickly began trying the pyramid themselves, grunting as they fell to the ground.

     Monkey bars were next, and, quite frankly, I should have been more worried about this. I still had too much adrenaline from the pyrami,d so I did not want to slow down now. I took a deep breath, crouched down low to the ground, and jumped up with all that I had. I jumped so high that I easily got hold of the first bar with my feet. Hanging upside down, I was able to handle the bars with ease, rocking just enough so I could build up enough momentum between jumps. I got to the end, moved over to the left side of the monkey bar I was on and slid down the beam.

     I turned around for just a moment, and I could see the entirety of the class behind me staring, their eyes wide and their mouths agape. I smiled and kept walking, proud of what I was able to accomplish. I felt unstoppable.

     “Well, well,” said the Professor, whose name I still did not know, as I walked over to him. I gave him my name and walked straight over to the benches to sit down. His gaze followed me as he kept smiling, but turned back around not long after to keep an eye on the rest of the class.

     I sat for hours waiting for the class to finish, watching the Buzzer struggle with the pyramid, the Symol unable to figure out how to clear the monkey bars, and the Alabriss stuck in the same spot too. Once the class had all conquered their obstacles, it was home time, so we all walked out in a big group to find our companion Neopets.

     “Wilo! Over here”, yelled Flynn, waving me down. I walked over with a smile that could not easily be hidden. “So, it looks like you had a great first day. Tell me all about it”.

     I spoke about everything that had happened that day, speaking so fast I could barely keep up with my own thoughts.

     Flynn stopped walking and knelt down in front of me.

     “I have always known that you were special and had so many great things within you. You have never backed down from a challenge, have always been by my side when I have needed you, and can write the best stories I have ever had the honour of reading. I know you will succeed with all of your goals because you can do anything you set your mind to! I am so proud of you, and cannot wait to see where this Academy takes you”.

     I looked at him with tears filling the corners of my eyes.

     “I will give it my best,” I said.

     We continued walking home, side by side, companions until the end. I could hardly wait for what the next day was going to bring.

     The End.