I'm Sometimes a Red Panda [Turning Red]

Mei and Mii's aunts and grandmother

On the night of Tyler's party, Mei glanced at Tyler's invitation in her bedroom to make sure she had the right time and address just before she had to leave.

"You're leaving?" Mii asked, standing at the doorway. Mei turned to her sister before she told her everything. "Listen Mii. I had to go to Tyler's party so I need you to keep it a secret from my mom." Mii didn't know what to say. She had worked so hard on getting the money for the concert. She took a deep breath and sighed. "Okay, I promise." Mei could never be happier.

After her sister was off in her bedroom, Mei took her time to head out. "I'm heading off to Mathletes!" Mei said as she passed the kitchen. "See ya later!"

Ming and Jin were setting down dishes full of food. Ming looked up eagerly. "Wait! What about your dinner?" They had worked so hard to get everything made in time before Mei had to leave. "I made all your favorites!"

Mei was tempted, but she caught herself. "Thanks, but Miriam's dad is ordering pizza. Save me leftovers?" She turned to go.

Ming was disappointed, then got an idea. "What if I come with you?"

"WUHHH?!"

"What're you doing, linear equations? Geometry? I have a double jointed elbow. Look, I can make a perfect circle!"

Mei backed away, very annoyed by this. "Yeah, but it'll be super boring. Wouldn't you rather hang with dad?"

Jin perked up a little. There was a new show they could watch together. "Ming-"

Ming looked at Jin. Though she adored her husband, he didn't need her like her daughter did. A mother did not abandon her child in need. She turned back to Mei. "Let's get my flashcards."

"But-"

Ming grabbed Mei's arm and rushed her out of the house. There would be no ifs, ands, or buts! Mei was going through one of the hardest times in her life. Ming couldn't stant another night without being there for her daughter. As they passed through the courtyard, Mei sweated, wondering how she would get rid of her mother. She had a party to go on.

But Ming seemed pumped for action. "I was a mathletes champ in grade eight, you know."

Maybe Mei should have started a small porridge fire in the kitchen, so her mother would've had to help her father put it out. Now it is too late.

"They called me the Uncommon Denominator!" her mother continued as they headed toward the temple gate.

"Cool," Mei said. "Jade palace is on tonight. You can't miss that right?"

Bug Ming didn't hear. If she could just be with her daughter for a little while, maybe she would start to feel better about how things were between them. "Now, who's the weak link?" Ming asked, thinking of Mei's Mathletes team. "Priya and Abby seemed bright enough but Miriam..."

"Traffic's a nightmare!" Mei said. "I can just take the streetcar. You stay and rest-"

Ming still wasn't listening. For all she knew, Miriam could be the roadblock to Mei's academic progress. "I mean, she's a nice girl," Ming said, "But maybe she's slowing you down."

"Mom, you really don't have to come!"

"Don't be silly. We're already on the way."

Desperate, Mei jumped in front of her mom, stopping her in her tracks. "But I don't want you to!" she blurted.

Ming cocked her head. What had her daughter just said.

"Mom, what are you blabbering and nagging about?"