“You mean you’re happy with these clothes and this hairstyle?” Cleo asked, her eyes wide with disbelief.
Her mom chuckled as she looked down at her plain pants and wrinkled shirt. “I guess I am happy with my clothes. And my hair too, now that you mention it. I can see how this might be hard for you to digest at first, but those things don’t matter very much to me anymore. Can you understand that?”
Even though what her mother was telling her was somewhat shocking to hear, Cleo realized that she was totally fine with it. “Of course I can understand that,” she said honestly. “I didn’t mean to make you think I don’t like you as you are. I really thought maybe you just needed… some help getting back to the way you used to be. But if you’re happy, then I’m happy. I really am just glad you’re back.”
Cleo’s mother’s face broke into a beautiful smile. “Thank you for understanding, Cleo. I am so glad I’m back too.” She reached out and touched her daughter’s cheek. “You are very glamorous, and that’s wonderful because it makes you happy. I know I am not very glamorous anymore, but I feel good about myself. As long as we are both happy with ourselves, that’s all that really matters, right?”
Cleo knew her mother was right. And for the first time since she had returned home, she felt as if her mom was truly back.
It’s not often that this happens, but I was totally wrong about something! I honestly thought Mother would love digging herself out of her dusty, old archaeologist life with a glamorous, creeperific makeover… but as it turns out, my mom is very happy with her new look. She no longer has any interest in going to the spa; she likes her hair the way it is now because she doesn’t have to spend as much time each morning getting ready; and she feels most comfortable in worn jeans. Mom asked me if I could understand that, and you know what? I totally can. It’s not a look I plan to go for anytime soon, but if she’s happy with herself, then that’s all that really matters.
Once the makeover was off the table, Mother and I still had a fangtastic night together. She suggested we both put on our favorite pajamas (I went for elegant pajamas, and she went for comfort), then cuddle up on the sofa together, watching boo-vies and eating popcorn, just like we used to do when I was a young ghoul. We watched When Hairy Met Skully and Five Hauntings and a Wedding. Mom and I might not share the same fashion sense anymore, but we definitely still have the same taste in boo-vies! We both still love those classic romantic comedies.
Tonight Mother also told me a bunch of stories about some of the other monsters that she met and became friends with on the dig. Hearing her speak about her crew—and the ways they looked out for and encouraged one another while they were trapped in the tomb—helped me see how warm and caring Mother is. She even admitted to me that though she’d missed us terribly in the time she was away, if she had the chance to do everything over again, she would still agree to help the crew of researchers. She truly believes that if they hadn’t all been trapped in there together, they might not have survived. The members of the group relied on one another for support, encouragement, and friendship during their ordeal, and she would never want to abandon them in their time of need.
My mom is a wonderful person, and I’m so proud of her. But she is also very different from the woman our family parted with years ago. I wish there were some way I could have my old mom on the outside with this same new mom on the inside. Not because I’m embarrassed of her or anything like that. I just miss knowing that we look exactly alike. It used to make me feel so good when I was a ghoul and other monsters would see us and make a fuss over how much we looked alike. I loved being her mini-me. Now I’m not sure anyone would see the resemblance anymore, and that does make me a little sad. But it’s all worth it having her back home!
Cleo
Cleo, how many times must I tell you?” Nefera said in a weary voice. “The golden wall hangings clash with the silver in the centerpieces. How horrified will Mother be if we have clashing accessories at her welcome-home ball?!”
Cleo didn’t waste her breath telling Nefera that their mother probably wouldn’t care one little bit if the accessories at the party clashed. After the laid-back evening she and her mom had spent together the previous night—and the long talk they’d had about her mom’s new look and new outlook on life—Cleo had a suspicion their mother probably wouldn’t even notice the décor at the ball. Even still, she and her sister had been arguing over the final details for the welcome-home party all afternoon.
Everything was coming together beautifully, and nearly all plans were in place, but Cleo felt as if there was still something off about the gala they were planning. She decided to share her concerns with her sister, with the hope that they could work through the problem together. “Nefera,” Cleo said, pushing aside the centerpiece sample and images of wall-hanging options. “I’ve been a little worried about surprising Mom with this party. Do you think we should tell her about the ball?”
Nefera gave her sister an irritated look. “This is a welcome-home gala that is meant to be a surprise,” she said. “If we tell Mother we’re planning a party in her honor, she will absolutely insist on being a part of the preparations. And it’s not fair to the guest of honor to expect her to help plan her own welcome-home celebration.”
“I’m not sure that’s true,” Cleo said.
“Seriously, Cleo?” Nefera said. “How tacky to suggest that someone be involved in planning their own celebration. It’s simply not done.”
“Not that,” Cleo said. “I mean, I’m not sure it’s true that Mother will insist on being a part of the planning. In case you haven’t noticed, Mother doesn’t really seem like the type to concern herself with the details of a royal ball anymore.”
Nefera waved her hand in the air. “Nonsense.”
“Think about it,” Cleo urged. “Do you really think our mom is the kind of monster who will enjoy this kind of attention now? She has changed a lot since we lived together in Egypt. Perhaps something a little more low-key would be better?”
Cleo wasn’t sure what she meant by low-key, exactly—de Niles didn’t really do low-key—but she figured it was worth having a conversation about.
“Cleo, darling,” Nefera said in a patronizing voice, “once a de Nile, always a de Nile. Mother will love it. This ball is just the thing to help her remember the best parts of our family and get herself back into our way of life.” Nefera stood up and made her way to the door of the ballroom. “I’m going to work with Father on the rest of the details for this weekend. You don’t seem to have your head in the right place for this.”
Cleo watched her go. She wondered if Nefera was right. Just because her mother was no longer glamorous on the outside, did that mean her taste in parties had changed as well? Cleo wasn’t sure, but she had this feeling that an elegant ball was a terrible idea. Surely it was important that they try to make their mother’s welcome-home celebration an event that actually made her feel welcome. If they carried on with their original plan to hold an evening of luxury and glamour in full de Nile style, it might make their mother feel as if she didn’t belong to the family anymore.
As she headed out of the ballroom, Cleo wondered if the best way to make her mother feel welcome was not with a showy ball—but by taking the time to get to know her all over again, as the person she was today. She found her mother reading in the study and plunked down in the chair beside her.
“Hi,” Cleo said. “What are you reading?”
Her mother looked up with a smile, then pushed her glasses up on top of her head. “An article about a dig in northern Egypt. It’s very interesting.”
“Could I read it when you’re done?” Cleo asked. “I’d love to know more about what it’s like on an archaeological dig.”
Cleo’s mother nodded and smiled. “Of course. I would very much like to share this part of my life with you.”
“Mom,” Cleo said, tucking her legs up under herself to get comfortable. “Want to fang out again tonight? Catch up on stuff? You can
tell me more about the dig; I can tell you stories about Monster High?”
“I’d love that,” her mother exclaimed.
Cleo beamed. “Should I make reservations at Appleboos?” She brightened. “Or we could go shopping? The Maul is absolutely golden—we could look for a few new things for both of us?”
Her mother reached out and squeezed Cleo’s hand. “If that’s what you want to do, I’d be happy to do that with you. But to be honest, I would rather just spend the evening here at home, simply enjoying each other’s company.”
“Don’t you miss eating out? Or shopping? Even for the kind of stuff you like now?” Cleo asked, honestly curious. If she had been trapped in a tomb for years, Cleo was certain she’d be eager to eat out at a restaurant or buy some new clothes.
“Not really,” her mother said, shrugging. “What I missed most when I was gone was the three of you. Nothing would make me happier than spending the evening with you learning about your ghoulfriends and your activities at Monster High.” She leaned in closer and whispered, “And are there any boys I should know about? You avoided that question the other night.”
Cleo laughed. She had a feeling her mother was going to love laid-back Deuce. “Oh my Ra, there’s so much for us to get caught up on.” Then Cleo settled in for a long chat, thrilled that she had the opportunity to get to know her mother all over again.
It’s clear to me now that we never needed to make over my mom… but we absolutely do need to make over the plan for her welcome-home party. I have always prided myself on planning perfect parties. Surely I can come up with some way to twist this old-fashioned royal ball into something that feels totally de Nile but is also perfectly suited to my dig-in-the-dirt, down-to-earth mother. I just know that trying to force Mom into the kind of party that no longer suits who she has become is NOT the right way to welcome her home to us.
A few ideas I’ve come up with:
Deuce’s pool-party suggestion (But our wrappings will get very wet, which is never ideal)
A backyard barbecue (Too common?)
Perhaps we turn this into a smaller dinner party with only our closest friends (Let’s be honest—this idea will disappoint everyone who isn’t invited. How does one limit the guest list for a de Nile party? It simply isn’t done.)
Ugh. That’s all I’ve got. I think I’m going to have to enlist the help of my ghoulfriends to figure this one out. But first, I’ll have to tell them what Mother is really like.… This will be interesting. I know everyone at Monster High has very high expectations for the de Nile family—what will my ghoulfriends say when they realize my mother is so different from the rest of us?
Cleo
Do you have a minute, Cleo?” Lagoona Blue asked, sliding into the empty seat beside Cleo the next morning.
“Of course,” Cleo said, glancing up from the magazine she had been reading. While she was waiting for math class to start, Cleo had been reading through a bunch of articles about archaeological digs. Her mother had recommended a few pieces she could read to learn more about the topic, and Cleo was really enjoying herself. She could see why her mom had been so interested in joining a team of researchers. “What’s up, Lagoona?”
Lagoona rested her chin on her hand and sighed. “It’s about Gil.”
Cleo frowned. Lagoona Blue and Gil Webber were one of the most fintastic couples at Monster High. “Is everything okay?”
“Not really,” Lagoona said sadly. “I was hoping to get your advice about some issues I’m having with his parents. I have a feeling you’ll understand.”
“Ah,” Cleo said, nodding. “Parent issues. I totally get it.” Cleo had spent much of the past year defending her relationship with Deuce to her father. Cleo’s dad believed that Deuce wasn’t good enough for Cleo—he was always suggesting more appropriate matches—but Cleo knew that wasn’t the case at all. Deuce was different from the de Niles, but no less amazing.
“His parents can’t accept me for who I am,” Lagoona said sadly. “They can’t seem to get over the fact that I’m a saltwater ghoul and they’re freshwater. They keep telling him that our relationship will never stay afloat once we’re out in the real world.”
“Do you agree with them?” Cleo asked.
“Crikey, no!” Lagoona exclaimed. “Our relationship is swimming along beautifully.”
“Then that’s what really matters,” Cleo said firmly. “You and Gil are very different monsters; that’s part of what makes your relationship so special. You offer each other a glimpse into a different kind of world than the ones you are most familiar with.”
Lagoona nodded. “Yeah, you’re right, Cleo. I guess part of the reason we have so much fun together is that we did grow up in very different worlds. It’s fun getting to know about a different way of life.”
Cleo nodded. “In time, hopefully, his parents will begin to realize that too. Sometimes it can take a while—but eventually, I’m sure, they’ll begin to see that even though you come from very different worlds, it doesn’t mean you don’t belong together.” As she said it, Cleo realized what she was saying also applied to herself and her mother. They came from different worlds, but that didn’t mean they had to feel any less connected to each other.
Lagoona nodded enthusiastically. “You’re so right, Cleo. I knew you’d get it. I guess you and Deuce have to deal with a similar situation.”
“We do,” Cleo said. Then she admitted, “And the same can be said of my mother.”
“Your mother?” Lagoona asked. “What do you mean?”
Cleo still hadn’t told any of her ghoulfriends about how much her mother had changed. But she knew that the longer she put it off, the more it would seem that she was embarrassed or ashamed about who her mother had become. And if there was one thing she had learned at Monster High, it was that all monsters were unique and special—no matter how different from her they were. Cleo rushed to tell Lagoona all about her mother before class started. When she had finished confessing everything, she said, “I’m a little nervous to tell the other ghouls about her.”
Lagoona looked confused. “Why?”
“Because I’ve been bragging about how glamorous and elegant she is—and she’s anything but.”
“Does that mean she’s any less fangulous?” Lagoona asked.
“Not at all!” Cleo said quickly. “She’s wonderful and kind and caring, and I am so proud to have a mom like her.… It’s just that she’s fangulous in a very different way than I was expecting. I don’t want the other ghouls to be disappointed that she’s not more like me. The world has high expectations for the de Nile family!”
“Oh, Cleo.” Lagoona laughed. “You don’t have to worry about that. We’ll adore her no matter what!”
Though Cleo already knew that would be the case, it was definitely nice to hear someone else say it aloud. “Thanks, Lagoona.” Just as class started, she leaned over and whispered, “And I hope everything works out with you and Gil.”
That day at lunch, Cleo finally had a full table to rule over. She sat at the head of the table and declared, “I have an announcement.”
While she waited for everyone to focus on her and her alone, Cleo looked around the table at the assortment of best friends she had collected in her time at Monster High: Deuce, Frankie, Lagoona, Draculaura, Clawdeen. They were all very different types of relics from an assortment of scaritages and eras, but they were all still golden in their own special way. None of them were royal or even as glamorous as Cleo, but that didn’t make any of them any less special. Her mother was the perfect new addition to Cleo’s collection of loved ones. She couldn’t wait to put her on display!
“I have a problem,” Cleo said bluntly, addressing the table. “And I need your help.”
There was a chorus of agreement from everyone at the table—everyone was ready to help.
Cleo went on to tell her friends all about her mother—withholding nothing. Surprisingly, it seemed her friends were even more excited to meet her mom now.
> Deuce pumped his fist in the air. “This is totally clawesome!” He whooped. “Are you telling me there’s actually a chill de Nile in the house now? This could be seriously good for me.”
Cleo laughed. “Yes, Deuce, I think my mom is going to love you.” Then she added, “Now, while all this news about my mother is good, I’m afraid there’s some bad news too. I don’t think a glamorous ball is the best way to welcome her home. I want to adjust the party so it’s an event that will allow Mother to be herself. I don’t want her to feel she has to change who she is to fit into our family, and I’m afraid throwing a ball for her will do just that.”
“No ball?” Deuce said, his smile widening. “Does this mean no suit? This just keeps getting better.”
Cleo looked around the table at her friends. “As we all know, I know a thing or two about planning glamorous parties. But low-key parties are a little out of my area of expertise, so I was hoping you would help me.” She grinned at her ghoulfriends, and they smiled back at her.
“What can we do to help?” Lagoona asked.
“Well, Lagoona, you did such a creeperific job planning the wrap party after the dance recital last scaremester,” Cleo replied, tapping her manicured nails on the table, “I was wondering what ideas you might have for music. And, Clawdeen, that party you threw after your fashion show a few months ago had the most epic decorations. Would you have any ideas for my party?”
The ghouls all began talking at once. Before long, they had a long list of clawesome party ideas. Cleo looked around the table at the excited faces of her friends and felt a surge of happiness. She was one lucky ghoul, and she knew it.
Everything has come together monstrously well! Even though Nefera is totally coming unwrapped about our change in plans, I couldn’t be happier. With a ton of help from my ghoulfriends, we came up with the best theme idea for Mother’s welcome-home bash: a Come As You Are party!
Cleo De Nile and the Creeperific Mummy Makeover Page 4