28 Blind Dates: After the Costumes (Part 51)

Next Steps (1)

The triplet’s teen years are winding down. It’s time for each of them to think about the next steps in their lives. Me-Me checks the mail daily, hoping for an acceptance letter for college. Jay puts off his planning by taking a nap. Lia and her parents head to Brindleton Bay, a few towns over, to check out the Skills Academy that recently opened up there.

Merlin takes a moment to reflect on being back in his hometown. So much has changed there that he barely recognizes the place. It’s no longer the small town that he remembers.

Merlin is amazed by the Skills Academy.

Merlin: This is a lovely campus. And attending is free?

Jalisa: Yeah, according to the website, it’s funded by the town and through generous donations. Students have to pay for their supplies, though.

Merlin: Maybe we should send all three of the triplets here. We could save a lot of money.

Jalisa: You know Me-Me has her heart set on attending University.

Merlin can almost hear the ching of a cash register as he thinks about how much sending Me-Me to college will cost them.

Jamelia: Mom, the Arts & Music building is here. This is also where the kitchen is.

Jalisa: This is a pretty building. Anyone would be happy to spend time here.

They enter the building.

Merlin: I’m glad that they consider cooking an art because that’s exactly what it is.

Jalisa: Wow! Look at the kitchen. I’m feeling hungry just looking at this place.

Jamelia:  The cool thing is, I can cook and prepare meals here, and other students can come and eat for free. It’s a good way to get feedback on my skills.

Merlin looks at the well-stocked shelves.

Merlin: It looks like you have almost everything you need here.

Jamelia: Almost, but I’d still have to purchase my own groceries and cooking ingredients.

Jalisa: Your dad and I will help with that.

Merlin: We will?

Since the kitchen is empty at the moment, Lia can’t resist trying out the large cupcake factory machine. She quickly reads the instructions and gets to work making carrot cake cupcakes. She can tell she’s going to be spending a whole lot of time in this place.

Lia places the cupcakes out front to be enjoyed by everyone. Jalisa and Merlin both help themselves to one.

Merlin: If this place had existed when I lived here, I probably would have skipped University altogether.

Jalisa: But then you may not have heard about the Blind Date Challenge, and we probably would have never met.

Merlin: Good point. I didn’t think about that.

Merlin decides that he’s happy with his life path.

BDC: After the Costumes Summaries | read from the beginning

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