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.