*Growing Up is Hard to Do*

"Oh man! I can't wait to go to Meepville! The convention they are holding is gonna be great! So many inventions to see!" Marco said, looking at the tickets that he and Cindy Lou have.

"Yeah! Now that we have everything we need for a whole day, all we need to do is wait for your parents to come get us!" Cindy said, packing her backpack. Marco stopped what he was doing and turn to Cindy.

"...What?"

"Your parents are taking us. Right?" Cindy asked.

"Uhh...no." Marco said. "I thought your parents are taking us." They stare at each other dumbfounded. "Cindy, you told me that you will ask your parents if they can take us to Meepville!"

"No, you said you're gonna ask your parents to take us!" Cindy argued. The two children argued some more until Betty came in with groceries. "Mom! Thank goodness you're home!" Cindy said.

"What's wrong, Cindy Lou?" Betty asked. "And be a dear and help me put away groceries?" After she placed two bags down, Cindy started to help her mother. Marco walked in the kitchen. "Oh, hello, Marco. How are you?"

"I'm fine. But, we have something to ask you, Mrs. Lou." Marco said.

"What is it?" Betty asked.

"Mom, Marco and I need to go to this convention in Meepville. And we need someone to take us." Cindy said. "Today is the day of the convention showing off the greatest inventors and their inventions."

"Honey, I'm sorry, but I can't take you. Neither can your father." Betty said. "If only you two could say anything sooner, I'd take you. I have plans for today. I need to help Daisy with her flowers at her shop."

"Aw, mom!" Cindy whined.

"I'm sorry. But, you know being adult takes a lot of responsibility. You need to do what you have to do to help." Betty said. Cindy sighed a little. Marco knew that he had to ask his parents, but he had a feeling that they'd be too busy to take them to Meepville. But, he won't know unless he asks.

XX

"Sorry, kids. But we're too busy with spring cleaning." Cassandra said, spraying her windows as Neil is dusting the table. "You know, Betty is right. You two should've planned on asking us sooner."

"Mom, we have to go today! We got tickets and everything!" Marco said. "If you guys can't take us, then Cindy and I will go alone. What could go wrong?"

"Absolutely not!" Neil spoke with a look. "You two are too young to go such a big city! You two could be lost, and things will go bad very fast."

"And besides, going to Meepville is a long train ride. You two could end up at a wrong place at the wrong time." Cassandra added. "And you two couldn't find your way back to Whoville."

"We'll get a map and times too!" Marco said. "Please, can one of you take us?" He pleaded, trying to make puppy eyes behind his glasses.

"No. We cannot. I'm sorry." Cassandra said. "But, have you asked your sister?"

"Martha and the Grinch would love to take you two." Neil said with a smile. "I'm sure they're not busy."

"I'm afraid we are." Martha spoke, looking at the book of flowers in the workshop with the Grinch and Max. Cindy and Marco groaned a bit. "We are studying this flower that Grinch found in a old abandoned flower shop." Martha told the kids. "We couldn't risk taking it to Daisy's shop. It's too unique."

"It seems to be the enchanted flower and it only has two petals." The Grinch said as he looks at the flower protected by the glass dome. "I just don't understand how a flower could survive in a old flower shop." Marco and Cindy came to see the enchanted flower. It is glowing a bit, the petals are bright pink.

"So...you guys can't take us to Meepville?" Marco asked with a pout.

"We've asked our parents and they couldn't take us." Cindy said. "Everyone has to be so busy with everything."

"You'll understand when you get older." Martha said with a smile.

"Again with that line. I bet being an adult is better than being a kid." Marco said with a look. "Cindy and I can go alone since you guys can't take us to Meepville." The Grinch turned to the young Whos.

"Things will go very wrong if you two plan on doing that." He warned them. "You two will get lost, you two will end up at a wrong train stop, and you two might get kidnapped or worse."

"If only we're adults right now and we could do whatever we want." Cindy said.

"And that way we can go to Meepville." Marco said. "Oh, the places we'll go if we're adults."

"Be careful what you wish for." Martha said.

"Really? That phrase?" Marco asked with annoyance.

"We'd love to take you two to Meepville, but now's not the good time." Martha told her little brother and Cindy. "There will be a next time."

"Martha, come with me to the study. I think I have a book of flowers somewhere." The Grinch spoke, walking over to the red chair. "You kids don't touch anything. We'll be back in a minute." As the Grinch and Martha moved up with a chair, the young Whos stood by the enchanted flower, crossing their arms. Max watched them in silent.

"This isn't fair. No one would take us to Meepville for one day." Marco said. "It's always about responsibility. I wish we could be grown ups right now."

"I wish we could grow up so we could do whatever we want. No more kids stuff." Cindy said. Then, one petal of the flower started to glow. Max brought his head up as he noticed. He let out a bark. Marco looked up to see the flower petal glowing. Cindy let out a gasp. "The flower! What is happening to it?"

"I don't know, but- Cindy Lou! You're glowing too!" Marco gasped as he sees his friend glowing. Cindy let out a gasp as she looks down at her herself. But she isn't the only one glowing. Marco is glowing. They are glowing pink and they both let out a groan as the light brightens. Max covered his eyes from the brightness. He opened one eye as the light dies and let out a whimper of shock.
Marco and Cindy are not children anymore. They are young adult Whos. They look around 19 years old. Marco's brown hair remains the same, but his clothes have changed. He is wearing an orange turtle neck sweater with blue jeans and brown shoes. The glasses remain on him. Cindy's hair is long and has a red bow tied on the back. She is wearing a striped top with a pink jacket, red jeans, and dark red boots. They both groan and held their heads.

"Ugh, what just happened?" Marco spoke, but his voice is deep. "Huh? My voice!"

"What?" Cindy spoke. She gasped at the sight of Marco, then herself. They both stood up and look at each other. "Marco! Look at us!" Cindy said. They both rush over to the mirror to see themselves as young adults. "Oh my gosh! We look...different!" Cindy said, touching her face.

"Holy cow!" Marco gasped, adjusting his glasses. "...I look good." He smirked.

"It must be the flower! It grants wishes!" Cindy said. "Do you know what this means?!"

"That means...we can go to Meepville!" Marco exclaimed. Max barked at him, trying to tell them not to leave, but of course the adults don't listen and couldn't speak dog. The Grinch and Martha aren't going to like this.

Marco and Cindy arrived at the train station to go to Meepville. They sat in their seats, catching their breath from running. They barely made it to the station. The train started to move. Marco let out a chuckle.

"This is great! We are on our own now! Because we are now adults!" He said.

"I can't believe the flower grants us a wish." Cindy said, smiling. "This is something we have to get used to. Since we're adults now, we have to act like adults."

"We'll worry about that at our stop to Meepville." Marco said. "Let's just relax on this train and make plans for the convention." He took out a map of Meepville.

Cassandra rushed over to the door where the frantic knocking came from. As she opened it, there is the Grinch and Martha standing there with worry and panic on their faces.

"Mother! Where's Marco?" Martha asked. "Please tell me he's here!"

"Martha, what's wrong with you? And no, he's not home. I thought he was with you in Mt. Crumpit." Cassandra replied.

"He and Cindy were one moment, and then...they were gone." The Grinch said, holding up the enchanted flower in the dome. "Turns out they made a certain wish. A wish to be adults."

"...What?" Cassandra asked with a funny look.

"Didn't the children say anything about going to Meepville today?" Neil asked, coming over. The Grinch and Martha look at each other.

"...That's what I'm afraid of." Martha said.

"The train must've left. So, we must find a faster way to get there." The Grinch said. "And I have just the vehicle."

After an hour and a half, the train made a stop at Meepville. The Whos walked out of the train, as did Marco and Cindy. Their eyes grew bigger when they see the sight of the biggest city. The buildings are tall. Moving platforms. Many more to discover.

"Wow! Look at this place!" Cindy gasped.

"So much to see!" Marco said with a grin. "Let's go find the convention!" The two ran from the train station to get in the city.
They see the streets and cars drive by. There are different kind of people than Whos wander around. Cindy got the map out to find the directions to get to the convention. Marco accidently bumps into a young figure with a red hat.

"Sorry! I...didn't see you there." Marco said.

"Oh, it's okay." The friendly figure spoke. "Seems to me you two look lost. Do you need any guidance?"

"We are going to the convention. Where people create their inventions." Cindy said. "Do you know where it is? We're...new around here."

"Oh, I know where it is. That is where I'm heading. One of my best buddies is there right now. Why don't you follow me?"

"Great! I'm Cindy Lou Who. And this is my friend, Marco May Who." Cindy said. "What's yours?"

"I'm Sam. Sam I Am!" The stranger replied with a friendly smile. Cindy and Marco followed him across the street. "So, where are you two from?" Sam asked. "Wait. Let me guess. Whoville?"

"...Yeah." Marco said. "You been there."

"Once. It was so long ago." Sam said. "Since you guys live in Whoville, was...the Grinch still living in that mountain?" Cindy stopped and stare down at Sam.

"How do you know about the Grinch?" She asked.

"Well, the last time I visited Whoville was when the Mayor told me about the mean evil Grinch who hated Christmas a lot." Sam said.

"Oh. Well, things have changed." Marco said with a light chuckle. "You see, my sister-" Cindy covered his mouth from telling the tale. Sam watched the two in confusion.

"The Grinch has a change of heart for Christmas last year. So, he's been coming around." Cindy said. She turned to Marco to whisper to him so Sam wouldn't hear. "We can't tell him about Martha and Mr. Grinch. We're grown ups, remember?"

"...Right. Since we're at the age of 19, that'll make my sister and brother-in-law look older." Marco whispered. They turn back to Sam who tapped his foot.

"Sorry. Now, let's head down to the convention, shall we?" Cindy said. Sam shrugged and lead them down the route to get to the convention. Marco sighed in relief in silent. He almost blew it.

Sam lead Marco and Cindy inside the convention, and their eyes pop in amazement. There are tons of inventions many people have created. Marco thought about the Grinch's inventions and they are flawless. Maybe someday he should come to Meepville and bring one of his finest inventions.

"Okay, I'm gonna see my friend who could be anywhere while you-" Sam stopped as he turned around and see that Marco and Cindy are no longer behind him. "Where'd they go?" He turned again to see the two run towards the crowd. "Hey! Wait!" Sam ran after them.
Marco and Cindy ran up to see a man showing off a strange looking typewriter with a lightbulb. It types by itself and prints automatically. Cindy sees a woman holding a remote and press a button and the lights turn on and off. Many creations.

"This is great!" Marco said with excitement. "Wish that Martha and the Grinch are here to see this!"

"We already have." A voice spoke. Marco and Cindy froze at the familiar voice. They slowly turn to see the Grinch and Martha standing behind them with their arms crossed. They don't look happy. Max whined a little, knowing that this won't end well between them.

"Uh...uhh...hi, you two." Marco spoke nervously. "How did you get here?"

"My sleigh." The Grinch replied.

"What were you two thinking?!" Martha said. "I mean, we figured out how you two become like this and...you two had to take a train and come all the way here by yourselves?! You two have no idea how to act like adults!"

"Martha, we managed just fine!" Cindy said. "Look where we are! We made it!"

"And things will get worse the longer you stay." The Grinch said. "Someone will figure out the truth once-"

"Oh, there you two are!" Sam's voice said coming over. "Why'd you run off like that? You don't know where-" He stopped when he looked up to see the Grinch. He let out a gasp. "It's the Grinch!" He cried out. Everyone stopped what they are doing and turn around. The Grinch moved his green eyes around, looking at everyone. Martha held his hand to keep him from having anxiety.

"It's alright. He won't harm any of you. Go back to what you are doing. Enjoy the convention." She told those who are staring. Sam looked up at Martha.

"You're...with him?" He asked. He then noticed the wedding rings. He let out another gasp. "You two are...married? Oh, that is...wonderful!" He took Martha's hand. "You are a lucky girl!" Martha couldn't help but to smile.

"Anyway..." The Grinch said by clearing his throat. "You two. Outside. Now." He told Marco and Cindy by pointing at the exit doors. The young adult Whos sighed and walk towards the doors as the Grinch follows them.

"Boy. He treats them like children." Sam said.

"It's because they are." Martha told him. "Come with me and you will see."

XX

Outside the convention building, the Grinch got out the enchanted flower and held it up for Cindy and Marco to see. Martha and Sam came out to see them. The Grinch placed the flower down and took a step back.

"You know what to do. There is one petal left." The Grinch told them.

"We know." Cindy said. She held Marco's hand and they close their eyes.

"We wish we were kids again." They both said. The petal glowed and as the Whos. A bright light appeared around them, and then they are back to normal. Back to their age. Sam watched in awe as he step up.

"So...you two were...kids this whole time?" He asked. Cindy and Marco nodded.

"Sorry for...making you think we're adults. It's just we wanted to come here and everyone in Whoville are so busy, so...we took advantage by making a wish and...it happened." Cindy said. "It was kinda cool to be a grown up for a while though."

"It felt different." Marco said.

"Like I told you. Be careful what you wish for." Martha said with a smile, kneeling down to the kids' levels. "When you two were gone, we were so worried. Marco, you're my little brother, and I don't want anything happen to you. You could get hurt out here. It's a big city."

"I know. I'm sorry, sis." Marco said.

"I'm sorry too." Cindy spoke. "We won't do this ever again." Martha hugged the kids. The Grinch watched with a small smile as Max wags his tail. Sam came over to them and took Cindy's hand.

"Being a kid is special. Don't waste it." He told them. "Things get hard while growing up, but there is so much to experience as a kid. You just wait and see." He winked.

"We will." Cindy said.

"Well, I must be back inside. My friend, Guy, might be expecting me. But, please come and visit when there's the next convention." Sam said. "Maybe we could go to a restaurant and we could have Green Eggs and Ham."

"We'd like that." The Grinch said, nodding.
After saying goodbye to Sam, they all head over to the Grinch's sleigh. Marco walked by the Grinch with a small frown.

"Hey, sorry for...ruining your research about that flower. Cindy and I never thought it could grant wishes." He said, scratching his head.

"It's alright. But hey, I didn't it could either. Maybe it was for the best that it was gone now the last petal was used." The Grinch said. "Who knows who could use the enchanted flower?"

"So...does this mean I'm not in trouble?" Marco asked with a hopeful smile.

"Oh, you are. Believe me." The Grinch said with a chuckle. Marco stopped walking and made a look.

"Are you serious?" He cried out.

"You are grounded when we take you home, Marco." Martha said.

"I know I will be." Cindy said. Marco groaned and follow them to the sleigh. Now he wished that he and Cindy shouldn't visit Meepville.

*The End*

*Author's Note: Inspired by a episode of MLP, and credit to my friend VioletRose-Art. Hope you like it!*