Chapter 3: Lunchtime, after school and a walk in the park
After arriving at the school cafeteria, Shaggy and Daphne walked over to a table where Scooby Doo is waiting.
As usual, Tom was chasing Jerry through the cafeteria, and they almost crashed into Shaggy as they did so.
"Like, watch where you're going, guys!" Shaggy said to the chasing duo, who paused and stopped and nodded back at him before resuming their chase, making a sharp turn to avoid crashing into Ronald "Ronnie" Silverman, one of the members of the popular school band Mysteries Five.
"Those two sure never stops chasing each other, Shag." Ronnie remarked as he approached the duo.
"Like, you got that right, Ron." Shaggy replied. "A cat who catches mice never speaks, right?"
Just as Shaggy finished his remark, a crash can be heard, and as everyone turned and look, Tom was walking around in a dazed fashion after crashing into a table and there were stars orbiting around his head.
"And I thought Tom is smarter than the average cat." Yogi Bear, who was seated nearby having his lunch, remarked as he saw Jerry laughing at Tom's misfortune.
"Yeah." Ronnie replied in response to Shaggy's remark. Seeing his watch, he added, "Well, I better get to the band practice now. See you around, eh?"
"Right." Shaggy nodded as he shook Ronnie's hand. As he left, he nodded at Daphne before making his way to the door.
As the duo made their way to the table, Daphne asked, "What band is it that Ron plays with?"
"Like, the Mysteries Five." Shaggy replied. "They've got six members. In addition to Ron, there's Kelly, Mike, Linda, her twin brother W.W. (For Walter Wilkins) and their dog Too-Much, and while they're not performing, they solve mysteries, hence the name of the band."
"Interesting." Daphne nodded. By that moment, they've arrived at the table, where Scooby was waiting.
"Raggy!" (Shaggy!) Scooby said excitingly as he saw his old pal.
"Like, Scoob old buddy, I'll like you to meet Daphne Blake." Shaggy smiled. Turning to Daphne, he added, "Like, Daph, meet my old buddy Scooby Doo."
"Hi, Scooby." Daphne waved her hand as she smiled shyly.
"Rice to reet rou, Raphne." (Nice to meet you, Daphne.) Scooby said as he offered his paw, which Daphne shook.
"Scooby's a nice dog, Shag." Daphne smiled as she proceeded to rub Scooby's back, which the Great Dane came to enjoy. "Where did you get him?"
"Like, Scoob's been with me since we were little. It's a family tradition in my family to adopt a member of Scoob's family." Shaggy explained as he opened his lunch box and took out a tall triple-decker sandwich.
"I see." Daphne nodded before whistling at the tall triple-decker sandwich Shaggy got out.
"Jeepers, that's a tall sandwich, Shag." She remarked. "It looks like you can feed a small family with it."
"Like, just watch and see, Daph." Shaggy replied before opening his mouth and finished the sandwich in one gulp with Scooby doing the same thing with his own tall triple-decker sandwich.
Daphne was surprised as she watched Shaggy wiping his mouth with a napkin.
"Jeepers! You guys just...ate a tall sandwich with only one bite. How do you do it?" She asked as she took a bite of her own sandwich.
"Like, we've been practicing it since, like, Grade 5." Shaggy replied. "It's really simple. All you need to do is to open your mouth wide open."
"Yeah, but how can you and Scooby eat that much without getting a belly ache?" Daphne asked.
Before Shaggy could reply, Fred walked over to join them at the table.
"Hi." He said to Daphne as he approached them. "I'm terribly sorry about what Alice did to you during the basketball match. I hope she didn't hurt you that bad."
"Like, Daph's alright after a short trip to the nurse, Fred." Shaggy replied.
"Besides, Shag did well in fixing me up during the trip to the nurse's office, Fred, so no worries." Daphne added.
"Ah, that's good. If there's one thing both Shag and I agree on, it's the fact that seeing you being picked on by others is really getting out of hand." Fred nodded.
"You got that right, Fred." Shaggy nodded.
It was then that Fred saw his friends waving at him, which reminded him of a meeting he has to attend, and said, "Well, I've got a meeting to attend in a few moments, so I'll see you guys around."
"Yeah. See you around." Both Shaggy and Daphne replied as Fred walked off after shaking Shaggy's hand and patting Scooby.
After watching Fred joining his friends, Daphne took a few more bites before asking, "So how long have you know Fred, Shag?"
"Like, since we started high school last year. We didn't attend the same public school, but I was aware of his father not getting along with my father much for a while, especially after my father was appointed police chief last year and with all of the news about their rivalries, you know." Shaggy replied.
"I see." Daphne nodded.
It was then that Shaggy checked his watch and said, "Like, I've got ten minutes to go before I have to be on the air."
"On the school's radio network?" Daphne asked.
"That's right." Shaggy nodded after taking a drink of water. "When you hear the morning announcements every morning, it's me behind the mike."
"Wow. You sure got a good radio voice, Shag." Daphne complimented.
"Thanks." Shaggy smiled as he and Scooby got up. "In the meantime, I better get going."
"Mind if I join you and Scooby?" Daphne asked as she finished her sandwich.
"Like, sure thing, Daph." Shaggy replied as Scooby nodded. "You and Scoob can watch me in the booth making the announcements and playing the music."
"Awesome." Daphne smiled.
Along the way to the radio station, Shaggy said, "Like, Daph, I hope Scoob and I aren't overstepping our boundaries, but it kind of pains me to see someone like you all alone with no friends."
"Well, it's just that everyone keeps making fun of me for my rich family background." Daphne replied.
"Like, everyone in school knows my father's rivalry with Fred's father, and yet I get along with Fred fairly well." Shaggy said.
"Reah." Scooby added in agreement.
"Like, you have to learn to overcome your own fears of rejection, Daph." Shaggy continued. "For instance, back in elementary school, I wished that I don't have to face the school bullies, and yet it didn't discourage me from making friends at school and opening up."
"Rand reven rif ro rone rikes rou, rou rill rot re, Raggy rand Red for rupport." (And even if no one likes you, you still got me, Shaggy and Fred for support.) Scooby added.
Daphne nodded thoughtfully. "I guess I really should thank you guys for giving me the encouragement to make new friends, as I'm feeling more confident."
"Like, there's no need to thank us, Daph." Shaggy smiled reassuringly. "Scoob and I just like to help people, and if you ever run into any problems, just come to me, Scoob or Fred."
By that point, they've reached the main office.
After entering the main office, the trio made their way to the radio station. Along the way, they've walked past the editorial office for the school's newspaper.
"Hi Shaggy." A girl with dusty-brown hair and wearing a light blue blouse and a pair of matching jeans standing outside of the editorial office said when she saw the trio. "Hi Scooby."
"Like, hi Arlene." Shaggy smiled. "How are things doing in terms for recruiting for editors on the school papers?"
"Well, we're still in need for one more editor, Shaggy." Arlene replied.
"I see." Shaggy nodded. Noticing the way his friend was staring at Daphne, he quickly said, "Like, Arlene, this is my friend Daphne Blake. She's in most of my classes."
Turning to Daphne, he added, "Daph, this is Arlene Wilcox. She's an editor on the school newspaper."
"Pleased to meet you, Daphne." Arlene smiled as she offered Daphne her hand.
"Likewise, Arlene." Daphne nodded as she shook Arlene's offered hand. "Did you just said that the school newspaper is still in need of an editor?"
"Yes, I did." Arlene replied. "Are you interested?"
"Sure, I am." Daphne smiled. "I've always wanted to become a journalist, and I have to say that the school paper is quite enjoyable to read, especially with the editorial cartoons."
"Thanks for the compliment, Daphne." Arlene smiled. "The staff on the paper worked really hard on the newspapers, and Scooby, with some assistance from Mr. Scott Takamoto (Oh, by the way, he's the twin brother of the gym teacher Mr. William Takamoto), the art teacher, is in charge of the editorial cartoons."
Seeing that Daphne is becoming fast friends with Arlene, Shaggy says, "Like, I guess I'll leave you with Arlene and Scooby, Daph. I've got to go now."
"Alright, Shaggy." Daphne smiled. "See you later."
"Right. See you later, Scooby." Shaggy smiled back before taking his leave.
The rest of the lunch period went by as Arlene and Scooby gave Daphne an orientation of the school newspaper editorial office and she soon got down to work, starting with proof-reading article drafts.
Meanwhile in the radio station, Shaggy spent the rest of the lunch period playing more popular music through the radio network, including some rock music from the 1950s and some Meedles music.
School ended at around 13:30, and after clearing out his locker, Shaggy met with Scooby and they made their way home after greeting their friends and saying their goodbyes.
As the duo walked down the sidewalk, Scooby looked back and said, "Raggy, rook rehind rou." (Shaggy, look behind you.)
Shaggy turned and looked. A purple car was slowly approaching them, and as Shaggy looked closer, he noticed that Daphne is seated in the front passenger seat with a red-haired man behind the wheel.
The duo smiled as the purple car slowed down and came to a stop as Daphne rolled the window down.
"Hey guys, my father was thinking if you will like a lift home." Daphne smiled as her father stopped the car.
Her father, George Robert Nadley Blake, smiled as he said, "Daphne told me what you gentlemen did and I can't thank you enough for standing up for her and fixing her leg wound."
"Like, it was nothing, Mr. Blake." Shaggy smiled. "Scoob and I just liked to help people."
"Reah. Relping people." (Yeah. Helping people.) Scooby said excitingly.
"I see." George nodded. "So anyways, will you gentlemen like to have a lift to your place?"
Shaggy glanced at Scooby before shrugging. "Like, we're alright, Mr. Blake. Our place isn't that far away from Central High School, so no thank you."
"That's alright." George smiled. "I guess I should see you gentlemen around sometime, eh?"
"Right." Shaggy nodded.
"See you later, Shag." Daphne smiled as the car accelerates.
Shaggy and Scooby both nodded and waved their hands as the car drove off.
"I certainly felt sorry for Daphne." Maggie said to Shaggy later that evening as the Rogers sat at the table for dinner. "From what you said, it seems like she could use you and Scooby's friendship, Norville."
"Indeed." Sam nodded in agreement. "I know George Blake. He's quite the nice fellow, and with a beautiful daughter like Daphne, it'll be a shame to see her growing up lonely with no friends."
"No argument from me." Wendy nodded as well. "It's good to see you lending a helping hand to someone in need, Norville."
September 28, 1968
That afternoon, Daphne arrived home from school as usual and went to place her school bag in her bedroom before going down to have an afternoon light snack in the dining room.
Then, she decided to go out for a walk to the park.
Smiling about how frequent she gets to see and hang out with Shaggy and Scooby at school everyday, Daphne walked down the sidewalk in a relaxed mood.
As she arrived at the nearby neighbourhood park on Easy Street, she spotted Shaggy with another girl walking with Scooby at the park.
That girl, who had long dusty-brown hair and wearing a dark green blouse, light brown skirt and an ascot matching the skirt, had her arm placed around Shaggy's back.
For some reason, Daphne felt an urge of jealousy building inside her, even though she only befriended Shaggy but barely know much about him and Scooby.
Not wanting to risk damaging the friendship because of that jealous feeling, Daphne decided to take a different route and enter the park from a different entrance, hoping that the trio won't notice her.
However, Scooby happened to took a look at his back and spotted the familiar-looking redhead behind them.
"Ri Raphne!" Scooby barked excitedly.
"Oh, hi Daph!" Shaggy exclaimed when he turned and looked and saw Daphne. "What's up?"
"Hi, Shaggy, Scooby. I was just taking a walk to the park and happened to see you guys." Daphne smiled shyly.
"I see." Shaggy nodded as the girl accompanying him and Scooby smiled. Eying his sister, he added, "Like, Daph, I'll like you to meet my sister Maggie."
Turning to Maggie, he added, "Mags, this is Daphne Blake. She lives across the street from us and is my friend from school."
Daphne felt relieved when Shaggy mentioned the word "sister" as Maggie said, "Pleased to meet you, Daphne."
"Likewise." Daphne smiled as she shook Maggie's offered hand. "For a brief second I thought you were his girlfriend."
"Oh, that's interesting." Maggie smiled back as her brother and Scooby laughed. "Will you like to join us?"
"Why, certainly." Daphne smiled.
Soon, the four were strolling through the park chatting happily before Daphne decided to go sit and relax at the bench facing the creek while the Rogers' and Scooby went to buy hot dogs at a nearby hot dog stand.
As she glanced at the creek, Daphne's mind travelled back to the time Shaggy volunteered to escort her to the nurse's office and the shy feelings she had afterwards.
"I was a little jealous of you." A feminine voice said to her, interrupting her thoughts.
"Excuse me?" Daphne turned and asked, realizing that the voice came from Maggie, who was walking towards her with a smile while her brother and Scooby were waiting at the lineup to the stand.
"When Norville and Scooby came home one day telling me about helping you out at school, I didn't think much about it." Maggie smiled. "I'm not exactly sure if they were having any expectations in you, but you seemed to have soared past them, because almost everyday when they arrive home from school, they spoke about nothing but you, as in, 'Daphne this, Daphne that'. As that went on, I felt that I was losing their attention and have a feeling that you may be stealing their attention away from me."
"And?" Daphne asked, and Maggie sat down and smiled.
"When I first saw your face before he introduced us, I thought I noticed a small hint of jealousy." Maggie smiled. "When he introduced me as his sister, I saw the relief in your face. It was only for a brief second, mind you, but I noticed it, and I know what that means."
"What is it?" Daphne arched her eyebrows.
"You know, Daphne, in the past when Norville's female friends met me, I don't seem to mind and just treated them as if they're my own friends." Maggie smiled. "However, the look on your face that I noticed tells me that there's something about you that makes you special and makes me feel like you're going to be more than just a friend to Norville."
Daphne smiled at Maggie's response. "I guess I understand why you and Shaggy get along well."
"Yeah." Maggie smiled as she looked up to Daphne in a manner similar to a young girl looking up to her older sister.
Brushing Maggie's hair with her hand, Daphne nodded, "Shaggy sure is lucky to have a sweet, cute girl like you as his sister. Perhaps I should call you 'Sugie'?"
"Sugie? I like it!" Maggie smiled as she shared a brief hug with Daphne just as Shaggy and Scooby came back with their hot dogs. Both of them seemed happy as they saw Daphne making a new friend in Sugie.
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