A/N: Okay, thanks once again for all your reviews and questions!
dalek: Thanks for all your reviews. And yes, I was very happy

kairi's friend : A+ for you, and yes, it does have a lot to do with it

EVERYBODY: This isn't really going to be a big Vanilla Butter fic, so I'm very sorry 'bout that. That's just not what I'm going for right now, and besides, I'd feel weird writing romance-y things with 3rd Graders. There might be a little stuff here and there, but don't hold me accountable to anything.

Okay, let's get to it kiddies. Here's a nice, long chapter to feed your soul.


Vanellope couldn't stop fidgeting in her seat. The early warm September breeze whipped her hair into her face, and her stomach wouldn't stop churning. She felt like she was going to vurp up her Frosted Flakes Ralph had given her this morning.

Ralph was being nice enough about the whole thing. He had pointed out to her that since it was the first day of school, technically everyone would be new. And he had bought her the backpack she had liked best, even though it was the most expensive of them all at the store.

"You doing okay, kid?" Ralph asked, glancing over at her.

Vanellope nodded and said nothing.

"Are you sure? I don't think I've ever seen you this quiet since-"

"I said I'm fine!" Vanellope snapped suddenly.

Ralph looked surprised. She'd never raised her voice to him. Well, not in anger or annoyance at least. "Alright," He finally said, turning his attention back to the road. Vanellope would be taking the bus normally, but since it was her first day at a new place, Ralph thought it would be best to take her himself.

It seemed like only 30 seconds had passed by the time they pulled up into the school parking lot. A few kids were running around the playground and getting out of their parents' cars.

"So, are you ready for this?" Ralph said, turning off the car and turning towards her.

Vanellope fiddled with the strings on her backpack. Finally she burst out, "Ralph, what if the other kids don't like me?" A look of panic filled her eyes.

Ralph frowned. "Vanellope," he said, his eyes brimming with concern. "Listen to me, those kids aren't going to like you."

Vanellope's jaw dropped. "What?" She exclaimed, glaring at him.

"They're going to love you." Ralph smiled.

Vanellope reached over to push him playfully.

"You're awesome, funny, and an excellent video game player." Ralph said. "Those kids are going to be begging to be your best friend, you got it?"

Vanellope nodded, feeling a bit better. "Okay."

They got out of the car and went into the building. Vanellope heard the playful shrieks and laughter and chatter of how summer vacations had gone. Kids ran up to each other after not have seen each other in months. Vanellope breathed in and out slowly. I'm awesome, she reminded herself. People would be lucky for me to be their friend.

Ralph took her to the school office where they were introduced to the principal, Gene. He then went on to give her and Ralph this boring and exceedingly long speech on the school's policy, history, and other pointless information. Finally, he told her that she would be in Miss Mary's class with the other 3rd Graders.

Ralph walked her to the classroom entrance. "Well, it looks like this is my time to leave." He said, bending down to see her eye to eye. "You're sure you'll be okay?"

Vanellope nodded, though she still felt queasy inside.

Ralph leaned over to give her a hug. "And remember that you're riding bus #52," he reminded her.

"I know." Vanellope said.

"And you can ask the other kids where the cafeteria is." Ralph added. "I put some money in your backpack so you can buy a lunch."

"I know." Vanellope said.

"And school gets out at 3:00. I might be at work still, but I gave you that house key. I'll make sure to come home early today.."

"Okay!" Vanellope sighed.

"And remember that-"

"RALPH!" Vanellope said, rolling her eyes.

"Sorry, sorry. I'm going." Ralph said, wiping his eyes.

"Are you crying?" Vanellope laughed.

"I'm not crying!" Ralph said, straightening up at once. "I just got dust in my eye, that's all."

"Suuuuure." Vanellope giggled.

Soon afterwards, Ralph left, and Vanellope was on her own. She walked into the classroom.

There were big throw pillows and rugs on the floor, and pictures of animals and butterflies all over the walls. There were desks with everyone's names on them. She felt relieved but slightly uncomfortable when she realized she was the first person in the room.

She walked over and found the desk with her name on it. It was grouped with a cluster of three others. She looked at their names. Taffyta, Candlehead, and Adorabeezle. They had funny names, she thought. But then again, so did she.

She sat down at her desk and slowly began putting her things in. She took extra time to make it neat and organized. When she finished, she looked up at the big clock on the wall and saw that it read 7:51. What time did class start?

The classroom had a stiff silence to it, all she could hear was the muffled shouts of other kids running about outside. To pass time, she went over and sat on one of the big pillows. There were little shelves full of books, and she picked one out randomly and began to read.

Around 10-ish minutes later, the bell rang, and soon the sound of running footsteps filled the hallways. Vanellope hid her face behind her book. Maybe the other kids wouldn't notice her. The first pair in were two boys, one with tan skin and a blue shirt, and the other with dark black hair and an orange shirt. They didn't notice her. They were talking animatedly about some awesome monster truck rally coming to town.

Vanellope's ears perked up. Maybe Ralph could take her to that. It sounded cool.

Soon, the classroom began to fill with other students, a girl with red pigtails, another one with a long, black braid that went down to her waist, and one girl with a big afro. No one talked to her or even seemed to know she was there. Eventually she snuck back over to her seat. She didn't want to get in trouble with her teacher for anything.

Vanellope saw that the girl with the long braid turned out to be Adorabeezle. She gave Vanellope a big smile. Vanellope awkwardly smiled back. This wasn't so bad.

Suddenly, a group of three kids walked in. Everyone turned to look and say 'hi' to them. On the left was a girl with a vivid green hair and pink ruffled skirt. Her eyes had a flighty look to them that suggested she didn't really know what was going on. On the right was a boy with blond hair that had a big cow lick in front. He wore a brown pants and jacket, and had a confusing expression that was a mix of I'm so excited, and, I just can't wait to get out here.

But in the middle was a girl who had everyone's attention. She had bright, platinum, blonde hair, and a pretty pink dress. In her hands was a cell phone! Vanellope almost gasped aloud. She had never seen anyone her age with their own cell phone! She'd seen one when her and Ralph were shopping for school supplies, but he said he wouldn't get her one until she was in at least 8th grade.

Vanellope felt her heart beat increase as they walked over to her. The boy walked off over to another cluster of desks, but the two girls sat down –right in front of her! The one with the green hair had to be Candlehead, and the girl with the cell phone was Taffyta.

"And then I was just like, oh my gawd Mom." Taffyta said, while Candlehead nodded along. "If I can't have new mascara by today, I'm like, totally going to call Dad." Taffyta looked over at Vanellope. Her made-up eyes scanned her over, up and down. "Who are you?" She asked sharply.

"Are you one of those exchange students?" Candlehead asked. "Because I like, heard we were getting exchange students from Africa?"

"Actually I-" Vanellope began. However, the bell rang once more, and a short woman with a purple vest and light brown hair walked in. The class immediately quieted down.

"Hello boys and girls." She said. "Welcome to another wonderful year at R. Moore Elementary! I'm your teacher, Miss Mary, and I can't wait to get to know all of you!"

Vanellope sat up straight. She saw Taffyta whisper something to Candlehead, which caused her to laugh. Vanellope found herself wishing Taffyta had told her it too.

"To get started, we'll play a little game to get to know each other." Miss Mary said. "I want you to come up to the front of the room and tell me your name, 3 facts about yourself, and what you'd like to be when you grow up. So, who would like to go first?"

Taffyta immediately raised her hand into the air. "Oooh, Miss Mary! Pick me!" She squealed.

"Alright, go on ahead."

Taffyta sauntered up to the front of the room. "Hey, everyone!" She greeted, smiling widely. "As you all probably know, I'm Taffyta, Taffyta Muttonfudge. My dad is a doctor and some people say I'm spoiled but that's not really true, I can't help it that I'm rich."

Candlehead was the only one who laughed.

"Anyways, what else?" Taffyta tapped her chin. "Oh yeah, I like shopping, doing my hair, and hanging out with my friends!"

"That's me!" Candlehead squealed silently. Vanellope smiled at her.

"And I want to be model when I grow up, since I'm so pretty and stuff." Taffyta finished, shrugging.

The class clapped as Taffyta walked back to her seat. As she passed people threw her comments like, "Great job, Taffyta!" and "You were really good!"

As much as Vanellope saw that Taffyta had acted kinda self-centered and braggy, she still found herself drawn to her. She wished people would treat her like that.

After that, more kids went up and introduced themselves until only Vanellope was left. She took a big breath and walked up to the front of the room. As she walked past all the desk, she heard whispers flying around the room. "Who is that?" Kids asked each other. "I've never seen her around here."

Vanellope tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. "Hello, everyone!" She said as confidently as she could. "My name is Vanellope. Vanellope…um…Reilly. I just moved here and I like drawing, candy, and racing."

She was just about to zip back over to her seat when Miss Mary said, "And what would you like to be when you grow up?"

Vanellope flushed. She had forgotten about that part. "I don't know…a race car driver, I guess?"

She saw approving nods come from the boys in the class. At least they thought she had done good.

The class clapped for her as she sat down. The rest of the morning was spent talking about classroom rules, what kind of things they were going to learn, etc. Vanellope noticed that Taffyta and Candlehead kept talking to each other and glancing over at her. She shifted uncomfortably. She hoped they weren't saying anything bad. Soon, the bell rang for morning recess. Vanellope spent it in the bathroom, not wanting to feel forced to talk to anybody. She worked alone on the homework they were given in class. She only raised her hand once or twice.

However when the lunch bell rang, Vanellope was given a big surprise when Taffyta walked up to her and asked, "Why don't you come have lunch with us?"