"Like, could you be any more embarrassing Mom?" Shaggy groaned shortly after Christina left.

"Sorry, It's my job to make sure you stay-"

"Safe," Shaggy cut in, "I like, know but you don't have to worry about Christina,"

"Shaggy-"

"Mom, just trust me, please?"

"Fine,"

Shaggy returned to his room stretching out on his bed, lost in thought. His mother worried too much. Christina wasn't someone to be feared, no one at the school was except maybe the werecats who loved to make trouble. Shaggy simply paid them no mind they were bound to get caught one of these days.

Now that Shaggy had a friend school would be so much more fun. So much easier.

…...


The next day at school Christina met Shaggy, Sugie and, Scooby at the doors of the school.

"Good morning," she smiled.

"Morning, Christina," they returned the greeting.

"What's your first class?" she asked.

"History,"

"I have English it's right across the hall. We have some time before school starts though. Would you like to meet my friends?"

"Lead the way,"

As they walked, Shaggy slowly grabbed onto Christina's hand earning a smile from Sugie and Scooby. A smile Christina pretended not to notice as she brought them to the cafeteria where her friends were already gathered around their usual table. Christina took her normal spot beside Draculaura and Shaggy took a seat beside her where he was joined by Scooby while Sugie sat on the opposite side of the table. Introductions were quickly made and soon everyone was chatting as if they were old friends.

"So how do you guys like Monster High so far?" Frankie asked.

"It's really cool," Sugie gushed, Scooby and Shaggy nodding in agreement.

Shaggy felt more at ease than he had in days. He was finally making friends. Now they wouldn't have to eat lunch alone!

He was content to just listen to the conversation which soon turned to the impending Halloween dance This one excited everyone because it was to be a costume party and while most had already made their costumes known there was one person who hadn't.

Christina.

"Come on Christy!" Frankie begged, "Just tell us!"

"No,"

"Maybe Clawdeen will-"

"Nope, I swore her to secrecy. Duncan too," Christina gently interrupted Kenny, "Where are they anyway?"

"Who knows?" Kenny shrugged.

"Why are you keeping it a secret?" Sugie asked, Shaggy nodding in agreement.

"I like being mysterious," Christina laughed.

"Like, give us one hint?" Shaggy pleaded.

Christina looked curiously at Shaggy and Scooby only to see them making their best puppy faces. Scooby especially got into character whining pitifully.

"Okay, okay, Fine," Christina relented.

Everyone leaned in close.

"I'm going to be a Disney character,"

Defeated sighs were heard around the table. There was an infinite number of characters Christina could choose from. Before anyone could make a guess, however, the first bell rang. Shaggy Sugie and, Scooby couldn't help guessing as Christina walked them to class. They were disheartened though when their guesses were shut down one by one.

"You'll find out when everyone else does, trust me," Christina promised.

"See you after class?" Shaggy asked hopefully.

"Count on it,"

…...


Shaggy found it very hard to concentrate in class. His mind kept wandering to Christina. He'd only known her for two days and yet, it felt like a lifetime. She wasn't scared off by his condition and she was accepting of his secret even sharing one of hers. Not even Sugie jabbing him in the side could get his attention.

"Shaggy," she hissed.

"Hm?"

"Pay attention,"

Her quiet orders fell on deaf ears. No matter how Shaggy tried he couldn't stop thinking about Christina.

Sugie rolled her eyes and shared a look with Scooby. What were they supposed to do? Shaggy just wasn't listening! Luckily, they were never called on therefore they were never exposed. When the hour ended Christina arrived just as promised. Shaggy continued to pry for hints as she walked them to the next class.

"I'm not telling!"

"Then I'll figure it out myself,"

"Good luck,"

…...


Christina smiled to herself as she dashed down the hall to her next class. No matter what he tried Shaggy would never guess, she would make sure.

"Well, well, look who it is,"

Christina skid to a stop, Gory and her flunkies were blocking her way to class. Rolling her eyes, Christina demanded they move or she would be late.

"You think you can order us around?" Gory sneered, "Cute,"

"Seriously, you don't want to make me mad, Gory," Christina warned, she was done being a pushover, an easy target.

"And what are you going to do about it?" Gory challenged. "You're too sickeningly sweet to do anything,"

Christina's wand materialized behind her back.

"-not even a proper vampire! Your genes are infected thanks to your mother,"

"Last chance, Gory,"

But Gory continued to slander her parents.

Eyes flashing red Christina pinned the three to the wall with her magic.

"Don't EVER, EVER talk about my parents! You have no right to do so!" Christina fumed.

"You don't scare us!" Gory insisted although she was scared.

"You three are no better than a trio of animals!"

"You don-"

"Sit par intus foris. quisque videre tui cymbala et quando reverteris schola campana normalibus"

Gory found herself turned into a slobbering bulldog while her friends found themselves to be a pair of peahens. The trio ran for Bloodgood's office but she refused to help, finding it a very fitting punishment for three of the worst bullies in the school.

With her tormentors' taken care of, Christina continued on her way to class. She didn't want to resort to such drastic measures, she had given them plenty of chances, tried to be nice, rein in her temper and turn the other cheek but there was a time for peace and a time for action. Besides, she hadn't had enough coffee that morning to warrant a peaceful approach. With a wave of her hand, she conjured another pumpkin spice latte.

"What did you do this time, christy?" Cleo asked as she passed the grinning hybrid.

"You'll find out later," Christina called over her shoulder before slipping into her next class.

…...


Shaggy waited in the hall just outside the music room for Christina. Wondering where she could be. She wouldn't bail on them. He found himself fidgeting anxiously.

"I'll find her," Scooby assured Shaggy.

So, Shaggy was left alone, Sugie having gone to the art room.

But he wasn't really alone

One second he was standing by the door to the music room, the next he found himself on the hall floor.

"Like, what was-"

"Stay away from Christina," an angry voice he hadn't heard before demanded, "She's mine, my Princess and I don't need a normie getting in my way,"

Shaggy could tell a few things just from the voice above him. One he was serious. Two, he had some sort of issue and three, whoever was standing over him wasn't one of Christina's friends. He tried getting to his feet only to be pushed back down.

"I mean it. Stay away from Christina!"

"No," Shaggy calmly replied, "I won't,"

"What did you say?"

"I said no!" Shaggy growled.

"Why you-"

"Drew, back away slowly"

Shaggy listened intently. It wasn't Christina's voice he heard but a new one entirely.

"You don't scare me Clawdeen!" Drew argued.

"Your face says otherwise," a boy's voice replied evenly, "Did you think we wouldn't find out who gave Christina a bloody nose and a busted lip?"

"It wasn't hard," Clawdeen added.

"You still can't do anything to me!"

"Wanna bet?"

The sounds of slamming metal reached Shaggy's ears. Stuffed inside a locker maybe? Fitting for a bully he supposed. A scaly hand helped him to his feet while Drew beat uselessly on the locker trying to break it open.

"You okay?" the voices asked in unison.

"I'm fine," Shaggy assured them, "Thanks,"

"No problem, I'm Duncan and this is Clawdeen"

"Nice to meet you both," Shaggy smiled, "Christina's in the nurses' office?"

"Not anymore," came Christina's voice as she landed beside him, her wings creating a gentle breeze, "I'm sorry I should've warned you about Drew,"

"Princess," the vampire whined, "Stay from the normie!"

"Drew I oughta turn you into a statue for the school courtyard!" Christina yelled angrily.

"Like, what's his problem?"

"Drew thinks he owns her," Clawdeen replied.

"Psychopath," Duncan spat.

"In the past year he's broken my arm twice, my wrist three times, bent my wings, given black eyes and burnt me,"

At this news, Shaggy felt a wave of intense anger flood him although he didn't know why. He pushed the raging inferno down and instead asked Christina if she was okay now.

"I'm okay," she promised, "I'm just sorry you had to meet Duncan and Clawdeen like this,"

"No, it's like, fine. Wanna go to the music room now?"

"I'd love to,"

"And I'll get back ta work on your costume, Christy," Clawdeen teased.

"I'll take Drew to Bloodgood's office," Duncan added.

"Thanks, guys,"

…...


Once inside the music room, Christina seemed to pour all her energy into playing the piano.

"Frustrated?" Shaggy ventured curiously.

"Very," Christina growled, "Hard day," she added.

Christina took a long deep breath, poked at a few keys, sighed again and groaned. Shaggy grabbed her hand, hoping to be of some comfort. After a few quiet moments where Christina seemed to have calmed Shaggy released her hand and waited anxiously for her to play. Luckily he didn't have to wait long. Soon a cheery melody filled the room.

"Heart don't fail me now
Courage don't desert me
Don't turn back now that we're here
People always say
Life is full of choices
No one ever mentions fear
Or how the world can seem so vast
On a journey to the past

Somewhere down this road
I know someone's waiting
Years of dreams just can't be wrong!
Arms will open wide
I'll be safe and wanted
Finally home where I belong
Well, starting now, I'm learning fast
On this journey to the past

Home, love, family
There was once a time, I must have had them too
Home, love, family
I will never be complete
Until I find you

One step at a time
One hope, then another
Who knows where this road may go
Back to who I was
On to find my future
Things my heart still needs to know

Yes! Let this be a sign
Let this road be mine
Let it lead me to my past
And bring me home...
At last!"

Shaggy and Scooby both applauded causing Christina to blush in embarrassment.

"Like, I bet you can like, play anything on the piano,"

"You'd lose that bet," Christina replied, " I only learned to play because my Uncle said I needed something to distract me so I wouldn't paint the walls. So he hired a teacher five years of frustratingly boring lessons later they discovered I only wanted to play songs that I liked so here we are,"

"Like, every Disney song then?"

"Just about,"

"Show us,"

Christina began to play again.

"Look at this stuff, isn't it neat?
Wouldn't you think my collection's complete?
Wouldn't you think I'm the girl, the girl who has everything?
Look at this trove, treasures untold
How many wonders can one cavern hold?
Looking around here you think
"Sure, she's got everything"
I've got gadgets and gizmos a-plenty
I've got whozits and whatzits galore
You want thingamabobs? I've got twenty!
But who cares? No big deal, I want more

I wanna be where the people are
I wanna see, wanna see them dancin'
Walking around on those - what do you call 'em? Oh – feet!

Flippin' your fins, you don't get too far
Legs are required for jumping, dancing
Strolling along down a - what's that word again? Street

Up where they walk, up where they run
Up where they stay all day in the sun
Wanderin' free - wish I could be
Part of that world

What would I give if I could live out of these waters?
What would I pay to spend a day warm on the sand?
Bet'cha on land they understand
Bet they don't reprimand their daughters
Bright young women sick of swimmin'
Ready to stand

And ready to know what the people know
Ask 'em my questions and get some answers
What's a fire and why does it - what's the word? Burn?

When's it my turn?
Wouldn't I love, love to explore that shore up above?
Out of the sea, wish I could be part of that world

"Wow," Shaggy sighed afterward.

"Thanks,"

"Teach me a few songs?"

"I'll try," Christina promised, "I just need to know which ones you want to learn,"

"I can make a list,"

"That'd be great,"

"Play again?"

"Of course,"

…...


Did I listen to piano covers while writing this? Yes.

Do I recommend them? Yes

The first song was Journey to the Past from Anastasia.

Regarding Christina's mystery costume I have a few characters in mind but I'm still deciding and would love to hear your guesses.

The spell Christina used translates to: Let the inside match the outside. let everyone see you as you are and only when the school bell chimes shall you return to normal

Please review while I hide from the angry mob.

Ugh, I need scenes! Details! Ugh!