...*nervously laughs* OK. Last chapter when I said that that was going to be the last part of this arc, ...I lied. I'm sorry for lying. ^^, It's just...As I was working on this chapter, I had gotten an idea that I feel would work as at least a little bonus chapter for this arc before I finish it and move on to the next one. So, after this chapter (this chapter here), there's going to be one more, and then, we move on to the next arc of the story. Promise. So, until then, I hope you all enjoy this chapter, my loves. =)

The rest of Bayley's first ever official week of school had gone pretty well. She was adjusting to her classes pretty well, getting all of her homework done on time, opening up a bit more to her classmates, and she was beginning to really love her classes. Roman, Seth, and Dean were all especially happy to hear about how well things were going for Bayley. Admittedly, the three older Gems were all quite nervous about sending Bayley off to school as they didn't quite know just what public schools held for someone like Bayley. So, for the trio to hear that Bayley was enjoying school so much, it was honestly something that moved the Gems quite a bit. After all, they never would've guessed in the 12-soon to be 13-years that Bayley was alive that she'd ever be adapting to social situations as well as she was with school. There was always a bit of lingering fear that, because of Bayley being half Gem, she wouldn't make friends easily with humans. That fear had been partially snuffed out when Bayley first met and then later became friends with Josh and Emma. And now that she met Sami and Becky and Paige and Finn, and seeing the smile on Bayley's face as she would tell them about her day at school...it was all just great news for the Gems.

"I can't believe how far Bayley's come over this week," Seth said, sitting at the kitchen island with Dean that Friday while Bayley was still at school.

"I know," Dean said, swallowing the mouthful of waffles he was eating. "It's hard to believe that this is the same Bayley that would just watch stuff about schools on TV and get excited about it all. I'll bet she's living the preteen dream right now."

"I'm sure she is," Seth said, a smile crossing his face and a bit of a laugh escaping him.

As Roman listened on as his fellow Gems talked about Bayley, he couldn't help but smile himself. Ever since the woman that was the previous bearer of Bayley's gem gave up her physical form to give life to Bayley, Roman and the others had sworn to protect Bayley and ensure that she would grow up to be a happy and healthy child. And they had been doing just that in their own unique way. Sure, there were always things they worried about, but, for the most part, they were doing just fine raising Bayley. And, that...that was just fine for them.

Looking over to see the smile on Roman's face, Seth said "Well, you're smiling pretty hard, Ro."

Looking over to the two-toned Gem, Roman asked "What? I'm just feeling happy for Bayley. Is that a crime?"

"Nah, not really," Dean said, picking up another bite of waffle with his fork. "It's just weirding us out a bit to see you smiling so much."

"Dean, hush," Seth said, slapping the sandy blonde Gem on his upper arm. Turning to look at Roman, Seth said "I will agree with Dean that's a bit odd to see such a big smile on your face, but...I don't mind it so much. After all, with the week Bayley's had, it's not too weird that we get happy for her."

"Thank you, Seth," Roman said, nodding in Seth's direction.

"No problem," Seth said, letting out a bit of a laugh.

As the Gems sat in wait of Bayley to come home from school, they could only imagine just what kinds of stories Bayley would have to tell them today.

Leaving school that day with Sami and the rest of her friends, Bayley had been so wrapped up in a talk with Sami about how she felt about her first week of school that Becky tapping her on her shoulder almost didn't register in her until she heard Becky calling her. Turning to the goggle-headed preteen, Bayley asked "Hmm. What is it, Becky?"

"Nothing much, Bayley. I was just wondering if, maybe, you want to come to a sleepover me and Paige are gonna have this weekend," Becky said. "It may not seem like much with just the three of us, but me and Paige have a lot of fun together."

"Please, Bayley," Paige pleaded. "It'll be so much fun."

"W-Wow. Um, I'd love to come to you guys' sleepover, but...I'll have to ask my dad and my uncles first," Bayley said. "If you two want, you can come to my house and I can introduce you both to them. Same to you, Finn."

"That sounds okay with me," Becky said, smiling.

"I've got no problem with that," Paige said, smiling herself while Finn shrugged as a way of saying "Sure".

"OK!" Bayley chirped. "My home is a bit of a walk from here, so just follow me." As the preteen quintet walked and talked to Bayley's house, the ponytailed preteen could hardly hold in her excitement. Not only did she have a great first official week of school and made some new friends along the way...now she was asked by one of her new friends to go to her first ever sleepover! She just couldn't wait to ask Roman, Seth, and Dean if she could go.

So much happy in this chapter! And it seems like next chapter's going to be just as happy too, with Bayley going to her first ever sleepover. But, first thing's first: She's going to introduce her new friends to Roman, Seth, and Dean. That should make for a fun meeting. So, until that meeting, don't forget to R&R please. =)