Greetings and hello, dear readers. I hope you all have been doing well. Today, I come bringing a new arc of 'Bayley's Universe' for your reading pleasure. Now, this arc is going to be one that I've had in the back of my thoughts for a while now and, with another idea popping up that could potentially follow this, I decided to go along with it. And just what is this new arc idea, you may be asking? Read on to find out, and I hope you all enjoy. =)
"That's your homework assignment for tonight, everyone. And don't forget to make sure you have a book chosen for your book reports," Mr. Copeland said as the bell rang, dismissing his class.
Putting the last of her belongings in her backpack, Sasha found herself thinking about possible books to check out for her report. 'It probably wouldn't be wise if I did mine on the manga I've read so far. Maybe I could find something else in the library to borrow that would be better fitting for this. I could always borrow Frankenstein again, but that would probably be cheating. ...I wonder if-'
"Sasha? Sasha? Sasha!" the magenta-haired Gem could vaguely hear followed by a slam on her desk. Jumping in place a bit, she looked up only to see a grinning Mia looking at her. A nervous laugh escaping her, Sasha said "I'm sorry, did I miss something?"
"No, not really," Mia said as Sasha stood, holding back a snicker. "I was just wondering what had you zoned out over here. Class is over, but you're still hanging around like you wanted to talk to Mr. Copeland about something."
"No, no, nothing like that. I was just thinking about a book I could maybe borrow from the library for my book report. I was thinking through some I've read lately, but I don't think they'd be appropriate for this."
"Well, since we both have last class of the day as our Free Period times, I could meet up with you then, and we could try looking around in the library for books for this," Mia suggested. "Then after that, if we have time, I can try to give you some Korean lessons today."
"I'd like that. Thanks, Mia," Sasha smiled as she walked with the blue-haired teen to her next class.
"No problem," Mia responded with a smile of her own. Reaching her next class, she said "Well, here's my stop. I'll see you after fifth period?"
"Of course," Sasha nodded. Watching Mia head into her third period class, the magenta-haired Gem then turned and began to make her way to the gymnasium for Physical Fitness, meeting up with Paige along the way.
She liked school. It had taken her a few days to fall into this new rhythm of going to this strange place and being among all of these humans that were many years younger than she was, but after she worked past these hurdles, Sasha began to find herself enjoying her time among them, with what she could say were the best parts being what she's had the chance to learn about and the friends that she'd began to make.
...Which brought her to the aggravating goblin of a thought that would always seem to bother her at odd moments.
'I don't know if Mia's managed to take care of her bully problems. But, ...I just hope she has. It isn't fair or right when someone singles you out as a target,' the magenta-haired Gem thought as she walked and talked with Paige.
"I'm just really not looking forward to today," Paige said. "This is all going to be so awkward."
"Why do you think today's going to be awkward? A fitness test can't be too bad, can it?"
"No, it isn't. I'm just not looking forward to taking it in front of the rest of the class."
"Why not? From what Ms. Moore said, it sounds like basically a rundown on the exercises that have been done in the past," Sasha said, remembering what their teacher told the class.
"I know, I know. I'm just not looking forward to it," Paige said with a slight groan. "I just don't want to look like a fool when we do this."
"And you won't," Sasha assured her raven-haired friend. "I'm sure you'll do just fine with this. Just do your best."
"Thanks, Sash," Paige smiled over to her new friend. "Hope this all goes well for you too."
"Thanks, Paige. I hope so as well," Sasha smiled her thanks as she and Paige walked into the locker room. As she made her way to go get changed into her outfit for Physical Fitness, the magenta-haired Gem began her usual mental mantra. 'Don't show too much of your power. Humans of this age aren't quite as physically developed as those older than they are. Just keep your strength at the same level you've been showing, and this will go well.'
...
It was another day of school for Mia. And that included what she usually had to deal with after second period.
"Here you go, Shayna. This should be enough for you and your friends," the blue-haired girl said as she handed over some of the money her parents gave her for her lunch.
"Thanks again, Mimi. I was just a bit short, so I knew I could count on you," Shayna said as she counted the money she just got. "As always, pleasure doing business with you."
"Yeah. No problem," Mia forced a smile. Watching as the trio left, she couldn't help the sigh that escaped her. This had to stop. It really did.
'I really should tell someone about this. Shayna can't keep getting away with this. If only I could tell someone, then maybe they could help me deal with my bully problems. …But who? Just who would even want to help someone like m-'
"Mia? What are you doing here?" a familiar voice coming from Mia's right could be heard asking. Looking in the direction of the voice, she saw that it was just Sasha and the girl Bayley. "Hey, Sasha. Hey, Bayley. I was ...actually on my way to the cafeteria to get something for lunch."
"That's-"
"Awesome!" Bayley blurted. "Hey, I don't think I've seen you around the cafeteria that much. Why don't you come sit with us? We've got plenty of space around where we usually sit."
"I …I wouldn't want to bother you guys. Besides, I've got some stuff for some of my classes I should probably take care of," Mia slightly lied as she scratched the back of her head.
"It won't be a bother," Bayley assured the blue-haired girl. "You seem pretty cool, so we won't mind you sitting with us."
Maybe it was because she hadn't had anyone talk to or about her like that outside of her old friends, but hearing Bayley, a girl she didn't know all that well, say that about her had her feeling quite surprised. "Wow. S-Sure, Bayley. I'll take you up on that."
"Awesome!" Bayley chirped. "I can't wait to introduce you to our friends. I think you'll like them."
As she walked along and listened to Bayley tell Mia about their friends, Sasha couldn't help the odd laugh that would come from her while she thought 'Mia at least seems to be in a good mood. I'm guessing she didn't have to deal with those girls I saw with her that day. That's good. Hopefully, she has that problem dealt with.' ...But even as she thought this, Sasha couldn't help but feel the goblin try to worm its way back into her thoughts on this.
Well, it would appear as though Sasha still has Mia and her bully problems on her mind. And it would appear that Mia just wants her bully problems to be taken care of. Hopefully, the blue-haired cinnamon roll'll be able to find it in herself to come forward about it. ...But, just how will she deal with this problem? That question shall be answered...next time. Until then, don't forget to RR please. =)
(*sends love and good vibes out to you all*)
