Something I should've done earlier…

Disclaimer: I don't own the Scooby people mentioned in this story, but I do own Dylan!

Velma woke up pretty nervous next morning. She woke up around 5:30 in the morning, wanting to be prompt and early for Career Day. Clad in orange pajamas, she made her way to the kitchen to get some cereal. As she made her way downstairs, she caught a glimpse of the student's profile lying on a desk in the lab. She had the sudden urge to read the record again. She went to the lab and got the folder. This time, she looked at the student's achievements.

"Wow…she has been an honor student since Kindergarten…" She silently admired the record. "Has never committed any school offenses, has perfect attendance…" She was beginning to loosen up on the girl, despite the fact that she enjoyed occult objects. But suddenly, her perspective changed again.

"She's a member of the junior paranormalists club, the Occult Lovers, the rituals and rites study org…" This was too weird, even for Velma. Sure, Dinkley got into a fetish on the paranormal and the unreal, but not this much. She relied on Science most of the time, unlike this girl who is really into the ghosts and spirits business. She then saw a copy of the student's answers to the questions.

"Hmm…The student appears to be analytical and is wise with intuitions…" Velma muttered. But then there were answers about beliefs and cultures that Velma found really daunting.

"(I am beginning to want to back out.)" She thought. Wild thoughts started running through her mind. What if that kid starts summoning beings from beyond and- "Oh, what am I thinking!!?? That kid might just be into these stuff, not performing them!" Velma never had irrational thought about things, but it was different this time. She dropped the dossier and went to have breakfast. Daphne came down the stairs, clad in a purple bathrobe and had a mud mask on.

"Good morning, Velms." Daphne greeted sleepily.

"Morning, Daph." Velma said quietly, getting the milk from the fridge. Daphne sensed something was sort of wrong.

"What's wrong, Velma?" Daphne asked, taking a seat next to her best friend. She saw a little stream of sweat run down the side of Velma's face. "…Bad case of the jitters, huh?"

"Yeah. I'm sorta well…" Velma hesitated.

"Sorta what?"

"Sorta afraid."
Daphne didn't say anything for a short while. She was thinking of a good answer to this.

"Well, it's OK to be afraid. Although it's very 'un-Velma' like of you." Daphne joked. Velma didn't budge. She just swirled the spoon around in the bowl of Oreo O's. Daphne felt flushed. "Sorry."

"It's OK. It's just that…this kid is sort of scary, you know." The bespectacled brunette finally spoke. "I mean, I'm also into paranormal stuff, but it's the scientific study of paranormal, not the actual ghost bidding."

"I see what you mean." Daphne confirmed. "Well, all I can say is don't mess up. The real success of the Career Day lies in the cooperation of the mentor and the student, Velma." Upon hearing this, Velma was shocked. She never heard the ditsy redhead say anything this…profound before. She laughed and said,

"You've been watching way too much TV, Daph."

"I guess!"

Morning at Coolsville Middle School…

Students were excitedly talking about what will happen during Career Day. They were all chatting with each other, others giggling in excitement, others perspiring in anticipation. Well, everyone except one kid. Yep. Dylan. Dylan was alone in her desk, just sitting there with a blank face. She watched her classmates yak to each other about what kind of career they'll be experiencing today.

"I hope I get to work in the Coolsville Confectionary!" One kid, a chocoholic, says to his friend. "I heard they've just created their greatest chocolate ever- the choco-caramel nougat nugget explosion!!!"

"That sure's a mouthful." Said his friend, a girl with pigtails. "Well, I hope I get to work in the Coolsville Botanical Gardens. They say they just discovered a new breed of jasmine! I have to see it!"

"Well, I really hope I get to work with Ms. Dinkley!" The class nerd suddenly blurted out. "Her intellect is really astounding!"

"Yeah! And she's not a nerd!" Said the chocoholic. "She's hot!"

"Beauty and brains! That's so cool!" Exclaimed the girl in pigtails.

Dylan yawned subtly. She wasn't all that excited, but she wasn't expecting nothing either. She was looking forward to her mentor, but somehow she's not (I can't really catch this girl's drift). The bell rung and their Social Studies teacher entered the classroom. The kids sat down to their seats and waited eagerly.

"Okay class. As you know, today is Career Day and you will get to spend the day with someone in your probable profession." The teacher wheezed, getting the aptitude test results from an envelope. "And I have here your aptitude test results." He then started passing the papers. Some of the kids shouted in delight, while other grunted in disappointment.

"I get to work with Mr. Caramac (I found the word "caramac" on a box of chocolates…)! The best confectioner of the company! Alright!" Said the chocoholic.

"Hey! I got Dr. Flora Phyllis as my mentor! I'm working in the botanical gardens!" The girl in pigtails rejoiced. The class nerd was eager to find out who his mentor is going to be.

"(Oh…I hope it's Ms. Dinkley!!!)" He aspired. He read the paper and his expectation got torn in half. "WHAT!? Ms. Daphne Blake!?" The whole class looked at him, most of the boys having an envious look on their faces.

"…I guess it's OK." The class nerd whimpered. Dylan's paper finally arrived on her desk. She got it and immediately read it.

"Let's see…" She mumbled. "…!!!" She fell silent, with a shocked look on her face. Her probable job was being a detective. "And my mentor is-" She was cut short by her teacher, who then got up and opened the door.

"Okay class. I want you all to be on your best behavior." He said, signaling someone outside to come in. "Now, I would like you to meet your mentors." A group of people entered the classroom and smiled at the children. Velma was the last one to enter, clad in her trademark orange turtleneck and red skirt. Most children started whispering at the sight of Mystery Inc.'s brains. Dylan slightly squirmed. The teacher smiled at the mentors. Then he directed his attention to his students.

"You may now go to your respective mentors." Upon hearing this, the children scurried out of their seats and approached their mentors. Dylan hesitated a bit. She wasn't expecting…her to be the mentor! Now she has to act 10 times properly than the time she already practiced her courtesy. She slowly vacated her seat and walked towards her mentor. Velma, on the other hand, was looking for a girl that fitted the description in the dossier. She spotted a girl in black walking slowly past the horde of people and towards her.

"(This is Dylan!?)" Velma was shocked to see her student. "(She fits the description perfectly! Freaky!)" She kept on telling herself. This little punk can't be her student! She was sort of expecting a girl with brown hair and wearing a green blouse. Dylan finally got to Velma and forced out a smile.

"Hello. My name is…" Dylan said. Velma was going crazy in the back of her head. She was hoping that the girl wouldn't say Dylan James.

"(Please don't say Dylan James!)" Velma thought. But I guess Ms. Dinkley just ran out of luck today.

"…Dylan James." The girl in black said. Velma just wanted to melt away like butter. "I am honored, Ms. Dinkley!"

"Th-thank you, Dylan. I-I-I am happy to have you as my student!" The older woman said. "(God, I gotta keep this together.)"

"Ms. Dinkley, are you OK?" The 7th grader asked. "You look pale and wan." Velma snapped out of her daze and smiled at Dylan, trying hard not to have a nervous breakdown. She wasn't nervous because she might bumble like an idiot. She was nervous because she doesn't know if she'll come back to the headquarters ALIVE.

"It…it's nothing, Dylan. Thank you for your concern!" Velma patted Dylan on the shoulder. "Shall we go then?"

"OK, Ms. Dinkley." Dylan politely responded.

"Oh! Call me Velma!" Velma offered to the girl. Dylan gave out a short giggle.

"Yeah, and you can call me Dyl, Ms. Din-" Dylan cut herself short. "I mean, Velma! Let's go!"

The two walked towards the door. Velma recited a short prayer repeatedly. It's not really like her, is it? Meanwhile, the class nerd, envious of Dylan approached his teacher and asked for his mentor.

"Sir, I don't see Ms. Blake anywhere! I have no mentor! Waaaahhh!!!!" He cried. Suddenly, Dylan and Velma went back to the classroom, hearing the poor kid's cry. Dylan looked at Velma.

"Daphne Blake's supposed to be his mentor." Dylan explained briefly. "But Ms. Blake didn't show up."

"I think Daphne doesn't know. I guess…we could give him a ride then."