Hello fellow readers! I don't actually know what I want to happen with this chapter so I'm going to wing it. Um, first off I'm sitting up rather late at night because I can't sleep. I have a stomach virus too, I think. I don't actually know but my stomach hurts and I have some other lovely little symptoms that I'm sure you don't want to know about. Anyhow...

I don't own Winx, obviously. It would probably suck if I did and Bloom would have died in the first season. Sky would have offed himself directly after and they would all act more their age and it would be banned from children's television.

This is dedicated to musaandriven101 (A dedicated... fan? that I'm pretty sure has read most, if not all, of my work so far. =] Yes, the tattoo is permanent.), MardiGras95 (There will be Musa/Riven drama soon. I have it all planned out. Just be patient. The next chapter maybe, the one after that at the most.), hippiefan (Thank you! I love knowing my work is appreciated.), and Dreamer ( You'll see in the next few chapters how it'll happen. It'll be surprising so I have to work up their relationship first.).

Also, Darcy and Meridian might get confusing. It's the same person but they look different thanks to a glamour and they have different style. Darcy can't just walk around Magix with one of the Winx girls. It wouldn't work. Someone would see and they'd report back to someone else like Faragonda or Icy. That would be a disaster.

Props if you can tell me what movie soundtrack the song that this chapter is named after appeared on. Extra props if you can tell me who sang it. No cheating! On to the story! R&R! Those of you who read and don't review; enjoy it anyway.

Chapter 3- You've Got A Friend In Me

The sun was rising over the trees and creating a celestial glow in Musa's dorm room. Tecna would be waking soon. Musa stood in front of her mirror with her back facing it. She was admiring the tattoo Darcy had made her get. She had the stuff to remove it hidden under her bed. It had been a week since she got it and the more she looked at it, the more it seemed to fit. It just felt right having it and surprisingly it was proving as a reminder during the daylight hours that she and Darcy were quickly becoming the best of friends.

Musa tilted her head to the other side and twisted around some more to get a better look at it. She pursed her lips and decided that since she had the day off of classes anyway she would call Darcy and see if she wanted to hang out. She could go shopping with the girls but shopping with 'Meridian' just sounded better. She was due for some new clothes anyway and her style seemed to fit better with Meridian's. Darcy's style was too dark but Meridian (Darcy's alter-ego) was dark enough to be edgy but light enough that it didn't over power Musa.

Musa turned and walked to her dresser and pulled out a shirt that Darcy had lent her. It was yellow and black plaid, long sleeves, and warm enough that Musa wouldn't have to wear a jacket. After Musa had slipped it over her head she turned toward the mirror to decide what else to wear with it. Being surrounded by the gorgeous Meridian all the time made Musa want to dress up just a little more. She cocked her head to one side and then to the other. She grabbed a pair of olive green shorts and slipped them on too. Since it was winter she'd need something else to keep her legs warm. She turned back to the dresser and dug around until she found what she was looking for. She grabbed a pair of black thigh-high tights and added them to the outfit. Something was still missing. She sighed and walked out of her room and into Bloom's where she grabbed a black pinstriped vest and then tip-toed into Stella's room for a pair of black wedges. She slipped them on, scribbled out a note telling the girls she was shopping in Magix, grabbed her phone, dorm room key, and her wallet. Making sure she had everything she walked out of the dorm dialing Darcy's number and made her way to the bus stop.

The Bubbly Cauldron was the coolest fashion store for witches and fairies weren't very welcome at all. Realizing this, Musa suddenly felt very out of place. "Meridian, surely there's somewhere else we can shop. Everyone's staring at me." Musa's eyes shifted uncomfortably around the store before dropping back to her feet when she made eye contact with one of the cashiers.

Darcy sighed. "Relax Muse. Don't let them intimidate you. I guarantee you could take any one of these losers. Stare back. Besides, we're only going to be here long enough for me to grab a few things." Darcy shoved another pair of jeans out of the way. She had been in here a few days ago and saw the most perfect pair. Unfortunately, she hadn't had the money to pay for them on her at the time. She rolled her eyes as the girl next to her shifted uncomfortably again. "Look for something would you? You said you wanted to go shopping didn't you?"

"Yes."

"Then shop. This place has great stuff. They're not going to bitch at you for spending money in their store." Darcy moved another pair of jeans out of the way. She found a really cute pair of light shredded jeans and looked at the tag. Not her size, damn. Maybe Musa could fit them. "What size jeans do you wear?"

Musa looked up at her. "Five. What about this shirt and scarf?"

Darcy pulled the jeans off the rack. "Here, try these on." She looked at what the girl was holding. "The scarf is amazing but that pink is going to wash you out." Darcy walked over to the girl and handed her the jeans. She looked back down at the shirts. "The blue in the scarf would go great with this purple and purple happens to be Riven's favorite color. A pair of shoes and you've got an outfit." Darcy handed her the sweater and walked to her place at the jeans while Musa made her way to the fitting rooms.

After a few more pairs Darcy found them. Her perfect jeans were still there. Only one pair was left and they were her size. She snatched them up and went to join Musa. She got there just in time to see Musa walk out. The fairy looked amazing in purple. "Perfect! Chunky black boots. That's what you need with it."

Musa looked at herself in the full length mirror on the door. She did look good, better than anything Stella could have picked out. Girly and wispy just wasn't her style. She wrinkled her brow before walking back into the tiny room thinking. She walked back out in her regular clothes. "Hey Meridian."

"Yea?" Meridian's voice came from behind the door where Musa had just exited from.

"Think I should buy a dress? Or a skirt? I've always been uncomfortable in them because I never knew what my comfort style was. Maybe I could find something." Musa turned around looking for the dresses and came face to face with another shopper. She was a witch obviously but she didn't work there. "Can I help you?"

The girl glared at her. "Sure you can, leave. We don't want your kind here."

Musa raised an eyebrow at the girl. She was guessing this girl was one of the witches who were still prejudice. Darcy's words ran through her head. Don't let them intimidate you. I guarantee you could take any one of these losers. Looking at this girl Musa was pretty sure she was safe with this one. She channeled Darcy and spoke, "Why should I? So a pathetic excuse for an existence like you can keep thinking that fairies are useless and scared?" Musa got in the girls face. "Maybe you should leave. We don't want your kind here."

The girls eyes grew wide and she glared at Musa before turning and marching to the front of the store. She paid for her items and left and Musa could have sworn she heard the girl complain about the store's lack of security.

"Nicely done." Darcy stood next to her. "I don't think I could have done it better myself."

"I don't like being mean."

Darcy rolled her eyes. "If you're not mean at some points in your life, you'll get walked all over. Your little Flower Power friend is going to learn that one day too and it's going to be a harsh landing when she realizes it and comes crashing back to Magix. Now let's go find some more clothes."

Three hours later and the two girls had almost maxed out their credit cards in one store. Musa had an entire new wardrobe and she felt really good about standing up for herself like that. She had never been one to allow someone to treat her like that but she had never been so blunt about it.

The girls walked into the local Melodian restaurant and sat at a table. Musa was thinking and Darcy just watched her as Musa pursed her lips. What would happen when the Trix and the Winx finally fought again? Darcy was changing. She had started mellowing out finally and she was a lot less angry. Musa, on the other hand, was learning that it's okay to be who you are. She doesn't need to fit into the picture perfect mold that most fairies feel it's their duty to conform to. She was finding a whole new side of herself and she liked it. But did that mean Darcy would trade sides? Would she? It would happen eventually. Musa shook her head and pulled herself away from those thoughts. She was hungry and it was lunch time. Those thoughts could come later.

"It's about time. I was beginning to think I'd have to hit you on the head to get your attention." Darcy smiled at the girl. "What do you want?"

Musa looked up at the waiter standing next to her. When did she get there? "Oh! Um... I'll have the Ika Sashimi and an iced tea." She handed the girl her menu and waited for Darcy to order.

"I'll take a beer and the Okonomiyaki." Darcy pulled out her ID and after close observation the girl nodded her head and walked away.

Musa snatched the card away from Darcy. "You even got a new driver's license? Geez Meridian. What's next? Are you going to sign up for Alfea too?" Musa smiled and handed the card back to Darcy. Before the witch could answer a shrill squeal echoed through the restaurant. The two looked at each other and braced themselves.

"Omg Musa! We've been looking everywhere for you!" Stella pulled up a chair next to the girl and the rest of the crew followed. The boys looked exhausted and Riven looked like he was about to strangle the girl.

"Stella. Stop shrieking." Riven growled before dropping the other half of her bags that Brandon couldn't carry onto the floor.

"Be careful with those! That dress is a vintage Iwink Wizrahi!" Stella glared back at the boy.

Riven looked dumbfounded. "Your point is?"

Stella would have yelled some more but the waitress came back with Musa and Darcy's drinks. "Excuse me." She walked in between Flora and Helia to get to the table. "Iced tea for you and an ice cold beer for Miss Meridian." She looked around the table. "Should I pull up another table?"

"Yes please." Flora said politely and pulled her chair back so they would have room for the extra table.

"Right away Miss."

"Anyway, are you going to introduce use to your friend, Musa?" Layla leaned over the table and glared at the girl. This was who Musa kept ditching them for?

"Oh right. Guys, this is Meridian. Meridian this is -er... you can surmise. I've briefed you on them." Musa didn't feel like introducing Darcy to eleven people she already knew.

"Hi. I'm Meridian. I'm transferring to Alfea next week." Darcy smile at them.

Musa was taken aback. Darcy-turned-Meridian-say-what? When was she planned on telling Musa this?

Darcy looked back at Musa. "I was about to tell you this when we were so rudely interrupted. I changed my mind about Beta."

"Oh."

"So Meridian, where are you transferring from?" Bloom smiled at Meridian. Maybe the girl could join their group and help fight the Trix.

"Um..." Darcy hadn't thought that far ahead. Her license said she lived in the realm of Patmos so it had to be close to there. "Erzsebet Academy."

"That's cool." Bloom nodded her head. The food came and the group pounded Darcy with question after question.

After lunch the group split up again. Musa and Darcy walked to the local park dragging all their bags with them. The two hung out on the swing and talked about their lives. Musa told Darcy of how her mother died and her dad grew distant. Darcy told Musa about how the realm she came from disapproved of witches so much that they burned her house to the ground while she was in the fields picking flowers. Her parents had died then and she was left alone with her aunt, one of the Ancestral witches. That was when she met Icy and Stormy and they became her family.

Trying to get the conversation back onto a happier subject they decided to tell share their most embarrassing moments. Darcy's was the usual pants-splitting-down-the-middle-of-your-butt-in-a-really-crowded-place story. Musa's on the other hand was a little more.

"So I'm sitting there and I decide that I want a little sister. I went and asked my dad if he could buy me one and he said he couldn't so I asked if he could make one and he said no to that too." Musa smiled at the memory, trying to keep laughing. "So I said fine and I walked off. You have to remember that at this point I didn't know where babies came from. I thought you stuck a doll up your shirt and left it there and after a while it grew into a baby. So I took my favorite doll that I had named Clef and stuck it up my shirt and duct-taped the shirt to my skin so the baby couldn't fall out and bump it's head. I didn't change that shirt for months. When my dad asked what I was doing I told him that if he wouldn't give me a little sister I would make one of my own." She paused for dramatic effect and reveled in the fact that Darcy was smiling again. "Ten months later and I'm heartbroken because my baby hasn't grown at all. So my dad finally got sick of it and called one of my mom's friends and explained the situation to her. She came over a few days later and sat me down in a room and explained how babies were made. I didn't completely understand it but I knew that my doll wasn't going to turn into a baby so I took off the shirt and held the doll by the legs and walked out the door. My dad was waiting for us and when I came out he stood up and looked at me. I held the doll out to him and said, 'Daddy, I'm sorry. I decided to have an abortion.' He looked so shocked. I've yet to live that down. It gets told around Christmas when all the family's there."

Darcy howled with laughter and fell out of the swing she was sitting in. She was holding her gut with one hand and wiping the tears that had found their way into her eyes away with the other hand. "Oh man, that's hilarious."

Musa blushed and looked away. "Don't tell anyone. The girls don't even know that story."

Darcy shook her head. "I bet. I won't tell."

"Thanks. What time is it?" Musa pulled out her phone. "It's a little after six. I have a report to write and it's due on Monday. I gotta go. See ya." Musa stood up and grabbed her bags walking to the bus stop.

"I'll call you later!" Darcy called from the bench. "Bye!"

"Bye!"

A/N: Well, what do you think? A few things; 1) The Melodian restaurant is supposed to be a Japanese restaurant. I always thought Musa was Japanese-looking so yeah. 2) Ika Sashimi is like squid sushi without the vinegar. Okonomiyaki is another Japanese dish. It consists of batter and cabbage and then it's topped with whatever you want. 3) Erzsebet Academy is based off of Erzsebet, the vampire/witch in HellBoy: Blood & Iron that bathes in maiden blood to keep her youthful beauty. Good movie, you should watch. I'm a huge HellBoy fan. 4) I just made that embarrassing story of Musa's up off the top of my head last night. I don't approve of abortion but I couldn't think of anything else to call it. 5) Spot the irony in the restaurant scene.

Anyway, there you go. Review!