Greetings, dear readers, and welcome back to Bayley's Universe. Many many many many MANY apologies for my freakish lateness with this update (*insert one of my apologies for my chapter lateness post*). Last time, we saw the start of a new school day for Bayley Friends, along with something pretty surprising happening for Shayna. Looks like the school bully is embarking on a path of forgiveness and redemption with some of the students that've been her past victims, which has been met with positive results. But now comes the big test, said test being...*insert dramatic music sting here*...having lunch with Bayley and her friends. And just how will this go? Read on to find out and I hope you all enjoy, my dolls. =)
Taking a bit of time to think over this proposition, the brunette said "Sure, why not. …But, I'm saying this now. If things go south, I'm leaving."
"As long as you at least try, Shayna, that's all we ask," Lana said with Nia nodding in agreement.
Looking around from her friends to Bayley, Sasha, and Mia, the brunette Gem saw that the other three had similar looks on their faces with Bayley giving her two thumbs up in a show of support. A scoff of a laugh escaping her, Shayna said "OK, sure. Let's go do this."
"Awesome!" Bayley chirped with a bit of applause. "Now, come on, you guys. Let's go have lunch!"
Becky, Paige, and Finn couldn't believe what they were seeing. Heading their way was the usual trio of Bayley, Sasha, and Mia. …Although, today, there were three surprise additions to their group.
"I'm not seeing things, am I?" Becky asked.
"No, Becks. No, you are not," Paige said as the Irish girl pulled her goggles down before pushing them back up on her head.
"I don't trust this. The heck are Bayley and the others doing with Shayna and her squad?" Becky asked.
"I haven't the faintest idea here," the raven-haired girl said. Running a hand through her long dark locks, Paige almost got up to try leaving when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Looking to her left, she saw that it was just Finn. "Seriously, Finn? You want to stay here?"
"Well, …yeah, I do," the boy said to the surprise of his friends. Seeing the looks of disbelief from the girls, Finn then decided to explain. "Look, I'm feeling a bit like you two are. I mean, three of the school baddies heading our way? Yeah, I wanna run for the hills meself."
"Then let's just do that!" Becky said. "Now, I don't know about you lot, but I'd like me goggles to stay in one piece."
Listening on as Finn tried to calm the Irish girl down-her speech having lapsed into including some Irish words the British girl wasn't too familiar with-all Paige could think was 'Bugger! Sami has no idea how lucky he is that he had to stay home and deal with his cold. I mean, …yeah I heard Bianca talking about Shayna apologizing for threatening to lop off her ponytail. …And then Raquel did tell me about Shayna apologizing to her about when she told her she wasn't that great at softball when they had Physical Fitness together last year. And then there was when Sarah was talking with Liv and Ruby about Shayna apologizing for that fight they had last year. …Maybe what I've been hearing isn't total rubbish. Maybe-'
"Hey, guys!" Bayley's sudden usual chirp of a greeting could be heard. "Sorry we're late. Me, Sasha, and Mia just ran into some new friends outside the cafeteria."
"Uh, n-no prob, Bayley. None at all," Paige said, a slightly nervous tone coloring her voice as she watched her three friends take seats at the table while the three new arrivals still stood.
Taking a look behind her, Bayley said "Well. Aren't you guys gonna sit with us?"
Feeling the slight glares from the first three seated humans along with the stares from some of the other students around them and even hearing some whispers was starting to make Shayna feel uncomfortable, as though she was the center of everyone's focus. 'Damnit. Damn humans. Don't they know when not to get involved in stuff that has nothing to do with them?! …No, Baszler, stay calm, stay cool. Everyone did say all of this forgiving stuff wasn't going to be easy. I'm just gonna have to do my best to show the humans I wasn't that nice to that I really am sorry.' Taking a few breaths in before letting them out, Shayna finally said "Actually, we will, Bayley. But first, …I have some things I need to say."
Having a feeling that this would potentially mean more apologies to her former bullying victims, Bayley smiled a bit before saying "OK, Shayna. Just take your time with what you have to say and don't rush anything."
Giving the ponytailed brunette a nod, Shayna then launched into saying what she wanted to say to this trio of students that she guessed were some of Bayley's other friends. "OK, first off. Paige. I'm sorry for calling you a ghost that day a year ago. I guess I wasn't used to seeing a person with skin as pale as yours is. But, I will say this. Your vampire costume you wore to school then for Halloween, still gives me chills when I think about it. You looked almost like you would've been perfect to be in a monster movie, obviously maybe something with vampires in it. And, if you'd be up for it, …maybe you could do makeup like that for me for Halloween."
Blinking in surprise, the raven-haired Brit didn't know what to say about, well …any of that. Shayna Baszler? Apologizing to her? And actually saying something nice?! …Something didn't seem right here. Seemed fishy almost, like the older girl was going to say something backhanded.
One more apology down, the brunette told herself. Two more here to go. Turning her attention to the lone boy at the table, Shayna said "Finn, I'm sorry for saying what I did about your Legos those years ago. I guess I didn't think kids our age still played with toys like those. But, that ship you built in those pictures of yours…. Pretty impressive. Didn't think you could build stuff like that with such small blocks" which she followed up with a thumbs-up.
Now it was Finn's turn to be surprised. He still remembered what the older girl said about his much loved Legos. But honestly, it was something that he didn't let bother him as he had gotten used to a lot of people questioning why he liked playing with the colorful blocks said to be for children as much and as often as he did. So, shaking his surprise away, the boy coughed a bit before saying "Achh, it's nae big deal. And thanks. If you'd like, you could come with me to a club I go to after school. We just get together and hang around. And just build stuff."
"Huh. That actually sounds like it'd be …pretty fun. I'll be sure to keep that in mind. Thanks for the invite, Finn," the brunette said with a nod. Did that really just happen? Did she really possibly make another friend? And maybe even find a new hobby? She'd think all of this over later. Right now, she had one more apology at this table to make. Turning to the last remaining human at this table, Shayna then said "And lastly here. Hey, Becky."
"Ach. Saving the best for last, are ye? Well, what've ya gotta say, Baszler? I'm sure this'll be rich," Becky couldn't help but almost snap. So, …yes she did just sit here and hear the older girl apologize for what she said to and about Paige and Finn in the past. …But, there had to be some sort of catch, something else to come after that. There just had to be! After all, it isn't every day one of the school bullies just does a 180 with how they'd been acting towards their fellow students.
"Fiery as always, aren't ye, lassie? I'd expect no less," Shayna couldn't help but say around a laugh, something that made both Irish teens blink before Finn could be heard snickering a bit and Becky's face could be seen starting to redden a bit. "Well, yeah, I just want to apologize for threatening to-"
"And actually doing so," Nia cut in as she reached for the shorter brunette's lunch bag, wanting to get to the bowl that contained what she remembered Shayna said contained some of Tamina's leftovers, most likely some sapasui if the seated brunette had to guess.
"And actually breaking your goggles," Shayna apologized to the Irish girl, sending a subtle glare over to Nia, who simply shrugged as a slight grin worked across her face before she went back to taking out the serving spoon and large plastic bowl filled with the tasty stew that still felt warm to the touch, something that almost immediately drew questions from Paige and Finn. "I think maybe why I did that was because I didn't know what to make of people wearing something like goggles to school. Just seemed like a weird fashion choice."
"Oi! 'Tis may be weird to ye, but I like me goggles. And I'll keep 'em if there be nae problem with 'em from the likes of ye," Becky said, her Irish accent becoming apparent with some of what she was saying as her hands instinctively went up to cover her beloved accessory.
"Well, after seeing how you wear them, I'd expect no less. And now, I think I can see why you're almost always wearing a pair. They do look pretty cool," Shayna said as she pointed at Becky's goggles, still covered by her hands. And she wasn't lying. There was an overall look to the accessory that did seem pretty cool. Maybe it was the shade of green of the band. Maybe it was the style of the lenses. All the older brunette could say, in the end, was that maybe the younger girl's choice in accessories wasn't too weird after all.
"Ah. W-Well thank ye, Shayna," Becky said, a slightly nervous laugh escaping her as she lowered her hands. That actually happened. That really just happened! Shayna Baszler, known school bully and, as far as she knew, all around baddie, just apologized to her for what she said and did. …But, that didn't do much to help quell her still present slight paranoia over this. So, before she could stop herself, she asked "But …just what gives here? Ye waltz around the school like ye're some kind of queen. And now ye're apologizing for what ye've said and done to us? Why're ye doing this?"
"Well, let's just say I finally got some slaps and punches back down to Earth and told that how I was acting to everyone wasn't the coolest. I dunno," the still-standing brunette said as memories of everything that happened yesterday after school seemed to echo through her mind. Scratching the back of her head, she continued. "Look. My apologies probably won't mean much to you three or to anyone else I've told them to, but just know that I really am sorry for what I've said and done to you three. And …if you guys'll accept them, …I'd like to work towards maybe being friends with you guys."
Looks of surprise could be seen among the trio that were just apologized to. Words that were said that were meant to-and did-hurt them in the past were now being apologized for. And the person that said those words was actually hoping to become friends with them. …But, while this all sounded great, there was still a lingering feeling of 'What if?' What if this is all some sort of trick? What if Shayna was only saying all of this just to get them to let their guards down before she said or did something that would undermine what she just said?
Sharing another look with her friends, Becky cleared her throat a bit before saying "Well, Shayna. I must say that all sounded nice. And like stuff ye've been holding back for some time now. …But, I think I speak for meself, for Paige, and for Finn too when I say we accept yer apologies …but just on a careful note. Just can't be too careful, ye know?" Becky said with the two she mentioned nodding in agreement.
And just like with Mia yesterday, her apologies were accepted, only this time with the condition that they be careful around her. And, honestly, …she didn't care. At least these humans accepted her apologies like with the others. A smile crossing her face, Shayna said "Thanks, you three" with a nod.
"Ach, 'tis nae problem. Can't be holding grudges against people forever, ya know?" Becky said with a smile herself. "Now, maybe you can tell us what's in this bowl. Looks pretty tasty."
Laughing a bit as she sat down, Shayna began to explain. "Well, I'll tell you a bit about this. This is a dish called sapasui, and it's one that my mom makes for dinner. It's like a stew…."
And after a bit more explaining of just what this dish was as servings were doled out to everyone by Nia at the table-'Man. Didn't think 'Mina had this much left after how much everyone ate yesterday. At least these leftovers aren't going to waste,' the brunette thought with a slight laugh-the table of nine dug into and began eating their lunch, something that began drawing remarks similar to the ones the dish received yesterday from Paige saying "Whoa this is pretty good" to Finn agreeing with the Brit along with asking "Any chance we can get seconds?" to Becky saying " Man this is tasty. And you say this is one thing your mum makes? Well, you'll have to tell her that your new mates really liked it" as she gave a thumbs up over the food.
"I'll make sure to do that," Shayna said with a laugh before scooping up another spoonful of sapasui and eating it.
As the group went about eating their lunches with some surprisingly good-natured conversations starting to take place among them, Sasha couldn't help but first take a glance over to where Mia was sitting between Bayley and Paige and then glancing over to where Shayna was sitting between Lana and Finn, both having some fairly animated chats that contributed to the overall calmer air that was starting to settle among them, something that made the magenta-haired Gem smile a bit. 'Well, it looks like Shayna's starting to build more bridges with the humans here. I'm sure if she can keep this up, she'll have made up with the others she wasn't all that nice to.'
Lunchtime chatter among the group of nine and other students in the cafeteria continued a bit longer until the bell rang to signal the end of Lunch. As everyone stood and threw away their trash and Shayna put away the now empty bowl and spoon she brought with her in her lunch bag, the cafeteria began to clear out as students filed out, many still talking among their friends and others preferring to walk alone on their own to their classes.
Walking along with her own group of friends, it surprised Sasha to hear Shayna conversing with Becky, Paige, and Finn as well as she was. It felt like even more of a surprise when, after she was done chatting with those three humans, she came over to her. "So. It looks like your apologies went well."
"Yeah, I'm still surprised by that too," Shayna agreed before adding in a lowered voice "Who knew humans could be so forgiving?"
"Well, it's like Lana told you yesterday. Humans are wildly different from those of our kind. You're just going to have to learn to lower your guard around them."
"Yeah, I …guess I can. I just don't want to seem too weak, you know? I just want to do what I can to help keep them safe," the brunette said as she looked ahead to where Mia was talking with the others in their lunch group.
"And you can and you will," Sasha reassured the brunette. "As long as you keep that goal in mind, you'll be able to keep at it. That's at least what's I tell myself when it's come to what I do to help with protecting the humans. Just keep your goal in mind, and everything'll work out."
"I sure hope you're right about that, Sasha. I sure hope you're right," Shayna said.
The next two periods seemed to go by fairly quickly for her. At least, that's how it felt for Shayna. Surprisingly, she actually didn't seem too bored in the Literature class she had and she managed to make some progress on her Art project; couple in the many apologies she managed to make to some of the other students, and that all helped add up to some of the faster class periods she could remember having in her time of going to school and being among so many humans. So, when the bell rang to end Fifth Period, she found herself starting to feel bored. While parts of her were saying to head on home, the more prevalent parts of her were saying to find something at the school to do during her Free Period. Which led to her walking through the school halls, something that took her towards the library where she then decided to head outside to sit on one of the benches that was near the library. Taking a seat on the slightly cool metal of the bench, she took a breath in and let it out as she let the day's events swirl through her head. For so long, she had been seen as a terrorizer of the student body, bringer of pain of different types to others "her age". So to have gotten forgiveness from those same people, it was something she wasn't expecting. And yet, …it was something she welcomed. 'And so what if they ever come back here? I've mostly changed my ways. I can't be going around being so brash towards people, especially those weaker than me. Still feels like I've got a lot ahead of me with changing my ways, but as long as I just take my time with it all, I'm sure in time I'll have managed to make nice with others.' A scoff of a laugh escaping her, Shayna then thought 'And to think, all it took was me and Sasha having our fight after we kicked some Gem beast ass yesterday. One that I hope she won't having a rematch of at some point.'
And with this chapter, we have reached the end of the Class Fight arc of 'Bayley's Universe', and man what an arc it was. From the growing friendships to dealing with bullies to some big fights to finding out some surprising things about said bullies (and some others) to said bullies (one more than the others) seeking forgiveness from their past victims, sure seems like quite a lot happened for our favorite ponytailed cinnamon roll and her friends. And with all of that craziness having happened, just what could possibly happen next? ...Well, we shall find out in a new arc...next time! Until then, don't forget to RR please. =)
(Now, in regards to the next possible arc, I've had an idea that would involve the return of a character I used in an earlier arc and also help serve as introduction for three new characters. ...*thinks a bit*...And with spooky season seemingly quickly approaching, I think now would be a fun time to introduce this new trio. Stay tuned, lovelies.)
(Stay safe, cool, and healthy out there, lovelies. *sends love and positive vibes out to you all*)