Day 2- Velma Pit…stop! - part 1

The alarm clock´s beep at 6am accelerated Velma's heart, but her eyes didn't even bother to open. Automatically, her body got up from the huge pink bed and migrated to the closet, where she parked herself again in a soft, furry pink armchair. Then, the alarm clock beeped again, Velma sighed impatiently and started collecting clothes and accessories from the shelves. When her arms were full of things, she put all the clothes on the armchair and ran to the bathroom.

After a quick shower, she dressed the clothes she chose: light pink tights and a bubble gum pink leotard. Over them, she dressed a white skirt with a belt and a fuchsia satin blouse with spaghetti straps and white, mid-calf, high heeled boots. Her short hair was pulled back tightly into a small ponytail, then twisted into a bun adorned with bobby pins filled with pink crystals. The makeup was also quick: pink lipstick on the lips, mascara and light blue eyeshadow. She didn't feel like using bracelets, necklaces or rings, but she found beautiful heart-shaped earrings inside the jewelry box, so she decided to use them. It was sunny, so she finished her look by putting white frame sunglasses on her head.

While checking the makeup- and deciding whether to use New Bond St. Amorpha or House of Sillage - Velma was startled by the bitten nails she saw in the mirror. Immediately, she stuck medium-sized pink false nails to cover her short nails. After so much work, Velma looked again at the mirror and smiled, satisfied with her own image. Then, she got an exclusive pink edition of a Bvlgari Serpenti Forever, and inside it, she placed makeup, perfume and her wallet. Also, she picked up a small pink Michael Kors backpack that contained a pair of pink pointe shoes, a ballet costume and toe caps.

Velma went downstairs humming an incomprehensible Now United song. When she reached the great hall, she passed by Alexandra, Marcie, and Madelyn sleeping on the rug, and headed for the kitchen. Her stomach demanded some food, but her brain soon reminded her of the benefits of intermittent fasting, so she just grabbed a box of coconut water and put it inside her backpack. She walked through the halls of the mansion until she reached a door leading to a marble-block staircase that ended in the garage. There were about ten 2022 cars, in different colors and different luxury brands, but she didn't even hesitate about which one she should choose. Velma walked directly over to a silver 1968 Ferrari 275 GTB/4, with tiny, metallic-pink enamel details and took the driver's seat. Intuitively, she found the keys hidden in the sunshade, started the car, and set off at high speed. She only had ten minutes to reach her destination.

Velma arrived on time and parked in the private covered parking lot, even though she knew it would cost her about $20 an hour. In high heel boots, she ran towards the Crystal Cove Royal Academy, after all, her class was about to start and everyone was waiting for her. Her short clothes – and also the fact that she was running wearing heels – called the attention of the high school boys who were working out at the gym next to the ballet school, Fred Jones among them. Velma stopped running only to scowl at them and stick her tongue out, but her gesture only attracted the curiosity of the other boys. At Royal Academy´s lobby, she introduced herself to the secretary and left her credit card and documents. The payment made the secretary allow her in immediately, and Velma went to the changing rooms. Once there, she took off her blouse and swapped her white skirt for a pink organza skirt with sparkly white crystals and a pink satin ribbon all over the hem. Boots were swapped for pointe shoes, then she left the changing room.

Velma's arrival at the dance room was not that triumphant, but all eyes immediately turned to her. However, she ignored the questioning faces that were staring at her and just crossed the room to reach the ballet barre. Melody Valentine was by her side doing a lot of jetés, but instead of staring at Velma like the other girls, she just gave her a big smile.

Melody: Hi Velmaaaa! How nice to see you here!

Melody was as sweet and friendly as ever, but her words hit Velma like a big punch and she woke up. Suddenly, she came to her senses and looked at herself in the large mirror in the ballet room. Velma felt confused, as if she had just woken up from a deep sleep. The clothes, the earrings, the make-up, and even her enigmatic presence in a dance class caused her so much awkwardness that she panicked. Melody kept smiling at her, waiting for an answer, but Velma just ran away from the ballet barre. Unfortunately, before she could escape, Mrs. Ludsworth took her by the hand and led her back to the center of the room, at the same moment that all the girls were in their own positions at the barre.

Mrs. Ludsworth: Girls, we have a new student, her name is Velma Dinkley. I want you to welcome her and teach her our choreography, so we can include her in our recital next month.

All the girls: Hi Velma!

Each girl greeted Velma at a different time, and each one had a unique expression of astonishment. The most incredulous expression was Daphne Blake´s. Disconcerted, Velma walked towards Daphne and stayed by her side at the barre. Then, Mrs. Ludsworth demonstrated the exercise sequence, and while she was doing that, both girls whispered.

Daphne: Velma, what are you doing here? I mean... there´s absolutely no problem about it, but... uh… well, I´ve never imagined that you could dance advanced ballet... or that you had some interest in dancing...

Velma: Daphne, I can´t dance, I hate dance, PLEASE HELP ME! I have no idea how I arrived at this place, or what the hell I am doing here! It's like I fell asleep yesterday, and five minutes later, I woke up dressed like this, by Melody´s side and…

Daphne: Haha, very funny! Now tell me the truth, who brought you here? I thought I´ve made it clear that you have stay at the mansion all the time!

Velma: Daph, this is the truth, I don't know how this happened! I don't know how I got here, or how I dressed these clothes, or…

Daphne: OH! Oh my God, is it the skirt from Penelope´s Giselle costume?

Velma: I don't even know who is Giselle!

Daphne: Jeepers, where did you find this? She won this skirt when she was Mariinsky's prima ballerina! If you like your cheekbones, please take it off immediately!

Velma: What is Mariinsky? I have no idea how this skirt appeared in my body, I…

Suddenly, Mrs. Ludsworth interrupted her explanations, made a loud noise with her throat and looked at Daphne and Velma.

Mrs. Ludsworth: Since you ladies consider that my explanation is not necessary, could you please come here and teach the exercises for the rest of the class?

Velma panicked and Daphne scowled at her while she muttered "see what you´ve done!". Embarrassed, Daphne walked with her head down to the center of the room, and Velma followed her. Despite being very scared, strangely, Velma knew what she should do. When Daphne started doing all the moves, Velma performed all the choreography without copying her friend. Mrs. Ludsworth got upset to see them doing all the moves correctly, so she let them go back to the barre. But halfway through it, Velma's voice echoed.

Velma: Very simple…

Immediately, all the girls looked at her, and in their eyes, it was possible to see that they were not only astonished, but also frightened.

Mrs. Ludsworth: What, Ms. Dinkley? Do you consider this choreography easy?

Velma: No, Mrs. Ludsworth...

Mrs. Ludsworth: Great, because…

Velma: …I said I consider it simple. In fact, very simple.

Another awkward silence took over the room and the frightened faces got worse. Daphne looked at Velma and muttered "what do you think you're doing?". Velma was in panic because she couldn't stop those words from coming out of her mouth.

Mrs. Ludsworth: Oh, very simple? Not bad for your first day, huh? Would you please give us a demonstration of how skilled you are at ballet?

Daphne shook her head many times, made many gestures meaning "no" with her hands, and muttered "don't do that!". However, again, Velma couldn't stop her mouth.

Velma: Sure, whatever you want…

The cheeky answer made an astonishment "oh!" echo through the dance room, and the other girls looked at each other in shock.

Mrs. Ludsworth: Ok… let´s try a variation. How about… hmm… Sugar Plum Fairy? "The prayer", from Coppelia? Or Kitri's variation during third act of Don Quixote? Which one do you prefer?

Velma: How about Giselle´s variation in the first act?

The sassy answer caused more astonishment noises. Daphne shook her head faster and begged Velma to stop immediately.

Mrs. Ludsworth: Well, like you said, "whatever you want". After all, you're wearing a Giselle´s costume, aren't you?

The teacher asked the girls to sit down and form a circle around Velma. Judy Jetson and Josie McCoy immediately grabbed their iPhones and started a video. Velma felt her legs tremble, and the anxiety in her chest was so great it made her feel nausea. Even so, she walked to the center of the room, positioned herself and… when the music started, strangely, she danced. She had no idea about what – and how – she should do it, but her arms and legs moved with perfect synchrony, and the leaps and pirouettes of the choreography were so perfect that they made the other students applaud. Velma finished the choreography gracefully and all the girls cheered. The perfect performance and the girls' enthusiasm irritated Mrs. Ludsworth deeply, so she asked them to shut up and return to the ballet barre. When Velma approached the barre, Daphne was so amazed that she looked like she had seen a ghost.

Daphne: How did you do that? Why didn't you ever tell me you dance so well?

Velma: I've never danced in my life! And I have no idea how I…

Daphne interrupted her friend and asked for silence. Velma understood that Daphne wanted to avoid another intervention from Mrs. Ludsworth, so she didn´t say a word for the next two hours. And, myteriously, she danced ballet in a perfect way.

_ When the ballet class finished, Velma removed her pointe shoes immediately. Strangely, she didn't feel uncomfortable wearing them, she just felt very ridiculous.

Judy: Hi! Your name is Velma, right?

Velma turned her head to find the source of the voice that was talking to her, and soon she realized it was Judy Jetson. Velma got surprised - after all, they study in the same class for 10 years and that was the first time they were talking to each other -, then, she nodded.

Judy: Cool. I'm Judy. I think we see each other at school for years, right? But, for some reason, we´ve never talked… anyway… yesterday was my 18th birthday and today I'm having a party at my house, everyone will be there… so… if you want to come, it will be nice to see you there...

Judy shyly handed Velma an invitation.

Judy: Oh, if you don't mind, I'll need your phone and a picture of you... it´s for my digital assistant Rosie, she will scan your face and identify you before letting you in…

Velma just nodded and told Judy a sequence of numbers. Then Judy took a picture of her face.

Judy: Perfect. The invitation´s QR Code is your access. The condo´s address is under it, but I think everyone knows where it is. My phone is on the back of it, if you need…

Velma: Thanks, sugar. See you there!

Judy smiled at her and left. When she joined the other girls, it was possible to hear her say "she said she will be there". Velma looked at Daphne in panic. She didn't know why she had said that.

Daphne: "Sugar?" Velma, what's going on with you? If you're making fun of me, you can stop right now because I´m scared!

Velma: Judy! Wait, honey-darlin´! I won't be there, I... I don't know why I´ve said that, I don't know what´s wrong with me!

Daphne: VELMA! It's not nice to imitate my cousin! I know her southern accent is a bit cartoonish, but she is always very kind with you!

Velma: Daphne, that's it! I was possessed by Penelope!

The phrase only made sense in Velma's head. As soon as she said that, she felt so stupid that she immediately took back what she´d said.

Velma: I know it sounds stupid, but somehow I slept in that mansion and I woke up exactly like Penelope! I can't explain, maybe some energy has influenced me, maybe Sneekly's soul is an obsessor and he has made me look like her just to attack me and…

Daphne: Velma, what I'm trying to say is: right now, I'm being the rational one, and you're believing in evil possessions… that's why I´m scared!

Velma: No! I dont believe in such things, sugar, it´s just that… look, don't you think it's weird that I'm here? Using these clothes, and having such habilities? How could I fake that dance? There is no rational explanation to the fact that I´ve become an amazing ballerina in less than 24 hours! Also: don't you think it's weird that these girls are inviting me to a party? Under normal circumstances, they wouldn't invite me even if I were the best dancer of Fifth Harmony!

Daphne: Okay, you convinced me when you´ve said: " there is no rational explanation". And when you showed that you know what Fifth Harmony was…

Velma: I´ve told you, sugar! Something very strange is going on, and you have to help me before I accept another stupid invitation!

Daphne: Ok, first of all, let's get out of here. Let´s change these clothes and pretend this has never happened. In the mansion, we call the boys and we try to find out what is making you behave in this way…

Velma: Ok, sugar.

Daphne: Just, please, don´t call me sugar!

Velma tried, but another "sugar" inevitably came out of her mouth and Daphne rolled her eyes. Then, she grabbed Velma´s wrist and dragged her into the changing room. There, Velma opened the locker and took her belongings out. Daphne watched that scene in shock.

Daphne: OMG, you´ve brought the pink Bvlgari! Penny is a Muay Thai champion, don´t you know? If she finds out that you wore the purse that was made specially for her, you´ll need a nose surgery…

Velma: Now you´re convinced that I am possessed? Or that I´m mentally sick? I would never wear this ridiculous purse, my sister's Barbie has better accessories!

Daphne: Great! Now you sound like you… please, keep criticizing, maybe it´ll encourage the real Velma to return…

Velma: And I would never, ever spend more than 50$ in a purse!

Daphne: Well, that´s awful… but it sounds like you… continue, please, don´t stop! Now say something about that boring thing you say all the time while talking about luxury brands… what´s the name? Surplus value?

Velma: Yes, surplus value! Third-world women earn less than $5 to produce this, and it was sold for $3000 here in US, can you see how unfair it is… sugar?

Daphne sighed when she heard another "sugar", and handed Velma her clothes, so she could change soon. However, when Velma saw the short white skirt, she resisted.

Velma: What? No! No way, I´m not wearing it!

Daphne: Velma, the skirt you're wearing is a very rare and expensive costume, you can't go out and walk on the streets with it!

Velma: And this white skirt lets the world see half of my butt, I just can't wear it, sugar!

Daphne: If one of the costume crystals go missing, Penelope will notice and, believe me, you won´t like her reaction… now, take it off! No one will notice you're wearing a miniskirt!

Velma sighed and dressed the white skirt. But when they left the dance academy, all male gazes focused on Velma's short outfits, and she glared angrily at Daphne while mumbling "No one will notice, right? ". Daphne smiled disconcertedly and patted her back to contain her fury.

Daphne: Relax, Vel! Boys are jerks, just ignore them…

Velma: I don't care about them! I'm worried about Shaggy, what will he think about it, sugar?

Daphne: Well, I think he'll like it...

Velma glared angrily at Daphne again, and she tried to contain her fury one more time.

Daphne: Relax, Vel… every girl has a short skirt moment… this is yours…

Velma: What will my parents think about it?

Daphne: Velma, it's just a short skirt, a stupid skirt, it's not a character certificate! How stupid is it to judge a girl by the clothes she wears? I thought I´d once heard you say its wrong, isnt it?

This time, Daphne got annoyed. And Velma got embarrassed by the comments she had made – and by the fact that she couldn´t recognize herself anymore. The awkward silence between them lasted until the arrival at the parking lot, when it was interrupted by Daphne´s horror interjections.

Daphne: Oh no, Velma! I can't believe you´ve done that!

Even thought she didn´t know exactly what she had done, Velma looked at her friend with embarrassment and guilt in her eyes.

Daphne: WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME YOU CAME HERE DRIVING THIS CAR?

Velma: Because I didn´t, duh! You know very well that I haven't gotten my driver's license yet!

Daphne: So how did this car manage do get here?

Velma: I don´t know! I have never seen this car in my life! I don't even have its keys!

The moment Velma said she didn't have the keys, Daphne snatched a pink keyring out of the pink Bvlgari purse and glared at Velma, who got embarrassed and lowered her eyes.

Daphne: There were two Lamborghinis, an Audi and a Porsche in that garage, all them 2022 editions, WHY THE HELL DID YOU HAVE TO CHOSE THIS ONE?

Velma: What's the matter? It´s quite old compared to the others, so its insurance must be very cheap… and its parts must be found at any junkyard around the city…

Daphne: VELMA, THIS CAR HAS A NAME!

Velma: "Old wreck"? My grandmother bought a car when she was 16 and she still drives it… and its newer than this one…

Daphne: No, stupid, this car is a rare Ferrari! By the way, the car´s pronouns aren't he/his, they're she/her! This is the damn Compact Pussycat! Penelope counts its mileage, she checks the tire treads, the oil level, and I bet she checks the fingerprints on the steering wheel too! She loves this car more than her own life, and now you're definitely in trouble!

Velma: Daphne, don´t freak out! Whatever stupid I´ve made with this car, I won't do it again! And we can solve it easily, let's call a tow truck and get it out of here safely. Then, we call the boys and we find a way to get the mileage back, like Ferris Bueller did in the movie… sugar…

Daphne: Sure, let's call a tow truck and let him slowly drive this car through all the streets of the city, so everyone will know it was taken out of the garage… have you lost your mind? This town is small and full of terrible gossips, if anyone sees this car, Penelope will know…

Velma: So, you drive…

Daphne: Are you crazy? The oldest car I have ever driven is a 2020 edition! It makes no noise, it has electric steering and it is so automatic that even a beaver could drive it… I won't take the risk of driving this old thing full of pedals, the noise of this car scares me! Plus, you need weight training to move this old steering…

Velma: So, let's call the boys!

Velma took her cell phone out of her purse and started dialing a sequence of numbers. Immediately, Daphne snatched the cell phone from her hands.

Daphne: NO! WE CAN´T DO THAT! The boys will freak out to see a rare car, and they will certainly tell someone about it. We have to get out of here as soon as possible, so you´d better drive... if you were able to drive in heels, I think this crazy mental illness will make you drive back to Pitstop Manor safely…

Velma didn´t like to hear that, but Daphne didn't care about it and took the passenger´s seat of the car. Angrily, Velma opened the door and faced the driver's seat.

Velma: I can´t believe you are more concerned about the safety of this stupid car! What about our lives? I´ve already told you I don't know how to drive, sugar!

While Velma was saying "I don't know how to drive ", she started the car, put it into the reverse gear and exited the parking spot perfectly. Daphne smiled at her and said " voilà! ". Velma couldn't believe what her arms and legs were doing, but Daphne encouraged her to continue. Immediately, Daphne fastened her seat belt.

Daphne: Don't forget your seat belt! This old crap doesn't beep if your seat belt is not fastened... and, believe me, if you drive like Penny, you won't want to forget it...

Velma got worried and fastened her belt tightly. Some minutes after, she felt grateful that she had done that, because she decided to show Daphne how that macchina stupenda could acchieve 62mph in less than 9 seconds.