Chapter 3: The Roommate.
"He's my conscience. He tells me what's right and wrong." - Pinocchio
Puppetta sat at her desk getting a yellow notebook out. The teacher then walked in. "Morning class. Today we're going to start off with a few problems." She writes them on the board.
A baker made 5 apple pies for a party. Each pie was cut into s slices. The 30 guests including the host ate one slice each. How many slices did each pie have?
A carriage travels from A to B at a speed of 40 mph and then returns, using the same road, from B to A at a speed of 60 mph. What is the average speed for the round trip?
A fairy planted 8 strawberry plants. She needed s more plants to finish the row. Each row had 13 plants. How many plants are needed to finish the row?
Puppetta writes them in her notebook. She didn't like word problems, but these didn't seem too hard. A couple of students threw wads of paper at her. Puppetta ignored them and continued to work. If you ignore them, they will keep digging at you. Stand up for yourself, they'll retaliate. There is no way out once you're a target.
"Oh Puppetta, I nearly forgot; the headmistress wants to see you." Said the teacher, the other students looked at Puppetta like she was in trouble. Worried, the daughter of Pinocchio gets up from her seat and heads to Fairy Godmother's office. Did she unknowingly break a rule? Was someone trying to get her in trouble? The latter would be ridiculous due to her being unable to lie. If she gets accused, she can just say she didn't do it and her nose won't grow. She most likely did something she didn't know was wrong. But what could it have been? She hoped she got expelled. Being homeschooled didn't sound too bad.
Puppetta sat in the office messing with her unicorn charm bracelet. Another gift her older brother sent her. The office made her a little uncomfortable. There were motivational posters everywhere, and the color scheme of the room consisted of light blues, pinks, and whites. Puppetta knew the atmosphere was supposed to be welcoming. But she saw it more as, "Be good or else". The Headmistress looked at her with a warm and bright smile. That smile annoyed Puppetta.
"Puppetta...recently there are some kids from the Isle coming to adjust to Auradon's ways…" She began. Some? The only VKs she heard of arriving here were obviously Carlos, Evie, Jay, and Mal. Who would forget? But also Freddie and CJ. She has not heard about anyone else. But then again she rarely gets involved with school gossip because most of the time she feels like the students were talking about her.
"And we figured someone with your kind and honest nature would be a wonderful influence for someone who has lived over there." Puppetta wondered what the headmistress meant by, "we".
"I'm getting a roommate?" She asked.
"Yes! You will be a fantastic help! You're the type of friend children of villains need. You are truthful, loyal, and thoughtful."
Puppetta doubted that a villain kid would like her. Auradon kids don't even like her. Who would want to be friends with a girl who grew up in Villaggio and whose father is a toymaker? She'd bore them. She thought about Jenny. Why wasn't she assigned to be roommates with a villain kid? She would make a nice conscience. But then Puppetta realized she was already roommates with Fauna's daughter, Fawn. Still, thinking about Jenny being a conscience to a villain kid made her want to giggle. As for being truthful. She had no choice. It would be nice to lie sometimes. Like if something embarrassing happened to you and you don't feel like talking about it? Just lie. If you accidentally missed an event that you were supposed to go to? Just lie. Have a secret party planned for your best friend? Lie so you won't spoil the surprise.
"I've been watching you Puppetta. You could use a friend as well." That made Puppetta wonder if the headmistress saw the other students being mean to her but yet did nothing about it. Puppetta only answers with a nod. Fairy Godmother clapped. "So, it's settled! We'll let you know when she arrives!" Puppetta smiled shyly. "Don't worry Puppetta. I know you'll be a wonderful help." Said the headmistress. The daughter of Pinocchio remained silent waiting to be dismissed. "You can go back to class now."
Puppetta got up and left the office. When she went back to class she saw a fake nose in her chair. Did the teacher not see who did this? Or did they see it and just didn't care? She brushed off the nose and sat down.
"So how bad was it?" Whispered Rosemary. Rosemary is the daughter of the famous detective Basil. She is a tall and lanky mousey-looking girl with curly light brown hair. She will occasionally talk to Puppetta for a bit. But Pupetta preferred keeping her distance away from her. Rosemary was sarcastic most of the time, and whenever she spoke there was always a rude undertone in her voice. She also asked a lot of nosey questions. Probably a trait from being a daughter of a detective.
"It could have been worse. They want me to be roommates with a villain kid." Puppetta whispered back.
"How can anything be worse than that? They might steal your stuff. Or plot something against you." Rosemary said. Puppetta just rolled her eyes. "So, do you know who they are?"
"I don't."
"When are you going to find out?"
"I don't know," Puppetta said.
"Do you know when they're coming?"
"When they tell me." She said, getting annoyed with the questions.
"What else did they tell you?"
Puppetta looked at her like she was telling her, "shut up." Rosemary rolled her eyes and went back to work. After school, Puppetta was in the school's kitchen making cannolis. A welcome gift for her roommate. Even though she thought the roommate wouldn't like her. She really did want to befriend her. Not to brag or anything. Puppetta's father always told her how important it was for a person to grow up with positive influences. Besides, cooking helped take her mind off of things.
"Hey Puppetta?" Asked a boy. He had fair skin, blonde hair, blue eyes. He wore a yellow shirt with a blue sweater vest khaki pants and blue and yellow shoes. It was Jimmy.
"Yeah, can I help you?" she asked.
"Can I eat a cannoli? They're amazing." Puppetta giggles.
"Sure thing. Just one though. They're for my roommate" She gave him one.
"You're getting a roommate?" He asked.
Puppetta nodded, "Yeah, it's my first time having a roommate. I'm making these cannolis as a sort of 'welcome to the dorm' gift. I hope she likes them."
Jimmy took a bite of the cannoli and smiled. "These are incredible! Your roommate is in for a treat."
Puppetta appreciates the compliment. "Thanks, Jimmy. I really hope so. I just want things to be good between us, you know?"
Jimmy nodded, understanding Puppetta's desire to create a positive atmosphere. "I'm sure she'll appreciate your efforts. Being a good roommate is about understanding and supporting each other. You've got a big heart, Puppetta." Encouraged by Jimmy's words, Puppetta continued with her cooking, hoping that her homemade cannolis would be the start of a sweet friendship with her new roommate. As Puppetta continued to prepare the cannolis, the aroma of sweet pastries filled the kitchen. She hummed "I got no strings", finding solace in the rhythmic motions of baking. Jimmy lingered, watching her with a warm smile. "Wow, Puppetta. You're doing great." He remarked.
Puppetta felt flustered, she could feel the heat rise to her cheeks. "Oh thank you..." She trailed off not sure what to say.
Jimmy took another bite of his cannoli. "So who's your roommate? Is she a princess too?" Puppetta shook her head.
"I don't know. They didn't tell me who her parents are." She answered him.
"Really? That's strange. I wonder why." Jimmy said.
"I'm not sure." Puppetta replied as, she finished preparing the cannolis. She placed them in a box, along with a few cookies.
"Well good luck on meeting her. I hope you guys bond, because I am sure the two of you will be very good friends." Puppetta blushed harder at Jimmy's remark. Jimmy smiled at her again before leaving the kitchen.
Puppetta walked back into her room holding her container of baked goods. She said down and looked down at her cat Fiona playing with her shoes. Puppetta reached down to give her furry friend a gentle pat. Fiona responded with a contented purr, seemingly approving of the attention. Puppetta sighed, feeling a bit more at ease in her dorm room. As she unboxed the container of baked goods, the sweet scent of cannolis filled the air.
"I hope my roommate enjoys these cannolis. I want to make our new dorm feel like a cozy place." Puppetta mused, talking to Fiona as if she understood every word.
Puppetta closed the box delicious treats prepared for her roommate and set them on her desk. Puppetta laid across her bed and settled into the idea that her dorm could be a space filled with warmth, friendship, and the delightful aroma of homemade cannolis.