It had been a long time since Lucy van Pelt had gone to a real psychiatrist, and after remembering the reason she would keep pulling the football away from Charlie Brown; Charlie Brown saying that little girls didn't belong on the football field when they were even younger. Lucy decided to let Linus coddle his blanket all he wanted, allow Snoopy to show affection for her all he wanted, and never to belittle Charlie Brown again and only pull the football away from him for fun, and not out of malice. And after one final football gag, Lucy set out to change for the better.
By the time she had reached her middle school years, Lucy had become a better person. She and Charlie Brown had gone on better terms than ever, she became more endearing towards Linus, and lost her hatred for Snoopy. However, one thing Lucy wasn't cured of was being lovesick for Schroeder.
However, some of the classes Lucy attended during her first middle school years where she wasn't with Schroeder, she would share them with another boy. One cooking class, when Lucy and her class were to be baking a cake, there was a new boy attending the class. The boy looked very handsome to her. Lucy was already smitten with him.
"He….. He's handsome!" Lucy thought. "If Schroeder doesn't choose me as the love of his life, then hopefully this boy will take me."
"Would you like to introduce yourself?" asked Mr. Barber.
"I would be delighted." said the boy. "My name is Sebastian Moreno. We just moved in. I play the guitar."
"Sebastian…." Lucy sighed dreamily. "What a handsome name!"
On Beethoven's birthday that year, Schroeder had invited any girl he could to his house to celebrate his idol's birthday and so he could decide, and Lucy had decided to come in case Schroeder would choose her as the love of his life. But Lucy's life had turned upside-down when Schroeder chose Mary Stewart as the love of his life. Lucy went home after the party had ended, and landed on her bed, feeling dejected. Rerun walked up to his big sister.
"Lucy?" Rerun asked. "What's wrong?"
"I don't wanna talk about it." Lucy said.
"Okay." Rerun said, stepping out of his sister's room.
After the new year had started, Lucy had decided to start working on her New Year's resolutions she had planned. One of those was to get a new love interest.
"Get a new love interest." Lucy said to herself. "If I can't have Schroeder, then I'll have to find another boy."
The next time the Van Pelts needed to go shopping, they didn't hesitate to go down the fruit and vegetable aisle.
"Lucy?" said Lianne, Lucy's mother. "Why the healthy aisle?"
"If I want to start fresh, then eating well is one of my cues." Lucy said.
So that was what happened. Lucy began to diet. She would eat fruits and cereal for breakfast, a strawberry jam sandwich for lunch, and from Sundays to Thursdays, normal salad for dinner and fruit salad for dessert.
"I don't believe it!" exclaimed Linus.
"Our big sister, eating better than ever!" Rerun added.
However, Lucy didn't overdo her diet. She decided to have fast food for dinner on Fridays, meat dinners on Saturdays, and sugary desserts like ice cream on Fridays and Saturdays.
Soon, Lucy started to sport a slimmer figure, but not exactly hourglass. She looked at herself in the mirror one day after her healthy diet.
"Lucy van Pelt, looking fab!" she said to herself.
After gaining that figure, Lucy and her mother went clothes shopping to get some new clothes most of which were blue shirts, skivvies and jackets as blue was her favourite colour, skirts of all different colours, trousers and jeans in case her legs got cold on cold days, and some new pairs of shoes and boots, some pairs of which were blue, some pairs of shoes and boots she got were red, her favourite colour apart from blue.
"Are you sure you want these clothes and shoes?" asked Lianne.
"I'm very sure, Mom." said Lucy. "Anything for my new beginning."
Soon enough, Lucy had enough clothes that would help her stand out from the crowd.
As Lucy arrived in her homeroom at Sparkyville Middle Schoo one dayl, everyone looked at her admiringly.
"Lucy! Looking slim, I see." said Schroeder.
"Thanks, Schroeder." said Lucy.
"Looking good, Lucille!" Peppermint Patty said, giving her a thumbs up.
"Thanks, Patty." said Lucy. "Just a New Year's resolution I'm following."
"Lucy, have you been eating well?" Charlie Brown asked.
"I sure have, Charlie Brown." said Lucy. "Hopefully some guys will be coming after me."
"That's only maybe." said Charlie Brown to himself, remembering the bad reputation Lucy had built in her days as a kid, though Lucy's crabbiness was partly his fault.
During lunch that day, Lucy looked at Mary Stewart disdainfully, all because she had Schroeder and she didn't. But as she was about to eat, walking over to her was the very boy she admired who wasn't Schroeder; Sebastian Moreno.
Oh….. hello." said Lucy.
"H.. h… hi." said Sebastian. "Lucy van Pelt, is it?"
Sebastian looked at Lucy admiringly.
"May I help you with something?" asked Lucy.
"You wouldn't mind if I sat with you for lunch today, would you?" asked Sebastian.
"Go ahead." Lucy replied.
"Thanks." said Sebastian.
So Sebastian took his seat and Lucy looked over towards him.
"What's eating you lately, Lucy?" asked Sebastian.
"You see…." Lucy said. "For many years, I've been lovesick for Schroeder, but ever since he fell for Mary Stewart, my life had turned upside-down."
"Oh. I see." said Sebastian. "If it makes you feel any better, would you like to come over to my house after school?"
Lucy was beside herself with disbelief. She only had her heart for Schroeder for years, but because Mary got him, Lucy was most surprised some other boy wanted her attention.
"Yes I will." Lucy said.
"Great." said Sebastian.
After school that day, Lucy and Sebastian were walking together.
"Now to show you my house." said Sebastian. "You'll like it there."
When Lucy and Sebastian arrived at the Moreno place, much to Lucy's surprise…
"Such an elegant place. How do your folks afford this place?" asked Lucy.
"Not sure. Don't ask me how the economy works." said Sebastian.
"Big Brother!" called a voice.
The voice belonged to a little girl, who had long brown hair and was dressed in a cyan sleeveless shirt, a cyan flouncy pleated skirt and black Mary Jane shoes.
"And is this your little sister?" Lucy asked.
"Lucy. I'd very much like to have you meet Catalina." said Sebastian.
"Aren't you a cute one!" Lucy said.
"Cat, I'd like to have you meet Lucy." Sebastian replied.
Lucy got down and hugged Catalina. Catalina hugged her back, knowing Lucy was already close friends with her big brother.
"Come play!" said Catalina. "Let's do dress up!"
"Maybe later." said Sebastian. "Lucy, would you like to come up to my room?"
"I'd be glad to." Lucy said.
Sebastian brought Lucy up to his bedroom, and Sebastian got out a guitar.
"Wait a minute! You mean you like to play the guitar?!" Lucy cried.
"I sure do." said Sebastian.
"You know who you remind me of?" asked Lucy.
"No. Who?" asked Sebastian.
"You remind me of….. Ah, it's not important." said Lucy.
"Want me to play you a tune?" asked Sebastian.
"Please do." said Lucy.
And that was what Sebastian did. He picked a nice little tune and Lucy listened. After a few minutes…..
"You play the guitar so beautifully." Lucy smiled. "So fascinating."
"Thank you." said Sebastian. "Want me to play some more?"
"I'd love to." said Lucy. "But I'd better get home now. Maybe same time tomorrow?"
"Fine by me." said Sebastian. "Goodbye."
Lucy was on her way home, feeling satisfied there was a boy who wasn't Schroeder who was taking an interest in her.
Lucy arrived home and as she got there, she saw her little brothers.
"And where were you?" asked Linus.
"I was at a friend's place." smiled Lucy.
"You didn't go to Schroeder's, did you?" asked Linus.
"Nope." said Lucy. "I went to Sebastian's."
"Who's Sebastian?" asked Rerun.
"He's a kid who recently came to our middle school." Lucy said.
Then she talked about how well Sebastian played the guitar. Linus was intrigued.
"So you found another boy who plays a musical instrument." said Rerun.
"He sure does." said Lucy. "And I can't get enough of it."
And Lucy went up to her bedroom and landed on her bed. She spent the rest of the evening thinking about Sebastian.
The next day, Lucy came into school. The other students in her homeroom looked puzzled by her sentimental look.
"What's with Lucy?" Schroeder asked Charlie Brown.
"I don't know." said Charlie Brown. "Never have I seen her act like this without your involvement."
Schroeder looked away and smirked.
"At least Lucy won't ever go after me again." he thought.
Tommy walked in, and took his seat. He was confused about Lucy's sentimental look. He turned to Linus.
"Linus. Was Lucy always this sentimental?" asked Tommy.
"She's usually like this towards Schroeder. I guess she's no longer acting like this ever since Beethoven's birthday last year."
"Oh yeah." said Tommy. "Schroeder chose Mary over her."
Peppermint Patty arrived, and she was most intrigued by Lucy's face.
"Lucille. Are you alright?" asked Peppermint Patty.
"Sebastian…." Lucy swooned.
"O….kay." said Peppermint Patty as she took her seat.
"What's with Lucille, Marcie?" asked Peppermint Patty.
"She seems to be infatuated with a new boy, Sir." said Marcie.
"That used to be me towards Chuck." sighed Peppermint Patty. "but ever since Heather came into the picture, he paid more attention to her, but then I decided, you know what. Heather can have Chuck, especially when I now have Pete."
"You have your way with boys, don't you, Sir?" asked Marcie.
Lunch time had arrived, and Tommy, who had finished his lunch, went to sit on a bench, thinking all about what was up with Lucy. Frieda walked up to him.
"Something on your mind, Tommy?" asked Frieda.
"It's Lucy." said Tommy. "She seems to be in a sentimental mood."
"The way I saw it," said Frieda. "Lucy's been spending more time with Sebastian."
Tommy thought and thought…
"You know what I'm thinking," said Tommy. "Lucy really likes this Sebastian."
"I think maybe she does." said Frieda.
Lucy just walked by, and overheard Frieda and Tommy's conversation.
"My ears are burning!" Lucy said.
"I wasn't talking about you, Lucy." Frieda fibbed.
"Just minding my own business." Tommy fibbed too.
"Oh really." said Lucy.
"You know," said Frieda, turning back to Tommy. "You are so cute when you're like that."
Tommy, seeing Frieda with lovey dovey eyes, and tickling his chin, just blushed.
"Aw, Frieda! Not in front of Lucy!"
"Let her watch." said Frieda as she prepared to kiss him, only for Lucy to notice…..
"Lunch time's over! It's class time!" Lucy called.
"Phew! Saved by the bell!" said Tommy.
Lucy returned to Sebastian's house that day, and she was most surprised to see…..
"Sebastian! You didn't tell me you had pets!" Lucy said.
"I do." said Sebastian, showing her his bird and dog. "This is my parrot Royal, and my dog Kiki."
"Aw, aren't you cuties?" said Lucy.
"Rack! Aren't you cuties?" mimicked Royal.
"Wait! Say that again!" Lucy cried.
"Rack! Say that again!" Royal copied.
"Royal's trained to talk like that." said Sebastian. "You know how parrots are."
Lucy then turned to Kiki.
"Hello there, Kiki." said Lucy. "Shake."
Kiki picked up her front right paw and Lucy shook it.
"Wow! Sebastian! You have a normal dog!"
"Yeah. What do you mean normal dog?" asked Sebastian.
"You know Charlie Brown?" asked Lucy. "He has a dog who hardly ever acts like a normal dog. Snoopy's his name."
"So a dog who doesn't act like a normal dog." said Sebastian. "This I gotta see."
After school next day, Lucy brought Sebastian over to the Browns' house. Lucy knocked on the door, and Sally opened it.
"Oh. Hey, Lucy." said Sally.
"Hey, Sally." said Lucy. "Is Charlie Brown home?"
"Yes." said Sally. "Big Brother! Your friends are here!"
Charlie Brown came to the door.
"Oh. Hey, Lucy." said Charlie Brown. "And you must be Sebastian."
"I am." said Sebastian.
"I see you've been doing a lot together lately." said Charlie Brown. "Say, are you by any chance…?"
"Dating? Don't be ridiculous!" laughed Lucy. "Why would I date Sebastian?"
"What Lucy means is we're just getting acquainted some more." said Sebastian.
"But what are you doing here anyway?" asked Charlie Brown.
"I've brought Sebastian here to see Snoopy." said Lucy.
"He's out back." said Charlie Brown.
Lucy and Sebastian went out back and saw Snoopy playing cards with Woodstock.
"Huh?" Snoopy said.
"Playing cards, I see." said Sebastian. "That's one piece of evidence he's not a normal dog."
"Oh there's more to him than meets the eye." said Lucy.
Lucy turned to Snoopy.
"Snoopy, Shake."
Snoopy got down and handed Lucy a strawberry milkshake.
"Not what I meant, but a strawberry milkshake sounds nice right about now." said Lucy.
Sebastian chuckled.
"Okay, Snoopy." said Sebastian. "Sit."
Snoopy got out a deckchair and sat down.
"Not what I had in mind." chuckled Sebastian.
"See what I mean?" asked Lucy. "He's not a normal dog, yet Charlie Brown wants a normal dog like everyone else."
Charlie Brown came outside to see what was going on.
"Do you like Snoopy?" asked Charlie Brown.
"Charlie Brown, your dog is amazing!" said Sebastian. "Lucy tells me you'd rather have a normal dog like everyone else, and I don't see why you'd rather have one. Snoopy's perfect."
"Oh, good grief!" sighed Charlie Brown.
Wally, Charlie Brown's little brother, walked outside.
"Who are you talking to, Big Bwother?" asked Wally.
"Wally. I want you to meet Sebastian." said Charlie Brown. "He goes to my school."
"Hi." said Wally.
"Hello, Wally." said Sebastian. "Charlie Brown, you mean to say you have both a brother and a sister? Well, I only have one sister. Her name is Catalina."
"Okay." said Charlie Brown. "Can't wait to see her one day."
Valentine's Day was drawing closer, and by this point in time, Lucy had gotten closer and closer to Sebastian.
"You fascinate me." Lucy said to Sebastian one day.
Sebastian blushed at this.
"Oh. Well….. what can I get for Schroeder for Valentine's Day?" asked Lucy.
"Why don't you ask Schroeder?" asked Sebastian.
"Okay." said Lucy.
Meanwhile, Schroeder was sitting at his piano.
"I wonder what to get her for Valentine's Day?"
Of course Schroeder was thinking about Mary Stewart. He was planning to get something special for Mary. Just then, the doorbell rang.
"Hopefully that's Mary at the door." Schroeder thought to himself.
But it wasn't. It happened to by Lucy.
"Oh, good grief!" sighed Schroeder. "Hopefully she won't talk to me about love again!"
But Schroeder had to give up his hopes.
"Schroeder." said Lucy. "Since Valentine's Day is drawing closer, I've gotten the neatest idea yet."
"Oh, don't tell me." said Schroeder. "You want me to get you an engagement ring and…."
"About that." said Lucy. "I suggest you dump that blonde, and look for someone with black hair like….. moi?"
"Forget it, Lucy." said Schroeder.
And Schroeder tried to pull his piano up, but to no avail. The piano was far too heavy.
"Nice try!" smirked Lucy.
"Rats!" Schroeder groaned.
Lucy returned to Sebastian, and….
"What did he say?" asked Sebastian.
"He didn't want anything from me, sadly." said Lucy.
"I know that feel." said Lucy.
Lucy turned away from the other girls, feeling left out, mainly because of how she herself doesn't have a boyfriend.
"Go on! Keep your Schroeder!" pouted Lucy. "I didn't wanna marry you anyway!"
Lucy got off her seat and walked away, and suddenly, she bumped into a boy.
"Oh. Sorry…. Sebastian?!"
And there he way, the boy Lucy had been spending a lot of time with lately.
"Hey, Lucy." said Sebastian.
"You okay?" asked Lucy.
"I've never felt better." said Sebastian. "What's wrong with you?"
"I'm feeling a bit….. left out." said Lucy sadly.
Sebastian had an idea.
"Lucy." said Sebastian. "How would you like to spend Valentine's Day with me?"
Lucy thought for a moment. No boy had ever asked her out on a date let alone a valentine date.
"Sebastian…." Lucy said.
"Yes?" asked Sebastian.
"It's a date!"
And Lucy walked off with a broad grin.
Lucy arrived home later that day, still wearing her broad grin. Linus eyed his big sister with confusion.
"Why are you in such a grand mood, Lucy?" asked Linus.
"I… I….." Lucy said. "I have a date!"
"Got Schroeder from Mary?" asked Linus.
"Nope." said Lucy. "You know that Sebastian?"
"Wait a minute! Don't tell me….." Linus said.
"That's right!" said Lucy. "He put me on Cloud 9!"
"Happy for you, Lucy." said Linus. "Happy for you."
When Lucy went up to her room, Linus went to make a phone call to Charlie Brown.
"Linus?" said Charlie Brown.
"Hey, Charlie Brown." said Linus. "Lucy came home with a big grin."
"What would that have to do with?"
"Sebastian's asked her out on a valentine date."
"Wow!" said Charlie Brown.
"I know!" said Linus. "It's new love for Lucy, Charlie Brown."
Valentine's Day had finally arrived, and Lucy was at her place. She decided to dress in something more cozy and love-themed. She put on a blue headband, and put on gold earrings, a blue skivvy, black jeans, and red boots with inch heels. Linus came into his sister's room, and noticed his sister.
"And she's wearing her best hairband." thought Linus. "And she's wearing her red boots. Red, my favourite colour."
Lucy turned to Linus.
"Hey, Lucy!" said Linus. "Going on a valentine date, I see."
"I sure am, Little Brother." said Lucy. "You know that Sebastian kid?"
"Yes, Big Sister." said Linus.
"He's taking me out!" Lucy grinned. "Tell you what. You enjoy your date with Janice."
"Thanks, Lucy." Linus said as he went into his room to change into his best outfit.
"Oh, wait until Sebastian sees me in this outfit!" smiled Lucy.
Lucy sat on the sofa, waiting for Sebastian to arrive.
"Hey, Lucy." said Lianne, her mother. "Looking fabulous tonight."
"Thanks, Mom." said Lucy. "Got a date."
"Happy for you, Lucy." said Lianne.
Before Lianne could finish her sentence, a ring of the doorbell was heard.
"Oh! It's him!" Lucy said excitedly.
"Enjoy yourself." said Lianne.
Lucy answered the door, and there…..
"Sebastian!" said Lucy.
"Hello, Lucy." said Sebastian. "Look what I brought you."
Sebastian pulled out a bouquet of blue flowers.
"Blue flowers!" Lucy said as Sebastian handed them to her. "They're beautiful! And they're blue, my favourite colour!"
"And mine too." said Sebastian. "Well, second favourite anyway. My favourite is green."
Sebastian looked at Lucy's outfit, and noticed her earrings and her boots.
"And I see you decided on boots tonight."
"Yeah." said Lucy. "Went with the red ones, my favourite colour besides blue."
"That's the way." Sebastian said. "Come on. I'm taking you to a place you've never been before."
So Sebastian and Lucy walked together. The heels on Lucy's boots clicked on the path. Sebastian looked at Lucy with love in his eyes.
"So where are we going to first?" asked Lucy.
"How about a romantic movie?" suggested Sebastian.
"Oh, I've always wanted to see one!" Lucy smiled. "I had wanted Schroeder to take me to one, but he never obliged."
"Then I'll oblige to this." said Sebastian.
So Sebastian and Lucy arrived at the cinema downtown Sparkyville. Right in front of them were Franklin and Marcie.
"Hey, Lucille." said Marcie.
"Hey, Sebastian." said Franklin.
"So you finally found a date, Lucille." said Marcie.
"I sure have." said Lucy. "Didn't have to look far after all."
"Hope you enjoy the movie you're seeing tonight." said Franklin.
"Thanks." said Sebastian. "Since I asked Lucy out, I get to pay."
"You'll do that for me?" asked Lucy happily.
And Lucy clung to Sebastian's left arm, smiling sweetly.
Right behind Lucy and Sebastian walked Charlie Brown and Heather Wold.
"Lucy? Is that you?" Charlie Brown asked.
Lucy turned behind.
"Oh. Hey, Charlie Brown." said Lucy.
"Lucy." said Heather Wold. "Is that Sebastian?"
"He sure is." said Lucy. "He's taking me on a date Schroeder could've taken me on."
"I'm sure you'll enjoy yourselves." said Heather Wold.
Later, in the cinema, Lucy watched with interest.
"Awwwww!" Sebastian and Lucy said endearingly.
A couple of hours later, Lucy and Sebastian walked out of the cinema.
"Such a romantic movie I'll have to say." said Lucy.
"Was it ever." said Sebastian. "Come on. I'm taking you to the new Italian restaurant."
"This date gets better and better." Lucy said to herself.
On their way, Lucy and Sebastian met Peppermint Patty and Pierre.
"Oh. Bonjour, Sebastian, Lucille." said Pierre.
"Ole, Amigo." said Sebastian.
"Hey, Patty." Lucy said.
"Looking sharp and lovely, Lucille." said Peppermint Patty.
"Thanks, Patty." said Lucy.
"So where are you two going?" asked Peppermint Patty.
"Sebastian's taking me to an Italian restaurant." said Lucy.
"Hope you like it there." said Peppermint Patty. "Pete's taking me to the French restaurant. Isn't that right, Pete?"
"Oui, Peppermint." said Pierre.
Lucy and Sebastian arrived at the Italian restaurant where…
"Say, I don't see Tommy or Frieda anywhere." said Lucy. "I thought he said he planned on bringing Frieda on their valentine date here."
"Don't worry about it." said Sebastian. "Let's enjoy what's on the menu."
"Lucy looked at the menu…"
"Let's order the fish." said Sebastian.
"I could do with some fish." smiled Lucy. "As I wish."
Later, Sebastian and Lucy were brought a large fish for their romantic dinner. Lucy held up a glass of root beer, and Sebastian held his.
"What do you say, Sebastian?" asked Lucy. "Cheers to new love?"
"Cheers to new love, Lucy." Sebastian said as both he and Lucy clunk their glasses together.
After their dinner, Sebastian brought Lucy home.
"Did you like our date, Lucy?" asked Sebastian.
"Oh, it's not over yet." said Lucy. "Let's go over to your place."
"I'd very much like that." said Sebastian.
But on their way, Tommy walked up, smart suit, and worried, walked by.
"Oh. Hey, Lucy. Hey, Sebastian." said Tommy.
"Hi, Tommy." said Lucy.
"Hey." said Sebastian.
"Hold on." said Tommy. "You mean to tell me….?"
"That's right, Tommy." smiled Lucy. "Sebastian is my new maestro."
"Maestro?" Sebastian said. "You mean?"
"That's right." said Lucy. "He's my new boyfriend."
Lucy leaned up and kissed Sebastian's right cheek, causing Sebastian to blush bright red.
"At least Schroeder won't have to deal with Lucy anymore." smiled Tommy.
"Say, where's Frieda?" asked Lucy.
"Frieda's….. missing." said Tommy. "We were supposed to date tonight and she hasn't arrived!"
"Well, she might turn up. Goodbye, Tommy." said Sebastian as he took Lucy home.
At last, Lucy and Sebastian arrived at the Moreno place. Catalina saw them.
"Hey, Big Brother." said Catalina.
"Hey, Cat." said Sebastian. "Brought Lucy home."
And both Sebastian and Lucy went up to Sebastian's room, and Sebastian changed out of his suit, got out his guitar, and played his guitar. Lucy listened in delight.
"Sebastian." said Lucy. "This has been the best date I have ever been on."
"Best date you've been on so far." said Sebastian.
"So far?" said Lucy. "You mean?"
"Yes." said Sebastian. "I've been a bit nervous to say this before, but….. but…"
"Yes?"
"I love you, Lucy van Pelt!"
"Oh, Sebastian!" said Lucy. "I hoped Schroeder would say this to me, but at least a boy who isn't my brothers said it. I love you, Sebastian!"
And Lucy wrapped her arms around Sebastian to hug him, and Sebastian hugged her back.
A day after Emerald was suspended for what she'd done to Frieda, Violet and Patty Swanson, everyone was shocked to hear that the only punishment Emerald had received was a fortnight suspension from school. Lucy on the other hand spoke all about her valentine date.
"So how was your date, Lucy?" asked Schroeder.
"The best I've ever been on!" smiled Lucy. "Sebastian even let me into his house to listen to his music."
"At least you won't be coming to my place anymore." said Schroeder. "At least not for my music or talking about love."
"No indeed, Schroeder." said Lucy. "I've got my own new love, and my new love is Sebastian."
"Wow." said Janice. "Lucy's taking this so well."
"That's the new and improved Lucy van Pelt." Linus said.