As I lay in bed, in my Baby pink and baby blue Room with cute "cupcake n' pastry" stickers on the wall and my bookshelf, filled with cute girly comic volumes and cook books. "How will this FABLE stuff turn out?" I grab my backpack and start on my homework. I want a friend to do homework with like on TV. Bonnie is in 9th grade and I'm too shy to ask Lyrical to study with me. We're in the same class, too, but I'd feel really annoying. Besides, him, Devon'te and Mary-Anne study together in the basement almost day except on Thursdays and Fridays. I wonder if having friends is as fun as it sounds?

-------------------------------------------------

At school, I listen in class well and I ask a lot of questions, so my teachers seem to love me. Unfortunately, Monarchy , doesn't necessarily love me. My couples performance is called "Unexplored Innocence" because my director, Tammy, (or so he calls himself), said I have an innocent face and overall mannerisms. I told him my Mother doesn't let me watch PG-13 movies, so I'm pretty pure. He laughed then told me I’d be perfect for the character, Mary-Anne. Which is funny because, most people named Bernadette, are named after a famous woman who acted according to Virgin Mary. Isn't that perfect for this role? Anyway, he told me to keep my naturally innocent face the entire performance except when he says not to. Mary-Anne is a innocent, confused, and graceful girl who is overly sheltered but she wants to find love. I can relate to her 'cause I'm overly sheltered and confused, so we're going through the same stuff which made it fun to get into character!

During pratice, Monarchy said I'm too slow and need to keep my neck straight and other things like that. One time he came on the ice and lifted my leg up when it was too low. I felt so embarrassed and a terrible athelet the way he had talked to me, but as I leave he said,

"Good job today, Bernardette, your more advanced than I thought you would be."

Then left.

I didn't trust that guy after acting all ticked off the entire time. Anyway, after my practice, I watched Lyrical practice his performance,

"Lyrical is so graceful and passionate, just like when we were kids..." I thought.

Feeling overwhelmed with admiration, I clapped really loudly and brought unwanted attention to myself.

"How did you get here anyway?" I turn to my side and it was some guy and two other girls glaring at me. "It's like totally weird how fast you got on the team. Are you and Monarchy like, related or something?" He said. I stared at him for a while, because I was shocked at how feminine he sounded. He reminded me of Florence.

"Are you blonde or something? We're talking to you!"

I started to say something but Lyrical came looking annoyed. "Back off." He barked at them, standing beside me. "Fine, whatever. We weren't even doing anything to her..." he said taking his friends with him.

"Pay them no mind, okay?" Lyrical said, " I know how sensitive you can be." Lyrical pat my head. "I'm about to go home, could you drive me?"

"I can't," he said, "going to work after practice. Just use your Gps on your phone this time, okay?"

Lyrical said, petting and ruining my hair. I nodded. Lyrical works at a clothing store at the mall. I thought about the clearance from the back to school sell that was probably there... "Can I come with you?"

------------------------------------------------'

They get a lot more costumers now that he's there. The girls mostly come for him. Since Lyrical is a sweet talker, he tells the costumers what they want to here such as, "You'll look really cute in that." And other things on the inappropriate side. I ran into the shop and saw the back-to-school sell! The sale had mini skirts and dress shirts and cute backpacks and cupcake notebooks! I ran to the notebooks and gasped at how cute they were!

"More cupcakes, princess?" Chase said from behind me.

"What are you talking about?" A girl giggled at Chase's random sounding question. I turn around and saw Melody and Chase.

"Hi." I bearly said.

"Hey. You shopping?" Chase asked.

"Yes." I mumbled.

I tried to think of something cute and charming to say so I spat out,

"You shop here, too, Chase?"

After I said that, I immediately felt stupid. "No way! I only do pink in spring." Chase grinned.

An uncomfortable pause formed as I stared at Chase smiling at me, waiting for my reply.

"Oh! I've been practicing that recipe," I smiled. "I gave one to my brother and he said they were okay." Chase came closer so I put my palms in front of me to make sure he keeps his distance.

"That's great! I told you you could do it."

Chase was so cheerful and social. I wanted to be like him. "Oh, yeah," Chase said "This is my sister-in-law, Melody."