EP.8|All Shadows Have A Dark Side, But Somebody Special Can Bring Out The Light

Last time on Good At Being Bad, CJ woke up in Carlos's bed, thinking that they did “something”, but with the help of a truth spell, we finally learn what CJ means to him. Now, let's see what Freddie is up to.

Warning: Very serious chapter, covers depression and anxiety

Meanwhile in the rose garden, dedicated to Sleeping Beauty and Belle, Freddie was brushing Voodoo’s feathers. “I can’t believe you and Nevermore got so dirty while we were gone.” Freddie chuckled. Freddie then heard whispers from down the hall.

“Yeah, that’s her. She’s his daughter.” The whispers said. Freddie shook her head and continued brushing Voodoo. “Why doesn't she had a normal pet. I mean look at that thing, is that even an animal.” Freddie sighed and tried to focus on the positive, just like he father always says: “Naysayers are just people who are so gullible you can trick later.” Freddie chuckled remembering the words. “Now that feels better doesn't it Voodoo?” Freddie smiled as Voodoo hooted.

“Honestly, I think Ben only let her in out of pity.” The whispers continued. Freddie looked at the ground. Voodoo raised up her head again, as though the owl was reminding her to not listen to them. “She hangs around those other VK’s, they’re all just animals, especially her. I mean, have you seen that moving shadow!” the whispers started to make her feel nervous.

“She’s just a weirdo. Just like her father. I heard that man got locked up in the shadow realm for eternity!” The whispers make her quiver in fear, she tried to brush it off and continue focusing on the “positive stuff” but the whispers were to loud for her to focus.

“Positive stuff...positive stuff…” Freddie’s shadow looked at the real Freddie worriedlingly. Freddie started breathing heavily. “Look at her. She’s such a freak. Have you heard about what happened to her mother?” Freddie’s eyes started watering.

“Isn't she the one who got shot, the hole Silver Cross Necklace murderer right? Wasn’t that the same person who killed her grandfather?” Freddie started crying a bit, her shadow tried comforting her but she pushed it away.

Freddie looked over to see where the whispers coming from, less than a quarter of the school was in the school courtyard. Laughing at her. Gawking her. Freddie could hear then just repeating the words “Freddie the Freak! Freddie the Freak!” Freddie started crying as she grabbed Voodoo and started running.

It’s just like the last time! Freddie cried as she kept running. I make friends, I seem safe, then everyone teases me! Freddie then hit something. She looked up to see Zeref. She looked into his eyes. Zeref saw how hurt and damaged her was. It pained him to see her so hurt, then again he got angry, he wanted to punch the person who made her cry straight in the face.

Woah...Zeref, calm down! She probably got a bad grade or something...don’t go punching people in the face! Or anybody in the face! Zeref thought as he pulled Freddie into an empty classroom. “Freddie, what happened?” Zeref asked. “I-I-I-I’m scared!” Freddie stuttered. “Scared of what?” Zeref asked.

“At my old school they would always tease me, saying that I was freaky. Or, the girl that has their shadow moving. They said I was too “villianney” they found out about my mother and posted it into the newspaper. I left the school, me and my father, and grandfather ran away to new orleans, they posted my grandfather’s death in the newspaper and everyone in the world found out. When I came to this school, I thought nobody knew. But apparently they do. And now, I’, the laughing stalk of the school!” Freddie sobbed as Zeref hugged her.

“I-I’m sorry for running into y-yo-you.” Freddie stuttered. “It’s fine.” Zeref sighed. Zeref then felt something on Freddie’s arms. Zeref rolled up Freddie’s sleeves to see around 20 cuts up and down her arms. “Freddie…” Zeref started. “It’s nothing Zeref.” Freddie sighed. “But it’s not! Freddie this is really dangerous, you could die from doing this!” Zeref scolded.

“You’re just like my ex-friends! Oh Freddie you’re fine, it’s just a fase. Oh Freddie’s fine, she’s just acting out over attention. Oh Freddie, stop trying to get attention.” Freddie mocked. “B...But it’s not for attention...I know what you’re going through.” Zeref said softly. “No you don’t.”  Freddie chuckled, tears still streaming down her face. Zeref the rolled up his sleeve to revel scars, not as much as Freddie’s, but just a much. But old scars.

“I guess you do know what I’m going thru.” Freddie sighed. “Give me your phone Freddie.” Freddie sadly passed him her phone. Zeref took out the case to reveal 4 blades, 3 with some dry blood on them and the last one with still fresh blood. “You used it this morning didn’t you? That’s why you were in the bathroom for so long, isn’t it?” Zeref asked.

“Yes…” Freddie answered. “I’m adding my number to your phone, whenever you feel the slightest bit of sadness. I want you to call me. And we’re gonna take a walk. Come on.” Zeref smiled as he held Freddie’s hand. “A walk? To where?” Freddie asked. “Anywhere but here.” Zeref chuckled. “But what about class? I have a potions test today, we both do actually, Professor Jasmine is gonna be mad at us if we ditch.” Freddie warned him.

“I don’t care. We need to cheer you up. We can go to my favorite spot in town.” Zeref smiled as they jumped out the window of the empty classroom. Freddie couldn't believe that one her 3rd day of school she just ditched. Zeref looked back to see Freddie’s smiling face. He was happy to see Freddie smiling again, he thought it was a shame that all that happiness was hidden away my the shadows. He never saw Freddie smile that wide. It was like a miracle, almost like an angel smiling. “Hey Freddie, promise me something.” Zeref started. “What?” Freddie asked.

“Promise me you won't cut anymore.” Zeref whimpered. “I won't. I promise.” Freddie smield. “Come on, We’re almost there.” Zeref smiled as they reached the top of a grassy hill with millions of beautiful butterflies. “This is beautiful!” Freddie laughed as the blue, yellow, and purple butterflies swarmed around her. “You feel more relax?” Zeref asked as Freddie nodded.

“Good. Don’t scare me like that again I know what it's like being the weird kid, believe me. At my old school, Olympus Academia, everyone used to tease me for being the son of Hades. They thought I spread death wherever I went. For the longest I didn't feel good enough, then I started cutting, but when Jasper and Carlos found out they helped me through it. Now, I'm feeling a lot better.” Zeref explained as he hugged Freddie.

“Thanks, for everything.” Freddie smiled. “You're welcome Freddie.” Zeref and Freddie began talking for hours. “I can't believe your father actually pranked Zeus into think that Poseidon was making his lightning bolts into toothpicks for Titans!” Freddie laughed. “Yeah, I did learn something that day. Never mess with Zeus and is lightning bolts. Or take Titans food away.” Zeref chuckled.

“You think that's bad? One time I made this dumb-dumb think that his mansion was being Haunted and the only way to get rid of the ghost is leaving half of his worth at the grave. He actually believed me! Me and my family were rich for days!” Freddie laughed. “Man people can be gulbable. But, on a serious note. I think you should tell your friends.” Zeref suggested. “I don’t know.” Freddie’s voice was weary. “When I told Jasper, Carlos, Ben, and Hunter. They helped me get through it.” Zeref added.

“I just met them, I just don’t think they’ll understand.” Freddie sighed. “Just come on.” Zeref grabbed their hand as they entered back into the castle and into the hallway. Freddie shook her head. Zeref sighed and picked her up like she was a sack of potatoes. “Zeref! Put me down!!” Freddie yelled as they entered her room to see her four other friends, and Zeref’s friends sitting there.

“What’s going on?” CJ asked as Zeref put her down in a chair, still holding her by her waist. “Are you gonna tell them, or am I?” Zeref asked. “Neither!” She yells. “Fine, I’ll say it.” He said. “I never agreed to that!” Freddie denied. “I don’t care. We had a deal.” He reminded her. “Would you two love birds quit flirting and get on with it!” Hunter yells with a smirk. “Shut it Hunter! This is serious!” Zeref scolded in a deadly tone.

“It’s not that bad.” Freddie assured them. “What?! You you think harming yourself isn't bad?! Freddie you can die from that! You know half of this worlds teen deaths come from suicide, or blood loss due to cutting! Freddie, I can’t lose you to that! And you’re saying it isn't serious?!” Zeref yelled, his eyes during electric blue. Freddie was terrified.

Dammit! That’s not how I wanted to say it! Zeref scolded himself. “W-What?” CJ asked worriedly. “Why?” Operetta asked sadly, Freddie avoids making eye-contact. “Let. go.” Freddie growled. “No!” Freddie then kicked Zeref in the gut causing him to let go of her. “I said let go!!” Freddie yelled. She ran out of the room, Mal then ran after her. Moments later, Mal was back with Freddie, who looked like she saw a ghost. “Explain. Now!” Mal’s voice was like a dragon’s low roar. Freddie gulped. “Okay…” Freddie sighed.

“W-Well the first time I did it was when my mom died. Actually, it started as an accident. I was crying because my mom died and went to grab my stuff animal bunny, Fuzzy-Wuzzy, I scraped my arm on the razor.” Freddie started.

“B-But the pain felt so g-good. So I did it again, and again, and again. Then, my ex-friends found out and said I was doing it for attention, I started cutting again, 15 cuts. Both arms. When I came here, I was happy, I completely forgot about cutting. That was until today, the whispers they said got to loud for me! I panic and went back to cutting, I then ran into Zeref and explained everything to him.” Freddie explained, some of the members in the room where in tears. “Freddie...is this true?” Ben asked, hesitantly, Freddie nodded.

“Show them.” Zeref sighed as Freddie rolled up her sleeves to reveal her cuts. They all gasphed. “I thought it was only 15!” Carlos scolded. “Only that day!!” Freddie yelled. “Freddie you can’t do this to yourself.” Evie whimpered. “But-” Freddie started. “No buts! Zeref I want you by her side 24/7. Make sure she doesn't harm herself. Take every razor. Mal lock up all the knives.” Evie demand. Freddie pouted. That’s not fair, cutting relieves my stress and pain. “But Evie-” Freddie began. “I said so Freddie!” Evie said, Freddie started getting angry, but she knew deep down that they were only trying to help.

“But it’s not fair!! I can’t even freaking use a knife! Cutting relieves my pain and stress! Do you people even know what it’s like to lose not one not two but 3 family members! Because of me!! My ex-friends that used to love me now think I’m an attention hog! I snap at people for no reason, and I don’t even know why!! I’m just a piece of of-” but before she could finish her sentence. “SHUT UP!!” Zeref yelled.

“Freddie, you better not finish that sentence because it’s not true! For God's sakes! You snap at people because you’re having a hard a hard time! There are other ways to make yourself feel better other than cutting! We all have problems! Shit, half of them is because of Ben putting us in this goddamn school! But Freddie, hurting yourself isn't the answer! So if I see anymore cuts anywhere on your body, so help me Fred Facilier you will never loot and anything sharp ever again!” Zeref yelled as Freddie whimpered a bit, everyone in the room looked at him.

“Y-You don’t mean that right?” Freddie asked. “No I mean it! I will babyproof your room for god sakes! Now, we have flying class tomorrow and we have to be up early. So we should go to bed.” Zeref suggested as Freddie got up and went to her room. “And before you think about cutting, I’ve taken every single razor in this dorm room. So don’t try anything I’ll know.” Zeref the pointed to the blue ankle bracelet on Freddie’s ankle.

“UGH!! Let me guess, you’re gonna wanna sleep next to me to?” Freddie asked. “Well, I wasn't gonna, but if you want me to!” Zeref smiled as he went upstairs with Freddie. Freddie then grabbed something from her drawers and took off her shirt. “A-Ar-Aren’t yo-you gonn-gonna g-get dress in the ba-bath-bathroom?!” Zeref stuttered. “No, I’ve very comfortable with my body. It’s personality I’m not comfortable with.” Freddie sighed.

Freddie then put on a black silk nightgown and laid down on her bed. Freddie pulled all her sheets and blankets to her side of the bed. “Freddie! What the hell! I’m cold!” Zeref whined. “Well, you should’ve thought of that before you made me tell my friends.” Freddie growled. “You’re gonna be mad at me because I was trying to help you?” Zeref asked.

“Yes, well, I’m not mad at you. I’m mad at myself. I’m the one who drove myself into doing this. I’m the one who ran into you, causing you to find out. I’m the one who told you everything. I’m the one who chose to follow you up to that hill and become calm. I’m the one who didn’t fight more when you picked me up like a sack of potatoes. And I’m the one who didn’t speak up first.” Freddie didn’t want to make contact with him, but she had to choice when he turned her to face him.

“This isn't your fault. You need help, people need help at times, not everyone can do it alone. We’re here to help you, so you wont go thru it alone. None of us are perfect Freddie.” Zeref smiled. “What so you mean?” Freddie asked.

[Zeref]

I never claimed to be perfect

My mistakes are all written in ink

None of us claimed to be perfect

And it's sad if that's

what you all think

Our flaws helped to make us special

They bond us and keep us strong

Our flaws are what brought us together

So stop acting' like something's wrong

[All]

We're not flawless

We're a work in progress

We've got dents and we've got quirks

But it's our flaws that make us work

Yeah, we're not flawless

We're a work in progress

So tell me what flaws you got, too

'Cause I still like

what's flawed about you

[CJ]

They say I'm a big shot

That my ego's the size of a whale

My confidence comes off as cocky

But it gives me the courage to fail

[Evie]

Sure, I can be a drama queen

A bit stuck-up, it's true

[Mal]

And I can be too eager to please

There's such thing as being

too honest, too, 'cause

[All]

We're not flawless

We're a work in progress

We've got dents and we've got quirks

But it's our flaws that make us work

Yeah, we're not flawless

We're a work in progress

So tell me what flaws you got, too

'Cause I still like

what's flawed about you

[Freddie]

People think I'm all

bubbles and laughter

That I don't seem sincere

I might joke around a little too much

But I'm just so happy you're here

[Operetta]

It took me a while to be confident

To really come out of my shell

[Hunter]

But nobody has to be perfect

By now, don't you know us

so well? Because, yeah

[All]

We're not flawless

We're a work in progress

We've got dents and we've got quirks

But it's our flaws that make us work

Yeah, we're not flawless

We're a work in progress

So tell me what flaws you got,too

(Freddie: You got, too)

'Cause I still like

what's flawed about you.

“Thank you guys. I really needed that.” Freddie smiled.