Song: Do What You Gotta Do by Cheyenne Jackson and Dove Cameron from the movie; Descendants 3

Chapter Nine: We need to start a 'Stop with the silly' campaign

"Nicholas." I nodded at him and backed out of the room.

Stupid mouth! You just called your dad by his first name.

No, not stupid mouth. He can't come back here with his new family and make me feel this.....things!

You mean emotions.

I don't care. He can't come back here with his new family and make me feel overwhelmed, especially with calling me that name. It brought back the good memories, and the bad ones that mum mentioned. And I didn't want to think of any of it.

I rushed out of the room, and got a confused Xander and Leyla trailing after me.

I can't blame them. I'm confused as well.

I stopped after about a few paces and rested my head and palms against the lockers.

"Is everything okay?" Xander asked.

"Uh. Maybe he lost his way." Leyla said.

I looked up and smiled at her, trying to lighten the mood. "Did you rhyme intentionally?"

She smiled triumphantly. "Maybe."

"Lightening up the mood is my job." Xander whined.

At that moment, Zahra ran up to us.

"If you're here. It means the bell's about to ring." Xander teased.

"Haha. Very funny."

At that moment, the bell rang and people started dashing to class.

"This means nothing!" Zahra yelled as she began running in the opposite direction.

I just laughed and shook my head, not only at her, but to push away the thoughts invading it.

*************************

"Hi. I'm Arabella." A hand shot out in front of my face.

For the first few hours, I had the luck of not seeing my dad and his family.

Seems that luck ran out.

Sadly.

I turned and gave a large smile and it immediately faltered a little. Is it bad that I just hate that she's prettier than me?

That's called jealousy.

Call it whatever you want. I don't stereotype.

I don't think that's stereotyping.

"Hi, I'm..." She cut me off. "Nova, yes I know."

"Actually I'm Charvi."

"I prefer Nova."

"Uh ok."

If this was 2 years ago. You'd say that name was only reserved for your father.

Do I still have one?

"These are my friends. Xander, Leyla, Kai and Zahra." I pointed to each of them and waved. "Sorry, who are you again?"

She giggled and slapped my arm. "Your step sister, silly."

Silly?

"Stepsister?" Kai and Zahra chorused. I never got to explain the morning events to them. At the beginning of lunch, Kai was confused as to why we didn't meet him at the office. Then we explained the bell rang so we had to go to class. I didn't want to say anything because I wished he'd just disappear.

Too bad not all wishes come true.

I know right. It's not like I asked for a prince or anything. Just this simple favor and that dumb shooting star couldn't just handle the job.

"What I actually meant was 'What's your name?' I think I caught it. Anastasia, was it?"

"Really?" I heard Xander chuckle.

"No. It's Arabella."

"Beautiful. Um, what are you doing here exactly?"

Please don't say you go to school here.
Please don't say you go to school here.
Please don't say you go to school here.

"I go to school here."

Darnit you shooting star!

"You're starting now? School began last week." Zahra pointed out.

"I know, but our flight got delayed so I'm starting now."

I hate her already.

Why? She seems nice. I hope.

What's my name?

Ivy Instincts.

So trust your instincts.

"Do you want to sit with us?" Leyla offered with a smile.

"Of course not silly." Leyla's smile dropped. "I was the most popular girl at my old school. How am I supposed to be that here if I meddle with the lessers?"

I snorted. She's just pathetic. She and Skyler would be the best of friends. At least if one doesn't try to bite the other one's head off for the throne.

Which stupid throne?

You know what I mean.

"The lessers?" Xander raised a brow.

"Except you, of course." She pointed to Xander. "You're the team's running back boy, silly. You're hot and a jock."

Would she please just stop with the silly?

"And you're small-minded." Zahra mumbled.

"Pardon?"

"And you're small-minded." Zahra repeated, this time loud enough for her to hear.

She blinked. "I rather be small minded, pretty and popular than be you."

Zahra scoffed and was about to retort back, but Xander held both his arms up. Like a referee signalling to stop, he was asking for peace. "Woah! Woah! Woah! Arabella or whatever, I think it's time you left."

"Should we direct you to the popular table?" I snorted.

"Of course not. I can tell."

"Then what are you doing here silly?" I mocked.

"I came to meet you duh."

"You've met me. Bye now."

"You." She pointed to Xander. "You coming?"

"No."

"Your loss." She shrugged and sashayed away.

"My loss?" He snorted. "It'd be their loss once she reaches that table."

We laughed.

"No, seriously, we need to start a 'Stop with the silly' campaign." Kai pointed out.

"Goodness. I thought I was the only one who noticed that."

"Now, do you want to tell us why Anastasia Brooks just claimed to be your step sister?" Kai asked.

"How'd you know her surname was Brooks?" We just all stared at Xander waiting for him to realize his very brilliant question.

Note the sarcasm.

"Oh! I get it now."

I turned to Kai who was on my left. "I saw my dad this morning. With his new wife and stepdaughter."

They were silent for a while. I didn't like it. It made me feel like after all this time, my dad still affected me.

Doesn't he?

Not if I don't let him.

"So how 'bout that name Anastasia?"

They lightened up at that. Good.

"You gotta admit. That was brilliant."

"Yeah it was." Leyla supported.

"Who wants to see how well she's doing?" Zahra offered.

We all turned to the so-called popular table. It wasn't too far from ours.

It's literally just a table with jocks and cheerleaders.

Exactly.

So once you're a jock or cheerleader you're hot and popular?

Funny how stereotypes work.

She had somehow wedged herself between Zane and Skyler.

"I hope no one realizes she's related to me." I groaned.

"She kinda has the same surname."

"It's common." I argued.

"There's a girl at our table that sounds so much like Skyler and keeps touching Zane. I think they're twins." Axel's voice spoke from behind me. He went and sat in between Zahra and Leyla, and directly opposite me.

Sounds like Skyler? Impossible. Skyler has this mischievous hint behind her words and Anastasia..... Let's just say she sounds like Strawberry Shortcake.

"Her name is Anastasia." Leyla spoke and we all chuckled.

"Whose stepsister is she?" Axel immediately figured out.

"I'm the lucky winner." I snorted.

"Oh."

"What are you doing here?"

"Don't be rude. Leyla and I are close friends now so I can be."

She blushed.

I think she lost the definition of friends in her dictionary.

Quit it.

"I wasn't being rude I was asking a simple question. If you can't understand that then don't bother."

"How are you feeling today Charvi?"

"Splendid. Just splendid."

"You guys have the weirdest conversations ever." Zahra mocked.

There was a little silence after that because Axel and I were having a staring contest.

"So can I call you Nova?" Xander asked.

I turned to him and smiled. "Of course you can. If you want me to break all your fingers. I'm pretty sure two people are more than enough."

"Why are you letting the fact that they call you that be the judge? It's your middle name, what does it matter?" Xander asked.

"Stop it. You might actually sound wise." I bumped his shoulder with mine.

Best change of subject yet.

"What's that supposed to mean? I always sound wise."

We all burst out laughing.

Including Axel?

Funnily enough, yeah. I love that he's paying attention to Leyla now.

***********************

I heard giggling as I stepped into the bathroom.

Just my luck, the whole crew's here.

Skyler. Hannah. Amelia. And Anastasia?

Well, that was fast. I didn't expect them to welcome her with open arms.

Were you expecting pitchforks and torches?

Maybe? At least some claws, talons or overpaid manicured fingernails. Where's the action? All there is is giggling.

I tried to back out, but it was too late. I'd already been spotted.

"Charlotte? Is that you?"

Ground, open up and swallow me now! I beg of you.

"Oh yes, it's you, Charlotte. Speak of the devil."

Stupid ground.

"Please stop tossing your name around." I muttered under my breath and they didn't seem to hear.

You know 'speak of the devil' is an expression, right?

Still. I've always wanted to say that.

"Charlotte? I thought her name was Charity." Amelia's fake smile spread on her face at her pathetic attempt of a joke.

"It's Charvi." I said through gritted teeth.

"Come on guys, just because she's less important than us doesn't mean we should tell her every time."

Skylar.

"Yeah, poor Charity already knows." Anastasia said with a sickly smile.

Anastasia?

Axel was right. She sounds so much like Skylar. Cunning female dog!

"I'd say go to hell, but I wouldn't even wish you upon demons."

Her smile dropped into a scowl.

"I don't know what your problem with me is, but I advise you to use your energy in a more important way. Because if you think I would just stand here and listen to you bad mouth me, think again." I started to walk out the bathroom.

To hell with the fluids I needed to release from my body.

Are you sure about that?

No. I'd come back when the place has been fumigated. There are way too much pests, I could catch something.

"My problem with you is Zane." Skyler practically screeched making me halt in my tracks.

"Sheesh! You don't have to scream it out. You're making my ears hurt." I turned back to her. "Now what did you say your problem was? Lower this time."

"Zane. My problem with you is Zane."

"What do I have to do with the pathetic love triangle going on between the three of you?"

"Zane is mine." Skyler barked.

"Ours." Anastasia attacked. They were literally growling at each other like dogs.

Female dogs. Pun intended.

"Now, now girls. You don't want to make me barf inside my mouth. You can't share a boy. I could choose for you. Uhhhh." I stared at them. "Mini mini minie Skyler."

Then they both turned to me. Skyler's scowl had turned into a triumphant smile. Was she actually taking my word for it? Well this should be fun.

You have class.

That'll wait a while. For all Miss Evelyn knows I could be doing the number 2.

"But.... Anas- Arabella could also be considered. I mean you may be scarier, but Arabella is new. Zane could be getting bored. You never know. A player's job is never done."

"Are you guys really paying attention to her?" Amelia scowled.

"Come on guys, you can't be taking this seriously." Hannah supported.

"Your faithful minions are right. I mean, what do I know?" I shrugged and gave them a mischievous smile. "Anyways, what are you guys doing here at the same time?"

"We're skipping class." Hannah said with a triumphant smile at the same time Skyler growled. "We're the ones asking the questions here."

I have so many different answers for both of them, but which to pick.

"I didn't know I could get under your skin so easily."

"You don't get under our skin, we get under yours, Charity." Anastasia remarked.

"What happened to 'I prefer Nova'?" I mimicked her voice. "Or can your tiny brain not handle that much information that you already forgot what you said before?"

She was about to attack with a not-so-smart remark when Skyler screeched. "Enough!"

Why does she keep screeching? It's unnerving.

First, your butt. Now, your ear. People should really be more considerate.

I know right.

"I just want to warn you to back off from Zane. I don't see why he's calling you nicknames."

"Nicknames?"

"Stop pretending not to know you filthy lying wannabe." Anastasia bit out.

"Woah! Slow your roll. I literally just met you today. I don't wannabe you. Now you." I pointed at Skyler. "Back to what you were saying about nicknames."

"When she introduced herself as Arabella Brooks, we all just stared at her until Zane spoke up. He asked if she was related to some fruit."

"I think it was Cherry." Amelia interrupted.

"You know, Cherry's not just some fruit. It's actually people's names." Hannah offered.

"Who cares? Just shut up already." Anastasia commanded.

And they shut up.

How on earth did she just waltz up to them and become co-leader with Skyler to the minions?

Beats me.

"Anyways, I said I didn't know any Cherry, but I was your step-sister."

"Rooky mistake. Never admit you're related to a lesser in any way." Skylar pointed out.

"Mmm." Anastasia nodded understandingly.

Are they dumb?

Probably. I lose brain cells everytime I hear either of them speak.

"Ok. Can you please stop with the greater or higher and lesser rubbish? It's foolish, childish and makes no sense."

"Don't pretend you don't want to be us."

"I don't have to pretend." I snorted.

"Go to hell." She scowled.

"I can't. I don't want to end up living with you."

High five?

I would, but you have no hands.

Skyler shrieked.

Really? Some people don't just have manners.

Not even a little.

"Just stay away from him! Let's go girls!"

They began marching out of the restroom after one another. Hannah, being the last one, stopped and practically yelled at me. "Stay away from Xandy too."

Are they kidding me?

I rested back on the wall. If I knew I had to go through so much stress to pee, I would have held it.

Tell that to your bladder.

Stupid bladder.

******************************

I was really excited, I posted two chapters in one day. Got a lot of time to spare anyways. The pandemic is keeping all of us at home.

Anyways, how was that? I hope you guys liked it.

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