Palette's POV a few days later

Another day, another journal entry....

Despite Jess and Goth giving me a chance, Raven and the rest of his small group refuse to trust me. They make it clear that they don't want me around. So I still sit alone. Nothing new. I just sketch away in my journal.

This is fine....It's okay....

I feel the familiar touch of my hat on my head. Then I hear a nervous laugh.

"You never stop sketching, do you?"Goth's voice asks

I glance up, seeing him sit down with his tray of food beside me. I smile, a little surprised that he left his table to join me.

"Yeah, I guess not."I say

"Sorry that I didn't return it to you sooner. My little sister was playing with it."He says

"It's alright."I say, then tense up

I could feel someone glaring daggers into me from behind. I glance over to see Raven glaring me down. A bright white wing blocks my vision.

"Ignore him. He's just being silly."Goth says, curling his wing around me

I nod, turning back to him as we eat together.

"I mean, I kinda don't blame your brother. If I had a younger sibling, I'd be just as protective."I say

"He's younger than me. And he can go too far sometimes."He says, sighing with frustration

"Oh! Well, he does it out of love so it's probably a good thing."I say

"So you're an only child? No siblings?"He asks

"I mean...I might have siblings. I just haven't met them."I say with a shrug

"Where do you go after school? You always leave so quickly."He says

"I go to the cabin I live in. I don't have a reason to stick around school once it's over."I tell him

"How come?"He asks

"The entire class finds me annoying. And your brother's glares are pretty effective to keep me away."I say

He sighs, shaking his head.

"Well....Do you have a curfew?"He asks

"Nope."I reply

"Well, would you like to come over for dinner?"He asks

"Is your bro-?"I begin

"Don't worry about him, Palette."He says, putting his hand on mine

I glance at him, confused a bit.

"I want your company. We could hang out and it'll be nice."He says

I smile, my soul filling with hope.

"Does this mean that we're friends?"I ask

He nods with a smile.

"I'd love to come over. I'll just drop my stuff off at home after school. Is there a time you want me to come at?"I ask

"Umm, maybe around 4:30 so we could hang out before the actual dinner."He says with a smile

"Got it. And Goth...."I say, choosing my words carefully

"Hm?"He says

"Thanks for taking a chance with me. I know the jerks that are our classmates make it tough to open up."I say

He smiles, gripping my hand tighter.

"Anytime."He says

We start discussing our interests and getting to know each other better. I couldn't be happier. He's so sweet and now I'm not alone! I have a friend!

"Be careful who you open up to, Palette. There is never any guarantee that they'll stick around. Sometimes the one you trust most might be the one to stab you in the back or leave you stranded."My father's voice echoes in my head

"That's why you have us! We will never let you experience that pain!"My dad's voice echoes

Both are from a memory that I quickly shake away.

Yeah, you really aced that, didn't you?

"Palette? Are you okay?"Goth asks, taking me out of my head

I blink a few times and look at him.

"You spaced out suddenly. You looked upset."He says worriedly

"Oh! Sorry, I was just remembering something. It's pointless. I'm okay now."I say

The bell rings for us to go to recess and we head out. I quickly change the subject and Goth went along with it. Though he still seems concerned.

Hours later, I run home as quick as I could. Pakeekee lands on my shoulder as I get inside. I shut the door and toss my bag aside.

"What's got you so excited, Palette?"He asks

"Goth befriended me! He invited me over to his house!"I say

Pakeekee goes pale, all his feathers turning white as he shivers.

"You're going to Death's home?"He asks

"Oh come on! He is much nicer than that! It'll be fine!"I say

"I'm staying here, Palette. I can't go against my instincts, no matter how good someone may seem. Death is still Death."He says, landing on a swing I made for him

I nod, understanding.

"My advice is to bring a peace offering."He suggests

"Peace offering?"I repeat

"Something nice so that his family doesn't hurt you or think you're a bad person."He chirps

I nod.

"Good idea!"I say

Goth likes stars....I could bake star treats!

I got the ingredients together and quickly got to baking. I hear a knock at the door. I glance at the clock, seeing that it's only 3:55. Nowhere near 4:30, and Goth doesn't know my home direction. I pause after putting the treats in the oven. I go to the door cautiously. I see a tall skeleton with streaks going up or down from his eyes. He wears a large, grand cloak and robes that just made him bigger and more intimidating. And that's besides his stern gaze and that he found my home.

"Hello. You must be the boy interested in my illegitimate grandson. How fascinating to see how far mortals fall."He says

Illegitimate grandson? Goth? Ooh, he's trying to make Goth seem like a bad decision to befriend! Insulting and intimidating!

"Umm, who are you? You have no right to talk about my friend like that."I say

"I'm his grandfather, Gaster. I'm the god of balance. And I certainly have a right to warn you about getting near my grandson."He says

"By calling him an accident or mistake? Real nice of you, Sir. Have you even met him?"I say

"The fact that he may not be a true grandson of mine or worth a title doesn't deter you?"He asks in surprise

"I've been called names as well so I know not to just take the word of a stranger."I say

He grabs me tightly by the arm.

"Don't get close to him."He growls

"Or what? You'll throw a tantrum?"I ask

He pauses, backing away and turning his back to me. Then he turns back around and grabs me again.

"You better not hurt him or I will make you miserable."He threatens

I chuckle, smiling at him and sliding his hand off of me.

"You really could do better at intimidation. I've felt much more misery before coming here than you could cause. And you say you don't want me to hurt him but you also want me to basically ditch and ignore him for no given reason. Now, I have to get ready and I think I hear the oven dinging. Bye!"I say, shutting the door

I go back to preparing the "peace offering". I also made some nice notes to give Goth's family. He told me who usually comes to dinner during the week so I'm prepared for each of them. I tuck the notes in a pocket and carry the tray of baked treats: star-shaped cookies with chocolate chips. I say goodbye to Pakeekee and head out the door. A hedgehog scurries over to me hurriedly.

"Goth sent me to find you! Follow me!"The Reaperling says

"Okie dokie."I say, following behind them

I smile as we reach a house. It's simple with only a single floor, but clearly sturdy and secure. Flowers and bushes grow out front as toys littered the front yard. Clear signs of life and seemed warm or welcoming. The Reaperling goes in through a tiny door and a few moments later the door opens to reveal Goth's dad. Geno, as others call him according to Goth. He readjusts his red scarf and tries to glare at me.

"You actually showed up."He says

"Of course. Goth invited me."I say

He glances inside.

"Early too."He comments

"He wanted me to come over by 4:30 so we could hang out before dinner. It would be rude to my new friend to be late."I say

"Well, listen here. This isn't some charity home that you could use to freeloa—what's that?"He asks, noticing what I hold on a tray

"Oh! I thought it would be better to come over here with something! Goth said he likes stars so I baked some treats in the shape of them! You do a lot to care for the family, I wanted to provide something too!"I say

"And what makes you think that?"He asks

"I know the difference between a loving family and one that burdens each other. You have a loving one and I don't want to burden it."I say

He pauses, cracking a smile for a moment. He clearly isn't expecting that from me. Then he frowns.

"Listen, Palette. I don't know what game you're playing but it isn't going to—"He begins

"Yeah yeah, I know. Don't hurt him. Be nice. I know and I understand. I already got this lecture from his grandfather. I promise to you, Mr. Geno, that I won't do anything wrong to Goth."I say

"Gen, who are you talking to? Who is at the door?"I hear Mr. Reaper ask

He comes to the door and sees me.

"Oh! You must be Palette! Geno, let him in!"He says

"But-!"Mr. Geno begins

"Palette? I'm coming!"Goth calls from inside

"Don't scare off his friend. He's good, I can tell."Mr. Reaper says

He gets a doubtful look from his husband.

"I know the difference between a good and bad soul, Gen. I know one when I see one. Our rings are evident of that."He says with a wink, hinting at their love

Mr. Geno facepalms and sighs with a nod. He steps aside to let me in. Mr. Reaper leads me to the kitchen where I left the treats for dinner. He smiles at me, his eyes showing an almost mischievous glint of joy.

"It's nice to meet you, Palette. I've heard good things about you from Goth and my helpers."He says, extending his hand

I smile, placing the note for him in his hand.

"It's nice to meet you too, Mr. Reaper!"I say

"Ah, another one of your infamous notes. You have a knack for this, don't you?"He chuckles, unfolding the note

He pauses, then smiles after reading it. I could sense someone behind me and turn to see Mr. Geno with a little girl that must be Shino.

"It'll be nice to get to know the kid sending those notes to him."Mr. Geno says, extending his hand

I shake it with a bright smile.

"Well it's nice to meet you, Sir!"I say

He finds his note in his hand afterwards and snickers.

"No wonder you approve of him, Reaps. Just as sneaky."He says

Shino hugs me gently, looking up at me her big eye twinkling.

"Thank you for protecting my brother."She says

I smile. This family is full of loving care and protection.

"Anytime. Goth told me about you. You like my hat, huh?"I say

She nods.

"Well maybe I can make you a hat like mine and you can personalize it. But for now, I hope you like this."I say, giving her a note

She smiles, nodding before skipping away. I see Goth peeking around the corner shyly.

"W-Wanna come to my room?"He asks

"Sure!"I say

I eagerly follow him to his room. I smile happily as he takes my hand, knowing that I already pleased 2 of his relatives. It's a start and I'm proud of it.

This is going to be fun.

TBC