Foreword: The first Monday of the new school year has begun and everyone is starting to merge together and meet each other. Making friends comes easy for some, and not so easy for others. A rather… “unique” blue duck Animali named Ducki McDuck makes it his mission to make new friends FAST - but will that endeavor work out smoothly for him and everyone involved?

*morning, outside of TJHS*
Shelei: Mondays. Bluck. *mutters to herself, standing alone… her eyelids are drooping and she is scowling at a nearby group of Elmrod Street Alumni*
Christima & Dahc: *hanging with these other Elmrod Streeters*
Ducki: QUACK! *running around and around…*
Shelei: *sudden blow against her back* Ugh!
Ducki: AAAH!
Shelei & Ducki: *both fall down onto the ground*
Shelei: Hey! *snaps at Ducki, grimacing from the impact* Watch where you're goin’!
Ducki: ME SO SORRY, WHOEVER YOU ARE!! *a crazed look on his face, his eyes bugged out - after a moment, his expression changes to curiosity* What be your name??
Shelei: … *sighs - in relief* … Shelei Bolt. *stands up* Yours?
Ducki: *scrambles up awkwardly* Ducki Quack McDuck! You’re in my class, ain’tcha??
Shelei: Yeah. *sleepily… she yawns…* … I hate Mondays.
Ducki: Yeah, tey poopy like diapers!
Shelei: *chuckles* I agree. Is that pink duck your cousin? *nods at Deanna, who is standing several feet away*
Ducki: Yup! And my BEST friend! *turns around* Hey, DEANNA!!
Deanna: What NOW?? *calls over, already annoyed*
Ducki: Come over and meet my new friend!
Deanna: *raises her eyebrow* ~What the… Ducki actually made a new friend?! … Then again, he thinks EVERYBODY is his friend, so… ~ *comes over in curiosity*
Shelei: Deanna… I like Dianna better. *muses out loud*
Deanna: *sees Shelei - stops in her tracks…*
Shelei: *has short, spiky hair dyed red and orange today, a shirt that matches her hair but not her backwards pink hat… bright green, tattered shoes, as well as a pair of loose-fitting jeans*
Deanna: *completely taken aback… her body stiffens* Yeah, well, my name’s Deanna, whether you like it or not!
Shelei: I know. I was talking to myself. *irritated* Sorry, I hate Mondays.
Deanna: *… her eyes narrow as she scrutinizes Shelei…*
Shelei: What? Spit it out, girl. *shortly*
Deanna: Fine. Only because I HAVE to ask. Are you a boy or girl?
Shelei: GIRL! *VERY offended* DUH! Do boys wear pink hats??
Deanna: Not USUALLY, but still! God, why did you do that to your hair?? It's HIDEOUS! *appalled* That hat, and those shoes! *looking up, then down* They clash SO badly it HURTS me to look at! And don't get me started on those jeans!! Those are TOTALLY boy jeans!!
Shelei: YOU'RE wearing pigtails! How little kiddish is THAT?! *retorts* And this is how I like to dress. *crumples some papers in her fist, her other hand gripping tightly onto a large binder*
Deanna: Don’t you talk about MY hair like that, you friggin' gangster! *takes a step towards Shelei* At least I don’t look ANYTHING like a boy, unlike you!
Shelei: Don’t call me a gangster! And you couldn’t, you’re so fuckin' pink!!
Deanna: And proud of it, PORCUPINE!
Shelei: FREAK!
Deanna: HEDGEHOG!

Ducki: It’s so nice to see you two getting along so well!
Shelei: Shut up! *to Ducki - turns back to Deanna* GOOSE!
Deanna: GANGSTER!
Ducki: WEINER! YUM!
Shelei: DUMBASS!
Deanna: FUCKIN’ LOSER!
Ducki: Now, now, children! Watch ta language!!
Mr. Broos: That’s MY line!! *as he’s passing by*
Shelei: *stares after Mr. Broos* Oh… ‘kay…
Ducki: Are you my friend?? *asks Shelei randomly*
Shelei: *shrugs* I guess.
Ducki: WEEEEEEE!! *turns to Deanna* STOP CALLING MY FRIEND BAD NAMES, DEANNIE!!
Deanna: *scoffs* Whatever! Just wasting my damn breath anyway!! *whirls around and stomps away*
Shelei: *rolls her eyes*

*meanwhile*
Piggo: *chasing Munka around the school courtyard*

*the Astral Street bus arrives*
Jayla: *steps off the bus* The first Monday of another school year. *deadpan expression on her face*
Linyear: *steps off behind Jayla* Whoop-whoop. *dryly*
Xerann: *steps off behind Linyear* Exciting… NOT!
Piggo: *running… collides into Xerann by accident - they both fall down*
Xerann: Ahh! *yells as she hits the ground*
Piggo: Oof! *hits the ground - sees Xerann there too* Oopsie! *hoists himself up, then holds his hoof out to Xerann* Sorry 'bout that!
Xerann: *smirks* Ah, don't worry 'bout it! Just an accident, yeah? *grabs his hoof*
Piggo: Yeahie! *pulls her up* Now, where'd Mukunka go…? *scans the crowd... then sees her* C'mon, follow meeeee! *waves at Xerann to follow him, then runs into the crowd after Munka*
Xerann: *looks in the direction Piggo went… looks back and shrugs at Jayla and Linyear… then suddenly grins excitedly* Heheheh… ahahaha…! *full-on laughing - she faces front and runs after him*
Jayla & Linyear: *watch them running, both giggling*
Jayla: I think Xerann is feeling a biiiiit hyper now! *grinning*
Ducki: *sees what happened* Ooooh! I have discovered ta way to make friends! *sees Jayla and Linyear* WEEEEEEEEE! *runs over - and right into them*
Jayla: Eeeep! *stumbles, her arms flailing* Hey!!
Linyear: Eeeeek!! *falls from the impact onto her butt* Ow!!
Ducki: *falls too - his bottom bounces once, like a ball* BLAHOOOOOO! 
Jayla: *stands there, staring slack-jawed at Ducki*
Linyear: *rubbing her backside, looking at Ducki oddly* What the hell?!
Ducki: *scrambles up and onto his feet* Hello, my new friends!!
Shelei: *bursts out laughing… she goes over to them* What ARE you doin’, Ducki?
Ducki: Making new friends!
Jayla & Linyear: *stare at him a few moments… then look at each other and laugh*
Shelei: You’re whacked! *as she’s still laughing too*
Ducki: No, I’m Ducki!!
Shelei: Same thing!
Ducki: *looks around at them all* Okay, now tat I brought yas all togetta’, are we all gonna be pals??
Shelei: No. *shortly - she looks back and glares at Deanna, who is watching nearby with a scowl on her face… then turns towards Jayla and Linyear* And why would I hang with YOU two? *sneers - then stalks off*
Ducki: Oh quackers!
Jayla & Linyear: *... silent…*
Deanna: *scoffs again - walks over to Jayla, Linyear, and Ducki* Oh my God, how RUDE!! Not like I even WANTED to be her friend anyway, but still…!!
Jayla: *silent, staring after Shelei…*
Linyear: ... I'm still on the ground, aren't I?
Jayla: *looks down at Linyear* Yup, you sure are.
Linyear: … I totally knew that. *gets up, rubbing her backside again*
Jayla: Who was that, anyway? *to Ducki and Deanna*
Ducki: Shelei Bolt!
Deanna: aka Freakazoid Shit-Face Hedgehog Bitch.
Ducki: No, silly Deanna! I'm pretty sure she's Shelei Bolt!
Deanna: Same thing. *grumbles - echoing Shelei*
Jayla: *eyebrows now raised at the two ducks*
Ducki: She's still our friend t'ough… right??
Deanna: Well, I don’t care if I ever see that fucking bitch again!! *harshly*
Ducki: Oh, stinky on you, De!!
Jayla: Umm… *nods at both Ducki and Deanna* What are your names again? You’re in class 7-3 with us, right?
Ducki: My name is Ducki QUACK McDuck!
Deanna: Deanna Duckett. Ignore Ducki - you’d be better off for it.
Ducki: We’re COUSINS!
Jayla: *laughs* Hey! So are we! *signals excitedly to her and Linyear*
Linyear: I like your necklace. *to Deanna, pointing at her own neckline* It’s really pretty!
Deanna: *brightens up* Thank you! It was my grandmother's. Vintage. *grins, feeling proud as she touches her pearl necklace* I see you have good taste in style! *pauses* Although… you might want to get those sleeves hemmed. *referring to Linyear’s overly-long-sleeved dress* I could do that for you, if you want. I'm into fashion design and sewing.
Linyear: *giggles* Oh, no, that’s okay! I prefer them like this. *showing them off* Thank you, though.
Jayla: Fashion design and sewing? That’s super cool!
Deanna: Absolutely! But, ugh… *rolls her eyes* My stupid parents won’t let me wear REAL clothes until I’m at LEAST 13… stupid, stupid family rule…
Ducki: You could say tat we’re in ta MOOD to run in ta NUDE!
Deanna: YOU are, maybe.
Linyear: Umm… that’s an… interesting family rule…
Deanna: An old and outdated fowl Animali rule… *bitterly*
Jayla: Forgive us… there's probably a lot we don't know about Animali, since you guys all went to the Animali school in town. *gives both Ducki and Deanna a kind smile* … But I'd like to learn more. By the way, my name is Jayla Starlight. *waves her hand at them*
Linyear: And I’m Linyear Moonlight!

BOOP BOOP BOOP

Jayla & Linyear & Ducki & Deanna: *all chat as they head into the school together*
Shelei: *trudges into the school, silently and alone…*

*homeroom period in class 7-3*
Shelei: *sits at her desk by Christima and Dahc*
Christima: Where were you?
Shelei: Tryin’ to make friends… *sighs*
Dahc: And failing.
Shelei: Shut up.
Piggo: *sits at his desk in front of Jayla, Linyear, and Xerann*
Toad: *sits beside Piggo again*
Piggo: *makes another disgusted face at Toad’s presence… he gets up and pulls his desk back beside Xerann* Yo! *plops back down in his chair*
Xerann: Heyo! *turns to Jayla and Linyear* By the way, guys, this here is Piggo! *signals to him*
Jayla & Linyear: Hello! *wave*
Piggo: Yo, yo!
Aerdna & Semaj: *on the other side of the room, sitting behind Sky* … Ohh, Sky-y…! *sing-songy*
Sky: *groans* Ohh no-o…!
Aerdna & Semaj: *giggle and whisper to each other*

BOOP BOOP BOOP

*lunch in the cafetorium*
Jayla & Linyear & Xerann: *sit*
Piggo: *sits with them, beside Xerann*
Linyear: *pulls a ham and cheese sandwich out of her lunch bag, starts to eat*
Piggo: *sees* Yeep! Shame on you!! SHAME! *points at Linyear*
Linyear: *stops mid-chew* What?
Piggo: You are eating a HAM sandwich! *scoldingly, pointing his hoof at her*
Linyear: I am. *swallows* So?
Piggo: Ham is made from PIGS, you know!
Jayla: *arching her eyebrows, feeling awkward for Linyear*
Linyear: *taken aback* But… it’s not like it’s made from ANIMALI! That would be horrifying.
Piggo: Still! Hmmph! *crosses his arms and pouts*
Xerann: *laughs at Piggo*
Linyear: *wrinkles her nose at him, then continues eating her sandwich*
Deanna: *runs over to Jayla and Linyear* Hey, can I sit here?? *a borderline frantic look on her face*
Jayla: Oh! *surprised* Yeah, sure! Of course!
Deanna: Thanks! *swiftly sits beside Jayla* Hopefully Ducki doesn’t see me, he’ll try to look for me with the other Animali anyway -
Ducki: YO, DEDE!!!
Deanna: *groans* God DAMN IT!!
Jayla: *chuckles, giving Deanna a sympathetic look*
Deanna: *glances at Jayla* ~Well, it would be rude to Jayla and Linyear to leave now…~
Ducki: *skips over and sits across from Deanna* So, how y’all doin'??
Jayla & Linyear: Good!
Deanna: Fine. Just fine. *through clenched teeth*
Piggo: *giving Ducki an odd look*
Deanna: *shifts her eyes to the side, sees Piggo looking at Ducki - gives Piggo a disgusted look herself*
Xerann: *looks over at the ducks* Yo! I’m Xerann.
Deanna: *looks away from Piggo* Oh, hey. Deanna.
Ducki: DUCKI QUACK MCDUCK!
Classmates from Class 7-3: *sit down at the next table*
Jayla & Linyear: *see their former friend Jozai amongst them… they exchange glances with each other…*
Xerann: *sees him as well* … Yo, Jozai. *coolly*
Jozai: *looks over, sees them all - he hesitates…* … Yo, Xerann. Jayla. Linyear. People. *nods curtly*
Jayla & Linyear: *nod back at him, remaining silent*
Dirk: Hey, dudes from Astral Street! *amped up in comparison* You gangstas remember me??
Jayla: *laughs and waves* Hey, Dirk! Who could forget you? Besides, we talked to you the first day we were here!
Xerann: Ch’yeah, dude! Don’t YOU remember??
Dirk: Oh, so we all only get ONE chance to talk to the Smirt-Man, now? *points at himself*
Xerann: Only in a perfect world!
Jayla & Linyear: *burst into laughter*
Dirk: Oh, THAT ain't even cool! *though he has a hint of amusement in his voice*
Xerann: Just kidding, Dirk! *gives a teasing smile*
Jayla: Yeah! You know we love you! *smiling too*
Dirk: Oh right!
Kyrid: *sits down with Dirk and Jozai*
Dirk: *turns* Yo! THERE'S my homedawg!
Kyrid: *distractedly looks past Dirk down the row of tables - he double takes, his eyes now bugging out* HEY!!
Jayla: *her heart suddenly jumps inside her chest - she whips her head in the direction of the familiar-sounding voice*
Kyrid: *grinning excitedly at her and the rest*
Jayla: *... stares back at him, stunned for a moment...* … K-Kyrid!! *her heart now racing inside her*
Linyear & Xerann: *look over - break into big smiles* KYRID!! HI!! *excitedly - they both wave vigorously at him*
Kyrid: Oh my gosh, I’ve missed you guys!!
Jayla: I - we’ve missed you too!!! *a hasty correction*
Linyear: You know everybody at Astral Street missed you!!
Xerann: Well, ALMOST everybody… stupid Simown didn’t… *shakes her head* She has no heart.
Kyrid: *smirks* It's okay, I didn't miss her either! *waves his hand dismissively* ... all is good with you guys, though, yeah…? *eyes darting between them all - though they keep coming back to Jayla…*
Jayla: *hesitates, trying not to glance at Jozai who is sitting with Dirk as well* … Yeah! *smiles at Kyrid* … For sure!
Kyrid: *his eyes now locked on Jayla's* Glad to hear. *smiles back at her*
Jayla: *… lets out a rather shy giggle as she looks at him…*
Dirk: What am I, chopped liver?? *waves his hand in Kyrid's face*
Kyrid: *laughs, breaking his eye contact with Jayla* Hey, Dirk! *finally acknowledging his best friend*
Dirk: Kyrid, man! I wish you were in our class!
Kyrid: Same here… but at least I got the rest of the “Knights” in class 7-2! *referring to their elementary school, Knightsridge Heights… he looks down the table at everyone* So… are ALL of you guys in the same class??
Jayla & Linyear & Deanna & Xerann & Dirk & Jozai & Piggo: Yup! *nodding*
Kyrid: Whoa… awesome. *looking at everyone with interest*
Ducki: ME TOO!!! I’M IN TA SAME CLASS AS TEM TOO!! WEEEEEEE!!!
Kyrid: *laughs* SOMEONE'S excited about that! He must have met Jayla. *looks at her, grins and winks*
Jayla: *stunned all over again, her cheeks turning red… after a moment she relaxes, giggling once more*

Kyyyriiiid!

Kyrid: *turns away from Jayla and towards the sound of his name*
Three Unknown Girls from Class 7-2: *come over and start chatting with Kyrid*
Kyrid: *smiling, talking animatedly to them all*
Girls: *giggling all the while*
Jayla: *… furrows her brow, watching this exchange... feels a pang in her heart* ~…  It’s… good to see him happy, anyway…~ *turns away from him*
Ducki: *making a mess while he eats, food splattering left and right*
Deanna: Ducki!!! *recoils back* You’re such a pig!!!
Piggo: Hey! That's an insult to me!!
Deanna: I KNOW. *screws up her beak unkindly at Piggo*
Ducki: *looks up, sauce all over his beak* QUACK!
Jayla: Hmm?! *jerks out of her thoughts - she sees Ducki eating like a wild duck… she laughs* Can you even taste your food when you're eating that fast, Ducki?? You gotta savor the flavor!
Linyear: *giggles*
Dirk: You know, homie Jayla got a point!
Ducki: I can taste it! It tastes like PICKLES and BUBBLEGUM!
Jayla: Uhhh… *looks at his food* … but, isn't that spaghetti…?
Deanna: One thing to know about Ducki - his mouth moves MUCH faster than his brain.
Jayla: *laughs*
Kyrid: *hears Jayla laughing - he looks away from the girls he's talking and towards her*
Jayla: *laughing, happily chatting with everyone around her*
Kyrid: *… gives a faint smile… reluctantly turns away from her*

*meanwhile, elsewhere in the cafetorium*
Shelei: *sitting by herself, gloomily eating half a sandwich*
Christima & Dahc: *sitting with the Elmrod Street crowd*
Sky: *scanning the cafetorium, standing beside Potiphar* Now, where to sit…?
Lupin: Hey! *heads over to them* I want you guys to meet Harri! *signals to another boy beside him*
Harri: Hey! *nods* Sky, right?
Sky: That’s me!
Potiphar: I’m Potiphar! 'Sup, man?
Harri: Not much. Wanna sit together? *he glances around the cafetorium* … Yo, she looks alone. *nods in Shelei’s direction*
Sky: *looks where Harri is looking - spots Shelei* Oh, her. She’s in 7-3 with us. 
Harri: Her name is Shelei Bolt. She went to my old school, Elmrod Street.
Sky: Funny that she ain’t sitting with Elmrod Street dudes.
Harri: Not really. Come on. *takes the lead and goes over to Shelei*
Shelei: *senses someone approaching her - she hastily looks up* … Oh. Hey, Harri. *rather quietly*
Harri: Yo.
Sky: Hey. Shelei? I’m Sky. *raises his hand in casual greeting*
Shelei: Yeah, you’re in my class. *shifts her eyes* And you’re Poti, Poti…?
Potiphar: Potiphar.
Shelei: Yeah… *falls silent*
Lupin: And I’m Lupin. In 7-4.
Shelei: *nods*
Sky & Lupin & Potiphar & Harri: *sit with Shelei… they start talking amongst themselves*

*from across the room*
Ducki: *flapping his wings about* BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH -
Deanna: SHUT UP, DUCKI!!! *bellows*
Ducki: Oh, poopy on you!
Deanna: Oh my God… *slumps in her chair, her eyes up to the ceiling*
Jayla & Linyear: *giggling, very amused*

BOOP BOOP BOOP

*end of lunch*
Shelei: *gets up, grabs her things and wanders away without a word*
Sky: *watches her leave* … Quiet gal, ain’t she?
Harri: Wasn’t always that way.

BOOP BOOP BOOP

*after school, outside of TJHS*
Shelei: *standing by herself*
Jayla & Linyear & Xerann: *standing together*
Jayla: *hesitates a moment* … Hey, Xerann… do you mind having that Piggo guy following you around all the time…?
Linyear: I would! No offense to Piggo…
Xerann: *shrugs* Nah, not really. He seems cool!
Jayla & Linyear: *exchange glances at the word “cool”*
Piggo: Good! ‘Cause here I am! *standing behind her*
Xerann: *turns around* Whoa! Hey, dude! *grins at him*
Linyear: *leans over to Jayla* Cree-per! *whispers*
Jayla: *nods, a slight quirk to the corner of her mouth*
Christima: *nearby, wandering around aimlessly*
Ducki: *running, purposefully bumping into people* I make friends!! *runs into someone* I make friends!! *runs into someone else* I MAKE FRIENDS!! *runs into Xerann*
Xerann: Ahhh! *knocked back into Piggo*
Piggo: Yaghie! *he falls into Christima passing by*
Christima: Hey! *falls to the ground*
Jayla & Linyear: *gasp, their eyes wide at the scene in front of them*
Linyear: Oh my God!
Jayla: Are you guys okay??
Ducki: Oh yeah!! Tis duck is on FI-YA!! Weeeeeeeee!! *running around like a lunatic*
Xerann & Piggo: *bend down and both help Christima up*
Christima: Thanks. *looking at Xerann and Piggo with interest* … Who’re you guys? You’re in 7-3, ain’t ya?
Xerann: Yeah! I’m Xerann Xinders.
Piggo: Piggo Sqoink!
Christima: Hey! Christima Darknei.
Xerann: What school are you from?
Christima: Elmrod. You?
Xerann: Astral!
Piggo: I’m from Animali, but that’s obvious, ain’t it?
Xerann: *laughs* Whaaaat?! Never woulda guessed! *teasingly*
Christima: *chuckles at them both*
Ducki: *running, running, running… he sees the three of them talking… suddenly skids to a stop* OOH! It IS ta way to make friends! It brings people TOGETTA'! BLAHOOOOO! *flails his wings in excitement*
Xerann & Christima & Piggo: *hear - laugh*
Jayla & Linyear: *look at each other and smile*
Shelei: *wistfully watching them all from the distance…*

END?
TO BE CONTINUED… AGAIN.