Foreword: Xerann shows up to the Astral Street bus stop this morning with a totally different look. In fact, she looks almost unrecognizable. When Jayla and Linyear hear that Meneera helped with Xerann's transformation over the weekend, they express their concerns about Meneera and about Xerann hanging out with her. Xerann's new look ends up catching the eye of none other than Simown Langbrae - Xerann's elementary school bully since Grade 2. While Jayla and Linyear were used to Simown giving Xerann a hard time, nothing could have prepared them for what is about to unfold - something so shocking and horrifying that it shakes them to their cores.

**Content warning: This *Note* contains graphic violence by a student against another student. Proceed at your own discretion.

*morning, at the Astral Street bus stop*
Jayla & Linyear: *already there, chatting*
Xerann: *approaching Jayla and Linyear* Yo.
Jayla & Linyear: *glance over, then do a double take… their eyes slowly grow wide in shock…*
Linyear: Who is… what? *not daring to believe it*
Jayla: *her head tilts to the side as she stares* … Xerann…??
Xerann: *she is wearing dark eyeshadow and red lipstick, her hair down and chopped off to a couple inches below her shoulders, blue streaks through it… she is wearing a blue halter top, ripped red capris, multiple black gel bracelets and black hiking boots* Yup. ‘Tis me. Whatcha think?
Jayla: *stunned* … W-wow, Xerann! You… look like a totally different person...!
Xerann: Thanks. *smirks* Went shopping and got a makeover done this weekend. Courtesy of Meneera!
Jayla & Linyear: *screw up their faces at the name "Meneera"*
Xerann: What? *seeing their expressions* She paid for it all.
Jayla: … You've been hanging with her outside of school, then…? *her voice soft - but behind it, concern*
Xerann: *nods* Ch'yeah. Been to her place, like, three times already. It's HUGE. And fancy. Makes a good place to hide from my sisters, too!
Linyear: Um… but don't you think she's been kinda, er… a bitch to everyone? *mirroring Jayla's concern* Like, to us specifically…?
Jayla: Especially to Shelei… *frowns*
Linyear: *turns* AND you, Jayla! *frowns too* She keeps calling you a goody-goody!
Jayla: And YOU a wimp!
Linyear: Which I SO ain't!
Xerann: *shrugs* Meneera might come across as harsh, but she actually ain't so bad.
Jayla & Linyear: *raise their eyebrows at each other - then to Xerann*
Xerann: I'm serious! *insists* Like, she even got my bitch-wad sisters to back off me the other day!
Linyear: *gives her a strange look* “Bitch-wad”?
Jayla: I mean… I guess that's a good thing…? *apprehension in her voice*
Xerann: Yeah. And you know, Shelei IS a little… odd. And cranky at times. How is walking on eggshells around Meneera any different than walking on eggshells around Shelei?
Jayla: Well… *awkwardly* … once you get to know Shelei, she's actually pretty fun to be around, you know. I feel like you two would get along great if you just gave her a chance.
Xerann: *wrinkles her nose* Okay, well… right back at you with Meneera.
Jayla: Hmmm… *doubtfully*
Linyear: Aren't you cold, Xerann? *holding herself* Where's your jacket? You're giving me the chills just by looking at you!
Xerann: *waves her hand dismissively* I'm fine, Lin! This badass ain't bothered by the cold!
Jayla: “Badass”…? *looks over Xerann's new outfit again… her eyes suddenly bug out* What the - did you get your bellybutton pierced?!
Xerann: *laughs as she looks down at her new bellybutton piercing* Sure did! Meneera paid for it.
Linyear: Ouch… *rubs her own stomach*
Xerann: Again, what's a little piercing pain to a badass like me??
Jayla: But… you're not… *trails off*
Xerann: *furrows her brow* What did you say, Jay?
Jayla: Er… never mind! *hastily*
Simown: *arrives at the bus stop, begins to look for her friends, Jeniver and Karmyn… but she spots Xerann first*
Jayla: *sees Simown*
Simown: *... staring at Xerann…*
Jayla: Oh… shit. *quietly*
Xerann: What? The fuck you mean "shit"?
Jayla: Um… Simown -
Simown: No… fucking… WAY.  *strides over to Xerann* Is that YOU, Xerann Xinders?!?
Xerann: *tenses up as she hears Simown's voice… turns around to face her* … And what if it is, Simown? *glares at her*
Simown: *scrutinizing Xerann, her expression a mixture of disbelief and disgust* … What the HELL did you do to yourself?! *waves her hand up and down, signaling to Xerann's new look*
Xerann: *smirks* Thought I'd try a new look. A "badass" look, you could say. What, are you afraid or somethin'? Means it's working. *smugly*
Simown: *narrows her eyes at Xerann* "Badass", huh…?
Xerann: You bet your frig-ass.
Jayla & Linyear: *exchange glances - somewhat urgently*
Simown: *slowly smiles... then starts chuckling… then…* Ahahahaha…!! *full-blown laughter*
Xerann: *tenses up again, clenching her fists* What the SHIT are you laughing at, Langbrae?!
Jayla & Linyear: *their eyes widen in shock at Xerann*
Simown: *a twisted smile now on her face* Ohh, I'll TELL you what's so FUNNY... “XINDERS”. *takes a step towards Xerann* This "new look" you have? It isn't original. Know where I've seen this look before?? *takes another step towards Xerann* Your sisters. Your SISTERS look like this too. You DO realize this, right?? Or are you both blind AND stupid??
Xerann: *scowling nastily at Simown*
Simown: I'm not sure WHAT point you're trying to prove, but I know what point this DOES prove - my own. *smug look on HER face now* I told you, Xinders.
Xerann: Told me what?!
Simown: That someday you'd end up JUST like your sisters. Step one - dressing like them. *gets into Xerann's face* I hate to break it to you, but this look isn't "BADASS". You think your sisters are "badass", but they AREN'T. They are a couple of BITCHES. And now YOU look like a bitch too! *she starts laughing again* Congrats, bitch! You fucking idiot! Thanks for proving me right all this time!!
Xerann: ... *death glaring at Simown laughing… before she hauls off and DECKS Simown in the face*
Simown: EEEEGH! *shrieks and stumbles backwards - almost falling to the ground*
Jayla & Linyear: *jerk back in fright* X-Xerann!!
Xerann: You shut your god-shittin' asshole you call a FUCKING mouth, Langbrae - for once in your SHIT-ASS life! *hollers* I have had it up to HERE with you - *thrusts her hand out over her head* - since the day YOU decided to beat ME up. FOR NOTHING. I. DID. NOTHING. WRONG! YOU ARE THE BITCH! A FUCKIN' ASS-SLUT! I'M FUCKIN' DONE!! NO MORE of this HORSESHIT from YOU!!! *punches Simown again in the face, backhands her, kicks at her*
Simown: Ahhh! Ahh - AHHHH! *yelling, backing away, trying to shield herself*
Jayla & Linyear: Oh my God!! *watching, both blinking in utter shock*
Students at the Bus Stop: *all now watching with WIDE eyes*
Xerann: *roughly grabs Simown by the arm, manicured nails digging into her skin - begins punching her HARD and repeatedly in the side of the head*
Shawn (Xerann's cousin): *watching from a distance* 'EY! WHAT! XER'! 'OLY SHIT, there's no way - CUZ!! *absolutely horrified*
Martyn (Shawn's cousin): *watching with his mouth hanging open, very much filled with worry*
Jozai: *also watching from a distance* ~... Go Xerann, go.~
Xerann: *grabs a fistful of Simown's hair - yanks HARD*
Simown: OW! *her head forced back, looking up at the sky* Let me fucking GO! *trying to pry Xerann's hands off her hair*
Xerann: You know what would be fuckin' funny? *dangerously* If I gave YOUR ugly frig-ass a new haircut too. *smiling evilly - she yanks harder with a tightened fist* You're some lucky I don't have a knife on me!!
Simown: *chokes from her strained neck - she looks legitimately fearful for herself*
Linyear: Eeeek! *grabs Jayla's shoulders and ducks behind her… she slowly peeks over her shoulder*
Jayla: *anxiously biting her lip, her heart pounding as she watches* ~All that... anger inside Xerann… it was bound to happen eventually… but… threatening her with a weapon… this is - ~
Simown: *lets out a strangled shriek of pain*
Xerann: *had just pinched Simown in the neck - just like her sister Roxxi does* How you like my new nails, shit-bitch?! *slashes Simown in the face*
Simown: *wrenches free with a scream* FUCK OFF AND GET AWAY FROM ME! *on the verge of tears - she tries to run*
Xerann: Ohhh, HELL-SHITTIN' NO I won't! *violently shoves Simown to the ground, pounces on her, punches her HARD in the face*
Simown: *lets out a shrill cry*
Xerann: YOU wouldn't stop even when I CRIED and SCREAMED the entire time! *punches her* YOU didn't give a FLYIN' FUCK that I was BLOODIED on the floor! *punches her* All you've done is make my life HELL since then! *punches* YOU SHIT-BITCH! *punches* YOU FUCKIN' ASS-SLUT! *punches* YOU DESERVE THIS! *punches* YOU DID THIS TO ME! *punches - her voice shaking, breaking* YOU, JENIVER, KARMYN, ROXXI, XENA - *punching for every name - tears threatening to spill from her eyes*

Simown: *screaming… blood squirting out of her nose… her eye rapidly blackening and swelling… her voice growing hoarser, weaker…*
Students at the Bus Stop: *all staring in horror now - even Jozai has stopped mentally cheering for Xerann*
Linyear: Jay!! *alarmed, gripping tightly onto Jayla's shoulders* What do we do?! She might actually kill her!!
Xerann: *shrieking ferally, absolutely pummeling Simown*
Jayla: *thinking rapidly* … Gahh! XERANN! *runs over to her*
Linyear: *follows*
Jayla: *grabs onto Xerann's arm*
Linyear: *grabs on to the other*
Xerann: HEY! *flailing, struggling, her fists still clenched* The hell-fuck are you two doing?! LET GO OF ME!!
Jayla: Xerann, you HAVE to calm down!
Linyear: Please!! This isn't you, Xerann!!
Simown: *sobbing on the ground, trembling beyond her control, hiding her bloodied face behind her hands*
Jeniver & Karmyn: *had shown up to the bus stop together mere moments prior - they see and hurry over to Simown, bend down and check on her… then they both glare up at Xerann*
Jayla: I know you're upset and I know Simown deserves this! *desperately* But you're going to do some SERIOUS harm to her if you keep hitting her in the face like this!!
Xerann: *spits in Jayla's direction - it misses* Fucking GOOD! Bitch needs to DIE already!! *snarls viciously*
Jayla: *eyes widen in horror*
Shawn: Cuz… *hustles over to help Jayla and Linyear* ... come on now, up ya get… *the three of them pull Xerann off of Simown and up onto her feet, hold her back while Jeniver and Karmyn help Simown to her feet*
Xerann: *still struggling* Let me at 'er, you fuck-asses - I ain't done!!
Shawn: Ohhh no, cuz. You're done. *bluntly*
Xerann: *PISSED* Be lucky you got off so easy, skank-bitch!! *screams to Simown* I'll fuckin' SHANK you next time I see you, ass-hoe!!
Simown: *hanging onto her friends, too busy crying and shaking to speak*
Jeniver: *sneers at Xerann* Simown was right all along. You are a bully now, Xerann Xinders… JUST like your sisters.
Karmyn: Come on, Jeniver, don't waste your time with that bitch. We gotta help Simown. *rubbing her back, trying to soothe her*
Jeniver: *scowls and gives Xerann the finger - then turns back towards Simown*
Xerann: I'll shank the fuckin' shit outta YOU next time too, fuck-tard!! *to Jeniver - still being held back, still struggling*
Shawn: Thanks, you two. *to Jayla and Linyear* You did the right thing. Fo' real. I'll take it from here. *steers Xerann away from them all to chat one on one with her*
Xerann: *looks over her shoulder at Jayla and Linyear - her eyes blazing with anger*
Jayla & Linyear: *nervously looking back at her… keeping quiet until Xerann is out of earshot*
Jayla: ... *turns to Linyear* ... I… KNOW we did the right thing… but… Simown DID have it coming, tormenting Xerann for years and years… *bites her lip for a moment... then sighs* Years of pent-up rage… unleashed all at once.
Linyear: Yeah… I guess so, huh? *sadly* I wonder… if she would have snapped like this if it wasn't for Meneera Ling…
Jayla: … Who knows… *she falls silent, lost in thought…*

BOOP BOOP BOOP

*later that afternoon at TJHS, family studies elective class*
Jayla & Linyear: *sitting at their usual table waiting for class to begin (Shelei, Ducki, and Deanna are all in different elective classes)*
Meneera: *sitting at a different table*
Xerann: *comes into the classroom*
Jayla & Linyear: *apprehensively looking at Xerann*
Xerann: *looks over at Jayla and Linyear - tightens her lips, hesitating…*
Meneera: Xerann. *waves at her* I'm over here.
Xerann: *snaps out of her thoughts - she looks at Meneera* ... Right. *strides away from Jayla and Linyear to sit with Meneera instead*
Jayla & Linyear: *look at each other sadly*
Linyear: … She must still be pretty mad at us…
Jayla: Yeah… maybe. *sighs* What a mess.
Meneera & Xerann: *talking - or rather, whispering to each other*

*a few moments later*
Meneera: *gets up and strides towards Jayla and Linyear*
Xerann: *follows behind her*
Jayla: *looks up - scowls at Meneera* What do you want, Ling?
Meneera: Xerann just told me what you and Moonlight did at the bus stop this morning. Getting in the way of her REVENGE… *cuttingly, looking down at Jayla* … you really ARE a fucking goody-goody, you know that??
Jayla: You weren't there, Ling, so you don't understand. You didn't see it. And it's not your business. *bluntly*
Linyear: That's right. So leave Jayla and I alone. *glares at Meneera*
Meneera: Don't feel like it, fucking wimp.
Linyear: Stop calling me that already!! *clenches her fists under her sleeves*
Xerann: You DID get in my way, though. *scowls at Jayla and Linyear* You guys KNOW how much I despise Simown. How much HELL she's put me through. For YEARS. So why did you stop me??
Jayla: Xerann, PLEASE understand! *desperately* We stopped you because this - *waves her hand up and down at Xerann* - isn't who you are! I know if you had REALLY hurt her you would have regretted it!
Xerann: *screws up her nose - but begins shifting her body uncomfortably* … N-no, I wouldn't have… *mumbles bitterly*
Jayla: Yes, you would have! Because you're a good person, Xerann!!
Meneera: Are you seriously gonna take that shit from that fucking goody-goody?? *rounding on Xerann* Who is SHE to tell YOU who you are or aren't?! She must not care about how big of a bitch that girl was to you after all!
Jayla: N-no! *eyes wide* Don't twist my words! Of course I care! You know we all HATE Simown! But -
Xerann: Shut the fuck up, you goody-goody ass-slut!! *looking at Jayla in anger*
Jayla: *freezes up… she stares at her friend in disbelief* … X-Xerann…?
Xerann: *points a shaky finger at Jayla* If you EVER get in my god-shittin' way again, it'll be YOU who gets beat next!! I'm a badass bitch, and I will kick your fuckin’ shit in!!
Jayla: *blinking in disbelief and horror... her heart starts to sink deep inside her chest*
Linyear: Oh, I KNOW you didn't just threaten my best friend!! *stands up abruptly, now angry too* You take that back, RIGHT NOW, Xerann!!!
Meneera: *cackles* Oooh, maybe Moonlight has a bit of a backbone after all!
Linyear: *shoots a dangerous look at Meneera* You have NO idea…
Xerann: You shut the fuck up too, shit-bag! *to Linyear* If it wasn't for you two, I coulda put that fuckin' ass-slut into a fuckin' COMA! Then ALL woulda been right in the goddamn world!
Jayla: *shaking* N-no… NOTHING would be right… Xerann, this isn't -
Xerann: DON'T fuckin' say it again, bitch. You don't know SHIT. About ME or WHAT I've been through! I thought you did, but I was wrong. Some fuckin' friends YOU guys are!! *baring her teeth in anger*
Jayla & Linyear: *speechless*
Xerann: You know who DOES get me, though?? Meneera.
Meneera: *staring down Jayla and Linyear, looking smug*
Linyear: Like hell she does!! *her anger renewed* Being around her is poisoning your brain!!
Xerann: Oh, like how being around Bolt and McDuck is turning you two into fuckin' idiots along with them??
Meneera & Xerann: *laugh derisively and cruelly*
Jayla: *now angry too* Don't say that about our friends!
Xerann: What-the-hell-ever, losers. Have fun with the shitty idiot brigade. *turns and waves her hand at them dismissively* Come on, Meneera. *strides away*
Meneera: *glances at Xerann leaving... then flashes an evil grin at Jayla and Linyear* … She's mine now. *her voice low* In your faces, goody-goody Starlight and wimpy Moonlight. *turns on her heel and strides away too*
Jayla: *... helplessly watches them walk away…*
Linyear: *slowly sits back down into her seat*
Jayla: *... still trembling…*
Linyear: God… *rolls her eyes, still far from calm* What a fucking traitor. And I thought JOZAI was bad! Holy shit…
Jayla: … L-Lin… don't - *the words get caught in her throat… she starts breathing heavily… her brow furrowed and cheeks flushed…*
Linyear: *sees* … Jay?
Jayla: *is grasping at her hands anxiously on the table, biting her lip and staring off into the distance*
Linyear: *tightens her lips, knowing how distraught Jayla must feel… pats her back in comfort*
Jayla: *... is very quiet for the rest of the school day*

END?
WELL…

Xerann was not the only one at school with a new "badass" look that day. Piggo came to school wearing ripped clothes and had a pierced left ear. Christima dyed her hair bright blue and ditched her glasses for bright red contacts, also sporting a bellybutton piercing like Xerann. With each passing day, Meneera's influence on Xerann, Christima, and Piggo would make itself more and more apparent. The more they hung out with her, the more their demeanors changed as well - and NOT for the better. Jayla, Shelei, Linyear, Ducki, and Deanna had to quickly face facts that their friends Xerann, Christima, and Piggo were no longer the same people they once were. All thanks to that awful new classmate - Meneera Ling.

END.