The amazing digital university ⋆｡°✩

by fifteenthfloor

Summary:

The amazing digital university is the best art university in the whole state! Focusing on finding the most unique art styles!
Gracelyn, freshman somehow got accepted into it, she was happy but… she probably wouldn’t get any friends or even someone more… RIGHT!?
₍^. .^₎Ⳋ Abstragedy focused but also Ribbun ! but platonic epic best friends but abstragedy! yay yuri!!!

Chapter 1: ⤷ ゛ important info about fic !! ˎˊ˗

heya! ٩(ˊᗜˋ*)و this is my first ever fanfic and I’m kindanervouspostingit… so hope u enjoy!!! also it is an abstragedy fic but I also want to focus on this whole student live or stuff… uhhh ( ˶ˆᗜˆ˵ ) there may be also some ribbun moments but more in platonic way since I hc Jax as AroAce <33

⤷ some things you should know before reading!
— Gracelyn is freshman in the same class as Polly (who’s a sophomore) their class is Resonance class aka slower creators who take more time and care
— Zoey and Jack are also in the same class (both are sophomore) Momentum class— fast creators who can make an masterpiece quickly
— Ragatha is also in Resonance class but in an older wing since she’s a junior.

✮ ⋆ ˚｡ ART STYLES! ⋆｡°✩
The amazing digital university seeks for unique art styles and doesn’t follow the typical art uni “rules”
╰┈➤ Gracelyn – manga style mixed with realism
╰┈➤ Polly – whimsy collage illustration style
╰┈➤ Jack – abstract graffiti
╰┈➤ Zoey – neo-traditional tattoo art
╰┈➤ Ragatha – vintage storybook illustration style

ALSOOOOO english is not my first language so sorry for any grammar mistakes or typos or whatever!!

Chapter 2: ⤷ ゛ part 1 ˎˊ˗

The amazing digital university! The best art university in the state! Principal mr. Caine is obsessed with finding the most unique art styles.
That’s how Gracelyn ended up here, amateur artist, inspired by manga but also mixes it up with realism keeping an eye to details.
Well, Gracelyn— or for short Gracie doesn’t know how she ended up here.
Her, the loser kid who was always bullied got accepted into the best art university?
That was definitely an big plot twist for her, but yet, she’s here, in front of the university, class starts in 2 hours but Gracie decided she needs time to get to know where everything is, and most important where her dorm is.
She will share it with someone and that scared her the most.

What if they bully her? No… such advanced university wouldn’t allow bullying… right?

Gracie clutched the dorm assignment paper and looked around the school. It was empty, everyone was probably in their dorms, the walls were painted by students filled with beautiful murals, windows were rainbow.
Yeah, it was definitely better than her old school.
She entered the dorms
“floor three… room 304…” she repeated to her self looking around.
she could hear other students talking inside the dorms.

There she was, floor three, room 304.

someone’s probably inside… what if they’ll laugh at me? what if I make bad first impression! what if—
she thought to herself but it was interrupted by knocking, her knocking? oh yeah, she knocked, not controlling herself.

A girl opened the door, short brown hair with bangs, fair skin, dressed in white oversized t-shirt and skirt from the school uniform.
“oh! hi? You’re… my new roommate? right?” she asked smiling softly.
“y— yeah…” she said smiling awkwardly “come in!” the girl added walking inside the dorm.

Gracie looked around, there was a lot of some sketches all around the dorm, rest of the uniform on the sofa, open laptop and a lot of coffee cups.
“sorry for the mess I— well, I didn’t expect you to be this early” she looked at Gracie “o–oh! I wanted to… look around… and… you know…” Gracie said awkwardly
“alright! cool cool, Polly by the way”
“Gracelyn– Gracie— uh… the same thing!”
Gracie said fidgeting with sleeves of her hoodie.
“Gracie! how cute, your room is over here” Polly said pointing her finger at the closed doors “and your uniform also should be here!” she added.
Gracie walked towards her room
“…thanks..”

Gracelyn entered the so called her room, well, that’s where she’ll live for the next months.
It was empty, clean, with school uniform on the bed, wardrobe, desk and a mirror.
Before decorating her room and putting her clothes in the wardrobe, Gracelyn laid on the bed.
“my room” she said to herself and looked at the uniform, baby blue shirt and a jacket over it with a darker shade of blue with a gold logo of the amazing digital university on the chest, even darker shade of blue skirt and tie. That’s the uniform, the uniform Gracie will wear everyday.
She tried it on, walking to the mirror.
Black hair, they look like Gracelyns hair are short but in the back there’s a long braid, pale skin, but not so pale, and somehow the uniform didn’t looked that bad paired with Gracies red thighs and white leg warmers.

There she is, Gracelyn, loser from high school and now student of the amazing digital university!

Chapter 3: ⤷ ゛ part 2 ˎˊ˗

Smell of coffee, burnt toast and something moldy, ah! The amazing digital university cafeteria! yes!
And Pollys here, with Gracelyn by her side following her like a lost dog… since she kinda was one.
The two sat beside each other on the table next to a giant colorful window, both getting ready to eat their breakfast. What was that? classic! grilled cheese paired with some fruits and a protein bar! how unusual! well, in The amazing digital university everything has to be original and unique! even breakfast!

“what a… interesting combination…” Gracie said looking down at her plate.
“I know, combination of these foods isn’t… well, popular but protein bar matches salty taste of grilled cheese and fruits– strawberries today are the perfect dessert after the main dishes” Polly said grabbing her cup of coffee “and no coffee taster better than the one you drink after your grilled cheese!”
Gracelyn nodded her head and began to eat, exactly the same as Polly, first half of the grilled cheese, then coffee, then the rest of the grilled cheese, after it, protein bar and last but not least— strawberries!

To be honest, this breakfast was actually pretty good! or Gracelyn was just really hungry.

While the two were finishing their coffees a silhouette walked towards their direction.
“well well well! Polly! why didn’t you tell me anything about the newbie!”
Tall and lanky, dark skin with black curls, purple hoodie over the uniform completely covering the gold university logo— speaking of the uniform, can’t ignore random spray stains all over it.
He looked like that type of person that breaks rules just to see if anyone would even notice, or care.

“I— I’m Gracelyn, or Gracie! for— for short” Gracie said anxiously, the man looked at her like an art piece he didn’t know if he had to mock or admire “Gracie? like, Grace?“ one eyebrow lifted “that’s ironic.”
Gracie hands curled tighter around her coffee cup “W— why?”
“Cause” he said, leaning one hand on the table, still standing next to it “you look like you’d trip on your braid while going down the stairs”

Gracelyn flinched, letting go of the coffee cup and held her braid instead.
Polly rolled her eyes “don’t mind him, It’s somehow the nicest he can be” she said “yeah, nicest you can be, why are you so nice, Jack?” Polly added switching, looking at the man— well, Jack is his name!
“can’t be nice nowadays?” he grinned, clearly enjoying himself.
Polly nodded “that’s really unusual for you to be nice to new students— especially the shy ones”
Gracelyn blinked looking at Polly and then at Jack, wondering whatever’s happening. “no offense of course, Jack’s just a bully type of person” Polly added.
Jack smirked sliding next to Gracie, leaning back on the bench “which doesn’t mean I have to bully *every* shy person!” he glanced at her braid “at least not right away”
Gracie looked nervously at Jack “wh— what’s that supposed to mean!?”
Polly shrugged her shoulders taking the last sip of her coffee “nothing weird, to be honest” she said “but since we’re roommates I won’t let Jack bully you”
Jack grinned after hearing what Polly just said “what a party pooper”

Gracelyn opened her mouth like she wanted to say something but Polly was faster than her “anyways, speaking of people who aren’t total menaces” she shot a glare at Jack “you have to meet my girlfriend, Ragatha!”
Gracie blinked “girlfriend?”
“mhm!” Polly nodded smiling “She’s in the wing for older students but she hangs out with us most of the time. She’s the sweetest person you’ll ever meet—“
“more like people pleaser” Jack added smirking, Polly threw her empty coffee cup at him “as I said, sweetest person you’ll ever meet! she’d love to meet you!”
Gracie gave Polly a small smile “she sounds nice…”
“she is” Polly leaned in closer like she was telling her a secret— but the whole university knew about how nice Ragatha is!
“and you’ll love her, and also we have this other friend— Zoey” Polly added.

At that name Jack groaned loud enough for almost everyone at the cafeteria to hear, Polly rolled her eyes “they’re at the same class as Jack, and dorm. Though they never show up at class unless they’re too bored in their dorm”
“that’s because” Jack cut in “Zoey is a pain in the ass.”
Gracie blinked “oh?”
He jabbed a thumb towards himself “Imagine living with someone who blasts some metal-emo-whatever music at 2 AM, leaves ink stains *everywhere* and looks at you like you owe them rent for just existing.”
“and you’re exaggerating” Polly said “well Zoey do looks like they want to kill you but… behind the mean look they are a softie inside” she added.
“softie!? they’re the definition of pain in the ass!” Jack shot back.
Polly rolled her eyes and smirked “but you two are friends”
Jack scoffed “friends? I barely tolerate them”

Gracie hesitated, her mind flew around the Zoey person and how awful they sound. She thought that Jack is the one she should avoid and be scared of, but then he mentions Zoey and they’re the one who will most likely haunt Gracie in her dreams— and she doesn’t even know how they look!
“so… should I be… careful? around Zoey?”
Jack smirked “careful? nah, just avoid them, but when you catch them looking at you, you can just kill yourself instead”
“you describe them like they are menace to society” Polly said “they’re not that bad— you’ll meet them eventually Gracie, no point of being afraid of them” she added, standing up and scratching.

“anyways! since we finished our breakfast let’s continue our tour before the class”
Jack titled his head “you’re in Mr. Kingsley class, right?”
Polly grinned “yeah, Gracies lucky! Mr. Kingsley’s a little eccentric, but he’s fun”
“fun” Jack repeated like this word didn’t belong anywhere near the man “he’s… something”

Gracelyn and Polly headed out of the cafeteria and walked down the colorful hallway. During their walk, Gracie observed the murals, the most colorful, abstract were singed with purple “J”, which caught Gracies attention.

The two stood in front of the classroom, walls around the doors were also decorated but not with the typical, colorful murals this one was different.
The mural had soft pastel colors, by the closer look you could notice layers upon layers little wonders, tiny sketches of characters— they looked like they lived their own life.
And around them, whimsical paper cut-out stars, clouds and mischievous creatures. It also had a few faux sticky notes with doodles all around it, every sticky note had different art style but it still was similar to the whole mural.

Gracie stood here admiring the mural, it looked like the door led to somewhere magical.

Well actually, it led to Gracies classroom, the one where she’ll spend most of her time.

Chapter 4: ⤷ ゛ part 3 ˎˊ˗

Polly pushed open the classroom door, holding it to Gracelyn like she was about to show her a secret world.

Well, it kinda was like that! The classroom wasn’t like in Gracies old school, it wasn’t plain, white and sad it was colorful, magical and comforting in some way.
Not only walls on the hallway are full of murals but in classrooms as well, there was also a lot of other students art works on the walls and boards! Hanging paper stars and cloud on the ceiling.
This place truly is magical!

And there he was.
Professor Kingsley!

A tall, wiry man, with blonde salt-and-pepper hair that looked like it didn’t saw a brush in weeks, white shirt and a faded purple sweater with a lot of paint stains all over it. His tie was halfway tied, and his glasses slid down his nose every few seconds and yet, he still showed them back without even being a bit annoyed.

“good morning Mr. Kingsley!” Polly said.
Mr. Kingsley flinched looking at them “ah! early birds! fantastic!… or… not… because, If you’re early that means the class hasn’t started yet, which means you’re not here… wait! Am I hallucinating!?” Mr. Kingsley declared, spinning once before pointing at Gracie “are you my hallucination!?”

Gracelyn blinked, looking at Polly, she just rolled her eyes smiling “no, actually, she’s new here”
“ah! yes! new student… not… hallucination” he said squinting his eyes “what’s your name?”
“Gracelyn or—“
“Gracelyn! yes! I saw your name on the list and was wondering what is glycerin, it’s chemistry and we don’t have chemistry here, it’s art university not some chemistry university!”

Gracie looked at him, wide eyes, then at Polly who looked… pretty unfazed.
“anyways it’s good to know you’re not glycerin!” he added.
“t— thanks? I guess…”

Polly took Gracies hand and the two sat down, few minutes later other classmates started to gather, filling the air with chatter, sketchbooks and the sound of putting all art supplies on the desks.

Mr. Kingsley clapped his hands “Today! we’ll draw an apple”
Gracelyn blinked as professor continued “but not a normal apple! No no no no… That apple is supposed to represent YOU, your soul as an apple! How would it look? will it rot? would I bite into it or bake an apple pie out of it? Will this apple *look* like you? Yes? No? WHY?”
He darted across the classroom, slamming down a literal apple “draw THIS and I’ll fail you instantly, the apple you draw has to be YOU! It has to scream your name! Begin!”

Every student instantly started sketching, some cutting something out of paper, some starting off with colors and Gracelyn?
She was staring at a blank page.
*an apple that represents… me?*
She thought to herself, she imagined how she could draw an apple that represents her.

Should it be a typical apple with big 2000s manga eyes and smile? No… Maybe an apple with tommy gun? or not…

She breathed in… and out, if she has to draw an apple that represents her she can’t think about it.

Gracelyn grabbed her pencil and started drawing, she didn’t really knew what she was about to draw— she just let her mind take control over her hand.
The drawing wasn’t really an apple, it was a magical girl with dress, down part of the dress looked like an apple, her hair looked like apple slices, the character held an tommy gun while sitting on an apple.

She looked at the drawing.

And she really was proud of it, it really looked like her as an apple— even if the character looked nothing like Gracie, it still was her.

She peeked at Pollys apple, it was a whimsical cut out-drawing, apple by it self was drawn but shadows, light and leaf was an cut out, with an warm colored background. Pollys apple also looked like her.

By the time Mr. Kingsley announced the end, and Gracie actually enjoyed it. The thought of drawing an apple that looked like her was… weird and strange but as she began to draw she felt like her old self.
Like Gracelyn in elementary school, drawing instead of studying, not caring about anything and ignoring her classmates making fun of her.
She felt at peace.

Students started packing up, everyone handed Mr. Kingsley their apple drawing.
“Gracelyn!” professor said looking at her apple drawing “you did amazing! It’ll be an amazing year working with you, oh and, I’m glad you’re not glycerin!”

Gracie blinked at Mr. Kingsley, unsure if it was a joke or warning, but he was already busy fawning over other students apple, so she quietly went back to her desk to pack her things.
Polly scratched beside her “see? not that scary, right?”
“he’s definitely… something, but he’s nice!” Gracie smiled softly
“something is the best world for him” Polly said, slinging her back over her shoulders “ah! Ragatha should be here waiting for us!”

Before Gracelyn could proceed, Polly grabbed her wrist and pulled her out on the hallway.
Chatter of students filled the air, but standing there against mural-painted wall was someone who stood out— a tall girl, with red hair styled in perfect vintage curls, her uniform was neat and crisp.
As soon as the girl— Ragatha noticed them an warm and welcoming smile appeared on her face “Polly! oh! and you must be…”
“Gracie…”
“ah yes! Polly texted me about you but I couldn’t catch your name… sorry…” she said scratching back of her neck “anyways, It’s nice to meet you! how was your class?“
Gracie blinked, a little overwhelmed but also… happy, because like Polly said, Ragatha really is *the sweetest person she’ll ever meet*
“it was good… weird but in a good way! I.. I really enjoyed the class” Gracelyn nodded her head “ah! I’m glad to hear that!” Ragatha put one hand on her hip, with the second hand she held Pollys hand “it’s lunch break isn’t it? let’s grab lunch should we?” she added, both Polly and Gracie nodded.

The three sat at the table on the courtyard
“after lunch we have another class with Mr. Kingsley but with different focus” Polly said biting into her sandwich “and after classes you can grab dinner like— anytime, right after class or even before sleep”
“that’s… nice”

“well, well, well!” a familiar drawl cut in “our new kid didn’t ran away after Kingsley class”
Gracelyns shoulders tensed— Jack, with his usual smirk on the face, hands in his hoodie pockets. He didn’t ask for permission before sliding into the bench beside her.
“don’t you have a wall to spray somewhere else?” Polly groaned.
“lunch break” he said casually, grabbing a fry from her tray “besides, I want to see the new dynamic, Ragatha, you still playing a babysitter?”
“it’s nice to see you too, Jack” Ragatha replied, dry but with patience, pointing out that she was used to him.
“anyways! you didn’t cry after Kingsley class?” he said looking at Gracie.
“h— huh? no? it… it wasn’t that bad”
“that’s how it starts, not bad, after a month you’re as insane as him”
Polly rolled her eyes “ignore him, he thrives on being insufferable”
“hey!” Jack said with mock offense “I thrive on truth, big difference” but the corner of his mouth twitched like he was amused.

Chapter 5: ⤷ ゛ part 4 ˎˊ˗

Lunch went so much faster than Gracelyn thought it would, Ragatha and Polly were talking something about mural project, Jack throw in some comments from time to time that weren’t exactly helpful but still made Polly groan and Gracie… she just sat here, but she didn’t felt invisible, she really was there.
Smiling.

Every so often Jack said something so ridiculous that it made Gracie almost snort into her drink.
She couldn’t remember the last time someone like *him* made her laugh *with* them instead of *at* her.

The bell rang, Ragatha went to wing for older students waving to the group, Jack just disappeared with a smirk like he knew some worlds dark secrets, Polly and Gracie went to another class with Mr. Kingsley.
And the second class with him was more chill, less tense, she looked forward it a little, but when class ended Polly ran off with Ragatha to help her carry some things and she was left alone.

Gracelyn didn’t really felt like going back to her dorm, so she went to the courtyard, students still were at school, some still had classes and some just hanged out here.
The courtyard was warm, full of voices and—

“look who still hasn’t gone insane after another class with Kingsley”
Jack was also there, sitting on a bench munching on a bag of chips.
“you really are tougher then you look Glycerin”
“…Gracelyn” she mumbled.
“sure… but Glycerin sounds funnier!”
And instead of rolling her eyes like Polly would or correct him once again like Ragatha would she giggled, just a little.
Jack titled his head, raising an eyebrow “woah! you can laugh! Didn’t think you could!”
“I do laugh” she said softly.
Jack leaned back on the bench with a smug, throwing his bag of chips to the trash can “I thought you’re gonna be some lame ass shy anime girl wanna be, but, you won’t be that pain in the ass to hang out with!”
“I— uh… thanks?” Gracelyn smiled nervously
“woah! it’s a start of an amazing friendship!” he grinned “but don’t get used to me being all nice, I need to keep my reputation”
Gracie blinked and once again giggled, Jack looked at her again in shock that what he says actually made her laugh, but then his smirk appeared on his face again.

And from that day, Jack kept showing up around Gracie which was… oddly unsettling.
Well, not in class— thank goodness, just somewhere in between.

⤷ One time, during lunch break when Gracie was casually drawing in her sketchbook, Jack leaned over her shoulder and asked “is this that apple-sona from Kingsleys class?” after what she flinched and snapped her sketchbook shut, Jack laughed but not in an cruel way more in a delighted way.
⤷ whenever he passes her in the hallway or just simply sees her from away he shouts “hi Glycerin!” so loud that everyone first looks at him and then at the so-called “Glycerin” aka Gracie.
Whenever it happens she looks at him like she wants to kill him but he just winks at her and turns away.
⤷ Jack also notices how overwhelmed loud noises can be for Gracelyn— whenever she feels that way she literally freezes in place, and when Jack notices that he insists for the group to go somewhere quieter.

It was confusing.
Back in elementary school, high school and Gracies old university *anyone* that was like Jack always teased her, yet somehow he didn’t teased her at all.
He was nice.
He was her… friend?

After a week, Polly noticed how friendly Jack is around Gracelyn.

Polly, Ragatha and Gracelyn were sitting by the mural wall after classes, chatting.
“well Gracelyn, are you enjoying your time at the university?” Ragatha asked.
“yes, actually… it’s way better then any other school I was in”
The woman smiled at Gracies response “I’m glad! Caine keeps care for this university to be as enjoyable for everyone”
Caine, the principal, well Gracelyn really never saw him in person— just once, when she was giving papers and her portfolio, he did seem like a very enthusiastic person.

The three heard footsteps down the hall
“well isn’t that my three fellow friends! doll-face, pompom and glycerin!” he said as he pointed at each when saying their nicknames.
“and you’re— uhh… Jacky-boy!” Gracie said pointing at him.
Jack raised his eyebrow “did you just nicknamed me back?” he leaned closer “make up something better than that, Jacky-boy is… kinda cringe”
Gracies face turned all red after this sentence, but Jack just burst out laughing wiping an unexisting tear out of his eye.
Polly titled her head “wait… are two like, actually friends?”
“what, jealous?” he smirked blinking.
She squinted her eyes “just… unsettled”
Jack raised an eyebrow “unsettled?” he echoed Pollys words “I live to unsettle”
Gracie snorted, immediately slapping her hands on her mouth “s— sorry!”
Jack looked at Gracie “wait, was that a laugh? did you *really* laugh at that?”
“Wha— No? I mean… a little…” She turned all red, but couldn’t fight the tiny smile tugging at her lips.
“HA! I knew Glycerin has the sense of humor!”
“just don’t turn her into Jack 2.0” Ragatha muddled, Jack looked at her “what was that?” but Ragatha just smiled and shrugged her shoulders.

Jack shook his head with a grin and stretched his arms “alright, enough chit-chat, you losers heading to the dorms or are you gonna camp here for the whole night?”
Polly gave him a look “we were just about to head back anyway”
“Good.” Jack said putting his hands in his hoodie pockets “then you can walk me halfway, free security.”
Ragatha raised an eyebrow “security? from who?”
Jack shot her with an dramatic look “from the real nightmare— Zoey.”
“here we go again” Polly said rolling her eyes.
“I’m serious!” Jack snapped “do you know what’s it’s like to come back to your dorm after classes and it looks like a literal crime scene? ink stains, cables everywhere and this awful weed smell…” he said holding his nose like he could already smell it.

Gracelyn titled her head and look at him with curiosity “that’s sounds… exhausting”

“exhausting? this is something worse” Jack clutched his chest like he’d been personally victimized “one day I’m gonna walk in and find Zoey summoning demons, if I mysteriously vanish you know who’s at fault.”
Polly huffed a laugh “they’re not *that* bad”
“not that bad? *not that bad*?” Jack threw his hands up “Pompom, you clearly never had to fight for your life because your roommate decided that three a.m. is the perfect time to turn on tattoo machine and loud ass music.”

Gracelyn hid her smile behind her hand. At breakfast— on her first day Zoey really seemed like a threat, but now, by the way Jack talks about them, her stomach twist with a little curiosity but still… with a dread.
Ragatha looked at Gracie like she could hear her thoughts, gave her an sympathetic smile and said “don’t worry Gracelyn, Jack likes to exaggerate, Zoey really isn’t that bad, you’ll meet them eventually!”
“or don’t, better for you glycerin.” Jack muttered, he stopped where their halls split and waved lazily “this is where I ditch you losers, see ya tomorrow”
He winked at Gracie before turning off and complaining something under his breath.

Gracelyn looked at the door which Jack entered, hugging her sketchbook tighter to her chest.
Zoey, huh? Are they really that bad or Ragathas and Pollys right about Jack exaggerating.

We’ll see… maybe…

Chapter 6: ⤷ ゛ part 5 ˎˊ˗

Summary:

yay! FINALLY Zoey appearance!

Jack kicked the dorm door open, tossing his bag on the floor with a loud thump “another glorious day of the amazing university” he muttered, looking at his roommate— Zoey.
They didn’t even care that Jack got back from classes, too focused on doodling tattoo designs with music on their headphones so loud that Jack could hear it.

“one day when they expel you I’ll have a normal roommate” he dragged a hand down his space.
“bold of you to assume you’re normal” Zoey muttered taking their headphones off.
Jack gave them a look but then got back to his character “no one here is normal actually!” he smirked, but Zoey just rolled their eyes still not looking at him.
“tch, whatever” he groaned lying on his bed.

He looked over at Zoeys desk— at their whole tattoo set-up, his eyes laid on glycerin “yo got glycerin!”
Zoey finally looked at him, squinting their eyes “wh– what, why are you—” they said trying to find words “I actually don’t know what to say”
Jack smirked, laughing under his nose “glycerin”
“are you high or somethin’?”
“no, it’s glycerin! yo glycerin what are you doing in my dorm” he joked like he was actually talking with Gracelyn, since glycerin is the epic nickname he gave her.
Zoey raised an eyebrow “okay? why the fuck are you talking to glycerin.”
Jack just smiled at them “you’re too lame to know glycerin anyways” he said jokingly.
They just rolled their eyes for the last time, then got back to their sketchbook.

⊹ ࣪ ˖ *time skip to lunch break— next day*

The lunch smelled like burned fries and somehow burned peanut butter which was used for today’s p&j sandwich.
Ah, yes! classic The amazing digital university lunch! fries, p&j sandwich and star shaped chicken nuggets!
Chef Basil never fails at making food as unique as art in this university.

Gracelyn sat down with her tray of food at the table with her friends.
“aw man, I’m allergic to peanut butter…” Gracie muttered sadly.
Jack grabbed the sandwich from her tray and devoured it in one bite “then you wouldn’t care if I ate it!” he smirked.
“where are your manners, Jack? don’t talk with food in your mouth” Ragatha said, raising her eyebrow like an disappointed mom.
“chill! I’m making a favor for Glycerin!” he leaned back, being proud of himself like he just saved her life.

Gracie giggled a little, shaking her head before starting on the rest of her food.
“see? she appreciates it!” Jack grinned, pointing at Gracies smile.
Polly rolled her eyes grabbing a chicken nugget “what I appreciate is that Chef Basil made something the closest to edible today” she said “last week’s chicken teriyaki traumatized me…”
“hey!” Ragatha defended “at least he experiments with cuisines from all around the world, so we don’t get bored!”
Jack snorted “I have a theory that he tries something new just to poison us slowly.”
Gracie covered her mouth with her hand trying not to laugh.
“and she agrees with me!” Jack pointed out at Gracelyn like he just won a prize.
“whatever, let’s just get back to our food” Ragatha mumbled putting a smile on her face.

The table buzzed with laughter, (un)funny jokes which were of course said by Jack and eventually some projects discusses.

Few tables behind them, a figure with pink hair and visible dark brown roots sat with their own tray of food untouched.
Zoey leaned back, crossing their arms and raising an eyebrow.
Instead of joining their friends during lunch Zoey decided to sat alone after noticing an unfamiliar face with them.

They connected the dots.
Jack calls the new face glycerin, that’s why he was talking to a literal glycerin that was on Zoeys desk.

Their eyes narrowed every time Jack laughed because it was not the usual teasing laugh Zoey was used to.
He was… actually laughing, with the so-called glycerin, and most confusing for them was the fact that the girl was literally a perfect victim for Jack to bully but instead he to choose her as a friend?

Somethings fishy there, and it’s surprisingly not todays lunch.

The bell rang “another class with Kingsley, huh?” Ragatha said looking over at Polly and Gracelyn.
“ha! freaks, surprised you two still haven’t gone completely insane” Jack laughed at the two.
“Kingsley really isn’t that bad, but you like to exaggerate” Polly gave him a look, Jack groaned and rolled his eyes “whatever, have fun slowly going insane” he said disappearing throughout the crowd.
“come on, Gracie” Polly said standing up.
“have fun you two, catch you later” Ragatha smiled warmly also leaving to her class.

And another class with Mr. Kingsley began! Since it’s the second class with him, it’s less “tense” than the first one.
When during the first class the students are given a prompts to draw, during the second class Kingsley discusses about theories.
And today it’s color theory! But turned into rival kingdoms.

Gracelyn didn’t really put a big care to it, since she prefers coloring her art intuitively— not focusing on color theory.

Kingsley marched back and forth, with chalk in his hand. He drew a messy crown on the board and declared “RED! the fiery tyran, thriving for more kingdoms and always stealing the spotlight! And Blue, cold assassin… patient…”
A few students actually took notes, the rest was either doodling or questioning their own existence.
The best art university in the state, huh?

Gracelyn stared at a blank page in her sketchbook, she liked colors, but she liked feeling them not treating them like rival chess pieces.
“YOU.” Kingsley slammed his hand on the desk of a random student “if red faces blue, who wins!?”
“uh… purple?” the student answered.

Gracie looked at them, and then again at her sketchbook, she began to doodle— an anime girl holding another girls hand, she added lil red and blue hearts next to them *red and blue can live together just fine* she thought to herself.

After time, Kingsley declared “and that’s why you never trust red! you don’t know what this color is capable of…” he blinked looking at the void “anyways, class dismissed!”

The bell rang, chairs scraped, and the students began gathering their things.

Polly and Gracelyn left the class “hey Gracie, I need to help Ragatha with some stuff, so I’ll go to the dorm later, see ya!” she said as she turned around walking off, Gracie didn’t said a word just waved at Polly as she began to walk down the hall.
The late sun filtered through the tall, rainbow-glass windows, scattering colors across the walls and floors.
Each step she took painted her shoes red, then yellow, then blue, like she was moving across moving canvas.

“you’re… glycerin..?” an sharp and nonchalant voice broke the silence.
Gracie turned around to see tall, pink haired person in front of her.
“wh— what?”
They titled their head “whatever’s your name, that idiot Jack calls you some fucking glycerin”
They know Jack… so that must be… Zoey?
“o— oh! um, yeah? but my name’s Gracelyn” she said quietly.
“you must be something special, huh?” Zoey leaned closer, crossing their arms “I mean, Jack is bully type of person, but then he laughs *with* you, not *at* you, that doesn’t normally happen he keeps people at… distance” their voice had that lazy-nonchalant drawl, but their stare was razor sharp “he literally talked to my glycerin bottle like he was talking with a real person”
“I— uh… he… did that?” Gracie blinked.
Zoey nodded their head “uh-huh, but enough about him, how did that even happen? You hypnotized him or somethin’?”

Gracelyns throat tightened and her legs felt shaky *something special? or something wrong? Do they think I forced him?*
“I— I didn’t! I mean— he– he was the one who started talking to me!” she flinched.
Zoey raised their eyebrows, muttering “so there’s something in you then, he normally doesn’t—“
Gracie interrupted them “sorry I— I need to– I need to go to my dorm!” her voice cracked as she began running in the opposite direction.

Zoey stood here, squinting their eyebrows “…she didn’t get what I meant, huh?” their eyes flicked down the empty hall “did she… just ran in completely different direction?”

Gracelyn didn’t even knew where her legs led her, one thing was obvious— it definitely wasn’t the way to her dorm.
By the time she stopped she found herself on the rooftop, the door creaked shut behind her leaving a cold breeze.
She sat beside the wall, hugging her knees
*why did I panic that way? why did I ran away like a coward? is it really that weird to see me laughing with others?*
Her throat burned and before she could realize tears drooped from her eyes, she buried her face in her arms letting the sobs slip out.

Footsteps.

Gracie froze quickly wiping her face with her sleeve. When she looked up, she saw Zoey, but not with the harsh look from before, more concerned look.
“I didn’t really mean to follow you but…” they scratched back of their neck “If you say you need to get back to your dorm and end off running in completely different direction It left me with… concern”
Gracelyn looked down at her knees hugging them tighter “I— I just needed… fresh air…”
Zoey hummed “sure, air” a pause.

“Look I– I wasn’t trying to scare you or somethin’ I just…” they glanced at Gracie out of the corner of their eye “don’t understand how *he* of all people becomes your friend here, it’s weird… but not you, him and it’s kinda on me not you”
Gracie sniffed quietly, not responding.
“…tch, never been good at those” Zoey dug into their pants pocket, pulling something out… a joint “it’s an… better way to apologize then with words” they said handing it out to Gracelyn.

She hesitated, not because she never smoked, no no, she actually was the definition of addicted back in high school.
It was the best way to cope after stressful days, everyone laughs behind her back, making fun of her interests.
Smoking was reliving her stress, thought she isn’t that addicted now, she doesn’t need it anymore but… she couldn’t also decline it.

So she took it, left a soft laugh “you have no idea how ironic it is…”
Zoey blinked “huh?”
“nothing” she rolled the joint between her fingers and lit it up “…thanks”

She inhaled, slow and careful, and instead of drowning into the habit like before, she exhaled with a shaky smile “…still tastes awful”
Zoey raised their eyebrows but then left a small smile— barely visible “and again you surprise me again, Gracelyn”
She looked up wide eyes “w— what”
“you smoked before, because if it’s your first time you handle it like a pro” they sat next to Gracie, keeping the distance to not make her uncomfortable “I was… kinda addicted… but it was long time ago…” she looked down with a bit of guilt.
“I see a lot hides under this shy mask, huh?”
Gracelyn giggled a bit giving Zoey last blow of the joint “thank you… again” she smiled softly.
Damn, no wonder Jack likes her, she truly is an angel “don’t mention it, really” they said grabbing the joint, after the joint burned low, they stood up “anyways, we should go back, I didn’t saw Jack at the dorm, who knows maybe he’s summoning demons to kill me or… something” Zoey said squinting their eyes.
Gracelyn giggled standing up “he said the exact same thing about you!” they blinked “he did?” Gracie blinked back “oh!” she fidgeted with her sleeves “let’s just go back to our dorms…”

The two headed back together, not talking but not that distant anymore, well, it still was a bit awkward but not tense.
Maybe it was beginning of the new friendship, huh?
Jack— heading back to his dorm after a graffiti session (it’s not vandalism! well… it’s not vandalism for Jack) and when he saw the two approaching together, his grin dropped like a stone “…the hell is this?”

Chapter 7: ⤷ ゛ part 6 ˎˊ˗

Summary:

hiii, uh this chapter took a little longer because I ahd exams and had to study !!!
ALSO tysm for lovely comments and kudos I really appreciate it love ya ^w^

Another day at The amazing digital university led to its end!
Classes with Mr. Kingsley were surprisingly not as tense as always, on the first class everyone got a specific emotion to draw, Gracelyn got “nostalgia” so she of course had to bring back her childhood! She was an “weird-kid” raised by the early internet.
Lunch break was somehow more… chaotic, Jack nearly choked on a sandwich he stole from Gracie, though this one didn’t had any peanut butter he still stole it which made Polly stab his hand with a fork, Ragatha tried her best to keep them all civilized but failed miserably.

And another round of Kingsley class! Focused on some art theories or whatever, after it the day finally went quiet.
Most of the students went back to their dorms, some still walked around the hallway and some were already grabbing their dinner!

Polly, Ragatha and Gracelyn usually grabbed dinner later, but when they were about to enter the dorms wing a tall man walked into them “well well well! Didn’t know you ladies were sooooo desperate to grab dinner with me!” he joked smirking.
“no one said that” Polly raised an eyebrow.
“no one had to”
Ragatha just titled her head and Gracie? She was already giggling under her nose.
Jack most unfunniest jokes were always making Gracelyn laugh the most, he noticed that and pointed his finger at her “see? glycerin has my side! Now let’s see what Basil cooked” he said going to the cafeteria.

The three never grabbed dinner so early, they preferred to chill in the dorms and grab it later when almost no one was at school.
But there they are, walking with Jack to the cafeteria.
They entered the cafeteria area “oh hell no” Jack muttered rolling his eyes.
Gracie raised an eyebrow looking at him but then quickly noticed tall figure grabbing an food container from chef Basil, they didn’t even noticed them, not giving a flying fuck that the group was there until Jack opened his mouth.
Zoey looked at the group “of course, dinner really couldn’t get any worse” they rolled their eyes “same thing for us!” Jack shouted back.
“I’m actually glad to see Zoey” Ragatha smiled, Jack squinted his eyebrows looking at Ragatha “what!? I’m sure they’ll kill us someday by some car accident or… or something!” he shouted looking back at Zoey.
“don’t look at me like that, this stews already ruining my appetite, don’t need yours face help” they shrugged.

Gracelyn blinked and let out a small laugh “don’t encourage them glycerin!” he grabbed her shoulders and shook her, then he leaned closer like he was about to spill a secret— but his tone was as loud as always letting Zoey hear that “they’ll latch onto you like a tick!”

“You say that like you’re not already latched.” Zoey rolled their eyes.
Polly muttered under her breath “these two are insufferable”, Ragatha quietly agreed.

Zoey scoffed grabbing their food container— looked at it with disgust then at the group with their usual nonchalant expression “whatever, I was about to eat at the dorm anyways” and with zero hesitation they flipped the whole group off.
“yeah! Go crawl back into your cave, freak!” Jack cackled but Zoey didn’t even bother.

Zoeys footsteps faded out of the cafeteria, Jack snorted tossing himself into the bench of their usual table “thank god they finally left, I can eat in peace now!” he smirked.
Polly side-eyed him as she sat down “You wouldn’t eat in peace anyways, you eat like there’s no tomorrow”
Ragatha sighed sitting down with them— so did Gracelyn.

Jack stabbed his stew raising an eyebrow trying to figure what kind of meat is that, he then looked at Ragatha “anyways, Raggy, you actually smiled at them? like you’re glad to see them?”
“I am glad” Ragatha said with a nod ignoring Jacks glare “because despite everything, Zoey is my friend, and if you weren’t so mean whenever they breathe they could sit here with us and finally meet Gracelyn!” she smiled looking at Gracelyn.
Gracies eye widened, she quickly ate a piece of meat from her stew “y— yeah! It would be dope!” she said nervously.
Jack squinted his eyebrows, he knew that Gracie already met Zoey, they even walked together to their dorms!
Ragatha fast enough noticed the look Jack gave Gracie, she thought for a moment
*is he jealous? of Zoey? Gracelyn didn’t even meet them yet maybe he’s* her smile slowly disappeared *afraid of losing someone, again*

Polly in the meantime stabbed the stew and looked carefully at the meat “what even is that?”
Jack got back into his character, smirked “I personally think it’s another example of chef Basil trying to poison us!”
“poisonous or not, what kind of meat is that!?” Polly mumbled.
Gracelyn looked at her stew, inspecting it “I think it’s beef…”
“I don’t think beef should look like that…” Polly poked the stew like it could turn alive at any second.
“exactly! that’s not beef, that’s some Basils lab meat and we’re all gonna horribly die in—“ he looked at his imaginary watch “—five minutes”
“or you’ll be faster” Polly muttered
“and I’ll haunt you”
“you already do.”

Gracie broke intro giggle-snort, quickly covering her mouth. Ragatha smiled softly at that sound, Jack smirked “see? you should be grateful I’m here to make things entertaining and funny! otherwise you would be just three sad losers eating radioactive meat”
“four” Ragatha corrected him.
“excuse me?”
“four losers, you forgot to count yourself” she said sweetly.

Polly snorted into her drink and Gracelyn tried to hide another laugh behind her hand.
“you think you’re funny, Raggy, but that was a low blow” Jack narrowed his eyes looking at Ragatha.
“I thought it was perfect” she said with a small smile on her face.

The small chatter carried through the dinner, some friendly-teasing or complaints about assignments.
And by the time they finally left the cafeteria, the sky outside the tall university windows dimmed to purple, the halls were empty, quiet— only the four was here.
They entered dorms building, Jack scratched his arms when they were about to split to their dorms “god, I wish I had a dorm mate who isn’t the bane of my existence”
Ragatha just shrugged her shoulders “good night to you too, Jack” she said, turning to look at Polly and Gracelyn.
“and for you, good night! oh– and don’t stay too late, there’s still class tomorrow” Ragatha smiled warmly, leaning down to lay a kiss on Pollys cheek “see you tomorrow”
With that Polly and Gracie were alone, heading now to their dorm.

After a moment of quiet walking, Gracie glanced at Polly “hey, can I… ask you… a question?”
“yeah, go ahead!”
“why are Zoey and Jack like that? I mean… they’re always at each other throats” Gracie asked fidgeting with her hoodie sleeves.
Polly opened her mouth with a little hesitation “oh, well, they’ve been like that since day one, constant bickering, but I know Jack actually, well… doesn’t hate Zoey, he would never switch dorm mates” Polly hummed grabbing keys to their dorm.
Gracie blinked “…oh”
“don’t worry, they are just like… well… siblings! yeah! that’s their whole dynamic basically” she said opening the dorm.
“siblings, huh”

Chapter 8: ⤷ ゛ part 7 ˎˊ˗

Summary:

heya!!! I passed my exams soooo now the chapters will take longer since I might have more assignments later (I already have a few projects to draw🥀)
SO SORRY BUT YK SCHOOL STUFF hope u enjoy this one! ٩(ˊᗜˋ*)و
and once again tysm for all kudos & nice comments <33

Jack looked at his reflection, he packed some graffiti cans to his backpack, who takes books to classes nowadays? Morning classes were annoying enough, not to mention breakfast rush, every student is here, well at lunch time everyone is here as well but breakfast is somehow more annoying.

And even more annoying is his roommate who was awake at this hour, which means only one thing.

 

Jack wore his backpack almost ready to go— then he heard a footsteps, looked behind and saw Zoey standing there, uniform on, backpack slung loosely over one shoulder.

“w— WHAT, Zoey!?” he shouted annoyed.

“what’s up” they looked lazily.

“ain’t no way you coming to class today!” Jack narrowed his eyes.

“chill, not here to brainwash your precious sidekick or anything” they turned to leave the dorm, walking down the hallway but Jacks eyes narrowed even more as he bolted out of the door jumping on Zoeys back trying to fight them (or something but not violent like friendly but not¿)

 

“get off!—“ Zoey shouted, somehow still walking forward “you’re heavier then you look!”

“that’s because you’re weak!” Jack grinned.

They tussled like bickering siblings until…

 

BAM.

 

Zoey with Jack on their back bumped into someone making the three of them fall on floor.

 

“Rags!” Polly rushed helping Ragatha stand up. Gracelyn looked wide eyed at the whole situation.

Zoey stood up “Sorry… I had a leech on my back” they said harshly looking at Jack.

“don’t blame me, blame your bad steering.” Jack mumbled having the audacity to look unbothered.

Zoeys glare was so sharp it could cut glass “you jumped on me!”

“you started” Jack rolled his eyes standing up, Zoey blinked in disbelief “Wha— how did I started you jumping on me!?”

Jack crossed his arms “by existing”

 

Polly groaned helping Ragatha dust her uniform “you two are insufferable”

Ragathas bow was crooked, her books scattered over the floor, she sighed, trying her best to stay calm “it’s seven in the morning and you two have energy to wrestle before class?”

“see? pure strength” Jack grinned, Zoey scoffed “pure delusion.”

 

Gracelyn, still standing a little back tried to hide her laugh behind her sketchbook, observing the whole situation. Jack snapped his head towards her causing Zoey to also look at Gracie.

“you’re laughing at them!?” Jack shouted with betrayal “Gracie! Come on they’re not funny! say it!”

Gracelyn froze “w— what?” she asked nervously.

“come on, or else we’ll miss breakfast” Ragatha said collecting last books from the floor.

Jack rolled his eyes “whatever” he walked after everyone, going towards cafeteria “sidekick betrayal, can’t believe it, Zoey brainwash is real” he muttered under his breath, which Gracie heard hiding another giggle.

 

The group entered cafeteria, grabbing todays breakfast.

Cereal with (not so fresh) milk, scrambled eggs and a toast with butter and sprinkles!

 

Everyone sat at their usual table, but the moment Jack sat down Zoey sat right next to him “..You’re sitting there?”

Zoey leaned on their elbow “obviously”

“god, no” Jack tried shoving them over, but Zoey leaned against him like dead weight.

“stop touching me! You’re gonna give me some mental illness of yours!” he hissed.

“damn, chill”

Ragatha pinched the bridge of her nose “it’s way too early for it” Polly, stabbing her eggs muttered “always too early for them”

 

Gracelyn looked over at them, couldn’t help the way her shoulders shook with muffled laughter at the sight of Jack trying to push Zoey off the bench.

“Gracie! don’t laugh you should be on my side!” Jack shouted.

“sidekick betrayal, huh?” Zoey teased, smirking.

 

Jack stopped pushing Zoey “you see this? you see what they’re doing? Turning my best friend against me” he said dramatically pointing at Ragatha “Ragatha! tell them this is some sort of psychological manipulation or– or something!”

“I’m not saying that.” Ragatha sipped her coffee.

 

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡  skip after class ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.

 

The hallways buzzed with chatter, some students went back to their dorms, some went to grab dinner, hallways were quieter by every minute.

Polly already went to help Ragatha to transport some clay project and Jack also vanished somewhere, who knows where.

Gracelyn was still at hallway, heading slowly towards her dorm.

“hey” an nonchalant voice behind her said, she quickly realized that the voice belonged to no one else but Zoey.

She turned around to see Zoey standing with their bag hanging lazily off one shoulder “huh? oh, oh! hi! hi Zoey!” she said nervously.

“not in a rush, huh?”

Gracie shook her head “no, just heading towards the dorm, taking my time…”

 

Zoey fell into step beside her when she started walking down the hallway “I get that, it’s nice when it gets quiet”

Gracie smiled faintly “yeah, feels easier to breathe without the whole crowd”

“quiets underrated” Zoey hummed, nodding at Gracies sketchbook “whatcha drawing?”

“I— well, just some… stuff, nothing special!”

“bet it’s better than you think” they said with more soft tone.

 

Gracelyn looked down, running her finger across the cover “I— I don’t like showing people, they may judge or.. I don’t know… just feels like they’d see too much”

Zoey glanced at her with the corner of their eye, voice dropping softer “I get you, art does that, shows more then you mean to.”

“right!” Gracie looked at Zoey “what do you draw?”

Zoey scratched back of their neck “tattoo work” they admitted “wanna see?”

“huh? oh yeah, yeah!”

After that Zoey rolled their sleeve showing an cyber tattoo mixed with neo-traditional “I mainly do only neo-traditional tattoos but felt like trying something new”

Gracies eyes lit up “that’s dope” she looked back at Zoey “I– I mean cool! yes, cool!”

Zoey gave Gracie a small smile “…thanks, I’d also love to see your art someday”

“only if you show me more tattoo designs!”

 

They nodded “deal.”

 

Meanwhile, Ragatha and Polly were carefully transporting clay project, from Ragathas dorm to the classroom and both were at the opposite sides of the school, but hey! it’s not going that bad! They already went from fourth to third floor!

 

The two were carefully balancing the clay project between them, wobbling slightly with every step down the dorm hallway.

“gosh, why is this so heavy?” Polly muttered to herself “be careful we are… uh… less than halfway there!” Ragatha tried staying positive.

Then a certain someone approached the two, a someone that always brings trouble whenever he is “need a hand?” Jack smirked.

“Jack maybe just… watch?” Ragatha said keeping her focus on the project.

“nah, I got this, you two need an masculine energy here” Jack grabbed the project from the back. The whole thing wobbled.

“Jack—!” Ragatha shouted but it was too late, the clay project collapsed onto the floor “My project!” she cried trying to desperately fix the project.

 

Polly groaned “it’s fine, I— I’m sure we can fix it I— why is Jack here!” Jack stepped back raising his hands in the air “what, it’s abstract now, way cooler”

“UGHH” Polly face palmed “you ruined it!”

Ragatha looked hopelessly at the splashed project “a week of work… week of work for nothing” she sighed.

Jack smirked grabbing a fistful of clay from the floor “c’mon let me lighten the mood”

“what” Polly looked up seeing Jack pointing at her ready to throw it “wait wait wait! don’t— don’t throw it at me!”

He grinned “relax~ it’s just a little fun” then he flung the clay.

 

It sailed through the air perfectly .. expect Polly dodged it perfectly and at the exact moment someone entered the hallway and the clay perfectly hit their face.

Gracelyn looked in shock at the whole situation then at Zoey, the clay slid from their face, they grabbed it and looked harshly at Jack.

He blinked “that… wasn’t me”

“you wish it wasn’t you.” Gracelyn blinked holding back her laugh “oh no no no no no no…” They threw the clay so hard that when it hit Jacks face it made him fall.

 

Gracie let out a small giggle.

“NO WAY! GRACIE!” Jack immediately stood up holding a hand to his chest like he got stabbed “this is my downfall, humiliated and assaulted” he said dramatically.

“assaulted? you threw it first— tch, drama queen” Zoey said with a harsh tone.

“yeah, and you ruined Ragathas project” Polly glared at him, he shrugged “you guys aren’t fun” then he pointed at Gracelyn “and you! you are a betrayer! you laugh at my downfall”

Gracie blinked “wh— what, I— I’m… sorry?” she said nervously, Zoey looked at her “nothing to be sorry about, he likes to exaggerate.. if you haven’t noticed yet”

“what? what is that supposed to mean, huh?” Jack narrowed his eyes, Zoey just shrugged their shoulders.

 

Ragatha let out a sigh looking at her (now splashed all around the floor) clay project “a week of work, gone in seconds” she muttered.

Polly put a hand on her shoulder “I’ll help you fix it, don’t worry” the two exchanged a smile.

“you losers are allergic to jokes or something” Jack rolled his eyes “I ditch yall now, see ya” he said heading to his dorm.

 

“tch” Zoey looked at him “I guess I’ll go as well, see ya… maybe” they headed towards their dorm, giving Gracie last small wave before disappearing behind the corner.

“awww! you two are bonding!” Ragatha stood next to Gracie “that’s so cute!” she added, Gracelyn went all red as she waved her hands “wha— no— yes…?” she smiled nervously.

Polly exchanged a smirk with Ragatha then looked back at confused and nervous Gracie “why… are you looking at me like that…?”

“let’s head back to our dorm, shall we?” Polly stepped forward.

“shouldn’t we… help Ragatha to clean all this mess up?”

“oh right! well—“

“no need to! really! I’ll handle it myself don’t you two worry!” Ragatha waved at them.

 

At the end, they all cleaned the clay together, even if Ragatha still said she didn’t need any help.