School and Stalkers

"We can what?" Stacy is in shock.

"Write up a letter for your loved ones. We will be sending them to you're time period." Amethyst explains. "We will gather them in a little over two weeks on the first day school is back in session. Try to keep the pages down to 2 to 3 pages. There are fifty of you and that can add up to a bit of space. Thank you again Lizzy. If you didn't say what you did then these letters would have been more gloom than bloom."

"You're welcome even though I still had no choice on giving a speech. What about mailing addresses?" Lizzy asks.

"Your Soleils will be able to tell you what address is on file for the person your looking for. Along with some guidelines of what you can and can't say in the letter." Amethyst reassures her.

Lizzy and Stacy are both too excited and happy for words. They jump and squeal holding onto each other. Lizzy is happy she can apologize for her harsh words. Stacy is excited to tell her parents about everything.

The rest of the party was cheerful. Even though Stacy filled Lizzy in on Alex breaking up with her. Which was a little hard for Stacy even though she knew it was eventually coming. 

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Lizzy spent so much time on this letter but it doesn't feel complete. To top it off they need to hand in the letters tomorrow morning.

Dear Mom and Dad,

I'm sorry for the harsh words I said to you before leaving. I want you to know I'm doing alright. I know it was hard on you too, but thank you for sending me here. I actually have more friends than just Stacy now.

Remember when I said I wanted to become the best veterinarian? Turns out that job position is filled. I can still become one but I was informed my work would be double checked.

So right now I'm still working with animals. Since robots have been taking care of domestic animals, they have become scared of humans. I have a barn of 120 goats use to at least me. I brought some friends there and subjected them to the graining madness. That was pretty funny.

Right now I'm working with 10 month old cattle. I was working with a bull but that's been on hold for a bit. No one's really interested in farm animals anymore. So I have been dragging friends to the barns and they are showing interest in them.

Oh I can't speak too much on it but just know that the oak in the pasture is still standing. I love and miss you.

Love, Lizzy

"That will have to do." Lizzy says to the paper.

Lizzy crawls into her bed. Her brain is fried from trying to write late at night. 

Morning rolls around. Lizzy and Stacy get ready together in the bathroom then head off to school. Kiki and Karen take their letters to the spot they need to get to while Lizzy and Stacy start their school day. Then Karen powers herself down in Lizzy's locker and Kiki joins Stacy in the classroom. The rest of the school day was normal for them outside of the classmates talking about what was in their letters home.

Bing bong bing bong.

It's still cold out so Lizzy is taking her time. She makes her way out the school doors just to see that none of the kids have left school property. They are all facing the gates and their whispers are scared ones. Lizzy spots Tiger, Angel, Jay, Ray and Jaff leaning against electro bikes outside the gates on public property. She over hears a whisper.

"Why aren't authorities taking care of this?" A girl asks a guy.

"Apparently they aren't hostile and have no intention of being hostile. Something about taking their master home from school?"

"Oh no." Lizzy says then sighs. She takes in a deep breath. 

"What's your plan?" Asks Karen.

She looks over and sees a metal baseball bat sticking out of a guys backpack. 

"I'm thinking of scaring them." She says walking over to the guy with the bat.

"Can I buy that bat from you?" Lizzy asks.

"What? Oh you're the girl that made that speech. Why would you want to buy my bat?" He asks looking at her.

"That I am. Now I want to scare the guys at the gate. How much for the bat?"

"Er it was expensive.." He slings his bag around to look at the bat. "Wait. You're thinking of taking those guys on with a bat?"

"Long story short I made them cower with a metal pipe and now they want me as their master." Lizzy poorly explains.

"We will give you a hundred more than it's sell value. Think of it as a we are sorry this inconveniences you having to go buy a new one." Karen looks the guy in the face.

"Alright I can do that." He hands Lizzy the bat and Karen transfers the money. He thought to himself if this girl can take on five thugs, it's probably best just to give her the bat.

"Pleasure doing business with you." Lizzy says walking toward the gate. The bat slung over her shoulder. She will cringe later when she asks Karen the price of the bat. "Hey Karen. Can you see if Alex can pick me up and take me to work? I have an idea."

"Very well but no one's getting hurt are they? It would be easier to call the authorities." Karen states.

"It would but I have a hunch as to why they want to follow me. I slept on it for a few days." Lizzy says.

Stacy and the guys see Lizzy walking toward the gate.

"What are you doing?" Stacy calls out.

"I'm not running!" Lizzy yells back. She makes it to the gate then points the bat at the guys. "What are you guys doing here?!"

"Master!" They seem happy enough. "We are here to escort you home!" They bow.

A LOT of whispers break out. Lizzy puts the bat back on her shoulder.

"Well that sucks because I'm not going home. I'm going to work. Don't you guys have other family members? Or how about jobs?" Lizzy watches them. 

They are looking at each other with mixed emotions. Lizzy sees these guys are just playing the delinquent part everyone assigned to them.

"We are each other's family. We have no one else. And we do odd jobs to get by." Tiger explains.

Lizzy sighs. "Alrightly then. Don't you guys have dreams or something? Anything?"

They look at each other "ahhing" and "umming" to each other.

"Alright you don't need to say them here since we do have an audience." Lizzy looks behind her at the whole school population. "Karen can you send them my work address?" 

"What?! Why?!" She looks at Lizzy. "If you do that-"

"If they cause trouble I will send them on their way. Right guys?"

"Yes master!" And again with the bowing.

Alex shows up on his bike. He stops infront of Lizzy. He doesn't let his protective wear down since he doesn't want to be seen. Lizzy zips the bat into her bag as best she can and hops on.

"Keep up if you can boys!" She says and hangs onto Alex. He takes off as they are scampering onto their bikes.

"I see they found your school." Alex says concerned.

"Yea thinking on it now I can see why they found me. I told them I'm a minor and there is only one high-school in this city. So at least they can do simple math." Lizzy comments.

"And they are following us." Alex says. He hits the throttle taking turns fast and sharp. Along with extra turns trying to loose them.

"You're taking me to work right? Its going to get cold once the sun goes down."

"I will. Just thought I would loose these guys in the process." Alex says. The guys are staying closer on their tail with this chase.

"It'll be alright. They can follow." Lizzy informs him.

"What!?" Alex about yells and the bike swirves a little.

"They can follow."

"I heard that! But why?!" His voice doesn't hide the fact he is upset with this decision.

"Lizzy has an idea. It appears she isn't going to change her mind either." Karen comments.

"You're being reckless again Lizzy." Alex is concerned.

"It'll be alright. If they cause trouble I will send them packing." Lizzy says.

Alex slows the bike as they approach the city wall. "I'm going to stay with you while they are around." 

"Alrighty. Just dont cause any fights." Lizzy says patting his back.

"Tsk." Is all Alex could reply with while parking his bike.

The others park nearby.

"Alright guys." Lizzy says getting off the bike. "I will show you the barn that I want you to meet me at tomorrow. And by tomorrow afternoon, I want you all to have passed the test to get into these barns. If you don't you you will be answering to Speckles."

"Yes master." 

"No more master talk!" Lizzy snaps. "My name is Lizzy!" 

"Yes Lizzy."

"You guys sound like robots." She let's out a sigh and gives them a look over. "Make sure you wear clothes that can get dirty tomorrow. Now follow us."

Lizzy shows them the barn and then sends them on their way home. They tried staying but Lizzy has work to do and a bat.

"This isn't a good idea." Alex says leaning against a wall watching Lizzy brush down cattle. Most of them have figured out what a brush looks like and come running for grooming now.

"It might not be. They seem lost though. Like playing a part they were assigned. It doesn't sit right with me." She is a little lost in thought while brushing.

Alex watches her for awhile then heads off to the office.

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The next day all five of them have passed the test and are standing outside the barn Lizzy told them to be at. Dressed in ripped jeans and raggedy sweatshirts. When she sees them her heart sinks knowing these guys don't have much. She gives them a smile to try to hide her sadness.

"Let's head inside." Lizzy says with Alex right behind her.

Lizzy tells the guys to sit on the ground beside a chick enclosure while she gets into it. They look like little kids looking at the little yellow and red chicks running around. Their eyes were lit up with curiosity. Lizzy grabs a chick and hands them each one.

"Careful. Keep their wings down like this." She shows them how to gently hold them and their wings. "This way they can't flap away. These are babies from my chickens Henrietta, Fluffy and Speckles."

"Mines crying!" Jaff is almost in tears. He is holding a red chick that is crying out.

"Pet her like this with the back of your finger." Lizzy shows him how to stroke the chick. The chick quiet downs. "If we do this often they will eventually enjoy your company and come running to see you."

The guys are suddenly surrounded in flowers, hearts and stars while holding the chicks.

"Am I the only one hallucinating?" Alex asks.

"No I'm seeing it too." Karen states.

"You guys don't seem like the gang type. Why are you guys acting this way?" Lizzy's voice is gentle.

The guys look at each other. "Our parents were in the same gang. We took over when they went to jail. We were following their orders but the authorities cut off communication from them so we have been running blind for awhile."

"Ah then you don't want to be in the gang? So Tiger, what did you want to be when you grew up if you didn't feel you needed to follow their footsteps?" Lizzy asks him.

"I-I wanted to be a pilot. I watched shows of them doing tricks and how they maneuver them in movies is fascinating." Tiger's smile toward the chick is kind.

"I think you should try to get your pilots license. You have good reflexes with your bike." Lizzy encourages him. She looks to Jay. "What about you Jay?" 

"I want to be a baker but my decorating skills are not good at all." Jay's hand shakes a little while petting his chick.

"I think your problem is your nervous. Here slow and gentle." She moves her hand slow and he copies. His hand slowly stops shaking.

"Jaff you seem to have a big heart. What was your dream?" Lizzy stands up and walks to the wall to watch them.

"I wished to be a doctor. I don't like to see people in pain or scared." Jaff says quietly. So that explains the near tears Lizzy thought.

"Maybe you could be a counselor. Someone to help people through things. Like you helped that chick be calm in a scary environment for her." Lizzy comments.

"I think I might like that." Jaff says with a smile.

"I think you would too." Lizzy looks to Ray. "How about you?"

"I want to be an artist but it seems everyone is one now days. I don't think I would be able to survive off that income."

"So you starve? Well starve for a little while. What kind of art would you want to do?" Lizzy asks.

"I like the 3d paint style." Ray replies. "But I'm not good at it."

"How many hours do you have wrapped into it?"

"Um maybe a 100 hours?" 

"Well there's your problem. You haven't given it enough time."

"What?"

"If you want to be good, you need to put in the time. I didn't make 120 goats like me over night it took two months of working over time."

"Enough. I'm not getting dragged in by the authorities just because you bragged about hours worked." Karen states.

"You're right! I should keep practicing!" Says Ray.

"That leaves you Angel." Lizzy tells him.

"Mines embarrassing." He says holding the chick closer to his chest.

"It can't be that bad. Well it could but shouldn't be in the way I'm thinking." Lizzy says.

"I want to be a model."

"Oh. That's it?" Lizzy asks.

"What do you mean that's it?! I'm nearing 30! With a gut to top it off!" Angel looks defeated.

"The gut is easy to fix. Have you looked into modeling for beauty shops?" Lizzy asks.

"Beauty shops?"

"Yea they need people to model in their windows and such. Maybe someone could scout you from there."

"I never thought of that!"

"Well I think you all will be alright chasing your dreams. You are also welcome to come back and pet these little ones when ever too."

"What about serving you? You are our leader." Asks Jaff.

"You guys appointed me leader because you want someone to follow. My dream is to be a veterinarian not a gang leader. I would appreciate the help of people stopping in and getting the animals socialized though, if you have the time. And you wish to be my friends that's alright. Just know that guy there is a grouch." Lizzy jabs her thumb in Alex's direction.

"Hey now adrenaline junky!" Alex jabs back.

"But you love me." Lizzy lightly mocks him with a smile.

Alex's stuttering is uncomprendable. His black knit hat hides his ears turning red. The other guys all blush as if they discovered something they shouldn't have.