[Joy & Sadness] That moment when you want to say 'please stop invoking Murphy's Law...'

[isadrag]

Joy may not have actually asked 'what could happen' when they got that new console installed, but if there was one thing they all had learned by that point, it was that if something can go wrong, it's probably going to.

That's what they were for though, right? To help Riley through any troubles she went through in her life.

Unfortunately, it's something completely different when the trouble is history repeating itself - this time, however, Sadness wakes up one morning to find herself... not in her room. Not even in Headquarters. ... And nowhere in the Mind World. Instead, she was lying on something rather soft, and green, and leafy...

Grass. She was lying on grass. But grass didn't exist in the Mind World! She slowly tried to sit herself up, if only to try and see where she was... and saw a building in front of her. With multiple kids staring at her from in front of it.

The sign read something about a Middle School.

School. In the human world. With actual people staring at her. Staring down at her hands, they were still blue... and she was still wearing her sweater... but she was human-sized too?

Whatever the kids were thinking, they started covering their mouths and giggling, which caused Sadness to back away a little, putting her hands together and lowering her head a bit. They thought she looked funny, didn't they? Oh, this is bad... This is so, so bad...

Was this really a dream? Or was it reality? Were any of the others here? What was going on...?

Comments

[isadrag]

The food isn't half bad, to Sadness. Maybe it's just because she's a pessimist.

After a little bit though, she offers a chocolate candy she got while in line. She was used to this kinda thing, but Joy was usually happy... Sadness wanted to try and help keep her spirits up, even if she couldn't keep her own up.

[letssaveourgirl]

"Thanks, Sadness," Joy says with a quiet, sincere smile. She takes the candy and lets it melt on her tongue. If they have each other, surely they'll be okay.

So, with that in mind, they have some time to go outside for recess and then head to their afternoon classes. It's funny to think that she ever got frustrated at Sadness, who is kind and thoughtful.

[isadrag]

"You're welcome, Joy." And she smiles in return. She likes it when she can help her friends. It makes her feel a little happy that she can be useful in that way. It's strange, really. She just... knows when someone's down or sad. Joy tends to be more obvious than others, but it's still something she can just... tell, somehow.

And hey, recess! Maybe they can try to talk to other people. Or just have fun by themselves. Either way, they're bound to have fun, right? Just no people throwing balls at each other, hopefully.

[letssaveourgirl]

There are some kids and balls, but they can easily be avoided, thankfully. And wouldn't you know it, there is a quiet girl sitting by herself under a tree. With a squeeze to Sadness's hand, Joy heads in that direction.

"Hi," she says. "Can we sit with you?" she asks.

The girl looks up, nudging her glasses up her nose. "Okay."

Great! Joy smiles brightly and sits down next to the girl, urging Sadness to sit too.

"We're new," she explains.

[isadrag]

Hey, Sadness can relate to the girl, and that's something, right? Nowadays, before this, she was accepted with Joy and the other emotions, but... she still understands. She sits down as well.

After Joy explains that they're new, she gives a small smile and wave. "Hi. My name's Sadness, and this is Joy..."

[letssaveourgirl]

"Your hair is really cool," the girl says, looking at them both. "My name's Perry. I'm new, too, I guess. I've been here two weeks."

[isadrag]

"Thanks..." Sadness was still getting used to getting compliments from anyone, so part of her didn't know how to react. She just... smiled.

"Two weeks, huh..." She thought for a moment. "It can be hard to adjust to a new school. Do you like it here so far...?"

[letssaveourgirl]

Perry shrugs, looking around. "It's hard to make friends."

Oh, now this seems to be just up Joy and Sadness's alley, doesn't it?

"I bet you'll do just fine," Joy says, smiling. "Just give yourself some time."

[isadrag]

Sadness gives her own little knowing smile. "It can be hard to make friends. Not everyone is easy to make friends with... but it's not that bad." She pauses. "It's hard being the new kid. I think Joy and I have learned that too. But I think you could make lots of friends."

[letssaveourgirl]

See? Sadness is perfect for this! Joy just smiles.

"You don't want to rush into that anyway," she says with a nod. "It'll be great."

[isadrag]

Sadness nods as well. "Just because it's hard to make friends now... doesn't mean it'll always be hard." She thinks for a moment. "Hey, since we're all new... how about we be friends...?" That would help, right? Perry seemed nice, and Sadness wanted to help her... and they wanted to make friends...

[letssaveourgirl]

"You want to be friends with me?" Perry asks, blinking and nudging her glasses back up her nose. "... okay."

It's clear that she can't quite believe that it's that easy.

Joy's smile is so big when she looks at him. "Well, of course! We're all friends now!"

[isadrag]

Sadness couldn't help smiling, too. Part of her almost couldn't believe it was that easy, either, but she hoped this would help make Perry happy, too.

And hey, now that they're friends, the day is really starting to look up! ...A little.

[letssaveourgirl]

Of course, the logistics of being friends are a little trickier to work out. But that's not usually the job of the emotions. Joy is feeling good, though, as they head off to their afternoon classes. "This is a great day, isn't it, Sadness?"

[isadrag]

"It's alright..." which, from her smile, seems to indicate she means it's great. "I didn't think we'd be able to make a new friend so quickly..." What she does in terms of comforting someone else is a strange instinct for her, but of course, now she doesn't question acting on it.

Three classes left, and while before she was feeling her usual sad self... Sadness couldn't help feeling a bit more motivated because of this.

[letssaveourgirl]

Then it's already worthwhile, isn't it?

So, what's next?

English! Reading and writing! All right!

[isadrag]

Now this is a subject Sadness can enjoy. She really likes reading, and there's a constant smile on her face as they read the story of the week. She finishes a bit faster than the others and decides to read the next story, not realizing they were about to swap to a different assignment.

[letssaveourgirl]

They're given a worksheet to fill out about the reading and Joy goes about doing that earnestly. It's not quite are rewarding as math, but it's interesting for sure.

[isadrag]

It takes a comment from the teacher for Sadness to realize they need to work on the paper. With a small sigh, she does so as well. At least they're answering questions about the reading, which she enjoyed. And even after they finished and class was ending, Sadness could be found still reading another story. She might be zoned out a little.

[letssaveourgirl]

"Sadness," Joy whispers, touching her shoulder. "We need to go to the next class." She smiles a little though. "Are you enjoying it?"

[isadrag]

It takes her a second to notice, but she snaps out of it. "Huh?" She looks over to Joy, putting the book down. "Oh... is it time...?" She looks back at the page she was on, and tries to remember. Maybe she can keep reading later. "Yeah... it's a pretty good story..." Some turmoil and stress and sad feelings... but she has a feeling it'll turn out okay.

She takes her book and stands up out of her seat. "Um... what class is next...?"

[letssaveourgirl]

"Um ... Science," Joy says, walking with Sadness. "I'm not sure what that will be, though."

[isadrag]

"Oh, maybe it's that 'Physical Science' class Riley was taking..." Though she wasn't sure what they'd learn, either. She couldn't remember the lessons right off...

As the school day was getting closer and closer to its end though, Sadness couldn't help wondering what they'd do after it...

[letssaveourgirl]

That's the question, isn't it? Do they go back to Riley's? (How they even get there is beyond Joy at the moment.) They don't even get a chance to see Perry again before everyone goes rushing for the exits at the end of the days.

"Um," Joy murmurs. "Let's just ... walk for a while," she decides. Maybe something will occur to them. Or reveal itself.

[isadrag]

Sadness is kinda... well, sad they don't get to see Perry again before they get out of school. But at Joy's suggestion, Sadness nods and takes her friend's hand. "Okay... how about we go to the park...?" That's a great place to sit and talk or think for a while, right...?