BARBIE AND THE UGLY DUCKLING: SEASON 1

We drove quietly for two minutes and then she said.

"So, duckling huh. That's a lame name and then ugly is added to it. How do you survive being called that. Truth is you should be prettier than Nikki. She hides under makeup thinking she's all perfect".

Okay, she's kind of sassy. "I just ignore them". I told her.

She sighed and parked in front of my house.

"Mind if I hang? No-one's gonna be at the hotel yet". She told me.

She lives in a hotel. Now that is cool. "Sure". I replied her.

We moved into the house together, and she followed me into my room.

"Shit! Dude this is amazing. Did you draw these or paint them. This is sick!". She said the moment she saw my art work in my room.

You remember when Chloe called me an art nerd and when I said I was consumed in the world of art? This was what I meant. I am an artist but no-one else know that I do this except my mum, dad, Chloe and now Barbiee. This was what I wanted to show Steven the other day.

"I just paint and draw. It's nothing". I said trying to look humble but deep inside me my heart leaped with joy.

"What do you mean it's nothing. Do anyone at school know you do this stuff?". She asked me with seriousness.

"Not really". I told her.

"Now that is why they call you ugly duckling". She said and laughed.

To be honest, I didn't find it funny in any way but I had to force laughter.

We spent the rest of the day, painting together. She demanded I teach her something so I took her to the basement in my house. That's where I do the messy work.

Later on, I introduced her to my dad, and they actually got along well.

"My mum died when I was seven". I told her as she flipped through my family's photo album. I regretted it the minute it left my mouth. I don't like talking about such stuff but for some reason, I felt warmth around Barbiee.

"I'm sorry". She told me and tapped my back.

"If you don't wanna talk about it it's fine". She said as she noticed that I became uncomfortable. I nodded and changed the topic.

We talked about Nikki and her group members.

We played, laughed, painted and talked for a long time, and then, we lost track of time.

"Shit it's 7 pm. I gotta run. I had a good time with you Griselda!". She yelled as she ran downstairs.

"Me too!". I reciprocated her yell. She bid my dad goodbye and left my house.

The next day at school, we barged in together. Everyone was staring at us and speaking among themselves.

"Isn't that duckling? What is she doing with Barbiee". I heard one of them say this. I turned to look at Barbiee's reaction and she was just smiling.

When we stepped into the class together, Miss Wendel said, "Oh! the new besties".

Nikki scoffed and said. "In her dreams".

Barbiee paused. "Yes Miss Wendel, she is a great friend. We spent a lot of time at her house yesterday. Did you guys know that Griz is an art master?". Barbiee asked the class.

I felt embarrassed and slightly annoyed because she had gone too far. "Yeah, she's so damn good!". Steven yelled and this agitated Nikki even more.

I sat on my seat and faced down. "Hey! Can you stop being so shy?". Barbiee whispered to me.

I raised my head and smiled at her.

After two periods, it was lunch break. The trios, Nikki, Tia and Maya walked up to Barbiee's table.

"Barbiee let's go eat together. Ignore duckling. She'll make you lose appetite". Nikki said and looked at me.

Bang! Barbiee hit her book on the table and got up.

"Listen Nikki or whatever you call yourself. Do you know the people that I hate the most? They are the people that feel they are perfect. Please don't make me speak any further. Griselda let's go". Barbiee said in anger and left Nikki, her girls and the whole class in a shocked state.

"You should have ignored them". I told her.

"Not everyone is the same Griselda". She replied and moved into the cafeteria.