First 5 Impressions

This Wasn't Meant To Be This Terribly Cheesy, I Swear

Finally exiting the room and out of 5's sight, Phil let out a heavy sigh. That was way more nerve-wracking than it should have been. Feeling Smiley's hand wriggle out of his grip, he quickly released her and shortly apologized.

"Um, so..." Started Smiley, "Can anyone tell me what just happened back there?"

"5's not someone you want to associate with, just a heads up." Zack crossed his arms and averted eyes,

"What?" Smiley raised an eyebrow, "Why? What did he do?"

Unfortunately, nobody had the exact answer to her question. They knew 5 was a bad person, but the truth is, he never did anything specific to them. It was just his general impression and attitude that made him so intimidating and mean. Smiley stood there, patiently waiting for an answer which everyone wanted to respond, though they just couldn't find the words.

"Well..." Although reluctant, Phred spoke, "He's just... 5 isn't the nicest person around. I don't know if you noticed but he... kind of has a malicious vibe to him."

"What? He was always pretty nice to me, though. Has he been mean to you guys?" Smiley asked them.

"He's only nice to you cause you're an easy target. You're just food to him."

"ZACK!" Phil was almost shocked to death by how blunt his friend was and how dry he sounded with his words.

"Excuse me? 'Easy target'?" Smiley had a perplexed look painted on her face,

Phil put his hands up defensively, "Don't- Don't take it the wrong way! It's just that 5... Y'know."

"You guys haven't answered my question earlier," Said Smiley, "Did 5 do something mean to you guys?"

Another moment of stunned silence, all they could do was stand there as their brains scrambled for the right words. After enough time had passed, Smiley's brows furrowed.

"So, you're telling me he hasn't done anything," It was almost scary to see Sundae so unimpressed, "And yet you deem him as a bad person, cause that's just the impression he gives you guys?"

"Well, we don't know if he's done anything bad yet." Shrugged Phred,

"Exactly!" Her expression was sour, "You barely know anything about him yet, and you still think he's... What? Some sort of bully? Why don't you guys just give him a chance?"

"Do you just assume all shady-looking people are actually good people on the inside?" Zack rolled his eyes, "And what if he's actually a bad person? You can't blame us for having that impression of him."

"Right, I'm not blaming you for having that impression of him," Rubbing the bridge of her nose, Smiley continued, "But there's nothing wrong with giving a person at least one chance, right? Shimmying me away from him because of your assumptions was just... so not cool... I had homework to talk about with him!"

Phil nervously fiddled with his hoodie strings as he spoke, "Right... But since you always want to be friends with everyone, we just thought you wouldn't realize right away and that's why-"

"I'm not stupid, Phil." The way she said it so coldly was terrifying.

"I-I never said you were!" Eggtree wanted to punch himself for stuttering.

Sundae gave a sigh, "I know, but it sort of bugs me you guys treat me as if I'm too innocent or 'pure' to know if people are being rude to me or not. I don't need to be babied, guys. Just because I act optimistic and open doesn't mean I'm unable to realize when someone is bullying me."

The rest of them stood in silence, simply thinking. Crap, what if they really were babying her? Phil knew she was an extremely capable girl, why was he even worried? He felt a sort of guilt wash over him like a tall wave, oh man did he want to get out of this situation badly.