Harsh.
Mean-spirited.
Callous.
All different delineations of the same concept, and all applied to Sugarcoat at various points.
Over the last two years, Sugarcoat had established much about herself within these halls. Her intelligence had earned her a spot in the top 10 students in school, and her athletic abilities were sufficient to pass basically any physical trial that was sent her way. Not only that, but being from a wealthy family meant she was privileged, and could afford to go on any trip or go to any event held by the school. The girl wanted for nothing, at least in the eyes of her fellow students.
Would they ever guess, then, that the one thing she wanted—the one thing that would make her truly happy—was something no amount of money could buy, and no amount of intelligence could just grant her?
Everyone knew of Sugarcoat’s ‘serpent’s tongue’, with bluntness to rival a sledgehammer and a near perpetual deadpan tone. While not haughty like Sunny Flare, or manipulative like Suri Polomare, many regarded her as one of the most unpleasant students to be around. She always seemed to have a comment on something, and rarely were they positive.
Even to new students, it seemed…
“My name is Dreadful Strife.”
“Sounds like your parents hated you with a name like that.”
That interaction stung. The new guy was introduced to her by Nova Knight, and he had seemed pleasant enough. Very stoic, and certainly looked like he would fit in with the ‘goth’ crowd, but a nice guy, overall.
And then she got his name.
‘I just had to open my stupid mouth…’
Though his expression was unchanging, Sugarcoat was sure he had been insulted. Who wouldn’t be after such a mean claim, and in front of others as well? News would spread of what she said, and no doubt the actual bullies would use that as ammo against him. First day in Crystal Prep, and because of an attempt by Nova to be helpful, she had effectively put a target on his back.
That event had happened a couple of minutes before the first period, and it had been on her mind ever since. Even now, with lunch period just beginning, it still consumed her thoughts.
Why did she have to be like this?
Most people knew of Sugarcoat, but very few actually knew her. She had her secrets, just like everyone else, and one of them involved how her brain functioned. Of course, her neurodivergence wasn’t something she went around divulging to every random passerby. There was no guarantee others would try to understand, and the wrong person finding out could paint a bigger target on her back.
It was her cross to bear, and hers alone.
And unfortunately, one of her symptoms was very detrimental.
The concept of a ‘Compulsive Liar’ was one Sugarcoat vaguely understood—out there were those who regularly and habitually lied, usually as a symptom to some larger condition.
But for Sugarcoat, she had the reverse.
That was probably a gross oversimplification, but it was the easiest way for her to understand it. Her thoughts came streaming out of her mouth almost as quickly as they appeared in her mind. This on its own would be an annoyance, but in the most ironic twist of fate, Sugarcoat’s thoughts would be expressed in the most direct and unfiltered way possible.
She wanted to say “this part of your song could use some work”?
It came out as “you need to rewrite this part, it flows horribly”.
She wanted to politely decline an invitation?
It came out as “not interested, it sounds boring”.
She was shocked by someone’s strange name, but wasn’t going to comment on it?
Well, now she was, and she’d tell him “that name sounds like your parents hate you”...
The worst part was that, despite Sugarcoat’s attempts at restraint, her impulses were often too much. And almost constantly, it would hurt others’ feelings, though that wasn’t always obvious to the poor girl. But of course, with everyone talking bad about her behind her back, she always got the message eventually.
And the message came loud and clear: Sugarcoat was mean.
Except she wasn’t. Or, at the very least, she didn’t try to be.
But what she tried to be didn’t matter in the long run, especially at a school like Crystal Prep. The rumor mill around this place was utterly vicious, and no one escaped it. Sugarcoat did her best to practice speaking with more tact, but impulse still won out more than she wished it did.
And oftentimes, she got flack for it. Rightfully so in the moment, but after the fact, she’d hear the little digs and the insults they would chuck when her back was turned. When they thought she couldn’t hear them.
“Maybe I should talk to Lemon Zest about that,” Sugarcoat considered, mumbling to herself as she stepped down the hall. “Nah…”
Turning a corner and heading toward the cafeteria, Sugarcoat froze upon seeing Nova Knight and Dreadful Strife having a conversation. Her brain told her to get out of sight, but her feet would not move. She just kept staring, part of her wondering what they were saying.
Eventually, her mind caught up to her, and she hid around the nearby corner, desperately trying to make sure even her breaths were as quiet as she could manage. The thought of being caught by the two of them had her stiff as a board and still as a statue.
God only knows what kind of rumors might start if they could now add ‘eavesdropper’ to her list of titles…
“So, anyone give you any guff?” asked Nova Knight.
“Not particularly,” Dread answered. “Most I got was that one offhand comment from Sugarcoat.”
The girl in question felt her heartbeat quicken, as the guilt of her earlier actions hit her once again. She mouthed the words ‘me and my stupid mouth’, as she readied herself for Dread to talk badly about her.
Just like everyone else in this school did…
“So, uh… what’d you think about her?”
A locker door closed. All she could do was wait now, for whatever new name he had in mind.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity to her, an answer was received:
“I like her. She’s funny.”
Sugarcoat blinked, mouth agape. Certainly she hadn’t heard that right.
No part of her wanted to believe that those words were spoken in earnest, especially after giving Dread such a negative first impression. Funny? For saying his parents hate him? That had to be a joke, right? Plenty of comedy flew right over her head, or didn’t get much of a reaction from her, so perhaps.
“Right?” Nova said with a chuckle. “Y’know, you’re the second person who gets it with her. Everyone else just thinks she’s mean.”
“Really?” Dread asked.
“Yeah, you shoulda heard ‘em in third period. They were calling her all sorts of names because of what she said to you.”
The new student scoffed. “Not like I haven’t heard it before. And besides that, her delivery was hilarious.”
Was this for real? Were they for real? No, that didn’t make sense. She was Sugarcoat, the ‘mean’ girl who hurt everyone’s feelings. They couldn’t possibly like her for that, could they?
“They sound so genuine…” she mumbled as quietly as possible, shaking slightly. She had to hear more.
“Yeah, but the rumor mill ‘round here is pretty sucky,” Nova noted. “Heck, I’ve always liked a couple of the girls they talk bad about. Seem nicer to me than anyone else in this school.”
Sugarcoat herself was unsure if that was a compliment to her, or a criticism of the student body as a whole. She liked to think of herself as someone who did not ruffle feathers, but considering every interaction ended in failure, how much was that really worth? How much weight did her not being selfish or manipulative carry when everything out of her mouth upset her fellow students? Was that on her, or was that on everyone else?
She just… couldn’t understand.
“I’d like to meet Sugarcoat again,” Dread told Nova. “I certainly like her more than the others I’ve met.”
“You should try meetin’ up with her after school, she’s usually there waiting for her mom to pick her up.”
“You sure seem to know a lot about her, Nova.”
“Heh. We play Monster Fighter sometimes.”
Sugarcoat allowed herself a small smile at that. She loved Monster Fighter, from the first game she had played way back when. But unfortunately, most people didn’t even touch the game at CPA, viewing it as juvenile. While she could certainly agree that the last games were way too easy, that didn’t stop her from playing, or from getting Sour Sweet and Nova Knight to fight her in it.
“Monster Fighter, huh?” Dread asked.
“Yea, why?” asked Nova in kind. “You play?”
“Well, Seraphino did get me the new one for my birthday. Maybe I’ll ask about fighting her one of these days.”
“Sounds like fun. Hey, we could go find her right now, if you want. I’m sure she’s somewhere around here.”
“Afraid I can’t. I promised I’d meet Seraphino outside the school. You want to come?”
The last thing Sugarcoat heard was a small noise of confirmation coming from Nova Knight, followed by footsteps heading in the opposite direction from her. Now, as far as she knew, the hallway was empty save for her.
Well, her and her thoughts…
“They think I’m funny,” mumbled Sugarcoat. “I don’t think what I said was funny…”
And that was the crux of the issue, from her perspective. Even after hearing Dreadful Strife explain that her ‘delivery’ was what made the line amusing, the humor of it was still lost on her. Admittedly, it was nice to think someone didn’t automatically assume malice, and Sugarcoat was not about to spurn that.
But she was not joking earlier. Thus, it still hurt…
“I owe him an apology,” said Sugarcoat, surprising herself. Apologies were never her forte, the cynic in her mind telling her that it was pointless—she was just going to say something stupid again, after all. However, knowing Nova and Dread actually liked her certainly inspired confidence.
It would not be the easiest thing, but she had to try.
“Next time I see Dread, I’m going to apologize,” she declared proudly, standing back up. Merely getting those words out was encouraging enough, and got the gears in Sugarcoat’s mind spinning.
Perhaps she could recruit some assistance, or at least someone who could offer advice. Like maybe Lemon Zest, distracted as she always seemed, would be willing to listen. Indigo Zap was also an option; no doubt the athlete could help with that unshakable self-assuredness of hers.
Or maybe Sour Sweet. The moody girl might have seemed like an odd choice on the surface, but she was the closest thing Sugarcoat had to a friend.
A fact she resolved to rectify with Dread.
After all, to have real friends was all she ever wanted. And maybe now, she could. But she had to be willing to do the right thing.
Tentative footsteps were taken, as the blue girl headed toward her locker. The trip was short, but it felt like an eternity when one was deep in thought. Already, she was planning out ways to give Dread a proper apology, considering the likes of a written note, or asking to meet him after school, or even attempting something involving Monster Fighter.
Regardless of what she decided on, she knew one thing for certain in her heart: Sugarcoat wasn’t mean.
And she was sick of others seeing her that way—others who didn’t even know her—so it was time to do something about it.
And unlike all of the other times she tried, this time, she would succeed.