#where is the cute nerdy black girl with textured hair and glasses

[tooth-with-eyes]

I fully believe in Not!Sasha whitewashing Sasha and Melanie going absolutely mental over this because she may not be racist but that doesn't mean she's fucking colourblind

[velmautism]

Impressions

Tired of everyone making assumptions about her, who she's meant to be, and the way she's meant to act, Velma finally takes matters into her own hands. After all, the best way to correct someone is to prove them wrong.

I will post a warning just because I'm pissed at the weird horniness for the girls, especially Velma. Talks a quite bit about objectification and sexualization. But, there is also friendly fluff within after Velma takes matters into her own hands. Involves lots of my chaotic neutral take on Velma.

Reads/comments appreciated so I can make better stories in the future! I will work on the MH!AU later too so don't worry, I just wanted to do something else.

Maybe I'm sick of them assuming I'm something I'm not.

"Does she act as much as the rest of you? It's assumed that she doesn't need to be outside as much, so long as you could supply her with info and clues!"

"She charmed the socks off that Norton boy, she must be good with men!"

Body this, body that.

"Why doesn't she wear makeup?"

They even ask me why I'm not always as "put together" and photogenic as Daphne.

Her looks are her choice, she rocks them, but that isn't me. If I'm gonna be running around, getting dirty in order to find clues, etc. I'm not going to pretty myself for the publicity.

She was shocked and hurt when months ago, she found out people commented on her bust size and nothing to do with a case she had played a huge part in. They left that glory to Fred. They also talked about her waist and how she refused weight loss programs.

One, they're a load of bullshit. They all are. Two, why can't I just have a body? Why am I subject to scrutiny over my appearance and not something I really care about?

The aftermath of the Frankencreep case was also a nightmare because her costume while hypnotized was publicized. She didn't feel safe outside alone for weeks.

She wasn't even sure what had happened to her, but when finding out, she was incredibly embarrassed. The dress didn't leave much to the imagination, much to her horror.

It's because I'm a girl, isn't it?

She sighed, squeezing her hands into fists as she leaned over the bathroom sink.

"What's behind the bookish bespectacled girl that we don't see?"

Lots, if you care to look deeper.

It isn't fair....

I'm not even that nerdy, or bookish, and I'm certainly not sweet. That isn't for me.

She glanced up into the mirror, studying her brown hair, dark eyes, the freckles dotting her face.

What about the glasses, the sweater/skirt combo, and my hair makes them think I, of all people, am the submissive, sweet, and shy type? The quiet nerd with a secret wild side? I'm smart as hell, but I'm not sweet. And if they knew my "wild side," they would be terrified.

The truth was, in a case, she never cared much for the whims of others. She wasn't above manipulating others, but not in a "charming" way.

If they knew how many people I've blackmailed, blatantly lied to, tricked, all for the purpose of solving the mystery... Well, maybe there's one advantage to them having the wrong impression of me.

But then people assume things.

I've heard them call me shy.

Sweet.

Innocent.

Nerdy.

Curvy, if they're really gross.

All of it is disgusting to me.

They tell me to be something I'm not.

She looked down, not wanting to look at her reflection, if just for a while.

To her left, she spotted rounded blue plastic buried under a washcloth.

She grabbed the handles and stopped to stare at the pair of scissors in her hand, gleaming under the light.

"Hmm...." She finally contemplated aloud. "The best way to change their impressions of me.... Is to do it myself."

She seized the locks of brown hair near the nape of her neck before committing herself to this. She was going to be exactly what she wanted others to see.

Snip.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Hey, Velma! Come get a look at this!" Fred hollered up the stairs.

Well, this is it. I can't really go back now.

.....

I can't wait.

Fred stood unassumingly at the foot of the stairs as Velma's silhouette emerged from her bedroom.

As she came down the stairs, he noticed she wasn't wearing her trademark knee socks. Or maybe she was, but the pants she wore concealed them. Instead of the red slightly elevated shoes she always wore, a pair of worn canvas sneakers covered her feet. The jeans were wrinkled and unkempt, clearly lighter and more worn near the knees. She had swapped her sweater for a black shirt and a plaid jacket, and had a watch on her right wrist. Then he noticed her new hair.

It was much shorter in the back and much less conventionally feminine. There was no fringe, only messy hair framing her forehead and dark eyes.

"Yeah?" She asked, as soon as she was standing in front of him.

"Uh, maybe another time."

"Fred, I just changed how I look. I'm still Velma, you know."

"Oh! Okay, I wasn't sure if you just needed a minute. I love the hair. Very fluffy."

Velma rolled her eyes but smirked anyway.

"Thanks, I chose it myself."

"It's better, if I'm being honest. The old hair didn't really suit you."

"You think so?" She tried not to sound snide.

"Oh, for sure! The old hair made you look more like you care about being visibly a girl, and I know you're not about that. It makes you look like you mean business. Anyway, did you hear about the robbery at this bank-?"

A loud gasp came from behind Velma. She turned around to see Daphne, slack-jawed.

"Oh, my god. You look incredible! Wow, you've really changed things up, haven't you?! Where did you go to get your hair done? I love that texture on you, it's super cute!"

"Oh, I went to the bathroom sink and lopped it off."

"Wait, really? Oh, no kidding! I was wondering if you finally found a stylist that really 'got' you. Well, no one knows you better than yourself!"

"I really appreciate it, Daphne, but that honestly wasn't the point of changing my looks. The point was to make myself look more the way I feel. People make a lot of assumptions about me that are wrong and unfair, and I'm sick of it. You pull off feminine really well because you love it, and it suits you well. But... It isn't me. It doesn't work."

Shaggy stepped into the living room and froze as Velma spoke, her voice quivering just a little bit.

"This change was for me. I don't want people to see me and tell me I'm cute, or say weird things, or mistake me for a sweet little nerd girl. They think I'm morally pure, that I'm a charmer, that I'm delicate and frail but should also be the sexy girl sitting at the computer. The gamer girlfriend stereotype, if you will."

Daphne nodded.

"I'm sorry if I came off as insensitive. That definitely wasn't my intention. Honestly, this new look is so good for you! If I hadn't met you and known you, I'd be intimidated by you. You look like you're ready to take on the entire world headfirst."

"No, you don't have to worry about being insensitive. Again, like I said, I appreciate the compliment! That just wasn't the point, you know?"

"Well, the rest of the world will think it was, unfortunately, for the first few weeks."

"I know. I'm ready to take that on, and I'm going to be different from what they believe. No more nice nerd that smiles and talks about sweaters and books and maybe the clues, if I'm lucky. No. I'm Velma Dinkley, and I'm here to kick ass in the name of solving a good mystery!"

"Amen!" Daphne high-fived her.

"Like, can I mention something else that may not be the point?"

Velma smiled.

"Sure, what's up?"

"Like, your new 'do with that jacket totally makes you, like, look like a lesbian."

"THANK YOU!"

Daphne snickered into her hand.

"Maybe now they won't say I'm good with men, because I'm NOT. I am GAY, BABY!!"

"So I'm guessing this is how you're coming out?" Fred asked.

Velma stared at him as though he were an idiot.

"You'd better be kidding, because I think it's quite clear that-!"

Fred laughed heartily. "Of course I was kidding, Velms! Look, we all figured it out a LONG time ago."

Velma shrugged.

"I'm still coming out publicly. That I've decided on."

"And we're naturally going to stand by you."

"That's why you all are the best."

Fred and Daphne sandwiched her in a hug and were quickly joined by Shaggy and Scooby.

"If I'm being honest, I also don't know if I'm a girl, but that's a whole other can of worms."

Shaggy laughed, patting her shoulder.

"Like, if you figure it out, let me know and I can get you, like, any resources you need! I've been in this game for, like, six years, and I've never looked back!"

"God, you guys are the best! I don't know what I'd do without you."

"We love you, too, Velma."

She closed her eyes, melting into the embrace from those who truly cared the most about her.