My question involves criminal law for the state of: Massachusetts

So about a month ago, i got caught shoplifting at macy's with 3 other friends. I stole a shirt worth about $27. The total that came up for all four of us was less than $150. We were taken back to the office where they got all our information down etc. and our pictures were taken. We were told we can never enter Macy's again forever. The police was not involved, they said they were not going to arrest us and left. The police did not take down our information, fingerprints or anything. We were told that we would have to pay a civil demand fee of $500 each. I recently got a letter in the mail saying i have to pay the civil demand fee in 20 days.
These are my following questions:
1. The police was not involved. We were not given any court date. Nor did we recieve a letter in the mail regarding the court date yet. Only the civil demand fee letter. Does that mean that if i pay my civil demand fee, I would not have to go to court? Since the police let us go the day of the incident.
2. If i do infact go to court, what are the chances that it will not go on my record. This was my first offense and i have a clean record. Is there a way i can do a diversion program, or community service etc and not have it go on my permanent record? what are my options?
3. Is there a way i could lower my civil demand fee? I have to pay $500 for my first offense for stealing a shirt worth $27.
I was thinking about writing an apology letter to them about how ashamed I am and explain my current economic situation due to which it will be really hard for me to pay $500... as i am a full-time college student and i have to pay for tuition and everything. And ask them if they can lower the civil demand fee since it is my first offense and all. What is the maximum they can charge for civil demand fee? isn't it $500?