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Snow piled on the streets of inkopolis. Inklings and Octolings walked around in fluffy clothing, some shopping, some playing, and some just enjoying the view. The vibe of the whole city was chill, fresh as the residents would say. However, within a nearby skyrise apartment, one certain inkling wasn't as fresh.
Callie, one half of the world-famous Squid Sisters (although they're actually cousins…and cuttlefish.), was running around the shared apartment of her and her cousin, Marie.
The apartment was decorated head to toe in all things Christmas. Lights lined the walls, stockings hung above their flat screen tv (Stockings which Marie had to stop Callie from attempting to nail onto said tv.), and a huge Christmas tree sat in the corner.
A small coffee table sat in between the TV and a nearby couch, as well as surrounded by two other couches on its sides. A table which Callie was frantically placing things onto. She filled it with cookies and other snacks before running off to the nearby kitchen, still as frantic.
“Got this, got that, what else am I missing!? What else!?” Callie said to herself as she ran around the apartment. “Marie what am I forgetting!?”
On the couch, Marie calmly sat, sipping from a coffee cup that said World's Best Sister. (with the sister crossed out and replaced by Cousin in sharpie.) She simply raised her eyebrow as her cousin zoomed from each part of the living room in seconds.
“Callie, don't you think you're going a bit overboard with this? It's just a small party, you don't have to go crazy about it.”
Callie suddenly stopped in front of the couch, dead in her tracks.
“This has to be perfect! This is our first Christmas party and everyone is coming!”
Marie shook her head playfully. “Yeah, but like, you know us. It's not gonna be perfect no matter how hard you try. I bet Four is gonna set something on fire as soon as he gets here. And plus, wasn't this your idea?”
“Yes! And now the weight of my idea is setting in! It's in a few hours and I don't have everything prepared!”
Marie took a look around the overly decorated room.
“What could you possibly be missing?”
“Well! Uh…” Callie quickly took a look at a paper list. “I guess there isn't anything else now. But I should double check everything!”
Callie was about to take off again before Marie grabbed her arm. “Cal. Take a breath, sit down.”
Callie did just that, taking a deep breath before throwing herself into the couch next to Marie.
“It's just…I want this to be perfect, you know? Something like this with everyone hasn't happened before and I want to make a good impression on everyone.”
Marie nodded. “I get it. But everyone already loves you, and I'm sure everyone is gonna have fun. You don't gotta make it perfect. Don't break your head over this, Cal. This is supposed to be fun.”
Callie smiled. “You're right, thanks.” She then suddenly remembered something. “Oh, right! Since Shiver is gonna be here too…” She pulled something out of her pocket and handed it to Marie.
“What's this?” Marie questioned as she examined the object. It was a mistletoe. “Seriously, Cal? What's this for?”
“Oh you know, just in case!” Callie winked. “Come on! Just imagine it, pulling her to the side, right under the mistletoe, sharing a kissss.” Callie teased.
Marie thought about it for a moment before a small blush appeared on her face. She attempted to hide it by lowering her face behind her mug as Callie laughed. “Ha! You're so gay.”
“Ugh, shut up! I wish you liked someone so I could tease you about it.” Marie rolled her eyes.
“Well, I don't fall in love, people fall in love with me, so tough luck!” The pink haired squid laughed as she stood up.
Marie took another sip from her mug as her cousin’s words stayed on her mind. Callie was right, but why was that? She wasn't ace, the two had already talked about that. She almost wanted to ask about it, but didn't as her phone suddenly rang.
“Who is it?” Callie, who had already walked to the kitchen, peeked around the corner.
The phone displayed the name Shiver. “Speak of the devil.” Marie chuckled as she answered the call.
“E’llo?”
“Heyyy!” Shiver answered. On the other side of the call, she, Frye, and Big Man were in a car. Big Man was driving, mostly because the other two couldn't be trusted with a vehicle. “Just calling to make sure, the party's at 7, right?”
“Yup!”
“Heyyy gurl!!!” Callie yelled out. “Tell them I said that!”
“Callie says heyyy gurl.”
“Hey gurl back!” Shiver laughed. “Anywho we'll head there soon, we're just getting a few last things. Anything else y'all need?”
“Nah, we're good.” Marie confirmed. “Callie’s been getting everything together.” She then turned towards the kitchen and yelled out, “Which she's been doing a really good job at and shouldn't worry about! It's gonna be great!”
“Krill yourself!” Callie lovingly called out.
Frye chimed in, “Is she being anxious again?”
“Ay! Ay! Ay! (Make sure she remembers her breathing exercises!)” Big Man added.
“Remember your breathing!” Marie yelled out.
“I’m perfectly calm!” Callie yelled back, causing Marie to laugh.
“Alright,” Shiver began, “We'll leave you two at it then. See you soon! Love you!”
“Oh! Uh- you too!” Marie nervously laughed before hanging up. Letting out a heavy sigh, she threw her head back on the couch. “Just remember she says that to everyone.” She told herself.
“Gay!” Callie yelled.
“Die!”
Back with Deep Cut, Frye raised an eyebrow at Shiver. “Love you?”
“What!?” Shiver asked defensively. “I say that to everyone!”
“No you don't.”
“Shut up.”
A couple hours later…
The sun had set, it would've been pitch black if the sky wasn't illuminated by the many neon lights of the city. The streets were mostly empty now, being lit with the bright lights from all over.
Back at the apartment, Callie was making the finish touches on the decorations, now wearing a Christmas sweater with little squid shapes all over it. Marie was standing nearby, looking to the door every now and then.
“Waiting for Shiver?” Callie smirked.
“Shut. I'm just waiting to see who's gonna be first.”
“Uh huh. Sure.”
Just then, the doorbell rang as the two inklings’ attention was caught.
Opening the door, they found the idols Pearl and Marina at the other side.
Pearl threw her hands up. “Yo, yo, yo! MC Princess and DJ Hyperfresh in the house!”
As the two entered the apartment, Pearl and Marie fist bumped.
“Oh, hope we're not late!” Marina waved.
“You're literally the first to arrive.” Marie chuckled.
“Come on! Take a seat! Help yourselves to the snacks!” Callie welcomed. “Hopefully the others will be here soon.”
Soon after the members of Off The Hook sat on the couch, the doorbell rang again.
Marie opened it to see the four agents. Captain 3, Agent 4, Agent 8, and Neo 3.
“Sup!” Three nodded.
“Marie!” Four ran in and hugged her.
“Hey bro!” Marie hugged back.
Eight spotted Pearl and Marina. “Moms!” They smiled as they went past the others to hug them.
“Hey kid!” Pearl smiled at them.
“Pretty nice place you got here.” Three looked around. Neo looked as well, carrying her Little Buddy. Three then whispered to them, “Careful kid, all this stuff is probably expensive.” She chuckled.
“I'll be careful.” Neo nodded back as she walked around the apartment, both her and Little Buddy looking at the decorations in amazement.
Callie took notice. “They look really invested in my decorations, huh?”
“Christmas is new to her.” Three chimed in. “Salmonoids don't really celebrate it. And you know, her being raised by them and all.”
“Well, at least she can celebrate her first with a family.” Callie smiled at Three.
“A rather weird one at that. Two moms, one dad, a fish brother, two annoying aunts, two weird grandmas, and three uh…however you would describe Deep Cut.”
The two laughed for a moment as Callie made the connections to Three’s descriptions. “Wait. Are me and Marie the annoying aunts?” She raised her eyebrows, suspicious.
Three snickered to themselves as Callie playfully punched her shoulder.
“Anyways, is that everyone or-”
“Still waiting on three more!”
Just then, the doorbell rang once again. But before anyone could answer it, Shiver and Frye busted through said door.
“Speak of the devil and they shall arrive!” Shiver yelled out.
“How did you know we were talking about you?” Three tilted their head.
Frye answered, “Oh, we didn't, we just say that.”
“Ay! Ay! Ayyyy! (Who's ready to partyyyy!)” Big Man yelled out as he squeezed through the door, carrying packs of alcoholic drinks on his fins.
“Yooo!!” Pearl jumped up from the couch.
Four readied to run towards the door. “Shell yea! Give me some of that!” But before he could, Marie grabbed them by their hoodie, keeping them in place.
Eight added, shyly, “I don't think that would be a good idea right now.”
Marina then whispered, glancing at Neo and Little Buddy. “At least not with the kids still up.”
“Alright, fine!” Frye groaned as she closed the door behind her. “We'll save it for later. There better be something else fun to do though.”
“I'm glad you asked!” Callie jumped in place excitedly. “Come on, everyone to the couches!”
The rest of the guests sat on the couches, looking curiously at Callie as she stood in front of them.
“Alright, we have board games, movies, video games-”
“What games you got?” Pearl asked before biting into one of the cookies that were on the table.
“Well, we have Mario Kart, Smash Bros-”
Callie stopped as she noticed everyone perk up at the mention of Smash Bros.
Four, who hung his body over the back of a couch, smirked. “When was the last time we had a proper smash bros tourney?”
“Well,” Marie leaned back. “I think the last time was when Eight kicked your ass at the finals.”
A quiet “Ooo” came from Neo and Little Buddy as Four looked annoyed.
“Don't encourage them, kid.” Four pointed.
“It wasn't like that!” Eight sheepishly said. “It was pretty close.”
Three chuckled deviously. “If I can remember, Eight completely destroyed you, love.”
“Fine, we'll see about that!” Four growled. “We're playing Smash!”
“Sure thing!” Callie chuckled as she set up the game, everyone seemed rather hyped for the rematch between agents that was coming up.
“Ay? Ay? (What's everyone so hyped about?)”
Big Man questioned.
Shiver answered, “Oh, right, you weren't there. The agents get really competitive over stuff, especially games. Last time, the house almost burnt down.”
“Ay..? (How does that happen?)” Big Man asked, to which Shiver simply glanced at Frye.
Frye waved her hand. “Eh, it'll be fine. I swear nothing will get burnt down. I didn't even bring the lighter!”
“Alright, we all know the rules!” Marie began as Callie set up a tournament within the game.
“Nothing cheap, play fair, but have fun! Don't take it too seriously. Now, who wants to join?”
Everyone besides Big Man raised their hands. (It's not like he could since he has fins but you get it.)
“Ay, Ay, Ay. (No thanks, don't really play Smash.)”
Marina then added. “Well, we could always use a commentator.” to which Big Man’s eyes widened in excitement.
A few moments later, everyone was prepared for the first match as Big Man yelled out, “Ay! Ay! Ayyyy! Ay! Ay! Ay!!! (Time for the first match! This round: Pearl vs. Marinaaaa!! On this side, we got MC Princess, the loudest squid we all know and love, Pearl!!! And on the other, DJ Hyperfresh, the freshest octo we know, Marina!!!)”
“Freshest?” Shiver whispered, raising an eyebrow, Frye snickering beside her.
Pearl and Marina picked their characters, Ness and Palutena respectively, and began the match.
An intense battle ensued, attacks and projectiles left and right as the two were hyper focused on beating the other, the crowd equally enticed.
After a moment of battling, the two's characters were on their last life, one more ko from either would end the game. As attacks were traded, Marina whispered to Pearl, “If you let me win I'll kiss you.”
Just then, Pearl's character was tossed off the stage. They easily could've gotten back on with a recovery move, but for some reason she didn't, allowing her character to fall off the stage and ending the match.
“Ay!!! Ay!!! (Marina wins!!!)”
“Oh, whoops!” Pearl shrugged.
“Simp.” Marie rolled her eyes.
“It's kinda cute.” Shiver added, waving her fan. “Disgusting, but cute.”
After a couple of more rounds and more battling from the group, Three and Neo were next. Three selected the Inkling, (Don't question the lore implications of this), while Neo selected Steve.
“Now,” Three began as the match started. “I would say I'm pretty good at smash, been playing for a while, so don't feel discouraged if you have a hard time, kid.”
(Neo then proceeded to trap Three into a combo that lasted about five minutes.)
Eventually, after absolutely decimating Three, Neo won the match. Three sat in shock as Neo simply smirked.
“Don't worry, I'm not feeling discouraged, old man.”
“....Wow.” Three sat in a silence as they processed everything that happened. “I'm proud but like…wow.”
Similarly, Eight and Four were also surprised.
“Did you teach them that?” Eight whispered.
“I thought you did.” Four answered.
The tournament continued, matches being won and lost until only a few fighters were left on the bracket. Eventually, only two were left for the finals. Those two? The ones everyone expected, just like last time, Four and Eight.
The tension was thick as the two contestants picked their characters. Eight picked Pikachu while Four chose Sonic. Then, with a press of a button, the match soon began. As soon as the countdown ended, the two fighters were immediately locked in a flurry of attacks. The two went back and forth as they took turns attempting to launch the other off the stage. Dodges, grabs, and projectiles right after each other as the two agents stared at the screen laser focused.
“Ay! Ay! (Four and Eight are neck and neck with each other! If one takes a stock, the other takes one back! We really have no idea where this is gonna go folks! This is anyone's game!)” Big Man continued, attempting to follow the fast paced gameplay. “Ay! Ay! Ay! Ay!? (Eight gets a good grab in but Four is ready for the counter play! But while Four has the speed advantage, Eight out ranges them! But yet, Four is still able to get right in their face! Who will win!?)”
Callie leaned towards Marie. “Betcha 5 bucks it's Four.”
Marie rolled her eyes. “Like if. It's gonna be Eight, I know it.”
Just then, with both in their last stock, the two fighters landed a heavy hitting attack on each other. The screen flashed red, signifying a final blow, as suddenly both characters flew off the screen in opposite directions. It seemed like they both got knocked out at the same time. Everyone was completely still as the game loaded the results.
Then…
“Pikachu wins!” The in game announcer stated.
“Ayyyy!!!! (Eight wins!!!!!!)” Big Man cheered out as the group erupted into a roar that filled the room.
“Nooo!!” Four yelled.
Eight patted him on the shoulder. “Hey, like I said, at least we're pretty matched.”
“Yeah,” Four rolled his eyes at them. “Good game, though.”
“Here, let me make it up to you.” Eight giggled as they leaned in and kissed Four on the forehead.
“Ew.” Pearl whispered, to which Marina playfully smacked them on the back of her head. “What!?” She laughed.
“Wow,” Callie took a breath. “That was exciting!”
“Ay! Ay! (Thanks for letting me narrate! That was a lot of fun!)”
“And you now owe me 5 bucks.” Marie chuckled as Callie groaned in annoyance.
As everyone was settling down from the excitement, Little Buddy jumped off of Neo’s lap and ran towards a nearby window.
“Hm?” The Octoling raised an eyebrow as she stood and followed the Salmonoid. Little Buddy jumped onto the window sill, excitedly bouncing in place as his fin pointed outside.
“Oh, the snow? Well, that would be pretty fun!” Neo nodded in agreement.
Marina overheard the two, exclaiming, “Oh? Yeah, going out in the snow would be so fun! Don't you all think?”
“Oo, what about a snowball fight?” Pearl deviously smiled, already scheming.
“Yea!” Neo bounced in place, in sync with Little Buddy.
“Well, why not?” Three shrugged. “What's the harm in that?” She said as she put on her winter gear, to which the others did the same before heading out.
Not long after, the group was now outside. All wore heavy winter clothing as their feet were completely surrounded in snow. The ground and the air were filled with white as even more snow piled on.
Callie stood in the middle of the group as she announced, “Alright! We'll be split into two teams! Me, Big Man, Marina, Four, Eight, and Frye on one team. We'll be the blue team while the rest are on the red team! Now, let's get started!”
The group split into two, running to opposite sides as they quickly began building small snow walls for defense.
“Let's destroy those losers!” Frye snickered as she and the rest of the blue team began building their wall.
Four placed snow onto the wall as they said, “No time for slacking! We gotta get this wall as strong and as tall as possible!”
Marina shook her head with a smile. “This is just for fun, no need to be so competitive. It's not like the other team is taking this so seriously either.”
Right on the other side of the battlefield, with the red team, Pearl was yelling orders.
“Come on! Get to it! We gotta build up our defenses before the other team can get the jump on us! You wanna win, don't you!? Get to it!”
“Yes ma'am!” Neo nodded as they used Little Buddy to scoop up snow, using his mouth to grab it and then holding him over their own snow wall, to which he spit the snow back out onto it.
“No slacking Marie!”
Marie simply rolled her eyes.
“Oh come on, it's not like this is actual war or anything! We're just gonna be throwing snow at each other. I bet we'll all get bored of this five minutes from now.”
(5 minutes later.)
“Day 15…” Four whispered to themselves as they sat behind a snow wall. “The enemy has been ruthless. We've lost many men in this battle. So much unnecessary bloodshed…all in the name of war…”
“Shut up and help!” Frye yelled as they hurled snowballs to the enemy side.
“Ay! Ayyyy!!! (Take this!!!)” Big Man roared as he swung his fins and launched snowball after snowball.
On the red team's side, Three dodged all of the incoming snowballs, jumping from side to side as they threw some in return.
“He's too good!” Callie said in a panic, holding her head.
“Attack from all sides!” Eight commanded as all of the blue team scooped up snow.
Following along, the others all prepared snowballs and threw them at Three. However, as the snowballs approached, Three jumped into the air. She spun around as all the snowballs missed. Landing, she then grabbed two right out of the air and threw them. Both snowballs headed straight towards Eight. Before they could reach them, however, Four threw himself in front of the projectiles’ path. With the snow slamming into them, he fell onto the ground in front of Eight.
“Avenge me…” Four groaned before falling limp in Eight’s arms.
“Nooo!!!!” Eight screamed out.
“You probably shouldn't stay there.” Marina added. “Don't wanna get sick.”
“Shh I'm dead.” Four hushed her.
“Ha!” Pearl cheered from the other side.
“At this rate, we'll win for su-” She was then interrupted with a snowball to the face.
“Sorry girlie!” Callie smiled.
Marie simply shrugged. “Damn, she's dead. lol”
“We need a better strategy.” Shiver thought to herself as she looked to the remaining members of the red team. “Some kind of secret weapon!”
Neo looked around for a moment before setting their eyes on Little Buddy, which he simply looked at her confused in response.
“I got it!”
Grabbing Little Buddy, Neo slid him across the snow on the ground, to which he happily gobbled it up.
Pearl, who was still laying in the snow pretending to be dead, looked up to see the strange scene playing out. “Uh, what are you doing?”
From across the field, Marina could be heard yelling, “Pearlie! Get off the floor!”
“Just trust me!” Neo responded to Pearl as she continued dragging Little Buddy around.
After another moment, Neo used all their strength to lift Little Buddy off the ground and hold them up.
“Now, take this!”
Neo squeezed Little Buddy, causing him to squeak as a stream of snowballs shot out of him. The sky was filled with the white balls as Neo aimed the trajectory to cover the entire area of the unsuspecting blue team.
“Mwhahaha!!!” Neo laughed maniacally as the snow rained down.
“Well,” Eight said to Four. “That's definitely our kid.”
“I'm proud!” Four smiled. “If not a little scared.”
The snowballs were everywhere as almost everyone on the team was hit by the cold lumps of ice.
Eight was hit first, being flung onto the ground.
“Ha!” Four laughed before being hit with one himself.
Marina tried to run, only to be pelted with a stream of snow.
“Ya know,” Frye thought to herself. “We should've expected something like this to happen.” Just then, so much snow piled onto her that it completely covered her.
Callie braced for the inevitable, holding her hands up as she accepted her fate. However, no snowballs hit as Big Man stepped in the way.
“Ay! Ay! (I got you!)”
Callie looked up in awe as the manta ray faced the incoming barrage with a smile. Snowball after snowball then slammed into his chest. However, they began piling onto his chest as he was stretched back, like a slingshot. Suddenly, Big Man flung forward as the snow that was collected on him was shot back towards the other team. The snow stuck together as it formed into a huge snowball that was headed straight for the red team.
“Oh.” Marie looked up to see the incoming meteor of snow. “We're fuc-”
The snowball fell onto everyone on the red team at once, covering the entire area.
Back with the blue team, Big Man and Callie stood silent for a moment, more confused than anything.
“Huh.” Callie blinked.
“So uh…I guess we won?”
Frye broke out of the snow pile she was trapped in.
“Shell yea! We won! Eat it losers!”
Neo broke out of the pile from the snowball that had just fallen onto them. “Hey! No fair!”
Little Buddy jumped out of the snow next to them, making small angry noises as well.
“We demand a rema- ah- ah- achoo!” She was interrupted with a sneeze.
Three picked Neo out from the snow. “Settle down, kid. Let's get back inside before you get sick.”
“How about some hot cocoa?” Callie offered, to which Pearl jumped out of the snow as well, cheering. “We could also watch a movie!”
“Shell yea!” Pearl screamed. “Best holiday party ever!”
As everyone headed inside, Callie smiled as everyone laughed with each other. She was relieved that everything seemed to be going great, although with the hint of insanity that she should've been expecting from the guests. From the looks of it, nothing would be able to mess up this party.
With a confident nod to herself, Callie followed the other inside and prepared for the last activity of the day.
A bit later, everyone was now inside. They all sat in Callie's bedroom, wrapped in blankets. Some sat in Callie's bed while the others sat on the floor. They all faced the large tv in the room as a Christmas movie played while they drank hot cocoa from mugs. The agents, as well as Pearl and Marina, sat on the bed. Neo and Little Buddy laid on Eight's lap. On the ground, Frye, Callie, and Big Man sat against the bed frame. A bit away from others on the floor, Marie and Shiver sat next to each other.
Frye looked over, noticing Shiver and Marie. She then tapped Callie's shoulder. “Oo~ Would you look at that.” She chuckled.
“Aw!” Callie whispered. “Look how awkward they're being.” The two laughed.
Of course, Callie was right with her observation. The two sat staring at the screen. However, it was clear their minds weren't on the movie. The two kept exchanging glances at each other before quickly looking away before the other could notice. Shiver rested a hand on the ground as Marie attempted to move her own hand closer, only being stopped by herself as she couldn't find the courage to move it any closer.
“Ay… (This is sad...)” Big Man shook his head at the two.
Callie thought for a moment. Then, she got an idea. She quickly typed on her phone for a moment. Just then, Marie's pocket vibrated.
The sound made Marie and Shiver tense up, moving a bit away from each other as Marie grabbed her phone and checked the message.
[Yo! Stop being anxious and do something!] Callie wrote in her text to Marie.
[Shut up! I don't know what you're talking about!] Marie responded.
[It's painfully obvious. Stop being scared, you clam!!!]
[Shush, I'll figure it out.]
[Remember the thing I gave you!]
Marie looked up from her phone and towards Callie. The green inkling had a confused look on her face for a moment, unsure what Callie was talking about.
Then, the memory flooded back to her as she remembered earlier in the way. The face of confusion became one of annoyance.
[I'm not doing that.]
[Come on!!! What else are you gonna do? She'll find it cute, promise!]
[Die.]
Callie put her phone away and faced Frye and Big Man. “I know it'll work. Trust me!”
Marie then put down her phone as she looked back towards the movie. Although, she couldn't help but reach for the mistletoe in her pocket. Holding it, she thought about the idea for a moment. Maybe it would work? No, it's stupid. But maybe stupid could work….the idea was cute, if not somewhat embarrassing. But what else could she do, and if she took too long, then she might lose her chance.
“Ugh.” She whispered to herself before hyping herself up. She then held the mistletoe over her and Shiver. She wanted to say something to get the Octoling’s attention, but the embarrassment of doing this in the first place was almost killing her.
Luckily for her, Shiver looked towards the squid.
“Hey-” Her words were interrupted by seeing Marie holding the leafy object.
“I-” Her eyes widened at the scene.
“Oh- is this too sudden-” Marie's eyes widened in worry. “Sorry, I should've known this was stupid-” She began as she tried to move her arm away.
However, Shiver suddenly grabbed the other girl's arm. “Wait- it is stupid…but it's cute.” Shiver smirked. “You know, you could've just asked.”
With a chuckle, Shiver used her fan to lift up Marie's chin. “Now come here.” The two then leaned into each other and kissed.
Nearby, Frye and Callie celebrated, sharing a high five. The others also noticed, giving nods and smiles.
“Good for them, good for them.” Pearl nodded.
“Heh…” Marie smiled like an idiot as the two broke from the kiss. “You're…really pretty.”
“And you're adorable.” Shiver chuckled.
Later, the group settled back down as they continued watching the movie. However, now, Shiver and Marie were comfortably cuddling up with each other.
As the group talked and joked with each other, Callie looked around. She was happy everyone was enjoying their time here. But yet, she couldn't help but notice something…
Three, Four, and Eight were all cuddling as Neo slept in their lap. Pearl and Marina shared a couple kisses with each other from time to time. And of course Shiver and Marie were making the most of their new relationship, kissing and cuddling.
This kind of stuff was normal, but right now, it felt..weird. The inkling couldn't figure out what it was. But something was wrong. Maybe a bit of quiet would help her figure it out.
Suddenly, she stood as she announced, “Just gonna…get some popcorn, yeah! Be right back!”
She then exited the room and headed for the kitchen.
Marina looked a bit concerned. “I think something's up with her.”
“How could you tell?” Asked Pearl.
Three chimed in. “Her tone. She made up the popcorn thing on the spot.”
“You too?” Four asked.
“Let's go make sure she's ok.” Marine nodded at Three as the two got off the bed and followed Callie into the kitchen.
Callie put some popcorn in the popcorn machine that she and Marie owned, because of course they own one. While she waited, she took a second to think to herself. What was she feeling? Was it sad? Maybe. She hasn't felt this way until just now, she was mostly focused on making sure everything was going right, which thankfully it was. But yet, when she saw everyone cuddling and such, she couldn't help to think about what she told Marie earlier that day.
“I don't fall in love…people fall in love with me..” She whispered to herself.
Just then, Callie heard Three's voice behind her.
“Hey, champ.”
Turning around, Callie saw both them and Marina looking concerned.
“O-oh! What are you guys doing here?”
“Just wanted to get a drink.” Three said as they got one of the alcoholic drinks out of the fridge and opened it.
“And, well,” Marina began. “It seemed like something was up with you.”
“That was sudden.” Three took a sip from the glass bottle. “I thought we were gonna ease into it.”
“I thought we agreed to be upfront-”
Callie began to stutter. “W-what? Nothing's up!”
The other two simply stared at her for a second, Three raising an eyebrow.
After a moment, Callie sighed.
“Well…”
Back in the bedroom, Frye looked around for a moment. She noticed that Neo and Little Buddy had fallen asleep on Eight's lap.
The inkling leaned towards Big Man and said, “Hey, the kids are asleep. You know what that meanssss.”
“Oo?” Four was heard, overhearing the squid.
“Are you talking about what I think you're talking about?”
“Shell yea!” Pearl smirked. “I'll go get them.” She then jumped off the bed and headed for the kitchen.
Back at the kitchen, Three and Marina leaned against the kitchen counter as Callie stood between them. Callie sighed as she said, “It's just…I see everyone with someone special. Everyone around me has someone or at least has feelings for someone…” However, before she could finish, the three spotted Pearl walking into the kitchen.
Keeping eye contact the entire time, Pearl reached into the fridge, grabbed the packs of alcohol, and walked backwards into the open door of the nearby bedroom.
After Pearl closed the door, Callie continued. “Anyways…but yet I don't think I've had feelings for anyone. People get crushes on me but yet I haven't felt anything for anyone. At least not in a while.”
She stared at the ground while she wrapped her arms around herself.
“Is there something wrong with me?”
“What? Why would you think that!?” Marina looked concerned and confused.
“It's just, everyone I know is different than me…doesn't that mean there's something up with me?”
Three chuckled. “Cal, you're friends with all of us. Out of everyone here you think there's something wrong with you?”
In the bedroom, everyone there drank from glass bottles as they laughed and talked with each other.
Frye’s words slurred as she said, “And then I said, road work ahead? Yeah, I sure hope it does!” Which was met with roaring laughter.
“Hey, kid.” Pearl turned towards Eight. “You ain't worried about your kids waking up?”
“Oh, Neo and Bud are the deepest sleepers imaginable. They're not gonna budge for the whole night.” Eight said before taking another swig at her bottle. “Let's just try not to be too rowdy just in case.”
Marie leaned against Shiver. “You think this is safe?”
Shiver chuckled. “I'm sure it'll be fine as long as Frye doesn't have any access to fire.”
Back at the kitchen, Marine placed a hand on Callies shoulder. “I get it. Everyone around you is different and you don't fully get it. I really do understand. But I've met a lot of people and I know for a fact you're not alone. Not everyone gets feelings for people.”
Callie shook her head. “I don't think I'm ace, though. I've had feelings before. But for some reason they're so rare.”
“That's pretty normal too.” Three nodded. “Look, Cal, sometimes it takes a long time to find the right person. And it can take even longer to get those feelings for them. But you might never get those feelings and that's ok too. You're an amazing person, Cal. Just cuz you don't have any feelings yet doesn't mean there's something wrong with you, alright?”
“And plus,” Marina added. “Who knows, if you do get feelings, they might be soon.”
“Like if.” Callie chuckled. “I don't even know anyone I could like-” She then stopped mid sentence, remembering a certain two others. “Well…I guess no one knows right now.” She nervously chuckled.
Three smiled warmly. “Everyone is different and everyone experiences everything differently. So don't think you're weird just because you don't experience stuff the same as others. We'll be here for you, I promise.”
Callie smiled back. “Thank you…You both are really good at this.”
“Having a kid does a lot to you. A lot for the better.”
“Oh my cod shut up.” Callie laughed. “You act like you're so old and wise, aren't you like twenty or something?”
“Point still stands.”
Marina laughed. “Sure thing, Three. But yeah, we're here for you, Cal.”
“Thank you!” Callie smiled widely as she hugged both Marina and Three.
Away from the heartfelt moment, back in the bedroom. Frye held up a lighter.
“Hey y'all wanna see me set stuff on fire!?”
Both Pearl and Four cheered, “Yeah!”
“Oh no.” Shiver whispered.
Marina, Three, and Callie all laughed with each other as they shared some drinks.
Callie took a drink. “Thanks guys, I'm feeling a lot better.”
“Of course, anytime.” Three nodded. He then noticed a smell in the air. “Hey, do y'all smell something burning?”
Just then, Four slammed the nearby door open. Behind him, fire could be seen as yelling was heard.
“Hey for no particular reason do y'all have a fire extinguisher?” Four was also on fire.
“Are you on fire?” Three blinked.
“Not important.”
“Uh,” Callie pointed. “I think we have one down the hall?”
“Thanks!” Four ran down said hall.
“We should probably check on them.” Marina said as the three headed for the bedroom.
Opening the door, they found the bedroom in flames. Everyone inside ran around, screaming while attempting to put out the fires. Marie attempted to stomp out the flames. Meanwhile, Frye and Shiver used Big Man’s body as a fan, attempting to put it out with air. Neo and Little Buddy were still asleep peacefully, however.
“Oh no! Oh no no no!” Callie panicked.
Four ran in with the fire extinguisher. “I got it!”
However, he just threw the extinguisher at the fire, not affecting it at all.
Three sighed. “I got this.”
Reaching into her pocket, Three pulled out a splattershot. She then jumped into the air, firing ink in all directions. The green liquid splattered onto the objects on fire, putting out the flames instantly.
“Does she always have that on her?” Callie asked.
“Yeah,” Four confirmed. “Mostly for fires caused by me.”
For a final move, Three slammed a splat bomb onto the ground as it exploded. The ink covered everything and everyone, putting out the last of the flames.
After a moment, Marie wiped the ink off her eyes.
“Well, that was fun.” She exclaimed in a sarcastic tone.
“Sorry?” Frye nervously chuckled.
Neo and Little Buddy finally woke up, confused at the state of the room.
“Woah…what happened?”
Later, after cleaning as most of the ink as they could, everyone now stood by the apartment’s front door.
Frye rubbed the back of her neck.
“Hey, I'm really sorry about all that. I got way too carried away. Probs broke a lot of valuable stuff…”
Marie waved it off. “Eh, don't worry about it. I knew we were gonna watch a movie there so I took out everything valuable before you all even got here.”
“Good thinking.” Pearl nodded.
“I think the TV broke though.” Marina sighed.
Marie shrugged. “We already ordered a new one. it'll be here by the morning.”
“Dang you guys are rich.” Four said to himself.
Callie, who stood next to Marie, looked rather sad.
“What's wrong?” Shiver noticed.
Callie sighed. “I'm sorry, I wanted this party to go great but it all…it all…”
“Went up in flames?” Eight chimed in.
“Ironically, yes. But, I don't know, I just wanted you all to have fun.” Callie crossed her arms.
“Bruh.” Pearl scoffed, to which Callie raised an eyebrow. “Look, I've been to so many dumb holiday parties and this has been the only one I would actually come to again.”
“Really?”
Four bounced in place. “This was so fun!”
Little Buddy, who was being held by Neo, made incoherent noises of excitement.
“He said he loved it!” Neo smiled. “I did too!”
“I gotta admit,” Three began. “Even with the fire, I would do this again.”
Eight smiled. “We should do this again next year!”
“Ay, ay. (Maybe without the fire part.)” Big Man laughed.
Frye chuckled shyly. “Wow, you guys don't have to keep mentioning it.”
Callie was smiling again.
“Thanks guys, I would love to have another party next year!”
Giving hugs and goodbyes, everyone besides Marie and Callie headed for the door. Pearl and Marina left first, waving goodbye as they walked out, holding hands. Then, the agents left. The group all laughed with each other as they recounted the day's events.
Lastly, Big Man and Frye stood by the door. They waited for Shiver, who was still saying goodbye to Marie.
Shiver placed a hand on her forehead dramatically. “Oh, I'm gonna miss you so.”
“Oh my cod!” Frye groaned. “We're gonna meet up tomorrow!”
“Sigh!” Shiver held Marie's hand. “It seems I must go, my love. But I will return!”
“Alright, alright, I'll miss you too.” Marie smiled.
“Here, a farewell gift.” Shiver then leaned in and kissed Marie. “Goodbye, love.” She smirked.
Marie's face flushed with green blush as she giggled.
“Heh…bye.” She waved with a dumb smile.
As they walked out, Frye looked back.
“Hey Cal! Call me some time, we gotta do something fun together!” She then winked at the pink haired squid.
“Ay! Ay! (Count me in too!)” Big Man also winked at her.
“O-oh!” Callie suddenly blushed. “Sure thing you two!”
With that, all the guests had left, leaving only Callie and Marie.
“See, what did I tell you?” Marie smirked. “It all went great!” She then noticed the look on Callie’s face.
“Wait…what's that about?”
“What's what about?” Callie nervously laughed.
“Oh my…Was it Frye? Or…Big Man!?”
“It was nothing! I swear!”
“Then what's that about?” Marie laughed at Callie's pink blush.
“Nothing! It's just…cold! Yeah!”
“Aww! Ok, fine, I'll leave it alone. But if you do start feeling anything for either of them, don't come crying to me!”
“Oh not like you're any better. You looked so stupid with that smile on your face!”
“Shut up!” Marie playfully pushed Callie.
“And ha! You used the mistletoe! I knew it would work!”
“We're just lucky she liked stupid!”
“Yeah, no wonder she likes you!” Callie laugh, to which she was met with a pillow to the face.
“Oh you're on!”
The two laughed as they began throwing pillows from the couch at each other.
The snow continued falling outside as the lights of the city continued to shine. The moon above lit up the night as the day came to an end. Putting a close to the eventful day…
The End