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It was a barrage of sensations.
The flashy lights, the loud music, the stuffy smell. Believe it or not, this was right where Popcorn felt at home.
She still didn’t know how she and Apple Bomb had managed to convince Face Serum and CD Case, especially CD Case, to throw an after-challenge party. Good publicity, maybe, but Popcorn honestly didn’t care. Not if she was free to lay on some sick beats, which she was absolutely doing.
And it wasn’t like the party was sparse, no. While it definitely wasn’t crowded like the dance floor she was used to, the place was far from empty.
Of course, not everyone had shown up, Dice and Bookmark were total no shows while, for example, Cough Sirup had left relatively early. Popcorn didn’t mind though.
An event like this just wasn’t for everyone, and while she would complain and whine, she would never judge any of them.
It happened halfway through the evening. Popcorn was taking a break, letting a random playlist of pop songs play while she was gulping down a soda, sitting next to the pult that had been provided to her. As much as she liked to live life in the fast lane, sometimes there was truly nothing better than stopping for a bit and taking in the moment, the atmosphere.
Surveying the room, she was quickly able to spot both Apple Bomb and Poker Chip, as well as Emerald dancing. Crystal was standing on the sidelines, keeping an eye on them while a few feet away Lighter and Flora stood, Flora talking to, or at least at, the taller. Surprisingly, Almond Milk had also shown up, though he had quickly withdrawn into a corner, and would probably not be staying much longer.
As Popcorn drained the last of her bottle, her attention slowly returning to her table, someone else caught her eyes.
It was Starfruit, a drink in hand, leaning against a table as she too watched the room.
That wasn’t what caught Popcorn’s attention though, not really. It was more the fact that the other looked kind of dejected.
If she remembered correctly, Starfruit had previously been with Iceberg Lettuce. But by the looks of it, the big guy had already left. Fine by her, if he wanted to do that, but that didn’t tell her why Starfruit looked so upset.
Well, Popcorn saw no reason to pass up the opportunity to talk to a pretty girl.
Checking if everything was still running smoothly, Popcorn quickly ditched her place by the music and strutted over to the other contestant. Settling down next to her, she wasted no time.
“Heyyy, Starfruit! Enjoying yourself?”
The shorter startled, seemingly unaware of the other’s entrance, but quickly caught herself again.
“Oh? Uhh, yeah! I’m having a great time…” she replied, but quickly trailed off, the same dejected expression still on her face.
“You sure?” Popcorn asked, talking more gently than usual. She wasn't used to seeing the other upset. It was… different.
“100% Thanks for asking!” Starfruit replied cheerfully, a big but ultimately fake smile on her face.
Popcorn hummed.
“If you say so. Where’s the big man, by the way? I saw him with you earlier.”
And with that, the smile disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.
“Yeah, he… he left already. Said this wasn’t really for him, so I didn’t force him to stay.”
“Did you invite him as well?” Popcorn prodded carefully. It took a few moments, but eventually Starfruit nodded. “ Oh man, that sucks. I'm sorry.”
It was supposed to be comforting, but well, it wasn’t, if Starfruit’s guilty expression and dismissive wave were anything to go by.
“No it’s- it’s fine, really. It was stupid of me anyway. I thought it'd be a nice way to get to know each other but looking back I really should’ve expected this and I don’t know, it just feels like I keep messing up no matter what I do and I’m- I’m trying, I really am but it’s just not workin-” “Hey!”
Starfruit’s rambling spiral was cut off when a warm, slightly clammy hand grabbed her own. She stared at it for a few moments before finally looking up to the person attached to it.
Popcorn looked… surprisingly worried. Unlike Starfruit had ever seen.
Her next few words were soft, barely audibly over the loud music.
“Hey, it’s okay. You’re doing great.”
Looking into the other’s eyes, Starfruit almost felt like she could get lost in them. Maybe she would’ve if Popcorn hadn’t continued talking.
“Look, I’m not the best at giving advice, and neither am I going to pretend that I get what you’re going through. But if you asked me, I would say you need a good distraction right now. A way to take your mind off of everything” She punctuated her statement with a smile, and a part of Starfruit knew that she was probably right. Still, she couldn’t help it.
“I’m not saying completely ignore it either,” the taller followed up, rubbing the back of her neck, “but worrying yourself sick, especially when you can’t do anything about it, is not going to help either.”
She took Starfruit’s second hand as well, turning to face her head on.
“And if you want to have a good time, I can be yours for the night.”
Her face was- It was so genuine. More genuine than probably anyone had ever seen Popcorn be. The reaction it caused, the plethora of emotions it set free in Starfruit- it felt indescribable.
None of that really showed though. In reality, Starfruit simply looked away in embarrassment, before quietly replying, “I’d like that.”
She only had a second to catch Popcorn’s grin before she felt herself be yanked forward, scrambling to keep up, though it was pretty much in vain as soon enough she tripped over her own feet. But instead of hitting the floor, she found herself being caught by two warm arms.
Feeling dazed, she peered up at the one holding her, a cheeky smile on Popcorn’s face.
“Whoops, sorry about that. But hey,” she pulled the fruit closer, their faces a mere few inches apart, “looks like you fell for me.”
It took a moment for the girl’s words to register, but when they did a feeling of absolute giddiness overcame Starfruit. Returning the favor, she wrapped her arms around the other as well, closing the gap and pressing their foreheads together as she quietly giggled, her laughter genuine for the first time tonight.
Pulling herself back on her feet, Starfruit pulled back slightly, though she made no move to break the hug they had found themselves in. Popcorn was buffering, a starstruck expression on her face as she had quickly realized how close they actually were now. Their eyes met as Starfuit’s laughter softened and she couldn’t help but smile.
“You’re right, I did.”