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Another day, another round of eat, drink, clean, sleep for Lou.
Morning in the institute was the same as usual.
Sunlight poured over the grounds, grass pushing through what had once been dull gray concrete, Pretties and Uglies mingling outside; laughing, talking, alive —Moxy face down on his coffee table, breathing hard, fists clenched like she might flip the whole thing if given another minute.
“I told them to arrange the chairs in ten-by-ten rows…” She muttered, her voice muffled against the wood.
She lifted her fists and slammed them down.
“It took two hours for them to get it done!”
She snapped her head up, eyes blazing. “How did you do this!?”
Lou, stretched out on the couch, barely glanced at her before returning his attention to the television, flicking through channels with practiced indifference.
Moxy’s expression fell.
She stood, stepped directly into his line of sight.
Lou adjusted his position just enough to see past her and kept scrolling.
With a sharp huff, Moxy snatched the remote from his hand, shut the TV off, and tossed it onto the table.
She crossed her arms and glared at him.
Lou closed his eyes and sighed.
He opened them half lidded and flatly asked the pink doll, “Why exactly are you making this my problem?”
He laid back on the couch, pulled his cap down to his eyes, and crossed his arms behind his head. “Last time I checked… I’m a tutor not a therapist. Why don’t you ask that wise red bat friend of yours, if he’s interested in hearing you whine?”
Lou had developed a habit of napping between breaks and consequently, he wasn’t actually tired. So his current position was mostly just to avoid looking at the pink doll’s face.
Of course, after months of being the only visitor he tolerated, she’d decided that meant permanent access to his personal space even when they weren’t studying…
Moxy groaned, knocking the hat off Lou’s face, and glared down at him.
“I’m not asking for emotional advice! I’m asking for regular advice!” She yelled at him, Lou squinted his eyes and turned his head away from her hovering face, quickly wiping his face with his sleeve.
Uglies apparently don’t know how to say it without spraying it, Lou thought.
Moxy slapped her hands over her eyes and let it slide down her face as she exasperatedly said, “They weren’t even being lazy or mean! It’s like… they just didn’t understand the instructions even when they were so simple… How am I supposed to finish setting up the party when everyone seems to be confused over what to do!?”
It was February and the day of hearts, candies and emotional cavities was tomorrow…
And so Moxy and her friends had the idea to throw a Valentines Day themed party at the institute’s plaza. It was a good opportunity for ugly dolls and pretty dolls to have their first “community holiday” together.
The problem? Well, according to Moxy… the dolls were working a little too slow for her liking.
She came into the blonde’s house this morning rambling some nonsense over how the mass of dolls who were arranging the chairs somehow fixed them into a bunch of different shapes until they got it right; one of them being a conga line exceeding the square barrier of yellow tape, she had placed on the ground for guidance…
“That’s just a regular community struggle, bubblegum.” Lou finally answered, albeit not helpful, at least he actually said something.
He paused when Moxy glared at him. Presumably over the nickname, which he had very recently started calling her; the name came to be, when Lou found her curled in on herself, passed out, on top of the Valentine’s Day poster she was making. She didn’t have her suit on at that time either.
He was blunt to tell her, she looked like a blob of chewed up gum someone spat back in the wrapper. And now she absolutely resents the nickname.
And that’s where Lou was having a hard time understanding…
Uglydolls seem to take the word ‘ugly’ as a compliment, Moxy included. She even takes pride whenever some would so much as imply her weight. But being told she looked like a pink blob is where she apparently draws the line?
And people thought he was complicated.
Lou shook off the thought and continued, “You’re expecting a hundred or more dolls to have the exact same thought, vision, and plan in mind when you ask them to do something. That’s like choreographing a marching band that’s never heard the music.”
Moxy opened her mouth to argue, but closed it when she couldn’t find anything to say.
She sighed and plopped herself onto the couch, Lou quickly sat up to lean against the arm rest and away from the sulking doll.
Resting his head in his knuckles, he asks her, “Why don’t you just ask the robots to set everything up? I gave you the code that would temporarily transfer the voice commands to you. It lasts for a whole day.”
“I know!” Moxy threw her hands in the air, “But… that would be like going the easy way… in a bad way.”
She played with the buttons on her blouse, as she tried to explain, “This party is for the dolls, and I want it to be made with team effort from everyone who can help. Plus… if I ask the robots now, it would look like I just gave up working with the other dolls.”
Lou rolled his eyes at the pink doll’s sentimentality, before answering, “Well then, you should explain your floor plan more clearly. How hard is it to understand?”
“Floor plan?” Was the only response Moxy could give.
“Please tell me you prepared a floor plan…” Lou asked, his shoulders dropping.
Moxy only stared back at him.
.•.•.
“So I need five tables here, each can fit six chairs. Five more on this side of the plaza. The buffet and dessert table on this side, the speakers go on both sides of the stage and the rest of the music equipment can go backstage…” Moxy explained, as she tapped her pointing rod at each detail on the board.
She was originally going to draw pictures of how she wanted everything set up, but Lou had told her a real floorplan is made in bird’s eye view. And so she had asked Peggy to take a quick picture of the plaza from above, and drew the setup (with the help of Lou) based on the picture, then had it upsized.
“We can deal with the table cloth and decorations after everything is set, alright?” She looked at the other dolls who were listening intently and smiled when they seemed to understand her instructions.
“I think I get it now!” A random prettydoll near the back said.
“With these visuals I can actually imagine it now!” An uglydoll added. “Thanks, Moxy!”
Moxy sighed in relief.
She felt the gaze of the blonde in the corner of her eye, giving her a smug look.
She turned to Lou, who was sitting in one of the chairs he pulled out of the stack, close enough to be acknowledged by Moxy but far enough that the other dolls didn’t seem to bother looking his way.
She let out an embarrassed huff, before dismissing everyone to get to work.
All the dolls separated and went to their assigned tasks.
At the same time, Lou stood up from the chair before the doll that grabbed its backrest could rudely push him off, and went straight to where Moxy was left.
Moxy turned to his approaching figure and smiled, “One problem solved!”
Lou raised a brow, “And problem number two is…?”
“How to invite everyone.” Moxy answered back. “I’m planning on printing invites to let everyone know where and when the party is, but I don’t know what to put to get more dolls attention.”
She continued to explain, “A couple of dolls I passed by still don’t seem all that excited for the party. I’m trying to figure out how to convince them it’ll be fun.”
“What did you plan so far for the invite?” Lou asked.
“Super fun party at the plaza, on Valentine's day. If you want to party then come on down at 6pm!” Moxy said to the blonde.
“That’s not an invite, Moxy.” Lou flatly replied. “That’s a cheap advertisement.”
He scratched his head in thought before suggesting, “What about a dress code? Have you thought of that?
“Dress code?” Moxy asked, tilting her head.
Lou sighed, “Well obviously a party requires party appropriate attire. Some dolls who love dressing for an occasion, might like the party more if there’s a theme to go by.”
He listed some suggestions on his fingers, “Wearing red, pink, or whatever valentines day related color… should the clothes have hearts or flowers, and what can’t they wear?”
Moxy quickly jotted down the idea on her clipboard, “Then I’ll just tell them they can wear whatever they want in their favorite colors!”
Lou rolled his eyes and waved it off, “Okay, sure.”
“What else should I put?” Moxy suggested.
Lou shrugged, “I don’t know? What about a date?”
“It’s on the fourteenth.” Moxy answered.
“Wha—No.” The blonde facepalmed and groaned. “I mean, are dates required? Or can they attend without one?”
“Sometimes, people go to these parties to show off that they’re dating someone, or find someone to dance with at the party… or enjoy the single life and be happy that coming alone is allowed.” Lou explained. “Not that I care much for the romantics, but if you want to convince other dolls to go to the party, then appealing to some of their interests could help.”
“So,” He continued, crossing his arms. “you might want to clarify that dates are optional. Otherwise half the dolls will assume they’re supposed to show up hand-in-hand or not at all.”
Moxy blinked. “Oh! Right. Yeah, I don’t want anyone thinking they have to bring someone.”
She scribbled quickly.
Dates optional.
Moxy tapped the clipboard once, satisfied. “Okay! That already sounds better.”
Lou glanced at the list over her shoulder. “Aside from your invitation, don’t forget about the party’s elements. Like, the music.”
He motioned toward the plaza, where dolls were now dragging tables into place… mostly correctly this time. “If the music’s too romantic, half the room will panic and hide behind the dessert table. A few upbeat tracks to start, something more rhythmic later, and save the softer stuff for when people are already comfortable.”
“Uh…” Moxy twirled her pencil, as she trailed off.
Lou stared down at her with unsurprised, half-lidded eyes, “You prepared everything but slow dance music, didn’t you?”
“The ‘couples’ aspect of Valentine's day never really came to mind until you mentioned it…” Moxy said, scratching the back of her head with a sheepish smile.
But she was quick to write down a reminder to add more ‘romantic’ songs in the playlist.
“Alright!” She said, tucking the clipboard under her arm, as she walked off. “Time to print out the invites! See you tomorrow night, Lou!”
Lou halfheartedly waved before correcting her, “No you won’t. I’m not leaving my house until the party’s over.” He said before walking the opposite direction.
That made Moxy stop in her footsteps, and turn back to the blonde.
She blinked and tilted her head at him and asked, “You’re not going?”
Lou stopped and shook his head. “No.” He said it simply, like it wasn’t something that needed explaining.
“It’s your party.” He continued. “You’ll be busy. And I don’t exactly add to the festive atmosphere.”
Moxy stared at him for a second longer than necessary.
“…But you helped me plan half of it.” She pointed out.
“That doesn’t mean I’m interested in coming.” Lou replied, “Besides, I’m not the only one who doesn’t want me to go.”
He turned slightly, angling away from her, gaze drifting back toward the plaza, where the dolls were working. They were talking, laughing, occasionally misplacing something before fixing it again.
Moxy frowned at the ground for a moment, then looked up at him again. “Okay…” she said.
Lou blinked.
“…Okay?” He repeated.
“Okay.” She said again, firmer this time. “If you don’t want to go, I won’t force you.”
That wasn’t the answer he’d been bracing for.
Lou’s shoulders loosened a fraction before he caught himself. “You’re… not going to argue?”
Moxy tilted her head. “I already did. You said no.”
She stepped closer, “But…” she added in a soft tone, “that doesn’t mean I’m not allowed to be a little disappointed.”
Lou huffed and crossed his arms, “There it is.”
“I’d still want you there.” Moxy said simply. “Whether you have fun or not, or whether anyone notices you there. I’d still appreciate you coming.”
Lou scoffed under his breath, turning away again. “That’s a weird reason.”
“Maybe to you…” Moxy replied.
An unresolved silence settled between them again.
Moxy rocked back on her heels. “Anyway. I’ve got invites to print and dolls to wrangle.”
“If you change your mind… the party starts at six tomorrow. You don’t have to stay. You don’t even have to dance.” She paused, then added, more casually, “But retiring from public work doesn’t mean locking yourself away from other people, you know?”
She smiled, small but sincere, and added last, “You could just… exist there.”
Lou didn’t answer.
So she turned and walked away, clipboard tucked under her arm, already calling out instructions to a group of dolls arguing over table placements.
Lou stood there longer than he meant to.
You could just exist there.
He scoffed to himself, as he continued walking.
Exist? All he’s been doing his whole life was ‘exist’. And unless his existence was interesting, nobody saw any point in him being there.
He’d rather exist at home, thank you very much.
“Ah!” Lou yelped as someone bumped into his shoulder. He immediately turned around to glare at the culprit. “Watch where you’re —Oh. It’s you.” His expression dropped when he saw who had bumped into him.
Right there before him was Ox, who was rubbing his ear. Lou assumed that’s what hit him.
Next to him was Nolan, who was staring back at Lou with the same energy the blonde was giving them.
“Hello, Lou.” The brunette said in a flat tone. “Ready to work at the party tomorrow?”
Lou only gave an empty smile and said, “While I love the idea of making dolls dance around wet floor signs, I’d rather wait for all the ruckus to be over, before picking up after you.”
Ox looked up at the blonde and squinted his eye at him. “You’re not going?”
Lou brows furrowed at the bunny, “No. I’m not.”
“So, you’re just… staying home?” Ox asked, before quickly adding, “Alone?”
Lou rolled his eyes.
“Lou, there’s somethin’ ya ain’t tellin’ me. I may only have one eye, but I can see right through ya, because I’m yer self proclaimed big brother!” The blonde said in an overexaggerated southern accent, moving in a mocking manner.
He then turned around and continued as he walked, “Watch me come up with my own explanation, because I can read ya like an open book, because I’m so emotionally intelligent!”
Ox growled and shouted after him. “I don’t sound like that!”
Lou only waved them goodbye, without turning around, disappearing from earshot.
Nolan looked down at the grumbling bunny.
The brunette eventually spoke up, “So… did you come up with ‘your own’ explanation?”
Ox looked up at the brunette as if confirming the answer, before looking back at where the blonde disappeared to.
He crossed his arms and firmly said, “He wants to go.”
“What?” Nolan looked at the bunny with a puzzled expression.
Ox sighed before answering, “Maybe he doesn’t like it when I act like I know everything about him… because, apparently I don’t...”
“But I’ve been with him long enough to know he can’t handle being alone forever.” Ox said confidently.
He continues to explain, “During my time at the institute… Lou doesn’t talk to the others at a casual level, but he doesn’t leave right away either. He’d circle around and watch them mingle and pretend he’s ‘patrolling’, but really, he has these certain moods where he wants to be around other people. Even when he’s just spectating them.”
Nolan raised an eyebrow. “And you’re sure about that?”
Ox nodded, “As sure as I can be. Unless he’s performing, Lou hates crowds… but he hates being alone more. Especially when he knows people are having fun without him. Not that he’d tell anyone that...” He sighed at that last part.
The brunette rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “So… you’re saying he’ll go if we give him an excuse that wouldn’t bruise his ego too much?"
Ox looked at him with a confused expression, “Well… no. But, if you’re planning something like that, then I’m not against it.”
Nolan snapped his fingers and bid the bunny goodbye, “I’ve got one already! I gotta go get Micheal.” With that, he ran off.
.•.•.
The next day; the institute was a lot louder than usual. Dolls were running around from one shop to another, preparing for tonight.
Moxy stared at herself in the mirror.
She tilted slightly to the left, then the right.
“…It’s fine.” She said, for the third time.
Mandy, standing behind her with her arms crossed, hummed as she watched her friend examine her handpicked dress.
The pink uglydoll was busy the entirety of yesterday, making sure everything was set for tomorrow… which was, well… today.
Mandy woke her up early (too early for her liking), to help her pick out a dress to wear at the party, insisting Moxy should wear something other than her suit. And so, here they were dress hunting at the last minute.
Mandy had a whole pile of clothes and accessories she speedily picked out for Moxy to mix and match on herself until she found something she seemed satisfied with.
The dress was simple. Pastel yellow, strapless, fitted just enough to show her shape without squeezing. The baby pink lining at the hem sat softly against her chest, and on her upper left ‘bust’, was a bow with the same baby pink shade and a tiny red rose at the bow’s center gave it a touch of sweetness.
The plain white loafers felt just as snug and just as weird as her platforms, and the pearl scrunchie —which was originally Mandy’s necklace, but didn’t fit around Moxy’s neck— wrapped around the chicken comb looking thing on her head like a shining, finishing touch.
“You look doll-lightful!” Mandy said, giggling at herself.
Moxy let out a small laugh and tugged lightly at the skirt. “You think so?”
“I know so.” Mandy said, hands on her hips.
Moxy smiled at that, then looked back at her reflection.
She straightened her posture and nodded once.
“Okay. Let’s go make sure everything is ready for tonight!”
By 3:00pm, the plaza was almost unrecognizable.
Strings of lights were hung between posts and lampposts, soft pinks and warm whites glowing even before sunset. Tables were set properly now, each one dressed in cloths and scattered with small heart-shaped decorations that were in pink, red and white. The speakers were tested twice. Then three times.
Moxy paced, still holding the microphone as her mind went to other possible errors. “Is the volume too loud? Did we put the dessert table too close to the stage? Why is there one green balloon tied with one of the pink and red bunches?”
Wage, who was already wearing her own party outfit, which was a dark blue puffy dress, came up to the pink doll and grabbed her shoulders.
“Breathe, Moxy.” Wage said, gently steering her away from the speakers before she could fiddle with them again. “It’s fine.”
Moxy nodded, then immediately turned to look for another problem.
.•.•.
5:58pm
The plaza was already glowing by the time the sun dipped low.
It was dark enough to finally turn on the decorative lights.
Music played low from the speakers upbeat, bouncy, something easy to talk over. Dolls milled about, some dressed up, some barely trying, all of them a little awkward and a little excited.
Moxy stood near the entrance for a moment, just taking it in.
They came.
She exhaled, shoulders finally dropping.
“Alright…” She murmured to herself.
“Don’t faint, little miss aspiring leader!” Mandy said teasingly, already grabbing a drink from the table. “That would really kill the vibe.”
Moxy laughed and moved forward, greeting dolls as they arrived. Some waved, some complimented the decorations, others nervously went around asking for a dance in advance.
“Happy Valentine’s Day!” She happily greeted the dolls who passed by, smiling wider each time.
Everything was… good.
Too good, almost.
Her gaze drifted, without her meaning it to, toward the far side of the plaza. Near the edges. Near the places someone could stand without being noticed.
Nothing.
She shook her head lightly and refocused. Of course he wasn’t coming. She’d told herself not to expect it.
She still checked again ten minutes later.
.•.•.
Lou sat on his couch, staring at the ceiling.
The music carried faintly through the open window. Muffled bass, laughter, the hum of voices blending together. His house felt way bigger than usual. Quieter and more hollow.
He shifted, then stopped.
“…Stupid,” he muttered.
You could just exist there.
Lou groaned and plopped down onto his side. Slapping his palm on the side of his head, trying to shake the words out of his thoughts.
A knock was suddenly heard on his door, making him freeze.
Lou sat up and stared at his door for a few minutes, but eventually got up when the knocking started again, louder.
With a heavy frustrated sigh, he twisted the knob and threw his door open. “What?”
He didn’t know who he was expecting, but he definitely wasn’t expecting these two…
“Hey.” Nolan said, waving lazily.
A blue haired doll behind him, waved as well.
Before Lou could say anything, the brunette pushed his way in.
“Hey!” Lou shouted after the intruding doll, and the blue haired boy who entered after him.
Lou slammed his door shut to prevent any other trespassers from slipping in, and glared at the two dolls.
Nolan draped an arm over his friend’s shoulder and told the blonde. “Relax, Lou. Micheal and I wanted to ask you something really important.”
The doll, now known as Micheal, smiled and nodded at Nolan’s words.
“Was it necessary for you to barge into my house for that?” Lou asked with furrowed brows.
To which Nolan answered, “Yes, actually. Because in the next three seconds, you would’ve shut the door on us.”
The brunette clapped his hands together decisively, and flashed him a grin, “So… We need a favor.”
Lou crossed his arms. “No.”
Micheal blinked. “He didn’t even hear finish—”
“No.” Lou repeated. “Whatever you’re about to ask, the answer’s no.”
Nolan hummed thoughtfully, then leaned back against the wall like he owned the place. “Wow. That’s funny. Because we’re not asking you to go to the party, if that’s what you thought.”
Lou paused, looking up and down at the two of them skeptically.
Nolan was wearing a plain maroon flannel, and black khaki pants. While Micheal wore a white vest, a brown tailcoat jacket over it, and matching brown slacks.
They were both wearing outfits that were very clearly meant for a party.
“…Then what are you asking?” He said cautiously.
Micheal stepped forward. “We need you to come with us to the plaza.”
Lou stared at him. “That’s the same thing.”
“Nope!” Micheal said quickly. “Totally different.”
Nolan nodded along. “Think of it as an escort mission.”
Lou squinted. “For who?”
“For our dates!” Micheal said, straightening his jacket. “You see… I wanted to go on a date with Lydia. Nolan is already taking Kitty, but Tuesday will be a poor little fifth wheel unless you show up and make it a triple date!”
The blonde’s eyes narrowed, and he crossed his arms. “Uh… that sounds like a you problem.”
Nolan cut in and insisted, “Well the thing is, we already asked them out, and we told them we’d bring you specifically, as Tuesday’s date. Since, well… last I remember, she has a big crush on you.”
“Still your problem.” Lou said more aggressively. “I’m aware of her annoying crush on me. I’ve shot down every advance she made.”
“In what universe did you think I’d agree to this triple date? Let alone, walk as a group with you.” He pointed at Nolan.
“And well… him.” He pointed at Micheal.
“None.” Nolan shrugged, “Buuut… I do know in this universe, you secretly want to go to the party but you’re being too much of a prideful little sad sack to admit it.”
Nolan’s words hung in the air like smoke.
Lou stared at him, jaw tight.
“Say that again.” He said through gritted teeth. “I dare you.”
Nolan didn’t flinch. If anything, he looked smug. “You heard me.”
Lou laughed once, sharp and humorless. “You break into my house, insult me, and expect me to—what—thank you for the psychoanalysis?”
His expression fell and turned blank, eyes shrinking as he came to the realization.
He pointed an accusatory finger at Nolan, “What did Ox tell you?”
“Told me everything I needed to know.” Nolan shot back.
That did it.
Lou took a step forward, finger jabbing into Nolan’s chest. “You don’t know a damn thing about what I want.”
“Oh, I know you don’t want to be alone tonight.” Nolan replied evenly.
Micheal, who was watching the two, covered his mouth to suppress his reaction. He coughed, trying to bite back his laugh.
Lou’s hand curled into a fist at his side as he glared at Nolan and his newfound confidence.
“I like being alone…” He said, slower now. “I choose it.”
“Yeah.” Nolan said, before pointing over Lou’s shoulder, “And you also chose to leave your window open so you could hear the music.”
Lou froze.
Micheal blinked. “…Wow.”
Lou turned his head sharply toward the window, like it had betrayed him.
“That doesn’t mean anything.” He muttered.
Nolan sighed and pressed further, “Dude, just come with us.”
“You don’t have an actual plan to get me there, do you?” Lou asked the two guys.
“Does staying here until we annoy you to death, count?” Nolan asked.
The blonde scoffed, “What about your dates?”
“We’re already late, and the party is six and onwards. We’ll make it up to the girls then, but we’re not going without the sixth wheel of the date.” Nolan answered straight.
Lou turned around, crossing his arms stubbornly. “Well too bad for you, dolls never get their way with me. You’ll just have to tell Tuesday you lied and she’ll have to go on a date with someone else, because there’s nothing you can say that’ll make me go.”
Nolan sighed.
But suddenly, his face lit up with an idea, and grinned ear to ear.
“Wouldn’t you be violating your conviction by not attending the party?” He started.
Lou looked over his shoulder with a bemused expression, “What?”
“You know…” Nolan trailed off, “The whole ‘community service’ thing?”
Lou’s eyes narrowed, but he was more confused than anything. “I’m pretty sure it’s normal for cleaning to be done after the party.”
“Oh, I’m not talking about cleaning.” Nolan held his hand up. “I’m talking about Moxy.”
Lou stared at him.
“…What about her?” he asked flatly.
Nolan dropped his hand and straightened, tone shifting. Less smug now, more deliberate. “You said it yourself. You’re on community service. You’re supposed to be… helping.”
Lou scoffed. “I helped. Apart from the fact that I’m still tutoring her almost every day. —I gave her tips on how to run the party.”
“Yeah, you did.” Nolan said. “Yesterday.”
He took a step closer, careful not to crowd him. “But tonight?”
Nolan glanced briefly at Micheal, who had gone quiet, then looked back at Lou. “Tonight…”
“She hasn’t sat down in two hours,” Nolan continued. “She keeps looking for any problems. And she keeps checking the edges of the crowd like she’s missing something.”
Lou’s eyes flicked away before he could stop them.
“That’s not my responsibility.” He said.
“Ehhh isn’t it, though?” Nolan asked, although not really expecting an answer. “I mean she did say —based on what you wrote in the flashcards— that you’ll be helping her until she graduates? You never really told her to specify what you didn’t have to help with.”
Lou’s jaw tightened as he argued back, “I believe I did. My help should only be related to the benefit of the institute.”
“Uh, hello?” Nolan brassily retorted, “It’s a community party, Louis.” Then he leaned in, and said with a smug tone, “Pretty sure a public party being managed well, is beneficial to the institute.”
Nolan let the words hang there, satisfied.
Lou stared at him like he’d just spoken in another language.
“…You’re really pushing.” Lou said finally.
“Am I?” Nolan asked with pure confidence.
“Even if I were obligated—which I’m not—showing up to the party doesn’t magically fix whatever stress Moxy’s putting herself through.” Lou countered.
“Yeah, it doesn’t. And Moxy is actually doing a good job. She’s just overthinking.” Nolan genuinely said. “But showing up, and letting her know that everything’s fine might help her chill out.”
Lou raised a brow.
Nolan continued, “You don’t even have to talk to her, just… stay in her line of sight, and give her a thumbs up from time to time to help her calm down.”
“Plus, you said you wanted your ‘replacement’ to do just as good a job as you.” The brunette added, just in case. “The institute can’t have a paranoid leader. No one would be able to live under decent conditions.”
Micheal suddenly cut in, “I think I’m missing a huge chunk of this conversation’s context.”
“Shut up. No one’s talking to you.” Lou snapped his head at the blue haired doll.
Micheal returned the attitude with a glare.
The blonde returned his gaze to Nolan, and they both silently stared at each other for a few more seconds, before Lou broke away to close his eyes.
Lou ran a hand through his hair and let out a heavy sigh before saying, “Fine.” Then subtly turned away to hide the faint shade of pink he felt creeping up on his face.
Nolan and Micheal’s posture slackened in shock, both not expecting the answer.
Well… it was their goal, but still. This went much easier than expected.
Micheal was the first to break away from the shock and pump his fist in the air. “Yes! Finally!”
Lou made his way to the door and opened it, “Let’s go.”
Micheal followed after him and asked, “Wait, you’re going like that?” He pointed at the scruffy uniform the blonde was still wearing.
Lou turned back to him, “Yeah. You two said you were already late. And I don’t have the patience to go through my closet. What’s wrong?”
Micheal looked at him incredulously.
He gestured his hands up and down to Lou’s entirety, “Well obviously, because—”
He stopped when he spotted a giant octopus uglydoll passing by.
All three boys stopped to look at the ugly that rushed past them, rambling about being ‘late’.
He only had a necktie on.
They all looked to the direction where he came from, and found a bunch of other uglydolls rushing to the party as well.
One had a wedge for a head, wearing mini clip-on bow that didn’t flatter her head shape.
Three weirdly shaped dolls, wearing peter pan collars and just that.
One giant turtle dragging on behind the rest of them, who only had a top hat on.
Micheal blinked before placing a hand on Lou’s shoulder.
“You know what…” He started, still staring at the herd of wardrobe disasters. “You look fine just the way you are…”
.•.•.
The walk to the plaza was louder the closer they got. Music bled into the pathways now, no longer muffled—clearer beats, laughter spilling over itself, someone shrieking with delight somewhere near the speakers.
Lou slowed without realizing it.
The lights came into view next. Strings of pink and white glowing against the darkening artificial sky.
The plaza looked… different. Softer. Warmer. Alive in a way Lou didn’t remember it ever being.
Dolls crowded the space, some dancing already, others hovering awkwardly near tables, clutching drinks like anchors. A few waved when they recognized Nolan. Micheal was already scanning the crowd.
Lou stayed near the edge.
He told himself it was just a good vantage point. Easy exit.
It had nothing to do with the fact that standing here meant he could see most of the plaza without being seen himself.
His eyes moved on instinct.
Lights. Tables. Decorations…
Pink.
He found Moxy standing by a table filling her cup from a punch bowl, laughing at something Mandy said.
The pastel yellow dress she wore was simple and fitted against her shape. She kinda looked like a marshmallow in a bath towel… but somehow she made it work.
The stupid pearls in her… hair? Antenna? —Head doohickey, was a nice touch. Though, normally when wearing a simple outfit, you need more ‘catching’ accessories to balance it out, but then again her unique entirety is already what balances the simplicity out.
It was very… her.
He also noticed Mandy.
She was wearing a black sequin dress with a v-neck line, white knee high boots, and her hair still tied the same way, but held up with a black studded scrunchie —probably meant to match with Moxy’s makeshift headpiece.
They both looked… nice.
Mandy was the first to meet eyes with him, and stiffened in her posture when she did.
Moxy noticed her friend’s distant gaze and turned, scanning the crowd like she’d been doing all night to see what she was looking at. And then froze.
Her eyes landed on him.
Lou stiffened.
For half a second, neither of them moved.
Then her face lit up, a genuine smile that reached her eyes before she caught herself.
She lifted a hand and waved to acknowledge him.
Lou hesitated… then gave a brief nod in return.
That was it.
She turned back to the dolls she was greeting, visibly calmer somehow, shoulders lowering like a weight had shifted.
Mandy lingered on him a little longer, her face skeptical. Before finally turning away and joining Moxy.
Lou exhaled, but his eyes were still on the pink doll.
“You see that?” Nolan suddenly asked.
“No.” Lou said immediately.
Micheal grinned. “I saw it.”
“Of course you did.” Lou muttered.
Before he could retreat further into the shadows, someone tugged on his sleeve.
“Lou!”
Tuesday beamed up at him.
She was dressed in pink from head to toe; a glittery, sleeveless top that was light pink, while her long tulle skirt was in hot pink. She was also wearing pink furred ankle boots.
Her bangs were once again side swept and pinned in place with a glittery pink clip, along with it was a pink headband with a heart shaped on the side.
“You actually came!” Without warning, the blue haired girl jumped towards him and trapped him in a hug. “You came for me!”
God. This girl…
“Yeah…” Lou said, gently pushing her to release him. “Don’t get too touchy.”
She only smiled at him with sparkling clueless eyes, and hugged his arm tight.
“I kinda expected you to at least dress differently…” She said, giving him a once over. “But, I can’t pretend I don’t love how extremely masculine you look in this uniform.”
“I’m flattered.” Lou rolled his eyes.
Someone from behind then laughed as they approached.
“Wow! You actually got him to come.”
Lou turned to see Lydia, placing her hand at her hips as she grinned at the two of them.
“It wasn’t easy.” Micheal said, as he ran to the purple haired doll and stood by her. “I was looking for you.”
Lydia smirked at him.
Micheal looked down to admire her white dress’s fitted, asymmetrical long sleeve top. Showing a bit of her left shoulder. The joint skirt that reached down to her ankles, showed off her beige heels.
“Guess you were right, Tuesday.” Another voice approached them. “Lou was going to go out with you someday.” The voice said, amused.
They turned to see Kitty, who was already being escorted by Nolan.
She had pearl earrings and wore a black cocktail dress, also asymmetrical but it was much shorter and had ruffles in the longer areas. She strutted towards them, on her silver heels.
Lou could’ve sworn he caught a glimpse of Micheal’s jaw dropping in the corner of his eye; something tells him that this triple date won’t end well. Not that it was going well for him right now, anyway.
More importantly… taking a good look at all three girls again, specifically, between Tuesday and the other two —Lou noticed that while Lydia and Kitty were clearly going for mature and elegant, Tuesday was going for cutesy and bubbly…
Though, unless he remembered it wrong, she blabbered something about her favorite color being mint green a while back…. She could have chosen something ‘cute’ in that color.
Choosing pink seemed like an odd choice, or maybe that was just him.
Yeah. Probably just him…
Eventually, Micheal snapped out of his drooling state, and tightened his hold on Lydia as they both moved first. “Alright, enough ogling! Let’s find a table!”
“Who’s ogling?” Lydia asked in a cynical tone, as she let Micheal escort her. Her question was left unanswered.
.•.•.
Oh, it's gonna be a big night!
We're gonna have a good time!
It's gonna be a big big big big big big night!
One, two, three, all my boys and girls,
We gonna party like it's the end of the world—
All six dolls sat at a table near the dance floor, none of them were in the mood to dance yet, and so they idly watched the crowd of dolls dance to the music blasting through the whole plaza, or stare at some of the dolls who chose to sit and watch the song’s performance happening on stage instead. And happily helped themselves to some snacks and drinks.
Lou leaned back slightly in his chair, arms crossed, eyes half-lidded as he watched the crowd move.
Dolls danced in uneven clumps; some enthusiastic, some stiff, some clearly dragged onto the floor by friends who refused to take no for an answer.
Tuesday bounced lightly in her seat, clearly resisting the urge to pull him up by the arm.
“So…” She started, leaning closer than necessary, fluttering her eyelashes, “You wanna dance?”
Lou didn’t even look at her, “No.”
She blinked. “Oh.”
Then smiled again, unfazed. “That’s okay! We can just sit and vibe.”
Across the table, Micheal had already started to sweat.
Every few seconds, his gaze darted between Lydia, who sat with her legs crossed, sipping her drink calmly —and Kitty, who was watching the dance floor with mild boredom, chin resting in her palm.
“So…” Micheal said in a hushed tone, leaning closer to whisper to Nolan, “…hypothetically, if uh, someone wanted to, uh… switch dates—”
“No.” Nolan whispered back immediately.
“I didn’t even finish—”
“No.” Nolan hissed again, more firm. “Dude, what is wrong with you? You wanted to ask out Lydia.”
“Yeah, but… Kitty’s looking really hot right now.” Micheal said, unashamed. Sneaking a quick glance at the pigtailed girl.
Nolan’s brows knitted together in disapproval from that response, “What’s wrong with Lydia? She’s hot too.” He tried not to blush when his own words finally processed in his mind.
“Well, if you think so, why don’t you have her?”
Nolan tried not to show too big of a reaction to that comment. Instead he pushed himself up from his seat, and grabbed Micheal by the arm.
“Excuse me, everyone.” Nolan said, as he pulled the blue haired boy up with him. “Micheal said he wanted to get another sandwich.”
Then pulled him away from their table, and towards the displays of club sandwiches.
As soon as they were out of ear shot, Nolan gripped the other boy’s shoulders, and shook him aggressively. “Micheal!”
“Ow!” Micheal yelped at the hold, but tried playing it cool, “What?”
“Why are you always like this?” Nolan asked, still not loosening his grip.
“Like what?”
Nolan pulled him closer to stare at him dead in the eyes as he answered, “For the longest time that’s I’ve known you, which was…” he distanced himself as he thought. “Just a few months…”
The brunette shook his head and let go of him to jab a finger to his chest, “You’re so… switchy!”
Micheal scoffed as he swatted the hand away, “Switchy? What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means that you always pull these things! Like that time you tried swindling me into trading my parfait, when your hot fudge sundae is perfectly fine!” Nolan answered back.
Micheal threw his arms up, “Oh, come on! This is nothing like deciding on a dessert!”
“Yeah! Because it’s much worse. You’re deciding on a date when you’re already on a date!” Nolan yelled back.
Then he continued, “Even if I wanted to switch dates with you —which I don’t— what makes you think it’ll be easy? Don’t you think the girls are smart enough to know who they’re out at this party with?”
He was honestly surprised Kitty agreed to come with him in the first place… That time they were playing as ‘security guards’ must’ve been a fluke… right?
Nolan shook the thought away.
Regardless of why she said yes, he’s not going to let her be treated like a discarded sundae. That goes for Lydia too.
Micheal spread out his arms as he offered some sort of silver lining, “Then let’s ask them to dance? We can switch dance partners every five minutes!”
Nolan blinked at him as if he grew a second head.
Micheal fanned away the brunette’s suspicions, “Come on! It’s normal to cut in and swap dance partners! It’s part of the fun!”
Nolan clutched the air as he argued back, “So you want us to take turns with them? What are they to you, crab shells!?”
“Crab—Nevermind…” Micheal brushed off his words, not really caring for his friend to elaborate.
Instead he continued to plead, “Come on, please? That way I get a chance with both of them, and neither of them get hurt. And technically… you get to dance with both of them too.”
Nolan opened his mouth to speak, but then stopped when he realized something.
He turned back to their table and found Lou staring at them with mild amusement, clearly having theories of his own about whatever he and Micheal were arguing about.
He was the only one from their table who actually saw them. Because Tuesday was too lovesick to pry her eyes away from Lou, while both Lydia and Kitty were still staring at either their nails or the table. Bored. And probably wishing to be somewhere else if their dates didn’t get up from their butts and treat them like the girls they asked out.
He turned back to Micheal and sighed, “Fine.”
Micheal grinned.
“But…” Nolan held up a finger, “Only because I don’t want the girls to think we asked them out here to sit around all night. We should be dancing with them.”
“I couldn’t agree more!” Micheal said, draping an arm over his shoulder.
“AND…” Nolan shoved him off, “don’t ask to switch too frequently.”
Micheal held a hand up, “I promise!”
With that, they both grabbed a plate of sandwiches to present, and walked back to their table.
Micheal grinned and said in a flirtatious tone, “Sandwiches, ladies?” He asked, glancing between Lydia and Kitty.
The two of them looked at the sandwiches, thoughtfully. Though neither made a motion to grab one.
Tuesday was the only one who actually answered, “Oh, no thank you! I’m laying off the carbs right now.”
Lou was the only one who grabbed from the plate. He ate with a straight face, as the blue haired boy glared at him.
Micheal turned his attention back to the girls and cleared his throat, “Sooo… you girls wanna dance?” He held his hand out.
Kitty and Lydia looked at each, and then the dance floor.
“Well…” Kitty said to Lydia, “I think it was about time we got off our chairs. I didn’t get dressed this nice to not dance.” She pushed herself up from her chair, and was ready to take Nolan’s outstretched hand before Micheal suddenly grabbed her instead.
“Great! Let’s go!” Micheal was quick to pull Kitty to the dance floor, ignoring the startled noises she made as she tried to balance on her heels.
Nolan slapped his hands over his face, and peaked at the confused purple haired girl through his fingers.
“Uh… Did my date just drag your date to the dance floor?” Lydia asked, crossing her arms.
Nolan nervously laughed, “He, uh… He probably just got too excited?” He offered his hand to Lydia and gently pulled her up when she accepted it and escorted her to the crowd of dolls.
“Let’s just… find them…” Nolan said, as lead Lydia in their direction.
Once they were far from the table, Tuesday rested her head in her palms and gazed up at Lou like she had been doing all night.
“So… it’s just you and me now.” Tuesday said with a giddy laugh.
Lou mumbled under his breath, “Unfortunately…”
Tuesday laughed like he’d just told a joke.
“Aw, don’t be like that.” She nudged his arm with her elbow. “You came with me, didn’t you?”
Lou didn’t answer. He leaned back in his chair instead, eyes drifting toward anything but her face.
Tuesday pouted, but it didn’t last long. It never did.
“Well…” She said cheerfully, sliding closer again, “As much as I wanna dance… I’m fine sitting here all night with you.”
Lou only acknowledged her with a hum.
Across the floor, Nolan and Lydia had finally found some rhythm. Awkward but genuine. Nolan was clearly concentrating too hard not to step on her feet.
Kitty danced a few feet away, arms loose, clearly enjoying herself despite Micheal’s increasingly frantic energy as he tried to match her pace.
Lou’s gaze drifted back to searching for something or someone else to look at.
And then his eyes noticed before he meant to.
Moxy skipping towards their table waving enthusiastically at them.
“Hey lovebirds!” She teasingly greeted the two, as she leaned against the table gazing up at the two of them.
“Hi, Moxy.” Tuesday greeted her back.
“How’s the party going for the both of you?” the pink doll asked.
Lou shrugged and answered, “It’s pretty decent so far. You didn’t mess anything up, which is very impressive.”
Moxy snorted but took his word for it.
Somehow the blonde’s backhanded compliment was what eased her more than her friends' constant reassurance, tonight.
Tuesdays placed a hand over her chest, “I for one looove everything you did here!”
She then laid her head on Lou's reluctant shoulder, “But I really wish a slow dance song would come in soon. Just in case… a certain someone changes their mind?” She glanced up at him to bat her eyelashes.
Lou didn’t return the gaze, instead his face turned concerned when he noticed the blank, mortified look of despair on the pink doll’s face.
Moxy stared off into nothing, as she came to a terrible realization.
“Oh my doll…” She clutched her head and said, “I forgot to add slow dance music!”
“Oh no…” Tuesday pouted in disappointment, though she wasn’t frazzled like the pink doll. “Well, that’s alri—”
Moxy probably didn’t hear her, because she started pacing as she continued, “How did I forget? I literally wrote it down! I even double checked everything four times!”
She stopped panicking when she felt someone suddenly grab her wrist.
She looked up to see that it was Lou, who got up from his chair, holding her.
“Wow. Okay. Calm down, would you?” He said, both his tone and face were brusque. Though carried a bit of concern.
Moxy stared at him, taken aback by his response.
He flicked his free wrist and rolled his eyes before continuing, “Big whoop. You forgot about adding more music. You think spiraling is going to help? If the other dolls see you like that, they’ll think something worse happened. A leader has to stay composed no matter the situation.”
“Right…” Moxy said in a sheepish tone. Her shoulders automatically relaxed.
Lou let go of her and told her, “Every song is like two or three minutes long, right? And I assume you have plenty of the non-romantic songs currently in the playlist.”
“Around fifty, probably.” Moxy answered bluntly.
“Dear god…” Lou muttered under his breath before clearing his throat and continuing, “Okay… Well, since the other dolls are having fun dancing to the upbeat music—” he trailed off as he gestured to the crowd.
His eyes widened and his hand nearly retracted when he spotted Lydia and Kitty seldomly dancing side by side as they glanced at their supposed dates in concern.
Nolan and Micheal were currently butting heads, pulling on each other’s outfits and yelling in each other’s faces.
“Uh…” Lou shook his head, trying to collect his thoughts, before continuing what he was instructing, “…You have plenty of time to—”
“Download a bunch of slow dance songs and reshuffle the playlist?” Moxy finished for him.
Lou snapped his fingers, as if to confirm she got the right answer.
“And maybe cut out some of the already existing songs?” He added. “I get that your party has no specific end time, but fifty is a lot and I doubt anyone’s pulling an all-nighter here.”
Moxy nodded and turned around to leave, “I gotta go tell Ugly Dog! Thanks Lou!” She shouted over her shoulder before running off.
Lou watched her go, arms crossing again out of habit.
“Wow…” Tuesday suddenly said, “That’s the most you’ve talked all night.”
Lou only replied with a blank half-lidded stare, before slumping back in his seat.
.•.•.
Hours passed by. Tuesday nearly dozed off in her chair.
She gave up trying to strike a conversation with Lou, because all his replies were dismissive hums and dry one to two word answers.
The most he’s ever talked or acknowledged someone’s voice, was whenever Moxy came back to their table.
When she started telling a detailed story about how someone almost knocked over the chocolate fountain? Lou made a joke about how ‘with the amount of dolls he saw wearing pink, chocolate splatters would make them look like a bunch of rough housing pigs’.
When she explained how Wage almost got trapped in a girdle when she went dress hunting yesterday? Lou cracked a very rude joke about how that would make no difference. He laughed harder when Moxy kicked his seat.
When she came running to them and asked them to help her hide, because her friends were ‘smothering’ her again, saying she’s working too much? Lou casually lifts the table cloth to let her hide under it. —Moxy was quick to leave in the other direction where her friends came from, after they passed by.
The most exciting thing that happened to Tuesday tonight, is her jolting awake to the sound Micheal and Nolan screaming as they came back and ran around the table trying to murder each other, before they disappeared into the dancing crowd again.
“Ha! I knew it wasn’t going to end well.” Lou laughed as he watched the two boys roll across the floor as they throttled each other, “That Micheal guy can’t decide who he’s supposed to be on a date with.”
Tuesday didn’t mean to, but she bitterly murmured, “Well he’s not the only guy who’s being indecisive here …”
Unfortunately Lou heard that. He turned his head and looked at her with furrowed brows.
“What are you talking about?”
“Ugh!” Tuesday shot up from her seat and gestured her hand at Lou, “The whole thing with you and…” her hand redirected to the doll who had already left. She sighed.
“Actually… Why am I even mad?” She asked no one, as she hugged herself. Sitting back down she continued, “I was ready for you to be like this.”
Lou tilted his head, raising a single brow.
“I knew, and I didn’t care if you didn’t talk to me the whole night… I was happy to just be able to go on one date with you.” Tuesday continued, “I already got around to realizing you didn’t like me back…”
“At what stop?” Lou asked.
Probably not the appropriate attitude given the first ever look of disapproval his ‘long term admirer’ had just shot at him…. but he really couldn’t help himself.
Tuesday transferred her gaze to the ground and answered, “That time with the vacuum cleaner was a pretty good hint.”
Another word vomit came before Lou could stop himself, “And it couldn’t be inferred from the other times I’ve openly shot you down.”
Tuesday let out a shaky laugh, that showed her disappointment.
“Yeah…” She said quietly. “You were always honest. I just… thought maybe if I kept trying, you’d soften.”
Lou didn’t answer right away.
For once, there was no snark ready at the tip of his tongue.
Tuesday straightened in her seat and wiped her palms against her skirt. “I don’t regret being excited to go on this date tonight…”
She added, “I guess I’m just a bit upset that you not liking me is less of you being some untouchable handsome guy… and more of you preferring someone else…”
Lou’s gaze flicked up. “Someone else?”
A beat of silence echoed between them, before the blonde’s blue eyes shrunk in horror.
He nearly kicked himself off his chair, when trying to straighten himself up, realizing who she was talking about. He forced out a laugh that sounded far too defensive
He held his arms up and he tried to stop the erupting chuckles, “Okay… you are WAY off! You gotta learn how to read the room better.”
Tuesday rolled her eyes, and crossed her arms. “Ugh! Please! What does reading rooms have to do with anything?”
She threw her arms up as she exclaimed, “Hellooo? We’re not even in a room! We’re at a plaza!”
Lou only blinked at her in disbelief.
Tuesday lowered her arms and sighed, “And anyway… maybe I’m not smart enough to ‘read rooms’, whatever that means… but I am smart enough to understand that there's been this weird mood between us since we got here, and not the romantic kind.”
Lou gawked at her, dumbfounded. “That’s the same—Oh whatever….” Better to give up than argue with an idiot.
He’ll just let her continue.
“You wouldn’t normally bother letting me talk to you for so long. You usually walk away after saying no.” Tuesday stopped briefly before saying, “Something tells me, that despite everything… you don’t wanna leave the party yet.”
Lou didn’t reply. He didn’t really know what to say to that.
“Because…” Tuesday lifted her head and her eyes widened in realization. “Even if no one in the crowd sees you… being able to see a crowd helps you remember you’re existing somewhere.”
She slowly looked back at Lou, whose eyes wide, and his lips thin. “You’re just lonely…”
Lou wanted to say something in protest, but he found himself still quiet.
“And I just wasn’t the right company…” A small, defeated smile crept onto Tuesday’s lips, “But Moxy was.”
“Again—” Lou finally found himself saying, “you’re completely getting it wrong between the two of us!”
Tuesday giggled before answering back, “Maybe I am, maybe I’m not? But it doesn’t really change the fact that your attention’s been on a different girl the whole night.”
Lou stared at her.
For a second too long.
The music swelled behind them. Another upbeat track, bass-heavy, cheerful, completely at odds with the tight knot in his chest.
“…You don’t owe me anything…” Tuesday said quietly. “I already know you’re not into me like that.”
Lou exhaled through his nose and leaned back in his chair, one arm draped over the backrest. “Good. Then we’re clear.”
“Yeah.” Tuesday nodded. “We are.”
Lou bit his cheek as he suddenly realized…
“One question…” He turned to her, and waited for her to acknowledge him.
“Yeah?”
“Did you think I had a thing with Moxy —which I don’t— before, or only tonight?” Lou asked.
Tuesday tilted her head at the question, “Why do you ask?”
Lou gestured down to the girl’s loud and proud pink dress, “This choice of yours has been stuck in the back of my mind since we got here.”
Tuesday nervously drummed her fingers against the table, “Um…”
They were suddenly interrupted by Nolan running up to the table and slamming his fists down, shaking the whole surface.
Tuesday yelped in shock, Lou was surprised but was more composed and quickly leaned away from the rattled table.
“Nolan!” Tuesday yelled at the panting brunette.
“Sorry… I just…” Nolan was still trying to regulate his breathing.
He snatched the first glass his hands touched, downing the last of the liquid and slamming it back down.
He wiped his mouth with sleeve, before squaring up again.
“I needed a quick recharge before going back to killing Micheal!” He stated as a matter of fact.
Lou snorted, “You guys are still at it?”
“Apparently!” Nolan snapped his head towards Lou, unhappy with his own answer.
Nolan cracked his neck and glanced around the plaza, eyes wild with purpose. “Now where’d that suck fish go?”
Right on cue, a flash of blue came from behind him.
Micheal just tackled Nolan and now the brunette was trying to push him off his back.
Tuesday stared at them like she was watching a nature documentary gone wrong, while Lou grinned and laughed at the spectacle.
“Get OFF me!” Nolan barked, swatting at Micheal’s arm.
“You started it!” Micheal shot back. “You stepped on my foot!”
“Because you were cutting in while me and Kitty were still dancing!”
“It’s rude to reject the request of cutting in!”
“It’s even more rude to constantly swap dance partners! You’ve been doing it every five minutes!” Nolan managed to swap positions and had Micheal mostly pinned down. “I get that we’re dolls but there’s a difference between kids trading us around, and you trading your date around!”
“Guys! Please!”
Both Nolan and Micheal froze mid punch, and turned to see Kitty and Lydia angrily storming towards them.
“K-Kitty! Lydia!” Nolan said, dropping his hold on Micheal’s collar and letting him hit his head against the ground.
“Girls!” Micheal nervously said, rubbing his head and trying to pick himself up when Nolan got off him. “Sorry you had to see that.”
“It’s fine.” Kitty rolled eyes but then softened her face, “Actually… we were hoping for another dance.” She said, and Lydia nodded in agreement.
Micheal straightened his posture when he heard that, “R-Really?”
Lydia nodded, “Yeah. But me and Kitty want to have a turn with choosing who we wanna dance with.”
“Um… uh sure!” Micheal quickly patted down his suit and fixed his stance.
“So…” Trying to hide his anticipation, he asked, “who’s dancing with who?”
Kitty noticed his eyes were lingering on her again, but she placed a hand on her friend’s shoulder and continued. “Well… me and Lydia over here have decided…”
“That we both want to dance with Nolan.” Lydia finished where Kitty trailed off.
Micheal’s smile slowly dropped as he processed the answer, “What?”
“What?” Lou said, albeit more entertained.
“What?” Nolan asked, completely flustered and unprepared.
Without warning, Kitty and Lydia approached the brunette and hooked an arm each under his, and dragged him to the dance floor.
“Oh… Uh… okay.” Nolan quietly said, as he allowed both girls to lead him away.
Tuesday suddenly got up and waved to them, “Make room for one more! I wanna dance too!”
She then turned to Lou and smiled before telling him, “Spend your time at this party how you want to, okay?”
Lou, who was looking at her surprised, nodded after a few seconds.
Tuesday then ran after her friends.
Lou stared off at where the four of them ran off to, but was instantly pulled out of his thoughts when Micheal slumped down in the seat next to him, groaning.
“I can’t believe I’m stuck here with you!” Micheal said in a mopey tone, plopping his head onto the table.
Lou spun in his spot to move away from him, crossing his arms. “What do you mean stuck with me?” He quickly stood up and said, “I’m leaving.”
“Huh!?” Micheal’s head shot up as the blonde walked away. “But I’ll look like a loser all on my own!”
He wasn’t sure if Lou heard him or not but either way, he was still walking.
Micheal nearly jumped when he felt someone tap his shoulder.
He turned around and was met with a purple, curly haired doll.
“Hi there!” She said, politely waving.
Micheal remained in stunned silence, before letting out a quiet, “Hi.”
“I’m Meghan, and my date blew me off.” She said, straight to the point. “I need a new person to dance with and you looked desperate.”
Micheal tried opening his mouth to speak, “I… uh…”
Before anything else could leave his mouth, she said, “No objections? Okay! Let’s go!” Without another word, she grabbed him by the collar and dragged him out into the dance floor.
“Whoa! Ahhh!” Micheal tried to keep up with her.
.•.•.
Oh no, it's on tonight
Here we go
You're looking right, I know you know
So go ahead and let it go, go, go, go
Moxy stood somewhere almost near behind the stage, listening to the music.
You're shining like a star
I wanna be where you are, are
Oh no, oh no
Let's take over this club
You're shining bright in the dark, dark
You light up the night
She laughed to herself when she heard the chorus come up.
Ironically, she was barely ‘shining’ tonight. Not that she expected or wanted fame when this party started. She was, however, surprised that barely any dolls came to her for anything. And so she’d find herself going back to Lou and chatting with him. But she realized it was rude to interrupt his date with Tuesday, and so let them be, and decided to sit out the rest of the night as there wasn’t anything else for her to do.
The dolls all seemed to find their way around the party; find their own tables, make their way to the refreshments and snacks, and even discovered the pathway her friends helped her make to the closest restroom.
Still wanting something to do, she tried looking for any other problems to fix or any dolls that needed help. But they all turned out to be occupied with their groups and dates. And every other problem she thought of was too minor.
Her friends were trying to convince her to come and dance with them. But she just wasn’t feeling it right now. So she was merely watching Mandy, Babo, Wage, and Lucky dance together.
Ugly Dog (or as he insisted to be called for the rest of the night—Slick Dog) hadn't left the turntables, and was currently dancing on top of one of the discs.
And Moxy was sure Ox was still swinging around above the crowd by the stray dangling rope decorations, he was always so extra when it comes to parties.
“Funny seeing you here and not out there doing stupid dance moves with your ugly band.”
Moxy turned her head to the side and found Lou making his way to her.
Moxy laughed and turned her head back to watch the party.
“I was worried the whole day yesterday… and prepared for anything to fix tonight… but there wasn’t much to do. And everything is going well. So I’m kinda stuck…” She explained to the blonde.
She looked down at her hands, as if trying to figure something out with herself. “I mean, I’m not sad… I’m pretty sure I’m happy! But, also… not feeling as hyped as I thought I would be?”
Lou crossed his arms and hummed before responding, “That’s the sudden relief talking.” He then added, “You brace yourself with more work, only to be shocked by nothing. You can relax, but you were prepared for anything but relaxation. So, you don’t know where to put your energy.”
Moxy tilted her head up at him, “Is that what happened to you when you… uh… you know?”
Lou shrugged but answered, “Pretty much…? I thought I’d be forced to work 24/7 when that mop was placed in my hand… but everyone moved on a lot quicker than I thought, and I was stuck with my own thoughts.”
“I was restless for a whole week, until my body eventually felt the burn out.” He tiredly rubbed his eyes before continuing, “And now I rarely want to leave my bed…”
“Pft..!” Moxy covered her mouth to suppress her laugh.
He then looked down and pointed at Moxy, “Although, for you… I think it’s less of a burn out and more of misplaced excitement.”
Moxy hummed as she thought about it, “Maybe…? That would explain why I don’t feel tired, even when I’m not as excited as my friends.”
It's time, I love this feeling
Can we rewind?
To the beginning of this crazy night
She suddenly remembered something and looked back up at Lou to tell him, “By the way, Ugly Dog finally finished downloading some slow dance songs and said the more couple-appropriate tracks would be on after this song.”
“Is that so?” Lou asked, before closing his eyes in thought.
He was quiet for 3 solid seconds before opening eyes, and slowly brought up his hand to offer to Moxy.
Moxy teetered back a bit when he did. She looked at his hand, expecting him to retract and maybe play it off as a joke. But he didn’t.
Instead, his hand stayed where it was as he asked, “Do you want to make the most out of this song before a slow dance comes up?”
Moxy lips parted slightly in shock.
Lou is asking her to dance?
Her head went completely blank and all she could hear was the music and only faintly processed the words.
“Are you sure?” She asked the blonde.
Lou shrugged, “Why not? We can just dance here, since the floor over there is a little flooded by everyone else.”
Moxy thought a moment longer, before slowly lifting her hand to hesitantly reach for his.
“My arm’s getting tired.”
That snapped her out of her second thinking, and she quickly took his hand, giggling.
So, baby, we can let it go, go, go
Hey-ey-ey
You're shining like a star
I wanna be where you are, are
They held hands, but kept a distance as they swayed and rocked to the beat.
They eventually found a rhythm, and moved a little more on beat and in sync to each other.
Oh no, oh no
Let's take over this club
You're shining bright in the dark
You light up the night
Recognizing the chorus was coming up again, Lou suddenly spun her from his left to her right.
“Whoa!” Moxy yelped, and felt a bit dizzy. But still allowed him to spin her.
Lou then released her to allow both of them to freestyle.
You wanna wild out, then wild out
All eyes on you
Lou flashed a V-sign in front of his face, and dragged his fingers across his eyes as he locked with Moxy’s eyes, before flicking his wrist outward. And then repeating the movement with his other hand.
It's going down, down, right now
You can't lose
Moxy mimicked the movement, keeping eye contact and holding the same playful smile the blonde was giving her.
You wanna wild out, then wild out
That's what you do
They briefly held hands again, and shuffled their feet back and forth, while tugging each other’s arms, matching the movements to the beat the best they could. Before letting go again and swaying to the music with their own on the spot choreography.
Each shake in the hips made the hem of Moxy’s dress sway. Lou started moving a lot more lively, like how he used to when performing in front of everyone.
They both laughed as they continued to have fun.
Somewhere in the crowd, Nolan was dancing with the three girls. He was a little embarrassed at first, but eventually got more confident and owned his spot in the middle, where they placed him.
“Nice moves.” Kitty said to the freckled doll.
Nolan blushed but replied, “Thanks! You three are also really good at this.”
“Aww, that’s so nice!” Tuesday said, making Nolan turn to face her and smile at the girl.
“By the way…” Nolan started, “if you don’t mind me asking, what happened to Lou? Did he go home?”
Tuesday looked to the side while thinking, “I don’t know… But I did tell him to spend his time at the party how he wants to.”
Lydia spotted something in the distance, and smirked. “I think I know where he went.”
She pointed past the others when they looked at her and told them, “Look.”
They turned their heads, and sure enough… somewhere in the distance, far from everyone else, was a blonde boy and a pink uglydoll dancing together.
“Oho, no way!” Nolan laughed, nearly falling over before balancing himself again.
“Maybe it wouldn’t be wrong to bring back some old theories.” Kitty playfully said, to which the others more or less agreed with her.
And a whole lot of new theories piled up, when the two distant dolls stopped dancing when the music faded into a slower song.
They partially watched as the two chatted for a few minutes, before making their way to the exit. Walking side by side, as if they mutually agreed to finally leave the party.