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Was it morning already? It felt way too early.
She slowly got up and blinked once. Twice.
Where the hell was she?!
This wasn't the Kingdom of Science, it looked like a girl's 1950s bedroom.
No, it was a 1950s bedroom.
Nikki glanced around, taking in the sight, a soft bed, loaded with pillows, comforted her. It was definitely a lot nicer than the cramped huts back in the Kingdom. Warm light soaked the room, seeping in through the thin, lace, curtains. To her left sat a yellow landline on a white dresser, waiting to receive calls.
Was this really the 1950s?
She had to be dreaming, right?
-
Rydell High. This was awfully familiar to Nikki but she couldn't quite place her finger on it. She approached the main entrance to the school, noticing a few familiar faces… except they didn't seem to recognise her.
She had passed Ruri and Chrome and a few other of the Kingdom of Science’s members but they paid no mind to her.
“Hey!” She startled at the voice addressing her. Minami?
“Hey?” She turned around to meet the blonde news reporter, her brown eyes staring at Nikki expectedly.
“You're new, right?”
“Uh, yes, I think?” She tripped over her words, it didn't seem Minami recognised her either to her dismay.
“Do you want to sit with us at lunch?” Minami asked, a grin tugging at the corners of her lips.
“Us?” Nikki asked hesitantly.
“Yeah, the Pink Ladies.” Minami beamed.
Pink ladies..? Grease?! Was this some weird remake of Grease using Nikki's friends as the cast? Oh fuck was she playing the role of Sandy?!
“Yeah sure,”
Minami extended a hand, waiting for Nikki to reciprocate. She shook it firmly.
“I'm Minami.”
“Nikki. Nice to meet you, Minami.”
-
Lunch rolled around soon enough which Nikki had been dying for. She wanted to see who the Pink Ladies would be and who the T-Birds could be. This was exciting, or as Senku would say, exhilarating.
“Nikki, over here!” Minami waved her over to a table where Kohaku, Yuzuriha and Suika sat. It was funny seeing the 10 year old sit and pretend to be a teenager.
“Hi!” She greeted, as she sat down with them.
“Nikki, this is Kohaku, Yuzuriha and Suika.” Minami gestured to each of them as she said their name.
“Nice to meet you,” she lied. Nikki knew everyone here all too well, it was strange meeting them a second time.
“THAT'S BAD!” She heard Chrome yell at a not so calm level. The hell was Chrome shouting about now?
“Oh don't mind them, that's Chrome, one of the T-Birds.” Minami answered the unspoken question.
“Who are they?” Nikki asked, taking a bite of her sandwich.
“Only the high school sleazebags who only care about girls and cars.” Kohaku muttered, sipping a coffee.
“Tsukasa, Ryuusui, Chrome, Senku and Gen. All of them are troublesome.” Minami sighed.
Senku as a T-Bird? Now that was weird.
“Tsukasa! Are you snooping around the girls' locker room again?” She heard Ryuusui snigger as Tsukasa walked up to the group. It was weird seeing him up walking and talking when he's supposed to be in a fridge.
The strongest primate highschooler put his hands up in defeat.
“Whatever helps you sleep at night.” he replied in that silky voice.
Oh god. Was Tsukasa Danny Zuko?!
She really didn't want to have to kiss Tsukasa, no offence. She just didn't exactly like men in general that way, Tsukasa didn't do anything for her to hate him. It wasn't him, it was her.
The only person she could kiss as of now was Minami, but given the current circumstances that wasn't possible. She sighed as she took another bite of her dry sandwich. This was going to suck.
“Nikki,” Minami whispered as she nudged her arm.
“Hm?”
“Tsukasa's walking over right now!”
“Huh?!”
“Nikki? Is that you?” That charismatic voice boomed. Ah fuck.
“Tsukasa! Didn't see you there haha..” Nikki smiled awkwardly. In the original story, Danny Zuko is in love with Sandy Dumbrowski and if this is truly a Grease remake then Tsukasa was unfortunately in love with Nikki.
“No worries,” he flashed an easy smile at her.
“Is this the girl you were talking to over summer, Tsukasa?” Ryuusui piped up. The whole gang of T-Birds had come over to their table now.
“Eally-ray? The innocent type, huh Tsukasa?” Gen chirped slyly.
This was so fucking weird.
Seeing her friends dressed up in outfits from the late 1950s pretending to be in Grease had to be one of the weirdest things that had happened to her.
“Whaaat! Her? No pfft she's just uh.. a family friend!” Tsukasa stumbled under peer pressure. Crazy thing, am I right?
“Can you guys leave us alone?” Kohaku asked, clearly irritated by this scenario.
There was hesitation but the T-Birds didn't push it and left.
“Men are such douchebags.” Minami rolled her eyes before murmuring something else under her breath. If only she had Ukyo's ridiculous hearing ability.
“What was that?” Nikki asked, suddenly more curious than she probably should be.
“Eh? Oh just that men suck, haha.” Minami responded, nervous.
Strange.
Nikki nodded before getting back to her almost finished sandwich.
“Minami! We should all hang out tonight and invite Nikki!” Suika suggested. This was the first time she had said anything since this weird dream started.
“Yeah we should!” Kohaku added.
“Okay,” Minami beamed.
-
“Nikki! I'm sorry about earlier!” Tsukasa caught up to her in the corridor, panting lightly. This guy again?
“Tsukasa,” she acknowledged.
“I'm sorry for being a douche,” he paused, bringing a hand to the back of his neck.
“Would you like to hang out some time? Maybe after school?”
Thank god Minami had invited her over.
“Sorry, Minami invited me over.” She responded politely. His smile dropped.
“That's fine, another time maybe?”
She nodded curtly.
I hope I wake up before that happens.
-
“Anyone got any cigarettes?” Minami asked, lounging on her bed. The Pink Ladies and Nikki had gone over to Minami’s house after school which led to Nikki here, sitting comfortably next to Minami on the girls bed. Her left side was propped up against the news reporter, both supporting each other. Neither made any move away. She felt warm, her heart doing small backflips.
The room was just like Nikki remembered it being in the musical, cozy. This was nice.
“Yeah here,” Kohaku passed a cigarette to Minami.
“Thanks Kohaku.”
Minami brought a small blue lighter up to the cigarette, lighting it carefully, before taking a drag. Who knew Minami would look so fucking pretty with a cigarette in hand in the 50s? Nikki felt her face warming up. Stop! You'd be grilled alive for thinking like that in the 50s!
“Nikki, you alright?” Minami asked, noticing her staring. Quickly, she forced herself to look away from the literal goddess before her.
“Yeah! Fine.”
Minami eyed her, “Do you want a try?”
“I've never smoked.” but I will for you.
She didn't say that last part out loud. The 50s were definitely going to be homophobic.
“Here, have mine.” Nikki's heart skipped a beat as she carefully took the cigarette Minami had just passed her.
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, we're friends now, right?” She swore Minami's face turned a bit red. Lightning, just the lighting.
Nikki couldn't say anything and just nodded before taking the cigarette up to her lips and inhaling the toxic smoke. How did Minami make it look so easy?
The smoke tickled her throat violently and she tried suppressing a cough to no avail. It came out in ragged, sputtering coughs.
“It's obvious you've never smoked before ha!” Kohaku giggled.
“Uh huh.” Suika nodded. She was kind of worried Suika might be influenced to use cigarettes and was thankful when this.. dream or whatever made sure to keep Suika safe, even if it wasn't real.
“How ‘bout we try some alcohol?” Yuzuriha asked, getting up. Minami nodded.
“I'll pass guys.” Suika spoke. Thank god, she couldn't help but worry for the detective.
Yuzuriha left the room before briskly returning with a cheap bottle of dessert wine and a few twinkies.
“Oouh my favourite!” Suika exclaimed, reaching for a twinkie.
“Dessert wine?” Minami asked skeptically.
“It's actually pretty good, just try it! You too Nikki.” Kohaku insisted.
“I don't drink haha.” Nikki responded, putting a hand to her neck.
“Just a little?” Minami pushed. Peer pressure was a crazy thing, especially when it came to Minami. One look from those sparkling brown eyes and Nikki would do anything. She sighed, definitely lost to Minami.
“Alright,” Yuzuriha passed the bottle over to Nikki and she took a swig. It tasted rich and very sweet.
It wasn't bad.
The sharp taste of alcohol stung her throat. Before the petrification even happened, Nikki had never drank much. She only ever drank at important events with family, never out alone with friends.
“Here,” she passed the bottle back to Yuzuriha who also took a large gulp, before passing it to Kohaku who mimicked the action.
“Save some from me!” Minami pouted.
“Sorry!”
Minami finished the last bit off, flushing slightly.
“That was pretty nice actually.” She murmured.
“See? I'm never wrong!” Kohaku declared.
“That's not true! You're wrong quite alot!” Suika said matter-of-factly, munching on a twinkie. Yuzuriha giggled. Kohaku's eye twitched at this but she let it go since it was Suika.
The group had a comfortable vibe, Nikki quite liked this until a nauseating feeling came over her.
Right, Sandy throws up at this part and they decide I'm not cool anymore.
“Excuse me, where's your bathroom?” Nikki asked politely, ignoring the nausea building up.
“Down the hall, to the left.” Minami said before hesitating.
“I can take you.”
This wasn't part of the story unless I remember it wrong.
“Sure.”
-
A knock at the door.
“Nikki, are you okay in there?” Minami's worried voice carried through. Nikki bent over the toilet bowl, currently throwing up the little alcohol she had and her sandwich from earlier.
“Yeah - just remember what I said about how I don't drink haha.” She responded with a slight rasp.
“Can I come in? Do you need help?”
“I think it's good, I'm almost done.”
The door opened with a quiet click.
“Minami?”
“Sorry! I just had to make sure you're okay!” She stumbled with her words, her cheek dusted lightly with pink.
Now this was just embarrassing, me hunched over a toilet whilst she watches.
“I'm okay, you can go back to the others, I'll be done soon.” She tried to get Minami to leave, this wasn't real but the embarrassment sure was.
“Are you sure..?” Minami took a few steps forward.
A raised hand waved her off, “Of course!”
Minami considered this before nodding, an unreadable look in her eyes.
“Okay, Nikki.” She said softly before leaving.
This is definitely a different version of the story.
-
“Glad your back,” Yuzuriha smiled
“Are you okay?” Minami asked.
She had finished throwing up her guts in the bathroom and returned to the bedroom. There was a lack of Kohaku however.
“I'm okay,” Nikki smiled before taking her original spot, resting against Minami. Suika shot Minami a questioning look but didn't say anything.
“It's uh- Getting late, dontcha think?” Minami mentioned, eyeing the clock that read 11.35 p.m. Suika gasped.
“I'm supposed to be home now!” She rushed to grab her things before adding a goodbye. “I'll see you guys tomorrow!!”
And she was gone.
“I'll be going too, see you guys!” Yuzuriha left quietly.
Now that the others were gone, Minami cleared her throat as Nikki slowly shuffled up from her spot.
“Do you want to stay over?” she didn't look at Nikki, instead finding a spot on the floor to be invested in (Which was lucky because Nikki was pretty sure she was firetruck red right now). This was not part of the story.
“Sure, where should I sleep?” Minami looked confused.
“Sleep.” she echoed before the reporter's face flushed red.
“Right! Uhh.. we don't have any sleeping bags so you can just share with me.” Her eyes darted about as she spoke quickly.
Was she… lying?
“Okay,” Nikki answered slowly, trying to figure out what Minami's goal was.
“You can borrow some of my pajamas and change in the bathroom,” Minami added, regaining composure. The reporter held out a neat pair of pajamas she had taken out of the chest-of-drawers.
“Thanks,” Nikki smiled before taking them.
-
Oh.
Oh wow.
Silky white shorts and a vest top with lace. It felt rather exposing.
Of course, this was Marty's wardrobe after all.
Nikki made her way back to Minami's bedroom for the second time that night.
Once in, the blonde shuffled over in the bed, leaving room for Nikki. Minami was in a similar pajama set to hers, only it was red and damn did it look good.
She got in the soft sheets, feeling a bit too warm.
“Goodnight Nikki.” Minami whispered before turning off the lights.
A few heartbeats of silence passed.
How on Earth could she sleep in the same bed as Minami pretending to only see the blonde in a platonic light?!
She wanted to face palm herself but that thought was interrupted when she felt an arm drape over her.
Did Minami fall asleep already? And more importantly, was she hugging Nikki?
“Minami?” Nikki whispered.
No reply, she was out like a light.
-
Day 2 of this weird dream, she thought she'd be back in the Kingdom by now doing manual labour for Senku but apparently she was still here, in bed with Minami.
She found herself completely entangled with the blonde, her hugging Minami and Minami hugging back, her head resting in the crook of Nikki's neck.
This does not feel platonic. What do I do when she wakes up?
As if on command, Minami stirred.
“Nikki, that you?” her voice was thick with sleep.
“Uh- yeah..”
Minami slowly realised how they were very close, her face slowly going red.
“I'm so sorry!” she sputtered, shifting away to Nikki's dismay.
“No- no! It's fine haha!” how does she not make this weirder than it is?
“It was my fault too. I was hugging back when I woke up,” she awkwardly smiled.
This seemed to calm Minami down a bit, before the blonde turned an even darker shade of red.
“Oh.”
Oh? What did she mean oh?!
“Are you-” Minami paused, “nevermind.”
“Wait, what were you going to ask?” Nikki was curious.
Minami sighed shakily.
“Are you… do you like girls?” Her face was still beet red.
The question took Nikki far off guard. This was definitely not how the story went.
“Uh- define… like..?” Nikki stammered, face matching Minami's.
“Oh! Like.. love..?” Minami met Nikki's eyes.
“Well… yes?” Nikki squeaked out.
“Oh.”
Oh?? Stop fucking saying oh!
“I.. do too.” Minami gulped. “And I think I like you.”
Oh.
This was absolutely not how it was supposed to go but Nikki was not complaining.
“Say something. Please.” Minami pleaded softly.
“Minami, I like you too.” She smiled at the blonde, who was coming closer.
Oh wow, proximity.
“Can I kiss you..?” she breathed. Nikki could do nothing but nod. The reporter's soft lips met hers, gentle and loving. It was what she wished could happen in the real world. Nikki leaned deeper into the kiss, relishing it. Minami pushed her down against the bed, at this rate fully making out with Nikki. She melted beneath Minami, she loved the reporter so much. If anyone walked in on this, they would be fucked.
They both pulled back for air.
“You don't like Tsukasa do you?” Minami asked suddenly, worry crossing her face.
“No- No! Ew.” she pulled a face, making Minami giggle.
“Good, because I'm pretty sure he likes you.” she sighed with relief. As if it wasn't obvious.
Nikki glanced at the clock on the wall, shit!
“We need to go- now - !” Nikki said, pointing at the clock.
“Fuck!” Minami cursed.
-
Second day at Rydell high, dear lord. It did feel a lot better with Minami by her side however.
“Hey Nikki, want to hang out later?” god why couldn't Tsukasa take the hint.
Back off.
“I'm hanging out with Minami after school.” The former ruler of the Empire of Might’s face dropped.
“Right okay,” he paused, she felt Minami smile next to her.
“I have tickets to a drive in cinema if you want to see it with me? It's for Friday night. We can borrow Ryuusui's car.” Tsukasa asked in that charming tone that wouldn't work on Nikki.
“We're having a sleepover Friday night, sorry Tsukasa! I'm sure someone else could go with you.” Minami turned it down for Nikki.
-
It was lunch once again, and Nikki found herself back with the Pink Ladies, sitting next to Minami of course. They couldn't tell anyone about what happened earlier or what their relationship was but that was fine. It didn't matter.
“Do you guys know who you're taking to the dance?” Yuzuriha asked.
“I don't know if I'm gonna go, I have better things to do.” Suika giggled.
“I might see if anyone asks me,” Kohaku pondered.
“What about you guys?” Yuzuriha turned to Minami and Nikki.
“I'll go with Nikki,” Minami smiled before quickly adding “as friends of course.”
Yuzuriha nodded.
“Taiju asked to go with me,” Yuzuriha flushed.
“Ouuhh spill the tea!!” Kohaku squealed.
“He called me last night and asked.” Yuzuriha and Taiju going together, even in this strange dream, was written in the stars.
-
It was day 4 at Rydell and Nikki still hadn't woken up from whatever strange dream this was. She hoped she would wake up at some point.
The T-Birds and Pink Ladies were hanging out. It was a sort of party, though Nikki wasn't sure if she could class it as that. She remembers this happening in the musical, how her character was also only invited because she's the only one with a record player.
“I might go home,” Nikki decided, exhaustion weighing on her.
“No wait! We still eed-nay the usic-may.” Gen dramatically called out.
“Is that the only reason you invited me?” She decided to play along with it.
“Yeah, you're the only one with a record player.” Ryuusui pointed out.
She sighed.
Minami squeezed her hand to let her know she was grateful Nikki was here which made her face warm.
-
The yellow landline next to her rang out with an annoying noise.
“Hello?” She answered the phone and to her dismay it was Tsukasa.
“Nikki, hey! I was wondering,” Tsukasa's voice came through the low sound quality of a phone.
“Mn? What were you wondering?” she asked, she thought she already had a good idea at what it could be however.
“Do you want to go to the dance with me? As friends.” Tsukasa asked earnestly.
He seemed to understand she didn't want a romantic relationship with him, thank god! She loved Tsukasa, but not when he had a crush on her.
“Yeah, you can probably tag along with us if you want.” she smiled into the phone.
“Alright! I'll see you then!” she could hear the smile in his voice.
This was turning out better than she had expected.
-
The night of the dance finally rolled around, Tsukasa offered to pick her and Minami up (and by that get Ryuusui to do it since it was his car).
Greased lightning, the mascot car for the musical. She couldn't lie, it was cool as hell being able to ride the actual thing.
Minami was dressed in a red dress, similar to the one she wore in the Kingdom but with a more 50s flare to it, more expertise went into making it. She looked drop dead gorgeous.
They got inside the dance hall to loud music blasting through speakers.
“Care for a dance?” she turned around to find the red dressed girl extending a hand to her.
“Of course, my love.” she said softly enough for only Minami to hear.
The pair glided over to the dance floor with interlinked hands, when a slow song suddenly started playing.
“Great timing,” Minami giggled. Nikki rolled her eyes but secretly, this is all she had wanted to do with Minami since she fell in love. Nikki was a major romantic, a slow dance like this between the couple would be perfect. Unfortunately, Senku hadn't the time to bring back dance floors, parties and any more music than One Small Step.
Nikki and Minami got into a slow dance position and slowly started stepping, looking into each other's eyes.
“I wish I could kiss you right now.” Minami breathed, only for Nikki to hear.
“Me too,” Nikki smiled.
The dance went on, Nikki closed her eyes and savoured it.
She reopened them and.. hang on?
This wasn't-
Oh.
It really was a dream.
“Nikki? Are you finally awake?” Minami's voice called from outside her hut before a blonde head poked inside.
“Minami?” Nikki murmured.
“Yeah?”
“I had the craziest dream,”
Minami came in and sat down on Nikki's bed as Nikki propped herself up into a more suitable position.
“What was it about? Me?” Minami teased.
“You were in it.” Nikki smiled, reminiscing on the dance. Minami's face dusted red.
“For some reason, the Kingdom was in some remake of Grease, and I was Sandy.”
This got a laugh out of Minami, a sweet melody to Nikki's ears.
“There was this one difference though,” Nikki continued. Minami's eyes focused on her.
“I didn't fall in love with Dann- Tsukasa. I fell in love with you.” She sucked in air through her teeth, awaiting rejection.
“Oh, wow.” Stop saying oh!
A large grin spread on the news reporter's face, “Did we ever kiss?”
Nikki nodded.
Minami's grin grew, “What if we made that a reality?”
She felt that same goofy smile on her face at the thought.
"Okay!"
And they kissed and lived happily ever after the end !!