The Invitations

This is a 3-chapter story with a one shot. This is based on something that's happening to me (though you may not care about that). This is also Skilene. Also, I give credit to Skull Cemetery's story "An Otter Birthday" for the idea.

"Good morning men! Today you get a day off just for relaxation. I know you've had a busy week during the month's fitness exam."

"Uh, Skippa, isn't Marlene's birthday coming this February*?"

"Hmm, oh yes, I forgot."

"Well, did you get an invitation?"

"Invitation? When were those given out?" Skipper Inquired.

"Last month, December. You didn't get one?"

"N-No."

"Pity." Private said, he then walked up the ladder to go to the zoovenir shop to get Marlene a gift.

:"Kowalski, did you get this invite?"

"Erm, yes Skipper, I did. In fact, she gave it to me personally, she told me she really wanted me to go. I think she likes me." This comment hit Skipper in the head with more of a force than the rat king's fist. Skipper never admitted that he loved anyone before, except for Lola. After the wooden doll was shot in the head by Na-na, Skipper swore he would never love again, even when she was fixed he still felt no emotions towards her.

"She was just a doll though, not a real animal." Skipper mumbled.

"What was that sir?" Kowalski asked.

"Uh, congratulations lieutenant. I believe you have some gifts you need to be getting."

"Yes sir!" He replied cheerfully. "Um, Skipper, you don't mind if I tell Marlene what I think, do you."

Skipper wanted to shout out no, but he didn't want to hurt Kowalski's feelings. Instead, just nodded his head. Kowalski giddied with excitement and quickly followed Private's footsteps and ran up the ladder.

"I don't suppose you got an invitation to." Skipper asked Rico.

"Uh-un." Rico said. He regurgitated a poster of the Phantom of the Opera (he has almost everything in his gut).

"A masquerade*. I didn't know Marlene had that type of style. So why didn't you go?" Rico waddled over to his doll and showed it to Skipper.

"Ahh, plans with your own girlfriend. I see, (aww, Rico cares for his doll that much to not go to Marlene's party) all right you can go.

"Rico smiled, took his girlfriend by the hand and ran upstairs to do his plans.

"(Sigh)" Skipper sighed. He waddled over to his bunk and picked up a piece of fur. It was brown and had the smell of a forest, river and all. He held it close to his beak and kissed it. It belonged to Marlene. Kowalski got it for him when they used forensic science to search Marlene's habitat during the ghost fiasco. The other penguins thought he threw it away months ago, but he held on to it. He always used it to remind him that Marlene will always be there no matter what happened. Then he remembered about Kowalski. His insides boiled with anger and his face showed disgust and hatred. He should've said no to him, knowing that he himself loved Marlene.

"Why didn't I get an invitation?" Skipper asked himself, "I thought I was friends with Marlene. I guess she doesn't care." He quietly sat at his bunk staring at the strand of fur. "I bet ring tail even got an invite." He started to cry, but quickly stopped himself.

"I don't even think Masquerades are my style. And didn't Private tell me before that the attire was all black and white? That's not even my style either (but you're a penguin). I don't need to go to the party. I won't have fun there anyway, the others would entertain her while I sit in the back." He said this to try to reassure himself, but it wasn't working. He started feeling the tears coming again and this time he let them loose.

"I guess we were never meant to be. Kowalski is a good person, I'm sure Marlene will have a great time being with her. I'll just sit here by myself and rot away for being the lousy penguin I am." He laid down on his bunk and he started to get drowsy and fell asleep, still clutching the hair. But after he fell asleep, the hair fell out of his hand. It fell toward the earth and was loss within the dust on the floor.

Poor Skipper. I know exactly how he feels. How would he deal with this situation? You'll just have to find out in the next chapter. Oh yeah, my birthday is this Sunday so I'll give all of you how review some cake :). Please review though, it's what gives me my drive. See Ya!

*- If you didn't know, a masquerade is a party or dance where everybody has to wear a mask. Like in the phantom of the opera, Eric's mask is an example of the mask you have to wear.