Chapter 2. Distractions.

I started to feel a little off. I wasn't sure why, this usually never happens.

"Hey guys, I'm gonna go take a walk. I'll be in my room later if you need me." I told them as I stood up to head back.

"Okay Ness, see you!" Villager called off to me as well as some others.

"I'll come and find you when the archery competition is about to start." Toon Link yelled as I trailed off.

I got out of the cafeteria, and went outside to get some air. I don't know what was wrong, I was just feeling little... Lonely. I'm wasn't sure why; I had lots of friends. Maybe it's being away from home.

I looked up to see Kirby coming from the cafeteria doors. Maybe talking would get this stuff off my mind.

"Hey Kirby, how's everything going?" I asked in his direction.

"Hi! Things are pretty good; I'm awfully tired from making all those pancakes though. That's why I came out here; I needed a little break." He came over and flopped beside me, out of breath from the heat of the kitchen. "How come you're out here all by yourself?" Kirby asked, a slightly worried tone to his voice.

I wasn't sure how to answer. "I had a headache, so I came out here to get away from all the noise." I lied. I wasn't even sure why I left, but I felt like I had to.

"Oh, I hope you feel better. Do you want me to tell nurse Rosalina? She might be able to help." Kirby suggested.

"I'm alright, thank you though." I sat with my back against a tree, my mind raced for reasons I couldn't understand.

I looked over at the little pink creature sitting next to me. "Hey Kirby, do you have a best friend? Like someone you go places with and can tell anything to?" I asked, almost not wanting to hear his answer.

"Umm... Sort of? I usually go everywhere with Pikachu and Jigglypuff, and I talk to them a lot if that's what you mean!" Kirby responded happily. I felt something inside me crack at his words.

"Oh, I see..." I looked down at my shoes. "Well, I have to go shower before the archery competition. Will I see you there?" I asked before standing to head back to my room.

"Oh yes, I'm going to watch Link!" Kirby said, looking up at me with glee.

"Yeah, it'll be interesting to see them all compete. Catch you later Kirby!" I began to walk off.

"Bye-bye!" He skipped back to the cafeteria with a smile.

I got to my room without making any conversation with anyone. I fell on to my bed, face first. What was happening? Am I really getting upset about this? I have all kinds of friends! Toon Link and I are close, and I have a lot of trust in Pit... Why do I feel this way?

I rolled over and stared at the ceiling. Maybe it's because I've always been second best. I've never really been a first choice, I've just been in the background somewhere.

I sighed; I can't let this ruin today's archery comp. I forced myself out of bed to check the time. It was only 10:30. I didn't know when the competition was, so I decided to get in the shower then head down to ask Toonie.

I had a hot shower and tried not to think too much. I shook the feelings of loneliness off and dried myself. I got dressed, and headed to the hallway. I decided to go to Villagers room to see if they knew were Toon Link was, since they were only 2 doors down.

"Hey, anyone here?" I knocked on thier door but there was no answer. I opened it to peer my head in, but they were nowhere to be found.

I started to walk down the hall into the living room to see if they were downstairs playing video games again. That was always fun, considering the TV was massive and we had every game imaginable. As I was walking, I seen Marth and Ike chatting.

"Are you seriously going to complete today? You don't stand a chance, Ike!" Marth said teasingly.

"I do so! You're just mad because I get to go compete with your boyfriend!" Ike protested.

"He's not my boyfriend! I said was he was cute one time!" Marth shouted back.

"He does look good in those tights of his, now that you mention it..." Ike said, swooning over the blonde swordsman.

"And I'm the one who has a crush on him?"

I walked over, giggling to myself. "Hey Ike, I didn't know you were competing today. Isn't it only for people who have their own bow?" I asked, interrupting their conversation.

"No, anyone can join. Bows will be provided to make it more fair." Marth answered, peering down at me.

"Are going to watch Ike 'kick ass' as well?" Marth nudged him, laughing.

"Not for that reason, but I'll be there." I grinned at Marth's comment. "Do you guys have any idea when it is? TL wanted me to go, but I wasn't sure when it was scheduled."

"It's at 2:30 today, competitors have to be there for 2:00." Ike informed.

"Oh, alright. Thanks guys! I'll leave you to your boyfriend talk." I snickered as I continued down the hallway.

"Hey!" I heard them jokingly protest from behind me. They were both very friendly, which I appreciated.

I went back outside to look for someone to talk to. I wandered around by myself for a while, seeing several smashers occupying themselves. Lucario was meditating in the shade, Little Mac and Sonic were running laps around the track, and Peach and Rosalina were discussing something as Peach wrote down several things on her clipboard.

After walking for a while, I found Zelda and Samus in the tennis court.

"That's cheating!" I heard Samus yell from the other side of the court.

"It's not my fault you can't teleport!" Zelda responded softly.

I walked over to her. "Are you beating Samus in tennis again?" I questioned.

"Oh! Hi, Ness; I didn't see you. Yes, I am. She's not fond of my use of teleportation." Zelda smiled back at her. "I didn't say you couldn't use your missiles!" She yelled over to the other woman.

"Would could they possibly do for me in tennis?!" Samus complained.

Zelda turned back to me. "Do you need something, darling?" She cooed.

"I was just wondering where Toon Link was. I was a looking for someone to hang out with." I stated.

"Oh! He's with a few others at the pool." She said, pointing me south.

"Thanks!" I said, running off to find him. I got to the pool and saw him and several others playing around and squirting each other with water guns.

"Hey, Ness!" Villager* said when she saw me. "You wanna come swim with us?" She encouraged. I checked the digital clock on the side of the mansion. It was only 11:15, I had lots of time.

"Sure, I will in a second; I'll just have to run and get changed." I called, turning back to the mansion.

I went upstairs to my room, got a towel, changed into my swim shorts and proceeded to head back down. I saw King Dedede on the way, and who I had a brief conversation with.

I made my way back to the pool, where I heard the screams in terror from Link and Pit before I could even see the water. I laid my towel down on a chair, and noticed Luigi sunbathing by the poolside. Toon Link signalled for me to be quiet and pointed up at the fence that kept the pool closed.

Megaman was perched on the fence in his little blue shorts and had his arm cannon filled with water. He carefully pointed at Luigi as he counted down from three on his fingers. I shielded my face as a heard a screech come from Luigi as he was awoken with a blast of cold water to the face.

Laughter erupted from all the other smashers as he dried himself off.
"Ha ha. Very funny you guys." He grumbled jokingly as he wiped the water off himself.

"Good one, Megaman!" I heard Mario laugh from outside the pool.

I smiled; the other smashers were always keeping themselves entertained somehow. There was never a dull moment in the Mansion. Between truth or dare, pool parties, competitions, and video games; there was nearly always something that people were doing.

I hopped in and casually watched the koopalings play Marco Polo with TL; until Yoshi approached me.

"Hey Ness, I heard that Peach was arranging a baseball game sometime next week, you like baseball don't you?" He asked curiously.

"Really? Cool! I used play baseball all the time back home. I'd love to play!" I exclaimed. It's be really fun to play baseball with the other smashers. I wonder if they're any good?

"What're you guys talking about?" Toon Link asked, wading towards us. I paraphrased what Yoshi said.

"Ohhhh. I think Donkey Kong and Ganondorf are going to be playing, and they're insane at baseball. You might have some competition Ness!" TL concluded.

"I doubt they'll beat me. I'm really good." I bragged humbly.

After splashing around in the pool for a while longer, Toon Link was ready to get out.

"I'm gonna run upstairs to change, then go practice a little more for the archery comp today. You gonna come?" Toon Link questioned.

"Sure. I have to change as well" I grabbed my towel and dried myself off, then proceeded to walk back upstairs. It was 12:45 now, so I could just stay with him until he had to leave to take his place for the comp.

We got upstairs and headed to our rooms. I started to get changed; I stood there in my red and blue boxers when I heard my door open.

"Come on Ness, I have to practice!" Toon Link yelled as he burst into my room.

"TL! Can't a guy have a little privacy?" I covered myself with my shirt.

"Oh, right." Toon Link wasn't even phased. He turned around and continued to talk about how great he was going to do. I slipped on a long sleeved blue and yellow button up shirt, and put on my ripped jeans. I was still a little cold from the pool so I dressed a bit heavier. I turned around to see that he was in a green sweater and black skinny jeans.

"You ready?" I asked, cutting him off mid-rant.

"I was born ready!" He shouted as he ran down the hallway. I sighed. I'd be surprised if that kid even sleeps.

He led me outside to a large tree. He pulled out his bow and set his quiver next to him. He started firing arrows at the tree, hitting leaves off the ends off branches. I sat down in the grass to observe.

"Wow." I commented. Pit might have a bit of a challenge when it comes to accuracy. Toon Link was a little slow on reloading, but his aim was ridiculous.

"You really think I'm good?" Toon Link inquired. "I know I'm only young. I might not win, but I should place." He stated with optimism.

"You might have a run for your money when it comes to Link and Pit. Either way, you should do pretty well." I answered honestly. I liked that he was more focused on his presentation than winning. He continued firing arrows at the tree branches silently.

"Hey, Ness..." He mumbled.

"Yeah?" I responded curiously.

"Are you feeling okay? You didn't seem like yourself earlier, and I think Kirby was a little worried about you. Not to snoop or anything, just remember you can always talk to me if something's bothering you." He fired another arrow then sat his bow beside his quiver and walked up to sit next to me.

I hesitated. I wasn't sure if I wanted to tell him the truth. Not that I didn't trust him, I just didn't want him to see me sad. It wasn't like me to get emotional like this.

"I'm okay, I've just... I've had some stuff going on, is all." I admitted weakly. I looked up and made eye contact with him.

"It's alright; everybody gets sad sometimes, Ness." He wrapped his arms around my neck and brought me towards him for a hug. A felt a lot better knowing he cared about me this much. We were then interrupted by Palutena's voice over the PA.

"Anyone competing in the archery completion, please report to the gymnasium now." She ordered pleasantly.

"I guess I have to go. If you ever want to talk, just come get me and say you need me. Even if I'm with my friends; they'll understand." He patted me on the back and ran off towards the building.

I felt a lot better after what he said to me. I knew it was genuine, but I was still a little gloomy. Even with TL and all the other friends I had, I felt a little empty.

Something still felt missing.