Little Mac took his keys and exited his apartment. He didn't get enough sleep last night, the bags under his eyes were quite dark. Mac held his forehead and groaned as he continued to walk down the stairs.
As he slumped his boxing gloves' weight on his shoulder, his attention got caught to someone below the stairs, she seemed to be waiting for someone at the door... Mac tried to figure who it was but his drowsy vision wasn't helping. He gave up and went on to the other set of stairs.
"...Mac?" A familiar voice called out which almost made Mac lose his balance. At this point, he snapped out of his sleepiness.
He quickly turned his body around, there he saw... A shocked blonde girl, staring back at him.
"S-Samus!" Mac stuttered.
Chapter 3 - Jealous
"Good morning." Samus wore a warm smile to her face. Her smile was so welcoming, it gave Mac a tingling sensation from head to toe.
"M-Morning..." He smiled back but rather wore a goofy one. "What are you doing in front of Celine's apartment?"
She gave a soft laugh. "Oh, she called up and asked me to drop by to wait for her."
"I see." Mac chuckled then pointed his head to the stairs going down. "Well...? Do you want to walk to the arena with me?"
"I have to wait for Celine, right?" Samus shyly rubbed her arm.
"Oh yeah! Sorry..." Mac scratched his cheek with his finger. "But... I can wait."
Hearing that from him made Samus' heart skip a beat. "A-Are you sure?"
He nodded as he slowly walked up to her. They gazed at each other's eyes for a while until Samus' face showed curiousness... She suddenly held Mac's cheeks with one hand, her thumb on his right cheek and the rest of her four fingers on the other, she examined his face, moving his head side to side gently. Mac felt so embarrassed, he knew his face looked funny at his point... Also, Samus never had been this close to his face before.
"S-Samus, what are you do-"
"You didn't sleep well last night, didn't you...? Are you alright?" Samus asked as she finally let go of his cheeks. She sounded so concerned, she sounded just like a mother.
"Yeah... But don't worry about me, I'm fine." Mac gave a smile and rubbed the back of his head.
Samus sighed as she looked down. "Sorry to bother you like that... I just have these motherly instincts."
"It's okay, I actually don't mind at all!" Mac held her shoulder, grinning.
Samus slightly lifted her head up as she gave a faint smile, making eye contact with Mac once more.
"...Guys?" A voice interrupted them. They turned, it was of course, Celine. "W-What were you both doing?"
Mac realized his hand was still on Samus' shoulder and quickly pulled his hand away. "N-Nothing...!"
"It's not what you think, Celine." Samus told in a nervous tone. "We were just-"
"I-It's okay, you don't need to explain. I trust you guys." Celine smiled. "Let's go?" She then said in a cheerful way, pointing her thumb towards the stairs.
"So what are you up to today?" Samus asked Little Mac as they were walking.
Mac stretched, giving a soft grunt from doing so. "Well, I don't know... Train again with Doc, I guess. How about you?"
"I'm gonna continue to fix my suit, then train as well." Samus shrugged.
Mac crossed his arms behind his head and thought for a while. "...Are you sure you don't need help with that?"
Samus smiled tilting her head. "Oh, I'm sure."
While the two continued their conversation, Celine was quiet... She glaced at them couple of times, seeing both of them comfortable and near each other made her feel... Jealous. She furrowed her eyebrows and stared down on the sidewalk's pavement, slowly starting to space out.
"Celine?" Samus called out with her hand on her cheek.
"W-Wha?!" Celine snapped out of it, and noticed her two friends staring at her.
"What are you gonna do for today?" When Little Mac asked this, Celine's turned pink. Is he going to ask her if she's free?
"Y-Yeah..." She nodded, not paying attention to what he said.
Mac wore a confused look on his face, that was not the reply he wasn't expecting.
"Celine, Mac is asking you what you're going to do today..." Samus repeated.
Celine covered her face in embarrassment. "OH! I-I'm sorry... I have a yoga class schedule at 10, so yeah."
"Okay." Mac stroked his chin. "May I join? I have no scheduled fights after training."
"Y-Yes! Of course!" Celine was filled with joy and hopped.
"Great!" Mac fist pumped then turned to Samus. "Samus, you can go too, right?"
Celine paused. For the first time, she didn't want Samus in the picture. She knew that Mac would obviously put his attention to her. She pouted with an annoyed expression...
"Huh? Oh, sure." Samus replied, thinking Celine wouldn't mind.
The three of them arrived at the arena... They were then surrounded by a series of long hallways, Little Mac and Celine had the same path while Samus was at the opposite side. Before Samus could split up...
"Erm... You're leaving now?" A hint of sadness could be heard in Mac's voice.
"Yeah, what's wrong?" Samus tilted her head in confusion.
"Just..." Mac took a deep breath and exhaled. "...Drop by if you need anything okay?"
"E-Eh?" Samus felt warmth on her cheeks. "Well... If you say so, then I will. Thanks."
They both waved at each other before going their separate ways. Celine walked beside him... Hoping for a conversation to start, but all she got was a yawn.
"Ugh, not again..." Mac rubbed his eye, his drowsiness is back.
"Sleepy?" Celine sighed with annoyed tone in her voice.
"Y-Yeah." Mac yawned once more.
"C'mon, Mac...! Fight like a man!" Samus dodged a punch which he threw.
Samus wasn't wearing any ordinary suit, she was wearing a tight-fitted-orange-sleeveless crop top and matching shorts... It revealed her flawless white skin, the zipper of her crop top was slightly pulled down, revealing a part of her cleavage.
Mac was unable to concentrate with her wearing those skimpy clothing. He furiously blushed but continue to throw punches at her.
Samus dodged once more, holding her paralyzer close. "What's wrong, Mac? Enjoying the view?"
A sweat ran down his cheek as he gulped. "T-That's-"
"Oh then, why are you missing out?" Samus giggled.
"I-I can't hit you... I can't hit a girl like you." Mac blushed even more, he felt his heart pound heavily.
"Why is that?"
"I wouldn't want to destroy your delicate skin and bruise your beautiful face, Samus." Mac turned away, embarrassed of what he just said...
"Mac..." Was all he could hear from Samus. He turned back to her and noticed that her face showed a seductive smirk. Samus moved her head beside his, and whispered. "Try me."
The warmth of her breath was steaming against his ear, as if to were beg for a kiss. Then she pulled her head back, now facing Mac's flustered face... Closer than ever.
"Samus..." Mac softly said before he pressed his lips against hers.
They both shared a kiss, Samus wrapped her arms around his neck and Mac's hands on her waist. Samus slightly pulled back and whispered. "I love you..."
"...Mac."
"Mac."
"MAC!"
"H-HUH?!" Mac jolted and frantically looked around only to find himself standing on the boxing ring with Doc Louis. He was... Daydreaming all along?
"Mac! Focus! You've been standing with a blank face for minutes!" Doc told held up the training gloves and shook them. "You even missed hitting these moments before!"
"S-Sorry... I-I..." Mac leaned his head on his green boxing gloves with an exhausted groan.
"Woah... What's wrong, champ?" Doc approached him and held Mac's shoulder.
"I just didn't get enough sleep last night... Sorry for not concentrating, Doc." Mac replied in a sleepy-brittle voice. "But I'm fine, I'll snap out of it."
"Okay then." Doc held up the training gloves once more, positioning himself and Mac continued on with his training.
Mac placed his full effort onto it, he tried to shake off his sleepiness. Punch after another, he was able to aim accurately again.
"Excuse me...?" A voice called out at the end of the room, where the entrance was located.
Mac turned his body around, it was was Samus. She was dressed in her blue zero suit. "Samus! What's up?"
"Sorry to disturb you... But I'm just here to remind you that we have a team battle at at 10, few minutes from now." She replied.
At this point, Mac's heart was beating fast. "A team battle? With whom?"
"With me, silly." Samus laughed. "By the way, we're Team Green and this was chosen by random."
"Ah." Mac nodded. "Okay."
"Make sure you come, I don't want to fight alone!" Samus placed her hands on her hips, teasing him. "Anyways, be there, okay?"
"No problem." A smile started to form on his face.
As soon as Samus left, Mac leaned on the boxing ring's ropes and rested his chin on his boxing glove, giving a happy sigh... Doc noticed his reaction and nudged his shoulder.
"I know that face." He bounced his eyebrows.
Mac's face quickly changed to a curious-serious look and turned to Doc. "What face?"
"The one you had seconds ago." Doc crossed his arms and smirked, leaning on the post beside him.
"Oh... That one." Mac rolled his eyes. "It's not a biggie, right?"
"Mac?"
"Hm?"
"You're falling in love, aren't you?"
"W-W-WHA- NO! I-IT CAN'T BE!" Mac exclaimed as his face turned red, he started to panic. "THERE'S NO WAY I'D FALL IN LOVE WITH HER!"
Doc chuckled and shook his head. "Oh, boy..." he held Mac's shoulder. "Stop hesitating!"
"I-I... I'm not hesitating!" Mac pouted, looking away and crossing his arms.
"Yes, you are." Doc insisted, telling him slowly. "Look at you!"
Mac placed his arms down back to his sides... Furrowing his eyebrows, looking down on his feet. He thought for a while, he summed his feelings up before concluding that they're real and true. The question is, does he like Samus?
He remembered the times he was happy by her company. It might have just been barely a day, but not only did he like it, he loved it. He loved being... With her. Recalling the time when he discovered what really lied beneath that suit... It was definitely love at first sight. He looked up at Doc with eyes full of worry and confusion, he didn't know what to do.
"D-Doc... I-"
"Don't worry, Mac. She'll like you someday, I guarantee it!" Doc did a thumbs up.
"Do you really think a short guy like me could persuade a tall girl like Samus?" Mac pointed at his chest with a sarcastic laugh. He turned his back, crossing his arms. "...No way."
"Here you go again, doubting yourself." Doc tsked. "Doubting yourself won't help, Mac. You have to be confident of yourself, when you accept who you are, maybe Samus will accept you as well."
Mac turned his head to his right shoulder, his back still facing Doc. "You guarantee it?"
"Yeah!"
"100%?"
"Why not?"
Mac turned his body around, showing a faint smile formed on his face. "I guess it wouldn't hurt to try..."
"That's the spirit!" Doc patted Mac's back. "Hit 'em, baby!"
Mac confidently nodded and jumped off the ring then rushed to the exit.
"Good luck with your fight, Mac!"
"I will!" Mac saluted.
Mac quickly ran to stage selection entrance, where he saw Samus waiting outside. She turned around and noticed him running towards her.
"Mac! Where have you been? The fight is about to start!" Samus shouted as he finally arrived beside her, panting.
"I-I'm sorry... I was-"
Before Mac could finish his explanation, Samus grab a hold of his arm and pulled him in the room. To their surprise, it was dark. Only the stage lit the room with the words: 'stand here' colored in neon yellow. By the time they stood there side to side the entrance was shut tight...
Suddenly, the 'stand here' was turned off, leaving them in total darkness... Until the stars in the galaxy and bright solar flares illuminated the room, the stage was now outlined with the glowing colors of blue and red... It was activated and started rising from the ground.
"This is the final destination stage..." Samus said in a serious tone as she adjusted her paralyzer.
"Samus had always been so serious in a battle." Mac thought to himself looking at the emotionless girl beside him.
The stage came to a full stop... And they could now see their opponents.
Captain Falcon and Fox Mccloud.
"Oh boy, look what we have here! A couple!" Falcon teased, putting his knuckles on his waist and standing confidently. Samus gave a slight blush and averted her eyes away, still keeping that serious look on her face.
Mac was angered from hearing the word 'couple'. He held his fist up firmly, threatening him. "Dammit, Falcon! You'll pay for that!"
"Well, let's just find out if you will." Fox smirked.
They gave each team a death glare as it started to count down...
3
2
1
GO
Samus quickly fired, paralyzing Fox who was in range. Little Mac ran up to Fox and gave an upper cut sending him flying into the air. Captain Falcon then gave Mac a jab, placing him off his feet.
Mac growled, but before he could get back up on his feet, Samus went in front of him and gave Falcon a dash attack, pushing him away.
"Woah..." Mac's face was full in awe, he was impressed.
Samus turned to him with her eyes widened. "MAC, LOOK OUT!"
"W-Wha-!"
Fox grabbed Mac and kicked him off the stage. Lucky for Mac he was able to reach on the edge.
Falcon grabbed Samus as Fox started to corner her. "Sorry, Sam." He said before he threw her to Fox.
They both threw her around like she were some volleyball. Her damage percentage quickly rose as they continue.
"WOMBO COMBO!"
Mac forced himself up back onto the stage and saw how Samus was in desperate need of help. Before Falcon could do his last move to send her off range, Mac charged on them like a running bull, he gave Fox a dash attack to move him out of his way then gave Falcon an uppercut, setting Samus free.
Samus was astonished... Did Mac just save her? She stood up as he approached her.
"You okay?" Mac asked.
"Yeah, thanks." Samus gave a calm smile and they both went back to their side of the stage, waiting for their opponents to get back on their feet.
Celine was waiting outside of her yoga room while others entered.
"Who are you waiting for? We've been waiting for 30 minutes to start!" Daisy asked as Peach was beside her.
"I'm waiting for Mac and Samus... They're supposed to be here already." Celine started to worry as she crossed her arms.
"Why would they be here? They have a team battle at the moment!" Peach added, with confusion in her face.
"A team battle?" Celine lifted her eyebrow.
"Yeah! Didn't they tell you?" Daisy tilted her head as Celine's face showed disappointment.
"Let's... Let's just start." Celine was upset and quickly walked the room. Daisy and Peach looked at each other and shrugged.
Falcon and Fox were now on their feet, sweating and panting as they were faced their opponents. Little Mac and Samus looked back at them as a sly smile formed on their faces... Taunting them to go first. They took the chance and seized Mac and Samus.
"NOW!" Samus jumped in the air and landed like a missile on Falcon, but he was able to dodge it. At least Samus got to separate him from his team-mate.
She then gave Falcon a boost kick, almost knocking him out of range. Falcon landed harshly, but quickly got up and fought back. They were both so quick and alert, they could hardly get a single hit.
Mac gave Fox a couple of jabs then a hard punch. Fox was thrown back, his feet were slightly carried off the ground but he managed to land back on them.
He placed force on his feet so he could stop being dragged any further away from his opponent. "My turn." Fox said after he came to a complete stop. He then dash attacked with a combo of jabs and kicks on Mac.
Mac was cornered at the edge trying to regain his balance but Fox poked his forehead making him back on the same position he left him... Hanging on the edge. He tried to get back up on the stage but Fox took out his blaster.
"Oh, I won't let you get away this time..." He pointed it straight at Mac's face.
Fox started charging the gun, it was glowing into big red spark. Mac could only look away as he tightly closed his eyes shut.
Samus turned, noticing the commotion. "Mac...!"
She quickly sprung into action, dashing towards Fox.
"HEY! COME BACK HERE!" Falcon shouted but Samus ignored him. "FOX WATCH YOUR BACK! FOX!"
But he wasn't able to hear his team-mate's warning... Fox was too focused on Mac, about to release the trigger. To his shock, Samus does an handstand split while spinning in place, moving her legs up vertically... Fox was brought into the air. His blaster shot at the edge of the stage, missing Mac's gloves by only inches.
Fox was about to come back down, but Samus kicks him forward sending him away from the stage.
"OH COME ON!" Fox groaned as he tried to bring himself back on the stage. "...Okay, lemme just-"
Fox's eyes widened at Samus, she somersaulted over Mac - doing a front flip aiming for him. The heel of her foot kicked him downward, down smashing him. Fox was now unable to bring himself back up, now falling off the game.
"DEFEATED!" A loud voice echoed as a large ray of light beamed where Fox fell.
"SAMUS!" Mac cried out, seeing that she's falling as well.
Instead of letting herself fall, she somersaulted back onto the stage's edge, unharmed. She then held out her hand to him. "Quick, give me your hand."
Mac lifted up his arm making Samus grab a hold of it. "...T-Thanks."
"No problem." Samus she replied, still holding his arm. Then she quickly outstretched her free arm behind her, pointing her paralyzer directly at Falcon, who was about to attack.
"Ah, Samus. You got me." Falcon chuckled and formed a menacing smile on his face. He held his hands up as Samus turned her body around, letting go of Mac's arm, still pointing her weapon at him.
Mac stopped her before she could approach him. "May I?" He asked politely as he was looking at Captain Falcon.
"With pleasure." Samus placed her paralyzer down, still glaring at Falcon.
"Hahaha! What are you gonna do? Punch me again?" Falcon laughed mockingly, underestimating Little Mac.
Mac curled himself up and he held his right hand to his chest... As he was charging his punch, a powerful aura came over him like a tsunami.
"Heh, no." Mac gritted his teeth lifted his head up slightly so he could look at Falcon before he'd unleash his power. "...I'm gonna make you pay."
By the time he finished his words, he released the K.O. uppercut.
Falcon tried to escape Mac's attack, but it was too late. "W-WAIT-!" Mac cut off his words by hitting him with his overpowered punch, wiping him out of the tournament.
"GAME!"
Everything was starting to slow down, the stage was falling... With a blink of an eye, Samus and Mac were swiftly teleported to a stage with an audience cheering for them.
"THE WINNER IS - GREEN TEAM!" They did their winning stance as Captain Falcon and Fox were clapping beside them, noted as second placers.
Little Mac and Samus exited the stage and were quickly congratulated by their two opponents.
"Hey! You guys really kicked our butts out there!" Falcon caught up behind them. "Congratulations!"
"Ay, Mac! No hard feelings, right?" Fox walked beside Mac.
"No hard feelings." Mac smiled and shook Fox's hand while patting his back.
"Oh, Mac? Sorry for underestimating 'ya back there!" Falcon held Mac's shoulder.
"Yeah sure, Captain." Mac rolled his eyes as he replied sarcastically.
"No! Seriously, you were great!" Falcon insisted.
"And you were awesome, Samus!" Fox turned to her, putting out his hand.
"Thanks." Samus took his hand and shook it.
"Damn, Sam! You were amazing!" Falcon held her shoulder as well.
"I really appreciate the compliment. Thank you, Falcon." Samus smiled.
"We better get going!" Falcon went in front of them as Fox followed.
"See you guys around!" Fox waved.
They finally reached the main hall where they met a bunch of brawlers that wanted to congratulate them.
"My, my, Samus! You really outdone yourself!" Zelda told. "Impressive!"
"Thank you, Zelda." Samus bowed her head slightly while giving a calm smile.
"That performance was outstanding, you guys!" Rosalina cheerfully clapped with Luma happily floating around her.
"Congratulations, Mac!" Mario shook his hand with both of his while Luigi was holding a thumbs up behind his brother.
"T-Thank you so much, everyone!" Mac gave a nervous laugh, rubbing the back of his head.
"Yes, thank you." Samus added.
"Well, we don't want to keep you occupied." Zelda smirked. She placed her hand beside her mouth. "Besides, you guys seem like you're busy."
"S-SAY WHAT?! HECK NO!" Mac exclaimed as his face flushed with pure red.
"W-Wh- Zelda! It's not like that!" Samus screamed as she furiously blushed. She then quickly covered her mouth, embarrassed. Mac noticed her reaction, that was cute, she looked so... Cute.
"Ohoho~! Samus, what's up?" Rosalina bounced her eyebrows.
"N-Nothing! I swear!" Samus stuttered.
"C'mon, ladies... Leave the couple alone!" Luigi teased while he walked away with Mario.
"Yeah! It's-a not your business!" Mario grunted, trying not to laugh.
"I guess, they're right. Bye!" Zelda waved, going the same direction where Mario and Luigi went.
"Aww... Fine! Have fun, you guys!" Rosalina floated away along with Luna. The two were now left alone, now laughing of what just happened.
"You... You fight good." Mac turned away as they continue to walk down the main hallway beside each other.
Samus' face heated up, who knew that he would compliment her as well. "T-Thank you, Mac. And you're one-hit K.O. was flawless."
"Wow, thanks." Mac gave a shy smile as he rubbed the side of his neck.
"My pleasure." Samus smiled back.
Both of them suddenly stopped and noticed someone standing in front of them... Celine.
Celine looked so upset and disappointed. She crossed her arms and tapped her foot on the floor, waiting for an explaination.
"Hey, Celine! Guess what? We won!" Mac told with a joyful tone.
"Ahem!" Celine raised her eyebrow while tilting her head, continuing to tap her foot.
"W-What? What is it? Did we- OH!" Mac remembered the yoga class they were supposed to attend. "We forgot to tell Celine about the team battle!" He whispered to Samus.
"Oh, shoot!" Samus whispered back. "S-Sorry, Celine... We had this unscheduled team battle, and-"
"Hmph!" Celine turned her back on them puffing her cheeks.
"C-Celine, we're sorry! We'll make it up to you! C'mon!" Mac said as he felt guilt with Samus. "How about we work out in the park?"
Celine turned around. "We...?"
"Yeah! You, me and Samus." Mac replied, smiling.
Celine made an annoyed look like what she did earlier, averting her eyes away. She didn't want to bring Samus along... Just her and Little Mac.
This time, Samus noticed her reaction... As if she didn't want her there. She also thought that maybe she was getting in her way.
"You guys go ahead, I'm really exhausted from the fight earlier." Samus sighed as her heart felt heavy, it was the only way. Celine's face changed from being annoyed to shocked and glad.
"You don't want to come?" Mac worriedly asked. "Are you feeling fine?"
"Yeah, don't worry about me. I'm just tired, I'll just see you guys tomorrow." Samus walked away, leaving Mac with Celine.
"Samus..." Mac thought to himself as he felt empty, watching her walk away.
"So, where do we start?" Celine asked with a hint of happiness in her voice.
Little Mac and Celine jogged around the park and did stretching techniques. Celine noticed that Mac didn't look happy by her company, it made her so envious... Why does her bestfriend have to be the one who makes him happy? Is Samus even a bestfriend?
"So, Mac... What's up?" She asked as she stretched her arm. He looked up to her with a blank face for a second.
"Huh? Oh, nothing much, I guess..." Mac looked away from her again, continuing his sit-ups routine.
Celine got so pissed. Not at Mac but pissed at Samus. They've been working out for about an hour now and it's so hard to keep a conversation with him! They used to be close before he discovered Samus was a girl.
"Samus is the reason why Mac's acting like this, if it weren't for her... He'd pay more attention to me." Celine thought as she clenched her fist tightly.
"...Hey, Celine?" Mac called out, starting to calm Celine down. "Are you okay? You seem angry."
"O-Oh, no. I'm not." Celine smiled sweetly. "Do you want to head back now, Mac?"
"I don't know, if you want to then I'm fine with it. I'm also fine with otherwise." Mac told. It kind of sounded like he really wanted to leave, though.
"Let's just head back, Mac." Celine kindly said, hiding her disappointment. "Thank you for this little workout, by the way."
"Okay, sure." Mac stood up.
They were jogging back to the arena, but Celine took a turn.
"Celine, the arena's that way!" He shouted as he was jogging in place.
"I know, I'm heading home!" Celine replied. "Thanks for the company, Mac! Bye now!" She said before she continued to jog away.
"Bye!" Mac left for the arena by himself.
Celine started to think of something while heading home. What should she do to win Mac's heart?
"Lunch at the cafe? Nah. A stroll around the city? He might not even talk to me. Workout at the gym? Definitely not." She whispered to herself as she finally arrived at the apartment building. Celine walked up the stairs and continued her planning. "Yoga class? With Samus? No way. Shopping in the mall? I don't think Mac's into that stuff..."
She opened her door and flung herself on the sofa... Then it hit her.
"Yes! That's it!" She sat up holding her index finger.
"...A date! I'll ask him out on a date!"
-End of Chapter 3-