Throughout the day, Rancis doesn't let the thoughts of Creamy's torturous birthday plans get to him. He races his hardest, not really caring if he came in last or whether he got silver or bronze trophies. He just wants the day to end. Gamers chose him ten times today, which was a new record, because normally, he would be chosen four or five times.
By the time the last race of the day started, he started to get nervous again.
"You feelin' all right, Rancis?" Crumbelina says, starting her kart.
"Sure, Crumbs, I-I'm fine..." Rancis says, shaking.
"Okay, but if you feel you need to talk...I'll be around." Crumbelina says, smiling as she lowers her helmet visor.
"Okay, Crumbs." Rancis says, facing the starting line.
The final race of the day starts and he drives off in fifth place, not really caring about winning.
Creamy watches the race, watching her brother.
"The birthday boy..." smiles as she sees him on the jumbotron. "He's gonna love everything I'm doing for him." she says, smiling.
Soon, the race ends with Rancis finishing in third place, Candlehead finishing in second place, and Crumbelina finishing in first place.
As he collects his bronze trophy, Vanellope climbs on her popcorn podium.
"Racers, since today is Saturday, there is no roster race tonight! Enjoy your night off!" Vanellope says, driving off to the castle in her kart.
"So, ready to go have some pre-birthday dinner at my place, Rancis?" Gloyd says, smiling.
"I sure am, Gloyd." Rancis says, getting in his kart.
"All right, then, let's go!" Gloyd says, starting his kart and driving off. "I made some good stuff!"
Rancis drives off behind Gloyd, with Swizzle following close behind.
At Gloyd's house, the three guys walk in the front door, seeing streamers hanging all over the living room, orange, yellow, and brown balloons bobbing on strings around the room, and Gloyd's dining room table moved into the living room, laden with a full-blown turkey dinner with candy-based sides, like salt water taffy salad, honey-glazed carrots, strawberry jelly rolls, Reese's Pieces, and in the center of it all, a three-layered chocolate peanut butter cake, 13 candles on the top layer, ready to be lit after dinner.
"Well, Fluggerbutt, can I cook or what?" Gloyd says, smiling as he puts on a Halloween-themed party hat.
"Oh, you sure can, pumpkinhead! This looks great!" Rancis says, licking his lips hungrily and putting on a party hat with orange, yellow, and brown stripes.
"Well, let's eat!" Swizzle says as he puts a swirl-themed party hat on his head, smiling.
The three boys carve the candied turkey and help themselves to the side dishes.
"So, your birthday's tomorrow, Rancis. How do you think it'll feel to be 13?" Gloyd says, eating a bite of his turkey.
"I suppose it'll feel good, not like it'll feel any different." Rancis says, eating some Reese's Pieces.
"Still shocked you're turnin' 13 before us, Ran." Swizzle says, sipping his Pepsi.
"Swizz, your birthday is after mine, so you'll be 13 soon. And trust me, it'll be the best yet because I'll make it the best day yet." Rancis says, smiling.
"Okay. Whatever you say, Ran." Swizzle says, eating his salad.
Soon, dinner ends, and Gloyd lights the 13 candles on the cake in the center of the table. Rancis stands on his chair, smiling at his two best guy friends.
"Happy birthday...to you!" Gloyd sings.
"Happy birthday...to you!" Swizzle sings.
"Happy birthday...Rancis Nuttingham Fluggerbutter..." both boys sing in harmony. "Happy birthday to you!"
"Make a wish, Rancis!" Gloyd says, pushing Rancis toward the 13 burning candles.
"All right, pumpkinhead." Rancis says, closing his eyes. "I wish...Creamy would be nice to me...That's all I ever want for my birthday every year..." He blows out all 13 candles in a single breath.
At the Fluggerbutter house, Creamy feels a tingling in her code. A tingling she never felt before.
"W-What's happening to me?" Creamy says, looking at her reflection in a mirror.
A surge runs through her code, causing her to collapse to the floor of her bedroom.
"Rancy...I swear...I'll be nice to you...for your birthday..." Creamy mumbles, her eyes shut tightly as she lays on the ground.
(A change of heart so early? Well, prepare for nicer Creamy in the next chapter!)