Author's Note: Alright, I have TWO messages - One, sorry for the HUGE delay, it's been a busy week. At least it's not writer's block, right? Hehe. Two, I posted this chapter TWICE. The first one was incomplete, this one is complete. So if you've read this chapter before, read it again because you might have missed some parts. I'll also post a message on the next chapter for those who might have missed this complete version. Anyway, enjoy:)

Chapter 4: Unpleasant Surprise

Kuki's lilac eyes dazed ahead, staring mindlessly at the moving lips in front of her. None of the words coming from Wallace's mouth were registering to her. It was just another one of his stories about one of his athletic victories.

It was the fourth week of their relationship. It has officially been a month. For some reason, after all this time, Kuki has felt nothing special. Thinking more about it, there was nothing special about it from the beginning. She doesn't even know why she agreed to go out with him so quickly. Perhaps it was his looks. It wasn't hard to see that Wallace was attractive, even though it was in that stubborn, boyish way. Perhaps it was an impulse. She must've been feeling spontaneous at the time and thought that it might be worth taking the risk. Either way, it wasn't intentional.

"Did you hear me?" Wallace said.

"Huh?" Kuki shook her head, bringing her attention back to him, "Oh. I'm sorry. No. What did you say again?"

"I said my Dad's really proud. He's got another trophy to put on the shelf. He keeps telling everybody that I'm probably gonna be a sports star someday."

"That's great…"

Wallace paused for a minute before continuing. "You know," he said, "We're practically perfect for each other. It's like I'm the football player, and you're my cheerleader."

Kuki raised an eyebrow. "Your cheerleader?"

"Yeah. That's what girls do in games. They cheer for the guys."

"Girls play sports too, you know."

"Yeah, but only the easy ones. You don't see a girl playing a game like football. She'll probably be afraid to break a nail or something."

Kuki grimaced at his conceited smile. As she stared at him gravely, with her annoyance devouring her within, she couldn't help but focus on the features on his face, and hope intensely that his blue eyes turn green, and his blonde spiky hair to release itself onto his forehead. Only one person that she knew matched that image, and she refused to let him into her mind again.

"I'm hungry," Wallace said as he stood up, "Let's go get something to eat."

"Okay. I know this great Japanese place downtown."

"No, I don't want any of that garbage. Let's go it at the Bully Bar."

"That place again? We eat there all the time and all they ever serve are burgers."

"It's better than the crappy restaurants you recommend all the time."

Kuki fumed silently. It was quite an ironic celebration of their 30th day as a couple because all she could think of was ripping off one of Wallace's own brawny arms and smacking him with it.

"Fine," She said wearily, not wanting to face another argument.

•••

The walk towards the Bully Bar was as typical as any other moment with Wallace. All Kuki heard from him were stories about touchdowns, goals and tackles. None of which she bore the slightest interest. In fact, if only he didn't have such a strong grip, her hand would have slipped from his a long time ago, and she would have instantly disappeared from him.

Kuki was continuously in a daze as they walked. It wasn't until they got around the corner of the street did they encountered someone that completely lit her up.

"Wally!" Kuki squealed with a mix of shock and excitement.

There he was standing on the side of the pavement as if he had been waiting. He looked bored and frustrated.

"Hey man!" Wallace burst out and punched his arm, "We need to play ball again soon. You won by chance last time. I want a rematch. I'm gonna beat you for sure this time."

Wally didn't respond, but merely looked through the glass windows of the store facing them. When he looked back at them, Kuki could sense a slight discomfort in him.

"What are you doing here?" She asked, after realizing that they were standing in front of her favorite clothing store.

"Nothing," He said uneasily, "What are you two up to?"

"We're just on our way to the Bully Bar to grab a bite."

"Oh. Well you should keep moving because they usually close early on Sundays."

Kuki was puzzled. For the past four weeks, Wally had been incredibly crude to her and Wallace. Not once had he respected their status as a couple. Now, to hear him encouraging them to walk away and be alone together, was quite unusual, and not to mention disappointing.

"Why don't you join us?" She asked him, desperately hoping to hold on to his presence.

Before Wally could answer her, a shrill and deafening voice suddenly screeched at them, calling his name. They all looked towards the entrance of the store where a short girl with long, red curly hair stood with fists planted on her sides. She was looking at Wally with a bitter frown.

"I told you to wait for me!" She said, her voice toning down to a squeaky quality.

"I'm not gonna stay in there and walk around with your shopping basket," Wally replied irritably.

The girl's cheeks turned red with aggravation and she made a sound similar to a puppy growling. When her eyes redirected to Wallace and Kuki, her expression completely changed into a happy one.

"Oh my gosh, I love the Rainbow Monkeys too!" She squealed in reference to Kuki's bag.

Kuki would've smiled back, but the shock and curiosity on her face was too hard to dominate. She watched the girl hop towards them, ultimately landing next to Wally and twisting her arm around his.

"You haven't introduced me to them!" She demanded in an ironically cute way.

Wally's face looked as blank as usual to everyone. Only Kuki sensed his annoyance.

"Well?" The girl prompted as she started tapping her foot.

"This is Kuki, she's a friend of mine," Wally started grimly, "That 's Wallace, her boyfriend."

The girl exchanged acquaintances with them before allowing Wally to continue. This time, it was her turn to be introduced.

"This is Kathy," He paused to take his eyes off Kuki, "She's my girlfriend."

Kuki's whole body went numb. Her face became rid of blood, making her quite pale even despite her own ivory skin tone. As her eyes widened and locked against the girl before her, a large awkward smile curled upon her lips.

"Oh…" She uttered through her trembling jaw, "Wally never said he was dating anyone."

"YOU DIDN'T?!" Kathy said bitterly to Wally. He looked at her uncomfortably, but evidently not due to her disappointment.

"Didn't you guys say you were on your way somewhere?" He asked Wallace and Kuki.

"Right," Wallace said, "I'm starving! Let's go, babe."

He tugged on Kuki's arm but she seemed rooted to the spot. At the same time, her eyes were stuck on Wally. Apparently, for the first time since he's me Wallace, he was finally able to look at him for longer than a minute.

"You guys are going out to eat?" Kathy asked them.

"Yeah," Wallace replied, still tugging on Kuki.

"May we join you?"

Wally and Kuki both looked like they had been crushed under a landslide. They found themselves looking at each other, as if seeking proof that they were indeed in reality.

"Sure," Wallace said to Kathy, "Let's get moving."

•••

Being in that table was a nightmare to Wally and Kuki. They spent half the time either avoiding each other's eyes or fending off their partners, whether it was Kathy poking Wally's side or Wallace trying to steal a kiss from Kuki. Fortunately, however, neither of their partners took notice of the tension.

"See, I was focusing on my soccer skills at that time because I had a game that weekend," Wallace said during the meal, "I'm not saying I'm weak in football. I'm just saying that my focus shifts from one sport to another. That's why I was a little rusty while playing at that time."

"Wallace," Wally said irritably, "I really don't care how well you explain it. The point is, you lost. Get over it."

Kuki smiled upon hearing his words, remorselessly amused to witness Wallace's ego being crushed. But upon seeing the fury on his face, she chose that time to change the subject immediately.

"So," She said to the couple across the table, "How did you two meet?"

"Oh it's such a cute story!" Kathy shook giddily, "I was at the toy store a few days ago, about to pick up the latest Princess Edition of Rainbow Monkeys, and Wally was there!"

"Dude, what were you doing there?" Wallace said tauntingly.

"Oh it's so cute!" Kathy answered for him, "He was buying a Westley the Wrestler teddy bear for little brother!"

Kuki looked at Wally and smiled, he returned it with a blank stare.

When the meal was almost over, Kuki found herself left with a half eaten plate of salad. Not wanting to waste the food, she turned to Wallace.

"Wallace, do you want some?" She asked.

"Heck no! Salads are for sissies."

"It's still a healthy dish!"

"It has no protein in it, though. No wonder you're so skinny. You can't even throw a football past two feet."

Wally rolled his eyes upon hearing this but Kuki didn't notice. She was too busy scowling at Wallace. When she turned to Wally, their eyes met with an instant connection. Wally's always the one who finishes her meal whenever she can't finish it. It didn't even matter whether it was a salad or not. He was always hungry enough to help her.

Just as Kuki was about to offer him the remains of her unfinished meal, she was suddenly interrupted.

"Here you go, sweetie!" Kathy leaned towards him, holding up a fork of Brussels sprout.

Kuki tucked her lips in at the sight of it. Wally hates Brussels Sprouths… She almost felt embarrassed for him as he merely stared back at Kathy as if waiting for her to simply withdraw. As Kuki expected, she didn't. Instead, she persisted.

"Eat it!" She growled at him.

Wally's looked like he was to the point of raging out on her. But to Kuki's surprise, he simply parted her lips, allowing Kathy to push the vegetable in.

"Awwww!" She squealed and hugged him, "You're so cute!"

After Kathy let go of him, Kuki alone saw Wally spit the Brussels sprout onto his hand and throw it under the table. When he looked back at her, she smiled at him, reassuring that she won't tell anyone.