YES! WE'VE MADE IT TO CHAPTER 7! (dances) Thanks to everyone who reviewed! (hugs) Now, then…off we go, once more!

Disclaimer: No, I don't own Slayers. I own only the "Valentine's Day Song"—a parody of the Birthday Song.

Chapter 7: A Trick Worth Playing and Thoughts

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Lina grinned happily to Amelia as she and Xellos raced around the Joke Shop, chattering to each other "Hey, that looks cool! Let's get that!" and "Are you crazy! Look at how much money that is…oh, look! There's a smaller version over there! Let's buy that!" "Yeah!", etc. Their friend, meanwhile, simply watched the two lovers with a giggle. Just as the trio was about to leave the store, however…Gourry and Zelgadis barged in, yelling "CONGRATULATIONS TO THE HAPPY COUPLE!" at the top of their lungs. Lina and Xellos gaped at their friends. "Wh—wh—wh—!" they managed to wheeze out.

"At last, the two star-crossed lovers have realized their attraction!" the goth of the gang cried over-dramatically. "At last, they've discovered their hidden emotions!" Amelia joined in—she had been a part of this little scheme herself. "Their pa…pa-shun-it (passionate) e-mo-tions have finally broken free!" the tall blonde added, looking somewhat confused.

"What the hell are you TALKING about!" Lina screamed, her face several shades of crimson. "Why, the fact that you two, at long last, have decided to be girlfriend and boyfriend!" Zelgadis replied with a sardonic chuckle. "Oh, yeah? Well, we've been meaning to ask each other out for ages, now." Xellos said with an embarrassed chuckle. "Not that WE know." the three troublemakers laughed. "Anyway, now's the time for us to sing 'Happy Valentine's Day'!" Amelia cried. All at once, the lyrics to the song were passed out to everyone in the store. "But it's not even Valentine's Day for MONTHS!" the redhead roared. "Too bad!" the whole store cried, and began:

Happy Valentine's Day to you!

Happy Valentine's Day to you

Happy Valentine's Day…Xellos and Lina…

Happy Valentine's Day to you!

To yoooou…!

A flush-line appeared on the bridge of Xellos' nose. "Uh…thanks?" he said hesitantly. Lina grabbed her boyfriend's hand and squeezed it tightly. "Let's go." she hissed to him. Sighing with relief, the duo began to exit the store, but before they could…part 2 of the trick was played.

"Now, you two have to kiss!" Amelia squeaked. "Kuh-kuh-kuh—WHAT!" the ruby-eyed girl screamed in panic, her face red as a tomato. "C'mon, Lina! If you do, this whole trick'll be over and done with!" Gourry called encouragingly. The pair looked at each other and shrugged. "Well…okay." they said together, and pulled each other close. The crowd whispered to each other "Look at them…they're so cute together!" "The way they look as if they'll never let go…so romantic!" etc. Zelgadis, Amelia and Gourry watched the exchange with grins on their faces. After all, this would be the last time they'd get their leader off guard for a long time.

With incredible swiftness, Lina and Xellos closed their eyes, and pressed their lips to the other's. Opening her eyes, the immature freshman realized that she was living her dream, at that moment. Nothing mattered right then—not her friends looking on with glee, not the crowd watching their every movement. It's like I'm in a dream…but I can feel him holding me. Why do I feel like I'm missing something? she thought. With that, the kiss ended, both teens reluctant to end it.

The crowd cheered wildly, and went back to their business. Zelgadis and Gourry waved goodbye, and exited the store. "Oh no you DON'T! YOU GET BACK HERE!" the redhead screamed at the two young men, and raced after them with rage in her eyes. "Wait, Lina!" Xellos called after her, and jogged behind the ruby-eyed freshman. "Hey! Wait for me!" Amelia cried, and charged after her friends.

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"Okay. NOW will you apologize?" Lina asked angrily. Zelgadis, Gourry, and even Amelia were strung by their feet on a tree branch. "We're sorry to make you mad, Lina, but—" the raven-haired beauty began. "—It's just that since you finally have a boyfriend, we thought maybe you'd act a bit more mature." the goth finished, waving his arms defensively in front of him. "You really didn't have to embarrass us like that, you know. God, and I thought I was the ultimate prank-puller. Looks like I was wrong." Xellos smirked, and calmly unbuttoned Zelgadis' dyed-black shirt, revealing his chest to all present. "—But I'm still the master of embarrassment." he laughed, as the brown-haired teen tried to cover himself up. "…And off comes the shirt!" Lina cried, and pulled the shirt fully off of her friend. "Hey! Give it back!" the goth yelled in panic. "If you say you're sorry, then yeah." the redhead smirked. "Fine, fine. We're all sorry, you two." Amelia interjected. "THANK you. Here's your shirt back, Zel." the leader of the foursome said with a grin, and handed her friend back his shirt. "Now let's go home."

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Lina sat on the foot of her bed, her eyes half closed. "Why did I feel so strange when I kissed Xellos? It almost felt like…he wasn't the one…" she muttered to herself. Leaping up, she snarled at her fists "Yeah, right! Xellos and I were made for each other!" But maybe that's why it felt so weird. If you're both perfect together, you don't have as many fun experiences. a little voice that sounded a lot like Phibrizzo argued in her head. Shaking her flaming locks out of her eyes, the redhead stalked over to the window that faced the Rubyeye residence. "I don't get it. Why do I feel this way about my worst enemy?"

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I know, I know, it's the shortest chapter in existence. R&R please! I'll give you Zelgadis' shirt if you do!