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Chapter 10 – Party Crash

He could recognize that voice anywhere. He froze in his spot.

"Flippy!"

…

The hero saw the short girl trotting away throw the corner of his eye, her red long mane flowing behind her.

"I thought you wouldn't be coming!"

"I wasn't…" Splendid cringed at the sound of his voice. "…but I remembered a girl to whom I made the promise I would come"

A soft giggle escaped the girl's lips.

"I'm glad you decided not to break your promise"

Splendid could picture the entire scene in his mind without looking. Flaky smiling and laughing with that man. His blood boiled as he slowly turned around.

Blue eyes met green.

"Splendid, long time no see" Flippy smirked.

"Flippy, always a pleasure"

Had anyone dared walking by would have noticed the heavy atmosphere and dark mood around them. Anyone but Flaky of course.

"Oh you know each other?" The innocent girl popped between them.

"It could be interpreted that way," Splendid glared at the green haired boy.

"We're … acquaintances" the former soldier gave one last smile in the hero's direction and turned back to Flaky.

"Do you know everyone in here?"

"Not really, it's just that I…"

Splendid stormed away. He couldn't tell what angered him more. Flippy or the fact that he acted so naïve around Flaky? Or…the fact that he was able to put a pure smile on her face? He shrugged those thoughts to the back of his head.

Flippy glanced to see Splendid's back disappearing into the house and chuckled.

"I see you made friends already"

"Oh Splendid? He is my neighbor, lives right next to me" she nodded.

"Really? I didn't notice last time…"

Flaky turned to look at the house and back to the soldier.

"S-so, should we go in?"

Flippy doubted for a moment. He had promised he would come, not that he would go in or stay. But, there were those pleading eyes again.

"O-ok."

Flaky grabbed him by the arm and dragged him along. Having him by her side made her full with confidence. Even Flippy felt comfortable with her.

Maybe this will be a nice fun time…or not.

The moment both stepped in Flippy regretted everything. The loud music created a bubble around his pounding ears. Blood pulsated faster through his veins as his heart beat accelerated. His eyes dilated and he started hyperventilating. A laugh echoed in his head.

The bubble popped as he felt the grip on his arm tighten. The girl next to him was clearly nervous. He glanced around. People were glaring murderously and whispering amongst themselves. The former soldier knew it was all because of him but Flaky certainly did not know, neither she needed to.

Flippy took his arm and put it around her frail shoulders. Shot an icy glare to nobody and continued inside.

Flaky was to say in a word: terrified. The music pierced her ears. The space and people closed on her, breathing was becoming harder. People looked at her with hate and despise. She had to get out, away…

The warmth around her shoulders soothed her. Somehow, yet again, Flippy was protecting her. The air lightened and she was able to breath again. She had panicked.

"It's okay," Flippy said loud enough for only Flaky to hear. " I'm here with you"

Both walked into the kitchen. Splendid was sitting on a stool, his back to them. Handy had his free hand on his shoulder, Petunia resting her elbows on the table next to the hero, talking to him.

"Flaky!"

Handy and Petunia turned. Splendid flinched but dared not to look. Flaky found a pink ball of fur on her face again.

"G-giggles…" she huffed. Once the pink haired girl stepped back she noticed Cuddles waving.

"H-hi guys, I…uh…I brought a friend!"

Flippy had stepped backwards and dropped his arm the moment Giggles threw her self at Flaky and stood two steps behind.

"Yeah, I noticed you brought…him" Giggles almost whispered, for a second her face darkened but cheered up again. "Any friend of Flaky is mine too!"

Cuddles stepped forward offering them a drink.

"Hey Flaky!" the girl nodded accepting the yellow drink. "Flippy, how nice of you to join us…I mean after the incident-"

"I'm very happy of being here thanks for the drink are those snacks? I'm starving!"

Flippy cut out Cuddles and rushed to a table full with plates and bowls.

"Soooo, Flaky…tell me everything about you!"

Giggles jumped out of no where into Flaky's sight perimeter.

"E-everything about m-me?"

The bubbly girl nodded enthusiastic.

"I…uhm well I was raised by my gran-"

"C'mon Gigs, you're making her nervous by forcing info out of her she probably does not want to leak out" Cuddles grabbed her shoulders and pushed her around. "You have far too much lemonade to serve so why don't we go…"

The words faded away as both walked out of the kitchen into the noise area. Flaky nodded and turned to see the remaining people in the kitchen. Handy and Petunia were sharing a small eye-to-eye chat. The seat a blue hero occupied was now empty.

The red hair doubted. She wanted to stay and avoid the booming music and crowd. But she did not want to feel awkward and stand like an idiot in the middle of the kitchen and ruin the atmosphere going on in there.

She had two choices. Walk back to the crowded and noisy room or out the door to the silent backyard.

As silently as possible, avoiding to break the moment at hand, Flaky sneaked out of the kitchen to the garden.

The fresh night air consumed the stressed atmosphere that had gathered around her, leaving tranquility and silence. She had always been a lover to the outside at the mercy of nature.

"Flaky?"

The girl jumped at the sudden break of her peace moment. Splendid was sitting on the ground by the flower bed.

"What are you doing out here?"

"I-I wasn't very comfortable inside…I really… I really don't like loud music and crowded spaces…"

The red head shivered, it was cold outside. Splendid sighed and stood as he removed his jacket and placed it over Flaky's shoulders. It wasn't as warm as what had covered them a while ago, but still protected her from the wind.

"S-so Flaky, how'd you meet Flippy?"

"I uh…I met him the other day at the supermarket"

The hero turned her violently and looked straight in her eyes.

"Supermarket? Y-you sure? Nothing happened to you?"

"N-no, why? Did something happen?"

"Eh…no, "he dropped his arms. "It's just that…you see, Flippy-"

"I what?"

Splendid tensed.

"Flaky why don't you go inside? It's very cold out here, Petunia is making some tea."

The red head did notice the tension building up this time.

"Go Flaky, Flippy and I have some unfinished business to attend."

She looked at the hero and then to the soldier, nodded and walked back into the house.

The scent of sweet tea filled her nostrils and the warmth of the kitchen enveloped her. Petunia was indeed in front of the stove, a kettle on the fire and some pink cups neatly ordered besides.

Handy admired her from the counter while talking with a man with a pair of dark glasses.

"Oh Flaky! There you are! Come, I'd like to introduce you to a friend."

Flaky approached them.

"This is Mole, Mole this is Flaky"

"Enchanted" he said to the air next to Flaky as he extended his arm. Flaky shifted a little bit to shake it.

"Sorry, I am to say a little blind" he chuckled.

"Oh no, it is I who is sorry!"

Mole stood straight.

"Well, Ms. Flaky you are indeed a special addition to our community…"

Addition?

He straightened his coat, adjusted his glasses on his nose and grabbed his walking stick.

"I must take my leave now"

"Leaving already Mole? I was hoping you'd drink a cup of my herb tea" Petunia pouted crossing her arms over her chest.

"I'm deeply sorry Petunia, but Mime must be waiting for me already"

Handy smiled apologetically to the blue haired.

"Don't worry pal, go carefully"

"No need to, I hear he is actually here" Mole coughed. "It is you who should be careful"

The worker laughed nervously.

"Damn right…"

"So" Mole turned to Flaky. "Pleased to meet you miss, I hope we meet again soon"

"S-sure!" They shaked hands again.

"Petunia, I'll save that tea for later."

"I'll walk you to the door" said Handy. He held Mole's left arm while he tainted ahead with his walking stick. Flaky observed them for a while until Petunia surprised her placing a cup in front of her.

"Sugar?"

"Y-yes please!"

The short girl almost climbed the stool to sit, while Petunia served two spoons in her tea.

"Having a good time sweetie?"

The blue haired woman put on a pair of rubber gloves and started washing the dishes.

"I…y-yeah, yes I'm having a good time…I guess" Flaky looked at the steam emerging from the hot cup in her hands.

"It's okay, you've been a very short time in here so it is normal for you to be intimidated," she stated as the scrubbed carefully some plates.

"We're all friends here…well, except for…"

Petunia left her cleaning duty and looked straight back at the red head.

"Flaky, listen carefully…I don't under what circumstances you met, but the man you came with is not who he seems he is, he-"

"Flaky you twerpy twerp! I wanna go home!"

The long disappeared lazy eyed boy showed up at last demanding attention.

"N-nutty?"

He grabbed Flaky's hand and started pulling.

"This party is booooring, I want to goooo!" And there went his child like attitude.

"Nutty, wait! I-"

"NOoOo! Nutty wants to go now!"

The crazy little guy dragged her from the kitchen, through the living room and out the porch.

"Nutty, it is rude to leave without thanking or saying goodbye!"

Even though small, Nutty was strong and Flaky just could not break free from his grip.

"I don't care, lets just go!"

The sugar boy had pulled her all the way to her car. Flaky sighed. The house was still very noisy from all the music, perhaps no one would notice she had left.

She took her keys and unlocked the doors. Nutty jumped in and continued jumping in his seat. The engine started slowly.

Had the music not been so loud, she could have heard the screams coming from inside as she drove away.

…

I can't believe it took me ten chapters to get into the real action, what's wrong with me?

So, I hoped you enjoyed this one. There's more action in the next one, promise.

Thank you again to all of you!

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