Chapter 11 And so they met
Ralph entered the door, as he passed through into the world of the gamers, his body changed. His hands became smaller, and his body and face became slimmer. His arms became rock hard with muscle.
"Wow…" said a shocked Vanellope, her eyes wide. The mouths of all the Sugar Rush girl racers dropped open upon seeing the transformed Ralph.
"Vanellope, why are all the girls staring at me?" Asked a confused and slightly embarrassed Ralph.
Thinking thoughtfully, Vanellope replied, "Dad, you look like a street fighter."
Rancis elbowed Candlehead in the ribs to get her attention.
"What?" she complained.
"We meet again Wreck-it Ralph," said Katherine in a fake Russian accent, whilst smiling at the big guy.
Ralph nodded to Kitana. "So how long have you been working at Litwak's?"
"It's been 15 years - since I was 15 years old," replied Kitana.
"Hold up" interrupted Candlehead, scratching her head. "Katherine your dad said your 20 years old?"
"I'm 30, Dad got the game when it was 10 years old." Kat Explained. "He sometimes gets ages mixed up."
Just then, Kat's mobile phone rang. Excusing herself, she tapped the screen. "Hello?"
"Mom it's Sarah, I'm worried because you left early to go to granddads work." Said a young voice.
When Kat finished the phone call, she turned and faced the group of game characters.
Checking the clock on her mobile, the time said 8:30am. She ushered the group out of the storeroom and lead them to the arcade. Once everyone was out, she started to look for her dad.
She found him re-stocking the shelves in the small candy bar that was near the change booth. "Dad, we have a problem," she informed him.
"What's wrong, is Candleena alright?" Asked Litwak.
Kat nodded, then said "we have more game characters."
"Leave it to me" said Litwak, as he gave Kat a reassuring pat on the back.
An hour later Vanellope was playing Sugar Rush. She selected Goyld Orangbore from the character select screen. Then she chose the time trial mode and the Laffy Taffy Jungle course.
She felt a mixture of excitement and wonder, seeing her home from the game driver's seat.
Goyld kept his cover and didn't react upon seeing his president. As Vanellope played the game she was in deep thought.
She realized that it had been 24 hours since she last saw the teenager who had a picture of her on his t-shirt. She secretly wanted to see him again.
Ralph was talking to Litwak outside the arcade. Litwak gave all the Sugar Rush kids some quarters so they were distracted enough to allow the men to talk in private.
"Mr Likwak Sir, I'm worried about Vanellope", admitted Ralph.
"What's wrong with her?" Asked Litwak
"I'm worried that she's growing up too fast."
Litwak sighed, "Ralph, she's a lot older than she appears, I felt the same way with Kitana at Vanellope's age"
As the two men continued their conversation, the teenage boy who was Vanellope's crush, passed by them, entered the arcade and headed to the Sugar Rush console. Seeing a girl racing in player 1's driver seat, he sat in the player 2 seat.
He inserted his quarter into the console and pressed start. "Where's Vanellope" he muttered to himself.
Vanellope turned to look at the teenager, when she noticed just who it was, her heart pumped faster. It's him, I can't believe it! Now Vanellope don't do something dumb, she thought to herself.
Vanellope turned and tapped the boy on the shoulder.
"Yes?" he answered.
"What's your name?" Asked Vanellope.
"Err, Sammy, Sammy Jones".
"You're not from here are you?"
"I'm from out of town and don't get here often." Sammy paused, to study the girls' pretty face and then looked at Vanellope's picture on the side of the games console.
"You got to be kidding me!" Sammy yelled.
"That's right Sam, I'm Vanellope Von Schweets."
A goofy grin appeared on his face.