Lenne: Ohay guys!

It's been a long wait. However, school started so now I must focus on my studies. In order to appease your impatience, I give you a very small update. But don't worry, this story is currently my top priority, so I won't abandon it. I'll try to work on it each day ifIamnotgaminglol

Chapter 13: The Work of Ninstinct

Monday, May 14th.

It was another regular day, but the news of the bully incident spread around really quickly. Once most of my classmates and teachers caught me in sight, they often asked, "are you okay? What happened? Does it still hurt?" For today and the next day, I was given some get-well cards, candy, and snacks. I tried to deny everyone's kindness, even Claus' overprotectiveness and Ness' constant checking on me, but it kept going on through out the rest of the two days.

Wednesday, May 16th.

In the morning as we walked into the 8th grade hall, all of my anxiety and distrust reappeared as three familiar girls in cheerleader uniform were going locker to locker, handing a pink card to each person that stood near one.

"Please come to my birthday party!" announced Leila.

"Please come to Leila's birthday party!" exclaimed a black-haired girl.

"Come to Leila's birthday party, it'll be fun!" yelled the blonde-haired one.

Ninten, Claus, and I stared at them from afar as they continued to hand out the pink cards.

"Are they allowed to do that?" Claus asked.

"Well, there's no rule against it," replied Ninten.

Just then, Ness arrived by my shoulder.

"Mornin' guys!" he said. "What's going on?"

"Leila's handing out birthday invites," Ninten responded. As we stared at them, the blonde-haired cheerleader came up to us.

"Oh, Ness!" she said. "Did you get an invite yet?"

"Nope," he replied.

"Well go see Leila, she has one for you." Then, she handed two pink cards to Ninten and Claus. I noticed that after she handed it to Claus, she didn't bother to give me one before attempting to walk off.

"Hey wait," Claus said, "what about my brother?"

"Oh, um, sorry, I don't have anymore invites," she responded. "Might have to ask Leila for them." She turned the corner and walked off.

"Well, gotta get my invite," Ness said. "Come on Luke, she'll probably have some more." I nodded, and followed him to meet with Leila, who was just giving out one more invite to a girl. When Leila turned around, she gasped with a happy face.

"Ness!" she exclaimed. "So glad to see you!"

"Um...yeah, I guess," nervously replied Ness.

"So, I'm guessing you're going to my birthday party?" she asked.

"Sure, why not?" he responded. "Got an invite?"

"Here you go!" She pulled out a pink-colored card from a stack under her left arm, and extended it to Ness.

Ness took the card, "Thanks! Oh and, could my friend have one too?" he said, pointing his thumb at me.

"Uh...well..." I could tell by the tone of her voice that she didn't want me to go. I expected her to come up with a stupid excuse. "I'm out of them, sorry."

I secretly and quickly rolled my eyes, and pointed out the rest of the pink cards under her arm. "Then, what are those?"

"Oh, these are invites for my family. I have sixteen invites left, one was for Ness, but I need the rest to give out to my relatives." I frowned, at the fact that I didn't receive an invite and that she made up that kind of excuse.

"Can't you make more?" Ness asked.

"Sorry... but I've already made plenty of invites, so I can't make more. Maybe next year," she said. "Well, gotta go, cheerleading practice starts soon!" she hurried off out of the hall and out of sight.

Ness saw the sad and neutral mixed look on my face. "Sorry, Luke."

I snapped out of my depressed trance. "For what?"

"That you didn't get an invite."

"Oh...it's no biggie." I faked a grin at him. "Don't worry, it's just a party."

"Well, I guess..." Ness looked at the card, reading its contents.

Ninten and Claus came up to us.

"So, did you get one?" asked Ninten.

I shook my head. Claus responded with a grumble. "Well if you can't go, then I'm not going," he said.

"That's fine, you don't need to do that," I said.

There was a sudden beep that sounded from the intercom, warning of the morning bell, which rang after exactly ten seconds had passed.. The passing period had just started.

"Well, gotta head to class," Ness said. "I'll see you guys later." He waved good-bye to us as he headed off to his classroom.

"Well, let's head to P.E.," Claus said. He turned around and started walking down the hall. Ninten and I followed right behind him.

When we entered the P.E. room, two new cheerleaders were walking our way with pink cards in hand. There were so many, so I knew for sure I could get one. Bravely, I walked up to them and requested for one politely.

"Could I have an invitation, please?" I said.

"Oh, well..." One of them was about to grab one from her stack until I saw her elbow was nudged on.

"Hey, remember what Leila said?" whispered the other girl.

"Oh, right, sorry, I forgot, these are for some friends we chose ourselves," said the first girl.

Claus spoke up, "But you have so many. You can't spare one?"

"Sorry!" exclaimed the other girl. "These are for all of our friends! Cheerleaders have a lot, you know." They rushed past us and zoomed out the door.

"I don't believe it," Claus said. "They can't have that many friends."

"Maybe they do," I said with doubt. I didn't want to believe it either. I had a feeling there was another reason that I couldn't get an invite.

"Whatever. Come on, let's go change," Claus said. My brother went on ahead in the direction of the boys' locker room. As we walked, Ninten whispered something to me.

"Don't worry," he said. "I'll get you an invite."

"You don't have to," I said.

"So, you don't want to be at the party with Ness?" he responded. "You know, I heard we'd be playing lots of games, including Truth or Dare."

"...Well...what's so special about that?"

"I could dare Ness to give you a hug, or, maybe a kiss."

I blushed and bumped his elbow. "Shut up."

He chuckled and slightly fastened his walking pace. "Still, I'll get you an invite, promise!" He winked at me, and then went up to Claus' side to annoy him using his nickname. I subtly smiled at them as they fooled around, pulling on each other's cheeks or hair.

I didn't know how Ninten was going to get an invite for me, but I didn't really care, so long as I could go to the party with Ness.

Two days later, Ninten asked me to come over to his house after school. I asked why, but he said it was a surprise. I did as told and left with Boney at my side, since he urged to come along. Upon arriving at Ninten's house, Boney stayed outside to play with Mick while I went up with Ninten to his room.

"So, what's the deal?" I asked.

"Lookie-here!" he held out a pink card in front of me. I took it from him and read the basic contents.

Leila's Fantastic Fifteenth Birthday Party
May 26, 2012
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Games, Swimming Pool, Makeovers, and a gigantic Cake!

Sleepovers for girls only! Boys must have Leila's permission!

(Towels and swimsuits will be provided if necessary)

It was an exact copy of an invitation to Leila's birthday party.

"How'd you get one?" I questioned.

"Easy," he replied. "One of the cheerleaders who had invites gave me another one when I told them I lost mine. It's not that hard."

"Maybe for you," I responded. I told him how I tried asking another different cheerleader for the same pink invite. I even tried the excuse Ninten used, but the reaction from her was, "You actually got an invite?" I was appalled by what that meant. But even so, I never got an invitation.

As Ninten processed all this information, he came with only one logical conclusion. "I think Leila hates you," he said.

I thought so as well. It was not a very well hidden truth based on the behavior of the cheerleaders, including Leila.

"So if Leila hates me, how am I going to get in the party?" I questioned. "The second she sees me, she might kick me out."

"Hmm..." Ninten put his finger on his chin, and came up with an idea. "Ness!"

"...What about him?"

"Leila likes Ness. But I'm sure Ness likes you too."

"How do you know?"

"...Okay, maybe I don't know, but your friendship is waaaaay high, I can tell!" He pointed to his brain, "I call it Ninstinct!"

I rolled my eyes with a little giggle, and agreed with the idea for now. "So, what about Ness?"

"If Ness really wants you at the party, then he'll protest if Leila won't let you inside, right?"

I nodded. "I see..."

"Right! So if Leila considers Ness' feelings, then she'll let you stay, so you get to stay with Ness. But if she kicks you out, Ness is likely to stay with you. It's a win-win situation!"

"Right, but how can I arrive at the party with Ness? I have to go with Claus."

"Already got it covered," he said. "Just ask your mom if you and Claus can carpool with me and Ness. We'll pick you up at nine. We'll all arrive and head through the front door together."

"..." I sighed and smiled at Ninten's efforts. "I can't believe you did all this," I commented.

"Better believe it!" he finished with a giddy smile.