"But I don't want to go back to school!" Hoagie complained. The summer had passed quickly for the team and they only had one more week of freedom until they started 7th grade. (A/N: I'm not sure how this works exactly, but lets just go with elementary schools going to 6th grade and high school starting with 7th )
"I don't get what your problem is, you have the highest grade point average in school 'cept for Nigel." Abby pointed out.
"It's just that people always judge you on the first couple of days." Hoagie replied.
"I'm sure your going to be fine Numbah 2." Nigel commented. "Besides, I'd like to see something make fun of any of us without getting the full on KND treatment."
"Right." Abby confirmed. "Who really needs them anyway? You've got us!"
"I know, but I'd just like a fresh start, you know?"
"Don't worry Hoag, we've got you covered." Nigel said, clasping his friend on the shoulder.
"Really?" Hoagie asked unsure.
"Well duh!" Kuki said as she walked in carrying a parcel. Wally stood behind her at the door, nodding in agreement.
"Where have you guys been?" Nigel asked suspiciously.
"Just redecorating. We thought we'd get rid of some useless junk." Wally jumped in. Abby muttered under her breath as she looked over the box Kuki was carrying.
"Rainbow Monkeys, I thought you liked those."
"I did, but I think we're a little old for them, ya know?" Kuki giggled, moving the large box in her arms. "I think I'll give them to Mushi, she'll love them."
"What about the rest of your stuffed animals?" Hoagie asked before he could stop himself.
"Oh, I'll just donate them to charity. Well, except for Peachy, I'll be keeping that one." Kuki explained.
"Peachy, isn't that the koala that Wally gave you for Christmas last year?" Abby asked. Kuki nodded and Wally blushed as Hoagie and Nigel snickered behind their hands.
"What's so funny?" Kuki asked.
"Nothing, we just, uh, thought of a joke Hoagie made earlier." Abby choked slightly as she tried not to laugh. "We, should, uh be going to that movie, remember?" She nudged Nigel and gave Hoagie a look as she headed for the door. They followed her and joined her in laughing at the situation once outside Wally and Kuki's hearing.
"I don't get it, Abby never laughs at Hoagie's jokes!" Kuki said.
"I'll explain later." Wally said, taking the heavy box from her and carting it to the elevator.
"Thanks!" Kuki smiled, hugging him. Wally felt his arms go weak and he dropped the box, but he managed to maintain his cool.
"Uh, yeah."
"Abby?" Kuki called into her friend's room.
"Yeah?" came the reply.
"Can you do my hair for tomorrow? I can't put the curlers in."
"Come on in, I got you covered." Abby said, opening the door and admitting the Japanese girl. Kuki bounded into the room with a joyful look on her face as she sat at the foot of the bed.
"Here are the curlers!"
"Ok, sit still now." Abby said as she started to put a little piece of Kuki's hair into the curler. They sat in concentrated silence for the first half of Kuki's head, but they started talking when they realized how long it was taking.
"So, do you remember last year when we were playing truth or dare and I asked you who had kissed you?" Kuki asked.
"Yeah, why?"
"Well was it Nigel?" Kuki inquired, half wondering if Abby would admit it.
"Yeah, he was my first." Abby blushed.
"That's so cute!"
"What about you Kuks? You been kissed yet?" Abby asked as she put in the second to last curler.
"Nope, but sometimes I hope, ya know?" Kuki wistfully said. She thought of her blonde companion as she looked at the ground.
"Mhmm, I know who you're thinking about." Abby laughed. She put the last curler in and patted Kuki on the shoulder so she knew they were finished.
"I don't know what you mean!" Kuki exclaimed. "I uh, got to go! Thanks for helping me with my hair Abby!" She sped for the door and waved before exiting. Abby sighed and wondered when her friends were finally going to admit what everyone else already knew.
Outside, Kuki attempted to sneak past Numbah 4's without him noticing, but her efforts were thwarted when he came out to set his alarm.
"Whoa, Kuks, who attacked your hair?" he laughed as he typed in his access code.
"It's in curlers, uh, Abby did it." Kuki muttered, looking down at the ground She silently kicked herself for letting him see her looking so ridiculous.
"It's interesting, to say the least." Wally said, nodding.
"Oh, shut up!" Kuki giggled.
"No, really it looks good on you." Wally joked, poking one of the curlers.
"You just wait until tomorrow Wally, and you'll see. I'll look so good you'll be speechless." Kuki bragged as she finally reached her door. She winked at him and entered her room
"If only you knew…" Wally sighed and went back into his room.
A/N: School starts tomorrow for our favorite almost teenage heroes. I can tell you from here thatthe next couple of chaptahs will involve a lot of fluff, and a very serious matter.Oh dear, more coming your way soon from your writing extrodinaire, Signy