Only Friends?

Lilo woke up with the sun as it cascaded upon her eyes. Even though she had slept past noon, she was still tired, a sudden storm had arose and kept her awake last night, causing her to sleep late. She got up, put on her day clothes, and went downstairs.

When Lilo got downstairs, she followed the smells from the kitchen. She walked in and was surprised once more to find Gloria cooking their breakfast. Lilo walked to the table and sat by Serenity, who was shoveling pancakes into her mouth like the world was about to end, and pancakes would be lost to the ebb of time.

"Where's everyone else?" Lilo asked.

Serenity answered between mouthfuls, "They left earlier this morning. Jumba said he had some work to do, and the others left for work. And Komalla's at school."

Serenity seemed saddened by the last part. Lilo patted her on the shoulder, "He'll be home soon, don't worry."

Serenity nodded and Gloria handed Lilo a plate of pancakes. Lilo couldn't help but stuff herself, she was really hungry. Gloria sat across from Serenity and Lilo, and just watch the two eating machines, fascination bordering her eyes. Gloria broke her trance and asked, "So, what did you guys think of the storm last night?"

Serenity stopped eating, she just sat her fork down and sat still, Lilo noticed and asked, "Are you okay Serenity?"

Serenity nodded, "Yeah, it's just I got scared, you know? All the lightning..."

Lilo nodded, "Yeah that was weird, I've never seen a storm like that before, it was so random."

"At least it didn't hit us very hard, I doubt this old house could take a hit like that storm was dishing out," Gloria said.

The three friends sat at the table discussing the strange weather. Serenity barely said a word. Gloria walked to the stove to clean up, and Lilo and Serenity went to the living room to watch T.V.. Just as Lilo sat down on the couch, the phone rang. Lilo got up to answer it.

"Hello?"

"Hello? Lilo?"

"Hey Stitch!" she felt happy to hear his voice, "What're you up to?"

"Oh, nothing much over here...I was wondering...ya know...if your not busy today, we could go catch an early movie? Then...um...we could go get a bite to eat?"

Lilo smiled, "You know Stitch, that sounds like fun."

"Really! Great! What time?"

"Um, how about five for an early show?"

"Sounds great, I'll meet you there."

"Okay, bye Stitch."

"See ya Lilo."

Lilo hung up the receiver and sat back down by Serenity. She was thinking of Stitch, 'He's still the same old sweety.' Lilo sat there reminiscing a moment before she noticed that Serenity was staring at her. Lilo stared right back at Serenity, "What?"

Serenity giggled, "You two are so cute together!"

Lilo was taken aback, "What? Me and Stitch? No no, we've been friends since forever, it's not like that."

Serenity looked at her, "Hm? And why not?"

Lilo shook her head, "Well come on, we are like different species. He's an alien and I'm human...it's just...different..."

Serenity's gaze penetrated Lilo's thoughts, "Why does that matter? Do you not love me?"

Lilo looked at her, "Oh come on, of course I love you. You're a sweety!"

"Then, what is different?"

Lilo sighed, "Serenity, it's a different kind of love, me and Stitch...are just friends. And he is an alien, it's just too different."

Serenity persisted, "When did being different bother you? From the weeks I've been with you, I can tell you don't mind being different."

"Serenity..."

"What?"

Lilo didn't know what to say, so she answered, "I have to get ready."

Serenity nodded and continued to watch T.V., Lilo got up and walked to her room, the conversation buzzing through her head.

Lilo was waiting outside the movie for Stitch. It was warm outside, and she actually found herself in a green skirt with a white shirt. She thought it looked nice, she thought Stitch would like it too, 'Not that I care,' she would think. Though when she saw Stitch walking up to her in the distance, she found herself unconsciously smoothing her skirt.

Stitch saw her and smiled as he quickened his step, Lilo noticed he was dressed moderately nice as well. Stitch came up to her and smiled, "Wow, you look nice."

Lilo smiled, "Thanks, you too."

Stitch looked up at the movie postings, "So, what do you want to see?"

Lilo shook her head, "Oh, it doesn't matter to me, what looks good to you?"

Stitch studied the board, then he turned to her, "Um, Muck Monster 4: Attack of the Sludge Mummy looks good to me, are you in the mood for that kind of movie?"

Lilo grinned wryly, that was the one she wanted to see, "Yeah, that one does look good. Come on, let's get our tickets."

They approached the ticket taker, and Lilo began to pull up her purse, when Stitch said, "Oh no, let me."

Stitch produced a twenty from his wallet, and paid for the two tickets. Lilo blushed, 'He didn't have to do that...'

They went inside, Stitch got them each a drink. Lilo accepted it gratefully, "Thanks Stitch, you didn't have to..."

Stitch nodded, "I know, but I wanted to..."

Lilo smiled at him, Stitch smiled right back and said, "Come on, let's go get some seats."

Lilo nodded and followed him into the theater.

The movie started, and Lilo and Stitch sat together near the front. During the movie, as if by a sense of magnetism, their hands began to draw closer and closer to one another. Each seeming to take their own time, nothing seemed to matter. When their hands clasped, it was like the relief of a great tension. They fit well together, like they were made to hold the other. Lilo thought that he had wonderful hands, softened by his fur. Stitch felt her delicate hand in his, and never wanted the moment to end. For such a small gesture, it seemed to have a huge effect. And they watched the rest of the movie, with a calm pleased feeling in the air.
After the movie ended, Lilo walked out of the movie laughing hard, Stitch was right behind her, sharing in her joy. The movie was good, yet it was extremely cheesy, and neither of them seemed to mind. They walked outside, both mocking the movie. Lilo laughed when Stitch growled and hissed like the mummy in the movie. Though it was so bad, the movie had an excellent effect for the friends.

They walked to the buggy and hopped in, and drove to a small restaurant on the upside of town. They walked inside, still laughing from the movie. Lilo was truly enjoying herself, the night was going great, almost perfect...

Lilo looked over the small restaurant. She was looking for a seat, she spotted a booth with a great view of the ocean in the distance. She grabbed Stitch and pulled him to where the booth was, and they sat and observed the ocean. Soon a waitress came and took their orders, and then she walked away to prepare their food.

For a second, Lilo and Stitch were quiet, they sat and stared out the window at the marvelous view below them. Lilo looked at Stitch, "I'm having a wonderful time Stitch."

Stitch broke away from the view to answer her, "Yeah, I am too. I'm really glad you decided to go with me tonight."

Lilo smiled, "I would rather be here right now than anywhere else."

Stitch blushed, Lilo could tell when he blushed, he just didn't know she could tell. Then he said, "So, uh, we can do something else, um, sometime again right?"

Lilo giggled, "Sure, that would be fun."

The waitress interrupted their conversation to bring them their food. It was delicious, 'Of course,' Lilo thought, 'for some reason, tonight everything seems to be better.'

They finished their meal, and left a tip on the table for the excellent service. They left and took the long way home, a scenic route that ran down the ocean beach. Lilo had grown up near the ocean, seen it every day, and it never seemed to change how much it fascinated her. They ran along trees, the wind blew upon their brows, yet nothing seemed to affect their path. Through a long distance, Lilo finally reached Angel's house.

Lilo pulled the buggy to a stop, and stared at the house. Angel and Stitch had once dated for awhile. Lilo didn't care to think about that time.

Stitch turned to her, "I'll call you, sweet dreams Lilo."

Lilo was silent, she didn't really want the night to end. She leaned over to Stitch, and gave him a delicate kiss on the cheek. She laughed to herself when Stitch blushed profusely. He grinned stupidly and nearly fell on his way out of the buggy.

Lilo giggled, "Good night Stitch."

Stitch was still grinning, "Good night, Lilo."

Lilo began to pull away, and she turned and waved good-bye to Stitch. She turned down the street and began to head home. As she was on her way home, Serenity's words rang through her head, Serenity's words about her and Stitch, words that she had never really considered.

'He is an alien,' she thought, 'but of course, I guess I'm an alien to him. Besides, if we were all alike, where would the fun be in life?'

Lilo smiled to herself as she drove home, 'Maybe I wouldn't mind being more than friends with Stitch...he is really great...'

The sun set behind Lilo as she drove home, settling in for a new run, preparing for tomorrow.

Stitch walked into Angel's house, and he felt like he was walking on air. The world seemed lighter, better. He barely heard Angel and 6-2-5's questions as he made his way to his room, he answered them only with, "Oh...it was perfect."

Stitch made it to his room, and flopped on the bed, still wearing his stupid grin. He seemed to immediately think that the world could no longer hold anything bad, as if all evil were eradicated from the world. So Stitch thought, and then he slept, sweet dreams carrying him to the next day.

Stitch's dreams were actually memories. He was back in Jumba's lab, Jumba had just installed Stitch's last upgrades. Stitch moved his arms on the test table, they felt stronger than ever. Jumba walked over to a table, and opened a drawer, "Now, 6-2-6, we have but one more thing to add."

Stitch watched as Jumba pulled a needle from the drawer, it was filled with a golden liquid, that seemed to shine in the darkness of the lab. Jumba walked over to Stitch, and Stitch held up his sleeve, Jumba chuckled, "Sorry 6-2-6, but this one goes in your back."

Stitch looked at Jumba quizzically, "What? Why?"

"Oh, let's just call it a...precaution...so come now, take off your shirt."

Stitch obeyed, and Jumba came around him, and placed his finger right between Stitch's shoulder blades, marking the spot. Then Jumba inserted the needle, and Stitch winced, he had never liked needles. It was right between Stitch's shoulder blades, he could feel the golden liquid enter his system, become one with him. It felt marvelous, then it was over. Jumba rubbed the spot and patted Stitch on the back.

"There now, was that so bad?"

Stitch hopped up, "Nah, I'll see ya later Jumba, thanks for all the upgrades, though I am kinda glad it's all over." Stitch could still recall some painful operations under Jumba's eye.

Jumba nodded and curtly dismissed him with, "Yes, now I have some work to do."

Stitch nodded and ran up the stairs. Proud of what he now looked like.

Stitch dreamed on, peacefully through the night.