KK:(plays Feel Good Inc. on stereo)HELLO, FRIENDS! Sorry it took me so long to put the next chapter on the story. I...um...had to do a lot of work with my bio project.

Murdoc:Liar; you were grounded.

KK:(sweatdrop)They didn't need to know that.

Murdoc:She cursed out 'er parents.

KK:I DIDN'T CURSE THEM OUT! I said one thing, and they took it the wrong way!

Murdoc:I thought that was pretty cool doin' that. Ya' finally stood up for yaself.

KK:It wasn't that big of a deal, Muds. Although, despite the fact of losing my iPod and some computer privileges for quite some time, I was proud of myself. I MISSED MY MUSIK!

Murdoc:Ya' spelled music wrong, love.

KK:I know! I'm just too lazy to fix it. HAHAHAHA...hehe(sweatdrop again). Just read the chapter, people, for my sake.

Chapter 8: Christmas Eve Rumors

"Noodle, this room is adorable!" Adria squealed in delight.

"And I think that your outfit is adorable as well, Adria-san!" Noodle replied.

It was true; Adria did have a very cute outfit on. She was wearing a long-sleeved shirt with a reindeer on the front, a short, thin green skirt, fish net stockings, and a pair of black Vans(Author's Note: I luff my Vans! HEEHEE! I'm insane...). Her hair was tied back with blue and red satin ribbons.

"Do you think I could be one of Santa's elves?" Adria asked her teenage friend.

"As long as that skirt does notget any shorter!"

"Guess you're right. And as long as this bloody shirt doesn't get any tighter." She pinched some of the fabric from her sleeve and pulled it back as far as it would go, letting it go at its limit and hearing it snap against her arm. "Your outfit is pretty cute, too."

Noodle was wearing a pair of jeweled blue jeans with a red belt through it--decorated with small golden bells, I might add--, a green t-shirt with an elf on the front, and, on her head, was a headband with a pair of fake reindeer antlers attached.

"I know," she bragged, smiling widely.

"Don't get cocky there, Noods." Adria turned around and looked up at the gigantic Christmas tree with pride. "I think that it's a good idea that we put the tree in your room."

Noodle looked at the tree as well, then at three large cardboard boxes filled with decorations. "Where are Russel-san, Murdoc-san, and 2D-san, Adria-san?" Both girls paused for a minute, then laughed at what Noodle had just said.

Just then, as if they had said the magic words, the door burst open, and all three walked in.

"Ah, right on schedule, gentlemen," Adria said in a corporate tone, looking at her held-up wrist at an imaginary watch.

Murdoc glared at Adria and her outfit, looking her up and down several times. "What're you supposed to be, Garrison?"

"An elf. A rather cute elf, don't you think?" She looked at him with pure innocence.

" 'Oney, what's the weather like in that li'l dream world o' yours?"

"Partly cloudy, fifty percent chance of rain," she replied without hesitation. 2D, Russel, and Noodle started to laugh.

Murdoc even let out a small chuckle. "Sorry I asked. Just kiddin', love. Ya do look nice."

Adria smiled. "Aww, you're so sweet. I'd give you a hug, but I'm not that kind of girl."

"Yeah, ya are, Garrison."

"No, I'm not."

"Yeah, ya are."

"I'm not."

"YA ARE!"

"I'M NOT!"

"Guys, calm down!" Russel yelled. "We need to get to work. It's Christmas Eve, y'know."

"Yeah, sorry, Russ," Adria apologized. "Let's dress this baby up!"

So, the five got to work. Everyone was busy putting up ornaments, except for Russel, who was desperately trying to get the lights to work. Within ten minutes, they did, and he started to put them on the tree. But, several times, he would try to sneak a candy cane off of the tree to snack on, but before he could remove the plastic covering, Adria would always catch him.

"Russ, those candy canes are for decorating, not eating!" she would scold at him.

And, several times, Murdoc would steal glances at Adria. Mostly at her ass, but what else could you expect from a guy like him? She so loves me, he thought everytime he looked.

After decorating the body of the tree, the only matter left to settle was who should put the star on top of the tree. Adria had that all figured out from the start.

"Noodle, get on top of Russ's shoulders and put the star up there."

Russel picked the small girl up rather easily and placed her on his shoulders. Knowing how light Noodle is, everyone could pick her up. Adria then handed the large glod-tinted star up to Noodle, who gently placed it on the very tip of the tree, and, in one jump, hopped off of Russel.

"That is one nice tree," 2D commented, crossing his arms.

"If ya love the bloody tree so much, why doncha' just give it a 'ug?" Murdoc laughed at his own words. Then groaned in pain, after Adria had elbowed him in the arm.

"I think it's gorgeous," she added.

"Not another 'ippy!" Murdoc whined, hitting himself in the head with his palm. To this, Adria glared at him.

"I got an idea: who wants to play 'truth or dare'?"

"I will play, Adria-san."

"Sure!"

"I'm game."

"Well, Muds?" Adria questioned. "Are you gonna be 'Mr. Miserable', or are you gonna play?"

"I'm always miserable. And yeah, I guess I can play."

Everyone sat in a circle. Except for little Noodle, who was too busy sitting in Russel's lap. It was Adria's turn first.

"Russ, truth or dare?"

"Truth."

Adria smirked. "Okay, how many of those damn candy canes did you sneak into your back pocket?"

"Uh...um, none. Well, maybe one or two."

"Uh-huh. Hand 'em over, buddy." Adria put her hand out.

Russel sighed, took a grand total of fifteen candy canes out of his back pocket, and handed them to her. She then put them next to the tree and made a mental note to put them back on later.

Russel looked around at his options, then came up with a great idea for revenge. "Muds, truth or dare."

"I pick dare."

An evil smirk crawled its way onto Russel's face. "I dare you...to spend Chrismas night with Adria in her room, with the doors locked and everything."

Murdoc scoffed. "Fine. If it'll make ya any 'appier t'see me suffer."

"Russel Hobbs, I hate you with a passion," Adria said threateningly. Russel broke out laughing, and even Noodle giggled a bit.

"Okay, my turn. Double-dents, truth or dare?"

2D despised that name. It brought back way too many haunting memories for him. But, then again, that was why he was called "2D" after all.

"Truth, ya faggot," he murmured under his breath.

" 'Ow 'bout ya tell everyone what ya favorite movie is."

Adria was absolutely dumbstruck. "What the fuck kind of stupid question is that?"

"You'll see, love. Why don't ya elaborate for 'er, 'D."

"It's The Notebook. Ya 'appy Muds!"

"There's nothing wrong with that. I like that movie, too, 2D."

Murdoc slapped himself in the head. "Fuck!"

Adria leaned towards 2D. "He ain't the sensitive type, is he, 'D?"

" 'Ell no! Never 'as, never will be."

"Shut the bloody 'ell up, you two," Murdoc said, letting out another of his aggravated sighs. The two snickered.

"My turn. Noods, truf ' or dare?"

"I will pick truth."

" 'K. 'Ave ya ever smoked b'fore?"

"Yes, twice. I saw how Murdoc-san used them a lot when he was in stress, so I snuck a few from his pack one day."

"So, that's where m' cigs went off to." Adria removed her leg from under her backside and kicked Murdoc's leg. He started cursing under his breath.

"Noodle," Russel disciplined her with a strict tone, "you know that you're way too young to even consider smoking. I'm rather disappointed in you."

"I am sorry, Russel-san. But, I would just like to let you know that they never actually calmed any stress for me, so I will never smoke again."

2D ruffled Noodle's hair. "Good girl. She learned 'er lesson, Russ. Don't be that 'ard on 'er."

Russel sighed. "Yeah, guess you're right. As long as she knows that that was wrong." He then cracked his knuckles and slowly turned to face Murdoc. "And now, to kill the man who let that pack of cigarettes out in the first place."

"Russ, don't hurt him," Adria pleaded. "He really didn't know, and I really don't want to see anyone bleed right now."

"Sorry, Adria."

"Okay." 2D stood up. "I'm goin' t'get summink from m' room. Be right back." He walked to the door, opened it, and stepped outside, closing the door behind him.

"Thanks f' that," murmured Murdoc, looking at Adria.

"...Holy shit! Murdoc just thanked someone for something!" Russel exclaimed. "Adria, I think it's a sign of the Apocalypse!"

"I do not want to die," Noodle said softly. She then broke out in laughter, along with Russel and Adria.

"Will ya three jus' shut up! It wasn't really that big of a deal!"

The door to Noodle's room bursted open, revealing 2D with a shocked expression. "Guys, it's snowin' outside!"

"Really?" Noodle asked.

"Uh-huh. An' it's comin' down real 'ard."

"We've never had that much of a white Christmas before,"said Russel.

"Guess thisis a first."2D's signature goofy smile came onto his face."So, does anyone wanna go snowboardin' an' skiin' t'morrow?"

All of them agreed.

Noodle sat crossed-legged on Adria's bed, waiting for her to return from her closet. She sat in her light blue pajamas, her hands folded and positioned on her leg. Finding what she was looking for, Adria pulled a book out of a bag and returned, sitting herself on the bed.

"What is that book?" asked a perplexed Noodle.

"This is The Night Before Christmas," replied Adria. "My mother used to read it to me every Christmas Eve when I was a kid, and I usually read kit to myself every year now, but, this year, I want to share it with you."

"Cool!" Noodle clapped in excitement. "Domo arigatou, Adria-san!"

"You're gonna love it." Adria then got up and puled back some of the covers of the bed. "Hop in."

Noodle did as she was told and went under the covers, making herself as comfortable as she could.

"You ready, Noods?" To this, Noodle smiled and nodded.

"Okay." Adria opened the book and began to read. "T'was the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse."

Noodle listened eagerly as page after page transferred more of the magical stolry into her small skull, trying hard not to fall asleep. She was lucky to hear the last line of the story before falling into a deep slumber. Seeing her young friend away in dream land, Adria picked her up as if she was a small child and carried her to her room. She undid the covers on Noodle's futon and placed her under. Next, she turned and gazed at the tree in the room, the soft light from the multicolored bulbs bringing a smile to her face.

"Good-night, sis," whispered Adria as she tiptoed out of the room, closing the door quietly as to not wake Noodle. She then proceeded to walk back to her room, but a light, almost silent, calm voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Adria, is that you?" the voice asked her.

"2D?"

The figure stepped out of the shadows, the pale moonlight from outside a window falling on the man's spiky cerulean hair. It was 2D.

"Hey, Adria. Did Noods fall asleep after ya read the book?"

"Were you eavesdropping outside the door?"

"Yep. Love that story."

"Same here. And, yes, she did fall asleep."

"Well, she does need a bit o' sleep every now an' then." 2D then let outa shaky sigh and wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. "Can ya come to m' room for a quick minute? I need t' tell ya summink."

Adria nodded. "Sure. But, uh, you okay?"

"Yeah. I was jus' runnin' from Muds. He really wants t'kill me."

"Why?"

"Stole 'is book again."

"That would explain some stuff. Why do you keep stealing his book?"

" 'E keeps writin' the stuff that 'e wants t' do t' me in that book. It's a way t' be one step a'ead o' 'im."

Adria smirked. "Smart. Real smart."

2D smiled cutely. "Well, c'mon. Still need t' talk t' ya."

Adria followed her friend back to his room. What could 2D want to talk about? They both sat on the singer's bed, and Adria prepeared for the news.

"Darlin', I think Muds is gonna try an' be wit' ya."

Adria was pretty shocked, to say the least. She just stared at 2D, her heart beating harshly like it would tear out of her chest in a matter of seconds.

"W-w-what makes you say that?"

2D looked down at his pale hands, which were folded in his lap. "It's pretty obvious. Ya should see the way 'e stares at ya when ya back's turned. That kinda stare isn't the type 'e gives other girls, y'know. I've neva' seen 'im look at any girl like 'e looks at you."

"2D, do you mean that he might be...-"

"In love wit' ya? Exactly. Ya 'it the nail right on the bloody 'ead." He looked up and stared right into Adria's eyes, but she felt as if he was staring right into her soul. "Please, be careful wit' 'im. If 'e 'urt ya, well...I jus' don't wanna lose a friend."

"2D, thank you. I'm friends with everyone here, but I feel like you actually can understand me."

"That's what friends'r for, darlin'."

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

"Knock, knock!" a familiar voice called. he door the burst ipen, an extremely pissed Murdoc standing in the door way. "Look who I found," he sneered, stomping into the room, slamming the door behind him so there wouldn't be many "witnesses" is something happened. He stopped two feet away from the bed and crossed his arms. "Give the book back, face-ache, or I'll jus' pummel ya 'til ya do."

2D reached under his bed and pulled out the thick hardcover book. Throwing it to Murdoc, the Satanist caught t with one hand before it hit him square in the face. He then looked at Adria, who looked angry herself.

"What the fuck are you doin' in 'ere, Garrison?"

"Just talking with a friend. Since when do you need to know?"

"What, I can't ask? Anyway, ya need t' get some sleep."

"Uh, why?"

"Well, for one reason, when ya don't sleep, ya drink a lot of coffee or eat a lot of candy, and I can't stand ya sugar rushes. And, for the second reason, take a look at the bloody clock." He pointed to a small digital clock on 2D's night table, which read 2:51 AM.

"Oh, shit, I need sleep!" Adria then hopped off the bed and walked out the door, waving back at 2D, who smiled and waved back. Murdoc followed her.

"Stop following me, numbnuts," she muttered.

"F.Y.I, love, the carpark is this way."

"Whatever. Can you believe Russ dared you to do that? Now, I really regret not letting him have those candy canes."

"C'mon, Garrison. I doubt it'll be that bad."

Adria scoffed. "Yeah, as long as I stay awake."

Murdoc chuckled sinisterly. "May Satan 'elp ya if ya do."

"Rapist."

Well, thank you all for waiting. I know it's kind of early, but I'm thinking about making a sequel to this story, and I want to know if you guys would like that. So, just say whether or not you'd like to read a sequel, which I am already working on in my little purple marble notebook, and if you say yes, then after this story, a TO BE CONTINUED will really be needed. R&R, por favor!