Sadie's Got Her New Dress On
"Hey best friend," Yolei sweetly fluttered her eyelashes at Izzy.
"You're not talking to me, are you?" Izzy looked confused.
"Who else am I talking to?" Yolei huffed.
"You threw me off with the 'best friend' comment," Izzy crossed his arms. "What do you want?"
"Soooo, I was wondering if you could do me a little favor," Yolei asked.
"Depends. What do you mean by little favor?" Izzy raised his eyebrow.
"I was hoping that you could cover for me next Saturday night? I'm planning to go to the Sadie Hawkins dance!" Yolei said.
"Really? What if I told you that I couldn't work because I already made plans to be at the dance?" Izzy crossed his arms.
"Do you know what a Sadie Hawkins dance is? You're aware that it's the dance where the girl asks her date out, not the other way around, right?" Yolei tilted her head to the side.
"What are you trying to insinuate?" Izzy put his hands on his hips.
"Nothing…I just find it amusing. So you actually have a date?" Yolei grinned.
"Why do you sound so surprised? I'm actually insulted, you know," Izzy raised an eyebrow.
"No, don't be insulted! I just didn't expect it, that's all!" Yolei fibbed.
"Do you have a date to the dance?" Izzy asked.
"Uh…no, but I want one," Yolei fiddled with her hair.
"Okay. How about this, you find a date and I'll take over Saturday so you can go to the dance," Izzy rolled his eyes.
"Really? You would do that for me?" Yolei asked.
"Yeah, but you owe me big time. I'll have to explain it to my date, who probably wouldn't be too happy with me," Izzy pressed his lips together.
"You're the best! I can't believe you'd give up your only chance of being with a girl just so I can go to a dance! You're a saint!" Yolei exclaimed.
"Stop talking before I change my mind," Izzy held up his index finger.
"So who's the unlucky girl you're breaking the bad news to?" Yolei asked.
"I'm going to take back what I said if we keep talking about this. Just leave me alone and find a date," Izzy shooed her away.
"Okay, geez!" Yolei grimaced.
"Kari, will you ask me to the Sadie Hawkins dance?" a boy yelled.
"I don't think that's how it works, pal!" Tai hollered.
"Ugh, this has been going on all day. I thought I would escape it once I got to work, but it only got worse," Kari whined.
"Sounds like you're gonna need some bodyguards! I could take a vacation from my job and watch over you 24/7 until the Sadie Hawkins dance is over! In fact, I can accompany you to the Sadie Hawkins dance so that I can protect you from weirdos!" Davis said.
"Yeesh," TK grimaced.
"Again, I don't think that's how it works," Tai looked less than amused.
"As much as I appreciate it, I'll have to pass on that offer," Kari scrunched up her face.
"I would say nice try, but that really hurt to watch," Matt whispered.
"I can't wait until the Sadie Hawkins is over. You boys get crazy when you're not in control of the situation," Sora crossed her arms.
"I resent that statement," TK snatched her smoothie out of her hand and dumped it in the sink.
"Hey, what's your deal? I paid for that, you brat!" Sora yelled.
"Oh…that's right. Sorry, I'll make you a new one," TK sheepishly said.
"See, this is what I mean. You guys either get out of hand like Kari's suitors, or you get resentful because no one's asked you out yet," Sora gave TK a disapproving look.
"Oops," Izzy purposely knocked Sora's smoothie on the counter.
"Ooh, looks like Sora struck a nerve with someone," Mimi giggled.
"No, but it is rude that you girls assume we care. My manager was a dick because she assumed I didn't have a date to the dance-"
"But you don't, or do you?" Matt asked.
"That's not the point! The point is you assume that some of us are dateless for some reason or another, and it's rude," Izzy crossed his arms.
"He's right. It's not cool, you guys make us feel especially bad. I'm sorry I trip on my own feet when I walk and I wear a fruit turban to work, but give me a break," TK huffed.
"I'm sorry, but I don't feel bad. Now you know how it's like for some of us when it's prom season. No one asks me out," Sora shrugged her shoulders.
"What? Why? You're so pretty and nice!" Mimi gasped.
"Maybe it's cause guys don't like a girl who beats them at arm wrestling," Matt scoffed.
"Maybe cause those kind of guys are wimps! They're not real men anyways," Sora retorted.
"Ahem, let's get to the real issue at hand! The Sadie Hawkins dance is in less than two weeks and we need to strategize!" Mimi rubbed her hands together.
"What do you mean strategize? There's only three people who can invite dates. Maybe five if we include TK and Izzy," Matt snorted.
"Hey!" Izzy and TK yelled.
"Don't worry about me! I'm already spoken for. Besides, I already told my manager if she finds a date, I'll cancel. That way I can leverage for a big favor in the future," Izzy said.
"Damn, that's smart," Tai said in awe.
"But what about your date? Won't she be mad?" Mimi asked.
"Hey dingus, he doesn't really have a date," Matt snorted.
"In fact, I did. I just never got around to breaking the news to her yet," Izzy huffed. "I should get going…"
"Same, I should go in a bit," Tai frowned.
"I'll see you guys later. Maybe…," Izzy stomped off.
"Soooo…do you think he's full of bullshit or is it just me?" Matt turned around to face everyone.
"Nope, I think so too!" Tai nodded.
"Most definitely," Mimi giggled.
"Yep, full-on BS!" Davis laughed.
"I don't know, he's not the kind of guy to lie, like other people I know," Kari frowned.
"I'll have to side with Kari on this one," Sora nodded.
"I don't know you guys…on one hand, it's a very low chance that someone would ask him out, but on the other hand, there's an even lower chance that he would actually lie about something like that," TK tapped his chin.
"We'll get to the bottom of this," Matt hummed.
"Hey sisters," Tai waved to his coworkers.
"Hey sister," a girl with short, wavy blonde hair happily skipped over to him.
"Wow Megumi, you're looking better than ever," Tai looked her up and down.
"Thanks! The Epi-Pen works wonders! And then I did take a bunch of oatmeal baths," the blonde girl sighed in relief.
"So, I hear that people are talking about the Sadie Hawkins dance. Exciting, right?" Tai whistled.
"Yes! I love it when we get school dances because that means we get big traffic and big sales. Let's really push more of our premium items these next couple of days while we have this opportunity," Miki smiled.
"Yep, absolutely…," Tai neatly arranged some eyeshadow palettes. "So girls, did you ask anyone out yet?"
"Not yet. It's really hard to make a decision," Megumi said.
"Oh, why so?" Tai hummed.
"I'm just looking for the perfect guy," Megumi shrugged.
"What's your idea of a perfect guy?" Tai asked.
"I don't know. I guess I'll know when I see him," Megumi sighed.
"I know one thing on my list is that I don't want some stupid dunderhead. I hope my date doesn't disappoint," Miki snorted.
"Oh, so you have a date?" Tai raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah. I'm surprised too, but it's just a dance, not a proposal," Miki said.
"Tell me more about him. Is he an impatient, skinny guy who likes computers, possibly has anger issues? Maybe has red hair?" Tai hinted.
"Oh my god, that is the opposite of a dream guy," Megumi winced.
"Seriously…that's not your type, is it?" Miki grimaced.
"No. I was just curious," Tai sucked his teeth.
"Hey guys, did you know the Sadie Hawkins dance is coming up?" Davis not-so-casually said.
"Really? That sounds like fun! Do you think we'd be able to go?" Barbie Q asked.
"I would assume so, don't you guys go to Odaiba High?" Davis asked.
"No, we go to the Robert A. Theobald Naval Base High School," Suzie Q said.
"So you're military kids?" Davis tapped his chin.
"Yeah. We've both been stationed here for a long time," Barbie Q said.
"So if you guys go to a different school, do you guys have the same dances?" Davis squinted his eyes.
"We do know what a Sadie Hawkins dance is, if that's what you're asking. If you need the night off to go, we'll cover for you," Barbie Q smiled.
"Uh, yeah. Thanks girls! You're so nice!" Davis sheepishly said.
"No problem! Who wouldn't want to ask you out? I bet you had dozens of girls fighting to ask you out!" Suzie Q exclaimed.
"Aww, you guys are too nice!" Davis but his lip.
"Hi, anyone work here?" a girl with green hair hollered. She wore a black hoodie, which she left open to reveal a bikini top.
"Oh hi, how can we help you?" Suzie Q smiled.
"Hmm, can I get some zucchini ribbons please?" the girl asked.
"Sure thing," Davis said.
"And you," the girl motioned Davis over.
"What's up?" Davis nervously smiled.
"Would you like to go to the Sadie Hawkins dance with me?" the girl asked.
"Uh…sure! I'd love to," Davis stuttered.
"Excellent. Here's my number and I'll meet you back here to discuss the details a little further. See you later," the girl winked and walked away.
"I knew it. Girls just come up to you and throw invitations your way," Suzie Q hummed.
"That was just a coincidence," Davis blushed.
"I don't know, I think someone's just being modest," Barbie Q poked him on the cheek.
"She putted up her auburn hair, put on her best perfume, headed for the dance downtown, oh Sadie's got her new dress on. Lord lord, Sadie's got her new dress on…," Matt strummed on his guitar.
"Not bad," Rina smirked.
"Thanks. That stupid song's been getting in my head now, so I figured I should play it, Matt smirked back.
"It's fitting, considering the Sadie Hawkins dance is coming up," Rina winked.
"Yeah, I guess you're right. Have you asked anyone to the dance yet?" Matt leaned on his guitar.
"Yep. He's a younger kid, but he's kinda cute in an adorable way," Rina nibbled on a fried zucchini ribbon.
"Oh, that's cool. You'll have a good time," Matt shrugged.
"What about you? Anyone ask you yet?" Rina haughtily smiled.
"Nah, I'm trying to stay under the radar. I'm not a fan of social events," Matt blushed.
"Here's a hint of advice, I wouldn't play guitar in public if you want to 'stay under the radar'," Rina said in air quotes.
"Thanks for those words of advice," Matt got up from his chair.
"I should get back to my section. No offense, but I don't think I can spend another minute here listening to this twangy stuff, I don't know how you do it," Rina shook her head and walked away.
"I guess I'm just patient when it comes to certain things," Matt muttered to himself.
"Here's another piece of advice, it's not worth the wait, and I'm not talking about the country music," Nokia smiled.
"Huh? How do you always sneak up behind me?" Matt gasped.
"Hey, I'm just letting you know, Rina's not worth your time. She just leads people on because she likes the attention," Nokia smirked.
"That's not true," Matt protested.
"You don't have to believe me, but remember I worked here for a couple of years. I think I know what I'm talking about. Whatever, do what you will, but don't say you weren't warned," Nokia shrugged.
"Hey girlies, guess who got a job at the bookstore?" Mimi strutted over to the table.
"Is it you?" Sora asked.
"Yep, and guess what they have at the bookstore- which is kind of weird by the way," Mimi smirked.
"I'm assuming books," TK raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, it's a different kind of book!" Mimi pursed her lips.
"I don't know. What kind?" Kari asked.
"A yearbook!" Mimi held up a yearbook.
"Yeah. The local bookstore sells them instead of the school, they figure it would be less distracting," Tai shrugged.
"It was a poor attempt, because we still brought them to class and had people sign them," TK said.
"So what's with the yearbook?" Sora asked.
"If Izzy won't tell us who asked him to the dance, maybe we could figure it out for ourselves- if he is telling the truth," Mimi sat down at a table and opened a yearbook.
"I don't know how I feel about that. Something about that seems a bit…mean," Kari frowned.
"I don't like the idea either. Just leave the guy alone. Maybe he didn't tell us for this exact reason," TK put his hands on his hips.
"It's kind of sad that he would feel too shy to tell us. We're his friends," Sora sighed.
"Yeah, so that's why I think we should figure it out for ourselves! If he wants to be stubborn, then we're just gonna have to take matters into our own hands," Matt said.
"What do you have so far, Meems?" Tai said.
"I think it's safe to say that we can eliminate all of last year's senior class," Mimi ripped out a couple of pages from the yearbook.
"Nice call," Matt nodded.
"Now the only problem is because this is last year's yearbook, we have a whole grade of freshman girls that we have to take into consideration too," Mimi tapped her chin.
"And don't forget any new transfer kids like you," Sora pointed out.
"Oh yeah. Well, at least you guys know I'm not one of them," Mimi grabbed a sharpie and marked an X on the back of her hand.
"You can count me out too," Sora followed suit.
"Hey guys, what's up?" Davis approached the table.
"Nothing. We're just trying to figure out Izzy's mysterious date through process of elimination," Tai casually said. "Speaking of, you can cross Miki Kurosaki. She's a senior, but she'll be under the juniors in the yearbook," Tai said.
"Got it," Mimi crossed of her picture.
"And you can cross off Rina Shinomiya too. She's also a senior," Davis said.
"Wait…Rina? As in the Rina who works with me?" Matt clenched his jaw.
"Yeah. She asked me out so I said yes," Davis shrugged.
"You freaking idiot! That's my Rina!" Matt growled.
"Hey, how was I supposed to know that? It's not like she likes you, otherwise she would have asked you out," Davis stupidly said.
"Oooh, bad choice of words," Tai winced.
"You have no idea how pissed I am right now," Matt pounded the table. He popped the lid open to his smoothie and threw it at Davis.
"Matt!" Sora gasped.
"Hey, what the heck?" Davis whined.
*vrooom* *beep beep*
"I'm sorry, but I have to write you a citation for harassment. You can pay at the mall office. We accept cash or card," Joe handed Matt a ticket and rolled away.
"Ugh…fair enough. I should go," Matt grumbled.
"Me too. I need to clean up," Davis grimaced and walked away.
"What can I say? Play stupid games, win stupid prizes," Tai shrugged.
"What's the big deal? Davis is right. If a girl wants to go out with him, let him go with her. She doesn't have to go out with some guy just because he likes her," Kari said.
"You're just saying that because now you don't have to worry about him anymore," TK smirked.
"No, Kari's got a point. A lot of guys feel so entitled to your attention just because they like you, but you shouldn't have to feel obligated to reciprocate anything. If you don't like them, you don't like them," Sora said.
"And that's why you don't have a date to the dance, huh?" Mimi raised an eyebrow.
"As far as I know, neither do you," Sora crossed her arms.
"Well, maybe I do! Tai, would you like to take me to the dance?" Mimi asked.
"Sure, I'm in," Tai shrugged.
"Awesome," Mimi beamed.
"Hey guys, I can't spend much time…what the hell? What's with the yearbook?" Izzy pointed.
"Nothing, nothing at all!" Mimi slumped down at the table, attempting to cover the book.
"Give me that…why does this look like a hit list? You crossed off people's photos everywhere," Izzy flipped through the book.
"No reason…," Mimi nervously smiled.
"This thing looks demolish…," Izzy picked up the ripped pages from the floor. "Wait a second…this is the yearbook from last year!"
"Oh, how funny?" Sora sheepishly ticked her hair behind her ear.
"If I didn't know any better…," Izzy flipped through the yearbook and then grabbed Mimi's hand. "If I didn't know any better, I would have thought you were trying to figure out who asked me to the Sadie Hawkins! Screw you, guys!"
"We told them it was a bad idea!" TK blurted out.
"Way to throw us under the bus, dweeb!" Tai yelled.
"You're a bunch of jerks! I'm not going. Yolei found a date, so it doesn't matter anyways. Nice to see my friends like to make fun of me behind my back. Thanks a lot," Izzy dropped Mimi's hand and stormed off.
"Oooh, I kinda feel bad," Tai winced.
"We did say it probably wasn't the best decision," Kari bit her lip.
"She's right. Not only is Izzy mad, but I don't think Matt's doing too well either," Sora sighed.
"Yeah, maybe we should have listened to you guys," Mimi looked at TK and Kari.
"What's done is done. We'll have to fix it somehow," TK grabbed the yearbook and threw it in the trash.
"But how?" Mimi asked.
"I might know of something, but it's probably best if I do it alone. I think he'll need time to cool off from the rest of you," Kari said.
"Hey Matt, what's up? I just wanted to check up on you," Sora timidly said.
"Nokia was right," Matt angrily crammed CD's into a small slot.
"Hey, maybe you should take a breather. Give me those," Sora took the CDs from Matt's hands.
"Oh Sadie's got her new dress on, lord lord, Sadie's got her new dress on! Her momma's done and said she's old enough to wed, Sadie's got her new dress oooon!"
"Oh my god, can someone change this crap already?! I'm losing my mind!" Matt yelled.
"Everyone has to pay their dues," Rina smirked.
"Is that the girl you like?" Sora whispered. "No offense, but I already feel sorry for Davis."
"You wouldn't get it. Now give me those before you mess them up with your ham hocks for hands," Matt snatched the CDs from Sora.
"Oh, I see how it is. You know, I came here to see how you you were doing, but if you're just going to be a huge jerk, then forget it! Maybe that's why no one asked you to the Sadie Hawkins dance yet! Here!" Sora hurled the CDs at Matt and stomped out of the store.
"Well, I don't know what happened here, but I think we need to do some restructuring," Marcus said.
"Does that mean I'm fired?" Matt gulped.
"Come, let's talk a little more in my office," Marcus motioned Matt over.
"Someone's in trouble," Nokia smirked.
"Hi Izzy, how are you feeling?" Kari bit her lip.
"Really? You're kidding, right? Nothing better than to work at a humiliating store after being humiliated by my friends," Izzy crossed his arms.
"Look, I'm sorry. I hope you can forgive us in time. Here's a stuffed bear for a peace offering. I made him nearly perfect!" Kari held up a teddy bear.
"Nearly perfect? It looks good," Izzy grabbed the bear.
"Thanks! It's virtually impossible to make a perfect bear with the old machines at my store. They're always breaking down," Kari said.
"I don't see any flaws, you did a great job," Izzy said.
"Well…I forgot to put the heart inside. That's how you get the 'magic'. Here," Kari sheepishly pulled a plush heart from her pocket.
"Oh, it has a smiley face on it," Izzy said.
"Yeah, oops. Sorry, your bear isn't special, but I tried," Kari shrugged.
"How about this? Since I know you did your best, I'll take the bear, and I'll just keep the heart in my wallet as a reminder. That way I always have it," Izzy held on to the heart.
"You'd do that for me?" Kari smiled.
"Yeah, if it will make you feel better," Izzy shrugged.
"Aww, thank you! I'd appreciate it soooo much!" Kari hugged him.
"Someone should at least have a good day today," Izzy said as he slipped the fabric heart in his pocket.
What should I wear to the dance? How does a tuxedo sound-"
"NO!" Suzie Q and Barbie Q yelled in unison.
"Huh? You guys act like I said I was going to propose to her," Davis frowned.
"You might as well have! A tuxedo? Seriously?!" Suzie Q slapped a dishcloth against the countertop.
"Are you trying to freak her out?" Barbie Q scoffed.
"No I'm guessing no go on the suit then…," Davis paused.
"Baby, this is just like your normal homecoming dance. You don't have to be so fancy!" Barbie Q gasped.
"So I probably shouldn't reserve a limo either?" Davis asked.
"That's pretty over the top. I'd save all of those ideas for prom," Suzie Q winced.
"I don't know what I'm doing. This is the first time I'm actually going to a dance. I thought they were all the same way," Davis said.
"It's okay! We can help you out! It would be so fun!" Barbie Q exclaimed.
"And with the two of us at your side, we can help you prepare for any things that may come your way…for example, you might want to take a look in the mirror," Suzie Q dragged Davis to the hand wash station.
"Oh my god, is that a zit?!" Davis gasped.
"Yeah…that's bound to happen when you work around grease every day," Barbie Q sighed fornornly.
"Nonononono, I can't have this on my face! What am I going to do?!" Davis panicked.
"Hey, you have us on our side, remember?" Suzie Q grabbed two paper masks and covered Davis's chin and forehead with it.
"No…I really can't have this on my face. I look stupid!" Davis shook his head.
"It's only going to be for a couple of days! You can work in the back, so no one will see you! This is for your own good!" Suzie Q said.
"I guess…oh my god, it's so hot underneath these masks," Davis sighed.
"Oooh, and whatever you do, don't pick at it! It will only make it worse!" Barbie Q piped in.
"Okay," Davis whined. He wasn't thinking about touching his zit, but as soon as Barbie Q said something about it, all he could think about was wanting to claw it off.
"He said what?!" Mimi gasped.
"Yeah! Do they look like ham hocks to you?" Sora held up her hands.
"I think there's a new collection of acrylic nails that we just got in shipment. They might help make your hands look smaller," Tai sipped on a Diet Coke.
"Seriously?" Sora gasped.
"You wanted an honest answer or did you want a nice one?" Tai gave her a look.
"Fine. I guess I'll check them out. Mimi what the hell are you doing?" Sora asked.
"A, B, C, D…I think this is the worst job I've had so far. I have to sort the books in alphabetical order, but they're all over the place! My head hurts from all of it!" Mimi whined.
"Excuse me, do any of you know where to find the Blue's Clues Mystery Series?" a man asked the group.
"I would if people actually put things where they belonged! Just walk around the mystery section, I haven't had a chance to reorganize it yet!" Mimi yelled.
"Okay…never mind, I'll just get it online," the man shook his head and pulled out his phone.
"Meems, anyone ever tell you that you might want to work on your customer service skills?" Tai raised an eyebrow.
"I wouldn't know. I don't really keep a job for long. Anyways, who wants to go dress shopping? I'm bored," Mimi yawned.
"Don't you have to work?" Sora asked.
"Come on Sora, who actually goes to bookstores on purpose, except the people who work here, and people who need a quiet place to take a crap?" Tai huffed.
"Do you poop here?" Mimi gasped.
"Uh…no. But I hear that this is a good place to do so," Tai paused.
"Ew, now I really don't want to be here. Let's go!" Mimi whined.
"We'll leave the store, but I'm heading back to work. See you guys later," Sora said.
"Whatever, suit yourself. Mimi, why don't we go to my store and play with the makeup," Tai said.
"Ooh, that sounds like fun!" Mimi exclaimed.
"You think maybe we should check on Izzy, how he's doing?" Tai asked.
"Why not. It's on the way. I could always pick up something from there too. You think he'll let me use his discount, or would he still be mad?" Mimi asked.
"Uh, Meems…I changed my mind. I-I-I," Tai stammered.
"What?" Mimi huffed.
"T-t-t-that!" Tai pointed at the store
"Oh my gawd!" Mimi's jaw dropped.
"Shut up. Whatever we do, we can't say a word to no one. Got it?" Tai covered Mimi's hand with his mouth and pulled her away.
"Mmhmm…I just gotta say it all starts to make sense now," Mimi nodded.
"No. It's not supposed to make sense. No," Tai wheezed.