Group Date.

Hi, everyone! It's Brooke and after a lot of begging, I'm allowed to narrate this story!

Brooke, you aren't supposed to talk to the reader!

But, you do!

In an author's note! I'm the author, that's my job! What would your parents say?

You aren't going to tell them, are you?

Just get on with the story would ya?

You're bossy, geez.

So I've been told. Now, it's storytime!

Right!

…...

Christina was busy in the garden when Shaggy went looking for her. She loved the garden and took the best care of the flowers. Silently, he wondered why he hadn't checked here, to begin with.

"I can feel you watching me," she said without turning to face him.

"Like, I can't help it," he defended himself.

"And why is that?"

"Because-because-"

He really hated it when she put him on the spot like that!

"Relax, cutie," she laughed, standing from her completed work and joining him outside the garden, "I'm just teasing you,"

"I know," he replied with a goofy grin as she kissed him on the cheek, "Like, how about we go inside? Your mom made lunch,"

"Sounds awesome," she nodded.

Alissa stood at the stove when they entered, turning to smile at her daughter who beamed in response.

"Excited for tonight?" she asked.

"Very, but I think Melinda's more excited than the rest of us," Christina laughed, scrolling through the dozens of texts asking her opinion on different things.

"She is aware it's just a coffee date right?" Shaggy asked, peering over Christina's shoulder.

"Yeah but, Melinda's always been over-the-top," Christina nodded before excusing herself to wash up.

Her phone beeped with yet another text when she stepped into the bathroom. Rolling her eyes she fished her phone from her pocket.

WHICH ONE?

In the attached picture Melinda held two dresses both black the only difference being the cut. So, Christina texted back:

Why don't you just wear your skater dress with the cropped jacket instead?

The one with that says wicked on the back?

Yes, It's just a coffee date calm down! I'm not the only one you could ask for advice BTW. Cecelia will be there too! remember?

I know.

So, why not ask her for help?

Because she's asking me for help.

Christina blinked, taking a moment to wash up for lunch as she had intended to do before returning to the table where a nice bowl of tomato soup and a grilled cheese awaited her. Her phone still beeped every few moments. Annoying her so much that she put it on silent.

"Melinda still having problems?" Shaggy questioned.

"Cecelia's texting Melinda for her opinion and Melinda's asking for mine,"

"Seems to me they should just come over so you can get ready together," Alissa commented.

"Good idea, Mom," Christina grinned, texting the duo.

"Naturally, now, finish up and run along to get ready,"

"Yes, Ma'am,"

…...

Melinda and Cecelia arrived shortly after the dishes had been cleaned and put away. The duo found Christina in her room sifting through her closet.

"Ahem," they coughed.

Christina popped out of her closet with a smile.

"Hey, ready for tonight?" she asked teasingly.

"No," Melinda deadpanned, "That's why we're here,"

"We brought outfits," Cecelia added, "And makeup,"

"Then let's get to work!" Christina cried, "We only have two hours!"

…...

They look so amazing!

Brooke...

Sorry, sorry but they do!

I can see that.

And look at how fast they're going!

I see.

And-

BROOKE!

What?"

Narrate.

Yes, ma'am!

…...

"I think we're ready!" Christina declared.

"Are you sure, Christy?" Melinda asked.

"Yes, you look good, M, don't worry,"

The trio of girls crowded around Christina's vanity mirror in their cutest casual wear. Melinda had worn her black skater dress with lace-up boots, minimal makeup. She left her hair down at Christina and Cecelia's insistence, fixing her biker cap at a cute angle.

Cecelia had chosen to wear a reef-printed skirt and a plain black tee shirt. Melinda had done "some of her best work yet" on her makeup as Cecelia's bold makeup contrasted Melinda and Christina but, hey it was what she wanted, completing her outfit of choice was a nice pair of flats and a seashell barrette.

Christina was arguably the most underdressed as she wore jeans and a floral-printed top with a distressed jean jacket and a pair of white tennis shoes.

"Come on girls!" Alissa called, "I want to see!"

"Coming!"

The three paraded out of Christina's room as if they were runaway models earning applause from Alissa.

Christina, of course, turned red because of this.

"So where are the boys?" Melinda questioned.

"Hadrian and Dalton are on their way over, Shaggy's in his room," Alissa explained before calling out, "Shaggy, get out here and tell Christina she looks good!"

"MOM!" Christina cried over Cecelia's and Melinda's snickering, she shot the duo a warning glare.

"What?" Alissa innocently inquired, "It's my job to embarrass you,"

Christina was still blushing beet red when Shaggy stepped out of his room, dressed the same as always but cleaned up. Scooby was behind him, a bowtie in place of his collar.

"Like, you look beautiful, Christina," Shaggy grinned.

"Flatterer," Christina giggled, pressing a kiss to his cheek.

There was a knock at the door.

"They're here!" Cecelia squealed.

"I got the door!" Melinda said.

Dalton's jaw dropped when Melinda opened the door while Ghost made a beeline to Shadow. Laughing a bit Melinda closed her boyfriend's mouth and kissed him before ushering the two inside both dressed as if it were just another day.

"Have fun!" Alissa grinned as the group prepared to leave.

"Wait for me!" Jade cried bursting from Christina's room followed closely by Shadow.

…...

Wait!

What, Brooke?

Since when can Jade talk? Can the other wolves talk too?

Why don't you flashback and find out?

Oh, that's a good idea!

…...

A few days earlier.

Christina was stumped. Jade just hadn't been herself lately and that worried her. The leader of the three wolves spent her time curled in a corner, Scooby watching over her, trying to find out the reason behind this alarming shift in personality to no avail. Jade just wouldn't interact with him, her brother or sister for anything. Not even when Alissa presented her with a steak. She sniffed at it before pushing it away. Having no other ideas Christina called upon the one person she was sure could help.

Ashlynn Ella, the animal expert of Ever After High.

As soon as she arrived Christina pulled her inside, hauling her to where Jade was looking sad as ever.

Christina left the duo alone only to pace the living room until Ashlynn emerged from the bedroom.

"Did you find out what's wrong with her?" she asked.

"Is she sick? Hurt?" Scooby also questioned.

"She wants to talk," Ashlynn replied slowly, "Like Scooby does, they all do,"

"I can help with that," Christina giggled, "Thanks, Ashlynn"

"No problem,"

Christina returned to the bedroom where the three wolves were huddled together side by side. She smiled at them gently, patting them each on the head as she sat beside them.

"I can grant your wish," she told them slowly.

This resulted in being tackled to the ground and showered with slobbery thank yous.

…...

Aww, How sweet!

Brooke.

What?

Can we get back to the story at hand now?

Sure!

…...

"So you aren't coming back to Ever After High next year?" Melinda asked Christina while they waited for the boys to return with the coffee.

"Nope, I'm off to the Academy," Christina replied, keeping an eye on the wolves.

"Where's Shaggy gonna be then?" Celia questioned.

"He'll go with me,"

"Of course,"

"What's that supposed to mean, M?"

"Face it, Christy the boy's like a puppy," Cecelia chuckled.

The trio of girls turned to watch the boys who were still in line, talking and laughing with each other.

"You should see him when she hurts herself," Melinda whispered to Cecelia, "It's like the worlds ending,"

"Does he kiss her boo-boos better too?"

Christina kicked them under the table, "Stop making fun of my boyfriend," she ordered but there was a small smile on her face.

"You know it's true, Christy!" they argued.

"Oh, like Dalton doesn't do the same thing?"

Melinda turned bright red.

"Gotcha!" Christina giggled.

"What's he do?" Cecelia laughed.

"If she gets wet he has a heart attack and checks her for burns,"

"It's just a habit, girls,"

The boys had snuck up on them. They set the tray of coffees down before taking seats next to their girlfriends.

"I get why Scooby and Jade are here but why are Fluffy and Thunder?" Shaggy questioned eyeing the wolves.

"They're keeping an eye on you and Scooby," Cecelia joked only to see Christina nod seriously.

"Wait really?" Hadrian asked.

"Yes." Christina deadpanned.

"Is that why Ghost is staring into my soul over there?" Melinda jested, pointing to where the two cats were curled in the windowsill.

"Nope, that's just them being cats," Dalton chuckled, "You shoulda seen how he stared at the chickens on the farm,"

They laughed at the thought and soon the group of friends were swapping stories.

…...

They're having so much fun.

I can see that.

Don't you wish you could join them?

Don't let your parents hear you say that.

I know, I know, dangerous territory.

Go back to the story, please.

Okay.

…...

Rain had started to pour near the end of the night. Unprepared for such a random summer storm the group stood inside the coffee shop wondering what to do when Christina came to the rescue, conjuring umbrellas for her friends. The boys took said umbrellas holding them solely over their girlfriend's heads despite gentle protests.

"Water doesn't bother me, Hadrian," Cecelia huffed.

"So I can't be a gentleman?" Hadrian retorted holding the bright red umbrella over Cecelia.

"You'll get sick!"

"I don't care,"

Melinda and Dalton were having a similar argument.

"I won't get hurt,"

"I don't want to take that chance,"

"I'll be fine,"

"Still not taking that chance,"

"Is this about the play?"

"Maybe,"

"Ugh,"

despite the minor arguments, the group of friends made it to their homes without incident and the girls got to have their I told you so moments the following week when their boyfriends, Scooby and Ghost included, all came down with colds leaving the girls to be doting caretakers.

But that is another story.

The end.

I seriously love this universe. It just comes so easily! A sequel would be nice just when I'm not so busy and besides, IDK what would happen in a sequel. Big thank you goes to my friend, DRAGONDAVE45 for suggesting this story I hope it turned out now, I gotta address the to-do list looming behind me. Scarier than any monster let me tell ya.