Chapter 64: Shucksmas

A few days later, Ko and Enid were getting the store ready to open. The doors opened and they saw Rad and Nebula walk in. "What's with the matching outfits lately?" Enid asked as she noticed that Rad and Nebula were both in black sweaters with red and green details."My folks thought it would be cute if we wore matching outfits" Rad said embarrassed. Nebula went behind Rad and lightly tugged at his coat, Rad silently slipped off his coat and he went over to Enid to help her clean the counter as Nebula walked away to put their coats away. "Hey Nebula, check out these new POW cards I got" Ko said as he followed her.

"Your parents are sure going all out when it comes to you and Nebula" Enid commented. "I know… I love them and all but it's kinda beginning to be too much" Rad said as he leaned against the counter. "Then why don't you say something?" Enid asked. "Because…" he started as he glanced over to Nebula who was kneeling on the floor as Ko showed her his new POW cards. "It makes her happy" he said as he started to blush. "Anyway, I'm gonna go get the stuff for the displays" he said. He then walked into the back.

"Hey Nebula, what do you want for Shucksmas?" Ko asked. "Well... This is gonna sound really cheesy but I've always wanted to walk through the park hand in hand with Rad as it snows" she explained as she rubbed the back of her neck. "How about you little guy?" she asked. Ko then began to tell her about the latest toy that he had his eye on. After Enid got the counter clean, she walked over to Rad and handed him an item from the box near him. "How's the you know what coming along?" she asked. "It's finished. I'm trying to find the perfect wrapping paper for it" Rad said as he finished the display. The doors opened again and Mr. Gar walked in. "Is everyone ready to open?" he asked. They all nodded and he unlocked the doors.

Customers came and went as usual and Rad's jock friends Bell Beefer and Mega Football Baby walked in. "Dudes!" Rad greeted happily as they all high-fived. "This must be the infamous 'Rad Squad' that you've told me about" Nebula said as she came over with a box. "Babe, it's 'The Rad Squad' I told you that!"Rad whined. Nebula let out a laugh and he then cleared his throat. "A-anyway, guys, this is my girlfriend, Nebula. Babe, this is Bell Beefer and Mega Football Baby. I've known these guys ever since middle school" he said. "Nice to meet you" Nebula greeted.

"Anyway, what's with the box?" Rad asked. "Macho Mike Munchy Bites?" Rad questioned as he read what was on the smaller boxes. "Would you mind putting them on the display in Isle Nine while I get started on doing inventory and restocking the back?" Nebula asked. "Sure" Rad responded and she handed him the box. "Thanks honey~ You're the greatest! Love you~" she said. She then kissed his cheek and Rad's friends struggled to contain their laughter. "Love you too" he replied in slight embarrassment. She then walked away and Rad's friends began to laugh. "W-What's so funny?" Rad asked still embarrassed. "Dude, you are whipped" Mega Baby said. "I am not!" Rad argued. "Oh and when you're done, can you please help me with unloading the newest shipments?" Nebula called from the doorway of the back room. "Sure" Rad called back. "Awesome! Thanks honey!" she called back. She then disappeared into the back. Bell Beefer then made a whipping motion as Mega Baby made a sound that imitated the one a whip makes. "Guys!" Rad whined as his friends laughed.

After work, Nebula arrived at Cafe and it wasn't long before Carla showed up. The girls greeted each other and ordered their hot drinks. While Nebula waited for the drinks, Carla got them a table. Once Barista Pup handed her the drinks and Nebula paid for them. She then joined Carla and handed her a cup. "How come you never get coffee?" Carla asked curiously. "Apparently coffee makes me hyper" Nebula responded casually. She then took a sip of her drink. "So, what did you order?" Carla asked. "It's called Masala chai. It's black tea with spices and herbs. I got mine with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a dash of pumpkin spice" Nebula responded. The girls began to chat about their work and lives.

"I thought that you and Rad were going to go on a date" Carla said. "Oh we were" Nebula responded. "Then what happened?" Carla asked as Nebula sipped her drink. "Oh you know… His friends spotted him when we were at work and they wanted him to go to the arcade with them. They challenged him to various games so of course Rad agreed" she responded casually. "But you guys were supposed to go on a date!" Carla argued. "I know. Girl chill. I just think that Rad and I have been going out together a lot lately. It's nice to branch out and spend time with our own friends" Nebula responded. "Did you get all your Shucksmas shopping done?" Nebula asked. "Yup! Did you?" Carla asked. Nebula nodded and sipped her drink. "Are you going to the party?" Carla asked as she motioned to a poster on the wall that was advertising the plaza's annual Shucksmas party. Nebula shrugged and Carla gasped. "Why? You have to go" she said. She then began to tell her about all of the activities that would be at the party. "Okay okay, I'll go" Nebula said. Carla jumped up in cheer and hugged her friend. "Is Rad going?" Carla asked. Nebula shrugged and pulled out her phone. Carla heard the familiar sound of a text being sent and then received. Nebula gave her a thumbs up and Carla squealed in delight.

The following day, Rad walked in to start his shift. He immediately spotted Nebula putting some items in a shelf and swaying her hips as if she were dancing while she hummed a song he could faintly recall. He walked towards her and he saw her tuck a strand of hair behind her ear as she softly sung. The closer he got, the more he could hear music coming from her pocket. He grabbed an item from the box nearby and placed it on the shelf. "Oh! Hi Raddy" she greeted happily. She then paused the music and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Hey Nebs. So um... Are you mad about yesterday?" He asked. "No why?" she asked. She then saw the look of uncertainty on his face. "Honey. It's good to spend time with your friends. To be honest, I thought that I was keeping you from them. We've been spending a lot of time together lately and don't get me wrong, I love it and you, but I'm kinda afraid that you'll get tired of me" She said as she continued to stock the shelf with Rad. "Babe. I would never get tired of you"Rad said sweetly as he helped her. "Awh~ You're so sweet" she cooed as they finished stocking the shelf. Nebula reached down and grabbed the box. "Are you still going to the party tonight?" she asked. "Of course!" Rad responded. "Cool! I'll see ya then " she said happily as she walked off.

The day passed and Ko, Enid, Nebula, and Rad were finishing up closing the store before they went to the plaza's party. Nebula was in the back doing one last inventory check and Rad took out a blue knitted scarf. "That looks nice Rad" he heard Enid say. "Thanks. I was just making sure that it looks perfect before I wrap it up" he said. He then heard Nebula's footsteps and he quickly hid the scarf. His eyes widened when he saw her in a matching mauve coat with grey fluffy trim on the sleeves, top, and bottom just like his. She also had mauve boots with silver snaps and a trim that matched the jacket. She also had a holly hair decoration in her hair.

"Wow babe, you look… wow" he said breathlessly. "Thanks. You don't look too bad yourself" she said as she started to blush. "Ready to go to the party guys?" Nebula asked. Everyone nodded and piled into Rad's van. "Hey Nebula, how come you always get the front seat?" Ko asked. "Simple. This is his van, he is driving, and I'm his girlfriend" Nebula responded as she sent a text. "Right baby?" Nebula cooed. Rad pushed a button and his van went into hover mode. Once Rad parked, everyone got out and Nebula spotted Carla. "Be right back" she said and she went over to her. "I can't thank you enough for holding onto this. I didn't want Rad finding out what I got him" Nebula said as Carla handed her a package. "I'm gonna go put this with the rest of my gifts" she said. She and Carla bade each other farewell.

Soon it became the time for everyone to exchange their gifts. "Dude, she's gonna love it" Enid consoled. Nebula, Carla, Bell Beefer, Mega Football Baby, Carol, Mr. Gar, and Ko joined them and handed their gifts out. "Here you go Raddie. I hope you like it" Nebula said as she handed him his gift. He opened it and the package expanded. "Woah! Is this the Deluxe Turbo Booster with Hyper Jets that I've been trying to find?" Rad asked. "That's what it said on the box" Nebula replied. "Babe, I love it! Thank you" he said happily as he embraced her. "You're welcome" she said as he pulled away. Rad reached for his gift for Nebula and he paused.

"What will the guys think when I give this to her? Oh man, they'll probably think that I've gone soft! I just know that they'll insult me!" he thought. He quickly grabbed the bow and put it on his head. "Here you go babe. This year your gift is me" he said pridefully. He was surprised to see her smile and kiss his cheek. "I hope it's not returnable" she said sweetly. He then began to laugh nervously as he secretly levitated her real gift behind to his back. He then noticed Enid looking at him with disappointment as she shook her head.

Rad began to feel bad that Nebula gave him an amazing gift and all he did was put a bow in his head. "Why is she so happy having me as her gift?" He thought. He then clenched his fists and cleared his throat to get everyone's attention. "A-actually… This is your gift" he said as he handed her the box. After she read the card, she opened the box and pulled out a beautiful knitted blue scarf. "Did you make this?" Nebula asked in awe. Rad nodded and Nebula tackled him to the ground in a hug. "I love it! Thank you!" she said happily before she peppered his face with kisses.

His jock friends began to laugh and Nebula glared at them. They immediately went silent under her cold glare. "You don't think I'm soft?" he asked meekly. She shook her head and got off of him. "You're not soft. It takes a true man to admit his insecurities and feelings and I think that it was extremely sweet of you to make me something. I wish I knew how to sew or knit so I could have made you something" she said. "I really don't deserve you" he half-joked in response. As the two shared a kiss, one of his friends made a comment about how he had gone soft. Nebula pulled away from the kiss and glared at him. "Yeah but out of you three, which if you has a girlfriend?" She asked smugly.

As the party continued on, Nebula found a huskeltoe and she immediately searched for Rad. "Oh Rad~" Nebula called as she found him. He looked at her and she held up the item with a smirk. Nebula then saw some couples playing what they called 'The Pocky Game' and she was quick to get a piece of pocky and go back to Rad. Once she found him, she took a deep breath to calm her excitement. She then slowly approached him with one end of the pocky in her mouth. She then closed her eyes and quickly opened them when she heard Rad's boots in the snow as he moved closer to her and kiss her. They both closed their eyes and enjoyed a loving kiss.

"Merry Shucksmas Rad" Nebula said softly. Rad smiled and he leaned his forehead against hers.

"Merry Shucksmas Nebula"

**Huskeltoe (Husk-L-toe) aka Mistletoe