...

Author's Note:

Thanks to hackeline83, I got a new cover for this story. If you want a better look at it, I have a link in my profile named Change Cover. Or you could go to hackeline83's Deviant Art's profile and look for it from there.

Once again, I thank you hackeline83. This chapter is to you.

...

Enjoy :)

...

Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the story idea and any OCs.

...

Chapter 26:
Like One of the Guys

...

Luigi was walking through the halls, not doing anything productive. As he walked, he passed by several Koopas, Goombas, and the occasional shy guys that work there. Some of them wave to him in greeting, while the others just pass by.

After eating all those cookies with Wendy, he started feeling a little bloated. So to lose all the extra pounds, he decided to take a walk around the castle. Since he began his training, he lost a healthy amount of weight and replaced it with some muscle. He didn't want to suddenly fall into a lazy style, especially when he resume training tomorrow.

"There he is," He heard someone said behind him. He turned around and saw Morton, Lemmy, and Larry searching for him.

"Hey plumber, wait up," Larry said as he and Lemmy ran towards him while Morton simply walked.

Luigi paused from his walk as he lets the others catch up to him. "Is something wrong?" he asked them.

"Yeah, something's wrong," said Lemmy.

"We need another player for our tennis game." said Larry.

"O…K?" Luigi said confusingly. "And what do you want me to do about it?"

"We want you to be our fourth player," Morton said once he caught up with them.

Luigi blinked in surprise. They were actually offering him to join them in their game. He had been here for almost six months; this is the first time they ever asked him to participle in anything.

"Normally, we ask one of the others but they're too busy to play." Morton explained. "And since you have the day off, we figure we ask you."

"So what do you say?" said Larry. "You want to play?"

Luigi tilt his head slightly in thought. Okay, so maybe they didn't originally want him to join them; that they just came to him because he was the only one available. But it could have been worse – they could've not asked him. It's the fact that they actually thought of him that counts, regardless of their reasons.

"Sure, I'll play," He replies to them. "I need the exercise anyways."

"Great," Lemmy said. "Now we can get this game started. Come on,"

Luigi followed them to the sports room which was design for many indoor sports such as basketball and track. Once there, they toss Luigi a racket and divided into teams. Lemmy and Larry partner up together leaving Morton to partner with Luigi.

"You do know how to play, right?" Morton asked. Luigi could tell he didn't want to partner with him.

"I do; however, it's been a while since I've last played." He said. "Don't worry, I'll be fine."

"If you say so,"

…

…

Wendy was walking through the castle, moaning slightly as she rubbed her aching belly. She was starting to regret eating so much chocolate cookies. Now she felt all bloated and probably a little sick.

'Ah man…' she thought. 'How can something so good have such bad results?'

She was going back to her room to lay down for a bit. Hopefully her tummy will stop aching after a bit of rest. She was only a few minutes away when a Goomba guard found her and announced she had a visitor waiting for her at the entry. She grumbled in displeasure, however, slowly followed the Goomba to the front entrance. Once she got there, she was surprise to see who it was.

"Pompey," She growled in anger. "What are you doing here?"

"Wendy," the black haired Pom-Pom said evenly. "I'm not here to fight,"

"Really?" Wendy said, crossing her arms. "Then what are you here for? Came to badmouth me instead? Because if so, you'll be spending the rest of your miserable life in the dungeon"

Pompey didn't reply to that. Instead, she did something Wendy had never though she'll do in a hundred years…She bowed.

"Look," She said softly. "I came here to apologize for the way I've been acting. Since we've been kids, we've have always been more than best friends, we were like sisters. But when you started living life to the fullest, I could help but feel jealous and envious of how successful your life was. At some point I even started blaming you for my misfortune which was wrong of me. None of this was your fault and I should have never blamed you have no control over. We've been friends for too long to let something like this break us apart. But I'll completely understand if you don't want me around anymore."

Wendy stood there in complete shock. She knew Pompey since they were small toddlers and she never known her to bow to anyone. The fact that she was actually bowing to her, must really meant she was sincerely apologetic.

"Wow Pompey… knowing you, that must not been easy to say," Wendy said.

"It wasn't," She mumbled. "However, I am willing to make amends…if you will allow me."

Wendy remained silent, debating in her head. Pompey glanced up at her, feeling a bit anxious for her response. After several minutes, she smiled.

"Alright, Pompey, I forgive you."

She sighed and quickly got back up on her feet. "Thanks Wend,"

"No problem,"

The two shared a hug, renewing their best friend bond. Once they parted, Pompey pull out a present she got for Wendy.

"Here you go, I got you something,"

Wendy beamed and quickly took it from her. She grew excited as she started to open it. Once it was she paused when she saw what was inside.

"Hope you like it," Pompey smiled. "I know how much you love chocolate,"

Wendy chuckled nervously as she felt her stomach turned. "Thanks Pompey; I really… uhm, appreciate it."

…

…

Luigi was walking down the hall, humming a light tone. He was tired from his tennis game with the others. Now he was heading back to his room to take a shower and get ready for dinner.

He smirked when he thought back to the game. At first, Larry and Lemmy were overly confident that they were going to win. In fact, they were so confident that they started taunting them.

All teasing were case aside once Luigi got his skills back. From there, things had gotten serious. Even though they still lose, it was only by one lucky shot which Morton had pointed out.

Luigi smiled. During that game, he really felt like he was one of them instead of an outsider forced to live with them. Morton even asked for a rematch the next time he had the day off. That alone made him feels very happy.

He was just walking around a corner when he suddenly collided into someone. He fell back on the ground with that someone falling on top of him. He shook his head to clear the dizziness and check to see if the other was alright.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

There was a slight grunt from that person. She lifted her head up and locked eyes with his. That's when everything froze in place for the both of them.

Luigi caught his breath in his throat as he stare back at those two crystal blue eyes. He couldn't move; it was like he was caught in some sort of trance. He felt heat rising inside him, mostly around his chest.

And he wasn't the only one. Wendy, the person he had bumped into, had developed a massive red blush around her tan yellow face. She couldn't hear anything around her expect for her heart throbbing painfully in her chest.

She swallowed hard and slowly turned her head away. Luigi followed her gaze until he couldn't. Wendy stood up off him and dusted herself off.

"I… uhm," She started, clearing her voice. "I'm sorry I fell on you."

"Uh…?" Luigi blinked out of confusion. Once he realized what she was talking about, he stood up from the ground. "Oh, that's okay. I should have been more careful."

"Okay," she said a bit uneasy. "I'll...see you at dinner."

She turned and started walking down the hall. Luigi just stood there as he watched her go. He place a hand over his chest, or more precise his heart. It was still warm from earlier.

'What was that feeling?'

...

...

Review :)

...