(A/N: Sorry I took so long to update! Blame writer's block. Again.)


We Meet Again

Ch. 3


A few weeks passed by very quickly, and the two groups of preteens turned into one were as tight as they were all those years ago. And Maxie was right about one thing that he said on the first day: Matt received a new best friend in Dil. They bonded over their never-ending creativity, and most importantly, their obsession with aliens. Shenzi got over the anxiety that she suffered during the first few days, with Chuckie playing a big part. Thanks to him, she actually looked forward to the start of every school day, and they hung out on the weekends with their friends, whether it was at the mall, one of their houses, or at the movies. The group had grown to twice its former size ever since that fateful day, and they were all very happy with it.

There was one thing that almost all of them enjoyed doing: Teasing Shenzi and Chuckie. Frankie and Kimi especially enjoyed it. The group of friends had a strong belief that the boy-girl duo were meant to be together. That their meeting on the first day was fate. They just saw a definite spark between them. Shenzi and Chuckie denied all their claims, but were answered with insisting, to their annoyance. Even their history teacher believed their theories. He and the kids called them "Sheckie", effectively embarrassing them.

During study hall, they finally escaped outside; They were hesitant to ditch one of their classes, wanting a clean record, but their friends were smothering them with the "Sheckie" theories and whatnot, so they decided that one time wouldn't hurt. When they flopped on the chairs, Shenzi let out a loud exhale, as if she was holding her breath in a closed area of toxic fumes. "I'm glad we escaped them," She remarked.

"Me too," Chuckie agreed, "I mean, they're great friends and all, but why can't they just leave us alone? Even the teachers are getting mixed up in this "Sheckie" stuff."

"Yep," She nodded. "Um, I-I was wondering; Do you want to hang out this Saturday? Just the two of us? So we won't be pestered the whole time."

"That sounds nice," He smiled, "Um, how about the arcade? You like arcades?"

"Well, to be honest, I've never been in one." Chuckie almost choked on his water when he heard her words.

"You've never been in an arcade before?" He couldn't hold back the shocked tone, no matter how much he tried to hold it back, "Like, ever?"

"No," She shook her head, "I guess I just never noticed them in the mall or anywhere. I usually hang out in the shops, or the food court, basically."

"O-oh," Chuckie stuttered, before he smirked. "Well, you see an arcade is this place where..." He started to playfully tease her.

"I know what an arcade is!" She giggled, cutting him off, "You dope."

"I know, I was just joking," He chuckled, "So, you willing to go to your first arcade on Saturday?"

"S-sure," She nodded, "It sounds fun."

After discussing the time for their plans, they stood up on the ground. "Well, I think study hall is over by now," Chuckie pointed out, looking at his watch. "We should get back in there before we're late for our next class."

"Good idea," She agreed, and the two walked in the building together.


Saturday came fast for the emo girl; She was going to her first arcade, with Chuckie Finster. She could hardly wait, but she was nervous too. Why? She didn't know. Over the weeks, since her first day at the school, she had this warm and fuzzy feeling in her chest when around him, even when she was in uncomfortable situations. Overall, she seemed to feel better when he was around.

"Shenzi, you okay?" Frankie's voice startled her out of her thoughts. "You seem nervous. And excited at the same time."

"I, I'm fine," Shenzi adjusted her glasses as she set her cheeseburger down on the table. "It's just that... I'm hanging out with Chuckie later today, and I'm feeling a bit excited."

"Ooh, you're hanging out with Chuckie?" Frankie teased cheekily.

"Frankie, please," Shenzi rolled her eyes, "I'm nervous too."

"S-sorry," The blonde apologized, "Where are you guys going?"

"To the arcade in the mall."

"Oh, that sounds nice. Low lighting, privacy in certain games, sitting super close to each other..." Shenzi face palmed in embarrassment, "Him winning a huge prize for you..."

"Frankie, please. We're only 11; Not even teenagers yet. We're just hanging out as friends."

"Right, right, sorry," She apologized, "I just couldn't help myself. So, what're you going to wear?"

"I'm not sure yet," Shenzi shrugged, "But it has to be perfect. And casual."

"Mom, Dad, and I can help you with that."

"Alright, thanks," The black-haired girl nodded, "Oh, and by the way; The prize thing is only at carnivals."

"You never know."


"Oh, I can't believe it!" Felicia gushed with joy, "Shenzi's making new friends! And one's a boy!"

"Mom," Shenzi groaned in embarrassment; She was as bad as Frankie, if not worse. "Frankie and I have more than one new guy friend. We have four more. And we're hanging out as just friends at the arcade in the mall."

"She can't figure out what to wear for it, so I thought that we all could help her out," Frankie explained.

"We can do that," Felicia nodded, before she turned to her husband as Shenzi walked in her bedroom to put together her first try. "Just don't be so protective of her based on her choices, okay? She's growing up. Both of our girls are; We won't be able to shelter them much longer."

"I-I know," Friar Tuck stuttered out. He just couldn't accept the fact that his baby girl just wasn't a baby anymore. It felt like it was only yesterday when she, Frankie, and their friends had gone missing in Manhattan. He was scared of the concept of her going places without him and Felicia; Who's to say that she'd go missing again? Or worse?

"Too much?" Shenzi's voice snapped them all out of their thoughts. She was in black skull shorts, cherrypop sandals with a slight wedge, a cherry belt, a black cropped peplum camisole, a red extension in her bangs, and black bow front-and-back earrings.

"Nah," Frankie shrugged.

"Well..." Felicia drew out.

"Yes," Friar Tuck's answer was firm.

"I'll try something else," Shenzi decided before she awkwardly walked back in her room. She later came back out, wearing blush floral skinny jeans, a black Wanna Go Out gamer t-shirt, light blue flats with black bows, a pastel pink headbow in her hair, diamond halo stud earrings, and a polar blue extension. "How about this?"

"Mm, maybe," Felicia replied.

"That works," Friar Tuck shrugged.

"Come on," Frankie scoffed.

Shenzi awkwardly walked back in her room the second time in those few minutes, and looked long and hard for the perfect outfit. She finally settled on a black chain tutu skirt, black and pink horizontally-striped tights, black boots with pink laces, a black short-sleeved top that stopped a couple or three inches above her waist, a large black and pink striped bow tie necklace, a pink extension, black rose earrings, and a black corset hoodie with pink laces, zipped around 1/4th upward. "Is this good? I'm getting a bit exhausted from looking."

"Yes!" Frankie and Felicia gave her a thumbs-up.

"Well, that skirt seems kind of short..." Friar Tuck started, but was cut off.

"Honey, it's fine," Felicia giggled, "She's wearing tights; No one's going to see her underwear." She then turned to Shenzi. "Is Chuckie's father picking you up?"

"Yeah," Shenzi nodded, "I just have to go out there and wait for them." After grabbing her crossbody handbag, which matched her backpack, and stashing something secret in it, she walked out on the front porch, and waited patiently. She also had grabbed her medical bag, containing her allergy medicine and asthma inhaler. The latter wasn't for asthma, though; Long story. She gazed at her surroundings as she waited for her ride; She and her friends and family lived in a nice part of the suburbs just outside the city.

Soon, Chuckie entered her mind once again. Why did she feel so comfortable around him, and uncomfortable at the same time? Why did she feel so warm inside when they'd touch, intentionally or not? Most importantly, why did she always have this strong desire to be around him, alone? Her head snapped up when she heard and saw a car drive up. After deciding to put her alien feelings aside, and telling her family that her ride had arrived, she grabbed her bag and dashed down the sidewalk. Through the window, she saw Chuckie reach over and open the side door for her. "Go ahead, Shen." With a timid "thanks", she sat in the seat, closed the door, and buckled herself in with her bag on her lap. "Hey," He smiled at her as Chaz started driving.

That sent butterflies in her stomach. "H-hi," She smiled back.

"That's a nice outfit."

"Thanks," Her smile grew.

"It looks like something that my sister would wear."

"Kimi?"

"Yeah," Chuckie nodded.

When no words were exchanged, Shenzi turned to the driver. "So, you're Mr. Finster?" She awkwardly said, not knowing what to start with. "It's nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too," Chaz smiled at her through the rearview mirror, "Chuckie told me a bit about you. And please, call me Chaz; It's the least I can do for my future daughter-in-law."

"Dad!" Chuckie exclaimed in embarrassment, "She's not my girlfriend! We're just friends! And we're not even 12!"

"It's okay, Chuck," Shenzi giggled, "My parents and sister are the same way."

After a few minutes of chatting, they arrived at the Big Mall. "Okay, here's your stop, you two," Chaz announced as Shenzi and Chuckie unbuckled themselves and opened their doors. "Have fun, and don't do anything drastic," He teased them, "It's a little early for that."

"Dad!" Chuckie groaned, before he calmed down. "I'll call you when we're done here."

"And we'll have fun," Shenzi chimed in. Chuckie led her through the entrance as Chaz drove away, and she stared in awe. She did so every time she and her friends went to it. The mall that she went to before was like a single store compared to this one; It had two floors! And escalators!

"Close your mouth, Shen," Chuckie smirked, as he gently pushed her lower jaw up, "You'll catch flies."

"S-sorry," She giggled timidly, pushing her glasses up, "So, where's the arcade at?"

"It's o... ver..." Chuckie was cut off by Shenzi's growling stomach. "Let's hit the food court first."

"Good idea," She nodded. As they ate taco kits from Chipotle, Shenzi told Chuckie about her old school, and he told her about Jim Jr. High, so she knew more about it than she already did. They also shared their discomfort of how the employee mistook them for a couple.

After they were done, Chuckie led Shenzi to the arcade. "Well, here we are," He announced, "What should we do first?" The two friends had a wonderful time; They played Alien Invader, took turns on the Reptar Boxing game, competed in Mario Kart, crawled around in the kiddie area despite almost completely outgrowing it, earned tickets for every game they played, and exchanged them for fun prizes. Shenzi didn't know how it worked, so Chuckie said that it was like shopping, so she caught on fast. They played foosball and air hockey after that. Before they knew it, it was time to bring Shenzi home.

After Chuckie called his dad to come get them, he and his companion waited outside the entrance. "So, you liked the arcade?" He asked her.

"Uh huh!" She nodded with a big smile, with her mini Skelanimals plush elephant and skull stress toy in her hands, "It was fun! I want to come back someday."

"Well you can if you want to," Chuckie smiled back, holding his red ninja stress toy and blue and yellow two-tone bouncy ball in his hands. He also picked out a shamrock stress toy for Kimi. "I'd happy to take you back, whether it's just the two of us again or with our friends."

"That'd be great," She smiled timidly, "Thanks." Without thinking, she leaned forward and embraced the redhead, effectively surprising him. When she came to her senses, she quickly pulled back. "S-sorry!" She hastily apologized, "I, I uh..."

"It's okay," He assured her. After a few seconds of awkward silence, a familiar car drove up. "Oh, Dad's here." Hand-in-hand, he and Shenzi stood up, and entered the vehicle. On the way to the Tuck residence, the two friends told Chaz about their day. He was surprised to hear that it was Shenzi's first time in an arcade, but liked that she enjoyed it, and wanted to go again. Soon enough, they arrived at their destination. After sharing a not one-sided embrace with Chuckie and saying thanks to Chaz, Shenzi exited the car and entered her home. After her family greeted her, she told them about her exciting day, and showed off her prizes like they were Olympic medals. And once again, Frankie teased her about "Sheckie" again, getting on her nerves.

That night, Shenzi changed into a pair of purple sleep shorts and a white camisole, which bared some of her lower belly, with black stars on it. She set her elephant on her bed with her other plushes. They consisted of a light purple sugar skull, Vexy from The Smurfs 2, Bouquet The Skunk, Hello Kitty with a mustache, a Halloween Tsum Tsum of Goofy in a bat costume, Jiji the cat from Kiki's Delivery Service, a purple giraffe, and a zebra-striped labbit with a brown mustache. But her most important item out of all of them sat on her dresser: Kitty, the plush cat, from her first mother, that she saw as sacred. She set her stress toy next to it, before she brushed her teeth and turned in for the night.

She felt like she was forgetting something, but brushed it off.


(A/N: Shenzi and Chuckie's prizes, except the Skelanimals plush, are from Oriental Trading. ;) You know the disclaimer. By the way, the scene where Shenzi is trying different outfits was inspired by a similar scene in an episode of The Big Bang Theory.)