(A/N: This one came to me fast! Enjoy!)


We Meet Again

Ch. 16


"Said the King, to the people everywhe-e-ere!" Shenzi sang the Carpenters song as she looked for a good, festive look. "Listen to what I sa-a-ay!"

"Hey sis, you almost done with your personal concert?" Frankie playfully teased from behind the closed door, "We leave in 10 minutes."

"Oh!" Shenzi exclaimed in surprise, "Sorry Frankie, I just can't figure what to wear for the party."

"If you're decent, I can help you find something."

"I'm good; You can come in." With that, Frankie opened the door and entered the room. She was wearing a festive sweater with a snowman on the front, and green sleeves with blue cuffs and a red neckline, a green sequin Santa skirt, red and white striped tights, red and green sequin suspenders, black knee-high canvas boots with green laces, a red velvet jacket with white fur trimming, a Christmas wreath headband, turquoise holiday bell dangle earrings, and knitted reindeer boot cuffs. Surprisingly, her hair was fully down. "Okay, let's see what you've got in the holiday section." She looked through her younger sister's closet. "Hmm... hey, how about you mix it up a little, and use a Nightmare Before Christmas theme? The party is why you bought that hat at Party City, isn't it?"

"Oh yeah," Shenzi giggled, "I guess I forgot."

"I'll let you change," Frankie exited the room, gingerly closing the door behind her. Shenzi changed into a Jack Skellington Moon dress, the hat that Frankie brought up, which was a Santa hat with a Skellington theme, knee-high socks and a choker with Jack's bow tie on each of them, black combat boots with a print of Jack's head on the folding-down flaps, Jack Skellington head earrings, and an orange extension. She looked in her mirror, and smiled at her reflection; It was perfect. "How is it?" Frankie asked her from behind the door.

"It's perfect," Shenzi replied.

The blonde opened the door, and smiled upon seeing her. "Ooh, it is perfect! The orange hair is a very nice touch; Goes with the pumpkins very well."

"Thanks."

After what seemed like forever, they arrived at the school, which was heavily decorated for the party, just like last year. After their parents dropped them off, they headed in the building, carrying treats for the party in their arms and hands. They were greeted by Christmas songs playing in the gym when they entered. After setting their treats on the table, they searched for their friends. They were able to after around a minute of wandering; Shenzi was ecstatic to find Fridge at the party. Chuckie, the Goofs, the DeVilles, and Bobby were wearing the same outfits from last year.

Roxy was wearing a blue reindeer sweater, blue fair isle sneakers from last year, a blue Santa hat with blue snowflakes on the white fur trimming, a ruffled denim skirt, blue cycle shorts, blue and white argyle knee-high socks, snowflake dangle earrings, and a royal blue extension. Kimi was in a Christmas tree costume dress, red and white striped tights that stopped just above her knees with a tiny reindeer nose and antlers, black knee-high canvas boots with green laces like Frankie's, her red velvet Mrs. Clause gloves from last year, Christmas lights dangling earrings, and reindeer antlers hair clips. Her hair was in two ponytails with two bands, one red and one green. Fridge was wearing a long-sleeved shirt with a festive sweater design, dark denim jeans, classic Converse high-tops, and a classic Santa hat.

Shenzi was surprised to see that a boy with short, purplish black hair was in a Nightmare Before Christmas themed outfit like her, but she quickly forgot about it. Coincidences happen all the time, and it was a very popular franchise anyway. But little did she know, he noticed as well; And he had different thoughts. He and a group of his smart, but nerdy friends went to the Halloween party as a carbon atom, since there was 6 of them. He had seen Shenzi in her Alice costume, and he just couldn't take his eyes off of her. And now, they were coincidentally matching! It was no coincidence; It was destiny. He knew it. He saw that she was with all her friends, plus one, but he didn't care; He walked up to her. "Hey," He said to get her attention, "Look, we're matching!"

"Huh?" Shenzi saw his clothes, then looked down at hers. "Oh yeah, we are!" She giggled. That sent butterflies in his chest. "What's your name? I'm Shenzi."

"Tyler," He replied to her question, "That's a... unique name."

"Thanks," She smiled. Chuckie felt... weird again. But not like during the Halloween party. It was a different kind of weird; It almost felt like... jealousy. He wasn't jealous! Right? Nah, he wasn't. They were just friends, and she could talk to whoever she wanted. He didn't control her in any way.

"You want to dance later?" Tyler's question caught Chuckie's attention, "I bet we'd look great together, since we're matching and all."

"Um, o-okay, sure," She hesitantly agreed.

The redhead felt his heart crashing down, and he didn't know why. They were just friends! She could dance with whoever she wants! He didn't want to hold her back! So why was he feeling so down? Did he like her? As in, like-like her? He couldn't be into her like that. She was a beautiful, wonderful girl, but she was his best friend as well; If they dated, what would happen? They'd break up, that's what. And their amazing friendship would be gone for good. He didn't want that to happen. "Chuckie? You okay?" Kimi's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

"What? Oh um, yeah I'm fine. I guess I'm just... a little hungry."

"You're hungry?" Shenzi asked him, "Let's go to the food table." She turned to the black-haired boy. "Catch you later, Tyler!" And with that, the group headed for their destination. She took a cookie from the plate that she and Frankie brought, and held it out to her best friend. "Here, Chuck; Frankie and I made cookies with our parents for the party. This should fill you up. They have vanilla inside of them!"

"Oh really?" Chuckie gently took the cookie from her hand, "Thanks." The cookie she gave him had thick red frosting, and sprinkles that came with the frosting. After he took a bite, he didn't realize that his eyes widened until Shenzi stifled giggles. "That is awesome!" He smiled after swallowing, "You guys did great!" He took a bigger bite, as the rest of the gang looked interested.

"Thanks Chuck," Frankie smiled, "The vanilla filling was my idea."

"Well you're a genius."

"Oh, I don't know about that."

"Don't be so modest, sis," Shenzi said as she took a bite out of a cookie with green frosting and no sprinkles, "They're great!" Soon, the whole gang was trying one each, and all were fans instantly.

Before long, the party was in full swing. Shenzi sang the new Christmas song "Santa Tell Me" by Ariana Grande for the students to dance along to. Frankie recorded her performance with her new phone for their parents to see. After she ran off the stage for Susie to step up, she was praised by all her friends for her performance. She was surprised to learn that Fridge heard her sing last year, and was very impressed that day as well as the present time. After Susie sang "The First Noel", Christmas songs were played on the stereo and speakers instead of live, so the students did their own thing; Dancing to the songs, eating treats from the food table, chatting, or just mingling. Most of the teens were even kissing. "Hey Shenzi?" She whipped around, and saw a smoothly-smiling Tyler behind her. "I believe you owe me a dance?"

"Oh yeah," She giggled sheepishly, "I almost forgot. Come on, let's get to it." Hand-in-hand, the two matching students headed for the dance floor and boogied to "Shake Up Christmas" by Train. At the food table, Chuckie had that weird feeling in his chest again as he watched them. He then came to the conclusion; He was jealous. No doubt about it. Why? Because Shenzi was dancing with a stranger instead of her best friend of over a year! But then again, they danced last year, and at the Halloween party. And they weren't dating. He tried to shake the feeling away, but it wouldn't leave. He turned to the food table, and ate a slice of the cake he and Kimi brought. When he looked back at the dance floor, his eyes widened and his blood boiled when he saw Tyler's hands were on Shenzi's hips as they danced. He was about to do something about it, but it seemed like Shenzi was ahead of him. "Um, I-I'm going to get a snack or something," She gestured to the food table.

"Okay," He shrugged, finally taking his hands off of her.

Feeling slight discomfort, she headed for her destination where she found her best friend. "Hi, Chuckie," She smiled at him. "That cake good?"

"Mm hmm," He nodded with his mouth full, before swallowing. "How was dancing with Tyler?"

"It was okay," She shrugged, "He's pretty... hands-on, though; It's kind of uncomfortable for me." She had her arms around her stomach and hips for emphasis

"Oh. Well, I think the cake will make you feel better. Kimi and I made it with our parents." The cake was white and circular, with green hollies, green festive trees, and red and white presents decorating the top.

"May I have a piece?"

"I'd be sad if you didn't," He smirked.

"Thanks," She giggled, before cutting out a small slice. She grabbed a weapon from the cups, and ate a small spoonful. She moaned and smiled at the wonderful taste. "This is awesome!" She told him after swallowing. "What's inside?"

"They're white chocolate chips," Chuckie explained, "They were Kimi's idea. I had the idea of the hollies. Not much, I know."

"No, no, they're great!" She assured him, "You're both very creative. You guys could open a Christmas bakery together someday."

"If we do, I want you and Frankie with us," Chuckie smiled, "Because your cookies are very good."

"Thanks," She blushed timidly, and before anymore words were said, she heard "Once Upon a December" by Eileen Johnson start playing. "Um, y-you want to dance, Chuck?"

"Sure," He shrugged, "And don't worry, I won't be so handsy with you."

"Thanks." While they were dancing, Chuckie kept his promise, and kept a close, but modest distance. But their fun was going to have a rude interruption.

"Shenzi!" They both jumped, along with a few surrounding students, before they saw Tyler coming up, not looking happy at all. "What're you doing with this nerd?"

"I'm dancing with my best friend."

"What about us?!"

"Excuse me?!" Shenzi exclaimed, "There's no us! There never was! I just danced with you once to be nice!"

"Alright, you little..."

"Hey!" Chuckie cut him off, "This is my best friend you're talking to! And if she says there's nothing between you guys, then there's nothing! Now leave her alone, and go creep on someone else!"

"Fine," Tyler gave in, "There are prettier, less nerdy girls here anyway." And with that, he was gone.

"What a creep," Chuckie rolled his eyes, before he turned to Shenzi and gently took her hand. "Shall we?"

"Sure," She smiled timidly, and they continued. They were slow dancing to the song, in a ballroom style with the other students surrounding them.

At the middle of the song, Chuckie suddenly remembered something very important. "Hey Shen?"

She looked up at him. "Yeah?"

"Happy anniversary," He smiled at her.

"What?" She furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.

"This is the day we first met... ten years ago," Chuckie reminded her, "All the way in New York City."

It took only a second for her to understand. "Oh yeah!" She smiled, "Thanks. And um, ha-happy anniversary to you too, Chuck." She kissed his cheek, and a shy blush grew on his face.

"Shen, you... you look so pretty." Chuckie timidly brushed some strands of black hair from the right side of her face. "Black really is your color."

"Thanks," A blush formed on her cheeks as she smiled shyly.

"Aww, look at them!" Kimi gushed from the food table, "They're so adorable!"

"I'll never understand romance," Dil remarked, "Or whatever this is."

"You will someday, D," Tommy assured him, "It'll come to you."

"Fridge? You okay?" Lil asked the jock when she noticed him staring out into space.

"Huh?" He snapped out of his trance, "Oh um, yeah."

Lil looked in the direction he was staring in, and saw Nicole Boscarelli mingling. She was wearing a white snowman cosplay dress, a red scarf, black elbow-length gloves, white tights, black buckle sneakers that reached her mid-calves, a silver "N" initial necklace, snowman rhinestone earrings, red and green boot cuffs, and a black snowman top hat with a red plaid ribbon, and red holly berries. "Aww, you like Nicole? Why don't you ask her to dance? She looks kind of lonely."

"Well, alright; I'll try." And with that, Fridge walked to Nicole. Lil watched as he asked her to dance, and she accepted, so they headed for the dance floor.

"Huh," Kimi said when she saw them, "I had no idea Fridge was into Nicole." They looked back at Shenzi and Chuckie, and to the girls' ecastacy, their lips were only inches apart.

"Shen?" Chuckie looked down at her, his foreheads leaning on hers. Their arms were on each others' necks and shoulders.

"Yeah?" Shenzi smiled up at him.

"Promise me that other than for Halloween, you won't wear any makeup."

"How come?"

"You're too pretty for it."

She blushed even more, if that was possible. "Oh, I don't know about that. I'm not that attractive."

"Yes you are," Chuckie insisted, "You're... you're the prettiest girl in this whole school." He kissed her blushing cheek.

"Thanks Chuck." He didn't know if it was from the heat of the moment, but she started leaning her head upward with her eyes closed and lips puckered. He started leaning his head down towards hers, his eyes closed and his lips puckered as well. His heart leapt when their lips touched, but the kiss was more like a peck. It barely lasted a second; She pulled away much too soon after going in. And thankfully this time, they didn't get stuck together again. He could imagine the others' reactions if they saw it.

Before any words were exchanged, "Christmas Eve With You" by Glee cast began playing, so the students were slow dancing once again. Shenzi had her arms around Chuckie's neck, as his hands were on her lower back. He had forgotten about his promise to her, but it seemed like she did too. "Hey Chuck?"

"Yeah?"

"You're the greatest friend I've ever had."

Chuckie let a timid smile grow. "Thanks, Shen." Even though she told him this before, it still made him feel shy. "Same to me with you."

"Thanks," She smiled back. After a few seconds, she laid her head on his right shoulder, as his hands went up her back to her elbows.

Their friends were still watching them from the food table. "Aww, they are so sweet together!" Kimi gushed. "Y'know guys, we shouldn't just watch everyone else dance. Let's go!"

"Alright," Tommy shrugged, before he turned to Lil. "Um, Lil? You want to dance?"

"Sure," She smiled, "Let's go." The two went and danced slowly among the other students.

Kimi had a weird feeling in her gut as she watched them. Why? She had no idea. Did she like Tommy? She couldn't; They were just friends. And she didn't want to ruin their frienship. "Kimi?" She turned, and saw Phil looking at her. "How about we dance while we can?"

"Okay," She shrugged. And with that, they started dancing the night away. As they did, Kimi watched Tommy and Lil from her place with Phil. Tommy looked like he was having a wonderful time with the brunette girl. The Asian girl wondered if he'd have the same look if he was dancing with her instead.

"Are you okay, Kimi?" Phil asked her.

"Y-yeah," She nodded, "I guess I'm just a bit tired."

After a while, it was almost time for the party to end so the lights on the dance floor were turned off. For until it was time to go home, the students chatted, ate, kissed, and overall mingled. They had called their parents to head for the school to pick them up. Shenzi and Chuckie were enjoying the vanilla-filled cookies and white chocolate chip filled cake together, while they were oblivious to Kimi smiling at them so widely, she looked like the Chesire Cat and the Joker combined. "I had a lot of fun tonight, Chuckie."

"I did too, Shenzi." He raised his eyebrows after swallowing a last bite from a cookie he ate. "Can you give me the recipe for these? They're awesome."

"Only if you'll give me the recipe for this cake," She offered.

"Okay, I will."

"Then we have a deal," She smiled, and kissed his cheek, very close to his lips.

"C-cool," He smiled and blushed shyly. "I uh, I'm sorry about Tyler."

"Don't be," She assured him, "He should be the sorry one, not you. Besides, you're a much better dancer than him anyway. And a better friend too."

"Thanks," His smile grew, "You deserve better than someone who is that handsy and possessive. At least Fridge respects your boundaries."

"Yeah," She nodded, "And... I'm glad you are too. Speaking of Fridge, I saw him dancing with Nicole earlier. I didn't know he was into her."

"I saw them too," Chuckie said, "And I didn't know either until now."

"They make a pretty good couple."

"Not as good as you guys," Kimi chimed in, startling them. "Oh sorry, I didn't mean to startle you!" She apologized.

"It, it's fine," Shenzi assured her.

"Just give us a warning next time, okay?" Chuckie asked his sister.

"I'll try," She giggled.

Before long, the students gathered outside to wait for their parents to arrive. "Nice night, huh?" Shenzi remarked.

"Yep," Chuckie nodded, "It's not very often we could see the stars."

"Yeah," She agreed. Chuckie smiled when he saw the stars shining in her eyes, or eye, and her hair fluttering in the breeze as she gazed at the sky. Her hat was in her hands. He wished that he could prove to her that she was the most beautiful girl in the whole school. Anytime she put herself down, his heart broke.

"Shen?"

She smiled up at him. "Yeah?"

"You were great tonight, when you were singing," He timidly rubbed the back of his neck.

"Aww thanks," Her smile grew.

"You really have a knack for it." Chuckie leaned down, and kissed her cheek, very close to her lips.

"Thanks," She shyly blushed. Before any more words were said, she saw a familiar car parked. "Oh, my parents are here." She pecked Chuckie's lips. "Bye, Chuckie! Happy anniversary! And merry Christmas!" She and Frankie headed for the car, and were driven home. Soon, everyone else followed.

In her bedroom, Shenzi changed into her pajamas and laid in her bed with a wide smile on her face. She couldn't believe that she kissed Chuckie, on his lips; Again! When she did, that feeling she had the first time had come back. It was the best night of her life.

In another household, Kimi was laying in her bed, wearing her own pajamas as well. But she wasn't smiling; She was confused. Why did she feel uncomfortable watching Tommy dance with Lil? They weren't dating! They weren't even as close as Shenzi and Chuckie were. Was she jealous? Did she like Tommy, in that way? She fell asleep, deciding to worry about it later.


(A/N: Another possible couple comes to light, along with one that's implied! You know the disclaimer. Time flies, doesn't it?)


Trivia

I get into the Christmas spirit at the most random times.

This chapter was written in under a day.

Shenzi and Chuckie's slow dancing during "Christmas Eve With You" is actually Carly and Freddie's dancing from the iCarly episode "iSpeed Date."

Tyler is the boy who yelled "The truth! It hurts! It hurts like nails!" in the AGU episode "Izzy Or Isn't He?" He was also a part of the carbon atom group in "TP+KF."