Vanellope zoomed onto the Sugar Rush track, the world whizzing past her. She could already here the NPC crowds cheering in the stands. Most of the karts were already lined up at the starting line, but there were two empty spaces right in the front row. Just as she was approaching she turned hard and spun into position. A second later, Rancis's kart was parked next to her. The boy's blonde hair was ruffled and his hat was askew.
"Looks like I'm treating you to Tapper's tomorrow night," Rancis said with a smile.
"Oh, you bet," Vanellope smirked. She hopped out of her kart and took off towards where the other racers were waiting for them. "Don't forget your wallet! I'm feelin' extra thirsty!"
President Von Schweets scrambled up the ramp. She beamed when she saw Ralph waiting for her by the microphone. He'd been coming to the Roster Race almost every night. She made a dash towards her oversized friend but was cut off.
"Vanellope! Oh my gosh, we were so worried when you just, like disappeared," Taffyta drawled at her. "I was totally going to come looking for you, but Rancis beat me to it."
"Thanks, Taffyta, it's the thought that counts," Vanellope said. She tried to make her way around Taffyta, but had no such luck.
"Hey, maybe tomorrow we could go over to Mario Kart together. Princess Peach is having a slumber party and everyone's going," Taffyta offered, grabbing Vanellope's arm.
Vanellope jerked her arm away and said, "I'd love to, but I've already got plans for tomorrow. See you later Taffyta!" She ran away as fast as she could.
"President Pusface!" Ralph greeted Vanellope when she finally got there.
"What's up, Captain Crudbreath?" Vanellope grinned. She leapt at her friend and he caught her, pulling her into a hug.
"You've got plans tomorrow?" Ralph asked.
Vanellope nodded excitedly. "I beat Rancis in a race. He has to take me out to Tapper's."
Ralph's eyes widened. "You're going on a date?"
"What?!" Vanellope cried, just as shocked by this as the wrecker was. "No way, it's just Rancis. It was just a bet and he lost." She shoved away from Ralph and dropped back to the ground.
"I dunno, Vanellope," Ralph shrugged. "You two have been spending a lot of time together."
"So what?" Vanellope snapped. "We're friends."
"Alright, President Fartfeathers, whatever you say," Ralph muttered. "Go get this race started."
Vanellope marched up to the microphone. She cleared her throat and tapped on it. The crowds quieted and the racers lined up. Taffyta smiled sweetly at Rancis as he took his place next to her. He waved politely but then turned his eyes up to Vanellope. They grinned at each other.
Vanellope took a deep breath. "Let's get this race started!" she said into the microphone, pumping her fist above her head. She flipped her gold coin into the pot and the jumbotron announced her name. She sauntered to her kart as the names of the other racers were called out.
"You ready to lose, Fluggerbutter?" Vanellope smirked when Rancis climbed into his kart next to her.
"In your dreams, Princess."
oOoOoOoOoOoOo
Vanellope crossed the finish line first to the cheers of the crowd. And Ralph. Always Ralph's voice above everyone else's.
"VANELLOPE! VANELLOPE! VANELLOPE!" the fans cheered.
"GO, PRINCESS PEABRAIN!" Ralph roared.
Vanellope leapt out of her kart and waved proudly. A rainbow kart whizzed past her. Snowanna had come in second.
A brown cart spun in and stopped right next to Vanellope, bringing the smell of peanutbutter with it.
"Man! Not even second today!" Vanellope commented as she pushed her goggles up. "You're losing your game, Rancis."
Rancis rolled his eyes and jumped out to stand next to her. "It was only cause when you glitched in front of me I had to slam on the breaks so I wouldn't hit you."
"What a gentleman," Vanellope scoffed. She elbowed Rancis in the ribs. "Thanks though." She grinned at him.
"Don't mention it," he smiled back.
Vanellope's eyes flickered away and saw Ralph waving her over. "I've got to go," she said.
Rancis watched as she started to walk away. He glanced down at her mismatched tights and suddenly had an idea. He dropped and swung his leg out in front of him, kicking her left leg out from under her.
Vanellope cried out in alarm, but then Rancis had her by the hand and she wasn't falling anymore.
"Careful, there, Nellie," Rancis grinned. "Double stripe breaks."
"What're you-" Vanellope started, but then he nodded towards her legs. She saw what he meant. The left leg of her tights, the one he'd kicked out from under her, was double striped. "Smooth," she smiled at him. "And clever."
Rancis opened his mouth to reply, but was interrupted by someone clearing their throat above them.
Vanellope, still suspended above the ground only by Rancis' hand, tilted her head back as Rancis looked up. "Oh, hey, Ralph," she said.
Ralph glowered down at the pint sized racers.
Rancis blinked nervously and pulled Vanellope to her feet. He released her hand and took a few steps away.
Offering one giant hand to Vanellope, Ralph said, "Let's get going. Felix invited us to dinner."
Vanellope stepped up into Ralph's palm and he lifted her to sit on his shoulder. "See you later Rancis," she said bashfully. "And don't forget, we're going to Tapper's tomorrow. Your treat."
"Yeah, Nellie, my treat," Rancis smiled.
oOoOoOoOoOoOo
Ralph and Vanellope started their journey to Game Central Station in silence. Once they were seated on the train, however, Ralph had to speak up.
"So," he began, leaning back in his seat. "You're sure you and Rancis are just friends, Nellie?"
Vanellope blushed like mad. "Shut up, Stinkbrain."