We left shortly after Sym had been tickled to near death and was paranoid of everyone in the bar. Let's see how the night begins to end! ^_^
A little more time passed as even with her guard up, Sym continued to get tickled from time to time until finally she just lay in the middle of the dance floor, "That's it! I'm done! You've all killed me!" She exclaimed punching the air as some of the group gathered around her, a couple poking her which made her jump and squeak. After a few more pokes they helped her up to her feet laughing and patting her back, "You know we just do that because we love you!" One of her friends with purple hair and glasses said happily before hugging her. Sym hugged her back, "I know, I know." She said with a smile before walking off of the dance floor and over to the pool table where the original tickle assault had taken place and wearily took a seat. By this time another pool game had started: Ella and John vs. Abi and Shawn! It was turning into quite the match. Sym smiled as she watched everyone play before a feeling of…what could only be described as dread washed over her. She slowly turned her head to see her mother with a big grin on her face and both of her hands on either side of Sym's chair, poised and ready to tickle at any given moment. For a moment Sym gave a look of plea to her mother, as though begging her not to tickle her. But the plea did not compute as her mother then quickly tickled her making her jump off of the chair and quickly hide behind Stephen. He was at first confused by her actions until he saw Vicki quickly approaching with an evil grin on her face but stopped when she reached them.
There was silence for a moment before he heard Sym say, "Wait, why am I hiding behind the same guy who held me while I was being tickled?" A chuckle came from Stephen, "Because I'm here." He replied with a shrug and a smile. A slightly swaying Sym leaned against him for a moment in thought, "I think it is because I have come to luff you." She said before walking out from behind him and looking up at him with a smile. Stephen looked at her for a moment with his head tilted slightly, "You luff me?" He asked her a little confused. Sym then grinned and nodded, "It means that I have come to love you as a friend." She explained before hugging him. Never one to miss a golden opportunity (unless it would be unwise or mean to take it) and since she had obviously been forgotten by her daughter, Vicki quickly tickled her daughter. Sym squeaked and quickly released Stephen as she was tickled. Vicki then hugged Sym tightly, "I love you, my daughter!" She exclaimed happily. Sym hugged her back with a smile, "Love ya too, Mom." She said before they both released their grip on the other and Vicki disappeared into the crowd once again. A grinning Sym then turned her attention back to Stephen who was chuckling and shaking his head, "Ya know, I think I'm comin' to luff ya too." He said which earned him a big grin and hug from Sym.
As she slowly let him go she dug in her pocket and fished out her phone, holding it to her chest at first and blushing, "Then, could I have your number, my friend?" She asked still blushing as she looked up at him with eyes that could challenge that of a begging puppy. Stephen smiled as he fished out his phone as well, "Only if I can have your number too." Sym's blush got darker as she smiled and nodded, "Never would have thought in a million years that someone like you would want my number." She said gently taking his phone then replacing it with her own. "Ya shouldn't make assumptions about things tha' you don't know." He replied programming his number into her phone and taking note of the anime background wallpaper she had, had set on it. "Learn somethin' new every day, huh?" She replied programming her number into his phone and handing it back to him smiling, "Oh, and I promise that I won't bug you a lot. Just from time to time to see how you're doing."
Stephen smiled handing her phone back to her as well, "I can't promise that I'll always be able to reply. You know how things are." He explained as he rubbed the back of his head. Sym nodded and smiled, "I understand how life can be and how especially busy you can be in your profession. It's ok, as long as we can talk every once in a while." Soon after that sentence left her, she was hugged from behind from an all too happy Abi.
"I'm so proud of you Sym! You asked for a guy's number all on your own!" She exclaimed happily as she bounced around as she hugged her. Sym's blush returned as she smiled at her friend, "It's just as friends. It's not like we're going out or anything." She replied to Abi who stopped bouncing and slowly let go of her, "Well, you still managed to ask for a really hot guy's number! We should get something to celebrate!" She exclaimed happily. Hunter suddenly appeared beside her, "Food and some alcohol!" He declared with a big grin as Shawn appeared beside him, "Buckets full of them both!" He declared with a grin as big as Hunter's, "And if you're not down with that, then we got two words for ya!"
"SUCK IT!" Abi near shouted as she went to Shawn's side with a big grin. Sym crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow at the three of them, "This is all to get me drunk faster, isn't it?" She asked as with the look a mother gives their child when they want them to tell the truth. The three of them looked between one another in shock, "How?...Did you...you told her! Didn't you, Stephen?!" Abi exclaimed pointing a finger at him. Stephen shook his head then looked down to see Sym looking up at him, "So, you knew about this too?" She asked her hands moving to her hips. Stephen then joined the other three across from Sym and slowly nodded. Sym sighed and shook her head, "Honestly kids, thinking you would have to try and hide it. Abi, you should know by now that if you wanna get me drunk then just tell me. While I won't always do it, on a night like tonight, how could I resist a request from some of my idols?!" She explained running her fingers through her hair.
"I know, but I just wanted to be sneaky about it this time!" Abi said happily as she walked over and picked up Sym's rum and coke, "Now drink up while we figure out food!" She ordered before turning back to Hunter and Shawn who were laughing. "Excuse me, who is the hug hoe here?" Sym asked the hand opposite of the one holding her drink planting on her hip. Abi laughed, "I know I am but every once in a while, someone should order you around." She replied with a grin. Sym giggled before sighing, "You got a point there." Then took a drink before noticing Abi and herself being looked at questioningly by the men. Sym laughed and set her drink down, "It's about the hug hoe thing, isn't it?" They all nod as Abi returns to Sym's side, "To put it simply, I found out that my real name, in the Jewish-American crime syndicate is reference to pimp. So, anyone who says my real name instead of my nickname is calling me their pimp. So to have fun with it I call anyone who has said my name my 'hug hoes' because I am a nice pimp." Sym explains with a smile.
"So, we've been calling you by your nickname this whole time?" Phil asks joining the others in looking at Sym questioningly. Sym rubbed the back of her head, giggling and nodding, "Yeah, it's just easier to remember and it's what most people end up calling me anyway." She explained with a grin. "I want to know your real name!" Shawn exclaimed, "I feel a bit betrayed for not knowing your real name little missy!" The others nodded along with his statement. Sym frowned a little and looked at the ground, "I didn't mean to make you guys feel that way. My real name is, Simcha." She replied looking at them. There was a moment of silence, "I can honestly say, I haven't heard that name before." Hunter said thoughtfully and the others nodded. "I don't know of many others with my same name either. I think I've only met one." Sym replied thoughtfully as well, "But you guys can keep calling me Sym, since it's easier."
"I don't know, I kinda like Simcha." Stephen replied as Hunter, Shawn, and Phil nodded, "Yeah, Simcha has a certain ring to it." Hunter agreed looking from Stephen to Sym. "Oh boy." Sym muttered to herself as Abi giggled. "Who was the one who named you Simcha?" Phil asked looking from a giggling Abi to a now rubbing the back of her head Sym. "Why wouldn't you want to be called Simcha?" Shawn asked scratching his head. "That's all four of 'em, Abi." Sym said looking over to Abi with a smile. Abi giggled and nodded, "Time to induct them into the hug hoes." She exclaimed happily before lining up the continuously confused men, "Prepare to become hoes!" She exclaimed happily.
Suddenly Kurt and Mike popped up behind Abi, "What was that about hoes?!" They asked looking around before looking back to Abi. Abi grinned, "These four are about to become more of Simcha's hoes." Sym sighed and groaned, "Abi…" For she could see already what was going to happen and just as she was thinking it, it was said by both of them, "Whose Simcha?" Sym hung her head as she raised her hand. Suddenly April popped up and asked what was going on which then gathered more attention as eventually all of the superstars and divas had eventually said Sym's real name. This lead to everyone going out to the dance floor and Sym on stage asking to borrow a microphone as Seth, Ella, Vicki and their group of friends began giggling, chuckling, and even some laughter knowing what was to come next.
(As a side note to anyone still reading this story, thank you very much for continuing to read. Reviews are always helpful and will help me with future chapters. Again, thank you for reading. I hope you enjoy it enough to continue reading.)