Ch. 4
(P.O.V : None)

"Good morning, students! Just a reminder that the school's Winter Dance will have tickets on sale at lunch today! Tickets will not be sold at the door, so buy them now," a voice boomed from the speakers. Just then, murmurs about the upcoming dance filled the room, on that early Friday morning.

"I am SO going to that dance," one voice shouted.

"My outfit is going to be the best," another one said.

The shouts continued, as Wally leaned over to Kuki. "You going to that dance, Kuki?"

Kuki looked up from her drawing and tapped her pencil on her lip. "I don't think so," she finally decided. "I don't really like dances. I went to a school dance in seventh grade, and I didn't really like it. All I did was stand in the corner," she said, remembering the boring memory.

"Oh," Wally started. "Well, were any of your friends there?" Kuki just looked at him with a half frown. "I wasn't very social then…," she spoke, and trailed off.

"Well, what if we get the guys to go with us? It'll be loads of fun!"

"I don't know…,"

"Come on, Kuki! Please," Wally begged, stretching the last word while attempting a puppy-dog face.

"I'll think about it," Kuki said, redirecting her concentration towards her drawing.

Later that day, everyone met up at lunch. As usual, Nigel had his lunch packed, so he was already eating by the time Wally and Abby had met Hoagie and Kuki in the lunch line. The four friends finally got through the line and bought their lunch; chicken fingers with a juice pouch and milk, when another voice boomed from the speakers. "The Winter Dance tickets are on sale now! Get them for only ten dollars!"

They all sat down and joined Nigel eating. Wally spoke up to ask them about the dance. "So, you guys going?"

"Of course," Hoagie started, explaining his reason. "I love school dances! They're filled with the world's four best things in life; music, friends, dancing, and food!" Kuki giggled at his statement, while the others took their turns answering.

"I'll go, but only because Hoagie is going!" Nigel said.

"Abby'll go. I've got nothing to do, anyways." Then, they all turned to Kuki, awaiting her answer. "I…Um…Okay." The four cheered high-fiving Kuki for going to her first dance in 4 years.

After they seized their cheers, they all ate their food silently. Nigel then had a brilliant idea.

"You guys want to have a party at my house tonight?" Kuki was the first to respond. "What kind of party," she asked excitedly but curiously.

"You know, like a slumber party! We have this giant tree house growing from out house that we could use!"

"Sounds awesome," exclaimed Hoagie.

"Fine by me," Wally added.

"As long as you guys ain't thinkin' of doing anything funny, I'm in," Abby confirmed, adjusting her red hat.

"Why is it that I'm always the last to respond," Kuki said, giggling. "Sure, I'll join you guys."

"Then it's settled!" Nigel chirped. "Everyone meet up at my house tonight. Bring anything you'd like!" The four nodded heads and smiled, as the bell rang to release students from the lunchroom.

Kuki and Wally arrived in Mr. Silvers' room early as usual. Wally leaned over to Kuki.

"Kuki…?"

"What's wrong, Wally?" she asked a little worried.

"You have your driver's license, right?"

"Yeah," Kuki said, laughter consuming her voice. "Why?"

"Well, um... I was wondering… If you could help me get mine," Wally spoke slowly with a hint of questioning in his tone. His driving skills were great, but when it came to the written test, that's where he flunked.

"Sure! When?"

"Well, I was sort of hoping today…Just with the studying and memorizing. It's all so confusing!"

"Don't worry, Wally! If you study the right way, you could get it before we go to Nigel's tonight," Kuki said, but then paused. "It won't do you any good without a car though,"

"Already taken care of," Wally said, dangling a pair of keys before her eyes.

"You have a car already?" Kuki asked, surprised.

"Well, yeah. My parents said I would have to get my own, so I saved up and bought this one from my uncle. I'm just not allowed to drive it until I get my license."

"Wow, that's awesome! You could be driving by tonight, Wally!" Kuki exclaimed happily. The thought of Wally driving without a parent made him smile. He would finally be able to be free! He squirmed in his seat wanting the day to end as soon as possible.

The bell rang, and Kuki immediately took Wally to her bus. They walked home from the bus stop and entered Kuki's small yet elegant house. "Nice place ya got here," Wally said, looking around, as they walked into the living room.

"Thanks! I forgot you've never been here before,' Kuki replied, giggling. She browsed the bookshelf for her old driver's license test booklet, but failed to find it.

"Wally, would you mind sitting here while I check upstairs for the book?" Kuki asked.

"Sure," Wally replied, smiling, as Kuki ran up the stairs swiftly. Just then, Wally saw a purple figure out of the corner of his eye. He turned around and there was Mushi, examining him.

"Err… Hello there," Wally called out.

"So, you must be that hot guy Kuki keeps yammering on about?" Mushi replied, sounding a bit devious. 'Does Kuki actually think I'm hot?' Wally thought to himself, as he responded casually. "Sure…You must be," he started, as he continued in a quieter voice, "Who did Kuki say she was-"

"-Mushi; and don't you forget it," she replied.

"I'll try not to," Wally said, turning back around and rolling his eyes. By this time, Kuki had returned with the book and laid it on the table.

"I'm back!" Kuki exclaimed with a wide grin on her face.

"Obviously," Wally replied, returning the grin.

"Don't make out too much while I'm gone," Mushi yelled wickedly, as se left the room to enter another. Kuki just rolled her eyes.

"Don't mind her. She's just jealous her crush won't like her."

"Kids," Wally said, chuckling.

"Okay, the key to memorizing things come in three easy steps," Kuki began, as she helped her friend study.

Two hours had passed since they first began studying, and they were just now wrapping it up.

"So, Wally, you think you're ready?" Wally hesitated for a minute, but then nodded. "I'm ready."

They both waiting for Kuki's parents to return home from work, which was roughly ten minutes later.

"Hi Mom," Kuki greeted her mother happily.

"Hello, Kuki!"

"Mom, Dad, this is my friend Wally. I invited him over to help him study to get his driver's license!"

"Hello, Mrs. Sanban. Nice to meet you," Wally said, as her stood up and shook her hand. Mr. Sanban just glared at Wally, being protective over his eldest daughter.

"I am going to drive him over to take his test, okay Mom?" Kuki said, asking permission. Her mom tossed her the keys, and Kuki grinned at Wally.

As they were almost out of the door, Kuki remembered something.

"Oh! Mother, may I sleep over at a friend's house tonight?"

Kuki and her mother discussed everything, and Kuki ran out the door ready to go. "I'm good to go!" Kuki said as she pulled out of the driveway.

As they arrived at the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles,) Kuki noticed Wally was a little nervous. "You're going to do great, Wally! Don't worry!" Wally smiled at her as they both got out and entered the building. "I'll be waiting here as you take your test," Kuki informed him, as she pulled out the sketchpad she brought along with her.

About an hour later, Wally trudged out of the back room with a depressing look on his face. Kuki looked up at him with despair in her eyes. Even though she knew he had failed, she still asked him how everything went.

"How did everything go?"

Wally shoved his hands in his pockets and looked down to the ground. "I didn't get to brush my hair first," Wally exclaimed, as he flashed a smile and his new driver's license out.

"Wally, I'm so proud of you!" Kuki yelled, as she threw her arms around him. They ran out to Mrs. Sanban's car as fast as they could and Kuki drove Wally to his house to show his parents. Kuki's eyes gleamed at the sight of the entire household smiling and hugging Wally.

"Well, ol'son! You know what happens now," Wally's dad exclaimed.

"I get to drive my car?" Wally asked excitedly.

"Go on ahead!" his dad said, as Kuki and Wally ran out the door. They had a party to get to.