Hello my lovelies. Sorry, I know long time no update. First off, I want to say thank you for all of the reviews, its truly amazing and I'm touched by how much you guys enjoy this story. Secondly, I'm feeling close to being done with this story, which will also include a nice epilogue. Also, I was hoping perhaps that I might be able to push the review count till 95 for this chapter? I know I'm terribly lousy with updates, but I'm so close to 100, I can feel it! :) Hope you all enjoy this chapter. I'm on spring break right now, so I think I might be able to finish this story within the week!

Also guys, go check out my new website!

~Sirius

"Bowser!" A loud, stern voice barked out the teen's name loudly.

Bowser immediately stood from his desk in his bedroom and went downstairs.

He was disappointed to see his angry father glaring at him.

"Hey dad. What's up?" He asked.

"Oh nothing in particular. I was just online checking your grade report, and I must say, your average in math is dangerously close to a B."

Bowser clenched his jaw. He had studied a lot for that math test two weeks ago, but the topic just hadn't made much sense to him, and stress from trying to strategize how the football game would need to play out had gotten to him.

It had been the first time he had gotten a C on a test in math class, but father wouldn't settle for anything less than excellent.

"I'm disappointed son."

Bowser sighed. He hated going through this routine. But it was either this or a rather difficult to deal with screaming match.

"I'm sorry dad. I was just caught up in a lot of things, and the math was really tough..."

His dad rubbed his temple. "Clearly, you haven't been working as hard as you can because you've never gotten below an 85 on your math tests, and even then, you know that anything below an A is unacceptable."

Bowser nodded. "I know dad, but believe me, I did work hard for that test. I went over everything with my tutor, and I started studying a few days in advance, its just...I slipped up on this test, I'll bring it back up."

His father nodded curtly. "You'd better. You know you need more than good football skills to get a scholarship. And speaking of football, there's a game next week and I'd like too know how the practices have been going. What master plans have you gotten lined up?"

Bowser began sweating nervously. He had come up with a few decent plans, but hadn't particularly arranged any certain game plays and he was certain that his father would not be pleased.

"Uh, I've got a few things up my sleeve. I just need to sort it out with my team to see what everyone is comfortable with. I want to make sure we win this game dad. Just wait and see what we've got coming."

Bowser's dad smiled. Bowser was surprised, the man almost never seemed satisfied.

"All right then. I have some high expectations for you son! Just remember though, its about more than winning the game. The recruiters need to see your natural talent shine through during the game, so just make sure your plan is brilliant."

Bowser smiled reluctantly at his father. "I will dad. Don't you worry about a thing."

His dad stared awkwardly at the dining table.

Although they both often talked of grades and football, there wasn't really anything else they spoke of too often which is why they often maintained their own space.

"So..." Bowser attempted to string some kind of excuse to get back upstairs, but his father had already opened up another awkward conversation.

"How are you and that lovely girl doing?"

Bowser was alarmed. "I'm sorry what?"

Bowser's dad chuckled nervously. "What was her name again? Pear?"

"Um...its Peach dad."

"Oh right. Yes, well how are the two of you doing?"

Bowser scratched the back of his head. "I'm not really sure. I think I'm just going to be single for a while right now so I can focus on football and my grades and stuff."

This wasn't entirely true. Peach had left with him after he had beat up Mario, but they hadn't really talked. She had this smug look on her face like she had won. He was just confused now, technically they were together, but he wasn't sure that it was what he wanted anymore.

Bowser's dad seemed to approve. "That's good. You know you need good grades and good games to succeed. We are going to get you to the University of Alabama. That's always been the dream ain't it?"

Bowser nodded. He wasn't really that excited about college and all to be honest, but he knew it was important that he get the scholarship to his father's alma mater.

His father chuckled. "Two Alabama boys in the family. That's what we've always wanted. Now, I advise you to go do some studying since you have another math test next week. I insist that you get at least a 95 on this to get started on pulling you back up from that disappointing grade."

Bowser sighed. "Of course." And he trudged back upstairs to get some studying done.

****Line Break*******

"I can't believe we walked out on her. Its been like two hours and I still can't get over the shock." Toadette said.

Birdo nodded in agreement.

The two girls sat in Toadette's cramped basement trying to finish up some homework.

"Ugh, my basement stinks." Toadette said as she wrinkled her nose. "It smells too much like El's cat."

Toadette's older sister El was at college this year, but unfortunately El's cat stayed. Toadette despised it incredibly, but El wasn't allowed to keep pets in her dorm, so her stupid cat stayed.

"Its so weird that you guys don't give it a name." Birdo observed. "Even your parents call it El's cat."

"They hate it too. We all don't even refer to as a he or she, just it, or El's Cat. They only let El keep it here because she's their little princess." Toadette muttered bitterly.

Birdo cocked her eyebrow. Toadette didn't talk about her older sister much, especially since they never saw her in school anymore, but whenever El came up, Toadette always seemed cross.

Even though Birdo had been friends with Toadette for a long time, she rarely saw El and she suspected that Toadette liked to keep it that way.

"Hey you alright?" She asked Toadette.

Toadette shrugged. "Yea, I just wish they weren't getting hardwood floors in my room, or we could work there. Gosh Peach's house is so much more spacious than ours."

Birdo smiled slightly. "Its ok. At least we're getting some homework done."

Toadette nodded. "Yea I always have a ton of math homework that I usually end up copying from Rose. God we never got anything done on beauty days!"

Birdo chuckled. "Yea, they were fun, even if Peach could be a bit of a witch sometimes."

"A lot of times actually." Toadette said.

"I wonder what she and Dix are doing right now." Birdo said glumly.

"Just don't think about it." Toadette said. "I actually think it'd be a better idea to check up on Mario, don't you?"

Birdo nodded.

Toadette grabbed her cell and dialed Rosalina's number. She didn't have Mario's because they weren't really friends, but she suspected that Rosalina was with Mario and Luigi.

"Hey Ro?"

The phone was silent for a while. "Hey Toadette, listen now isn't really a good time, I-"

"I, I just wanted to know how Mario is. I heard what happened. I-I got really mad at Peach actually. We're not speaking at the moment."

Rosalina was silent for a bit. Toadette suspected that Rosalina was surprised, maybe even a little proud.

"He's better actually. I can't believe you told Peach off!" Her voice sounded quite shocked as Toadette had predicted.

"It wasn't too terrible. Birdo didn't really stand for her behavior either. We left her house and I'm just not sure how Monday is going to be."

"You still have friends." Rosalina assured her. "We'll be here, but Peach is going to have a tough time replacing you."

"I'm not too upset. I just wish there was something I could do about Bowser being such a prick." Toadette said.

"Well, Mario has this crazy idea. And-I'll just talk to you about it tomorrow, ok?" Rosalina blurbed quickly.

"Um, ok." Toadette answered, puzzled.

"Later T."

"See you tomorrow."

Toadette hung up and faced Birdo.

"So how's the guy?" Birdo asked.

"He's fine apparently. Something's going to be happening tomorrow, so I guess we'll just have to wait and see." Toadette said, a smile forming on her face.

"What are you grinning about?" Birdo asked, interested.

"Not too sure. But I feel like something huge is going to happen."

*******Line Break************

Mario sat on the couch staring blankly at the tv. He had been alone for a while. Luigi was off doing his own thing, and all of his friends except for Rosalina had left because Rosalina was just the type of person who would stick around to make sure everything was ok, but she still had a ton of work to do so in his mind her choice to remain was utterly useless.

"What's up with you bro?" Luigi asked his brother settling himself on the couch.

Mario shrugged. "Just been thinking. I feel like I'm being ridiculously reckless with what I'm about to do."

Luigi grinned. "Livin la Vida Loca bro. It's ok to do something like this for the greater good. Think how many kids you're saving from getting thrown into trashcans. Or I'm potentially landing myself in one-permanently."

Luigi patted his frightened brother on the back. "Well, it doesn't matter if you're getting chucked into the dumpster because we'll all go down with you."

"Thanks man."

"No prob bro. So you ok about the whole Peach thing?"

Mario shook his head. "Not entirely. But I will be. I was only into the whole idea of Peach I had in my mind. Once I fully grasp the fact its not her, I should be ok."

Luigi stared at him amused. "How can an idiot like you gain such insight in such a short period of time?"

Mario playfully punched Luigi's shoulder. "Having my head knocked around sure did put some strange thoughts into my head don't you think?"

Luigi chuckled. "Looks like. So, I'm starving and ma and pa aren't home yet, do you think Catarina will make us something to eat?"

"Fat chance." She came down as soon as her name was mentioned and smirked. "Just because I'm the only one who can cook doesn't mean I'm going to do it."

"Rosalina can cook." Mario shot back.

"She already told me she wasn't going to sit around making us dinner in our own house." Luigi grumbled. "She has work to do. I can't believe her!"

Catarina chuckled. "Maybe I'll take some mercy on you, how does ravioli sound?"

Mario opened his mouth to say something stupid yet again. "I'm actually not really in the mood for ravioli."

Catarina raised an eyebrow and Luigi nudged Mario roughly with his elbow.

"Ow. My stomach still hurts!"

"Sorry bro, I'm just so used to your stupidity that I forgot I can't correct it like I normally would."

"Shut up." He muttered. "Just kidding sis. Ravioli sounds fantastic."

Catarina's face perked up considerably as she immediately started cooking.

Rosalina entered the living room after a considerable amount of time and sat next to Luigi on the couch.

"Its not because she's a girl is it?"

"Huh?" Luigi asked her.

"Your sister's making food again."

Luigi laughed. "Please rose. You should know better than that. Cat's the only one who can cook a decent meal around here, or at least the only willing one."

He glared at Rosalina attempting to make her feel guilty but she only appeared amused.

"Don't try that with me. I have plenty to attend to already. And anyway, just wanted to tell Mario that it looks like Toadette and Birdo have got your back on this one."

Mario suddenly looked at her with surprise. "Even Birdo? But man after the whole thing with Yoshi and all she's, really?"

Rosalina nodded. "Toadette said the pair of them walked out on Peach. I think Peach's has still got Dixie, not really sure, but even then she can't keep her around that long with the way she's acting."

"Wow. I feel kind of bad for Peach." Mario said.

Rosalina rolled her eyes. "For her? She got you into this whole mess. Granted, it was mostly Bowser's fault, but she's the instigator!"

"I know, I just-"

"No. Don't you dare go feel bad for her and start falling for her again. I'm not sure how much of your stupidity I can deal with."

Both brothers were shocked with her bitter retort.

Luigi looked at her questioningly.

She was immediately swarmed with guilt. "I'm sorry Mario. I just get, it's not just you, I get annoyed with everyone just you know? I- just never mind. I shouldn't have done that. I know that's not what you meant."

"It's ok." Mario assured her. "I just don't want everyone to make enemies upon each other. I know what it's like being ganged up on, and even if she kind of provoked Bowser, I don't think you guys should just gang up on her."

"You're right." She said with a sigh. "I don't want to become her."

"And you couldn't." Luigi assured her. "You're too good of a person for that."

They both looked at each other and smiled. Luigi blushed slightly and looked away just as quickly.

He knew he really liked Daisy, but his feelings for Rosalina were still lingering. What was he supposed to do?

"Who's ready for dinner?" Catarina said cheerfully. "I hope you're staying Rose. I made extra for you."

Rosalina smiled graciously. The three friends went to join Catarina the dinning table where all the food was already set up.

"Thanks sis." Luigi said ruffling his sister's hair affectionately.

"So what's new with your little plan?" She asked inquisitively.

Mario laughed. "Is this why you were so quick to make dinner?" Mario asked teasingly. "Attempting to worm into my personal life?"

"Of course not." She answered sarcastically.

"Let's eat guys. If all goes well, we'll let you know." Luigi said to Catarina. He was just hungry, and he'd rather not watch his siblings playfully argue.

She nodded and they all began eating.

"So about tomorrow..." She started a short while into the meal.

"We'll see." Rosalina said gently. "Now eat up."

Catarina grumbled, but obeyed her nonetheless.

Mario and Luigi both exchanged glances, clearly both were worried about the outcome of tomorrow.

Rosalina noticed their nervousness. "It'll be ok Mario. Taking a stand is something to look forward to. Don't worry. We've got your back."

"Yea. We've got your back. If you go down, we all do." Luigi added.

Mario smiled. It was a great comfort to have good friends.

How was it? Sorry about the awkward line breaks. I try to put in the regular ones but they're not working for some reason. So what do you think about Rosalina's sudden outburst. Are you anticipating the coming school day? What will happen with all of our friends? Since I'm on a school break I'll be able to update more this week. (Yay!) So stay tuned and keep reviewing! I feel like some of the characters might be straying too far from their personalities, any thoughts?

~Sirius