Chapter 3: Letting Everyone Know

Later, after the arcade closed, Crumbelina decided to tell the other racers about what she did. Fortunately, Vanellope helped her and she went first to prepare them.

"Everyone, you've probably been wondering why Crumbelina hasn't been seen during the Random Roster Race or during game hours earlier today. Well, it's because she was looking for a way to become an adult, and she did." Vanellope announced.

Crumbelina then revealed herself. The other racers mouths dropped open in suprise.

"Crumbelina?" Snowanna asked.

"Wow, you look great." Torvald said.

Crumbelina smiled.

"Thanks." Crumbelina said. She then went back to the original subject and said "Anyway, I should let all of you know why I did this. I've fallen in love with Timothy about a little over a day ago. I didn't want him to become an outcast... since it might happen if he started dating a kid... so, I decided to make myself an adult to prevent it. Don't worry, I altered a few of my codes so that the gamers won't notice anything. And this won't give me an advantage over all of you on the track either because I kept the Tiramissle's engine the same so it's still around as fast as the rest of yours.".

The racers actually smiled approvingly.

"Well, Timothy is a great guy." Rancis said.

"Yes, he is. We're very happy for you." Taffyta said.

"Does he know yet?" Candlehead asked.

"No, and he won't until he loves me back. I want him to love me on his own." Crumbelina replied.

The other racers nodded understandingly. Crumbelina then rubbed the back of her head awkwardly.

"Well, I'd better go let Timothy, Ralph, Felix, Tamora, and Turbo know about my new look. Something tells me that this is going to get awkward... anyway, I'll be back later tonight for the Random Roster Race. I missed racing a lot." Crumbelina said.

The other racers said goodbye. Crumbelina also said goodbye and then left. Vanellope also joined her because she wanted to visit Ralph, Felix, Tamora, and Turbo.

Meanwhile, Timothy, Ralph, Felix, and Turbo were waiting in Game Central Station for Tamora. Felix smiled when Tamora finally did arrive.

"Tammy, just in time. Timothy, Ralph, Turbo, and I were going to see if Crumbelina was back." Felix greeted.

"Yeah, I'm getting a bit worried." Ralph said.

"Hey, guys." a voice greeted.

Timothy, Ralph, Felix, and Tamora turned around and their mouths dropped open in surprise. There was an adult Crumbelina, and Vanellope was also there, but she still looked the same.

"Um... yesterday, I started wondering what it would be like to be an adult, and so, I decided to see if there was a way to temporarily turn me into one. I mean, after all, my best friends are adults, not counting the other racers... anyway, I went and visited Ursula, and she had an age changing potion, so I gave it a try. Don't worry about the gamers, though. I altered my code so that I would still look like a kid to them." Crumbelina explained.

Tamora recovered first, having been trained to handle surprises of all kinds.

"Well, I can't call you 'kid' anymore. You don't make a bad looking adult either." Tamora said.

Crumbelina grinned.

"Thanks. I'm glad that I hadn't changed that much myself. No matter what age I am, I'll always want to be the same on the inside." Crumbelina said.

Timothy slapped his face.

"Uh, same here." Timothy said. He then turned to Ralph, Felix, and Turbo, and asked "Hey, guys, are you okay?".

Felix shook his head rapidly and nodded.

"Yeah, I'm fine now." Felix replied.

"I'm also fine." Ralph said.

"Same with me." Turbo said.

Timothy nodded.

"Well, this will take some getting used to. But I think we can handle it." Timothy said.

So, the six of them hung out for the rest of the evening. It was almost like nothing had changed, except, of course, other characters had noticed Crumbelina's new look and asked about it.

Later on, Vanellope and Crumbelina had to get back for the Random Roster Race, so Timothy, Ralph, Felix, Tamora, and Turbo decided to go with her and watch the race from the sidelines. Crumbelina ended up in third place, partially because she was getting used to the Tiramissle's new size in comparison to the track.

The days passed. Timothy and Crumbelina hung out as usual, with their other friends joining them now and then. Timothy had to admit that despite Crumbelina's new look, not much had changed. Since he was way taller then the Sugar Rush racers, since he was an adult while the racers were kids, he could still be able to carry Crumbelina on his shoulders, and Crumbelina still liked doing the same things that she did when she was a kid.

Something had changed a little, though: Timothy was starting to want to hang out with Crumbelina more then ever. Before, he could handle being apart from her when the arcade was open, especially since he saw her a lot through the game screen whenever he visited the arcade, but now his heart kept feeling this painful twist whenever he and Crumbelina had to be apart. He couldn't figure out what was going on with him, and the weirdest part was that it hurt more when he saw her through the game screen than when he didn't see her at all. Although, to his relief, changing her code worked. She still looked like a kid through the game screen.

In Crumbelina's case, she just kept falling further in love with Timothy. It wasn't long before she knew that Timothy was the one. For one thing, she couldn't imagine being with anyone else, and for another thing, she always felt complete whenever she was with him. Plus, she also felt a painful twist in her heart when she had to be apart from Timothy, and like Timothy, it hurt more when she saw him through the game screen then when she didn't see him at all. Although, unlike Timothy, she knew why: because not being able to go to him despite being so close to him hurt more then not being able to see him at all. At least, when she couldn't see him, she could ignore how close he really was, but being able to see him made it hard to ignore.

"Location: Litwak's Arcade, The World Of Disney, April 10th 2087"

All too soon, there was only a week left. Crumbelina had been calm about the deadline before, but now she was growing worried. Vanellope arrived at Crumbelina's house and she walked into her bedroom, where she was sitting on her bed. Crumbelina was also looking at the photo of Timothy.

"Crumbelina? I was wondering how things were going between you and Timothy. There's only a week left." Vanellope said.

Crumbelina hung her head.

"I know, and things have been pretty much the same... unfortunately. I don't know if Timothy has developed feelings for me or not. And if he has, then he just hasn't realized it yet or is scared to tell me. Oh, Vanellope, what am I going to do? I've fallen hopelessly in love with him. If things don't work out... then my heart will break." Crumbelina asked.

Crumbelina then started to sob. Vanellope sighed and put a hand on her leg comfortingly.

"Don't worry. You two do have a special connection, I can see it. I'm sure Timothy does love you back and just doesn't realize it yet. Things will work out, you'll see." Vanellope said.

Crumbelina smiled gratefully at Vanellope and hugged her.

"I hope your right." Crumbelina said.

"Would you like to race with another racer or something? It might help you get your mind off your troubles." Vanellope asked after they finished the hug.

Crumbelina looked at the photo of Timothy again.

"Thanks, but I'd rather be alone for now. I'll come out for the Random Roster Race." Crumbelina replied.

"Alright. I'll come get you when it's time for the Random Roster Race." Vanellope said.

Vanellope then left. Meanwhile, Crumbelina continued looking at Timothy's photo and she sighed.

"Oh, Timothy, if there was only some way of knowing how you really feel about me. Then I could help you realize your true feelings." Crumbelina thought.