Author's Note:

Thank you everyone for reading my story. It's what encourage me to keep on going. 50 reviews and I'm not even half way through the story yet.

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Anyways, enjoy the chapter :)

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Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the story idea and any OCs.

Chapter 13:
Preparations

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Today was the day for the Mushroom Kingdom's Summer Ball and everyone was hard at work trying to finish up with decorations around the castle. Among the workers was Princess Daisy. The flower princess had arrived early this morning to help out with any last minute decoration.

Since her arrival, things have been leaning on the awkward side - mainly for her and Luigi. The two were rarely seen alone together in the same room; there was always someone with them. And when they were alone, Luigi will make some sort of lame excuse to leave the room completely.

The others thought it was odd for the green plumber to be acting this way, considering he was in such a great mood the previous day. But they decided not to interfere and let the two worked it out themselves. This soon began to bother Daisy as she talks about her predicament with Peach a few hours later.

"I'm telling you Peach, he's avoiding me. And he wouldn't tell me why. He would always leave the room whenever we're alone together." she said.

They were talking in Peach's room. Since preparations were so close to being done, most of everyone had left for home to get ready. Daisy was sitting on Peach's bed while the pink princess herself was in her closet, listening to Daisy while looking for a dress to wear tonight.

"Well, Daisy, maybe he's still upset about the breakup." Peach suggest. "After all, getting dump over the phone isn't really something you expect to start your day, especially when it come in a week before the Summer Ball."

Daisy sighs, knowing were the conservation was leading her. "Look, Peach, I'm sorry."

"I'm not the one you should me apologizing to, Daisy," Peach steps out of the closet and toss two dresses on the bed. "I just want to know why you keep going back to Luigi if you're just going to call it off later."

Daisy groaned and flops down on the bed. "I don't know, I really don't know!" She turned her head to Peach. "I really like Luigi, you and I both know I do. But we also know how I am and how I can get at sometimes." She turned her head away and glance at the ceiling. "I'm just not sure if I'm the one ready for a relationship."

Peach frowned. "Then why didn't you tell him that instead of repeatedly getting his hopes up for something that might not exist. That was a very immature thing to do, Daisy, and Luigi doesn't deserve that."

Daisy sighs and sat up from the bed. "You're right, Peach, and I'm sorry. I'll apologize and make it up to him. I promise to take our relationship more seriously; no more excuses. This time, anything he says goes."

Peach smiled, happy to see her friend had finally came to a conclusion. "Atta girl; if Luigi really does love you, then he'll understand for sure."

She stood and turned her attention the two dresses on the bed. "Now, help me choose; which dress should I wear?"

Daisy thought about it for a moment before pointing to the dress on the left. "The red one…not only is it you boyfriend's favorite color, but it also shows just how curvy you are."

Daisy laugh as a huge blush spend across Peach's face. Maybe something good will come out of this night.

…

Outside of the castle, the Mario Bros had just finish up working for the day and where now heading home to prepare themselves for the ball which start in a few hours.

Luigi was quite happy. He had spent the whole morning purposely avoiding Daisy and making her jealous when the opportunity calls for it. To others, it may look like a random act, but in reality it was all planned. And successful; there multiple times he seen Daisy jealous and bothered. Wendy will be happy to hear about this.

Speaking of Wendy, perhaps he should get her something…like a corsage or some object of that nature as a token of his gratitude for everything he put her though. He was worried that she might have second thoughts and decided not to come. If she doesn't show up, then the whole concept of making Daisy jealous would be ruin.

"You okay, Bro?" Luigi jumped slightly and turn his brother. He smiled.

"I-I'm fine, Mario. Just thinking, is all."

Mario stopped in front of Luigi and places a hand on his shoulder. "Listen Bro, if you don't want to come to party tonight, I'll talk to Peach about it. She'll understand. The last thing we want is for you to feel uncomfortable."

Luigi rubbed the back of his head. He didn't really want to tell him about Wendy, not yet at least. He knew he couldn't keep a secret from his older brother for long so hopefully this will all blow over by tonight.

"I'm fine, Mario, really I am."

Mario didn't look to convince, like he could tell Luigi was hiding something. "You sure? The last thing I want to do is force you into doing something you don't want to do."

"Yes, Mario, I'm sure."

Luigi cast his gaze to the side, trying to think of a way out of this conversation. He spotted something on the store window and smirk, a diversion set in mind.

"So Mario," he started. "Do you plan on popping Peach the question at the party?"

Mario frowned in confusion and turned to the store window. He blush at what he saw and hit Luigi on the shoulder. "Very funny Bro, and no, I don't plan to; it's too soon for that"

Luigi rubbed his shoulder. "Why not, you were crazy about her from the beginning and it's obvious that you still are. And the same goes for her too. It only makes sense that you two move on to the next level."

"More like the final level…" Mario mumbled. He rubbed the back of his head nervously.

Luigi smiled, it's not every day he sees his big brother so nervous about something. "I think the final level comes with a carriage."

Mario blushed madly and hit Luigi on the shoulder again. "Very funny, Luigi, but the answer is still no. The last thing I want is to rush into things." Mario said. "I'll think about it someday…but for now, let's just focus on tonight."

Mario turned and started heading back home again. He paused when he notice Luigi wasn't following him.

"You coming, bro?"

Luigi shook his head. "You go on ahead, Mario, I'll catch up with you later."

Mario frowned suspiciously, but nodded nevertheless. "Okay, I'll see you back at home."

Luigi nodded and watch the red hero go. Once he was gone, Luigi turn his attention back on the store. Besides from the rings, he spotted something else that caught his eye. He stood in front of the store window, staring at the object with great interest. He then smiles and walks inside the store to purchase it.

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While everyone in Toad Town was prepared for the Summer Ball, a certain pink koopa was having trouble preparing for say event.

Wendy growled as she tosses aside the twentieth dress she put on in the last hour. She couldn't explain why she was stressing over tonight. She was already frustrated with herself for agreeing to be the green plumber's date, and now she was even more frustrated simply trying to find the perfect dress.

It wasn't even a real date, just a favor she was returning. But for some odd reason, she was treating it as if it was a real date and like always she wanted to look her best for it. She grunt and toss aside a blue dress before looking through her closet again. She was interrupted by a knock on her door.

"Miss Wendy, are you here?" It was Kammy.

"Yes, Kammy, I'm here."

Kammy Koopa entered the room, taking notice of all the dresses on the floor. "Oh my, it looks like a storm pass through here. What happen dear?"

"I'm trying to find a dress for tonight, and I can't decide on what to wear." Wendy sighed, upset as it is.

"Tonight you say? Why, Miss Wendy, you don't so happen to have a date, do you?"

Wendy shrugged nonchalantly. "…Hm, maybe?"

Kammy smiled. "Now, dear, you don't have to be embarrass or anything. This fellow of yours must be something for you to get yourself all work up."

"You…could say that."

Kammy step over a red dress on the floor and stood in front of Wendy. "Well then, if this guy is really worth the trouble, then I think I know a dress that would work."

Kammy lift up her arm and pull out her wand from inside her sleeves. She waved it around and pointed it at Wendy. Multiple color lights surrounded Wendy before a black dress appeared on her frame. Wendy looked down on the dress before running to a full length mirror.

She gasped at the sight of her reflection. She was wearing a gorgeous strapless, floor-length black evening gown with a crystal encrusted waistband. Her golden bracelets had turned silver, and her pink bow had turned black along with her shoes.

"Oh, Kammy...it's beautiful." She turns around and hugs the magikoopa. "Thank you, Kammy, you're the best."

Kammy hugs her back, please with the dress she picked out. She always thought of Wendy as her own daughter (not granddaughter, mind you, she's too young for that) and to help the pink koopa with her dates really makes her feel like a real mother.

"You're quite welcome, your highness. This dress will surely get that date of your attention; he won't be able to keep his eyes off you."

Wendy blush slightly. "Yeah, about that…it's not really a date."

Kammy broke out of the hug and look at her confusedly. "What do you mean?"

Wendy rubbed the back of her head not sure if she should mention about a certain green plumber. "Well, it started a few days ago…"

Wendy explained to Kammy about everything that happened at the party seven days ago, alternating it slightly by saying she had made it with a koopa instead of the green-clad man. Kammy listen to her story thoughtfully, nodding every so often as Wendy continues on. She scowled when she heard what happen with Pompey but then brighten when she heard who defended her.

"So…as a show of apprehension, I agreed to be his date for a party he's attending to."

"Well, princess, that's some story. Are you sure there's nothing else going on between the two of you?"

"I'm sure, Kammy, why would you think that?"

The Magikoopa shrugged. "Well, I just assume that if a guy agrees to go out with you on one date, and then asks you out on a second one, one might think that he likes you."

"He was only being nice when we went on the first one." Wendy argued. "And the only reason he asked me is because no one else was available."

"True, but think about this way…would you be fussing over yourself for a dress if it didn't mean anything?"

"Well, uh…no"

"Okay; and if I were to guess, you were blushing a lot when you're around him, correct?"

Wendy thought about and blushed slightly. "…Yeah."

"Right; now correct me if I'm wrong, but…you probably have this annoying feeling inside you that always flare up when you talk or even think about him, yes?"

Wendy didn't say anything as the feeling she mentioned made itself known. She nodded instead.

"Well then, it looks to me that those might be signs that you might actually like him, my dear."

Wendy opened her mouth to argue…anything that could counteract with what the purple koopa in front just said. She came up with nothing.

"Trust me when I say this," said Kammy. "I dated a fair number of boys in my days, but only a small few of them manage to stir up this annoying yet special sensation inside of me."

Wendy looked down on the ground. Now that she thought about, this feeling is different from anything else she dealt with before. It was bothersome yes, but not in a bad way. Actually, it felt kind of nice…it made her feel warm and pleasant from the inside out. Kammy chuckled slightly to herself as she let the pink koopa comes to terms with this new information.

"I should leave you to ponder on that."

Wendy stood in the middle of her room as she watches the older koopa go. Once she was gone, she turned attention back at her reflection. She couldn't really have a crush on Luigi, could she? Sure he's nice and all, but come on! They were enemies; they were supposed to hate each other.

She sighed deeply. Something must be seriously wrong with her if she's actually crushing on a plumber. Clearly, King Dad will furious with her if he ever find out about this.

She looks over to the mirror and got sight of her wand in the reflection. She turns around and spots it on her nightstand. She raises an eyebrow and walks over to it. She picked it up and held in her hand, getting familiar with it once more. She had stopped using it when it comes to fights. The last time she had use it was to turn say green plumber into a Koopa on the night of the club seven days ago.

She hums to herself and looks over to her reflection again. A smug smirk creak up to her pink lips as an idea forms in her head.

"I wonder…"

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Ending Note:

Next chapter is one of my favorite chapter. I'll have it posted up by next week.

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Review :)