*Chapter 36*

"Guh," Vanellope muttered to herself as she trudged out of the water, her feet sloshing in the breaking waves, "I'm going to kill him."

"Hey, sheila!" Came yet another deep voiced guy from EZ Living, he casually walked up to Vanellope. He was holding a volleyball, he had a proper pack of abs and dirty blonde surfer hair, his smile was smoldering, "I saw you at the tournament. That was some game!"

"Hey, thanks," Vanellope breathed with a smile as she welcomed the sun's warmth on her back. She continued to trudge out of the water before the guy quickly stepped in front of her, an eager smile on his face.

"Care to, show me some of your moves?" He said with an eyebrow cocked, Vanellope wrinkled her nose and looked at him in a bemused way, "A couple of us guys are going to the south shore to hit the ball around."

"I'd love to, but I'm here with my family," Vanellope said gently, hoping he'd go away. She wondered when all of the EZ Living attention would be off of her for once. She took a few steps around the guy before he quickly scampered to get in front of her again. Vanellope furrowed her brows at him and put her hands on her wide hips.

"Well, then if you aren't busy later, we're all having a bonfire on the beach," The guy said quickly with a bold smile, "What do you say, babe?"

"I'm not your babe," Vanellope snapped, "I don't think my boyfriend would appreciate this one bit."

"Oh, c'mon, doll, I meant no harm," He chuckled and waved his hand around, "Just come hang with us. Obviously your boyfriend is off doing other things. A cluster of gorgeous pixels, like yourself, shouldn't be alone during Spring Break. I'll show you a great time."

"Great time, eh?" Vanellope sneered, her hands still firmly on her hips. The guy in front of her beamed eagerly, hoping to reel her in.

"Who is Vanellope talking to?" Taffyta asked Ralph as the two trudged up the beach, their feet the only things submerged now. Ralph glared in her direction and picked up the pace.

"Not this again," Ralph breathed deeply as he could feel his blood begin to boil, "I have to swat these EZ Living guys away like flies."

"Easy, Ralph," Taffyta chuckled as she pat his large hand, which was clenched into a fist.

"C'mon, just stop by for a little bit, it'll be great," The EZ Living local urged as he tucked the volleyball under his arm.

"Take it up with my boyfriend, dude," Vanellope chuckled as she idly rubbed some sand off of her arm.

"Why does he even have to know?" the guy smirked as he dipped his head, giving Vanellope a sly look. Vanellope furrowed her eyebrows and inhaled a sharp, angry breath, but was quickly interrupted.

"Everything okay, babe?" Ralph said loudly as he slowly, yet firmly, took his place next to Vanellope. Ralph softly wrapped his hand and arm around Vanellope's hip as she gazed at the guy in front of her, whose smug face had dropped. She wrinkled her nose and tilted her head towards Ralph, her eyes glued to the guy in front of her.

"Hey, Ralph. This guy wants to take my top off," Vanellope said plainly. The guy double took on Vanellope before smiling up at Ralph pleadingly.

"He what?!" Ralph barked loudly as he took a few steps towards the guy. The EZ Living local threw his hands up in defense, his volleyball dropping to the ground.

"Hey, hey! I-I never said that, sh-she just made that up!" he hollered as he scampered backwards, Ralph inhaled deeply and bent to his level.

"Beat it," Ralph growled. The guy quickly scampered away with a terrified look. Vanellope beamed up at Ralph with a small chuckle. His fists practically trembled.

"Man, I hope this never stops, cause that was hilarious," Vanellope laughed. Ralph turned back to her, his facial expression showing grief and annoyance.

"He just waltzed up to you and asked to take your top off?" Ralph hissed as he loomed over Vanellope slightly, Taffyta walked up with a shocked facial expression.

"Please don't take your top off, Vanellope," Taffyta pleaded, "That would be so embarrassing."

"Nooo," Vanellope threw her head back and laughed, "He didn't say that…I just wanted you to chase him away. He was bothering me."

"Oh," Ralph slumped his shoulders and heaved an annoyed sigh, his face turned beet red, "I nearly pummeled him into oblivion."

"Hey, I'm single," Taffyta whined as she slumped her shoulders, "Why didn't you tell him you had a cute, sugary friend?"

"Sorry Taff," Vanellope chuckled, "I don't think he was really your type. Besides, that one guy tried to pick you up on the way to the arena, remember?"

"How do you know what my type is?" Taffyta sneered as she wrinkled her nose, "And that guy had bad breath…"

"Your type is someone who isn't a jerk, Taff," Vanellope lulled her head, giving her friend a serious look.

"Fine," Taffyta slumped her shoulders and trudged up the beach towards Felix and Calhoun.

"Thanks, Ralph," Vanellope chuckled as she pat his arm, but she shot him a playfully annoyed look, "I suppose that makes up for you dunking me in the ocean."

"It's hard to believe you'd still choose me, even after someone as in shape and good looking as that guy tries to pick you up," Ralph sighed, his facial expression slightly distressed. Vanellope slipped her hand onto his slightly trembling arm lovingly as he continued, "I'm only here to keep the good looking guys from swarming you."

"You think I'm not proud to have you on my arm?" Vanellope asked seriously as she gazed up at him. The brilliant noon sun sprinkled gold flecks in her piercing, hazel eyes.

"Look at me," Ralph chuckled as he rolled his eyes. He then motioned towards Vanellope, his face bright red, "And then there's you…y-you're just, beautifully stunning, as always…"

"That's really sweet of you," Vanellope smiled, her face blushed pink as she looked down, "You know what I see when I look at you?"

"An ugly big boned wrecker with crazy hair?" Ralph sighed as he looked away, embarrassed.

"I see a misunderstood, lovable, handsome guy," Vanellope smiled, "Whom, might I add, I love."

"I just, sometimes feel as if you're out of my league," Ralph frowned down at her honestly.

"I have never thought that, Ralph," Vanellope sneered playfully as she wrinkled her nose, "If I do recall, I was your best friend long before my update. You cared for me when no one else did and I know I did the same thing for you. Just because I have a new update and a different body and mindset doesn't mean I suddenly feel as if I'm better than you."

"I just wish I could make you proud," Ralph said gently as he glanced around at everyone lounging and chatting on the beach.

"Well then, c'mon," Vanellope beamed as she eagerly held out her hand to him, "We got some struttin' to do."

Ralph softly took her hand as the two slowly began to mosey up the beach; Felix, Taffyta and Calhoun were about two dozen yards up the beach. Vanellope beamed and held Ralph's hand proudly as they walked past many different groups of people. Ralph chuckled and smiled down at his girl before smoothly letting go of her hand and loosely wrapping his arm around her waist; he claimed her in front of everyone and kept her close to him. Vanellope beamed and leaned into Ralph as she wrapped her arm around his lower back. She blushed and gazed up at Ralph, he gave her a look of uncertainty, yet happiness, as the two marched proudly up the beach. She chuckled and pat his back lovingly.

The two slowly arrived to the group where Felix, Calhoun and Taffyta were busy playing with little Tammy. The day carried on, the gang would take turns going back out to the water and lounging. They kept their eyes on Candlehead's surf competition and she eventually rejoined the group afterwards. As the sun set, and most of the people on the beach began to leave. Candlehead, Taffyta, Calhoun and Felix began to pack their bags to head home for the evening. Vanellope sat up on her elbows, from her lounging position, and frowned.

"You guys are all leaving now?" Vanellope said, saddened. Taffyta touched her shoulder a few times.

"I'm exhausted, and burnt," She chuckled before gently heaving her bag over her shoulder.

"I'm water logged," Candlehead said in a tired voice, her teal hair was wavy and messy.

"We're not going to do a bon fire or anything?" Ralph frowned as well, he glanced at Vanellope.

"We were going to do that on the last day of Spring Break," Felix chimed calmly as he held Tammy. She was fast asleep in his arms.

"Aw man," Vanellope frowned as she began to stand, "Oh well. I guess EZ Living isn't going anywhere."

"We're going to head back," Felix smiled as him and Calhoun began to inch away, "See you back home, Ralph."

"Yep," Ralph smiled as he slowly stood. He stretched a lazy stretch with a small yawn before relaxing. Vanellope slowly began to roll their blanket back up, making sure everything was tucked away in their beach bag. Taffyta and Candlehead quickly skipped to catch up to Felix and Calhoun.

"See you back at Sugar Rush, Vin," Taffyta called as she lifted the trophy, "You gotta help me find a spot for this!"

"Sure thing, see you soon!" Vanellope called before averting her attention to Ralph, the two suddenly alone. She slumped her shoulders and chuckled, "I don't want to leave."

"I don't either," Ralph chuckled before heaving a long sigh and looking around, "I'm stoked for that bonfire at the end of the week, though."

"Me too," Vanellope beamed as Ralph helped her pick up the heavy umbrella, "I can show you what s'mores really should taste like. Us smarties, from Sugar Rush, specialize in sweets."

"You're making me hungry," Ralph groaned as the two slowly began to trek down the beach with each other; Vanellope giggled.

"I'm making myself hungry," She smiled as she looked up at Ralph, her long black hair glistened in the bursting sunset. Ralph gazed down at her beauty and smiled softly, he wasn't able to take his eyes away from her. Vanellope smiled back into his eyes before averting her attention to her feet as the two trekked through the thick, white sand. Ralph breathed a small chuckle and softly grabbed her hand. He squeezed it knowingly, trying to be as gentle as he possibly could.

Vanellope blushed and glanced down at their hands. She smiled a bemused smile at how her hand sunk, and vanished, into his. She squeezed his hand in return, suddenly feeling a calm, dull tension between the two. She kept her eyes forward, but her mind chaotically went in multiple different directions. Her face got hot as her mind began to delve into her carnal instincts. She gazed off into space, her mind going places she never thought they would. She replayed all the conversations her and Taffyta had about swapping codes, how it was the highest form of love you could possibly perform with someone. She felt a chill go down her spine, wondering if Taffyta's prediction of a special Spring Break was actually going to turn out positive. She bit her lower lip and leaned into Ralph a little, wondering what she could possibly do to quell these instincts that nudged the back of her skull. She knew she loved Ralph, but she wasn't sure how to go about taking their love to the next level.

Ralph subtly kept his eyes glued to their locked hands. He tenderly squeezed her hand again, hoping he wasn't putting too much strain on her. He felt his heart race at the fact that he actually was falling in love with his best friend. He couldn't help but let his eyes wander her curvy figure every now and then. He could hardly believe she'd chose someone like him; he felt his whole entire existence glow with pride as the two slowly walked down the beach. He wondered how she could possibly keep face without being embarrassed of her wrecker of a boyfriend. He smiled into space, thinking about how kind she was to him. Ever since day one.

The two easily chatted the whole entire train ride away, forgetting about where they were or what time it was. Vanellope was steadily realizing how easy it was to be around this hunk of bumbling love. She always wondered why people passing by them got freaked out or scampered away. She was proud to be the one causing the rest of the gamers to stare in a confused manner, as if to say 'why is she holding hands with that guy?' She hoped people would see that he may be a brute on the outside, but on the inside, she knew he was just a heap of sugary, molten chocolate. She felt her heart race at the fact that she was the first person to ever get to see this side of him. She treasured him more than anyone else could. She knew the two had something special; they were both misunderstood outcasts at one point in their lives. She knew that conquering their struggles together was the common denominator in their blossoming love.

"I had a lot of fun today," Ralph said gently as the two slowly moseyed towards Sugar Rush's outlet, "You rocked that volleyball tournament."

"Thanks," Vanellope breathed with a bashful smile as she looked down, fiddling her fingers together, "I had a lot of fun, too."

"I hope your cuts are doing better," Ralph said in a caring way as he attentively gazed down at her arm.

"Much better," Vanellope sighed as she lifted her arm; both of them examined the healed damage, "That salt water was brutal, though."

"Bah, I knew you'd be fine," Ralph chuffed before smiling his usual heartwarming smile. Vanellope practically melted before nudging his arm.

"See you tomorrow, stinkbrain," Vanellope chuckled with a loving smile before slowly stepping away. She turned around and took a few steps before she was stopped.

"Ahem," Ralph coughed, trying to get her attention. She whirled around and gazed at Ralph curiously. He had his hands behind his back as he rocked back and forth from his tip toes to his heels. He looked around, pretending to be innocent.

"What?" Vanellope sneered as she shrugged with her arms slightly

.

"I think you're forgetting something," Ralph said with a bemused smile as he relaxed. Vanellope felt her face get hot as she slowly came back to Ralph. She cocked an eyebrow at him and played along.

"And what might that be?" Vanellope teased with a smile as she wrinkled her nose and got closer to Ralph.

"Oh, I don't know," Ralph silently chuckled as he rubbed his jaw a little. Vanellope stood on tip toes about a foot in front of him and gazed up at him with a loving, eager smile. Ralph looked away playfully and inhaled sharply, "I forgot."

"Ralph!" Vanellope gaped as she slumped her shoulders as Ralph turned heel and teasingly began to walk away.

"No no, it's not important," Ralph sneered playfully as he glanced back over his shoulder. He furrowed his brow and double took before Vanellope skid in front of him, gripping the chest of his shirt. She yanked him down to her level a little, Ralph's eyes went wide before she pecked him on the lips briefly and happily skipped away.

"Nighty night, Wrecks-A-Lot," Vanellope sneered with a loving smile as she happily trot away.

Ralph breathed a satisfied chuckle and softly waved, his mind a daze. Vanellope disappeared into her game outlet; Ralph happily watched her leave before slumping his shoulders and trekking across Game Central Station, a smug look on his face. He stopped quickly before reaching into his pocket and pulling out something he forgot to give Vanellope. He frowned and quickly gazed back into Sugar Rush. He bit his lip and pondered for a second before slowly making his way back to Sugar Rush's outlet.