Okay, I'm back on schedule! Actually, thanks to that little break, I'm now ahead of schedule. As I mentioned last time, I did start this chapter before I left and completed it as soon as I returned on Saturday. Currently, I'm writing these author's notes on Sunday, but by the time this gets uploaded, I should be nearly finished with Chapter 25. And then after I proofread that, I can start Chapter 26. I'll basically have stuff prepared a week in advance is what I'm saying. At least that's the plan, as long as I don't run into any more casting complications. Actually, even though the next episode doesn't have any new characters, I still feel it will be a complicated one to write. It should still be on time, but it may take a little longer, which is why I'm glad I have an extra week to get it done.
As for this chapter, it's based around the episode "Ready, Set, Snow!" which is very appropriate given the amount of inclement weather the east coast has been experiencing these last few months (my town managed to get hit with like eight inches of snow). Hopefully things will remain a little calmer now, but just in case, make sure you're staying warm. In fact, if you want the best experience reading this chapter, I recommend you do it under a warm blanket with a big mug of hot chocolate.
Enjoy!
Stretch, Stinkie, & Fatso: Muahahahahahaaaa!
Molly: Can't believe you're all mine
Fatso: Uh, what?
Molly: You and me for all time
Stretch: No way!
Molly: I'm never, ever, EVER gonna be alone again
Stinkie: This stinks!
Molly: It's just you three and me
Fatso: For all eternity?!
Molly: For all ETERNITY!
Stretch, Stinkie, & Fatso: NOOOO!
Molly & Ghostly Trio: It's the Ghost-Ghostly Trio and Molly McGee
Fatso: We've been cursed!
Stinkie: It's the worst!
Molly: Now you're stuck with me
Molly & Ghostly Trio: We're never gonna be apart
Stretch: Is there a way to hit 'restart'?
Molly: Nope!
Molly & Ghostly Trio: We're the Ghost-Ghostly Trio and Molly McGee
Molly: That's me!
Stinkie: Well, that's she. Hee, hee, hee!
Molly & Ghostly Trio: Ghostly Trio and Molly McGee!
Fatso: Oh yeah!
Chapter 24
Snow Worries
"C'mon, c'mon…refresh already!" Molly paced the living room floor in anticipation while tapping her phone screen rapidly. "I can't take the suspense!"
It had been a week since Frostina Winterflakes (aka: the Ice Princess) had departed. After she left, the enormous snowstorm that had been covering Brighton left with her. But it didn't take long before another snowstorm, this one not caused by any ghosts as far as anyone knew, hit the town. In a matter of hours, every tree, house, and road was covered in a thick sheet of ice and frost. To most adults, this meant having to spend a grueling amount of time scraping the stuff off their driveway and car, if they were unfortunate enough to have parked it outside. But to kids like Molly and Darryl, it only meant one thing: the possibility of school being canceled.
"Darryl! Did you find anything?"
Darryl was frantically typing away at Molly's laptop.
"Nope. Nothing on the school website. And nothing on the local news accounts either." he groaned while tugging on his hair. "What is taking so long?!"
Just then, the TV began playing a news report.
"Good morning!" the chipper newscaster began. "Jodie Pataki here! I know all you kids at home wanna know what schools are closed today due to inclement weather, so let's get down to business! Snow business, that is!"
"Enough with the terrible puns! Tell us already!" Molly demanded, as if the lady on TV could hear her.
"First up, Perfektborg. Schools will be…closed!"
"Yeah, yeah, we already figured that." Darryl rolled his eyes. "They'll cancel school from just a drizzle of rain! Man, those kids are lucky…"
The news anchorwoman continued. "Newline. Schools are…closed!"
Molly and Darryl crossed their fingers as the list continued.
"Okay, time for the lightning round! Okonohaw? Closed! Wetaskuwon? Closed! Rhine Bluffs? Closed! Sunloo? Closed! And last but not least…"
Molly and Darryl held their breath.
"…Oh, wait. Never mind. That's it."
"What?!" Molly cried in disbelief. "That's literally every single town around us!"
"That's so not fair!" Darryl whined.
The siblings slumped to the floor, full of disappointment…until the newscaster was handed a piece of paper from offscreen.
"Oh, what's this? A last-minute addition?"
Molly and Darryl immediately got up.
"It seems there's also going to be a snow day for…"
Sweat dripped down Molly and Darryl's faces.
"Please, please, please, please!" they begged.
"Pensacola, Florida!"
"NOOOOO!" Molly and Darryl wailed.
The reporter laughed. "Just kidding! Like they'd ever get snow. It's Brighton!"
The kids gasped excitedly upon hearing this. "Yes! Snow day!"
They were so happy, they started doing random dances in the middle of the living room. Then right when Molly was about to give her brother a victory hug, he zipped away from her, causing her to hug air and fall down. He returned a split second later in his snow clothes and a sled under his arm.
"Mom? Dad? I'm gonna go play with Becca and Charlie! Don't wait up! Wooohoooo!"
Molly stood up and watched as Darryl hopped on his sled and slid outside. When she looked out the door, she was absolutely mesmerized by the thick, white blanket covering her street. She then saw Darryl meeting up with his friends, giving her a brilliant idea. She shut the door and dialed a number on her phone.
"Hello? This is Libby Stein-Torres speaking."
"Libby! Snow day! Get over here!"
"Wait, Molly? Is that y-"
Molly hung up before she even gave her a chance to respond.
"Oh, Streeetch? Stiiiinkiiiiieeee? Faaaaatsooooo?" she sang.
The Ghostly Trio, Molly's "ghost friends forever" were fast asleep in their san phra phrom. But as soon as their names were called, the curse activated and they were forced out of bed.
"Oh you've gotta be jokin'!"
"Can't a fella sleep in from time to time?"
"I was just about to have my dream waffles!"
The three tried to resist, but as usual, they failed and flew smack into Molly's dresser. Molly approached them with a big grin on her face.
"Oh good! You're up!"
"Yeah, I wonder why." Stretch remarked sarcastically. "So, what are ya still doin' home? Ain't it a school day?"
"Nope! It's a snow day!" Molly exclaimed gleefully.
The Trio looked out the window and observed the blizzard outside.
"Oh yeah. Snow day. Fantastic." Stretch grumbled.
"Hey, remember how excited we used to get over snow days?" Stinkie recalled. "And how they used to represent a day of warm fuzzies, freedom from education, and non-stop fun?"
"No." Fatso answered bluntly.
"Yeah, me neither."
"Snow days are about all of those things, you guys!" Molly insisted, while digging behind her bed. "And I'll prove it to you!"
She finally retrieved a box with a snowflake lock in the center.
"So, what the heck is that?" Stretch asked.
Molly opened the box and inside was a scroll with the words "Snow Day" printed across the top.
"This, my friends, is a list of all the fun things we have to do on a snow day. Imagine with me, why don't you?"
Molly began picturing in her brain what she had in mind and the Trio used their ghost powers to see inside her head. The first image that popped up was of her, Libby, Stinkie, and Fatso on a sled and Stretch pushing them from behind.
"We'll start by sledding down the big hill on 3rd Street…"
"Why am I the one pushin'?" Stretch demanded.
"You have the longest arms. Next, we'll have a snowball fight…"
"Wait, are we jugglin' the snowballs?" Stinkie inquired. "Why would we juggle 'em when we can just throw 'em at you?"
Molly ignored this question. "And finally, we'll have snow cones made out of real snow!"
Fatso cringed upon seeing Molly's version of him holding a yellow-colored cone. "Please tell me that's lemon flavor."
"And that's just the beginning of the list!" Molly unfolded the paper, revealing a list that looked like it was a mile long. "We're gonna have the greatest day ever! Aren't you excited?!"
"No!" Stretch refused. "What makes ya think we'd ever wanna go out there? We may be dead but we can still feel cold temperatures."
At that moment, a bird flying by the house froze in midair and dropped to the ground.
"And this?" Stretch gestured to the window. "This is beyond a simple 'cold temperature.'"
"Yeah, Moll," Stinkie agreed. "Your plans have stunk before, but this one stinks on ice!"
Fatso nodded. "Normally, I wouldn't mind going outside since my excessive body fat means I have a higher tolerance for the cold, but nobody, not even someone over 400 pounds, could survive that level of freezin'."
Molly shrugged. "Well, you boys had better get on board because once Libby gets here, it's gonna be us three against you two."
Stretch raised an eyebrow. "Uh, don't ya mean 'you two against us three'?"
Molly just smiled. "Fatso, if you take my side, I'll tell you where Mom hides her triple-decker fudge bars."
"Really?" Fatso drooled.
Stretch and Stinkie glared at him, but it didn't deter him from floating to Molly's side of the room.
"Sorry fellas, I'm easily swayed by bribes involving ice cream."
"The law of friendship 101," Molly bragged to Stretch and Stinkie. "Majority rules."
"Hmph." Stretch poked Molly in the arm. "Ya always have to have yer way, don't ya McGee?"
Just then, the doorbell rang and Molly headed downstairs to answer it, dragging the Trio along with her.
"It's my most charming trait."
The four soon reached the front door and opened it. To their horror, Libby was on the other side shivering furiously. Her entire body was coated with frost and icicles.
"M-M-M-Molly…" her teeth chattered. "It's so c-c-c-cold out here…"
The wind blew inside the house, knocking the Trio into the wall.
"Boy, I'll say!" Stretch shuddered. "You know it's bad when ya can see yer own breath!"
"I mean, I can see it even when it's not cold." Stinkie claimed, blowing a stench cloud in Stretch's face. Due to the cold, it ended up freezing in midair, thus freezing Stretch along with it.
Molly slammed the door to block out the intense wind.
"Okay, yeah." she admitted, grabbing an ice pick to remove the ice off Libby's clothes. "It's a little chilly. But we have to spend the day outside! That's what snow days are about, right?"
"Yeah," Libby said once she had thawed. "But you know, there are other ways to spend days like this."
"Pfft, like what?" Molly chuckled.
Libby got out her phone. "Have you ever heard of hygge?"
"Hy-whatta?"
"It's the Danish art of being comfy-cozy." Libby showed Molly a picture of a couple sitting under a quilt by a fire, holding mugs of hot chocolate. "It involves staying warm by a roaring fire, snuggling under big fluffy blankets, and drinking hot chocolate with your best pals."
The Trio became intrigued upon hearing this, but Molly remained adamant.
"Sorry Libbs, but the Trio and I already agreed to tackle my Snow Day list." Molly put her arms around the three ghosts. "And, well, four is greater than one, so…"
Stretch slipped out of her arm. "Hold on a sec! Libby, normally I find your interests to be weird and cringeworthy, but this? This is pure genius! I love everything about what ya just said! Especially the part about sittin' by a fire. Between you and me, I've always loved fire. To me, it's a symbol of-"
"Warmth? Togetherness? Love?" Libby guessed.
"Eh, I was thinkin' more along the lines of 'chaos' and 'destruction,' but whatever works for you."
Molly grabbed Stretch by the tail and pulled him back to her side.
"Well, as fun as this 'hugga' or whatever it is sounds, we already made plans."
Stretch, once again, slipped away. "Fuggedaboudit, bone bag! I'm stickin' with Libby's idea and there ain't nothin' you can do to change my mind!"
Molly scowled. "Fine. Whatever! It doesn't matter anyway, because it's still three against two!"
"Not so fast!" Stinkie joined Libby and Stretch. "Did you say 'fluffy blankets'?"
Libby nodded.
"Ooh, those'll be perfect for practicin' my infamous Dutch ovens. Sign me up for hygge, toogge!"
"Gee, thanks Stinkie." Libby acknowledged somewhat uncomfortably. "I think…"
Molly was in disbelief. "But…but…Fatso? You're still with me, right?"
She looked up and realized Fatso was no longer floating above her. Turning her head, she saw him squeezing in between his brothers.
"What?! But…but…fudge pops!"
"Sorry, Molly," Fatso apologized. "But after that traumatic experience with the wind just now, I don't wanna have to deal with anything frozen for a while. Bring on the hot chocolate!"
Stretch gave Molly a smug smirk. "Well, whaddya know? I'm no mathematician or nothin', but it looks like hygge got more votes than yougge. And majority rules, right Moll?"
"Yes…" Molly grumbled.
"Ha! Ain't democracy grand?" Stretch asked the others.
With the decision made, Libby and the Trio began to set everything up for the ultimate indoor snow day. Meanwhile, Molly did nothing except sulk on the couch, bitter that she hadn't gotten her way. At one point, Stretch floated by and she gave him sad, doe-eyes in an attempt to guilt-trip him. He reached his hand out, looking like he was about to comfort her…but he was actually just trying to grab the pillow behind her and when he took it, Molly fell on her face.
"C'mon, Molly." Libby encouraged, bringing a stack of pillows over to the fireplace. "Give hygge a chance."
"But…but…snow day…"
Molly looked out the window at the falling snow. She couldn't help thinking about all the fun things she was missing out on. It was enough to make her want to cry.
But she didn't cry, because she believed there was still a way to salvage her ideal snow day. All she needed was more people on her side. And she knew just the people who would help her…
Later on, Molly had gathered Pete, Sharon, and Grandma Nin (through video call as always) into her room. She thought about bringing Darryl too, as his enthusiasm for snow days would definitely mean she would get his vote, but she also didn't want to interfere with his own outdoor plans. Like her so-called friends did with hers.
"Thank you all for joining me." Molly announced while walking in front of them.
"So…what's this all about, Molly?" Sharon wondered.
Molly pulled out a bulletin board with a two-sided chart. The left side was labeled "Hygge" and it had a frowny-face drawn on the bottom. The right side was labeled "Snow Day" and conversely, it had a drawing of a happy face.
"Justice, Mother." Molly answered. "That's what it's about. As you all should be aware, a snow day is meant to be spent outside doing fun stuff like snowball fights and sledding." she pointed to some pictures of her, the Trio and Libby doing said activities. "However, some people…not naming names…" she gestured to a drawing of Libby and the Trio. "…believe that some dumb Danish tradition is the superior option."
"Is that what that word up top is supposed to be?" Pete inquired. "How do you pronounce that? 'Hi-guh'? Is that right?"
"Who cares how it's pronounced?!" Molly shouted suddenly. "We don't care about it! We don't want anything to do with it!"
"We…don't?" Sharon looked confused.
"No! We don't! So, here's the plan." Molly paced back and forth. "We're going to march downstairs, confront the enemy, and convince them to see the error of their ways. And if that doesn't work…we can always use force! Are you with me?!"
She received blank stares.
"I'll take your silence as a 'yes'! Now let's go!"
With that, she marched out of the attic. Having nothing better to do, the adults followed her.
"Think the fumes from Stinkie's midnight gas attacks are starting to get to her?" Pete whispered to Sharon.
"Maybe it wouldn't hurt to put a few air fresheners in here." Sharon suggested.
"I can have them sent in two days time." Grandma Nin offered.
By the time Molly and the grown-ups had gotten downstairs, Libby and the Trio were snuggled under some blankets and drinking cocoa.
"Oh hello, friends…" Molly greeted smugly. "You sure look nice and cozy.…"
Stretch gave her a glare. "Yeah, well…we'd be cozier if someone didn't keep lettin' one under the blankets." he turned his gaze to Stinkie, who only giggled.
"Well, don't get too comfortable." Molly informed him, taking her mom's phone from her so Grandma Nin could see what was happening. "Because the outcome has changed! As you can see, I've gathered three more potential voters and all three of them unanimously decided that my idea of a snow day is better than yours. So that means it's four versus four!"
Stretch rolled his eyes. "It's a tie. So what?"
Molly pulled out her notebook labeled "Friendship Handbook."
"Well, according to Article 62 of my handy-dandy friendship handbook, 'whoever is wearing the most colors right now gets to decide.' Huh! How about that? Now let's see…" Molly took a moment to count all the different colors on her clothes. "One…two…three…well, what do you know? I'm wearing six colors! Which is more than anyone else, so it looks like-"
"Ahem."
Stretch pointed toward Fatso, who was coated in a rainbow of colors thanks to Stinkie painting him.
"Hey! Check me out! I've always wanted to be a colorin' book! Heh, heh!"
Molly growled in frustration. "Oh, so that's how we're gonna play, huh? Well, if you can make last-minute changes, so can I! Time for me to call in reinforcements!"
"Ha!" Stretch laughed in her face. "Yeah, right! Who ya gonna call?"
"Ghostbusters!" Fatso answered.
Stretch slapped him across the face. "Never say that name again…" he turned back to Molly. "As I was sayin', ya already got all your family members on yer side and I bet the only reason they joined ya is 'cause they felt sorry for ya! You couldn't convince anyone else, unless they were a total airhead!"
This gave Molly an idea.
"Hm…what about that ditzy little blonde ghost? You know, the one who's always saying she's your best friend? What was her name again? Was it 'Pearl'? P-E-A-R-"
Right on cue, a portal opened up and a blonde ghost with a pink ribbon appeared.
"Whoa there! Easy mistake to make, Molly. It's actually pronounced 'Poil.' P-O-I-"
Molly put a finger to Poil's lips. "Yeah, yeah, I knew that. I was just testing you. Check it out, guys! It looks like Poil here is joining us for our super-awesome snow day!"
"I am?" Poil took out her daily planner. "What do ya know? My calendar was wrong. All this time I thought today was my monthly brain scan."
"A waste of time if ya ask me." Stinkie whispered to Libby. "Ya can't scan for somethin' that ain't there."
"Hey, I just realized something!" Molly stated knowingly. "We have an extra participant in our little competition now. Maybe we should do a quick recount to see who's winning?"
Fatso floated over to Molly's side and counted each person (and ghost) on his hands. Then he counted everyone on the other side. By the time he finished, he was very confused.
"Uh…I just realized I don't have enough fingers for this…" he stared at the eight digits on his hands.
"Well, I'll save ya the trouble, big guy." Molly assured him. "It's five against four! You guys are outvoted! Majority rules! Now let's go outside!"
Stretch held his hands up in surrender. "Okay, okay. You win. If yous guys really feel that way, who are we to oppose?"
"Ha! Yes! Victory!" Molly fist pumped.
"It's a shame, though." Stretch continued, shaking his head. "We all know how much Sharon just loooves sittin' in front of warm fires, baskin' in the glow of good company…"
The Trio moved aside so Sharon could get a glimpse of the comforting flames. They seemed to hypnotize her.
"It speaks to something deep in my soul…" she said quietly. "Hygge…"
Stinkie brought over a covered tray.
"And we also know how much Pete can never say 'no' to one of these babies…"
He lifted the cover, revealing dozens of s'mores underneath.
"I don't blame 'im." Fatso tried to reach for one, but Stinkie slapped his hand away and held the tray under Pete's face. Just like he predicted, Pete wasn't able to resist.
"It's true. Once I have one…I always want s'more!"
In response to the terrible pun, Stinkie shoved a s'more in Pete's mouth.
Fatso picked up Sharon's phone and set it down on a pillow. "And every one of us knows Grandma Nin enjoys relaxin' on a comfy cushion. Especially when it's done virtually!"
"Ahh…even from miles away, I can still feel myself slowly sinking into the floor…"
"Oh c'mon!" Molly complained. "Grandma, you shouldn't have an excuse! You're inside a phone for cryin' out loud! Poil! Back me up, here! …Poil?"
That's when Molly noticed Poil snuggled up under a blanket.
"Yummy! Someone pass me one of those s'mores!"
"What?! Poil, you too?!"
Poil pointed out the window. "Uh, hello? Did ya see how bad it is out there? I may be a brainless ditz, but even I think playin' in below zero-degree weather is a dumb idea!"
Soon, everyone who had previously taken Molly's side was sitting by the fire with mugs of hot chocolate.
"This is ridiculous!" Molly argued. "You're all a bunch of wimps!"
"C'mon Molly," Pete encouraged, snuggling next to Sharon. "Have a seat by the fireplace. You know what they say: if ya can't beat 'em, join 'em."
"No! I refuse to give up! You think I don't have any more friends who will join my cause? Well, you're wrong! Wrong I tell you!"
Molly then sprinted upstairs.
"This oughta be good." Stretch noted.
A few minutes later and Molly returned carrying an armful of stuffed animals.
"Ha! There! See? You guys have eight? Well, I have…" she counted each plushie. "…nine!"
The others gave her concerned looks. Fatso sprayed some whipped cream on his hot chocolate. And then some into his mouth.
"That's right!" Molly continued manically. "Nine is bigger than eight! It's over! Game, set, match! Let's go!"
Molly opened the front door, letting the chilly breeze back in. When this happened, her stuffed animals blew over to the fireplace, landing on the pillows and blankets. Fatso offered a mug to a plush bunny.
"Would you like one or two marshmallows?"
"Grrr…" Molly was growing more and more agitated by the minute. She was also quickly running out of ideas. But luckily for her, she still had one last trick up her sleeve. A little thing called "reverse psychology."
"You know what? Maybe you guys are right."
"We are?" Stretch raised an eyebrow suspiciously.
"Oh absolutely! In fact, now that I think about it, hygge sounds like a real blast! I just love the idea of getting third-degree burns from the fire, filling up on extremely fattening junk food, and breathing in the toxic gases from Stinkie's Dutch ovens. Yep! That sounds way more fun than building snowmen, going sledding, and cooling down outside. Hygge all the way I say!"
Her friends and family were unfazed.
"Bout time ya came to yer senses, Moll." Stretch replied.
"Yeah, come have a seat." Stinkie patted the pillow next to him. "I'll get yer spot all warmed up for ya. Hee, hee, hee…"
"What? No!" Molly facepalmed. "That wasn't what you were supposed to say! Arrgh!" she took a breath. "You know what? Forget you guys. I don't need you. Darryl's already outside with his friends so I can just go play with him! Ya hear that? You're replaceable! How does that feel, huh?"
Once again, nobody responded. Fatso squirted more whipped cream into his mouth. Molly frowned solemnly.
"Well…I'm sorry you feel that way…"
With that, Molly put on her warmest clothes and headed for the door.
"So long, snow heathens! And thanks for nothing! But no matter. At least Darryl knows how to properly take advantage of a day like today."
She then opened the door and was shocked to see a frozen Darryl sitting atop his sled on the front porch. He slid inside and the ice surrounding him broke apart.
"S-S-S-So c-c-c-cold out there. T-T-Too c-c-c-cold…"
"Oh c'mon!" Molly whined as Darryl swiftly changed out of his winter coat and dove under the blankets by the fire.
"Ahh…much better."
Stinkie scooted toward him. "Hey, Darryl? Wanna share a blanket with me?"
"Sure, Stinkman. As long as you don't mind…" Darryl then passed gas under his blanket and covered Stinkie's head with it. "…Dutch ovens!"
Stinkie gagged. "I taught you well, kid…"
"Okay! Last chance!" Molly called. "The snow day train is departing the station! Choo-choo! If you wanna hop aboard, I suggest you hurry! Anyone? Hello?"
Unsurprisingly, nobody was interested. Molly felt like her heart was about to break from the rejection. But she smiled anyway to show she wasn't bothered by her friends' decision.
"Fine! Your loss! I'll just go out and have fun all by myself! You'll see! I can have a good time without any of you! Go ahead and enjoy wasting the day away inside. Just don't come crying to me when you get bored out of your minds!"
"We won't!" everyone else told her.
Once again, Molly felt the pain of being rejected, but chose not to show it. Instead, she did her best to remain positive as usual. She then picked up Darryl's sled and ran out the door.
As soon as she stepped outside, the first thing she was met with was a lump of snow from the roof falling on her head. But this wasn't enough to dampen her spirits.
Molly: This is awesome, this is great
I can sled, I can skate
I can have tons of fun, just a party of one
There's no way I'm missing a snow day
First, Molly tried skiing, with emphasis on the word "tried." She ended up falling backward off a hill and knocking over a kid's snowman in the process.
Molly: It's the best! It's a ball
They're so wrong, it's not that cold at all
Oh, the smile on my face may be frozen in place
But there's no way I'm missing a-ow!
She ran face first into a pole beside her house. Through the window, she could make out Sharon pouring cocoa for everyone.
"Who needs more hot chocolate? Anyone?"
Fatso held out his mug. "Top me off!"
Sharon filled up his mug. "And don't forget the marshmallows!"
She began pouring out some of the aforementioned sticky sweets only to realize last-minute they were landing in Fatso's mouth.
"For the cocoa, Fatso." she scolded with a smile.
Fatso grinned sheepishly before swallowing all the marshmallows in one gulp.
Molly shook her head, determined to not let their enjoyment get to her. She had plenty more activities to keep her occupied, after all. Unfortunately, the extremely cold weather got in the way every time.
Molly: This is awesome! Hip-hip hooray!
Can't feel my fingers or my toes but that's okay
YOLO! I'm flying solo
But I'm still gonna play
There's no way I'm missing a snow day
I bet they're jealous they're missing out
They played it safe, but look who's laughing now?!
Hahahahaha!
When Molly opened her mouth to laugh, a leaf flew in and she started to choke. A mother squirrel watching from a nearby tree covered her children's eyes at the sorry sight.
Meanwhile, the other McGees, Libby, the Ghostly Trio, and Poil were having a great time inside away from the snow. Currently, they were in the middle of finishing Molly's favorite jigsaw puzzle of two cats playing with a ball of yarn.
"Found the last one!" Poil placed the last piece onto the puzzle.
The others shouted out compliments.
"Hey, not bad!"
"Way to go!"
"Nicely done, Poil!"
Poil grinned. "Gee, this has been the best snow day ever! I should start mixin' up my calendar dates more often!"
Back outside, Molly had built a snow fort in a desperate attempt to warm herself up. Naturally, it wasn't working.
Molly: This is awesome…I feel no pain
I think there might be icicles inside my brain
She then sneezed, knocking the fort down and getting buried in snow once again. But she remained persistent and dug her way out so she could start having a snowball fight…with herself.
Molly: But I'll maintain my composure while dying of exposure
'Cause there's no way
I'm missing even one little second
Of a snow day!
One of the snowballs Molly threw hit the window of her house, and she got covered in snow for a third time.
"Who wants cookies?" she heard her mom's voice.
She crawled out of the snow and pressed her face longingly against the window. Sharon had brought out a huge plate of freshly-baked chocolate-chip cookies and everyone else was laughing and clinking their hot chocolate mugs together. It was clear to Molly that they were having way more fun than she was. She even started to feel an urge to go inside and join them.
"No!" she slapped herself in the face. "Don't fall into temptation, McGee! You're tougher than that! Who cares if they're all warm and toasty while you're fighting off a case of hypothermia? You just need a little more exercise, that's all! Burning calories is a surefire way to warm yourself up, right? Ha, ha, ha…ha, ha, ha…hahahahahahaHAHAHAHA!"
Speaking of warmth, the others had just finished off the plate of cookies and were snuggled up against the roaring fire.
"Ahh…" Libby sighed contentedly. "I've never been more relaxed in my life."
"Hey, ya know what would be even more relaxin'?" Stinkie suggested to Pete. "If we shared our body heat? What do ya say, Petey?"
"Sure. I don't see why not." Pete agreed.
"Pete, I wouldn't do that." Sharon warned.
"Why not?"
Before Sharon could answer her husband, Stinkie and Darryl passed gas under their blankets and tossed them over Pete's face.
"DUTCH OVEN!" they squealed.
"Gah! Can't breathe!" Pete choked. "You two have only eaten sweet things today, how can it smell so bad?!"
Stretch snickered at the scene and then turned his head toward the window upon hearing the wind getting louder. Everyone else took notice of this as well.
"Gee, I hope Molly is okay out there." Libby confessed worriedly.
"Yeah, me too." Sharon concurred.
"So do I." Darryl nodded.
Pete tossed the smelly blankets off his head. "Same."
But the most worried of all were the Trio.
"Molly's always been a complete nutjob," Stretch stated.. "But bein' out in that mess is probably makin' her go even nuttier."
"Yeah, if she doesn't come back in soon, she'll probably die of pneumonia. Just like our nephew." Stinkie recounted.
"Poor Casper." Fatso shook his head sadly. "He could've lived a full life, but he underestimated the power of a torrential downpour."
The Trio planted themselves next to the window so they could watch out for their fleshie friend. Libby, Sharon, Pete, Grandma Nin, Darryl, and Poil did the same.
Sure enough, Stretch's assumption of Molly becoming more insane than she was already was correct, for the girl was currently cackling maniacally while finishing up some lifelike representations of Libby and the Trio made completely out of snow.
"Ha! I knew you guys would wanna come outside eventually!" she said to them while shivering.
She moved the snow-Libby's arm and imitated her. "'Of course, Molly! You were totally right all along! We should have listened to you from the start!'" she talked normally. "Well, I'm glad you finally see it my way. Now, would you all care to join me in a snowball fight?"
She made the snow-Stretch talk next. "'Sure thing, bone bag! We'd love to!'" then the snow-Stinkie. "'We'd be honored!'" and finally, the snow Fatso. "'We will, we will rock you!'"
She went back to the snow-Stretch. "'That is so stupid, you melted my snow-brain!'" she used his arm to smack the snow-Fatso in the face. "'Ow!'"
Molly then made a few snowballs and tossed them at her creations.
"Ha! Take that! And that! And one of these, too! Okay, your turn to hit me!"
Molly waited as if the snow-girl and snow-ghosts would actually do something.
"C'mon! It's no fun if you don't fight back! Here, let me help."
She placed a snowball in snow-Libby's hand, leaned it back, and launched it into the air. Then, she ran over to where it was falling and it hit her in the back of the head.
"Ha, ha…ha, ha…Hahahahaha!" she chortled, standing up from the fall. "Nice throw, Libby! All that softball practice is paying off, huh? Oh we do have fun! Heh, heh…" she curled into a ball, hugging herself. "Isn't this the greatest? It's the only way to spend a snow day! Right, guys?"
She looked up, expecting to receive an answer.
"…Guys?"
Realizing that the lumps of snow weren't actually her best friends, Molly hung her head sadly. She missed them terribly and wished they were really with her. But they weren't. She was all alone…
But then, to her surprise, she heard a voice.
"Okay, this is gettin' way too pathetic for me. I can't keep quiet anymore."
"Wha? Who said that?" Molly looked around.
"Over here, Einstein!"
Molly then noticed the snow-Stretch's lips moving. She rubbed her eyes in disbelief.
"Yeah, that's right!" Snow-Stretch responded. "I'm a talkin' snowman! You ain't hearin' things!"
The snow-Fatso talked next.
"You ain't seein' things either."
"And ya definitely ain't smellin' things." the snow-Stinkie belched and Molly coughed from the stench.
"What…what is going on here? How are you alive?"
"Never mind that!" Snow-Stretch insisted. "It's not important. All that matters is that we're alive and we've got somethin' to say! And that somethin' is…you need to stop bossin' everybody around!"
"You need to stop makin' everything all about you." Snow-Stinkie added.
"You need to stop…in the name of love!" Snow-Fatso blurted randomly.
"Why don't you stop talkin'?!" Snow-Stretch whacked Snow-Fatso with one of his branches.
"I…I don't understand." Molly was confused. "Why are you telling me this?"
"We're your friends, Moll. That much is true." Snow-Stretch continued. "But that don't mean we have to do what you want all the time. Bein' a good friend is about listenin' to what others want, after all."
"Exactly." Snow-Stinkie agreed. "Ya can't always have it your way."
"Unless you're in a certain fast-food burger joint." Snow-Fatso joked, prompting another slap from Snow-Stretch.
Molly looked down, filled with regret. "Gee, I guess I never thought about that. But I never meant to be so bossy. I only wanted to give you guys the best snow day ever."
"Ya still don't get it, do ya McGee?" Snow-Stretch explained. "Havin' the best snow day shouldn't be about what ya do, but who ya do it with. Be honest, you ain't havin' a good time out here all alone, are ya?"
"But I'm not alone!" Molly argued. "You guys are here! And so is Libby!"
She gestured to the snow-Libby, right as its head fell off. The snow-Trio raised their twig eyebrows at her and she sighed.
"Maybe you're right, subconscious. It's not fair if we always do what I want. I promise from now on I'll let my friends take the lead sometimes. Thanks, inner-self!"
She gave the three sculptures a hug.
"Yeah, yeah."
"Don't mention it."
"Anything for our buddy."
Molly winced as she thought she felt a branch patting her on the back.
"Heh, heh…" she backed up. "Okay, clearly I've been out here too long. I should go inside before I start hallucinating something even crazier, like a snow-unicorn. Though that would be awesome. Okay, bye!"
As soon as Molly stepped away and went back into the house, the Ghostly Trio phased out of their snow forms, revealing themselves to have been controlling them all along. They high-fived each other.
"Nice job, fellas." Stretch commented.
"Yeah, we did good." Stinkie bragged.
"Nobody can say we're not good friends." Fatso claimed.
"Well, for our sake, let's hope they do. Last thing we need is a reputation for bein' sweet and understandin' ghosts." Stretch shuddered.
"Hey, if we don't get back inside, we're gonna have a reputation for bein' stiff and frozen ghosts." Stinkie pointed out.
Stretch started to shiver. "Good point. Let's get outta this mess!"
So, the three flew back to the house. By the time they got there, Molly was snuggled up under a blanket by the fire, surrounded by her loved ones.
"Ahh…I feel so much better." she glanced at Libby and the Trio. "Hey, listen, I owe you all an apology. I should have been a better friend and listened to what you wanted to do. Maybe if I had, I wouldn't have nearly died from frostbite."
Libby chuckled. "It's okay, Molly. We're just glad you came to your senses eventually. C'mon, let's 'hygge' it out!"
Everyone gathered around Molly to give her a great big hug.
"Mmm…" Molly hummed contentedly. "I have to admit, this is pretty nice. I don't think I ever wanna leave this blanket again…how about you guys?"
"Um…" Libby felt herself starting to sweat. "Actually, I think I might be getting a bit too toasty."
"I know, right?" Stretch concurred. "I'm startin' to feel like a roasted marshmallow under here!"
"Funny," Poil observed. "I always thought ya kinda looked like a marshmallow."
"Really? Do you think he tastes like one?" Fatso stuck his tongue out toward Stretch.
"Try it even once and you're goin' in that fire…" Stretch threatened.
"We have been inside all day…" Pete noted. "Maybe we should take a break and cool off?"
The others nodded in agreement.
"Good idea!"
"I'm down!"
"Same here."
"Eh. The cold never bothered me anyway."
"Wait for me!"
The next thing Molly knew, she was alone in the living room.
"Huh? Where'd everybody go?"
Once she realized they had all left to go out into the snow, she was exasperated.
"Oh, now you decide to jump on the snow day bandwagon! You've got to be kidding me!"
That's when she got a good whiff of the blanket she was wearing around her shoulders.
"Ugh! Stinkie!"
"That one's Darryl's!" Stinkie called from the door.
Ghostly Trio and Molly McGee!
Please review if you enjoyed. If you didn't enjoy, review anyway. And if it snows again in your area, please stay safe!
Also, yes I am aware they released a new "Bad Guys" short. I haven't seen it yet because I'm planning to watch "Dogman" in theaters. As soon as I've seen it, I'll let you know if I'll do my own fanfic for it.
Ok, byeee!
