Originally posted on AO3. Currently crossposting all my fics from there.
"Sorry we were out of town when all that happened, Vicky." said Gary, sympathetic.
"There's just never enough plastic balls for running the Learn-a-torium! And negotiating those prices gets rough." said Betty, marking her words with hand gestures.
"Thanks, guys. But frankly, I'm kind of glad there's at least two friends that didn't see the whole shebang. It was..." She cringed "kind of pathetic."
"You!?" Said Betty.
"Pathetic!?" Said Gary.
"Never!" Both yelled.
"Aw, you guys always know how to cheer me up. And it's true I'm now the leader, so there WAS some benefits to the whole thing..." she said, thinking mischievously on what kind of things she could do now.
"Well, if you need some advice on leadership we're always happy ("and peppy!" added Gary) to lend a hand. We've learned a lot since inherenting the Learn-a-torium..."
"Thanks, but I think I'm good for now. I already have some ideas..."
Gary saw a chance. "Or if you ever want to talk about relationships..."
"Gary, we agreed she's not ready yet."
Vicky loudly groaned.
"This AGAIN!? I already told you, I'm over that twerp!"
"Vicky, listen! He's basically the perfect boy for you!"
"Yeah, except for the cute little detail that he's an ALIEN!"
("Aw, she called him call cute!" Gary whispered to Betty.)
"Look Vicky, we just think you might be being juuuust a teeny bit closeminded." said Betty.
"Oh, I'll give YOU-" she tried to reach for her hammer, but the other teens blocked her.
"C'mon, Vee, we're between friends." said Gary. "No need for that kind of stuff with us."
"Uuuuugh" Vicky collapsed atop her bed. "He's a liar jerk. End of story."
"Yeah, ok, so the lying wasn't great..."
"But" interrupted Gary "he clearly loves you a whole lot! Like, he came aaaall the way from his planet for you!"
"Uh, no! It was because of his betrothed princess that he hates!"
"No, I mean before. That's how we met him, didn't he told you!?"
"No!? Look, he probably had important stupid alien things to do on Earth and he decided to also visit."
"Uh, no-o!?" said Gary.
"Gary, do you know what this means?" said Betty, shocked.
"She doesn't even know about the battle for true love!" He catastrophized.
"Oh god, what dumb thing did he told you!?" Vicky groaned.
"It wasn't dumb! It was epic!" insisted Gary.
"You know what" said Vicky "one of you better bring me popcorn and then I'll listen to your corny story."
"I'll go!" said Betty.
"And I'll bring the drinks." said Gary.
"And I'll stay here comfortable." said Vicky. But while they were gone, she made sure the bed was free of crap and ready for an afternoon of chat.
After all, it was nice to have her real friends back.