Hello friends, and welcome to the 19th episode of this series. This story you're about to read was done in 2012, and completed before Valentine's Day that year. This new version you're about to read was completed in 2016 by my friend; SF64Rules.
Sodor High School: Thomas & Friends Tales
Written by: ThomasZoey3000/Edited by: SF64Rules
Based on the Railway Series by: The Rev. W. and Christopher Awdry
Based on the Television Series by: Britt AllCroft, David Mitton, Lionsgate, and Universal Pictures
Episode 19: The Valentine's Day Surprise
It was a few days before Valentine's Day, the Sodor High School was being decorated with tonnes of red and pink heart shaped decorations. It was looking very splendid. Heck, even James had to admit that when he saw all the decorations.
"I just love Valentine's Day," smiled Emily as she and Thomas were both walking past the cafeteria. "I can't explain why, but I just love it."
"I feel the same," called another voice. Thomas and Emily both looked up to find the owner of the voice on top of a ladder. It was girl with bright yellow hair, just like Molly, only this girl's hair was shoulder length. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."
"No, that's okay," Emily said kindly. "Tell me though; what are you doing up there?"
"I'm helping to set up the decorations all around the school," The girl answered. To prove it, she was holding onto a set of streamers. "What do you think? Should it go a little higher?" She lifted it up a little bit.
"That's good right there," said Emily.
With that said, the yellow-haired girl taped the one end of the streamers to the wall.
"Thanks for the help there," The girl smiled as she climbed down from the ladder. Then, upon reaching the floor, she realised something. "Oh, how silly of me, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Flora."
"Flora?" Emily gasped in surprise. "As in Toby's sister, Flora?"
"Yep, I am Toby's sister. His only sister to be exact," she giggled. "And you, I guess, are Emily. Toby's told me a great deal about you." She looked to the right. "It's nice to see you again Thomas. I haven't seen you in a long time."
"Yeah, it has been a long time hasn't it?" Thomas nodded, rubbing the back of his head. "Gosh, when was the last time we spoke?"
"Let's see...oh I think it was over a year ago. Remember the grand parade at Great Waterton?" Flora asked.
Thomas nodded.
"Why? What happened?" Emily asked.
"Well, it was just one year after Great Waterton was reopened, and to celebrate there was to be an anniversary party and a grand parade, featuring old cars, traction engines and of course a marching band," Flora explained. "Sadly, I sprained my ankle just doing practice runs. When Thomas arrived, I told him everything and he let me lean on him during the entire parade while I played the trumpet."
"Yeah, that sounds like Thomas alright," Emily smiled.
"Hey, it was the least I could do for a friend," Thomas pointed out.
"Yeah, and I thank you for that again," smiled Flora. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to put up more decorations around the school. I'll see you later Thomas, and it was also nice meeting you Emily."
"It was nice meeting you too," said Emily, waving to the yellow-haired girl. "Come on Thomas, let's get something to eat before the bell rings. I'm starving."
Thomas didn't need telling twice. He and Emily both walked into the cafeteria while Flora went to the other side of the entrance way to put up the other end of the banner.
A little later, back at Thomas's house, Emily was laying down on her 'temporary' bed and thinking about Valentine's Day. She was so focused on her thoughts that she didn't notice Annie and Clarabel both walking into her room.
"Hey Emily. Are you okay?" asked Annie.
"Emily?" asked Clarabel. "Is everything alright?"
They asked their questions a couple more times before, at last, Emily finally broke out of her thoughts.
"Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine," she finally answered. "And yes everything is okay. I didn't mean to worry you two...hey, where's Thomas? I haven't seen him since we came home."
"Oh, he went down to Victor's shop," answered Annie. "He said he wanted to get his bike ready for the upcoming spring season."
"You looked like you were deep in thought Emily," Clarabel stated. "What were you thinking about?"
"Oh, I was just thinking about Valentine's Day," Emily answered. "My parents always gave me plenty of chocolates every year, along with a few dozen Valentine's cards...but," she sighed unhappily. "I never got to spend it with friends, mostly because I didn't have any."
"You never had friends?" Annie and Clarabel both asked in unison.
Emily nodded. "You see, being born from a very wealthy family, my parents always got me anything I ever needed, including a private tutor, so as you can guess...I never got the chance to go to school and make friends, at least, that was until my father decided to enroll me at Sodor High School..."
"And that's when you first met Thomas, right?" asked Annie.
Emily nodded her head slowly.
"Hmm, it's kind of ironic don't you think?" asked Clarabel. Both Emily and Annie looked at Clarabel in confusion, so the orange-haired girl decided to elaborate on her statement. "Well, Thomas usually wears a blue #1 shirt, and he was Emily's first friend. Kind of ironic, huh?"
"Yeah, I guess it is," shrugged Annie.
"Even so," smiled Emily, "I've been happy ever since I met Thomas, and I'm happy to be spending this upcoming Valentine's Day with him, and the rest of my friends too." Hastily, she corrected herself on the last part of her sentence when she saw Annie and Clarabel giving her strange looks.
Over at Victor's shop, Thomas was talking with Oliver and Percy while Victor was fixing up his bike. Oliver had just returned from his most recent trip.
"I had a great time during this trip," he was saying. "Especially when my parents and I got to visit the Bluebell Railway. I have never seen so many steam engines in one place."
"Was the engine Stepney named after there?" Percy asked.
"Oh yeah, the engine was there all right. This time though it was painted in black with red and white lines and it's letters were painted in white as well. During my visit, the engine did doubleheader runs with the engine 'Bluebell'. It too was painted black, but had white and blue lining instead of white and red."
Just as Oliver had finished saying that, there came a loud bang from somewhere in the shops.
"Good heavens Kevin!" cried out Victor. "Please be careful back there!"
"Sorry Boss!" Kevin called from another part in the shop. "It was just a slip of the..."
"Hook," Victor interrupted with a sigh. "Yes, I know Kevin."
"Sounds like Kevin is having trouble back there again," sighed Percy. He then called out to the back room. "Is everyone okay back there?"
"Yes, Percy, everything is just fine." said Victor, who was walking out of the shop. "The ropes attached to one of the crates snapped just as Kevin was moving it from one part of the shop to the other. Thankfully, nobody was in the path of that crate when it fell, thank goodness." He turned his attention to Thomas, "your bike will be ready in a few more minutes Thomas. I'm just adding on the new chains right now."
"Thank you very much Victor," Thomas smiled.
Victor walked back into his shop as Oliver brought up an interesting subject.
"Are you guys going to go to the Valentine's Day Dance?"
"I am," said Percy, "I'm going with that girl; Molly. What about you Oliver?"
"Well I'm going with a girl named Rosie," he answered. "She just came forward this morning and asked me if I would like to go with her to the Valentine's Day Dance."
"Wait? Rosie? As in Brad's little sister Rosie?" Thomas asked.
Thomas and Percy were both surprised that Rosie suddenly decided to give other boys a go, despite the fact the pink-haired girl had a major crush on Thomas.
"Yep, it's that Rosie," Oliver answered with a nod, "Now Thomas, I have to know, who are you going with?"
"The real question we should ask here," said Percy, speaking up. "Is, will you be going to the dance? You don't usually go to the dance, you just stay home."
"Well I think maybe he'll go with that pretty girl; Emily," Kevin said as he passed the door while carrying boxes.
Thomas did not say a single word. Instead, he looked down to the floor while hiding his face.
"Thomas? Are you okay?" asked Percy. "You seem embarrassed or something."
Thomas didn't answer Percy's question. Before either Oliver or Percy could say a single word, Victor walked in with Thomas's bike, which was all repaired.
"Here you go Thomas," he said happily. "Your bike is as good as new and more than ready for the spring season."
"Thank you Victor," Thomas smiled. "Well, I'd better be going. I'll see you two at school."
With that said, Thomas walked away with his bike. Oliver and Percy chuckled quietly.
"Yup, he was blushing all right," said Percy. "There's no denying it; Thomas has a crush on Emily."
"And he definitely wants to ask her out to the dance," agreed Oliver. "And to be honest; I think he should."
"So do I," added Percy. "They seem so perfect together."
Later that evening. While Thomas slept, he dreamed that he was dancing with a long haired girl. He couldn't see her face that well because she had her face hidden behind a mask.
"You're a pretty good dancer," Thomas said kindly. "Can I ask you what your name is?"
The mysterious masked girl showed a small smile at Thomas. "You already know my name Thomas," she said. "You've known me for quite a while now."
"I've known you for a while now? Wait a second...Emily?"
The masked girl never answered the blue-haired boy's question. All of the sudden, a metal claw came out of nowhere and pulled the girl into the shadows.
"She's all mine now, you foolish boy," The mysterious man snickered. Walking out of the shadows was an evil smiling Diesel 10. "You've failed to protect her, and to think she called you a friend."
"Diesel 10!" Thomas exclaimed. "Y-you!"
"That's right!" Diesel 10 laughed. "I have returned to get revenge on both you and Sir Topham Hatt! But I think I'll start by getting rid of the girl, the one whom you failed to protect from me!"
"Shut up! I haven't failed to protect her!" Thomas shouted. "I won't let you harm one hair on her!"
"We'll soon see!" The man swung his metal claw hand at Thomas.
The blue-haired boy tried to protect himself by blocking the attack, but it did no good, as he was quickly knocked down to the ground.
"And now," Diesel 10 cackled insanely, "it's finally time for my revenge...ON YOU!"
The claw swung down at Thomas...
"NOOO!" Thomas shouted. In an instant, the blue-haired boy woke up in a cold sweat whilst panting heavily. He looked to his left, and then to his right and found that he was in his room. "What was that all about?"
"Are you okay Thomas?" A voice spoke up. "I heard you screaming a few seconds ago. Is everything alright?"
Thomas looked over to his door and found Emily standing there, looking worried.
"Yeah everything is okay," Thomas answered. "I was just having a terrible nightmare, that's all."
"What was the nightmare about?" Emily asked kindly. She walked into Thomas' bedroom and sat down on the right side of his bed.
"I don't know. It was a little strange I'll admit," Thomas said while scratching his head. "All I remember was...someone was standing in front of me and then I saw Diesel 10 again. He said he got someone very close to me held captive, and went and attacked me with his claw. I fell down, and he went in for the kill. I woke up right there."
"Yikes, it does sound scary," gasped Emily, reaching over to touch her friend's arm. "Are you sure you're okay Thomas?"
"Yeah, I'm okay," The blue-haired boy sighed. "I'm sorry I woke you up."
"No it's okay. There's no need to say sorry," The dark green-haired girl said kindly. "I was just concerned about you."
"Okay," Thomas whispered, before deciding to ask the question. "Hey, Emily...would you...would you...?"
"Would I what?" Emily looked into her friend's eyes curiously.
"Would you like to go to the Valentine's Day Dance with me...as a date?"
There was silence in the room for almost a minute. Finally, the silence was broken as Emily gave Thomas an answer.
"I would love to go to the Valentine's Day Dance with you Thomas," she answered with a smile on her face. Then the dark green-haired girl let out a big yawn. "Well I'm going back to bed, I'll see you in the morning Thomas."
"Yeah, see you in the morning Emily," Thomas said quietly.
Emily got up from the bed and started to leave the room. Before exiting, she stopped by the door, looked back to Thomas and winked at him before finally walking out. Thomas just smiled before laying back down and going back to sleep.
A couple of days later, Emily went with Annie and Clarabel to buy some Valentine's Day cards while Thomas went to hang out with Toby and Percy at the arcade. Unfortunately, there was a slight problem with that plan...
"Percy's come down with the flu again." said Toby. "So he won't be hanging out with us today."
"What a bummer," Thomas sighed in disappointment. "Well I hope he gets better before the Valentine's Day Dance tomorrow night, otherwise Molly is going to be so disappointed."
"I'm pretty sure Percy will be better by that time. So Thomas, are you planning on going to the Valentine's Day Dance?" Toby asked. Thomas nodded his head, "and I'm guessing that you're going with Emily, am I right?"
"Yeah, I'm going with Emily," Thomas replied, nodding again. "What about you?"
"Of course I'm going to the Valentine's Day Dance," Toby answered. "And before you ask, I'm going with Mavis again. Though I thought you would've gone with Rosie. After all, I thought the two of you were becoming more like a couple every day."
"Rosie and I are just friends," Thomas said firmly. "That's all we've ever been, okay?"
"Okay Thomas, but what about Emily, huh?" Toby asked. Thomas blushed a small shade of red, but he never answered the question. This made Toby realize his brief mistake. "Sorry about that Thomas, I guess I shouldn't have asked that question. After all it's none of my business."
"Nah, it's okay Toby," Thomas finally said, breaking his vow of silence. "Besides, Emily and I are just friends. Enough said."
"Alright then," Toby shrugged.
With that said, the two teenagers went off to play some of the games in the arcade.
The following next morning, Thomas was just coming out of his room when he noticed a small box of chocolates and several Valentine's Day cards to the left side of his door. The first two cards were from Annie and Clarabel. He knew that because both of them were nearly identical.
"That's just like them," Thomas chuckled quietly to himself. "They always get me the same card."
Then he looked at Emily's card. It read 'To My Valentine, Love Emily'. It brought a big smile to the blue-haired boy's face.
"Aww, that was so sweet of her."
Speaking of Emily, she was just walking out of her 'temporary' room and heading off downstairs when she spotted Thomas outside his room.
"Happy Valentine's Day Thomas. Now if you excuse me, I'm going downstairs to make breakfast for all of us."
"Okay Emily," Thomas smiled. "And thanks very much for the card."
"You're welcome," The dark green-haired girl smiled right back.
Once Emily was downstairs, Annie and Clarabel both came out of their room.
"Thanks for the cards," Thomas said kindly. "And for the chocolates too."
"That's not from us," Annie pointed out.
"I think Emily was the one who bought you the chocolates," added Clarabel. "That was sweet of her."
"Yes it was," Thomas said quietly.
In the kitchen, Emily was just getting started on making breakfast when she heard someone knocking at the door. She was going to go answer it when Thomas came to the room.
"Emily, remember we have to be careful," reminded Thomas. "What if it was to be him."
"Oh, yeah," Emily said quietly.
With that said, she backed away from the door while Thomas went to answer it. He turned the handle and opened the door and sighed with relief at who it was.
"Oh, hey Percy. You're early today."
Emily also sighed in relief.
"Yeah, I've been up for a couple of hours now," said Percy as he walked inside. "I can't help it, I'm just so excited about today."
"You're not alone there," Emily smiled. "I'm excited about today too. I'm sure we all are, but for me, this will be the first big dance I get to go to. Hey Percy, would you like to stick around for breakfast?"
"Sure," Percy nodded, as his stomach growled. "As long as it's okay with Thomas."
"It's alright with me," said Thomas, motioning his arms into a 'come on in' gesture.
With that confirmed, Emily went to work on making breakfast, with a little help from Thomas. Thanks to the teamwork of those two teenagers, breakfast was ready in less than twenty minutes.
"Hmm, it's delicious," Percy smiled, taking a bite out of an oatmeal muffin. "You two are great cooks you know that?"
"Well thanks Percy," Emily smiled, taking a bite out of a piece of bacon.
Even Thomas smiled when he heard that.
"I thought you came down with the flu Percy."
"Yeah, I did come down with the flu, but I'm all better now and ready for the Valentine's Day dance," The green-haired boy pointed out. "But I'll keep some tissues in my pocket, just to be on the safe side."
"Good thinking there," nodded Emily. "After all, the last thing a girl wants to see is her date looking like a mess."
"Now that would be embarrassing."
After breakfast, using teamwork once again, Thomas and Emily got all the dishes cleaned up. Then after they were done, all five teenagers went off to catch their bus.
The school day seemed to go on for a long time for the students of Sodor High School, they thought the school day would never end. At last though at around three in the afternoon, the school day was finally done and the students could go home.
After getting home, Emily immediately searched through her 'temporary' closet for her red dress and red high-heeled shoes. Originally, all of Emily's fancy dresses were left back at her parent's home, but after doing some much needed shopping in Knapford sometime after Christmas and before New Years Eve, she had more than a few fancy dresses she could wear to fancy occasions like the Valentine's Day Dance tonight.
As for Thomas, he was getting out his dark blue suit with the red tie and black shoes, which he hasn't wore since the ball before Christmas.
"It's a good thing I got the suit cleaned before this night," he said to himself.
Thomas had gotten dressed first, so he went downstairs to wait for Emily. When she came down, he gasped when he saw her in that red dress, and with her hair down.
"Oh my!" gasped Emily, right before going into her personal thoughts. "He does look handsome."
"You look beautiful Emily," said Thomas kindly.
"Thank you Thomas." The dark green-haired girl said with a slight blush on her face. "I think you look very dashing."
Thomas blushed right back.
"Well then, shall we get going?" Emily asked.
Thomas nodded as they went into the kitchen to get their boots and coats on.
After arriving at the school, the two teenagers walked over to the gym and gasped when they saw the decorations. There were even more decorations in there this time than there were during Halloween or Christmas. Most of their friends were already dancing at this time.
"I don't see James anywhere," said Emily, looking around. "Maybe he chose not to come to the dance."
"Yeah maybe," replied Thomas, before noticing something. "Wait a second; I do see him."
The two teenagers saw James, who was wearing a fancy red and black suit with a necktie chatting with Gordon and Henry. Soon, Thomas and Emily both found Percy dancing with Molly. Although he was smiling, both teenagers could tell that he was nervous.
"I wonder what's bothering Percy?" Emily wondered.
"Why don't we ask him when he and Molly are done dancing?" suggested Thomas.
Once the song had ended, Thomas and Emily both walked over to where Percy was. Emily talked with Molly, while Thomas talked with Percy.
"Is everything okay Percy?" Thomas asked kindly.
"Yeah...a little," Percy said nervously. "I mean I'm having a good time with Molly, but...I'm worried."
"Why's that?"
Percy kicked the ground sheepishly. "Well, I'm worried because I'm afraid that I might step on her foot or say something foolish. You know how sensitive Molly can be."
"You won't," Thomas assured. "Just believe in yourself and you won't do or say anything foolish. Okay, buddy?"
Percy nodded.
"You'll do fine Percy, don't worry about a thing."
"Okay...thanks Thomas," Percy said. He took in a deep breath and walked back over to Molly.
The green-haired boy talked to the yellow-haired girl, and the two of them walked back out to the dance floor.
"It was just a mild case of nervousness," Thomas whispered to Emily. "I told him there's nothing to be worried about and that he should believe in himself."
"Good advice, Thomas. Now, shall we dance?"
"Yes, let us shall," Thomas smiled as he held out his left hand.
Emily grabbed it with her right hand, then they walked out to the dance floor and started dancing as the song 'Do You Believe In Magic?' started playing. The two teenagers danced to almost every song that was played that night, so it was no wonder why they were wiped out when the dance had ended.
When they returned back to Thomas's house, they immediately got ready for bed.
As Thomas slept, he dreamt that he was dancing with the same masked girl from his previous dream, but there was a difference this time, as instead of Diesel 10 showing up and ruining everything, the girl kissed Thomas on the lips. He thought it was a wonderful dream.
"Thank you Thomas," The mysterious girl said happily. "You have made this the best Valentine's Day for me ever."
"You're welcome," Thomas said, while still sleeping.
The blue-haired boy then awoke from the dream to find that there was no-one in his room.
"Now that's what I call a wonderful dream," he said quietly to himself, before falling back asleep.
What Thomas didn't know was that there was someone standing outside of his room. That someone was Emily, and she was blushing and looking very nervous.
"I kissed him, I actually kissed him," she thought to herself. Then, very quietly, Emily tried saying something. "Thomas, I...I..."
Alas, the dark green-haired girl couldn't say it, at least not now. So instead of trying to say it, she walked off back to her room, being careful not to wake anyone up.