Adventures of the Smiling Critters

by Fluttershyfan123

This is a tale of a group of friends known as the Smiling Critters. Everyday, the Smiling Critters like to play together and have a fun time. However, not everything is all sunshine and rainbows. Sometimes, they would have to solve a problem they are having or even go on a dangerous adventure. Despite the dangers, the Smiling Critters have comfort in knowing they have each other.

8. Valentines Day

AN: Happy Valentines Day, everyone! To celebrate the holiday of love, I decided to make my next Adventures of the Smiling Critters chapter Valentines Day themed! I hope you enjoy this new chapter!

Chapter 8

Valentines Day

Today is the most romantic day of the year! Love is in the air as everyone happily celebrated Valentines Day! To celebrate this wonderful holiday, DogDay invited his friends over for a Valentines party at his backyard.

The party consisted of tables spread out across the backyard with heart shaped balloons and a banner that read, "Happy Valentines Day". There were also Valentines related snacks being served at the party, whether it was a bowl of strawberries, heart shaped chocolate, or heart shaped cookies. Throughout the party, Bobby happily enjoyed the holiday as she handed out Valentines cards for each of her friends.

"Oh, I just love Valentines Day! It's my favorite holiday of the year!" Bobby squealed with joy.

"I can see why! There is no other holiday like this one where you spread love for others!" DogDay agreed.

"Not to mention the delicious meals we get to eat too!" Picky smiled, placing a strawberry in her mouth. "Want some, DogDay?"

"Sure! Just as long as it isn't chocolate because of, well, the fact that I'm a dog!" DogDay pointed out.

While everyone was having a fun time at the party, Kickin and Hoppy were having an arm wrestling contest together to see which one of them is stronger. They both gave it their all with neither one of them showing any signs of weakness.

"R-Ready to give up yet?" Kickin asked, determined to beat Hoppy.

"Give up? Y-Yeah, right! Just look at you sweating like that! If there's anyone who should give up, it's you!"

It was at this point when Kickin noticed his hand slowly descending onto the table. He knew that he should think of something fast, or he will lose.

"Hey, Hoppy! Is that a soccer ball behind you?"

"Huh? Why would DogDay have a soccer ball in his backyard?" Hoppy looked behind her.

This gave Kickin the opportunity to press Hoppy's paw against the table, winning the match.

"Wh-What?!" Hoppy looked back to Kickin once she realized what happened. "Dang it! I can't believe I fell for that same trick again!"

"Well, looks like I win!" Kickin said with a smirk.

With a glare, Hoppy yelled, "No you didn't! You cheated! In fact, let's go two out of three! And no cheating this time!"

While Kickin and Hoppy were having their arm wresting contest, Bubba couldn't help but take notice of Picky writing something on a sheet of paper. This intrigued Bubba since Picky usually wasn't much of a writer, so he approached her table to see what she was doing.

"Hi, Picky! What is that that you are writing?"

Picky looked up before greeting Bubba with a smile. "Oh, hi, Bubba! I was just making a love letter for Valentines Day! I made it to express my love for food!"

"Oh, that's interesting." Bubba said, surprised by this. "But, what's with the other letter over there?" Bubba pointed to another letter on the table.

"That was more of a rough draft. I like my new version better. What to hear?"

Picky was about to read the letter before a strong wind blew the letter along with her rough draft away.

"Aw." Picky gave a disappointed sigh. "Oh well! I can always express my love for my favorite meals by eating them anyway!" Picky said before she ate another strawberry.

Back with Kickin and Hoppy, they continued their armwrestling contest with the score tied and one more round left. After another tough round, Hoppy managed to gain the upper hand before slamming Kickin's hand against the table.

"Alright!" Hoppy cheered in victory. "I told you I would win!"

Kickin rolled his eyes in annoyance by his recent loss. "Yeah, yeah. No need to rub it in!"

"Oh, Kickin! No need to be a sore loser about it! Anyway, I think I'll be getting myself a victory snack! I'll be back soon!"

Right when Hoppy stood up from her seat, one of Picky's letters that was floating through the wind landed on the table. It wasn't long before Kickin noticed the letter on the table and picked it up.

"Hey, Hoppy. I think you dropped this!" Kickin called out for Hoppy, but she was too far away to hear him.

Curious, Kickin opened the envelope and looked over the letter that read, 'I can't hide my feelings for you any longer. You have always been there for me when I needed you and have made my life so amazing. I hope you will be mine because I love you, signed your secret admirer.'

Horrified by what he read, Kickin looked over the letter one more time to make sure he wasn't seeing things. As much as he didn't want to believe it, he couldn't deny what was right in front of him. Hoppy Hopscotch has a crush on him.

Meanwhile, Hoppy was at the snack table, getting a victory brownie for herself. Bobby stood by Hoppy's side, searching through the snack table for something to eat as well.

With a happy smile, Bobby said, "Oh, Hoppy! This day is wonderful, isn't it? It's this time of the year where happy couples spend time together!"

Hoppy chuckled. "Well, I'm glad you like it, Bobby! Although, I don't think all this mushy romance is for me! I'm pretty sure I won't be falling in love with anyone anytime soon!"

"Hey, you'd never know! Maybe you'll find the one for you sooner than you think!" Bobby smiled.

"I doubt it! Anyway, I should get going! I'm sure Kickin would be asking for a rematch once I get back." Hoppy took the brownie before returning to the table.

As Hoppy made her way back to the table, Kickin continued to read the letter, trying to make sense of what he was looking at. This had to be some kind of prank! There was no way that Hoppy would like him that way. Unfortunately, he didn't have too much time to think about it when he noticed Hoppy returning to the table.

"Aaah! It's Hoppy! I can't let her see me with this letter! I have to get out of here!"

With that, Kickin ran away so fast, he left a couple of his feathers behind. It was at that moment when Picky's other letter landed on the table with one of Kickin's feathers landing on the letter.

Hoppy soon returned to the table and was surprised to find out that Kickin was nowhere to be seen. She looked around before noticing a letter with one of Kickin's feathers on it.

"Huh? What's this?" Hoppy wondered before gazing at the feather. "Is this letter from Kickin?"

Curious, Hoppy opened the letter, which read, 'I cannot imagine life without you. Just being with you helped me through a lot of tough moments. I can't get over how nice and sweet you are.' It took a moment for Hoppy to process what she just read. Did Kickin really just call her sweet? As much as she didn't want to do it, Hoppy forced herself to read the rest of the letter. 'Everyday is a wonderful day with you. It's time I confess that I love you and I hope you will be mine, signed you're secret admirer.'

Hoppy couldn't believe what she read. There was no way that Kickin would be able to write a letter like that, but she couldn't help but shake the feeling that Kickin really did like her. Hoppy had no idea how to react to this confession, so she ended up avoiding Kickin throughout the rest of the party.

As the party continued, Crafty walked over to DogDay to get his attention.

"Excuse me, DogDay."

DogDay turned to face Crafty with a smile. "Oh, hi, Crafty! Are you enjoying the party?"

Crafty nodded in response. "I am, but I think I should be going soon."

Shocked by what she overheard, Bobby approached Crafty before she said, "What?! You want to leave already? But why? Valentines Day is supposed to be a holiday you celebrate with others."

"Um." Crafty looked away, as if trying to think of a good response. "I just think I should go back to my castle tower for awhile."

"Now, Bobby. If Crafty wants to go home early, we should respect her wishes." said DogDay.

"I guess you're right." Bobby replied.

As Crafty turned to leave, Bobby couldn't help but think that something was wrong. It wasn't like Crafty to leave so suddenly. That was when Bobby approached Bubba for his advice.

"Bubba, a word please?" Bobby took Bubba's arm and dragged him away from everyone else for a private conversation. "You're a smart guy! Why do you think Crafty is leaving so suddenly?"

"Well, knowing Crafty, I guess she doesn't want to get overwhelmed." Bubba guessed.

"But she spends time with us all the time. There is no way she would go back home unless." Bobby's pupils shrunk in horror when she realized something. "Oh no!"

"Wh-What?" Bubba gave Bobby a confused look.

"Don't you see? Crafty is going home to cry herself to sleep because she doesn't have a special someone to spend Valentines Day with!"

"Uh, that sounds like a bit of a stretch." Bubba replied.

Bobby didn't listen to Bubba as she was on the verge of tears. "Oh, poor Crafty! You spent all these Valentines Days alone, and I never noticed! Crafty, I promise you won't be alone for another year because I'm going to find you a boyfriend!"

Bobby, I really don't think this is a good-" Bubba soon paused once he realized that Bobby already left, much to his annoyance. "Why do I even bother?"

As Crafty left DogDay's house, Bobby did her best to catch up to her. There was no way that Bobby would let Crafty spend another year alone and was determined to find a boyfriend for Crafty by any means.

"Crafty, wait!" Bobby called out for Crafty.

Upon hearing Bobby, Crafty turned to face her friend. "Hi, Bobby! Can I help you?"

Once Bobby caught up with her friend, Bobby replied, "Actually, I can here to help you!"

"Me? I don't understand."

"Oh, Crafty. You don't need to hide your pain from me. I know that you are hurting deep down. Not to worry though. I promise I won't stop until I find you a boyfriend you can spend Valentines Day with!" Bobby assured.

"A boyfriend? Bobby, I don't think that's really-"

Crafty didn't even get to finish her sentence before Bobby grabbed her hoof and dragged her into town.

While Bobby was searching for a boyfriend for Crafty, DogDay's Valentines Day party came to an end as everyone returned home. As they returned home, Kickin and Hoppy read through their letters, trying to make sense of this. Neither one of them could have guessed that the one would have had a crush on the other.

Desperate for some help, Kickin and Hoppy decided to get some help friend their friends for some advice. Hoppy left her house before making her way to Picky's barn. She knocked on the front door before Picky opened it shortly afterwards.

"Hi, Hoppy!" Picky greeted. "How are you?"

"Awful! Something happened at the party and I don't know who to talk to about it. Can I come inside so we can speak?" Hoppy asked.

"Sure! Come inside!" Picky led Hoppy inside.

Here, Hoppy and Picky sat down at a table, where Picky made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the two of them. Hoppy sat in silence as she wasn't sure where to start.

"So, what do you want to talk about?" Picky asked, taking a bite of her sandwich.

Hoppy sighed. "It's Kickin. I think he has a crush on me."

The shock from this revelation caused Picky to suddenly choke on her sandwich. Taking a glass of water, Picky took a few sips before staring at Hoppy in surprise.

"Kickin is in love with you?!"

"I don't know. Maybe." Hoppy avoided eye contact with Picky. "It's just this stupid love letter that I got with Kickin's feather on it. It's been stressing me out all day!"

"You got a love letter? What a coincidence! I have been writing a couple of love letters too and-"

Picky wasn't able to finish her sentence as Hoppy stood up from her seat in frustration. "Ugh! This is a nightmare! I don't even like Kickin like that! He's just a good friend to me, and maybe occasional rival."

"Well, maybe you two could be something more." Picky suggested.

Surprised by what she heard, Hoppy stared at Picky in disbelief, as if she just said the dumbest thing ever.

"You can't be serious! Are you actually suggesting I go out with Kickin?!" Hoppy yelled.

"Maybe. I think you two might be kind of cute together. If you two are good for each other, you can have your first kiss, get married, and have chicken and rabbit babies together."

It was at that moment when Hoppy placed a paw over Picky's mouth before she could say another word.

"Picky, please! The idea is horrifying enough! I don't want you to paint a mental image in my head!" Frustrated, Hoppy paced the floor, desperate for a way of of this. "I really wish Bobby was here. She would know what to do. Unfortunately, she wasn't home when I knocked on her door. Where is she, anyway?"

"Oh, yeah! Right before she left the party, Bobby said something about finding the perfect boyfriend for Crafty!" Picky recalled.

"Oh no. Even Crafty is falling victim to the mushy romance of Valentines Day?! We're doomed!" Hoppy shuttered, wanting nothing more than this holiday to be over with.

Meanwhile, Kickin asked DogDay, Bubba, and CatNap to come over to his house so he could discuss something important. Curious with what their friend wanted, DogDay and the others made their way to Kickin's house. They opened the door to see Kickin sitting on a couch with his back turned to them.

"Uh, Kickin? Are you okay?" DogDay called out.

In response, Kickin turned with a crazed look on his face before rushing towards them.

"Look at this!" Kickin yelled, showing the love letter to his friends. "Do you have any idea what this is?"

"Uh, a letter?" Bubba asked, as if the answer was obvious.

"I know it's a letter, but it's not just any letter! It's a love letter from Hoppy!"

"Wait, Hoppy is in love with you?" DogDay asked, surprised.

Kickin shuttered at the idea. "Don't say it out loud! Ugh! What am I going to do?"

"Maybe you should ask Hoppy to be your Valentine." DogDay suggested.

Kickin's eyes widened in shock by what DogDay said. "What?! Do you have any idea what you're saying? Why would I get together with Hoppy?"

"Well, you two do have a lot in common." Bubba stepped in. "You are both competitive, you share the same interests in sports, and you love to do pranks together. I think you two would be perfect together."

"Just because Hoppy and I have a lot in common, that doesn't mean we should be a couple! CatNap, you have to help me out here! You understand why getting together with Hoppy is a bad idea for me, right?"

As Kickin asked that question, CatNap simply stood in silence, staring at CatNap with his wide grin. Despite CatNap not saying a word, Kickin knew exactly what he was thinking.

"Okay, I see how it is! Thanks a lot, guys! You're real pals!" Kickin retorted.

"Aw, Kickin. Don't be like that. Maybe getting together with Hoppy might be a good thing." DogDay replied.

"DogDay might have a point! It's Valentines Day, after all! Wouldn't you want to spend it with a potential love interest?" Bubba asked.

Kickin pondered Bubba's question for a few moment before he said, "Well, I wouldn't really say I'm against having a girlfriend. I just didn't think it would be Hoppy."

"Not to worry! Bubba, CatNap, and I know just what to do! Just come with us!" DogDay said.

It was at that moment when DogDay, Bubba, and CatNap led Kickin out of his house, leaving him wondering what his friends had planned.

Meanwhile, Bobby led Crafty throughout town, continuing to find a boyfriend for her. It wasn't easy for Bobby though since she spoke to several of the residents, but not one of them seemed compatible with Crafty. As Bobby searched for the perfect love interest for her friend, Crafty decided to speak up.

"Listen, Bobby. I appreciate what you are trying to do for me, but-"

Bobby soon interrupted when she placed a finger over Crafty's lips. "Hold that thought, Crafty! I think I finally found someone! Look over there!"

Bobby suddenly pointed towards a lemur standing at a nearby corner. He had a black beret on his head with a canvas right next to him. The lemur focused on his canvas, as if deep in thought.

"I think we might have just found the perfect love interest for you! He looks to be about your age and has a passion for art, just like you!"

"But, Bobby! I don't even know anything about that lemur!" Crafty explained.

"Oh don't be so nervous! I'll come with you and introduce you!" Bobby said before dragging Crafty to the lemur, despite her protests.

As the lemur was transfixed by his work, he took notice of a unicorn and bear approaching him.

"Hello! My name is Bobby BearHug, and this unicorn is my wonderful and amazing friend, who doesn't have a boyfriend yet, CraftyCorn! And you are?"

"I am the great Lenny Lemur! A passionate artist working on my latest masterpiece." The lemur introduced while focusing on his painting, not even giving Bobby and Crafty a side glance.

"Hey, what a coincidence! Crafty here has a strong passion for art too! Here, take a look at one of her latest work of art!" Bobby took out a drawing Crafty made.

Reluctantly, Lenny stopped painting to see what Crafty made. It was a drawing of an evening sky with a beautiful sunset. Upon seeing the drawing, he simply scoffed before getting back to work.

"It's amateurish at best."

Shocked by what she heard, Bobby glared at the lemur in anger. "Excuse me?!"

"I only associate myself with true artists. Not this worthless trash."

Now furious, Bobby yelled, "Hey, I'll have you know that Crafty is one of the most creative people I know! She has more passion for art in one hoof than you do in your entire body!"

"I don't have time for this! Get out of my sight!" Lenny shooed Crafty and Bobby away.

Frustrated, Bobby took Crafty's hoof and led her away, wanting nothing to do with the stuck up artist she met.

"Well, that guy was rude! Don't feel bad, Crafty! You're way too good for him!" Bobby assured.

"So, does this mean I can go now?" Crafty asked.

"Don't give up hope yet, Crafty! I'm sure there would be a lot of good looking guys who would be lucky to have you as your girlfriend! We just have to find the right one!"

With that, Bobby rushed through town, unknowingly passing by Hoppy and Picky, who were standing outside of a candy shop.

"So, remind me why we're here again?" Hoppy asked impatiently.

"Hoppy, Kickin went through all this trouble to confess his feelings for you! The least you can do is give him a chance!" Picky replied. "That's why we are here to buy a box of chocolate for him!"

"Why do I get the feeling that you only dragged me here so you could buy a box of chocolate for yourself?" Hoppy raised a suspicious eyebrow.

"Okay, maybe I'm considering buying a box of chocolate for myself as a bonus too." Picky admitted. "But this is still about you and Kickin!"

As they entered the candy shop, Hoppy and Picky looked around to see all kinds of Valentines related sweets. Couples entered the shop, each of them buying gifts for each other, which only made the shop feel crowded. Hoppy and Picky pushed their way through the crowd before they made their way to the cashier.

"Aw, Picky! Here to buy some candy again?" The cashier asked.

"As tempting as it sounds, I'm not here for me! I'm here for Hoppy! She needs to find a romantic box of chocolate for Kickin!" Picky explained.

"I see! Well Hoppy, my store has nothing but the best for your sweetheart!" The cashier smiled.

Hoppy groaned at the mention of Kickin being her sweetheart. "Please don't say it out loud. Let's just get this over with!"

With that, Hoppy made her way down the aisle in search of the box of chocolate. Picky began to follow Hoppy, but not before whispering to the cashier.

"Actually, I might buy a box of chocolate for myself too, so we'll probably be leaving with two of those!"

Meanwhile, DogDay, Bubba, and CatNap led Kickin into a flower field. His friends searched through the various flowers in the field, leaving Kickin confused with what they had planned.

"Okay, I don't get it. What are we doing here, anyway?" Kickin asked.

"We're here to help you find a bouquet of flowers for Hoppy!" Bubba answered. "It is one of the most romantic gifts you can give to someone!"

"A bouquet of flowers? Seriously?" Kickin was left dumbfounded by that idea. "That idea is so cliché! Is this really the best you can do?"

"Personally, I would have tried something different. If I were ever to find the love of my life, I would take them on a romantic night to see the Harmony Comet, just the two of us!" DogDay smiled at the thought of that idea. "Unfortunately, I don't think the Harmony Comet would be arriving anytime soon, so this is the best we can do at the moment! If only we can find the perfect bouquet for Hoppy."

Suddenly, CatNap popped out of a pile of flowers as he just found a bouquet of flowers in his paw. It was one of the most beautiful bouquets the Smiling Critters had seen. There were countless flowers, each of them having a different color.

"Hey, these flowers are perfect! Great job, CatNap!" DogDay exclaimed.

"Now that we have the flowers, I'd say it's time for you to go on your date with Hoppy!" Bubba told Kickin.

"That's what I'm afraid of." Kickin shuttered at the idea of dating Hoppy.

As the day went on, Bobby got more and more desperate to find the perfect boyfriend for Crafty. She had no luck so far as a lot of the guys she met were either incompatible with Crafty, or just real jerks.

Upon seeing how desperate Bobby was, Crafty did her best to calm her down.

"Bobby, it's okay! I know you're trying to help me, but we really don't need to go through with this!"

Suddenly, Bobby stopped in her tracks when something caught her eye. "Wait, I think I just found someone."

It was at that moment when Bobby and Crafty took notice of a male unicorn. He was white in color, just like Crafty and had a brown mane.

"Of course! I've been going about this all wrong! You need to be with someone your own species! This guy is perfect! He's cute, isn't he?" Bobby asked.

"Bobby, I'm keep trying to tell you, I don't need a boyfriend!" Crafty argued, getting fed up with Bobby's antics.

"Please, Crafty! I just want what's best for you! I can't stand the idea of you being alone for another year!" Bobby begged.

It was pretty obvious to Crafty that Bobby won't leave her alone until she talked to the unicorn, so she eventually gave in. "If I talk to him, can I please go?"

"Of course! You won't have to deal with me anymore after that!" Bobby promised.

With a sigh, Crafty decided to approach the unicorn and introduce herself. As Crafty and the unicorn spoke together, Bobby leaned in close to make out what they were saying, but couldn't hear a word. Despite that, she noticed the two of them smiling and laughing, which she took as a good sign.

A couple of moments have passed before Crafty and the unicorn said goodbye to each other. After saying goodbye to her new friend, Crafty returned to Bobby, leaving the bear in suspense.

"So, how did it go?"

"It went pretty well!" Crafty replied. "He seemed to be really nice!"

It was at that moment when Bobby let out a squeal of excitement. "Oh, Crafty! I knew you could do it! You finally found your true love! I can hear the wedding bells now!"

"Wait, that's not what happened!" Crafty clarified, to which Bobby's excited smile turned to a look of confusion. "We enjoyed talking to each other, but that doesn't mean we are in love with each other. Besides, he already has a girlfriend."

At this revelation, Bobby's pupil shrunk in surprise. After all this time, she still wasn't able to find the perfect match for Crafty.

"NOOOO!" Bobby collapsed on the ground, pounding it in frustration, much to Crafty's surprise. "I'm so sorry, Crafty! I was supposed to be good at matchmaking, but I couldn't even find the perfect soulmate for you! I failed you!"

After getting over her surprise of Bobby's meltdown, Crafty awkwardly gave Bobby a couple of pats on the head in a futile attempt to comfort her.

"Um, there there?" Crafty took a look at a nearby clock and noticed that it was getting a little late. "Sorry, Bobby. I'd love to stay, but I have to meet up with my girlfriend soon and I don't want to keep her waiting."

Surprised by what she heard, Bobby immediately stood up. "You had a girlfriend this whole time?!"

"Of course! Her name is Lily Fox!" Crafty replied with a smile. "She wants to spend Valentines Day with me, so she is coming here from her hometown of Foxville!"

It took a moment for Bobby to process what she heard. This whole time, she went through all this trouble to find the perfect Valentine for Crafty, but she already had a partner of her own.

"But, Crafty. I don't understand. If you had a girlfriend this whole time, why didn't you tell me?" Bobby asked.

"I tried to, but you wouldn't listen. You were too obsessed with finding a boyfriend for me." Crafty explained.

Upon realizing that she went through all this trouble for nothing, Bobby looked down in guilt. She had been dragging Crafty throughout town all day when she never needed her help to begin with.

"I'm sorry, Crafty. I guess I really went overboard with my love for the holiday. If I just took the time to listen to you-" Bobby covered her face with her paws.

"Bobby, it's okay! Even if all of this was pointless, I appreciate you going through all this trouble for me! Thank you for at least trying to help me!" Crafty said before giving Bobby a hug.

With a smile, Bobby hugged Crafty back. "I'm just happy that you have a wonderful girlfriend!"

Crafty blushed. "Yes, Lily is pretty amazing! If I were to spend Valentines Day with anyone, I'm happy it's with her!"

"Aww! Well, don't let me keep you from your date! Go to her! You wouldn't want to keep her waiting!" Said Bobby.

With a nod, Crafty waved goodbye to Bobby before returning home to meet up with Lily. As she watched Crafty leave, Bobby gave a dreamy sigh, happy for her friend. Despite things not working out the way she expected, love still won in the end.

Meanwhile at a grassy field, Kickin and Hoppy had everything they needed for their Valentines Day together, as much as they regret it. As they gazed at their gifts, all they could think of was how awkward it would be when they inevitably get together.

After a few moments of walking through the field, Kickin and Hoppy took notice of each other in the distance. Knowing that they couldn't delay the inevitable any longer, Kickin and Hoppy approached each other with their gifts. They stared at one another for a couple of moments before Hoppy broke the silence.

"H-Hey, uh, buddy! It's good to see you." Hoppy said with a nervous smile.

"You too, uh, pal!" Kickin replied before awkwardly taking out the flowers. "So, Hoppy. I've been looking around and just happened to come across this bouquet of flowers as a Valentines Day gift for you. No big deal."

Hoppy began to blush from this gesture before awkwardly accepting the flowers. "Th-Thanks, Kickin. They look nice. I got a gift for you too. It's just a box of chocolate. No need to think to much about it!"

Just like Hoppy, Kickin blushed before accepting the gift. "Thanks, Hoppy. I'm sure they'll be delicious."

After exchanging gifts, Kickin and Hoppy sat down on the grass, watching the sunset. Neither of them knew what to say as they wanted nothing more than to get out of this awkward situation. As they sat in silence, DogDay, Bubba, and CatNap spied on them from a nearby bush.

"Oh my gosh! I can't believe our two friends are about to get together!" DogDay exclaimed.

"Hmm. I don't know, DogDay. There is something about this that isn't right. It looks like Hoppy is really weirded out by the whole thing." Bubba noticed.

"Maybe she is just feeling as nervous as Kickin." A third voice suddenly called out.

Startled, the group of friends jumped in surprise when they noticed that Picky just happened to be spying from the exact same bush, eating from a box of chocolate she bought earlier.

"Picky? What are you doing here?" DogDay asked.

"The same thing you're doing! Waiting for our friends to officially become a couple!" Picky answered, placing a piece of chocolate in her mouth.

"I sure hope they do end up together. Things don't seem to be going so well." Bubba said, noticing that Kickin and Hoppy haven't said a word to each other since they sat down.

As he watched the sunset with Hoppy, Kickin realized that he had to say something to keep this date from getting awkward. Well, more awkward than it already is. Desperate to get this over with, Kickin spoke up.

"Hoppy? Since it is Valentines Day, I have something I wanted to ask you."

That was the moment Hoppy was dreading. In just a few moments, she would end up being Kickin's girlfriend.

"W-Will you be my V-Val-" Kickin struggled to say that last word with his friends watching in anticipation. Kickin shut his eyes tightly as just the thought of being with Hoppy terrified him. "I can't do this!" Kickin suddenly yelled, much to Hoppy's surprise. "Hoppy, I'm sorry! I can't ask you to be my Valentine. You're great and everything, but I just don't like you that way!"

"Oh my gosh! Thank you so much!" Hoppy breathed a sigh of relief. "I didn't want to go through with this either! I don't think I would be able to stand having you as a boyfriend! I mean, no offense!"

Kickin chuckled. "None taken!" Suddenly Kickin paused as he realized something. "Wait a minute. If you didn't want to be my girlfriend, why did you write me this love letter?" Kickin took out the love letter.

This time, it was Hoppy's turn to be confused. "Huh? I didn't write you a love letter. I thought you wrote me a love letter. I have it right here." Hoppy explained, showing Kickin her letter.

Upon recognizing the letters, Picky jumped out of the bushes before taking them in her hooves.

"Hey, there are my love letters!" Picky exclaimed. "I was wondering where they were!"

"Wait, those letters were from you?" Hoppy asked.

Picky nodded. "That's right! I've been writing those letters to express my love for food, but I lost them during the party! Thanks for getting them back for me!"

Surprised by this revelation, Kickin and Hoppy gazed at one another in shock. They could have avoided this whole mess if they realized that they were Picky's letters this whole time.

Embarrassed, Kickin placed a hand over his face in frustration before bringing his attention to Hoppy. "So, we're never speaking of this again, right?"

"Right!" Hoppy agreed, wanting to forget this day just as much as Kickin.

As they observed the series of events unfold from the bush, DogDay and the others released that they really messed up.

"Well, this is awkward. Guess Kickin and Hoppy weren't in love with each other after all." DogDay realized.

"I suppose not." Bubba agreed. "We really went too far with trying to get Kickin and Hoppy to become a couple. I don't think even Bobby would have went this overboard."

"Speaking of Bobby, there she is over there!" DogDay pointed in the distance.

It was at that moment when Bobby made her way through the fields, ready to go back home after her long day. She soon noticed her friends before giving them a wave.

"Hi, everyone!" Bobby greeted. "I wasn't expecting to see you out here!"

Bobby's friends waved back before Bubba spoke up. "Hi, Bobby. What happened with your plan to find a boyfriend for Crafty?"

Bobby awkwardly darted her eyes away as she still felt embarrassed from her earlier actions. "Well, it turned out that Crafty already had a partner this whole time. She's now spending the rest of the day with her Valentine! What about you guys? Has anything interesting happened when I was away?"

In response to her question, Kickin and Hoppy shared a couple of awkward glances with one another. Neither of them knew how to tell Bobby about the awkward day they just had.

"Trust me! You do not want to know!" Hoppy explained.

As Valentines Day slowly came to an end, the Smiling Critters decided to return to their homes. It had been a pretty weird day for everyone, and despite all the awkward moments they shared today, Kickin and Hoppy were just happy that they got to remain friends and nothing more than that.

AN: Well, that's the end of the chapter! I want to thank everyone for reading this chapter, and for those who are wondering, Lily Fox is a Smiling Critters OC made by my friend, megasuperstar360x from their story, The Unicorn and the Fox! I hope to officially introduce Lily in a later chapter of the story! Until then, I hope you are enjoying the story so far, and I hope to publish the next chapter soon!