Silver Bells

Chapter 3: Breakfast

The two young boys sat quietly across each other, savoring their holiday drinks as they awaited their meals. Agent 8 turned his head and glanced outside the window, seeing all sorts of species bustling around trying to squeeze in some last-minute Squidmas shopping. He softly chewed on his straw, thinking about how busy Squidmas time would get. It reminded him of when Splatfests were just around the corner and everyone would be busy getting things set up and ready. He brought his gaze back inside and looked toward his Agent friend, staring at his face for a while.

The Octoling wondered what Agent 3 thought about the holidays or what was going through his head most of the time. He wasn't very expressive like the rest of the Agents. Agent 3 noticed a pair of eyeballs glued to him so he brought his gaze up from his mug and was met with a pair of green eyes. 

Agent 3 gave 8 a confused smile, "Is there something wrong?"

Agent 8 took one more slurp from his milkshake before setting it aside for later and sitting up straight, resting his hands on top of one another on the table.

"Does Agent 3 dislike the holidays?" questioned the curious Octoling. Agent 3 raised a brow and also set his drink aside, leaning back onto his seat and crossing his arms.

"Not exactly, I'm just not... used to spending the holidays with others. It's always been me and has been for quite a while."

"Why?"

Agent 3 stared at Agent 8's eyes for a while before averting his eyes away from his face and sighing. He hated talking about himself.

"I guess I'm just not much of a people person, always have been and always will be." Agent 3 furrowed his eyebrows.

Agent 8 was about to say something back but was cut off by Agent 3, "But why bother talking about boring old me, what are your thoughts on the holidays so far? It is your first after all." He brought back his gaze towards the Octoling, putting on his usual blank expression.

Agent 8 decided to not question him any further since he seemed to be avoiding anything related to him. He asked a simple question yet he avoided a majority of it, quick and simple. Agent 8 thought Agent 3 was a mystery, a mystery he wanted to crack and comprehend.

The Octoling made a gesture as if he were thinking long and hard before answering his question.

"Agent 8 think it is cheery and yummy, it is interesting so far."

Agent 3 chuckled, "Guess I'm doing a decent job today."

"Job?" asked Agent 8 as he gave the boy in front of him a confused head tilt. Agent 3 swayed his right hand, gesturing to him that it wasn't anything bad or a big deal.

"Mmm  it's nothing, just something our little yellow Agent friend assigned me randomly."

Agent 8 nodded and leaned back, relaxing and fidgeting with his hands as he waited for his meal again. Agent 3 turned his head to look outside and stared at the light snowfall that fell from the sky. A few minutes passed by before his train of thought was interrupted by Agent 8 asking yet another question.

"If Agent 8 remember correctly, that's a jukebox, yes?" randomly asked the Octoling while pointing towards a jukebox located right next to where the two sat. Agent 3 looked beside him and then back at Agent 8.

"Well uh yeah that's a jukebox, it's used to play music. Do you want to play something?"

Agent 8 nodded his head.

"Well go ahead I suppose." Agent 3 gestured beside him.

Agent 8 scooted out of his seat and stood up and walked towards the jukebox. He stared at the discs placed inside with awe. He noticed the jukebox matched the whole jolly scenery of the diner, so he assumed it was some sort of special Squidmas jukebox just for this time of the year. He looked at the buttons placed on it and tried reading some of the songs they had. He could make out some words but not all, not to mention he didn't know which melodies matched which title. He looked at Agent 3 and noticed he was staring at him, observing what songs he would choose.