18:00

6 : Surprise

It had been a long two weeks for Fan. A long, suspenseful two weeks, and for one reason only. Not because it was the holidays, or a new year was approaching. No, it was something much more important in Fan's opinion.

He had talked everything over with Marshmallow, Apple, and Soap a billion times over by now. Test Tube knew well about his idea as well by now. But today? Today was the day his plan came into fruition.

New Year's Eve, and Fan was more than ready to reintroduce Trophy to Soap.

Right now it was 11:00, and almost everybody was in the hotel lobby. There was a countdown on the television, and everybody was doing their own thing. A couple people had already gone to sleep, but Fan couldn't help but feel like they'd have a hard time staying asleep once midnight hit.

Fan himself was standing by himself with a red solo cup filled with water in his hand. It was the classic 'loser at a party' cliche, he knew that, but he didn't mind. It felt like he was in a movie of some kind, which only hyped him up more.

There was only so much time left until it would be the next year, now would be the best time to tell Trophy about the surprise. Or, well, show him it. You don't exactly tell someone about a surprise, it's not a surprise then.

Fan set his cup down on the table before heading off to search for the golden object.

The hotel felt more crowded than usual, and Fan felt like he was only seeing objects who weren't Trophy. Had Trophy gone to sleep already or something? Fan hoped that wasn't the case.

Eventually, Fan managed to find the jock. Turns out he was just leaning on one of the walls. Talk about hiding in plain sight, huh? Fan awkwardly walked up to him, planning his next words out carefully.

"Heyyy Trophy!" Fan casually greeted him, leaning against the wall beside them.

"I'm sorry, what the hell are you doing?" Trophy asked, looking down at the other object.

"Straight to the point, huh?" Fan whispered to himself. "Well, there's something I'd like to show you, if you wouldn't mind. A bit of a new year's surprise?"

Trophy didn't respond, instead staring at Fan as if he was crazy. After a couple of seconds, he spoke up. "And what exactly is it?"

"Well it wouldn't be much of a surprise if I told you! Come on, could you just go along with it for a bit? It'll only take 20 minutes, and if you don't like it you can just leave."

"Oh my god- Fine, but just promise to leave me alone afterwards." Trophy groaned, feigning reluctance. He stood up so that his weight was on his feet.

"I will, I will." Fan said, standing up as well. "Just follow me, it's outside."

"Dude, are you serious right now?" Trophy asked, still standing in place. "It's the middle of the night, fuck no."

Fan sighed, looking up at Trophy. "Fine, but I think you're gonna regret not going. It'll only take 10 minutes or so."

"You said it'd take 20."

"That's assuming you stay! I'm telling you, it won't take long. You don't have to go, but if you want to I'll be waiting outside."

With that, Fan walked out the front door, leaving Trophy alone. He flicked his flashlight on, illuminating the vast darkness outside. It was freezing outside still, making Fan regret leaving so quickly.

He stood out in the darkness for a few minutes, counting the seconds in his head. The sound of the party back in the hotel was the only thing keeping him company as he waited.

He was considering going back inside when the door swung open.

Trophy stood in the doorway, letting the door shut behind him. "Okay, where are we going?"