An Excuse Maybe

Chapter 27

Chapter 27: Baby shower edition! To be honest, this was one of the most fun chapters I've ever written because well...you'll see.

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As another week past, Mandarin was well into his seventh month and the sooner everyone tried not to touch his stomach the better. He lost count of how many people's hands he had to smack or push away, it was getting really annoying. It wasn't even the Hyperforce anymore! The citizens were getting in on this too as they became more comfortable around him finally. That and he tried to keep the whole baby shower nonsense from happening and for a while it seemed like he won.

Or so he thought. He one morning grumbled as he went to get something from the kitchen to eat before he heard some whispering. He ducked behind a room and listened.

"So you got everything ready for tomorrow night?" Chiro's voice asked.

"Yep! And I got the ice trays with the toy babies inside." Brittany chirped.

"I dunno guys, don't you think Mandarin's gonna get mad at us? He did keep saying he didn't want one." Otto asked

"Otto please. Once he sees it he's gonna love it! Besides even if he doesn't he'll get over it." Nova sighed.

Mandarin's eyes widened and he felt his stomach churn. Oh no, they were gonna throw him a baby shower. After all his efforts they're gonna do it anyway! Mandarin silently groaned as he dipped his head, the hell was he gonna do?! Tomorrow night he had to escape to somewhere for the time being, he just had to. There was no way he was going to subject to something so cheesy and stupid!
He then edged away and went back to the kitchen, not wanting to get caught. At that same time, Amanda entered the hall and was gonna go to the kitchen as well.

Brittany turned to her and smiled.

"Oh! Amanda! Great timing, listen we're throwing the baby shower tomorrow night but there are a couple more errands we have to run before then." She whispered to her and Amanda's eyes widened.

"You mean you're actually throwing it?" She asked.

Chiro nodded.

"Yeah but it's gonna take us a few hours before we can actually throw it. So can you please distract Mandarin until we get back?" He asked.

Amanda paused before nodding.

"You are gonna stay right?" Nova asked.

Amanda hesitated before nodding again.

"S-sure." She said.

"Great! See you." Brittany said as everyone scattered.

Amanda kept the smile before dipping her head. She went into the kitchen and saw Mandarin slowly eat, looking defeated.

"Uh what's up with you?" She asked as she grabbed some cereal.

Mandarin looked at her.

"Huh? Oh nothing." He said.

Amanda blinked before realizing.

"Oh! I guess you overheard then didn't you?" She said.

Mandarin was silent before saying, "I keep telling them, I keep telling them I didn't want one. I just got another overhaul of gifts from the family."

Amanda nodded and sat down next to him. It really was kinda pointless if people kept sending him stuff. She paused.

"You wanna know something? I don't blame you." She said.

Mandarin turned to her, confused. Amanda sighed and set down her spoon.

"To be honest, I really hate baby showers too." She said and Mandarin's eyes widened.