Star-Crossed

Ch.6

The next day came quickly, the whole arcade was busy and bustling with children and gamers. Ralph felt better than ever. His gameplay was fantastic and he felt back to his normal self. He finally could rest easy, knowing that the whole issue was finally put to rest. He did, however, have a few lingering questions. He figured they'd be answered sooner or later.

After a night of a restful reset, Ralph made his way over to the Niceland building, wondering when Vanellope would arrive. He didn't have a doubt in his mind about her not showing up. He knew she'd keep to her word, though he hoped she wasn't like him when it came to sleeping; or oversleeping. Ralph slowly moseyed up to the penthouse, knowing his game mates, and surely Calhoun, would be for their usual morning hang out. Ralph was eager to be with them. He knew he had been selfish for the past year. He was certain his friends were hurt by his cold front. He stepped up to the penthouse door and inhaled a breath. He slowly stepped in with a calm smile, hoping to wipe the slate clean.

"Ralph!" Felix chimed happily. Everyone looked over to him with genuinely happy faces.

"Good morning, everyone," Ralph smiled as he examined who was all here. He made eye contact with Felix and Gene, who were sitting at the bar.

"Ralph, come sit! We're making up tasty concoctions!" Vanellope suddenly said from behind the bar. Ralph froze and gazed at her long and hard. She was standing behind the bar with Calhoun and Taffyta, shaking up drinks for Gene and Felix. Ralph let out a surprised breath and beamed wider than he had in a long time. Vanellope was wearing her normal clothes, her hair done up in the usual ponytail, speckled with candy.

"The ladies are making us try their creations," Gene stated nervously.

"Isn't it a bit early for drinks?" Ralph laughed as he took a seat next to Felix. Felix pat his arm and leaned over to him.

"We don't really have to drink them," Felix worried, "I don't think I would anyways, morning or not."

"That is rude," Calhoun snapped as she quickly shook a drink shaker. Vanellope laughed before accidentally spilling her shaker.

"Oops!" Vanellope said as she bent down to clean it. Everyone laughed.

"Vanellope, you got it on my shoes!" Taffyta exclaimed in annoyance with a small laugh as she threw her arms up.

Ralph beamed and chuckled at the sight of the three girls helplessly attempting to make drinks behind the counter. Ralph pounded his hands on the bar gently.

"Where's my drink, I've been waiting for over an hour!" Ralph playfully complained.

Calhoun replied by dumping her shaker full of liquid atop Ralph's head. Everyone gasped and fell over laughing. Ralph sat and nodded a few times before standing up slowly and entering the back of the bar. Calhoun immediately booked it over the counter, everyone in hysterics. Taffyta slipped and fell to the ground trying to get away. Eventually she too climbed over the counter, away from Ralph. Vanellope looked up at Ralph from on the ground, her face red with laughter. Ralph quickly grabbed a bottle of soda from inside the fridge and shook it really hard.

"I can make my own concoctions too!" Ralph laughed. Felix, Gene, Taffyta and Calhoun all put their hands over their faces and ducked away as Ralph opened the soda bottle, it rocketing brown liquid all over. He soaked everyone, including Vanellope. He chucked the bottle to the ground once it was finished. He chuckled and beamed down at helpless Vanellope, who was trying hard to catch her breath.