Star-Crossed

ch.7

"Taffyta, must you embarrass me in front of everyone?" Vanellope snapped, feeling defensive.

"What?" Taffyta whined as the two got onto the Power Strip's train, "What did I do this time?"

"Making me talk about how I used to like Rancis, the whole 'close parameters' between Ralph and I. My head can't keep up with everything that's suddenly happened in the past two days." Vanellope sighed, her face flushed.

"Well, why does the 'close parameters' thing, between you and Ralph, matter?" Taffyta urged, trying not to sound too curious.

"It doesn't, just forget it." Vanellope sighed as she crossed her arms and put her hood up over her head. The train trucked along at a good pace, the tunnel it rocketed down was pitch black, but the train was dimly lit. Taffyta put a gentle hand on Vanellope's shoulder.

"Honestly, Vanellope," Taffyta smiled, "If you like Ralph, you can tell me."

"Ralph is my best friend," Vanellope growled, feeling annoyed, "Even if I did like him like that, I know nothing would ever happen."

"Well, why not?" Taffyta urged hopefully.

"Because! I'm just a little runt child to him," Vanellope said as gestured her hands with uncertainty, her heart began to pound. She could feel Taffyta's gentle hand still on her shoulder.

"Vanellope, you used to be," Taffyta reminded her, "It's been two years an a whole decade upgrade since then. We're not like humans, Vanellope, these kinds of things almost don't matter."

"But it'd just be weird! He's known me as the two feet tall little dirty haired brat," Vanellope inhaled to keep going.

"But now he can know you as taller, older, lovelier!" Taffyta interrupted, "Surely he won't keep that image of you, Vanellope. It's been two years, after all."

"Hmph," Vanellope sighed and slumped farther into her chair.

"The stuff he was saying to you yesterday," Taffyta said softly, "I know he truly cares about you. And now knowing that he didn't want to be apart from you after all this time just makes everything better."

"It's not like that, Taff," Vanellope breathed sadly.

"Maybe not right now," Taffyta urged.

"What is with you! You hated him not even forty eight hours ago!" Vanellope suddenly barked, "Now you're trying to play matchmaker on two gamers who aren't even close to being meant to be."

"I was only mad at him because I thought he wrote that note, Vanellope!" Taffyta barked back, "I always liked him, Vin, you know that!"

"I just wish all this tension and confusion would go away somehow... My stomach nearly drops every time he's near." Vanellope mumbled as she covered her face with embarrassment. Taffyta looked around before beaming in Vanellope's direction.

"Hey, the arcade is closed for New Years next week. Maybe he'll ask you to the New Year's ball!" Taffyta smiled. Vanellope gave her a look of death.

"Does it look like I enjoy dancing?" Vanellope glared.

"You went last year, remember?" Taffyta nudged her.