Cut: A Hazbin Hotel Fanfiction

Chapter 12

Much too soon, it became the day of the gala.

I was awoken by a loud knocking on my bedroom door, one that was accompanied by muffled laughter. My eyes snapped open and I watched the door suspiciously. When the knock repeated itself, I sighed. I got out of bed, yawning and wrapping my robe tighter around myself.

I stepped over to the door and pulled it open. "Who is it?" I said drowsily.

Charlie, Vaggie, Niffty, and another demon I didn't recognize stood in front of me. "Good morning!" Charlie chirped. "We're here to get you ready for the gala."
At her words, I stood up straighter, now fully awake. "But the gala's in the evening," I replied, confused. I glanced at the group behind her. They didn't look eager to wear fancy dresses all day, either.

"It is, but we're going to spend the day helping each other with our outfits and talking," Charlie explained. "Like a spa day, but at the hotel."

"This is a full-day event," Vaggie added, already looking tired. "At least, for Charlie it is."

I ran a hand through my hair, which I had yet to pull back. "You cannot be serious."

"Of course we're serious," the unfamiliar demon said, putting her hands on her hips. Like Niffty, she had only one eye, which she now rolled at me.

Brat. "Who the fuck are you?" I shot back, crossing my arms. "Don't remember seeing someone like you around."

She grinned at my reaction. "Name's Cherri Bomb," she answered, tilting her head. "I'm Angie's friend."

"Hm. Figures." I turned to Charlie. "She's here why?" I asked.

"Be nice!" Charlie scolded, then softened her voice. "She's going to the gala too, and since she got here early..." She shrugged. "I figured we'd include her." Charlie grabbed my arm. "Now come on! We have a whole day of fun ahead of us!"

She yanked me out of my room before I could free myself. I flew out into the hallway, protesting. "Where are we even going?" I whined. My life had gone from almost no social interaction to having to deal with these people every day, and I still wasn't used to it. Especially not standing out in the middle of the hallway with my robe on, still feeling tired from being awoken so abruptly. Today's going to be a long day.

Charlie started marching down the hallway, the others trailing after her. "Sauna," she said simply, and continued walking.

Wait. I sped after the group. "Don't tell me there's an actual spa inside the hotel," I said incredulously.

"There is," Vaggie confirmed flatly.

"Wow." I stopped talking and moved quietly with the group. Cherri did the exact opposite. She would not stop talking, and Charlie was encouraging her. I sighed with irritation and did my best to forget about the chatter.

I looked down at Niffty, who was walking silently a few steps ahead of me. "I'm surprised you're here," I told her. "I figured you'd want to make sure everything was spotless for the guests later."

She glanced back at me and waited for a moment so I could catch up with her. When I reached her, she continued walking, matching my pace. "And miss a chance to impress the boys?" she giggled. "Not a chance."

"Right." I looked around at the halls and corridors we were passing. "Speaking of 'the boys', where are they?" I asked. "Husk's not even at the bar." And that's an achievement.

Charlie overheard my question. "I convinced Al to get them ready too," she called over her shoulder. "We all need to be ready for tonight!"

The small demon beside me waited for Charlie to continue her conversation with Cherri and Vaggie to speak. "Charlie's nervous about the gala," Niffty said, lowering her voice. She swiveled her head around, as though she were about to reveal some giant secret. "The King and Queen of Hell are going to be here tonight, and she wants everything to be perfect. She doesn't want her parents to think she can't do this."