Sugar Rush

Three

Vanellope and her racers were finally done with the preparations for the party. She could already hear the Sugar Rush citizens partying downtown. It was nearly noon.

“Crumbelina! Taffyta! Let’s go to Racer’s Square and get the others!”

Vanellope grabbed Crumbelina’s hand and dragged her towards the door. Taffyta followed just as Candlehead walked back into the castle.

“Guys?” her voiced echoed, lonely, in the large hall.

“Guys?”

Meanwhile, Vanellope and her best friends were skipping down to Racer’s Square, the neighborhood where all the racer’s lived. They raced each other on foot to Jubileena’s house.

“Jubileena!” Vanellope yelled. Crumbelina tripped and fell. Taffyta grinned and shoved past Vanellope. Just as she was about to run up the porch stairs, Vanellope put on an extra burst of speed and crashed into the door. Right as Jubileena opened it. Both girls tumbled to the cherry red carpet, laughing like hyenas.

Crumbelina caught up to the others. Her hat had fallen off, her hair had fluffy golden and chocolate strands falling in her face, and her leggings had a small rip in them. She looked really happy.

“Hey guys. Nice run, Vanellope. You got Taffy beat.”

“Did not!” Taffyta wailed. “She glitched!”

“I can win without glitching, Taff.” Vanellope protested.

“Come on, guys, we have to get the others for the party!”

The four girls raced down the street, each trying to collect the most racers in the shortest time. Crumbelina played it smart, and ran all the way to the end of Racer’s Square so she could weave her way back and not have to worry about the other girls getting in her way.

The end of the line was Gloyd Orangeboar, followed by Rancis, Swizzle, and Adorabeezle.

“Gloyd, open up, we gotta go to the party!”

As soon as Gloyd opened the door, Crumbelina grabbed his hand and dragged him along behind her. Soon he caught on and ran slightly in front of her. Crumbelina admired his tall, lanky frame for a moment before they reached Rancis’s home.

Meanwhile, Taffyta and Vanellope were doing what they did best: competing. Taffyta had collected Snowanna and was headed for Minty Zaki’s house, but Vanellope had a head start. She reached the door a split second before Taffyta.

“Ha, ha, you gotta move on,” Vanellope teased.

Poor Jubileena wasn’t having much luck. Taffyta had beaten her to three houses so far. When Crumbelina returned with Rancis, Gloyd, Adorabeezle, and Swizzle, the other girls knew they were beat.

The racers walked off in a group towards the town where all of the citizens resided. It was still early morning, but plenty off townspeople were out finalizing decorations for their own parade. Most of the racers were going to hang out at the castle, but if they felt like it, they could walk through the town as well.

Meanwhile, Candlehead was making the long trek through the castle searching for Vanellope, Taffyta, and Crumbelina.