{Heh...there'll probably be a full set of comments by the time you people are done reading this chap...heh heh....enjoy!}

Soup's P.O.V.

"YOU GUYS WH--?!?"Cenede shouted panicking. Mindy quickly covered her mouth."Cenede!" Mindy shouted. Thank the Great Zapfish that everyone's back inside their dorm rooms cause our cover would have been blown.

"So...you guys mean to tell me that there's a 'you know who' living in this hotel right now?"Cenede whispered. Mindy nodded her head.

"WOO....WOOMY...!"Cenede said in shock. She then crossed her heart."I promise I won't say a single word."she smiled."The owner's probably waiting on me right now. I've checked everyone to see they're okay so far. I'll catch you guys later!"she said as she walked off.

As soon as she walked into an elevator, me and Evan sighed in relief."Mindy, I hope you're right about trusting her!" Evan said.

"Don't worry, Evan! We can trust her."Mindy said as she nudged my brother's arm.

Meanwhile, I was stuck cleaning up all of Octavia's mess. Gooey ooze of ink was lying on the floor and I was an inch away from touching it. A torn up note was on the floor that had long writing on it.

I looked around to see if anyone was watching me. Neveah was on her phone looking up more interesting facts about Octo hybrids which I could probably ask her about later. Lucas and Riley were busy having a discussion on the balcony.

I slowly picked up the note and read it. I figured that it could probably be more information about what's going on with the rainbow ink.

Dear Diary,

It's almost time for my birthday to come up soon. I can't believe that time has flown by so fast! Maybe the rest of my friends know about it. But...what if they don't? No one's ever cared about my birthday before. I don't even know the first thing to do. And to top it all off, it's on Halloween. That's an Octarian's favorite holiday. All of the other Octarians were often focused on working and nothing else which really bummed me out a lot. I just hope that things will be different this year.
                                                          Sincerely, Octavia

I sighed feeling a bit sorry for her. Was life really like this when I was gone?

"Hey, big bro? Can I talk to you for a minute?"Nevaeh asked politely. I balled the paper up and left it on the floor until I got back. I walked over to where she was."Sure! What's up?" I asked.

"Well...I just wanted to let you know that Octavia's birthday is coming up...and...it's just...she's been through a lot. Let's work together and make this the best birthday Octavia's ever had, alright? She deserves it." Neveah said with a weak smile. I nodded my head understanding what she's saying.

"Alright! We'll start the preparations tomorrow!" Neveah smiled.
-------------------
Later on that evening

Riley's P.O.V.

After what just happened, everyone headed back to their dorm rooms. We undressedI was in my bedroom listening to my music. That's when my nerdy brother came running to ask me a question."RILEY!" he shouted. I took my designer headphones off and turned my music down."What's up?" I asked.

"Do you think I should ask Mindy out on a date? Like right now?" Lucas asked.

"Go for it, dude! A movie night would be perfect for a date." I smiled trying to escape this conversation. Ever since they've dated, Lucas has been head over heels for Mindy. I know that before they were a couple, they were cute together, but now...it's starting to bug me.

"Thanks, Riley!" Lucas smiled.

BEEP! BEEP!

I received a text message on my cell. Sometimes I get really tired of these notifs.

"I had fun splatting Mindy's team today." Lucas admitted blushing. I sighed and smirked. Time for a little payback...

"So? How many times did you undress her?" I asked with the most innocent face a squid could make."What're you talking about?"Lucas said with a puzzled face."Think about it. Every time you splat someone, their clothes disappear for a little bit. So? How many times did you splat her?"

Lucas sat there like a complete idiot and slammed the back of his head on my bed. He put his hands on his face."Oh my god, Riley! Why...just why...?"

I put my headphones back on my head."It's been a pleasure!"I smiled. I'll have to admit it. I do take after my brother even if it is in the dirtiest of ways..."Good luck asking her out, big bro!"

"Riley, when I get back, you are so DEAD!" Lucas said. He then stood up and headed towards the door. He turned to face me. He pointed his index finger at himself then at me and punched the palm of his hand against the other. After that, he saluted me 'captain of the ship' style and walked out the door.

I eventually got bored. Lucas is probably on his way out with Mindy. That is if everything turned out smoothly, but I doubt that would've happened. I turned off my music and decided to go grab a quick bite on the bottom floor. That's when I saw Soup doing what I thought was pretty funny.

Soup was busy dancing. "You're trying a bit too hard don't ya think?" I shouted. Soup heard me and figured that I was planning something. He smirked."I don't have time for your childish games, Riley."

"Excuse me?" I asked idiotically in a high-pitched voice. I then figured out what he was talking about. Soup is actually "Well then, I guess you don't wanna join this child on a trip to get a quick bite at David's Catfish?" I said as I slowly walked off.

Soup blinked and turned off his music."Hold on! I'm coming, Riley!"

Me and Soup eventually made it to David's Catfish. It wasn't really that far from our apartment. I'd say it was only a few blocks downtown from Inkopolis.

We both found a table and sat down.

"You thought about what you wanted to eat, Riley?"Soup asked. I smiled."Talapia with Mac and cheese and fries!"

It's an unusual combo...I know...

A waitress came to our table. That was fast...

"Hello, my name is Mabel and I'll be the waitress that'll take your order today. What can I get you today?"she asked. "I'll--"

"Hold on, Riley. I'll order for the table!" Soup said quickly cutting me off. I grinned."Look who's being a gentleman!" I said joking and a bit impressed.

"Are you two on a dinner date?" The waitress asked.

Um...a.k.a, that's none of her business. Let's hope she doesn't go stalker mode on us... Me and Soup sweat dropped.

"Heh...um...no. It's not..."Soup said as he scratched the back of his head as his face was flushed."Right, Riley?"he asked with an awkward smile.

"Nope!" I said awkwardly.

Soup ordered the food for the both of us before the waitress could ask about anything else personal.
"Okay...coming right up!" The waitress said as she headed towards the kitchen.

Soup and I both sighed. "Well...that was awkward..." I said.

"I know right?" Soup chuckled.

We both waited awhile for the waitress to bring our food back.

"So...why were you trying to dance in your room for this time?" I asked.

"It's for homecoming. Is that a problem? I'm planning on asking Cyanthia to go with me." Soup said confidently.

"And...if it doesn't work out? What're you gonna do then--"

I heard the sound of giggling behind me. The laugh seemed to resemble Adrienne's. "You guys are retarded! Ha ha, but seriously though, I could care less about whether I win or not. I'm an S+ rank. I'm one of the champions of Inkopolis!" she chuckled.

"Well, we'll see about that, Adrienne."Another girl spoke beside her. I turned my back around just a little and saw Adrienne sitting with Cyanthia and...KEVIN! That red headed devil!

"I'm gonna go grab some more drinks." Soup said as he stood up and walked the opposite direction from where Adrienne's group was."Alright, I'll be right back too. I'm going to the restroom."

I followed the path where Soup walked from. "So, how's it going with you and James?" Adrienne asked Cyanthia. I sat back down, but only enough to make it look like it was a squat.

"I told you guys that you were the worst matchmakers ever! James seems like a good guy, but I'm just not that interested in him. He seems like the gullible type. You should have seen what he did one day this week at P.E."

I tried to walk as fast as I could to avoid the other group, but there was no luck.

"Riley?!" Cyanthia asked. I stood there like an idiot not knowing what to do. Don't turn around. Don't turn around!

"I didn't think we'd see you here!" Adrienne said with a smile."We were just talking about how our first week at school was!" Cyanthia smiled.

MmmOHMYGOD stop lying you little toxic rose! I wonder if she knows that I know that she's lying right now...I can't believe that this girl hangs out with not one, but two of my enemies: The Psychotic Blondie, the Red Headed Devil, and the Toxic Rose...a weird combination of friends.

"Yeah! Also, you and your friend, Soup seem pretty good on the battlefield. Maybe we all could practice sometime!" Kevin said with a smirk.

....H-Have you...have they even met me? Like I'll ever hang out with these noobs!

"Um...sorry guys, but I'm already with a group. I'll have to say no on this one." I said with an innocent face. Kevin sat there and had a frown on his face.

I keep in mind that Kevin is a total hothead. His hair was waving showing his anger.

Yeah I said it! Problem or nah?

"Oh...okay...it's just that normally people don't decline our invitations." Cyanthia mentioned.

"Well I believe I just did! No one talks about my friends that way! And I know that you guys were trying to keep up the act. Like I would hang out with you guys after your attempts to hurt my friends. Soup is the nicest and sweetest person I've ever met and he definitely deserves better and if you can't see that then that's just too bad. Bye, Felicia!" I said as I walked back to my seat.

"She...she...she..." Adrienne said lost for words. As soon as Kevin was about to say something, Cyanthia stopped him."Calm yourself, Kevin. Let's get out of here, guys."

The gang all stood up and headed out the door. They paid their tip before leaving. Soup came back with both of our drinks.

"What took you so long?" I asked him.

Soup rubbed the back of his head."Um...I had to go to the restroom too. The line was long. Sorry it took me awhile. Now, let's eat! I'm starving!"
~~~~~~~~~~
Another chapter done! I finished this earlier, but I decided to wait until I had some wi-fi before I posted this chapter. There's two more parts of Seconds of Courage!

It looks like two of our heroes find ourselves on a hang out...or is it? More mystery is coming up in the next chap so be ready to be on the edge of your seat!

Remember to read, vote, comment, enjoy, and STAY FRESH!
~Princess