Happy (late) New Year's! I was going to release this last night, but I was streaming and I've just been really lazy, but I found the time now, so let's go!

Also, this is a bit of a longer chapter, I hope that makes up for it.

(Y/N) POV

(Y/N) was walking around the store. He had been given a list of things to get bring for the New Year's party.

(Y/N): (Seriously? How come I'm the one who has to pick up the things?)

He sighed.

(Y/N): (At least Pearl gave me the money for all of it. Marie being here is helping, but I've seriously gotta watch out and make sure Callie doesn't get us in trouble.)

Suddenly, unbeknownst to him, two Octolings were nearby.

Octo 1: This would be great for it.

Octo 2: Yeah, it really goes with the-

She gasped.

Octo 1: Huh? What is it?

The second Octoling pointed over at (Y/N).

Octo 1: Is that... who I think it is?

Octo 2: I think it is.

Octo 1: How can we be sure?

Octo 2: We could always just ask him?

Octo 1: I mean... we could, but... what if he gets angry?

Octo 2: Well... I'm going to speak to him.

The second Octoling walked off in the direction of (Y/N).

Octo 1: Wait, what?!

(Y/N) felt someone poke his shoulder, causing him to turn around. He thought it might've just been Callie and/or Marie, but he was surprised to see some Octoling he didn't know.

Octo 2: H-Hey!

She seemed kind of nervous, then another Octoling ran up to her.

Octo 1: What're you doing?

Octo 2: Exactly what I said.

(Y/N): Um. Can I help you two with anything? (Weird, they seem familiar somehow... Maybe I played a turf war with them before?)

Octo 2: Well, I thought you looked like someone and I was just seeing if it was you, Agent 4.

(Y/N)'s eyes widened in shock and he took a step back for a second.

(Y/N): W-Wha-!

Octo 2: See! I told you it was him.

Octo 1: Yeah, yeah.

(Y/N): How do you two know about that!?!

Both of the Octolings were now looking in other directions, or giving off nervous chuckles, or just blushing.

(Y/N) just looked at the pair of Octolings confusedly until one of them spoke.

Octo 1: Listen, you probably aren't going to like it, but... we... fought... you in Octo Canyon.

(Y/N): Okay.

Octo 1: And we almost splatted you... permanently.

That was what did it. That's what made (Y/N) remember. That's why they seemed familiar.

~Flashback~

(Y/N) was badly hurt after getting hit by an enemy Octarian. He tried jumping up, but he had fallen. Then, he heard a couple female voices come up behind him.

Octo 1: Aww, look how cute he is.

Octo 2: Yeah, it's almost sad having to splat him.

Octo 1: He really looks hurt. We better put him down.

Octo 2: Yeah, they don't let us keep pets at base.

Both of the Octolings raised their weapons.

~Back to Present~

(Y/N): Woah... I remember you two.

The two Octolings look up at him, afraid, as if they were expecting an outburst.

(Y/N): That hurt like hell.

They looked down.

(Y/N): Are you two okay?

They looked back up at him, confused and expectedly.

Octo 2: You aren't...

Octo 1: Mad?

(Y/N): Not really. Besides, you two seem a heck of a lot nicer now than before.

They both seemed relieved after hearing this.

(Y/N): So, you two aren't going to tell people I'm Agent 4, are you?

Octo 1 & 2: No!

Octo 2: Of course not.

Octo 1: We'd never.

(Y/N): Good. Then, hey, I'm (Y/N).

Octo 1: Oh! My name's Katya.

Octo 2: Mine's Anya.

(Y/N): Well, it's nice to meet you both.

Marie POV

Marie had gotten everything on her part of the list, so she was now walking through the store, looking for (Y/N) and Callie. After a bit of searching, she found (Y/N), but he was talking with two Octoling girls.

Marie hid around the corner and decided she'd see what was going on.

She peeked around the corner and couldn't really hear what the three of them were talking about, but she heard (Y/N) say something that made the two Octolings laugh, causing Marie to become filled with... contempt.

Marie tried to act calm and collected as she walked over to the three of them, including putting on a fake smile. Once she got over to them, she threw her arm around (Y/N)'s neck.

Marie: Hey, (Y/N)!

(Y/N): Oh, hey, Marie.

Marie: Who are your friends here?

(Y/N): Oh! This is Katya and Anya.

Marie: Mm. It's nice to meet you both.

(Y/N): Actually... You already know these two.

Marie turned towards him, confused.

(Y/N): Or... you know of them.

Marie: What're you talking about?

(Y/N): Remember when I was doing missions to help you get the Zapfish back?

Marie: (Y/N)! Don't jus-

(Y/N): No, it's fine, Marie, because they already know, because... well... they were the ones that almost permanently splatted me.

Marie's eyes grew wide in shock.

Marie: WHAT?!

(Y/N): But it's okay now. We're all fine.

Marie looked at him, clearly upset with how nonchalantly he was acting.

(Y/N): Marie. Really... It's fine.

Marie gave him the "we'll talk about this later" look.

Marie: Well, anyway, we should really go looking for Callie... and the rest of the things on the list, because it sounds like you were chatting more than actually shopping.

Marie, with her arm still around his neck, grabbed his ear and dragged him along.

(Y/N): Ow! Okay, you don't have to pull my ear! Hopefully, I'll see you two some time!

Hearing that made Marie pick up the pace a tiny bit as the three of them waved to each other.

After the two of them continued their search through the store for the rest of the items, they eventually had everything.

Marie: Okay. I think that's everything.

(Y/N): Should we go check out?

Marie: Mmm... You go check out, I need to go search for Callie. I'm surprised we didn't run into her on the way through.

(Y/N): Okay. Sounds good to me.

He walked away with the cart full of items, while Marie started looking up and down the aisle looking for Callie.

Marie: (She wouldn't be... no... she has more than enough.)

Marie decided she'd check the makeup aisle anyways. Sure enough, Callie was there, checking out lipstick. Marie walked over to Callie, who was looking in the mirror while comparing the color of the lipstick.

Marie: Callie. What do you think you're doing?

Callie: Oh! Marie! You surprised me.

Marie: Have you been here the entire time?

Callie rubbed the back of her neck nervously as she chuckled.

Callie: Maybe...

Marie: Why?! You have more than enough at home!

Callie: No reason.

Callie gave the smile she used when she was hiding something.

Marie: Okay. Spill it. What're you hiding?

Callie: You mean... you really don't remember?

Marie: Remember what, Callie?

Callie: The New Year's kiss, of course!

Marie: Huh?

Callie: You know; when the clock hits midnight, you're supposed to give someone a kiss.

Marie: Oh, right! The New Year's kiss! How could I have forgotten that?

Callie: I don't know, but that's why I'm picking out a nice looking lipstick that'll really leave a mark.

Marie: Who said you'd be the one to get the kiss?

Callie: I did, when I realized it was going to be me.

Marie: Doesn't matter. We're doing shopping, so come on.

Marie started dragging Callie away, leaving her without her lipstick.

Callie: Wait! I wasn't done yet!

Marie: Too bad.

They continued to the checkout line, found (Y/N), and helped get all the items. The whole time, Callie looked a bit annoyed at Marie for not letting her get the lipstick she wanted, but it didn't stop her from trying to stay close to (Y/N), much to Marie's disliking.

After buying all the items for the party, they were walking out to the parking lot, with (Y/N) pushing the cart.

(Y/N): So, let's go bring all the supplies to Pearl's house, and then we'll help them set up everything.

Marie: Sounds like a plan.

Callie: Sure.

~~~

Marina POV

Marina knocks on Pearl's bedroom door.

Marina: Okay, Pearlie, (Y/N) just texted me saying that they're on the way with the supplies.

Pearl: Okay, sounds good.

Pearl said from the other side of the door.

Marina: Pearlie? What're you even doing in there?

Pearl: N-Nothing!

Marina: Mhm. Yeah, alright...

Marina grew a mischievious smile.

Marina: I'M COMING IN!

Marina said, loudly, as she quickly open the door and went inside. This had shocked Pearl, causing Pearl to fall out of the chair in front of her stand with her vanity mirror. Marina ran up to Pearl.

Marina: Pearl! I'm soooo sorry! I didn't expect to surprise you so mu-

Marina noticed all the makeup supplies on Pearl's stand, and then she looked down at Pearl. Pearl's face was covered in a lot of makeup, except it looked like the person who put it on had no clue as to what they were doing.

Marina: Um... Pearl? Is this my makeup?

Pearl looked down, upset.

Pearl: I look awful...

Marina's eyes widened at this, then she went in to comfort her.

Marina: No, no, no, no, no! Pearl. Look at me.

Pearl kept looking down.

Marina: Pearl. Look at me.

Pearl sniffled a bit.

Marina: Pearl!

Pearl looked up at Marina with a few tears in her eyes.

Marina: Pearl... You are NOT ugly. You are beautiful, you are fresh as heck, and you are one of the nicest and most rad people I've ever met.

Pearl: Thanks, Reena, but... I know what people think about me... Everyone always talks about how beautiful you are, then for me...

Pearl sniffled.

Marina: Pearl, don't listen to what they say. What is it you always say? "Who cares about what the haters think?" They're just a bunch of nobodies who have nothing better to do than judge other people, while they're probably way worse off than others.

Pearl smile a bit.

Pearl: It means a lot, but...

She turned back toward the mirror.

Pearl: Look at me...

Marina: Pearl. Nothing's wrong with you. As for the makeup... It's definitely not your color. Here look.

Marina stood up and left the room and came back a bit later with more makeup supplies.

Marina: If you wanted help with makeup though, you should've just asked me. I would've been willing to help you out, and even show you how to do it yourself.

Pearl wiped away her tears, and then she looked up at her with a big smile as she nodded.

Marina: Sounds great.

Marina gave a little smile back, then they got to work.

After a little bit, (Y/N), Callie, and Marie arrived, but since Pearl and Marina weren't done, Marina just told them to start without them.

~~~

(Y/N) POV

The three of them had finished setting up the party a while ago. There was food, drinks, video games, board games, movies, blankets, etc.

After a while, Liz and Veronica showed up. So, after they were told were Pearl and Marina were, the five of them sat down in the living room and watched some television.

Suddenly, footsteps were heard getting closer, and when they all turned, their jaws dropped open. Marina was holding onto Pearl's shoulder with joy filling her face, while Pearl was just standing in front of her shyly, with the makeup accentuating her beauty.

Pearl: H-... How do I look?

She gave a nervous smirk.

Callie: (Damnit! She's gonna get ANOTHER one.)

Liz: You look-

(Y/N): Beautiful.

Pearl blushed at his comment and turned to the side a bit; her smile grew larger.

Marina: Well... Let's get this party started!

~~~

Marie POV

In the hours until midnight, they all partied and had fun together. They played many games, watched, had some food and drinks. The people who drank some of the adult drinks didn't drink enough to get completely intoxicated. However, many of them were thinking the same thing... "How are they going to be the one to get that kiss?"

The time was getting closer and they were currently just watching a movie while playing a simple card game at the table, at the same time. With a few minutes until midnight, they were all getting anxious; they were trying to be close to (Y/N) for when it happened.

Suddenly, Veronica was looking out the window and shouted.

Veronica: Look at the amazing fireworks!

They all stood up and went out the front door to check them out.

Callie: Woah! Look how close the fireworks are!

Veronica: They're so big and colorful!

Marie chuckled as she turned around to hopefully go steal the kiss while they were all distracted, but... the door wouldn't open.

Marie: Huh?

She tried forcing the door open.

Marie: What the heck?!

The others noticed this.

Marina: Marie? What're you doing?

Marie: It's this door. It won't open!

Callie: Huh?!

Callie shoved her out of the way, lightly, trying to open the door.

Callie: No, no, no! (Y/N)! Open the door! I'm not there to share our kiss!

Elizabeth POV

Everyone was going out the front door to go see the fireworks, but Liz noticed that (Y/N) wasn't leaving. She sat down on the floor in front of the couch, where they were playing cards, and sat next to him.

Liz: You aren't going to go look at the fireworks?

(Y/N): Nah, I don't want to miss the ball drop.

He said pointing at the TV.

(Y/N): Besides, there'll be more after the ball drops.

Liz smirked.

Liz: True.

(Y/N): Here it comes! It's the final countdown.

(Y/N) & Liz: 10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. Happy New Year's!

The two of them looked at each other, smiling.

Marina POV

They were watching as they struggled to open the front door. So, Pearl decided to go around the house to try the back door. Marina and the others followed after her, but when they got to the back door, it wouldn't open; they must've kept it locked earlier.

They all looked in and saw (Y/N) and Liz sitting on the ground in front of the couch, and they were kissing, as the TV showed fireworks going off and the words "Happy New Year's!"

Callie: NOOOOOOO!

Callie started knocking on the glass, but it didn't matter; they couldn't hear over the fireworks going off.

They were all left outside to watch it happen in front of them.

Marina looked around.

Marina: (Why were fireworks going off a few minutes before midnight?)

2479 Words

January 5, 2019 - 11:47 PM