Help my friend purple-ish in the Watty Awards! The Wedding Day came up at #11 in the short story category!! Woohoo! I'm going to dedicate this to her so that you'll easily find her Wattpad profile. Thanks a bunch, dudes! :) xx

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Josh couldn't stand the fact that he was defeated by a mere musician. He'd never seen Todd play before – even once – in Sky. So come he was so good at the game? The game that Josh himself mastered? He was so ashamed to lose that he couldn't look at Coach Clearwater in the eye during practice. The Coach wasn't even surprised when Todd won the game. That made Josh even more suspicious.

So first thing on Monday, he decided to ask Brian Wright how Todd managed to – Er – defeat him.

"Don't tell me, you don't know?" said Brian, beginning to grin. "Where have you been, Mantle? Todd's father was a famous NBA coach. Todd was born with natural talent in playing Basketball. His father made him the best, training him and teaching him all the skills he knew. When Todd entered High School, he discovered his love for music and decided to pursue his musical career instead. It was a rather good thing that Mr. Samuels respected that decision."

When Josh didn't reply, still trying to sink in the words, Brian turned to leave. But he stopped, as though remembering something.

"Oh yeah, a little advice," said Brian, over his shoulder. "Don't underestimate Todd. Keep yourself from challenging him in sports other than Basketball. Such as Football, Soccer, and Baseball 'cause he aced those sports, too. You wouldn't want to embarrass yourself, do you?"

Brian didn't wait to see Josh's reaction. He simply left. Besides, Kim was waiting for him at the Sky Cafeteria.

It didn't surprise him that Josh came to him to ask about Todd's biography. Not many knew about Todd's athletic past. But since Josh Mantle was involved in the Basketball sport, Brian figured that he would at least know about Todd's father. Well, it only proved that he didn't care and only thought of himself.

When he entered the cafeteria, he went straight to their usual table and saw Kim waiting. After he sat, he told Kim that Josh asked about Todd.

"I'm not shocked," said Kim, when Brian finished telling her what happened. "We all know that Todd's good at everything he does."

"Yeah, that's true," he nodded.

"But you've got to admit," she said excitedly. "I was right about Todd liking Maxine."

"I thought you said it was only a possibility?" he asked, recalling what Kim said in the Sky Gym.

"I know. But I said that last week. Now, I'm sure," said Kim firmly, a bit seriously. Then, she looked outside the window. "But knowing Todd . . . he hasn't realized it yet."

"I don't know, Kim."

She snorted. "You know that I've never been wrong with these things. And stop fooling around. You're his best friend. You know the meaning behind every reaction he makes. Although, I have to ask, what do you think behind my theory?"

Kim stared at Brian, waiting.

Brian stared at Kim, thinking. His facial reaction betrayed him. He couldn't stop himself from broadly grinning.

"Aha!" she exclaimed triumphantly, pointing at him.

"What?" he asked innocently, but already he knew what was coming.

"Don't play innocent, Brian Wright," she accused. "I've known that look my whole life."

"What look?"

"Oh, Please. The good-one-Kim-you're-thinking-exactly-what-I'm-thinking look," explained Kim animatedly, imitating Brian's deep voice.

"Okay, okay. You caught me," he laughed. "Anyway," he began seriously. "What's the plan for the November break next week?"

Kim's mother gave birth to her in Chicago. But when she was two years old, her parents and her moved to New York City. They barely visit Kim's grandparents in Chicago anymore, so her parents decided to send Kim to Chicago for a week – accompanied by Brian, of course.

"Oh, yes, about that," she said, suddenly remembering the plans for next week. "Mother and father already asked your parents if you could go with me in Chicago for the November break. And they've already explained that Mother couldn't come. But of course, Aunt and Uncle Wright automatically agreed."

"I knew they would," he muttered.

Brian, Kim, and Todd had known each other since they were in Nursery School. It had been easy for them to go along with each other for they always saw each other in social events. Eventually, their families became close friends.

☺ ♪ ☺ ♫ ☺ ♪ ☺

"Why do you even like me, anyway?" snapped Maxine, after she heard Josh asking her out for the sixty sixth time. She was really, really annoyed now.

She was doodling in her notes at the Sky Studio with Karl, Peter, and Todd when Josh came. She couldn't take the pressure and annoyance anymore. His persistence was very admiring, but Maxine could never agree to him.

"That's why!" answered Josh, weirdly energized. "You're yelling! You're the first girl to yell at me in years!"

"Kim yelled at you," said Maxine, after a moment's silence.

"That was after you yelled at me."

"When did I yell at you?"

"In Chemistry class," explained Josh quickly. "We were partners for a day, and you said," – he cleared his throat – "'What on earth do you think you're doing? You're mixing it up! Don't play with it! Don't you have something else to do?!'" he imitated Maxine in a highly squeaky voice accompanied by hand gestures.

Karl and Peter burst out laughing. It was really hilarious to see Josh Mantle acting like a girl. They continued laughing hysterically, but when Maxine shot them a look, they immediately stopped. She turned to face Josh again and raised her eyebrow.

"Just like that?" asked Maxine incredulously.

Josh nodded.

"It's not a good enough reason for asking me out."

"B – But why?" asked Josh, his brows furrowed.

"Because – I mean . . . Just for yelling? I don't . . . that's not . . . " Maxine trailed off, shaking her head.

"So, if your Mom yells at you, you will – without doubt – ask your Mom out?" asked Karl curiously.

Peter winced. "That's disgusting," he said, frowning.

Todd gave out a small smile.

"Well, will you?" Maxine asked Josh, when he didn't answer.

Everyone looked at Josh, waiting for his reply.

"Of course not! That's different," answered Josh. When there was still an awkward silence, he changed the subject, "I'll be going away for a few weeks."

"Really?" said Maxine, uncaring.

Josh instantly jumped to the conclusion that Maxine was sad about the news, for he said, "Don't worry. I'll come back for you."

Karl and Peter exchanged disbelief looks. At that precise moment, Brian and Kim walked in the room.

"Don't ever come back," said Todd quietly.

Josh overheard what Todd said. "You know, Samuels, a little game couldn't prove that you're the best."

"Really?" asked Todd in mocked disbelief, "because I know someone who challenged me to a 'little game'. He said that the one who'll win was the best. He was so sure that he'll defeat me. But then, I won against him. Now, he's telling me this nonsense that the 'little game' we did, couldn't prove that I'm the best. What was it you want to say again?"

Josh glared at him. "I have nothing to say to you," he said as he left the room.

"I really don't like that guy," said Karl.

Peter snorted. "Who doesn't?" he asked.

"The girls," answered Brian.

"Not all of them," defended Maxine.

"But most of them," Kim pointed out.

Kim and Brian were on their way to Chicago for the week. Kim was so excited to meet her playmates when she was two years old, even though she couldn't remember who they were, she was still hoping to meet them.

When they arrived at Kim's grandparents' house, they were warmly welcomed. Her grandparents were old, but energetic and strong. And the house was brown and cozy. It was the kind of place where families were close and connected.

Grandpa Wilson and Grandma Carol were both aware that Brian and Kim were only best friends. After all, they were able to meet him a few years back, when they came to New York City.

"You're just in time for the all-week festival that's being held at the plaza," said Grandma Carol excitedly.

"We're going there right now. Do you want to come?" Grandpa Wilson asked Kim.

"I'd love to," beamed Kim. She turned to Brian who was lying on the couch, and asked, "You coming, Brie?"

"Nope," said Brian, exhausted. "I'm so tired. I'll just go tomorrow. Enjoy yourself."

Kim went with her grandparents. She excused herself from her grandparents so that she could roam around the plaza. She was walking around the plaza when some ladies bumped into her. They looked like they were middle aged women.

"Oh! I'm sorry, dear. I didn't see you," said the overly sized woman.

"No, it was my fault for not looking where I was going. I'm sorry," said Kim sincerely.

"What a very polite young lady. I wish I have a daughter as polite as you are. What's your name?" asked the thin woman.

"Kim Nickerson," answered Kim.

"Nickerson . . . hmmm . . . oh, my goodness! Are you Samantha Nickerson's child?" asked the overly sized woman excitedly. Kim nodded, confused. "I adore her! I even named my daughter after her. She's very kind, your mother. It would be a pleasure to meet you, again."

"The last time I saw you, you were still a toddler. Do you still remember Sam and Emma? You used to play together," asked the thin woman. When Kim shook her head, the woman called out the names, 'Sam' and 'Emma'.

They came. They wore a lot of accessories all over them. They dressed very fashionably, while Kim dressed fashionable, yet simple. Sam was pale blonde and Emma was dark haired mixed with highlights of blue.

The look on their faces told Kim that they do not like her. They were FORCED to tour Kim around the plaza.

"So, you know anyone from Hollywood?" asked Sam.

"Not personally," answered Kim.

"Bummer."

"Why do you ask?"

"So what if I ask?" said Sam harshly. She looked at Emma and said, "Darn. I thought I could do everything I want since this is a free country."

"Not just because this is a free country means that you could do whatever you wanted," said Kim lightly. "I mean, what a fiasco would that be if anyone could do what they want. That's why the government made laws for people to follow, right? To keep everything organized?"

Sam and Emma stared at Kim for a couple of minutes. Kim wondered if they understood what she said. She thought it was well said.

"I didn't get one single word of what you said," said Emma.

"If you wanted to teach, Miss Know-it-all, there's a school over there," said Sam pointing at a building just across the street. They giggled. They must have thought what Sam said was brilliant.

Kim managed to control her temper. "I can't. I haven't graduated from High School yet. And if I get a degree on teaching, I'll teach at Sky International Academy. But I'll keep what you said in mind," she said smiling forcefully.

Apparently, only three words from what Kim said managed to get to Sam and Emma's brains: Sky International Academy.

Sam snorted loudly.

"And what made you think you can teach at a school like Sky International Academy?" asked Sam coldly.

"Yeah, that's like, out of your reach," said Emma, she was very sure of herself.

"Out of my reach?" asked Kim incredulously. She laughed softly. "Didn't I mention? I study at Sky. Well, I'll be going," she said walking away. "I hope I'll not see you again," she murmured.

She left the plaza and went back to her Grandparents' house.

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Was the change of scenes confusing? Oh, and what d'you think of the possibility of Brian and Kim? *wink* Hehe..