GAME!

I walked back onto the pad, still in amazement that Tuesday was on my team.

I shouldn't really be freaking out like... 'this', it's just a girl, y'know.

A girl that I was just talking to in the hallways of the Tower. How did she get here so fast? She didn't even look like she was dressed for Turf War––she looked like she was getting ready for bed! I peered at her from across the platform while Judd scurried to the center of the skate park.

The flag pointed to us. We had won yet again!

"That was fun, but I'd better get back..." I heard the girl mutter under her breath. I tiptoed my way over to her, poking her on the shoulder. She jumped a bit, as if she was frightened. She turned around to see me, breathing out a sigh of relief.

"Hey... nice job out there, saving me from that... guy, I guess." She gave me a nervous nod as I continued to speak.

"How... how did you get here so fast? It was only a minute ago since we were talking in the hallway..." It took her a while, but the girl finally blinked and started to giggle.

"I wasn't in the hallway! Oh my goodness, that must have been my sister... we're twins, so a LOT of people confuse for what we're not. Hi, my name is Vanessa, what's yours?"

It took me a second to gather my jaw off of the floor, then to shake it off and realize how stupid I was making myself look. I blinked, as I didn't really notice a difference between the two except...

"Dude! You've got the rare Squid Hairclip in your hair! That's so cool! And it looks nice on ya, might I add," Ethan said, trotting up behind us. He was on the opposing team this time, but he didn't really care if he won or lost.

"Oh, thank you, stranger..." Vanessa replied, patting her hair down. Now that I got a better look at her, her hair was more bushy than Tuesday's curly hair. I guess they were kind of different.

"Oh, hey Ethan. Anyway, I think I overheard you saying that you were done, Vanessa? Maybe we could hang out for a bit?" Vanessa started to blush before nodding.

"S-sure. That'd be great. Let me just go to my room really fast, and... I'll meet you by the train station say by... 8:30?" My grin shone like no other as I took her hand and Ethan's, stepping onto the pad as it swelled up with ink.

"THEN LET'S GO!"

-~-

"Dude, you're really sly with the ladies. Met two in one day! And twins!" Ethan said, poking me in the stomach with his elbow. I chuckled, sliding into my Camo Zip hoodie. I walked over to Ethan's mirror that was hanging on his bathroom door, checking to make sure I looked alright. I smirked, swiping the tag off of my new shoes.

"I ran into Tuesday this morning. I didn't know she had a twin!" I yelled as Ethan tiptoed behind me and fixed my hair.

"I've never met this 'day-of-the-week' girl but I totally call dibs." I glared at him with a mean look on my face. He shrugged, chuckling to himself.

"Love, if that's what you're talking about, takes time, y'know. They might not even like us... like that. They may just want to be friends," I inquired, flicking him in the head with my finger. "And promise me you won't embarrass me, nonetheless yourself while you're at it." Ethan nodded swiftly behind me, closing his closet doors.

"We better hurry up if we're gonna make it to the station on time. I think we should go out for dinner. My job just paid me... so I'll pay you back for the Splattershot, OK?"

"No need, dude. Just get me some food!" Ethan said, grabbing and pulling me out of the door.

-~-

"Crap, my Inkphone is about to die... Ah, here they are!" I said. Vanessa walked up to us, smiling shyly. Her hair was tied up in a ponytail. With a dress on, she was looking quite fancy only for a night out.

"Hey, guys. You don't mind if Tuesday tags along, do you? She was sleeping when I told her about going out, so she might be a little groggy..." Vanessa forewarned us. Tuesday raised her hand up tiredly, waving it without any coordination. It made Ethan giggle.

"Well, Vanessa, you know me and Ethan. Ethan, that's Tuesday, apparently. Tuesday, Ethan. OK, we're done with intros. I was thinking... dinner? At The Red Lobster?"

"Didn't... that place close... down? They said it got too old or something...?" Tuesday chirped in, sitting on one of the train station benches.

"Yes, but that was the one when humans were still around. But now, they've been building up new ones with new names and everything! I would LOVE to go there." I smiled, a bit of blush appearing on my face.

"Alright, what are we waiting for? Let's hit the train!" Ethan yelled, hopping onto the stopped train. I grabbed Vanessa's hand, who in turn grabbed Tuesday's so that we could all be pulled aboard. Ethan grabbed Tuesday and sat in the seat across of us. I let Vanessa take the inside seat, while I took the outside one. Vanessa sighed, looking out into the night sky. I sighed as well, biting my nails.

"Hey, are you OK? Thanks for taking us out to dinner, by the way. A very nice idea from you," I smiled and gave her a nervous 'mmhm' in response. Her eyes were lit with stars now, as the train usually went over fields of grass to get to close towns (go figure!).

"The stars are so pretty, y'know? I always wonder what's up there... I don't think anyone's been to space since..." the girl shook her head in confusion. I scooted closer to her in the seat so I could get a closer look. I could feel the heat of her blush emanating onto me as I pressed against her shoulder.

"Wow, the stars are really pretty tonight, just like––" My eyes widened, stopping myself from making such a rash statement so soon. I slid back to my original position, looking over at Ethan and Tuesday. I cringed as Ethan was playing with Tuesday’s hair... in her sleep!

"Ethan, no!" I yelled, throwing my headphones at him. He caught them, sticking his tongue out at me and tossing them back. Scared that they were going to hit Vanessa, I lunged at him, catching them and falling to the ground. Vanessa stopped to look at me at the train floor.

"Ahehe..."

-~-

"Mm, that burger was really good! What a wake-up call..." Tuesday said proudly, putting a napkin up to her face to wipe it.

"I think I drank a little too much lemonade, I––I'll be right back!" Ethan proclaimed, running off to the bathroom.

"Make that a double!" Tuesday yelled after him. I giggled at the sight of those two––they're actually weird enough to be together.

But on the other hand...

"Dinner was great. Fresh food, nicely prepared, and not a lot of wait time. I had fun, Devonne. I really did."

"That was the whole point! I'm glad you did, Vanessa," I stopped to think for a moment.

"So... you play Turf War. What weapon was that- the one you were using?" I asked her.

"Oh, the Inkbrush! Tuesday uses one too. You see, way back when, our mom taught us how to use a sword. Swinging, guarding, all of that. I didn't feel good using a squirt gun in Turf War, so we begged and begged until our mom bought us Inkbrushes. They're like swords––almost. Just a bit tougher to use," Vanessa explained, taking a sip out of her cup.

"Hehe, I see. What... level are you?"

"I'm Level Eight. I always forget what level Tuesday is... it's a bit... wonky for her." An idea clicked into my head as Tuesday and Ethan slid back into the booth.

"Guys, we should form... a team!" I said as if I invented the idea. Vanessa and Tuesday looked at each other, while Ethan looked at me. Their faces were all ridden with shock.

"Cmon, guys! If we make ourselves a team, then we'll be paired up easier! We'll be stronger, as well! With you two on Inkbrushes, Ethan with his Blaster, and me with my Splattershot, we're unstoppable!" I yelled, throwing my fist up in the air.

"Uh, dude... I don't know... are you into it, Tuesday? Tuesday?"

The ring of the door sounded as it slammed shut in the corner of the restaurant.

"Tuesday, wait up!" Ethan yelled, running after her. I looked at Vanessa, who now wasn't looking quite happy as she was before.

"Vanessa... what's the matter, did I freak you out or something?" I said, placing my hand out. She grabbed it and sighed, placing her head in her other hand.

"We were on a team before. The both of us. We really hated it because... we were always treated like trash. We never got a say in things and... they never let us leave the team, even if we didn't contribute at all. We got so fed up that we told the adult Inkling behind the counter our whole story. They were banned from Turf War, and we were finally set free." I blinked, taken back by her tragic story. I clenched her hand in mine, pulling her towards me. Her eyes were filled with tears. Tossing her a napkin, I smiled.

"You know we won't treat you like that. Never ever. We'll always be about fairness, kindness, and truth. I promise." Our eyes met as we both giggled. We hugged over the table, making us both blush. Tuesday and Ethan both rushed in, gasping for air.

"Dude! You'll never believe the story Tuesday just––"

"I know it. I know all about it. So, we're making a team?" Everyone thrusted their arms into the air joyfully.

"TEAM!"

"So, we need a name. Any ideas?" I proclaimed. Everyone thought for a moment before giving their input.

"Oh oh oh! How about... Squidlings? Eh?" Tuesday chimed in.

"Eh. How about the 'Turf War Takeover-ers!'" Ethan exclaimed. Vanessa shook her head no.

"What about the 'Inkling Army’?" Vanessa said, putting a finger to her cheek. I raised my eyebrows to all of their suggestions.

"OK... we're kids, but we're Inklings, right? How about... Kidlings? Boom," I said, folding my hands on table.

"Cliché," Ethan said.

"Sounds like the title of a dumb fanfiction or something," Tuesday agreed, playing with her fork.

"I-I dunno, I kinda like it," Vanessa confessed in a low voice. She held her head low, and I could tell that her cheeks were flushed with pink.

"Eh, it's alright, I guess," Ethan whispered.

"I'd give it a go," Tuesday agreed.

My eyes beamed with joy. They actually kind of liked my idea! I placed my hand in the center of the table, making everything jump.

"KIDLINGS ON THREE! ONE- TWO-"

"KIDLINGS!"

-~-

The train ride back home was as quiet as ever. Vanessa insisted that she was to stay at my place for the night, even though I had to work in the morning. Ethan put my clothes in a bag and tossed it onto the train with me, waving at us as the train took me back home.

Vanessa gazed at the stars for a bit before yawning and putting her head on my shoulder. I shuddered, but it felt right, almost.

Just almost.

We entered my apartment at around eleven, both of us wanting to slumber.

"There's the couch... or you can sleep in my parent's bed if you want, I'll go get some pillows..." I yawned, walking over to the closet to drag out some pillows and blankets. Vanessa flopped onto the couch, staring out into the night sky via the living room window. She curled up against a pillow and yawned, pulling a blanket over her. I smiled and scurried into my room and into my bed, leaving my door open just in case.

"Time to catch... some... Z's..." I yawned once more as I slowly ascended into slumber.