Before the Friendship Games: Sugarcoat

"There. I sent it." Sugarcoat said. "I still can't help but feel worried, though."

"You'll be fine, honey." Crystal said. "Just remember...you're not alone."

Sugarcoat smiled. "Thanks mom."

Where do you want to talk? - Neon Lights

Sugarcoat cupped her chin in thought for a moment, then she thought of the perfect location.

How about the study room? You know which one I'm talking about. - Sugarcoat

That's fine with me. - Neon Lights

Sugarcoat began to feel heat rise to her face. She walked over to her mother and hugged her. "I love you." She said.

Crystal smiled and returned the hug. "I love you too, sweetie." She broke the hug. "Now go out there and settle this!"

Sugarcoat nodded, and left her mother's office.

"Well, that seems to be a good sign." Royal said, smiling.

"Maybe." Neon said.

"Are you still having doubts? Even after responding to her text?" Royal asked, folding his arms.

"What can I say, Royal? I'm nervous." Neon said with a shrug.

"You? Nervous?" Royal said incredulously as he got up off of his seat. He walked over to his friend and said "Who are you and what have you done with Neon Lights?"

Neon rolled his eyes from underneath his sunglasses. "Har, har, har." He said sarcastically.

"I mean it." Royal said. "You've always been confident when talking to ladies, even after your...previous relationship."

"Yeah, and they dumped me every time." Neon said. "Do you know what that does to a man's confidence?"

"Yes. Yes I do. I've been on both sides of the fence, I'll have you know. I'm just a bit more private on the matter, even with you." Royal said.

"I thought we've been through this several times before, Royal. You know I supported you when you came out to me, and I still do. I always will." Neon said.

"As much as I appreciate that sentiment, old friend, I believe you are stalling for time." Royal said, quirking an eyebrow. "You shouldn't keep a lady waiting, you know."

Neon sighed. "Yeah. You're right. Wish me luck!" He said, waving to Royal.

"Godspeed, Neon Lights. Godspeed." Royal said as he watched Neon walk off.

Sugarcoat arrived first and took a deep breath, then exhaled. Okay, Sugarcoat. Just stay calm. If he says no, it's not the end of the world. If he does and it works out, great! If he does and it ends badly, your family has your back. She put the palm of her hand to her face. What on earth am I getting freaked out over? I'm usually so calm... She sighed. Listen to yourself, Sugarcoat! You sound like a character in a badly written YA novel! The door opened, snapping Sugarcoat out of her thoughts.

"Hey." Neon said shakily as he entered the room. "What did you want to talk about, Sugarcoat?"

Sugarcoat took a deep breath, then exhaled. "Neon...I have a crush on you."

Neon's eyes widened from behind his sunglasses. "You...you do?"

Sugarcoat scoffed. "Neon, have I ever lied to you?"

"Of course not!" Neon said. "I'm just surprised because...well...I have a crush on you too." He said as he looked away with a blush while his hand went behind his head.

Sugarcoat gasped and put a hand to her mouth, temporarily stunned.

"I mean, it's the way you treat me during sex. It's like you want more than just a night of mindless fucking, and your fingertips are like silk. You're just so goddamn hot that it drives me crazy!" Neon said, taking advantage of Sugarcoat's momentary silence.

Sugarcoat snapped back to reality, then smiled as she slowly walked toward Neon. "I feel the same for most of the reasons you have. You treat me like more than a slut, and you have no idea how much that means to me. Each orgasm I have with you is stronger than the last. You're such a nice guy." She stopped right in front of him. "How can I not have feelings for you?"

Neon put his arms around Sugarcoat as they stared into each other's eyes. Their heads moved forward slowly, as if to build up anticipation for the moment they were about to share. Their eyes closed and their lips connected. Sugarcoat instinctively prodded Neon's lips with her tongue, and he obliged, deepening their first true kiss.

As their tongues began their dance, Sugarcoat inhaled sharply, then sighed happily as she heard Neon moan softly into her mouth. Neon gently ran his fingers through Sugarcoat's hair, causing her to gently caress his neck. Neon shuddered in delight and the kiss continued for several moments.

Sugarcoat reluctantly broke the kiss slowly, and the two gazed at each other with half-lidded eyes. "Wow." She said breathily.

"I know, right?" Neon said, feeling slightly light-headed. "That felt like nothing else." He smiled. "It makes me wonder what tonight's sex is going to feel like."

Sugarcoat grinned. "I can't wait." She said, putting a hand on Neon's chest. "Say, why don't you walk home with me so we can get to know each other better, hmm?"

Neon smiled. "I like the sound of that." He said softly. "Before we head back, though?"

"Yeah?" Sugarcoat asked dreamily.

"How about one more for the road?" Neon said with a grin.

Sugarcoat laughed. "I'd like that." She said, then leaned into another long and passionate kiss with her new boyfriend.

Neon broke the kiss and looked at the time. "Oh, crap!" He said, "We're short on time. See you later!" He said as he ran out the door.

"Yeah." Sugarcoat said, "See you later."

Royal Pin was still in the cafeteria, tapping his foot impatiently. Neon's been gone a while, and that could mean any number of things. I needn't worry, though. He can take care of himself. He snapped out of his thoughts when he noticed Neon slowly walking towards him with a big smile. He stopped next to Royal and told him every last detail of his meeting with Sugarcoat.

Now it was Royal's turn to give Neon a hearty slap on the back. "Congratulations, old friend!" Royal said happily. Before anything more could be said or done, the warning bell for sixth period rang.

"I'll tell you how everything went later!" Neon said as he headed off to class.

Crystal Clarity was enjoying the quiet atmosphere in her office, when someone came knocking. "Come on in." She said. The door opened to admit an excited Sugarcoat. Crystal gasped, then embraced her daughter. "Tell me everything!" She said with a huge smile on her face. Sugarcoat smiled in return as she broke the hug and told her mother everything that had happened. From her thoughts while waiting for Neon until the moment they parted.

"That's great!" Crystal said. "Dinner's going to have to be extra special tonight!" The warning bell for sixth period rang. "Go on to your next class, hon. You and Neon aren't the only two excited about tonight anymore. I'd love to get to know him better myself."

"Love you, mom!" Sugarcoat said as she headed for the door.

"Love you too, kiddo. Love you too."

Sugarcoat left her mother's office and made her way to her next class with a big smile on her face.