Before the Friendship Games: Sugarcoat

Sugarcoat's eyes widened. "Wait," she said in shock, "You want Neon to join us?"

"I've put thought into the idea, yes," said Crystal. "Ultimately, the choice would be his and his alone."

Sugarcoat eyed her mother with suspicion as she folded her arms. "This decision isn't based solely on the fact that we're dating, is it?"

"It's...part of it, yes," Crystal admitted. "The way I see it, he's going to find out about this one way or another. I'm just thinking ahead."

Sugarcoat sighed. "You've got a point there. We always keep things open in the family, and Neon's part of it now."

"Why don't you call him over here," Crystal asked.

Sugarcoat took out her phone and sent Neon a couple of texts.

Change of plans, hot stuff.

Can you meet me in my mom's office?

Neon was almost finished with his lunch when his phone buzzed. He checked his messages. That's odd, he thought. Both Crystal and Sugarcoat want me in her office? I wonder what's up? He threw out the remainder of his food then headed to the guidance counselor's offices.

Once there, Neon went up to the receptionist's desk. "Hey. Crystal called me up here," he said. The receptionist nodded, and he knocked on the door.

"Come in," said Crystal.

Neon opened the door, then closed it behind him. "Hey, Crystal. Hey, Sugar." he said as he entered. "What's up?" Crystal gave Neon a serious look, and he began to feel nervous. "Umm...is everything okay," he asked as he felt droplets of sweat form on his forehead. Sugarcoat put a hand on Neon's thigh, getting his attention. He looked at Sugarcoat, who gave him a reassuring look.

"It's okay, hot stuff," she said calmly. "Everything's fine."

Neon released a breath he didn't realize he was holding. "Okay, that's a load off of my mind. But why did you both want me here, then," he asked.

"To start off, Neon," Crystal said, "I'm sorry about that text message earlier, I meant to send it to Sugarcoat."

Sugarcoat blinked. "What text message," she asked.

Neon pulled out his phone, then pulled up the message in question. "This was you," he asked, pointing to his phone. Crystal nodded as Sugarcoat took his phone and read the message.

"You have any idea when she's having us meet up," Sugarcoat asked her mother.

Crystal simply shrugged. "Anyway, let's get to the reason I brought you here," she said to Neon.

"Okay," Neon said as he nodded.

Crystal took a deep breath, then exhaled. "Neon Lights," she said. "How would you feel if I asked you to join a sort of...'resistance'," she asked.

Neon blinked. "A what," he asked flatly.

"A resistance," repeated Crystal. "Against Principal Cinch."

Neon's eyes widened. "Wait. What?"

"Surely you've noticed the environment around here," Crystal said. "People here are either bored, miserable, or even both. Hostility rules the hallways here at Crystal Prep."

Neon stared on in surprise, then turned to Sugarcoat. "Is this a prank or something," he asked.

"No," said Sugarcoat. "This is no laughing matter. Not to me," she said, putting her hand on her chest. "Not to my mother," she said, gesturing to Crystal. "And not to anyone else involved."

"'Anyone else'," Neon asked. "Who's 'anyone else?'"

"Too many to name right now, but suffice to say that a majority of the staff are in on this," Crystal said.

"H-How long has this been going on," Neon asked as he still tried to process this new information.

"As long as I've known Dean Cadence," said Crystal.

"And that is," Neon asked.

"Since my Sophomore year here at Crystal Prep," Crystal responded.

"That long," Neon exclaimed.

"Ssh," Sugarcoat shushed Neon. "Most of the staff may be in on this, but that doesn't mean you should yell about it," she said harshly.

"You both say 'most of the staff', but who else knows? Does Sizzle know?" Sugarcoat and Crystal nodded.

"Of course my dad knows, hot stuff," Sugarcoat said. "We never keep things from family." She smiled, then put her hand on Neon's thigh. "That's why we're telling you about this whole thing. You're family."

Neon smiled, then put his hand on top of Sugarcoat's. "So," he said, turning his attention to Crystal. "Do I have a say in this?"

"Yes," Crystal said. "The choice is yours, and yours alone."

"What if I don't want to join," Neon asked.

Sugarcoat rolled her eyes and scoffed. "Please, hot stuff. We're not gonna kill you or force you to join if you refuse. We'll simply ask that you not mention it to other students."

"How many students know," Neon asked.

"Just you and me," Sugarcoat said.

Neon sighed. "This is a lot to take in."

"Understandable," said Crystal.

"There's no pressure either way, hon," Sugarcoat said. "If you decide not to join, we won't treat you any differently than we do now," she said as she took him by the hand and squeezed it. "I promise."

"Can...can I sleep on this? I feel like I'd need some time to gather my thoughts," Neon said.

Sugarcoat smiled. "Of course, babe. Take all the time you need." She pecked Neon on the cheek.

"You're still welcome to come over tonight if you want," Crystal said.

"And we won't talk about this again if it makes you uncomfortable," Sugarcoat said with a reassuring look.

Neon smiled softly as he ran a hand through Sugarcoat's hair. "Thank you," he said. "Both of you," he said, turning to Crystal. "I promise I won't take long to make up my mind." He stood up.

"That's all we ask, hot stuff," Sugarcoat said as she stood up. She stared at him and sighed happily as he again ran a hand through her hair.

"It means a lot to me that you two would be willing to let me in on this. That you consider me family," Neon said.

"I love you," Sugarcoat said with half-lidded eyes.

Neon smiled warmly. "I love you too, Sugar." The couple pecked each other on the lips. "I'll see you guys later tonight," he said as he left the office. "Bye!"

"Bye," said Sugarcoat and Crystal as the door shut. Sugarcoat smiled. "That went well, don't you think?"

Crystal nodded. "Not the ideal scenario, but I'm happy with how it turned out."

"Yeah," Sugarcoat said. "Me too."

The warning bell for sixth period rang.

"I guess I'd better head out, then," Sugarcoat said. "See you after school!"

"Bye, kid!" Crystal said as her office door closed.