THE BAD GUYS IN: raising princess

Party

(A request from Flashbolt157ninja )

The week sped by faster than Princess expected. Between classes, Diego's antics, and her friends' endless chatter about weekend plans, she barely had time to think. That was, until Geoff the Gorilla a big, lovable, musclebound himbo and one of Princess's longtime friends bounded over to her after gym class, practically vibrating with excitement.

"Princess!" he called out, waving his massive arm. "You gotta come to my party Saturday night! It's gonna be huge! We're celebrating somethin' special!"

Princess laughed as he nearly tripped over his own feet. "Sure, Geoff. I wouldn't miss it!"

Geoff grinned so wide it almost split his face. "Awesome! It's gonna be at 8! Don't be late!" He lumbered off, his gym bag slung over one shoulder, leaving a trail of excitement behind him.

Later that afternoon, Princess decided to chill at her favorite downtown café a cozy little place with fairy lights and the smell of vanilla in the air. She was halfway through her iced latte when someone bumped into her.

"Oh! Sorry, Princess," came a deep, shy voice.

It was Jeff the Rhino, another student at her school. He was big like Geoff, but more quiet, a little awkward, always polite.

"Hey, Jeff," she said warmly.

Jeff rubbed the back of his neck, shifting from foot to foot. "Listen... uh... I'm throwing a party Saturday. I mean... it's not just mine. But... I'd really like it if you came. You're just... really cool. Confident, y'know? Always admired that."

Princess blinked.
Another party?
Another invite?
On the same day?

"Uh... I'll think about it," she said, smiling.

As Jeff wandered off, her mind spun. Two invites, one night. Which party was which? Geoff's party was supposed to be important, but her girlfriends — Claudine, Laura, Zoey, and Kira — were all buzzing about Jeff's party, and how epic it was gonna be.

"You have to come with us!" Claudine said later that night in their group chat. "Jeff's party is gonna be insane!"

So, after some back-and-forth and a LOT of guilt-tripping from her squad, Princess caved.
"Alright, fine," she texted. "I'll go to Jeff's party."

Saturday night arrived faster than she expected. Princess showed up at the address her friends sent — a massive house decked out in streamers and booming with music.

The second she stepped inside, the place was alive. Lights flashing, music thumping, people everywhere dancing and laughing. She quickly found her friends and grabbed a soda.

Everything seemed fine... until she froze mid-sip.

Across the room, towering over the crowd, was Geoff.

Princess's stomach dropped.
Oh no. Oh no no no. This was Geoff's party?!

Panicking, she ducked behind a group of chatting students, trying desperately to stay hidden. Maybe he hadn't seen her yet.

But fate wasn't on her side.

Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Bowser — a jackal hybrid from school — smirking at her like he knew exactly what she was doing.

And before she could stop him, he shouted across the room, "HEY, GEOFF! LOOK WHO'S HERE!"

Princess nearly dropped her soda.

Geoff's head whipped around, his face lighting up the moment he saw her.

She braced herself for anger. Betrayal. Maybe a heartbroken gorilla rampage.

Instead, Geoff let out a booming laugh and jogged over, scooping her up in a crushing bear hug.

"PRINCESS!!" he roared joyfully. "You made it!"

Princess blinked, confused beyond words. "Wha— I— I thought this was Jeff's party?"

Geoff set her down and laughed. "It is! It's both our party!"

Princess stared at him, stunned. "Wait, what?"

Just then, Jeff the Rhino trotted over, looking equally happy. "Yeah. It's our one-year anniversary."

"Anniversary...?" Princess echoed, still lost.

Jeff blushed slightly, bumping his shoulder into Geoff. "One year together."

Princess's jaw dropped.

"You guys are... boyfriends?" she squeaked.

Geoff grinned so wide it made his eyes crinkle. "Yep! Been a whole year since he finally worked up the nerve to ask me out!" He ruffled Jeff's head fondly.

Princess covered her face with her hands. "I had no idea!"

Meanwhile, Bowser — smug as ever — disappeared back into the crowd, laughing to himself.

"You're fine," Geoff said warmly, slinging an arm around her shoulders. "Honestly, Princess, I get it. Who wouldn't wanna hang out with my adorable rhino?" He pinched Jeff's cheek playfully, making the bigger guy flush even deeper.

Princess giggled nervously. "I... I really thought I was accidentally ditching your party for someone else's."

"No hard feelings," Geoff chuckled. "Just happy you're here."

Relieved beyond words, Princess started to join the others on the dance floor when Jeff suddenly grabbed her wrist.

She turned back, startled. Jeff's usual sweet, bashful expression was replaced with something a little more serious.

"Just..." he said softly, leaning closer, "promise me you'll never hurt Geoff. Not ever."

Princess blinked. "I would never!" she said, feeling genuinely hurt that he thought she could.

Jeff nodded, his grip loosening. "Good. He's... he's the best thing that ever happened to me."

Princess smiled warmly. "You're both lucky to have each other."

Satisfied, Jeff finally let her go, and she skipped off to join her friends — heart lighter, mind still spinning from everything she'd just learned.

One thing was for sure:
This was one party she'd never forget.