DAY ONE:

~MAKOTO~

"Can we buy the whole store?"

"No, Mako. You have to choose one." Ryder groaned.

Marcus laughed at my indecisiveness as I looked at the ten sets of pajamas – six were unicorn onesies.

"But...but. I want them all! Marcus?" I complained, blinking my eyes at my dragon shifter.

"Marcus. Don't fall for her cuteness," Ryder argued.

"But, how can you ignore those puppy eyes?" Marcus asked in horror.

"Just buy all of them. Look, there's a onesie for each of us," Daniel pointed out.

"She doesn't need six onesies," Ryder argued.

"Why? I think they would look good on her," Elias noted, before he said, “I’ll be right back.” He headed for the washroom.

"Just let her try it on," Kai announced, slipping his hand in mine. He took the orange onesie and walked towards the fitting room.

"Hey! That's not fair. You're letting her try yours!" the others called out.

"Oops. Didn't realize," he replied, grinning.

"You did that on purpose." I laughed.

"Ryder's being silly. He doesn't like the onesie trend," Kai explained.

"Why? They're so cute! Did you see the whale onesie? Adorable," I commented.

We'd reached Earthala, and the first thing we did was head straight to the mall for pajamas. Junho had said they were still out running errands with the others, and Scarlet wouldn't be at the cottage until late afternoon. This meant we had all afternoon to shop around.

"How many items?" the shop attendant asked, giving us a wide smile as her eyes stared down at our linked hands.

"One," Kai replied, giving her the onesie. She nodded, bringing us down to the fifth dressing room.

"I'll be quick," I reassured him.

He held my hand, not wanting to let go. "You can't change until you give me a kiss," he mused.

"I don't think that's a part of the policy." I giggled.

"It should be. It would assist with my separation anxiety," Kai joked.

"Or addiction," I added. I rose on my tiptoes to kiss him.

"I'll let you see in a sec," I confirmed.

"Okay. After this we’ll get something to eat. I'm hungry," Kai admitted.

I nodded, entering the change room. I stripped out of my dress, slipping into the orange and white unicorn onesie, pulling the hood over my head. I grinned at the gold horn on the top, putting my hands on my hips.

I look magical!

"Is this really a thing?" Rose mumbled.

"It does look good on us though," Hope admitted.

"I think this only looks good on certain people," Lily stated.

"Mako looks cute. These are the perfect pajamas to strip out of," Lexi purred.

"Of course, you would approve. The easier to get out of clothes, the better for you," Midnight mumbled.

"Hey, admit it! If you want to have some fun beneath the sheets, this is what you wear!" Lexi argued.

"I think Ryder would be turned off," Rose sighed.

"Or on, when she's naked," Lexi reminded.

I sighed. Are we really having this conversation in the change room? And Ryder will like it. I'll make him. I grinned proudly with determination. Operation – Make Ryder Love Onesies.

"I can't believe that made the mission list,” Midnight groaned.

I was about to argue when I heard Kai speak.

"Junho? What are you doing here?" Kai asked.

"Oh shit, Kai! I haven't seen you since the Solace Galleria event. How are you?" an unfamiliar voice questioned.

Junho? Isn't that Marcus' friend?

"Let's find out," Midnight urged.

I unlocked the dressing room, peeking my head out far enough that my eyes could lock onto Kai who was talking to a tall man.

He looked to be six-seven with brown hair. He wore a bright blue t-shirt, white shorts, and sandals that looked like they were leather. His overall attire looked expensive even with the attempt to look casual.

"Mako?" I turned my attention to Kai who noticed me. The man named Junho turned – turquoise eyes locked onto mine.

Hey, he has the same eyes as me!

"Maybe he's your lost cousin from another universe," Midnight mumbled, yawning.

Hey. I'm not the only shifter in the world with turquoise eyes.

I slowly retreated into the change room, suddenly feeling shy. I heard Kai chuckle.

"Makoto's shy with new people," he defended.

"Haha. I know the feeling. Was she in a unicorn onesie?" Junho asked, sounding both confused and amused.

I poked my head back out. "It's cute!" I emphasized, walking out and putting my hands on my hips in confidence. "This unicorn would kick your ass," I announced proudly, not wanting anyone to think otherwise. I'd defend the name of all unicorns.

"Or embarrass yourself in front of a person you've never met before," Midnight replied, sighing.

It's not embarrassing! I, uh...shit. I ruined my attempt to be cool, huh?

Kai snickered, pulling out his phone and taking a picture of me in my pose. I blinked, blushing.

"KAI!" I headed over to him to take his phone, but he raised it up in the air as I began to jump for it.

"You looked too cute for me to not take a picture," he admitted, laughing.

"You're making me look bad! Now the samurai guy is going to think I'm weird!" I complained.

"Samurai?" Junho asked.

We both turned to face him.

"In the Earthala show I watched, you look like one of the samurais. He was also Asian," I pointed out.

"Ah. I'm Korean, love. Samurais are Japanese like Kai." Junho grinned.

I frowned. "So, there's no Korean samurais? Kai, Marcus didn't tell me that." I turned to Kai who struggled not to laugh.

"Princess, anyone can be a samurai, but yes, there are very few samurais left who are of a different race. The majority are Japanese and live in Japan with ninjas."

"Ninja? Like the people who hide and throw stars at people?"

"Yes," Kai replied.

"Oh..." I trailed off staring at Junho. I turned to face Kai. "Are they all attractive too?" I questioned.

Junho snickered while Kai grinned.

"No, Junho's special. The gods favored him more. But admit it, I'm hotter." Kai winked.

I giggled. "That's true."

"Hey. That's being biased. And Firecracker? What's taking so long?" Junho asked

Firecracker?

"I'm Firefly. Not Firecracker," I announced, giving up on trying to get Kai's phone and glaring at Junho for mocking my nickname.

Junho gave me and Kai a confused look.

"I wasn't referring to you, my dear," he admitted.

"Wait is Sca–" Kai began but I turned around, wanting to change so I could introduce myself formally.

If I change I can redeem myself and blame the power of the onesie.

"That is the dumbest excuse you've ever made," Midnight admitted.

I groaned. Whatever! You’re not help—

I walked straight into someone's back, not having paid attention to who was in front of me. I looked to see a person in what looked like one of the whale onesies on display.

"Oh Starlight. Sorry, Mr. Whale. I didn't mean to hurt you," I apologized bowing my head to the whale onesie person whose back faced me.

"Mako, this is the girl’s change room." Kai chuckled.

"What? There's a difference?" I asked lifting my head up as the person in front of me turned – a gorgeous pair of eyes met mine.

The female before me was beautiful. Her long curly hair was a bright neon orange, which was something I'd never seen before. Her eyes were a mixture of green and blue; the combo made them stand out against her bright locks. She had tanned skin, rosy cheeks and wore bright red lipstick. Her blue whale onesie fit her perfectly; as if onesies were made to look sexy. She was only a few inches taller than me, looking about five-eight since she wasn't wearing any shoes.

HOLY STARLIGHT! The whale shifter is a female. Her eyes! Are they real? Oh, is her hair real too? How does she get a color like that? It can't be real. Maybe it’s a...what's it called again...

"A wig," Midnight suggested.

Yes, a wig!

I felt a hand fall on my shoulder; Kai on the verge of losing it as his shoulders shook; Junho bursting out laughing. I turned back to the female in the whale onesie, who pulled down the hood, giving me a wide smile.

"Please tell me I didn't say that out loud. Pretty please?" I begged.

The girl giggled. "Well, since you’re hella cute in that unicorn onesie, I'll pretend I didn't hear anything. But to answer your question, my hair and eyes are real," the girl explained.

"I suck at first impressions," I admitted.

"Hey, I do too. I think you're pretty unique though. And your eyes are gorgeous. That's your natural eye color?" the female asked.

"Yes! I'm proud to announce I was born this way," I said dramatically, checking out her whale onesie before I continued.

"I like that color on you. Get that one," I encouraged.

Junho chuckled, walking over to the female.

"I totally agree. I think you two should take a pic together in onesies," he urged.

"Oh, can we? Kai, Kai. On my phone, please!" I looked at him with wide eyes. I didn't know who this girl was, but at least I had a memory of trying onesies with a pretty female from Earthala.

"Alright, stop jumping. Why don't you both pose?" he suggested.

"Okay," we both said at the same time smiling at each other.

We posed for the picture; Junho took a few on his phone. I turned to face the girl.

"Thank you so much! Um...I don't know your name, but I'm Makoto!" I introduced, outstretching my hand.

Her eyes grew wide as she gawked at me. "Wait, Makoto? As in Marcus' girlfriend Makoto?" the girl asked.

I nodded. "Well, uh I'm Marcus'...and Kai's....and uh, I have more than one boyfriend if that makes sense?" I mumbled. How do you explain that to someone and not sound weird?

"It's not weird, and I know the feeling," the female replied, lifting her hand up to grip mine.

"Scarlet Sinclair. Junho's and four other’s girlfriend. It's nice to finally meet you, Makoto. I've heard many good things from Marcus," Scarlet introduced.

"Scarlet! Wait, but Marcus said you wear glasses!" I argued.

She smiled, walking back into her dressing room and returned wearing a pair of black glasses.

"Had to take them off," she replied.

I turned to Kai and Junho who were both grinning. I pointed at Kai. "You should have said something! And, you! Uh...Jun-hoe? Hoe? Wait...that doesn't sound right," I pondered. A different laugh came from behind the guys; all of us turned our attention to a smiling EliaseAnne and a new person who was the source of the high pitch laughter.

"In all my days. I've prayed for the chance to hear someone fuck up your name, Junho, hahaha," the girl hummed.

"Cece, you’re gonna make Mako feel bad, stop laughing," EliaseAnne cautioned, crossing her arms, but struggled to hold in her own laughter.

"I'm sorry, hold on, let me finish laughing. Mako, don't hahaha feel bad," the woman, Cece, continued to laugh.

I frowned, blinking.

"Who’s making Mako look like she's about to cry?" Ryder announced, peeking into the hall of the change rooms; his eyes narrowed on Cece who still recovered from her laughing fit.

"Wait, Mako’s here too?" a deep voice questioned.

"Jaxson, move aside. I wanna join the party," a second voice countered.

"Ethan, fuck off. There are too many people in that cramped hall. I swear, they’re gonna kick us out," Marcus announced.

"Can everyone just clear out, or do I have to make you?" Daniel announced, sounding irritated. Everyone fell silent before they all scattered out, leaving Scarlet and me alone.

Daniel poked his head in, grinning. "You look hot, Mako, but gold looks better on you. Now, get dressed. You said you wanted sundaes. And nice to meet you, Scarlet," Daniel reminded.

I quickly nodded.

He winked, leaving us alone.

Scarlet turned to face me.

"Don't mind Cece. A few people get Junho's name wrong. She was just waiting for the day to see it herself, which you just made happen."

"Okay. Uh, sorry if you think I'm weird." My shoulders sunk as I frowned.

"Not even! I have to admit, when I saw you, I could tell there was something different about you, but now it makes sense how you have Marcus, and it seems the rest of your group is wrapped around your finger." Scarlet hummed.

"I don't have them wrapped around my finger. They just left..." I looked at my fingers in confusion.

Scarlet giggled, causing me to raise my head to look at her. "Marcus was right. You’re definitely a breath of fresh air. We're going to be good friends Makoto. And you know what?" Scarlet proposed.

"What?" I replied.

"I'm unique too. So, we just get to be weird together. Better to be different. Normal is just simply boring," Scarlet declared.

"Right! I agree. And...I think we're going to be good friends too." I smiled widely; excitement bubbled within me.

We both smiled, looking into the mirror at our onesies.

"So, before the boys try to come interrupt, wanna take a bunch of selfies?" Scarlet whispered; a wicked smile formed on her red lips as she pulled her phone out.

I grinned. "Yes, please."