A/N Hey guys, I'm back! Sorry I've been away awhile, I've been dealing with this brand-new teensy little easily manageable beast called College...yeah okay that was flat-out sarcasm, I've actually been dying of stress on a whole new level. But anyhow, here's the first of three short stories from the winners of this summer's Contest, brought to you by guest user Aliceine.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Odd Squad. Just the stories I write about it.

SECOND DISCLAIMER: The story may be conceived and written by me, but Aliceine has complete final say in what is published.

So without further ado, happy reading! :)

Chapter 1

"Gasp! We found our secret handshake! We—"

"That was an accident."

Olympia wasn't having it. "Nonononono, that was a sign that we were perfect partners, admit it! Do iiiiiit…!" Oblivious to Oscar's bewildered exchange with Ms. O behind her, she immediately marched after her partner. "I saw that smirk, you agree with me and you know—it..."

Otis had stopped. He was staring at one of the desks by the tube slide, his face expressionless. But Olympia knew better. Just because her new partner didn't like to talk about feelings didn't mean he had none. And based on his body language... "Whatcha looking at?" she asked, her voice chipper again as she bounced after him.

Then it hit her. "Wait a sec, these desks are empty!" she squealed. "That means they're just for us! And if the last opening was Olive and Otto..." Olympia gasped and dove into the nearer swivel chair, her smile pure ecstasy. "I'm sitting right where Olive used to sit," she said dreamily. "I feel so inspired right now! To think, on the very spot where the best agents in all of Canada—"

"What is that thing on my desk?"

She had forgotten about Otis. "Oh, so you weren't staring at the desk itself?" she realized. I guess he doesn't know who Olive and Otto are...cuz he's been living under a rock or something...but still, wouldn't the desks be captivating enough? What else could possibly get Otis's attention? Definitely curious by now, Olympia hopped out of her chair and landed at his side, following his gaze. "I don't get it. All I see is a computer, some pencils, a little card with the number 11 on it—"

"That's what I meant," Otis said, reaching forward and gingerly picking it up. "What is this thing? Some kind of odd problem?"

Olympia wasn't sure whether to gape or laugh, so the snort that came out was a mix of both. "That's a birthday invitation, silly!" she scoffed. "What, have you never gotten invited to a party before?"

Otis hesitated. "Um, what's it doing here?" he stammered a little, turning the subject away from him.

"Probably Otto or someone left it behind," she mused, deciding not to pursue the issue of Otis and birthday parties. "Wonder who's party it was for?" Casually she opened the invitation—and promptly dropped it.

"What, what is it?" Otis asked in alarm.

"Oh...my...gosh..." Olympia's eyes were wide, her jaw slack, her hands trembling ever so slightly. Her mind had gone completely blank. Suddenly she grabbed Otis by the shoulders and shook him a little. "OMG DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS?!"

A hint of a smile dancing about his mouth, Otis casually sat on the desk top, straddling the corner as he locked eyes with Olympia and raised an eyebrow meaningfully. "No, no I don't."

Oh right, duh, he didn't read it yet. Silly Olympia. Quickly she scrambled to pick it up off the floor and opened it again, this time to read aloud. "'Agent Otto's turning eleven! To celebrate his birthday and recent promotion to Mr. O'—that last bit was written in with a pencil, look—'you and your partner are invited to a huge celebration party at Menchie's Frozen Yogurt on Saturday, January 9. There'll be food, games, food, friends, food, dancing, food, and lots of Soundcheck!' Otis, in one week we're gonna meet the Olive and Otto!"

Otis furrowed his brow. "But they don't even know who we are, why would they…?"

"Hey, guys! Found the invitation, I see?"

The partners turned, startled to see a third figure join them. "Oh, hi Oscar!" Olympia said, trying and failing to tone down her excitement. "Yeah, have you seen this yet?"

"Of course I have, heh!" he answered, grasping the lapels of his lab coat in trademark fashion. "I helped Otto design this year's invitations and pass them out. A-and I added the bit about Mr. O when I found out he was getting promoted, too. See, Otto likes huge parties, so I figured he could invite both this squad and the squad he and Olive are moving to for one gigantic party, heh!" On the word 'gigantic' Oscar whirled his head around to emphasize his point, nearly flinging his glasses off.

Olympia cocked her head and gaped just a little. "You know Agent Otto?"

Oscar grinned and let out a playful scoff. "Do I know him? Of course I know him! I've worked with him and Olive on so many cases, they're like my best friends now. Or...well, they were...I mean, Olive and..." He trailed off, and for a moment Olympia thought she saw his brown eyes turn a little misty. But the moment passed, and before she could wonder anymore about it Oscar was back to his chipper self. "Anyways, yes! You two are part of the squad now, so of course you're invited. Besides, Olive and Otto are probably curious about who their replacements are, and I'm sure they'd love to meet you!"

"Really?!" Dimly she was aware of Otis pursing his lips uncomfortably, probably at the thought of her dragging him along to a place with that many people to interact with, but she was too excited to care at the moment. Unable to contain herself, Olympia let out another huge squeal. She could already picture herself shaking their hands, getting their autographs, taking selfies with both of them...especially Olive… "This is gonna be so AMAZING!"

"THIS IS GONNA BE THE WORST DAY OF MY LIFE!"

Otis watched with a mix of alarm and pity as Olympia, separated from him by the glass walls of the quarantine chamber, angrily hurled the thermometer to the floor and buried her face in her hands. But for the life of him, he couldn't think of a single thing to say that would make her feel better. Stupid lack of social skills.

"It's so unfair!" she moaned, letting her arms fall to the side to expose the four-leaf clover hives that had yesterday exploded on every inch of her skin. Her lip trembled. "I was s-supposed to...m-meet Olive and Otto…WHY DID I HAVE TO GET LUCKY POX?!"

Oh, the irony, Otis mentally agreed, still trying to ignore the wave of relief he'd felt once he found out yesterday afternoon that Olympia had somehow fallen sick with one of the most contagious odd diseases known to Odd Squad, thus freeing him from attending such a terrifying social obligation. It was hard enough for him to recognize that, right now, what Olympia needed was his sympathy. "Hey, come on. I'm sure there'll be other chances for you to meet Olive and Otto. We only just started work, I'm sure they'll come back and visit their old boss now and then."

He wasn't helping. Olympia, face now buried in her hands, didn't react to his attempt at comforting words. Ignoring any distress, he tried again. "Hey. Look at me. If it'll make you feel better, I won't work today. I'll stay right here and keep you company." His mind raced as he tried to remember what he'd learned about what kids like to do when they're bored. "We can have our own fun! Play card games, have a tea party, annotate the bibliography of my cousin's world history textbook—"

"I'm not letting you stay here, Otis."

Her muffled voice stopped him. "Oookaaay," he said slowly, mentally changing tactics. "So I can go do actual work, I know you wouldn't want to get behind on any of our cases—"

"Otis, you're still going to the party. Just without me."

That really stopped him.

He must have been so flabbergasted that he was completely cluelessly staring or something, because Olympia quickly began to explain. "Look, I know you don't like being around a lot of people you don't know—which is still really weird and makes no sense to me, but that's something to talk about another day—and you probably don't want to do this, but...can you please at least just go to the party to represent me? Like, y'know, just show that we're here and doing our job like the awesome agents we are, yay! Also, someone needs to bring them the birthday presents I made—" with a ding she pulled out two purple-wrapped parcels from behind her back, wisely keeping them in her lap instead of stepping out of the quarantine chamber to give them to Otis "—and maybe even try to, oh, get their autographs?" On the last word, her voice turned ever so slightly shriller and went up couple hopeful decibels.

Oh no, she's giving me those puppy dog eyes. (For some reason, Olympia was the only person Otis was able to socially understand.) What should I do? Back out now while I still can or make my partner happy?

Otis sighed. Today was one of those days he wished the issue was actually a valid question. But she was one of few people he could never bring himself to turn down… "Six o'clock this evening. Menchies. Got it."

It was worth it to see Olympia's smile, glowing even under all the green shamrocks. "Thank you, Otis! You're the best! Just make sure you tell me everything when you get back, 'kay?"

"Anything for you, partner," Otis replied with a strained smile in return.

What in odd's name have I signed myself up for…?

A/N Oh and just so you readers know, in case you haven't figured this out yet, story updates from here on out will be veeeeerrrryyy sloooooow in coming, due to my crazy hectic new life. But it isn't likely I'll quit any project entirely, not with three wonderful Contest winners to hold me accountable! :)