This is a continuation of a short fic by Ghidra (of TSUG), which features Alex inviting herself, Sam, and Clover to Mandy's party.

Did a fanart of the party, and it (along w/the mini-fic) inspired me to write this.

I have good memories of Christmas parties, including a few in L.A. Enjoy!

Penthouse Dorm- Mali U

At last, December 23rd had arrived. On this chilly Friday night was the unlikely Christmas party Alex had invited Sam, Clover, and herself to. A party hosted by Mandy! Sam glanced at her watch, noting that it was a few minutes before 7:30. They'd had plenty of time to get ready, and were just relaxing in the living room until it was time to go. She stood up with a smile, and picked up the two small Christmas gifts from under the front of their tree. "It's time," she said lightly.

"See ya in a few hours, Oinky," Alex said to the small, incredibly cute pig she'd been petting contently. Oinky looked up at her and grunted in assent before trotting off to bed.

Alex picked up a gift from under the tree as well, and got her keys off the nearby end table. Clover went to the kitchen counter, where she retrieved a plate of her homemade cookies, covered with plastic wrap.

They filed out the front door, and Alex locked it up. "Ooh, I'm so excited," she announced gleefully, after putting away her keys. She wore a sporty green top, blue jeans, and comfortable brown boots. She and the others made their way down the well-lit hallway to the elevator.

"Me too. But the last party of Mandy's we went to was a disaster," replied Clover, who was dressed in a form-fitting pink top, white jeans, and stylish black boots. They reached the elevator, Alex hit the call button, and they were soon inside and on their way down.

"The fake tattoo party where Mandy fell in the pool?" Sam asked, thinking back. "Well, that was a long time ago," she said offhandedly. "Besides, this time I have a plan," she said confidently. Sam had chosen to go with a navy blue sweater, black slacks and matching shoes that night.

Alex and and Clover raised their eyebrows expectantly at this. The elevator stopped, and the doors opened to the first floor lobby. The girls stepped out, and Alex put a hand on Sam's shoulder. "You've always got the best plans. Let's hear it, Sammie!" she said excitedly.

A few groups of other dorm residents were chatting in small groups as well, walking in the same direction as the girls. Sam put her "mission face" on, and spoke in a serious tone. "Clover, you greet Mandy. Nicely," she said. "Thank her for being invited, then avoid her til we leave," Sam added.

Clover blinked, processing what she'd heard. "Got it," she replied in her "mission voice", failing to stifle an amused chuckle. Sam stopped in front of Alex, looking at her intently.

"And you..." she started seriously, then broke down into a bit of girlish laughter. Alex started to sputter in amusement at this, then composed herself once Sam did. "Same thing. But also, you're not to have any food or drinks near Mandy. No accidental trips or spills anywhere. Please," she said, thinking back to the WOOHP Christmas party. They got moving again and soon reached the dorm's rec room.

"Aye aye, Sammie," Alex replied dutifully. "Nice plan. I'm gonna be super-careful tonight," she said proudly.

Hip, mellow, electronic music drifted out to the girls as they moved past open double doors through the room's entryway. A gathering of fifteen or so dorm residents were present, engaged in comfortable conversation, thanks to the thoughtfully moderate volume of the music. Lighting was just bright enough to be functional without being harsh in the large beige room. Cozy couches were strewn about the room in various angles.

A few people looked the girls' way, and a former classmate from Fashion Design 101 smiled in recognition. The athletic, dark-skinned young man with long hair said something to his slightly shorter Caucasian friend with wildly spiky hair, and the pair walked over to them. "Clover! Sam! Alex!" he greeted them enthusiastically.

"Hey Chris! Good to see you!" Clover said excitedly. "I'm so glad Mandy invited some people from Fashion Design," she said, holding her plate of cookies before her. "Hi," Sam and Alex said cheerfully in unison. The young man next to Chris had a slightly nervous smile on his face.

"Hey," he said simply. Chris looked at him, and nudged his arm gently.

"Dennis, you okay?" he joked with his friend.

Breaking out of a dazed look, Dennis glanced at him then back at the girls. "Oh sure. Sometimes I just get a little nervous around you three since you're so beautiful. Times three," he admitted.

"Aww thanks," Alex said cheerfully. "Don't sweat it. Just treat us like anyone else, okay?" she requested lightly. Sam and Clover nodded in agreement, and Dennis smiled.

"Well, well, weelll," called out a familiar shrill voice. The girls' smiles quickly faded as they tensed up in anticipation of a harsh verbal assault.

Mandy appeared, wearing a loose-fitting white top with elbow-length sleeves, and form-fitting grey jeans. Hands on her hips, she studied the girls suspiciously. "So Alex got you all invites," she mused, warily eying the girls' outfits, gifts, and finally the plate of cookies.

"Here to poison me and my guests, Clllovah?" Mandy drawled, comically twisting her rival's name.

Clover frowned, but before she could retort, Sam gestured to her and Mandy diplomatically.

"Actually..." Sam started, buying time. "We taste tested them earlier, and they're delicious," she said happily. "In fact, I'll prove it," she added as she handed her gifts to Alex. Sam lifted the plastic a bit off the plate, grabbed a cookie, and munched on it in ladylike fashion. "Mm! Good!" she said sweetly.

Mandy shrugged, snagged a treat for herself, and nibbled it. "Hmm. You're right, these are good," she declared. "Sammie must've helped make them," she surmised proudly.

Clover's eyes narrowed a bit, but she looked to Sam, who had a pleading smile. Clover simply exhaled and looked back at the hostess. "Thanks for having us here Mandy. I'm going to set these with the other snacks," she announced politely, looking around the busy room.

Dennis, who'd been following the exchange, stepped forward, indicating the the distant snack table with a gesture. "Right over there," he informed Clover. "I'll go with you," he offered after a brief thought.

"Sure. Thanks," Clover replied with a smile. "Okay, see you guys a little later," she said to the others, leaving with Dennis.

"Oh, I should get these to wherever the gifts go," Alex said, shifting the three packages she held.

A young lady, dark-skinned with long black hair had joined Chris, and put a hand on Alex's shoulder. "Hey Alex!" the former Fashion Design classmate said in greeting.

"Erica! How are you?" exclaimed Alex. "Got my hands full," she said, unable to hug.

"Let me show you where these go," she replied, picking up the smallest of the three gifts off of the other two, which Alex still held.

Alex nodded appreciatively, then glanced back at Mandy before leaving. "See ya, Mandy! Thanks for having us!" She looked to Sam. "See ya a little later," she said, and walked off with Erica.

Mandy watched her go, looked around for any other new guests, then turned back to Sam.

"I'm impressed at you keeping Clover in line like that," Mandy said, crossing her arms.

"Well..." Sam said, considering Mandy's choice of words. "I've always been a bit of a big sister to her and Alex. Though Clover's, you know... a little older than me," she shared.

"Hm," Mandy said contently, as she put a hand on Sam's arm and guided her to the drink table. Mandy stopped a few times on the way to chat briefly with friends she'd invited to the party she threw when staying in the girls' penthouse dorm room.

Sam, not knowing them or finding much in common with them, turned to the drink table and poured herself a cup of water. After drinking a bit, she noticed Trent, dressed in a black sweater and slacks, pouring drinks for a pair of students.

Mandy stepped forward from Sam's side, looking at her intern. "Pineapple juice please," she said, then glanced at the assembled guests while waiting. After filling the red plastic cup three-quarters full, Trent waited until she looked back, and handed it to her with a smile.

"Thanks Trent," she said, and walked towards the center of the room to better oversee her party.

Flabbergasted by Mandy's politeness, Sam followed her, with her investigative instincts in overdrive.

"Mandy?" she started hesitantly.

"Hm?" Mandy questioned, looking back with an arched eyebrow.

"You- you were so polite," she said simply. "With Trent," she added with emphasis.

"Sammykins," Mandy said with a smirk. "As long as there are no disasters tonight..." she trailed off, stopping to look around carefully. "I'm feeling mellow tonight," she said, then took a sip of her drink.