And here is yet another chapter of this series. Sorry it took so long to get up. I actually had a clear idea of what I wanted this time but I was continuously distracted by various different things. Anyway, I hope this was worth the wait.

During the middle of another school day at Elmore Junior High, Carmen and Alan were eating lunch together.

"Isn't this salad just delicious?" Alan asked.

"It's a little dry actually." Carmen stated.

"Well, that's certainly better than a soggy salad." Alan replied.

"I guess." Carmen said.

"So Carmen, you remember what's coming up tomorrow, don't you?" Alan asked.

"Um… Happy birthday?" Carmen guessed.

"No silly, that's not for a while." Alan replied. "It's the anniversary of when we started dating."

"Oh, right." Carmen remembered, sounding nervous. "Yay…"

"I can hardly wait. Can you?" Alan asked.

"It'll be an exciting day, that's for sure." Carmen said.

"Oh, how excellent." Alan told her. "I'll be sure to give you a wonderful gift."

"I'll get you something special too…" Carmen promised, sounding unsure.

"I'm sure it will be just amazing." Alan said.

Later, Carmen was walking down a hallway of the school with Teri.

"What's the matter, Carmen? You look worried." Teri observed. "Please don't tell me you're sick. I just recovered from the flu."

"No, it's not that." Carmen told her. "It's my anniversary with Alan in a few days and I don't know what I should get him as a gift."

"Try mouthwash. That way if you too ever kiss you won't get any diseases transferred by mouth." Teri suggested. "But even then it's dangerous. That's why if I ever dated someone we'd just hold hands a lot instead."

"That gift idea seems very specific to your interests." Carmen observed.

"It's specific to everyone's interests." Teri insisted. "Who doesn't want to be germ free?"

"No offence, but I think I want to get Alan something more… Unique." Carmen told her.

"You'll be sorry when one of you is sick." Teri replied. "Why are you having such a hard time with this gift? He's your boyfriend. He should be easy to get a gift for."

"He's just too perfect. It makes him impossible to shop for." Carmen explained. "He'll say he's happy with whatever gift I get him but that makes it difficult to figure out what he actually wants."

"Well maybe you can ask around." Teri suggested. "Oh, and please keep my idea in the back of your head."

"Uh huh… I'll try." Carmen told her.

Later that day, Carmen was on the bus home sitting in between Idaho and Anton.

"Are either of you friends with Alan?" Carmen asked.

"Why're you askin'?" Idaho asked.

"I can't figure out what to get him for our anniversary." Carmen explained. "Since he says he likes everything I can't figure out what he really likes."

"How 'bout a relaxing dirt bath?" Idaho suggested.

"You mean like a spa treatment?" Carmen replied.

"A what?" Idaho asked.

"Maybe a safety helmet would work." Anton suggested. "You never know when something bad might happen."

"He's a balloon, I think he'd need a lot more than a helmet to stay safe." Carmen replied.

"Well what does Alan like?" Anton asked. "Maybe we can work forward from there."

"He kinda likes everything." Carmen remarked. "Or at least he says he does. This is what makes him so hard to figure out sometimes."

"How 'bout you get him something everyone likes." Idaho suggested. "I don't know a single person who doesn't like to sit down and read a good book."

"That's too vague." Carmen told him. "What kind of book do you suggest?"

"Dunno. I ain't ever read a book I didn't like." Idaho replied.

"You are not helping." Carmen remarked.

"Oh, sorry." Idaho apologized. "If I can help let me know."

"Do you know anyone who's good at shopping for people?" Carmen asked.

"What's that one rich girl's name?" Idaho asked.

"You mean Masami?" Carmen replied.

"Oh hey, her mom ran me over one time." Anton remembered. "That was not fun…"

"Why do you think she'd be good at helping me shop for Alan?" Carmen asked.

"I don't." Idaho admitted. "But this one time, I went over to Clayton's house and we watched some TV thing. And accordin' to that, rich teenage girls like shopping."

"You know, I don't think TV shows are the best source of facts." Carmen told him.

"Why'd no one tell me that 'til now?" Idaho wondered.

"Well, I'm gonna go now." Carmen said. "I might just follow your advice. I really don't have any better leads right now."

The bus stopped and Carmen got out. She turned left and saw Masami floating down the street.

"Hey! Masami!" Carmen called out to her. "I was just talking about you!"

Masami stopped and floated back over to where Carmen was.

"Oh hey Carmen." Masami greeted. "What do you want?"

"Do you have time to do any shopping?" Carmen asked.

"Why do you need to go shopping?" Masami questioned. "You'd just poke holes in any clothes you buy."

"It's not for me, it's for Alan." Carmen explained.

"Why do you need to shop for him?" Masami asked.

"It's our anniversary coming up." Carmen told her. "I have absolutely zero idea what to get him."

"Why's it so hard?" Masami questioned.

"He's a balloon who loves everything, do you know how hard it is to shop for someone like that?" Carmen replied. "All I know is to avoid sharp objects."

"Sure, I'll help you." Masami told Carmen. "I've got nothing better to do right now."

"Wow, thanks." Carmen said. "Come on, let's go to the mall."

Later, Carmen and Masami had entered the Elmore mall and were looking around.

"So what are we looking for? Is there anything we can't get Alan besides sharp objects?" Masami asked.

"Well, he doesn't have hands, so no gloves." Carmen stated. "No feet or legs either, so shoes and pants are out. He has no torso so no shirts… Pretty much any item of clothing that isn't a hat or sunglasses we can't do."

"Huh, I guess that narrows things down for us." Masami remarked. "Does he have a favourite movie?"

"He says he likes all movies." Carmen replied.

"What about a TV show?" Masami asked.

"Again, he says they're all his favourite." Carmen stated.

"How about book?" Masami continued to asked.

"Same thing." Carmen told her.

"Okay, now I get why you need my help." Masami remarked.

"What's something everyone likes?" Carmen asked.

"Everybody likes ice cream." Masami said. "No… Wait, there are still lactose intolerant people. Never mind."

"What about money?" Carmen suggested. "That way Alan can get himself whatever he wants."

"Ugh, sounds like something my weird uncle would get me." Masami remarked.

"So it's a bad idea?" Carmen asked.

"It's not bad…. It's just… Not good." Masami told her. "Brainstorm some more, we're bound to come up with something."

"Would a gift card work?" Carmen asked as they continued to walk through the mall. "Or is that too similar to money?"

"Too similar." Masami stated. "It's gotta be special, but not too special. If it's too special, he might think you're too clingy."

"This is Alan we're talking about, he's nice to everybody." Carmen reminded her.

"True, true." Masami admitted. "I think I saw him trying to hug Jamie yesterday… Or whatever the balloon version of a hug is."

"Where should we look first?" Carmen asked.

"Let's start with some flowers. Everyone likes flowers on their anniversary." Masami told her. "Unless you have a pollen allergy. But I don't think Alan does."

Later, Masami and Carmen had entered a florist.

"Let me know if you see anything." Carmen told Masami.

"Same to you." Masami replied.

Carmen's eyes scanned the store until her eyes fell upon a rather large daisy.

"Hey, he might like that." Carmen perked up.

"Uh, that's Leslie." Masmai pointed out

The "Daisy" turned itself around and revealed that it was indeed just Leslie.

"Oh… Now I feel weird…" Carmen muttered.

She looked around again.

"What about sunflowers?" Carmen suggested.

"At this time of year? No way." Masami replied.

"Lavender?" Carmen continued.

"Maybe… Doesn't seem too romantic though." Masami commented.

"Tulips?" Carmen pressed on.

"Hmm, now you're on to something." Masami said. "Sure, let's buy Alan some tulips."

"Great. I'm gald we finally got somewhere." Carmen remarked.

"But flowers won't be enough." Masami told her. "We need to get something else too. Does he like chocolate?"

"Of course he does." Carmen replied.

"Good. I know a great candy shop in the mall." Masami said. "C'mon, let's go."

Moments later, Carmen found herself in a candy store with Masami.

"What kind of chocolates should I get?" Carmen asked.

"First rule, avoid white chocolates. I read somewhere that those things aren't technically chocolate." Masami told her.

"Are you sure that's right?" Carmen questioned.

"I dunno." Masami shrugged. "Also nothing with a fruit flavouring inside."

"Aw, but I like those." Carmen said.

"Yeah, but they're way less popular than the caramel and mint filled kinds. Which means Alan's less likely to like them." Masami told her friend.

"If you say so…" Carmen muttered. "I'm not so sure though."

"Trust me, I know everything there is to know about shopping." Masami replied.

"Should I get them in a heart shaped box?" Carmen asked.

"Meh. It's too cliché and predictable." Masami stated.

"I didn't know there were so many rules to gift getting." Carmen remarked. "But I sure do want Alan to feel special. And he's probably putting in a lot of effort to get something for me. So if I shouldn't get a heart shaped box what shape should it be?"

"Squares are too boring so I'd recommend a circle." Masami said.

"Why a circle?" Carmen asked.

"They only come in three shapes and that's the only one left." Masami explained.

"Oh, makes sense I guess." Carmen commented. "C'mon, I need to get him something else too. Something extra special."

"Like what?" Masami asked.

"I'll figure it out as I go." Carmen told her.

Later, both girls were walking through the mall again.

"So what's the plan?" Masami asked.

"I don't know." Carmen admitted. "I want to get something more special than flowers and chocolate but I just can't think of anything good."

"What about a watch?" Masami suggested. "I've never seen Alan wear a watch."

"That's because he has no wrist." Carmen reminded her. "I thought we went over this."

"How about pottery? You never know if he needs another vase." Masami continued.

"That could work." Carmen replied. "I'll put that on my maybe list. Any more ideas?"

"We could always go back to the movies idea." Masami suggested. "It can't be that hard to find something suitable."

"Well, we're right outside the Laser Video. Sure, why not." Carmen agreed. "Let's stop there."

Both girls entered the video store.

"Good day to you, young ladies." Larry greeted. "How can I help you?"

"I want to get my boyfriend a movie for our anniversary." Carmen explained. "Any ideas?"

"Well, how about a romantic comedy." Larry suggested.

"Guess that makes sense." Carmen said.

"Yeah, getting a horror movie for you boyfriend is probably a bad idea." Masami agreed. "Well, unless he's into that."

"Let's look around." Carmen told Masami.

The two girls went over to a section of the store marked "Romance" by a sign.

"Let me know if you see anything he might like." Carmen instructed Masami.

Masami bobbed up and down in the air.

"Are you nodding?" Carmen asked. "I can't tell 'cause you're just a giant head with arms."

"I was." Masami clarified.

The two of them began looking through the various DVDs on the shelf. Carmen picked out one.

"The Notepad." Carmen read the title.

"Too sappy." Masami shot the suggestion down.

Carmen put the DVD away and grabbed another.

"Muskrat Day." Carmen read.

"Not sappy enough." Masami replied.

Carmen tossed the current DVD and picked up another one.

"Lunchtime At Jeffery's." Carmen continued to read.

"I heard that one's all right." Masami remarked. "Sure, why not.

"Why not isn't good enough." Carmen told her. "I need to know that this is absolutely the perfect gift for Alan otherwise I'll feel bad because he's going to get something way better for me."

"I'm trying my best here." Masami said.

"I know, but we need to be better than the best." Carmen said.

"Y'know, you're starting to sound a little crazy." Masami observed.

"That's a fair point." Carmen admitted. "It's just so hard to find the perfect gift."

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but maybe it doesn't have to be perfect." Masami suggested.

"But it has to be, Alan's so nice and if I'll feel bad if I don't get him the perfect present." Carmen stated.

"At this point, I'm pretty sure the perfect gift just doesn't exist." Masami told her.

"Fine, maybe you're right." Carmen admitted. "I guess I'll just have to settle for this movie. To be honest, thinking about this gift so much is driving me up the wall…"

"It's probably for the best." Masami agreed. "I've got other things to do anyways."

"I just hope Alan likes it." Carmen commented before looking up at Masami. "Thanks for the help."

"No problem. I'd hug you, but I don't wanna be removing spines from myself all night." Masami replied. "Good luck with Alan."

"Thanks…" Carmen replied, sounding slightly nervous.

The next day, Alan and Carmen were next to each other on the bus to school.

"So, how are you?" Carmen tried to make small talk with Alan.

"Just fine." Alan replied.

"I got you a gift by the way." Carmen told him. "Uh, for our anniversary."

"Oh Carmen, what a delight." Alan said. "What is it?"

"See for yourself." Carmen responded, placing the wrapped up DVD next to him.

"Uh, it's a little hard to unwrap your gift without hands." Alan pointed out.

"Oh, oops." Carmen realized. "I'll do that for you then."

Carmen quickly unwrapped the present and placed the DVD next to him.

"I know it's not the best, but I hope you like it." Carmen told Alan. "Oh, and here are some chocolates and flowers."

Carmen put the flowers and chocolate next to Alan.

"You like these gifts, right?" Carmen asked.

"Of course I like it." Alan replied. "I can tell you put a lot of work into this."

"And you're not just saying that to make me feel good, right?" Carmen asked.

"Of course not." Alan replied.

"Are you really sure?" Carmen continued asking.

"I mean it." Alan insisted.

"But are you really, really sure!" Carmen pressed on, grabbing Alan by the sides and shaking him.

"Please don't pop me!" Alan exclaimed.

"Oh, sorry." Carmen apologized as she let go of her boyfriend. "But you do like it, right?"

"I really mean it with all my heart when I say I like it." Alan told her.

"Great. That makes me feel way better." Carmen said. "So… Did you get me anything?"

"It was really hard actually." Alan replied. "I had to make sure it was something I knew you would like. And uh, it kinda goes with your gift too. Anyway, it's right next to me, you can unwrap it if you want."

Carmen spotted a wrapped up square next to a heart shaped box of candies and a bouquet of flowers and picked the square package up. She unwrapped it to reveal a book.

"Lunchtime At Jefferey's…" Carmen read off the cover. "Wait, this is just the book the movie I got you was based on."

"Heh… Gift giving is heard." Alan sheepishly told her.

"I have to agree with you there." Carmen remarked. "Happy anniversary by the way."

"The same to you, Carmen." Alan replied.

And that was this story. Once again, my apologies for the long wait. I really thought it'd be up sooner. To be honest, I've lost a lot of my motivation for this. I had a lot of good ideas at the beginning but I've slowly lost interest. I don't want to outright abandon this story either though. So I'm going to put this story into a state of limbo. It's not over, but I'm not going to be updating it frequently. Sorry to anyone who enjoys this series, but I just don't think the stories would be as good if I continuously forced myself to come up with ideas when I have no motivation.

Anyway, the short version of what I just said is: I'm pausing the story for an indefinite amount of time and it will be very occasionally updated.

With that out of the way, I hope you liked this chapter and be sure to suggest ideas. Who knows, maybe the next chapter won't actually take so long.