Starting New: A World Apart

Chapter 30: The Ring

Gumball entered the burgundy colored house. It's now familiar decor and lovely wooden scent brought a sense of ease to him when he stepped inside. It was like an old home now. Well, close enough for his liking at least.

'Alright. Where do I start?' He thought to himself as he pondered his next move.

Reaching down into his pocket, he pulled out the small golden ring. As he looked at it in his hand, he couldn't help but feel emotions swirl in him again. When he had taken it and slid it in his pocket before climbing back in bed with Nicole last night, he felt...strange; especially with the ring so close to her again. Something she seemed to rather distance herself from. As he now grasped the ring, he felt its shape make a small imprint in his hand.

'I truly hope this is the right move...'

Putting the ring back in his pocket, he breathed before getting back mentally to coming up with his plan.

After a few minutes of pondering and pacing back and forth somewhat, he got it. He concocted a plan.

'Now, where is that silver that I saw?'

——

Nicole stepped out of the bathroom and headed downstairs to the living room. Plopping down onto the couch, she glanced up towards the ceiling and breathed out a sigh. It was lonely without Gumball, and it was going to be a few days, supposedly, until he got back. This means she would be stuck with herself for quite some time.

What am I supposed to do until then? Just...lay around? Come on Nicole, you spent years by yourself and only NOW you find it boring being alone? Has Gumball really-...you know what, scratch that. He HAS been impactful on you since then...'

"Ughhh." She half moaned, wiping her face before letting her right hand dangle off the side.

"What can I do?"

Gumball...

Nicole grasped her necklace. She knew she had to wait. He was coming back. He always did. She just had to be patient.

Gumball...

Grasping harder on the necklace, she lowered her ears a bit.

'Come on...think.'

Gumball...

It then came to her.

"The garden..." she said, looking towards the back door.

It had been some time since she and Gumball had checked it out, so she was fairly certain it could be needing some maintenance.

As she got up from the couch, she made her way over towards the back door before opening it and stepping out. Feeling the sun's rays felt nice again on her body, especially now. It was...comforting. As she approached the garden, she noticed something. All the new plants that she had last checked were now reaching maturity.

'They've grown so much...Gumball is going to be SO happy when these crops finish growing. We could have that food fight I promised him.'

Running her hand gently over a tomato leaf, she felt it's soft, crumbled and somewhat fuzzy texture.

'You plants are such a mystery...'