I'm (not)ready...

You're alive?!

"Sheesh, calm down boy." Mr. Krabs said annoyed.

"Calm down?! I thought you were dead! Where did you go?"

"It was National No Spongebob Day."

"National... No Spongebob Day?" Confusion and hurt evident in his tone

"Yeah. A whole day dedicated to getting away from you!"

"Wh- what... you- I- wait, a day? but... but you've been gone for weeks!" Spongebob said in disbelief.

"Yeah, we... kinda milked it a little," Mr. Krabs said awkwardly as he rubbed the back of his neck.

Spongebob stared at him, unable to speak. Then he saw Patrick exit the bus, proudly wearing a 'No Spongebob' shirt.

He couldn't believe it. Did all of his friends hate him that much? Had the person he considered his best friend celebrate an event dedicated to getting rid of him? Despite the evidence right in front of him, he had to make sure.

"You too, Patrick?" Hurt clear in his voice, unable to mask it.

"Pff, yeah." he scoffed "Everyone needs at least one day away from-" He started mocking him.

So it was true. Even his best friend found him annoying, to the point he publicly mocked him in front of the whole town.

He swallowed and choked out his next words, trying to hold his tears back. He'd dealt with enough humiliation today.

"I... I see. I'm glad you had fun." He sniffed, failing to hold back the tears. So much for keeping the little pride he had left.

"Aw, cheer up boy. It's a whole day inspired by you!" Krabs had the audacity to say.

Once again, Spongebob couldn't find words. Did Mr. Krabs really think that would comfort him? Yeah, a day inspired by him. Specifically how the town hates him. Yet he thinks that after admitting that to Spongebob, reminding him will make him feel better.

"Really?" He choked out sarcastically

Krabs, with his incredible intellect and care for others feeling, completely misunderstood this.

"Of course! First, we build a giant wooden effigy of you," Maybe... maybe they don't fully hate him? "And then we burn it to the ground!" Nevermind... "Then, we dance on the ashes like there was no tomorrow!"

He can't deal with this, he has to get away. Now.

"Right, well. I'm glad you enjoyed yourselves celebrating being away from me. If you'll excuse me, I have to go."

"Boy-"

He took off running. A small part of him hoped someone would follow, but all they did was stare in surprise as he ran faster than he had ever run. He didn't know where he was going, just that he needed to leave, and needed to leave now. By the time he stopped running, he was well into jellyfish fields. He collapsed into a cave sobbing.