How many lightbulbs does it take?

8. To heal

...

...

...Yeah, this is extremely boring. I suppose I can't just lay down forever. I took my time sitting up and getting out of bed. It took me a bit to find the light switch but as I flicked it on the harsh light attacked my ill–adjusted eyes. I walked out of the room and walked a lap around the hotel, trying to walk off the burning sensation that assaulted my nerves. Needless to say it didn't work very well.

"Ice makes it worse doesn't it?" I whispered to myself as I walked past the entrance to a large room. The other two lightbulbs were in there with some other objects. Pickle, knife, and oj. A few others like Soap and Cheesy hung around. Talking to them. Encouraging them and teasing them. For cheesy most his interaction consisted of a dumb pun. I kinda shocked myself when I chuckled at one. Of course, it didn't take me long to get my eyes locked on Fan. He was sitting down behind the two lightbulbs. Having fun... He was reading off some trivia he found on his phone. Silly and not fact checked things like who the creator was and how they put a drawing of their dog on one of the cards.

I hate to admit that I wanted to go in. I already blew them off so many times. I thought they would tease me about it or say no because I was rude. I don't think I could have handled it. So I stood there. Still in pain. Still suffering. But it made me a bit happy, seeing them happy... Until I caught Fan's eye, then I ran off without thought.

Lungs full of smoke don't get you far now do they? I collapsed on the ground in the hallway, leaning into the wall. Wishing I would just sink into it. It didn't take long for Fan to come out and sit next to me. He didn't speak for a bit. The silence was kind of uncomfortable. I looked over at him. I noticed he was holding baxter. When he looked up from the crabs beady eyes and saw me staring, he managed to push out a shy "um," he held the red crab out to me,"do you wanna hold him?" I gently took the crab in my hands.

"I don't think I've seen you this happy since you got here." Fan gently stated. I didn't know what he was talking about until I noticed how my mouth felt tight. "Heh-" I chuckled. "I didn't notice..."

I missed Baxter— not as much as I missed my friends or sunlight, but I missed him nonetheless. I placed him on my lap and felt paper brush against my neck. Fan was leaning in to watch. He didn't do much though, a mile long stare and blank expression. He made me happy though. Fan seemed to share that sentiment. The silence wasn't uncomfortable anymore, it was just calm. I know he isn't my fan. He doesn't share the same experiences that shape him— but maybe we can be friends anyway. Without former contexts. I trust him.

"Hey uh-" he started.
And I replied, "What is it?"

"I followed you because I saw you staring at us."

"Yeah I assumed, did it bother you?

"No, no I wanted to ask if you wanted to come in"

"I'm not sure if I should—"

"Oh come on now! You don't have to play. I'm bad at it too."

"It's not that— I don't know if I'm welcome there."

"Aw— You don't have to worry about that. They aren't the type of people to turn someone down!"

"Hm, okay! I think I should come."

"Great! Come on!"

Fan hopped to his feet and helped me up. I held Baxter in my other hand and followed him. When we got to the door I noticed the arrangement was different. The bandana wearing Lightbulb was reading off a card to the other one. Behind them were a few objects cheering her on. Across from them all were Trophy, looking confident as he was beating her, and Cheesy, who clung onto him and encouraged him with jokes.

It looked fun— And I was so happy I could join them. Me and fan sat down at one of the edges of the game. He started chatting with the other two as I focussed my attention onto the game.