The Exam

Chapter 7: The Breakdown

Gumball slowly walked in, not saying anything.

Nicole turned to look at him. "Oh honey, there you are! I was starting to get worried!"

"Oh, sorry." He quietly replied.

She noticed he was completely drenched.

"Why were you walking in the rain? Couldn't you get the bus?"

"I could have but I...I just felt like walking." He sounded miserable as he replied, looking down.

She sighed and crouched down, placing her paw on his shoulder. "Sweetheart, are you alright? Anais told me you had a nightmare last night and Darwin said you seemed pretty upset earlier and you wouldn't tell him why. They both seemed really worried about you. Is something going on?"." She asked softly.

"No, no, I'm fine. You don't need to worry."

"Are you sure? You can tell me if something's wrong. Is something happening at school? Is someone picking on you?"

"No, no, I'm fine, honestly. The nightmare was just me alone in the forest and I'm just a little tired right now and uh...annoyed I got wet, that's all."

She'd lightly chuckle. "Oh, you hate being wet too huh? I suppose it makes sense, us being cats and all."

He faked a smile. "Huh, yeah, I guess so..."

Her motherly instincts were telling her that he wasn't being truthful and hiding something from her, and she began to get worried. She hated seeing him so upset, but she couldn't help if he wouldn't tell her what was wrong. Why would he not tell her though? Was he embarrassed? Afraid?

"Are you sure you're alright? Please, if something's wrong, anything at all, you can tell me."

"I swear, I'm fine, honestly, I just had a long day and want to go have a shower and take a nap."

She sighed. It was obvious he wasn't going to tell her, at least not yet. "Alright then, you go and do that." She gave him a quick hug, which he reciprocated before he turned and went to go upstairs.

Oh, thank god she forgot! She forgot! She'd actually forgo-

"OH, before you leave, did you get your test results?"

Oh god. She'd remembered. Of course she had. His mind had to go and open its big...thoughts?

"...yeah." He said not turning around.

"Can I see them?"

"...yes." He still didn't turn.

They stood there for a while, neither moving.

"Are...you going to give it to me then?"

"Oh, uh, y-yeah. Of...of course."

He turned around, his arm shaking both from being cold in his wet clothes and from being scared of his mother's response.