"̴͚̝̤͂̀̅͑S̸̹̺͒̑͌t̴̼͔͖̣̏a̶̡̘͗r̸̫͎̰̬͗́̅̀̏ś̷͕h̷̨͍͉̯͌̉͝ǐ̵̜̉̏́n̶̖̣̖̄͌͂͜e̸̛͕͉͑̀́̄-̸?

° Chapter 4 °

"So...you don't like Freddy-?" Roxanne asked. Roxy, Chica, and Monty were all chatting deeper in Gator Golf. Roxy and Chica are best friends, and Roxanne wanted to be friends with Monty too, so naturally, Chica tagged along. Though, Chica did feel a sense of guilt. Especially since they did not invite Freddy and Bonnie.

Freddy and Bonnie were Chica's go-to pals. Her best friends. Especially Bonnie. Her and Bonnie would go on so many adventures and cause so much mischief together, much to Freddy's disdain. But nowadays...they were so distant. It was Chica's fault and she knew it. And it killed her inside that she let it happen.

In the world of show business, you need to be relevant. New. Freddy and Bonnie were the two most popular animatronics of the franchise...Chica not so much. She thought by distancing herself from the older crew and spending more time with the newer animatronics would keep her alive. Keep her relevant. But now because of this, she had to leave her two closest friends behind.

Her guilt would soon crush her as she built a friendship with Monty.

Monty scoffed. "Yeah...just didn't like his energy or whatever...he's supposed the be the boss but he's so timid!" Monty laughed. Roxanne laughed along while Chica just giggled awkwardly. She did not find the humor in that statement. "I'd make a much better leader, I think." Monty bragged. Roxy shoved him playfully. "You're an idiot, but you'd probably be more fun than Freddy, that's for sure." She said.

Chica fidgeted with her fingers. "I mean...he's not a bad leader or anything! He's just...kinda' a softie-" she was cut off by Monty.

"A leader can't be soft, Chica." He huffed. Roxy nodded. "Can't be old, either." Roxy laughed. Monty broke out laughing at that, Chica on the other hand, felt fear growing in her system. They would really drop an animatronic like that...?

Would they drop her like that?

"What do you think of Bonnie though?" Roxy asked. Monty thought for a minute. "He seems pretty cool. He's got a big attitude though. That might piss me off." He shrugged. Roxy nodded. "Yeah, he can be really annoying at times. Those two think they're so much better because they're the most popular!" Roxy complained. Chica spoke up again.

"That's not true-! Bonnie and Freddy are so humble-" she was interrupted by Roxanne.

"Who's side are you on, Chica?!" She asked. Chica shut her beak, looking down timidly. "You're so much better than those old timers, just stick with us." Monty smiled. Chica hesitantly nodded.

She had a really bad feeling about this.

~~

Chica was walking back to her greenroom. It was after closing the next day and she felt...numb. She did not feel right with herself at all. Her melancholy thoughts were interrupted as she felt two strong arms wrap around her middle from behind and lift her up. Bonnie laughed and spun her around. "Hey lil' chick!" He set her down again. She turned and smiled. "Lil' Chick" was a nickname Bonnie gave her years ago. He knew she did not like it but enjoyed harassing her with it anyway. At any other time Chica would've laughed along, but...she did not feel that way this time. She turned and saw Freddy walking further behind, but wearing a wide smile himself. She lightly pushed Bonnie away. "Bonnie, please- not right now." She says. Bonnie's smile drops.

"Chica, is everything ok?" He asked. Chica snapped unexpectedly: "I'm fine, I just don't want to talk to you right now! Please-" she froze. She only realized what she said after it left her beak and she immediately regretted it. She felt whatever stomach she had churn at Bonnie's hurt expression. Before Chica could open her mouth again Freddy places a hand on Bonnie's shoulder and lifts his other hand to stop her, his face growing serious.

"Chica, you should just return to your greenroom. Take the time you need." He says. Chica shook her head. "Nono-! That's not what I-"

"Face it Chica! You've been avoiding us for months now, what's your problem??" Bonnie crossed his arms. Chica looked down, not responding.

"Well??" Bonnie asked. Chica turned and left, choosing not to speak and ruin the situation anymore. She heard Bonnie scoff behind her, though his voice sounded shaky and emotional. "T-that's what I thought." Bonnie said bitterly. Chica turned to see Bonnie and Freddy leaving again. Freddy gave her one more disappointed glance before leaving beside Bonnie.