Starting New: Returning Home

Chapter 10: Acceptance

The office clock hit 5:00. It was time to leave. As all the workers stretched and made their way out of their cubicles to clock out, they noticed a certain female employee quickly rush ahead of them to clock out first.

Nicole felt laser focused on her task; she had to. She had regained a bit of strength sitting down in her chair, pretending to work for those three hours...those three hours of absolute hell. Now, she was free. Free to see him...

Gumball...

The very thought of his name pushed her further like no other.

As Nicole quickly clocked out and made her way to the exit door, she quickened her pace. Despite her heels killing her now, she didn't care. All that mattered now was-

Gumball...

She got into her yellow station wagon and closed the door before starting the ignition, roaring it to life.

'Please...please be there Gumball...'

Nicole drove over the speed limit down the main highway, having her mind wander once again.

'What if he says no? What if he doesn't come along? What if he doesn't hug me? What if-...no. Stop it Nicole. Focus on getting home. Focus...on him...'

Nicole then turned on down their road.

Gumball...

She then saw their house.

Gumball...

She pulled in the driveway.

Gumball...

———

"Come on Dude! You got to do the combo move to beat this boss, you can't just button mash!" Darwin yelled, looking towards his brother.

"Oh...uh, which button uses the sword?"

Darwin rolled his eyes before taking the controller.

"It's THIS button, the one on the side in your left hand. The R1 button. Come on bro, I thought you remembered that..."

"Sorry Darwin, I forgot..."

Gumball raised his arms up in defense, and made a shrugging gesture. He frankly had forgotten the main controls after nearly 2 decades of being gone. He was improving, but to deny his 'rookie' nature now was impossible. It seemed he had a lot of improving to do...

As he was about to replay the boss fight, he heard the front door open.

"Hey, looks like mom is here. Maybe we can eat early tonight." Darwin said to Gumball as he turned to see her walk inside.

As Gumball looked at her, he noticed she was walking quite sluggishly, almost like a zombie as she set her work stuff by the front door.

As she looked around the room, she suddenly locked eyes on Gumball for a few seconds before seeming to snap herself out of a daze and turned back towards the open door.

"I'm...going to go get us groceries..." she said softly, just loud enough for everyone to hear, minus Richard sleeping on the couch.

As she was about to step out of the doorway, she froze, and spoke again.

"Gumball...I...I need you to come with me. I will need help."

Gumball, hearing this request raised his ears before standing up.

'She changed her mind! She did need my help...'

"Oh...sure. I'll help." He said, dusting off his sweater of chips before walking over towards her.