TAWOG: Instinct

The Search

The Search

It had been two days since the incident with the banner's and Penny was still a might peeved at her boyfriend for his antics, not even sure she even still wants to call him that. She has forgiven Gumball for a lot in the past, but she just couldn't bring herself to forgive this. Maybe it wouldn't have been so bad if it had solely been the banners, but then he went and pulled that stunt at recess later that day. Since she hadn't decided to get rid of Mr. Cuddles, Gumball had resorted to sneaking around and trying to ambush her and get rid of him himself. After all, why else would Gumball be around school at that time? 

He was supposed to be suspended.

“Maybe Dad was right,” she mumbled, standing outside her house, waiting for the bus, backpack on her back. “Maybe Gumball is just a good for nothing trouble maker and I shouldn't be going out with him.”

Though it would be a shame if it turns out she needs to agree with what her father has been telling her and break up with Gumball. They had had mutual feelings for each other for so long, and, despite having their ups and downs, their relationship has been wonderful. And, while he might be a screw up sometimes, Gumball had been there for her when it truly matters; like with the cheerleader tryouts, attending Mr. Cuddles’s funeral, despite some earlier misunderstanding, and, more importantly, his insistence that she didn't need her shell, that she would be beautiful to him even without it; a vow he had painstakingly kept, chasing her relentlessly when she tried to flee from what she perceived to be rejection. Plus, despite how angry she still is, Penny still felt affection for Gumball. 

What would all that have meant if their relationship were to just end?

“Uh, Penny?”

Well, speak of the devil.

Penny looked over her shoulder to see Gumball timidly stepping towards her, his poster fearful, but determined. Despite knowing she still harbored feelings for him, Penny found no humbleness within herself to offer him, merely huffing and turning away, eyes closed in indignation.

“Come on, Penny, can't we talk? Please?”

“If it's about me choosing between you or Mr. Cuddles again, you can forget it, Gumball!” Penny responded in a hostile voice.

“Penny, I swear that wasn't me!” Gumball insisted desperately. “I won't deny how much I hate spiders, especially Mr. Cuddles, but I would never do that to you, Penny. I would never want you to choose.”

“That banner says otherwise,” grumbled Penny, still not looking at him.

“Penny, I swear that really wasn't me! It was Rob, he sabotaged my banner.” 

“Oh, how typical, Gumball!” Penny partly shouted, finally turning to Gumball and shooting him an angry scowl. “Since I didn't make the choice you wanted me to make, you're trying to pass blame onto someone else!”

“But it's true, Penny,” urged Gumball, rearing slightly back from his girlfriend's venomous look. “Rob was behind it.”

“Oh, so I take it Rob was also behind you personally trying to kill Mr. Cuddles at recess yesterday too, huh?” asked Penny, crossing her arms.

Gumball couldn't suppress a shutter at that, mainly because the culprit truly behind that incident was an individual Gumball was trying really hard not to think about. Although he could say that it had been Rob, but something told him lying to Penny would not be a good idea, especially not at the moment, with how volatile her mood was at the moment. Maybe a half-truth would be enough?

“Well…no, Rob wasn't behind that…”

“Then who was responsible?” Penny asked, tapping her foot menacingly, derailing Gumball's attempt at a half-truth.