The Pinky

Chapter 5 - The Remainder

"TOO-TOO-TOO-TOO-TOOOOOOM!"

"AH!" was Gumball's response to the loud sound of Darwin mimicking the reveille trumpet sound effect blaring into his ear, causing him to fly into the underside of the top bunk and down onto the floor.

"RISE 'N SHINE, SLEEPING BEAUTY! EARLY RISERS GET TRAINING DONE IN RECORD TIME! AND EVEN THAT'S AN EASY PATH TO A PENALTY FOR SLEEPING-IN!" shouted Darwin in the form of an Army Sargent.

I'd agree with Anais' response to that unnecessary boot camp treatment, which was "Darwin, was that really necessary?".

"Sorry" said Darwin, looking at the floor.

Rubbing the top of his head to ease the pain, Gumball got up and looked at the clock, noticing it was 10 minutes before they were usually woken up. "Why are we up so early?" he asked.

"Gumball, remember what I said last night; I am going to help you to make up for challenging you to never lie" said Anais. "We have to be up early so we can have enough time for the normal morning school routine".

"Oh" said Gumball, finally remembering Anais' promise the previous night. "So, how are we gonna get through this?"

"With strategy" said Anais, gesturing to a flip chart with the letters on the first page reading "Protect the truth without lying".

"Strategy?"

"Option one; distance yourself from the conversation at all costs. Whatever you do, don't engage in the chat if the answer requires a classified truth-". Anais had to pause so she could snap the percussion drumsticks Darwin was banging a drum with in military style throughout her explanation.

"Option two; change the subject before you answer. If you switch the conversation around, you'll most likely miss the window to answer-DARWIN, WHAT PART OF ENOUGH DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND!?" she said before being interrupted by Darwin clicking his tongue to mimic Army drums.

"Just wanted to make it look like a boot camp training session because I thought it would look interesting" whimpered Darwin.

Growling in irritation, Anais stomped her little foot to grasp her adoptive brother's attention and ordered in a way their mother would "YOU WANT BOOT CAMP TREATMENT!? HERE YOU GO, MISTER; GET DOWNSTAIRS, EAT YOUR BREAKFAST, GO TO THE BATHROOM, BRUSH YOUR TEETH, PACK YOUR BAG, AND WAIT FOR THE SCHOOL BUS ASAP!".

"YES SIR-I MEAN MA'AM-SIS-GENERAL ANAIS!" saluted Darwin as he marched downstairs to carry out his order.

"As I was saying..." sighed Anais, "Option 3; conclude the conversation immediately. Make an excuse to either depart from the talk or end it all together".

"Are you sure?" asked Gumball, unsure if this strategy would truly protect the truth.

"It's worth a try" said Anais, though even she had her doubts.

On the school bus...

Gumball remained calmly seated.

All he could do was stare out the window, gazing at the houses and cars that slipped past the big glass pane.

Nothing could possibly interrupt this peace...

...for about ten seconds.

"Hey, Gumball, you know anything about that Amelia Phoenix wig and mic in the boy's change room?" asked Tobias. "Some kids just don't know what they're doing in their lives"

Sweat ran down Gumball's face as a lump formed in his throat. Despite success among critics and the charts, albums and singles by Amelia Phoenix were lamented by the internet through hate memes and posts that talk about how catchy these songs are and how they'll "never leave your head to the end of time."