I've had a terribly long absence yes I know. I apologize for that, I really do, it's just that I've had some writer's block. I hope you guys like this new story. I had tons of fun writing it! The next chapter might not be as long, probably only 2K words, but it will still be enough of a read. So, PLEASE review, follow and favorite!

Pleas don't post any hate comments, comments with swear words and inappropriate themes, and also no homophobic comments.

Chapter 1-News

Fourteen year old Gumball Watterson sat cross legged on his sofa, pigging out on caramel coated popcorn and a ginger ale can. All he'd done since June and ended and July had started was sit some place comfy and entertain himself. Sometimes he'd doodle, but when he was too lazy he'd relax and watch old 90s TV favorites, and when he was feeling tingly he scribbled short stories in dainty little note books. Wearing a jersey and black pajama pants, he tucked one of his blue locks back into place.

Now, as Darwin slept upstairs while listening to songs of some sort, and Anais sat studying diligently at her small, cream colored desk, he sneezed and then resumed flipping through all the adult channels he could get away with watching thanks to 'Dad Cards'.

When Gumball was thirteen, he'd complained about being babied too much by Mom, so he talked to his low key and agreeable father. Dad then came up with "Dad Cards," which were little slips of ticket like paper that Gumball could use to watch the "dirty stuff", which Gumball had said was just foul language; when it was really that and nudity. He could hand in a few a week, and he'd get a refill on Sunday.

So, as Gumball gaped at his family's old school TV, that he'd begun estimating the price for, the phone rang by the kitchen entryway. Pressing the button on the remote to pause it, Gumball jumped up from the couch to take the call.

"Hellooo, Watterson residence," he spoke smoothly, lips curving into a grin from the way his voice flowed softly.

"Hi, honey, it's Mommy. How's everything going?" Nicole asked through the phone, her maternal voice fluttering and buzzing through Gumball's ear over the muffled phone sounds.

"Everything's fine," he responded nonchalantly, licking the caramel's dust of his finger tips. "So? Why'd ya call?"

He could hear shuffling and tapping of the office in the background. Papers soaring, nails tip tip tapping, and little computers dinging. His mother's voice purified.

"Well, sweetie, I was talking with your father..."

Oh no, Gumball thought, she's found out about the Dad Cards. I'm screwed!

"And we've decided things have been...shaky since Penny left..."

Gumball had always felt his throat loose it's moisture at the mention of the name. He could feel his breath catch itself, lowering back down into his stomach.

Penny, Gumball's girlfriend for a year, had moved away after seventh grade, during the summer before eighth. Her father had recently gone global with his construction company, and there was a terribly fine offer in Ireland waiting for him. Gumball had visited Ireland as a kitten- he recalled the damp weather, and incomprehensible accents and how the children would go "let's go to my gaff!" (Let's go to my house!).

Even so, with it's beautiful hills and bustling small cities, Gumball was sliced when she's broken the news to him. After that, Gumball had become depressed and more thoughtful, and had a penchant for the gifts he'd collected from his trip.

Then, this summer, a big blow arrived. Penny had found an Irish boyfriend, a guy named Cole, and had e-mailed Gumball photos of them together on the tour bus, by the bars, at his gaff. It made Gumball want to regurgitate. What made Gumball want to barf even more was how sickeningly gorgeous Cole was- tall, emerald green eyes lined with thick lashes, and a soft to touch black mane. Any straight girl with half a brain would gawk at him all day, swooning, like Penny probably did as he'd slyly say ''hey, let's go to my gaff,''

The description and thought made Gumball sigh in distraught. Even so, he and Penny remained ''friends'' (she saw it this way, Gumball saw it as just people who talked as he held his grudges), and the two lovebirds had planned to visit Gumball this summer. For some reason, Gumball felt interested in meeting this Irish hunk, whom Penny thought Gumball would like. Shaking his head furiously at the thought of being friends with that loser, he listened to his mother talk.

"And...we know that this year you're going to be in high school...and we wanted you to make new friends. So, your father and I signed you up for camp,"

The words rang in Gumball's ears ominously. Camp? Gumball couldn't go to camp. Summer camp meant wearing baggy shorts, revealing his legs that mosquitoes loved to eat up. Camp meant eating sour, and spoiled, grape juice. Camp meant changing in front of other people into swimsuits. Gumball had despised summer camps ever since the time when he was little and he'd forgotten to put his trunks on, and one of the snooty boys pointed it out to all the girls, and they laughed and snickered at him in his briefs.

Gumball shivered.

"MOM. How could you do this? You know I hate camp," he burst. He didn't even think they had camp for kids his age anymore. "You didn't even ask,"

"Because we knew you would say 'no'," His mother fumed, her lip probably trembling like Gumball's did. ''Honey...you've been so upset this year. We just thought that if you saw your friends at camp...you'd be...happy...'' she sounded on the verge of tears.

Mouth forming into an 'o', Gumball gulped. He didn't really have friends.

''But...but..'' Stammering, he pursed his lips. ''This is SO unfair,''

''We think it's a good idea, and that's final,'' She stated with an imperious tone. Feeling defeated, Gumball slumped his shoulders and balanced himself on the sides of his feet.

Knowing quite well he wouldn't be getting out of it, he decided to get it over with and begin thinking about what to pack.

''When we leaving?''

''Tomorrow,''

''What?'' He shrilled. ''Penny and Cole were going to come visit this summer, Mom!''

''They can visit you at the camp,'' Nicole encouraged warmly. ''I'm sure they'd love to have Cole. You know, at this camp they teach about the world, and each week they focus on a country. I heard they're doing Ireland this year,''

"The camp also had a snack shack, a pool, fishing, ping pong. Really, Gumball, it looks like such fun!"

Legs wobbling, and mind racing, Gumball licked his chapped lips. Blue eyes narrowing to slits by the minute, he said coolly, ''Sooo..I guess we're done,'' And with that, he hung the phone up and started up the steps, and remained in his room until supper time. Even then, only four Wattersons sat at the dinner table that night.

The Next Day-

He was certain he had everything now; his suitcase was filled with his clothes, toothpaste and toothbrush, comic books, empty notebooks, and other things. Zipping it with less zeal than expected by his brother, Darwin, he fidgeted with the little tag around it's handle.

''I'm excited,'' Darwin mused. And he was, truthfully; he'd get to see Joe and Tobias, and maybe even make friends his own age.

''Yeah, that's great,'' Gumball replied carelessly, as his phone hummed. Picking it up and sliding through the lock, his eyes scanned the screen to see a message from Penny.

flight leaves Sunday c u soon

~ Penny

Bristling slightly at the photo beneath, one of her ad Cole in front of that famous college in Dublin, his shoulders sagged, pride diminished.

He shook his head, furiously telling himself he shouldn't be a little diva about it. He stuffed another magazine in his bag, crumpling it slightly at the points. Grasping the handle and pulling it up on it's wheels, with heavy, fatigued feet he trudged out the door of his bedroom. Darwin follows suit, with a bounce to his setup, one Gumball didn't haven the energy to achieve.

Nicole stood by bottom of the staircase, biting her lip in the way Gumball usually did, a genetically inherited habit. In her hands, she had two granola bars in case her boys got hungry on the bus ride.

"Gumball, Darwin! The bus is here!" She hollered as the bus trolled up in front of The Watterson's house.

Gumball walled right past his mother, trying to look as if without a second thought. He prayed he wouldn't start bawling and hugging her at last minute in front of everyone. No, no way. He'd look weak, and then his mother would think he actually forgave her.

Darwin kissed his mother's cheek twice for both of her sons, and picked up both bars. He stuck them in his backpack and pulled nervously on his fine red watch.

Facing the mustard colored bus, Gumball felt his lip begin to quiver. He bit on it to keep from losing it, and swallowed. Gumball hadn't been particularly fond of being around other kids lately, but there was obviously no way he was getting out of it now. Shoulders slumping, he brought his cap further down to cover his face.

"Darwin," he called simply. "Let's go,"

"I'm here!" Darwin chirped fervently, twisting the band of his loom bracelet. Darwin noticed how tall Gumball had grown, and how puny it made him feel. He shrugged to himself, brushing it off like dust on your shoes.

Gumball watched as the kids' eyes widened. They obviously knew how the fourteen year old was, as most people in Elmore recognized him instantly. He saw from their smiles and eye rolls they knew, quite well, that it was going to be a hell of a summer with a Watterson on board.

"Youse getting in or not?" The bus driver inquired, combing his fingers through his greasy grey hair. He nodded towards the rest of the bus, as the scent of sweat, teen perfume and smoke slithered through Gumball's nose. Gumball wasn't exactly fond of these scents, but they were familiar. And Gumball was very fond of familiar indeed.

"Hi, sir," Darwin greeted, walking past Gumball and stepping up into the vehicle. Gumball kept his face down, though the scents made him smirk quickly.

Continuing to fit into the bus, a bunch of guys hooted at the dynamic duo. Some of the girls pointed at Darwin and gushed about how tiny and cute he was compared to them. Some of them looked Gumball up and down admiringly, giggling.

"Ay, it's the Wattersons!" Joe, a banana classmate of theirs announced. He was short, but had a loud voice above the crowd. He flicked Gumball's hat up as he walked by, causing Gumball to glare at him, and pull it back down.

"Haven't seen you in a while! We only had Spanish together last year," Joe continue, despite the look of anger he'd received. "How have ya been, man?"

Joe shook Darwin's hand playfully as Gumball plopped down on the seat behind the two, not paying attention to who was next to him. Darwin began to jabber along with Joe, gossiping about who was going to be at camp, who go kicked out of camp, who allegedly got pregnant, etc.

Next to Gumball sat Jamie, a fifteen year old girl who'd been held back for her many violent bullying sessions. She was sleeping, eyes shut, as her headsets blasted pop music that Gumball couldn't stand. He began to hum the music his mom always played in the car- good ol' 80s music.

Jamie shifted over towards Gumball's side, and tilted her head onto Gumball's shoulder as she snored. Scoffing in disgust, he pushed her head off and onto the window. She didn't wake up.

Now, Gumball went into thinking about how Darwin was talking with Joe, and it made him slightly jealous that he'd lost the bubbly humor he used to have. He wondered what Joe and Darwin were talking about, because with he 80s music blasting in his brain, he couldn't pay attention to what the two were discussing.

Sinking into the seat, something turned the music off. Joe had turned around and asked him something.

"Gumball?"

"Yeah?" He droned.

"How's Penny? Have you talked to her since the move?"

Gumball's lip twitched.

"Uh-huh. She's coming to visit us at the camp. With Cole,"

"Cole?" Joe echoed. "Cole who?"

"Her Irish bae, duh," Darwin answered in a ditzy impression of the antlered female. Joe broke out into laughter, for a few seconds, but then resumed talking to Gumball.

"Ouch. Sorry to hear about her bae, man," Joe appeared sympathetic, but the wording of his apology made Gumball's concerns sound like a grand joke.

Usually, Gunball would have corrected the term bae and said "it's supposed to be beau, you know," but of course, he hadn't done that in a while.

"It's alright. I'm cool with it. Penny says he's a nice guy and she thinks we'll be friends," Joe made a sizzle sound, to say "ouch,"

"What a loser." Joe snapped, crossing his skinny little arms. "So, what's this Cole guy look like? He got that freakish accent?"

Gumball inwardly jumped back from the insult to the Irish, though he wasn't Irish himself. Then, he shrugged disdainfully.

"She's sent me loads of pictures," Gumball mentally complimented himself. He sounded like a normal person, unlike his typical drawl. "He's got this jet black hair and he's pretty tall from what I hear, and he seems nice since Penny would have dumped his ass if he wasn't,"

Darwin and Joe sniggered delightfully, causing the previously diminished ego of his to begin to build itself back to life, scrap by scrap.

"Oh, yeah, she would have," Gumball continued, straightening his back and flicking the cap out of his face, so the boys who were sitting up on their seats to look at him could see his bright blue eyes, ones like his rabbit father's. "He has these...pretty green eyes,"'

Joe whistled. "Sounds like a catch, if you do say so yourself, Watterson,"

"If you really think that," Gumball played along with the "you're gay" joke. Even so, Gumball really did think Cole had beautiful emerald green eyes, and his hair looked über soft. Honestly, though, who'd admit that to the banana comedian?

Gumball moved awkwardly in his position now, hoping not to jostle into the older bully beside him.

"Well, I can't wait to meet him!" Joe swooned, again impressing a ditzy version of Penny. Darwin chuckled at this, and Gumball smiled thoughtfully.

"Yeah, I'm interested in meeting the lad, too," Darwin put in, doing a British accent. After that, Joe and the fish went into funny accent impressions, and therefore abandoned Gumball, leaving him to himself.

Skin beginning to crawl, Gumball inhaled. He began to imagine what it would be like seeing Penny after this time, and meeting his competition. Would they be friends? Would he and Cole utterly despise each other? Would Penny move back? Would Cole stay for a while? How long were they both staying, anyway?

Thinking of memories with Penny made Gunball cringe brutally hard. Balling his hands into fists, his eyes fluttered close.

He thought of Penny's little wings, and her little antlers. How she floated and tip toed slightly, like something or someone in a fantasy. Her face in his mind, it began to change. Suddenly, he imagined emerald green eyes and soft raven hair. He could imagine himself running his fingers through Cole's soft, luxurious mane, breathing heavily from the intoxicating scent. He could feel Cole's fingers tracing his neck, then going lower to wrap his arms around Gumball's waist, firmly. Rubbing his back, kissing his cheek adoringly, he could feel Cole's breath becoming one with his. They were taking in the oxygen of the same tree.

Body heating up, Gumball scolded himself for his 'gift' of imagination.

Now, Cole's pink lips collided with Gumball's as he returned the gesture. He mentally slapped himself for thinking it was a bit nice, and sighing. Gumball slid his hands over Cole's muscles, feeling them up. He had never really liked the appearance of large muscles, and so Cole's medium ones were just delightful.

Gumball placed his head onto Cole's chest and nestled into it...

Lowering his cap down to cover any sign of happiness on his face, he moved away from where his seat partner slept. Eyes flashing open, he looked down at the pitched tent in his pants.

Gumball scoffed, and shook the feeling off hesitantly. He chewed on his lip coyly, wondering now if anyone had glanced at him and acknowledged it. He then shook his head, and decided to watch the trees and roads pass out the window.

That was strange, Gumball countered. He figured it was probably just a hormone thing, like they'd learned in seventh grade health class. It didn't mean anything, and it was nothing to worry about. It was natural.

But he worried anyway.

Joe and the other campers began singing songs on the bus, old pop songs that everyone knew. The music took his mind off things, a tad, and Jamie finally awoke.

Darwin began eating his bar as he flung his over to Gumball. Gumball rapidly unwrapped his bar and bit into it, relishing in the juicy taste and crisp coat.

The music, the dream, and the conversation did something to Gumball. He broke his bar in half and handed a piece to Jamie, who took it with confusion.

"You must be hungry," he mused.

Trying not to think about Penny's arrival, or anything that would upset him, Gumball continued eating what was left of his snack.

The bus halted, a relatively short journey, as the students continued to sing while loading off the bus.