Tough Love

(Chapter One)

It was the lunch rush, Spongebob and Squidward were both very busy attending to the needs of the customers. Everyone knows Spongebob enjoys satisfying the customers, Squidward does it just so he doesn't get yelled at. Spongebob quickly and easily got through all of the orders. He made things look easy, but for Squidward it was anything but easy. Spongebob would occasionally peek out the window to see who's in the Krusty Krab. Once the lunch rush died down Sandy came in, she's experienced the lunch rush before and knew when to come in so she wouldn't have to wait so long and so she could get a table. Spongebob could hear Squidward on the outside and knew that another customer was ordering. He peeked out the window and smiled when he saw her. He then told Squidward that he knew what to do.

"I've got this one Squidward... Sandy is a regular customer, I'll bring it out to her."

Sandy was the last one to come in. In a way Squidward was glad that Spongebob was bringing it to her because that meant that he could sit back and read his favorite magazine. It took Spongebob a few minutes to prepare Sandy's order, he knew how she liked it so he wanted to take his time so he could get it perfect for her. Spongebob could take his lunch break anytime when there wasn't a crowd waiting at the register so since everyone was content at the moment he decided to sit down with Sandy and have lunch with her. He walks out of the kitchen and walks over to her.

"Hi Sandy... you don't mind if I sit with you do you."

"Of course I don't mind. Go ahead Spongebob."

"Thanks... I thought I'd have my lunch break now while business is slow."

They sit and eat for a few minutes and then start talking again."

"So Sandy... how was it?"

"Perfect as always Spongebob. You always seem to get it just right."

"Well... sometimes I take a little extra time trying to get it perfect... after all the customers deserve the best."

Spongebob says this with a nervous smile. He really meant to tell her that she deserved the best.

"I guess they do Spongebob. With you around, they get quick service and delicious food. No wonder I see the same people in here all the time."

Spongebob wanted to continue talking to Sandy, but a few customers came in.

"I'm sorry Sandy... please excuse me... duty calls."

"No problem Spongebob."

Spongebob rushes into the kitchen and waits for Squidward to tell him the order. Once Spongebob gets the orders ready he rings the bell so Squidward could give the customers their food. Spongebob noticed that Sandy was still out there, but someone walked up tp her and started talking to her. This someone happened to be Larry the Lobster, for some reason Spongebob has always been a little jealous when Larry was around Sandy. Spongebob couldn't quite hear what they were talking about, but he noticed them laughing together. He tapped Squidward on the shoulder and asked him if he knew what they were talking about.

"Hey Squidward... Sandy is still here, and she's over there talking to Larry. By any chance can you hear what they're talking about?"

"No and I don't care..."

Squidward saw Spongebob with Sandy earlier but didn't pay attention to anything they were saying. Squidward was about to go back to his magazine when Spongebob interrupted him again.

"Are you sure you didn't hear what they said? I thought I heard them say something about me."

Squidward noticed the concerned and jealous look that Spongebob had on his face and then he started putting things together. He didn't really know if Spongebob liked Sandy, nor did he care. He didn't notice the concerned and jealous look that Spongebob was giving Larry so Squidward decided to make something up. He leaned in through the kitchen window and talked a little quiter so no one else could hear him.

"Actually Spongebob... I think I did hear one thing that they said."

"Really... did they say anything about me?"

"I don't think so. All I heard was uh... something about them having a picnic together."

When Spongebob looked out the kitchen window, both Larry and Sandy were gone.

"Wait... what? They're having a picnic?"

Squidward tried to keep his smile to himself, he loved seeing Spongebob freak out so he continued with his story.

"Oh yeah... they said they could finally get to be alone with just the two of them so they could really get to know each other."

Squidward noticed Spongebob's eye start to twitch.

"Just the two of them... together."

Squidward pretended like he was concerned.

"Yes I'm afraid so Spongebob. I couldn't help but notice the way you were acting around her."

"But... me and Sandy have been friends for years now."

"That's just the problem Spongebob... you were just friends with her. I guess she didn't think that you liked her, but then again... if she really liked you she could have made the first move. Surely she wouldn't do this to hurt you. Maybe she choose him because she likes muscular guys with a tough attitude."

Spongebob felt bad but agreed with Squidward.

"I guess you're right Squidward... maybe she didn't mean to hurt me, but maybe she didn't like me they way I like her. Maybe she just doesn't like the nice guys and prefers the strong tough guys."

Squidward tried to act like he cared.

"Well I'm sorry that I was the bearer of bad news, but could you maybe pull yourself together? We've got more customers coming in."

Spongebob didn't let Squidward see this, but he wiped away a few tears. He quickly put on a happy face and continued working. The rest of the day seemed to drag by for Spongebob, he was pretty quiet after Squidward told him that, but finally the day ended and they went home. After the long walk to Spongebob's pineapple he noticed that there was a package at the door. He didn't remember ordering a package or having one sent off, but whatever it was has been opened before and it was just returned to his address. Luckily the package was light enough so that he could carry it in. He sat it down on the couch for a moment and went about his normal routine once he got home. After he fed Gary and cleaned up the house, he remembered that the package was still on the couch. Spongebob was still sad about before, but his sadness turned into curiosity as he went over to the package. He opened the package and at first he didn't know what it was, but when he realized what it was it was too late. The thing jumped at him and attacked him. He didn't really remember what happened next, but he did know that he wasn't sad anymore. Whatever it was that attacked him sure took the fight out of him and he passed out on the floor.

(To be continued... What could have attacked Spongebob? Share your thoughts... I'll update this story again on Friday. Someone could be right and guess what's going to happen you never know.)