Gumball lazily flipped through channels to watch while Darwin was playing his hand-held video game. Darwin had just turned 14, and as such, he was playing with his new toys. Gumball smiled to himself. He would soon be 16 himself. Sweet 16. He could finally have that pony he'd wanted for so long!

"Hey, Darwin." Gumball lay his head on the armrest of the couch, "How close are you?"

"I'm almost there! Dude! I'm halfway through the dragon's lair!"

"I was talking about your history project. It's due tomorrow."

"Oh. That. I haven't even started."

"Oh." Gumball flipped another channel, "Me neither."

The phone rang just then.

"I'll get it." Gumball slid off the couch and slinked over to the phone, "Hello?"

"Hey, Gumball."

Gumball's breath caught in his throat. It was his girlfriend, Penny.

"Hiii Peeennyyy!" Gumball said, extra sweetly.

"I was just wondering, do you want to go to a movie with me?"

"Sure. Uh...what movie?"

"Nightmare in Elmore two-"

"THE PAIN!"

"AHHH!" Gumball jumped at Darwin finishing Penny's sentence, "Dude! Don't sneak up on me like that! You'll give me a heart attack!"

"Sorry."

"Sure thing, Penny!"

Darwin rose an eyebrow, "Are you sure you can handle it, Gumball? Last time we saw a scary movie, you couldn't sleep for a week."

"Pfff! Dude, that was years ago! I'm not a little baby anymore!"

Knowing Gumball, he would leave the theater before the beginning credits were over, but Darwin knew that no one could really stop Gumball once he'd set his mind to something. Although, it didn't really matter. He would probably sneak out with Penny later anyway.

"I'll see you there, alright!? 'K bye! Love you!" Gumball hung up and did a little dance, "Ahhh..."

"Dude..." Darwin went back to his game, "You're insane..."

Gumball grinned, "I try."

Gumball bundled up in his jacket. Autumn was upon them, and it wouldn't be long before it would snow either. He rose his knuckles to the door to knock, but before he could, loud shouting could be heard on the other side of the door. Gumball pressed his ear against it so he could listen;

"It's my life! I can do what I want!"

"Penny, listen to yourself! First you go out with that joke of a boy, and then you try to convince yourself that this is ok! I can't let you get hurt!"

"What if I can protect myself!?"

"Please, calm down!"

"You can't govern me like this! It isn't fair!"

"I want you to stay healthy!"

"Well, I want to be happy!"

A door was heard slamming shut before Gumball pulled his head from the door. That sounded like a very heated debate, and was Penny crying?

Gumball took a deep breath, rose his fist to the door again, hesitated, then knocked three times. Some rustling and banging could be heard before Penny opened the door.

Gumball felt his eyes widen, "Whoa..."

Penny blushed, "How do I look?"

She was all wrapped up in a light blue coat that trailed to her knees. That, combined with the orange glow from her body, made Gumball feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

"You look...you look..."

Penny held her breath...

"Extraordinary..."

And let it out...

"You're so beautiful!" Gumball gushed, "You ready to go?"

Penny glowed from the compliment, "I'm ready!"

Gumball was going to bring up the fight he overheard, but he just felt so nice with Penny that he decided not to press the issue. It could wait til later.

"Aw! My baby's in love!"

Gumball grimaced, "Mom!"

Nicole giggled, "Just like me and your father..."

"Hey, Mrs. Watterson." Penny climbed into the back passenger seat alongside Gumball, "Had to hitch a ride?"

Gumball rolled his eyes, "I can't drive! What'd'ya want me to do, take the bus?"

Penny laughed, settling back into her seat.

Nicole began to drive down the road, "You look beautiful tonight, Penny."

"Thank you, Mrs. Watterson."

They drove on for awhile before Gumball snaked his hand into Penny's hand. He could see the blush rise to her cheeks, and he sighed. These nights with Penny were just so amazing. Once they arrived at the movie theater, Nicole parked and led the young couple inside, where they got ready to watch.

Penny leaned against Gumball's shoulder, "You sure you can handle it?"

"Come on, Penny! Look who you're talkin' to! I can take this movie no problem!"

Penny smiled to herself.

Gumball couldn't even pay attention to the movie. He got through most of it, but at some point, he just got really tired. He noticed Penny's glow dim, but then, he was out like a light.

This is another old one, but it's kind of popular on DA, so I decided to post it here too. I do like it myself, after all. :D