Gumball walked down the school corridor alone. He had to do it this time. He had to tell her.
Suddenly, he was stopped by his best friend Darwin.
"Hey Gumball!" he greeted him cheerily.
"Oh hey Darwin." Gumball said, "I'll be back in a minute, I just have to tell someone something."
"Tell who?" Darwin asked, "Are you going to tell Mrs Mom that you broke the window yesterday?"
"What?!" Gumball exclaimed, "I'd rather do what I'm ACTUALLY doing than that!"
"Well what are you actually doing?" Darwin asked, "Are you going to tell Miss Simian you cheat-?"
"SHHH!" Gumball covered Darwin's mouth as Miss Simian walked past, eyeing the two carefully.
"No, Darwin, what I'm doing is MUCH more risky than THAT!" Gumball whispered, dragging the fish into a corner.
"Listen Darwin, I've been too indirect about my feelings for Penny." Gumball looked around nervously to make sure no-one was listening.
"But Gumball, you've told her you loved her before." Darwin said, "I think she's well aware that you like her by now."
"I just want to be sure! I mean, it seems like she switches between knowing I like her and being clueless." Gumball said, "I've decided to tell her directly and I'm NOT going to weasel out of it this time!"
"How about you try kissing her?" Darwin said, "I tried it and now she's my girlfriend!"
"Dude, Carrie barely speaks to you." Gumball said in a bored tone.
Darwin's mouth slowly changed into a frown.
"Yeah, you're right..." he trailed off sadly, "But at least I get to spend time with you, and you're my best friend!" He continued cheerfully.
"Yeah, I know," Gumball said, "Can I just go find Penny? Have you seen her anywhere?"
"Yeah she's right behind you!" Darwin closed his eyes happily and pointed.
Gumball whirled around sharply as Darwin quickly made his departure, smiling.
Penny was standing there, smiling down at Gumball.
"AAAAH! Uh, h-hi, Penny, uh, how long have you been standing there for?" Gumball stammered nervously.
"Long enough to know that you have something to tell me." she shyly smiled and looked down.
"So, I guess you heard me talking to Darwin, didn't you?" Gumball looked away, embarrassed.
"Yes. Why, did you not want me to hear you?" Penny asked.
"No no, it's not that! It's just I, uh..." Gumball looked up into Penny's eyes.
Gumball was lost for words.
'Why didn't I practise in the mirror or something?' he thought, facepalming himself.
"Um, Gumball? Are you alright?" Penny asked.
"Sorry! Need more time!" Gumball ran off past her.
"Wait! More time for what!?" Penny ran after him.
Meanwhile, Darwin was talking with Anais in the cafeteria.
"So basically, Gumball is REALLY going to tell Penny his feelings this time?" Anais asked.
"I told you! He's going to do it this time!" Darwin said cheerfully and closed his eyes, "He's a whole new man!"
Gumball and Penny ran past as Anais stared after them.
"Yup. He's a whole new man alright." Anais said sarcastically.
"Yeah! Not you get it!" Darwin didn't understand.
