Chapter 2
That night Spongebob didn't get much sleep. The foghorn's earsplitting roar continued a minute longer than it should. He rubbed his forehead with unintentional force but he couldn't shake off a heavy feeling of gloom, it was thick like early morning dew. And then it all came flooding back, the nightmare he had. It had taken place in the Pineapple, he had glanced at his snail clock, it read 12:00 midnight and the chimes had ringed eerily as if on cue to his arrival. The pineapple no longer held its usual liveliness it possessed during the light hours, there was something wrong, and realizing this terrified him causing his body to become rigid.
It was out of the corner eye that he saw a familiar figure standing in the living room, stone still. It was Patrick; his outline was nothing but a silhouette yet his eyes blazed into his very essence, piercing him. It hurt, but it was not physical pain.
"P…Patrick!" Was all he could manage before collapsing onto his knees, desperately reaching out to his friend, 'but why? Why was he so desperate to touch him? When Patrick looked so different, so unfamiliar?'
Memory of the dream seemed to whisper to him as in compelled himself to get ready. He brushed his teeth in slow rhythmic motions, just not into it. It must have been the way Patrick had cried out to him last night. He really wanted to know what was troubling his friend, but what could he do? He had a few ideas…
Tucking his thoughts away he grabbed Ol' reliable, brainstorming as strolled his way to Patrick's.
At first Patrick's rock didn't whiz open like it always did in the past. It was silent except for the sound of clams chirping in the background. After three more knocks the bolder creaked open, Spongebob's stomach churned unpleasantly when Patrick did not appear. He hesitantly scanned the interior and found Patrick on the couch, his expression thoughtful.
"Hey Pat…" He voiced, sounding more concerned then he intended.
"Spongebob." He muttered barely audible. Not able to contain it any longer, SpongeBob rushed over and shook him fiercely, "What's wrong Patrick? Why won't you speak to me!" It took him a second to realize he was weeping. Only then did Patrick react to him, "Spongebob!… Spongebob what's wrong?" He couldn't answer, he just kept sobbing, hysteria taking a grip of his frail mind. He felt like he was overreacting but he reminded himself that this wasn't the Patrick he knew, the fun loving, truly ridiculous but heart caring friend.
Patrick held onto him, in till SpongeBob tears came to a standstill of sniffles. After a few minutes he was able to obtain the courage to look at Patrick. His image was blurred but his worry was still apparent.
"Patrick, will you tell me what's bothering you?" He reluctantly drew away from his tender embrace. Spongebob cursed himself for not having more patience, he should have waited but it was too late for that now. A flash of hurt flickered across his face as Spongebob retreated, but was gone as soon as it came.
"Nothing is wrong Spongebob, really." His expression was unreadable, poker faced. Spongebob didn't buy it, but he couldn't push it anymore, he would drop it for now.
"Hey I know what'll cheer you up! How about we watch this new anime! Umm, I think it's called Gravitation," Patrick smiled eagerly. SpongeBob blinked taken back…then snorted doubling over in laughter, Patrick always made him laugh unintentionally, which made it that more hilarious. There were tears in his eyes before he could speak again, "Oh dear Neptune… Patrick…"… he tried again, "Pat…Patrick…that's… it's another gay love anime…" He clutched his abdomen as his amusement persisted on, his stomach twisted from laughing so hard but he felt delightful to be in better spirits. Patrick didn't move, he didn't need to, his ruby cheeks said it all, screamed it in fact.
His pudgy arms flailed in a late reaction, "Ah shoot, not again!" He didn't appear as embarrassed as he had the first time, though it was hard to tell, he turned his face away to conceal himself.
"Ah Phooey, at least your happy again." And Patrick really did seem satisfied with that, almost like he had planned it.
"I'm glad you appear to be yourself again Pat."
"Yeah."
There was silence now, and SpongeBob figured this would be the perfect time to put plan "A" to action, secretly of course.
"How does a nice trip to Jelly fish field's sound buddy?"
"Yay, Jelly fishing, jelly fishing!"
Patrick grabbed his net that SpongeBob made him last summer and ran out the door, with Spongebob following close behind. They skipped side to side, Spongebob's mind wondered elsewhere, he hoped by bringing Patrick here, it would lighten his mood and maybe he would finally tell him what he had wanted to say the previous night. It wasn't a complex plan, but a plan nonetheless. They arrived at their favorite spot, the tallest grassy hill that overlooked all the beauty of the green ocean floor from the tall sea grass dancing in the underwater current to the pure grace of jellyfish shimmering in the sun. Spongebob stood proudly determination radiating in his eyes. He adjusted his jelly fishing glasses in place, it was a habit to wear them now, he didn't even think twice of it anymore.
"Ready pal!"
"Ready!"
They frolicked through the vast meadow, Spongebob catching five jellies at a time, and Patrick… well he definetly gave it effort with various stings to prove it. It wasn't long till they were back to their desired spot at the tip of the hill, completely bushed. The sun would set soon, and the glow of the remaining radiance splashed the field, the sight was breathtaking. They sat near to one another, legs dangling gleefully over the drop. It felt so lovely just relaxing that he nearly forgot why he intended on coming here, and when he did he almost brushed the problem aside as nothing. And he would of, if he hadn't caught the glimpse of Patrick, his eyes glazed, not that this wasn't a common site in his simple-minded friend, except that he looked on the verge of tears.
"Patrick, how you feeling ol' pal?" He stroked his arm in an attempt to be comforting. Patrick didn't answer, the silence was overwhelming.
"You know…" He started, his attention turning to Spongebob. He waited impatiently for Patrick to continue.
"You know I've always thought you looked real adorable in those glasses," He whispered, softly tracing the temple of them. Spongebob's heart thumped heavy in his chest, he suddenly felt lightheaded. He studied Pat's eyes but there was nothing except the truth of his words.
"Thank you….thank you Patrick." It was all he could manage, he tore away from his haunting gaze.
(Thank you so much for reviewing, it really brightens my day. Chapter 3 will be updated soon)
