"How did you get Benson to agree to this?" Rigby threw some stuff into a suitcase.
"Margaret worked a little magic. Hurry up, we still have to get back to Eileen's so Margaret can pack."
"Yeah, yeah." Rigby finished and zipped up the suitcase. Mordecai grabbed his things and they walked out. Margaret drove her car over to Eileen's place and they walked inside. Eileen was just bringing out a bag when they walked in.
"Oh, hey guys. I was just finishing up."
"You don't have to rush, I still have to pack." Margaret laughed as she walked back to her room. Mordecai sat on the couch. Eileen walked to the kitchen and started to pack some snacks and drinks into a cooler.
"Hey, Eileen. Need any help?" Rigby hopped up on the counter.
Eileen smiled at the sight of him. "Just grab the things you want, Margaret said her parents would come over to watch the house and eat the perishable foods."
"Whatever that means." Rigby looked in the cupboard and grabbed a bag of chips.
Eileen put some cans of soda into the cooler, along with a few more bottles of water. "I can't remember if Margaret said there was anything there.. I hope there's a store near it. Oh, Rigby, can you get the doughnuts?" She looked up to see him reaching into the box of doughnuts, powered sugar on his lips and in his fur.
"Uhhh..." Eileen laughed, along with Rigby. Mordecai walked in to see what they were laughing about. Upon seeing Rigby, Mordecai joined in too. "C'mon guys, you know I get hungry at eight."
"Rigby, you're hungry anytime of day." Mordecai chuckled and shook his head. Classic Rigby. Eating everybody else's food..
"Hey guys, did I miss something?" Margaret stood in the doorway, hand on hip, raising a brow.
"Rigby just finished off the doughnuts." Eileen shut the cooler.
"They were getting stale anyway." Margaret smiled. "Everyone ready to go? I packed all my chargers."
"I'm all packed," Eileen replied.
Mordecai and Rigby nodded their heads as they walked outside to Margaret's car. "Eileen, you'll be okay to take first shift?"
She nodded. "I can stay up a few more hours while you sleep."
"Hey, Margaret, I'll sleep too so you and I can trade." Mordecai suggested.
The robin nodded as she shut the trunk. "Sounds great."
Mordecai and Margaret got into the backseat and Eileen drove with Rigby in shotgun. It was a little weird for him to see Eileen driving, but he knew she had driven before. The two birds fell asleep pretty quickly, leaving nothing but the hum of the car and the radio to drown out the silence.
"Hey, Eileen?" Rigby was looking out the window.
"Yeah Rigby?"
"What do you think of me?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean... I know I'm an immature, selfish idiot, but yet I still have great friends like you and Mordecai. How can you guys even stand me?"
"Well, Rigby, I can't speak for Mordecai. But, as for me, I know you care. You do stupid things to impress people and you want to be in the spotlight after feeling like you were in your brother's shadow for years. You just want a place to belong. I know what it's like to not feel like you belong anywhere-"
"How do you know that?" Rigby looked over at Eileen.
Eileen shrugged. "I had a rough time in my teen years. Never really felt like I should be anywhere. I didn't have many friends, so I always felt left out when I wasn't around them. I guess my self-esteem probably played a role in that."
"Were you...bullied?" There was a hint of concern in his voice.
"Never by anyone but myself."
"Oh." Rigby didn't like thinking of Eileen being sad or hating herself. Or even her being in pain. He didn't want to continue this conversation, but he didn't have anything else to say. He sighed quietly and looked out his side window again. I wish I could've been there for her. She doesn't deserve to hate herself. Why does she feel that way about herself?
"Thanks, Rigby."
"What did I do?"
Eileen shook her head. "Is that important? I'd like to think someone can just be thankful to a person without being questioned."
"Hmm." Rigby thought on this.
"Am I hurting your brain?" She asked with a smile.
"What? No, of course not! I'm just...processing."
"Processing what I said?"
"Yeah. You're so poetic you know."
"I've heard it before."
Minutes that felt like hours passed before Rigby took out a handheld gaming console. He played it for the next three hours.
Eileen could feel her eyes drooping slowly. "Rigby, do you want to drive?" Eileen yawned.
Rigby looked back and Mordecai." I'm pretty tired myself, maybe we could switch with them." Eileen nodded, yawning again and pulling off the road. Rigby shook Mordecai. "Pssst, Mordecai. Eileen is tired. Switch with us."
"Gimme a sec..." He sat up slowly and poked Margaret. "Our turn."
They got up and Eileen rubbed her eyes as she waited outside for them to switch places. Rigby stood next to her and shivered. "You need my jacket?"
"No, no. I'm fine. But thanks anyway, Eileen."
They crawled into the back seat and Mordecai started to drive. Rigby wasn't honestly that tired, so he just watched Eileen sleep- in an innocent way. He just liked seeing her in a peaceful state. He was used to seeing her bustling around the shop. It must be hard for her to work so hard and getting paid so little. Rigby wouldn't know what that's like, obviously. I wonder what it's like to work hard and be proud of it. He shook his head and looked at Mordecai and Margaret. They were talking about some political crap. Rigby glanced back over at the mole. She was still asleep. Hmm... Rigby reached out and gently took her hand. He rubbed her palm softly with his thumb. He sucked in a deep breath and took her hand in his. He held it and fell asleep.
"I'm just saying, a woman president would be great, but her ideas are terrible!" Mordecai laughed.
"Whatever." Margaret rolled her eyes with a smile. "Sure you're not too tired to drive?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. How much farther is it?"
"Only like 100 miles. She said it should be all neat and stuff. She was always a germ-freak." Margaret chuckled. "But I love that about her."
Mordecai nodded. "I like things to be organized, but I suppose rooming with Rigby makes that look like a lie."
"Well, two guys living together does seem like nothing would be neat. I just hope he doesn't trash her place too much."
"I'm sure he'll be a good boy, since Eileen is going. He has to be on his best behavior or I'll punch him."
"That's a little harsh."
"It's just an empty threat. He knows I won't ever hurt him. I'm just trying to help him out with Eileen. She liked him a lot, I don't see how but she does."
"Yeah, she really does. I personally think she could do better. No offense." Margaret looked over at him.
"I agree."
"I guess that just prove love's an amazing thing. She still cares about him, even though he hasn't always been the nicest to her. But she's forgiven him."
"Rigby better not let that bite her in the ass though. Or I will hurt him." Mordecai made a fist and chuckled.
"I think Rigby's coming around, you know? He wants to treat her right now."
"Yeah, I don't get Rigby. sometimes."
"Me either."
Mordecai yawned and turned up the radio.
Shed a tear 'cause I'm missin' you
I'm still alright to smile
"Oh, man, I love this band!" Margaret started to sing along. Mordecai chuckled to himself and listened.
There is no doubt you're in my heart now
Said woman take it slow, and it'll work itself out fine
All we need is just a little patience...
Mordecai turned off the highway and looked at the signs. "So should I go left or right?"
"Make a left onto 420." Mordecai laughed at it's name. "What's so funny?"
Mordecai cocked a brow and looked over at her. "420? Weed?" As soon as she got it, Margaret tittered.
"Okay, okay. I'm just a little tired and that's why I didn't get it. Hey, look. The road's on the right." Think I should wake them up?"
Mordecai shook his head. "I got this." He turned up the radio louder, causing Rigby to whine.
"Turn that down!" He covered his ears and sat up.
Mordecai grinned and turned it down. "We're almost there, get Eileen up."
"How didn't she wake up from you being an asshole," Rigby mumbled. He gently shook Eileen's shoulder. "Hey, Eileen. We're at the hotel-"
"Cabin." Margaret corrected.
"Yeah, yeah. We're at the cabin." Rigby mocked her.
Eileen yawned and stretched, taking her earbuds out. "Hm? We're there?"
Rigby face-palmed on instinct. "You were smart, bringing headphones. Mordecai woke me up in a rude way."
Eileen smiled, putting them into her bag. "I always come prepared."
The four got out and unloaded their things. Margaret unlocked the door and stepped inside. "Oh this place is gorgeous!"
The rest joined her.
