Ugh, this chapter took a while to write. I spent three hours writing this. Although I kept getting distracted...

Enjoy the next chapter of The Bleak Future.

"Happy birthday, Sherman!" Mr. Peabody yelled.

It was Monday morning, which was normally the worst time of the week for Sherman. He was a bit groggy but the excitement was enough to keep him from falling back asleep.

"Thank you, Mr. Peabody!" Sherman replied.

"I just made some blueberry muffins for breakfast!" said Mr. Peabody. "Help yourself!"

Sherman turned his head toward the window. Unlike the last two days, the weather was grey and cloudy. It wasn't raining, but it wasn't sunny, either.

Sherman finally got out of bed and did his usual morning routine. First he grabbed a couple muffins, then he took a shower, got dressed, and then a bunch of other useless tasks that he always had to do every morning.

Finally, when Sherman was all ready and started to get his backpack ready, the phone rang. Mr. Peabody was right beside it, but instead of answering the phone, he just peered at the caller ID.

"Sherman!" Mr. Peabody called. "It's Penny!"

"I'll get it!" Sherman yelled, dropping his backpack and running towards the phone. "Hello?" he said.

"Happy birthday, Sherman!" Penny squealed on the other end.

"Thanks, Penny!" Sherman replied.

"Can I come over to your house after school today?" asked Penny.

"Hold on, I have to ask Mr. Peabody first."

"Ask me what?" Mr. Peabody chimed in.

"Can Penny come over after school?" said Sherman.

"Of course she can!" Mr. Peabody exclaimed, before grabbing another one of his delicious blueberry muffins.

"You can come over, Penny!" Sherman announced into the phone.

Penny squealed, said goodbye, and then hung up the phone.

Sherman then proceeded to finish getting his backpack ready. But not before grabbing a couple more blueberry muffins.

Mr. Peabody loved Sherman, but he sometimes got on Mr. Peabody's nerves a little bit. While he was driving Sherman to school on his scooter, he kept going on and on about how excited he was for his presents.

"Maybe I'll get a new game! Or maybe even a new game system!" Sherman excitedly spoke.

"Yes, Sherman," Mr. Peabody blankly replied.

"What about some toys? Maybe I'll get toys as well!"

"Yes, Sherman."

"Maybe I'll get some books as well!"

"Yes, Sherman."

Luckily, Mr. Peabody was a calm dog. He was easily able to endure a few more minutes of this before he finally pulled up in front of the school.

"Have a good day at school, Sherman!" Mr. Peabody exclaimed.

"Thanks, Mr. Peabody!" Sherman replied.

"And remember, Sherman! Even though it is your birthday, it's still just a normal school day! Stay on your best behaviour, and-"

"Bye, Mr. Peabody!" Sherman called from afar, before running off into the school.

Mr. Peabody felt sadness creeping over him. "Not again," he sighed. He slowly strapped on his helmet and drove away.

The first part of the school day was relatively normal, the only difference being the occasional happy birthday from his friends and his annoying class singing the Happy Birthday Song.

When lunch came, Sherman sat down next to his friends as usual. He grabbed his tuna sandwich and began to eat it.

"Tuna again?" Penny questioned. "Is that all you eat?"

"So?" said Sherman. "I like tuna."

"Can't tell," Mason said sarcastically.

All of Sherman's friends giggled.

"Guys! That's not funny!" Sherman yelled.

"Yeah, you're right. It's not funny," said Penny, trying to keep a straight face. "It was hilarious!" The group began to laugh again.

"Are you done?" Sherman groaned.

Penny finally calmed down. "Done what?" she asked innocently.

"Done being annoying!" Sherman snapped.

"Sorry," said Penny. "But remember the time when you had a tuna sandwich and then I stole it and called you a dog? Then I blew your dog whistle?"

"Yeah," Sherman replied. "Then you strangled me and I bit your arm."

Penny and Sherman collectively sighed happily, while Mason and Carl were giving them strange looks.

"You guys are so weird," Mason teased.

"Thank you!" Penny squealed. "I take great pride in being weird."

"I can't wait until I get home!" Sherman exclaimed. "That's when I get my presents!"

"Problem," said Penny. "We have math for an hour after recess."

Sherman groaned.

After a boring math class and an even more boring science class, it was finally time to go home. Although during science, the teacher called Sherman over to tell him that Mr. Peabody wouldn't be able to pick him and his friend up and that they would have to walk home.

The clouds had broken up a little bit, and the ground was being illuminated by the isolated streams of sunlight. The walk home was pretty boring. All Sherman and Penny did was talk about the strangest things in the history of mankind (and maybe even the world), including their "good" memories about when Penny bullied Sherman.

It was when they got home that another peculiar event occurred. When the elevator doors slid open, the apartment was quiet and dark. There was no sign of Sherman's father.

"Mr. Peabody?" Sherman called.

There was no reply.

"Mr. Peabody, where are you? I want my presents!"

Penny giggled.

"Not funny, Penny!" Sherman hissed.

"Honestly, is that all you care about? Presents?" Penny asked.

Sherman sighed. "Do you want the truth or a very convincing lie?"

"A very convincing lie," Penny replied sarcastically.

"I couldn't care less," Sherman grumbled in response.

Suddenly, Sherman's eyes picked up something. There was a note on the fridge. Maybe Mr. Peabody left it there?

"There's a note," Penny stated. "I wonder what it says?"

Sherman grabbed the note and began to read it.

Sherman,

I'm so sorry I made you two walk home. But I have a surprise for you. Come and meet me in the WABAC when you get this note. Penny can come too.

P.S. You will get your presents when we get back.

- Mr. Peabody

"Aww..." Sherman groaned. "I don't get my presents?"

"Seriously, Sherman?" Penny hollered. "Come on. Let's go see where Mr. Peabody is taking us."

Deep inside, Sherman already knew where he was about to go. He would finally get to see the future.

I liked writing that chapter. Especially the end. Sherman really is obsessed with presents, isn't he? I would appreciate some feedback!