Chapter 3

The large vessel appears at a dock on the Texan shore.

"Well, folks. We're here. Texas." says Sandy.

"Wow, this place already looks better than I thought it would." exclaims Squidward.

"Well, we need to get to San Antonio. So, I hooked us up with some transportation."

She points to 3 figures, each in a different colored cover. She takes the covers off, revealing 3 brand new 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrids. 1 red, 1 white and 1 blue.

"Ok, Mr. and Mrs. Star, Stanley and Blackjack, you get the red one. The blue one goes to Mr and Mrs Squarepants, Patrick Squarepants (Spongebob's uncle) and David Williams (his other uncle). The white one is for Mr. Krabs, Squidward, Capn' Blue, and Tanner." explains Sandy.

"What will we be in, Sandy?" says Spongebob.

"I'm glad you asked." She points to a black '10 Fusion Hybrid. "This one is for me, Spongebob and Patrick."

"WOO-HOO!!!" screams Patrick.

They get into the cars, and head to the city of San Antonio.

They arrive at one of the most popular teenager hangouts, the kind that you go to on a Friday night, grab a bite to eat, and just chill.

That place was a KFC on one of the main thoroughfares in the city.

The 4 Fusions pull in, and park 1 by 1 next to each other. Red, white, blue, black.

Next to the 4 cars, they see a green 2010 Kia Soul. Leaning on the hood, is Seth, Sandy's 26 year old cousin.

"Welcome to Texas, guys." he says.

"Thanks, Seth." Spongebob says.

"So, you're Spongebob, am I right?"

"Yes, that's me!"

"Well, nice to finally meet you in person. I've gotta get a photo of this." He reaches into his Kia, and pulls out a digital camera.

"Ok, everybody, get together. Ok, good." He sets the timer, puts the camera on the hood of the car, and gets behind Spongebob and Sandy, and pushes the two closer together, forcing them to hold hands.

[Flash] The camera goes off, he checks it.

"Perfect."

"Hey, Seth, the convention isn't for another 2 days, how about we head out to Austin?" says Sandy.

"Great idea, we can meet the folks." he says. "My aunt and uncle are really gonna like you, Spongebob, trust me."

They all go into the KFC, have lunch, and then head off for Austin, Texas.

Spongebob tunes the radio to a local station.

"All right, this next song is called "Good Time" by Alan Jackson." the DJ says.

The song plays.

"Nice choice of station, Spongebob, I'm a big country music fan, being from the Lone Star State, and all." says Sandy.

"I knew you'd like it." says Spongebob.

"Hold on, I got a CD of country music in one of my suitcases, could you find it for me, Patrick?" she points to the suitcases next to him. (Not all of theirs could fit into the trunk)

"Sure." He finds it, she puts it in the CD Changer.

"Go to track 5, Spongebob."

"OK."

[Song playing: These Are My People – Rodney Atkins]

"This one sounds good, Sandy."

"Yeah, I wish I could go to one of his concerts someday."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure thing, Spongebob. What is it?"

"What exactly are your parents like?"

"Ok, my dad is a Gulf War veteran, but not as aggressive as his brother, John, my uncle. My mom is a bit different, she was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and moved to Texas when she was 26."

"Wow, quite a family." says Patrick.

"Yeah, I know. They seem to get along really well, they rarely argue, and they respect everyone. You guys are gonna like them, trust me."

"I can't wait."

"Yeah, me neither."

"How far do we have to go?" says Spongebob.

"About half an hour, and we'll arrive in Austin."

"Good, I shouldn't have drank that soda down that quickly." says Patrick, randomly.

"...great." says Sandy.

They pull into a rest stop on the side of the freeway. Patrick runs to the bathroom. Sandy stays in the car, Spongebob goes to the Mobil Mart. He comes back with a bag of chips, a pair of black shades, and a gold pair. He gives Sandy the gold ones.

"I bought these for you."

"Aww. That's so sweet. Thank you so much." She puts them on. "How do I look?"

"Amazing, Sandy, as usual."

He puts his on, and gets into the car. Sandy looks at the fuel gauge.

"Good thing this is a hybrid, we might have to fill up now if it wasn't."

"Life is good, isn't it?"

"It sure is."

Patrick gets into the car.

"Sorry, I had to go."

"Yeah, we lost some time, but fortunately, everyone was behind us, so they're here too. Lets go."

They all drive away.

They arrive in Austin, and drive to Sandy's old home, where her parents live.

A tall squirrel is seen washing a big, blue 2009 Ford F-350 Super Duty Crew Cab pickup truck.

"Well, look who it is. Welcome home." He says.

"Hi, pa." says Sandy.

"Sandy, you're home!" says another voice.

"Ma?"

"It's good to have you home again."

"You know, you don't have to come yelling through the door every time she comes home, Catherine."

"Oh, come on, Herb. I'm just excited, is all." she says. "Nice shades, by the way, where'd you get them?"

"Oh, Spongebob bought them for me at a rest stop on the way here."

"Well, they look really good on you." Herb says.

"Thanks."

"That boy really knows how to treat a lady well."

"Hey, guys!" Seth yells from the window of his Kia, as he drives up to the house.

"Well, where have you been?" Herb says.

"Sorry, got a little bit lost on my way here after I stopped a car wash."

"Well, you never did have a really good sense of direction, did you?" he asks, jokingly.

"So?"

"C'mon, everyone, let's head inside, it's getting a bit hot out."

They all go inside.

End Chapter 3

Author's Notes: I'm so glad I got this chapter done. I thought I'd get some of the character introductions out of the way, there's more to come in the next chapter. Unlike my other stories, I've got this one pretty much thought out, but not fully typed up. More to come in the next few days.