In this chapter I will be adding my own character, but it is to help the story along. It will be a bus full of hippie turtles. The bus driver will be named Steve. He will explain things that Spongebob needs to know. This chapter will contain flashback from the episodes Ripped Pants, Texas, Squirrel Jokes, and Spongebob, Sandy, and the Worm.
Chasing After Her
Chapter Four (Another Bus Ride)
Spongebob found himself walking on a beach. He walked up to an odd looking bus that was filled with many creatures. Since he was no longer in Bikini Bottom he wondered if his money would be worth anything there, or if it would cost him anything to see where the bus went. He asked the bus driver where the bus went first.
"Excuse me sir could you please tell me where this bus goes?"
"This bus will take you anywhere."
"Does it cost anything?"
"Of course not, that's why this bus is labeled Free Bus."
"So it will take me anywhere?"
"Anywhere on land, so are you coming or what?"
"Oh yes I'm coming. Thank you so much."
"Don't mention it; this bus will take you anywhere, anytime. We have all of the time in the world. So where do you want to go?"
"Well my friend lives in Texas, but that may be so far away from everyone else's destination."
"I already told you we have all of the time in the world. We travel the same places all of the time. It doesn't matter where we are going, we don't have a schedule. Everyone will be happy no matter where we go. Every trip for us is an adventure. So where did you say you were going again?"
"I'm not exactly sure where, but I know that it is somewhere in Texas."
"You said that you're friend lives in Texas. Do you have any idea where he or she might be?"
"Well she's a scientist so I think that she would be in a place where there is a lot of science in Texas."
"The only place that I can think of that deals with a lot of science is in Houston Texas. I happen to have a map of Texas; you can have it if you want it because I have plenty of maps."
"Thanks. Wow it is bigger than I imagined."
"Yep. Texas is the biggest state in the United States."
"Well since I'm here I guess I could talk a little bit. I'm not from the surface world, I am from the ocean."
"I see and what kind of creature are you exactly?"
"I'm a sponge. I don't really understand anything about the surface world so I am not familiar with many surface world creatures. What kind of creature are you?"
"I am a turtle, and I could really be a land or a sea creature, we are all turtles. My name is Steve by the way, what is your name?"
"Spongebob Squarepants. I'm on a trip to Texas to see my friend. She used to live in my town and she had to leave, but I really want to see her again. So I packed up some of my clothes and decided to go on a trip to see her. When I came on shore I had no idea where I was going. When I saw your bus I was hoping that you could help me."
"Yeah no problem Spongebob."
"So first of all could you tell me where I am?"
"Sure… You're in the United States of America, but more specifically you're in San Francisco, California."
"My friend Sandy talked a little bit about the United States, but I could never really understand it."
"Well we have plenty of time to talk about it."
"So how far is it from here to Houston, Texas?"
"Probably about 1650 miles."
"Wow I do have a long journey ahead of me, but Sandy is worth it."
"You seem to talk about this girl Sandy a lot. You said that she is your friend?"
"Yes."
"So you said that she left your town and that now you're on your way to see her."
"Yes. I've known her for years. I just have to see her again."
"Are you sure that over the years you haven't become anything more than friends?"
"I don't know. I mean I think that I've always liked her, but I was always scared that she wouldn't…"
"That she wouldn't feel the same way."
"Yeah… how did you know?"
"Because we have all been there. This is not just the Free Bus; this is also the Love and Heart break bus. You can talk about all of your problems here. We have all either been in love, or have had our hearts broken. Some of us have even been the heart breakers, either way we can all help you with whatever it is that you are dealing with."
"So… my problem is… what if she doesn't feel the same way?"
"Well it all depends on how long you have been friends with her."
"I would say at least ten years or so."
"Oh then even if she doesn't like you the same way, you guys will be friends for life. However if she does feel the same way, then I predict a strong healthy relationship."
"What happens if I don't tell her?"
"Then it will most likely tear you apart from the inside out and soon cause some sort of depression."
"I think that has already happened."
"Then I suggest that when you find her, you tell her as soon as possible. It is better for her to know, even if she doesn't feel the same way."
"I just don't know how to say it because she's so… amazing, and I'm just… a kid."
"So are you saying that she is older than you?"
"I'm not sure, but we are about the same age."
"Ok so tell me… what is so amazing about her?"
"She's the smartest and strongest person that I know, she is an expert at karate, like I said before she is a scientist, and she's just so… pretty. I don't think that I'm good enough for her. I'm not tall, or smart, or strong, or handsome. I'm not an air breather or even her same species. I work as a fry cook. The only things that I can think of that we really have in common is that when we see each other, one of us always has to wear a helmet, and the only thing that we have in common is that we both like karate. I don't see how she could like me… we are almost complete opposites."
"Well you know what they say… opposites attract. So you like her right?"
"Yes I do very much."
"Would you say that you love her?"
"Well… yes… I guess I would."
"Have you ever done anything crazy for her before?"
"I'd do anything to make her laugh. One time when we were at the beach I accidently ripped my pants. At first I was so embarrassed because everyone laughed at me, but Sandy said that I was so funny. I really liked the sound of her laugh so I started ripping my pants on purpose. It worked for a little while and I got to hear her laugh again, but then later it got old and I took it too far. She was really mad at me at the time and started hanging out with another guy."
"Hang on let me stop you right there. Now about this other guy did you get jealous?"
"Maybe a little bit, but maybe even then I kind of liked Sandy. She wasn't just hanging out with anyone; she was hanging out with Larry the Lobster. He was one of those guys that all of the ladies liked."
"Oh so he is probably a heart breaker."
"He is… but anyway everything turned out ok in the end. Sandy said that if I wanted to be her friend, then all I had to do was be myself."
"Ok so you've covered that… How is it when she is angry or upset about something?"
"I know never to make her angry. One time when she was going to leave town forever my best friend Patrick and I made fun of Texas, but only to get her to follow us for a surprise party. She was only homesick then. So anyway, Patrick and I had made fun of Texas and she chased after us. I was so scared that she was going to kill me."
"Yeah people that live in Texas kind of get offended when they are being made fun of for where they come from."
"Anyway Sandy forgave me for that, but I don't think that it was the last time that I hurt her feelings. Another time I publically embarrassed her with squirrel jokes. Once I found out that it was hurting her feelings I felt really bad for her. I didn't know that I as hurting her feelings. I would never hurt her feeling on purpose."
"Has there ever been a time when you've had to stop her from doing something?"
"Yes… One time there was this huge creature that attacked my town called an Alaskan Bull Worm and it had taken Sandy's tail. I was lucky that it didn't do worse than that. Sandy wanted to go after it, but she must not have seen the worm. I couldn't let her go because I didn't want to lose her. I almost told her how I felt, but I don't think that would've made a difference. The Alaskan Bull Worm would've killed her. When she finally found it she had realized that it was the tongue that she was fighting and not the actual worm. She thought that she was entering a cave, but it was actually the worm's mouth. I kept on warning her, but she wouldn't listen."
"Yes… Texas people can be a little stubborn."
"Anyway when she had found out that it was the worm's tongue we both started running for our lives. If it hadn't of been for a paper clip and string we might not have made it. Ever since then I've been worried about her because she also does extreme sports. I don't even say anything to her because I know that she won't listen. I'm just afraid that one day she'll… die from it and I'll be responsible for it. I just couldn't forgive myself if anything happened to her."
(Spongebob starts to get tears in his eyes. At this time the bus was in Texas. Spongebob hadn't realized it, but he talked the whole time. The bus was in Texas, but is soon broke down just ten miles west of Houston, Texas. Steve then said…)
"I'm sorry Spongebob, but it looks like we are going to be here for a while. It might actually be faster walking. We are just ten miles west of Houston, Texas."
"What if Sandy is not in Houston?"
"Then go where ever your heart leads you. Or you could look at the map that I gave you."
"Oh yeah. Anyway thank you so much for bringing me here, and thank you for listening to my long story."
"You're welcome, and good luck."
(Spongebob then opens up the map and starts walking towards Houston, hoping that he would find Sandy there.)