Chapter 7

After leaving the Krusty Krab, Sandy and SpongeBob decided to go to the beach. SpongeBob excitedly yelped and then said, "Great! This time we can both bring our surf boards so we don't have to wait for eachother!". Sandy shook her head back and forth and explained that she didn't want to compete, she simply wanted to go for a walk. At that idea, SpongeBob paused, hand to his chin. Then, his eyes lit up and he smiled.

"Great idea!" he had said.

There they were now, walking so their feet hit the Goo Lagoon's water but everything else stayed 'dry'.

"Hey, SpongeBob, how come we've never watched a movie together?" Sandy asked, a brow raised. SpongeBob thought, then shrugged.

" I don't know. We usually just end up doing karate or working out... I've never really thought about doing anything... calm," SpongeBob answered.

"Oh, uh... Well... maybe we should do calm stuff, sometimes. Maybe we could go for walks, more often, like we are now. Or maybe me and you could watch a movie over at my place..." Sandy said, looking down at the sponge.

"Yeah! We could go for a walk in the park! That'd be fun! We can watch the clams sing to eachother! Me and Patrick do that, sometimes. Maybe he can join us! We could all go for a walk, together!" SpongeBob was getting excited, a happy look on his face as he imagined the three of them enjoying the beauty of the park. He imagined Patrick pointing at the singing clams in the coral trees and then SpongeBob would gasp and Sandy would start laughing when one clam bit the other. Then they'd all play tag.

"Uuhh... err... Well, I don't think Patrick would want to come. He's, uh... he's... well, I just don't think he'd want to come," Sandy stuttered. She wanted to be alone with SpongeBob, they needed to have a lot of alone time for her plan to work out.

"Oh, of course he'll want to come! He always likes coming to the park!" SpongeBob exclaimed, flapping his hand in her direction. Sandy sighed, loudly.

"SpongeBob, just trust me on this! He doesn't want to come! He'll be too busy... sleeping! You should be a good friend and leave him alone, for once!" Sandy yelled, looking down at SpongeBob, disappointed. SpongeBob's brows raised, his eyes wide and sad. He never had thought that Patrick didn't want to be with him. He never thought that he was a bad friend.

"You... you think I'm a bad friend?" SpongeBob asked, his big eyes starting to water. He blinked and bit his bottom lip, trying to hold in his tears.

Sandy's eyes widened. She wasn't expecting SpongeBob to take what she said so seriously, she simply wanted him to rethink taking Patrick. She swallowed, then looked away from SpongeBob.

"No! I... I think you're a good friend, I just... I think that... we should go alone. I wanna... be alone with you... I don't want Patrick to come with us..." Sandy confessed, shyly, crossing her arms over her chest. SpongeBob rubbed his wet eyes with the back of his arm until they were dry. He then looked at Sandy, who was avoiding his gaze. He sniffed.

"All you had to do was say so, Sandy. You're my friend, I would have understood..." SpongeBob said, looking down at the sand. He began wondering if Sandy might still have had feelings for him, like Squidward thought she did. He hoped she didn't.

Sandy turned back toward SpongeBob, sadly. She sighed, looking down at the sand, as well.

"I should have known that you'd understand. I'm sorry that I said you weren't a good friend," Sandy said. SpongeBob smiled.

"It's okay. At least you didn't mean it..." SpongeBob paused, losing his smile.

"You didn't mean it, right?" he asked, playing with his thumbs. Sandy shook her head back and forth.

"Naw! You're the best friend anyone could have!" she said, truthfully. She took SpongeBob into her arms and swished him back and forth as she hugged him. SpongeBob's eyes were wide, he hadn't expected the hug. When she put him back down, he smiled.

"You're a great friend, too, Sandy!" he said. Sandy smiled.

--

It was six o'clock when Squidward finally got out of work. He didn't bother saying good-bye to Mr. Krabs, the crab had been horribly rude this week. He didn't deserve any good-byes. Squidward walked over to the hat rack, taking the paper bag off his head as he did so. He took his work-hat off and placed it on the hat rack, then folded the paper bag in half and slid it under his arm. He left the Krusty Krab, inhaling the night air. It smelled and tasted horrible, like trash and hotdogs, and he ended up choking. He should have learned not to inhale deeply after work.

Sighing, Squidward began making his way home.

Only an hour to get ready for the night with SpongeBob. I hope this ends up going well... oh, it will. Why am I so worried? I know someone as great as me couldn't possibly have feelings for someone as stupid as SpongeBob! It's just not right!

Squidward shook his head back and forth.

What was I supposed to make? Popcorn and hot cocoa? Gah... popcorn always gets stuck in my teeth. And it's so fattening! What's SpongeBob tryna do, kill me?! And he also wants hot cocoa?! Sugar and SpongeBob, in my house! That'll be greeaaat!

Squidward groaned, looking up at the dark sky. The clouds were an incredible color, tonight. Such great purples and pinks. Squidward thought that maybe before SpongeBob got to his house, he could paint a picture of the clouds. He could paint the other picture, the one of him holding the sun, later. Maybe drawing something peaceful would relax him.

Squidward finally made it to his home. He opened the door, walked in, and shut it behind him. He looked at the clock and noticed it was six fifteen. He sighed.

Only 45 minutes... he thought. He put the paper bag on the table and then made his way upstairs. He could make the popcorn and hot cocoa once SpongeBob got there. The horrible little bugger wouldn't mind.

Squidward opened the door to his gallery, then shut it behind him. He stepped inside, looking around the room at the pictures on the walls. There was one picture of him seemingly kissing an invisible something in his hands. There was another that looked as if his face was going to explode. There was also one that seemed as if he were frozen to death. Squidward smiled, admiring his genius artwork.

Squidward walked over to the corner of the room, picking up a chair. He placed the chair right in front of the window and sat in it, seeing if the view was good. It was good enough. He stood up from the chair and found a fresh canvas and some paint and a paint brush. He sat down in the chair and put the paint on the floor beside him, then rested the canvas on his lap while looking outside. He stretched his back and rolled his neck, then cracked his 'knuckles' before softly pressing the brush to the canvas. He tried not to think about SpongeBob.

--

"Well, I'd better get to Squid's house!" SpongeBob suddenly exclaimed, as he and Sandy were building sand castles. Sandy sat up straight, sand falling from her gloves.

"Huh?! Already?!" she yelled, her brows lowered. SpongeBob took the watch back out of his pocket and gave it to Sandy. She looked at it. It was 6:30.

"Oh... well... alright, then. I'll, uh... I'll walk ya home!" Sandy said, nervously. She and SpongeBob stood up from the sand.

"Okay! Are you sure you won't mind walking all the way back home in the dark... alone?" SpongeBob asked. Sandy chuckled.

"C'mon, SpongeBob! You should know by now that I ain't scared o' nothin'! Why, I could walk all the way to the other side of the world in the dark if I had to, and I wouldn't be scared!" Sandy bragged, knuckles on her hips as she smiled, smugly. SpongeBob raised a brow, then shrugged.

"Okay! ... Come on, let's get going! I don't wanna be late! Which movie do you think I should pick?" SpongeBob asked as they started walking off the beach. Sandy put her hand to her chin, looking down at the ground.

"Uuuh... you should probably watch something... full of action. And explosions. And... blood..." Sandy said.

I can't have SpongeBob choosing a romantic movie! Who knows what that'd cause?! It'd be best if they watched something horrible and disgusting!

"Ew! Blood...? I don't wanna watch a movie with blood in it! Especially at night... last time I watched a horror movie at night, I couldn't fall asleep! Although, if Squidward's gonna be there I probably won't be as scared..." SpongeBob said.

Sandy groaned, rolling her eyes.

"Oh, wait, but then once I get back home, I'll be alone again... well, Gary will be there, but he's too small to fight off any bad guys! I should pick a nice movie..." SpongeBob decided, a smile on his face. Sandy internally sighed.

"Oh, alright!" she said, upset.

They were quiet until they made it to SpongeBob's house. He walked over to the door, then turned around, a smile on his face.

"Thanks for walking me home, Sandy," he said. Sandy smiled.

"No problem, SpongeBob!" she said, resting her hand on his shoulder.

"And thanks for spending the day with me... again. It's a lot of fun! We should do it more often," the sponge said.

"We will! Remember? We can go to the park tomorrow!" Sandy said.

"Oh, yeah, I forgot! It'll be a blast! But... after that, I think I should spend some time with Patrick... I've sorta been ignoring him, lately. Would that be okay?" SpongeBob asked, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Of course! I ain't no friend hogger!" Sandy said, smiling, even though she really would have liked to spend the whole day with SpongeBob, again. In fact, she would have liked to spend the rest of her life with SpongeBob.

"Thanks! I'll see you later, then!" SpongeBob said, waving. He turned around and opened the door to the pineapple and stepped inside his house. He noticed Sandy was still there before he shut the door. He paused, mouth in an 'o' shape, then smiled and waved again.

"Uh... bye Sandy," he said, wondering why she was still staring at him. She smiled and waved, then turned around and started walking. SpongeBob shrugged then shut the door.

"Hmm... what movie, what movie?" SpongeBob asked himself, walking further into his house and over to the movie self.

--

Squidward wasn't finished, yet, but after looking at the clock on the wall for the hundredth time, he decided he could finish his painting later. It was 6:56pm. Squidward looked at the painting one last time before setting it on the floor. It was only half finished but it did look beautiful. The clouds would have moved once he got back but it didn't bother him since he'd already did the whole sky. He just needed to add the mountains in the background, the sand, and the simply coral tree or rock here and there. Those would still be there when he got back, at least.

Squidward stood up from the chair, stretching again. He sighed, his eyes suddenly going wide as he allowed himself to wonder about the night. Before, he had been purposely keeping his mind off that topic but now he had to prepare himself. Squidward swallowed and he started feeling hot.

This is not going to be fun. Oh no... what do I do? SpongeBob's gonna pick a movie... I'll make his stupid popcorn and hot cocoa... we'll watch the movie in silence... and then he'll leave. Simple. And by the end of the night, I'll finally have proof that I don't like SpongeBob... At least I hope I will...

Squidward tugged at his collar, it felt much too tight against his throat. He then inhaled deeply through his nose and exhaled slowly from his mouth. He stood up straight, brushed his hands against his shirt a few times, and then steadily walked over to the door of the room. He opened it and stepped out, then began making his way down the stairs.

Once down the stairs, Squidward walked into the kitchen and opened the cabinets, looking for popcorn. He finally found a package and then took a bag out, placing it in the microwave. He waited, staring at the popcorn bag inflate. He sniffed and rubbed his nose, waiting for the horrible sound that he knew he'd hear any second now. Indeed, two seconds later, Squidward heard two knocks coming from his door. He then heard, "Squiiiiidwaaard!! It's me, SpongeBob! I've got the movie! Squiddy?! Squidward!" followed by more knocks. Squidward grinded his teeth.

SpongeBob hasn't even entered my house yet and he's already irritating me to death! thought Squidward, walking over to the house's door. He gripped the knob, then shut his eyes as he mentally prepared himself.

You can do this...

"Hey, Squidward! Let me in!"

It's only one night... after this night, I don't have to ever invite him over again...

"Hey! It's SpongeBob! Remember?!"

Okay... open the door. Open the door... Here I go!

Squidward flung the door open, his eyes wide as he looked down at SpongeBob who was holding an awful lot of supplies.

"Squidward, you invited me ove--! Oh, hello, Squidward!" SpongeBob smiled deeply, his cheeks rosey red. He held in one hand a movie and comic books, under one arm a sleeping bag, under the other arm was a pillow, balancing on his head was a box of candy, and in his other hand were flowers. SpongeBob continued to smile, standing still as Squidward inspected his neighbor. SpongeBob blinked.

"What's with the sleeping bag? You're not spending the night, you know, we're just watching a movie," were Squidward's first words to the sponge.

"Oh! I... I know! I just... wanted to take it..." SpongeBob said, looking guilty.

"Okaaay..." Squidward said, brow raised.

"Can I come in?" SpongeBob asked to change the subject. Squidward bit his lip, then opened his door wider so SpongeBob could walk past him. He watched SpongeBob make his way into his house, the box of candy on his head surprisingly staying there. SpongeBob went past the kitchen and into the living room, placing all his items on the floor between the television and the blue couch.

SpongeBob smiled as he fixed his sleeping bag onto the left side of the couch, where he'd chosen to sit. He then rested the pillow on top of the folded sleeping bag and put the comic books under his side of the couch. He put the box of candy in the middle of the couch, imagining Squidward and his hand reaching into it at the same time and accidentally touching.

"Hee, hee, hee!" SpongeBob laughed, blushing. Squidward had been leaning against the door frame, watching SpongeBob set the room up. He was nervous, it was causing him to be unnaturally quiet. He was shaking, slightly, and sweat was running down his forehead. He wiped it off with the back of his hand, then stepped into the living room as SpongeBob took the movie out of the case and pushed it into the VCR. He then turned the tv on and grabbed the remote, then ran over to the couch and plopped down on his pillow, a mad grin on his face. SpongeBob looked to the left, wondering where Squidward was and found him right in his view!

"Squidward!! Is the popcorn ready yet?! Did you make the hot cocoa?!" SpongeBob yelped, excitedly, shaking his fists. Squidward grumbled.

"I'm in the process--" Squidward was interrupted.

"Oh, I forgot!! These flowers are for you..." SpongeBob said, a slight blush on his face as he handed out flowers. Squidward hesitated, looking into SpongeBob's eyes for a second, before taking them.

"Uh..." Squidward said, awkwardly, staring at the flowers. He didn't bother raising them to his nose but he could smell them from where they were in his hands. They smelled lovely but why did SpongeBob give them to him? Lowering the flowers, Squidward noticed SpongeBob opening the box of candy and picking up a piece of chocolate. He threw it up into the air and caught it in his mouth, chewing annoyingly.

"How much do you expect us to eat tonight, anyway? Popcorn, hot chocolate, and candy?! It'll go straight to my thighs, ya know!" Squidward yelled, hands on his hips as he glared at SpongeBob, who was just smiling as he licked his lips.

"Oh, don't be such a grouch, Squiddy! You could use some meat on your bones, anyhow!" SpongeBob said, moving his eyes back to the tv. It was going through the previews, so there was no need for him to pause it.

Squidward did nothing but mumble something SpongeBob did not hear before going back into the kitchen.

"You could use some meat on your bones, anyhow!" Squidward mocked, his face scrunched up and his front teeth sticking out, to resemble SpongeBob. He then hmphed and took the popcorn out of the microwave. He got a bowl from the cabinet and poured the popcorn into it, then got two mugs and hot coco mix. He poured milk into each mug and then placed them in the microwave, waiting for them to heat up. As they were heating, he went back over to the living room, peeking at SpongeBob and not letting him know he was watching.

The sponge was simply staring at the tv watching a preview for an old movie. That let Squidward know that the movie was an old one... but which one? He sighed, then made his way back over to the microwave. He took the mugs out and poured the mix into each one and mixed it. Squidward didn't want to take two trips, he just wanted to get this night over with, so he took a mug in each hand and then grabbed the popcorn bowl with his arm. It was a bit of a struggle but Squidward made it to the livingroom without dropping a thing.

"Oh, here, let me help you!" SpongeBob said, getting up from the couch and walking over to Squidward. He grabbed the popcorn and a warm mug, then ran back over to the couch. Squidward squinted at SpongeBob, then slowly walked over to the couch. He cleared his throat as he walked in front of SpongeBob, then swallowed as he looked down at the couch. He was going to spend the night watching a movie with SpongeBob only a foot away from him, the whole entire time! This was going to be one unhappy experience. Squidward gripped his mug tighter and sat down beside SpongeBob and the open box of candy.

"What... what movie did you pick?" asked Squidward, trying to feign relaxation.

I have to calm down! SpongeBob's going to know something's wrong! Besides, it's not like I have a reason to be worried! I don't like him! Really.

"Uh-uh! I'm not telling, you're going to have to see for yourself!" teased SpongeBob, a smirk on his face as he reached down into the popcorn bowl on his lap. Squidward lowered his brows, then angrily ripped the remote from SpongeBob's hand.

"It's my tv, I have control over the remote!" said Squidward, childishly. He wanted to get back at SpongeBob for causing him so much mental agony. Being rude seemed like a good way to do it.

This idiot has me thinking like an insane person! thought Squidward, glaring at SpongeBob out of the corner of his eyes. SpongeBob was merely sitting, staring at the TV and chewing on popcorn as if Squidward hadn't lashed out at him at all. Squidward looked back at the tv. Previews, still, he'd noticed, so he pressed the 'fast forward' button until SpongeBob yelped out, "Aaaah! Hit play! Hit play, we're going to miss the whole entire movie!". Squidward noticed SpongeBob's fingers were digging into the pillow he sat on.

The last thing he needs is hot cocoa and candy... thought Squidward, quickly hitting the 'play' button.

"Rewind it a little, I wanna start from the very, very beginning..." SpongeBob said, pointing at the TV, eyes squinted. Squidward re-winded it until the words 'based on a true story' showed up.

"Alittle more," SpongeBob said.

"What for?!" Squidward yelled.

"I wanna see who the director is!" SpongeBob said.

SpongeBob smiled as Squidward re-winded it a second longer and the words 'directed by James Fishfin' showed. Squidward turned toward SpongeBob.

"Are you happy, now? Has seeing those words made your life better?" Squidward asked, sarcastic and irritated. SpongeBob shook his head up and down, smiling, as dramatic music filled the room and more words showed up against a dark background. Finally, the movie began. Squidward noticed a big ship and that was all he needed to see, his eyes going wide as he realised what movie it was. It was the underwater version of 'Titanic'.

Aaaaah!! Why'd he pick THIS movie?! Squidward thought, eyes wide as he clenched his fists. His whole body was tense.

Is he trying to tell me something?! Why did he pick such a romantic movie?!

Oh, what am I thinking? It's just a movie he probably had lying around the house!

But then what were the flowers for? Flowers, chocolate, and a romantic movie?! Could it possibly just be a coincidence?

Oh, of course it is! He's too stupid to do any of this ON PURPOSE! I am seriously giving him way too much credit! This is SPONGEBOB we're talking about here!

Squidward relaxed slightly at that thought.

"Do you know what movie it is, yet?" asked SpongeBob, smiling.

"Yes," Squidward said, simply.

"Do you like this movie?" SpongeBob asked, his face serious as he looked at Squidward out of the corner of his eyes. Squidward shifted, brow lifting slightly at the question. Did he want to admit to liking this movie? If he lied and said he didn't like it, he'd just end up hurting SpongeBob's feelings and he didn't want to do that. Obviously SpongeBob was looking forward to this and Squidward didn't want to ruin his night.

Since when do I care so much about SpongeBob's stupid FEELINGS?! Squidward asked himself. He clenched and unclenched his hands.

"Kinda," Squidward said, leaving it at that. SpongeBob smiled, reaching into the box of candy, taking out another chocolate which he shoved into his mouth. He chewed loudly, even though his mouth was shut. Squidward twitched, irritated. He took a sip of his own hot chocolate to drown out the sound of SpongeBob's loud chewing and slurping.

Yeah. I've got feelings for this annoying fool, suuuuure... Squidward sarcastically thought, smiling into his cup. SpongeBob then took a sip of his own hot chocolate, licking his lips after the first sip.

"Mmm! This is really good, Squiddy!" SpongeBob exclaimed, smiling at his neighbor. Squidward flicked his eyes to SpongeBob's, then licked his own lips.

"Yeah, it is pretty good, isn't it?" Squidward said, smugly, taking another sip from his mug and sighing happily after. SpongeBob blinked, watching Squidward and then looking back at the tv.

After five minutes of silence (besides SpongeBob's chewing and slurping), SpongeBob asked, "Would you like some chocolate, Squidward? I got it especially for us to share... together," SpongeBob said, his pupils dilated. Squidward pursed his lips, looking down at the candy between them. Maybe one piece wouldn't hurt... it did look awfully tasty. He reached down between them, picking up the most attractive looking chocolate. He put it into his mouth and chewed slowly.

"Do you liiiiike it?" SpongeBob asked, smiling. Squidward swallowed the chocolate.

"I guess it's okay," Squidward said, reaching for another piece. SpongeBob giggled.

I knew he'd like it! SpongeBob thought.

Further into the movie, SpongeBob turned toward Squidward and held his finger up.

"He's an artist, just like you, Squidward! Hee, hee!" the sponge said, laughing. Squidward turned his head in SpongeBob's direction and shrugged. Oh, great, he got to be referred to the guy that died in the end?

"Hmm, yeah..." Squidward said, unenthusiastically. He then yawned, putting his hand to his mouth.

See? I can't like SpongeBob. If I liked SpongeBob, I wouldn't be so relaxed right now! I've got nothing to worry about!

Squidward sighed,relieved.

"Are you having fun, Squidward?" SpongeBob asked, brows lifted as he turned to his friend, again. Squidward blinked, then looked at SpongeBob.

"Oh, yeah, mhm," Squidward replied sarcastically. SpongeBob smiled at the words, though.

"Oh, good! I thought you were getting bored..." SpongeBob said, turning back to the tv. Squidward turned back to the tv as well, watching Jack Drownshrimp spit over the side of the boat. Then Rose did, as well, and Squidward bared his teeth.

"They are so gross!" Squidward said. SpongeBob laughed, holding his stomach.

"He's just tryna teach her to be more fun, is all, Squidward!" SpongeBob said, smiling. Squidward shook his head back and forth.

"Spitting on a boat is not fun! It's disgusting!" Squidward argued. SpongeBob rested his hand on Squidward's shoulder.

"Squidward, you should take Jack's advice! You're much too much like Rose! Dahahaha!!" SpongeBob kicked his legs and shut his eyes, he thought that was way too funny.

"I am not!" Squidward yelled, hands on his hips. After that reply, SpongeBob just started laughing louder.

Squidward is Rose!! SpongeBob thought, banging his fist against the couch's arm. He was imagining Squidward wearing a dress. Squidward ran his hand down the side of his face.

The sugar's kicked in... Dear Neptune, help me... he thought. His left eyelid twitched.

Once SpongeBob calmed down, he wiped a tear from his eye. He sighed, letting out a few more chuckles, then was quiet and continued watching the movie. Squidward blinked, glad SpongeBob's irritating laughing session was over. Squidward was relieved, he was quite sure that he had no feelings for SpongeBob. His neighbor was way too annoying for such a thing to be possible.

See? I knew I wouldn't have feelings for him! Squidward thought, crossing his arms over his chest.

Toward the middle of the movie, when Jack and Rose were running away from a guy with a weapon, SpongeBob cleared his throat.

"Hey, Squidward?" SpongeBob asked. Squidward sighed, loudly, turning his head toward SpongeBob.

"SpongeBob, don't you ever shut up? I'm trying to watch the movie, here!" Squidward said, glaring at SpongeBob.

"Sorry, I... just wanted to thank you for inviting me over..." SpongeBob said.

"I didn't want to--" Squidward began.

"Even if you didn't want to invite me over, I'm still having a really good time. I like spending time with you..." SpongeBob said, smiling slightly. Squidward was quiet as he looked down at the floor, thinking.

"Maybe, just maybe... perhaps you kinda like spending time with me a little, too?" SpongeBob asked, hands clasped together as he smiled hopefully. Squidward hesitated, looking into the empty cup in his hand. His pause was too long and SpongeBob got impatient.

"Do ya? Do ya? Huh?" SpongeBob asked, again. Squidward crossed his arms over his chest.

"... No. I told you, I'm just doing this for the good luck," Squidward said.

I don't like SpongeBob so of course I don't like spending time with him, either! Squidward tried convincing himself.

At those words, SpongeBob frowned.

"Not even a little?" asked SpongeBob.

"No!" Squidward said, angrily.

"Not even the tiniest bit...?" SpongeBob asked.

"Not even the tiniest bit! I don't like you! So why would I like spending time with you?! I hate spending time with you!" Squidward yelled, his face inches away from SpongeBob's. He tried ignoring the guilt he felt as SpongeBob blinked rapidly, his blue eyes widening. Squidward went back over to his side of the couch, resting his head on his hand.

"Oh..." SpongeBob said, looking at his lap as the movie went on. Squidward's brows raised. The guilt was becoming unbearable. He hadn't meant to yell at him like that, his emotions had gotten the better of him.

Oh, I wish I didn't care about how he felt so much! Stupid, stupid--!

SpongeBob sniffed and his bottom lip trembled as he let out a small sob. Squidward turned the other way, trying to ignore SpongeBob. It was hard, his neighbor was suddenly balling his eyes out!

Grrr!! Don't look at him! He's always crying, this time is no different! I don't care if he cries, I don't! I don't!

Squidward swallowed, closing his eyes tight and clenching his fists. He then stood up from the couch and tensely turned toward SpongeBob.

"O-okay! Okay, I admit it! I do like spending time with you! J-just stop crying!" Squidward yelled. He couldn't stop himself.

"Y-you're just sayin' that so you can watch the movie without having to listen to me!" SpongeBob cried, covering his eyes with his hands. Tears were wetting his lap and pillow. Squidward stepped up to SpongeBob and put his hands on his shoulders.

"N-no, really, SpongeBob!" Squidward cried, picking SpongeBob up and holding him close to his face. SpongeBob lowered his hands and looked into Squidward's eyes, then sniffed.

"Promise? You're not just saying that?" he asked, his voice shaking.

"No... R-really... I... I like spending time with you," Squidward said, looking away from SpongeBob's eyes. He was feeling quite ashamed of himself. SpongeBob smiled and hugged Squidward, who gasped at the contact.

"Aw! I knew you really liked me deep down!" SpongeBob said, rubbing his face against the front of Squidward's shirt, wettening it. Squidward flinched.

What's happening to me? Why is my heart beating so fast? I thought I didn't like SpongeBob! Why does it feel like I do?! Oh... I don't want to like him! I don't want to like NORMAL PEOPLE, let alone SpongeBob! It's just too much! Urg, I need him to stop touching me before I end up doing something irrational...

"Okay, hug time is over, you're getting tears all over me," Squidward said, pushing SpongeBob forcefully back onto the couch. He'd noticed SpongeBob had a small smile on his face and his eyes were still wet. SpongeBob wiped them dry with the back of his arm, watching Squidward once he was all better.

Squidward sat back down on the couch and then looked at the tv, barely paying attention.

This is all so confusing! DO I have feelings for SpongeBob? I... I think I might... oh, boy... this isn't good.

Squidward looked at SpongeBob, hating how his first thought upon seeing him had to do with how nicely the light from the television hit his face.

Consider your life ruined, Squidward. You're going to have to keep this a secret for the rest of your life. I'm going to be even more miserable than before!

Squidward sighed unhappily and tried to stop thinking, putting his attention on the movie. It'd be over, soon, luckily. Only an hour or so left and then SpongeBob could go home. Squidward did wonder why SpongeBob ended up taking comic books when they were only meant to watch a movie. Maybe he'd been hoping that Squidward would let him stay the night?Squidward grinded his teeth.

--

Toward the end of the movie, SpongeBob had tears in his eyes.

"Why did he have to die?! Why, why, why?!" SpongeBob cried, dramatically clenching his fists while looking up at the ceiling. It was a sad scene, Squidward admitted, but seriously, it was only a movie. And people died all the time, it was only natural.

"SpongeBob, it's only a movie. You don't have to cry about it," Squidward said.

"But it's based on a true story! Waaaah, haa, haaaaa!!" SpongeBob cried, hands on his head.

"You've never even seen the guy, why do you care that he died?!" Squidward asked.

"Just because I've never met him doesn't mean that it doesn't matter that he died, Squidward!" SpongeBob said, tears dripping off his nose. Squidward glared at his forehead as SpongeBob continued to cry.

"Squidward, can I hug you?!" SpongeBob cried in a squeaky voice, turning toward Squidward with shaky outstretched arms. Squidward looked into SpongeBob's wet, light blue eyes, and then glowered.

"No! Hug something else!" he replied, crossing his arms over his chest. He was supposed to surpress these feelings, there was no way he was going to allow SpongeBob to hug him again.

SpongeBob sniffed, looking around the room. He looked down at the pillow he sat on and ripped it out from under him, hugging it close. The fluffy pillow absorbed his tears as he pressed his face into it. A second later, he threw it onto the floor.

"It's not the same! I need a living being!" SpongeBob angrily cried. Squidward sighed, loudly, rolling his eyes.

"Hug yourself!" Squidward said. He then got a small smile on his face as he quietly began to laugh.

"Huh, huh... 'hug yourself'..." he whispered to himself. He chuckled again, admiring his humour. He looked to his left and noticed SpongeBob was hugging himself, tightly. Squidward blinked, wondering how on earth he actually had feelings for this moron. If he even did have feelings for him. Squidward was a bit confused with the whole thing. He'd never actually had feelings for anyone before, these emotions were all so new to him. What did it feel like to have feelings for someone? The feelings he felt were much like the feelings portrayed in romance movies and books. The racing heart, the jealousy, the fact that they can't get him/her off their mind. Squidward shivered, disgusted with himself. He'd never felt so ashamed.

Why do I have to like SPONGEBOB, the most annoying person on the planet?! We're nothing alike, we're not supposed to like eachother! If I'd ever liked someone, it should have been Squilliam! He's pretty much me with a unibrow! I shouldn't like SpongeBob.

I have to stop thinking about this! My plan is to repress these feelings! Thinking about them is only making everything worse! I have to--

Squidward's mind stopped working once he felt something against his side. SpongeBob had leaned against him. His crying stopped but he was sniffling and tears were falling from his eyes, still. Squidward tensed and started to sweat, trying to keep his breathing steady. SpongeBob felt warm and comfortable against his side and it made Squidward's lungs feel much to small. He swallowed and started to shake, his nerves getting the better of him. He pulled on the end of his shirt but didn't dare move the arm and shoulder SpongeBob was leaning against. Squidward cleared his throat, shutting his eyes. Brows lowered, he opened them, trying to remain 'calm' as he spoke.

"Sp-SpongeBob! I, why... What did I tell you about huggin' me?!" he asked, trying to sound irritated. He ended up sounding more frightened than irritated, though, and he inwardly flinched. Luckily SpongeBob was too naive to notice.

"W-well... technically, I'm not actually hugging you..." was SpongeBob's excuse. Squidward took in a deep breath, then let it out, trying to regain his composure. SpongeBob was simply leaning on him, why was it making him so uncomfortable?

Well, for starters, we're watching the end of a romantic movie! And we're alone in my house, AT NIGHT! AND he has FEELINGS for me!! Not to mention the fact that I might have feelings for him, as well, and we're free to do anything we want at the moment!

Don't think like that! That's the worst way to think at a moment like this! All I have to do is tell SpongeBob to push over! It's simple! He'll listen to me, he always does!

"P-push over!" Squidward yelped, shoving SpongeBob over to the other side of the couch. SpongeBob's eyes widened as he did so, he'd started to think Squidward was okay with the touching. On the other side of the couch, SpongeBob cleared his throat against his fist.

"... Sorry," SpongeBob said, folding his hands in his lap. Squidward stared at SpongeBob, his pupils small.

"Well, looks like the movie's over, anyways. Ha, I didn't even notice! Funny, huh?" SpongeBob said, watching the credits. Squidward blinked, looking away from SpongeBob and at the tv. He hadn't noticed the movie was over, either. Relived, Squidward stood up from the couch, stretching. At last, the movie was over! SpongeBob would be gone any minute, now!

"Well, SpongeBob! The movie's over! Looks like it's time for you to lah-eeve!" Squidward said, smiling. SpongeBob gasped, jumping off the couch and onto the floor.

"No! Already?!" SpongeBob yelped, looking up at Squidward with large eyes. Squidward nodded, taking the movie out of the VCR and putting it into the case. He gave the movie to SpongeBob, who took it in his hands, reluctantly.

"Squidward, do I have to leave?! I don't wanna go! I want to stay here! Pleeeeasee let me stay!!" SpongeBob pleaded, falling to his knees and clasping his hands together. Squidward tried to ignore him while he took the pillow and sleeping bag from the couch. He then gasped and turned toward SpongeBob.

"AHA! I knew you took that sleeping bag because you were planning on sleeping over!" Squidward yelled, squinting. SpongeBob frowned and played with his tie.

"I thought I could convince you to let me stay..." SpongeBob said, quietly. Squidward shook his head back and forth, disappointed.

"No way! You're not staying here while I'm asleep!" Squidward said, putting the folded sleeping bag on the floor and then putting the pillow on top. He then walked over to the couch and took the candy box and wrappers off it. He read the cover, it said 'I love you' on it and there were hearts all over. Squidward shivered, remembering that both he and SpongeBob were eating out of this box at the same time.

It's just a coincidence, right? He's not trying to send me a message, is he?

Maybe he's just set everything up like this for the illusion...

"Aw, please, please, please, please, please! You'll get more good luck! And I swear, I won't make a peep! I've even taken some Mermaidman and Barncale Boy comics to amuse myself before I fall asleep so I won't have to turn the tv on!" SpongeBob whined, taking a comic from under the couch and holding it up to Squidward.

Squidward walked into the kitchen, throwing the empty box of candy in the trash. He turned around, looking down at SpongeBob who had followed him. His hands were still clasped together.

"I won't even ask for a glass of water! I'll sleep on the couch and I won't bother you once, I promise!" SpongeBob begged. Squidward sighed, irritated, then put his head in his hand.

"Al... alright! If it'll get you to shut up, you can sleep over! Are you happy now?!" Squidward said, looking off in the other direction with his arms across his chest. SpongeBob gasped, jumped into the air 'whooing', then ran around Squidward five times. Squidward stopped him from running by grabbing onto his head and lifting him off the ground.

"Stop doing that. And clean up the rest of the livingroom! And you'd better be quiet! I'm a very light sleeper!" Squidward said, dropping SpongeBob onto the ground. SpongeBob was shaking with exitement but made sure he didn't burst out laughing. He whispered, "Thanks Squidward...!" and then hugged him. Squidward groaned, he had way too many hugs from his neighbor tonight. The fact that he was enjoying them made it ten times worse.

Squidward quickly pushed SpongeBob away and then swiftly left the kitchen, walking up the stairs, quietly. SpongeBob watched until he was out of sight and then ran back into the livingroom, setting his sleeping bag and pillow up on the couch. He got the cups and popcorn bowl and then quietly walked into the kitchen, putting the dishes into the sink. SpongeBob walked back into the livingroom, stretched, got into his sleeping bag, and then took a Mermaidman and Barnacle boy comic from under the couch. He flipped open to the first page and started reading. Even if he couldn't see Squidward, this was the greatest night of his life. He'd always wanted to sleep over Squidward's house.

I've gotta start somewhere! Maybe one day Squidward will actually let me sleep in his bed with him! We could tell stories and talk about eachother's day and then fall asleep together, all warm and cozy...

SpongeBob sighed, eyes half-lidded as he imagined what he hoped would be the future. His comic book was forgotten.

--

Upstairs, Squidward got into his purple night shirt and placed a pajama hat on his head. He stretched, hearing his back crack, and then reached down to touch his toes. Yawning, he walked into his bathroom and brushed his teeth. Then he came back into his room and pulled the covers down on his bed, getting under the cold blankets. They warmed quickly and he sighed, shutting his eyes.

SpongeBob's in my house, right now. What has happened to my brain? Why am I allowing this? I never would have let him sleep over, before. Although, I didn't have feelings for him, before. At least not any feelings like THIS. I HATE these feelings. I wish I didn't have them... they're so tiring! Stupid SpongeBob... I wish I'd stop thinking about him! No wonder why I'm going insane... thinking about HIM all the time can't be healthy.

Squidward turned over, getting his clarinet off the small drawer beside his bed. He held it close, then yawned again. He was tired, why couldn't he fall asleep? Tucking Clary under the covers, he turned the other way and shut his eyes, trying not to think about SpongeBob. Trying didn't help much, he was thinking about SpongeBob seven seconds later.

Stupid SpongeBob. How can I like him? What part of his personality could I possibly be attracted to?!

I don't know... maybe I like him bcause he's the only person who likes ME. Nobody's ever liked me before, not like that. I was always the loser, the failure! SpongeBob looks at me like I'm greatness, just like he should! Maybe that's why I like him... because he respects me, unlike everyone else in this stupid town.

What's so bad about liking him, anyway? Why do I got to repress it?

Squidward shook his head back and forth. He couldn't think like that, it might result in him actually telling SpongeBob his 'feelings' for him.

He's an absolute MORON! I'm not supposed to like morons, I'm supposed to like clever, decent, classy people! Not childish, idiotic, annoying people!

Oh! I'm thinking about him, again! Will I ever find peace?! I haven't had a good night's sleep in days because of these thoughts! I need to get some peace before I get as insane as that squirrel!

Squidward turned over and grabbed his clarinet.

"Oh, Clary, maybe the sound of your voice will help me fall asleep," Squidward said, bringing the clarinet to his mouth.

--

Downstairs, SpongeBob put his comic book back under the couch and turned over so his face was against the back of the couch. He smiled, shut his eyes, shifted a few times, and then sighed. This was the greatest night of his life. Squidward had even admitted that he liked spending time with him! SpongeBob knew that Squidward did all along.

Aaah... such a warm house. Such a nice couch... Squidward's so great for letting me sleep over. I hope he lets me do it again, sometime. SpongeBob thought. His eyes snapped open once he'd heard music coming from upstairs. Smiling, he realized Squidward was playing his clarinet.

"Nighty night, Squidward..." SpongeBob whispered, looking up at the ceiling.


This chapter was so hard to write. How do I make Squidward realize he likes SpongeBob but keep him in character at the same time? One second he hates him, another he likes him and is in denial, then he hates him again and wonders why he thinks he likes him. He's just very confused. It's a bit like a love/hate relationship. If you ask me, that's what their relationship is like, canon-wise (at least from Squidward's point-of-view).

So, by the end of this chapter, Squidward realizes he likes SpongeBob but he's decided that he's going to suppress the feelings. He's going to try to hide them from SpongeBob AND himself (hiding things from yourself is not that easy, lol).

Did anything in this chapter bother you? Is there anything you liked in particular?