Anais grinned and walked over to the brothers to put her plan into motion.
"Hey, we're gonna play a board game together, you gonna come join?"
"Yeah, alright, seems like fun."Gumball replied.
"You know what would make it even more fun?"
"What?" He asked
"How about me and you make a little bet,spice it up a bit."
"Oh?" His ears pricked up interested."What were you thinking of?"
"Hmmm. If you win the game I'll do half of your chores for you whilst you're on your trip, but, ifI win, you have stay behind and watch Daisy the Donkey with me every day instead."
"What!? No way! You know how much I'm looking forward to that trip, why would you even suggest something like that?"
"What's wrong? Is wittle Gummy scared he's gonna lose to his wittle sister?" She said in a mocking voice.
"Yes, I am, and I'm not afraid to admit that. There is no way I'm risking missing that trip, especially not on something as stupid as a bet, so sorry, but no, I'm gonna do the smart thing for once and just walk away."
They began to walk over to the table.
"Sure, go ahead. Just don't be surprised if Mom somehow happens to find out that it was you who broke her china vase the other day."
He froze and turned around."What?"
"Well, if you don't agree to this bet, there's a chance I might, I don't know, slip up and accidently tell her it was you.Who knows, it's up to you find out I guess." She shrugged.
He gasped."You're...you're blackmailing me!?"
"Technically no, I said I might tell her. Who's to say if I will or not. If you wanna risk it then sure, go ahead and walk away."
He paused thinking then crossed his arms."I don't believe you. You wouldn't do something like that to me. I know you wouldn't."
"Wouldn't I? Are you sure about that? Are you sure you wanna risk it?"She grinned.
"I...yes...no...I don't know!"
"That's what I thought."
"Come on, can't we just drop this? I just wanna play the game and have some fun!"
"Oh, of course we can..."
"Really?Thank y-"
"...as long as you're okay getting in trouble with Mom."
"Anais, just drop this. Can you tell he doesn't wanna do this?" Darwin asked stepping in.
"Yeah, I know he doesn't, butI do."
"Can't you at least change the punishment to something else? Please? Anything else, just not the trip, please."
"Hmmm, that sounds like a no to me. I can already feel myself about to shout for Mom..."
He began to tear up. "Please!"
She cleared her throat. "Last chance.."
He let out a whimper, unsure to do.
She took a deep breath and was about to call.
"OKAY, okay, fine...I...I agree..." He said defeated, his ears lowering.
"Was that really so hard?"
"Are you happy now?"He said annoyed.
"Shake on it."
"What?"
"Shake on it, make it official."
"Do I really have to-"
"Yes, you do."
He sighed and slowly lifted his arm, which was now shaking.
She held his paw in her own and shook it.
She grinned."This oughta be fun."
She walked away leaving the two brothers alone.
"Dude, what is wrong with her!? Why would she make me to agree to a bet like that?"
"I'm not sure. I wish I knew, really I do."
He'd slowly look down sniffing. "I have to win this game now...I have to. I can't afford to lose, I-I-If I lose this game, I'll have to...I-I'll miss the trip. I'll have to...have to stay behind...I...I...I don't wanna miss this trip."
He begun to cry.
"Hey, hey, buddy, it'll be alright, I'm sure." Darwin said giving him a hug.
"But...but what if I lose?" He looked up.
"I'll talk to Anais. Make her change her mind. There's no way I'm letting you miss that trip."
"You...you mean that?"He smiled weakly.
"I promise, I'll do everything I can to convince her, and if I really can't change her mind, if she really makes you stay behind, then I'll stay with you."
"What!? I can't make you miss out because of me! You have to go!"
"No, It wouldn't be the same without you. Besides, I wouldn't be able to go even if I wanted to. I'd feel way too guilty to go without you. I wouldn't be able to go through with it. Even if I did I'd feel too guilty to actually do anything. So either we both go, or neither of us do."
Gumball sniffed. "Dude...what did I do to end up with a friend like you?"
"I've no idea, but you're stuck with me, whether you like or not." He'd smile.
Gumball would break into a smile and chuckle."I guess I'll just have to make do with you then."
They'd both start laughing.
They finish and Gumball would sigh."Thanks dude, I dunno what I'd do without you..."
"You're welcome."
They'd hug.
They release the hug and Darwin would wipe Gumball's tears away. "Come on then, let's go get this game over with."
Gumball would nod.
They walked over and sat down at the table. Anais saw him and grinned. "Ready to lose?"
Gumball gulped.
Well, here goes nothing...