Here's the next one, sorry for the delay! Unfortunately I got sick but I'm all good now.

Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 5

To Close or Not To Close

It had been a whole week and SpongeBob hadn't heard a thing from Phineas. He felt guilty for not visiting him but he was honestly still so alarmed by the man's behavior, he wasn't sure he wanted to see him again. He just felt so awful for putting the new guy into an uncomfortable situation, he hadn't thought about how difficult he may have found it if he had a hard time talking to people.

His friends had put a lot of effort into keeping his mind off of it, Patrick and Sandy had stayed the night a couple times and they had a wonderful dinner at Mr Krabs' place. The next one was due soon! Squidward even chatted to him at work while the others weren't around, mainly because they were both bored.

The heat had continued to climb, there were wildfires starting not too far away and they were spreading rapidly. The smell of smoke would drift over occasionally but the town wasn't too worried, they were safe enough for now. However, the heat drove customers away from the Krusty Krab. They hadn't seen a customer all week, they were now losing money.

Squidward and SpongeBob were lying on the cool floor of the dining room in the Krusty Krab, they had ice packs on their foreheads that had long since melted. They weren't speaking, just lying in silence as they suffered.

"I thought this town couldn't get any worse!" Squidward groaned, his mouth terribly dry. "But I was so wrong… Now it's hell!"

SpongeBob just hummed lazily, not having the energy to speak.

Mr Krabs left his office, he was sweltering as he shuffled over to his two employees.

"You boys doin' ok?" He asked as he fanned himself.

"Pretty sure we're dying." Squidward whined, "I still think we need to just close up shop, nobody's coming!"

At that moment Sandy and Patrick hurried in, their hands were filled with melting ice lollies.

"Quick!" Patrick giggled as he and Sandy handed them out. "They're melting so quickly!"

The five sat on the floor and licked away at their frozen treats, enjoying them immensely.

SpongeBob moaned in delight as he licked the sticky droplets of fruit juice, the ice felt good in his parched mouth. It was the best thing he'd eaten all day!

"I was thinkin' of hosting another dinner tonight?" Mr Krabs suggested, "Thought I could try making a cold pasta salad."

"That sounds so good!" Patrick agreed greedily,

"Was thinking tuna pasta? I'll put it in the fridge to make sure it's cold when we eat it, I also have some ice cream for dessert?" Mr Krabs smirked as everyone nodded enthusiastically.

"Sounds awesome Mr K!" SpongeBob grinned as he sucked the wooden stick his ice lolly had once sat upon, they were finished too quickly for his liking.

Mr Krabs' forehead creased into a thoughtful frown, he tapped at his shoe with his fingers. The others just watched him tiredly.

"Ok… we're closing." He sighed sadly, he forced himself to his feet and waited for the others. "I'll go home and get started… you four enjoy the rest of your day."

"Wait! Closing!?" SpongeBob gasped as he leapt to his feet, the others followed suit. "But what about the lunch rush!?"

"C'mon boyo, we both know there's no lunch rush comin'!" The older man shook his head, "Not until this weather changes anyway."

"Are we closing long term or just today?" Squidward asked curiously, Mr Krabs just shrugged.

"I haven't decided yet, we'll watch the weather update tonight and make a decision about our next steps." He stated dully.

The five left the restaurant and went their separate ways for the day.

SpongeBob sat back in his armchair; Gary was lounging on his cat tree licking his paws delicately. The boy was worried about his boss and his workplace, how long did they have before the lack of income became a big problem?

"I can't believe the Krusty Krab is just… Shut…" He shook his head sadly, glancing over at his cat. "The town needs it, it's the main tourist attraction! Maybe the only tourist attraction!"

Gary sneezed.

"Yeah, you're right… I shouldn't worry about it, things will work themselves out eventually…" He sighed, "I hope."

He took a moment to think about what he wanted to do on his free afternoon. It was too hot to go outside or do any physical activities, honestly he kind of just wanted to lay in a cold bath and do nothing.

He seriously considered that option for a moment when his doorbell rang, he groaned as he pulled himself out of his chair. He opened the door to see Phineas standing before him, head bowed and a solemn expression.

"Can I come in?" He asked quietly, not looking at the boy. SpongeBob hesitated but soon relented when he realised how exhausted and sweaty the man looked, he moved out the way to allow him in.

Squidward watched from his kitchen window as the strange man entered his neighbour's home, he sipped his ice tea with narrowed eyes. He didn't like Phineas and he sure as hell didn't trust him.

Squidward had always been wary of others, he'd always been a loner and too afraid to get close to anyone. He supposed his father was to blame, the old man was colder than ice towards everyone and then he just left one day without even a goodbye or explanation. He had abandoned his wife and his young son without a thought. Squidward could remember how frightened his mother had been and her heartbroken sobs when a letter arrived one morning with divorce papers, he hadn't been sad – just angry and betrayed.

Since that day he hadn't let anyone get too close to him, he didn't want to end up relying on someone who could just drop him at any moment. He understood it wasn't a healthy way to live but it was the safest, he didn't want to be let down again.

Then he started working at the Krusty Krab. He had sworn he wouldn't get close to his boss but then he watched the man go through the death of his wife, watched him panic over how he could take care of his adopted baby daughter all alone. He allowed Eugene's grief to suck him in and he became an extension of the Krabs' family, he was godfather and uncle to Pearl as a result.

He didn't regret it because a few years later a young, ginger ball of energy fell through those glass doors. He had the brightest smile anyone in that town had ever seen, youthful curls bounced as he skipped around spreading joy. He begged for the fry cook position and proved his worth on day one, he was now another beloved member of their strange little family.

SpongeBob had then introduced them to his childhood best friend, Patrick. The lump of a boy had been his neighbour for a year before that and Squidward had never met him, he had always seemed to be the silent type. How wrong he was! That boy could be louder than SpongeBob, he even became a part of their Krusty Krew without even working there. He was just around all the time and he grew to mean a great deal to the two older men. Especially after he tripped Pearl's school bully, making Pearl laugh. Both he and SpongeBob became like big brothers to the young girl, she often confided in them.

Then Sandy moved to town, Patrick and SpongeBob had introduced her as 'the coolest girl on the planet' and, to be fair, she was! She was confident, independent, beyond intelligent and so friendly. They warmed to her very quickly, enjoying her southern drawl and strange metaphors. She was the toughest of them all, she was practically the security guard of the Krusty Krab. She soon became Pearl's role model, the girl saw her as a big sister – always looking out for her and helping her with her homework. She was their newest member, but when she joined them – it felt like they were finally complete.

Now this stranger was threatening that and Squidward did not like it, he knew this man wasn't like them and he was worried he would ruin everything. He couldn't lose his new family. He was especially worried about his fascination with the young fry cook, Squidward could understand why he was drawn to the boy but didn't want to see his neighbour hurt as a result.

He didn't want SpongeBob to end up like him. Untrusting and distant from those around him, unable to tell others that he cared about them without the fear of rejection.

He wouldn't let that happen.

He stayed put, drinking his ice tea – he wondered if he should head over there and check up on the two.

Phineas didn't leave until late afternoon, SpongeBob followed him and waved him goodbye before locking his door. He was dressed nicely for the not-family-but-might-as-well-be dinner, he skipped over towards his neighbours' houses.

Squidward left his home just as Patrick joined SpongeBob outside, the two hugged happily. Squidward greeted them and the three started their sweaty walk to Mr Krabs' house.

"So, what did you guys do today?" SpongeBob asked kindly, trying to keep their minds off the heat.

"Nothing much, just watched TV – too hot to do anything else!" Patrick replied lazily, his shoes scuffing the pavement as they walked.

"Same, just drank ice tea and wished for death." Squidward shrugged, "So the same as every day."

The other two laughed.

"What did you do buddy?" Patrick asked with a yawn.

"Nothing much, just hung out with Gary. He still refuses to take off that jumper, even in this heat!" The boy shook his head in disbelief, "He's so stupid sometimes!"

Squidward raised an eyebrow, he knew it was a lie. Why had the boy chosen not to tell them about Phineas' visit?

He kept quiet though, he'd discuss it later.

They arrived at the Krabs' residence and walked in through the front door, the house was nice and cool. Mr Krabs was sat at the table with Sandy, both sipping lemonade.

"Hello boys!" He greeted jollily, "Hope yer hungry! I over did the pasta!"

He hopped up and hurried into the kitchen to get everything ready.

"It's true, It's the biggest bowl of pasta I have ever seen!" Sandy chuckled lightly, she was wearing a white summer dress – a rare occurrence. "Smells delicious though."

"I'm starving!" Patrick grinned as they all sat at the table, "Can't wait to try it!"

Sandy hurried into the kitchen to give their host a hand, she brought out their lemonade while Mr Krabs brought out the bowl of food and 5 plates. Everyone gasped at the huge bowl.

"Over did it!? This is enough to feed the whole town!" Squidward snarked as he spooned it onto his plate.

"No way, I could eat all of this in one sitting!" Patrick laughed as he waited his turn, "And still have dessert!"

The others chuckled, they knew this was quite possibly true.

The five enjoyed their cold dinner and ice cream, they chatted about everything and anything as they simply enjoyed the good company. It wasn't until after dinner everything got tense.

The five friends gathered around the TV, waiting to find out the fate of the Krusty Krab. They needed to know how long she would have to close for, they needed to know when their next pay check was coming!

They leaned in when the weather forecast came on. It took a moment for the information to sink in, they blinked once. Twice.

They cheered with joy, a thunderstorm was on its way to break the weather! It would arrive late tomorrow and the rain would stick around for a couple days, this meant the temperature would finally begin to cool!

"We'll be closed tomorrow, then it's Sunday and we'll reopen on Monday!" Mr Krabs informed his employees, Patrick and Sandy.

The five celebrated with wine, relaxing together knowing everything would be ok.

"Have you heard anything from that strange lad?" Mr Krabs asked SpongeBob curiously,

"No not really," SpongeBob shrugged not looking anyone in the eye, Squidward frowned and scoffed loudly. Everyone looked at him, SpongeBob looked panicked.

"That's the second lie you've told today." Squidward narrowed his eyes suspiciously, "I saw you two this afternoon, he came over to your house. Why are you lying about him?"

The others gasped and stared at their youngest, SpongeBob grimaced at being caught out. He let out a long sigh as he straightened up.

"Ok fine, he came over and we spent the afternoon together..." He admitted guiltily, "He told me to keep it secret."

"Why? What did you two do?" Sandy asked angrily, gripping her wine glass too hard.

"Nothing! Really, we just talked!" The boy insisted, "He was feeling guilty about the way he behaved so he came over, we talked about what happened and whether or not we could still be friends. He asked me to keep his visit quiet because he was worried what you guys would think."

Everyone was angry with Phineas, he had convinced their friend to lie to them. They all took a moment, not wanting to say anything that would hurt the boy's feelings.

"I think it's worrying that he's getting you to lie to us." Mr Krabs admitted quietly, "That's not good."

"I know, I shouldn't have agreed to it! I never will again, it's just... he was so upset and distressed I just... I didn't want to break his trust!" The boy insisted guiltily, "I'm really sorry."

"It's ok buddy, you thought you were doing the right thing." Patrick soothed, though his white knuckled grip on the seat betrayed his real emotions. "We just think the guy's weird, that's all. You're a pretty good judge of character so if you trust him, then we will try and do the same."

Patrick was wrong and the other three knew it. SpongeBob was a horrible judge of character, he just trusted everyone without a second thought. He thought everyone had a good side and that it just took a little effort to bring it out of them. Honestly, it was a wonder the boy had survived this long with that logic.

"All we ask is you're careful." Mr Krabs warned, "Don't hide stuff from us and don't do anything risky with him."

"Ok. I promise." SpongeBob agreed seriously, the others felt much better. SpongeBob was a good person and loyal friend, he wouldn't break his promise.

They were all so full from dinner and wine that the four ended up staying at Mr Krabs' house for the night, he was more than happy to not be alone. He gave Sandy Pearl's old room, SpongeBob and Patrick shared the spare room and Squidward slept on the sofa bed in the living room. They all slept well that night, together with full bellies and the knowledge that this terrible heatwave wouldn't be around much longer. They could go back to the way things were.

They couldn't have known how wrong they were.

Please leave a review!