The old Krusty Krab is open again! Did you miss her?

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Chapter 11

Monday Blues

The sun didn't seem to rise that Monday morning, the sky stayed dark with heavy rain clouds. The cool water bounced off the streets in a roar of power, it had become background noise at this point. The docks were beginning to flood from too much rain, there were waterfalls pouring into the sea from the rivers passing the warehouses. They rusted and creaked dangerously; they wouldn't last much longer with this weather.

SpongeBob went about his morning as he normally would, he did his usual routine but with an unusual cloud above his head. He had barely slept, his mind racing with guilt and worry. Visions of that awful night and what could have happened haunted the few minutes of shut eye he did get.

He fed Gary, gave him a small pat and headed out the door.

He strolled down the road towards the Krusty Krab, he was happy to be back to work and hoped it would help him feel better. He shuddered and pulled his raincoat tighter, it wasn't doing much against the pounding droplets.

He jumped when a car slowed beside him, he glanced over when it stopped. He frowned, debating on whether or not to run away.

The window lowered slowly, SpongeBob held his breath.

"You really are just asking to get kidnapped huh?" Squidward snapped, the boy finally released his breath. "You'd think after all that's happened you'd be more careful! Why didn't you run?"

"I knew it was you." SpongeBob lied as he continued walking on.

"Get in! I'm sick of seeing you looking like a drowned rat." Squidward demanded, SpongeBob sighed but accepted the ride.

He stayed quiet as Squidward pulled away.

"How are you this morning? How's the wrist?" Squidward asked, not looking at the boy.

"Like you care." The boy mumbled bitterly, Squidward glanced at him in concern.

"I know I don't usually act like this." Squidward began in a defeated tone, "But, c'mon, you know I care about you."

SpongeBob deflated, there was that familiar feeling of guilt again.

"I know, I'm sorry." He nodded sadly, "It's just been a rough couple of days."

"I know…" Squidward stayed silent for a moment, he sighed. "Y'know, it's ok to be upset over all this…"

"It's not. I'm being selfish." SpongeBob answered shortly.

"I don't think so." Squidward replied honestly, "I think I'd be more concerned if you were acting like your usual self, it takes time to recover from stuff like this… And I know we didn't exactly help but you've got to understand that we're just trying to look out for you."

"I know… and I really appreciate it." SpongeBob looked at his friend earnestly.

"You could do with being more selfish." Squidward continued, "You always put others before yourself, that's not always a good thing."

SpongeBob nodded silently.

Squidward parked his car round the side of the building, the two walked in to the familiar workplace and felt a weight lift from their shoulders. SpongeBob even smiled, Squidward glanced at him and smirked in satisfaction.

"Hello boys!" Mr Krabs greeted as he strolled out his office, "How are we this fine Monday?"

"Good!" SpongeBob smiled happily, "Glad to be back!"

"Meh, enjoyed the time off." Squidward shrugged, "Unfortunately I have bills to pay."

The other two laughed before heading to their stations to prepare for the work day.

And a work day it was! Customers flocked to the town's favourite restaurant in celebration of its reopening, the whole day became a lunch rush! The three employees were rushed off their feet, completely unprepared for such a warm welcome back.

It was 5 o'clock when it finally died down. The three were cleaning up in hopes of going home on time, Sandy and Patrick had just walked through the doors after having heard the news.

"Congrats guys!" Sandy cheered, "Everyone's talking about the grand reopening!"

"Yeah! Nearly everyone in town's been in today!" Patrick grinned.

"Yeah, we noticed!" Squidward panted bitterly, "I'm exhausted! We haven't stopped all day."

"It was amazing!" SpongeBob whooped as he came charging out of the kitchen, he threw himself on Sandy and Patrick for a group hug. "It was the best day ever!"

Everyone smiled at the familiar statement.

"We have very different opinions on what makes a good day." Squidward grouched as he put away the cleaning equipment.

"C'mon Squiddy! People were so happy to have us back!" SpongeBob grinned as he hurried over and hugged his tall neighbour, "We made so many people smile!"

"That we did lad!" Mr Krabs agreed with a hearty laugh, "More importantly, we lined me wallet beautifully!"

It was then a black rental van drew up outside, the group were too busy celebrating to notice the individual heading towards them. They jumped and looked round when they heard the doors open.

A man dressed in all black stood before them, the shadow from his hood obscured his face. The group looked at him warily, Mr Krabs strolled towards the stranger.

"Welcome to the Krusty Krab! We have time if you want to order something?" Mr Krabs offered happily.

"Somehow, I don't think I am welcome." Phineas pulled his hood down, his eyes locked on SpongeBob.

"We told you to stay away!" Squidward snapped, stalking forwards to stand with his boss.

The man ignored them, still looking straight at SpongeBob.

"Phineas, I am so sorry about the other night!" SpongeBob began guiltily as he walked towards his friend, he stopped in his tracks when Phin raised his hand to silence him.

"I don't want to hear it." He glowered at the boy, "You couldn't even let me know you were ok? I had to get the Alpha patrol knocking on my door to find out what happened to you?"

"I-I lost my phone…" SpongeBob tried weakly.

"Likely story!" Phineas snapped furiously, SpongeBob flinched at the tone.

"No! Honestly!" He pleaded.

"Just shut up!" Phineas yelled, Patrick and Sandy shuffled closer to SpongeBob. "You're such a little faker, y'know that? You go around pretending to be nice and friendly with everyone but the minute something happens you abandon them! You only care about yourself!"

SpongeBob shook his head, wet wide eyes disbelieving at what he was hearing.

"Well, I learned my lesson." Phineas tutted bitterly. "Got myself a rental van, I'm moving away tomorrow. Hopefully the next town doesn't have an asshole like you living in it!"

With that the man turned and left, SpongeBob blinked as stunned tears fell down his cheeks.

"Phineas!" He called, sprinting after the angry man. "Wait!"

The others tried to stop him but he was too fast, he ran out and grabbed Phineas' arm. The man turned and pushed him away violently, SpongeBob only just managed to stay on his feet. He swiped his soaked hair out of his eyes as the rain poured down on the two.

"I'm really sorry! You don't have to leave! It was all just a stupid mistake!" He insisted desperately. "I really did lose my phone! Honest!"

"Give it a rest!" Phineas snapped but SpongeBob just kept rambling on, the dark-haired man grit his teeth as his patience wore thin.

He growled and leaned forward, clapping a hand over the boy's mouth. He breathed as he enjoyed the sudden silence and the shocked expression on the young face.

"I said I don't want to hear it." He repeated, in a quiet voice. "Just stop. I only came by to let you know I was leaving, to say a quick goodbye. I'll be heading out early tomorrow morning, I'll be gone by the time you wake up. That's it."

SpongeBob's eyes just looked straight into his, Phineas released him and the boy stumbled slightly at the sudden movement.

"So… this is the last time I'll see you?" He asked timidly, Phineas nodded coldly. "I wish I had done things differently."

"I wish you weren't so toxic." Phineas shrugged carelessly, "Goodbye, SpongeBob."

The freckled boy backed away as Phineas climbed back into the front of his van, he simply watched with unbearable guilt as he drove away.

He swallowed as tears burned in his eyes, he had actually drove someone out of town. He had been so terrible and selfish that Bikini Bottom, the best town on earth, lost one of its citizens. He felt sick with himself, how could he do such an awful thing?

Inside the restaurant the other four had watched the whole exchange, nearly ran out when their friend had been grabbed. They simply watched as the boy stood numbly in the rain, staring out into the distance to where the van had disappeared.

"We should get him home and out of the rain." Patrick frowned quietly,

"Can you believe what that asshole said?" Squidward seethed, clenching his fists tightly.

"Never mind that." Mr Krabs sighed, "Did ye see the boy's face when those awful words were spat at him like that?"

"He looked…" Sandy shook her head, "That's what Phineas wanted, he wanted to hurt SpongeBob one last time before he left…"

"Sicko." Squidward growled, his eyes were firmly fixed on his friend's soaking back. He looked so lost and defeated out there, he wouldn't move on his own.

The four friends finished closing the restaurant and took SpongeBob home, he closed the door before they could enter. Each friend went home with mixed feelings; they were glad Phineas was gone and out of their lives, SpongeBob could start healing now. They were also upset, mainly for the friend who had to listen to that verbal assault directed towards him. The man had struck something the boy valued deeply, his ability to be a good and trustworthy friend to all.

Yes, they were better off without Phineas.

Poor Bobby!

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