It is a good thing I still haven't forgotten about this story.

Anyways, I am planning to... Break a few walls for the sake of this story but that shouldn't be a problem since, Cartoon Network has broke the 4th wall many times. And that's what I'm going to do, but only for a few minor things, and with some time I had, I managed to work on this chapter, which I hope you'd all like.

P.S: I'm trying out a new style of writing.

-Just a game-

"So, about the party later?"

"Well, we can meet up later, Gumball. Your house, or mine's?"

"Your house of course! I have to make an impression to your dad, remember?"

Darwin wore a frown while putting his books on his locker.

Having to hear the conversation and even the giggles didn't made him feel anywhere near comfortable about the public display of affection.

But as he closed his locker. He met a stupid smile on Gumball's face. The kind of stupid smile he'd make whenever he's overjoyed by something involving Penny, or whenever Penny kisses his cheek.

Darwin never really understood the concept of affection when it comes to that, but now as he face this blue idiot cat -His brother- Darwin folded his arms firmly.

"Go on with her. Enjoy yourselves."

Stating it as sincere as he could muster. Darwin failed to fake a cheering expression. The one that he usually had before Gumball and Penny started dating.

To see Gumball putting his hands in his pockets rather sheepishly, with his face turning down onto the floor. Darwin frowned even more as he let out a small groan.

"I meant it, Gumball. Have fun with Penny."

Darwin stated, almost a little too frustrated. Or perhaps, he already is...

"Look, Darwin. I can ride the bus on the way home with you if you'd like-"

Gumball responded only to be interrupted by Darwin.

"I can walk home, Gumball. I can take care of myself."

Darwin cut him off with the statement, as he was already trying to find his way out of this darned conversation.

"I got all my books on my locker. You ready to play, Darwin?"

Startled a little by Sarah's voice. Darwin immediately spun around to see Sarah walking up to him and Gumball. With Gumball raising a brow.

"Play? Oh! You guys are playing Doge or Dare!?"

Darwin smacked his forehead by the time Gumball finished. But he was in no mood to continue talking to Gumball further -In which, he turned to Sarah to see how she would respond.

"Darwin and I are hanging out actually. We're going to the arcade."

Darwin's eye brows furrowed. But to see Sarah squinting an eye in him, he said nothing and only remained in his spot.

"Oh, man. Wish I could join you but... I got invited to a party at Tobias' house. I'm actually going with Penny- But hey, you two can come along if you guys like!"

Although Darwin wasn't saying anything to this. He decided passively let Sarah do the talking as he noticed her simply giving a chuckle before giving a response.

"Nah, it's fine, Gumball. Darwin and I actually got a scheduled time for today after school."

Darwin was slightly surprised, but didn't said anything. Although he knew it was pretty much a lie itself, but to see Sarah smiling sincerely at him. His only response was a slight shrug that Gumball didn't even noticed.

Seeing Gumball turning his attention on him. Darwin didn't said anything.

"Well... I guess I'll see you later then, Darwin?"

Darwin just shrugged shortly before turning his head to Sarah, and giving a nod.

"Let's go."

It was very rude of him to turn his back on Gumball like he just did now. But Darwin's jealousy got over him for the worse, as he kept a fast pace while waking with away with Sarah hurrying to catch up to him.

"That was kinda rude. But I can't say I blame you..."

Hearing Sarah's hushed tone as she walked next to him. Darwin frowned. But somehow, he felt relived to have finally escaped that conversation with Gumball. He knew that the jealousy in him wasn't going well, and neither it was going away either.

But as they reached outside and onto the field. Darwin turned to Sarah.

"Thanks... For bailing me out...

Darwin quietly said, almost sounding a little too hesitant. -But still managed to give an assuring smile.

"Oh, don't mention it, Darwin. Anyway, let's start?"

To see a smile from Sarah as she placed a soccer ball on the grassy field. Darwin glanced around, and there over to his far right, he noticed the senior jocks in football uniforms. Darwin had that distaste in football, hence, even remembering he once tried the sport with Gumball before trying out karate...

"Ahem... Darwin? Earth to Darwin?"

To hear Sarah's voice in between soft giggles. Darwin immediately focused his attention back on Sarah who wore a grin on her face.

"Oh! Oh- Uh... Yeah. Right... Let's start."

Darwin stuttered shorty but to see no goals, he eyed Sarah before gesturing around the field which surprisingly, Sarah got what he was meaning.

"Oh, right... We don't have a goal... But that's okay, we can still dribble the ball and..."

It was immediately cut on the sentence as Sarah immediately dashed past Darwin, while dribbling the ball.

"Hey!"

Darwin immediately ran after her to take the ball.

"Haha! Did I got you on that one, Darwin?"

In between laughs and the sound of the ball being kicked, Darwin frowned shortly. But then a small mental chuckle came into his mind in amusement.

"Oh, so that's how you'll play this, huh?"

Darwin quickly asked. Although Sarah was too fast, he managed to corner her.

"You think you can steal the ball, Darwin?"

Sarah challenged with a smirk. But to Darwin who shortly raised a brow. He suddenly grinned.

Readying his left foot kick, Darwin expected Sarah to immediately react by kicking the ball back to her right, in which she did -Only for Darwin to bait her by kicking his left foot, and stealing the ball.

"Hey!"

Darwin immediately dribbled the ball away, with Sarah now in pursuit of him.

"Come on, Sarah! Come get the Ball-!"

Darwin taunted with a grin only to bump into a solid figure on what appeared to be a shark.

"Hey, watch where you're going!"

Darwin immediately realized he had bumped into the football team's captain. And to gain attention from the others, which where all consisted of sharks. Darwin Skelly raised his hands on a calming manner.

"Sorry about that. I didn't noticed you-"

"You didn't noticed me? You didn't noticed me!? You little punk!"

"Hey! We were just playing a game of soccer, let us be!"

Darwin immediately turned his head over to Sarah who snapped at the senior before stepping in between.

"Oh, look guys! A geek, defending her friend here, girl! Don't tell me you're the knight and shining armor of this little fish-"

"Hey, I already said sorry, you jerk!"

Although the other seniors were just snickering on the background at the little scene, Darwin immediately moved in front of Sarah with a glare.

"Darwin, c'mon. It's not worth it."

Darwin raised a brow before turning to Sarah. But hearing the football captain snorting before shooting them a smug look. Darwin bitterly frowned, seeing that Sarah had a point that it was not worth it.

"Okay... Let's go, Sarah..."

"Yeah, go on little fish. Go play with your geek friend somewhere else."

Darwin was about to snap in reply, only to be interrupted by the time he was pulled away by Sarah.

Although he wanted to argue further, Darwin only allows himself being dragged away by Sarah in the way back inside the school building.

"You can stop dragging me now..."

Darwin muttered in protest, and to see Sarah turning to him, he only sighed quietly before speaking up to her.

"Look, he was insulting me. Insulting you. Are you just going to let him-"

"Darwin."

Darwin was interrupted immediately. Surprisingly, Sarah sounded firm before finding her arms.

"It wasn't worth the argument."

Darwin frowned at that.

"But you just said like they'll stop you from playing soccer, and we've only just stared and now what? We're the ones walking away?"

Darwin earned a frown from Sarah by the time he finished his statement.

"I did. But the last thing I need is you getting into trouble. I mean, did you really thought about it for a second? We could've just use words, but you looked like you were going to roundhouse the senior in the face..."

"Hey, I already said sorry to that stupid jock captain but he's the one that started it. He was insulting both of us."

Darwin folded he is arms firmly in defense, but to see Sarah sighing, and looking a little irritated. He didn't said anything further.

"Well, there goes our game... But I have an idea."

Sarah simply stared. But with Darwin raising a brow, he waited for her to continue.

"Do you wanna go out and head to the Arcade with me instead?"

She was asking him out to the Arcade. But Sarah's tone sounded simple, almost as if she didn't meant anything. -Indeed she didn't, as her face only showed pure disappointment while looking at the soccer ball on her hands.

Darwin didn't thought about it for a moment. He didn't have anything else to do other than a little homework from Miss Simian. Which he knew he could easily finish at home, unlike Gumball.

"I don't mind. I mean why not?"

Darwin simply replied with a slight shrug. This bought a small grin to Sarah's face before she responded.

"All right then! To the Arcade downtown we go!"

"Wait, Sarah. Wait... Can we go to the Arcade at the Mall instead? There's food courts there. Just I didn't case..."

Darwin immediately interrupted. And to see Sarah chuckling softly, he felt a little uncomfortable at what he said, and somewhat embarrassed.

"Well if that's the case... Sure!"

Sarah replied with a teasing grin. Darwin however, tried to hold back rolling his eyes.

"Ugh... Can we just go? Everyone's having a good time these days, I just wanna have so e good time, too..."

"Darwin, you can always have a good time. I mean, sure Gumball may be a little busy with Penny, but I'm sure he'll have time to-"

"Can we... Not talk about Gumball for now, Sarah? I... Just don't wanna talk about him. Or hearing about Penny... "

Darwin quietly interrupted. Almost sounding a little too harsh, but remained with a calm expression.

"Oh... Sorry..."

"Forget it, Sarah. C'mon. Let's just go."

It wasn't common for him to wander around with others. But he had just got to keep his mind off his problem at some point so there was nothing wrong perhaps to spend time with another, let alone, Sarah...

On the sky to the Mall was rather a but awkward for Darwin. But noticing Sarah's gaze. He expected her usual demeanor on being a creepy fangirl. -Only when he didn't saw that Sarah. This was a complete different ice cream girl that he ended up hanging out with.

But beggars can't be choosers on who's who to pick. Perhaps, Darwin can learn a lesson, or two, that loneliness works on different ways. He hated to admit that he was under lonely and jealous, but knowing how his jealousy was just making him worse bit by bit.

Darwin had to stick along with this certain ice cream girl that Gumball dislikes for being a fangirl...

The Mall was white less occupied upon entry despite being afternoon. A saturday night would suffice it for the sake of weekend offs.

Finding himself staring down at the fountain at the center of the ground floor while standing on the escalator. Darwin heard Sarah chuckling.

"Wanna toss a coin?"

She asked in between chuckles. Darwin however, rolled his eyes before turning his head to Sarah and responding.

"From here? Don't be ridiculous, Sarah."

To see Sarah laughing shortly. Darwin rolled his eyes again, but noticed Sarah taking out a coin. He raised an eye brow but before he could even asked, Sarah already tossed -Rather threw- the coin down onto the ground floor.

And surprisingly enough. The coin made a small splash on the fountain.

"You're crazy. You know that?"

Darwin commented before shaking his head from the embarrassment he felt by the time other people on the escalator looked at him and Sarah.

"I know."

Sarah responded simply. Darwin raised a brow once again, and to see Sarah smirking. He facepalmed.

"You seem proud of it, but okay -That's none of my business..."

Darwin simply stated as he slowly, and sounding a little tiredly.

Sarah however, only chuckled before giving a teasing grin. But Darwin rolled his eyes before folding his arms. -And as they reached the second floor, Darwin's attention landed on the food court, to which he felt his stomach grumble a little.

"C'mon, Darwin!"

Sarah's enthusiastic voice came to interruption as she ran towards the arcade section. Darwin almost smacked his forehead but followed either way.

Looking along the rows of on the arcade section, Darwin noticed Sarah, who has immediately bought tokens from the counter. -To his surprise, he did not expect her to buy a small bag of tokens... But by the time Sarah approached him, he decided to speak.

"Are we really going to play with that amount of tokens? I mean, there's quite a lot of people occupying most of the-"

Darwin was immediately interrupted when Sarah shaking her head in dismissal, before proceeding in towing him around the rows of arcade booths onto the other. Clearly dragging him by the arm.

"Sarah..!"

Darwin protested at first. It was kind of a little embarrassing at first when people took glances of them, with an eye brow raised. Darwin fought the urge of his face burning red by the time he was dragged onto the other side of the first row of arcade booths.

Although Sarah let go of his arm, Darwin in the other grumbled a little before rubbing his arm from her gripping.

"You know you could've just said we can move there to the other side of the booths, instead of dragging me..."

Sarah gave a surprised look at first, but after noticing other people glancing at their way, and quietly chuckling, she sheepishly blushed, she apologized right away.

"Oh... Sorry..."

Shaking his head shortly, he decided to forget it but gesturing at the vacant booths of arcade games, he asked.

"So, which one are we going to play?"

Darwin asked, and turning his head at the row of game booths unoccupied, he noticed Sarah pondering for a moment before pointing at a red and black booth that had two separate screens and controls on each side.

"Tekken?"

Darwin read the name of the arcade game before finally giving a slight shrug and taking a seat with Sarah.

"Okay, so let's make a rule."

Sarah then said with a grin on her face, and to Darwin's curiosity he just allowed her to continue.

"We'll have three wins in this game, but whoever gets the three wins first -The loser is paying for lunch. Deal?"

Sarah added with her grin still wore on. Although Darwin just found it a little lame, but still nodded either way. -He did after all enjoyed playing arcade fighting games with Gumball. But this was not about Gumball...

"Yeah. Sure, all right then let's get to it."

Darwin responded casually before he was gladly handed about ten tokens. To his surprise, he was about to speak only for Sarah to simply interrupt.

"It's fine, Darwin. I bought us a total of twenty AI we get ten tokens each."

Sarah said with a smile as she inserted her first token in the slot.

Darwin figured why not and have the fun as well, so he decided to insert the token in the slot to start a game on his side of the twin booth. -After all... He did sure could use some company...

The game had quite a section of characters. Though, Darwin was unfamiliar to each, but selecting one that fitted his interest, he ended up choosing a male wrestler with a cheetah mask named 'King'.

"You got your avatar, Sarah?"

Darwin asked, though he didn't turned to her side of the booth as he felt wanting to see his random opponent, he got a response.

"Yep. Let's start!"

Sarah responded with enthusiasm as her pick was a female avatar names Kunimitsu.

Although he expected the loading to be a bit long. Darwin also looked into taking to Sarah about the interrupted game they had of soccer, only for their game to start up immediately with a 'Round 1' on the screen and their choosen avatars in the background.

"Oh! I can't wait!"

Sarah squealed and giggled as the screen immediately showed 'Fight' -Darwin immediately focused his attention on his screen and just in time as Sarah made her first move to attack.

Though he was growing shortly, Darwin was not pleased but to noticed Sarah's confident grin. He mentally noted to himself that it is the only time he's ever seen her that confident. Although he always noticed before that she's a shy, 'Keep to herself' avid fanfiction writer but could he ever not help it if he noticed her this way?

Perhaps... He found it amusing that Sarah does know how to fit in after all. But it wasn't like he's complaining of her usual behavior before. -But much ratherly, he found himself strangely smiling softly as he kept glancing at her play without being aware of his glances.

"You lose!"

Darwin's attention turned to his screen to see his avatar knocked on the ground.

"Hah! I won the first round!"

Hearing Sarah's snappy remark at her victory sensor had him jumping, and even earning some glances from others. Darwin felt a little embarrassed, but kept on and responded.

"Well, there's still round 2. Don't get cocky just yet."

He responded in remark, but a smug look was on his face. He was just distracted which is why he lost. Obviously.

"Hmph. Then game on!"

Sarah's enthusiastic voice came in once again, and her grin widening. Darwin was feeling a little embarrassed at this point with the glanced and attention from other people turning onto them than their own game booths. -But he wasn't going to take the losing either as he only grinned while slowly shaking his head and the screen shows 'Round 2' bride the 'Fight' immediately replaces it.

It didn't took long, but with the fame only having 2 rounds -They eventually made quick fights and ended up using all of their tokens. Darwin ended up winning with 6 wins an 4 loses, with Sarah having 5 wins and 4 loses.

"Aww..."

Sarah whined shortly, but somehow chuckled before turning to him.

"I guess it's my treat then."

And that is where darwin stopped her.

"No, no. Let me pay for the lunch. You've always paid for the tokens, so let me make it fair."

Darwin said, almost a little softly -To which Sarah stars at him in surprise before opening her mouth, and about to reason but he didn't allowed her to and instead, turned his attention away from the fame booth and jerked his head back outside the arcade section.

"Well... If you say so I guess..?"

Sarah responded, almost a little not sure of her response either. But either way, just smiled casually before walking with him outside and onto the food court.

"So, what would you like?"

Darwin asked. His eyes scanning around the various food chains.

"Pizza sounds nice. A delicious, lovely slice of pepperoni, mmm..."

Sarah responded, sounding a little childishly even for her slightly sweet tone that made Darwin halfway rolled his eyes at her own reponse. -Yet, he mentally frowned finding himself struggling not to chuckle at the childish attitude...

Skipping the row of tables and leaving Sarah to find a table for them, Darwin immediately went for the counter to order a box of pepperoni pizza. Although he never really spend his allowances that much like Gumball, he ended up saving, and even enough to buy one of those smartphone devices that were recently becoming a trend for more than just a pocket telephone. He figured buying one of those android phones sometimes, only to hear dismissing comments from his brother who prefer more of their usual routine of stupidity over trying out the new things.

Skipping the thoughts in his mind, Darwin immediately focused his attention the cashier, who was the all-around employee of Elmore, Larry.

"And what about for your drink, Darwin?"

Asked Larry. Darwin took a moment in looking at the drink menu and chose orange soda. But immediately turning his attention back to find Sarah already seated a bit far from the counter, he had to ask a little louder.

"Sarah, what drink would you like?"

That wasn't a good move, as people immediately glanced his way, almost startled at his loud tone. But Darwin was relieved the others minded back to their own businesses. -People really must he thinking something if they keep glancing like this, Darwin thought.

"Oh! I'd like diet soda please!"

Perhaps this was an unexpected day to have people glancing once again before minding their businesses as Darwin felt a little awkward after Sarah's response before turning back to Larry who was patiently enough, waiting for him.

"Orange and diet soda please."

Darwin said, almost a little awkwardly. But to his surprise, he noticed Larry chucking quietly before nodding.

"One box of pepperoni pizza, one orange and one diet soda, got it. -Is this your first time, Darwin?"

Larry couldn't help but just ask. Rather in curiosity as he only smiled. Darwin was confused about what he meant at first, until... -He blushed and immediately began shaking his head.

"Uh, no! No, no... We were just hanging out..."

Darwin immediately said in defense.

"Ah... Well, I won't judge. But really though... I could've sworn I thought you two were-"

"Um, can I just have my order please?"

Darwin just had to immediately end the conversation with a flustered looking face as he paid for the order. And to Larry's surprise at his response, the all-around employee just smiled softly before getting his order right away.

Taking less than a minute, Darwin immediately brought the box if pizza on a tray with the cups of drinks.

"Oh, that was fast!"

Sarah said excitedly by the time Darwin placed the tray down on the table, and opened the pizza box for a freshly made pepperoni in six slices.

"Yeah? Well, I felt like its been almost forever..."

Darwin responded, while muttering the last part under his breath. Unfortunately though, Sarah still heard him as she raised an eyebrow.

"Hmm... Just pay no attention. It's fine."

Sarah simply said with a shrug, almost rather casually as if it was nothing while taking a bite of her slice of pepperoni.

To Darwin, this was just a little company. Why else would people even think of something like that in particular? Darwin was in silence shortly as he watched Sarah enjoying her slice of pizza while sipping on her diet soda.

"Does this really look like we're dating?"

Darwin accidentally asked as he finally got the motivation to pick his slice of pizza and his cup of orange soda.

"DARWIN!"

Sarah exclaimed. Or rather, yelped out a little loud with her face turning bright red. Darwin immediately raised his hands in defense despite holding a cup of soda and a slice of pizza.

"I'm just wondering..."

Silence came in... -But fortunately for him, and for Sarah, they both ended up laughing awkwardly while shaking their heads like a silly pair that they are now before proceeding to enjoy lunch.

But could Darwin ever blame himself for noticing small part of Sarah's cheek had some melted cheese topping in it.

"You uh... Got something on your cheek..."

Darwin slowly began.

"Oh... Here?"

Sarah wiped her right cheek, to which Darwin shook his head ,but instead, grabbed a small napkin and wiped the topping on her left cheek. Darwin couldn't help but snicker for some reason...

"Heh. Don't flatter yourself."

Darwin simply commented, only for Sarah in return, rolling her eyes.

"Hmph... In your dreams..."

Sarah responded, but didn't held back an obvious audible giggle as he wiped her cheek done with a napkin.

Whoops. Darwin never wanted to expect that...

Yeah, it's gonna be a long wait again for an update...