I am depressed.

Random guy: "Suddenly, pineapples!"

*pineapples surround me*

This does NOT help.

Okay, asdfmovie joke aside, I came up with another quick one shot that references my tough moments in real life.

So, I am a person that has a tough time expressing my feelings and problems. Especially in real life. So, if you're wondering if this is another Aaliyah one shot, it's not. Though I am planning on making one with her and Sonic as they build their friendship.

This one shot is about Redd. Aaliyah does have a tough time standing up for herself, but Redd has a hidden feeling that makes him so sad. :(

I had a depressing night yesterday, and since I don't wanna really talk about my personal issues, I decided to express myself through a fanfic. And what better to do that than with my inksona?

I do warn you. This story is most likely gonna tug at your heartstrings. This story is entirely sad, but it is going to have a happy ending. ;)

That's the message I got. I hope ya enjoy.

"I told you, I don't WANT the pie! I'd rather have anything else!"

"You ARE gonna have the pie, Redd!"

"You're grounded for the rest of the day! You're still gonna have the pie, though."

"I said NO!"

"You're acting so rude, Redd! Your mother's birthday is today, and she's giving you this nice moment!"

"I don't like pie! Why can't we have something else?"

"Redd, please. You need to calm down."

"You know what?! I wish I can never see you two!"

"You don't mean that!"

"Maybe say it again. It may happen."

"You wanna test me?! Fine! I wish I never saw you two again for the rest of my life!"

*sounds of a harsh lightning strike*

"MOM! DAD!"

*scene: Inkopolis Square, 8:00 PM*

These were some of the quotes that Redd has suddenly thought about. Some of them was what he said, and the others were... either his mom or dad. Redd shuts his eyes as he grumbles under his breath, trying to forget the memory.

Right now, Redd was outside the Square, sitting on a chair near the table he usually sits at. Adding onto that, Joel and David were there with him as well. They noticed Redd's unusual behavior, and got curious and concerned.

"Redd?" David called out. Redd opened his eyes again to look at his two best friends.

"Something on your mind?" Joel asked.

"N-No. It's nothing." Redd responded. He slightly looked away as some of the agonizing moments appear in his head again.

"You look uncomfortable, Redd. Clearly, you are thinking about something." Joel pointed out.

"I said I'm FINE. Nothing is bothering me." Redd exclaimed. He was a little angry, but he wasn't intentionally angry at them. It was the anger deriving from the memories in his head.

"Redd..." David said sadly.

"I need to go. I... can't really stay here for long." Redd said abruptly. So he stands up and pushes his chair in, and then leaves without a word.

Joel and David were pretty confused. But they also felt bad to see their friend just leave all of a sudden.

"Redd? Dude?" Joel called out.

"Be one... with the Squid Bits?" David did his pose, hoping that Redd would at least turn around and match the pose with him. But Redd didn't do the pose.

He was already too far away to hear what they were saying. That caused David and Joel to get even more concerned. In all of the moments they've had with Redd, they have never seen him like this.

As Redd was continuing to walk back to his apartment, another Inkling notices him. This Inkling immediately had a concerned look upon passing by him.

*scene: Redd's apartment*

The same Inkling that passed by Redd soon came by the entrance to the red Inkling's apartment. It was Sonic who was coming to visit him.

"Redd?" Sonic called as he knocks on the door. He waited a couple seconds. But there was no response. But Sonic did hear Redd making some sounds, so he knew that Redd was inside.

Sonic tried the door. It was unlocked, surprisingly. Was Redd that upset about something that he didn't have enough time to lock his own door? Something was up. Sonic just had to find out what.

So Sonic went inside the apartment, and closed the door on his way out. This time, Sonic locked the door so no one else comes in, just to save time. He looks around. But no one was here.

Then he heard some sounds coming from Redd's room. So he decides to check out what was going on inside there.

When Sonic opened the door to Redd's room, he was shocked by what he saw. Redd was laying down on his bed, crying. His cap was off, and he had his face on the pillow. He even continuously rubbed his eyes, even though the pillow was enough hiding already.

"Redd?!" Sonic exclaimed.

"Uah... h-how did you even get inside...?" Redd asked as he sat up.

"You left the door unlocked." Sonic pointed out.

"Oh. That figures a lot.." Redd cried. He puts his hands over his eyes, rubbing them continuously to not show any flowing tears.

"Redd? W-Why are you crying?" Sonic asked. Redd didn't respond. He just let out quiet sobs as he tried to keep his mind clear. But Sonic was just sad. That was the only emotion on his mind.

"Are you okay, Redd?" Sonic questioned.

"I'm fine..." Redd sobbed.

"Redd, you're not fine." Sonic said sadly. Redd just continued to cry. Something was bothering the red squid big time. But Sonic did have a feeling why he was that way.

Back when he and Redd first met, Redd was sad about something. Sonic asked Redd why he was so sad, and Redd hesitated a bit before he admitted why he was sad. And that was because his parents died five years ago.

Maybe this is what Redd is thinking about right now. Sonic sat down on the bed, right next to Redd. Sonic put his left hand on Redd's right shoulder, but Redd gently pushed the hand off.

"What's on your mind, Redd?" Sonic asked.

"N-Nothing.." Redd mumbled.

"There has to be something, Redd. You're bothered by something, and it's making me really worried." Sonic said.

"*sigh* I... I'm just thinking about the loss of my parents..." Redd confessed. Sonic just nodded in understanding. Of course, this was what Sonic thought about for why Redd was crying.

And Sonic couldn't blame the red Inkling. Redd lost two people he was super close to, and they passed away so suddenly.

"You miss them, don't you?" Sonic assumed. Redd just nodded as he constantly rubbed his eyes, preventing tears from coming out.

"I'm really sorry for your loss, Redd. I would feel the same way." Sonic said.

"It's easy for you to say. Your parents are still alive." Redd ranted.

"I know. But I've met people who lost someone who lost family members close to them," Sonic explained, "They grieved for their loss a bit, like any other person would. But they had to get over it. And find a way to cope with the loss."

Redd just groaned. He shook his head side to side as he couldn't stop thinking about them. Redd never really met any other family members he could've known. The ones he did know were already gone.

Now all Redd has left in terms of family... is his sister.

"Hey, Redd," Sonic said, "Think about it this way. Think of what your parents may say. They wouldn't want you to be constantly crying over their loss, right? I know it hurts, but you have to stay strong. And plus, you have others who care about you as well in order to help you out."

Redd just stood up.

"No one is going to understand my pain. You, Marie, and Mia are the only ones who know that pain." He sighed.

"I'm sure your other friends would understand if you tell them." Sonic insisted.

"But I don't want to tell them! They're gonna think of me differently!" Redd shouted.

"Why do you say that?" Sonic asked, getting more sad again.

"It's because of that argument I couldn't stop thing about. And because of how angry I was... I had to be a SQUIDIOT and tell them I never wanna see them again!" Redd screamed as he punched a wall.

"R-Redd, c-calm down. You're gonna hurt yourself if you keep this up." Sonic warned in a very concerned tone.

"Why? I deserve this for all the dumb deeds I did," Redd exclaimed as he puts his hands over his face, "I lost my parents so suddenly, and the last thing we did was argue. We argued, and the next thin I know... they're gone. Why couldn't our last moment have a goodbye request, or a hug? Or even for me to just say a simple 'I love you'?"

"Oh, Redd," Sonic cooed, "Your parents still love you with all their heart. They know that you still love them, even after the argument. Even if they are gone. You don't have to take it too personal..."

Redd just kept on quietly sobbing. Sonic could clearly tell that this memory was bothering him so much. He wanted to do anything to help his new friend. Redd is such a nice guy. Seeing him so sad was just unnatural.

So there had to be a way to cheer him up.

"Redd? Are you there?" A male voice called out. Redd immediately recognized the voice.

"Who's there?" Sonic asked.

"Go let them in.." Was what Redd responded with. Sonic nodded, and he walked out of Redd's room, and meets up with the apartment entrance.

Sonic opened the door, and he saw two Inklings. Both of them had light skin, and the same height. And also black shorts. The first Inkling had orange tentacles wrapped in a ponytail, and he wore Tinted Shades, the Rockenburg White as his shirt, and the Smoky Wingtips as his shoes. And the other Inkling wore the Varisty Jacket and Kid Clams, along with slick, cyan tentacles with part of it sticking out.

It was Joel and David.

"Uh... hello." Joel greeted.

"Er, hi?" Sonic said cautiously.

"Is Redd home?" David asked.

"Yes, he is," Sonic replied, "But he's thinking about something, and... he may need some help."

"That's why we came. We're Redd's best friends, and we wanted to check up on how he's doing." Joel explained.

"Oh, you're his friends! I am his friend as well!" Sonic said happily.

"I'm Joel. It's nice to meet you." Joel said as he extends his arm, and opens his hand out. Sonic shakes Joel's hand.

"And I'm David. It's a pleasure, heh!" David chuckled as he also offered a handshake. And with that, Sonic also shakes David's hand soon after.

"My name is Sonic. New to the Square, but one of Redd's great friends." Sonic giggled.

"That's cool, Sonic. Is it okay if we come inside to check up on Redd?" Joel questioned.

"If I can come along too, since he'll need some comfort." Sonic replied.

"Fine by us!" David answered with a slight shrug. So they all walked by, Joel closes the entrance door (locking it as well), and they all eventually entered Redd's room.

Redd was still crying, but he was laying down on his stomach. Joel and David were surprised to see Redd so devastated.

"Redd, what's wrong?" David asked.

"Nothing..." Redd mumbled.

"Uh, no. Something is wrong." Joel said bluntly.

"You can tell them, Redd." Sonic offered.

"You guys aren't gonna understand." Redd cried.

"What? Dude, come on! Of course we'll understand. We're best friends!" Joel said with a slight chuckle.

"We won't take it by heart. Just tell us, and we'll listen intently." David added.

"I'm just... thinking about my parents. They died five years ago..." Redd admitted.

"Aw. Man, that sucks." Joel sighed, feeling bad for him.

"That's terrible! I've had tough moments with my parents as well, but this must really hurt you inside!" David cried. Redd sat up, and slightly looked at his three friends.

"Redd... do you, uh... wanna talk a little bit about it?" Sonic asked.

"No..." Redd mumbled.

"Talking about it will make you feel better." Joel insisted.

"It doesn't work for me." Redd exclaimed.

"But... that's a bad thing, Redd." David said sadly.

"Yeah. If you hide your feelings without telling anyone... it could lead to major depression. Or hurting yourself. Or... or even committing suicide..." Sonic mumbled. Redd just shook his head again as he hides his face with his hands.

The three squids could tell there were plenty of tears Redd had to let out. But clearly, he was trying to hold them in to hide his true feelings.

"I don't like talking about my problems. I've hid my feelings for five years, and I still feel the same." Redd ranted.

"That's not a good idea. Like what Sonic pointed out, it could lead to bad situations." Joel reminded.

"I mean, I know it's bothering you, but still." David cried.

"Redd... I think I know the reason why you don't like talking to people about moments like this." Sonic said.

"*sniff* Why...?" Redd mumbled.

"You're thinking people are gonna judge you for that, aren't you?" Sonic asked. Redd just nodded.

"Even though I constantly hid my feelings, I know how it's gonna turn out," He exclaimed, "People judge everything way too quickly. If I went into full detail, they'll think I'm not really a nice guy. I know it'll happen, since I've seen moments like this plenty of times!"

Joel and David just kept their concerned look. Sonic scooted closer to Redd, listening with every sentence.

"Life is just so stressful. There's lots of things I go through that have to make me so vulnerable." Redd sighed.

"I know, Redd. Like I said, you just have to stay strong. Take time to think about this stuff. But you have to have someone to talk to." Sonic explained.

"Yeah, like us!" David added.

"We'll understand everything you tell us. Redd, you'll have David and I since together, the Squid Bits never back down." Joel said.

"And you'll also have me in case you need help. It's in my soul to be nice to others." Sonic reminded.

"*sigh* Guys... I... I see you care about me that much..." Redd sobbed, quiet crying sounds being heard as he kept talking.

"Is there anything else, that's bothering you, Redd?" Joel asked.

"No." Redd replied.

"But there's gotta be something else." David said sadly.

"I said nothing. That's the only thing." Redd exclaimed as he places his hands on his lap.

"Redd... it's okay to tell us. Friends stick up for each other, remember?" Sonic offered. Redd clenches his fists as a tiny tear streams down his cheek. Redd quickly wiped it away while frantically rubbing his eyes, and then he stood up.

"Fine. I give up." Redd sighed as he walked out of the room, closing the door on his way out. Joel and David kept on calling out Redd's name, beckoning him to come back. But Sonic quickly stopped him.

"Let him be. I know he needs our help, but just leave him by himself just for a little bit." He reminded the other Squid Bits members.

"I understand..." David sighed.

"We'll give him some time to himself. You're right, he may need it." Joel added.

*15 minutes later*

Joel, David and Sonic eventually left Redd's room. But they were still in the living room, waiting for him.

So Sonic knocked on the door a bit. It was safe to come in, as Redd gave the signal.

Redd was changed into his pajamas, sitting down on his bed. Sonic, Joel and David walked in the room.

"You feeling alright?" Sonic asked.

"I'm fine..." Redd responded.

"Sure hope so. You've been through a lot today." Joel reminded.

"We hope you're okay after all that, Redd." David said in a concerned tone.

"I'll be fine.." Redd mumbled.

"Okay. Just stay well, dude. I'm gonna get some rest to prepare for some big Ranked battles. And maybe even some song ideas. But maybe till you get better." Joel explained.

"And I'll refresh on my animation skills tomorrow. Have a good night, Redd!" David added. Then he and Joel leave the apartment as Redd slightly waves.

Redd and Sonic then look at each other.

"As friends, you're always able to talk to me. You can send me a text or give me a call, and I will come to help you." Sonic insisted.

"I know..." Redd mumbled.

"Just stay strong, Redd. If you want to talk about moments like this again, I will come to help." Sonic said.

And then he hugs Redd. Redd didn't return the hug, but he leans his head on Sonic's shoulder and cries a bit more.

"There there. It's okay, Redd. I'm here." Sonic cooed. A few more seconds of that comforting, and then Redd pulls away while constantly rubbing his eyes to get rid of any remaining tears.

"So, Redd. For tomorrow, do tou wanna hang out and do some Turf Wars?" Sonic asked.

"Instead, how about we... we go to Octo Canyon to visit the Squid Sisters?" Redd suggested.

"Sounds fine by me." Sonic responded.

"Same here.." Redd said quietly. And then he shows a small smile, something he hasn't done throughout the entire situation.

The cheering up kinda worked. A tiny bit.

Sonic walked near the door and waves at Redd. Redd waves back as he places the blanket over his body.

Then Sonic soon leaves Redd's apartment. He was sad to know what Redd was going through, but happy he is able to cheer him up just a little bit.

And that's another thing. Sonic learned that Redd has a hidden soft spot when it comes to family. And Sonic may be the only one to know Redd's major problem, and will help him in any way he can.

You learn something new every day. Cuz friends always help out.

Author's Note: Phew. Welp, I got a story that is very sad for once. Did I tug at your heartstrings? Because I felt it inside me as I wrote this.

Anyway guys, I got City of Light to work on. I'll make sure my sadness stays away as I write on and on.

Stay Fresh, dudes, and cya next time. :)