I stared at the blue boy cat in curiosity as he stood in the middle of the living-room, breathing heavily after a full three minutes of angrily chasing Anais. His face was still flushed red from embarrassment, which I couldn't understand why.

When Gumball finally caught his breath, he reiterated at his little sister, "She's not my girlfriend!" Then added dreamily with shimmering eyes, "But she's really pretty…"

I bristled at the adjective used. Pretty?

"W-who is Penny?" I found myself asking aloud again, trying not to sound too desperate.

Wait, why was I becoming so desperate for the answer?

"Oh, she's a peanut with antlers," casually described Darwin. Once he said that, I remembered back at school earlier today there was a girl at the table in the cafeteria where it was all giggly and talkative that looked like how Darwin described her.

I looked down at my pale stomach and felt it churn distastefully, but not from hunger. It was…from something else. Something I couldn't depict and had never felt before.

Gumball's dumb lovey-dovey facial expression turned into a worried one as soon as he glanced at me. "What's wrong, Carrie?" he asked softly, blinking innocently.

I sheepishly averted my eyes at the sudden attention. "N-nothing, Gumball," I muttered. I didn't want him worrying about me too much, and I honestly had no idea what was wrong with me right now.

Gumball looked like he wanted ponder on about it, then he gradually smiled. "Oh, c'mon, Carrie," he snorted, rolling his eyes in an exaggerated manner. "I know you like being miserable, but I know there's something on your mind. What is it?"

My eyes widened a little. Guess he wasn't buying my answer. "Nothing," I replied in the same monotone, trying to hide my face behind my bang. Gumball only shrugged and left it alone.

Darwin hopped from his chair, asking no one in particular, "What should we do now?"

"Hmm…" Gumball began to think, comically rubbing his chin.

An idea quickly popped into my mind. It was totally random, but I didn't want anyone, especially Gumball, to think that I was so somber and ruin the lighthearted mood. "Uh… How about we have a pie eating contest?" I suggested, forcing a thin-lined smile.

Both boys blinked in consideration.

Gumball's dad immediately woke up. "Awesome!" he shouted with enthusiasm at the mention of pie.

"Oh, brother…" exasperated Anais and the mom.

Mr. Watterson had told us there were about thirty freshly baked apple pies in the oven that Mrs. Watterson had baked. I helped bring the pies outside to the picnic table in the backyard. After I set down the third pie on the red and white checkered tablecloth, I saw Gumball struggling to haul in five pies all at once to the designated area.

I instantly flew over to help him, grabbing three pies out of his hands.

Gumball let out a puff of air in relief. "Thanks, Carrie," he exhaled.

I nodded in response and we both carried it together to the blanket. "We make a good team," I commented, trying to sound cheerful but failing, of course.

Gumball appreciated my effort, though, and gave me a fond smile. "I agree," he replied and we gave each other a high-five. The corners of my lips tugged a little.

"There! All finished," Darwin announced after setting down the last pie. He suddenly looked at me. "Wait. Carrie can't eat," he remembered aloud.

"Oh…right." I sighed. My usual misery began to fill up in my spirit. How could I suggest a pie eating contest when I couldn't contribute in it?

"W-wait, Carrie!" Gumball quickly tried fixing the situation. "M-maybe you could be the referee, person-thingy!" he exclaimed generously. Darwin agreed happily, bobbing his head.

I perked up a bit at that, but still sighed, flipping my bang. "…Okay."

The boys were more than pleased with my answer.

I floated over to the side of the table to let everyone get into their places, each having ten pies in front of them. When everyone, including the dad, was situated and ready, I shouted, "On your mark, get set, go!"

The guys started scarfing down the desserts in a split second. I was secretly rooting for Gumball the most overall since he'd been so nice and understanding to me. About five pies in, however, the sweater-clad cat began to cringe, and so did Darwin. After a long moment, the two finally scurried into the house to throw up.

"WOO-HOO! YES!" the dad chanted in victory, face and stomach full of apple pie.

"Mr. Watterson wins!" I quickly announced before flying inside the house to check on my friends. The two had just come out of the bathroom from all the throwing up they did by the time I made it to the hallway.

"You alright, Darwin?" I asked, gently patting his back. He and Gumball were slightly green in the face.

"Yep," he replied hoarsely, slowly nodding.

"Are you okay, Gumball?" I asked, resting my other hand on his shoulder.

Gumball hacked a little. "I'm alright," he assured with a strained smile.

Suddenly, the color in their faces returned as they both burped at the same time just as Anais was walking passed us.

"Ew~! You guys are so gross…" she retorted in disgust.

Gumball and Darwin burst out laughing, and I couldn't help but laugh along with them.

I love how Carrie has such a great friendship with Gumball and Darwin. :D I wish it was like that on the show. Review, please. I love 'em all!

~NickiMinajandRihannaFan