I'm so sorry for the long wait. I really do not like schoolwork. But I finally updated, yay!

Throughout the rest of the evening, Gumball and Darwin just kept goofing off and doing random, unorthodox things while I had laughed at their silliness. It had just felt so good to laugh, I couldn't stop.

Whenever it became my friends and Anais' bedtime, Mrs. Watterson let me borrow one of Anais' nightgowns that was supposedly a gift, but a little too big for the small bunny. It was periwinkle-blue and silky, and it surprisingly fit me just right.

After shyly wishing everyone a good night, I hovered in the middle of the moon-lit bedroom, not knowing what else to do except wait for Gumball. Now that I thought about it, I was still shocked that I was allowed to spend the night tonight on a whim, and that I was allowed to sleep on an actual bed. Either way, I was glad and grateful for the offer, especially since I wasn't going to be sleeping on some newspapers, which I sort of didn't mind, but I think sleeping under covers would feel nicer.

I perked up from my thoughts as Gumball finally entered the room with his pajamas on, which consisted of an old T-shirt and some shorts. He said goodnight to Anais—who slept on the top bunk—and to Darwin—who slept in a fish bowl—before laying down almost at the edge of his bunk.

I blinked twice in mild confusion. "Why are you laying right there?" I asked, my voice sounding soft.

Gumball blinked back at me innocently. "Don't you remember, Carrie? You're sleeping with me." He smiled at me, generously pulling the covers back on the opposite side of the bed.

Oh, right…

Warmth flushed my cheeks. I had almost forgotten that he had offered for me to sleep with him earlier today. I just stared at him nervously. I didn't budge.

Gumball chuckled lowly, a pleasant sound to my ears. "It's okay, I don't bite. And I also don't snore," he added the last part with frivolous pride that would've made me laugh if I wasn't so nervous right now.

I inhaled and exhaled a deep, leisurely breath. Don't be so nervous, he's your friend, I thought determinedly.

A few moments later of composing myself, Gumball waiting considerately and patiently, I reluctantly made my way over to the other side of his bunk and laid down, putting the covers over myself. His bed was pretty comfortable and cozy. A tiny hum escaped me in satisfaction.

Gumball's back was facing me, but I could tell he was smiling. "Goodnight, Carrie," he whispered.

I knew he had already drifted off to sleep a couple of minutes later. I couldn't sleep at all. I had just laid there looking up into space at Anais' bed. For some odd reason, I started feeling homesick, even though my 'home' was an abandoned area by a park. But if I had slept there tonight, I would've been all alone. I liked it here; I liked sleeping with an actual roof over my head and being with my new friends. It was nice, and a little too good to be true. I almost wished it could be like this forever…

My calm heart immediately sped up as I heard the boy fast asleep next to me shift positions onto his side. Instead of having his back to me, he was now completely facing me, features lax from slumber. I stared at him for a moment. The cat seemed so at peace as he breathed steadily.

I couldn't resist. I quietly scooted over closer to him until my head was just an inch away from his chest. I gasped a little, my eyes widening a little in wonder as I could hear Gumball's heartbeat. It was like a sweet song being played. I blushed.

That weird feeling began arising. It was the same feeling I had when Gumball had first hugged me. A warm fuzzy feeling was occurring at how close I was to him right now.

Was it because I was possibly…falling in love with him?! No, it couldn't be. I hated the word and concept of it so much!

Gumball was my friend. Nothing more, nothing less.

I frantically shook my head at the horrid thought before looking up at the said boy again. I briefly wondered what he was dreaming about, since he kept an adored smile on his face as he slept.

Eventually, I began to feel sleepy myself after seeing that it was ten fourteen on the clock on the nightstand. I bravely scooted even closer to him, liking the warmth his body gave off and rested my head against his chest. A tiny smile graced my lips.

The sound of his rhythmic heartbeat prompted me to drift off to sleep.

Thank you all so much for reading and reviewing.

~NickiMinajandRihannaFan

This story was edited on October 10, 2018 – October 13, 2018.