Chapter 5 "Thou Shalt not Bear False Witness"

2 DAYS LATER

Spongebob sighed, settling down into his couch. His own couch.

"It's so good to be back," he said. His voice was recovering nicely, considering he'd nearly been crushed to death, and almost lost it in the hospital.

"Meow," Gary commented.

Spongebob grinned. "That's a great idea, Gary! I'll bet Squidward would love a visit from me! He'll be so happy to know I'm okay!"

He skipped merrily nextdoor. The front door was still missing from the "worm" attack.

"Squidward?" he called, entering the doorway. There was no reply. "Squidward?" he stepped inside completely. "Where are you, Squiddy ol' pal?" Still, no answer. Spongebob decided to let himself in. "Wow, Plankton really got to this place," Spongebob said, observing the damage.

He glanced over at the couch, and noticed a lonely object sitting on the coffee table. It was long, black, tubular, and all dusty.

"Hey look, a rugbeater!" Spongebob said aloud to himself. "Oh, how did Squidward know I needed one of these?" he muttered, taking the object in his hands. "Oh, I'm sure he won't mind if I borrow it! After all, it will only be a few minutes." he smiled and walked outside.

MEANWHILE

Squidward was just drying off from his morning shower, humming along with his radio. He was all joyful, ready for the day!

Oh no, ready. Spongebob was supposed to be coming home from the hospital today. Squidward sighed and looked in the mirror.

"Well, hopefully he'll be too tired to cause any trouble for a couple of days," he said to himself. Once dressed, he walked downstairs.

"Now, to treat Bikini Bottom to a delicacy!" Squidward sat down at his couch.

He reached for his clarinet,

But it wasn't there.

"SPONGEBOB!"

-----

Spongebob picked up his doormat.

"Mister doormat, meet mister rugbeater!" He picked up the rug and gave it a few violent smacks, when the rugbeater broke in half.

"Well, that's odd," Spongebob said. "Wait right hereI'll go get some super glue," and he walked inside his house.

There was a frantic banging at the door barely five seconds after Spongebob was inside.

"Coming!" he sang, whirling around and dashing back to the door. He opened up to see a red-faced Squidward, with steam practically emitting off of him.

"Oh, hey Squidward!" Spongebob said. "I came over, but I couldn't find you. I borrowed your rugbeater, the doormat was kinda dusty, and--"

"You mean this!?" Squidward held up two broken pieces of his clarinet (i.e. the rugbeater). "You broke it in half!" he declared.

Spongebob shrunk back just a little bit. "If that's what you're so worked up about, I was just about to fix--"

"IT'S NOT A RUGBEATER YOU MORON!" Squidward shouted. "It is--was--my clarinet! And you BROKE it!"

"Spongebob, still oblivious to his neighbor's rage, said "Well, I can pay for a new one,"

"This is an antique!" Squidward thundered. "It cost me four thousand dollars! NOT including tax!"

"Well, Squidward, I--"

"Forget it!" He yelled, right before slamming the door in Spongebob's apologetic face.

"I'm sorry," Spongebob whispered.

---

Later that day, Spongebob made his way over to Squidward's house. He knocked next to the door.

Squidward answered almost immediately.

"Squidward, I--"

"Spongebob! How good to see you! Why don't you come in? You look tired. Can I get you anything? How about lemonade?" Wow, Squidward was acting strange.

"Well, actually, Squidward, I just--"

"Great! Lemonade it is then!" he sat Spongebob at the dining room table. "I'm just gonna finish a phone call real quick," he said.

"Oh, I'm sorry, am I interrupting something?"

"No, sit tight, relax!" Squidward replied. "I'll be right back!"

Squidward walked back into the kitchen. Spongebob glanced around the dining room, taking note of the fact that Plankton's machine hadn't done any damage in this room.

Spongebob tried his best not to eavesdrop on Squidward's conversation, but when he heard Patrick's name, he couldn't help but listen.

"Patrick Star? Are you sure?"

Short pause

"Going out with Sandy Cheeks?"

Another pause. Spongebob felt confused, only hearing one side of the conversation.

"And you're sure we're talking about the same Patrick Star and Sandy Cheeks, right?" Squidward's voice sounded wierd. "Of course. Bye!" He hung up the phone, and Spongebob scurried back to the table.

Squidward shortly re-entered the dining room carrying a small tray. On it sat two glasses of lemonade, and a clear pitcher. He seemed to notice the confused look on Spongebob's face.

"Well, I'm glad you came," he said, over-enthusiastically.

Spongebob, who had now forgotten his initial reason for visiting, gave a tense chuckle.

"Uh, yeah. Well, thanks for having me Squidward, I've gotta fly!" He smiled briefly at his neighbor, and then dashed out the front door to his house.

"What was that about Patrick and Sandy? And why had it tripped him out so badly?

--------------------

Exodus 20:16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour

Thanks for reading, I hope you're enjoying! Sorry it's taking so long to upload, I'm finishing each part of the story before I upload it so that you're not left going "AHHH WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!?!?!?" because trust me...I know that feeling!

Once again, feedback of all types is appreciated!