So sorry for the long wait guys! Now that summer is here, I'll be able to keep up with my stories a lot better! I ask for your patience and I can't wait to write more Slugterra fanfiction for all of you! I hope you enjoy this next chapter!

I rub my eyes and stretch my arms with a loud yawn. It's still mostly dark outside my window. I reach for my phone off of my nightstand. The bright light stings my eyes for a moment when I turn it on. '5:38. Great. Now I'll never get back to sleep. Hopefully Banter got more rest than I did.'

My eyes then stray to the little bed I made up for the little slug. Just as I'd seen him last night, there he lay, snuggled up under the washrag I had given to him as a blanket, snoring away in his sleep.

I'll bet he needed it more than I did. If I'd left him at Eli's house, he would probably have been terrified to even think about sleeping for fear that that rat would come back to get him.

If I'd left him at Eli's house, he would probably have been terrified to even think about sleeping with that rat hunting him. I wonder why I hadn't seen him the all the past times I went to Eli's house. If he'd been there since Eli moved, he sure did a good job of keeping out of sight while I was there. I wonder how much sleep he actually got, being all alone with rodents prowling around everywhere. 'I know all too well what that feels like. To be alone with no one to really turn to. It's a feeling that's so devastating that it almost drives you mad.' I know I have my parents, but I barely ever see them because they are always so busy at the lab. Most of the time they sleep at the lab on cots instead of their bed at home. It's often empty, except on some nights when I sleep in it.

Call me creepy, but though his house is so quiet now and no longer buzzing with energy, his mom making afterschool chips and guac for us while we did homework, or catching a flick of "Mall of the Lurching Dead," I find a comfort in remembering that there was one person who really accepted me for me. And no could ever hold the same place in my heart as him.

I wonder where he is now. I've been wondering for three months now, but I can't help it. Wherever he went, he didn't feel that need or just couldn't bear to tell me that I would never see him again. It feels like torture that he didn't tell me he was going to another school. Even worse was the fact he didn't leave me with some other means of contacting him. His phone number no longer works and he didn't take his computer from his old house. It's almost like he didn't want anyone to know where he was...even me.

I know I'm kidding myself, but I keep wishing that I could see him waiting for me at the oak tree outside the school entrance, just like he always did.

Flashback

"Hey!"

I felt so giddy, already knowing that he would be here waiting for me. "Hey."

"How's it going?"

I shrugged and shifted my binders around more comfortably in my arms. "Oh, you know? Homework, writing, more writing and homework. What about you?"

"You know me. I hope I'm not the only one that wants to skip Algebra 2."

"Doubtful." We walk together past the elegant fountain near the main entrance and the cliques hanging out on in the courtyard. Even when people stared at the two of us walking together, I didn't feel awkward with so many eyes watching me. I guess mostly because I wasn't the only one being stared at.

"Has...Lindsey been bothering you lately?"

"Don't worry about her. I can handle it."I know he's just being concerned, but I need to learn to stand on my own two feet.

"I wasn't saying that you couldn't. Just know that if she does anything, don't hesitate to ask for my help. You know that you don't need to do everything yourself."

He does have a point. It's no good arguing with him anyway. "Yeah. If something comes up, you'll be the first to know."

"Good. Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. I'm sorry, but I have soccer practice this afternoon. So I may be a little later for homework than usual."

"It's no problem. Besides, my parents are working late in the evening again."

He hold the door open for me and I start to wish we had all the same classes together. Our first periods are both on opposite sides of the building and I already feel lonely knowing that I have only less than a minute to spend with him before school.

I can't contain the shiver as his hand brushes against mine gently. His fingers intertwine with mine and gives my hand a reassuring squeeze. Sometimes I can't help but feel like he can read my mind. "Good luck in First Period. Stay out of trouble, Spitfire."

I crack a smile at him and a small laugh. "That goes for you too Eli. Try not to show off too much."

He laughs as he heads in the opposite direction as me. "What? Come on. When have I ever done otherwise?"

The loneliness I feel without him keeps eating away at me. I dread him, hate him for not telling me. Yes, I hate him but I miss him even more.

Yet, Banter was the first thing on my mind when I woke up. It feels...better to know that I'm not here all by myself.

I smile. 'Banter'll probably be starving by the time he wakes up.' I get up and turn on the kitchen light. A note that says "Gone to Lab Early. See you when we get home, Chickadee. Love you" written on it, stuck to the front of the refrigerator under my favorite magnet. It's a picture of me and my parents at the L.A. zoo when I was five.

I convinced myself I got used to moving around every three months when I was about that age. I loved seeing new places, making new friends; but I'd always have to act as if every moment I spent with them, or viewing new sights was the last. And truly it was the last, because we never went back to those places. Ever. Whatever it is they are looking for, they can never find it. We are still on the same wild goose chase they started since I was just three years old.

I grab a pudding cup out of the fridge and a spoon out of the drawer. I'm not that hungry for breakfast.

A loud thud came from my room!

"Banter!"

I open the door. My book bag, which was sitting on the edge before when I was doing homework, was now lying flat on the floor. The little slug jumping on my bed and spinning in the air, chirping happily with his wings stretched out like a little bird and making the pillows jump every time his tiny feet touched the mattress.

I can't help but smile. I'm glad he feels happy. "He's probably pretending to fly. Since his wing is hurt, he's doing what he can to feel the freedom of flying; That will be something I'd love to see when his wing mends."

"Having fun Banter?"

He stops in mid-air and looks my way. He leaps off onto railing on the edge of my bed and then lands gracefully on my shoulder. He chatters and rubs his head against my neck.

I still can't get over how cute he is! I giggle. "I'll take that as a yes. I hope you slept well. How bout' some breakfast?"

In three minutes, I found myself sitting at the island munching on a piece of toast with my cup of pudding and a strange little slug sitting a foot in front of me chomping away at a delicious red apple. He fluttered his good wing as he finished it in just a few short minutes. He sure eats a lot more than expected.

"Good, huh?"

He looked up and nodded at me with his mouth full of apple.

"Well, I hope you don't eat too much because we don't have a lot left."

Right then, a horrible realization hit me! It never occurred to me about what I would do with Banter when I went to school today! "Now that he's gotten attached to me, he'll not want to be anywhere without me. I'm not sure how he'll act if I leave him alone. There's no telling what he'll do. I don't even know what the heck he is! But if I bring him to school with me, if someone sees him, they'll want poke and prod at him and he'll be the new face of every social media in existence. However, he could tear the house apart! I can't leave him alone."

"Great. Just great," I groaned. Banter hopped across the counter. I flinched as he perched on top of my arm and looked up at me plaintively as if to ask, "What's wrong?"

I smile and rub his tiny head. "I'm alright buddy. I'm just not sure how I can go to school and leave you…."

He flaps his wings frantically and hopped onto my shoulder, nudging hard against my neck with his tiny head.

"Awww, I know. I don't want to, but if someone saw you…."

He looked intensely into my eyes, pleading with his sad little face.

I groaned and rubbed my temples. "I'm going to regret this."

I stuffed my phone into my jeans pocket and slipped on my black converse. While I ties the second set of laces, Banter popped his head out of the top of my bookbag with a less than satisfied look.

"Sorry Banter. I wish I had something a little more comfortable, but it's the best I can do. I've packed plenty of apples so you shouldn't go hungry. Just please keep quiet and out of sight."

I bend down to his eye level. "I don't want something to happen to you Banter. So just bear with me today, okay?"

I gave his head a small scratch and he nodded with a wide grin.

The bus rolled up to the curb in front of my house. Everyone was in their normal seats as usual. Everyone….except Shaina Helmsworth. She had a bright pink flower in her glossy black hair pulled back into one long braid. She wore a pair of brand-new looking sneakers and hungry smile pursed her lips. Come back for another round of beating around the bush. Of course my humiliation yesterday on the bus wasn't enough to satisfy her taste for Lindsey's approval.

"Good morning Kida. Have a nice walk home yesterday?"

I don't say anything. I just roll my eyes nothing and sit in the only other empty seat. Sadly, it had to be right in front of Shaina's seat.

"Aww, come on Kida. Don't be like that. Is that how people are supposed to treat each other? I'm only being honest."

I take out my Stephen King novel.

"Ah avoidance. My favorite tactic. Well since you're one of the rejects that didn't have parents to teach them about socializing, I guess I understand. But come on. Are you so embarassed from our fun yesterday that you can't speak a word to me?"

Sorry to disappoint you Shaina, but you're not worth the trouble.

"What a snob. You should be thankful Kida. Do you know how many people would pay just to let me, a popular, let a reject like you speak your mind? You know, I'm in the goods with Lindsey. If you could muster the balls to apologize to her for the little incident you pulled a few months ago, she might show you some mercy. Just saying."

I won't talk back. I won't!

"It doesn't surprise me that he left you. How could a handsome young pop like him possibly like you? A little worm living under a rock who wasn't even worth his time.

My grip tightens on the book, crinkling the pages. He's left you unprotected and vulnerable. He was only nice because he took pity on you for how weak and helpless you are. Should I let you in on all of the things he said about you behind your back?!"

My fist flew! A loud pop resounded through the whole bus! In an instant, everyone's cutting eyes were all on me. But I didn't care!

I won't stand for those lies Shaina! You will pay dearly for that!

"Ohh, I guess I struck a nerve. Well, someone is going to have to explain how that hole in the seat got there. I wish the best of luck."

The bus came to a sudden halt. Shaina blew a quick exaggerated kiss in my direction and stood up to walk off the bus.

With one step a jerk, her face met a rough greeting with the ground! Looking up and down at her as she froze in shock on the floor of the bus, I realized that they had been tied together!

I couldn't help it! I started to laugh! And several others who saw it started to to join in. I couldn't bring myself to get up and off my seat as I belted over in laughter!

Mr. Parker's voice breaks through the noise with a warning for remaining students to get off before we all got detention. Even when Shaina dusts herself off and sends me a glare that carried the promise of later violence, I still can't wipe the triumphant smirk on my face as I hurried off of the bus!

Something taps against the side of my neck. Banter peaks out from my mess of hair with a mischievous grin all over his little face!

"You?!"

Several people walking around me look in my direction, but then keep walking.

"You?" I whisper in a hushed voice.

He nods with a quiet chirp.

I grin, trying to hold back a laugh. He makes it almost impossible to scowl at him.

"Remind me again why I was so hesitant to bring you to school with me because I completely forgot what it was. You can come to school with me anytime. Just keep out of sight, Banter."

He nodded smiling and disappeared.

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