Chapter 9: Mysteries

(Gumball's POV)

Sometimes, being in Kira's class can be very exciting. She's a good teacher, she understands teens, she likes to tell stories which can really kill time easily. To me, she's like the best teacher I've ever had. Now that I'm finally back at Elmore, I feel like I can get my life back on track. No more hiding from authorities, no more living in a gas station. Just a regular teenager's life.

However, I still feel like someone's a miss. Though, I couldn't make out on who it was. I was so into my head I didn't even realize school was over and the bell rang.

Kira: Okay, class. That's all for today. Remember to do your chemistry report.

Gumball: Huh? What?

Carrie: Spaced out again?

Gumball: Uh..yeah. Is school over already?

Carrie: Yep. You spent the entire day sitting there. You didn't even grab anything to eat during lunch.

Gumball: Well, guess I earned a ticket to go to the mall for something to munch on.

Carrie: Can I come with you?

Gumball: Why? You didn't eat either?

Carrie: Well...

(Flashback: Lunchtime)

Gumball was spacing out and Carrie was beside him awestruck at his cute little face. Then, she had the idea to draw doodles on it. She laughed the rest of the period.

(Back to present)

Gumball: Oh, so that's why people were staring at me when they were leaving the class.

Carrie: *blushing and speaking softly* Well, to me you make a pretty cute face.

Gumball: What was that?

Carrie: Nothing.

Gumball: Okay, c'mon let's go.

(Cato's POV)

(Hallway)

Me and Amber were just about to head to my locker to put back my books.

Amber: You think Gumball's awake by now?

Cato: Yeah, I think so. I saw him blinking last time I looked.

Amber: So you're saying he wasn't blinking the entire time.

Cato: Yup. Anyway, how's Kelsey doing? Is she good with her ice hockey team this year?

Amber: She said that she asked Jake to help her practice, so I'm sure she's fine.

Cato: Hope so. Whenever I see both of them doing something together, it just seems like it ends up with them being lovey-dovey with each other. Don't you think so?

Amber: Yeah. Sometimes I get jealous of them.

Cato: What for?

Amber: It's because they seem so close to each other. But that's not how it goes for you and me.

Cato: Ah, don't be like that.

I put up my arm around her so that she feels happy. It ends up with her resting her head on my shoulder, which got my heart beating real fast.

Cato: Feeling better now?

Amber: Much better.

A few minutes later, we arrived at my locker to see a note stuck on the door. I took it off and it said "Cato, open the door and read the note". Feeling a bit hesitated, I opened the door to see my regularly placed books and pictures of me and Amber on the back of the door.

Amber: Aww, you're so sweet. You still have those pictures we kept.

Cato: You make it sound like you don't.

Amber: Well, I did. Just at the top of the locker.

Cato: Anyway, about this note. It said there was another note, but I don't see it.

Amber: It's over here, you dummy.

Amber took a piece of paper from underneath the stack of books and read the note.

Amber: This is where your ties with your enemies end, And you will find a peaceful trend, But along the way, there will be things you have to comprehend, And you'll realize that the enemy of your enemy is actually your friend.

Cato: What the heck does that supposed to mean?

Amber: Oh, wait there's more behind it. "Come to the Elmore Museum at midnight tonight. Come alone."

Cato: Well, what do you think?

Amber: Wha- Why me? It's for you.

Cato: I just wanted your opinion.

Amber: Well, it's up to you I suppose. I'm just worried you're gonna get hurt.

Cato: You can't come with me because it says here to come alone. Maybe I should go. Just wanna know what's up.

Amber: Okay, then. Let's go home now.

Cato: Got it.

(3rd person POV)

(Elmore Mall)

After having their meal, Gumball and Carrie walked around for a little while. Along the way, they saw a familiar grey and white creature in the distance.

Gumball: Hey, isn't that Anna?

Carrie: Where?

Gumball: Over there, headed for that tech store.

Carrie: Huh, well let's go and find out.

They walked into a tech store and saw a lot of people looking at a lot of gadgets.

Gumball: Never thought this many people would get so over about tech stuff.

Carrie: Well, it's the 21st century, so I wouldn't be surprised.

Gumball: True. Hey, I think I see her.

Gumball headed towards Anna who was in the middle of talking to a white cat. They were both wearing uniforms of the shop, a plain black T-shirt with the store's logo on it. The white cat looked familiar to Gumball, but the moment he turned around, he couldn't be any happier. And the fact was that this guy was the one he felt like was missing.

Gumball: Oh, man. Riki!

Riki: Haa! Gumball!

Gumball: Damn, it's so good to see you again.

Riki: Yeah, where the heck have you been?

Gumball: Have you already forgotten?

Riki: No, in fact I'm still furious about it.

Gumball: Then, why are you smiling?

Anna: Riki works here now.

Gumball: So...?

Riki: So that means I can't get mad to a customer during my shift.

Carrie: Thank goodness for employee policies, am I right?

Gumball: Hahaha, yeah. So what time's your shift over?

Riki: In about 15 minutes.

Gumball: Cool. Then, might as well take a look at all this to kill time before you kill me.

(1 hour later)

Riki just finished his shift and they settled down at a coffee shop nearby. Gumball was telling him what happened during the four years he was gone.

Riki: So you mean to tell me that you've been living in a gas station, hiding from authorities, managed to continue school without them noticing, and came back recently?

Gumball: Yes, thank you for summing that up.

Riki: Wow, if only you would've stayed longer..

Carrie: He didn't know he was innocent.

Riki: Yeah, I know that. Just chill.

Gumball: How about you? What have you been doing?

Riki: Well, same old school. Just finished last summer and got a job here. Apparently, you don't need to get a college degree if you're working for a low ranked job.

Gumball: So, that means you're stuck as an intern until you do get one.

Riki: Yup. But damn, I get a whole lot for working here.

Gumball: How much?

Anna: $10K a month.

Carrie: Woah, that much? For an intern?

Riki: Looks like it.

Gumball: Wow, you're a lucky one.

Riki: Yeah, yeah, thanks a lot.

Carrie: Well, better get going. Need to get home and do some homework.

Gumball: Yeah, me too.

Anna: Okay, bye you guys.

Carrie: Bye. See you at school.

Riki: Hope you have fun, you lovebirds!

Gumball: Yes, you don't need to shout on that.

Riki: Haha, just teasin' ya. Later.

Gumball: Later.

They both fist bumped and split ways.

(On the way home)

Gumball: Hey, uh, Carrie?

Carrie: Yes, Gumball?

Gumball: I just thought of something.

Carrie: What is it?

Gumball: You said you're gonna do the homework, right?

Carrie: Yeah, why?

Gumball: Mind if I sleep over tonight? We could do our homework together. Also, I might need help, cuz I was not paying attention in class earlier if you remembered.

Carrie: *smirk* Yep, I remembered.

Gumball: So, is it okay?

Carrie: Sure, I don't think my dad would mind.

Gumball: Sweet. I'll just get home and get my stuff.

Carrie: Okay, see you there, love.

Gumball: Okay.

(Haunted Mansion)

Carrie got back home and saw Cato and Amber watching television together while her dad is nowhere in sight.

Carrie: Where's dad?

Amber: I dunno. He left a note saying that he's got something to take care of.

Carrie: Oh, let me see that.

Carrie read the note that her dad left.

Vlad: Dear Carrie, I'm sorry I can't be with you for the next few days. I have something to take care of at the Ghost Council. Some ghosts have been causing havoc lately and I had to attend the meeting. So sorry. Send my regards to Cato and Amber and Gumball if you see him. Love, your dad, Vlad.

Carrie: Welp, that's one problem taken care of.

Cato: Why? What's up?

Carrie: I got Gumball to come over to do some homework.

Amber: Oh, well good luck finishing it. We just finished it earlier.

Carrie: Okay.

(An hour later)

Gumball finally came with a backpack full of his stuff for the night.

Carrie: Finally! You're here.

Gumball: Yeah, sorry about the hold up. I had to talk things out with my mom before I left.

Amber: Things? Like what?

Gumball: A lot of inappropriate things that she thinks I'll do now that I'm older.

Cato: That's just typical parenting. You'll get over it.

Gumball: Okay, whatever. C'mon, let's get work done.

Carrie: Okay.

They moved into Carrie's room upstairs.

Gumball: Huh, you're bedroom hasn't changed ever since the last time I was here.

Carrie: Well, I like to keep things organised.

Gumball: Either that or Amber does the organising for you.

Carrie: Mmm..sometimes. We kinda like take turns on things like this.

Gumball: Okay, so guess we'll get started.

Carrie: Alright.

(11:45 p.m.)

Gumball and Carrie finished their homework and they are currently watching a movie together. Just like always, Gumball put his arm around Carrie while Carrie rested her head on Gumball's shoulder. It wasn't long until they saw Cato and Amber heading out.

Carrie: Where are you two going?

Cato: Umm..we gotta go to the museum..for something.

Gumball: What for?

Amber: Somebody gave Cato a note telling him to head to the museum alone tonight at midnight.

Carrie: Then why are you following?

Amber: Cuz I get worried okay!

Gumball: I think it's best we all go.

Cato: No, I think the lesser I bring, the safer it is.

Carrie: Yeah I think so too. Who knows who are you facing right now.

Amber: Maybe we should bring them.

Cato: *sigh* Okay, then. Let's go.

So, that wraps up the chapter for now. Sorry if it's a little cringy on some parts. Anyway, like, comment, and I'll see you guys in the next chapter. Peace out!