A reminder that this is my first Spongebob fanfic. Please give feedback because it encourages me to write more. On with Chapter 2!

Patrick's Secret

Chapter Two

"Ohhh yeah!" Spongebob shouted out with glee after Sandy and Patrick came by to the Krusty Krab to tell him the plan. Everything involving his friends gave the sponge excitement and yearning for fun.

"I thought it would be nice to get out," Sandy said with a smile as she stood by her friend, who was holding a tray for the next Krusty Krab order. "And tomorrow is your day off."

"Yeah!" It was all Spongebob could do to keep himself from dropping the tray to shoot his arms up. It was part of his work talent.

Patrick was glad to hear his best friend's excitement while he bugged Squidward to annoyance.

"Spongebob, I'm not paying you to stand around and scream," Mr. Krabs said as he walked by counting the most recent tips they received.

Patrick kept himself from scoffing at the cheap boss's comment. He barely pays him enough to get by, the starfish thought to himself.

Next to Squidward, Mr. Krabs was Patrick's most hated person. He felt that even though Spongebob loved his job, the crab was always working him to start. There had been times where he overworked him to lack sleep, which was horrible for his physical and mental health.

Patrick dreaded the thought of Spongebob being ill in any way. That being said, he despised Mr. Krabs, even if his best friend did seem to do okay for the most part.

"Get to work, boy," Mr. Krabs added before heading to his office to count his money.

"Well, I gotta get this tray to table Five," Spongebob replied with a positive attitude.

"So, Patrick and I will come by to your house around nine tomorrow morning, alright?" Sandy said.

"Yeah, you got it. Later, Patrick!"

"See ya, Spongebob!" his friend replied with a wave. "Have fun working, Squidward." If you call this work.

Squidward replied with his usual bored, lazy stare. He was finally able to tune the starfish out, at least for the time being.

Patrick and Sandy said their goodbyes, and waited for the next day.

Spongebob waited as well, even after he got off work that night. He was so excited that he had to run home right away to tell his pet snail, Gary.

"Meow!" The snail left happily. He was a smart one, but he preferred to keep it to himself, just like Patrick. Not only that, but he was only able to communicate so much in a way that Spongebob could briefly understand him.

"Yeah, I can't wait!" The sponge was lucky enough to get to sleep quickly that night. He spent a lot of time with his friends, but each time was something so remarkable to look forward to, no matter what it was.

THe slept forever, until he heard his shellphone ringing from downstairs.

Spongebob rubbed the sleep out of his eyes after he yawned tiredly. "Gary, did I set the alarm? Wait, that's not my alarm."

Gary didn't reply, because he was still fast asleep. His wonder intended to keep it that way.

As Spongebob got out of bed, he hummed all the way down stairs and into the living room to grab the ringing phone. It could be anybody, and that got him thrilled. "Mmm..hello?"

"Spongebob!"

"Oh, hey Mr. Krabs. How are you this fine morning?"

"Swamped boy, you're an hour late for your shift!"

Spongebob was bewildered when he heard those words, and wondered if he was dreaming. He could have sworn that it was his day off. It had to be a mistake. "Oh, Mr. Krabs, I'm off today, remember?"

"Off? Argh, I thought I asked you yesterday to come in today. Come on, boy, we need you! Time is money!"

Spongebob could barely finish the conversation before he let the call end. He slowly lowered his arm in sorrow.