*Mentions of depression*

*Paper's P.O.V.* 

I knew it. I knew something was wrong with him. But I never expected it to be depression!

Everyone was too stunned to speak the rest of yesterday. Learning about Balloon from Trophy got me really messed up. Not only that, but it still confuses me on what Trophy met by 'only other one'.

I know Suitcase is Balloon's best friend; thanks to the show; and I know she understand that Balloon was different. But Trophy??? The two barely interact! Unless.... Trophy knows more?

*sigh* I'm just sitting on the couch, watching the hours tick away. I haven't seen OJ all day today, and it's worrisome. I think he's been locked up in his office. I would check on him, but I need to put myself first you know?

I'm worried. Balloon looked so hurt last night. Salt was being very rude to both Trophy and him. I'm not sure if anyone else noticed, but I saw his face. He looked so... so heartbroken.

I can't even focus on today, its all that's been on my mind. It's like 5:30 pm right now. Almost time to cook dinner... But I don't wanna cook today.

I get up and start walking towards OJ's office. I eventually make it and enter the room. OJ didn't even notice I walked in. He must be really worried...

I decided to make my presence known.

*OJ's P.O.V*

How? How could I let this happen!? I'm a horrible hotel owner! I'm suppose to make sure everyone here was happy and welcomed here!

Yet, Balloon had to endure pain and suffering all these months! No... Not months... YEARS.. Balloon had to endure YEARS of pain and sadness because of US. Balloon was depressed because we held a grudge against him for who he was.

I feel a huge wave of guilt crash on me. I let get this bad. I didn't try to help him, or hear him out! I didn't do anything and it's MY fault Balloon is suffering!

Paper was right. He always is. I should've listened to him instead of arguing with him about Balloon. 

How is it that Paper can alway see the good in others? And how is it that he can be so damn cute with that adorable smile of his?

'I'm doing it again... GOD! Why can't I get Paper out of my head!', I angrily think to myself.

I keep doing this. Always thinking how cute Paper is and blushing like crazy. Do I have a crush on Paper!? 

'I think I might-', I started thinking before getting interrupted by...

Paper.

"OJ? Are you okay?", Paper asked.

"Ah! O-oh! Paper! I didn't here you come in!", I exclaimed in slight shock.

"Hahaha... I thought so. You must be really in thought.", Paper pointed out.

"Heh... I guess so...", I confessed to him.

'God. He's so cute....', I thought. Wait! He asked me a question! Shoot.

"Ah. Just to answer your question. I'm doing okay... I guess...", I answered.

"Oh. I forgot I asked that... Heh. Are you sure? The whole shebang that happened yesterday was quite a lot...", Paper confessed, eyes averting my gaze.

That was true. Yesterday threw almost everyone upside down. We weren't expecting Trophy to tell us about Balloon like he did, let alone defend him from Salt and Pepper.

"I'll admit, that did throw a wrench in my mood... I just....", I admitted to Paper.

"You what?", Paper asked.

"*sigh* You were right. I think Balloon does deserve a second chance. I'm not sure if he'll accept it, after everything we did to him...", I confessed.

I really don't think Balloon would just accept trying to make amends after that whole showdown yesterday. I mean. 6 years of people hating you? I don't I would forgive myself if that happened to me.

"Don't worry OJ. I'm sure Balloon would appreciate the fact that we are going to try to fix things with him!", Paper said, trying to convince me.

"I guess it wouldn't hurt to try.", I told him.

"Nice. Also, that reminds me. I'm not in the mood to make dinner... think we should order in again?", Paper questioned.

"Oh. Sure! What do we order today?", I asked him.

"How about good old pizza! It's Friday afterall!", Paper exclaimed, with a shimmer in his eyes.

'Is eyes sparkle so pretty under the light', I thought gayly.

"Pizza sounds great! I'll go order it now!", I say with a bit of blush on my face.

"Great! I'll leave you be for now.", Paper claimed, as he got up and left the office.

I go ahead and put in an order from Pizza Hut for 2 large cheese pizzas, 2 large pepperoni pizzas, 2 large meat lovers pizza, 3 orders of breadsticks and wings. 

With the order set for delivery, I decided to head to the living room and chill out in there. I begin my short journy there with thoughts filling my mind. (For some reason... I can't help but have this vivid 'dream' that Paper's evil persona came back and was holding Balloon hostage for some reason.)

'I'm sure it's just me being me and overthinking.', I try to convince myself. 'Besides.... Evil Paper is dead!'

I make it to the living room and see a tv show on. It was Deal or No Deal. Paper, Bomb and Paintbrush were watching, so I decided to watch to. To ease my nerves a bit. 

I take a seat next to Paper as he scoots over to make some room for me. The show is going but all I can think about was Balloon....

I hope he's okay in his room. I haven't seen him all day! Grant it I WAS in my office majority of the day. Maybe someone else has seen Balloon today! I'm going to ask.

"Hey. Have any of you seen Balloon today?", I asked, taking the attention from the game show away.

"Mmmm... No. I haven't.", Pickle confessed.

"I saw him. He didn't say anything and avoided people. He's only really been in the kitchen today. Not really grabbing meals, just snacks.", Paintbrush explained to us.

"I've caught glances of Balloon. His face mostly. He looks.... broken. Not like emotionless broken, just.... depressed.", Paper spoke after. 

"... Man.", I sighed as I sank in the couch I was on. "This is my fault...", I confessed outloud.

"What! OJ, this isn't just your fault!", Pickle said.

"Yea! This.... This is our fault. We all played a part in Balloon's depression. We held a grudge against him and now we have to pay the price.", Paintbrush explained.

"Don't put the guilt on just yourself! Like Paintbrush said. We all play a part in hurting Balloon. It's not just you who feels guilty. We all feel the same amount of guilt!", Paper added on.

"... Yea. I guess you're right...", I said after reflecting.

We stay like this for another few minutes before we hear a knock on the door. I think it's the pizza. I get up and walk over to the door. Sure enough, it was the pizza!

"Hello! The order was for.. OJ?", The pizza delivery girl asked.

"Yep! You have the right hotel.", I told her.

"Great! Here is the pizza, wings and breadsticks!", She exclaimed as she handed me the items one at a time. 

I asked Pickle and Paintbrush to come help. They both come over and grab the pizza along with the wings and head to the kitchen.

"That will be $30.99!", The pizza girl said.

I pull out $45 and handed it to her. "You can keep the change miss.", I told her.

"Oh! Thank you! Have a wonderful night Mr. OJ!", She said.

"You as well... um.", I was gonna use her name, but I didn't know her name...

"Mangy. The name is Mangy!", Mangy said.

"Ah. Thank you! Have a lovely night Mangy!", I called out.

She turned around and left. I closed the door and called everyone to the kitchen to get some dinner. Everyone was here... Except for Balloon.

I was debating on getting him or not. I ultimatly decided not to, he probably doesn't want to talk to anyone right now. 

I can't help but get the feeling that.... Something was wrong as I grabbed a plate and some pizza.

I wonder what Balloon is up to right now.....

*Balloon's P.O.V*

It's time. It's time to leave this place. I'm ready. I have everything ready for my grand exit.

I'm done with this hate. Done with the pain and suffering. I'm putting everything behind me and leaving.

"I can't believe I'm doing this...", I muttered to myself.... sounding a little nervous.

'It's worth it! Nobody will see my depressed face again! And nobody will have to get upset at me ever again!', I thought to myself, convinving me that this was going to be worth it in the long run.

I have my bag filled with clothes and snacks so I don't go hungry. I have my personal letters to everyone on my desk, so somebody can find them. All that's left, is to write one final letter and leave this place.

I grabbed a piece of paper and begin writing my final letter to everyone in the hotel.

*Dear everyone,

If you are reading this. It is too late. I'm no longer in this hotel. I was fed up with getting hate and backlash for years on end. I never belonged here, and everyone made me believe that I had no place living here.

So, I decided that since everyone here never wanted me living in the same building as them, then I might as well leave! I just wanted to say one thing. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry for everything I've done. I'm sorry for being an awful person to all of you. I know you all hate me, I hate myself for the things I've done. I'm sorry for all the suffering I caused by livng amoungst all of you.

Feel free to celebrate me leaving once and for all! I know you all want to. I know you all have been waiting for moment I left this hotel. 

I left personal notes to everyone here. You don't have to read them, I know you won't. I was just gonna write them for the season 1 vets, but since I'm leaving, I thought I might as well write one for everyone. Including those in the season still!

So. This is my final goodbye. And to Trophy and Suitcase.... Thank you. 

Thank you for being my only friends. I'm sorry for leaving you. Please... Keep living for me!

Signed,

Balloon*

I felt satisfied with the note. I leave the note on my desk and opened the top drawer. I grab all the personal letters and just leave them on the desk as well. 

I look around the room one final time. I head to the window and open it. I look down, it's not a far way down, but it's far enough that I might break my ankle.

I take a deep breath. I grab my backpack and take one final look behind me.

"Goodbye, everyone. Don't miss me too much", I mutter.

I look back infront of me and jump down. *Plop* *pop* I made it down. But I did hear a slight pop.... Shit. I think I twisted my ankle. 

"ow....", I slightly whined to myself. I shake off the pain.

I start limping towards the forest, finally free of the hotel. 

Finally free of being a burden to everyone.....

I'm sorry Trophy.....

*Nickel's P.O.V*

Man. It's getting late. I don't really care tho. 

I'm not sure why but Balloon's been on my mind all day! And NOT in a gay way! In a... in a guilty way.

I heard the arguement that Trophy and Salt had. I remember what Trophy said about Balloon being depressed because of us. My mind hadn't wondered since that fight.

I was comteplating about the way I treated Balloon this season. And man... DO I FEEL SHITTY! Yea. I hated his guts for his actions in season 1. But I was acting the same way this season, but a whole lot worse than Balloon.

I antagonized him every chance I got! I made him feel so useless! GOD DAMM IT! I FEEL SO SHITTY!

I realized just now that Balloon hasn't come down at all for dinner. Everything was already put up and almost everyone was heading to bed. It was currently 9 pm.

'I might as well head to bed too...', I thought to myself.

I start heading to Balloon and mine's room. Holy shit. I share a room with him! Why did I just remember that!? I should hurry and check on him!

I rush towards the elevator and make it to the 3rd floor. I run towards my room and open it up. I hope Balloon is alright....

"Balloon? You in here?", I called out.

No response. Weird.... I don't see him in bed. The light to the restroom isn't on. This is getting weird.... Wait....

The window it open. Did Balloon open it and forget to close it?

'Stupid Balloon', I thought, slightly upset that Balloon might've forgotten the window. 

I look out the window and close it. I start walking towards my bed when I glance over to Balloon's desk. I see stacks of paper on it.... weird.

"huh?", I mutter to myself.

I walk towards the desk and see letters that are addressed to.... just about EVERYONE from Inanimate Insanity! Even the hosts and those still in season 2!!!

"The fuck is this for?", I asked myself. I put those letters down and pick up the letter that was open....

........... Holy shit.........

HOLY SHIT! THIS ISN'T REAL.... RIGHT!? BALLOON DIDN'T-

Panic starts to flow through my body as I start to race down to the 1st floor, to OJ's office. I didn't even realize that I ran down the stairs as I almost tripped like 5 times. I make it to OJ's office and knock on the door.

Please be awake still. Please be awake still. PLEASE BE-

"Come in!", I hear a very muttered OJ call out. THANK GOD HE'S STILL UP!

I barge in, scaring OJ half to death.

"HOLY-! Nickel? You okay? You look paniked!", OJ asked, worry written on his face.

"I-I-I....", I'm trying to muster out.... but nothing is coming out of my mouth.

"Nickel. Breath. Calm down.", OJ trys to calm.

I take a few deep breaths. I feel a little calmer now!

"Better?", he asks. I nod my head in approval.

"Good! Now. What's wrong?", He asked again.

"It's Balloon..... He's gone.", I told him.

*OJ's P.O.V*

"It's Balloon.... He's gone.", Nickel told me.

W-what? Gone?

"Nickel.... what do you mean gone???", I questioned him.

"He out having a picnic OJ... WHAT DO YOU THINK!?", he shouted, sarcasticly.

"Hey. Keep it down. I understand what you said. But what do you mean? He could still be in the hotel Nickel.", I pointed out to him.

"No. That's the thing, OJ. He's not here IN the hotel.", he stated, as he handed me a note.

"W-what's this?", I questioned.

"It's a note from Balloon. I found it on his desk.", Nickel replied.

I read the note Nickel gave me......

.....................................No......

No no no no nonono! 

I start to shake a little bit. Balloon...... He really.....

"OJ? You good?", Nickel asked.

"Balloon..... Oh god...", I muttered.

"Was there anything else on Balloon's desk?", I quickly asked.

"T-there was a bunch of other letters. I'm guessing those are the personal letters.", Nickel claimed.

"Anything else in the room that looked off?", I asked. 

"The w-window was opened. I just thought he f-forgot to close it....", Nickel confessed.

This isn't good..... Not good at all!

"We need to tell the others tomorrow. About this.", I told him.

"Why? Balloon is okay.... right?", Nickel asked, not wanting to believe the situation either.

"Nickel...... Balloon ran away....", I told him.

Oh Balloon..... We are so sorry......

*End of Chapter 7*

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

*Pops a party popper* 

WOOOO!

The chapter is done!

I am so fucking tired! Holy crap!

Anyways. Here you guys go! 

Enjoy this chapter!

Expect a new chapter late tomorrow!

And thank you for over 600 reads!