It's been a bit over a week since I went to the mall with Bad. After we talked a bit at the coffee shop, we decided to walk around the mall and browse a couple of shops to see what they had. We each ended up buying 2 or 3 things. We had a lot of fun, just like the good old days, when it was just me and him living at the house. It was like we completely forgot about the whole situation I have with Quackity, and for a moment, I did forget. I had so much fun that once I bid Bad farewell, I had a huge smile plastered on my face all the way home.

Once I got home, I told Melody everything that happened in the most cheerful behavior that I've had in a while. Melody seemed relieved at that and happy that Bad was indeed able to come to his senses and keep our friendship as is. But she also asked me if I told Bad the truth, and I hesitantly said that I didn't since I didn't want Bad to think that I was making up excuses or something since I still believe that Bad thinks that I was at fault with the whole thing with Quackity. Melody gave me a look that told me that she wanted me to tell Bad the truth, but she just kept it to herself and instead said with a smile that she'll respect my decision. I appreciated that, and nothing else happened after.

Currently, I'm just relaxing on my bed, and I'm supposed to be chilling. But, instead, I got a random call from Bad. Lately, Bad and I have been talking almost every day after going to the mall together. We're either recording a video, randomly playing some minecraft, having a random chat from calling the other, or maybe even a little bit of everything throughout the day. Today, it seems like Bad decided for us to just randomly talk to each other on the phone.

My phone is placed on my chest with the speaker. That way, I don't have to keep holding my phone against my ear to talk to Bad. We have been in the call for about an hour now. Right now, we are joking around and laughing. After a moment, our laughter died down, and we were met with a good moment of comfortable silence. But soon after, Bad says, "Hey, Skeppy?"

"Yes, Bad?"

"How would you feel if... you attended another gathering with our friends?"

I stiff up, and I stay silent for what feels like forever. Memories from the last gathering fill my head. As much as I don't want to respond, I have to say something to Bad, or else he'll get worried and think that I went away or something. I take a deep breath and then say, "I... honestly don't know..."

I hear Bad take a quick breath at that. He says, "Fudge- sorry, I knew it wouldn't be a great topic to bring up. But not many people are coming to the gathering in the next two days, and I was told that I could invite anyone I want- and I... kinda wanted you to come..."

Another moment of silence. Bad then abruptly says, "Oh wait-! Fudge- I should've said this sooner- but if it makes you feel better... just know that Quackity isn't gonna come to the gathering. Plus- it's going to be at Busch Gardens! You like theme parks, right?"

Oh? Well, that's new. A part of me thought that Bad and Quackity were still in that 'honeymoon' stage of dating where they want to go as many places as possible together. Guess that's not true anymore since Quackity is starting to busy himself a bit more in God knows what- which is most likely his job, instead of trying to spend more time with Bad. Then, another thought comes into mind. What about our friends? It's basically guaranteed that the people that will show up are the same as all the other friend gatherings. I say, "Well... I guess that gives me some type of reassurance, and it is true that I like theme parks- But... what about the others...? Are you sure that they will be fine with me going?"

"Well- I'm not completely sure, but I think that it'll be fine overall! I mean, they did say that I could bring anyone I wanted. So, that means that they don't care who I invite since they made it free for me to invite anyone. So it surely won't bother them if I invite you. Plus, they're our friends! I'm sure that what happened isn't that big of a deal to them- so everything will be fine!"

I'm not an idiot, and neither is Bad. Clearly, the others don't want me to go, and wouldn't really expect me to go considering what happened. If Bad hasn't told them how he has been continuing to hang out with me, then they probably wouldn't have given Bad, in particular, the freedom to invite whoever they wanted. They're expecting Bad to invite someone else. Because they know Bad wouldn't invite someone out of the blue if they didn't have the best speaking terms right now, and Bad wasn't the most comfortable with said person. Little do they know that Bad and I are in really good terms right now.

If they knew this, they wouldn't have told Bad to invite whoever he wanted, and if they really did want me to go and had the knowledge that I'm on good terms with Bad, they would've all just asked Bad to invite me. Bad is well aware of all of this, but he's choosing to be oblivious and turn our friends' words into something positive for me. I sigh and then open my mouth to speak, about to decline. But then Bad adds on, "And even if things turn out to not be the best, then don't forget that you've got me, Skeppy. If anything happens, I'll be right there to support you! Though it's very unlikely for anyone to try to do or say something to you if I'm right there. You'll be safe with me."

I let those words linger in my head for a moment. Bad will be there for me. I feel a blush starting to crawl onto my cheeks. My lovestruck self can't help but think that that's all I need. So with a foolish smile, I say, "Alright then, I'll go."

The only question that lingers in my mind now is, what do my friends actually think of me?