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"Want to hear some dinosaur facts?"
"I know them all"
"What...?"
"They're programmed in already Shelly, I know them all."
"Ah... right, silly me!"
Shelly muttered, clasping her hands together and staring down at the floor in defeat. She was tired. Tired of everyone ignoring her or not caring enough to even acknowledge her existence. It has to be her fault right? Her friends wouldn't just do that to her unless she had done something wrong. She just wanted to share her knowledge about dinosaurs to others, but nobody cares enough to listen.
Shelly was so deep in thought that she didn't realize the elevator had opened, they were back in the lobby. She stood there for a minute as everyone else filed out. Nobody noticed her. Nobody asked her if she was coming out. They all just walked past her. The fossil finally looked up, realizing she was alone in the elevator. Embarrassed, she stepped off, lifting her head up and looking around Gardenview.
Then she spotted her. Tisha! Of course, she could hang out with Tisha! She was her best friend after all, she seemed to be the only one to listen to her rants. Shelly quickly gained her cheerful mood back, smiling and joyfully walking over to the tissue box. "Hey Tish!" She exclaimed, walking up beside her. Tisha seemed to not notice her, instead still chatting with Teagen. "Um.. Tish? Want to hear some dinosaur facts?" Shelly murmured, still smiling but appearing more disappointed. Tisha then whipped her head around, and when she noticed it was Shelly, she turned her whole body to face her friend. "Oh! Hey Shells, what were you saying?" She said, confusion striking her tone. Oh. So she hadn't been listening.. Well it's not Tishas fault! It's Shelly's! She shouldn't have been talking to Tisha while she was already speaking with someone. "Oh uh.. nothing!" Shelly replied, forcing a smile on her face. She shouldn't bother her best friend while she's clearly busy.. she can just.. talk to Tisha another time! "Oh, alright" The tissue box said, oblivious and cheerful as she turned back to Teagen and continued chatting along. Shelly turned away, disappointed. Nice going Shelly, she probably thinks you're annoying now.. like everyone else. The fossil crossed her arms in frustration, an upset look on her face. She tilted her head up and scanned the residents of Gardenview, hoping to find someone to hang out with, although.. unlikely anyone would want to hang out with her. She could try Vee again! Shelly whipped her head around, looking out for the TV. She spotted them, sitting on a bench talking to Astro, who had Pebble in his lap. They seemed to be happy, smiling and laughing as they chatted. 'Oh.. I probably shouldn't bother her more than I already have..' Shelly thought to herself, disappointed once again. Why is it that everyone had someone that cared about them? They all had their person, one that listened and talked, cared about and loved them. Someone that would never leave them, would always help them. Who was Shelly's someone? The fossil could feel tears trickling in her eyes. She sniffed, quickly dashing away so nobody could see her in her pitiful state and hate her even more. She found herself sitting next to the tree, leaning on the rough bark and slumping down on the grass. She quickly sniffed as she wiped her flowing tears with the back of her hand. Shelly brought her knees to her chest, hiding her tear-soaked face.
"Can you move?" A rough, aggressive voice said, pushing her slightly. Shelly quickly turned her head up to face whoever the aggravated person was. She blinked a bit to get the tears out of her eyes and focus her vision. She saw.. Shrimpo. Oh. That makes sense.. I guess. "Sorry..." She muttered, scooting over as the shrimp plopped down next to her. "What are you crying for?" He didn't sound genuinely worried or confused, just.. mad. Like always. The fossil slowly turned her head at him, and paused. Should she actually tell him? It would just make him mad.. well.. anything would make him mad. "Everyone ignores me..." She quickly said, sniffing and wiping the few remaining tears. "So..? People ignore me too. You know what I do? Get over it." Shrimpo said harshly, his normal aggravated face on display as he harshly pushed her once again. "But.. wouldn't you like that people ignore you? Since you hate everyone.." the fossil muttered. It was different for Shelly, she craved the attention and praise from others, without it, she felt.. empty. Like something was missing, like nobody cared or appreciated her in the slightest. Like she was a waste of space. Shrimpo stopped for a second, staring at Shelly, which she was oblivious to, she was gazing at the floor in thought. He had to think.. it made sense. He should like people ignoring him, to a point. It meant nobody bothered or annoyed him every time they talked. But.. when people ignored him.. he felt.. upset, it just means he's right.. he brings everyone down and insults them. Ignoring him.. it's proving that everyone hates him as much as he hates them back.. and as much as he hates himself..No.. its just that..they should acknowledge his existence. He's the best after all.! Right..? "I hate being ignored" he stated, turning away from Shelly and looking ahead, crossing his arms in annoyance as his face turned from aggravated to more of a softer, upset look. The fossil turned to him, putting her arms down beside her and staring at the shrimp. She lifted her arm around him, hesitating. Would he really care to be comforted by her? No. He doesn't need it.. But. Maybe he does. She slowly and gently rested her hand around his neck and on his shoulder.
Shrimpo paused, side-eyeing Shelly but finally deciding to let her comfort him. She needs this more than he does, but she doesn't even realize it. She spends all her time making others happy that she forgets about herself. He relaxed in her touch. She needs someone to be happy by her actions to be happy herself. "You need to stop caring more about these idiots than yourself." Shrimpo aggressively said, though slight kindness peaking through his facade. "I mean.. you're better than them, well not me of course, but you should still care about yourself. Nobody here besides me is good enough to put them over yourself. "Shelly sighed, patting Shrimpos shoulder. "I guess you're right.." the shrimp scoffed, "of course I am. I always am." Shelly smiled, glancing at the shrimp, happy for his presence even through his harsh words and actions. She'd probably regret this later, and this might ruin the moment.. but whatever. The fossil threw her arms around Shrimpo into a hug, squeezing him as a thanks for comforting her.. in his own.. weird way. He struggled against her grip but finally relaxed, letting her cling onto him. She needed this. Even though he hates to admit it."Thank you.." She muttered. "Whatever.." he said, clearly annoyed as he rolled his eyes. “Want to hear some dinosaur facts?” “..fine”
