Chapter Text
“How do you deal with her?”
“Deal with who?”
“Your girlfriend.”
Test tube asks Paintbrush with a sigh. She turns her desk chair to face them sitting on her bean bag that is finally getting some use in her room. “Why do you ask?” Test tube tenses as their tone became defensive.
Paintbrush was always a protective person when it came to their partner, Lightbulb but Test tube never understood it. Whenever she is dragged out of the house by Paintbrush, it is either with them or them with their girlfriend. Most of the time she is third wheeling more than hanging out one on one with them; like this rare occasion. If she could be honest without getting a fat slap and a yelling from Paintbrush that would definitely make them banned from ever hanging out with her, she thought Lightbulb was annoying.
From the way she always tried to make small talk whenever Paintbrush had to go do something or even the smallest things like her overly expressive facial expressions just irritated Test tube. How can someone not think that is infuriating? Especially when they are an introvert?! And Paintbrush out of all people is okay with this behaviour. As long as she can remember, they were well known since middle school that they were quite a hothead. It got so bad that they got suspended for punching their own friend, Fan. According to Test tube’s observations overtime, they are getting help for their anger issues but they do slip up from time to time. She adjusts her glasses before speaking.
“It's from the way she perceives herself to others. Always being around you and even when you both are at a distance she is still contacting you— like now!” Test tube with a slight twitch of her eye, points to the phone that is clearly taking away Paintbrush’s attention from her words. If she were to do an experiment of who Paintbrush was texting to just by their mannerisms, her hypothesis would be always correct. They immediately turn off their phone and put it on their lap, like that never happened.
“Look, Lightbulb is like a puppy. Despite how much she can get into my space or how much of a loud mouth she can be or just being clingy in general, she does it out of love. I think it's important to acknowledge that and not to shame her for it. Everyone shows love differently Test tube.” She pauses as she pounders for a counter argument. Paintbrush was always the type of person to know what to say to people like her and she hated it. She hated the fact that explanation touched her heart; just slightly though. She shakes her head at that sudden feeling.
“Even so, I don't need to analyze how others show affection anytime soon. My inventions deserve more of my attention than any highschool student that attends our school.” Test tube looks back at her prototype papers of her latest invention. She has a strong feeling that this is going to demonstrate the highest level of her skill when it comes to producing inventions. Paintbrush makes a deep sigh and crosses their arms.
“You may think I'm crazy but I have a big feeling that you're gonna find someone like Lightbulb. Loud, energetic and be the complete opposite of you yet, you guys will click.” Test tube makes a ‘are you serious?’ glare at them. Out of all people, they think she is going to find someone like that, do they even know her? Because she definitely knows them. Test tube thought it was an easy assumption that she is not a lovey dovey type of girl.
“In your dreams.” Paintbrush shrugs their shoulders as they get another notification from their partner and Test tube squints her eyes the whole time they were responding to their lover. After what felt like forever, they set their phone back to their lap.
“Opposites do attract, wasn’t that scientifically proven?” Paintbrush stretched their arms, their black sleeveless top slightly raising up.
“Actually a study at the University Of Insanity showed that 89% of couples have similar personalities and opposites rarely, in fact, attract.” She points her finger up as she speaks and they roll their eyes. “So based on that, me and Lightbulb are in the 11%?”
“For now, yes.”
“Are you saying we aren't gonna last?”
“No, I'm being logical and saying there is always a chance.”
“And I'm being logical as to how there is still a chance you can get a partner that is not similar to you.” Paintbrush checks their phone before standing up from the bean bag to get their backpack from across the room. It always made her slightly embarrassed on how Paintbrush can shut her down so easily and actually make her rethink her previous statement. Yes, there is a chance but it's small. There’s no doubt in her mind that it won't happen; especially her dating in general. She chooses to ignore their counter argument.
“I’ll show you the way out.” Test Tube stands up to guide Paintbrush to the front door as it was getting late in her eyes despite it only being 5:30. She has a very low social battery and Paintbrush understood that straight from the get go. Test tube watches them put on their sneakers and goes to open the door. Before they get to leave, Paintbrush turns to face her.
“11% Test Tube.”
“Sure. Like it will even happen.”
“Never say never.”