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"Shut up! Just- shut up Match, I'm not in the mood for any of this!"
"Oh my gosh- Pencil, you can't keep, like, ignoring your problems like this! We're all trying to help you, can't you stop being such a stubborn fuck for once and just, like, let us?! We're worried, Pencil!"
"I don't NEED you to worry about me! I'm fine, I don't see why you guys are trying to force me to speak about my problems like I'm in some sort of fucking therapy group!"
Match stared at her, her fists clenched, her hands shaking slightly. Gosh, she was so mad. Why couldn't Pencil just listen?! What was so hard about listening to someone?
"Pencil- I.. I don't, like, have the energy for this. Just stop, like, ranting and taking it out on me, because its not, like, my fault. I just need you to understand that we're all here for you."
"Bullshit. Book and Ice Cube couldn't care less about me, Bubble probably hates me, Ruby just goes along with everyone else, and.. you? You're better off without me, and we both know it."
"Pencil, don't, like, even say that, because you know it isn't true. You're, like, my best friend!"
Pencil shook her head, her heart pounding in her chest, her head throbbing.
"No, no I'm not. You left me like everyone else, you dont care about me, really. No one does."
She should've stayed. She should've talked to her like a normal person, instead of some complete idiot. But no, instead she decided to run off, leaving Match, her other 'friends', and herself completely confused and heartbroken. Gosh, why did she always have to do this?!
...
No, they deserved it. They deserved all of it. They left her at her lowest, and now they want to associate themselves with her again, now that she found stability? The EXIT was pure hell for her, none of them understood what she had to go through. They continued their little game, their little challenges without a second thought, leaving her to rot in that stupid damned classroom. And now they were trying to reconcile?? Because it was convenient for them??
Gosh, she was so sick of it all.
As she slowed down her pace, there was only one person that she thought she could tolerate in that moment.
Golf Ball.
It surprised her as well, but she found herself genuinely enjoying Golf Ball's presence lately. After that one particular interaction they had a little while back, they had started to fight less and less, and actually talk properly more and more. She was surprisingly nice to talk to, and even if she didn't like to admit it, they had a lot more in common than she thought.
Maybe that was why she was drawn to her, in a way.
She wasn't focused on trying to change her, trying to make her believe in anything she didn't want to. She didn't force anything upon her, she didn't need to. She still bossed her about occasionally, it was Golf Ball after all, but Pencil didn't mind as much anymore. She had almost gotten used to it, in a sense. Like a daunting but comforting feeling that doesn't quite go away, even if you want it to or not. Kind of like herself. She tended to get attached to people, far more than she cared to admit. She clung to anyone she could, she couldn't stand the thought of being alone.
It was pathetic, really, but Golf Ball didn't judge her for it. Just gave a tense shoulder to lean on. Someone to be there, when the actions spoke louder than the words needed to.
Most of the time, their conversations ranged from extremely deep, meaningful ones to completely irrelevant, random garbage. It was nice, they didnt have to think too hard about anything they were saying, they could just say what was on their mind. It felt like a massive weight lifted off of her shoulders. Golf Ball Ball didn't even mind when she went on long, tiring rants about pretty much anything that was bothering her, which frequently ended in Pencil sobbing into Golf Ball's shoulder. She was just glad that she could help her in any way she could.
☆
Golf Ball sat outside, taking in some fresh air. She was proud of herself, actually getting outside for something other than challenges. Sure, it was definitely a little warmer than she would've liked, but it was better than being cold, so she couldn't complain too much.
Then she heard familiar sniffles, followed by soft sobs of which she recognised all too well. She snapped her head up, her gaze softening slightly as Pencil sat beside her, her hand finding her own.
"Pencil? What's the reason for your arrival here.. and what's the reason for your crying?"
Pencil sniffled a little, before burying her head into her neck, letting out a quiet hiccup.
"I.. I can't handle arguments or miscommunications like a normal person, even if I caused it. It makes me feel so stupid, because I just run away like some stupid idiot! What's wrong with me?! I.. I can't- I just-.."
She whispered, before pulling her closer, fighting back tears.
"I can't handle arguing with them anymore, I can't do it..."
Golf Ball nodded, letting out a small sigh. She knew exactly what she was referring to, and who she was referring to. Freesmart, minus the occasional member Needle. Though, she was more of a W.O.A.H Buncher now. She hated how upset they made her, she wish she could've done something to make her feel at least a little better.
She pulled away slightly to look up at her, gently wiping away some of her tears.
"Hey, Pencil, please try to stop crying immediately. You're only going to upset yourself more, which would not be advised. C'mon-"
She said, placing both of her hands on her face, staring up into her eyes. She had the prettiest eyes, bright blue with spots of hazel. Her own eyes were brown, and sometimes she found it annoying, but Pencil secretly adored it. She'd catch her staring into her eyes occasionally, or times when they were talking where she would grab onto her face and just stare into her eyes for a few seconds. She found it very flattering (and very embarassing), but she was glad that she was definitely more subtle about it, unlike her.
She shook her head, snapping back to reality, gently wiping more of her tears. She had to stifle a small giggle as she looked up at her, raising her eyebrows.
"Pfft, Pencil, you look similar to a panda. Here- ugh, let me just-"
She said, attempting to rub off the mascara streaks on her face, only to smudge it more. She paused, before bursting into laughter, causing Pencil to slap her hand away.
"Gosh Golfball, if you've made me look even more stupid, I will beat your ass right here right now."
"Uhm.. please don't, I'd prefer it if you refrained from beating me up-"
"Shush, you know I wouldn't."
"Well, you're a little unpredictable, I wouldn't be surprised.."
"What's that supposed to mean?!"
Golf Ball let out a small laugh, elbowing her side.
"It's not important, do not worry, Pencil."
Pencil just scoffed, a small smile on her face as she stared down at her. She wasnt even sure how the two had become close acquaintances, maybe even friends. It seemed like only a month ago they were at each other's throats, and now they were laughing and joking together? It didn't make as much sense as she thought it would, but maybe Golf Ball had the answer?? She was smart, after all.
"Hey, Golf Ball?"
She started, before sighing.
"How.. and why, are we even like this? I mean, I thought we hated eachother.. what changed?"
Golf Ball thought for a while after that, leaning her head on her shoulder. It was a good question, and she wasn't even sure she had the full, explained answer to it, surprisingly.
"I don't really know, but I can assume it started.. that night."
Pencil smiled, that memory was a surprisingly nice one to look back on. Finding out Golf Ball loved physical affection wasn't something she expected, but it certainly wasn't something she was opposed to, either. Even after it had gotten dark and they had been cuddling for at least 2 hours, she still didn't want to let go. Pencil hadn't seen her that clingy since, but it didn't bother her too much, as long as Golf Ball was just around her she felt a little better.
Just a little.
"Pftt, yeah, I remember that. I was convinced I still hated you back then, but.. not really. You were just annoying, I hadn't gotten used to you then. I mean.. honestly?"
She asked with a small smile, causing Golf Ball to tilt her head in interest.
"..I don't think I ever really hated you. I just saw you as some sort of annoying, bossy leech that stuck to you and kept sucking away all your blood until you felt like you wanted to pull your hair out. A little bit of an odd comparison, but it's kinda true. You were.. really, really annoying, I'm not even gonna sugarcoat it."
"Mm, okay, you were no peach either. But, yes, I have to admit, that is a funny comparison. I mean, I wouldn't say I was up to 'leech' status, but sure.."
"You were a cute leech, if it makes you feel better."
"I feel flattered."
Pencil grinned a little, before pulling Golf Ball into a hug, her fingers finding their way to her back. She traced little patterns on her back, to which Golf Ball hummed in contentment.
"I can't believe I actually used to hate you."
She said, sighing a little, before glancing up at her.
"It makes me feel guilty. I know you were just trying to make sure you didn't go back.. there, and I gave you a hard time for it. You didn't deserve that, even if you proved to be extremely impulsive at times."
Pencil shook her head, giving her a small smile.
"Hey, no, it's okay really. Well.. no, I'm still mad at you. But I forgive you, you were just trying to lead the team and get people to trust you. I can't really blame you for that, can I?"
"Theoretically you could, yes, but whatever you say."
"Mm, okay, nerd."
"I'm not a nerd! And I do not think you should be making fun of me for how intelligent I am. Clearly you do not possess such intelligence."
Golf Ball said, rolling her eyes. She scooted away from Pencil, before pausing, before scooting back into her arms.
"You're lucky I tolerate you."
"Hah! Yeah, I'm so lucky."
Pencil quipped sarcastically, causing Golf Ball to flick her on the forehead.
"Sarcasm is a very backhanded attempt at humour, and I do not find it funny at all. Perhaps you should try a different approach."
She muttered, and Pencil just let out a soft laugh, wrapping her arm around her waist.
"Sure, sure, I'll try."