Chapter Text
"Have you ever talked with the weird girl next door?" The man with star-shaped glasses hit the light auburn-tinted hair man next to him with a question. Slick hosted a party for everyone in the neighbourhood, filling his house with laughter and blasting music for them, but his neighbour across the street rarely showed up or rather never showed up at all. His ears once caught a talk about her. Tech-geek, mad scientist, yet bubbly personality, which is hard for him to register because bubbly and nerd weren't a common pair for a person's personality, for him at least. All the things he knew about her were that she had golden yellow hair down her length with a mole on her upper cheek, which he caught while tending his car. Quite pretty but not his type.
"Newt? Did you call Newt weird? Just because she talked to a doll once, you call her weird?" Fuse snapped, and realised it was a weird response when he caught Slick staring at him with a puzzled look. He coughed up and fixed his posture.
"Woah, cool your temper down. Why are you getting all worked up over—and I'm talking about Bubbles here. Don't you find it weird she never shows her face at my house, but always accepts my invitation?" His expression was filled with fury.
The second things he dislike is when people don't show up at his party. First was when his date rejected him. Hence, he got rejected from his date countless times, but never for his party. Everyone loves his party. Newt has always been the dancing queen at his kickback, same goes for Lulu with singing, but everyone else would rather not talk about it. Jeff handles barbecue grills outside or sometimes Fuse because someone keeps stealing the uncooked food. Zee. Well, Zee sure is something. Apart from stealing food, he's kinda grossed him out—pizza from the couch, mouldy food, insects, he swallowed everything—regardless, Slick never threw his party without Zee. He's a fun guy, including always being the first to fall for Pogo's stunt.
"Maybe she doesn't want to make you feel bad for turning you down." Fuse gave him an assuring look. Although he has a temper, he doesn't like talking badly about his neighbour, whom he considers all of them as his friends. He knew how it felt to be the topic of people's talk. It's not great at all. But if Slick were the subject, he would be the gossip mom.
"Why bother accepting it when your body doesn't want to be here at all. I hate... I fucking hate that. Just tell me the reason—I'm an introvert, I don't like loud music, interacting with people makes me anxious—just tell me, for god's sake." He thrust his hand forward as if to emphasise his words, inching closer. His body language tells a lot about his feelings.
"Now you are the temper here. Why does it bother you so much? Trying your luck with her? How about the bartender?" Fuse's brows clenching closer as he heard Slick vent. He vaguely remembers how happy Slick was when he got her number after several flirtations—it grosses him out, witnessing that. She's quite a hard-to-get type, and Slick threw a party literally a week ago to celebrate his victory, winning her over.
"Broke up or more like I ghosted her for days," He muttered with a flat tone, clearly uninterested.
"Hold on, you just started dating her 3 weeks ago? Oh god, I hate your ass." He straightened his body and face Slick with disoriented looks. He will never understand how some people can jump from one relationship to another within months or weeks. 'I need to tell Newt about this,' he muttered to himself.
"Yet here you are, befriending the asshole. And come on, you thought you could last a month with a bartender? You are funny." He gave an amusing look and nudged his friend. Fuse rolls his eyes, avoiding Slick's smug face. He could punch his pretty face right now, but he held the thought.
"Maybe she didn't come to your party because she knew you were an asshole."
"Were."
"Ah, shut up."
He grinned into his ear. Teasing Fuse was fun. You could see him getting all flustered and playing it cool suddenly. He does that a lot, especially when Newt talks with him or when her name gets brought up in a conversation. He thought first that Fuse might have a feeling for her, but he doesn't really see her as Fuse's type. Dorky and sunshine energy with... mad-all-the-time guy?
"Hey, Fuse. Can I talk to you for a second?"
Both of them turn their head to the source of the voice. It was Newt, standing nervously with her hand squeezing her other elbow. She puts on a gentle smile when she realises two pairs of eyes staring at her. Slick could feel the energy the guy beside him was radiating suddenly become warm, and as a gentleman, as he should, Fuse abandoned his side for a girl. Well, he would abandon Fuse for a girl, too, which he just dumped recently. Fuse waved half-heartedly at Slick as he made his way to Newt with a gentle look.
"See ya later, asslick."
"That's my third loath."
His gaze follows them both as they walk out of the house. They took their seats beside the grills. Slick was picking a guess by himself on what they were talking about, which he chose to give up, but from Fuse's reaction, he knew it amused Fuse. His gaze dropped to Zee stealing Jeff's grill, but Jeff was too late to notice it. The grill has already been annihilated by Zee, and Jeff got mad. Zee shrugged it off, Jeff was furious, and they got into a fight. Same old routine. That duo never stop bickering over tiny matters.
A loud voice caught his attention from the duo to the blue duo. The girl with a sky blue jacket was singing wholeheartedly with a guy playing the guitar a few steps back. That was awful. It was like a Beyoncé concert, but replace her with some random old grandma singing the national anthem. Pogo plays wasn't that bad, but if he plucked the guitar string again, he would get the opposite of the golden buzzer. All of them were having the day of their life. Which made him even more furious and worried. Was the party not fun enough for Bubbles to turn him down? If Bubble were here too, maybe he would have someone to talk with and not been excluded from his party.
"Hey, quit the daydreaming. Jam some music for us." Pogo's request piqued his mind from wandering around. He sighed and stretched before joining the blue duo.
"So, what's the business?" Fuse asked the girl sitting beside him.
It was another hangout at Slick's house, which felt like a routine to attend his party. He just loves to have people at his house, Fuse guessed. But he didn't mind if it meant another chance to talk to Newt. In any case, he just needs to ring her bell and she would welcome him with open arms. He saw Newt rip her lips apart to say something, but instead of words, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She slowly opened her gaze to Fuse, and he was already staring at her intensely.
"Remember the bartender Slick dated? Well, she sent a text that Slick ghosted her and sort of needs my help to reach out to him."
"Oh god, Slick. I hate you so much." He murmured, barely looking up at her.
"What, you hate me? I'm sorry. I should have minded my own business instead, and you and Slick can continue—" She blurted out of fear. Scared if Fuse didn't like people talking shit about his friend. Newt barely finished her sentence when he grabbed her hand, brushing his finger against her.
"No, I didn't mean you. It was for Slick. You shouldn't apologise because Slick was an asshole. Asslick. Also, I like you— I mean your company and talk," He remarked with a comforting smile. Enough to calm her down.
"Well, he is indeed an asshole, when it comes to relationship I means. And... thanks for the words." She agreed with him, released her hand from Fuse's and returned his smile. His heart flutters for a bit.
"Slick just told me about her. He said something like bartender as a partner is a dumb idea. I don't understand him. Why chase a girl until the farthest part of the world and dump her days later? If I were him, I would not waste my and her precious time on a silly relationship." He cried, gesturing with outstretched hands. His action made her stomach flip, and she let out a small giggle. Everyone who saw that will never forget about it; he's lucky enough to be the only bystander.
One thing about Fuse that Newt had taken notice of was that he likes to ask rhetorical questions because everyone here already knew the way Slick is when it comes to building a serious relationship. He never was.
"That girl must be lucky to have you as her boyfriend." She teased him with a smirk.
"Haha, sure, but it's still vacant." He snorted and just laughed it off.
"But really, what should I do? Should I set up a meeting between them, or I become their, I don't know, messenger pigeons?" She asked the same question, but with a suggestion now. Perhaps, she really could help set things right for Slick and his girlfriend. His girlfriend was really sweet to her and kind enough to treat her sometimes, and with Slick breaking up with her now, she doesn't know how to face her.
"I think this is just a passing matter. We should leave them be. To be honest, I don't think their relationship fgonna last long. Also, Slick is kinda right. A bartender wasn't a good match for him, though she made great drinks too." Although sometimes they were not on the same page, Slick might be right about something that he can't choose his partner well. They have been friends for years, and he knew that a partner with work like that never worked out well for Slick.
"Yeah. I love her drinks too."
"What? I thought you can't drink alcohol?"
"Mocktails. And what did you take me for? 18?"
"Not my fault, you kinda passed out the earliest during our truth or dare games. I mean, really? You couldn't even answer the worst date you've ever been on?"
"Shut up, I don't want to hear that again."
"Pft- Hahaha."
"Next week? I don't think so, got work next week and the raincheck. But sure, I'll invite you next time," He replied to Zee's question, half-honest. He did have a job next week, but only for a day, and he wants to lie on his bed for the next 6 days without anyone bothering him. He gave every guest a wave and handshake at the door and moved his attention from the five of them to Lulu—she was busy putting her music stuff back in her carrier. She skipped to him and gave him a little wave before leaving.
"Thanks again, Slick. It was a blast." Lulu thanked him and made her way to her caravan, just beside Bubbles's house.
Tonight was beautiful on her way back home. Starry night and the neighbourhood engulfed in the moonlight. Her gaze switched to the right. She saw her next door neighbour's attic shone brightly. She changed her mind. From going left, she walked in the direction of the Bubble's house, which can be considered classy with a touch of technology. An automatic garage, yet a basement at the same time, and a satellite sitting on the roof. Her yellow with grey rooftop house is quite ordinary except for the head monuments in front of her house—the monuments Fuse once 'stole' by accident, which was partially his fault, but it was funny looking at his attempt to hide the mistake—it's creeping her out as she takes the stairs to the front door.
"Here goes nothing." She took a very long breath before ringing the bell. It was already late, so Lulu doubted Bubbles was still awake at this time, but a faint hope was never wrong when she heard a person rushing to get the door open. She keeps tripping over something—that's the sound of glass breaking. That must've hurt a lot, she thought. As her mind almost lingered on the glass price, a girl with a messy bun and round glasses popped out in front of her. Wool jacket with loose pants. Hands holding an experiment tool?
"Oh, Lulu. What's up? Your instrument needs fixing again?"
"No, but can we talk inside?"
"Yeah, sure. Come in."
Her house was a mess, but a clean mess. Not dirty, more like a paper mess. Literally. There was paper all over the living room. Her couch was a beanbag, and there was a small coffee table and a TV in front of it. She doubted Bubbles had put on her TV before. Bubbles invited her to sit beside her, and when Bubbles took the place beside her, Lulu noticed some different about her. Everyone probably can take a correct guess from her eye bags that she hasn't got any sleep these days. That's probably why she kept hearing a loud noise every night from Bubble's house.
"So, what's the matter?" Bubbles questioned it with an anticipatory tone. She was trying her new solution when she heard the bell ring. She didn't expect any guests tonight, but a company on this slow night sounds nice too.
"I knew you were busy past few days, but why didn't you show up at Slick's party today? Or at least tell him you couldn't make it." She knew her question came out weird, but she needed a reasonable answer from her because this had been more than 10 times she hadn't made it to the hangout.
"I've just been busy tonight with my... My machine—" She replied halfway when Lulu's words cut her off.
"Is it because of the vibe, timing? Maybe, the guests or the host—" She hadn't finished her sentence, just as she saw Bubbles' facial expressions change in real time. Her body stiffened up, her eyes fidgeting, and she kept on rubbing her fingers. Almost like hiding something slight mention of... Slick.
"What—what with him. There was nothing wrong with Slick. I think he's a great guy and I don't mind him at all." She lets out a nervous laugh while rubbing the back of her neck, avoiding her gaze. Her stutter made it obvious that there's something she didn't want to admit.
She indeed is hiding something.
"Just tell me the truth. I won't tell him or anyone besides, I'm your closest neighbour. Maybe I can be your ears." Lulu clasped the hand of the person beside her, hoping she would take her suggestion a chance. Bubbles gave a hesitant look. Unsure what kind of answer will make Lulu satisfied and consider her.
"It's just... Slick himself. Needs everyone to acknowledge his small accomplishment. Relentless and loud. I knew I had never had a proper conversation with him, but from the way people talk about him. It's just unbearable. He's just... too much." She lets out a relieved sigh, a bit much. Telling others the problem she has been holding up forever could make her explode at any second, hiding this truth. She once had a thought that this day would come, and she thought her mind had already prepared a perfect and full of truth answer, but it's gone within a second.
Lulu blinked. "Did you hate him?"
Bubbles gave an immediate shake, but subtly. A "no" would seem like a lie. Slick wasn't a person she felt aversion toward, but she knew she couldn't handle him. Like what she remarked, he felt too much for her, or maybe she is the problem here. Her eyes moved to the outside. She could see her friends entering their own home, leaving Slick's. Every so often, his kickback was loud enough to wake her from her slumber. She never confronted him about it, but her eyes were always on Slick's.
"Then, what are you going to do?" Lulu broke Bubbles' gaze with a question. Although it was simple, Bubbles mind went blank.
"I don't know. I should keep this feeling and avoid him, what do you think?" She hits her back with a question, feeling unsure and undetermined of her decision.
"To be honest, I don't know any of you yet in the way people knew each other for years since I just moved in here recently. So, I think it'll be the best if you let yourself do the decision. You know the best here, Bubs."
"I don't know, Lulu. I'm only good in experiment conclusion but never my life." She lets out a long sigh. Her hand reached to her face and covered her face fully. She holds that position for minutes. Long enough to make the atmosphere changed.
After a minute of silence, the air was getting uncomfortable and suffocating for both of them. Lulu excused herself and left Bubbles alone on her beanbag. Her attention switched from Lulu to Slick's again.
Maybe she should confront him about it.
She stood up and picked up the stacked papers on the floor, taking up the whole space, then made her way to her attic, that are also a lab and bedroom. Her solution isn't a complete work yet—a solution which can change an object's size. She needs to finish it immediately because she doesn't want her unresolved task to hold her back from going to the Science Expo next week. Science made her happy, and the only thing that could make her forget about her life problems. All she has to do is find the fact, formula, and through some chaotic experiment to solve it, unlike her life.
Her gaze once again fell to Slick's. She wishes her life were like Slick. No worries, just fun. She laughed at her thought. Everyone had their struggle, not excluding him. A crash sound takes her back to reality. One of the test tubes broke from her hand. She sighed at herself and picked up the shards. She looks pathetic as she sweeps the floor while all her friends are having their rest after a whole evening enjoying themselves.
"Why does it bother you so much?"
The word keeps repeating in Slick's mind. He chose to ignore it at first, but then he saw Lulu's silhouette entering Bubbles's house, his heart enraged with an unknown feeling. Feelings that he hates—hatred and grudge—which made him look even pitiful. He was miserable enough about his own problems, but now it looks like there is another thing he needs to bear. His prejudice. It's eating him up every time he expresses his thoughts. There's a day he felt like he could say anything, and there's a day he felt like everyone turned their back on him. Their eyes, expressions, and thoughts were all visible when he chose to be himself, and his actions towards others when he was at the lowest point of his life made him want to eat his own words and disappear into an endless void.
He changed his attention to the mess his guest had made. The night is still young, but everyone has gone to their home and left him with their chaos. They will never change. He let out a big sigh and started cleaning up. He started with pizza boxes, ordered by Zee with his money, and continued with Pogo's trick toys scattered around the house. He groaned in frustration and followed Pogo's mess trail; however, he ended up in his room, which made his eyes almost pop out from the shock.
Now, Pogo is the first person to be banned from his party. He slightly moved his head from right to left, along with clicking his tongue. He approached his bed and lay instead of making something about his room.
He gazed off into space, engrossed in his thought. He's a messy person, from in and out, but why bother to turn over a new leaf when it didn't upset anyone? However, does it trouble Bubbles for her to decide never to set foot in his house? He wishes to confront her right now, but that would make a lot of opinions from others since they never consider themselves friends. Just a next-door neighbour. He never invited her to his house properly; all the invitations for her were just through group chat or Lulu's help. That would be awkward from his perspective to knock on her door and say it to her face, or message her privately.
Coming right from his heart, he never realised it, but he's afraid of rejection when he's being honest about it. He is never honest when he is with her date, but not with his friends or acquaintances, like Bubbles. For this reason, maybe that's why he was so bothered by Bubbles' absence. Although she never told him out loud that she wasn't coming to his party, it was a sort of rejection.
He raised himself to sit up facing the balcony. He could see that Bubbles's attic took his after-party role on this breezy night. Whenever he holds a party, her house also has its party, but she never invites anyone, just her and her weird science experiment. It was Jeff and Newt who said she is a science nerd and all, and would rather spend time in the lab than with people. He laughed it off at first, but took it for real when he saw Pogo's broken leg after playing with her project, and somehow got banned for years from her lab.
He let his bed take his body and squeeze him until he could barely distinguish the absence of light or the darkness of night. His overthinking self took over a little bit too much tonight. He stared at the ceiling until his eyes closed bit by bit. He muttered something in his sleep.
"Maybe I should confront her about it."