~Nanners' POV~

The slight buzzing pain that has been sounding in my head for what seems like forever has subsided. That's the first thing I notice when I wake up, naturally raising my hand up to my head in a shock that the usual burning sensation is gone, fairly quickly as well. Well shit, I guess all I needed was a bit of Chilled and I'm healed after all. Glancing around at my side I feel my stomach drop and my heart skip a beat when I notice Chilled is no longer by my side. Well, he must have returned to his room after I fell asleep since I really did force him into staying with me longer than he had to. Still, I can't help but feel the sheets beside me, finding nothing there although I feel a lump of what feels like a small pillow. I ignore the small pillow and roll out of the bed, determined to find Chilled who is probably desperate to avoid me after last night. I need to make sure he didn't misunderstand and think it was just the fever talking.

Leaving the room I glance around, shocked to find everything was exactly the same as I had left it before attacking Chilled. Determined to find the man I begin to peek my head into every single room in my path but every single room is empty, left the same exact way it had been. Maybe he disappeared and I'll find him at the shop. Ze did say that Chilled disappeared from time to time at the most random times. As much as I hate the idea he decided to escape after last night I take it as my only lead as I slip into my coat and open the door to outside, hitting my face with a large wave of cold. Shivering, I cover myself and pull my coat closer to me, highly disliking the idea of having become sick the day after I just got over it. Maybe if I get sick again I'd just make an excuse to Chilled and attack him like that again. I grasp onto my chest at the thought of Chilled, a slight pain tingling in my chest. How...could he just run? I let go of my chest and continue walking. He had to have a reason of some sort. At least that's the only possible way I can keep myself thinking he really did accept what happened last night. The shop comes into sight soon and I feel only even more tense at its closeness.

"Is Chilled here?" I ask the moment I enter the shop only shocked to see the only one behind the counter being Gassy. Gassy seems just as shocked with my presence and glances over into another direction. I awkwardly glance around, searching for someone else who can calm the rising tension and yet out of all times the shop decides to be busy, it is not choosing now. Without anywhere else to really go I approach the counter and take the seat on the other side, practically a feature considering how often we sit in front of the counter.

"Chilled said you were sick. Are you feeling better?" Gassy asks awkwardly. I glance back up at him for a second and very momentarily I find a slight look of guilt in his eyes. Somehow I doubted he'd be guilty. I wouldn't, considering it was my own fault that I had been kicked out of the house.

"Yeah, Chilled helped me get better. Has he not come in today?" I ask, glancing around and hoping that Chilled were to just pop out of the back room like always with the same carefree attitude as always. Instead Gassy just shakes his head and we both retreat into an awkward silence once again, not a single person seeming to want to enter today and interuppt our "conversation" like they usually love to do.

"Why are you still trying?" Gassy suddenly asks making me hesitate and look to him, meeting his intense stare. "Why are you still trying to be such good friends with them and even look for him over here? You do realize they're no where near rich." I glance down, away from him and stare at the blank counter, my mind proccessing over the several things I can reply with.

"I thought you knew that I steal by what I think is interesting, not by worth. If it has actual value it's just a bonus. Plus, I really do like Chilled," I explain, obviously giving out hints about my feelings especially by only mentioning my liking towards Chilled in particular. Gassy stares at me with the same monotone stare as if he's challenging me, challenging my true feelings and intentions. One thing is very true, I have never intentionally meant to hurt Chilled in any way. Although I had been aware ripping that doll would, I hadn't really cared much about Chilled back in those days nor did I really have much self control when it comes to taking anything that interests me. With the sudden enviroment change I have realized that there are cops and camera everywhere, stealing is nearly impossible to get away with these days.

The shop doors open, jingling the small bell signalling to all of us we now have company. After the awkward silence has already passed they decide to come in. Peeking over I feel a bit shocked as I spot a clear and perfectly shaped shop mascot dangling down holding a small girl's hand. The mother looks over at us two about to greet us before the girl suddenly pulls her mother to follow her into a random isle with shelves of plushies surrounding them. I watch them carefully, the doll in the girl's hand so obviously the same as the mascot, but from how protective Ze and Chilled were over it I had been convinced that the ones they own were the only of its kind.

"Chilled gave the broken one to her mother," Gassy suddenly explains from behind me. When I meet his eyes there is clear blame shooting me from Gassy's eyes making me feel a bit hurt and guilty. "I guess they fixed it at least. No thanks to somebody." I roll my eyes and back away from the counter, feeling enough with the constant guilt attacks. I guess Gassy is still exactly the same as when I lived with him, still as grumpy and still holds a huge grudge. 

"You, my friend need to learn how to let it go," I complain only making him glare at me. Despite his glaring I smile, satisfied after seeing the usual grumpy face the same as always.

"Nanners," another voice approaches and I turn to spot Diction and Sparklez both strolling in. Although Diction still seems pissed for good reasons Sparklez smiles happily seeing me again.

"Hey guys, nice to see you all again," I call out as they both take seats at the counter.

"At least I know where my stuff is all of the time now," Diction complains and I just laugh bitterly. I do admit it was sort of a fun hobby of mine to just take Diction's things and place them elsewhere just to annoy him and make him think I had stolen them. Although, I did steal a great deal of valuables from him and the others I didn't necessarily steal everything of there I like. There was always a clear line drawn between the things we're allowed to steal and what we can't. Such as Gassy's notebook, it's something he treasures and writes in mysterious nothings all day and Sparklez's strange collection of toy animals. I guess Ze and Chilled aren't the only ones still obsessed with a plushy.

"Yeah, yeah, you need to get over it," I whine and Diction just glares, ready to hit me but Gassy snaps at us to behave. After I get the laughte rout of me I realize it's been a while since it's been just us hanging out without any of the new guys. Usually Ze and Chilled are hanging around for some reason. Without them it's strangely... relaxing without their constant problems. Not that I'd rather not have them here but it's a bit exhausting after a while knowing they're hiding something from us. Our group already knows each others' secrets and we still get along so it's a lot more calming.

"Chilled?" Someone calls into the shop after the jingle of the bells ring, breaking up our conversation. Ze is hanging back his jacket and glancing around the crowd of people in search for on in particular person.

"Hasn't come in," Gassy answers, watching Ze carefully as Ze leaps over the counter and leaves the room without another word, leaving us all in silence.

"What's his problem?" Diction asks annoyed while Gassy just leans his cheek on his palm and glances over to the side seeming troubled.

"Probably just worried about having not seen Chilled all day," Gassy explains before glancing back towards us. "Chilled is usually the one who opens shop too."

"How do you know who used to open shop?" Diction asks and Gassy just shakes his head, his thoughts still seeming to be elsewhere.

"Well I used to come here pretty early and Chilled was always the only one at the counter. It's like he doesn't sleep. Maybe that's what he does when he randomly disappears," Gassy notes and I immediately feel a bit of coldness in the inside. So him and Chilled were in here all alone some mornings early in the morning? Somehow I don't like the image of them just hanging out in the shop alone together. Suddenly the back door opens again and Ze comes out walking directly past us without even sparing a glance in our direction.

"I'm going to go to Chilled's house and look for him. I'll be right back Gassy," Ze calls out, pulling on the jacket he had just taken off and leaves. We all stare after him for a long time before I'm the one who gets up and pull back on my jacket as well.

"I'm going to go join the hunt for Chilled. If Mrs. Pennington comes by later tell her I'm better and will be ready for the festival," I tell them before leaving the shop and heading back towards Chilled's house. If Chilled ended up to be in there the whole time I'll definitely question him and suspect something is up. I clearly saw him in bed that one day and withing minutes he just completely vanished, I don't understand how it's even possible. When the house comes back into view I naturally tense up, nearly a bit scared to open the door and find Chilled and Ze just casually hanging out inside. Ze should know that I live here now too though so he shouldn't find it strange that I come in momentarily anyways. Slowly I unlock the front door and walk in, a figure in the room before me but not the figure I was hoping for.

"Oh hey Adam, I've been needing to talk with you," Ze comments, not even meeting my eyes as he looks away and continues to pick off the cushions of Chilled's couch as if Chilled could be hiding in there. "Do you know where Chilled put the mascot?" I freeze at his statement and cautiously close the door behind me.

"He...he took it home?" I ask very cautiously and Ze just nods as if it's nothing. Well fuck. I would have kept the doll from before if I had known it was the real deal one. I figured Chilled may have another one left at home just to have one at his house too. After having felt it through and deciding there wasn't anythign in there I didn't even bother to cut it to make sure it didn't have anything. If I had known it was the special one they kept in the shop typically I would have immediately snatched it. Dang it, what if that was my last chance to have such an easy go with it? If I try now I may not even be able to. My feelings towards Chilled have grown an awful lot since last night, I'm not sure I want to cause him another loss. When I come to my senses I notice Ze staring at me with blank and bitter eyes, shocking me at first.

"Ze? I swear I don't know where it is," I say slowly, unsure if that's why he seems so intense at the moment. Ze rolls his eyes and tosses the cushions back before walking into the next room, Chilled's office. I follow him, a bit scared he will open the closet and find the small plushy and take it before I get the chance to snatch it back.

"I thought you were looking for Chilled," I comment but Ze completely ignored me, showing no sign he had even heard me as he shuffles through all of Chilled's things on his shelf. "If you're looking for the doll you should just go find Chilled and ask him for it. Besides, what did you want to speak with me about?"

"Forget it," Ze mutters before moving around and opening a large chest on the floor before tossing everything inside on the floor suddenly. He slowly stands up and glances over at me, suddenly seeming furious. "Actually, I did need to talk to you."

"Ze - what did I-"

"Gassy told me," Ze suddenly states and I freeze, realization striking me. Gassy's guilt this morning wasn't his kicking me out, him getting a job at the shop wasn't just because of a sudden change of heart on Chilled's part. He gained their trust by...

"Ze, I didn't-"

"You did though," Ze snaps and before I can react he pushes me towards the wall, holding his arm to keep me back while staring up towards me with anger. "You fucking destroyed the thing that Chilled holds so dearly and you expect me to just stand being with you? If I look around and find yet another ripped doll, or... or something else I swear Adam-"

"What's so important about a fucking doll?!" I snap, tired of having all of this guilt pushed towards me when it's just a small plushy. Ze suddenly lets go of me and continues to ransack Chilled's office without answering a single thing. "Why are you two so obsessed over the stupid thing? I don't get it Ze," I snap just before the door to the room silently opens. Both Ze and I quickly look towards the visitor and there Chilled is, leaning on the doorway, his face a bit redder than usual.

"Ze? Oh, Ze, I was going to call you," Chilled says casually as if he didn't disappear on anybody. Ze sighs as soon as he sees him, seeming relieved with the man's presence. Chilled glances over at me and smiles weakly. The small weak smile makes my every muscle freeze momentarily. That one single smile so unnlike his rest. Why does it effect me so?

"Chilled, we need to go," Ze suddenly announces, standing up and hurrying over to Chilled, pulling on Chilled's arm leading him out of the room. Suddenly I feel a mental slap on the face and hurry to follow them.

"Wait Chilled, I need to talk with you," I call out but Ze continues to pull him away. I reach out and gra onto his other hand causing him to halt completely and glance over at me, the same sad smile on his face. Why. Why is it sad? Stop it Chilled. You're not meant to be sad.

"Sorry Adam, I'll be back," Chilled says before pulling away from me and follows Ze out, both seeming in a hurry. I stand still, watching him as he leaves my hand hanging without glancing back a single time. Is this his way of saying he'd prefer to be with Ze? My lone hand balls up into a fist and I back up a step and suddenly hit the wall behind me with my fist. Suddenly my mind turns to something different and I return to Chilled's office, glancing around until I spot the knife I had been admiring the other day. Snatching the knife I force open the closet and glance down. The doll is missing.

Once again I feel anger rise up in my stomach and I force the knife into the closet wall with all my force, the knife digging through the material of the closet and scratching the wall behind it. Completely turning around I glance around the room, already destroyed from Ze's effort. I can't... He left me nothing. He just left like that. Plus, he had been at the house the entire time. I turn away from the office and close the door to the office behind me. Now Ze is probably completely explaining what I did to Chilled right now and Chilled will never look at me the same way again. I guess I've always been best alone anyways.