Chapter 10- Final Chapter

Morning as come again, and Kevin was looking at his phone. He was debating whether it would be a good idea to message Toby. He wanted to give him space, but also check to see if he is okay. Toby hasn't texted him either, which is to be expected.

He decided to send a simple text message, "Hey are you okay? I'm sorry for leaving you then. Whenever you need me, I'll be here."

There was no response. He knew that would likely be the case, but he couldn't help but get nervous. This was the first time such a major fight happened to him and a friend.

He sat on his bed looking at his phone, waiting. Thoughts raced through his mind. Did he mess things up permanently? Was there a way to do things better? Of course, there was. If only he paid more attention to Toby, he would have known that talking about those kinds of things was a bad idea.

He shook his head, trying to clear away those thoughts. It doesn't matter if there was a better way or anything. He needed to calm down and think about things rationally. Nothing will be fixed if he just gets stressed and does nothing.

He decided it would be a better idea to give Toby more time. He'll be ready to talk in his own time, so it would be best to do something else in the meantime and wait patiently.

Kevin started to work, looking at his phone from time to time.

A few days go by, and neither Kevin nor Toby said a single thing to each other. Kevin stared at his phone, thinking about sending another message when suddenly a message came in from Toby instead.

"Hey, I'm okay now. You don't have to worry anymore."

"I'm glad to hear you're doing better. Sorry for making you upset earlier. I didn't mean to."

"Hey, it's fine really! How about we hang out today? We haven't done that in a while, and I really, really miss you. ^^"

Kevin was hesitant, "Are you sure you want to? You don't have to force yourself."

"Of course I want to! I miss you."

Kevin thought about it for a bit. It doesn't seem like it would be a good idea since it was only recently toby had his breakdown. He also wanted to check up on him, so maybe being able to be near him was a good idea. He decided to send a quick message.

"Meet me at Fairytale Pond."

He put down his phone then put on his headset.

Toby and Kevin hang out online.

Kevin logged on and checked his friend list. It seems Toby is already online.

They meet up at Fairytale Pond. Toby was standing in the middle of the lake, the shining effects surrounding him. Toby's back was turned to him. Kevin started to walk closer when Toby started talking.

"Hey, sorry about last time."

His back stayed turned. Kevin stood there thinking of what to say. Before he can say anything though, Toby spoke.

"You know, we should play games more often. Spend more time together. I really like being with you."

Toby turned to look at him, smiling. "Please, let's forget about everything else. Let's just stay together, in this world."

"If we do that then..." Kevin looked away from Toby, thinking of how to respond.

Toby starts talking again, "There's nothing to worry about. I'll be here to take care of you. Everything you need or want, I'll give to you."

"We can't just run away to this world, Toby. This place, it's only a place where you can go to play games for a bit. It can't be our new world. It can't replace our real lives."

Toby's smile dropped. "I know that. You don't have to remind me. Why are so insisted on defending that place anyway? You've been lonely and tired for a long time, right? Why do you think anything will change now? No one there has been there for you."

"That... That may be true, but I want to be able to get better."

"You're not gonna get better."

"That's not true."

"It is. The world out there is a cold and cruel place. No one out there will want to help us. Everyone would just ignore us and walk away."

"There will be people, Toby. I know a lot of people are going to not notice or ignore us, but that doesn't mean everyone will. Things will get better."

Toby snapped, yelling "How do you know?"

"I don't. I just know that if I don't believe, I might not be able to move forward."

Toby shook his head, "You're going to be alone out there. And when you realize I was right, you'll be more hurt than you were before. It's not worth it. Please just stay here."

"I'm not going to be alone."

"How do you know that..?" He said with a scowl.

"Because you are here. You are here with me." He walked closer, "I know that if we are together, it won't be as hard."

He reaches out his hand to Toby. "Neither of us have to be alone. We don't have to be sad or lonely anymore. I know saying is easier than doing it, but I want to try and I want you to try too."

Toby took a step back,"...I... You're ridiculous."

Even though he said that Toby reached out and grabbed Kevin's hand. Kevin pulls him into a hug. Neither of them said anything for a moment. Instead, they were just standing there.

"You really are stupid you know?" Toby raises his hand and puts it on Kevin's head.

Kevin let go of him, "Hey, I don't think it's that bad."

Toby started laughing, "No, you're the worst. The dumbest person I ever met. And I guess that is something I like about you. It is somewhat strange to see you this optimistic though..."

He paused before continuing, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have been so selfish. I shouldn't have said so many mean things to you."

"It's fine. I can understand, you were going through your own stuff. I won't leave you just because of one fight. After all, we're friends right?"

Toby sighed, "I don't really want to try to interact with the real world after everything, but if it makes you happy then I'll try too."

Toby smiled at him. "I'll see you later."

He logged off, leaving Kevin alone. He took one last look at Fairytale pond before logging off too. He pulled his headset off and looked at the sun. It seems it is still mid-day. Though the world is still the same and at his core, Kevin was still the same. He knew some part of has changed.

Slowly, he would change and become the person he wants to be.