The Lunch
“What IS it?” Darwin stared at his lunch tray.
“I don’t know man”, Gumball said, “I swear the food here gets worse every day.”
“I guess it LOOKS like pasta, but it’s way too jiggly and gross. Plus it smells weird.” Darwin said dubiously.
“Honestly, I don’t really care at this point. I slept in this morning and had to skip breakfast to catch the bus on time, so I’ve been starving all day.” Gumball’s stomach growled loudly, as if to prove his point.
“What are all these gray bits?” Darwin asked, “You’re gonna get sick if you eat this.”
Gumball sighed, “I’m just gonna try not to think about it.” He picked up a spoonful of food and hesitated for a moment before closing his eyes and putting the spoon in his mouth.
Gumball opened his eyes and chewed thoughtfully. “Ackshually itsh not bad.” He said through a mouthful of food. He swallowed and said, “It’s cold and slimy, but the taste is pretty okay.”
Darwin shook his head and pushed his tray away, “I’m not touching it. I’ll just eat something when we get home.”
Gumball shrugged before putting another scoop in his mouth, “More for me I guess.”
———————————————-
30 minutes later in the back of Miss Simians class, Gumball sat with his head down on his desk, clutching his stomach.
“Duuuuuude,” Gumball groaned, “Why did you let me eat that.”
Darwin rolled his eyes, “I told you it would make you sick, but you don’t listen to me.”
“WATERSON, THIS ISN’T NAPTIME. PAY ATTENTION.” Miss Simian called.
Gumball sat up in his chair. He looked miserable.
“Do you feel like you’re going to puke?” Darwin asked.
“No dude it feels like I’m about to shit my pants.” Gumball winced.
“GUMBALL, YOU’RE NOT EVEN TAKING NOTES! GET YOUR BOOKS OUT OF YOUR BAG!” said Miss Simian.
Gumball leaned forward to unzip his bag, and felt pressure in his gut. “Oh no.” He thought.
PFFRT
The sound of Gumball’s fart was amplified by the surface of his desk chair as his cheeks turned red. It was quiet enough that only the row in front of him had heard it, but it was still embarrassing. He could hear Tobias and Banana Joe laughing as he covered his face with his hands.
“At least I feel a little better now.” Gumball thought to himself, “I only have one more class after this one, and then I can go home.”
——————————
Gumball had managed to power through the rest of the school day, but on the bus ride home the nausea started to become unbearable again.
“Duuude...” Gumball groaned and sat with his head on his knees.
“It’s still that bad, huh?” Darwin said.
Gumball nodded. He was sweating now. “Remind me to murder Rocky when we get back to school on Monday. Feeding this kind of stuff to students has to be illegal, man.”
“Why didn’t you go to the bathroom at school?” Darwin asked.
“I did!” Gumball exclaimed, “I tried to go between classes, but it was only gas…”
“Gross.” Darwin said, “Somehow I think that’s worse.”
Gumball was trying his best to contain the pressure in his stomach, but as the bus went over a bump, he let one slip.
BBFFFT
This time, the bus seat muffled it enough that only Darwin could hear it.
“Sorry…” Gumball said sheepishly.
“Don’t worry about it” Darwin laughed, “We’re almost home.”
Gumball watched Darwin’s expression change as the smell reached him.
“Actually that is rancid dude, what the hell.”
“I said I was sorry!” Gumball exclaimed.
—————————————
At home, Gumball lay curled up on his bed. Darwin came upstairs after making himself a sandwich in the kitchen.
“God it reeks in here.” He said.
“I know man” Gumball moaned, “I still feel like shit.”
As if on cue, Gumball felt his stomach gurgle.
PPFFFRRRRT
Now that he was at home, Gumball wasn’t even trying to hold them in.
“That cafeteria lunch is destroying me”
“At least open a window” Darwin said, “It smells like something died.”
“It’s me!” Gumball complained, “I’m dead! I’m supposed to go to Penny’s house in an hour, but I can’t show up like this!”
“Why not just skip it?” Darwin asked, “You can see her some other time.”
“It’s her sisters birthday today!” Gumball exclaimed, “I promised I would be there!”
Darwin considered for a moment, “Well maybe you should just- “
PFFFFRRRRRRRT
Gumball interrupted Darwin with another particularly loud fart.
“Gross” Darwin laughed, “On second thought I’m gonna go finish my sandwich downstairs. Good luck dude.”
Gumball buried his face in his pillow and moaned.
————————————————
When the time came to go to Penny’s, nothing had changed. Gumballs stomach continued to protest, and even with the window open, his room still smelled foul.
“I don’t need to stay there all night”Gumball thought, “I’ll just show up for an hour or so and then leave. I’m sure I can last that long.”
When he arrived at Penny’s house, he stood in front of her door for a moment to prepare himself. He took a deep breath, and then knocked. Penny’s father opened the door.
Gumball forced a smile. “Hello Mr Fitzgerald! I hope I’m not late!”
Penny’s dad raised an eyebrow and said, “Actually, you’re the first one here. Come on inside.”
Gumball walked stiffly into the house. Penny, Polly, and their mother were sitting in the living room, watching the TV.
“Hi Gumball!” Penny stood up and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
Gumball blushed, and felt himself relax. “Hi Penny.”
Gumball went to sit on the couch, but as he did, he felt the pressure in his gut return. “Actually, do you mind if I use your bathroom?” he asked.
“Sure!” Penny said, “You know where it is, right?”
“Yeah, thanks.” Gumball replied before hurrying up the stairs.
Gumball closed the bathroom door and dropped his pants around his ankles before sitting down. He felt his stomach gurgle and closed his eyes. He grunted and flexed his butthole.
PPFFFBBBLLLTT
“Still just gas” he thought.
PPFFFFRRRRT
Gumball’s farts echoed in the toilet bowl. He sighed and thought, “That does feel a little better, at least.”
Realizing he wouldn’t have any more luck, Gumball pulled up his pants and washed his hands.
When he returned downstairs, he saw that some of the other guests had arrived. Polly was playing with a few of her friends in the living room, while Penny stood in the kitchen with the adults. Gumball walked into the kitchen.
“Hey Gumball, are you feeling alright?” Penny asked, “You look a little pale.”
He gritted his teeth and said, “Yeah, I’m fine.”
“Okay… just let me know” Penny said worriedly.
Suddenly, the door bell rang. “I’ll bet that’s the pizza guy” Penny’s dad said. Sure enough, a moment later he returned with boxes of pizza.
“Dinner time, Polly!” Penny’s mom called.
———————————
At the dinner table Gumball sat with Penny on his right, and Mr Fitzgerald on his left.
“How many slices, Gumball?” Mr Fitzgerald asked.
The idea of eating anything at this moment was disgusting to Gumball, but he figured it would be impolite to refuse.
“Just one please.” he said.
“What, are you on a diet or something?” Mr Fitzgerald said as he handed him a slice. Gumball laughed weakly as he took a bite.
The moment he swallowed the bite of pizza, Gumball felt his stomach protest. He leaned forward as it gurgled and groaned.
“Could I be excused for a moment?” he blurted out, as he stood from his chair in a hurry.
He moved to leave the table, but in his rush he tripped and landed flat on his stomach. The impact was too much for him.
PPPFFFFFRRRRTTT
Gumball was sprawled on the floor with his tail in the air. He couldn’t stop it now.
PPPPPBBBBBRRRRRTTT
It was all coming now, as if his stomach had been waiting for this moment. Gumball could feel his butt cheeks vibrating from the force of it.
PPRRRRRT
When he was finished, Gumball sat up. He sighed with relief. He felt perfectly fine now!
Gumball turned to look at the table. Mr Fitzgerald looked down at him with disgust. Penny had turned red and looked away. Gumball could tell he was blushing from the heat in his cheeks, and as he got to his feet he could feel tears welling up. Meanwhile, Polly and her friends thought this was the funniest thing they had ever seen. They laughed loudly.
Everyone seemed to react at once as the smell wafted through the room. Mr Fitzgerald covered his mouth and said, “You should leave.”
Gumball ran to the door, and as he stepped outside he started to cry. He sat on the front step for a moment, and heard the door open behind him. He wiped his eyes and turned to see Penny.
“I’m so sorry Penny.” Gumball sniffed.
“Don’t apologize to me, dummy” Penny said softly, “It doesn’t bother me.”
“It was the lunch they served in the school cafeteria today” Gumball explained, “I’ve been sick all afternoon.”
Penny sat down next to him, “I knew it! Why did you come tonight if you were so sick?”
“I promised that I’d be here for Polly’s birthday!” Gumball exclaimed.
“Well Polly seemed to think all of that was pretty funny.” Penny laughed, “I’m sure you made her night.”
Gumball grinned sheepishly.
“I’m not sure anyone else thought it was that funny, but they’ll get over it” she said.
Penny hugged Gumball, and stood up to go back inside. “Go home and get some rest, I’ll talk to you later.”
“Thanks Penny...”
“Goodnight Gumball!”
“Goodnight.” Gumball walked home with his hands in his pockets.
——————————
When he got home, Darwin was watching TV on the couch. “How’d it go?” Darwin said.
Gumball started to climb upstairs to bed. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
