Chapter 7: Welcome to the Freakshow!

## Synopsis

It's finally time for Gumball/Darwin to go back to school after all that's happened thus far. However, it might not be so great.

## Chapter (WARNING SPOILERS)

Gumball/Darwin were dreading the first day back to school, mostly due to worry of reactions. The alarm clock beeps, beginning the day. At first the two don't get up, but Anais forces them up. G/D get ready for school, uneasy of things to come.

Nicole is concerned for them, questioning if this is what they wanted. The two nod, though are worried as they see the bus. They soon agree for Nicole to drive them to school instead just in case.

Moments later, she pulls up in front of the school, and G/D exit, carrying Gumball's backpack with them. Though some are surprised by the appearance, they pay no mind, but inside was a different case. People are surprised and some frightened by them. Some show disgust, some are heard questioning it, and of course Sarah was squealing with delight for obvious reasons.

G/D make a plan to swap each other's stuff, and step into the classroom. Unsurprisingly, nearly all eyes are on them. Miss Simian does not notice, nor care, as they sat down in Gumball's seat after a moment of decision deciding. The monkey begins rollcall, naming several students as she finally gets to Gumball's name. With a slight hesitance, he responds, catching a few people off guard. Miss Simian finally takes a look and spits out her coffee, questioning their appearance sarcastically. Darwin admits that its a long story, which startles the class yet again, to no surprise. Carrie tries to give them a look of encouragement afterwards, which they appreciate.

Most of their classes repeated this cycle. Soon, it was time for lunch. The two contemplate eating in the cafeteria, worried about the other kids, but choose to do so, sitting alone. Anais soon greets the two and sits down with them, asking about their day. G/D explain what had been going on, from the name confusion, etc. They confirm no signs of bullying so far yet either, though admitting they only got weird looks from people, which as this is said Leslie is clearly seen gossiping about it minutes later.

Their moment of peace is ruined, however, as Jamie and Tina bug the two. They try to ignore the bullies, as Anais eventually tries standing up to this. Jamie is not effected by this, and Anais quietly sat back down in embarrassment once she and the dinosaur left. G/D reassure her of what happened.

After lunch, it seems the bullying only began to grow worse, other kids getting in on it. People also begin spreading rumors and questioning what had happened to the two. Gumball/Darwin enter the classroom a little while later, growing worried as they hear the kids whispering and snickering.

Leslie interrogates the two on their whereabouts, to which they try to keep away from, for obvious reasons. However the kids only insist on it, nearly cornering them into a wall. G/D end up very uncomfortable and scared, explaining it was personal and refuse. Jamie grips their arm, and the two try to get her to let go.

The two grew horrified, as others gasped. Their arm tore clean off from its stitches, and landed to the floor. Desperately G/D tried putting it back in, but end up unsuccessful. Silence fills the room, as they look up with fear. Everyone was just as frightened as them.

Miss Simian interrupts this, as she comes in. She soon demands to know what had happened while she was gone. Tobias claims G/D as zombies, to which the two deny, clearly hurt. Tobias does not listen, accusing it of being true thanks to their appearance. Gumball/Darwin continue defending themselves, trying hard not to cry in front of everyone. Past adventures are brought up, as other students begin insulting and adding salt to the wounds. They were forced to hear horrible names, ranging from freak, monster, even to mistake. The two are horribly crying, as the last straw finally breaks.

"SHUT UP!"

G/D had snapped, clenching their fist (one fist, since y'know, limb came off), as they scold everyone for their behavior, as they didn't know the pain and suffering they had to go through.

Some had their hands up to their mouths with shock, others dead silent. Miss Simian ushers everyone to their seats and orders the two to go down to the nurse's office. They obey and silently leave.

Later on after school, G/D and Anais were in the car as Nicole drove home. She asks how the day was, to which the two replied rather nervously. However their behavior is noticed, especially due to their disproportional arm. They admit what had happened, and show that their arm wasn't exactly put back on well, as it drooped and bent at an odd angle.

Anais promises to fix it, and Nicole is understandably angry. It is soon silent, as the four returned home.

**END OF SPOILERS.**

## Fun facts!

* The title of the chapter references the song "Freak show" by Skillet. Yeah shut up Is8 listens to rock she can if she wants to.
* In the original FF.net version, things were different in the classroom scene. Jamie was shown to be bullying them again, others laughing along with her. Gumball/Darwin punch her, and as usual has their arm torn off. Miss Simian comes in, and demands to know who punched the girl. Everyone points at G/D, who run into the hallway, chased by of course Miss Simian. They go into a janitor closet and lock the door, Miss Simian shouting along the latter of "YOU CAN'T HIDE IN THERE FOREVER!" and goes to get the keys.
* In the ending of the original, going along with the punching Jamie segment, Nicole is furious about it. Gumball/Darwin explain that she started it, but their mother remarks that you shouldn't just punch someone. The two then snap, saying the line "Well how would *you* like it if you were called a zombie freakshow thing?!" They go silent like in the new one. Is8 changed both of these scenes since they didn't really make too much sense. They were also pretty mean too. (come on, she's not THAT brutal)