What was Test Tube supposed to think? She stared down at the egg. No new cracks had formed since her fight with Fan, but that was only a few hours ago. Her mind had been racing so fast that trying to comprehend her feelings just made her confused. It took a while for her to leave the top of the vending machine, in fact, she hadn't lifted her gaze from the egg in a while.

She observed her surroundings cautiously, Baseball had gone without a sound. She felt a pang of guilt for not talking with him more, or even for not giving him a simple "see you later." She wished she could have said a proper goodbye to him, to Fan, and to..

Test Tube's face conveyed her sudden realization:

Lightbulb hadn't been recovered yet!

She swiftly hopped off the vending machine, eyes frantically searching for MePhone. She sprinted to nowhere in particular. It felt like an hour had passed before she saw a familiar shape standing in the night, though it wasn't MePhone.

The person in question was staring at the haunted mansion that she herself had been inside months prior. She remembered how afraid she had been, not of the ghost, but of being wrong. Had she been wrong to keep the egg from Fan?

She shook her thoughts away as MePad turned to look at her. He didn't have a mouth, but it was easy to see that he was frowning.

"Do all objects in emotional distress run off to live in a haunted house?"

Test Tube looked at him quizzically, and he continued, "Can I trust you with a secret?" Well that wasn't concerning, not one bit. She nodded despite her inner sarcasm.

"I know what happened to Marshmallow, there is no need to worry about her now. I personally think her disappearance was a good change for her." He turned his attention back to the mansion as Test Tube made her way over, standing next to him.

"So that's where she went?" She almost whispered, her voice breathy from running just moments ago. Her arms tightened ever so slightly around the egg.

"Yes, and I believe Apple is with her. She too went missing not long after your absent teammate did."

Test Tube pondered that for a bit, she almost envied Marshmallow. She chose to leave, Fan didn't. Paintbrush didn't either. She missed them both so much, but she cracked a sad smile and looked forward at the crumbling building.

"At least she's happy."

With that, MePad turned to face the girl, worry on his face, but understanding in his eyes.

"MePhone was near the elimination area the last I saw him. You should hurry on then, wouldn't want to miss him."

Test Tube was confused, how did he know she'd been looking for MePhone? She gave him a worried glance, and he returned it with one that said "I'll be fine." Well then, no more stalling. It's time to go and get her friend back.

Test Tube sure was doing a lot of running today. She tried to remind herself that physical activity releases endorphins, and soon enough, she'd feel happier for sure. The stage and bleachers came into view, closer, closer, and she was finally there!

She doubled over and panted for a bit, catching her breath. She stumbled over to the stage, sitting on the ledge was MePhone. The soft lights behind him cast his shadow on the grass. When she stepped into it, the host finally glanced up to see her.

"What do you want," Oh great, she'd come at a bad time, "I'm busy."

She raised an eyebrow, it looked like he'd been doing a whole lot of nothing, but she wasn't here to argue. She had an important objective.

"Please bring back Lightbulb." MePhone rolled his eyes, but complied. Soon enough, her friend was materializing in front of her.

Lightbulb blinked a few times, gathering herself. As she brushed imaginary dust off her body, she flashed a grin at Test Tube.

"Hey Tube-gal! Miss me?" Test Tube wanted to say yes, she wanted to tell her everything right now. She ached to talk about Fan, about Marshmallow, she wanted to say anything at all, but all she could do was stumble forward into Lightbulbs' arms.

Test Tube shut her eyes tight and held back a sob. Lightbulb was surprised, she didn't think she had missed that much. Glancing back at MePhone, Lightbulb decided that the elimination area wasn't the place for this.

Test Tube couldn't hold in her tears anymore. She turned away from Lightbulb, and felt a comforting arm snake around her middle as the two girls began to walk away. Lightbulb could almost feel MePhone's eyes on her back. She'd contemplate his problems later.

Test Tube was a wreck by the time she and Lightbulb found a secluded place to sit. Her weak sniffles soon died down. She placed the egg a safe distance away and limply leaned against Lightbulb's side. Lightbulb stayed quiet, giving her time to calm down. She knew Test Tube would open up soon.

She gave a final shaky breath, "Fan and I had a fight," her voice wavered while she spoke. "I-I didn't get to apologize to him before he left."

Lightbulb held her friend close, she knew what that meant. Fan was eliminated. This deeply saddened her, another friend she'd have to wait to see again. But this wasn't about how she felt right now, this is about Test Tube. Lightbulb parted from the embrace just enough to lock eyes with her.

"Hey, think of it this way. He didn't get to apologize either. He probably feels just as bad right now," Test Tube's eyes dropped to look at her lap.

"Okay Lightbulb, you're just upsetting her. Time to take this in a different direction."

She unsteadily continued, "You're best friends, and you know Fan. He wouldn't throw something like that away over an argument." She still wasn't looking at her. Lightbulb's hand found it's way to Test Tube's face, bringing both pairs of eyes level with one another. "Just give it some time, I'm sure he'll come around." She brushed away a tear from her friend's cheek. Wait- she didn't mean to go this far.

All Test Tube could do was stare, was this really happening? She was glad to let out how she felt about Fan, but now all she could focus on is the warmth of Lightbulb's hand. She forced herself to tear her eyes away and put a greater distance between them.

Lightbulb quickly pulled back her hand and winced. She sucked in air through her teeth, regret churning in her stomach.

"Oh man, did I really just do that while she was all sad and vulnerable? Take a hint Lightbulb!"

"Sorry- it's cool if you don't-"

Test Tube interjected, "No! It's okay," her brain turned to dust, "I uh, liked it?" Now it was her turn to cringe. "That was a really stupid thing of me to say." She grimaced and clapped her hand over her forehead. From what she could only assume was embarrassment, Lightbulb's whole body involuntarily lit up.

Test Tube saw her friend's face almost mimic her own, and her mouth twisted into a grin. She laughed, realized that it probably wasn't the right time for that, and covered her mouth with both hands. Lightbulb only stared down at herself- it's all she could manage to do.

With her hands covering her whole face, Test Tube leaned all the way over until her back hit the ground. Lightbulb watched her, peeking over her own knees as she balled herself up.

"Well," the girl in green weakly began, "now what?"

Lightbulb couldn't help but nervously giggle a bit at how her friend looked, so tired, so flustered, so cute.

She wasn't supposed to have thought that just now.

Test Tube peered at Lightbulb from between her fingers, a goofy grin plastered on her face. Lightbulb began to stand, and as her glow faded, she extended her arm to help Test Tube up. Lightbulb watched her retrieve the egg, then thought for a moment.

"I think.." she trailed off, "I think I need to make a phone call."