The three stood in the hallway, Paintbrush glaring at Test Tube, Lightbulb between them to stop any potential conflict.

Warm orange light poured in through the windows, illuminating the dark hall. Paintbrush itched to admire the beautiful sunset, maybe even paint the divine scene. But they had problems to solve, or yell about, so that would have to wait. On the first floor, the party had just begun. Faint music could be heard from below. Lightbulb cast a gaze at her friends, but the three remained in silence as the tension built up.

"I'm... sorry", Test Tube eventually said, adverting her gaze. After a few more seconds of silence, she let all of her thoughts pour out, and began to ramble. "I only ever saw the small chance that something good would come from my actions. I didn't even consider, or care to ask, how you would feel. I wanted to protect you at all costs, but by doing that, I was just giving myself closure and being selfish."

Paintbrush continued to stare at Test Tube, softening their gaze ever so slightly. Lightbulb waited for a moment before glancing over to Paintbrush, trying to tell them it was their turn to respond.

"I don't see myself completely forgiving you anytime soon", Paintbrush finally said. "Nor do I see all of the others forgiving you quickly, either. But I understand why you did what you did."

"Thank you", Test Tube blurted.

"See? That wasn't so hard. Now we can all be buddies again." Lightbulb blinked at Test Tube, trying to come up with a way to say goodbye to her friend without sounding like she was excluding her or looking down on her. "Have fun with your... science. See you tomorrow, dude", she awkwardly grinned before walking away with Paintbrush.

Test Tube made sure they were gone before sighing. She sat down on the floor, her back against the wall, and listened to the faint music from the ongoing party.

She was supposed to be down there, laughing with her friends and trying to work her science puns into their conversations. She was supposed to be having fun, causing chaos, just like everyone was.

But no. Her stupid, stupid paranoia had taken control of the past few months of her life, commanding her every move and making everyone hate her.

...and if they hated her, she couldn't protect them, and if she couldn't protect them, then-

Fan opened the door to his and Paintbrush's room, looking left, right, and then left again before leaving. He admired the view from the window, snapped a picture of it, and began to walk to the elevator. And as he did so, he finally noticed Test Tube. He quickly typed something on his phone before going to sit down next to her.

"So..." After a while of more awkward silence, he finally spoke, the first words he had said to her in a few weeks. "Hi."

"Hi", Test Tube responded, avoiding eye contact.

Fan kept his gaze on the pretty light from the window, which had now turned a light grey-blue-ish color instead of the warm oranges as the moon had started to rise. He kept stealing occasional glances at Test Tube's face as he pieced together a way to explain how he felt. Test Tube herself was calculating how many hours she'd manage to sleep after Fan's conversation with her, and how upset Lightbulb would be that she wasn't properly caring for herself.

"I don't... really know what to think", he eventually started, capturing Test Tube's attention. "I mean, yeah, it was wrong what you did, but after Lightbulb explained it... I can understand." He stopped to cringe, remembering how many embarrassing moments Test Tube must've seen. "This'll probably permanently alter your relationship with everyone here, and how they view you. I don't completely forgive you either, but right now I'm mostly concerned for your well-being."

"I'm mad at myself, too", Test Tube interrupted. "Mad at my brain for making me act like this, and disappointed at myself for not being able to stop it."

She wanted, and honestly, expected, Fan to assure her that it wasn't her fault, that she was a good person, and that he'd always be her friend, no matter what.

But he didn't.

Fan looked back at the window, thinking.

"I'm... going back to my room", he eventually said. "See you tomorrow."

He got up and left, leaving Test Tube alone with just the blaring music below and her thoughts.

She thought about following after him and knocking on the door, spending the rest of the night talking and laughing with him. Sharing memories, singing songs, doing everything that the others were doing. Being normal.

But she didn't.

She dragged herself up and slowly walked down the hall until she eventually reached the elevator. She stepped inside, pressed the button to go to the first floor and waited.

Test Tube took that time to recollect her thoughts.

It was odd, but suddenly, most of her paranoia had faded. She knew that even the slightest hint at one of her friends being in danger would set her off for weeks again, but currently, she was just... numb. Fine. She had completely forgotten why she had been worrying so much. It all just seemed like too much to handle just a few minutes ago, but she had somehow subconsciously absorbed the advice of Lightbulb, and her friends had managed to ground her again.

Loud, blaring music and meaningless chatter greeted her once the elevator stopped and she stepped out. She whisked through the small crowd and left the hotel like she had never been there in the first place.

Small sprinkles of rain fell from the sky, the cold breeze of autumn chilling her down, not to the point where it was uncomfortable, but just enough so that the sensation of curling up in her warm, comfortable bed would be even more enjoyable.

She stopped as she entered her lab, giving an odd look to the mess - and wow was it a mess - she had created a few weeks prior. She'd have to ask Lightbulb or maybe even Fan to help her tomorrow.

Test Tube laid down in her bed, reflecting on the past few months and the progress she had made with her mental health and well-being.

Yeah. Maybe she was fine, or at least doing better, and if she wasn't, she knew just who to ask for help.

[word count: 1051]