Eventually, we managed to find our way back to the main hall, where we quickly met up with Spamton and the HotSpots. While I tried to reunite with Spam, (and apologize for some stuff from earlier), I was quickly swarmed by my friends. All concerned and fussing over me like a baby. (I'm not that much younger than the rest of them!) ... At least they're concern was somewhat comforting considering my anxiety from earlier. ... Though it was quickly undercut with a rude reminder of how bratty Taffy really is when some of the Askers started arguing with them. Taffy asked me if I thought Spamton truly deserved the help Papa and I were trying to give him. To which I gave no response and just left.
In hindsight, I probably shouldn't have just up and left (especially considered Taffy still tried to follow me) but I knew if I did try and continue the conversation, it'd only start an argument. Something I didn't want to get into with Taffy right then and there. Or really ever. (... I know it's probably inevitable though.) Even still, though I tried to avoid a conversation/argument with Taffy, one still happened because yippie, the Askers! I... Look, I get they're here to ask questions, and I'd much rather them do that then... You know, interact with their world through a vessel, ie, me, but still. It was frustrating to listen too while trying to keep my mouth shut as Taffy spouted the most absurdly wrong takes I've ever heard in my whole life. (Who the frick taught you that unfortunate people deserve it, Taff!? Just because they end up in a bad place, doesn't mean they deserve it! Spamton didn't deserve what happened to him, will you shut the F-)
What made it worse is that eventually Spamton caught up with us too and started trying to argue with Taffy as well, in a cocky "trying to show them what for" way. I was reaching the end of my patience.
I cut the conversation short when an Asker asked Taffy about what if I was in Spamton's position. Literally cutting Spamton off by picking him up and saying the conversation was over before activating my skates to skate to the School where Papa was supposed to pick us up. I was done listening to them. I know that it would've probably been a good thing for Taffy to get some sort of reality check, but it's not something I could deal with right then.
At least I got a minute to breath once Spamton and I arrived outside the school.
After a few moments of silence, I spoke up again.
"... Maybe you were right."
"H UH? [Loud Correct Ding] A BOUT WHAT?" Spamton asked.
"My friends ARE like the Addisons. ... Maybe I shouldn't trust them that much." ... I still stand by Spamton was too quick to judge my friends after just meeting them but... Even I can see the similarity. I just didn't want to face what those similarities might mean...
"W HAT!? KID! L1KE U SAID, I BARELY [Get to know you quiz] THEM ! THEY... T H3Y R'E NOT..."
"You might barely know them but I've know them since I was a little kid! I... Even if I pretend I don't see their flaws, I still see them! I know what they're really like and what they're really like isn't all that great people!" I ran my fingers through my hair, trying to ground my self as I continued. "Taffy acts nice but he's mean, Blane can be an absolute dunce and a jerk, Blaze talks about herself more than she listens to others, Neil is cold and blunt. I... I know I try to convince myself I can trust them, but..." But what if I can't? What if I'm just gaslighting myself into believe that because it's more comforting to believe that lie than it is to face the harsh truth.
... A little after that, Spamton, without warning, starting climbing up me and bapping me on the head. I was very confused and taken aback.
"Gyeh? I- Spam- Spamton what are you... What are you doing?"
"TR YING 2 [Die die die die!] TEH [[Last two braincells]] THAT R MA KING U [Thunk] LIKE THAT."
At that point, Spamton grabbed my face and pulled it up to his. "L 1STEN 2 ME KID. U'VE G0T PE0OPLE WHO [Care to try our ]/-" He clunked the sit of his head to try and get rid of the glitch (something we've still been working on getting him not to do for fear of him hurting himself) "YOU'VE GOT PEOPLE WHO- PE0PLE WHO- P3OPLE WHO [Care] ABOU T U KID. PEOPPLE WHO [Care] A WH0L E LOT. EV3N F IT [May Savings] OR [Not May Savings] BE THO SE [[Internet deep fake]] FR E1NDS OF URS."
"YO UR GONNA BE [A-Okay ]. N0 MATT R WUT [[Happening Today]]."
... Though it was riddled in confusing ad-speak, and I'm still not sure I can fully understand what he was trying to say, I found it oddly comforting.
I made sure to thank Spamton and then we grabbed a few quick Dark Burgers from Castle Town before Papa picked us up and we went home. Thankfully Taffy, Neil and Blaze called their parents for rides. I'm not sure I could handle being around Taffy anymore that night... We still haven't really talked about it since. This morning when I saw him again at school, he acted like nothing was wrong and like most of last night didn't happen. ... I can still tell they hold some resentment though. Mostly towards Spamton. Gyeh...
Well, at least Neil, Blane and I have set up a hang out for Saturday to hang out at the Hometown Fun Center. Blane and Neil both seemed interested after I mentioned it while we were out trick-or-treating. I'm mostly excited to (hopefully) put this drama behind us and have a fun day skating and playing arcade games. Maybe I'll even get a chance to talk to my aunt. She's always been a really good listener.
