What's up, everybody! I'm back after two months of break and now is the start of the story, "Senior Year", which is the sequel to "A New Life". Just a quick note, if you haven't read "A New Life", I suggest you read it before going through this one because it's connected obviously. Anyway, let's get started.


Chapter 1: Grief

(An empty, dark room with a television playing Gumball's video tape that he left after he ran away, seemingly edited but glitching out)

Gumball: Hello, everyone. I hope you're holding up to losing me so far. I'm running away. I know you guys really want me back but until I get the heat off of me and get my head cleared of on what's been going on lately. Lots of thoughts went into my head and.. I feel like that because of me, you guys are taking the risks. I don't want that anymore. I don't wanna see my friends and family getting hurt. Don't worry, maybe in a few years, I might come back. I'm just doing this to get the heat off me. But nobody could tell whether we could meet again. Riki, Anna, Jake, Kelsey, Amber, Cato, Ivan, Kira, you're the best friends I've ever been with my whole life. Mom, Dad, Anais, Darwin, Lexy, Dante, Endo, you guys really are family to me. And, Carrie, you really make me happy when I'm sad, you actually mean a lot to me, you've given me the best times I've ever had in my life. And one last thing, Mom, Dad, Anais, Darwin, Lexy, Dante, Endo, even Carrie, I love you guys. I'm sorry but I gotta do this. Goodbye.


(Four years later)

Things have changed ever since that fateful day. Well, not that much. Gumball's friends still hung out with each other. Just some of them aren't as happy as they were before. Now, they are in their senior year at Elmore High School. Everyday, they hope that their friend, Gumball, would return. Now we go to the haunted mansion, where one of Gumball's friend, Cato, was just waking up on a Tuesday morning.


(Cato's POV)

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! Another Monday morning. I looked around my room and stretched before getting ready. After Gumball ran away, me and Amber thought that Carrie needed some company, so we moved into her house until Gumball gets back. Not really normal for someone to run away and come back on their own free will, but heck, this is Elmore. Not that much is normal around here anyway. I have a room all to myself while Amber crashed in with Carrie in her room. And now, we're in senior year and yet I'm 18. Better wake those two up before we're late.

Cato: *knock* *knock* Wake up, guys! We got 30 minutes.

Amber and Carrie: Okay.


(Darwin's POV)

(Bus stop)

Wow, can't believe it's been four years since Gumball ran away. Always wondered when will he come back. Oh well, time will tell. Everyone's at the bus stop waiting for the bus. Suddenly, Cato dashed towards us while Amber and Carrie teleported right at the same second.

Cato: Hey, guys.

Dante: Hey, Cato.

Darwin: Hey.

Cato: Where's Ivan?

Lexy: Guessing he ditched. Again.

Dante and Lexy was doing their best to stay happy eventhough their twin and step brother's gone. After Gumball ran away, Dante started going to the gym with Cato and Jamie while Lexy started taking an interest for art. And then the bus came and we all went aboard.


(A few minutes later)

(School)

Everyone was early coming to the auditorium. We had an assembly today. Usually happens once a month, or a few times on special occasions. There were a few teachers lined up at the front. We met up with some old friends, Jake, Kelsey, and Anna.

Jake: Morning, guys.

Cato: Morning.

Darwin: Morning.

Lexy: Still too early?

Kelsey: I guess so. Most teachers are already here. Just waiting for your cousin and Kira.

Amber: They're not here yet?

Anna: Nope. They might be here soon.

Then, the principal was walking up the stage to start the assembly. Also, surprisingly out of all the teachers and despite being only 20 years old, Endo became the principal of the school. No joke. Kira on the other hand became a regular teacher. All of us were still wondering how the heck did that happen but we just kinda went with it.

Endo: Alright everyone. Quiet down. I got a couple announcements to make. This announcement mostly involves the senior class but the others will have to listen as well. Tomorrow, there will be a new student coming to our school, so better make sure you're friendly with her. Also, yesterday, one of our teacher's car was vandalized with grafitti all over it. Whoever did it better fess up and get to my office after this. That is all. You may head to your class.

Cato: Anyone betting that Ivan did that?

Dante: Yup.

Jake: Sure do.

Kelsey: Speaking of Ivan, where is he?

Lexy: Most likely he ditched, probably because of this.

Ivan was one of the people who really gets us worried. Now that Gumball's gone, he got bored and started vandalizing stuff or doing graffiti. He never really told us why he liked doing it. I noticed Carrie was just standing (floating) there all alone.

Darwin: Hey, Carrie. You're awfully quiet.

Carrie: Sorry. I just really miss him. It's been four years now.

I started to remember him and hugged Carrie to comfort her.

Darwin: We all do, Carrie. But he'll come back. I know he will.

Carrie: Yeah, I hope so.

Darwin: C'mon. Let's head to class.


(3rd person POV)

(After school)

The school bell rang and everyone went home. Cato and his friends were just about to leave.

Amber: See ya tomorrow.

Dante: See ya.

Kelsey: Bye.

Anna: Bye.

On the way back to the mansion, Cato stopped walking and told Amber to do something.

Cato: Hey, Amber. Take care of Carrie. I gotta go somewhere.

Amber: Heh, it's that time of the year again, isn't it?

Cato: Yup. Just make sure Carrie's in good shape.

Amber: Okay.

Cato dashed back while Amber caught up to Carrie walking home.

Carrie: Where's Cato going? The gym?

Amber: Nope.

Carrie: Then where?

Amber: The same place he goes to every 13th of November.


(Florida)

Cato was at the cemetery standing in front of his parents' grave. Everytime the day comes, he keeps reminiscing that tragic day. About a few minutes standing there, he started talking to them.

Cato: Hey, Mom. Dad. How've you two been? Hope you're doing well on the other side. I'm still doing good here. You don't have to worry about me. Amy said she's doing fine too. I found her a couple of days ago and she said she got some karate class today. So she couldn't make it. Andrew, I haven't seen him since that war simulator thing four years ago. I hope you're watching over him, making sure he's safe. Though, I wish I could see him again.

?: Well, you finally got your wish, bro.

Cato: Andrew?

Andrew: The one and only.

Cato walked up to him and hugged his little bro.

Cato: Where the heck have you been?

Andrew: Oh, the spring after the last time we met, me and my friends had some new company. Four whole years, he was staying with us.

Cato: Really now?

Andrew: I'm not joking, okay?

Cato: Alright, I believe you.

Andrew: *sigh* Can't believe it's been nine years, huh?

Cato: Yeah, time flies fast.

Andrew: Yup. You're still wearing the gloves I gave ya?

Cato: Yeah, I kinda like them.

Andrew: Oh yeah, how's your search for that fugitive friend of yours?

Cato: You mean Gumball? He's not a fugitive. He was innocent.

Andrew: Really?

Cato: Yeah, but I guess he didn't know since he was found innocent the day after he ran off.

Andrew: Well, believe me when I say this. He'll be coming home soon.

Cato: Ya think so?

Andrew: I know so.

Cato: Hmm.

Andrew: Well, I best be off. See ya next time.

Cato: Ok. Bye.

Cato was confused by Andrew's words. He hoped that what he said was right. But something was bothering him. If he was right, how would he know?


And that's the end of the chapter for now. I really missed making these fanfics, it's been awhile and I couldn't stop myself from going in and out thinking that I should do it earlier. That's how much I liked making these fanfics, for me and you guys. Anyway, hope you enjoyed the chapter. Reviews and favs are appreciated as always. I apologize if this chapter was a bit not top notch. It's been awhile since I made fanfics and that momentum I used to have is gone and I gotta start over and rebuild it. So, I'll see you guys in the next chapter. Peace out.