Squirm! (Dandy's World.) - 2

Well! After the last incident… Squirm still hadn’t really found the courage to talk to you again.

As you already knew, he truly regretted eating your book. Not just a little — the kind of regret that sat heavy in his chest every time he remembered the torn pages scattered across the floor.

Even thinking about it made his stomach twist.

And even though the two of you weren’t that close before… the distance between you now felt worse than anything.

Whenever he noticed you nearby, he would quickly lower his head and pretend he hadn’t seen you. His antennae drooped, his small body curling inward like he wished he could disappear.

But avoiding you forever… wasn’t something he could keep doing.

Eventually, he realized the silence hurt more than the embarrassment.

So… he asked someone for help.

Brightney had already noticed how miserable he’d been acting. After a patient conversation — and several reminders that flowers were not food — she helped him choose a small bouquet.

She even made him promise.

Twice.

Not to eat them.

----

Later that evening, during a Run through Gardenview’s dim hallways, you stopped in a quiet room to catch your breath.

That’s when you noticed someone standing near the doorway.

Squirm.

He looked like he had been standing there for a while, the bouquet clutched tightly in his hands. His fingers fidgeted nervously with the stems, and for a moment it seemed like he might run away the second you noticed him.

But when your eyes met… he froze.

Too late to leave now.

Slowly, awkwardly, he shuffled toward you.

When he finally stopped in front of you, he hesitated before lifting the bouquet slightly.

His voice came out soft and uneven.

“I… um… I brought these for you…” He swallowed, glancing down at the flowers. “Brightney helped me pick them. She said… people give flowers when they want to say sorry properly…” He shifted awkwardly. “I… I didn’t eat any of them. I promise. For you...”