Another bright, seemingly ordinary day at Gardenview, where the toons entertained the children with their usual antics, spreading laughter and joy throughout the park. It was a place full of life, where every corner seemed to burst with color and animation. Today, as usual, Teagan was hosting one of her signature tea parties, complete with a dainty table set up with tiny cups and saucers, pastries, and playful music in the background. She had invited a few of the park’s youngest visitors along with some of the toons, and you couldn’t help but notice the lighthearted chatter of the children as they giggled amongst themselves, playing games and sipping their pretend tea.

But in the midst of all this, something felt… off.

You noticed Glisten, one of the toons who had been invited to the party, sitting off to the side with Teagan. The two of them were engaged in conversation, though it was hard to ignore the way Glisten’s tone kept dropping, his voice taking on a sharper edge as he spoke to her. As he glanced over at you from time to time, there was something in his eyes—a mix of disdain and mockery.

You weren’t sure exactly what he was saying, but his words were laced with venom, and you caught snippets of his conversation with Teagan. The way he sneered as he spoke, almost too intentionally, made it clear: he wasn’t saying nice things about you.

“ Honestly, I don’t even know why they let them stick around, “ Glisten said, the sneer in his voice unmistakable. “ It’s not like anyone actually likes them anyway. ”

Teagan’s expression shifted slightly, though she kept her face mostly neutral. You knew that she wasn’t particularly fond of you either, but hearing the way Glisten spoke about you, so openly, made you feel like an outsider.

It wasn’t the first time you’d felt like an outcast, but hearing it out loud, especially from someone like Glisten. It became clearer that whatever grudge they had against you wasn’t just some small annoyance; it was personal.