Hey guys. Just a brief note: I realize there is a good chunk of text missing somehow in the first part of the prologue. Suddenly Hobbes is asking about a girl out of nowhere. Let's just presume that Calvin has just mentioned a girl that he and his best friend have been trying to impress and has mentioned it to Hobbes. I would edit it in, but FanFiction doesn't let me copy and paste so I'd have to retype the entire chapter. Just use your best Calvin-like imagination! It must have been that way for months and I failed to notice. Many apologies. Hopefully, that is the only thing missing...?

I should probably write something else so this is worth including. You'll notice I include author's notes after each story, even if small. You don't have to read them but I put them in anyway. Just a little background information and stuff like that.

Sorry to interrupt. Let the story commence!

Another long day had come and gone for third grader Calvin. That would mean getting off the bus, going to his room, picking up a comic, and watching TV until his brains fell out. Maybe if he was lucky, his new friend Jason would come by to play the new video game that just came out. But as he was picking up the latest issue of Captain Napalm, a familiar sight greeted him.

"Calvin! You're home!"

"What the-" Calvin was instantly knocked off his feet and onto the ground. "Hobbes!"

"Hey buddy! Where have you been lately? Why didn't you come looking for me?" said Hobbes.

"Ugh," Calvin muttered, picking himself up. "I'm sorry. I think Mom must have put you away somewhere after you were done in the wash. I'm so glad you're back!"

"But that was three weeks ago," said Hobbes. "Maybe you can remind her not to put me with all those towels next time. They make my fur all squicky."

Calvin didn't stop to wonder about why it had been so long since he'd last seen his tiger friend.

"A nice girl?" Hobbes said. "Just recently you said she was a slimy girl and chased her away with pinecones!"

"Well, she's not that bad," Calvin replied. "Jason's been hanging out with her a lot lately, and he introduced her to me some more. Did you know she likes Captain Napalm too? I even taught her to play Calvinball!"

"Really? Hot dog!" said Hobbes. "Maybe you can introduce her to me sometime."

"Well, no offense, but I doubt that Susie would much be interested in a stuffed tiger."

Hobbes' face fell. "Is that what I am to you? A stuffed tiger?"

Calvin cringed. "No, that's…that's not what I meant at all!"

"So explain to me why we haven't spoken in the last three weeks."

Calvin sighed. "I'm sorry. I've just been so busy with school and all. Did you know that if I get an A in history, I'll make the honor roll?"

There was a knock on Calvin's door. "Calvin, your father and I are going out tonight," his mother said. "We've hired Amy to babysit, and I expect you to be good. It might not be a good time to have your friends over."

"Ok, Mom," said Calvin. "Besides, I have to work on this history report."

Hobbes gasped. "You have to work on a history report? Why can't we do something fun? We could find a new way to terrorize Rosalyn tonight. Oh boy!"

"No offense, Hobbes, but I really need to work," said Calvin. "And Rosalyn's in college now, so Amy comes over. Why don't we go out and play Calvinball before she gets here?" He narrowed his eyes. "And since when were you so interested in pranking our babysitters?"

The two went outside to run around, but Calvin didn't have as much fun as he used to. He was out of ideas for rules, and found himself wishing that Jason were there so they could actually have another player.

"Hey Calvin, how about putting more bases by the trees in the back? That will make it much more challenging for the runner to get across," Hobbes suggested.

"That's a great idea," said Calvin.

But who really suggested the idea? As soon he realized that Hobbes wasn't running to put down bases, he came to the realization that Hobbes' voice didn't sound any different than his own. Calvin had suggested the bases, not Hobbes. He stood there in silence for a moment, and Hobbes didn't bother to wonder why he was doing so.

Calvin tested his theory. "Hey Hobbes, are you ready to start the game?"

"Sure!" said Hobbes. "Ready when you-"

But as Calvin lifted his finger to his lips, he was the one speaking.

Shocked silence filled the air. Was Calvin's best friend fading away?

"Come on, buddy," said Calvin. "I think maybe we need a break."

The two of them headed inside, Calvin dragging his friend behind him.