"And we're out!"

Joy, the leader of the emotions, said as Riley began to shut her eyes and her point of view turned pitch black. "Great work, everyone!" Joy said as she would always end the day with a positive attitude just like she would commence it. "Now guys I just want to outline the most outstanding work everyone has done today just to give them that well deserved reward of praise."

"But, Joy," Sadness butted in, "we're emotions, it's what we do. It's our job."

"Oh come on, Sadness! There's nothing better than some recognition for hard work to give that well deserved boost of confidence!" Joy then turned to Fear who was walking away to the kitchen, "hey, Fear! Where ya going?"

"Making coffee since I have Dream Duty tonight, as usual." Fear said exhaustingly.

"Well, not tonight you're not." Joy said proudly as Fear quickly jumped, turned back and walk towards her.

"What? Wh…wh…why? Joy? What's the occasion?"

"For helping Riley cross the street this morning. Remember?"

THIS MORNING

"Okay, so she's crossing the road and… oh no! It's red! Red! IT'S REEEEED! FALL BACK!" Fear was screaming whilst pushing buttons on the console violently all of a sudden Riley stopped in her tracks as she took a step back from the road waited on the pavement before she would get hit by huge bus which was almost in her way. "whooo! We're good, people. We're good."

NOW

"Why do they always use the colour red to stop things?" Anger grumbled to himself since he was red and took everything personally for his namesake, "oh yeah! Good job, I guess, beanpole. That was actually a close one."

Joy and Sadness (even Anger) applauded the purple guardian as they always did since his job was the most important of all: keeping Riley safe.

"Ah! Thank you! Thank you, gang!" Fear then raised his arms in denial, "this really is too much. I'm just doing my job. Please stop. This too much!" he was enjoying it because he didn't need to stay up all night and all the emotions were wooping and cheering for his daily guidance. Everyone except a short green, annoyed girl standing in the corner, who blew a strand of hair from her face in mundanity and contempt.

"You deserve it Fear, Riley would have been a goner," Sadness assured him, "imagine her getting hit by that car getting hurt or injured or… or… oh! It's so sad it makes you want to cry!" she then started to bawl but then Joy quickly stepped in.

"Ooooookay! Well done Fear, that's your reward for the night: no dream duty because you deserve it! Now on to you, Anger." Joy had his attention. "Remember today when Riley saw her classmate, Gretchen, get picked on by her classmates at the schoolyard after school?"

"Yeah! I remember!" Anger gritted his teeth and snapped, "they were making fun of her braces, and calling her names like, "Brace Face!" ARR! I hate it when people treat people like that! Only I get to do that! It's my job! That's the only exception!"

"So thanks to you, she stood up for her friend and told them to leave her alone. See Anger? You don't just make Riley stand up for herself, you make her stand up for others as well." Joy said as Anger smiled in agreement and nodded, "without Anger, Riley wouldn't have any backbone. Not literally of course."

"Speaking of no, backbone," muttered Disgust referring to her purple colleague.

"Well done, Anger! I'm proud of ya!" Fear then raised a hand for a high five, "Up top, bro!" Anger just stared at him unimpressed.

"I'm not touching you." He said to him seriously as Fear gulped and lowered it down then all of the red short brick suddenly grabbed him and commenced a noogie on his head, "aw come here you! You scrawnly little thing!" they were all laughing surprisingly. All the emotions were laughing and having fun, except for Disgust was still standing in the corner with her back to them.

"Now Sadness, after the bullying, you made Riley feel sorry for her friend and made her feel better. Great sincerity, Sadness."

"She looked like she needed a shoulder to cry on," Sadness said, "it was really heart breaking when she called her parents to come pick her up as well."

"And now Disgust!"

Disgust then all of a sudden shot up with such excitement inside her. She never thought she would be receiving praise as well. She finally was getting the recognition she deserved! She did so many things for Riley that were useful and not one of them were recognised by the emotions. "Yeah Joy? What did I do today?" she asked excitedly with a smile but then tried to keep her cool and not trying to look insecure despite her feedback meaning so much to her, "I mean, hurry up because I'm really busy and a gorgeous emotion like me needs her beauty sleep." Joy then opened her mouth and was about to say what she was about to say until…

"Wait! Hold on a second!"Fear butted in all of a sudden."Let's not forget you, Joy!"

Disgust was screaming on the inside, but tried to keep her cool since that is how she acts. She clenched her fists and imagined them meeting Fear's face.

"Me?" Joy surprised, "what did I do?"

"Well, you cheered Gretchen up! You made Riley outline all the positive things about wearing braces to make Riley feel better." Fear reminded Joy as he smiled.

"I remember that, Joy," Sadness said with a slight smile, "you said 'They make your teeth look shiny, all in line,' and you even made Riley joke about her looking like a robot, which her friend luckily took it lightheartedly. They all laughed and they had a great time, forgave each other and decided to carry on working together on the project." Joy beamed at the memory as she usually does.

"Aww you guys! OK, so I guess that's it! We're done! Everyone have a good night! Especially you, Fear!" What? That was it? What about her?

"Now just wait a minute!" Disgust said abruptly which caught all the emotions attention, "aren't you forgetting something?" She was impatiently tapping her foot.

"Oh yes!" Joy laughed as she slapped her forehead and laughed, "I forgot about you, that's right!"

"So?" Disgust was waiting impatiently, "what is it that I did today that was good?" Then Joy giggled.

"Actually Disgust, it's not what you did today but what you're going to do, tonight."

"What? What am I going to do tonight?" Disgust was confused. What did she mean by that?

"Oh that's just it, you see. I was just gonna ask you if you're okay with taking over Dream Duty for Fear." Joy said to Disgust as her jaw dropped, "Soooo? How about it?"

Now if Disgust ever had a heart or soul, both of them would be crushed into bits and pieces. She wanted him to what? Her eyes were twitching one at a time and Fear could notice it which sort of creeped him out. He didn't want to make his friend do his own work while he takes the credit.

Fear then said"Maybe I'll just stick to Dream Duty instead, Disgust really doesn't have to…"

"Nonesense, Fear. You deserve it and Disgust doesn't mind doesn't she?" Joy said.

"But Joy! I've done like so many things for Riley that made her day! Why am I the only one getting the overnight labour, while everyone else gets praise?"

"Oh come on, Disgust, this isn't about who's the most useful or not." Joy assured her friend.

"Then why not give the job to Sadness or Anger then?"

Joy then was shuffling uneasily with a struggling look. It looked as if she had nothing to say but little did Disgust know that she did… she just didn't know how to say it. "Because they don't deserve it."

"What… what do you mean they don't deserve it?!" Disgust said to Joy in astonishment.

"Apparently, Disgust," Fear intervened as Disgust quickly turned towards the nerve angrily and gave him the most meanest scowl he had ever seen. Fear gulped as he continued, "you… you… you're the reason why Gretchen was bullied in the first place."

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't act like you don't remember, little missy?" that was of course Anger, "Riley was partnered up with her for a science project to build a volcano and you made Riley physically show that she wouldn't want to be working with her because of her braces!" Anger fumed at the Disgust who was sneering at him.

"Oh come on! People can't read others that specifically!" Disgust said.

"You made her ask the teacher to be paired with someone else, in front of the class!" Anger pointed out.

"And that's when the others laughed at Gretchen and then bullied her after school. They were influenced by Riley." Sadness joined in with tears forming, "its as if Riley was the bully all along!" she then started to wail once again making Disgust look like the bad guy. Then Fear came over to comfort her which made Disgust's blood boil. Classic Fear! Classic Joy! Classic EVERYONE! "Well at least when their science project volcano exploded, Fear made Riley duck for cover." said Sadness smiled as she sniffed which made her feel better.

"Yeah, that would have been a disaster if it wasn't for Fear." said Joy

"Yeah! Great Job, Fear!" said Sadness

"Another job well done, tall stack, gotta hand it to ya!" said Anger.

Disgust was dropping her head into her hands and scrunching up her hair. She was drowning in the sea of constant nuisance of his praise. She shut her eyes tightly and then suddenly snapped. "ARE YOU KIDDING ME RIGHT NOW?!" The room of Headquarters was filled with eerie silence.

"Disgust." said Joy as she interrupted the silence, "you made Riley cause trouble so this is a chance to redeem yourself in a way. Riley is a kind and passionate girl and we can't have anyone making her look like an inconsiderate bully." Joy addressed to Disgust more sternly and motherly since she knows what's best for Riley.

"REDEEM?! INCONSIDERATE? BULLY? Listen, Riley needs to be popular! She cannot be seen with some weirdo looking girl who has no looks, no personality, no self esteem and no charm! Riley shouldn't waste time on that nerd and just hang out with the cool kids! That is my job! That is why I'm here! So I'm sorry that my work doesn't make you feel proud, unlike some emotions who just want the attention!" Then she started to mimick everyone whilst putting on an intimidating child like voice imitating the others, "oooo! Look at meeeee! I'm Feeeeear! It's okay guys the world isn't going to end now that I'm here! I'll save yoooou, Riley!"

"Disgust what is your problem?" Fear said annoyed.

"I'll tell you what my problem is, FEEEAR!" she sneered, "you are always hogging the glory, always looked upon

"Without you, Riley would be brave, courageous and noble. She wouldn't be afraid of anything and there wouldn't be anything stopping her from doing what she wanted!" snapped Disgust, "without you Riley wouldn't be cowering away in fright from every little thing! She wouldn't be afraid of an old movie about SHOES!"

"Okay first of all those shoes were a dangerous tripping hazard as well as having a high chance of being possessed by murderous demons," Fear typically defended himself based on that,"and second of all… For your information, Disgust but fear is not just about screaming so hard you pass out from sheer terror or, as you said it, 'cowering in fright,' it's also about keeping you safe. And that's what I do, I keep Riley safe." Fear said as he firmly stood his ground. Disgust then scoffed in disapproval.

"Oh please, like you ever…" but then she stopped as she saw Joy, Sadness and Anger share a look of agreement to that fact. Joy then walked over to her and then placed a hand on her shoulder for a reassurance.

"He does have a point, Disgust, he actually does keep Riley safe."

Sadness then said, "I guess Fear is the most important emotion of all. Sadness doesn't matter, Joy doesn't matter, Anger doesn't matter, Disgust certainly doesn't matter when Riley's not alive. That's Fear's job. So… if Fear wasn't here…"

"Riley would be dead." Joy completed her sentenced with sudden realisation as Fear gulped at the very thought. Disgust shook her head.

"Oh don't be so overdramatic like you people always are! Riley wouldn't be dead! I can't believe we actually need an emotion for keeping someone alive. It's so pathetic!" Disgust wasn't having any of it.

"Oh and what do you do, Disgust? Name me one thing you actually did for Riley that was actually useful? Hmm?" Fear said as he folded his arms waiting for an answer.

"I prevented Riley from eating Broccoli! So HA!" she proudly stated, "There was a dangerous smell and I immediately detected it. So technically I just saved all your lives when she was a little baby. So yeah! You're welcome!" Fear then laughed in mockery.

"Disgust, you didn't save Riley's life! I did! I prevented Riley from tripping over a wire and falling flat on her face and being injured," he exclaimed, "all you ever did was stop her from eating a tiny little vegetable which was actually GOOD FOR HER!" Disgust then gasped at this information as it was also true but she did not want to accept it.

"No! Broccoli isn't good for you! It's an evil plant that wreaks of boiled cabbage and burns you from the inside! Which I wish you would eat right now to prove it!" Disgust defended herself. Fear and Disgust were approaching each other and staring each other in conflict. Sadness needed to stop this because it was wrong to see her friends fight.

"Guys, stop fighting. It's wrong to fight . We're family!" she whimpered hoping they would desist their intolerable behaviour and that both of them will end saying things they do not mean.

"Family?! Ha! We are not family! We are just emotions who make Riley who she is!" said Disgust to Sadness and then eyed Fear in contempt, "And YOU just make her weak and cowardly! That's all you are! A coward! And since a coward is part of Riley I guess that makes her one! I'm the one who helps Riley! Not you!"

"What, by shunning individuals you don't think is good enough for her? Making her lose her self esteem every time she looks in the mirror and making her throw up?! Yeeeaah! You really are beneficial to Riley! I'm the one who stops her from DYING and I also don't get any sleep because I have to look out for her dreams to see if they're too much for her! I'm the one who's loyal and dedicated! IN FACT you SHOULD do my Dream Duty because maybe you'll actually do something useful for once!" Fear exclaimed as Disgust gasped in frustration.

He did not just… Oh yes he did. Disgust had never been so annoyed with anyone in all her life! She just could not think of a comeback. Fear then gulped and sighed, he wanted to take back what he said because he just wanted to end the feud with his 'friend.' "Listen, Sadness is right, Disgust I'm…"

"IF YOU… YOU… YOU! IF YOU ARE SOOOOOO LOYAL AND SOOOOO DEDICATED TO RILEY… THEN WHY DID YOU TRY TO QUIT IN THE FIRST PLACE?!"

Joy and Sadness gasped and stared at Fear in horror and Fear's face was not purple anymore… his face grew pale with shock!

Anger gave Disgust the 'what-the-heck-are-you-doing?!' look. Fear wanted the ground beneath him to open and swallow him up he needed to cover this up really quickly before things are ugly. He said very quickly, "Hey! You know what gang! How about we all throw in Riley a good ol' Blank space so no one get's to go on dream duty! How's that sound? Huh?!" Fear was failing at changing the subject so he then whimpered and gave Disgust a look that said, 'please don't… I'll do anything!' Disgust was surprised herself, she couldn't believe she just said that. But then Disgust smiled to herself. Now she had him right where she wanted him. This wasn't about Dream Duty, this was all about putting Fear in his place.

"That's right, everyone! Our beloved, heroic purple guardian. The most important emotion of them all tried to abandon his own human and us!" Fear kept trying to cut his throat

"Fear?" Joy whispered in shock as she looked at him, "is this… is this true?" Fear then began to laugh hysterically.

"Of course it's not true! She's just joking around…"

"What the heck are you doing, Disgust?! I thought we agreed put all that behind the three of us!" Anger bursted out as Disgust threw in the largest grin you ever seen at Anger. It then hit him like a bucket of water, "…oh."

"So it is true!" Joy exclaimed.

"Fear?" Sadness said in disbelief with betrayed looking eyes staring up at him.

"I… I'm sorry… I… I just didn't know what to do! When you were gone, Joy we didn't know what to do. I tried everything I could! I tried to fix it, I really did! When all the islands went down… I just thought that I could… run away…"

"Disgust was right. You… you really are a coward." Joy said as her voice wobbled as she felt hurt that her friend could do such a thing.

"I… admit that, Joy. I am a coward. But at least I don't make Riley a coward… do I?"

"But you… tried to abandon her, Fear. Riley. Doesn't she matter to at all?"

"What are you talking about? Of course she does."

"Because when Disgust and Anger needed your help, you tried to leave them behind. Don't they matter?"

"Yeah Fear, don't we matter?" Disgust butted in like an annoying bratty little sister echoing what the mother just said to older sibling who's getting told off.

"Of course you do, Joy. You all do. You're my family." Fear said as he put on a little smile to show that he meant it. To hopefully make Joy back to her normal, happy self.

"No, Disgust is right. We're not a family, Fear. We're just… emotions, doing our job. " Joy said, " who am I kidding, why do I even try to make us a family, when I'm the only who believes it?" the emotions were disappointed in what she said so they all opened their mouths and started to speak but the Leader raised her hand, "Let's just all go to bed."

"I'll do Dream Duty tonight if you want me to, Joy." Fear offered.

"I dunno, do what you want." Joy shrugged her shoulders and said dully.

Disgust had finally done it! She put Fear in his place and now he is no longer the loyal and dedicated emotion everyone thought he was. Now was her chance to step in and appeal to Joy's approval so she can be one step away from being assigned to something useful and important!

"That's right, Fear! Think about what you done! So Joy? What do you want me to do tomorrow?" Disgust was waiting for a positive answer but she just shrugged and said this instead:

"I don't care. You do your job. I do mine. After all, that's why we're here. To work. Nothing more, nothing less." Joy replied bitterly and left the room and so did the Sadness and Anger. The only emotions that were left in the room were awkwardly and intensely Fear and Disgust. Fear chose not to speak to her and just grab a chair and get on with dream duty as the screen started to brighten up. Disgust decided to leave the room to avoid any more drama.

"You know, if you didn't want to do Dream Duty, you could have just said you didn't want to." Fear said in a sourly bitter tone which stopped Disgust in her tracks.

"You still think this is about this stupid Dream Duty?"

"No, I know exactly what this is all about. Apparently, making me look awful would make you feel better about yourself. Well I hope you're satisfied because you have succeeded."

"I was just telling them the truth. So next time, don't quit. Don't abandon us." she defended herself.

"Look, can you just leave me alone and let me do this Dream thing?" said as he rubbed his eyes and still hasn't turned from his chair. He sounded and looked like he was extremely busy and Disgust was just an irritating fly buzzing around and Fear was trying to ignore her. Disgust then muttered a reluctant, 'fine' and began to leave until she heard him mutter whilst looking down in his coffee mug, which showed he thought it meant nothing but it meant so much to her. What he muttered under his breath sent a shiver down her spine, made her eyebrows shoot up, her jaw drop and freeze in her tracks.

"Now I know why you're called Disgust."

The green emotion tightened her fists turned over to Fear who wasn't paying attention. Still having his back turned on her, not paying her any attention. Like she was nothing important. She walked over and turn his chair forward to meet Fear's shocked face.

"What did you say? What did you say?!" Disgust snapped.

"Uh… I… uh…uh… nothing! Nothing! Nothing! I…!

"Why do they call me, Disgust, huh? Why Fear?! Tell me, since you know the answer! Is it because I disgust you?! Huh? Is that why?!"

"No! Disgust I never said that! I meant that because I disgust YOU! You hate me, that's why! You wouldn't care if I abandon you, since you hate me so much!" Fear said in his defence as Disgust took a step back. That comment hit Disgust like a bucket of water… because that was not true.

"That may be true, Fear, I wouldn't care if you left. In fact I would be glad," Disgust said as she folded arms to show she meant what she said, which she didn't. She couldn't hold it in. She then started to sniff and her voice started to wobble, "But the rest of the emotions would, Fear and that should count! Because if… if… I left none of you would even care at all!" Disgust yelled and she finally revealed her inner feelings. Fear saw that Disgust's eyes filled with fury and was beginning to burst into tears,

"Fear… you are the most important emotion of all. You keep Riley alive. Everyone pays attention to you. And you're all acting like a family and not including me! You don't give me any recognition! You think I like my work? You think I'm proud of making Riley feel horrible, being a bully, shunning others, making her vomit, feel embarrassed… that's me… Good Old Disgust.

"The only good thing I remember doing is stopping her from eating a vegetable! You were right, Fear. So I hope YOU'RE satisfied! YOU WERE RIGHT! And now I'm crying? That's Sadness' job! OH MY GOSH! I can't even do my job right! I'm not supposed to cry! WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME? NOW MY MAKE UP IS RUINED! SINCE THAT'S ALL I CARE ABOUT, LOOKING GOOD!" she was fanning herself as her mascara was running down her bright green cheeks. Fear could not take it any more.

"Disgust, nothing is wrong with you," Fear said as he really did care for Disgust's feelings. He didn't want to see her beat herself up because of him.

"You may have tried to quit and failed but that's because Riley needed you… and she still needs you," Disgust's voice wobbled, "but she doesn't need me. I live up to my name so much I'm even disgusted at myself.

"Disgust… I'm… I'm sorry… I…"

"I… better leave you to dream duty." And with that, the green little emotion left the room and the Purple Guardian alone with Dream Duty, shocked and bewildered. He sighed deeply with grief of his friend and then all of a sudden he heard someone say, "Do you wanna be popular?" Fear then turned around and looked at the screen and as soon as he saw what was on the screen, he GASPED. The dream continued.

Do you wanna be popular?

Do you wanna be cool?

Do you wanna be accepted?

Then ALL you need to do is take THIS!

Fear then dropped his head into his hands. "Ooooooh my gosh! Oh no! Oooohhh no! Oh nononononono! This is not good! This is bad! Really bad! How can Riley dream this? I need to tell Joy about this!"

To be Continued