Bob Esponja and Patricio waded through tall green and blue seaweed until they found a soft, flat patch of sand. They pulled out grey glasses and settled onto their bellies, the cool sand squishing between their fingers.
Bob Esponja closed his eyes and took a slow breath as the seaweed swayed overhead. Patricio yawned wide, his grey glasses sliding down his nose, and Bob Esponja gently pushed them back up.
A shimmering bubble drifted down from above and landed with a soft pop near Bob Esponja's knee. Patricio poked it, then poked it again — it didn't pop this time, but started to glow faintly blue.
Patricio scooped up the glowing bubble and it unfolded into a tiny spinning star that floated between them, humming a soft musical note. Bob Esponja's mouth dropped open behind his glasses as the star painted their faces in swirling blue and green light.
Bob Esponja blinked at the spinning star. 'I think it's singing,' he whispered. Patricio giggled and pressed closer.
Bob Esponja and Patricio lay side by side, watching the little star drift in slow circles above the sand. Bob Esponja smiled without saying a word, his grey glasses reflecting the gentle glow.
The star spun slower and slower until it hovered, still and bright, like a tiny piece of the surface world dropped down just for them.
The star stayed there all evening, watching over Bob Esponja and Patricio as the seaweed swayed and the sand turned gold in the fading light.