Chapter Text
KRIS POV:
Kris entered the classroom, their eyes scanning the room full of their classmates. They held their breath, trying not to show how out of breath they were from running into the school.
“Oh… K-Kris…!” Alphys interrupted herself from what she was previously saying and looked to the brown haired teenager. “We thought you weren’t coming today! We’re doing group projects this month..”
They stared at her, it was hard to tell what they were expressing through their bangs.
“Uhhhh… So, walk around and find a partner, ok?”
They nodded, barely moving their head when they did so. Kris walked to the desk in front of theirs as the class continued with other conversations. They looked down at you, watching for a moment as you slept.
It was usual for you to sleep in class. Well. At least for a few minutes. You had a routine of arriving extra early in class only to fall asleep at your desk. Alphys, being too intimidated by your grouchiness when you woke up, bestowed the lovely privilege of that to Kris. They would arrive and wait until the classroom filled up then they would kick the legs of your chair. It didn’t take much to wake you up.
They shook your arm gently, wary for no particular reason. You were always a bit odd to them. But they couldn’t be one to talk.
You groaned, stirring from your rest. Rubbing your eyes and stretching your arms as you slid down in your chair, you looked up at them. An instinctive glare began to form on your face but it was replaced with a look of surprise.
Looking around, you slowly put the pieces together. Or at least that’s what Kris assumed you were doing.
“I thought the amount of sleeping I was getting was suspicious.” You mumbled as you sat up properly. You rested your head in your hands as you lazily smiled at them. “What’s up?”
He gestured to themself then to you.
You nodded and yawned into your hand. After glancing around the room at the other students again, you looked back at them. “Gotcha. I think.”
Despite being seen as exhausted all the time, you were rather smart. You could pull your own weight in a project but you always managed to make them nervous with your heavy procrastination.
They took their seat behind you.
You turned around in your chair and gave them a small nod. “Thanks for waking me up again.”
Another part of your routine was thanking them. They didn’t know why, since it was never a big deal to them. But you made it a point that you appreciated it.
When you turned back around, the classroom door was slammed open.
Susie stood in the doorway, her mere presence making everyone freeze. Besides you, of course. You were still yawning while the other students looked everywhere but her.
“H… Hi. Susie.” Alphys voice came out in a meek whisper.
Kris could hear you giggle as you leaned forward in your seat.
The purple girl stepped forward into the classroom. “…Am I late?”
”Ohh, n-no! You’re fine! W-we we’re just, uh… Ch-Choosing partners for the next group project and… Uhmm, Susie you’re with them!”
Alphys gestured towards you and Kris, the first group of people she laid her eyes on. You nodded and waved your hand at Susie.
Kris didn’t respond in anyway. They were somewhat relieved she was partnered with themself and you. This way, Susie wouldn't have to push around some other poor souls. You were very casual with the angry girl and never took anything she said too seriously. Most of the time anyways. They remembered seeing you two arguing in the parking lot once. And Kris? Well. They found it easier to just not care.
Susie rolled her eyes at you. “…Great.”
Alphys seemed to be sweating where she stood. Her smile was very cautious as she looked at the floor. She took a firm deep breath and attempted to put on some confidence.
”N-Now that everyone’s here, I’ll write the assignment!” She said and went to the chalkboard. She paused in front of the board for a moment. She turned back around, facing the class with a look of confusion. “Uh… H-has anyone seen the chalk? This is the third time it’s gone missing, and…”
Kris could see her confidence slowly and slowly being chipped down. The watchful eyes of a bunch of teenage brats were rather painful when they thought about it.
“Y-You all know I can’t start class without some! H-how about this? If no one speaks up… E-everyone gets in trouble!”
Silence went over the room. The shuffling and squeaking of shoes against the floor were lightly heard and after a moment, the squeaking of your shoes filled the silence before it was drowned out again. Kris waited and wondered when Alphys would speak up again.
”A… Anyone? P… Please?” Confidence once again shot down.
“Hey,” Noelle raised her hand to grab the teacher’s attention. “there might be a box in the supply closet. Miss Alphys, why don’t Susie and I…”
”G-good idea, Noelle! Susie, s-since you came in last… Why don’t you go get it for me…?”
She ran her fingers through her hair and rolled her eyes again. “…Whatever.”
Susie spun on her heel, stepping out of the room and slamming the door behind her.
”And K… Kris… Can you go with her and make sure she… Uhm, actually gets it? And, um, stays out of trouble?”
Kris stood up from their desk and gave a slight nod.
“Thanks Kris! See you later!”
They left the room after sparing a small glance to you. You were preoccupied, looking at Noelle with a certain smile as the girl frantically shook her head from across the room. Kris wasn’t sure what that was about. Maybe it was better not to know.
Closing the door behind them, their eyes locked onto Susie. Her back was turned but they caught a glimpse of the white stick in her hand. She bit down on it and swallowed.
The purple girl turned and made eye contact with them. A look of surprise flashed across her face.
“…Kris. Didn’t see you there.” She looked away from them. “Hey. You didn’t see anything just now, did you?”
They didn’t respond, but that wasn’t anything out of character.
“Hmmm… You cant even say? Kris…” Susie slowly approached them, each step seeming heavier than the last. She continued to walk until Kris’ back was to the lockers. She put her hand on their shoulder. “Hey. Let me tell you a secret.”
Her grip on their shoulder grew harsher and stronger every second of silence. She lifted them up and slammed them against the metal.
They bit the inside of their cheek, trying to suppress the noise of pain that wanted to escape them. Kris stared at the ground, refusing to look up at Susie while she held them up against the locker.
“Quiet people piss me off. You think just ‘cause you don’t say anything… I cant tell EXACTLY what you’re thinking?” Malice and bitterness dripped from her words. “It’s OVER! I caught Susie eating ALL the chalk!”
She changed her voice so it was monotone and lifeless. A poor impersonation but that’s not what Kris was worried about at the moment.
”This was her LAST chance! Now she’ll FINALLY be expelled!” She cleared her throat and her gruff voice returned. “Haha… Come on, Kris. Don’t act shocked. You know it’s true.”
First, she was putting words in their mouth and now emotions on their less than expressive face. Kris was sure that fear was more evident. They weren't sure.
”Everyone's waiting for it. Everyone wants it. So, congrats Kris. You got me. I’m done for.”
Kris silently cursed themself for being short. They quietly squirmed, trying to feel the floor at their feet again. Their shoulder began to grow numb with pain.
”Just, lemme say one little thing.”
Not like she was the only one talking in this whole time.
”Seems like a waste to get expelled just for having a snack. So, Kris, if I KNOW you’re gonna pull the trigger… Heh heh heh…” A dark chuckle left her lips. A small grin began to grow. “Why don’t I just get expelled for some REAL carnage?”
She pressed their shoulder further into the lime green colored lockers. They stopped moving at her words.
“Kris… How do you feel… About losing your face?” Susie sneered down at them, sadism plastered all over her face.
They'd prefer to keep that honestly. It was a nice redeeming quality for them. Maybe. They had their hair in front of their face most of the time so maybe it wasn't. Though, they shouldn't be worried about that. A yelp almost left them when she dropped them on the floor. Kris grimaced, but kept their head down. They silently waited for the sudden shock of pain to go away.
“Nah.”
What?...Then what was all of that for?
”Kris. You’ve got a good mother. I’d be a shame to make her bury her child.” She said as she turned around. “And I think our group project partner would sleep forever in class if you weren’t around.”
Kris wasn’t sure if she scoffed or if she was dryly chuckling for a moment.
”Alright. Let’s get this over with. We’ll get more chalk. Mosey back to class. And then, Kris… YOU’LL do the project. How’s that sound?”
They opened their mouth to respond with a “Bad” but Susie was swift to interrupt.
”Don’t bother answering. If you haven’t gotten it by now… Your choices don’t matter.” She slowly walked away, not looking back at them. “Let’s go, freak.”
The door to the classroom opened, grabbing both of their attentions. Kris expected Alphys to come out, hearing the commotion. But when they thought about it, they doubted she would step out. Instead, stood you, a sleepy look across your face as you glanced between them.
“Hi? Miss Alphys told me to make sure you guys didn’t take too long.” You walked over and inbetween the two. Despite the tired facade you always had on, Kris noticed the way your eyes observed Susie and themself carefully.
Kris slowly got up. They brushed off the dust off their pants and rubbed their sore shoulder. They began walking to follow Susie down the hall and to the supply closet.
“So uh, chalk, right?” You began walking with the two of them as well.
“God, can you walk any slower, or what?” She ignored you and called out to Kris snidely. “Nah, I get it. Not used to walking around without someone holding your hand?”
"You can hold my hand~" You giggled holding out your hand to the teenager.
Susie scoffed, pulling the back of your crewneck and making distance between you and them. "Holding your hand would be a workout with those pieces of metal that you always have on."
You stuck out your tongue childishly as she reference the few rings on your hands. "You're just jealous that I have a bee ring and you don't."
"I am not!"
"We can go shopping together for some if you want."
"God, do you ever shut up?"
With that, the three made it to the closet. Kris was somewhat impressed with how easily you defused the previously tense air. Reaching the end of the hall, Susie clicked her tongue in disappointment.
“We’ll, here’s the closet. Too bad… We were just starting to have fun.”
Her words confused you and you looked to Kris for any context in her words. They simply shrugged their shoulders and looked to the dark closet door. You weren’t satisfied with that answer but dropped the subject.
Susie pushed the door open and revealed the dark room inside. The florescent school hallway lights seemed to be sucked into the darkness. A feeling of unease went over the three. Everyone took a small step back. Just as they looked into the darkness, the darkness wanted to look at them.
A rare look of unsureness was on Susie’s face. “Hey, is it just me, or… Is it REALLY dark in there?”
”Susie learns the concept of shadows.” You snicker, unfazed by the angry glare she shot you afterwards. You go to grab your phone for its flashlight. After feeling in your back pocket for a second, you huff. “I left my phone in the classroom…”
“Idiot.”
”Numb nuts.”
Kris raised a brow. Seeing as how Susie’s fist wasn’t plunged into your face immediately after you said that, they wondered if you two were somewhat friends. As if Susie could comprehend what friends were in the first place.
“What’s the holdup, Kris? Are you gonna go in or what?”
They took a step back, going beside you. You were still peering into the room with narrowed eyes.
”Fine! If you’re gonna be a WIMP then I’ll…” She paused, looking back at the closet. Susie slapped her hand against your back, shoving you forward. She didn’t let go of the back of your shirt. “We’ll all go in at the same time!”
Way to go Susie. Her scowl and determined voice didn’t negate the fact that she was clutching onto you. Kris was the same and quickly went beside you. They were about to grab your sleeve but didn’t want to seem clingy to some person they didn’t know all too well.
The three went inside, you being forced to go first. You didn’t seem to mind all too much, stepping forward with ease and not paying attention to the way Susie was holding her.
”See? Why were you so scared?” She mumbled as the darkness enveloped them. "There's nothing in here but old papers."
“Talking to yourself?” You tease as you look back at their cautious faces.
”Shut up!” Susie scowled, letting go of you and pushing you forward. "Let's just try to find the switch."
You got your balance back quickly and giggled at her anger. Looking back forward, you continued to make your way inside. Extending your arms out, you waddled from side to side, trying to feel for the wall as you walked. It took you a moment to register how long you were going for.
"That's odd." You mumble, putting your arms down and squinting at the surrounding darkness. "...Did I miss it?"
"I can't find it." Susie answers, she too, looking at where the walls must've been.
You keep moving forward, slower than before. Your body was tensed up, expecting to trip over something or come face first into the end of the room.
"Uhh... Kind of big for a closet, huh? You'd think we'd have reached the end by now..."
You were getting nervous at this point. After a few more steps, you stopped and turned around. With an uneasy smile, you shook your head.
"I think this closet is uh, broken. I'm sure Alphys has extra chalk somewhere..."
"How can a closet be broken?" Susie scoffs but turns around to leave. "Dumbass."
"Twat."
Kris resisted the urge to roll their eyes at your banter. Well, they shouldn't be so bothered. It was better than death threats. They continued making their way out of the closet, the light of the hallway coming into view. Only a few strides away, the door slammed shut, casing them in the dark.
Susie was the first to react, pushing Kris aside and going to the door. She pounded her fists against the door and began to shout.
"Hey, this isn't funny! LET US OUT!"
Kris looked to you, seeing the mix of panic and confusion on your face.
"If you don't open this door I'll beat up the two freaks in here!"
They raised a brow at that. They weren't sure if that was more of a threat to whoever closed the door or to them.
"Damn, that usually works..." Susie grumbles and crosses her arms.
From your less than surprised reaction, their wondered if Susie had used that threat before. Their thoughts were interrupted by you grabbing their wrist. You looked at them with panic.
"K-Kris... The floor it's-"
It wasn't your legs that were quivering, the papers under everyone's feet were shaking. Within the blink of an eye, the floor was shaking more violently.
Susie backed up, bumping into the two of you. The papers disappeared from below her. She took slow steps back, prompting you to do the same. She looked back at you, opening her mouth to say something but before that, nobody could feel the floor under their feet.
A scream burst out of you as you fell. Fell where? To hell if any of them knew.