Things hadn't been easy since coming back to the surface. For one, the world looked way different from the way you remembered it. Then there was all of this school work. When was the last time you were in school? Now things were all technical and stuff. Typical. Robots are taking over. You found school to be a nuisance, but you stayed knowing that your family appreciated it.

The bell rings and you're the first one out of class, making way for the fresh air outside. Before that, however, you make a mad dash for your locker and chuck your books into it. You don't want to spend anymore time in this dump than you need to. Last time you missed the bus, you were trapped here until sundown. It was only a matter of time before-

Chara!

You slam your locker shut.

"Shit," you mutter. "What is it, Frisk? Can't you see I want to get out of here?" You knew there was no escaping Frisk once they caught up to you. So much for the bus. You lean against the metal, crossing your arms as your sibling fills your mind with their thoughts, their concerns. You seem to be the only one they'll let in even if you think it's out of reluctance.

I have to go to the library, Frisk speaks to you. The thought seems timid and yet you can't stop your nostrils from flaring. You clutch their wrist in an effort to rid the hot gas from your body. Honestly, it doesn't do much besides make you look like a jerk. Way to show your gratitude. They start to sweat profusely and cower, though you begin to ease your grip. Your expression softens with every breath you take. Frisk's shoulders relax as their head falls before you. They know you don't mean it, but that doesn't seem to stop the shame from eating them alive. You rub their wrist tenderly with one arm, the other bringing their head to yours.

"I'll make a deal with you," you say softly, your fingers running through their clusters of hair. "We stick around until four and then I won't give your dessert to Asriel again. Capisce?" You feel their hand on your shoulder and you let them raise their head up. Their eyebrows are furrowing as they frown at you.

He got sick the last time you did that.

"Yeah, because he's a sucker for his momma's cooking," you jest. You poke your sibling's belly, knowing that that sharp expulsion of breath was supposed to be a chuckle. You both knew it was true. Guess that's why Toriel won't let you do it, anymore.

Once Frisk's expression begins to lighten up, you release their wrist from your hand. "Seriously though," you say, now calm enough not to hurt one of your best friends. "Why have you been at the library so much lately?" You wouldn't mind the leisure away from home if you had your needles and threads with you, which you don't.

Frisk's body language begins shifting slightly. Something doesn't feel right. You try to clear your mind, knowing that their words would get caught in that mess of a brain of yours sometimes. The thought comes to you like a curveball. You barely make the home run by a millisecond.

Research.

"Really?" You ask, now it being your turn to furrow your eyebrows. "Oh sure." Research? Oh, yeah. Have they been researching how long it takes for them to knock out? Because that's what they do. Every time. Seems like school really takes the energy out of you all.

You bite down on your tongue, of course. The last thing you want to do is put them down.

No, I actually have been doing research, Frisk rebuttals, taking off their bag hastily. I'll show you. They get on their knees and are about to show you the current book they're reading when something dawns on you like a bell.

"Hold on," you raise your hand to stop your sibling suddenly. Something is seriously off, here. You look around with concern. "Where's Asriel?" Frisk begins to snap their head in opposing directions, too.

I thought he was with you!

Just then, your phone begins to vibrate and judging from the rhythm of the vibrations, it's your surrogate mother calling you. You quickly shove your hand into your pocket only to readjust your hand to keep the thing from falling down. Your phone is about the size of a miniature tablet. Since you and Asriel share a phone, it was decided that you would have a ridiculously big contraption in your pocket. That way Asriel could play with it when you're not using it (which is almost always). It seems to keep him entertained on most days so you try to roll with it. You remove the leather magnetic clasp encasing your phone and bring it to your ear.

"Hello?" you ask. "Mom?"

"Hello, my child," Toriel greeted warmly on the other end. "Is Frisk with you, dear?" Crossing your legs, you use your free hand to prop your elbow. Frisk waves happily when your eyes shift to them.

"Yeah, they are. We're still at school." Oh, how you really wish you were on the bus.

"Oh, thank goodness," Toriel sighed with relief. "I need you both to do me a favor."

"Uh… okay," you reply questioningly. "What is it?"

"Can you pick up your brother from the psychologist?" Toriel asks. "I feel like he's gotten in trouble again."

Your hand clutches your forehead. Oh no… 5th period. It was always 5th period. The period where the three of you were pulled apart. If only you had realized sooner! You both share a class after that together. How did you not know he wasn't there? You curse yourself for being so inattentive.

"Okay mom," you reassure her urgently. "I'm on my way now." You grab Frisk's arm and drag them along as you stuff your phone into your pocket. "Guess the library doesn't sound too bad after all, Frisk." You come to the conclusion that Sans is starting to wear off on you when you wink at them.

So much for the bus.