Note: *This story is going to be rewritten due to some errors that I spotted. Please keep this in mind. I won't be updating this story anymore until I make the second draft, then I'll be able to move on from there. The story will continue though with the same plot, and will be twice as better once I'm finished editing some things. Thank you! :) *

You were not the type who enjoyed crowded places. In fact, you would rather be home reading a book, snuggled up in the comforting warmth of blankets. Groceries did not grow on trees though, so you had to muster up some determination and head to the store. The supermarket you went to was an integrated one, allowing both monsters and humans to shop there. Even though monsters returned to the surface less than a decade ago, humans still held quite a grudge against them. Some places were segregated, not even allowing monsters near the area. You lived in a neighborhood that was generally accepting of monsters, so it was quite common to see them around.

There were a lot more humans than monsters in the store, of course, but you did see some slime monsters, fire monsters, goat monsters…and a little white dog running about, annoying shoppers. Your social anxiety did not discriminate though. You feared your own kind just as much as you feared monsters. It was a curse that never let you be. A mischievous shadow that stalked you from every corner. The boogie man in your brain, rather than under your bed.

(Let's just make this quick.)

You whispered to yourself like a mantra. The feeling of intense dread was already in your gut. Your palms were beginning to sweat, and your face began to boil. No one around you noticed your oncoming panic attack, but to you, it felt like everyone was staring. What if they notice your shallow breathing? What if they point and laugh? What if someone is judging? No, stop letting the thoughts take over. Remaining calm was absolutely necessary, since a panic attack in a public place would be humiliating. Putting a hand to your chest, you took a few deep breaths.

Stay calm, stay calm, you repeated to yourself. Eventually, the oncoming panic attack settled, but it was still there within the pit of your stomach. Its claws digging into you from the inside, wanting to escape.

Trying to take your mind of the nausea, you browsed the produce section. There was a recipe you had in mind to make that required vegetables. You needed some broccoli, and luckily, no one was standing there. With your shopping cart, you sheepishly walked your way towards the broccoli section. Big mistake. Someone wheeled their cart right in front of yours, taking your spot, rather impolitely as well. You did not want to talk to the person, who was rather large, and also sported an unfriendly scowl. Dinner did not make itself, so facing your fears was the only option at this point.

"E-e-excuse…m-me?" You managed to squeak, but your voice was too soft.

The person either did not hear what you said, or just flat-out ignored you.

A feeling of intense dread washed over you. Did you say something wrong?

Maybe speaking was not the best option, you thought, so you just waited until the person left.

You wondered what you had possibly done to upset them. Again, the claws in your stomach began to jab you, but you tried your best to ignore them. The burning in your face was back, stronger than ever, but you stood determined. You grabbed the freshest crowns of broccoli, weighed them, then got right out of there.

(I sure hope I don't have anymore moments like that.)

You thought to yourself, but normally, something goes wrong. That is just what happens to the protagonist in almost every story. Of course, you did not know what the future had planned for you. Something out there was growing tired of the boring details. They wanted the real fun to begin. You were unsure why the universe had a bone to pick with you, but protagonists all go through it.

(I should get some pasta. Every household needs that.)

With your cart, you headed toward the pasta aisle, but completely halted upon seeing an unusual sight. Your heart was jumping a mile as you saw what appeared to be a giant skeleton. That seemed completely bizarre. Why would a skeleton be at a supermarket of all places? It was not like they needed food to survive. They did not even have internal organs, nor a stomach to digest. Then again, when did anything ever make sense anymore? The existence of monsters was just as unusual.

(Deep breath. Deep breath. Maybe it will ignore me?)

Though your brain kept screaming "no" and your nausea was relentless, you somehow managed to get up close to the skeleton. You felt your knees beginning to wobble like jelly, but curse natural human curiosity. Why must it be so natural for you to want to inspect things? It was like you were some type of protagonist of a video game.

Your eyes began to fixate on the anatomically inaccurate skeleton next to you. It was intimidating being next to him, since he was much taller than you. What he was wearing completely baffled you though. Were those basketballs on his shoulders? You did not leave the house very much, but that did not seem like a normal part of fashion. Those briefs and the backwards hat also gave off an…old school vibe…maybe? This skeleton guy was quite interesting, but you were still greatly unnerved. You reached out for a box of lasagna noodles, praying to not be seen.

(Don't notice me….please...act like I'm not her-)

Suddenly, you heard a boisterous voice from next to you.

You jumped, dropping the lasagna in the process. Some of the noodles inside cracked, but that was the least of your worries now.

"GREETINGS, HUMAN! I SEE YOU ARE A FELLOW PASTA LOVER AS WELL!"

You were frozen with fear as the blood rushed so fast in your veins, all the way to your head. The room around you began to spin, and your breath began to become strained. It was freezing in the supermarket, but the anxiety that overtook you raised your temperature. It was surprising that you did not catch fire. Your knees were wobbling, knocking into each other as they did so. It was over. The nausea was beginning to double, but you kept breathing to keep from getting ill.

The two of you did not make eye contact, though you could feel him looking down upon you.

Wait…how was that even possible? Do skeletons have eyes? You did not want to know the answer to that either way.

"UMMM, ARE…YOU ALRIGHT, HUMAN?! ARE YOU FEELING UNWELL?! THE GREAT PAPYRUS WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO HELP A MEMBER OF ANOTHER SPECIES, FOR I AM THAT GREAT!"

You did not enjoy hearing loud noises, especially when in the middle of a panic attack. His voice was rather silly-sounding, but in the state you were in, it was jarring. You wanted to start pulling on your hair, but stopped yourself. You felt that you were already a freak, so why heighten the situation? Besides, hair-pulling is not the best calming technique.

"I-I-I...I'm…." You spoke softly, though the skeleton, Papyrus, struggled to hear you.

"WHAT WAS THAT, HUMAN?! COULD YOU SPEAK UP A LITTLE?!"

He responded, cupping a hand to his nonexistent ear and leaning closer to you.

You tried one more time, trying to gaze into his eye sockets. He appeared to be quite kind, though it was difficult for you to tell how he was feeling. It is kind of hard, considering that his face is always fixed into a grin. Eyes may be the windows to a person's soul…but what if said person had no eyes, and was a skeleton? Your thoughts were running wildly, until you felt something stroke your head lightly. Every muscle in your body tightened, but it strangely felt...pleasant?

(D-Did…he just pet me?)

Your face flushed at the realization. Hoping to hide it, you pulled your scarf over your cheeks, then focused on the floor. Papyrus must have noticed this, since you heard his hearty laugh ring in your ears. Was he laughing at you…or did he think this was cute? Curiosity got the best of you again. Peering up at the skeleton, you saw his eye sockets sparkling a little. You analyzed his features carefully, and oddly enough, they were starting to look familiar to you. It was difficult to understand what you were feeling, but the skeleton standing before you felt oddly…like an old friend. You tried brushing it off, thinking that the notion was absolutely ridiculous. It was not like you met living skeletons on a daily basis, so what would be the chances of him looking familiar to you?

"AH, THERE YOU ARE! NYEH HEH HEH, I FOUND YOUR FACE, HUMAN!"

Papyrus raised his fist into the air with much vigor. It was hard to not let a giggle escape from your lips, for the sight was too cute. Never in your entire life did you expect to think that of a skeleton, of all things, but Papyrus was as endearing as a puppy. Being near this skeleton initially heightened your anxiety, but for some reason, you were beginning to feel a lot calmer than before.

For once in what felt like an eternity, you smiled at him. It was only a little smirk, but better than nothing.

Papyrus smiled at you back with closed eye sockets. His ivory, chiseled cheeks were colored a light orange. Was this the start of a new friendship? You were too bashful to ask, though it would be a shame to lose someone this kind. Of course, you were still slightly unsure of him, but taking a chance will not kill you, right? Once again, your thoughts swept you away from the present. Someone poked you on the top of your head, snapping you back into reality. In front of you was a sticky note with a phone number. Your shaky hand reached to take it, but Papyrus, for some reason, stuck it on your forehead.

"HUMAN, THOUGH YOU DO NOT SPEAK VERY MUCH, I THINK WE WILL MAKE GREAT FRIENDS!" He yelled. He was so full of enthusiasm and energy, that you felt yourself absorbing some of it. After what you had been through, it was very much needed.

You nodded, though there was only one problem. Anxiety was an unrelenting beast, and you were a home body. Texting and phone calls were difficult, but you were determined to see this gentle skeleton man again. He petted you for the second time, causing you to become flustered.

You did not necessarily dislike touch, but you reserved it for close friends and family. Papyrus giggled again at your response, seeming like he was enjoying himself. He turned around with his carriage, walking with a sassy strut as he left the aisle, leaving you in shock and confusion.

Something about the whole situation felt familiar to you, but again, you chalked it up to your imagination and decided to forget about. There was one problem though…you could not. That meeting, the skeleton, even the dialogue felt like something you had experienced at one point before. You sighed, rubbing your head, which was no throbbing due to a headache. The sticky note the skeleton monster stuck on your forehead was still there, so you pulled it off, looking at the number.

(I guess I'll keep this then.)

You thought, folding up the yellow sticky note before tucking it away in the pocket of your pants. Trying to forget everything that had happened today, you decided to leave the pasta aisle and check out.

Little did you know that a long adventure awaited you, and that this was the very beginning.