"You see it, don't you?"

"See what? I don't see it!"

"Turn your head a bit. See? Right there."

"Oh. Oh! You found it! You actually found it!"

"Dummy. You were crying about it so much, I had to find it."

"But it's special. It wouldn't feel right not having it around my neck."

"Heh. You did look kind of weird."

"Chara!"

A bright grin lights up, but is overshadowed by the red locket hanging underneath.

.

.

Alright.

There was a response to this, some sort of solution. I had to find it. All these papers looked like a foreign language, stuffed into a textbook three times my weight. In big block letters, the word math mocked me. It even had smiling children on the front, the type that look like they're being held at gun point.

It was illegal for this to exist. I was sure of it.

Snow Drake glared at me across my table, "If you keep making those noises, I'm going to leave."

I blinked, "Is it the whining, or the rumbling?"

"Both."

"Then there's no cure. I'm already too gone. Leave before it infects you too."

Fox Box cackled from the living room. I suspected she was a prodigy at math, since she was done before we even got to sit down. Now she was in my living room, watching my TV, in my apartment. What a freeloader.

Whimsun had been in my bathroom for about twenty minutes now, probably avoiding my lovely eyes and responsibly. And maybe Fox's grin. And maybe our headmaster's daily reports on terrorists.

I gave a world weary sigh. It just had to be raining.

"What's up?" Fran came out of the kitchen, deciding to make us dinner tonight. She usually left me to my own devices. But she also knew I'd blow my allowance on a pizza delivery. By the smell of it, she was making pot pies.

"Math." I told her, balancing a pencil on my nose. "Isn't there any drugs we can take to deal with this?"

She sent me a mildly disturbing glare. I sheepishly looked away, putting the pencil down and muttering, "I guess not."

"Leo is doodling again." Snow Drake sold me out like he talked about the weather. I glared at him, but couldn't keep the smile off my face.

"Really? You're not too bad at art." My landlord peaked over my shoulder, blinking at what I'd scribbled over my equations. "Huh. How do you know the name Chara?"

I blinked at that. "Uh. It was just in one of my dreams. Why? Did you know them?"

Fran laughs like I just said a good joke, "They've been dead for years, hun. You don't need to worry about them."

I furrowed my eyebrows. Why the hell would I need to worry? It was a bit of a letdown knowing one of my memories involved a dead person. I shook it off and went back to playing with my pencil. Fran didn't seem too talkative after that, changing the subject quickly to whatever had happened to her social life. Apparently it was riveting.

I was bummed out. Fox must have sensed this with her mind powers or something, because she was sitting on my textbook and saying, "Let's go for a walk!"

"Do you need a leash?" I asked sarcastically.

"You four can take a break. The pies won't be ready for another fifteen minutes." Fran waved us off, idly scooping up my doodles. "I'll pin these to the fridge for you."

I groaned. Fran was such a mom.

Snow Drake huffed and stood up, his head looking like he could smash the table alone if he wanted to. "I'll get Whimsun. Someone get an umbrella."

"Right."

We bundled up in our jackets, Snow Drake looking perfectly fine in just a scarf. A scarf that Whimsun was desperately trying to disappear into. I've known from experience not to make eye contact with them. They'd likely piss themselves and scream, which would make Snow Drake upset because Fox Box would be laughing, and the whole situation would be a headache.

Thus, I ignored them.

"Whoo." Fox peered out into the rain as we marched along the sidewalk. "It's not coming down to hard. It's supposed to get worse later, though."

"Cool." I said, feeling even more bummed about the freaking weather. "Like we need more water."

"It's gross." Snow Drake agreed. He loved winter but couldn't give any care for wet days with muggy weather. Must be a monster thing.

We ended up heading in the direction of the bakery nearby. It wasn't something Fran would approve of, so close to dinner, but I figured we at least needed a destination instead of wandering around. And hey, sweets. Can't say no to that.

"Hey." Fox Box piped up after a stretch of silence. "Leo, why don't you have any human friends?"

The question caught me off guard. "Uh, hey, I have plenty of human friends."

"Name one." She challenged.

I narrowed my eyes, "Uh, there's Mary. And Jean."

"They transferred." She dismissed, grin growing, "They don't count."

I gripped the umbrella tighter. A glance behind me at Snow Drake found him giving me a blank look. No help there.

"Uh." I wracked my brain. "Katie."

"She moved away."

"Corben."

"He's in another class."

I snorted, "Fine. May?"

Fox paused at that, remembering the blonde girl in our class that used to talk with us at the beginning of the year. Her dad passed away, or something. Now she doesn't talk to anyone.

"Still doesn't count." Fox chirped.

I simmered, getting annoyed. How in the world did I not have any human friends? Was it because I was basically raised by monsters, from Fran? I didn't get it. It made my head hurt.

"Fine." I snapped. "I have no human friends. Happy?"

"Actually." Fox Box hummed, her tails twitching. "I think Fran's getting stir crazy over it."

That threw me off. "Fran?"

"Yup. She was asking Snow Drake about your friend quota earlier. A staggering four, all in the same apartment. How sad."

"You're mean." I told her. "You have, like, a twenty sibling buffer. They have to be your friends."

"You can take them."

"Pass."

Snow Drake snorted behind us. I grinned when Muffet's Delights came into view. It was starting to get misty with all this rain. Plus, Fox Box was getting me freaked out with all this friend talk.

Who needs human friends, anyway?

The bakery had a nice, homey smell to it when we walked in. A few spiders waved at us from a coat rack that we obliged with. Snow Drake shook off some excess water and Whimsun made a sound that resembled a car brake.

"Dearies!" A familiar voice cried from behind the counter. "What in the world are you doing in the rain, I wonder? Sit down and have a snack. If you're paying, that is."

She giggled creepily. We trudged up to the bar where a few other customers chatted and found our spots. Muffet was a tall monster, probably a few feet taller than Snow Drake, who already had trouble getting in the door. There were spiders dancing all around the bakery, seeming to have a great time entertaining guests. Two spiders scurried up to me with a menu.

I grinned. "Okay. I think I got it this time. That one is Jim, and the other is Henry."

"Close!" Muffet put a hand over her growing smile. "That one is Jeb, and that one is Regonald."

I deadpanned. So, not close at all. The spiders forgave me easily, excitedly gesturing to the new additions to the menu. I scanned it eagerly, eyes always trailing back to my favorite.

"Chocolate cookie deluxe." I told them sheepishly.

"Same!" Fox Box chirped. "Leo is paying."

I groaned at that. They always made me pay.

Snow Drake ordered for himself and Whimsun, though the little monster only got a water. I felt bad for Snow Drake, who had to keep not only Whimsun under his scarf, but a water bottle as well. He kind of deserved it for being an asshole, though.

The deluxe was delivered by a cheerful Muffet as I reluctantly handed over my cash. The deluxe was a big cookie, with frosting, ice cream, and hot fudge smothered underneath another giant cookie. Basically, ice cream sandwich king. Fox Box ordered hers just to lick the fudge. Anything else on it was deemed too cold for her.

"Fran is going to kill us." Fox said, eyeing hers like the last supper.

I nodded solemnly. It was worth it.

.

.

"Is that what I think it is?"

I paused.

While it wasn't raining as heavily as it was yesterday, it was still drizzling. I didn't need an umbrella for that, deciding a little damp hair never killed anyone. Fox Box was annoyed with my decision, burrowing into my jacket and poking her head out the front.

I looked where she was pointing her snout. It was a huddle of three humans, and clustered around two familiar faces.

It's Asriel. I squinted. And, uh, Frick. Who are they? Oh. Frisk.

I saw a fist fly and blinked, startled that it was an actual fight going on between the two groups.

"Ohhhh." Fox Box cackled. "Get Miss Torial! I want to see them piss their pants!"

It seemed like a likely idea, until I saw Frisk hit the ground. I stopped mid step, debating whether getting in trouble was worth it. When Frisk didn't get up and Asriel yelled something, I decided my Friday would be exceptionally different.

Hello Sunday detention, I thought darkly, cracking my knuckles.

"Oh." Fox Box got even more excited, perking her ears up. "Leo, are you gonna fight? You're gonna kick their asses?"

"This rain is a big downer." I told her. "I think I need to blow off some steam."

She cackled, looking absolutely delighted. "Make them cry!"

It took eight steps to reach them. Asriel was standing in front of a very much unconscious Frisk. I didn't get a good look at them, but Asriel certainly fit the bill of 'I'm getting the shit beat out of me'. I gave him props for not looking scared. Three to one on him would smother him.

"Stop fighting!" He was yelling as the bullies snickered. "I don't care what you think about us monsters, but don't take it out on Frisk!"

"Those anti-peace terrorists will show you what's good." A voice I recognized as Corben's had me smiling sarcastically. No human friends indeed.

He opened his mouth to say something more, before I strongly slapped my hand on his shoulder. He turned, slowly and in confusion.

"Wha-"

Creepy. Evil. Disgusting. I made the best smile I could imagine. Think nasty.

Corben paled. His buddies looked like they'd seen a ghost.

"Hmm?" I tilted my head ominously. "Did I hear something about terrorists? Why, Fox Box, I do believe that's forbidden on school grounds."

Fox Box's laughter sounded maniacal, "Oh, they do know what we do to terrorists right?"

I closed my eyes happily. The action seemed to startle them.

"Uh, Leo." Corben backed up, nearly knocking over a petrified Asriel. "We didn't mean-"

"And there's the ambassador of monsters, unconscious." I told them sagely, trying to smile the widest. "Why, that's almost an act of terrorism in itself."

He blanched. His buddies backed off, looking pleading.

"We didn't do anything!"

"We're sorry, we swear!"

"Y-yeah." Corben coughed, looking green. "We won't. We'll be good. Uh, we, we'll get the nurse!"

The other two hoped onto that idea quickly, "Yeah, let's go!"

"Right away!"

They scurried off, tails between their legs and sending terrified looks behind them. I didn't doubt they'd probably bring the whole school faculty with them. I sighed, dropping the smile and staring wearily at the school entrance.

Miss Torial will be mad, I thought moodily, there goes a good Sunday.

"Ch- Uh, Leo." Asriel was practically shaking. I didn't realize he'd knelt next to Frisk, but he wasn't making eye contact with me. "Y-You didn't have to do that."

"I really didn't." I told him in annoyance.

He looked hurt. "I see."

Fox Box finally burst, letting out a storm of chuckles, "Did you see their faces! Man, they looked like little babies! Run, little babies, run!"

That caused me to laugh, somewhat brightened by the thought of pushing bullies off their pedestal. Who knew Corben was such a douche? While detention might be trivial, at least it'll be amusing to see Corben and his cronies duck for cover whenever I'm near.

"Frisk!" Asriel grinned as they came to. The human blinked drowsily, rubbing a dark bruise on their temple. Asriel winced sympathetically. "They landed a cheap shot, Frisk. I'm sorry I couldn't stop them."

"That's okay." Their voice was quiet, more of a whisper then anything. It was incredibly gentle for someone who freed an entire race in one night. They also didn't look incredibly mighty, sitting on the ground covered in mud and rain.

"Well." I said, noticing it was going to get awkward. I was about to announce my departure when Frisk whipped their head to me. They usually had a drawn expression, smiling or staring off into space. They looked startled.

"Uh, hi?" I ventured, not recalling if I ever met these two officially. "I'm Leo. Have you two been having trouble with Corben before?"

"Yes." Asirel admitted solemnly, helping Frisk to their feet. I noticed they were both wearing matching purple jackets. How cheesy is that. "We've never gotten into a fight though . . ."

"Idiots." Fox Box scoffed. "They think they own the world."

I scratched my hair, feeling uncomfortable with Frisk's staring and Asriel looking anywhere but me. If I hadn't just saved them, I'd assumed they were here to mug me.

I pulled an awkward grin, "Well! Not that this wasn't any fun, or anything. But, uh, bye? Yeah goodbye."

I turned around, marching away. Fox Box snickered at my lack of social life and I briefly heard Asriel sigh of relief behind. What a couple of weirdos.

"Leo Soul." I winced at Fran's chosen last name for me. "Please come to the office, Leo Soul."

"Busted." Fox Box said.

"Shut up."

.

.

"Chara, why'd you bring me here?"

"Aren't the flowers pretty?"

"Yeah, but mom doesn't want us to be here. Not after what happened to dad."

"Yeah. My bad."

"You can't say that while grinning!"

". . . Actually, I have a plan. But I need your help with it."

"Huh? Alright. Hey, my camcorder!"

The smile is still there, but it drops just as the flowers wilt.

A/N

TheRealEvanSG: Thank you so much for your curiosity! I hope you enjoy this story as much as I have writing it.

17nicholasc: Ahhh it's only chapter one and I have a fan? You know how to make an author blush. And run for cover. Just joking! I will definitely be continuing this story, friend.