Chapter Ten:

The bus ride home was uneventful, but as Night stepped off the bus, she had a paranoid thought. What if Jax is waiting around the corner to beat me up again?

So she turned corners carefully, and checked every corner and shadow just in case. But she didn't run into Jax.

Night got home and used her house key to unlock the door. Night's foster dad was always home when she got off school, but he was stuck to his chair in the living room, constantly watching TV. Karen only got home around five, and six was when they ate dinner. Night usually stayed in her room until 4:40-ish, then she went out to cook some ramen. Then she would take it into her room and watch anime on her phone, or just draw.

Night's house was one-story, and it was unsettlingly clean. Karen loved to clean things. The house almost always smells like bleach and if anything was out of place, Karen would blame it on Night. At least she leaves my room alone, Night thought.

She interacted with her foster parents as little as possible, because they made her anxious and scared. Night reached her room and began to draw, listening to lo-fi and thinking.

There was one foster family that she loved. She had only been with them for a year, but they were amazing. They had introduced her to ramen, cared for her, given her her own phone, included her in holidays, offered her her first piece of candy… and so much more. It was a family of four. A dad, a mom, a little brother, and an older sister. They also had a cute dog named Nex, a border collie that knew so many tricks. They were all kind to her, complemented her art, gave her space but still loved her, and they had given Night her first real holidays.

Night's heart ached for them, and she decided to draw Nex. He was so cute.

Soon Night checked the time. It was 4:35, so she went out and grabbed some ramen. Night's foster dad was watching a football game, and he kept yelling when the score changed, startling Night each time. She quickly heated up the ramen and hurried to her room, where she turned on some anime and ate. Though as she was scrolling through her phone, huddled up in her blanket, she saw something new. It was a trailer for "Bendy and The Ink Machine- Short Stories"

Night clicked on it. She knew that Bendy was starting an animation business early, but she hadn't expected it to start any time soon!

The trailer was in black-and-white, and it showcased a cute small version of Bendy with a bow tie and gloves. A few funny scenes made Night smile. 'Coming next winter'

Night really liked him.. But how could she ever deserve or be good enough for someone like him?

She sighed and decided to go to bed early.

In the morning, Night got up and went to her bus stop, P.N following her. Again, no one was there. The bus soon roared around the corner and picked her up. She found a seat by May in the middle of the bus. May didn't seem okay, but Night assumed she was tired. She probably didn't want to be bothered about it, anyways..

The bus ride was uneventful, May was on her phone and Night doodled in her sketchbook.

When they got off the bus Night walked into the school. She was early, and there were students roaming around and talking in groups. Night walked to the far wall and sat down, sketchbook still in hand. Night started to doodle on a blank page.

"You know what," P.N said, "I've been thinking about you and Bendy."

Night looked at her, and P.N asked, "What do you think will happen if you somehow become his girlfriend?"

Night thought for a second. She imagined a happy life in a good house with him, each day getting better than the last.

"Because I think that not only will he realize that you're a worthless and needy wimp, but he'll probably think you're a gold digger, too." P.N said.

Night shook her head, "I.. Won't ask him for much."

"How do you know that? I think I know you better than you know yourself. You'll think you're being grateful, but you're so weak that he'll constantly feel bad for you, and give you more and more until he is also nothing. Night, you are a black hole to everyone around you."

Night felt her eyes stinging with tears. She didn't want to cry now.

P.N got closer. "Or maybe your depression will infect him, and he'll get sadder and sadder every day," She hissed, eyes narrowing, "and one day he'll give up, and end his life. It will all be your fault."

Night's eyes started flowing then.

"Or maybe you will be the one to end your pitiful life, and leave him grieving for you. Maybe he wouldn't be able to bear the thought of losing you. And once you die," She grinned, "He'll live the rest of his life in a spiral of misery, sorrow, and fear."

Night hunched down and let out a small sob. Suddenly, the thought of being with Bendy seemed hopeless. P.N let out a satisfied chuckle.

Some red dripped out of the badges on the side of her face. It wasn't blood. No, it was depression. Night's negative feelings seemed to liquify and settle in her right eye. That was the best way to explain it, at least. There was also yellow, which was insanity. But that did not drip when Night was sad. (At least, it wasn't supposed to).

She knew that she should go into the bathroom and clean up, but Night was shaking. She just wanted to sink into the floor.

Her sadness was immediately sparked into adrenaline when she heard a familiar voice say, "Night?"

no no No NO NO NO! Night thought.

"Speak of the devil," P.N muttered to Bendy, "She's currently going through a mental breakdown, come back later! Or never, would be fine!"

Bendy shot a frustrated look at P.N and sat down in front of Night, putting a hand on her shoulder. Not knowing what else to do, she looked up, trying not to look like a mess.

"OH HI BENDY," she said quickly, her voice cracking.

"Nailed it," P.N commented.

"Night, what happened?" Bendy asked. "Your- your eye!" He exclaimed.

"OhDon'tMindThat! I PromiseIt'sNotBlood-" She said, getting up. Bendy got up too, and helped her to the bathroom. Night turned red because he had his arm across her back.

He waited outside while Night washed her face as quickly as possible. She covered her eye with her hair best she could.

When she got out, Bendy was slightly dripping with ink, a worried look on his face.

"You're overwhelming him! Bet he'll get sader~!" P.N sang.

Night didn't know what to say.

"Night, why were you crying? What was that stuff in your eye?" Bendy asked, inspecting her face.

"Um.. I.." Night's gaze fell to the ground. She couldn't explain. She didn't want to look at his eyes. They were so sad.

Bendy sighed, "It's okay. You don't have to say anything."

That's when he hugged her.

Night stood there, not quite registering what he just did. Then her face turned very red.

"Th-thanks," She muttered.

"UGHHHH," P.N groaned, frustrated, "You two are DISGUSTING!"

They both ignored her.

"Um.. I guess the bell will ring soon.." Night muttered, lowering her head.

"I guess.." Bendy said, as Night turned to walk back to her backpack.

"You can come to me if you need any help," He said, smiling kindly.

Night nodded and made her way to her spot nervously. Did everyone see that? Was that group of girls whispering about her? Night put her hands in her pockets and got her backpack just in time for the bell to ring.

First period, math.

Night hoped that she didn't worry Bendy too badly. A lot of kids in this school have problems wrong with them. For an example, Echo had coughed up blue glowing flowers one day in language arts. Night's problem was more violent, however, and she worried that she might scare off people if they saw it. She sighed and walked into her classroom.

There was a lot of writing on the smart board, and Night read it when she sat down.

We are starting big group projects today. You have the week to complete a slide about how math will help you in the real world. Get in groups with 3 or 4 people, no more and no less. Make sure to share the slide with me when you are finished!

There was a list of requirements and the teacher's email address below that. Group projects, Night thought, Maybe I can join Bendy again? Night prayed that Becca wouldn't show up again like last time. Why wouldn't she? Night thought.

The class was already beginning to get into groups. Night stood up again, and spotted Becca walking towards Bendy.

She hesitantly started towards them.

"Um. I dunno if we should be parteners again.." Bendy was saying as Night approached.

"It's not like we're breaking any rules! Besides, if we were, I'm a troublemaker anyways," Becca said as she lifted one leg and put her shoulders up, smiling.

Night could see Bendy trying not to cringe.

Becca's ears went flat when she saw Night.

"Oh, it's YOU," She snarled, stomping her foot. "I'M already Bendy's partener, and it's just going to be ME and HIM this time!"

P.N made a vomiting noise behind her.

Night thought she should back out. As much as she wanted to be with Bendy, Night knew Becca wasn't going to make anything easy. Besides, what P.N had said this morning was probably true.

"Uh.. Okay.." Night muttered.

But then she regretted it. Being partners with Bendy wouldn't be too bad, would it?

"A-actually, she said we can make groups of three.." Night said.

"Yeah, I think we should team up," Bendy commented.

"But Bendyyyyy!"

"You don't have to be in our group, Becca" Bendy said, clearly losing his patience.

Becca was silent, then groaned. "FINE!"

Night walked over to the computer charging station as Bendy tried to find a table to sit at. She picked out three computers and carried them to the table.

"NIGHT!" Becca screeched when she set them down on the table, "You didn't get me my SPECIAL COMPUTER!"

Oh, right.. Night had forgotten that her dad, the principal, had put a pink computer in all Bacca's classrooms upon her demand.

"Can't you get it?" Bendy asked.

"No, my feet hurt!" Becca pouted, "But you could get it for me, right..?"

"I got it.." Night mumbled, taking one and trading it for the eye-sore.

She set it on Becca's desk and logged into her own computer, realizing she had made a mistake.

"I'll invite you guys to my slide," Bendy volunteered, clicking his computer. "Uh.. what are your guy's e-mails?" he asked, turning it to face them.

Night typed up her email and clicked enter. Becca did the same, then asked, "You want my phone number too? We can text!"

"Im good!" Bendy said immediately.

"OK! FINE!"

Soon they were all on the same slide and started their project.

After a bit, P.N gave Night the look.

"Whatever you're going to do, don't do it!" Night whispered.

P.N smiled and said, "eenie, meenie, miney, mo!"

Then, she plunged into Night's computer.

Noooo! Night thought. P.N was possessing her computer now. She could do anything on there! Night watched as her mouse moved to the top of the screen and opened a new tab. P.N typed "Middle finger" and went to images.

Night desperately tried to move the mouse, or stop P.N.

Just as she was about to paste the image onto Bendy's slide, Night shut her computer.

But it did nothing. Night glanced at Bendy's computer as she pasted it onto his slide as Night.

Bendy glanced at her with a face, then saw that her computer was closed. "Th-that wasn't me!" Night said.

Bendy deleted the image and said, "It's okay. I didn't know P.N could manipulate computers, though."

Night opened her computer again and P.N slid out of it. Night immediately sprayed her with water. P.N hissed and disappeared.

"OH. MY. GOD!" Becca said, "TEACHERRRRR! NIGHT JUST SPRAYED ME WITH WATER!"

That was nowhere near you.. Night thought

Mrs. Smith looked up from her desk and glared at Becca, then went back to writing something.

Becca made a pouting noise and crossed her arms.

Night sighed and logged into her computer again, going back onto her slide.

The rest of the class period went by slowly, until the bell for second period rang. Night walked to art slowly, and Bendy silently walked beside her.