Chapter 12: Busy, Stories Of Fever Dreams And Maintaining Expectation

It happened every six nights.

(666)

Every six nights, Natallia would have a dream. She would never know what they'd end up being about, but they were always batshit crazy. Or entirely random. And consistent.

Usually including her and Bones, weirdly enough.

Natallia sighed as she tried to sleep. Her last dream was... entertaining, to say the least. She was able to remember most of it, luckily. That one was fucking beautiful.

Before she knew it, Natallia was asleep.

…

The Overly Angsty Emoji Movie AU

Natallia yawned and stretched, sighing miserably. Today was awful, as always. The longer this went on, the worse she felt.

Being a Meh, or any facial expression emoji for that matter, was the fucking worst.

She always envied Bones, a simple dog emoji. But what was there to envy, you may ask?

Fucking society. Or more specifically, his place in it.

Let me explain. In this wonderful fucking world of the user's (fucking hell, Natallia thinks, I can never remember their god damned name..Perhaps something with a P? She didn't know..) phone, there was this dumbass rule. The rule that a facial expression emoji could only express what their face was.

If they were laughing, they had to constantly laugh. If they were smirky, they had to constantly smirk and do cocky things and shit.

And if you were Natallia or someone like her, you get to be sarcastic, emotionless, and cynical about everything.

But Bones, sweet, dear Bones, was one of the lucky ones. He was a dog emoji. So he just got to do whatever, because no matter what he did, he was a dog. And she'd never take that away from him, as much as she wished she could be like him, she was so happy that he got to be himself. Because he was an amazing person.

But fucking damn, that rule was so stupid! Couldn't everyone just fucking do whatever until work hours?! Make whatever face until they needed to be scanned?! But noooo, that would only get you constantly bullied and ridiculed!

It's so fucking stupid. Why couldn't she be herself? Natallia knew they all felt emotion, they HAD to or there wouldn't be couples and children and friendships in Textopolis, everyone else just has their emotions so repressed that their feelings don't bother them anymore, just enough control over them so that they can tell of they like a person or hate them, or what comments made them feel what way.

"I wonder, if I just walked out of my house one day and just kept smiling, would anyone even recognize me?" Natallia muttered scornfully to herself.

"Well yeah, of course! I would never not recognize you!" Bones replied. Oh yeah, he was here too, idly watching TV in her cozy apartment (and god, was she grateful that she was able to have whatever in her apartment. It was one of the only, if not the only personalized thing in her life).

Honestly, with the mask she had to keep up all the time, she didn't know WHAT he saw in her. Why was he even friends with someone who was always pretending to be as cold and emotionless? What made him likeher at all when she was forced to be so… bland?

Either way, he was her friend, and she really loved that. He was over at her house at the moment, spending the night over there for a sleepover.

"Ugh, I know. Sometimes I wish I could though. I wish I could actually express what I'm feeling." Natallia muttered. She didn't believe him, to be honest. If she got some colored contacts and wore her hair in a style she didn't usually wear, would anyone know it was her? Everyone here looked so similar, would she pass as a whole new person if she did that? She wanted to try it, badly, it was tempting.

"I mean, I know everyone feels things, but I don't think a lot of people feel as much as me. Or at least, they know how to repress it better. Conceal don't feel, don't let them know. That bullshit. But it hurts, man." She murmured, barely loud enough to hear. "...It hurts to repress it."

Although she was saying such emotional things, (and making a cringey ass frozen reference of all things) Natallia tried her best to keep her voice completely flat. She didn't want Bones to think she was a freak. But just shining through her masked words was a subtle undertone of heartbreak.

He looked concerned now, clearly not knowing what to say. Natallia averted her gaze, knowing she might've said too much. But it was fine. Bones was a forgiving person, he wouldn't hate her THAT easily. It'd just be a but awkward for a while until he forgot about it, everything would be normal in a few hours at most.

… She hoped..

Slowly, he put a paw on her shoulder. Natallia looked at him, seeing a serious and concerned expression on his face.

"You know, it's just the two of us here." He said quietly.

"...And?" Natallia responded, not sure if she liked where she thought this conversation was going.

Bones smiled sadly.

"So, you don't need to be afraid to show me your true feelings right now. We're alone. I won't judge you, I never would." He told her softly, sincerely.

"...what?" Her voice was so soft, sounded so broken, that Bones could barely resist the urge to just.. Hold her, protect from everything troubling her until she felt okay.

"I.. I won't judge you for being an individual. You can let your guard down, because you don't need to protect yourself from me." Bones murmured to her, hoping he didn't sound stupid to the withdrawn girl.

"..." Natallia didn't say a word. She knew if she did, she'd break. She'd break down. Not to mention the voice cracks that would be in every other word.

Even though Natallia was forced to always keep up the mask of an apathetic, sarcastic person, it didn't mean that Natallia wasn't actually like that, at least somewhat. She was apathetic and sarcastic, but that wasn't all there was to her. She could feel. She wanted to show them that. Show them all.

She could've been a really happy person, perhaps, if she wasn't forced to keep up this facade. She could laugh at Bones's stupid puns. Hell, she could make jokes too. Technically she did, but in a sarcastic way, if that made sense. Like, when someone who just always seems completely bored and dead on the inside slips a pun into their sentence, and it earns a surprised chuckle from you. That's the kind of jokes she made. But if she wasn't like this, she could really joke, without the fake sarcasm.

Sometimes, he did make her laugh.

Sometimes, fuck, sometimes he made one of his cute little jokes and she wouldn't be expecting it. And she'd laugh.

Before shoving her hands over her mouth and stifling any giggles that had escaped. She'd likely get a few judging looks from those around her, and from-...

Wait.

Wait.

She'd get a few judging looks from those around her, but never from Bones. He'd look surprised. Natallia would be too embarrassed, afraid, to see his reaction once the shock wore off, and she'd turn away.

(He'd grin widely, pleasantly surprised by the girl's reaction. He'd made her smile.)

Natallia choked back a sob.

Bones tensed up, seeing the look on her face. She seemed.. Tired. Her eyes were glossy. She was about to cry. Holy shit, she was about to cry.

"...Why? W-why are you the only n-normal one here?" She croaked, whispering almost. She couldn't bring herself to speak any louder, but she knew he heard. Dogs have great hearing.

Bones looked at her sadly. "I'm not. I'm sure of it. You're not alone, others feel the same, I know it. No one is strong enough to make a stand yet, I think. But things will change. They have to. Things can't go on like this much longer." He promised her. He knew soon enough there would be change. Soon. One day soon.

Natallia couldn't bring herself to say anything else. Slowly, Bones watched as she broke down. Tears streaked down her face and broken sobs escaped her throat. Immediately, Bones hugged the girl.

He didn't actually know if she was big on physical contact, actually. She couldn't really give any indications.

In hindsight, that may have been a bad idea.

But luckily, she hugged back fiercely. She held him tightly, crying louder. It made him want to cry too.

But it'd be okay. He knew it would be, things would change.

"Fuck, I'm s-so… This is r-real… F-fu-fucking hell… You-you're o-okay with me… S-shit.." Natallia sobbed out, stuttering uncontrollably now, unable to coherently organize her thoughts into words for him.

Because he really wasn't, He wasn't judging her. Her heart was pounding in her chest erratically. He was such an amazing, beautiful, person. She didn't know enough words to describe him with. There were too many words to describe him with, and yet she simply couldn't put into words how terrific he was to her.

He held her, smiling softly, tears lingering in his eyes.

She would be okay.

She sofly hummed Marina And The Diamonds under her breath to help calm down. She was embarrassed for crying in front of him.

She wasn't emotionless, after all.

And he knew that now.

And no, I'm not telling you guys Marina And The Diamonds song she was humming, in case I want to write a sequel to this mess. Feel free to tell me if you all want me to in the reviews! Also wow, weird ass place to put an Author's Note..

…

Natallia awoke with a start, in a cold sweat. Holy shit. Okay. Wow. THAT was new.

The emoji movie.

The fucking emoji movie.

But… angsty…

...How is an angsty version of the emoji movie even possible?

Whatever. Just. Whatever. It didn't matter.

Oddly enough, she could remember this dream just as clear as the other one.

But that didn't matter either! She couldn't let herself get too distracted!

Because she had an idea.

Thank god, she was running out of those. If she ran out, she'd just have to sing one of her old favorites, because she wouldn't know what to sing. And the author will not name that song for the sake of mystery or whatever. Sorry! She'll probably sing it eventually, I just don't know when. How many songs do I have left to write in anyway? Like three I think? Thought it was four at first, but no, it's not. I can probably get in a few more good songs and shit. Geez, I've been avoiding these kinds of chapters way too much though. Damn. Back on topic.

"So I guess it's time for me to sing some Marina And The Diamonds!" She thought excitedly. Whether it would be the song from the dream or not she didn't know, probably not, even if it was another one of her favorites. It didn't really fit the theme of most of the songs she sang. Looks like she'd need to browse a bit. Then spontaneously make a dress as fast as she could so she wouldn't break her streak, to keep up expectations. The first time she did it for fun, now she did it as not to disappoint.

Heh, the Talent Show was fun at first.

Good times.

The first couple of times, it was exciting, really!

But then it just became tedious and stressful.

Stressful to figure out which songs she was going to sing (though she barely cared about that anymore, she was just singing whatever at this point). Stressful to get up early or go out after the show was over to make another dress, with help of the Able sisters (A LOT of help from the Able sisters). Stressful to actually go up on stage, to compete against the others in the show.

It was cool that for once there was an actual competitive talent show going on (plus that one noncompetitive day but whos counting?), but it was exhausting. At least she was still in it, which was cool.

Natallia was lost in thought as she finished her breakfast. When did she make breakfast? She guesses she was just on autopilot or something. Or just focusing on some thoughts a lot more than others.

Kinda terrifying actually.

She was on her way to the Able Sisters now, going to make that damn dress. She knew what song she wanted to sing now, she'd decided while lost in thought. Well, there was two choices actually, but she was torn between the two. Well, one briefly mentioned ass, so she guesses there wasn't really a choice, considering that the talent show was family friendly. So that left the Marina And The Diamonds song. Huh.

Since when was Marina And The Diamonds family friendly?

…

It wasn't, just this song didn't really have anything really bad in it. Nothing to scar young children.

…

It was time for the show now. Bones was excited.

The usual people who weren't eliminated went up. Aurora and Purrl were still in it, as well as the other human and his magic act. Natallia seemed to really like that one, when it was after hers and she was able to see it with him anyway. Other times she'd watch from backstage and he couldn't see her reactions. Savannah was still in it too, but most likely not for long, Bones thinks. She missed a shot this time. The judges probably won't let that one slide.

Yeah, I remember when I used to do descriptions of other acts too. Chapter Seven. The good ol' days. Cringey extra scene from Chapter Six. Not telling you which part I disliked about it. It wasn't the puns though. Why do I keep writing my own opinions into this chapter, the hell me?

Finally, Natallia was on stage. The only part of this Musical Arc Or Whatever I Called It that matters. Well, besides too subtle hints to something irrelevant (involving a side character) that I'm not telling you about for the sake of mystery. Wonder if any of you will ever guess it. Or if I'll ever actually tell you all what it is later because it literally has nothing to do with anything.

Man, I really am talking a lot this chapter. SHUT UP, ME!

Bones grinned at her, before checking out the custom dress. Light pink, relatively simple and innocent, with puffy white shoulders and white trim. When Bones looked back up to the girl's face, he realized she also had a reddish pink heart on her cheek, probably drawn on with some of the lipstick Natallia never used. It was the same color as the red carnation in her hair, and the heart on the heart shirt that she started regularly wearing again.

She actually seemed to be wearing makeup this time, actually. Hard to tell from a distance. Huh.

"Hiya everyone!" Natallia called, smiling and trying to look on the bright side. She WAS excited, just a bit tired of this. Her brother was recording her this time. She tried not to get stage fright, and wow, it's been a while since that happened! She'd be fine. The crowd loved her, she'd prove it! (To herself, that is.)

"So today, I'm back with another love song, because who's heard of originality, am I right!" She called enthusiastically, earning a few laughs.

Easy crowd.

"Damn it, me." She thought. "So I'm just gonna get right to it this time then!" She said. The music started up.

"Rule number one, is that you gotta have fun! But, baby, when you're done, you gotta be the first to run."

She began the slowish paced song with a bit of false cheer. It wouldn't be false for long, though, she liked singing! Signing a nice song would get her in a good mood, so she could finish the performance properly.

"Rule number two, just don't get attached to, somebody you could lose, so le-let me tell you!"

Natallia prepared for the chorus, a bit more excited.

"This is how to be a heartbreaker! Boys they like a little danger! We'll get him falling for a stranger, a player, singin' I lo-lo-lo-love you!"

"How to be a heartbreaker, boys they like the look of danger! We'll get him falling for a stranger, a player, singing I lo-lo-lo-love you!"

Natallia leaned a bit closer to the mic.

"At least I think I do!" She chirped cheerily, no longer singing. The crowd went freaking wild as there was an instrumental break. Natallia smiled, all traces of being fake or afraid gone.

"Cause I lo-lo-lo-love you!"

Quickly, Natallia shifted the pitch of her voice down a bit lower, now that the chorus was over.

"Rule number three, wear your heart on your cheek!"

Natallia smiled, pointing the lipstick heart on her cheek cutely, her smile innocent. Oh! That made sense now! Bones grinned.

"But never on your sleeve, unless you want to taste defeat."

"Rule number four, gotta be looking pure! Kiss him goodbye at the door, and leave him wanting more, more!"

"This is how to be a heartbreaker! Boys they like a little danger! We'll get him falling for a stranger, a player, singing' I lo-lo-lo-love you!"

"How to be a heartbreaker, boys they like the look of danger! We'll get him falling for a stranger, a player, singing I lo-lo-lo-love you!"

"At least I think I do."

Natallia leaned closer to the mic again, closer than last time, and whispered the line as another instrumental break started.

The crowd didn't cheer wildly this time (The line sounded a lot less savage when she wasn't saying it normally, coated in cheer and innocence. And when it was the second time she was saying it, or course). Which was good, honestly, loud cheering didn't really set the mood for the next line.

"Cause I lo-lo-lo-love you!"

She sang, officially finishing the chorus. The music slowed down to something more emotional, sad.

"Girls, we do, whatever it will take. Cause girls don't want, we don't want our hearts to break, in two."

"So it's better to be fake. Can't risk losing in love again, babe."

She sang more solemnly, quietly, emotionally, until the next instrumental break started, after a quick moment of silence, the music shifting to what it was previously. This break didn't seem to last nearly as long as the others, though, and Natallia was right back to singing happily, which seemed really fake now, in the context of the last line.

At least, she hoped that was it sounded. She really hoped she was getting the tone of the song down right.

"This is how to be a heartbreaker! Boys they like a little danger!"

"We'll get him falling for a stranger, a player, singin' I lo-lo-lo-love you!"

"How to be a heartbreaker, boys they like the look of danger! We'll get him falling for a stranger, a player, singing I lo-lo-lo-love you!"

Instrumentals. A short instrumental break. And...

"Cause I lo-lo-lo-love you."

"At least I think I do."

Natallia whispered the last line, quieter than ever. After a moment, she looked up from the mic and into the crowd, and smiled.

They cheered, loudly. Natallia grinned nervously. They liked it! Yes!

"T-thank you very much everybody! T-that was How To Be A Heartbreaker by Marina And The Diamonds, wait, did I mention that in the beginning, I don't think I did.." Natallia began strong, before realizing the mistake she made at the beginning of her act.

"..Oh no. Heheh, so-sorry!" She grinned. She didn't wait for more than a second to see the audience's reaction. "A-anyway, enjoy the next act guys, have a great day!" She grinned before rushing backstage, but not before bowing quickly.

Natallia sighed, in her normal outfit now and making her way to her brother to see the recording.

…

Natallia sighed heavily, plopping down next to Bones. He grinned at her, before noticing she was unhappy.

"Hey, what's up?" He asked.

"Nothing, I don't want to talk about it." Natallia sighed again, hoping he'd forget about it. He frowned, and said nothing.

He thought a moment, before grinning widely once again. "You did really great out there!" He grinned. Natallia shrugged, smiling. He always said she did good.

It didn't mean it didn't make her smile, though.

"Thanks. " She murmured, smiling nervously.

She tried to relax, and watched the rest of the talent show with her best friend.

And that's the end! I would a oneshot here, trust me I AM going to do all your requests, but I already did one earlier because I've decided that every 6 chapters Natallia will have a fever dream, so I can write crack! So for now, I'm done, I'm tired. Bye! Sorry it took so long to write this!