(a/n: sorry for the slow build, but every chapter will serve a purpose. and besides, we're a lot closer to the action than you'd think lovelies. message me on tumblr over at icyleaves if you wanna talk about how cute sans is or anything really.)

The day had been the busiest in months.

It was a warm Friday, just barely cold enough to suffice a jacket. You were sure that a lot of the visitors came just for that, no one wanted to shop outside when it was freezing.
Well, some people did but you definitely weren't one of them.

Undyne had been working for you for almost three weeks at this point. You grew to know more about her, Alphys, and a lot of their other friends. They all seemed like a quirky group of monsters... You couldn't help but feel a little jealous of your coworker sometimes.

Mostly it was just for the fact you didn't really have anyone to hang out with like that. Sure, you had old school friends but... It wasn't like you regularly hung out with them. It was actually rare if anyone messaged you nowadays – including dad. You always tried to reassure yourself that, in the end, books were better than people and that they wouldn't ever leave you.
It didn't really make it hurt less though.

A group of girls walked in, making their ways through the young adult and romance sections. You smiled slightly to yourself while you listened to their chatter about boys and school. Undyne made a face and groaned.

"Is there something wrong?" you teased quietly, suppressing a small chuckle.
She rolled her eyes, "They're all punks."

You turned your attention towards the monster, a sense of worry took over the amusement, "Are you okay, Undyne?"
She looked at you and sighed, "Yeah, yeah... Just some dumbasses being dumbasses, it's okay."
You frowned, "I know that we might not be, like, really close or anything, but... If you want to talk, I'm here for you."

Undyne stared at you for a moment and you began to feel yourself sweat, but then she started laughing, "Geez, you're such a NERD! We're friends, after all, so don't sweat it too much. Last night, I walked past some ignorant human dicks and they were saying rude stuff about monsters. It's just annoying when people are quick to judge."

"And it's hard to get first impressions out of their heads, huh?" you added quietly, shaking your head.
Undyne took a deep breath, "I guess you understand?"
"More than I'd like to."

Undyne smiled comfortingly at you and ruffled your hair a bit. You chuckled softly, warmed by the thought that she called you her friend. A small part of you wasn't sure if she was saying that just to be nice, but you liked to believe that you two were becoming closer as the days went on.

After all, it was a bit hard not to know someone you spent almost half of your day with.

The girls went up to you and bought their books one by one. Most of them chose series such as The Hunger Games or and authors like John Green. Sterotypical teenager stuff, but not bad books themselves. You actually had read most of them and ended up enjoying them more than you thought – a shame most of them were chalked up to be only for teens.
A girl, the last one who seemed to be introverted, placed a book on the counter shyly. You weren't expecting her choice at all, in all honesty, and instead thought it would be like the other girls'. It was a classic, one that you held near and dear to your heart.

"I love this book!" you smiled at the girl, scanning the item, "It's actually one of my favorites."
Her face turned red and she seemed a bit embarrassed about her choice, "Um, I-I..." her voice turned soft, almost a whisper, "The other girls teased me about it..."
You frowned, "Well, it's a classic. It's one of the best damn books you'll read out there, I promise. If you don't like it – you can have a full refund."
She giggled at you, "I think I'll like it. Thank you."

She returned to her group of friends, seeming a bit cheerier than just a moment ago. You felt your face turn into a wide smile as you watched the girls chat and leave the store.
Undyne looked at you oddly, and you were sure it was because of the stupid grin you had plastered on your face.

You didn't care though. You had made that girl's day and you were sure of hell proud of it. If you couldn't make your day go well, make someone else's.

"_, I swear to god you're one of the nicest people I've ever met," Undyne shook her head.
Your face flushed immediately, "No, no! I... I just... I just thought she seemed nervous about the book and it's a really good one, I promise and like. Like. I didn't want her to be scared about buying one of the best books out there?"

"You're so weird!" Undyne chuckled as you stopped rambling, "Like, let's call the major dork alert because you're a huge dork!"
"...I guess I am?" you stuttered out nervously.

"That reminds me," Undyne stopped laughing, looking at you seriously, "So. This might sound weird, and you're allowed to say no if you don't feel up to it."

You looked at her strangely, giving her the impression you were either confused or pissed. Undyne personally hoped for the first.

"I say that because I've seen how bad you are at saying no," Undyne placed a hand on her hip dramatically, "So if I tell you that you can say no, you should be able to feel free to say no."
You laughed, not noticing Undyne releasing the tension from her shoulders.

"Alright!" She clenched her fist heroically (you realized on day three she had a habit of doing so) and looked at you, determination shining in her eyes, "I have an important question to ask you! And whilst I would like if you did say yes, you can say no and I promise not to noogie you this time!"

Undyne took a deep breath, regaining her confidence.

She pointed at you almost as if she was challenging you for a fight, "You! _! I am inviting you to a potluck me and Alphys are having on Saturday with a few other of our friends! Do you accept or decline?"

You eyes widened, unable to really comprehend what she was saying.

"You know, like, a potluck?" Undyne's attitude seemed to deflate, "It's like a party where everyone brings a food dish... And they all eat the food once everyone's there?"

You finally comprehended what she had said and let out an, albeit awkward, laugh, "I-I know what a potluck is, you nerd. I... I'm just, like, are you sure you want me to go?"
Undyne seemed more confused than you had ever seen her before, "UM. Like. Yes? I wouldn't have asked you if I didn't want you to."
"But, like," you frowned, trying to make your mouth shut up but it just wouldn't, "I'm really awkward and kind of weird and antisocial and, like... I'm not really interesting. I'd probably be a bore."

Way to go, _.

Undyne frowned at you, almost to the point of a glare, "No friend of mine is going to think of themselves like that! I think you are cool and I'd like you to meet some of my other friends, too! You'd probably get along with them and if you don't... I get it."
You shook your head, "Undyne, I..."

"Please say yes."
"Undyne-"
"Yes?"
"Can-"
"YES?"

You started laughing, an ugly snorting sound, "Oh my god, Undyne. I was going to say yes. But first I need to know what even the plans are."
"OH MY GOD YES," Undyne jumped on you, hugging you suddenly and squeezing. You weren't used to this type of affection at all, so your first reaction was to freeze. Your second reaction was (well, not returning a hug is rude) so you patted her back awkwardly and chuckled. Becoming friends with people seemed like you had to endure more of these awkward hugs.

Undyne smelt a bit like sushi.

"Dude, I'm so happy you said yes," she said, letting you go, "I already may have told everyone that you said yes already and they've been excited to meet you, so. Thanks."
You narrowed your eyes, angry in a friendly way, "Maybe I'll say no?"

You teased but Undyne pouted at you, "You can't say no now!"

Undyne and you both looked at each other for a second before bursting out laughing. It was nice, you thought, to be able to talk to someone like this again.

"Fine, fine!" you admitted defeat, talking through giggles, "I won't say no, but you might have to tell me the plans you guys have."
"I thought you were supposed to know that!" Undyne teased, "Here, lemme see your phone."

Undyne grabbed your phone out of your hands, inserting random numbers and letters in a frenzy-like state. So much so, you began to worry if it'd turn out like the register fiasco. Instead, she smiled and handed you back your phone.

THE BESTEST FRIEND EVER UNDYNE
XXX-XXX-XXXX

Your hand immediately went to your mouth as you began snorting hard. You didn't know exactly what you were expecting, but it sure wasn't that.

"Oh my god, Undyne," you said through hard gasps, "You're killing me here."
Her face went into a huge smile, "Good! You deserve it!"

You began to calm down, taking deep breaths. Your tummy hurt, but definitely not in a bad way. It was more in a 'life is amazing right now and this might be the best stomach pain I've ever felt in my entire life' type of way.

Undyne watched and didn't say anything until you entirely settled down, "Alright, punk! We're having a potluck like I said before, but feel free to bring anything you'd like. I don't know how you're cooking skills are so bring whatever you're good at cooking, I guess. I dunno. We're starting at six tomorrow."
"And where must I go to taste these delicious dishes?" you said with a fancy accent, giggling.
Undyne smirked at you, "Wherever the delicacies are located, you punk! ...I'll just text you our address later. If I forget, text me."

You narrowed your eyes, "Promise you won't forget? I don't want to be stuck at home, waiting for your text while whatever I cook burns."
"I can actually see that happening!" Undyne all but snorted, "And I won't forget. Just. Good idea to not ask last minute?"
You giggled a bit, "But that's exactly what I wanted to do."