Previously

"Ummm, heh, everything...okay in the back?" Mr. Error chuckles, probably puzzled at the scene before him.

What he sees is his son and some other girl both blushing madly.

Surely that would raise some suspicion.

"Yep. Everything is all fine and dandy here. Nothing wrong," PJ speaks quickly, the floating bits on his skull shapeshifting frantically.

"(Y/N)?" Mr. Error teases me, "Are you okay?"

"Mmmhmm. Y-Yeah I'm g-good." I stutter and hide my face with my hair, my anxiety shooting through the roof.

"Alright then," he chuckles lightly.

"We're home now," Mr. Ink announces.

Now

I finish my bacon and cheese omelet and get up to wash my plate.

"PJ...?"

"Hm? Yeah?"

"Can I..."

'Oh...this is dumb...'

"Can I walk to school with you...? I don't think the other girls are carpooling with me anymore..."

"Sure. You know you don't have to ask right?"

"Yeah...but the others might n-"

"You don't have to care what the others think. If they don't like you, then they'll have to deal with it."

I chuckle softly at his response.

"Thanks..."

"Don't mention it."

He picks up his phone and gets up from his seat.

"They're coming."

"Okay, I'll hurry up," I take his dish and wash it as well.

Once I finish, I grab my jacket, backpack, and my sneakers.

I open the door to see it pouring outside.

"Great..."

Now, don't get me wrong. I love hearing the rain quietly tap against my window. But it's not great when trying to get somewhere.

"Don't worry, I got it."

PJ appears behind me with a black umbrella.

We wait out there for a few moments on the porch before the rest show up.

"I'm seriously hoping you're not letting her walk with us, PJ," BP remarks, crossing his arms.

"Wouldn't kill ya to do something nice once in a while, BP," he shrugs and opens up the umbrella, letting me under.

"Whatever..."

Skate gestures towards her cheeks and mouths the words "Are you okay?"

I mouth back "I'm good" and give her a thumbs up.

We continue walking to school, BP and Undyne giving me the occasional stink eye.

...And I think I overestimated the umbrella's size...

When we walked, I moved closer to PJ so I wouldn't get wet from the edges of the umbrella. But somehow, it always drifts away.

Eventually, I kinda lost my patience and just grab onto PJ's arm to get closer.

"Woah, there! Getting a bit touchy there, aren't we~?" He teases, a light blush appearing on his face.

I feel the familiar feeling of heat rushing to my cheeks.

"Q-Quiet, you. I-I just didn't want to get wet!" I retort back, but I can't help but smile at my stupidity.

'Oh my God, someone help me! Has anyone ever died of embarrassment?'

When we arrive at the school, I thank PJ and get to science class.

Just as the bell rings and everyone sits down, I scan the room.

Bunny's...not here?

'Did she actually get suspended...?'

* * * * * *

All through class, I couldn't stop thinking about my "Bunny dilemma."

I know Frisk told me not to put it on myself but I just can't help but feel guilty!

I sigh and walk into the lunchroom, keeping my head down.

I look over to the Devil Divas table.

Bunny really isn't here...

It's just Ebony and Shadow and they're staying relatively silent.

I guess I'm not welcome there anymore...

I find an empty table to sit at and put my bag down. At least with this space, no one will bother me. But it felt good to be a part of something.

I feel the sudden urge to draw something so I dig into my backpack for a pen, some paper, and my headphones.

I only manage to find two of the three things I need.

I try to think of ways to past the time without spare paper when an idea pops into my head.

"Looks like I'm gonna be the freak again," I murmur to myself, grabbing a black and red pen.

I pull up my sleeve to reveal my palm and start working on my right hand.

Some time passes by before a voice calls my name.

"(Y/N)? What are you doing all by yourself?"

I look up from my "artwork" to see PJ standing there, holding a lunch tray.

"Nothing really. I don't think I'm a Devil Diva anymore so..." I rest my headphones on my shoulders.

"Come on, why don't you come sit with me?"

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. Why not? What kind of friend would I be if I led you into danger?" he extends his hand out to me.

"Not a very good one, that's for sure," I joke, reaching out to take his hand and swinging my bag over my other shoulder.

His eyes widen in alarm and he retracts his hand.

"Do...do you need to see Ms. Toriel again...?"

"What?"

He grabs into my wrist and flips my hand over, "How...did you manage to make such a deep cut...?"

On my palm is a fake cut wound that I spent my last 10 minutes drawing, you know...like a weirdo.

"No, I didn't cut myself. It's just pen ink, don't worry about it."

"..."

"Hey, you can chill. I didn't hurt myself in any way."

"Not gonna lie, my soul left my body for a second," he lets go of my wrist and chuckles sheepishly, "How'd you make it look so realistic?"

"I learned from a classmate when I was younger. I think the key is to smudge it a lot to make the area around the cut pop out and to add black to darken the shade."

"How about...we play a prank on the others?" He suggests, a mischievous grin appearing on his face.

"What kind of prank are ya thinking?" I shoot him a glance of playfulness.

"I know that Dad has some art knives in the room for projects like modeling and sculptures."

"So, I accidentally cut myself when we were doing a project?"

"Exactly."

"We're doing this!" I wink at him.

He puts his arm around my shoulder and tells me, "Act natural~"

"Come on, PJ! I got the role of the leading lady. You think I can't act?" I poke him on the cheek playfully.

"Alright, alright," he chuckles light-heartedly.

As we approach the table, I look downwards, pulling down one of my sleeves to hide my "cut".

"So, first, walking to schools with us. Now, sitting at our table," Undyne scowls at me like she's bothered by my presence.

"Don't be so hard on her, Undyne. It was my idea," PJ sits down and pats the seat next to him.

I timidly take a seat in between PJ and BP, pulling down my sleeve a little further.

"Pfffft! Since when did you become such a softie?"

"I'm just trying to be friendly. Nothing wrong with that, right, (Y/N)?"

"Right..." I murmur quietly.

"Is something wrong, (Y/N)?" Skate asks me, "You're awfully quiet and fidgety today."

"What do you m-mean? I'm always q-quiet."

I put my hands on the table and grip onto my wrist tighter, trying to give subtle hints that I was "in pain."

"Then, what's wrong with your hand?" BP eyes me suspiciously, taking the bait.

"Huh...?"

"Your hand. What are you hiding?" He gestures towards my fidgety hands, raising an eyebrow at me.

"I-It's nothing...don't worry about it..."

"From the way you're hiding it, it doesn't look like nothing."

"BP's right, (Y/N). What happened?"

"Would you guys p-promise not to laugh at me for telling you...?"

"We promise. Right, BP?"

"Fine. I promise."

"O-Okay...so in art class, we were making sculptures out of styrofoam and an X-acto knife. And as I was sculpting it, I accidentally dropped the knife. And I...stupidly tried to catch it...while it was falling."

I slowly pull up my sleeve and flip over my hand to reveal the "cut wound."

BP stands up in shock and tries to move backward but ends up tripping over his seat.

Thankfully, I successfully restrain myself from cracking a smile.

A few surrounding tables near us look over, confused as to what all the ruckus is about.

What's happening? they probably wonder, watching the scene unfold before them.

"Holy crap, (Y/N)! We gotta get you to the nurse's office!" Skate bursts out, taking my hand and trying to heal it.

Of course, it doesn't work because there's no actual wound there but she doesn't notice.

"What the heck is going on!?" Undyne speaks up when we interrupted her conversation with PJ.

I take my hand away from Skate and turn it in her direction.

"Holy Asgore!" She jumps in surprise.

"We are getting you to Ms. Toriel right NOW!" PJ pulls me up, holding my wrist like he's about to drag me over to the nurse's office.

I give him a look, should we stop?

He breaks character and a smile slowly forms on his face.

"You should've seen your faces!" PJ laughs, letting go of me and sitting down.

"W-Wha...?" Skate asks, dumbfounded.

"It's just a prank!" I giggle, "We didn't mean to scare you guys that badly."

I turn around and hold out my hand for BP. He looks at it dumbfoundedly before taking it and pulling himself up.

"Thanks..." he mutters quietly.

"Now, enough of that. We haven't gone skateboarding together for a while. How about the park after rehearsal today?" PJ suggests, glancing at me.

"Eh, why not?"

"Okay!"

"Sure."

"Be there by 4:45. 15 minutes should be enough for everyone to go home and get their boards."

* * * * * *

I sprint upstairs to grab my skateboard and wrist guards and meet PJ outside.

"PJ? I'm not so sure about this..." I mumble.

"Hmm? Why? You don't have to be intimidated by the others. You've been practicing a lot for the past few weeks. Your hard work will pay off.

Now come on, let's go."

We drop our skateboards to the ground and make our way to the park.

Now that I've practiced a lot, cruising is a lot smoother than before.

We make it to the skate park soon enough.

"Great...PJ's brought the loser with him..." BP remarks, loud enough for me to hear.

"We'll just have to deal with it for now. Who knows what PJ's gonna do to you if he overhears you."

"Hey, guys. Where'd Skate go?" PJ walks up to the rest of the group.

"Dunno. She ran off saying she'll be right back," Undyne shrugs.

"Speak of the devil," I comment, looking behind PJ.

"Hey! Sorry I kept you guys waiting," Skate skates up to the group, someone skating behind her.

"It's been a while, Trix," PJ fistbumps him.

"Yeah, how's it been?"

"Been just fine."

While PJ, Skate, and Trix are conversing, Undyne and BP both give me intimidating looks.

But they don't talk nor speak up.

The intoxicating silence could potentially suffocate me.

But I could only try to brush them off and not worry.

I sigh and get on my board, skating over to the bowl, which is exactly what it sounds like.

Truth be told, Skate has taught me how to do tricks on a bowl before and I was able to do them without falling. But that's going to change with the other two experts staring me down.

'Come on, (Y/N)! Suck it up and stop being a baby over it!'

I prepare myself for a drop in and step my foot forward, shifting my weight so I don't fall over.

The light wind on my hair and the feeling of steadiness washes over me, calming me down a bit. I continue on, doing a few kickturns, backside and frontside, and pumping to gain momentum. It's actually not that bad once you get into it.

The thrill, the soft breeze, the excitement

Fills me with PASSION.

I'm guessing Skate, PJ, and Trix finished their conversation because they approach me.

For a second, I don't notice them as if I'm in my own little world.

But once PJ skates down and passes me, I take notice.

Skate joins us and gives me a few words on encouragement.

After a while of skating, I build up some more speed and fly out onto the deck.

"You've been doing so well for the three weeks we practiced!" Skate wraps an arm around me and pats my shoulder.

"Thanks to you and PJ, of course!" I grin.

Trix interrupts our little conversation when calling for Skate.

She leaves me and I'm left next to Undyne.

"3 weeks?"

"Huh?"

"You've been practicing for 3 weeks?"

"Yeah..."

"Guess I can't say you're not a determined little punk."

"Hmm..."

"Alright, let's cut the crap.

Let's just say first impressions weren't great. And since PJ is already so attached to you, I can't stop him anymore. So, I wanna start over."

She holds out her hand towards me.

"Truce?"

I shake her hand and smile, "Truce."

'Now just BP...'

She lets go of my hand and grins.

"And don't worry about BP. He's got trust issues. Give him some time and he'll come around eventually," she says as if she's reading my mind.

"Oh...alright then."

"Hey, guys! Check this out!" PJ calls from a ramp.

"Let's go."

* * * * * *

As I walk to the cafeteria after astrology with Mr. Dream, I feel an arm wrapped around my shoulder.

I yelp in surprise at the sudden movement as the person or monster responsible for that breaks into a fit of laughter.

"Fuhuhu! Your expression was priceless!" Undyne cackles.

"Yeah, yeah. Laugh it off, Fishface."

For the past few days, Undyne and I have actually gotten closer. Which is surprising, considering we're complete opposites.

"So, punk. the Winter Ball's coming up. Got plans?"

"No. Or at least, not yet. I might just go with a friend."

"You changed PJ a lot."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Lately, he stopped picking in the nerds. Which is pretty surprising how fast that transitioned."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. For the past few weeks, he's turned soft. And I mean REALLY soft. How did you do it, punk?"

"I don't think I did much...I mean, talking can go a long way?"

"Y'know. He hasn't always been like this. Picking on others I mean. It's not my place to say so why don't you ask him at the table?"

We step into the cafeteria and I immediately sit down.

Not hungry.

When everyone gets settled at the table, I pop the questions.

"So, guys..."

Everyone turns their attention to me.

"Just out of pure curiosity, why did you guys...um...pick on others...?"

'(Y/N)! You idiot! Why did you phrase it like that!?'

Everyone goes silent.

"You know what? Nevermi-"

"No, you should know."

PJ turns to the rest of the group.

"But if I'm going, you all are going down with me."

Everyone sighs but ultimately agrees to go.

"When Cil started his Freshman year here, he often got picked on because he was an easy target. Vulnerable, naive, and new to this place.

So one day, he runs up to me all beaten up. And you best know, I was angry. No, angry is an understatement. I was pissed. So, I taught them a lesson.

In a way, bullying is a form of self-defense. If they're scared of you, they won't dare to touch you. And I'm not some doormat who can be easily stepped on. Attacking others' weaknesses shows just that.

I know it sounds ugly but it's the truth."

I give him a side hug.

"I'm sorry you had to deal with that."

"But I'm okay now, thanks to you," he smiles down at me, "Now, who's next? Undyne?"

"When I was younger, I was always told to toughen up. I used to cry over every single little thing, no matter how big or small. And I was told to stop being a baby over everything.

After a while of pent-up feelings, something in me just...snapped...like a twig. I took out all my anger on the people around me which broke relationships and connections.

I admit, I wasn't and still am not proud of those moments but what's done is done. I can't change the past so I just have to work on the present and future.

I'll be determined!"

I give her a reassuring smile.

"I guess it's my turn now..." Skate speaks up,

"As a kid, I was made fun of by human kids because I wasn't the type of girl to be frilled up in pink and I looked different from the others.

I still remember that one time a human child headshot me with a rock and told me to go back to the underground where I came from. So, kinda like PJ, I essentially bullied others because it was a way of showing power and that I wasn't an easy mark.

But, I eventually did see what was wrong and stopped."

"I'm glad you did."

"BP, your turn," Undyne says.

"Do I have to?" He raises an eyebrow.

"Come on, BP. Even Undyne spilled," PJ urges him.

"Geez. Fine.

It may or may not show but I have pretty low self-esteem.

Picking put others' weaknesses and praying that they don't see mine helps me cope with the fact that I have a low confidence level.

It makes me feel like I'm stronger than I really am. Like I'm not a pushover or a coward.

There? Happy?"

I give him a small smile but could frown at the thought.

It isn't something that I expected from him. To have low self-esteem and trust issues? It must be hard on him...

We continue with some small talk until the bell rings and we all get up.

"(Y/N)?" PJ calls my name.

"Yeah?"

"I'm glad you helped me realize my faults."

"It's not a problem!"

"Who knows? You might change Undyne and BP too."

"Heheh, sure."

Challenge accepted.

~A/N~
I didn't realize how fast the plot would be going after (Y/N) and PJ get together •-•
Oops...XP
And don't worry! The two getting together is sooner than you think ;D

Word count: 3072 words (including A/N)

*nopes out*