Under The Mask

Chapter six: (Short story) Gifts

Nightmare walked the empty hallways, it was far too late after school, even the Janitors have left for the day.

What was Nightmare doing at school after school hours, you ask? Well, it all went something like this...

Nightmare was scrolling through Cross' Tumblr, looking for pictures-just wondering what he does on social media. He found quite a bit with his face in them and immediately saved- he wasn't too interested and tossed his phone aside. He was boredly staring up at the ceiling when he thought of something.

He jumped off his bed and headed downstairs. Dream was in the kitchen, putting away groceries. "Hey, Dream."

"Oh, hello, brother. Do you need something?"

"I...I might have a little cr..."

"What? I can't hear you."

"A-a crush. I think I have a crush."

Dream's eyes widened. "A...crush?"

"Look, I know it sounds stupid, but-"

"Who is it!? Oh, my gosh that's great for you, but who. Is. It!?"

Nightmare was taken aback by the sudden outburst, but quickly recovered. "I won't tell you yet. I just need advice."

"If I give you advice, will you tell me?"

"Perhaps."

"Why must you be this way?"

"Because yes."

'"Huuugh, fine!"

"Thanks!"

Dream sighed. "Alright, I suppose you should give them a gift."

"A..gift?"

"Yeah! Something you think they'll appreciate. If they like it, they'll be more fond of you, and it turn, will eventually grow feelings for you if they don't already have them. If they do, they'll probably have more confidence to confess."

"Really?"

"Really."

"I- you think so?"

"I know so. Go on, now. Find something they'll like."

"Oh, right! Thanks, Dream!" He got up and ran out the door. Dream sighed. Thank gosh Nightmare was willing to commit to a love life for once.

Anyway-! Nightmare stopped at the locker he was looking for, dark blue rectangular metal with a small keyhole on the side. He lifted his finger near the keyhole, letting the goop trail off it and into the locker. He had gone this before, using his goop or 'liquid negativity' as it's supposed to be called, to pick open locks to steal others items and insert them in others lockers to create drama or place unwanted items in them to freak them out. Not this time.

The lock clicked a few times and swung open just barely enough for Nightmare to grip the sides with the edges of his fingertips to pull it fully open, revealing its contents. Nightmare was not interested in them, all he wanted was enough space to place his gift, luckily, Cross didn't bother decorating the inside of his locker or leaving anything necessary behind.

He pulled out his gift, placing it on the shelf with the most space. With that, he slowly shut the locker. Turning into a pile of dark liquid, he slipped out the school and started speed walking home.

The bundle of small, multi coloured, long living flowers, tied with some string, lay resting on top of a flooded note on top of a bar of chocolate with a shiny dark purple wrapper. Waiting to be received.