Hell Is My World (Hazbin Hotel x Eddsworld)

11 - Manipulated Smiles

Late at night, Matt lay awake in his hotel bed. Though the bed was incredibly comfy, he couldn't fall asleep, for his mind was racing with thoughts.
This is a good thing, he thought. I'm being more confident, I'm being the best version of myself, and I have a new friend. But, I don't understand why I feel like this. The mentoring has been going on for three days, and it's supposed to make me be happy, but I'm not. Alastor says that a smile will make you feel happy, so why do I just feel uncomfortable all the time?

The next morning, Matt walked through the grand hallways to find Alastor, standing tall and proud in the lobby.
"Ah, good morning, Matthew! How are we feeling today?" Alastor greeted.
"Magnificent as always, Alastor!" Matt lied through a fake smile.
"Splendid!" Alastor beamed. "Now, remember, big smile, tall posture, and show confidence!"
Matt nodded, marching to the dining hall, with Alastor a few centimetres behind him.

All throughout breakfast, Alastor watched Matt's every move. Everything he did, everyone he talked to, just making sure he was doing exactly he said to do. Matt's face ached from all the smiling, but what choice did he have? All of this was tiring, but did Matt get a say in it? Did he hell! However, Alastor wasn't the only one watching. Tom kept his eye on him, and he watched how Alastor was constantly nitpicking him. This was extremely infuriating for him. Sure, Tom didn't normally care for Matt, but, damn it, he wouldn't stand for him being treated like this.

"Matt, I noticed you during breakfast. Are you alright?" Tom asked. Him and Matt were sat in the lobby, and Alastor was nowhere to be seen.
"Yeah, I'm good. I'm fine, Tom. I don't know why you're worrying so much." Matt responded. This angered Tom.
"I'll ask again. Are you alright?" Tom asked again.
"Everything's alright, Tom." Matt replied firmly.
"Are you alright?!" Tom asked once more, raising his voice.
"What the fuck's gotten into you?!" Matt argued.
"That doesn't answer my question! Are. You. Alright?!" Tom shouted.

And then...it all caved. Matt let out a deep sigh.
"No, I'm not alright." he admitted. "I feel...I feel...I feel like a ticking time bomb. It's like I'm going to explode any moment."
"HEY!" Alastor yelled from behind the two. Damn, that demon was fast.
"Oh, shit." Matt whispered.
"What did I say, Matthew?" Alastor cried, still maintaining his smile. "Put on your happy face! That makes everything okay!"
Matt plastered a phony smile on his face to make Alastor go away. As soon as he was gone, Matt ran away to his room, tears streaming down his face.

Sat in his hotel room, Matt cried his eyes out, embracing his knees to his chest. Oh, how he wished he never took that deal! He just felt like a ghost of his former self, a puppet held up by invisible strings. He lifted his head to see his mirror, just sat peacefully on the dresser. He picked it up and stared into it. This wasn't him. What had he become? His sadness turned to anger, as he gripped the handle tighter. In a mist of rage, he held the mirror up high, before throwing as hard as he could at the ground, shattering it into a million little pieces.