Under Water [completed]

V

= April 2022: minor edits =

The sun rose over the horizon, forcing my eyes to peel open. My body creaked as I got up from bed, rubbing my eyes. Once the grogginess of the morning went away, I remembered what had happened, what we had accomplished. That stupid dream tried to get rid of my determination every night.

But I had survived for a year now, even with the glitches.

I opened my laptop, feeling a surge of fear and adrenaline as the program showed a high possibility of an attack today. I closed my laptop and took a deep breath, forcing myself to be excited about the challenge instead of terrified.

Calling up Sans I told him about the high possibility.

"You ready?" He asked, sounding excited but more apprehensive than anything.

"I always am."

"Alright, then. See you at three."

We hung up simultaneously.

I rushed up the stairs and showered, putting on jeans, a purple and pink striped top and combat boots. I checked the time. Five minutes before the bus would pick me up. I grabbed my phone, earbuds, and backpack, throwing together a lunch and the other essentials. I heard the bus whizzing by. I heard my backpack jingle as I ran down the sidewalk, the other kids already starting to line up.

I was determined to get to the bus.

By some miracle, I made it just as the last kid got on. I casually waved to the bus driver, Napstablook, who was now in therapy and smiled at everyone as they got onto the bus. I jogged to the end of the bus and sat down beside Monster Kid, or M.

"Hey, M."

"Hey, Frisk. Any expected visitors?"

I nodded, him cracking his neck as I told him the very, very short story.

"It's nothing to worry about, we've dealt with glitches plenty before. You don't have to worry, you need to focus on your studies." 

"No, no, I gotta protect the Monster Ambassador." He nudged me with his head and puffed out his chest, making me laugh a little.

We hit a bump on the road, making the bus explode with whoops and laughter for a moment, Napstablook laughing with us.

"Did you have the dream again?" M. asked as he rummaged through his over-packed bag.

"I always do. But that just gives me more determination, you know."

"Just checking." He winked, making me smile.

The bus came to a stop, the brakes screeching for a moment before coming to a halt. All the empty space of the isle was then filled with bodies and conversations, students talking about school or assignments or hanging out after school. I listened to bits and pieces, taking note of how I could talk to them. It was a habit; a good one and a bad one at the same time.

I had to cater to multiple people whenever I was in court for the monsters: I had to cater to young kids, older and wiser elders, adults, court judges, or working people. It was difficult but I was getting used to it, developing skills in order to better adjust to the different kinds of people in the different situations. 

Hopping off the bus M. and I merged into the crowd of students going into the school; Abraham L. High School: a high school that prided itself on its history and political education. 

Attending this high school was not by chance. I needed to learn, memorize, and integrate into the world of politics to protect my friends.

"Frisk!" Asriel called, closing his locker. 

"Asriel! How are you?" I called back as he jogged over.

"I'm doing good," He shrugged, "I just got back from some Royal Business with Undyne and Papyrus and them all. It was pretty cool, I guess."

Asriel didn't like the political and Royal position he was put in; I could empathize with that feeling.

"Don't get me wrong, it's cool, just a little annoying when you're trying to be a normal kid."

We shared in awkward laughter, attracting the attention of a few kids. I felt myself starting to burn up; it had only been a year and monsters and humans being friends wasn't normalized yet. Chara then joined us; her brown hair in braids and her iconic green and yellow dress. 

"Ooh, why are you so dressed up?" I asked, Chara grinning a little at me noticing.

"Why, the dance is today after school." She spun around as if the dress would flare out like a ball gown.

"Dance? What dance?" Asriel, M. and I asked in unison.

"What? You don't know about the school dance? There are posters all over the school! It's been on the announcements every day for the past five weeks! How did you miss this? And all three of you!"

The three of us exchanged a guilty look.

"I'm not sure..." I shrugged, trying to remember what had happened to make me forget the dance.

"Why, do you have something after school?" She narrowed her eyes at me, crossing her arms.

"Y-Yes. And I can't miss it; it's really important. When does the dance go until?"

"Four."

"I might be able to make it for a few minutes. I'm sure how long the thing is going to take."

She looked at me with suspicion and curiosity, tapping her foot awaiting an explanation. I hadn't told Chara. I didn't want her to worry. She was my closest friend but I hadn't told a lot of the people I know. I had only told Alphys, Sans, M. and Asriel. Not even the school admin knew. Luckily, none of the glitches so far had attacked me at school.

"What is so important about this thing? Are you going to court again, or something?"

"No," I paused, trying to think of something, "I just can't cancel this plan."