A New Strider (Striders x Reader)

Chapter 9

You awoke when you begin to shake from the cold. You hadn't gotten under your blankets, so you were cold. You lazily kick your shoes off of your feet and go to crawl under the covers. You pause when you hear a bump from just outside of your room. Slowly, you creep back out and sneak across the room. You open the door, praying that it doesn't make any sound, which it thankfully doesn't. You step out into the hallway and you continue to look around you, but you didn't see anyone. You begin to walk down the hall, eyes looking around at the darkness around you.

A yelp escapes your lips as you crash into something and fall onto the ground, your head roughly slamming against the ground. Almost as natural instinct, you sit up and cover your head.

"(Y/n), are you alright?" Dave's voice makes you uncoil.

You almost jump to your feet and put your hands out in front of you, waving your hands dismissively, "yep, all good."

He stares at you, not believing you.

"It's just an instinct, I guess."

"Oh, well, sorry," Dave shrugs, "I'll see you tomorrow morning."

With that he walks around you and exits the front door. You shrug and go back to your room. Well, now you're home alone, time for some peaceful sleep. You shut your door behind you and quickly hop into bed. You slam your face into the pillow and fall asleep.

~~~

Entering school today wasn't as bad as it was yesterday; you knew that Feferi would be waiting for you just outside of the front office. You give a short goodbye to your brothers, and brothers' friends before going off to look for Feferi and probably Eridan.

It didn't take that long before you found the pair.

"Hi Feferi, Eridan."

"Hi (y/n)!"

"Hey."

You follow along with Feferi as you talk about the weekend.

"So, you're not doing anything?" Feferi repeats.

"Nope, I only just moved in, so I don't think there is anything planned." You shrug.

"Okay, well you should come with us to the gala that's being held in the park."

"Gala?" you ask.

"Yep, it happens once a year and I go with Eridan and Sollux."

At the mention of the guy named Sollux, Eridan pulls a sour face. This almost makes you laugh, but you hold it back.

"Um, I'll have to ask my guardian, but I'd love to." You agree.

"Alright, I'll pick you up from your apartment on Saturday."

"Sounds good, now, should we get to our home class."

~~~

You stretch as you hop out of the plastic chair, people around you push to escape the classroom. You pick up your school bag and begin to slowly exit the room. You were planning on getting a ride home from Feferi, as you had yesterday, but she got hit in the face with a soccer ball in PE and went home early. So you were now going to just walk home alone.

You jump slightly when you hear something slam against the lockers ahead of you. You look up from the ground and see three figures standing around another. You flinch as the middle guy pulls the bullied kid away from the lockers and slammed against them once more. One of the bullies pulls their arm back and punches the kid in the face. As soon as this happens you snap from your trance and take a few steps forwards.

"Hey, what the hell are you doing?!" you shout, your voice surprisingly not shaking as it usually did.

The bullies look over at you, sneers on their faces.

"Aww, look at this," one bully mocks, "the new nerd coming to save their brother."

You look at them, confused. But your confused look changes to one of horror when you see that it was in fact Dave that was being pinned against the lockers. The blood that dripped from his nose came out like a river.

"Of course I did, you absolute dumbass." You growl, a new found anger dripping from your voice.

"Well, how ab-."

"Wait, doesn't she hang out with the Peixes and Amporas?" a the third bully asks.

The bully who had been advancing towards you halts, "oh fuck, fine, you're safe for now."

Dave is dropped on the ground and the one that had been holding him up gives him one last kick before they all walk off.

You begin shaking as you walk over to Dave, kneeling in front of him.

"Are you alright?"

"Despite the bloody nose and bruised ribs, fine."

You help Dave to his feet and begin to help him walk along the hallway.

"So, where'd that come from?" Dave asks, glancing at you.

"I'm not sure," you shrug, "I was terrified, but you were being beaten up."

"Right, well, thanks anyway."

"No problem."