Chapter Text
"Helloooooo...? Earth to Kris?"
Kris slowly rose their head and began examining their surroundings. It appeared they had slept through most of the school day up until the bell, which was unusual. Normally they only sleep about half way through but the consistent 3 hours of sleep every night they got from being tortured by their very own SOUL ended up being too much for their body to handle.
Yawning, Kris stretched their arms and muttered a quiet "What?".
In front of them was Noelle, leaning down with her arms behind her back and a small amused smile stuck to her face. Oh right, Kris had completely forgot they were going to talk after school. They didn't know why she wanted their attention, but listened anyway.
By now, most of the class had already left and only a few classmates that Kris didn't know the name of were left behind. Come to think of it, they didn't really pay attention to anyone in the class besides Noelle and Susie. Oh, and Berdly, but only because he's obnoxious and has to make his presence known every millisecond. Kris's eyebrows subconsciously scrunched slightly just at the thought of him.
Noelle quickly turned her head left, right, then behind her, checking to make sure the classroom was empty. It wasn't since Dr. Alphys was still packing her things, but that didn't really count.
"Okay, the thing I wanted to talk to you about was...- Susie." Noelle spoke with a hushed whisper, smiling slightly larger just at the mention of Susie's name. Her tail started swinging slightly and her ears poked up. That was enough for Kris to guess what she was about to say.
Kris stood up, making the distance between the two more even before gesturing her to go on. Noelle looked as if she was about to explode if she didn't get her next words out, yet still spoke unsure.
"I...do you think it would be possible to...-" Noelle paused, glancing around the room.
"You like her?" Kris abruptly spoke, technically cutting her off but you couldn't really tell since she was speaking so slow. Noelle practically jumped backward at the assumption, subconsciously twirling her hair with one of her hands. Her mouth kept opening as if she was about to speak, but the only things that came out were shrieks or unfinished words.
"No-! W-Well I mean yeah- but not in that way! I think she's cool and pretty...d-doesn't everyone?!" Noelle was clearly having a hard time even stringing words together, her eyes wide with excitement mixed with terror. Kris would've found this pretty funny if they didn't feel like they were being actively stabbed in the head over and over. As Noelle continued her rambling, Kris remembered they took out their SOUL this morning. And didn't put it back in. For the whole day. No wonder they felt extra tired, they were basically a walking bag of flesh.
"A-And I don't really know how to say this but I think-"
"Noelle wait here for a second." Kris once again cut her off, rushing over to the nearest bathroom with their bag. Well, they weren't exactly rushing, but they were using all of their strength which only ended up making them go as fast as a speed-walk.
Kris pushed the bathroom door open and rushed into a stall, locking it with shaky hands before unzipping their bag. Grabbing the SOUL out of the birdcage that barely fit into their small black bag, the SOUL practically jumped out of their grip into their chest. It stung as if they were being stabbed, but the pain didn't last long before they felt normal again. They breathed a sigh of relief, hunched over with a hand where their heart should be. They cursed at their own incompetence, before regaining their composure and walking back to Noelle.
"...Sorry about that." Kris apologised, their voice quiet and unreadable as usual. In the past, many people have assumed they were sad or angry whenever they spoke because of their tone, but Noelle understood and never questioned them. That's one of the reasons Kris liked talking to her.
"U-uh that's alright...What even happened anyway?"
"Nothing just go on."
Noelle didn't look too convinced but needed to get her point across before they went home.
"I need you to hang out with Berdly."
Kris's mouth went agape, which was the most emotion they have shown in probably years. Noelle sensed their shock and quickly spoke up.
"N-Now I now that sounds crazy but- Okay, you don't have to hang out with him, but just please keep him occupied...?"
Kris seemingly healed from the recent shock, raising an eyebrow slightly. They could feel a slight tingle in their hands, that was not a good sign.
"What, you finally realised how much of a dork he is?" Despite Kris's naturally quiet nature, they had a thing for snarky remarks.
"Please, Kris- I cannot have him bother-Umm, talk to me whilst I...Do something. It's only for a day or two, can't you sacrifice for a friend?"
Kris felt something that could only be described as a pang of electricity running through their body, their left thumb beginning to twitch. Even though they hated the thought of hanging out with Berdly with their gut, that wasn't the reason behind this. The SOUL was taking control. Now, of all times.
With a quick few blinks and a shake of their head, they lost control of their body.
"Of course I can, what are friends for?" Kris nearly vomited at their words. Well, mentally vomited. Besides the fact they have to hang out with Berdly, they also sound like a complete cornball. Seriously, 'what are friends for?' What is this, a Disney movie?
"Aha yeah...umm...Thanks for that Kris, I knew you'd agree!" Noelle gave a quick side hug before grabbing her things, waving and happily strutting out the now empty classroom since Dr. Alphys left a few minutes ago.
Kris stood alone, having now regained their control. They began to curse mentally, not knowing how to get out of this. Whatever, they'll deal with it tomorrow. Yeah.