Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Hey, Cass.” Evan said, his quiet voice smoothly traveling to her ears.

“Yeah?” Cassidy responded, her voice gentle.

“The moon is beautiful, isn't it?” Evan said, staring at the night sky.

“Yeah, it really is…” Cassidy muttered as she tore her gaze away from the sky and looked at Evan.

Evan is a boy with light brown hair, his hair curly and reaching his shoulders. His eyes are two separate colors, emerald green, and an icy blue.

His eyes always seemed to be the most beautiful things in the world to Cassidy. Like two gems that had an indescribable worth.

Evan is rather tall for his age, his father being the reason. Evan is skinny, an awkward appearance for his height.

He has pearly white teeth, and skin like a porcelain doll.

To Cassidy, he is perfect in every aspect. The way his eyes shine, the way his mouth moves, his legs walk, his hands write. Everything, he was just, perfect.

While Cassidy looked like a piece of trash next to him.

She had black hair, black eyes, was awkwardly tall for her gender, and had a rougher voice compared to others, worst of all, she wasn't especially pretty compared to most girls, she looked more boyish if anything.

She felt self conscious of her appearance, always worrying if she'd make others judge Evan for hanging out with her.

But he never cared about that. Evan never had many friends, and he was happy to be friends with Cassidy, she was cool to him.

The way her hair shined in the light, the way her eyes became fierce whenever someone picked on him, and the way she never needed any help reaching for something, she is the most confident, and self sufficient person he knows.

And in his eyes, she was gorgeous, he knew she was boyish, but he didn't mind. He found that part of her endearing, it was as if she was making a statement that she didn't need a man's help, and that she could do everything herself.

And that's why he was embarrassed whenever others saw him near her. He didn't have any issues with her, and that's the exact reason as to why. She was perfect, and he isn't. He has many flaws.

His appearance is one, his hair was too long, and got tangled too often, he was really skinny, and wasn't especially strong, so standing next to him is like standing next to a twig.

He didn't want Cassidy to get humiliated by him. But he didn't want her to leave him.

And Cassidy felt the same, she knew she was holding him back, but she didn't want to let go.

As Cassidy looked away from Evan, she looked back at the sky and sighed.

The wind blew by, moving the grass and flowers in one direction.

The moonlight shined down upon them, as if it was a light upon two actors.

“Is everything alright?” Evan asked, looking at Cassidy.

The wind stopped blowing, a comforting silence encompassing them.

“Nah, it's just…” Cassidy looked at Evan, her black eyes staring into his gem like eyes.

“Just?” Evan inquired.

“Evan…I…” Cassidy closed her mouth as she began contemplating.

Evan got nervous, what if she wanted to stop talking to him, stop being friends, Evan doesn't know what he'd do, he doesn't know what he did wrong, he wanted to ask, but didn't want to be a bother. He was so nervous.

Cassidy opened her mouth once again, and began speaking.

“I…” Cassidy sighed as her face began turning red.

“Evan… I love you.” Cassidy managed to spit out.

She looked down, her face red, and her hands gripping the grass. Her knuckles were white from how hard she was gripping.

Evan's face was red, he was expecting the worst, but hearing this sudden news made him freeze.

Cassidy got more nervous the longer Evan stayed quiet, her heart beating harder than ever.

She looked at Evan nervously, trying to gauge his reaction.

But she was stunned at what she saw. Evan was covering his mouth, his ears a bright red, and his eyes darting everywhere.

Cassidy had a small smirk, deciding to make use of this one in a lifetime chance.

She pounced on him, and forced his hand away from his mouth.

Evan let out a surprised gasp as he looked at Cassidy, who was now sitting on his chest.

“Cass, what are you-” Evan didn't get to finish his sentence as Cassidy’s lips met his own.

His eyes opened wide, a complete opposite of Cassidy, who had her eyes shut in case Evan wanted to push her off.

But he didn't, so Cassidy relaxed her grip on his hands and put more focus onto his lips.

Their kiss felt like an eternity, nothing in the world except them.

After what felt like ages, Cassidy pulled away, a thin string of saliva connecting their lips.

Evan was panting, the experience causing him to forget how to breathe.

“C-Cass…” Evan muttered, his eyes staring into hers.

Cassidy had a look of determination in her eyes, the previous nervousness completely gone.

“Evan, I love you.” Cassidy stated, without even a hint of anxiousness in her voice.

Evan's lips twitched as he wanted to respond, but his lips wouldn't move.

“And look, I can understand if you don't feel the same way, I mean, how could you. Look at me, then look at you, I don't deserve you…” Cassidy said, her voice quieting near the end.

“NO!” Evan shouted, his own brain not processing what he said.

Cassidy’s eyes widened as Evan sat up, her body falling onto his lap.

“The truth is… The truth is that I also love you! So don't talk bad about yourself like that! I love you for you, and you're way out of my league, I don't know why you love me. But I'm so glad you do, you don't know how happy I am right now!” Evan said, his usually quiet voice replaced with a louder and more determined one.

Cassidy felt her hand twitch, her face warm, her head fuzzy.

So she reacted without thinking.

She reached for the back of his head and pulled him into another kiss.

This time she was more forceful, as if she was a beast who didn't want her prey escaping.

She slid her tongue into his mouth, and rubbed against his own tongue.

After a while, she finally pulled away.

“Evan, I really do. Love you.”

Chapter Text

“Skibidi.” Cassidy said.

“Skibi-…di? What's that?” Evan asked.

“Skibidi.” Cassidy said, not answering Evan's question.

“Cass, what is ‘Skibidi’? Is it a new word?” Evan asked.

Cassidy sighed, rubbing her head, “Skibidi beta, minus two thousand aura.” Cassidy said.

“What? ‘beta’, but we're not wolves.” Evan said, baffled at what Cassidy was saying.

Cassidy floated around Evan and repeated what she said.

Evan watched her, completely confused as to what these new phrases mean.

“Skibidi gyat sigma rizzler in Ohio, Kai Cenat fanum taxed your aura.” Cassidy said.

Evan gave her a dumbfounded look as he gave up.

Evan sat down and let Cassidy ramble on with these words, despite him having zero clue as to what they meant.

Chapter Text

"EVAN! ELIZABETH! WAKE UP IT'S TIME TO GO!" Someone shouted from downstairs.

Evan and Elizabeth jolted awake and grabbed their clothes.

Evan went to the restroom to get changed, while Elizabeth locked the door and began changing out of her pajamas.

Once they were done they rushed downstairs.

"There we go, both your suitcases are already in the car. We were just waiting for you two to wake up and get dressed." Claire said.

"You two should've been up and ready sooner." William said, looking at them.

"S-sorry father." Evan said, looking down to avoid his gaze.

"Sorry it won't happen again." Elizabeth said, looking him in the eyes.

"It's fine, just get in the car, we have a long flight ahead of us." William said.

"Okay!" Elizabeth said, brimming with joy.

Evan just nodded while walking outside.

Elizabeth followed as they both began heading to the car.

"I hope they can adjust to our new home." Claire said with a tinge of worry in her voice.

"I'm sure they'll be fine, our kids always were better than others." William said, comforting her worries.

"I guess you're right." Claire replied.

"Now let's get going, we don't want to miss our flight." William said, walking outside and to his car.

"Yeah let's go." Claire said following him.

≈≈≈≈

"We'll look who's finally here." Michael said, staring at his two siblings.

"Yep, it is us, your amazing siblings." Elizabeth said, puffing out her chest.

"Whatever." Michael said, resting his head on the window.

Once William and Claire got in the car they began driving to the airport.

≈≈≈≈

"We're finally here, our new home, Hurricane Utah." William said getting out of the car.

"Woah! It looks so different! Dibs on the first pick of the room." Elizabeth said, running to the door.

When she tried to open the door she realized that it was locked.

"Now now Elizabeth, sorry to tell you this but you and Evan are going to share a room again." Claire said, walking up to Elizabeth.

"Awwww, but that's fine, that means I get to spend more time with Evie." Elizabeth said, smiling.

"Let's just go inside already, I wanna unpack and go to sleep." Michael said.

William stayed silent as he walked up to the door and unlocked it.

When they walked in Evan closed and locked the door.

Before all the kids could go to their rooms William made an announcement.

"Now before you all go to your rooms I have one thing to say, you are all going to school next week." William announced.

"Yeah yeah." Michael said walking to his room.

"Okie!" Elizabeth said, walking to her and Evan's room.

Evan nodded his head as he followed Elizabeth.

"These kids..." William sighed.

"Now now they're all tired. It was a long flight after all."

"Speaking of tiredness, I have a meeting with Henry tomorrow so I oughta go to bed." William said, walking to their room.

"Good night darling." Claire said.

William just headed straight to their room.

≈≈≈≈

"I'm so excited for school, I don't think I can sleep." Elizabeth said, looking at her brother while they were in bed.

"School is next week, also you have to be well rested to grow big and strong, and to have enough energy for school." Evan said, closing his eyes.

"Hehe that's true, goodnight Evie." Elizabeth said drifting to sleep.

"Good night Lizzy." Evan replied drifting to sleep as well.

≈≈≈≈

It was a new morning in Hurricane Utah. The sun was bright, the sky was clear, and the temperature was perfect.

The Afton family had moved there half a week ago. William, the father, had an old friend who wanted to start a business, ‘Fredbears Diner.’ 

It was a family diner, but with a twist, the main attractions were animatronics.

Fredbear, and Spring Bonnie, a pair, a golden bear, and golden rabbit.

Although the idea for them was ingenious, the process for making them was highly complex.

William proposed using springlocks for the animatronics, the only issue with those is their lack of resistance to water, even a droplet can make the locks malfunction.

So Henry proposed something new, something unheard of.

An ‘Endoskeleton’, a inner structural mass of metal used to keep the animatronics stable, and safe.

They were resistant to most of the elements, their main weakness being electricity.

William liked Henry's idea, so he agreed to it and they began making it.

It was a difficult process, the wired and metal being incredibly difficult to work together.

But after days of work, it all came together, they managed to make two perfect endoskeletons, one for Fredbear, and another for Spring Bonnie.

And so they released it, Fredbears Diner, the pair's perfect creation.

It had everything they imagined, games, food, people, and even the cherry on top, two highly complex animatronics to run the show.

William, is a man with ideas, and the brain to make them reality, and his partner. Henry,

He was cautious about their creations, but that caution helped keep Fredbears stable.

For as long as the pair worked together, nothing bad would happen, and Fredbears would continue to flourish, the news of its stars spreading far and wide.

≈≈≈≈

The full week finally passed, the Aftons kids first day of school in their new home began.

It was a beautiful day, the birds were singing, and kids outside were playing.

'Chirp'

"Evie! wake up we have to go to school, come on it's our first day." Elizabeth said to her twin brother who was rubbing his eyes.

"I'm up, just give me a few minutes to get ready." Evan the smaller of the twins said.

"Hurry up, hurry up, I wanna make new friends." Elizabeth said.

"Ok ok just get out for a second so I can get changed." Evan said.

Elizabeth quickly left the room and waited for her brother to finish changing.

After Evan finished changing him and his sister went to the dining room to get their lunchboxes.

"Mama, where's Mikey and Daddy?" Elizabeth asked their mother after getting hers and Evans lunchboxes.

"Hmm, oh your father is driving your brother to his school, so you two will have to walk to school today." Claire replied.

"Okay! c'mon Evie let's go, we don't want to be late on our first day." Elizabeth said as she grabbed her brother and ran out the house with him.

"L-lizzy, wait you're going too fast." Evan complained to his sister.

Elizabeth didn't listen to her brother's complaints and continued running with him in hand.

Once they got there only then did Elizabeth stop running.

"'Pant' L-lizzy please don't do that again." Evan pleaded to his sister.

"No promises Evie." Elizabeth replied back.

"But besides that let's go inside I wanna make some new friends!" Elizabeth said excitedly.

Evan sighed as a small smile appeared on his face, "Okay Lizzy." Evan replied.

The twins proceeded to walk into the school.

"Wow look how many people there are, eeee! I can't wait to become friends with them." Elizabeth said, even more excited than usual.

"You can do that later Lizzy but for now we have to go to the principal's office to find out which classes we have to go to." said Evan trying to calm down his sister.

"Okie let's go then!" Elizabeth said about to grab her brother's hand again.

But before she could he moved it.

"Lizzy, we have to ask where the principal's office is before we start exploring to try and find it." Evan said stopping his sister from exploring without knowing where the principal's office is.

"Alright then let's ask that girl where the principal office is." Elizabeth said, pointing at a tall girl with tan skin, neck length black hair, tied into two low hanging ponytails, and pitch black eyes.

Elizabeth grabbed her brother and they began walking to the girl.

"Excuse me." Elizabeth said, tapping the girl on her shoulder.

"Hmm what do you want, and who the hell are you two in the first place?" the girl said to Elizabeth.

"Oh where are my manners? I'm Elizabeth Afton and this is my Brother, Evan." Elizabeth replied to the girl.

"Do you mind telling us who you are?" Elizabeth asked the girl.

"I'm Cassidy Brooks, now what do you two want from me exactly?" Cassidy asked

"Oh! we were wondering if you could tell us where the principal's office is located." Elizabeth asked Cassidy.

"How do you not know where the principal's office is- wait, are you two new by chance?" Cassidy asked the two.

"Yeah! how did you know that you are a mind reader!" Elizabeth asked in complete shock.

"Lizzy, we don't know where the principal's office is, so that's how she knows we are new." Evan told his sister.

"Oh! That makes much more sense, you're so smart Evie." Elizabeth said, complementing her brother.

"Anyways, can you tell us where the principal's office is?" Evan asked Cassidy.

"Oh sure all you gotta do is go down that hall to the left and at the end should be the principal's office." Cassidy said, telling them where the principal's office is.

"Thank you, and goodbye." Evan said, walking away.

"Bye bye Cassie." Elizabeth said waving goodbye and following her brother.

"Eh? Cassie?" Cassidy said, completely dumbfounded by the new nickname.

≈≈≈≈

"Yay we found the principal's office!" Elizabeth said happy that they finally found it.

Elizabeth knocked on the door.

"Remember Elizabeth be on your best behavior when we go inside." Evan said, instructing his sister to not mess around.

"Sir yes sir." Elizabeth said.

"You may enter." Said a voice from inside.

Evan sighed as he prepared to enter, “Alright Lizzy, let's go in." Evan said, opening the door and walking in with Elizabeth in pursuit.

When they walked in they saw a girl with dark orange hair with pigtails standing next to the principal's desk, and the principal sitting in their chair behind their desk.

"Ah you two must be Elizabeth and Evan, you parents talked quite proudly about you two, I'm principal Oak, welcome to my school, and l hope you two will enjoy your stay." The principal said with a warm smile.

"Thank you for welcoming us with open arms Ms.Oak." Evan said, bowing his head slightly.

"My my you have such good manners." The principal complimented.

"Thank you for the compliment, but me and my sister were wondering where our classes are." Evan asked.

"Ah yes, your classes, this girl right next to me is Cindy Mckenzie, she is gonna show you where your classes are." The principal said.

"Alright let's get going, I don't want to be late and neither do you two, especially on your first day." Cindy said walking out the principal's office with Evan and Elizabeth following her.

"Goodbye Ms. Oak" Evan said, waving goodbye.

The principal waved back.

"What a nice pair of siblings." The principal said.

≈≈≈≈

"Alright, just follow me, we have the same class." Cindy said slightly in a rush.

"Sorry we have you here instead of class." Evan apologized.

"It's fine, it's not your guy's fault." Cindy said.

“And besides, I'd rather be here, showing you both to your class, instead of being in there, bored out of my mind.” Cindy said, letting out a small giggle.

Evan let out a small chuckle at Cindy's remark.

The trio walked for a bit longer until they reached the classroom.

"This is it, I'm gonna head to my seat, you two come in at any time." Cindy said, walking into the classroom.

"Alright, thank you." Evan said, thanking Cindy.

"Thank youuuuu." Elizabeth said.

"You ready Lizzy?" Evan asked.

"Of course, I've been ready for a week." Elizabeth said.

Evan began walking into the classroom and Elizabeth followed behind him.

"Ah you two must be the new students, pick and head to your seats." The teacher instructed.

Chapter Text

The school was bustling.

Students were talking about hanging out, or where they are going to go over the weekend.

Teachers were discussing their plans for the weekend. (and which students they prefer over another.)

Cassidy was walking down the hall, her interest in a completely different direction from others.

She didn’t want to go to school today, it was her friend's birthday, and she wanted to spend time at her house instead of school.

All her other friends would be there, their parents agreeing to let them stay home since it’s Friday.

But Cassidy’s mother insisted she go to school, due to the fact that Cassidy wasn’t exactly a ‘good’ student, in attitude, and grades. Cassidy’s mom made it very clear that if Cassidy wants to go to her friend's birthday, she’d have to go to each and every class for the entire week, and no ditching.

Cassidy groaned as she remembered their deal, beginning to slightly regret her decision of agreeing, and not just escaping out the house and school to go to her friend's home.

But Cassidy shook off the thought of leaving, her mom works hard for her and her siblings, and Cassidy didn’t want to disappoint her more than she thought she has.

So Cassidy continued walking down the hall, refusing to look at the doors that lead outside, in fear that she might forget her deal and just run out.

But due to this fact, Cassidy wasn’t paying much attention to where she was going, narrowly dodging bumping into people.

Cassidy is a girl with a bunch of pride, so even if she did bump into someone, she wouldn’t apologize, she’d look at them as if they were the one at fault.

So Cassidy continued her prideful strides down the hall, since it was lunchtime, Cassidy was able to walk around without the worry of accidentally being late to class.

As Cassidy continued walking, some people were unlucky enough to be bumped into by her. If they spoke about it to her, she’d just glare at them and blame the collision on them, then continue on her way.

The people never tried talking back to Cassidy, even though her glare was harsh, and her words were harsher, they never even tried. Due to the fact that Cassidy doesn’t have the best reputation among the students, they preferred to steer clear of her.

Never bothering to talk to her, or even look at her, they’d do anything they could to avoid Cassidy.

And as Cassidy walked down the hall, she couldn’t help but feel a bit lonely, since none of her friends were here, she had nobody to talk to.

Cassidy’s once prideful strides got slower and slower, as she began thinking about how lonely she really was, and she hated it.

Although her steps were slower, she still managed to bump into someone.

A young boy who had bandages on his nose and knees.

Cassidy was stunned for a second, thinking that the boy might be getting bullied.

But that's none of her business, and the current loneliness she’s feeling is making her much more volatile to anger.

So she exploded at him, she insulted parts of him that didn’t even deserve insults, and the boy just stood there, not having the courage to walk away, or ignore Cassidy’s harmful words.

He just stood there in silence.

Cassidy continued insulting him for two minutes, not even remembering why she began yelling at the boy to begin with.

After a couple more minutes, Cassidy began to calm down, her explosive anger calming down.

Cassidy looked clearly at the boy, not fully processing what she had just done.

But then it struck her, she just exploded at a boy who had no correlation to her anger, he hadn’t even said anything during the entire time Cassidy yelled at him.

As Cassidy was going to apologize, she looked at his eyes, tears were streaming down his face as he began mumbling small apologies, not understanding what he did wrong.

Cassidy was taken aghast, not expecting him to start crying.

Cassidy didn’t know what to do, although she has yelled at people, she’s never made them cry before.

Cassidy opened her mouth to apologize but quickly got shut down by another's voice.

“Evan, finally, I found you— wait, why are you crying?” The girl asked.

The girl has ginger hair that reaches her shoulders and begins to curl near the ends, her eyes were an emerald green. As the girl walked closer as she began to seem more skeptical towards Cassidy.

The boy known as Evan began mumbling what Cassidy believed was the girl's name.

“E-Elizabeth, I-I’m sorry… I was doing as you said, a-and I ac-accidentally got i-in trouble w-with this g-girl.” The boy managed to say between his small whimpers.

Elizabeth's eyes narrowed as she looked Cassidy up and down.

“And how did you get in trouble with her?” Elizabeth asked, her voice full of skepticism.

“I-I b-bumped into h-her while w-walking.” Evan said.

“So she made you cry?” Elizabeth inquired.

“I-I m-mean…” Evan stuttered.

“Evan, did she, or did she not, make you cry?” Elizabeth asked, her expression serious.

“S-she…” Evans' voice quieted down as he looked at the floor, “So, did she make you cry?” Elizabeth asked, her voice softer than before, “y-yes… s-she made me c-cry.” Evan said.

“I see.” Elizabeth sighed as she glared at Cassidy.

Cassidy felt a shiver go up her spine as Elizabeth glared at her. Although Cassidy wanted to apologize, she felt that even if she tried, Elizabeth wouldn’t allow her to.

“Evan, go sit down on that bench right there,” Elizabeth pointed at a bench next to a door that leads outside, “I’m going to talk to this girl and discuss as to why she decided to make you cry.” Elizabeth said, a sinister smile on her face.

“O-okay.” Evan muttered, walking away from Cassidy and Elizabeth.

Elizabeth watched Evan walk away as she turned her attention back to Cassidy.

“Alright, now that he can’t hear us,” Elizabeth's eyes narrowed as she took a step towards Cassidy, “what’s your issue? I know MY brother couldn’t have done anything bad enough for you to make him cry, and as far as I’m aware, all he did was bump into you. So why did you make him cry?” Elizabeth inquired, her tone indicating that if Cassidy didn’t answer her question, Elizabeth wouldn’t be happy.

“It’s none of your business, I was a bit too harsh and he ended up crying, not like I wanted to make him cry to begin with, I didn’t know that he’d be so sensitive.” Cassidy said, trying to brush off the current situation.

“Actually it is my business, he’s my brother, and YOU made him cry, so stop beating around the bush, and answer my bloody question.” Elizabeth said, obvious anger on her face.

Cassidy didn’t know how to react for a second, no one has ever spoken back to her, or been rude to her.

Cassidy was going to refute Elizabeth, and push the blame onto Evan, but she resisted the urge and decided to face the fact she is the reason he was crying to begin with.

“Look, you’re right, it’s my fault and I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make him cry, and I'm being serious about that, I’m just not having a good day, and I took it out on him, he didn’t do anything wrong, I'm just an asshole, and I’m sorry about that.” Cassidy said, rubbing the back of her neck as she apologized.

“And why are you telling me that?” Elizabeth asked, “What?” Cassidy replied, with confusion across her face, “apologize to my brother, not me, for someone who’s ‘sorry’ you really need to learn how to apologize to the person you’ve wronged, and not his sister.” Elizabeth said, pointing at Evan.

Cassidy let out a sigh as she looked at Evan, “Fine.” Cassidy said, walking towards Evan.

Evan watched as Cassidy walked towards him with fearful eyes.

Seeing the way Evan looked at her made Cassidy feel like an even bigger asshole than before.

“Hey.” Cassidy said, her voice awkward.

Evan didn’t reply as he nervously fidgeted with his fingers.

“Look, Evan? Was that your name?” Cassidy asked.

Evan nodded nervously as he kept quiet.

“Good, anyways…” Cassidy looked around as the silence began catching up to her.

“Can I sit?” Cassidy asked.

Evan nodded again as he scooted to the edge of the bench.

Cassidy sat down as she looked at Evan.

“Hey, so like… I’m–I’m sorry, I took my anger out on you, and that was wrong, I didn’t mean to do that, and I sure as hell didn’t mean to make you cry.” Cassidy said as she leaned back on the bench and sighed.

Evan looked towards her and opened his mouth to speak, “I-It’s okay…” Evan mumbled.

Cassidy straightened her back as she looked at Evan.

“No, it’s not, I was an asshole, and you didn’t deserve that.” Cassidy said.

Evan let out a chuckle as a small smile appeared on his face.

“R-really, it’s fine, y-you a-apologized, and t-that’s enough.” Evan said, forgiving Cassidy.

The longer Cassidy looked at Evans’ face, the more she realized about him, the color of his eyes, skin, hair, the texture of his hair, the clothes he’s wearing, and how cute he looked. Cassidy was never the type of girl to put much attention on a person's appearance, but something about Evan just drew her in, it might’ve been how unique his eyes are, or how being near him made Cassidy feel like protecting him. Cassidy just couldn’t put her finger on it.

“So, Evan…” Cassidy didn’t know what to say, she wanted to speak, but her voice just wouldn’t produce words.

Evan looked at Cassidy, curiosity on his face.

“Are you new here, or…” Cassidy’s voice drifted off, not knowing what to say.

“Y-yeah, my family and I m-moved here a w-week ago, t-this is my first day at this s-school.” Evan said, explaining his situation.

Hearing that just made Cassidy feel even worse, she yelled at a kid who just barely got in the school.

Cassidy wore a gloomy expression as she began slouching.

“A-are you o-okay? Did I s-say something w-wrong?” Evan asked, his voice full of worry.

“Huh? No, it’s not you, it’s me, I’m realizing how bad of a person I really am.” Cassidy said as she ran her fingers through her hair.

“I-I’m sure t-that’s not t-true, I’m s-sure y-you’re a g-great p-person.” Evan said, trying to comfort Cassidy.

“You sure? With how much you’re stuttering, I’m starting to think you’re just saying that because you’re scared of me.” Cassidy said as she sighed.

“W-what! N-no! It’s n-nothing like t-that, I-I’m j-just not g-good with n-new people, s-so I s-stutter a l-lot.” Evan said, trying to explain his stuttering.

“Really? Well, I guess that makes sense, I haven’t even introduced myself have I?” Cassidy said.

Evan nodded, trying to avoid talking to not stutter.

“Well I’m Cassidy, Cassidy Brooks. There, I’m not a new person anymore, you know me, and I know you.” Cassidy stated.

Evan let out multiple small chuckles at that, finding Cassidy’s statement amusing.

Cassidy couldn’t help but admire Evan as he laughed, his voice was so quiet you could barely even hear him laughing.

“Y-yeah, I guess so.” Evan said, a grin on his face.

A small blush appeared on Cassidy’s face because of his smile, she didn’t know why, but she couldn’t help but feel warm when he smiled.

≈≈≈≈

Elizabeth was watching from a distance, making sure that girl didn’t make Evan cry again. And if she did, Elizabeth wouldn’t let her get away with it.

But what happened next took Elizabeth by surprise, seeing the girl who made Evan cry, start blushing moments after she apologized was funny.

Elizabeth didn’t expect the girl who looked and acted so tough, to start blushing just from seeing Evan smile.

Elizabeth took a bit of pride from seeing that her brother was able to make that girl blush so easily.

Although Elizabeth didn’t know how to feel if she ever tried something with Evan, knowing the fact that she made Evan cry, even if it was an accident, made Elizabeth cautious towards her.

But for now, she decided to let it be.

≈≈≈≈

As Cassidy watched Evan smile, she decided to bring up a new topic.

“So, Evan, what’s your next class?” Cassidy asked.

“Oh, I have, what was it again… Oh yes, I have PE next.” Evan said, grimacing slightly at the thought of PE.

Cassidy however, perked up after hearing that.

“Really? I have PE next as well, if you want, we can hangout for that class.” Cassidy said, her voice full of hope.

“Alright then, let’s talk more at PE.” Evan said, smiling.

Cassidy stood up, a big grin across her face, “Yeah! Let’s talk more at PE.” Cassidy said as she began walking away.

Cassidy turned around and waved at Evan.

“I’ll see you at PE!” Cassidy said, her voice full of excitement and joy.

“Yeah.” Evan said.

Evan watched Cassidy walk away, a smile on his face.

≈≈≈≈

Elizabeth watched the scene unfold as she thought about how quickly the girl got close to Evan.

Just thinking about it made Elizabeth smile, Elizabeth already knew she’d enjoy watching the relationship between Evan and that girl improve.

And she couldn’t wait to tell Charlie about it.

Elizabeth began giggling to herself as she imagined how fun of a story it’d be to tell Charlie and eventually more people, like Mommy, Daddy, and maybe even Michael if he wasn’t such a grouch.

And with that, Elizabeth walked away, deciding to trust that girl to not make Evan cry again, for now atleast.

Chapter Text

“Mikey, help!” Evan shouted, running down the stairs towards Michael’s room.

Michael jolted up as he heard the footsteps and shouts of his younger brother.

Evan slammed Michaels door open, a look of worry on his face.

“What! What happened! Is everything alright?!” Michael questioned, concern plastered on his face.

“C-Charlie, she’s— she’s drunk!” Evan exclaimed, panting.

A look of confusion appeared on Michael's face.

“Wait, what?” Michael said, his confusion evident.

“Charlie’s drunk.” Evan said, his voice much more calm, but with worry still in his voice.

“I heard you the first time,” Michael said, “but why is she drunk? You guys are only eighteen.” Michael finished, rubbing his head.

“Ah, well about that… Look I can tell you later, just help me with Charlie!” Evan exclaimed, urging Michael to help him first.

“Fine, how bad could it be anyways.” Michael said as he got out of his bed.

Evan walked out of Michaels room, Michael was following him.

As they began walking up the steps, they could hear the sound of Elizabeth's laughter, her voice booming down the hallway.

Michael groaned, realizing that it had to be bad if Elizabeth was cackling like a hyena.

Each step made Michael regret his decision of deciding to help, until they finally reached the top of the stairs.

They walked down the hallway, reaching Elizabeth’s room.

Her door was wide open, and her voice was booming.

Michael peeked his head into her room to see what was happening. And what he saw shocked him.

The usually calm Charlie was doing a dazed and wobbly dance, while Elizabeth was rolling on the floor laughing.

Charlie had a large smile on her face, completely oblivious to her current actions.

She stumbled a couple of times and apologized to the air.

It was incredibly easy to tell that Charlie wasn’t sober at the moment, she wasn’t the type of girl to dance, and seeing her dancing so happily was a comedic sight to say the least.

Michael decided to walk into the room to properly ask what happened.

Evan nervously followed behind as he kept glancing at Charlie.

The moment Charlie saw Evan, an even bigger smile appeared on her face, “Oh Evie~ hehe, where’d you gooooooo, I was so so lonelyyy~” Charlie said, slurring her words and stumbling towards Evan.

The moment Charlie got close enough, she trapped Evan in a hug he couldn’t escape.

“Hehe, now you can’t escape meee Evie~” Charlie giggled to herself as she put her face in between Evans neck and shoulder.

“Heh~ you smell gooood~” Charlie said, sniffing Evan.

Evans' face turned red as his body froze, not knowing what to do.

Michael whistled at the sight as he turned his attention to Elizabeth.

“Hey, what happened here?” Michael asked, mainly wondering why Charlie is drunk.

Elizabeth let out a couple more small laughs as she tried to speak.

“You-pft– you see, pfft, basically.” Elizabeth began telling the story as to how this happened.

≈≈≈≈

Elizabeth and Charlie were walking down the sidewalk to get to Elizabeth’s home.

They were chatting about whatever topics came to their heads, from school, to Fredbears, and eventually even boys.

“C’mon Char, you can tell me, I promise, I won’t tell anyone.” Elizabeth said, trying to convince Charlie into telling her who she likes.

“Liz, I don’t like anyone, what gave you that idea in the first place?” Charlie asked.

“Oh really?” Elizabeth said, “Yes really.” Charlie replied.

“Liar.” Elizabeth said, dramatically turning her head away from Charlie.

“What? How am I lying?” Charlie inquired.

“Simple, do you think I haven’t seen the way you look at Evan?” Charlie flinched at the mention of Evan, beginning to worry if Elizabeth had figured her out, “What do you mean?” Charlie asked.

“Oh please, you look at him with rose tinted glasses, it’s the most obvious crush I’ve ever seen, and I’ve watched a LOT of romance dramas.” Elizabeth said, a smug smile on her face.

Charlie’s face turned a bit red after finding out her crush was that obvious.

Elizabeth took notice of Charlie’s blush and smirked, “Ha! I knew it, you do like Evan!” Elizabeth exclaimed.

Charlie rushed to cover Elizabeth's mouth before she said anything else, “Shhh, okay, I do, but don’t announce that to the whole neighborhood.” Charlie said, looking around and making sure no one heard Elizabeth.

Elizabeth nodded her head as Charlie slowly removed her hands from Elizabeth's mouth.

“Please tell me you’re the only one who knows.” Charlie said.

“Pretty sure everyone except Evan knows.” Elizabeth said, patting Charlie’s back.

“Everyone! You sure?” Charlie said, embarrassment in her voice.

“Everyone.” Elizabeth repeated.

Charlie sulked at that, realizing how obvious she’s been with her feelings towards Evan.

“What gave it away…?” Charlie asked.

“Well besides the fact Evan is like the only person you’d look at in a room full of people, there’s a number of things, the way your voice would raise when talking to him, you’d start stuttering a lot as well… whenever we’d go somewhere and you’d find out Evan was coming along, you’d dress better than usual, oh, and you treat him better than anyone else, I mean, you’re nice to everyone, but you’d always be nicer towards Evan, at first I thought it was just because Evan is sensitive, buuut, the longer I watched, the more I realized,” Elizabeth said, still not finished with her examples. Charlie’s face was bright red at this point, she could’ve sworn someone made the earth warmer, “it felt like… How do I put this… It felt like even if Evan was to burn your house down, or kill someone, you'd forgive him.” Elizabeth said, “So to put it in a more simple way, you favour him more than others.” Elizabeth finished, proud of her observations.

Charlie wanted to die, her best friend realized how big of a crush Charlie has on Evan, and knowing that others realized that as well made it even worse.

Charlie buried her face in between her hands and let out a muffled scream.

Elizabeth flinched at Charlie's embarrassment and began to worry if she said too much.

“Hey, I’m sure it’s not that bad,” Elizabeth was thinking of the words to say to comfort Charlie, “I mean, it’s not like Evan has realized… I think…” Elizabeth muttered near the end, but Charlie still heard her and froze.

‘Evan, oh god, Evan, what do I do if he knows I like him, what if he doesn’t feel the same way.’ Charlie began internally panicking as she imagined multiple possibilities where Evan found out she likes him, but he doesn’t like her.

Elizabeth, noticing the worry appearing on Charlie’s face, realized she messed up.

“Hey, don’t worry, I’m sure Evan hasn’t realized, he’s dense, the chance of Evan of all people finding out is like, zero.” Elizabeth said, trying to comfort Charlie.

Charlie was given a bit of hope after hearing that there’s a chance Evan doesn’t know.

“Really?” Charlie asked, the slimmer of hope burning brighter.

“Yeah, and even if he has realized, I can’t imagine a possibility where he doesn’t like you back.” Elizabeth said, lying through her teeth.

Charlie decided to trust Elizabeth, her hope blinding the negative thoughts.

Charlie let out a long sigh as she tried to forget about the earlier events.

“Buuuuut,” Charlie flinched when Elizabeth began speaking again, her nervousness coming back up, “if you really wanna find out if he knows about your feelings, I have the perfect solution.” Elizabeth said, a cheshire grin across her face.

Although Charlie knew it was a bad idea to ask, she couldn’t help but be curious.

“And… What’s your idea?” Charlie asked.

Elizabeth's grin grew wider as Charlie took the bait.

“Oh, I don’t think I can say it out here, we might get in trouble if our parents find out.” Elizabeth said.

Charlie grew concerned as Elizabeth said that, wondering how bad of an idea it is to follow whatever Elizabeth is suggesting.

“Hey, I know you just wanna help, but I’m starting to get nervous.” Charlie said, trying to convince Elizabeth that whatever her plan is, isn’t a good idea.

“Oh don’t be! You just need some courage, LIQUID courage!” Elizabeth said as she grabbed Charlie’s hand and began to drag her away.

Charlie tried to fight back, but for some reason Elizabeth couldn’t be budged, her grip on Charlie’s hand was like a gorilla.

Elizabeth continued to drag Charlie down the sidewalk, her speed getting faster and faster as Charlie put more and more resistance until she gave up.

≈≈≈≈

Soon enough Elizabeth managed to drag Charlie all the way to her house.

Elizabeth opened the door (which wasn’t locked) and dragged Charlie inside.

“No one bother us! We’re gonna have girl talk!” Elizabeth exclaimed to no one in particular.

Elizabeth quickly brought Charlie up the stairs and into her room.

Elizabeth tossed Charlie onto the bed as she closed and locked the door.

“Alright maggot, we’re here today for a super duper important mission!” Elizabeth said, pulling a ginger mustache out of nowhere and putting on a rough American accent.

Charlie snickered at Elizabeth's terrible accent and silly mustache.

“Something funny maggot!?” Elizabeth questioned, getting closer to Charlie.

“N-no sir!” Charlie decided to play along as she saluted Elizabeth.

“Good, cause there shouldn’t be anything funny, this mission is super serious!” Elizabeth began snickering at her own accent as she couldn’t force it any longer.

The two girls began laughing as the memory of Elizabeth’s act came back again and again.

It took a while but they managed to calm down, still letting out small laughs as they began breathing in and out.

“Alright, alright, enough laughing.” Elizabeth said, breathing heavily as air came back to her lungs.

Elizabeth let out a sigh as she regained her composure.

“Now, do you, or do you not want to know if Evan knows you like him? And if he does know, does he like you?” Elizabeth said, her voice serious.

Charlie sat up straight as she looked Elizabeth in the eye, “I do want to know, I just want to know what you have planned first.” Charlie said.

Elizabeth sighed as she walked over to a secret compartment under her bed.

Charlie was surprised to see Elizabeth open part of her bed up, and even more surprised to see a miniature fridge inside.

“That’s fine, not like I was planning to drug you or something, just don’t tell anyone about this, alright.” Elizabeth said as she reached inside and grabbed something.

As Elizabeth pulled it out and closed the fridge, Charlie saw a bottle of alcohol in her hands.

Charlie’s eyes widened in shock, a bottle of alcohol being the last thing she would’ve thought of.

“What? How did you? No, when did you get that?” Charlie questioned, her voice oozing curiosity and concern.

“Hehe, I snuck it out of the liquor cabinet when everyone was asleep, they didn’t even realize one was missing.” Elizabeth said, proud of herself.

“Wha– but why? Do you realize how much trouble you could get in if you get caught with that?” Charlie asked.

Elizabeth nodded as she patted Charlie’s shoulder.

“My dear Charlie, I won't be getting in trouble, if anything, WE will be getting in trouble?” Elizabeth said as her hand grabbed Charlie’s shoulder.

“What?” Charlie asked, the hairs on her body standing up as if they knew something bad was going to happen.

“It’s simple really, although I was the one who snuck it out, you’re going to be the one to drink it.” Elizabeth said with a sinister smile on her face.

“What? And why would I drink that?” Charlie said, trying to pry Elizabeth's hand off of her.

“Simple really, It’s the best way to find out if Evan doesn't know, knows and doesn’t like you, or knows and does like you, especially since you’d be too embarrassed and would chicken out before you’d find out.” Elizabeth said.

“Really, couldn’t you just ask for me?” Charlie said, her voice full of skepticism.

“Silly Char, that’d risk him not knowing beforehand and finding out, and that could lead to all kinds of issues.” Elizabeth stated, pushing up her imaginary glasses.

Charlie stayed quiet as she couldn’t think of anything else to use as an excuse.

“Nothing more to say, then get drinking!” Elizabeth exclaimed, as she handed Charlie the bottle rather forcefully.

Charlie gently held the glass bottle, the drops of water forming outside the glass beginning to drip onto her hand.

“Are you sure you can't just ask?” Charlie wanted to make sure that there really wasn’t any other option.

“Very.” Elizabeth replied, her voice holding no room for argument.

Charlie’s hands gently opened the bottle as her thumb traced the opening.

She took a deep breath and brought the bottle to her lips.

As it gently pressed against her lips, she could smell the bitterness of the alcohol.

She exhaled and took another deep breath, clutching the bottle harder.

She decided that she was stalling long enough and tilted the bottle up.

As she tasted the cold and bitter liquid sliding into her mouth and down her throat, she couldn’t help but resist the urge to gag.

She kept drinking until Elizabeth had to stop her, “Woah there, you’re just trying to get tipsy, not wasted, this isn’t a small bottle, and you already drank more than half.” Elizabeth said, her voice full of amusement.

Charlie couldn’t hear what Elizabeth was saying, although nothing was wrong with ehr hearing, everything Elizabeth was saying sounded like mumbles.

Charlie began giggling to herself as she laid down on the bed.

‘She’s a lightweight huh.’ Elizabeth thought to herself as she closed the bottle of alcohol and put it back in her fridge.

Charlie couldn’t stop her fit of giggling, it was as if something really funny was happening, she just didn’t know what was funny.

Elizabeth gently tapped Charlie’s cheek as she observed her dazed expression.

Charlie weakly swatted Elizabeth’s hand away as she kept giggling, “Stooooop.” Charlie managed to murmur out of her fit of giggles.

“Hey Char,” Elizabeth began speaking as Charlie looked towards her, “want me to get Evan?” Elizabeth asked.

Charlie's expression visibly improved as soon as Evans' name was mentioned.

“Evie~?” Charlie muttered.

“Yes Char, Evie. Now, I’ll be right back, just let me go get him.” Elizabeth said as she stood up and walked to her door.

“And don't move.” Elizabeth said as she unlocked the door and gently opened it.

Charlie saluted Elizabeth as she waited, her attention often drifting to something else.

But Charlie steeled her will and tried to stay as still as possible, fighting the urge to move around.

≈≈≈≈

Elizabeth was walking down the hallway, Evans' room was at the end of the hallway while Elizabeth's room was at the top of the stairs.

So although the walk wasn’t long, it was still annoying.

As Elizabeth imagined Evans' reaction to Charlie being drunk, she couldn't help but smile.

Her quiet steps echoed across the hall as she reached Evans room.

She reached for the doorknob and twisted it, a small creaking noise being produced.

She poked her head into Evans room and scanned, looking for him.

He wasn’t on his bed, nor at his desk. So Elizabeth began to wonder where Evan was.

Until she saw his feet next to his bed.

Elizabeth walked inside Evans' room not caring about what she stepped on as she walked towards her brother.

As she got closer she was able to see what Evan was doing.

And the answer to that…

He was sleeping. Evan fell asleep on the floor instead of his bed.

Elizabeth looked puzzled as she wondered why he chose to sleep on the floor instead of his bed.

Elizabeth crouched down as she pinched Evans cheek with all the strength she could muster.

Evan jolted awake as the pain flashed across his now red cheek.

“Ow! E-Elizabeth, what was that for?!” Evan said as he quickly sat up and rubbed his cheek.

“You were sleeping on the floor again, it's better to have an injured cheek rather than an injured back.” Elizabeth said, secretly grinning at her brother's pain.

Evan took notice of Elizabeth's grin as he scowled at her.

“Uh-huh… Anyways, what do you need? You only come to my room when you need something.” Evan said, wondering why Elizabeth decided to barge into his room in the first place.

Elizabeth flinched at Evans' declaration, but soon regained her composure.

“Come to my room, I have something I wanna show you.” Elizabeth said, urging Evan to follow her.

“Really? Can’t it wait? I’m tired.” Evan said, letting out a yawn as if to prove his point.

Elizabeth looked unamused at this as she grabbed Evans hand, “Get up,” Elizabeth said, her voice commanding, “I have something I wanna show you, so you’re going to see what it is, now.” Elizabeth commanded, her hold on Evans hand tightening.

Evan sighed as he looked at Elizabeth. Whenever she was like this, there was no talking her out of it, if Elizabeth wants something, it's going to happen, one way or another.

Evan decided to just follow along so as to not get on Elizabeth's bad side.

“Alright, just promise me that this won’t get me in trouble.” Evan said, his decision wavering.

Elizabeth's eyes widened in excitement as Evan agreed, “I promise! Now hurry up!” Elizabeth said, dragging Evan up.

Elizabeth quickly dragged Evan to his door and out of his room to not give him time to rethink his decision.

As they continued walking, Elizabeth couldn’t help but start smiling as she pictured Evans reaction.

Evan realized his mistake as soon as Elizabeth began laughing and quickly began to regret his decision, but since Elizabeth said it wouldn’t get him in trouble, he decided to trust her.

≈≈≈≈

After a couple of minutes Charlie could hear Elizabeth laughing.

Elizabeth was laughing to herself as she imagined Evans' reaction to Charlie being drunk.

Evan looked to be reluctantly letting Elizabeth drag him to her room, despite knowing the fact that since she’s laughing, it means something bad happened.

Charlie patiently waited as Elizabeth's laughter got closer, soon the door opened and Elizabeth walked in, Evan in tow.

Evans' eyes slowly turned towards Charlie as he took notice of her dazed expression.

“Elizabeth is Charlie alri–” Evan was quickly cut off as Charlie exploded off the bed and rushed towards him.

“Evie~!” Charlie slurred as she hugged Evan.

Evan didn’t know how to react as Charlie hugged him.

His eyes bolted to Elizabeth asking for help.

But Elizabeth merely watched, a big smile on her face as she sat down on her bed.

“Hehe~ Evie~ where have you beeen–? I missed youuuu~” Charlie purred as she rubbed her face against Evan's chest.

Evans' face slowly began turning red as Charlie rubbed against him like a cat.

Charlie looked up at Evan as she noticed his cheek was injured.

“Hey Evie~ lean down, I got something I wanna tell you~” Charlie slurred her words as she signalled for Evan to listen to her.

Evan did as told and leaned downwards enough for Charlie to be able to whisper in his ear.

Charlie wore an excited smile as she leaned closer to Evan.

She grabbed his head as she planted a soft kiss on Evans injured cheek, “There allll betterrr.” Charlie said as she smiled at Evan.

Evan straightened back up as he processed what just happened.

His face turned completely red as his ears warmed up.

Charlie giggled at Evans' expression, “Hehe, Evie~ you look like a tomatooo.” Charlie let go of Evan as she began giggling uncontrollably.

Elizabeth watched the scene unfold as she cackled loudly.

Evan's eyes bolted to Elizabeth, “What's wrong with Charlie?! Why is she acting like this?!” Evan questioned as he put a hand to his cheek.

Elizabeth laughed louder as she began clutching her stomach, “S-she– she’s completely– completely drunk!” Elizabeth exploded into more laughter as she took in Evans' reaction.

“What?!” Evans' eyes darted towards Charlie as all the cogs turned in his head.

“Oh my lord, Elizabeth, how did she get drunk?!” Evan inquired as his eyes widened in shock.

“Not telling!” Elizabeth laughed harder as Evans' expression became even funnier to her.

Evan decided to not bother trying to get the information out of Elizabeth as he knew she wouldn’t tell him.

So he opted to inform Michael instead.

Evan ran out of the room as he rushed towards Michaels room downstairs.

≈≈≈≈

“A-and, that's how we got here–” Elizabeth began laughing again as she watched Charlie continue to sniff Evan.

Michael rubbed his temple as he realized what his sister did.

“Why am I not surprised?” Michael said as he turned towards Evan and Charlie.

“So, you think she’s gonna tell him?” Michael asked, referring to Charlie's crush on Evan.

“Definitely, no way she doesn’t, she already kissed him on the cheek!” Elizabeth exclaimed as she put her hands together in a praying motion.

Michael turned his head towards Elizabeth in confusion.

“What are you doing? Why are you praying?” Michael asked, confused by his sister's antics.

“I’m praying that Charlie confesses right now, it’d make such a funny story.” Elizabeth said as she closed her eyes.

Michael chuckled as he turned his head back towards Evan and Charlie's antics.

Charlie was hugging Evan as if he would disappear into thin air if she let go. Evan was frozen in place as he looked at Michael, asking for help.

Michael shook his head as he smirked.

Evan was taken aback as Michael refused to help him.

Charlie looked up at Evan as she smiled longingly.

“Evie…” Charlie muttered as she hugged Evan tighter.

“Y-yeah?” Evan replied as he nervously looked down towards Charlie.

“I love you.” Charlie said as she stood on her toes and kissed Evan on the lips.

“YEEEEEESSSSSSS!!!” Elizabeth cheered as she shook Michael.

Chapter Text

The pizzeria was deadly silent.

The noises of bustling children, nowhere to be found.

The recent tragedies caused the pizzeria to become an empty husk.

The bite of 1983 affected one of the owners, and the recent murder of Charlotte Emily affected the other.

Although the masses did feel bad for the two owners, they did not want to risk endangering their own children.

But eventually, wounds heal, and the pizzeria was back up.

The old animatronics were replaced with new ones, and outdated security systems were upgraded to state-of-the-art technology.

And multiple security guards being spread across the pizzeria.

All to make sure no more incidents happen in the pizzeria.

Freddy, Chica, Bonnie, and Foxy.

The main stars with stages of their own.

Acting according to their programming, and nothing more.

Except for one, an animatronic one of the owners couldn't bring themselves to destroy.

The ‘Marionette’ or as children call it, the ‘Puppet’, it's an old animatronic designed to protect and find children.

And even though it failed its job once, it never failed again.

But the owners found that strange, they expected the animatronic to be broken, or to no longer work exactly the same, but ever since the ‘incident’ it began working better than before.

As if the water damage improved it instead of ruining it…

But that wasn't the case.

The water damage did in fact break the animatronic, but not the soul inside.

Charlotte Emily, the daughter of Henry Emily, and the one who caused the restaurant to be closed, and improved.

All because of her death.

And although she did die, she did not go to heaven.

She stayed on earth, inside the Puppet, watching the children play, and intervening whenever something bad might happen.

A truly kind and noble soul.

But there was a part of the restaurant even she dared not enter.

Parts and service, although she is dead, she just doesn't have a good feeling about that room.

It radiates an energy full of rage, hate, and sadness.

A complete opposite of Charlie's pure soul.

She is curious about the room, but getting too close hurts her soul.

A strange phenomenon, it's as if the energy wants everyone to stay away from it.

But Charlie is a brave girl, and she can handle a bit of pain.

So she grit her teeth and walked towards parts and service, the closer she got to the door, the more it hurt.

Yet she could hear the crying of a child, and that helped her push forward.

The familiar noise fueling her desire to find out what's, or who's, in the room.

She managed to grab the doorknob and open the door.

And then a huge wave of anger struck her, she was stunned for a second.

The anger causing even the pure soul to feel a sense of hate, hate towards the man who killed her, hate towards the kids who locked her out, and hate towards herself, for dying so young.

Although this anger was meant to push her back, it made her angry at whatever was producing this emotion, causing her to continue forward.

And the moment she stepped into the room.

It stopped.

The anger.

Rage.

Hate.

But not the sadness.

It lingered, making the room seem so much gloomier than it already did.

Charlie was able to take a deep breath as she calmed herself down.

She began walking around the room, searching for whatever was producing those emotions.

And then she saw it, the discarded body of Fredbear.

Its eyes were gone, replaced by an empty void.

Its fur was darker, with a reddish tint around the mouth from 1983.

Charlie couldn't be sure, but she felt like someone was inside it, she was unaware as to who it was, but she knew the person was hurt.

Not physically, but emotionally.

And their emotions were so strong they were affecting the room.

Charlie decided to try and talk to the animatronic, hoping to get a response from it.

“Hello, is anyone there?” Her voice was more scratchy than she remembers, due to the months of silence.

The animatronic didn't respond, its body staying still.

Charlie didn't give up hope that someone was inside the robot.

“I'm not going to hurt you, I promise.” Charlie said, kneeling to look eye to eye with the animatronic.

The animatronic didn't respond.

Charlie let out a sigh as she decided to give one more attempt.

“My name is Charlotte Emily, but my friends and family just call me Charlie, what's your name?” Charlie asked.

The animatronic was still silent.

Charlie was going to walk away after getting no response from the animatronic.

And right when she was going to exit the room, the animatronic spoke.

“D-dont k-k-know, na-a-a-ame for-for-got-t-ten.” Although the voice of the animatronic was broken, it still managed to make a noise.

Charlie stopped in her tracks and quickly walked back to the animatronic.

“Well, maybe I can help you remember, and even if I can't, we can always give you a new one!” Charlie said, her voice much more cheerful than before.

“Is there anything you remember? Maybe if you recite what you do remember, you might remember what you've forgotten!” Charlie said, stating her idea.

“P-party, b-b-bite, scre-ams, shou-t-ts, a-am-bul-lanc-ce, M-mike… Micheal…” The animatronic sounded angry at the name Micheal.

“Micheal? Is that your name, an acquaintance?” Charlie asked.

“B-bad ma-n, bro-o-ther.” The animatronic replied.

“Your brother huh… I used to know a Micheal who was a brother, he wasn't the nicest guy, especially to his younger brother.” Charlie said, grimacing at the memory of Micheal and his brother.

“Evan…” Charlie mumbled.

The animatronic moved at that name, white dots appearing in its eyes as it stared at Charlie.

“Ev-van, E-van, Evan…” The animatronic repeated.

Charlie perked up at the animatronic repeating the name.

“Did you know him? Were you named that?” Charlie asked, excitement in her voice.

But then she stopped speaking, as her eyes widened.

“Hey, are you able to come out of this thing?” Charlie asked, a serious expression on her face.

“M-may-be, d-don't kno-ow.” The animatronic replied.

“Try, just imagine swimming out of water.” Charlie said, encouraging the animatronic.

The animatronic began shaking violently, the white dots in its eyes fading away.

The shaking got more violent as time passed.

Charlie was going to suggest the animatronic stop, in fear of it hurting itself.

But then a bright light flashed into her eyes.

And she saw him, a young boy, no older than her, standing in front of the animatronic.

His hair was unkempt, blood was on his face, and bandages were wrapped across his head.

But he was familiar.

“Evan…?” Charlie mumbled, tears appearing at the corner of her eyes.

Charlie ran forward and hugged the boy, her grip tight.

“Evan, Evan! It's you! It's really you!” Charlie exclaimed, her voice full of joy and excitement as she hugged the boy even tighter.

“Evan… T-that’s me?” The boy asked.

“Yes, Yes! That's you!” Charlie said.

The boy, now known as Evan, looked confused.

He was wondering why a girl he just met was hugging him and saying his name was Evan.

He decided to accept the name, but ask the girl something in exchange.

“D-do I, o-or, did I k-know y-you?” Evan asked.

Charlie looked stunned for a second, but looked at his head and soon realized.

“Ah, you don't remember me?” Charlie asked.

“N-no, sorry…” Evan said.

“Don't be sorry! Cause even though you may not remember me, I remember you, and I plan to help you remember everything!” Charlie declared.

“R-really?” Evan looked unsure as his gaze wavered.

“Of course! That's what friends are for.” Charlie assured Evan as she smiled at him.

A small look of surprise appeared on Evans face.

“F-friends?” Evan muttered.

“Friends!” Charlie repeated as she wore a bright smile.

Evan could feel Charlie's positivity radiating around her.

Her positivity was so bright that even he felt affected.

Evan looked at his hand, covered in his own blood. He clenched it as he watched droplets of his own blood fall from his hand, landing on the floor.

He hadn’t realized it before, but something about her really was familiar.

Evan looked back at Charlie. Her long brown hair, her emerald eyes, her freckles.

And the bright smile across her face, it all felt so familiar.

Although Evan couldn't remember everything, something about Charlie felt comforting, familiar in a way. As if Charlie's positivity was a part of him, a part of him he'd forgotten.

Small black tears began forming and falling from Evan's eyes, staining his cheeks with the mysterious liquid.

And although he was crying. He was smiling, he didn't know why he was smiling. He didn't have a reason to smile.

Despite that, it just felt… right.

Charlie took in Evan's crying figure, despite the tears in his eyes, she didn't feel any pity for him.

Something about the smile on his face despite the tears made her happy.

It felt like the boy who she once lost. Returned again.

Although he wasn't the exact same, Charlie knew, she could feel it in the depths of her soul.

Evan, despite his appearance, his anger, sadness, and hate.

Was still the same kind boy she remembers.

The same boy who would be scared of everything, yet brave enough to face it everyday.

The same boy who was ridiculed by everyone, yet still smiled at them, no matter how harsh they were.

Charlie could feel the smile on her face getting bigger, a bubbly feeling in her chest making her excited.

“There you are… there's the Evan I remember.” Charlie, despite having a solemn look on her face, had the biggest and brightest smile known to man.

Evan let out a small chuckle as he wiped his tears.

“I m-may not re-remember e-everything, b-but that's fine. I may n-not remember y-you, o-or anything e-else from when I w-was a-alive, and that's o-okay,” Evan looked straight towards Charlie. “I've f-for-forgotten a b-bunch of s-stuff, b-but I know y-you’re m-my friend. Charlie, p-please help m-me re-remember, y-you.” Evan looked like he steeled himself in his decision.

He was fine with not remembering everything, he was fine with not knowing much.

He was just happy his friend would help him remember, a friend he forgot when he was alive. But a friend who he has when he's dead.

Charlie dropped her bright smile as a more comforting one appeared on her face.

“Yeah, and don't worry, we have an eternity, so I'll help you remember…” Charlie grabbed Evans hand as she reached for his cheek with the other.

“Everything.”

Chapter Text

Evan was trembling as Michael and his friends laughed at him, his eyes darting around as the four teenage boys circled around him.

All their laughter made Evans' head ache, the tears streaming down his face causing them to laugh louder.

Evan was annoyed–... no, Evan was mad.

Evan didn’t know why Michael and his friends liked being so mean to him, he did nothing at all.

Evan was sick of it, they’ve been like this for months, Evan just wanted to explode at Michael, to make him stop, even if it meant getting himself hurt or hurting Michael.

But he couldn’t, no matter how angry Evan was at Michael, he couldn’t bring himself to stop him, the tears continued to stream down his face as he clenched his fists.

Evan didn’t want to hurt his brother, he just wanted him to stop.

So Evan continued to cry, waiting for Michael and his friends to get bored of tormenting him.

It went on for a while, the group finding new things to poke fun at Evan for.

But they eventually had enough, they decided that if they ever needed more entertainment, they could always do this again.

And they began walking away, the group's laughter still being able to be heard from the distance they’re at.

Evan slowly got up, he wiped the dirt off his shorts as he walked to a park nearby.

He sat on the swings as he slowly pushed himself back and forth.

He kicked at the wood chips in front of the swings every time he’d go forward, sending them everywhere.

He continued this motion for a while until a girl walked up to him.

The girl had bright ginger hair tied into pigtails, her eyes were a dark green.

Her skin was tan, and she had freckles that spread across her face.

Strangely enough, this girl reminded Evan of his sister, a comfortable familiarity.

“Hey.” The girl said, scanning Evan up and down.

“Y-yes?” Evan replied, his voice carrying a small amount of curiosity.

“Why didn’t you fight back?” The girl asked.

“E-excuse me?” Evan replied, confusion oozing out of his voice.

“Y’know, when those boys were laughing at you. You looked mad, so why didn’t you fight back instead of crying?” The girl asked again.

“O-oh, well, my b-brother is part of their g-group, t-the one i-in the f-fox mask. A-and I d-don’t want to h-hurt him…” Evan answered, looking down at the ground.

“So you decided to just cry? Why not run? Or tell your parents?” The girl asked.

Evan remained silent, he thought of those options, of course he had. But Michael and his group were bigger and faster than him, running away would just provide more entertainment for them.

And Evan has told his father, multiple times, and despite his warning to Michael, he never stopped, he just got meaner.

“Because t-there’s no p-point, they're faster t-than me, and my f-father has t-told him to s-stop, h-he doesn't l-listen.” Evan said.

The girl raised an eyebrow, her arms crossing over her chest. "So, you're just going to let them walk all over you forever? That’s... kind of pathetic, don’t you think?”

Evan winced at her words, feeling them sting almost as much as Michael’s taunts. He turned his head away, not wanting to meet her gaze. "I-it’s not l-like I w-want to… I just d-don’t know w-what else to do.” Evan said, his voice shaking.

The girl sighed and sat down on the swing next to Evan, kicking at the wood chips herself. She didn’t say anything at first, her face scrunched up as if she were thinking deeply. After a moment, she looked at him again.

“Well, I think you need to figure something out, or they’re just going to keep doing this to you.” she said matter-of-factly.

Evan grimaced, he knows he has to figure something out, he just doesn't know where to begin, or how to begin in the first place.

“B-but, h-how?” Evan asked, his voice dripping with a mixture of sadness and curiosity.

“No clue.” The girl said bluntly. Evan looked at her as if she was crazy, his forehead scrunching up in a dramatic manner.

“Hey! Don't look at me like that! I honestly don't have a clue, it's not like I'm the one getting bullied, if you want help, you gotta think of a way yourself.” The girl crossed her arms as she spoke in a matter-a-factly tone.

As much as Evan wanted to refute her claim, he couldn't think of the words. She was technically right after all, if Evan wants help, he has to think of a way himself.

“Buuuut, I may be able to help you think of a way.” The girl said, a weirdly gentle smile on her face.

Evan couldn’t help but shudder at her smile, despite not knowing the girl, her smile was eerily similar to Elizabeth’s. And when Elizabeth would smile like that, it always meant bad news.

Evan wanted to tell the girl he could do it himself, he wanted to tell her he was capable of thinking of a way. But he himself knew that would be a lie, and he’s fine with lying. But the need for help he felt at the moment overpowered his logical thinking.

“R-really?” Evan stammered, his eyes looking at the girl warily.

“Of course! BUT, if I do help you, and the idea works. I want some compensation.” The girl said, her eyes having a fox-like look to them.

Evan clenched his fist as he sighed. Of course she’d want compensation, no one ever helps him for free.

“Oh! Don’t misunderstand, I don’t want money or anything, I want something else…” The girl hopped off the swings as she stood in front of Evan.

“Something e-else?” Evan was confused now, if the girl didn’t want money, then what could she want?

“Yup! You are Evan Afton, right?” Evan nodded his head as confirmation, “Good, now I don’t know if you realized, but we have the same classes, and I ALWAYS hear the teachers complimenting your work.” Evan was starting to understand what the girl was getting at.

“Y-you want m-me to d-do your w-work?” Evan was fine with doing her work if it meant Michael and his friends would leave him alone.

“What? No, I don’t like handouts.” Evan was taken aback when she refused.

“T-then what d-do you want?” Evan asked, feeling curious.

“Simple, I want you to help me with my work.” The girl stated.

Evan tilted his head in confusion, “W-wouldn’t it b-be b-better if I j-just did t-the work f-for y-you?”

The girl scoffed, “Of course it would be, and it’d be easier, for me and you, cause no offense, but you look like you suck at teaching,” Evan winced at her harsh words but didn’t stop listening, “but. If my dad found out I had some kid do my work, he’d kill me.” The girl said, scratching the back of her neck.

“And besides, I want to live a successful life, and you can’t do my work forever, so it’s better for me to learn how to do it myself.” The girl stated proudly.

Evan admired her bluntness and how she wanted to be able to carry herself forward, and not cower, or let someone else lift her up.

“But with how much you stutter, this is going to be hard.”

Evan wished she was nicer though.

“A-alright, deal.” Evan said, his tone slightly unsure.

“I knew you’d make the right decision.” The girl replied, a confident smile on her face.

Evan acknowledged that agreeing wasn’t the best decision, but the way the girl spoke and carried herself made it hard for Evan to think she would be incapable of helping him.

Evan was in thought, wondering what way the girl would help him.

And then it struck him, he still doesn’t know her name.

“P-pardon me.” Evan stuttered, feeling slightly embarrassed about not knowing her name.

“Yeah?” The girl replied.

Evan could feel his embarrassment rising as he looked into the girl's curious eyes.

“Uhm, uh. W-what was… whatwasyourname?” Evan spat out.

The girl wore a baffled expression, completely confused as to what Evan just said.

“What?” She said, obvious confusion in her tone.

“What w-was your n-n-name…?” Evan repeated, his voice quieter than before.

“Look, Evan, you need to speak up, I can’t hear or understand you at all.” The girl said, her voice holding more annoyance than confusion.

Evan took a deep breath as he tried to prepare himself for what’s to come.

“W-what w-was your n-name?” Evan stuttered, his voice finally reaching the girl's ears to where she could understand and hear him.

“Seriously?” The girl replied.

Evan didn’t have the courage to speak up again as he merely nodded his head, avoiding her gaze.

The girl sighed as she rubbed her head.

“Y’know what, I can’t even blame you. This is the first time I’ve talked to you, and besides this, I don’t think I ever would’ve talked to you. So I’ll say this once, so pay attention.” The girl stated.

Evan gathered the courage to look the girl in the eyes as he put all his strength into paying attention to her every word.

“My name is…”

Evan clutched his hands tightly as he focused as hard as he could.

“Cindy McKenzie.” Cindy stated.

Evan made sure to remember her name, not wanting to forget and have to ask again.

After all,

It's rude for a teacher to forget the name of their first ever student.

Right?

Chapter Text

Michael was walking down the hallway of the former restaurant, turned horror show. And now?

The building was set ablaze. The memories held there bursting into flames. The animatronics which once roamed there stopped moving.

The once active souls of children trapped inside those animatronics were watching as William, their killer, was screaming in agony as the flames slowly burned what remained of his flesh.

Spreading across his body in a beautiful yet hideous display. The oranges flames ate at him, his animatronic shell could not save him from the glutinous flames.

The children watched with smiles on their faces, the tears that were once stained across their faces began to disappear.

They couldn't be happier, the man they've hated for decades, the man who snuffed out the flames of their lives. Was now burning in his own.

Michael watched as his Father screamed in agony, begging for his help.

Although the man raised Michael from when he was just a baby, Michael felt nothing as his Father cried out in pain. Michael knew his Father deserved this. Michael knew the souls of those innocent children couldn't rest as long as William lived.

And that led Michael to wonder. Despite the flames surrounding his own body. He couldn't help but wonder.

What had happened to the life he snuffed out?

Michael can still remember the day he felt the warm blood splatter across his face, drip down to his hands.

And scar itself into his memory.

He never meant to take a life, truly, it was nothing more than an accident.

But that accident caused him to lose his own brother, and that accident is something that could never be forgiven.

If Michael closed his eyes in the midst of these flames, he could still hear his screams, his pleas, and his cries.

Michael’s brother was known for his crying, he was known for being an oversensitive crybaby.

And Michael hated that. Michael hated the fact that whenever someone mentioned his brother, they'd refer to how much he cried.

Michael hated his brother's cries, he hated how sensitive he was, and he hated how he'd never gain enough courage to defend himself.

So Michael took matters into his own hands.

He began tormenting his brother. From day to night, no matter where they were.

And Michael enjoyed it, seeing his brother cry filled him with a twisted sense of superiority.

Seeing his tears fall from his face, listening to his whimpers come out of his mouth, and the terror in his eyes.

It made Michael so happy.

So he let his friends in on it, he told them how much of a coward his brother was.

He told them how much he cried, screamed, and pleaded.

And how funny it was to make fun of him.

So for month's, Michael and his friends bullied him.

Tormenting him everyday, even his birthday.

But that was a fatal mistake.

Originally that day was supposed to be like any other, Michael and his friends would make his brother cry, they'd laugh, and then leave.

But this day would be special, it was the little man's birthday after all.

And they planned to help him conquer his fears!

“Y-yeah, r-r-right…” A voice seemed to echo throughout the burning building.

Michael's head bolted towards where the voice came from, but no one was there.

The voice was familiar, yet vastly different.

It was similar to his. But higher and it felt lost.

Michael decided to not pay much attention to the voice.

“T-typical.”

After all, it wasn’t like he was alone in the building, there were souls nearby, and if one of them came near him. It wasn't like he could make them leave.

Michael delved back into his thoughts, going back to remembering that day.

Their plan was simple, they were going to scare his brother a bit by putting his head in Fredbears mouth for a couple of seconds, then pulling.

It was supposed to be completely foolproof.

Michael never expected the animatronic to malfunction because of a couple of tears.

How was he supposed to know that springlocks tighten when wet! How was he supposed to know it wasn't safe?! He was just a teenager!

“E-e-excuses, t-typ-typical of a c-coward.”

“Excuse me, but shut up!”

Michael had enough of the voice.

He was uncomfortable enough with it being able to somehow read his mind.

But insulting him was too far.

“W-why sh-should I? n-not l-like you e-ever s-stopped.”

Michael was like ice to fire when it came to this voice.

It was getting on his nerves.

So he decided to try one last time.

To tune the voice out, and remember that day.

Remember more, remember the effect it had after…

After.

Despite having all these memories, Michael seemed to forget one crucial thing.

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't remember what happened after the bite.

He remembers the cries, the sirens, and his brother's cold body.

But he can't remember what he'd done after.

Everything just seemed black.

A memory that was pushed so far back it was like it never even existed.

But Michael was positive it existed, he just couldn't figure out what it was.

“D-do you, do you k-know w-what it was l-like?”

The voice seemed sadder this time, as if it was there for the bite.

For the bite…

Michaels head shot like a bullet this time.

Shooting straight towards the voice.

And this time, he was actually able to see who was producing the voice.

The voice that annoyed him, insulted him, yet never seemed too angry with him.

Michaels eyes widened as he saw the voices form.

A young boy. A boy so similar, yet so different.

“Evan…?” Michaels voice was like a whisper in a cave.

Despite it being so quiet, it seemed to echo forever.

Michael’s brother, Evan.

Evan was never one to speak of his feelings, he cared more if someone else was satisfied, safe, and happy. So he bottled up his feelings to help them with theirs.

He might've been a coward, and a crybaby. But he was a kind soul who just wanted to help others.

“T-tell me, w-what did y-you think of m-me?” Evan asked, his eyes watered, and his fists trembled as he clenched them so hard blood could've come out.

“I'll t-tell you w-what I t-t-thought of y-you.”

“D-despite w-what o-others t-thought Michael…”

Evan took a deep breath as he prepared himself to continue speaking.

Michael waited with bated breaths as he paid as much attention as he could.

He expected the worst, there was no way he couldn't. Evan hated him, and Michael could never blame him.

But Michael never expected Evans' next words, they were like a bullet to his being.

Despite losing so much, and crying tears for years on end, despite not even having a heart anymore.

Evans' words made his no longer beating heart ache.

“I n-never h-hated you w-when w-we w-were younger.”

These words were something Michael couldn't believe.

No matter how hard he tried. No matter what way he thought.

He couldn't think of a single reason why Evan wouldn't have hated him when they were younger.

“I-it was the o-opposite.”

It stung the more Evan spoke.

Michael could feel his eye sockets moisten as his eyes burned.

This heat in his eyes wasn't from the flames surrounding his body.

No.

They were from the tears streaming down his face.

“S-sure you w-weren’t t-t-the n-nicest. B-but you were s-still m-my brother.”

It stung more and more. Memories of the past coming back, the actions he's done, and the words he's said.

And the joy he felt.

“A-and…”

Michael knew what was coming, he knew that despite Evan saying he hadn't hated him, he knew he had to feel some kind of dislike towards that.

And Michael was fine with that. In fact, he was happy with that fact. He was happy knowing Evan had felt something other than forgiveness towards him.

He expected Evan to say some cruel words, and Michael was prepared to face the words without crying more.

He was ready to take the full force of his brother's hate, even if it hurt him, even if he didn't like what he'd hear.

He was completely ready to take responsibility.

“I…I…”

Michael was prepared for what'd come next, he was prepared to hear every last insult Evan could speak, and listen to the feelings Evan had pushed so far down when they were younger.

‘Come on, say it, I'm ready.’

“I a-actually a-admired y-you Michael.”

Michael never expected this, he never, in a million years would've expected Evan to say he had admired him.

All the effort Michael put into enduring what he expected to come was thrown away, as if it was never there to begin with.

Michael couldn't help but cry more, he couldn't help but feel teary eyed, or pathetic.

He couldn't help but feel happy when he found out what Evan used to think of him.

Used to.

“I t-thought you w-were c-cool, t-the c-coolest in the w-world…”

“A-and I w-wanted to b-be ju-just like y-you.”

“Y-you w-were always s-s-so b-brave, so s-strong and p-pride-f-ful.”

Michael bit his lower lip as he listened.

It hurt knowing how much Evan looked up to him.

And it hurt even more knowing how much he let him down.

Knowing Evan used to want to be like him filled Michael with remorse.

A remorse filled with regret of his actions.

Regret of not being a better friend, a nicer guy, and the brother Evan deserved.

The perfect older brother, for the perfect younger brother, in a perfect family.

But that's not how the world works. It's imperfect, flawed. And the Afton family is the most flawed beings in existence.

A terrible older brother, for a terrible younger brother, in a shattered family.

And Michael knew that.

No matter how much he regretted his actions that day.

He couldn't make it up to Evan, he couldn't apologize enough.

There was only one thing Michael could do, it was the one thing he was good at.

From the bite, to the scooper. And now.

Just one thing…

“B-but n-n-not a-anymore. I k-know t-the truth n-now.”

“Y-you, y-you’re…”

“Y-y-you're n-nothing b-but a-…a-...”

“A c-coward.”

“A-and t-t-that's p-pitiful, b-becoming w-what you s-scorned me f-for.”

“A-and I h-h-hate yo-you for t-that.”

Michael knew Evan was right.

And he knew Evan is right to hate him.

He's a coward after all.

The biggest coward in the world, a coward who can't take responsibility, who can't protect others.

And a coward who doesn't deserve bravery.

After all, those who are brave don't…

“B-but a-at the s-s-same time I c-couldn't h-hate y-you.”

“I b-be-became c-c-conf-f-flicted, s-so I a-asked for a-advice.”

“C-cass t-told me to h-hate y-you, you d-d-deserve i-it af-after a-all.”

“But C-c-charlie t-told me t-to fo-forgive y-you, s-she tol-told me h-how b-bad you f-felt after t-the b-bite, and how m-much you c-cried.”

“T-their adv-advice m-made me e-even m-m-more c-c-con-conflicted.”

“S-so li-like how c-cow-cowards a-are o-only good a-at one t-thing, I d-dec-decided to d-do t-the one t-thing I-I’m g-good a-at.”

“I d-de-decided to f-forget.”

“T-the in-incident, m-my b-bir-birthday, y-you’re f-f-friends.”

“B-but I c-coul-couldn’t f-forget y-you. N-no ma-matter how h-hard I t-tr-tried.”

“S-so I'll g-give you one l-last ch-chance Michael.”

“B-be t-true to y-your n-nature, b-be a cow-coward, a-and…”

The one thing Michael forgot from that day came back.

What he did after the bite.

At that moment, nothing else seemed to matter. Not the sirens, not the screams, not the cries, not even Evan's dead body.

The only thing that seemed to matter was for Michael to…

“Run.”

Chapter Text

Evan was laying down in his bed clutching his favorite plush, Fredbear.

Evan's body was completely calm as he slept soundly. This night, no nightmares came. And that fact let Evan sleep an entire night, which was rare for the boy.

Evan would let out small mumbles as he moved around in his sleep, flipping from one side to the other, bending his back so his knees touched his stomach, and throwing the blankets off and on himself repeatedly.

Evan would continue sleeping… but then his sister knocked on his door. Evan was never a heavy sleeper, so when even the slightest noise signals another person is near, he is up.

So Evan groggily got up from his bed and stretched, his hair tangled and his pajamas wrinkled.

Evan slipped his slippers on as he walked towards his door.

He let out one last yawn as he grabbed his doorknob and opened the door.

And there was his sister, her hair brushed, and her bright clothes being perfect. The complete opposite of the mess Evan looked like.

Elizabeth's eyes widened slightly as she scanned Evan up and down, and saw how her brother looked.

“Were you sleeping?”

“Yes.”

“It's 2:34 PM, why were you sleeping?”

“W-what?!”

Evan's eyes widened this time as he looked at his clock, and to his dismay, Elizabeth wasn't lying, it was in fact, 2:34 PM.

Evan bolted to his closet as he grabbed a black and gray striped shirt, and dark blue shorts (his preferred outfit).

Elizabeth closed the door as she waited outside Evan's room, kicking her feet at the floor.

Evan quickly got dressed as he combed his hair to get rid of the tangles.

Evan opened his door once again, this time looking relatively presentable.

“Not gonna shower?” Elizabeth was leaning against the wall as she wore a slightly bored expression.

“I took one l-last night.” Evan replied as he patted his clothes down slightly.

“Alright,” Elizabeth's expression grew brighter as an excited smile appeared on her face, “now let's go to the park, I've been waiting for agesss.” Elizabeth whined, dragging out the end of her sentence.

Evan was quickly reminded of the fact he promised Elizabeth he'd go to the park with her.

A small smile appeared on Evans face as he stepped out of his room.

“Okay.” Evan agreed, walking down the hallway and then the stairs.

Elizabeth's attitude seemed to improve even more as a small bounce appeared in each of her steps.

The moment both their feet touched the floor, Elizabeth's hand grabbed Evans as she ran to the door, dragging him along.

“We're going to the park!” Elizabeth voiced as she grabbed the front door and opened it.

Elizabeth and Evan walked out of the house (Evan making sure to close and lock the door) as Elizabeth excitedly walked down the sidewalk with a big grin on her face.

“Ev, do you think any of our friends will be there? Oh I hope so, it'd be so fun!” Elizabeth exclaimed, small giggles coming out of her mouth.

“T-they likely will be Elizabeth, I d-don't t-think they're ever n-not there.” Evan said recounting the small amount of times they weren't at the park.

Elizabeth continued to wear a wide grin as Evan and her got closer to the park.

Her eyes scanned around from the distance they were at, trying to see if she could recognize one of her friends.

Her eyes squinted and her eyebrows furrowed as she began focusing.

Her eyes widened as she saw blonde hair sitting atop the playground.

“Susie!” Elizabeth squealed as she ran towards the playground faster than before.

Elizabeth was dragging Evan with her, but soon let go because he was slowing her down.

Elizabeth continued to run and shout as she tried to get Susie's attention.

Evan watched as Susie turned her head towards Elizabeth, as a bright smile appeared on her face.

Susie slid down the slide and ran towards Elizabeth, her pink dress and blonde hair bouncing with her steps.

Evans steps were slow as he looked around, making sure to warn Elizabeth whenever she might bump into someone.

He watched as Elizabeth and Susie embraced each other in a tight hug, as if they hadn’t seen each other in decades.

Knowing Elizabeth was with one of her friends put Evan at ease as he looked at the floor, trees, and sky as he walked slowly.

Evan was enjoying the way the sun radiates down on his skin, warming him up.

He enjoyed the small chatter of the children nearby, the noises they made synchronizing into the surroundings.

Evan walked towards the swings as he sat down.

He listened as Elizabeth talked with Susie, and watched as they ran up the playground, declaring the slide area as theirs.

He swung back and forth as he listened to everything around him.

Despite being at a park, it wasn’t as noisy as he would have expected, it was actually rather quiet.

Evan enjoyed the mild silence, he never was one for noisy places. He hated loud noises.

As Evan continued to swing, a girl began sneaking around, her goal was to get behind him without him noticing.

And so far, she was succeeding.

Despite the swings being above wood chips, the girl was managing to stay quiet enough so that Evan wouldn’t think anything of it.

And the moment she got close enough, she grabbed the swing, stopping Evan in his tracks.

The momentum the swings were carrying caused Evan to be flung forward. Thankfully his grip on the chains holding the swing up was tight enough.

Evan yelped out in fear, wondering who stopped the swings and almost caused him to be thrown to the floor.

He turned his head around, fearing the worst.

“Pretty boy!” The girl shouted, putting one of her hands into her pocket, digging around for something.

“Wha- Cass?!” Evan exclaimed.

Evan felt his fear vanish as he realized it was only Cassidy.

“The one and only. Anyways what are you doing looking so gloomy, and on the swings for heaven's sake.” Cassidy said, her voice holding fake disapproval.

Evan chuckled at Cassidy’s antics as he got off the swings, and Cassidy let go of the swings.

“I w-wasn’t looking g-gloomy, I w-was just enjoying t-the silence.” Evan replied.

Evan looked up at Cassidy, the girl being a full head taller than him.

Cassidy dramatically raised an eyebrow in a skeptical manner.

“Uh-huh… Anyways! Check this out, you won't believe what my mom gave me!” Cassidy said as her hand stopped rummaging through her pocket and grabbed something.

Evan tilted his head in curiosity and looked down towards her pocket.

Cassidy waited a moment to add suspense. And then pulled something out of her pocket.

“M-money?” Evan muttered.

“That's right! Not just any amount of money, this right here, is a full fifteen dollars!” Cassidy exclaimed, holding the money next to Evans face.

Evan's eyes widened in surprise as a shocked expression appeared on his face.

“Really?!” Evan asked, staring closely at the money in Cassidy's hand.

“That's what I said when she gave it to me!” Cassidy replied, putting her hands on her hips in a triumphant manner.

“S-so what do you p-plan to do with it?” Evan asked.

Cassidy moved one of her hands away from her hips and rubbed her chin in a questioning manner.

“I haven’t decided yet,” Cassidy admitted while letting out a dry laugh, “wanna help me figure something out?” Cassidy asked, her eyes full of hope.

“M-maybe? I don't k-know, I’m here with Elizabeth, a-and I don’t want to leave h-her behind.” Evan replied.

Cassidy looked downcast for a moment, but her gaze quickly brightened up.

“Then just tell her you’ll be gone for a moment, she does that all the time anyways, so she’ll understand.” Cassidy said as she turned around and looked at the rest of the playground.

“Now where is she?” Cassidy muttered.

“S-she is at the t-top, playing with S-susie.” Evan answered, pointing at his sister.

Cassidy turned her gaze to the top of the playground and spotted Elizabeth talking with Susie.

“Elizabeth!” Cassidy shouted.

Elizabeth turned her head to the side then downwards towards the familiar voice.

Elizabeth's eyes looked around for a bit but soon locked onto Cassidy.

“Ev and I are gonna go!” Cassidy shouted once again.

Elizabeth raised one of her eyebrows slightly.

“Why!” Elizabeth shouted back.

A bright smile appeared on Cassidy’s face, as if she'd been waiting for Elizabeth to ask that.

“My mom gave me fifteen dollars! Ev and I are gonna go find something to do with it!” Cassidy exclaimed in a proud manner.

“Wait- fifteen dollars?!” Susie questioned.

Elizabeth turned around and looked at Susie in an inquisitive manner.

“Yup!” Cassidy replied.

Cassidy’s throat was starting to hurt from all her shouting, so she wished Elizabeth would say yes already.

Elizabeth looked to be thinking about something, but soon opened her lips to speak.

Elizabeth turned her head back towards Cassidy and Evan.

“Alright! Have fun!” Elizabeth shouted.

Cassidy immediately grabbed Evan's hand and ran away with him.

Evan used his free hand and waved to Elizabeth and Susie.

Elizabeth didn't bother waving back and turned towards Susie.

“Hey.” Elizabeth said, her voice holding a tinge of curiosity.

“Yes?” Susie replied.

“Why did Cassidy seem so happy about getting fifteen quid?” Elizabeth asked.

“Quid? Oh! you mean dollars! Well because it's a lot of money? Wouldn't you be happy?” Susie inquired.

“It's just fifteen quid though?” Elizabeth replied, looking towards Cassidy and Evan as they walked away.

“Just?! Oh dear, apologies, I was too loud. But ‘just’? Liz, fifteen dollars…” Susie's voice quieted down as she realized something.

Elizabeth looked back towards her in a questioning manner, wondering what Susie was going to say.

“Ah, I keep forgetting your family is wealthy.” Susie muttered.

Elizabeth let out a small giggle as she found the situation rather comedic.

Susie joined in on Elizabeth's giggles.

The pair continued to giggle for a moment, but Susie stopped first.

“I wonder…” Susie muttered as she put her palm to her cheek.

“Hm?” Elizabeth mumbled as she signalled for Susie to continue.

“Does Cassidy know that?” Susie asked herself.

Elizabeth shrugged as the conversation about money started to bore her.

“Anyways! Let's go back to more interesting things! Money talk is so boringgg!” Elizabeth exclaimed.

Susie nodded as she turned her attention back to Elizabeth.

“Now, as I was saying earlier...”

≈≈≈≈

“Alright pretty boy, what should we do first?” Cassidy asked.

Cassidy and Evan were walking down the path the park provided and looked around at the nearby shops.

Cassidy let go of Evans hand moments earlier, so now he was following slightly behind her.

“Uhm… M-maybe we should ask o-others before we d-decide anything.” Evan suggested as he pointed at a trio of people.

“Hey! That’s a good idea!” Cassidy exclaimed, looking towards where Evan was pointing.

As Cassidy’s eyes followed where Evan pointed, she realized who he was pointing at.

Cassidy’s eyes lighted up as she recognized the people.

“Gabe! Fritz! Jeremy!” Cassidy shouted, running towards the trio.

“C’mon pretty boy!” Cassidy encouraged.

Evan followed slowly behind, his running speed not nearly as fast as Cassidy’s.

Jeremy turned towards the duo as he heard Cassidy’s shouts.

He put his hand on Fritz’s shoulder and nudged him, trying to get him to notice Cassidy and Evan.

Fritz let out a confused “huh” as he turned towards Jeremy.

Jeremy signaled for Fritz to turn, and that's what Fritz did.

He turned his head and saw Cassidy bolting to them.

He saw a smaller form slightly behind her and guessed it was Evan.

Gabriel was confused as to what Fritz and Jeremy were looking at as Fritz suddenly went silent.

Gabriel tried to ask what was wrong, but was shot down and told to look.

Gabriel, now mildly annoyed, begrudgingly looked where Fritz told him to.

Cassidy was at a full sprint towards them, and poor Evan was having trouble keeping up.

Gabriel noticed that Cassidy was holding onto something.

He squinted his eyes to try and figure out what it was, but had no guesses.

Cassidy’s feet halted as she got closer.

She took in a deep breath and sighed as she settled down.

Evan's feet stopped a bit later as he panted heavily, finally getting the chance to catch his breath.

His body appeared to have folded over as he rested his hands on his knees in exhaustion.

Cassidy looked back at him for a moment and let out a small laugh as she asked if Evan was alright. She then turned her attention back to the trio.

Cassidy cleared her throat as she thrusted her hand into their faces.

Fritz flinched as the memories of all the times Cassidy hit him came to surface.

But thankfully, for Fritz, she didn’t hit him.

Instead she seemed to be showing them something.

Fritz noticed first as his eyes widened, “Money?! Who would give YOU money!?” Fritzs’ eyes bolted to Evan as he placed his hands on the poor boy's shoulders, “Did Cassidy rob you?”

Evan let out a quiet “Huh?” as he shook his head side to side.

“Of course I didn't!” Cassidy exclaimed, punching Fritz in his stomach.

Fritz recoiled as he clutched his gut in pain.

“I’ll have you know that my mom gave me this money!” Cassidy stated proudly.

Fritz looked at her with skeptical eyes as he slowly unclutched his stomach.

“And how much is that? A dollar-” Fritz was cut off as he was once AGAIN punched in the stomach.

He let out a small “Worth it,” as he fell to the floor in pain.

Gabriel let out a silent prayer for his friend as he remembered how hard Cassidy punches.

Jeremy kicked Fritz as if he was trash.

“Actually, it’s fifteen dollars.” Cassidy exclaimed as she huffed in satisfaction.

Jeremy’s eyes opened wide as he looked at Cassidy in exasperation, wondering if she was joking.

Cassidy noticed his stare and decided to prove it, she put her hand in front of Jeremy’s face so he could get a better look.

Cassidy found it funny how fast Jeremy’s jaw dropped the moment he saw it was actually fifteen dollars.

A smug grin appeared on Cassidy’s face as Jeremy rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn’t seeing things.

Gabriel noticed the confused look on Jeremy’s face as he realized he wasn’t imagining things.

“Are you serious?” Gabriel asked, skepticism in his tone.

“Of course!” Cassidy replied.

“Who would,” Gabriel corrected himself when he saw the glare in Cassidy’s eyes as he was about to ask the same question Fritz did, “I mean, no offense, pleasedonthitme, but why would your mom give you fifteen dollars, that’s a LOT of money.” Gabriels question was reasonable, reasonable enough to not get hit in the stomach.

Cassidy rubbed her chin in thought for a moment.

She hummed in thought as if the answer was really hard.

“So?” Fritz asked as he began rising from the floor.

“So what- oh yeah!” Cassidy’s tone went from snarky to normal (which wasn’t a big change from her normal tone) as she remembered Gabriels question, “Zero clue.” Cassidy answered as she put her money back into her pocket.

“What?” Fritz muttered in confusion, “You don’t know the reason?” Gabriel continued for him.

Cassidy nodded as she put her hands on her hips.

“Yup! She just gave me the money but wouldn’t tell me the reason why.” Cassidy answered.

Gabriel couldn’t help but let out a dumbfounded sigh as Cassidy answered.

“Did your grade’s get good?” Gabriel asked.

Fritz let out a snarky laugh as Gabriel spoke.

“Cassidy, good grades?! Gabe, you’re killing me here!” Fritz continued to laugh as Cassidy got more annoyed.

Cassidy resorted back to her favorite option and punched Fritz in the stomach once again.

Fritz stopped laughing instantly as the pain surged throughout his stomach.

Cassidy let out a scoff as Fritz recoiled.

Cassidy turned her attention back to Gabriel as she answered, “Not even close, they suck.” Cassidy’s tone was filled with pride despite admitting her terrible grades.

“So your grades are bad, and your mom gave you money?” Gabriel asked, making sure he heard properly.

“Mhm.” Cassidy replied.

Gabriel's eyebrows furrowed as he looked towards Evan, confused.

“Y’know, Fritz might’ve asked this as a joke. But, Evan, did Cassidy rob you?” Gabriel asked.

“Why do you think I robbed him!?” Cassidy questioned.

Gabriel raised his hands defensively, “No offense, but if your grades suck, why would your mom give you money?”

Cassidy scrambled to try and think of something to reply with, but her brain couldn't think of anything.

Cassidy huffed in annoyance as she shoved her money back into her pockets.

“That doesn’t mean I robbed him!” Cassidy exclaimed as she grabbed Evan’s wrist and began walking away with him, “C’mon Ev, lets go.” Cassidy demanded as she angrily walked.

Evan let out a confused sigh but allowed Cassidy to drag him.

Evan used his free hand and waved at the trio as Cassidy took him away.

Cassidy and Evan walked on the grass as they made their way back to the path.

Evan warily looked at Cassidy and saw how annoyed she looked.

“C-cass, I’m s-sure Gabriel d-didnt m-mean it l-like t-that.” Evan assured her, his tone of voice calming to try and get Cassidy to calm down.

Cassidy huffed as she halted her steps.

Evan stopped as well, curiosity on his face.

Cassidy sighed as she rubbed her head.

“I know that, it’s just…” Cassidy’s tone began to appear more angry as she spoke, “why does everyone think I robbed you!? I’m not some thief!” Cassidy exclaimed, stomping her feet on the ground.

Evan looked at Cassidy with doe eyes as he put his hand on her shoulder in a reassuring manner.

“T-they w-were just j-joking, I’m s-sure they d-didn’t m-mean it.” Evan replied, his voice calm and relaxed.

Although Cassidy was annoyed with Gabriel and Fritz, she wasn’t annoyed with Evan.

Cassidy let out a long annoyed groan as she ran her fingers through her hair, “I know, I know. It just… hurts, y’know?” Cassidy mumbled, her tone no longer annoyed.

Evan let out a small sigh as he smiled at Cassidy, “I know.” He assured her as he took his hand off her shoulder.

Cassidy took a small glance at Evan as she shook her head furiously and looked forward.

Evan looked slightly confused as Cassidy shook her head, then suddenly looked forward.

“Alright!” Cassidy shouted, “That’s enough moping around, today is a good day!” Cassidy exclaimed.

Evan was taken aback by Cassidy’s sudden shouting and declaration, but decided to play along.

“Y-yeah!” Evan voiced, his voice significantly quieter than Cassidy’s.

“Alright pretty boy, it’s just me and you.” Cassidy spoke as she began walking again.

Evan followed along as he looked towards her curiously.

“And since those three weren’t any help, you got any ideas?” Cassidy asked.

Evan rubbed his chin in a thinking manner as he looked around to try and get some ideas.

Cassidy waited patiently for Evan to speak as she kept walking.

“U-uhm, m-maybe–no… hm, well–actually…” Evan kept mumbling to himself as he kept thinking of ideas Cassidy may like.

Evan’s eyes seemed to look everywhere as an imaginary light bulb flashed over his head.

“Uh, w-well we could go to t-the arcade?” Evan said, his tone sounding more like he was questioning himself rather than speaking to Cassidy.

Cassidy looked up in thought as she began humming in a thinking tone.

Cassidy stopped in her steps as she looked down and grabbed Evans hand.

“Alright, pretty boy! Guess we’re going to the arcade!” Cassidy spoke with enthusiasm in her voice as she began walking towards the arcade with Evan in hand.

Evan followed with a light smile as he let Cassidy drag him.

The walk to the arcade wasn't far, Hurricane was a small town, so everything was close, and everyone knew everyone.

But it was still far enough to make Cassidy and Evan excited to go in.

As Cassidy and Evan neared the arcade, they saw how many people were there.

“Holy, this place is packed, it's almost close to Freddy's.” Cassidy muttered.

Evan nodded as he slightly regretted his decision of suggesting the arcade.

Cassidy noticed his regret and flashed him a brave smile, “Don't worry pretty boy, as long as I'm here, you have nothing to fear.” Cassidy stated as her and Evan walked into the arcade.

As they walked inside, Evan's eyes jolted to the person at the counter.

A teenager with dirty blonde hair and tan skin was hunched over the counter.

Although there wasn't exactly anything noteworthy about the teenager.

Evan recognized him, how could he not?

He was wearing a Freddy mask on the side of his head as he lazily looked around at the customers.

Evan could feel his heart dropped as he realized he would have to interact with him to get inside.

And with the way him and the rest of Michaels friends treat him, he won't have much luck.

Evan was about to suggest to Cassidy that they should leave, but saw the look in her eyes and decided against it.

Despite his fears, he had no reason to ruin Cassidy’s days just because he couldn't deal with talking to one person.

As they walked closer to the teenager, his lazy eyes landed on them and widened into a mischievous look.

“Look who we have here~ the brat and his little girlfriend.” The teenager spoke with an annoying amount of smugness in his voice as he stood up straight.

Cassidy wore a perplexed expression as she realized who he was talking to.

“At least he HAS a girlfriend, I bet your sorry ass can barely get a dog to like you.” Cassidy responded as she glared at him.

“Ouch, how mean, you really hurt my feelings y’know.” The teenager said as he held back a scoff.

“Anyways, since the brat is on his first ever date, I'll do you a favor,” Cassidy raised an eyebrow as the teenager continued, “I'll let you guys in for free, but if you tell anyone, you're dead, got it?”

Cassidy scoffed as she nodded.

Cassidy was about to walk away with Evan as the teenager called out.

“Aye, don't forget your wristbands, you need to wear them on busy days.” The teenager said as he tossed two wristbands towards Cassidy.

Cassidy caught them as she continued to walk away.

“And brat! Ask Michael if we're still meeting up at six!” The teenager finished as he turned back towards the rest of the customers.

Cassidy walked towards the food area as Evan followed behind.

Cassidy realized he'd been strangely quiet and turned towards him.

Evans' face was bright red.

Cassidy tapped his cheek as she looked slightly concerned.

“You alright pretty boy?” Cassidy asked as she sat him down.

Evan took a couple seconds to respond as he realized what she asked.

“Y-yeah, I'm f-fine.” Evan assured as he looked away from Cassidy.

“Hey, if this is about that jerk's comment, you don't gotta worry, it's not like we're actually dating.” Cassidy said, trying to comfort Evan about whatever is concerning him.

“No, it's fine, it just caught me off guard.” Evan replied as he tried to calm down his reddened face.

Cassidy took the chance to make a joke as she leaned on Evan's shoulder.

“So you're not embarrassed about him saying we're dating~?” Cassidy asked, half jokingly.

“W-what, no!” Evan coughed as he had a worried look on his face.

Oh thank the lord…

Cassidy thought as she became grateful for taking the risk and making that joke.

“Don't worry, I'm just joking.” Cassidy assured as she got off Evans shoulder.

Evan scowled as he looked at Cassidy with a light glare.

Cassidy took notice of Evans' look and apologized, “Yeah yeah, I'm sorry, now stop looking so angry.”

Evan scoffed as he looked away.

Cassidy sighed as an idea came to her mind.

“Well, since you're angry with me, who am I supposed to play all these games with?” Cassidy said as she watched Evan flinch.

Evan was currently having an internal battle as he thought on if he should stay mad, or have fun.

But since Evan is a child, having fun is more important, so he decided to forgive Cassidy.

“I-I’ll play with you, but I'm still n-not h-happy with you.” Evan voiced as he stood up.

“Yeah yeah.” Cassidy laughed as she grabbed Evans hand once again.

“Now let's play some games!”

Evan and Cassidy went through every game that they could.

They went across the arcade multiple times, looking for new games to play, and old games to enjoy.

They had a blast as they struggled with claw games, and blasted through shooting games.

Cassidy won multiple toys from the claw machine as she gave most of them to Evan.

While Evan was better at the puzzle games and gave the tickets he got from them to Cassidy.

The pair laughed as they failed at some games, and cheered as they beat others.

Ultimately, they arrived at the racing game machines.

Cassidy smiled as she sank into one of the seats, gripping the steering wheel expertly.

"Alright, pretty boy, let's see if you can keep up with me." Cassidy smirked as she looked at Evan.

Evan sighed as he sat down, “I-I’m not r-really all that g-good with r-r-racing g-games…”

Cassidy cracked her knuckles as she looked back towards her screen, "Good, that just means I get to destroy you."

The countdown began, and Evan gripped the wheel tighter.

The instant the race started, Cassidy surged ahead, leaving Evan wrestling with the car to keep it on the road.

"Come on, pretty boy, you're driving like an old man!" As she approached a corner in the mountain road, Cassidy stepped on the gas.

Evan, now determined, leaned forward and frowned.

He concentrated on the track and pressed the gas button trying to catch up.

Both of them were surprised by this development, yet here it was: Evan was actually gaining on her.

“Hold on—what? Where did this come from, pretty boy?!” Cassidy exclaimed as Evan rushed past her.

Evan, too concentrated on the game to respond, had a small, victorious grin as he approached the final lap.

Cassidy squinted. "This means war," she muttered.

Cassidy inclined toward the screen before her, using every method at her disposal to claw back the advantage she had lost.

They were side by side as they came closer and closer to the end of the task.

With only the last second left, Cassidy prodded Evan's car just enough to get him to spin out—so that she crossed the finish line moments before he did.

“Yes! I won!” Cassidy yelled, raising her arms high.

Evan slumped in his seat and let out a breath. “That… that w-wasn’t fair…”

Cassidy grinned, poking him with her elbow. "Life's not fair, pretty boy. But you did so much better than I thought you would! You almost had me."

Evan smiled as Cassidy complimented him.

Cassidy stood up and began stretching. "Okay, one last game before we leave—your choice."

After a brief pause in which Evan appeared to be deep in thought, he lifted his hand and directed it toward the air hockey table.

Grinning even brighter, Cassidy spoke, "Oh, now that's a challenge."

They walked over, prepared for one last intense match before the fun ended.

When they got to the air hockey table, Cassidy cracked her knuckles again and grinned with excitement.

"Alright, pretty boy," she said to Evan, "let's see if that little racing stunt was a fluke or if you've actually got some hidden skills."

Evan rubbed the back of his neck. "I-I don't k-know a-about t-t-that... I just k-kind of g-got for-fortunate."

With a smirk, Cassidy spoke, “We’ll see about that.”

She took hold of a mallet and sent the puck scooting in Evan's direction.

"The first shot is yours," she told him.

Evan hesitated for a moment, then took hold of the mallet and tapped the puck toward the center of the table.

Cassidy immediately slammed it back with lightning speed, forcing Evan to block at the last second.

“Whoa—!” He managed just in time to keep the puck from sailing past him.

“Don’t just play defense! Hit it like you mean it!” Cassidy laughed.

With a quick inhale, Evan hit the puck, sending it ricocheting crazily off the walls. Cassidy had to keep on her toes to stay with its wildly bouncing, boomerang-like return.

“Ooh, there you go!” she cheered, excitement coursing through her.

The game became more intense.

Aggressively, Cassidy played the part of the shooter, serving up fast and calculated shots that went just above the net.

Meanwhile, Evan had switched into full defensive mode, blocking and waiting for the precise moments to counterattack.

Then, it happened—Evan shot the puck and It ricocheted off two walls and eventually scored into Cassidy's goal.

"I s-scored!" Evan’s eyes shone with a look of surprise and delight.

Eyeing Evan, Cassidy let the seconds tick by in silence before she exploded with laughter.

“Well, well, well, looks like the underdog has some bite!”

They carried on with their match, exchanging goals in a relentless back-and-forth.

As the score approached its terminal number, both of them concentrated, their movements turning even more rapid and focused.

Cassidy sent the puck flying one last time toward Evan's goal.

In a desperate attempt to defend, Evan blocked it, only for the puck to bounce unpredictably and shoot straight into Cassidy's goal.

Evan gasped as Cassidy stared.

Cassidy wore a dumbfounded expression as she spoke, "You have to be joking."

Evan's face lit up with a strange combination of pride and disbelief. "I... I won?"

Ruffling his hair in a playful manner, Cassidy laughed. "Okay, okay, you got me this time. But all in all, not a bad effort, pretty boy."

Evan grinned. "T-that was f-fun.”

Cassidy stretched her arms behind her head. “Alright, we better head out before we spend all night here. But next time? You’re going down.”

Evan chuckled softly. “A-alright.”

“Now let's get you home, don't want Elizabeth complaining to me about your curfew.” Evan laughed at Cassidy’s joke as the pair walked out of the arcade.

Chapter Text

Vrooooom

“Fritz! Slow down!” Evan begged as he held onto his seat for dear life.

“Please!?” Evan finished as his eyes teared up and he began muttering silent prayers.

Fritz was currently laughing his ass off as he drove his car.

“Sorry Ev! but we can't be late, can we!” Fritz shouted as he paid no mind to the speed limit.

They were speeding down the road with no other cars' in sight, allowing Fritz to go as fast as he wanted.

Who allowed Fritz of all people to have a license…?!

Evan regretted not having a license and being forced to get in a car with Fritz as they headed back towards the school.

Evan could feel his stomach lurch as Fritz swerved between lanes for no reason other than his own amusement.

Evan looked at the speedometer and his eyes bulged. He knew they were going fast, but the speed Fritz had them going at was liable for an arrest.

Evan gripped his seat tighter as he shouted, “Fritz! For heaven's sake, slow down! Or I SWEAR, I WILL haunt you if I die!” Evan threatened as he braced into his seat.

Fritz let out a cackle as he looked at Evan through the rear view mirror, “That’s the spirit! but c'mon Ev, live a little!” Fritz encouraged as he sped up more.

“I'd rather live a lot, thank you very much!” Evan replied as he shut his eyes and prayed harder.

Evan's knuckles turned white from how hard he was gripping his seat.

He could practically hear his heart pounding.

Evan was pretty sure his soul got ripped out of him three miles back, and he knew his heart would be the next to leave him.

Fritz, on the other hand, looked as happy as he could be.

He wore the biggest smile as he laughed at Evan's despair, apparently leaving Evan traumatized was funny to him.

“I am n-never getting in a car with you again!” Evan exclaimed as he glared at Fritz.

“You wound me Ev! This is prime driving right here!” Fritz declared with pride.

“Y-you call this driving?!” Evan voiced as he looked at how fast they were going once again, “This is a death s-sentence! We're going ninety in a forty five!” Evan shouted as he hoped no police cars were nearby.

Fritz whistled as he looked at the speedometer, “Really? I could've sworn we were going faster.” Fritzs’ tone held a slight bit of disappointment that made Evan confused.

“Faster!?” Evan shrieked as he looked at Fritz as if he was insane.

In which he wasn't wrong for doing so.

“Faster would kill us!” Evan finished as he finally caught sight of the campus of their school.

“Oh please, you're exaggerating!” Fritz replied as he let out a laugh.

Evan wanted to strangle him.

But staying true to wanting to live, he resisted the urge to kill the driver.

Instead he prayed no one saw them.

“Fritz! Slow down already, we're near the school!” Evan pleaded as he pointed at the campus.

Fritz let out a “tch” noise as he realized Evan was correct.

“Alright, alright.” Fritz replied as he began to press on the brakes.

Evan let out a sigh of relief as Fritz finally listened to his voice of reason.

“BUT FIRST!” Fritz cackled out as he stepped on the gas pedal and made the car go at its top speed.

“FRITZ YOU PIECE OF SHI-”

=========

Fritz finally parked the car after endangering Evan's life multiple times.

Evan stumbled out of the car, the recoil of going so fast beginning to catch up to him.

Evan leaned against the car as he held back a gag from the inertia.

Fritz laughed as he stepped out of his car and took a picture of Evan hunched over and trying not to vomit.

Evan let out a groan as he successfully withheld his vomit.

“You're–you're a monster.” Evan muttered, straightening up with a glare. His legs felt like jelly and he could swear his soul was still trying to catch up to his body.

Fritz grinned in response, completely unbothered by Evan's comment. “C'mon, Ev, admit it. That was fun.”

Evan gave Fritz the deadliest glare he could muster as he began walking towards the dorms. “I saw my life flash before my eyes, Fritz, twice .”

“Eh, that just means you've lived a good life.” Fritz shrugged, stuffing his hands into his pockets as he followed behind.

Evan let out a sigh as he realized no amount of talking will get through to Fritz.

The walk to the dorms was quiet, the complete opposite of the drive towards the campus.

And Evan couldn’t be more thankful, he'd had enough of anything that exciting for the rest of his life.

He wasn’t sure if he could handle anything else happening. His heart wasn’t the best with exciting things after all.

As they neared the dorms, Fritz nudged Evans shoulder with an annoyingly mischievous grin. “You’re still alive, right? That’s a win in my book.”

Evan gave Fritz a look that could melt steel, although there was actually no anger in it, he was just exhausted, both physically, and emotionally. “S-shut up.”

Fritz cackled at Evans' reply as he waved his keys around. “Alright, alright, just let me know if you ever need a ride.”

Fritz jogged away when he realized that Evan’s glare went from being able to melt steel, to being able to freeze the sun.

Evan sighed as he looked at the sky and continued walking. “I’d rather die…” Evan muttered to himself, his feet dragging him into the dorm building. He wasn’t sure how he made it this far, or how he even survived the ride. But he was glad he could just calmly go up the elevator, and head to his room.

Evan lazily walked into the elevator and pressed the buttons for it to go up. As it ascended, Evan reminisced about all of Cassidy’s other birthdays, they were all eventful in some way, so Evan prayed he still had enough energy to be able to deal with them.

As the elevator reached Evan’s floor, he realized that his prayers likely weren’t going to be answered. He saw Fritz already drinking, and Gabriel encouraging him to drink more.

Evan sighed as he walked near and past them as he entered the dorm.

Banners and confetti was everywhere, with the words “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” written on them.

Evan sat down on the couch as he enjoyed the momentary peace he was given, knowing that he likely wouldn’t get this chance in a while.

Evan felt himself sinking into the couch, as a groan of exhaustion left his lips, the sight of their friends, and his sister being in the dorm filled him with a sense of comfort as he realized that nothing too bad had happened… Yet.

Evan was about to close his eyes when he realized something, despite Elizabeth being in the dorm, it was all too quiet. It wasn’t like there wasn’t any noise at all, they were still making a bunch of noise. But usually, when Elizabeth is at a party of any sort, something he’d never expect to happen, would happen.

Evan groaned again, this time out of annoyance as he realized he’d have to keep an eye on Elizabeth.

He sat up as he rubbed his temple in annoyance. Please, please let this be the one day she doesn’t do anything.

Evan’s head turned towards Elizabeth who was talking with Susie.

Evan was mildly relieved to see Susie talking to Elizabeth, but was also slightly unnerved. Susie is a polite person who knows what limits to set, but when it comes to Elizabeth, she completely forgets about limits, and becomes more interested in what Elizabeth calls, ‘fun’, Evan could feel his nervousness grow as Susie laughed a little too hard at something Elizabeth said.

He knows Susie is nice and wouldn’t do anything too drastic on Cassidy’s birthday, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that things were about to go off the rails.

Evan rubbed his temple again, trying to shake off the feeling of dread that was crawling up his spine as Elizabeth glanced at him with a mischievous smirk.

“Ev, come here!” She said, gesturing her hand in a “come here” motion.

Evan sighed as he got up from the couch and followed along, walking towards Elizabeth and Susie.

“Hey, Ev~ so~ I kinda forgot to get Cass a gift, so I was wondering if we could say the gift you got her is from the both of us… Please?” Elizabeth asked, putting her hands together in a pleading motion.

“What.” Evan muttered.

“I forgot to get Cass a gift-” Elizabeth began to repeat as Evan cut her off. “I h-heard you, but w-what do you mean you f-forgot!?” Evan inquired as his eyes widened in surprise.

“So I had a gift in mind, BUT when that gift was going to arrive, it got cancelled, so now I'm giftless.” Elizabeth explained as she sent Susie a glance.

Susie nodded as she began to walk away from the pair.

“Elizabeth…”

~~~~~~~~

“Hi Cass!” Susie said as she approached Cassidy.

“You need something Sue?” Cassidy asked as she hunched over the counter.

Susie stopped right next to Cassidy as she looked down at her. “Nothing much! Just wanted to know why you look so gloomy? It’s your birthday after all.” Susie inquired.

Cassidy let out a sigh as she gazed up at Susie. “Not gloomy, just tired.”

Susie nodded her head up and down, despite her motion signaling she understood, she didn’t believe Cassidy one bit.

“You sure? I’m here to help, even if it involves a bit of boy trouble,” Susie giggled as Cassidy’s gaze turned into one with disbelief.

“Me? Boy trouble? I think you’re hanging around Elizabeth too much, you’re starting to sound like her.” Cassidy mocked as she tried to blow off Susie’s declaration.

“Y’know Cass, you were never the best liar, I mean just look at you, your cheeks turned a bit red when I mentioned boy trouble.” Susie teased as she wiggled her eyebrows in an obnoxious manner.

Cassidy glared at her as she replied. “Sue, I’ve never even dated a boy before, how would I of all people have boy trouble.” Cassidy inquired as she believed she successfully broke Susie’s persisting question.

“Just ‘cause you haven’t dated doesn’t mean you don’t love someone. Now c’mon, stop beating around the bush and just tell me who you love.” Susie inquired.

Cassidy heaved a heavy sigh as she gave in, “Tell anyone, and I mean ANYONE. And you’re dead. Got it?” Cassidy threatened.

“Yes ma’am!” Susie responded as a small sweat appeared on the back of her neck.

“E…” Cassidy muttered as her face reddened.

“What?” Susie responded as she leaned in closer.

“Ev…” Cassidy repeated as her reddened face deepened.

“Say that one more time.” Susie instructed as she got even closer.

“I’m going to kill you.” Cassidy responded as she glared daggers at Susie

Susie hurriedly backed away as she put her hands up in a defensive manner. “PLease don’t, I like living.”

Cassidy ignored Susie’s terrible attempt at a joke as she repeated herself one last time. “Evan… I like Evan…”

Susie covered her mouth in mocked shock as she responded.

“Evan? Really?‘

“Yes, really.” Cassidy responded as her gaze drifted elsewhere.

Susie removed her hand from her mouth as a more serious expression took place.

“So, Cass, why don't you confess to Evan? You know today might be your only chance in a while.” Susie suggested as she leaned over the counter next to Cassidy.

“Don't joke around Sue, you know he's too good for me.” Cassidy muttered into her arms as she gazed at Evan from across the room.

Susie looked at Cassidy with a warm gaze as a comforting smile appeared on her face.

“And where's this coming from?” Susie asked as she sat down next to Cassidy.

Cassidy took a deep breath and sighed, her gaze holding an indescribable amount of longing for Evan.

“I mean, just look at him, Sue… He's perfect.” Cassidy responded.

Susie let out a light giggle as she asked Cassidy another question.

“And what makes him perfect?”

Cassidy tore her gaze away from Evan and looked towards Susie.

“He's…” Cassidy hesitated for a moment, as if trying to find the right words.

Cassidy sat up straight and propped her chin onto her hand.

She let out another sigh as the words came to her mind. 

“He's kind,” she started, her voice softer and quieter than usual. “Even if they don't deserve it, I mean, they could be a complete asshole. But he'd never look down on them, he'd just flash them that same gentle smile he has, and let them be who they are.”

Susie hummed in agreement, “Yeah, that sounds like him…”

“And don't get me wrong, I like that part of him… It's just,” Cassidy quieted down once again as she began thinking of the words she wanted to say.

“Just?” Susie questioned.

“I just… I wish he'd stand up for himself more, y’know?” Cassidy started up once again as she looked slightly downcast, “he's kind, and that's an amazing part of him, but he's almost too kind. I just wish he'd express himself more rather than bottling it all up.” Cassidy sighed as she looked at her cup.

Susie spoke up, not wanting silence to appear once again, “But even if that's the case. That's why he has you, isn't it?” Susie voiced as she patted Cassidy’s back.

Cassidy let out a “Huh?” in confusion as she looked back at Susie.

“You're Cassidy, you're strong, brave, blunt. All the things Evan needs to be more of.” Susie finished.

Cassidy blinked, her lips parting slightly as she processed Susie's words.

“Really? You think so?” Cassidy asked, her voice even quieter than before.

“Of course! But we're focusing too much on one part of him, Cass,” Susie voiced as she asked once again, “what do you like about Evan…? Besides his kindness of course.”

Cassidy sighed as she let out a small laugh, “His eyes, I love his eyes, I mean, have you ever really looked at them Sue? They're so—”

“Pretty?” Susie teased as she cut Cassidy off.

Cassidy let out a scoff as she shook her head, “‘Pretty’ isn't good enough,” Cassidy replied as she looked back at Evan. “His eyes are beautiful, no matter how many times I see them, no matter how they look at me. They're always those same big beautiful eyes I know and love.” Cassidy finished as she let out a self deprecating sigh.

“I'm hopeless, aren't I?” Cassidy asked as she grabbed her cup and drank from it.

Susie let out a giggle as she replied, “Absolutely.”

Cassidy let out a groan as she placed her cup down with a light thunk . “Not what I wanted to hear.” Cassidy complained.

“Well that's too bad, ‘cause it's the truth.” Susie grinned as she nudged Cassidy with her elbow. “You're so in love with him, it's almost one of those terrible love stories Liz reads.” Susie giggled once again.

Cassidy let out another groan as her head hit the counter this time, “Great, now my love life is a romcom.”

Susie laughed as she rubbed Cassidy’s back, “Sorry, but Cass. You were basically speaking poetry about his eyes–his eyes . If that's not romcom material, I don't know what is.”

Cassidy groaned again, her voice muffled against the counter. “This is so embarrassing, you're making me sound like some lovesick idiot.”

Susie giggled as she replied, “That's ‘cause you are a lovesick idiot.”

Cassidy lifted her head enough just to shoot Susie a glare, “I hate you.”

“No you don't.” Susie teased, poking Cassidy’s cheek. “If anything, you hate yourself for not telling him already.”

Cassidy scoffed and crossed her arms as she retorted, “I told you, he's too good for me.”

This time it was Susie's turn to scoff as she rolled her eyes, “Cass, you're acting as if Evan is some untouchable prince. He's Evan, the same dork who would apologize to chairs for bumping into them.”

Cassidy bit her lip, looking back at Evan. He was standing next to Elizabeth, probably reprimanding her for doing something stupid again.

Although he was reprimanding her, he didn't look angry or disappointed, he looked relaxed, as if he knew Elizabeth wouldn't bring a gift.

Her heart squeezed. He really is beautiful .

Cassidy groaned in annoyance as she turned her head towards Susie.

Cassidy’s voice came in low mumbles as she spoke, “Are you sure…? I’m not sure about this.”

Susie’s soft voice replied, her tone slightly calming Cassidy’s nerves, “Of course I’m sure. I know you’re nervous, and who could blame you? It takes a lot of courage to confess to someone. But just remember, the worst he could say is ‘no’, and I’m rather confident that he won’t say no.”

Although appreciated, Susie’s reassurance didn’t do much to help with Cassidy’s nervousness.

Cassidy didn’t know what could, she’d never felt this way about someone, and the amount of nervousness she’s feeling makes her stomach feel like there’s butterflies.

Cassidy put her hand on her heart and took a deep breath, trying to steady the racing beat, “Okay, okay. I can do this… I can do this,” she whispered to herself under her breath.

Cassidy got up from her seat and got ready to walk towards Evan.

The first step she took sent chills down her spine, and her body back to her seat, “I can't do this… I can't do this!” Cassidy murmured as she clenched her fists.

Susie looked towards Cassidy with pity in her eyes, “Cass, listen to me. I know you’re nervous, we all are nervous at times. And I know you’re not one for confessions, but I know you, and I know you’ve never felt this way about anyone before. So you may be lovesick, but you’re also someone who’s in love for the first time in their life.”

Cassidy’s cheeks flushed a deep red at Susie’s words, she knew she was right, however much she wanted to deny it.

Cassidy took another deep breath, trying to calm the whirlwind of emotions swirling around inside her. She could feel her heart pounding, the familiar rush of fear and excitement mixing into nervousness.

She squeezed her fists tighter, her knuckles turning white at the force she was applying, “But what if I mess up? say the wrong words, do the wrong things. What do I do if he doesn’t feel the same way?” Her voice was quieter now, almost pleading.

Susie gave her a soft, understanding look. “Cass, I know you’re scared. But you think too much of the ‘what ifs’, sure there’s a chance he may reject you,” Cassidy’s expression noticeably dampened after Susie said that, “but you don’t know how low of a chance that is, and you won't figure it out if you worry about what might happen afterwards all the time, I thought you of all people would know that be now.”

Cassidy’s mood improved drastically after Susie finished speaking. She was right, Cassidy was worried about things that might not even happen, and that was so unlike her. She got so caught up in worrying about what might happen, that she didn’t even think of the positives.

“Okay… Alright– I got this…” Cassidy stood up once again with a nervous smile on her face.

I swear, if I mess up, I’ll never forgive myself.

Susie wore a playful yet comforting smile as she encouraged Cassidy, “You got this girl, remember no need for anything flashy, just walk up, ask to talk to him outside, then confess. Nice and simple.”

Cassidy nodded as she began walking towards Evan.

Ask to go outside, outside, outside…

Cassidy could feel how sweaty her palms were becoming as she wiped them down onto her overalls.

Evan noticed Cassidy walking towards them and gave her a gentle smile.

Cassidy gulped as she realized there was no backing down now.

Outside…Outside!!

Cassidy took one last deep breath, steeling her nerves as she reached Evan's side.

Evan looked up at her, although his gaze was gentle, it held an obvious tint of curiosity.

Elizabeth on the other hand glanced between them, a knowing look spread across her face.

“H-hey Cass,” Evan greeted, his voice kind as ever. “D-do you need something?”

Cassidy’s throat felt like it was closing up, as if the words she wanted to speak were being locked away.

Why did he have to look at her like that? Like she was the same as always, like nothing was about to change?

She could hear Susie’s words ringing in her head— No need for anything flashy. Just ask him to step outside .

Cassidy clenched and unclenched her fist repeatedly, forcing herself to push the words out of her mouth. “Uh… Can we like… Can we talk? Outside?”

Evan blinked, clearly surprised at Cassidy’s sudden request. “Oh, um, sure?” He glanced towards Elizabeth, who was wiggling her eyes obnoxiously. “Liz, what are you doing?”

Elizabeth let out a scoff in response and began walking towards Susie, but not before patting Cassidy’s shoulder and giving her some encouragement. “Be gentle with him~... Oh, and happy birthday.” Elizabeth whispered as she walked away, giggling at Cassidy’s reddening expression.

Cassidy let out a slow breath, watching Elizabeth saunter away with a knowing smirk plastered on her face. She could feel the heat creeping up her neck, but decided to ignore it.

Evan was waiting for her to keep speaking, his expression laced with curiosity and maybe… A little bit of concern.

“Cass are you alright? Did Liz say something wrong?” Evan asked, concern in his voice as he watched Cassidy squirm in nervousness.

“No–no, I'm fine, it's fine, she didn’t say anything bad, just… Unexpected.” Cassidy reassured Evan as she prepared to continue to talk.

“A-anyways, come on, let's go.”

Despite Cassidy’s growing nervousness, she managed to push it down, and instead focused on keeping her legs moving as she led Evan outside.

As they reached the front door and walked outside, the cold air of the night hit them.

Cassidy was fine with dealing with a bit of cold, but Evan was the opposite, he sucked at dealing with the cold, and ended up shivering.

Cassidy glanced at Evan as he wrapped his arms around himself to help with the cold and stop his shivering. Her heart melted at the sight as she fought to keep her nerves in check. This is it, Cassidy. You can do this. Just tell him.

“Are you okay? You’re freezing.” Cassidy said, attempting to sound casual, even though she was anything but.

Evan gave her a weak smile in response as he began rubbing his hands together in an attempt to warm up. “I-I’m fine, I’ve just never been the b-best with the c-cold.”

Cassidy gave him a warm smile as she took her jacket off and gestured for him to take it, “Here, this should help.”

Evan let out a small “Thank you,” as he grabbed the jacket and put it on, warming him up instantly.

Score! Alright, alright, let’s not get too carried away, I still have to… to confess…

Cassidy took another deep breath, and gently exhaled it, trying to calm her racing thoughts. She watched as Evan tugged the jacket on, and how his shoulders relaxed as it warmed him up.

Evan looked up at her, a soft smile still on his face, his  eyes shining in the dim lights of the night. “T-thanks, again. You d-didn’t have to give me your j-jacket, you know.” He said, his voice full of warmth.

Cassidy could feel her heart skip a beat as he looked up at her with those big doe eyes of his, she fought and resisted the urge to wear a dopey smile. Pull it together, Cass.

“Y-yeah, don’t worry about it, you looked cold.” Cassidy said as she rubbed the back of her neck. What was that?! I sounded like a robot! “You looked cold.” Obviously!

Cassidy noticed the deepening silence as Evan looked at her curiously.

“Right, um,” Cassidy started, her voice faltering as she struggled to find the right words, she could feel her palms begin sweating much more than before as she took her hand off ner neck. “So, there’s uh- there’s something I’ve been wanting to say… For a- for a while now actually.”

Evan’s curious expression deepend as his brows furrowed in curiosity and he tilted his head slightly. “C-cass, you can tell me if a-anything is b-bothering you, you know that, r-right?”

Cassidy nodded as she let out an audible sigh.

The moonlight seemed to enhance the situation as its light bathed both of them in a soft glow. Cassidy’s heart raced, the words she had rehearsed in her head swirling around in a tangled mess. She could feel the weight of the moment pressing down onto her chest, suffocating her thoughts.

She took one last deep breath and steadied herself, looking into Evan’s eyes. She had to say this. For herself. For him.

“Evan,” She started, her voice shaky but growing steadier with each word. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to say for a long time… I didn’t know if I could put this properly using just words, and honestly, I still don’t think I can. But, I–I need to be honest with you.”

Cassidy took a step towards Evan as she braced herself for whatever comes next.

Evan looked at her worriedly as he spoke softly. “Cass, is s-something wrong? Do you n-need help with your s-schoolwork again, is a t-test coming up?”

Cassidy let out a small laugh at Evan’s words as she gently put a hand on his cheek. Ugh, I should’ve wiped and washed my hands down before doing this, please don't notice.

Evan’s face reddened as his eyes darted between Cassidy’s hand, and her face.

“No, no, it’s nothing like that… Yet… Y’know, this probably would’ve been easier to say if we were younger,” Cassidy brought her face closer to Evan’s, their noses touching. “I have so many things I want to say, but not enough courage to say all of them, silly isn’t it? Me of all people not having enough courage.”

Evan didn’t move his head as he stopped looking at her hand and focused on her eyes. “It may be s-silly, but that just means w-whatever has you w-worried is really important, and I w-want to help.”

Ahhhh, what do I say now?! I wasn’t expecting to be able to get this far, should I just say it outright, or should I make him wait in suspense? No, what am I thinking!? I’m the one confessing, I shouldn’t make him wait! Right?

Evan noticed the confliction on Cassidy’s face as she battled her inner-thoughts, and he gently placed his hand over hers in an attempt to comfort her.

“Cass, if i-it’s hard f-for you to s-say, that’s fine, take a-all the time you n-need,” Evan said softly, his voice almost a whisper and his gaze soft and steady. “If you w-want, I’ll s-stay out here w-with you until y-you’re able to say w-what you want.”

Cassidy’s heart skipped at Evan’s gentle words as she focused back on him instead of her thoughts.

Her mouth had gone dry, but somehow the connection between them felt so real. Her thoughts began to swirl again, but she forced herself to breathe steadily.

She let out a sigh as her bothersome thoughts disappeared, “Thanks, Pretty Boy.”

Evan let out a small chuckle at Cassidy’s words, “Y-you s-still remember that n-nickname?”

“Of course, after all, you’re Pretty Boy, my Pretty Boy.”

Evan’s cheeks flushed an even deeper red as he realized what Cassidy said, “W-what?”

Cassidy inched her face closer, the pair could practically feel each other's breaths, “Pre– Evan…” Cassidy got even closed as she placed her free hand on his back. “I-...I love you.”

Evan didn’t have the time to respond as Cassidy connected their lips, the silence of the night surrounding them.

SCORE!!!

Chapter Text

Charlie was in her room sitting on her bed.

She was sitting at the corner of her bed, her legs swinging lazily over the edge, the tips of her socks brushing against the wooden frame with each absentminded kick.

It’s not that she was bored—how could she be? Her father would buy her anything she’d ask for.

But Charlie wasn’t the type of girl to ask for much, if she was to receive something, even if it was terrible, she’d be happy. And if she was given many things, she would smile and say “thank you.” Truly a kind girl.

But as of this moment, Charlie had no interest in anything in her room, she was thinking about something outside her room.

Or technically, someone outside her room.

Recently Charlie gained the habit of staring into space and thinking about that certain someone, she was considering visiting them. It wouldn’t be weird, their families are close, like one big family, but what if he thinks it’s strange, coming in unannounced is rude, and it’s not like they were expecting any visitors.

Charlie exhaled sharply and shook her head, as if trying to physically dispel her overthinking. Without warning, she gave her cheek a firm smack, the sting spreading warmth through her skin. She winced, rubbing at the spot with her fingertips.

"Too hard," she muttered under her breath.

Charlie looked up at her ceiling and sighed.

Although it wasn't a heavy sigh, if anyone was to hear it, they'd think she just had a terrible day at work.

Which would be rather strange considering she isn't old enough to work.

Charlie looked away from the ceiling and looked towards her diary.

It was a worn down book that was especially rough around the edges.

Despite that fact, Charlie refused to get a new one.

Charlie reached for her diary, her smooth fingers a complete contrast to its rough leather.

She dragged her pointer finger across its pages, counting the number of pages.

She sighed in relief once she realized she still had enough pages for what she planned.

She gently opened her diary, the contents inside being revealed.

Drawings, some small neat words were written next to them.

But it was mostly drawings.

She traced her finger across one of her drawings as if in a trance.

It was a drawing of a boy.

Charlie flipped through the pages, it was the same boy, over and over, in different settings.

Some of the pages would have Charlie next to the boy.

Whether they were holding hands, hugging. Or even in Charlie's most recent drawing, kissing.

Charlie stared extra hard at her most recent drawing.

Her gaze held a sense of longing. Charlie wished she had the courage to confess to the boy, to make these drawings into reality.

She continued to stare at the drawing, her inner emotions conflicting with each other.

On one hand, she wanted to confess to him right now and kiss him. On the other hand, she didn't want to ruin their friendship, especially if he didn't feel the same way.

Charlie gently closed her diary and put it on her desk.

Charlie then grabbed one of her pillows and shoved her face into it.

She let out a long tiring sigh into her pillow.

Charlie took her face out of her pillow and placed the pillow back down.

Charlie took in a deep breath and sighed, letting her back fall onto her bed.

Charlie closed her eyes as she let out soft self deprecating laughs.

A groan escaped her lips when her laughs ended.

Charlie was so deep into her thoughts, that she didn't realize her door was opened.

“Huh? What are you doing looking so gloomy?” A feminine voice spoke.

The voice snapped Charlie out of her thoughts as her head turned towards her door.

There stood the sister of the boy. Elizabeth.

Charlie slowly got up from her bed as she went back to sitting down on it, “Liz?”

Elizabeth walked up to Charlie’s bed and sat down near Charlie's desk, “The one and only.”

Elizabeth's eyes drifted towards Charlie’s desk as she started eyeing her diary.

“Oooh? What’s this?” Elizabeth said as she grabbed Charlie’s diary and started to open it.

Charlie was confused for a moment, but soon realized what Elizabeth was asking about.

Charlie stood up instantly and rushed to try and get her diary out of Elizabeth's hands.

“Liz! No!” But it was too late, Elizabeth already managed to open Charlie’s diary enough to see the contents inside.

“Evan?” Elizabeth started flipping through the pages only to see her brother over and over.

Charlie froze as she realized she was too late.

A sinisterly smug smile appeared on Elizabeth’s face as she read the notes next to the drawings aloud.

“He’s so cute~ I wish we lived together~ I LOVE him~” Elizabeth spoke in a mocking tone as if trying to sound like Charlie.

Charlie could feel her face heat up as her notes were read, by Elizabeth nonetheless.

“Char… Do you have a crush on Evan~?” Elizabeth asked.

Elizabeth already knew the answer, she didn’t need Charlie to say anything. She just wanted her to admit it.

Charlie’s face was a bright red as her face heated up to as hot as it could be.

Charlie was thinking about all kinds of things, but the thing she was thinking about most was if Elizabeth was going to tell Evan. No, she wouldn’t, right? Ahh who am I kidding, it’s Elizabeth, of course she’d tell him. If it seems fun enough, she’d probably show him the drawings too…

As if reading her mind, Elizabeth spoke, “Don’t worry I’m not gonna tell him…”

Charlie brightened up a bit as Elizabeth spoke, “Really…?”

“Of course!” Elizabeth's eyes closed as her mouth curled up even more, “Because I want YOU to tell him.”

Charlie could feel her heart stop and drop at the same time.

“W-what?” She muttered, confusion and concern laced across her face.

“I want YOU to tell EVAN that you have a crush on him!” Elizabeth spoke happily as if confessing was the easiest thing to do.

Elizabeth's eyes opened back up and her grin appeared more sinister than smug, “Of course, I could always tell him if you don’t want to. But I might slip up and accidentally show him these drawings while I’m at it.”

Charlie could feel any speck of hope she had disappeared.

Her mind began racing to think of a solution to her predicament.

Sadly, Charlie knew she couldn't think of any possibilities where it would turn out well for her.

Worst case scenario, Elizabeth does show Evan the drawings and he thinks Charlie is weird.

“P-please, Liz, I’m begging here. PLEASE don’t show him.” Charlie pleaded.

Elizabeth let out a small laugh at Charlie’s pleas.

Elizabeth held the diary with two fingers as she waved it around.

“Look, I’d tell him. It’s just…”

“Hm~?” Elizabeth hummed.

“Just, what if he doesn’t feel the same…? I don't want to ruin our friendship…” Charlie muttered, tears beginning to appear in her eyes.

“And?” Elizabeth asked.

“Huh…?” Charlie muttered, a look of confusion across her face.

“Char, something like that wouldn't ruin your friendship or something like that.” Elizabeth spoke, her voice holding full confidence.

“R-really?” Charlie asked.

“Of course, I mean, it's Evan of all people. He BARELY has any friends.” Elizabeth replied.

Charlie’s eyes wavered as she clenched her fists.

“Besides, you've known each other for years, if something like a crush ruins a friendship, I don't think you guys were good friends to begin with.” Elizabeth finished.

Charlie couldn't help but find this situation rather hilarious. Elizabeth, the girl who would laugh and tease anyone, was actually giving good advice.

Charlie let out a small laugh at her current situation.

“There you go, that oh so sad expression of yours was getting boring.” Elizabeth spoke, patting the bed to signal for Charlie to sit next to her.

Charlie let out a sigh as she sat down next to Elizabeth.

“Now, what do you know about Evan? And no, I'm not talking about the basic things.” Elizabeth stated as she looked at Charlie in an inquisitive manner.

“Uhm, he has a lot of very vivid nightmares.” Charlie stated as she tilted her head in confusion.

Elizabeth sighed as she rubbed her head, “Let me rephrase that,” Elizabeth got more comfortable on the bed as she grabbed a pillow and put it behind her back, “what do you know about Evan in a romantic way? Like his type of girl.”

Charlie's face heated up a bit as she began thinking about Elizabeth's question.

Charlie was thinking long and hard about what Evan's type of girl is, and she came to one conclusion.

“I-I don't know…” Charlie had zero clue about what Evan's type could be.

“It’s simple really,” Elizabeth started as she hopped off Charlie’s bed and began walking back and forth the room. “There’s only one answer.”

Charlie’s head tilted in confusion as she waited for Elizabeth to continue instead of cutting off again.

Elizabeth smirked as she noticed Charlie’s confusion. She stopped pacing and stood in front of Charlie, folding her arms and giving her a knowing look.

“Think about it Char, what type of people are the girls Evan’s close to.” Elizabeth inquired as she waited for Charlie to answer.

Charlie stayed silent for a moment as she went through her thoughts to try and find an answer. She rubbed her chin as she hummed in thought.

Then it hit her, the answer was so obvious it hurt.

“Someone brave?” Charlie hesitantly answered as she hoped she was correct.

Elizabeth's smirk widened as she unfolded her arms and pointed at Charlie with one of them.

“Exactly!” Elizabeth voiced as Charlie recoiled at Elizabeth’s sudden change in volume.

Elizabeth walked closer to Charlie and put her hands onto her shoulders, “Evan is shy, not the best person to talk to if you want help with something social. But the girls he’s close to… Cassidy and Cindy! They’re brave, confident, the complete opposite of Evan!”

Charlie nodded her head as she tried to follow along with what Elizabeth was saying. “So that means all you have to do is be more brave!”

Charlie blinked, trying to absorb Elizabeth’s words. “Be more brave?” She repeated, unsure if she understood what Elizabeth was getting at.

Elizabeth nodded enthusiastically, heer eyes gleaming with mischief. “Exactly! If you want to make a move on Evan, you have to be bold. You can’t just wait around hoping he’ll notice you. You have to show him you’re not afraid to take that first step. Confidence is key, Char.”

Charlie nodded in understanding, finally getting what Elizabeth meant. Despite understanding properly, she felt a knot tighten in her stomach, the demand for her to suddenly become more bold and confess to Evan was too heavy of a task. Even if she was being threatened to do it.

“Liz, I don’t think I can do this… I mean, suddenly acting more brave? Isn’t that too much? Not everyone can be as confident as Cassidy, or as brave as Cindy.” Elizabeth hummed in acknowledgement as she understood Charlie’s worries.

“True… But Char, Evan isn’t COMPLETELY oblivious, even he would realize if you became even a little bit more brave around him, so that’s why…” Charlie felt worry appear in her stomach as she tried to push it back down, wanting to trust what ELizabeth was going to say next.

“I’ll help you!” Elizabeth declared as she sat down next to Charlie and moved her hands to her back in a reassuring manner.

“You’ll help?” Charlie muttered as she looked at Elizabeth with confusion.

“Mhm! Using my outstanding self-confidence, I’ll help you be more brave before you know it!”

Charlie’s mouth was left agape at Elizabeth’s sudden and impulsive declaration, although a part of her felt a bit relieved, if anyone was going to be able to help her be more confident, it’d be Elizabeth.

But that was only a part, Charlie isn't trusting enough to forget the type of person Elizabeth is.

Charlie narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “You're not doing this so you can mess with me more, right?”

Elizabeth gasped, dramatically placing a hand over her heart. “Char! I'm offended. I would never—okay, maybe a little.” Elizabeth grinned, as Charlie groaned into her hands.

Charlie peeked through her fingers as she spoke in an annoyed tone. “You're not gonna, like, toss me into his room and lock the door, right?”

Elizabeth giggled as she winked at Charlie. “No promises… But that would be pretty funny…”

“Liz!”

“Okay, okay, sheesh.” Elizabeth laughed as she threw her hands up in surrender. “I won't throw you into his room, I promise…” Elizabeth's eyes narrowed as she looked away, “...Yet.” She muttered.

Charlie lowered her hands as she looked at Elizabeth as if she was a bother… Which she is.

Elizabeth lowered her hands in kind as she looked back towards Charlie with a smirk.

She leaned in just a little, her green eyes glowing with that familiar hint of mischief.

“Alright! Enough dilly-dallying!”

“We got things to do!”

Chapter Text

Evan was sitting on the floor of his room as he played with his toys, his favorite was Fredbear, his father gifted it to him when he was younger.

He kept it with him at all times the moment his father gave it to him. William was never the type to give special gifts, most of his gifts consisted of things others made. But this toy, it was special, William himself made this one, even though it may look like the others, Evan knew it was special, this one came out way before the others, and it even has black eyes with little white dots unlike the others.

But that doesn’t mean Evan doesn’t like the rest of his toys, he just likes Fredbear more than the rest.

Especially when compared to Foxy. Evan never really liked Foxy, his sharp teeth, his even sharper hook, the way his endoskeleton could be seen, and how rowdy and loud he is. But Evan’s main reason isn’t a fault with the pirate fox.

The main reason Evan doesn’t like Foxy is because of Evan’s older brother. Michael has a Foxy mask, and everyday he and his friends would bully Evan. But to be frank, the animatronic was just scary to Evan.

Evan hugged his Fredbear plush as he remembered the creepy form of the animatronic fox.

Evan was going to stand up when he heard a noise.

Clack

Evan looked around to see where the noise was coming from, but had no luck.

Clack, clack

Evan heard it coming from the window, and was going to check what was producing the noise.

But got scared as he remembered the time Michael scared him from behind the window.

But, Evan knew he couldn't leave the noise unchecked, if something was damaging his window, his father wouldn't be happy.

Evan was about to build enough courage to check, but thankfully for him, the noise appeared to have stopped.

Evan realized right before he was going to check the window that the noise hadn't been produced for a while.

Evan sighed in relief at the fact he wouldn't have to check, but his relief was short-lived as he heard a voice shout outside his window.

“Open up!”

Evan recognized the voice, but hoped he was wrong in his guess.

Evan nervously stood up and walked towards the window.

He moved his curtains and got a good look outside.

A girl with tan skin and ginger hair was outside his window.

“Cindy?!” Evan gasped as he hurriedly opened his window to let her in.

Cindy flashed him a breathless smile as she stepped into his room.

Evan looked her up and down and realized something, “Y-you're co-covered in cuts!” Evan spat out as he went to his closet and pulled out a first-aid kit.

“Hehe, yeah, about that. Turns out, that tree in front of your window is surprisingly sharp.” Cindy laughed as she sat down on Evans bed.

Evan walked towards her, first-aid lit in hand, as he knelt in front of her and opened it.

Cindy whistled as she waited patiently for Evan to apply rubbing alcohol to her cuts.

Evan grabbed the bottle of rubbing alcohol and then grabbed a cotton earpick.

Evan carefully dripped some of the contents inside the bottle onto the earpick and waited for it to absorb it.

Once it absorbed the contents, Evan gently rubbed the earpick across one of Cindy's cuts.

Cindy flinched as she felt the stinging sensation.

“S-sorry.” Evan apologized as he grabbed a bandaid and put it over her cut.

“It's fine, just hurry up.” Cindy said as she braced herself for the rest of her treatment.

“A-alright.” Evan muttered as he continued to tend to Cindy's cuts.

Cindy roughly gripped Evan’s bed sheets as she gritted her teeth, trying to withhold her groans of pain.

Evan continued to dab at Cindy’s scrapes as gently as he could, muttering small apologies as he tried to ignore the way her fingers would tighten around the sheets every time the alcohol touched her skin.

“A-almost d-done…” He reassured, eyes focused and brows furrowed as he peeled off the backing of another bandaid and pressed it onto a scrape on her thigh.

“T-there.”

Cindy let out a deep sigh as she leaned her head back against Evan’s bed. “I regret nothing.” She mumbled as she released his sheets from her grasp.

Evan stood up as he nervously sat down next to her.

Cindy took notice of Evan’s nervousness and decided to tease him.

She smirked as she got up and leaned closer to Evan, her voice dropping to a mischievous whisper, “What? Never had a girl sneak through your window before?”

Evans cheeks flushed a deep red. “N-no! I-I mean… I haven’t—no one’s ever—”

Cindy snorted a laugh at Evan’s flushed reaction and response as she nudged him with her shoulder. “Relax, I’m just messing with you, Ev.”

Evan let out a trembling sigh as he muttered. “I-I know…”

“Sure, buddy~” Cindy replied as she giggled.

“Now what do you wanna do? If there is anything, cause no offense. But your room looks so boring!” Cindy complained.

“I mean, you have these fancy toys, but man are they boringggg!”

Evan's ears turned red in embarrassment as he replied. “They're not boring… you're just not smart enough for them…”

Cindy's head jolted back in disbelief as she pointed at one of Evan's toys. “Not smart enough!? That's a toy phone! With eyes!” She complained.

Cindy grabbed the toy phone dramatically, holding it up like it was evidence in a court trial.

“Look at this thing! What am I supposed to do with it, huh? Call my grandma? Oh wait—it’s staring at me!”

Evan tried to grab it back, his face flustered. “I-it’s not supposed to be realistic! It’s—it’s supposed to be fun!”

“Fun?” Cindy tilted her head, smirking. “Ev, I think you and I have very different ideas of fun.”

Evan pouted, hugging Fredbear closer to his chest. “Well, I like them…” he muttered, his voice soft but firm.

Cindy rolled her eyes playfully and put the toy phone down on his shelf. “I know, I know. I’m just teasing you.” She leaned back on his bed again, hands behind her head. “But seriously, Ev. Don’t you ever… get tired of just sitting in here? With your toys?”

Evan looked down at Fredbear’s button eyes, silent for a moment. “…Sometimes.”

The answer was small, but honest. Cindy blinked, her smirk fading into something softer.

“Well then,” she said, sitting up straight, her grin returning with just a bit less mischief, “that’s why I’m here. To drag you out of your cave.”

Evan’s eyes widened. “W-what? Right now?!”

Cindy laughed and shook her head. “Nah, relax. You already patched me up. I’m not climbing back out that window tonight. I’ll bleed out before I get down.”

Evan gave a weak smile at her dramatics, but then asked quietly, “…Then why did you come here?”

“Cause I was bored, duhhh! None of the others are any fun! Especially Fatso.” Cindy complained as she crossed her leg over her other.

Evan let out a small chuckle as he replied. “T-that—that's not nice.”

“And!? All he does is eat! And play with his balloons…! Where does he even get them…?” Cindy scrunched her nose as she began genuinely wondering where all the balloons came from.

“Gah! Enough about that! Let's play!” Cindy declared as she uncrossed her legs and stood up quickly, wobbling slightly at the sudden movement.

Evan slowly stood up. “Play w-what…?” Evan questioned.

“Uhhhh– I don't know! Something fun?!” Cindy complained.

Cindy's eyes drifted towards Evan’s Fredbear plush as she grinned mischievously.

“Hey Ev~ I know what we can playyyy~” She started.

Evan tilted his head as he waited for Cindy to continue.

Cindy's hands jolted towards Evan as she snatched Fredbear out of his hands and ran away. “Cops and Robbers!” She said before sprinting out of Evan's room.

“H-hey! Give Fredbear back!” Evan shouted as he ran towards Cindy.

“Haha! Gotta catch me first!”

Cindy darted down the hall, hugging Fredbear like stolen treasure. Her laughter bounced off the walls as she glanced back to see Evan stumbling after her, red-faced and panicked.

“Stop running so slow, Ev! You’ll never catch the great bandit Cindy at this rate!” she taunted, skipping around the corner.

“G-give him back! He’s not a toy for that!” Evan shouted, his voice cracking as his socks nearly slipped on the floor.

Cindy ducked into the living room, crouching behind the couch like a mischievous fox in hiding. She hugged Fredbear close, muffling her giggles until—

“Got you!”

Evan tackled her from behind, his smaller frame crashing into her back as they both tumbled forward onto the carpet. Cindy let out a sharp laugh as Fredbear slipped from her hands and rolled across the floor.

Evan scrambled on top of her, reaching desperately for Fredbear, his hands brushing against hers as they both grabbed for him at once.

“He's mine!” Evan cried.

“Nope! Prisoner of war!” Cindy shot back, pulling harder.

They struggled for a few seconds, tugging the poor bear between them, until Cindy gave one last yank. Evan leaned forward at the exact same moment, trying to pull Fredbear to his chest.

Their foreheads slammed together–their lips brushing against each other for not even a full second before Evan jumped back.

“Peh, peh!” Cindy spat out as she rubbed her lips, “Ewww, I got boy germs now!”

Evan, frozen from their fraction of a kiss, didn't respond. His face was a bright red, and that said enough.

After a bit, Evan finally fully realized what just happened. And his jaw dropped, so wide he looked like a spooked goat.

Cindy's eyes drifted towards Evan as she busted out in laughter, “Pff– HAHAHAHA! LOOK AT YOUR FACE!” She cackled out as she clutched her stomach in pain from her laughter.

Evan's mouth closed as his jaw tightened.

His hands curled into trembling fists as he stared down at the carpet, refusing to meet her gaze. His face was so red it looked like it might burst into flames.

“Y-you—!” He stammered, his voice cracking before he could even form the words. “Th-that was—! You—!”

Cindy wheezed harder, wiping a tear from her eye. “Ohhh man, Ev, you should’ve seen yourself! You looked like you saw a ghost! No—worse—like Foxy just walked into your room and asked for a hug!”

“C-Cindy!” Evan finally shouted, his voice a mixture of embarrassment and frustration. He hugged Fredbear tightly against his chest like a shield, glaring at her with misty eyes. “T-that wasn’t funny!”

Cindy’s laughter slowly calmed, though her smirk lingered as she crawled closer to him on her hands and knees. “Aw, don’t be mad, Ev. It was just an accident. Unless…” She leaned in, her grin turning sly. “…you wanted it to happen?”

Evan’s whole body froze. His grip on Fredbear tightened, his eyes darting anywhere but her face. “I-I didn’t! I—It was—it was just—!” His voice dropped to a panicked whisper. “…an accident.”

For once, Cindy didn't smirk or smile. Instead, she nudged his knee with hers, her tone softening. “Relax, Bud. I was just teasing you, it's not a big deal.”

“I-it isn't…?” Evan questioned, the brightness of his face toning down.

“Of course not. It was just a little tap, no, even shorter than that, it was… just a little peck. Too short to even be considered a kiss.” Cindy assured as one of her hands went to his back and rubbed it.

“O-okay… if y-you're sure…” Evan replied, taking a deep breath to calm his nerves.

“Of course I'm sure!” Cindy affirmed as she slapped his back.

Evan flinched as a stinging pain appeared.

“Owww!” Evan cried out as he reflexively tightened up his back.

“Now it's been fun, but I gotta go wash out these germs!” Cindy declared as she stood up and walked towards the front door. “See ya, Bud!” Cindy quietly shouted as she opened the door.

Before Cindy walked out, she blew Evan a taunting kiss. Then walked out of the house and slammed the door shut, cackling as she walked.

Evan sat there frozen, his back still stinging from the slap.

≈≈≈≈

Cindy walked past the fence guarding the Afton family house.

Her cackles calmed down as she went silent.

Her ears turned a slight shade pink as she whispered to herself.

“Damn right it was a big deal…”

Chapter Text

“Ev, you gotta try harder buddy,” Michael started as he put a hand on Evan's shoulder. “I know it's hard, and you want to quit at times. But trust me, you can't keep missing and failing tests, it's bad for your grades.”

Evan stayed silent in response, Michael's words hitting him like a bullet.

He bit his lower lip and clenched his fists.

He knows Michael is right, but something inside him wants to argue.

What does Michael know about how hard it is? What does he know about the pressure, the exhaustion, the way Evan's mind seems to fog over whenever he tries to concentrate?

He doesn't understand the feeling of staring at a test paper, knowing that the answers are somewhere in his head but being unable to pull them out.

Michael's grip on Evan's shoulder tightened as if he could feel him slipping away into his own thoughts. “Look, Ev, you're a smart kid. One of the smartest I know. But you overthink too much, you panic too much. And then you shut down. But that's not gonna help you, Ev.”

Evan swallowed, his throat feeling tight and dry. His face felt so warm he wanted to disappear, the embarrassment he felt from Michael of all people, someone he respects. Telling him to do better, stung.

Evan doesn’t have the courage Michael has, he doesn't have the drive Michael has. The only thing he has that Michael has is their last name, eyes, and hair. Nothing motivational wise, nor courageous existed in Evan.

He felt like a worm, and Michael was a butterfly. No matter how hard he tried, no matter how long he dreamed. He'd never be like Michael, it was impossible for someone like him.

Michael sighed at Evan's prolonged silence. “Father isn't going to go easy on you forever. You know that, right? And I can't keep covering you.”

Evan's eyes flickered up to glance into Michaels. Wary and questioning.

“Cover?” Evan asked, confusion laced into his tone.

Michael used his free hand to rub the back of his neck, obvious confliction across his face.

“Yeah, I've… I've been telling him you were sick, or that the teachers lost your tests. But Father isn't stupid Ev, he probably already knows about your little problem.” He stopped himself, shaking his head. “I won't lie for you forever. You have to at least try, Evan.”

Evan felt something tighten in his chest. Guilt? Maybe. Frustration? Definitely. Michael helping him was still new to Evan. It made everything more complicated.

“I do try…” He mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper.

Michael frowned as he removed his hand from the back of his neck and stared down at Evan. “Then try harder.”

Evan could feel the tears welling up in his eyes. The same hot and stupid streams that ran across his face for what seemed like most of his life.

But he held them back, he didn't want Michael to see him cry. He knew it was safe for him to cry, but Michael's tone and something deep inside him resisted the tears.

Something eerily similar to instincts, forcing him to keep the tears in. But the tears weren't all that couldn't escape.

His voice couldn't either, no matter how much he wanted to speak, he knew the moment he did. The tears would come with.

So he did all he could, he nodded his head, and looked down.

Looking as pathetic as usual, as if the years he's lived haven't changed him at all. He's still the same pathetic crybaby who couldn't speak up for himself.

Michael, getting annoyed by Evan's constant silence, was starting to snap.

His tone got harsher, and his eyes sharpened. “Evan, I'll say this once more. And only once more. Try. Harder.”

Completely oblivious to the way Evan's fists clenched, Michael stared down at him, not even bothering to have Evan lift his head.

Evan, struggling to resist the tears. Nodded his head and began rushing to his room, not having enough courage to turn back to his brother, to look him in his eyes and speak how he truly felt.

Evan walked fast, not daring to see how Michael reacted, not daring to think about how Michael may have reacted.

He opened his door, walked in, and closed it as fast as he could.

And the moment he was sure he was alone. He bawled his eyes out. Not having the will to resist his tears any longer. Not having the power to resist them.

His tears ran down his face like a raging river, uncontrollable and loud.

≈≈≈≈

As Michael watched Evan's back retreat. He couldn't help but feel a bit of anger.

Evan didn't even have the balls to agree with his words. All he did was shake his head and leave.

Like always, from the first time he and Michael had to have a chat about his grades. From when he was a cryba–

The realization struck Michael like a bullet train. He always cries after they talk.

Michael’s brows furrowed, his chest tightening with something heavier than irritation—regret, maybe. A lump formed in his throat as the memories surfaced. Every talk, every lecture, every time he tried to push Evan forward… he never really waited to listen.

It was always do better, try harder, stop being weak.

And Evan always said nothing. Or barely a whisper. But his eyes would water, his head would lower, and he’d flee.

Every single time.

Michael ran a hand over his face, frustration curling in his gut, but now it was directed at himself.

He wasn’t stupid—he knew Evan struggled, he knew things didn’t come easy for his little brother. But part of him had believed that pushing him, forcing him to toughen up, would be the best thing for him.

That if Evan just tried harder, he’d become stronger.

Michael let out a laugh, not one of joy. But out of self-deprecation.

He realized a fact, a fact he wanted to ignore, to deny. To believe wasn't true with all his heart.

Michael hadn't changed, he was still the same old bully who would torment Evan for fun. But now? The bullying just took a different shape…

He took his hand off his face when he heard a knock on some wood.

He turned around and looked at a doorway… Elizabeth.

She was standing there, leaning against the doorframe. And looking at Michael as if he was the biggest idiot in existence.

“Douche.” Elizabeth stated bluntly.

Elizabeth's words stung, but Michael knew she was right, that he's a douchebag.

But even then, he wanted to know something. It'd be a stupid question, one he probably knows the answer to.

But he needed to hear it.

“Beth… About Ev. He's a smart kid, we both know that—so why doesn't he try harder, he doesn't have to put all his focus into it, just a little is all I'm asking…” Michael looked towards Elizabeth, expecting an answer.

But all he got was an action.

Elizabeth was tapping her head. Over, and over, and over…

Michael had to admit, he was stunned for a moment, he expected Elizabeth to chew into him. To give him a reasonable answer, but all he got was her tapping her head.

He was going to ask her for a proper answer, but she cut him off.

“Do you really not understand? Or are you just acting…? Honestly, I pray you are just acting, as idiotic as it is, I'm praying,” Elizabeth's eyes drilled holes into Michael's skull, analyzing. “You really aren't acting, are you? How incompetent can one person be?”

Michael was taken aback, he wasn’t the smartest, but he sure as hell wasn't incompetent.

His lips parted as words began to come out.

“Beth–”

“Shut up.”

Elizabeth didn't let him continue speaking, she could tell what he was going to say. What he was thinking.

“Beth that isn't true, I'm not incompetent.” She mimicked, “That sound about right?”

Michael couldn't respond, she was right. Typical.

“Honestly, I don't know what you were thinking when you said all that crap to him. He's not like us, Michael!” Elizabeth took a deep breath as she relaxed her nerves.

“He's not like us. We can think properly. Math? Hard, but doable. Science? A little effort, but easy enough. English? Easy as can be. But Evan… he doesn't think the same way as us.” Elizabeth explained with a solemn look across her face.

“We can encourage him all we want, but it won't help. It will only build pressure onto him, until he pops.”

“But–”

“Do you really not get it? There is no buts or thens, there's only the cruel reality of this world. You ruined his life.” The last sentence came out with undeniable disdain, something Elizabeth is usually good at hiding.

Michael clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white under his force.

“What?”

Elizabeth stepped away from the doorframe, her arms crossing tightly over her chest. Her gaze didn’t waver, even as Michael’s voice cracked slightly on that single word.

“You heard me,” she said coldly. “Let's exclude the constant bullying you used to put him through, and focus on something much worse.”

“Michael, you almost killed him.” Elizabeth stated.

The room went silent, the tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife.

Michael unclenched his fists as his eyes softened.

“I know… But the doctors fixed him–!”

“Not fixed, stabilized. There's no fixing what you did to him, Michael.”

Michael’s breath hitched, his voice faltering as the weight of Elizabeth’s words crushed down on him.

He opened his mouth, desperate to find some kind of defense—anything—but no words came. His throat felt like it was closing, his chest tight as if the air itself refused to give him mercy.

Elizabeth’s eyes narrowed. “You think this is something that can be shrugged off? That just because he survived, you’re absolved? You don’t get it. You don’t see how every time you push him, every time you glare at him, every time you tell him to ‘try harder’—you’re dragging him back to that moment. The moment when you proved to him that he can’t fight back.”

Michael shook his head, his voice raw. “That’s not—no, I… I’m not trying to drag him down, Beth. I’m trying to… help him. To make him tougher.”

“Tougher?” Elizabeth’s laugh was sharp, bitter, nothing like her usual playful tone. “Michael, he doesn’t need to be tougher. He needs someone to understand him. He needs someone who won’t rip open the wounds you already gave him.”

Michael’s shoulders slumped, shame creeping into his bones. He wanted to argue, but the fight was gone. Deep down, he knew Elizabeth wasn’t wrong. He had been blind—willfully blind, maybe—to what Evan needed.

Elizabeth softened only slightly, but her voice remained steady. “You keep telling him to be like you. But he’s not you. He’ll never be you. And that’s not a weakness. That’s just who he is.”

Silence followed. Heavy, suffocating silence.

Michael lowered himself onto the couch, burying his face in his hands. His chest heaved once, twice, as the guilt he’d kept locked away finally broke free.

Elizabeth stared at him for a long moment before sighing and shaking her head. “If you really want to help him, Michael… then stop trying to make him into you. Be the brother he needs, not the one you think he should have.”

“Oh, and you did a great job at hiding things from Daddy. He already knows about Evan's tests and grades.”

She then turned on her heel and walked away, her footsteps fading into the hallway, leaving Michael alone with his thoughts.

Michael sat there, motionless, as the truth gnawed at him. The sound of muffled sobs drifted faintly through the walls—from Evan’s room.

And for the first time in a long time, Michael didn’t feel like the strong one. He felt like the failure.

“God fucking dammit..” Michael muttered.

Chapter Text

BEEP, BEEP, BEEP

Elizabeth's alarm went off with an annoying amount of noise.

The beeping blared across her room for god knows how long.

She tried ignoring it, covering her head with her pillow. But to no avail, the piercing noise still reached her ears.

“Ughhh…” Elizabeth groaned, finally sitting up and turning off her alarm.

She groggily rubbed her eyes and stretched. The satisfying pop that emerged from her back almost made her glad she got up… Almost.

Elizabeth looked around her room for no apparent reason, she just felt like she should.

She then lifted her blankets off her body and turned to face the sides of her bed.

She slowly stood up into her slippers and let out a low yawn.

She ran her fingers through her hair and noticed how she couldn't move them past a certain point.

She let out a sigh and began to slowly walk to her mirror. And lo and behold, her hair was a mess.

The strands of her hair were everywhere, looking like a long frizzy afro on the back of her head.

She grabbed one of her brushes and brought it to her hair, she then slowly brushed through the strands of her hair.

It hurt to say the least, there were parts she had to fight to get the brush through.

“God…” She muttered  as she kept brushing.

Every stroke of the brush made it easier for it to pass through, she struggled less, and focused more on styling it.

Once she deemed it good enough, she put the brush down.

She ran her fingers through her hair as one final check, and was satisfied with the results of not a single tangled hair.

She looked at her clock, ‘7:43 AM’ , a reasonable enough time to wake up on a weekend. At least it wasn't 5 PM like Michael.

Elizabeth stretched one last time as she made her way towards her door, she slowly grabbed the knob and twisted it, opening the door.

The house was silent, cold, and comforting. She had to admit, it was a little strange to not hear a single noise besides her own in the house.

But she didn't mind, it just meant less annoyances when getting ready.

She walked towards the bathroom and opened the door, cold, really cold.

Elizabeth shuddered as she stepped inside, flicked on the lights and closed the door.

She walked towards the sink and turned on the faucet, watching the water slowly come out.

Once the water got warm enough, she slowly put her hands into the flowing stream.

And froze.

The comforting feeling of the warm water on her hands seemed to put her into a trance, making her eyes close slightly, and her body wobble.

But she got out of it quickly and brought some water to her face, lightly tossing some and scrubbing around her eyes to wake up fully.

She blinked a few times, droplets of water clinging to her lashes before sliding down her cheeks.

Grabbing a towel from the rack, she dabbed her face and took a moment to look at herself in the mirror.

Her bright green eyes still looked a little heavy with sleep, but they looked better than before.

She grabbed some of her beauty products and applied them to her face, scrubbing lightly to not damage her skin.

She then wet her towel a bit and lightly tapped her skin.

Elizabeth leaned closer to the mirror, puffed her cheeks, and made a silly face at her reflection.

“What’s cookin’, good lookin’,” she whispered with mock seriousness before smirking and setting the towel aside.

After brushing her teeth and fixing herself up just enough to look awake, she cracked the bathroom door open and peeked down the hall. Still silence.

“Creepy,” she muttered, though the quiet was oddly peaceful. She padded down the hallway, her slippers making soft scuffs against the floor.

“Room~, room~.” She hummed as she walked back into her room.

The warmth inside made her want to lay back down, but she resisted. She had plans today, after all.

She looked back at the clock, ‘8:25 AM’ , she still had 35 minutes left to get ready.

And that, she did, she quickly got out of her pajamas and got dressed into more casual, yet pretty, clothes.

Elizabeth tugged at the hem of her shirt, checking herself in the mirror. Not too plain, not too fancy—just enough to look good without looking like she tried too hard. She tilted her head, spun around once, and nodded in approval.

“Flawless,” she muttered with a grin, tossing her pajamas onto the bed in a messy heap. She’d deal with them later.

The house was still strangely quiet as she slipped on her socks and shoes, grabbed her bag, and gave her reflection one last glance.

Something about the silence almost made her feel like she was sneaking out, though she wasn’t.

She opened her bedroom door again, this time with a little more purpose, and stepped into the hallway. Her footsteps echoed softly as she made her way downstairs.

“Doo da doo~,” she hummed as she walked.

Creak

Halfway down, the faintest creak of movement reached her ears. She froze, one hand on the railing, listening closely.

For a second she thought it was nothing—just the house settling. But then came the sound again, lighter, like careful footsteps.

Elizabeth smirked. So, someone else is awake after all.

She reached the bottom of the stairs, leaned around the corner, and peeked into the living room.

There, hunched on the couch with his knees pulled up and Fredbear clutched tightly in his arms, was Evan. His messy hair stuck up in all directions, and he hadn’t noticed her yet.

Elizabeth’s grin widened. This was too good of an opportunity to pass up.

“Boo!”

Evan nearly jumped out of his skin, clutching Fredbear tighter as his wide eyes darted toward her.

“L-Liz!” he stammered, his voice cracking slightly.

Elizabeth giggled, walking into the room. “You should’ve seen your face. Priceless.”

“Not f-funny…” Evan mumbled, burying his chin into Fredbear.

“Oh, it’s hilarious,” she teased, flopping onto the armrest of the couch. “What are you even doing up this early? You’re usually out cold till noon.”

“I c-couldn't s-sleep properly… and g-got b-bored…” Evan explained, remote right next to him.

Elizabeth hummed in acknowledgement as she nodded her head. “I see…” She muttered, “sucks to be you~!” She joked as she walked past the couch and got closer to the door.

“G-going somewhere…?” Evan asked.

“Yup! Made some plans with Susie!” Elizabeth explained as she unlocked and opened the door.

“O-okay, have f-fun!” Evan encouraged as he waved.

“Byeeee.” Elizabeth replied as she walked out the house and closed the door.

The cold morning air hit her, crisp against her cheeks, making her shiver for a moment

She slid her hands into her pockets and started walking down the driveway, her sneakers crunching lightly against the gravel.

The sky was still pale, painted with streaks of orange and pink as the sun slowly climbed over the horizon.

Her neighborhood was quiet, only the faint rustle of leaves and the distant hum of a car passing by breaking the silence.

She pulled her phone from her bag, checked the time—8:42 AM—and tapped out a quick message to Susie.

No Soul: “On my way! Don’t you dare make me wait 😤”

She smirked at her own dramatic emoji and slipped the phone back into her pocket, her pace picking up slightly.

The thought of seeing Susie always brightened her mood—it meant gossip, laughter, and maybe even stopping by their favorite café for something sweet.

As she walked past a row of hedges, she thought back to Evan’s face when she scared him.

The memory made her laugh again, earning a confused bark from a dog behind a nearby fence. “Relax, fluffy, I wasn’t laughing at you,” she muttered with a grin.

Elizabeth took a deep breath, the chilly air filling her lungs, and smiled. “So chilly…” she whispered to herself.

She let out a little laugh… she didn't know why she laughed, she had no reason. Sure, Evan getting scared earlier was funny, but she already laughed at that.

Twice.

But this time, she was just laughing to laugh, it wasn't a loud laugh, a proud one, or a nervous one. It was a quiet laugh, but was strangely contagious.

She let out a long sigh as her random laughing fit ended, she looked ahead, and put more pep into her step.

She was excited, happy, and cold.

Excited to see Susie, happy she can get out the house, and cold from the morning air.

The first two were alike, but the last feeling made it a strange mixture, but that just made her even more excited.

Her heart was fuzzy, her cheeks were rosy, and her smile was brimming with life.

“Hehe…” She giggled, her walking turning into a jog, and then a run.

The cold air brushing against her face as she ran, the way it made her nose freeze, yet feel strangely warm.

Her hair fluttered, and her hands were out of her pockets, matching her pace as she ran.

Fingertips red, but not painful.

Elizabeth’s sneakers slapped against the sidewalk as she ran, breath puffing in quick clouds that faded into the crisp morning air.

She didn’t even care if people saw her looking like a fool—running with a grin on her face, hair bouncing, cheeks red from the cold.

It felt good.

By the time she slowed down, her chest rising and falling, she spotted the familiar corner where she and Susie usually met up.

The little bus stop bench sat under a streetlamp, the metal still damp with morning dew.

And sure enough, there was Susie.

She was sitting cross-legged on the bench, her blonde hair tucked under a beanie that looked a little too big for her head.

A paper cup was clutched between her mittened hands, steam curling into the air.

The moment she noticed Elizabeth, Susie broke into a wide smile and hopped up, waving her free hand.

“Took you long enough!” She called.

Elizabeth laughed, jogging the last few steps towards her. “What do you mean, I'm early! You're just… extra early!”

Susie smirked as she shook one of her fingers. “Punctual. There's a difference.”

Elizabeth rolled her eyes dramatically, plopping down on the bench beside her. “Uh-huh, sure. What are you drinking?”

“Hot chocolate,” Susie said, taking a tiny sip before offering the cup toward her. “Want some? It’s still warm.”

Elizabeth leaned closer, inhaling the sweet, chocolatey steam, and let out a satisfied sigh before taking a small sip. “Hahhh… that's so much better. You always know what's good in the morning.”

“Of course I do,” Susie said smugly, tucking her hands back around the cup. “So, what’s the plan?”

“Hmm…” Elizabeth tilted her head in thought as she began getting lost in thought.

“Ah! Wanna go to Fredbears? They're having a winter special!” Elizabeth suggested, as she got up from the bench.

“Oooh, the specials are always so nice. And the hot chocolate…”

“Hey! You already have one!” Elizabeth teased.

“I know~! But your father has a really good recipe!” Susie complimented as she stood up next to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth smirked, hands slipping back into her pockets as she started walking beside Susie. “Mhm, true. He does know how to make a mean hot chocolate. Guess I’ll allow you to have another one.”

Susie nudged her shoulder with a playful grin. “Oh, you’re so generous.”

The two girls laughed, their breath fogging the chilly air as they fell into an easy rhythm down the street.

The neighborhood was waking up now—some curtains fluttered open, the faint buzz of a lawnmower hummed a few blocks away, and the smell of fresh bread from the corner bakery floated through the crisp air.

Elizabeth’s smile softened as she inhaled. “Smells so good…”

“Right? Maybe we should grab something there first,” Susie suggested.

Elizabeth gave her a look. “Uh-huh, so you want hot chocolate and a pastry before we even get to Fredbear’s? Are you planning on rolling home after?”

Susie gasped dramatically, putting a mittened hand to her chest. “Are you calling me greedy?”

Elizabeth giggled, bumping into her. “Yes. Yes, I am.”

The girls kept up their teasing as they turned the corner, Fredbear’s Family Diner’s sign just barely visible in the distance.

Its painted letters were cheerful and bright, though the place looked quieter than usual from the outside—no kids running around yet, no parents struggling to keep up.

Elizabeth tilted her head. “Huh. Guess we’re earlier than I thought.”

“Good,” Susie said with a smirk. “That means more hot chocolate for me.”

Elizabeth rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop her smile.

They crossed the last stretch of sidewalk, the diner’s big glass windows glowing warmly against the gray morning.

Her hand reached for the knob and pushed the door open, the bell above it chiming as the warmth of Fredbear’s washed over them.

“Mmm… smells like Christmas in here!” Susie exclaimed as she put her now empty cup into the trash next to the door.

“Like Christmas?” Elizabeth teased.

“Yeah! It just smells… festive?” Susie explained as she walked towards the hot chocolate machine.

She grabbed a cup and put it inside as warm hot chocolate poured out.

“Uh-huh… guess it does.” Elizabeth agreed as she followed behind Susie and got her own hot chocolate.

Elizabeth looked around and noticed how empty the inside was.

“Guess we got lucky… for now, people are gonna pour in soon.” Elizabeth said as she walked towards a table and sat down on a chair.

“Yeah… but hey, isn't that good? It just means more people to talk with!” Susie replied as she sat next to Elizabeth.

“Maybe… I just hope it's not a bunch of little kids.” Elizabeth stated as she let out an audible groan.

“Kids are so annoying…”

“Hey, they aren't that bad!” Susie replied as she took a sip of her hot chocolate.

Elizabeth gave her a deadpan stare. “You say that now. Just wait until one of them spills their soda all over your clothes and cries like it’s your fault.”

Susie snorted into her cup. “Okay, fair point.”

The two sat in silence for a moment, sipping their drinks, the warm cups heating their fingers as the soft hum of the diner’s ceiling fans filled the space. From the kitchen, the faint clang of dishes and a burst of cheerful humming could be heard—probably from one of the cooks getting into the holiday spirit.

Elizabeth leaned back in her chair and glanced around again. It was almost strange seeing Fredbear’s so… calm. Normally, it was a riot of noise and movement—kids running around, the animatronics performing, arcade machines dinging and buzzing.

Suddenly though, Susie took a deep breath, and let out a really heavy sigh.

“Hey… Liz, can I… tell you something?” Susie asked as she gripped her cup tighter.

“Yeah, of course? Something wrong?” Elizabeth asked, her voice sounding concerned.

“Huff… well—... uhm…” Susie’s heart was pounding as the words got caught in her throat.

Elizabeth gently put down her cup and looked towards Susie, a gentle, yet worried look on her face.

“Ahem!... Alright… I got this…” Susie whispered as took a breath and slowly released it.

“Liz—... no, Elizabeth. I… I have a crush on Evan!” Susie stated as her face turned a bright red.

Elizabeth's jaw dropped instantly.

Elizabeth blinked. Once. Twice. Then again.

 “…You what?” she said, her voice caught between shock and disbelief.

Susie looked like she wanted to curl up inside her beanie and disappear. Her hands were practically shaking around her hot chocolate. “I—I didn’t mean to, okay?! It just sort of… happened!”

Elizabeth stared, mouth still open. Then suddenly—

She burst out laughing.

Not mocking, not cruel—just loud, surprised laughter that filled the empty diner and echoed off the walls.

Susie stared at her, her eyes wide. “Wh-what?! Why are you laughing!?”

Elizabeth leaned forward, trying to catch her breath, wiping a tear from her eye. “I just—Evan?! Like… my Evan? My little brother Evan?!”

“Yes!!” Susie hissed, her face burning brighter than ever. “Don’t say it like that! You make it sound weird!”

Elizabeth leaned back in her chair, still grinning. “It is weird!”

“It’s not weird!” Susie groaned, hiding her face in her mittens. “He’s cute! In like, a shy, quiet, soft teddy bear kind of way!”

Elizabeth gagged dramatically. “Grossss.”

Susie peeked at her through her fingers. “You’re so dramatic.”

“And you have a crush on a kid who still hugs a plush bear like it’s his only lifeline.”

Susie’s ears turned red beneath her oversized beanie. “Don’t say it like that! That’s why it’s cute! He’s sweet! Not like the loud, obnoxious ones at school who think being rude is a personality.”

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. “So, shy, quiet, and emotionally dependent is your type now?”

Susie gave her a flat look. “Better than emotionally unavailable and allergic to shampoo like your type.”

Elizabeth gasped. “Take that back.”

Susie sipped her hot chocolate, eyes narrowed. “Never.”

The two girls stared each other down for a long moment before both burst into laughter at the same time, giggles spilling over the edges of their cups.

Elizabeth shook her head, still chuckling. “You’re serious about this, aren’t you?”

“…Kinda,” Susie said, looking down into her drink. “I don’t know. It’s not like I’m planning on marrying him or anything—we’re, what, twelve?”

“Thirteen,” Elizabeth corrected.

“Whatever. I just… I dunno. I think he’s sweet. He always remembers to say thank you, he listens when people talk, and he’s really good at drawing for someone who barely talks.”

Elizabeth tilted her head, the teasing grin fading just slightly. “You’ve been hanging out with him when I’m not around, huh?”

Susie flushed. “Only sometimes! I mean, when I’m over and you’re in the shower or yelling at Michael or whatever, he’s just… there. We talk. He’s nice.”

They both went quiet again. The laughter died down. The mood sobered just a bit. Susie was still red in the face, but Elizabeth’s expression slowly softened.

“…Are you sure you’re serious?” she asked quietly.

Susie nodded. “Yeah. I think I’ve liked him for a while… I just never wanted to say anything because, well… he’s your brother. I didn’t want you to freak out.”

Elizabeth sighed, her gaze drifting to her cup. She tapped a finger against the side of it thoughtfully.

“Honestly…” she began, “I didn’t expect it. But… I guess it’s not that crazy. Evan’s not a bad kid. He’s sweet. Cries like hell, but sweet.”

Susie smiled weakly. “Yeah… he really is.”

Elizabeth looked up at her, one eyebrow raised. “You better not break his heart though. That kid’s made of glass.”

“I won’t!” Susie promised quickly, almost knocking over her cup. “I haven’t even told him! I just… I wanted you to know first.”

Elizabeth held her gaze for a few seconds, then rolled her eyes with a smirk. “Ugh, fine. I approve. But if you two start doing gross couple stuff around the house, I will throw up.”

Susie’s face lit up like a Christmas tree. “You approve?! Really?!”

“I just said that, didn’t I?” Elizabeth grumbled, sipping her hot chocolate with exaggerated disinterest. “Just don’t expect me to be your wingman or whatever.”

“Oh my gosh, thank you!” Susie reached over and grabbed Elizabeth’s arm, squeezing it excitedly. “You’re the best! I swear, I’ll be normal about it!”

Elizabeth gave her a look. “I highly doubt that...”

“Just don’t start writing ‘Mrs. Susie Afton’ in your notebooks or anything. That’d be a little much.”

Susie turned a brighter red than a Christmas bow. “Liz!”

Elizabeth laughed again. “Kidding! Kidding. Mostly.”

Elizabeth let out a sigh as she swirled her cup, “Ugh… if I knew this was gonna happen, I would've brought him…” Elizabeth grumbled.

Susie nearly spat out her drink. “What?! Nooo, are you kidding me? If you brought him, I’d be dead on the spot!”

Elizabeth smirked wickedly. “Exactly. That’s why it would’ve been hilarious.”

“Liz!” Susie whined, covering her face again. “I would’ve melted into the floor. Like, literally. They’d have to mop me up with a towel.”

Elizabeth laughed so hard her chair creaked as she leaned back. “Oh, I can picture it now. Evan just sitting there all awkward, hugging Fredbear, while you combust across the table.”

Susie peeked at her with narrowed eyes. “You’re enjoying this too much.”

“Of course I am. This is comedy gold.” Elizabeth tapped her finger against her cup with a grin. “And don’t worry. I won’t tell him… yet.”

Susie’s eyes widened. “Yet?!”

Elizabeth shrugged innocently. “Well, maybe if I need a little entertainment at home… I might just drop a hint.”

Susie groaned, dropping her forehead onto the table with a dull thunk. “You’re evil.”

Elizabeth giggled, patting her shoulder. “Relax, I’m not that cruel. Besides, Evan would probably explode if he even suspected someone liked him. The kid's shy enough as it is.”

“Exactly!” Susie mumbled into the table, her voice muffled. “That’s why I’m not telling him… at least not yet. I don’t wanna scare him off.”

“You? Scare him off? Impossible,” Elizabeth replied, “it'd be like a Labrador scaring a chihuahua.”

“A chihuahua, really?” Susie deadpanned.

“What? He's small, and so are chihuahuas.”

The two dissolved into giggles again, the warmth of the diner and the sweetness of their hot chocolate wrapping around them like a blanket.

Then, the faint jingle of the front door bell snapped their attention toward the entrance.

Elizabeth glanced over—and froze when she saw who it was.

Michael.

He stepped inside like he owned the place, hands shoved in his jacket pockets, a smirk already tugging at his lips as his eyes swept the diner.

“Great…” Elizabeth muttered under her breath. “Of all people.”

Susie leaned closer, whispering nervously, “What’s he doing here this early?”

Elizabeth narrowed her eyes, her green gaze sharp. “No clue. But if he's here—”

Right behind him, his crew, and…

Evan.

“Shit–...” Susie mumbled as she eyed Evan.

Small, quiet, clutching Fredbear like a lifeline even though he was trying hard to keep pace with his older brother.

He looked out of place, like a shadow in Michael’s noisy orbit.

Susie sank lower into her seat, her face heating up instantly. “He’s here. He’s actually here,” she whispered, practically hiding behind her cup.

Elizabeth smirked, leaning closer. “Well, well, well… What a coincidence.”

“Liz! Don’t you dare!” Susie hissed, eyes wide.

But Elizabeth was already grinning like a cat who spotted the fattest canary. She tapped her chin dramatically. “Hmm… should I wave him over? Call out his name? Maybe yell across the room, ‘Hey, Evan, guess who just confessed they like you!’”

Susie’s entire face turned redder than her mittens. “I will die. Don’t. Please.”

Elizabeth tilted her head, still smirking. “Tempting.”

Meanwhile, Michael had already spotted them. His smirk widened, and he veered toward their table. “Well, well, if it isn’t Beth and her little sidekick.” His tone dripped with mockery.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “Morning to you too, sunshine.”

Michael leaned on the edge of their table, looking down at them with his usual smugness. “Didn’t think you’d be out this early. You usually sleep ‘til noon.”

“Unlike you, I actually have things to do,” Elizabeth shot back smoothly, sipping her hot chocolate like his presence was a mild inconvenience.

Michael’s smirk faltered for a second, but he quickly recovered. “Cute. Real cute.” He glanced at Susie, who instantly looked away, cheeks still blazing.

Then his eyes flicked to Evan, still hanging back by the door, unsure whether to approach or not.

Elizabeth followed his gaze, and her smirk softened into something more mischievous. She leaned across the table just slightly, whispering to Susie. “This could be your chance…”

Susie choked on her hot chocolate. “Liz!”

Elizabeth tapped her fingers against the table, eyes glinting with mischief. “Y’know what? I think Evan should come sit with us.”

Susie’s head snapped toward her. “No, no, no, no, absolutely not—”

But Elizabeth was already raising her hand. “Evaaaan!” she called out across the diner, her voice sing-song and loud enough to turn a few heads.

Evan froze on the spot, wide-eyed like a deer in headlights. Fredbear was clutched so tightly to his chest it looked like he might squeeze the stuffing out of it.

Michael groaned. “Oh, for crying out loud…”

Elizabeth ignored him, waving Evan over with a bright, innocent smile. “Come on, don’t just stand there! Sit with us!”

Susie, meanwhile, looked like she was about to sink under the table and never return. Her hands were pressed to her cheeks, trying in vain to hide the furious blush spreading across her face.

Evan shuffled forward hesitantly, eyes flicking nervously between Michael, Elizabeth, and Susie. “U-Um…”

Elizabeth patted the empty chair beside Susie with a flourish. “Right here. Perfect spot. Just for you.”

Susie’s hands dropped to the table, gripping the edge like she needed the wood to keep herself grounded. “Liz…” she whispered through clenched teeth.

Elizabeth leaned back smugly. “What? He’s my brother. Can’t I invite him to sit with us?”

Michael snorted, clearly amused now that he saw Susie practically combusting in her seat. “Oh, this is rich. Don’t tell me—Blondies got a crush on—”

“Shut it, Michael,” Elizabeth cut in sharply, her grin unwavering.

Michael raised an eyebrow, but Elizabeth’s glare had enough steel in it to make him pause.

With a scoff, he muttered something to his crew and walked off to a different booth, leaving Evan awkwardly standing by the table.

Elizabeth tilted her head at him expectantly. “Well? Sit.”

Slowly, carefully, Evan sat down in the chair beside Susie, Fredbear still hugged close. He kept his gaze low, fiddling with the plush’s ear.

Susie’s entire body was stiff, her eyes darting everywhere but at him.

Elizabeth, of course, looked delighted. “See? Isn’t this nice? Friends, hot chocolate, family bonding…” She sipped her drink with exaggerated innocence.

Evan shifted nervously, glancing sideways at Susie. “…H-hi.”

Susie nearly dropped her cup. “H-Hi!” she squeaked back, her face practically glowing red.

Elizabeth kicked her feet under the table, grinning ear to ear. Oh, this was going to be fun.

Elizabeth could hardly contain herself. The way Susie was clutching her cup like it was a life preserver, and the way Evan was hiding behind Fredbear like a shield—it was priceless.

She leaned her elbows on the table, chin in her hands, and gave them both a look. “Sooo…” she started, dragging out the word. “How’s it feel, sitting next to each other? Cozy?”

Susie nearly choked on air. “W-What kind of question is that?!”

Evan blinked rapidly, face flushing pink as he adjusted Fredbear in his lap. “Uh—I-I don’t—”

“Hmm… Nevermind! But, heyyy, Ev. Did you know Susie thinks you’re—”

“LIZ!” Susie yelped, nearly knocking over her chair as she shot up. Her face was so red it looked like it might burst into flames.

Elizabeth sat back, smug as a cat in a sunbeam, swirling her cup. “What? I wasn’t gonna say anything bad.”

Evan tilted his head curiously, glancing shyly at Susie. “…Th-thinks I’m what?”

Susie froze like a statue, her mouth opening and closing without sound.

Elizabeth, having some empathy, called out to Evan once more. “Before that, Ev, would you be a dear and fill out my cup again? Hot chocolate.”

“S-sure…” Evan mumbled as he grabbed the cup and walked towards the machine.

The moment Evan was gone, Susie stared daggers at Elizabeth. “Liz, I swear, if you don’t stop—”

Susie groaned, burying her face in her mittens. “Liz, I swear, if you don’t stop—”

“What? I’m just observing facts,” Elizabeth replied innocently, though her grin gave her away.

Susie groaned, burying her face in her mittens.

“I hate you…”

“Love you too~” Elizabeth giggled as she looked back at Evan, “Oh! Here he comes.”

Susie sat straight immediately.

“H-here you go.” Evan held out Elizabeth's cup as she took it and placed it down next to her.

“Thanks, champ,” Elizabeth said casually, ruffling Evan’s hair as he sat back down—though he flinched slightly at the gesture.

He shifted in his seat, gaze flicking to Susie, then down to his lap where Fredbear now rested peacefully.

For a moment, no one said anything. Just the soft hum of the ceiling fans and the distant sound of Michael and his crew making obnoxious jokes in their booth.

Then—

“Evan…” Susie said quietly, hands still wrapped around her cup.

He looked up, startled, his eyes meeting hers.

She cleared her throat. “You… uh… you have really good taste in plushies.”

Elizabeth blinked. Then blinked again. That’s your opener?!

“Um… T-thanks? Fredbear is my f-favorite, he m-makes me feel s-safe…”

“B-but what d-did y-you think of me?” Evan asked, anxiousness dripping in his voice.

Susie’s lips clammed tight as she glared daggers at Elizabeth.

Elizabeth flashed a smug smile, but quickly went back to acting innocent.

“Uhm— uh– n-nothing! Yep, nothing at all, just Ellizabeth joking around!” Susie reassured as she felt a cold sweat running down her face.

“O-okay…” Evan nervously replied.

“So, Evan, what are you doing here?” Elizabeth asked as she took a small sip of her hot chocolate.

“O-oh, M-Michael dragged me h-here… He c-couldn’t h-hang out w-with his friends w-while l-leaving me a-alone…” Evan stuttered out as he explained the gist of the story.

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow, her cup paused halfway to her lips. “Wow. Michael being… considerate? That’s new.”

Evan shook his head. “N-not really… He j-just said if I s-stayed home, Dad would m-make him t-take me next time. S-so he b-brought me to g-get it over with…”

Susie frowned, the blush fading just enough to let some concern show through. “That’s kind of messed up…”

Evan gave a small shrug, eyes dropping again. “I-it’s fine… I d-don’t m-mind being h-here.”

Elizabeth sighed, leaning back in her chair and staring off toward Michael’s table. “Figures. He’s probably just trying to score points with Father, acting like he’s being responsible.”

Susie leaned forward slightly, trying not to be obvious about the way her eyes kept flicking toward Evan. “W-Well… I’m glad you’re here.”

Evan blinked, his cheeks coloring a soft pink. “R-really?”

“Yeah.” She nodded quickly, her fingers fidgeting with her sleeves. “It’s nice seeing you… outside of, you know, home. Or school halls.”

Elizabeth watched them, sipping her hot chocolate with a barely contained smile.

Evan gave the smallest of smiles back. “I-it’s n-nice seeing you t-too…”

The table went quiet again—an awkward, nervous silence that was somehow kind of… sweet.

Elizabeth eventually broke it with a low sigh. “Man, if this is how you two are when you’re just sitting next to each other, I can’t wait for your first date.”

Susie almost choked on her drink.

Evan turned crimson. “D-date?!”

Susie smacked Elizabeth’s arm. “LIZ!”

Elizabeth just snorted, clearly pleased with herself. “What? I’m just saying.”

“I’m gonna throw this hot chocolate at you,” Susie hissed.

Elizabeth grinned, holding up her hands. “Okay, okay. I’ll be good.”

“W-what d-did you m-mean b-by d-date!?” Evan questioned as his eyes were so wide they looked like they might pop out.

“Haha… Susie?” Elizabeth nervously looked towards Susie, only to look back at Evan immediately after seeing Susie’s glare.

Elizabeth could feel the threat right next to her, and had to fight the urge to hop off her chair and run for the hills. “Oh god…” She muttered.

Susie covered her face with her hands, her annoyance with Elizabeth being very, VERY, obvious, Oh. My. God…”