Kris' Pov

Something was off with Susie. She was acting uncharacteristically on edge, and I didn't think it was because of what happened between us yesterday. She seemed more...scared? I didn't know how to put it.

I was mildly disappointed that Susie didn't want to go to the Dark Realm, but was mostly just glad she was talking to me today. Hanging with her was the important part.

For research purposes, I assured myself. My face heated a bit as I took the seat behind her.

"So, uh, you and Susie, you're like, a thing, right?" Jockington leaned in and whispered in my ear. My face burned bright red and my throat closed up as I just gaped at him.

"Hey, Snakey-boy, why not stop harassing them and mind your own business? You'll make Kitty-Witty jealous, and we don't want that, do we?" Susie snapped. My eyes widened.

As she swung her head around, her fringe flew out of her face, revealing a bright yellow eye with a ginormous bruise around it. She noticed I was staring and she stood up and ran out of the room, looking scared.

I stood up and raced after her, not bothering to tell anyone where I was going. I couldn't help but wonder how it had happened. I mean, Susie was not the type to lose fights. Nobody even tried to fight her, they were all too terrified.

One thing registered in my mind.

"My dad was pretty mad yesterday when I came home late..." 

Anger filled my soul as I sped up. I ran through the halls, but I couldn't find her. I stopped for a second, attempting to calm myself down. I heard someone crying nearby.

Thank God for gender neutral bathrooms.

I slowly walked in as to not startle her. I had caught her by surprise before, and that ended with me pinned to the locker. I walked in and saw her sitting hunched against the wall with her head in her hands, sobbing and breathing very heavily.

 "S-Susie...? Are you okay?" I asked calmly. At least I said it calmly. I was the opposite of calm. She looked up at me and I was her eyes.

 " I can explain- I was in a fight. I beat the guy up, but he got in a pinch of two. That's it, that's all that happened." She sounded shaken, as if she was trying to convince herself that as well. 

 "Susie, I know you aren't telling the truth. I think I know what happened. You don't have to tell me." I told her quietly. A new wave of years came over her. It felt as though my soul was being ripped from my body. 

 " I just- I don't know what to do, I try to defend myself, but he still gets me, I try to avoid him, but he still finds me, and it's worse. I wanted to go back today, but I'm just so scared, I-" 

I couldn't hold myself back anymore. I ran toward her and hugged her. I couldn't stand seeing her sit there, crying, and to not be there comforting her. 

"Shhh. It's fine. Let it out. I'm here for you, okay? If you ever need to get away, come to me. My mother would be honored to have you over. She isn't the type to ask too many questions, either. You would be completely safe." 

I rubbed her shoulder as my eyes welled up with tears. She hugged me back and cried into my shirt. A blissful atmosphere fell over the room as we cried. I looked up and have her a watery smile.

 "Let's ditch this place, okay?"