She knew that if she wasn't going to drive herself completely insane, somehow she had to try and live a more normal life on the side while dealing with the Mafia. It just depended whether or not the skeleton that seemed to keep watch over her would let her. Then again, did she really need to ask for his permission? If she woke up before him, she could always sneak out and wander around town, looking at shops to shop at. She didn't currently have any money on her, as Sans was the one with all the money it seemed, but that was fine. She just knew that she had to get out of the apartment and have time to herself. Otherwise she was going to go crazy. Especially after the argument that she had had with Sans in the car the other night. 

A couple of days had already passed since that night, and it was clear that things were now extremely uncomfortable between the two once again. Frisk wouldn't talk to him, and he wouldn't really say anything either. They'd silently eat breakfast, the only sound being the thing to break that silence was the crunching of their cereal, being broken up into little chewy bits from their teeth. Apart from that, nothing. There was no conversation there. It was like they had never even spoken to begin with. Like it was the first meeting all over again.

Anyway, back to sneaking out. Thinking that she could have successfully sneaked out without him noticing was foolish, because it was almost like he had an all seeing eye, which had scared the hell out of her that morning. When she had woken up, she had tried to get ready as quietly as possible, before eating breakfast and then tiptoeing to the door. Only to be interrupted by a voice saying "where do ya think you're sneakin' off to?" behind her. She had almost jumped out of her skin, not expecting her plan to be so easily foiled. Biting down on her bottom lip, she tried to think of an excuse. No, she wasn't going to act upset or scared. She was sick of Sans giving her shit. With a huff, she turned around to face him.

"What does it look like? I was going out." Frisk said, speaking in a tone as if she was pointing out the complete obvious. "What's it to you?"

"what do ya mean: what's it to me? it's my apartment. and if you're forgettin', i have to keep an eye on ya." 

"Why!? Why can't you just let me out of this apartment, or let me away from following you around like a lost puppy?! You don't care what happens to me so whatever. And it's not like I'm going to tell anyone about you being in the Mafia." Frisk grumbled. She wasn't that cruel. She was mad at the skeleton, but not enough that she felt like she'd have to ruin his life. He still had Gaster to save, and it meant a lot to that flame monster too. She didn't want to get in the way of that. 

He stood with uncertainty, not seeming so sure that he could trust her going out alone. Just because she said she would be silent didn't really mean that she would be, did it? Maybe... Maybe he could let her think that she was going out alone, but keep an eye on her from afar. But then he had things to do, like trying to find out where the hell Gaster was. He didn't want to have to keep babysitting this kid. He exhaled. "alright, fine. go out, just don't go gettin' yourself into trouble, 'cause i ain't helpin' ya. i've helped ya enough already." 

"Fine by me!" Frisk snapped back, before heading out of the apartment and closing the door behind her. Sans was stood for a moment, not saying a word until he sighed to himself.

"man..." He muttered under his breath, scratching the back of his skull. He really had bothered Frisk that much, huh? It felt like just days ago (seeing as it had been) that she had been completely quiet and just shut up when told to do so. Now instead she was giving him attitude, not even seeming scared of him possibly doing anything to her with the way she acted. Maybe she realised that he couldn't do anything; he really did mean to keep his promise, that he would look after Frisk. She was making it hard though. 

Why did she want to be his friend so badly? He didn't get it. He didn't see himself as "friendly" material. People might have argued he was nice to Grillby, but that was just because he was dad's friend. And the man was just... Genuinely a good guy. Sans could never bring himself to be an asshole to such a guy. But Frisk... She annoyed him. She frustrated him and she angered him and she... Yeah, maybe sometimes she was good company. Maybe sometimes she was someone who was nice to have a conversation with. Perhaps that was why he felt like he could talk to her about himself, why he just rambled. 

Or maybe... Maybe it was just the fact that he didn't want to admit that maybe he was beginning to accept her. That he didn't really hate her as much as he said he did, he just acted as if he did so Frisk would go away. So she wouldn't get too close. So she wouldn't hurt him, or he wouldn't have to keep hurting her over and over again with the things he'd say or do. He didn't need her, he didn't need a friend or anyone to care about him. Not with his dad gone, he didn't.

Great, now he had to decide what he'd rather risk. Wasting time on trying to find Gaster, or letting Frisk wander by herself with the possibility of getting herself into trouble. The last thing Sans wanted was enduring Toriel screaming at him because he wasn't able to keep her safe. The damn brat... Maybe keeping an eye on her would be a good idea for a hour or so. If it seemed like she was fine, then he'd leave her be. Trying to find the whereabouts of Gaster was more important to him, and he hated to waste time on this girl, but he didn't really have a choice - he could hear Toriel lecturing him already.

****

Walking along the pavement, gradually passing people who were going the opposite way, Frisk stared around at the different stores that lined the street as she advanced forward. Being stuck in the apartment a lot, she hardly got the time to be able to go out here, to feel like a normal teenager for once just taking a breath of fresh air and going for a nice walk. It felt good, to be out of there. To be away from Sans.

Well, it almost felt good. Sadly, Frisk let out an outtake of breath, just thinking about how they weren't getting along lately. She wanted to get along with Sans, but she didn't want to keep being that shy awkward girl that just let him yell at her whenever he wanted, demanding her around like she was his property just because he felt like it. She was her own person, she was a human with thoughts and feelings and wanted to be able to live a life of her own. Of course she had to screw all of that up when running into Sans and Asriel that day. 

Then again, had Frisk never met them, she knew she'd probably be worse off. Before meeting them, she had literally been living on the streets, stealing food and even money from people who she deemed didn't need it. Yes, she knew stealing was wrong, she knew that the things she did made her seem less innocent than she might have appeared. However, she didn't exactly have much of a choice. Not wanting to die, she did what she had to. Then one day, she found the goat and the skeleton and at first she had been terrified for her life, scared they were going to kill her. Instead, Sans (basically being forced to) took her under his wing and fed her and even gave her cleaner clothes to wear. Those were nice things he had done for her. It was things like that that made her believe that Sans wasn't an all bad person, that underneath that rough exterior, there was a softer person inside. He just wouldn't show it. 

Coming to a stop, Frisk decided to look in a shop window, seeing a really cute necklace - as it was the window of a jewellery store. Completely minding her own business, she hadn't realised that someone had stopped beside her, also seeming to look into the shop. Raising her eyebrows, she glanced towards the figure. For a moment, she had almost suspected it to be Sans probably stalking her. To her shock it was just a random stranger - a male stranger who looked maybe about her age. He probably noticed her staring, seeing as he then glanced towards her and it caught her off guard, causing her to quickly glance away. Just that alone had caused her cheeks to burn with embarrassment. She didn't want this guy to get the wrong idea. "Sorry, I didn't mean to stare!" She suddenly blurted out. The teenager laughed. 

"It's okay. I just assumed maybe you were looking at me because you thought I was someone you knew." The boy said with a grin before looking back towards the window. "What's got you looking here then?" He wondered, seeming to try and strike up friendly conversation. It was nice to have someone different to talk to for once, someone who was just like her - another human. Not that she didn't like monsters, it was just nice to see her own kind again once in awhile.

"Oh, no reason. Just looking. What about you?" Frisk wondered curiously. 

"I was just looking to see if I could buy a nice ring for my mother, you see she really likes jewellery, and her birthday is coming up soon. So, I just thought it would be nice to get her a gift." He replied. Frisk nodded.

"That is nice..." Frisk told him, before seeming to realise something. "Wait, hold on, I just realised I didn't even get your name." 

"It's James. You?"

"Frisk."

"It's nice to meet you, Frisk." James smiled brightly, which earned a smile from the human girl in return. "Anyway, I'm going to go in the store now so, I guess I'll see you around." He said, waving her off. Frisk thought for a moment, staring towards him as he appeared to be walking towards the entrance of the store. She knew she just met this boy, but she felt maybe this was the opportunity to try and make a friend. 

"Hey, wait!" Frisk said. "I know this is really sudden but... Can I have your... number...?" Frisk wondered, though when asking that question, she slowly trailed off. Just because she realised she didn't exactly have a phone of her own. Which means she couldn't have even gave him one if she wanted to. She frowned. "Oh, wait... I don't have a phone anymore, I won't be able to call you..." 

"Heh, well, I can give it to you anyway." James shrugged, not seeming to mind. "That way if you get a new phone you can call me if you want." He said. Frisk smiled and nodded with delight, happily allowing him to give her his number before once again waving to him, allowing to let him go. She couldn't believe it, maybe she'd make a new friend!

"who is that? your boyfriend?" A familiar voice spoke behind her, once again causing her to let out a squeal of surprise, turning around to see the same skeleton she had come to know for a little while now. When she let out a yelp, it wasn't a surprise that a couple of people had glanced their way in confusion, but they simply carried on with their day nonetheless. What was with Sans sneaking up on her all the time?!

"No, just... I was talking to him and... Decided to ask for his number. Thought I could make a friend, seeing as you aren't being one to me." Frisk mumbled the last bit under her breath, and when the skeleton asked her to repeat herself so he could hear, she shook her head. "What are you doing here anyway? I thought you'd be... You know, doing your own things."

"well, i'd hate to remind ya for the millionth time that i have to look after ya..." Sans grumbled with a sigh. "besides, i thought ya said ya wanted to help with findin' gaster. and you're nowhere near ready to be able to help. so, it's better ya come back to... ya know, train yourself up." He murmured quietly, not wanting anyone to be listening in to their conversation. "otherwise ya might only be deadweight."

"I do want to help! I said I do." Frisk answered.

"well, come on then. stop messin' around and follow me." Sans told her, motioning for her to follow. She stood on the spot for a couple of seconds, before begrudgingly following after him. She wanted to stay and walk around some more, but then she had agreed to help find Gaster too, and she did want to be helpful, rather than a waste. So, training herself to do better would be a good idea. 

She just hoped it wouldn't take up all her time so she could get the chance to talk to her new friend.