"Now, back to what we were discussing." The professor turned back to the projector and flicked to the next slide, "Not only do mental characteristics of a person's mind control their thoughts and behaviour, it also influences their emotions and their communication skills." She addressed the entire class and you flicked open your notebook - wanting to jot down notes.

"So Rose..." You whispered to the girl who sat in front of you quietly - not wanting to interrupt the class, "Do you know what I've missed the last couple of days?"

"Why people grow depressed and how to help them overcome it." Rose helpfully answered, "Along with preventing stress and stopping anxiety. I think that was it."

"Thanks, Rose." You thanked her in immense relief, "I really owe you one."

The class carried on; you continuing to take down notes and pay attention to everything you were learning. You wanted to become a psychologist and make it your profession, so why wouldn't you focus? To you, it was immensely interesting, learning about how people think and how to help them with different types of problems. Now since your seat was right next to the window, you could always see things out of your peripheral vision, whether you wanted to or not. Usually you only saw things like birds fluttering in and out of the trees, or other people walking to their classes - but of course, today you noticed Michael.

Suppressing an eye-roll, you forced yourself to study the subject at hand; jotting down important things and trying your best to learn everything new. At some point though, you'd also have to teach yourself what you'd missed - so you could properly catch up and not fall so far behind. Because - at the moment - you weren't exactly on the same level as your fellow classmates. But it's not like you couldn't catch up or anything, you'd just never really fallen behind like this before. So— You shook your head and carried on with what your professor was saying, not wanting to fall behind any more than you already were.

Your pen furiously scratched against the paper, almost like it was on fire as you focused on the subject at hand. The topic was helping people overcome depression. Funny how that dark issue kept popping up, no matter where you went. You felt it when being forced to switch house. You felt it when making sure your mother was properly protected. And you felt it when your freedom was ripped away from you in the very beginning. Of course, it was handed back to you by Hannibal - but still, that doesn't change the fact that it was taken in the first place. Then why...? Why did you care so much? About Norman and his nightmares? About Hannibal, Jason, Michael? Even Freddy - despite his aggravating antics.

Just what was happening here? Your head clouded with conflicting thoughts; clashing and colliding against each other relentlessly whilst they hurt not only your head, but your heart as well. It thumped unevenly - the fluttering beats causing your pen to stop moving. This wasn't good. You had to focus. You had to...to pay attention. Flashing another quick peek at Michael, your attention span faltered - your mind feeling like it was being yanked back towards the slashers. Without even realising it you were twirling your pen around with your fingers, feeling trapped. Why did you feel so relaxed around them? What was it?

Dating all five...it felt like some sort of fanfic. Almost...Almost unreal. Ugh! Focus, focus, focus...Your pen scribbled once again as you listened to your psychology teacher, not wanting to seem like you weren't interested. Still though...even if you could be happy living with Hannibal and the others, would it be right? After all, weren't you merely an offering to appease them? Why were they so attached to you? Perhaps loneliness. Because to be shunned by society...to be isolated from everyone else...it would make you feel cut-off. ...Wouldn't it? Hannibal, Michael, Norman, Jason... Even Freddy... It doesn't seem like any of them would share their real feelings.

They all seem so good at bottling up how they feel, they'd probably never share how they feel with you. Especially since you're nothing but an ordinary girl, who also happened to be a— "Hey!" You flinched as Amber smacked you lightly over the head with her notebook, an exasperated expression lining her face.

"What the hell was that for!?" You retorted in a surprised voice, confused by her random attack on your distracted thoughts.

"Well I tried calling your name, but after millions and millions of times that didn't seem to work." She smirked, sitting on the edge of your desk and looking amused. "Besides, this way was much funnier."

"You tried once, Amb." Cadence sighed and shook her head; a small smile spreading across her face due to Amber's childish behaviour.

"You just wanted to abuse me." You complained fake-miserably, giggling a little a split second later to show you weren't serious. "What did you want anyway?"

"Well if Laura's almost healed, why don't we go and visit her?" Amber recommended warmly, hugging her books close to her chest as she spoke about her absent friend.

"Wait, what!? Now!?" You panicked - suddenly remembering your promise to Michael.

"(Y-Y/n), I—"
"Michael."
"If you do this for me, I'll spend all day with you once my psychology class ends. Deal?"

"Uh, yeah...?" Amber answered you bluntly, frowning in confusion due to how anxious you unexplainably were.

"No time like the present, right?" Cadence chipped in cheerfully, holding her bag strap as the three of you became the last students in the classroom.

"I...I'm sorry girls, I wish I could but—"

"Oh c'mon, what could possibly be more important than seeing your best friend...?" Amber demanded to know about once; obviously feeling a little bit betrayed by your indirect backstab. "Is moving house that tedious of a task to do...?"

Oh yeah, crap. "Um..." "Well, let's just say I've been uh, busy. Busy...moving house." "Moving house...?" "I didn't know you and your mother were moving house." "Well uh...it was only me that moved out!"

"Not really, but uh..." You tried desperately to come up with a quick excuse, stiffening up while you grabbed your bag. "I've been putting it off and my roommates are super irritated with me because I haven't unpacked yet."

"Seriously?" Amber eyed you with raised eyebrows and a stern gaze, clearly not buying it. But Cadence on the other hand—

"Let's go, drama queen." She pulled Amber away from your desk by the wrist and tugged her towards the classroom door, "You heard her. She's busy. We can all visit Laura another time, right? So stop pestering her."

"Thanks Cads." You mouthed to her gratefully, the blonde-haired girl shooting you a warm smile in return before literally dragging Amber out of the room and into the hallway.

Stifling a sigh of your own, you hoisted your bag onto your shoulder and left the classroom last; completely by yourself until you bumped into someone. Honestly, your full attention was focused on nothing but the floor. "I-I'm so sorry! I swear I didn't bump into you on purpose, I-I just wasn't paying any attention and—"

You paused your alarmed apology when you noticed that it was no one other than the familiar stalker standing out there waiting for you - a faint blush colouring your cheeks once you'd realised who it was. "D...Didn't I tell you to stalk and wait for me outside!?" You scolded him with a slight stutter - definitely flustered by his appearance inside the university.

"Michael are you serious...?" "I said I'd hang out with you after my psychology class ends." "Just don't cause a ruckus, okay? Stalk me from outside or something." Seems like your strict warning didn't really have much of an effect, now did it...?

"Anyway..." You timidly muttered and decided to let it go, hating how your heartbeat had already begun to speed up. "You agreed to hang out with me after classes ended, so...Whatcha wanna do...? Do you...have any ideas...?"

Michael shook his head and you literally facepalmed; feeling a tad frustrated. "So you wanted to hang out but you didn't have anything planned!?" You groaned irritably, giving him a tiny glare and standing still.

That was until fellow students started to whisper and talk about how strange Michael looked like. Uh-oh. "Second thoughts, let's talk about this outside!" You decided in a worried voice - your right hand curling around his left wrist as you pulled him down the hall and towards the exit.