"W-What are you doing...?" "What's the matter...? You've been acting strange all afternoon, and...and..."
"Nothing the matter, per se~" "I just really like you. That's all. I just...really, really, really like you~"

"P...Penny...I—"
"—Do you like me~?" Pennywise interjected innocently, interrupting your stammering and forcing you to think about said question.

Like Pennywise...? You...You hadn't really thought about it. Yeah, you'd had fun playing Hide 'N' Seek with him today - and walking to-and-from your daily University classes with him was pleasant enough - but like-like him!? You'd only made that deal with Penny back then in order to protect your partners...! Still though...A heavy shade of pink painted your cheeks, your heartbeat increasing by the second as Penny placed his hands on either side of your waist and confessed how he was discreetly feeling. Hell, you didn't even know a creature like him could care for someone else!
Besides that, you were undoubtedly relieved that he didn't feel the need to feast on your flesh anymore - like he'd previously mentioned down in the sewers on Tuesday.

He was fun, sharp-tongued, mischievous; definitely entertaining to be around and spend time with. These last couple of days he'd even been kinder to you - treating you with almost the same amount of high respect that Hannibal usually sent. It was actually sweet in a way - as if he'd been secretly trying to show his adoration for you in a somehow offhanded manner. But...Did you return Pennywise's affections...? Did you really care for him the same way he cared for you...? Resting both your hands on top of his shoulders, you cleared your throat and made a mature decision - praying that you wouldn't hurt his feelings.

"Penny, I like you. Really, I do. You're amusing, you're quick-witted, and you're kindhearted. You let me live back when you could've killed me in the sewers. You became my friend, spent time with me. You saved me from Michael's swing against Jason in Crystal Lake when I could've easily gotten hurt. And for that, I truly am grateful." You confessed softly, giving his shoulders a gentle squeeze of your own before continuing. "But I've only known you for a few days. Since Tuesday, to be precise. And although I care deeply for you, I think I need a bit more time before I can come to a final conclusion."

For a few minutes Penny was silent, soaking in your answer like he was sinking it in. Then, a smug smile slid across his facial features; his attitude switching back to his usual bad-boy-ish behaviour. "Mmm...I can accept that. For now~" He retaliated casually, using one of his hands to break the waist holding and cradle the side of your cheek instead. "But just so you know, you won't escape me that easily. My sweet, sweet, (Y/n)~"

"Hold on, escape you...? What is that supposed to—" Before you could properly finish your question, Pennywise disappeared from sight; leaving the room altogether as he simply left you and Michael alone. "...mean...?"

"IT ᗰEᗩᑎᔕ TᕼᗩT ᕼE'ᔕ ᖴEEᒪIᑎG ᗷᑌTT-ᕼᑌᖇT. ᕼE ᒪOᐯEᔕ YOᑌ ᒪIKE ᗯE ᗪO, ᗷᑌT ᕼE ᗯOᑎ'T ᔕᕼOᗯ IT ᗷEᑕᗩᑌᔕE ᕼE ᕼᗩᔕ TOO ᗰᑌᑕᕼ ᑭᖇIᗪE. ᗰᑌᑕᕼ ᒪIKE KᖇᑌEGEᖇ ᗯITᕼ ᕼIᔕ ᔕTᑌᑭIᗪ ᒪᗩᑕK Oᖴ ᗷᖇᗩIᑎ ᑕEᒪᒪᔕ." [A/N: "IT MEANS THAT HE'S FEELING BUTT-HURT. HE LOVES YOU LIKE WE DO, BUT HE WON'T SHOW IT BECAUSE HE HAS TOO MUCH PRIDE. MUCH LIKE KRUEGER WITH HIS STUPID LACK OF BRAIN CELLS."] Michael scribbled down unfeelingly, passing his notepad over to you without any hesitation whatsoever.

"Michael..." You sighed his name in disappointment, already used to his coldhearted attitude whilst you handed it back to him. After all, the white-masked male couldn't exactly be classed as the "emotional" - or "sensitive" - type. "I didn't exactly shut him down. I just...need some more time to think things over."

"ᗯᕼY? ᕼE ᗪOEᔕᑎ'T ᗪEᔕEᖇᐯE TO EᐯEᑎ ᔕᑭEᗩK TO YOᑌ, ᒪET ᗩᒪOᑎE ᗪᗩTE YOᑌ. YOᑌ'ᖇE ᗰIᑎE, (Y/ᑎ). ᖇEᗰEᗰᗷEᖇ TᕼᗩT." [A/N: "WHY? HE DOESN'T DESERVE TO EVEN SPEAK TO YOU, LET ALONE DATE YOU. YOU'RE MINE, (Y/N). REMEMBER THAT."] Michael's next message made you roll your eyes and shake your head, wishing he wouldn't take out his obsession on every other male around.

But that just wasn't possible...and you knew that already. "I'm going to use the bathroom. Be right back." You pleasantly told him, shooting him a friendly smile while you walked into the hallway and left the living room.

Though as you entered the hallway, your phone rang; causing you to grow curious and pull it out from your pocket. Huh. It was an unknown number. It was rare that you got those. Should you hang up on it...? After all, it was probably a scam - or someone trying to sell you something suspicious. But there was the possibility that someone was trying to call someone else, and that they'd accidentally gotten your phone number instead. Yeah, you shouldn't hang up on it. You should at least find out who was calling. Then, if it was a scammer - or seller - you could just block the number and continue the rest of the afternoon with Michael.

So, once you'd taken a deep breath, you answered; trying your hardest to sound civilised. "Hello...?"

"Hello." An unknown voice greeted in return, silence falling between you both seconds after the quiet reply you'd received.

"Yes...? Is there perhaps something I can help you with...?" You politely wondered, relaxing a bit due to realising that this person didn't seem to be a scammer of any sort.

"Who is this?" They inquired distantly, ignoring your response while they asked their own question.

"Who are you trying to reach...?" You asked respectfully, leaning against the hallway and staring ahead of you - towards the stairs.

"What number is this?" They dismissively carried on, sounding impatient as they awaited your answer.

"Oh, um, well...What number are you trying to call...?" You helpfully questioned, your curiosity growing whilst you attempted to be kind. "If you could repeat it to me, I can gladly tell you if this is it or not—"

"I don't know." They interrupted you suddenly, still using their reserved tone to interact with you.

"But didn't you just try to ring said number...?" You pointed out in bewilderment, frowning at the floor and not understanding the unknown person's logic.

"I don't know." They repeated with a monotone voice, the same awkward silence from before forming.

"I'm terribly sorry, but I think you might have the wrong number." Breaking the silence, you gently apologised; pushing yourself away from the hallway wall and deciding to wrap this whole misunderstanding up.

"Do I?" They mused thoughtfully, their curious change of tone taking you by surprise and making you feel even more uneasy.

"Don't worry. Could happen to anyone." You warmly answered, not wanting to appear rude or impolite in any way. "Take it easy out there!"

And with that, you tucked your phone back into your pocket; heading upstairs to use the bathroom as you pushed the unknown caller to the back of your mind. Sure, they might've made you feel a little uncomfortable - but it was probably accidental. Especially since they were speaking to someone they didn't know, and that they'd also messed up calling a new number for the very first time. Right. Besides, it wasn't important. Once you'd used the bathroom, you hurriedly made your way back downstairs and into the hallway again; noticing who had now just made their way home.

"(Y-Y/N)-! You're b-back-!" Norman bursted out brightly, bounding through the hallway and shoving past the psychiatrist with no consideration. "W-Welcome home-!"

"I should be the one saying that to you." You lightly laughed, wrapping your arms around Norman after witnessing him fling his arms wildly around you.

"W...Well, i-it's just you w-weren't here earlier..." He responded nervously, shifting from foot-to-foot while struggling to explain.

"I understand. But at least let me say it." You teased him playfully, breaking the hug so you could poke the side of his cheek.

"O-Okay-! I...I will...!" Norman shyly promised; acting like his usual, flustered self whilst smiling at the cheek-poke.

Yep. Norman was still the same.