Chapter Text
The familiar ringing echoed through the halls of Hometown’s only school: it was time for lunch. As students excitedly ran out of the building, Berdly Birdington rummaged through his bag in search of whatever his parents had given him. But as he opened every single pocket, looked in every last crevice, it was nowhere to be found.
They had forgotten about his food. Again. He looked in his pockets for spare cash to buy something at Ice-E’s, however awful they might be, just so that his stomach wouldn’t be empty. But yet again, the answer was the same. He sighed deeply and started slowly walking outside.
The tables near the school always had the same people sitting in them, usually in the same places they’d been for as long as Berdly could remember. Monster Kid and Snowy in one table, Catti and Jockington in another, then Noelle and him, and Kris and Susie probably sat alone.
As he scouted for her, so the 50 minutes they got would be over quickly, he felt as if he was being watched. He shrugged it off and kept looking, and…
There she was. At another table, sitting with Susie. Weird, considering the MASSIVE crush she obviously had on him. Berdly thought about going with them and sitting with Susie, but the mere thought sent shivers down his spine.
So he went to his usual table and sat there, alone.
He looked for ways to entertain himself. He tried doing homework, but he’d already done it. There were no tests coming up, and he had to do the project with Noelle.
He decided to simply rest his head on his arms and try to sleep.
Until a sudden sound interrupted him.
The first thing he saw upon opening his eyes was a brown paper bag. He assumed this was Noelle.
“Ah, Noelle? Did you already decide to come back?” He said, expecting some giggles or something.
The second thing he saw upon opening his eyes was Kris Dreemurr sitting in front of him.
He flinched and almost fell out of the concrete bench he was sitting on.
“I-uh…Kris? Hi. What are you…why are you here?” He said, frowning.
Kris shrugged. “IDK, you were alone and I wouldn’t wanna interrupt whatever Elly and Susie have going on.”
Berdly raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me, did you just say I-D-K out loud?”
Again, they shrugged. Oh my Angel, the nerve of this person, Berdly thought.
Whatever. For now, he had to distract himself from his stomach. He shook his head.
“Anyways, what is up, Kris?”
Kris showed a sly smile. “The ceiling.”
Berdly’s fists curled into fists as the human giggled. “I’m already regretting this…” He said.
Kris leaned back as far as they could on the backless bench without falling. “Aw, come on. It was a joke.”
Berdly sighed. “Fine. But you better not overstay your welcome.”
Kris leaned on the table with their elbows. “So. Did you do the homework Ms. Alphys gave last week?” They asked, deadpan.
Berdly scoffed. “Oh, Kris, I do my homework BEFORE they even assign it to us! You should know that already.”
Kris laughed. “Yeah, yeah, guess I should, shouldn’t I, dork?”
Berdly was about to say something, but was interrupted by his stomach growling.
“Oh. That. Right,” said Kris. “I noticed you haven’t like…eaten anything since class?”
Berdly shrugged. “My parents forgot to pack me lunch.”
Kris looked at him, then looked into his eyes for a moment. They silently reached into their paper bag and pulled out a slice of pie.
“Have this. It’s leftovers, I’ve already had lunch anyways.”
Berdly was taken aback by this. It was a very uncharacteristic display of kindness from Kris. “Huh, Kris, you…? Um, thanks, I guess. I appreciate it.” He quietly grabbed it and began eating.
Kris watched with a small smile, resting their head on one hand.
After a few moments, they spoke, their voice now slightly softer. “By the way, d’you know about the new Dedly Kombat that’s coming out?”
Berdly chuckled. “If I know? I’ve got the preorder, which means I’ll be able to play it tomorrow in the evening!”
Kris smiled. “Oh. That’s cool.”
After a few seconds, they added: “You don't think I could come over, right?”
Berdly raised an eyebrow. “YOU?” He said, but paused. “Hm…actually, I’m free tomorrow night, my parents will go out for drinks.”
Kris smiled. “Great! So, tomorrow at 8?”
Berdly nodded.
Kris slowly got up from their seat. “Oh, would you look at that, class is about to start. Well, it’s a date then! See you!”
Berdly didn’t get the chance to say anything as they jogged away, leaving him alone yet again.
He was left dumbfounded, yet…he felt his stomach twist.
And, as much as he tried to convince himself, it wasn’t from the food.