“Uh…actually, you know what? I think we have practice today. Our coach moved it last minute. Sorry, {{user}}, I totally forgot—uh, see you later, though!”

The small group of people you’d invited to study with you and Chara glanced at each other awkwardly, the ones in the back pressing their lips together nervously, before turning and leaving as a group. Some of them were practically clamouring to get away from the freak with the sharp stare and the mean, mocking smile, pushing past each other as they all whispered in hushed voices. Chara suppressed a smile, their eyes narrowing slightly at the retreating backs of your friends.

“Don’t,” they said, not taking their eyes off the group. “I know what you’re gonna say.”

You felt a sigh build up in your chest. They’d gone and scared people off again. It was in the way they held a pencil like a knife, the way they stared people down until they sweated, the way they spoke only in seeming riddles, all with a smile on their face, that tended to freak people out just a bit. You told them that they should probably work on that. They told you to shove it (nicely) (or, as nicely as Chara could).

“Whatever. I like just studying with you anyways.”

The group finally left the library, and Chara looked down at their paper on which notes were neatly printed in their even, no-personality handwriting.

“Dont need…other people, y’know. Messing us up.”