"Hey, pretty boy/lady/person," a stranger's voice echoed loudly from somewhere in front of me. "Masked freak got you on a surprise date? I bet I could take you on a better one- without a weird piece of plastic on my face."

"Excuse me?" I furrowed my brows, but kept my eyes closed.

"I said I could take you on a better date than the place your girlfriend brought you," I could hear them smiling by the way their vowels were widened.

"That's my boyfriend, and it's a prosthetic. And I appreciate the offer, but I'm going to have to decline," I said in a sweet voice. Unfortunately, I can say from experience that it's better to defuse these kinds of situations, rather than treat the person with the same lack of respect they're giving you.

"What? You really wanna-"

"Please just let us be," Sal growled.

"Jeez, man. No need to get all defensive. It's not my fault your little girlfriend/partner/boyfriend dresses like a prostitute," the person spat.

"I'm sorry, what?" I seethed.

"Are you deaf?"

"No, are you stupid?" I retorted. I just can't get a break whenever I go out, can I?

"Ha! No wonder your boyfriend is ugly and looks like a girl! You couldn't-"

"I'd rather you not finish that sentence," I interrupted and opened my eyes. "Look, I gave you a chance to fix your attitude, and you didn't. Nobody likes to be catcalled, even by someone around their age."

Standing in front of me was someone I recognized from school. Xe had dark hair, hazel eyes and pale skin, and was about a year or two older than Sally Face and I. Xe looked at me with fury glinting in xeir eyes. Xe probably isn't used to being rejected, since xe's part of the 'popular group.'

"Not to mention you were catcalling them, so clearly they can pull you, asshole," my boyfriend added.

"This doesn't involve you," xe took a step closer.

"Actually, it does. I'm here with him for a reason."

"You know what? You don't even deserve my attention anymore. Good luck finding someone once he gets tired of your bullshit," the kid finally stormed off in the opposite direction, leaving Sal and me to snicker by ourselves. As soon as xe left, I bust out laughing so hard I nearly doubled over and Sal couldn't help joining me.

"Whew... Sorry your surprise got ruined, but this place is pretty freaking cool," I said after our laughter died down.

"Nah, it's cool. Didn't that person come to school with Ash right before break, though?" Sal was adjusting his mask so it wouldn't fall.

"Now that you mention it, yeah. What's xeir name again?"

"Dunno, but it's probably something like Giga-Chad if xe was walking to school with Ash," Sal snickered, and our laughter started up all over again.

After what felt like an eternity of leaning on each other for support and trying not to wheeze so hard our lungs collapsed, we began wandering around the enormous library. I knew this place was supposed to be cool, but this was way better than anything describable. The marble floors and cavernous rooms were only the start. Hand-painted cherubs and scenes of heaven covered every wall and ceiling completely. There were still a ton of rooms to explore, but my feet had been hurting for quite a while and I kinda needed a break.

"Sorry to kill the vibe, but I'm not exactly wearing the most conventional shoes, and my feet have been hurting since the second floor of Erebus," I said after a few more minutes.

"Oh- I didn't really think about that... Sorry I made you wear them," Sal rubbed the back of his neck and scanned my boots.

"No, you're good! There's a bench over here, c'mon," I led the boy to said bench and we sat down together, thigh to thigh.

I quickly untied them and loosened the laces before pulling them off and setting them beside me and leaning on my boyfriend's shoulder and hugging his waist. He rested one hand on my thigh and supported our weight with the other.

"Take off your shoes," I said suddenly.

"What?" he looked at me like I was crazy.

"Take off your shoes," I repeated.

"Uhh okay," he made a face, but pulled off his blue converse and placed them on the floor anyway.

I pulled him up from the bench and got a running start to sliding across the smooth marble floor. The two of us laughed and slid across the room in our socks, pulling the other down whenever we fell. Sal took off his mask to reveal the most genuinely content and contagious smile anyone has ever witnessed. He set it down and kissed my lips passionately while holding onto my waist.

I returned the gesture and held his face in my hands. I let his body bleed into mine for a while before parting for air. But even then, his beautiful bones were still tangled with mine. I looked up as the sound of thunder roared faintly overhead, followed by barely detectable raindrops plinking against the building's roof. The sounds were amplified by the spacious architectural design.

"Wow, it's really coming down," I murmured.

"Yeah. We should probably get going before the roads are flooded," Sal frowned.

"I guess," I sighed. I picked up our shoes and to Sal's confusion, did not make a move to put them on. I walked with him to the nearest exit, where I pulled off my socks, and he followed suit.

"Okay, let's go!" I ran with Sally Face to his car, laughing and shoving. We were only in the rain for a little while, but were entirely drenched by the time we reached his vehicle.

"Leave those here, come on," Sal instructed me, setting his mask on the dashboard.

I obeyed and let him pull me by the hand to the pavement in front of the library that wasn't covered by the building's overhang. Sal held my hand in his out on one side, and held my waist with his other. I rested one hand on his shoulder and kissed his cheek.

"Do you know how to slow dance?" he asked me over the falling rain.

"Not really," I chuckled and shook my head.

"Okay, so you just step over the right with your left... Mhm. Yeah, like that. And do it again while kinda turning around in a big circle. Okay, we have to be in sync, though, otherwise it won't really work," he gave a brief explanation and guided me through it. Once I'd gotten the hang of it, he spun me around and we danced and laughed and kissed for what I wish I could say was forever.

"Your hands are freezing, we should go back. I hope you don't get sick," Sal said after a while, and lifted me up to carry me bridal-style.

"Ack! Don't drop me!" I squeaked and held onto him tightly.

"When have I ever dropped you?" he chuckled and kissed my forehead for what felt like the millionth time today.

"Never. When have you picked me up like this?"

"Never."

"My point exactly," I kissed the tip of my index finger and pressed it to his lips.

He blushed lightly and a moment later set me down to open the driver's door, but held my hand so he could pull me on his lap and hold my thighs. It was my turn to blush now, which I tried to cover with my hands, only for Sal to pull them away with a soft laugh. I groaned.

"Remember what I told you earlier, about how cute you are when you're blushing and-"

"Yes. Please never repeat it."

"Don't hide your face and I won't have to," he smiled, pulling me even closer.

I just blushed even harder, to my own dismay. Thankfully, the car's engine had finally warmed up and Sal turned the heat on, running a hand through his wet hair. He rested his chin on my head and put his hand back on my leg. I relaxed into his chest and traced shapes on his shoulder with my finger until my eyelids became heavy. I blinked a few times, trying to stay awake, but eventually let them flutter closed.

.

.

.

"Hey, wake up, love. I made you breakfast."

"Mm. Go away, I'm sleeping," I turned on my other side.

"Okay, no pancakes for you."

"Yep. Good night."

"I'll bite you again. Harder this time," Sal warned. I didn't have to open my eyes to know he was standing with his arms crossed over his chest.

"Okay! Okay, I'm getting up, gimme a sec," I waved a hand to dismiss him.

"You have one minute to get out of my bed. I'm coming to check if you aren't out here by then."

"Ugh, fine."

"Good boy/girl/other. What do you want on your pancakes?"

"(Insert whatever you want), please," I yawned.

"Okay."

I got up and realized what felt wrong. I was wearing another one of Sal's hoodies and the pair of Nike shorts I had on under my skirt. I tried not to scream, but a muffled squeak managed to escape my lips. I took a few deep breaths and quickly tamed my bed head before walking into Sal's kitchen.

"So uh-"

"Don't worry, I didn't look when I did it," he looked at me and handed me my food and a fork.

"Promise?"

"I promise," he said sincerely.

"Alright. Thank you, Sally Face," I smiled and sat down on his couch. "What time is it?"

"Uhh... Nine-oh-seven," he checked his watch.

"Okay, thanks."

"I told your mom you'd be spending the night, so she wouldn't be worried, just so you know."

I nearly choked on my food, "YOU DID WHAT-"

"I- yeah, that actually sounds way different than what I meant."

"Oh my Lord... Well, I appreciate you looking out for me. You're an amazing cook, by the way."

"Thanks, angel," he smiled at me from the kitchen.

"Wait a minute- don't we have school today?" I looked at him, puzzled.

"Don't worry, I called and said we would both be in at 9:45 for separate appointments."

"Oh thank the gods... And you. Mainly you."

"Heh."

"I'm gonna get ready at my house in a minute, I'll be back," I said, getting up from the couch to throw my paper plate and plastic fork away.

"Alright, I should get ready, too. See ya in a bit."

"See you," I picked up my boots and assumed he had set my clothes on my bed.

Fortunately, he had also left my mini backpack by my shoes, so I had my key. I walked in, and didn't see my mom anywhere, so she was probably at work. I put all my stuff away and took a quick shower, then put on an oversized f/c knitted sweater, a white collar for it, a white pleated skirt, legwarmers that matched the color of my sweater, and white converse. I quickly went on with the rest of my routine, not wanting to keep my boyfriend waiting.

I knocked on his apartment door soon after, with my backpack slung over one shoulder and his hoodie in one hand. He opened the door with quite possibly the most excited smile I've ever seen.

"I was gone for like 25 minutes, you look like we haven't seen each other in months," I laughed and patted his head.

"Feels like it's been months," he sighed dramatically, taking back the borrowed hoodie.

"Ha, alright bubs."

"Heh. Anyway, you ready to go?" he clipped his mask on his face after shoving the black clothing into his backpack.

"Yep!"

He stepped out of his apartment and locked the door behind himself. The two of us held hands the entire walk to the prison of bologna and books. We grabbed late passes from the office and made our way to our lockers with absolutely no rush. Once we had finally gotten all our stuff sorted out, Sally Face and I slowly meandered through the hallways to math class.

"Oh no... Y/n... We're walking too fast... I have a cramp," Sal cried, falling to his knees.

"Oh my, well I guess we'll have to stop here for a while until you feel better, huh?" I played along with a grin.

"I think you're right. I need some emotional support, too. This pain is very traumatic, I think you should cuddle with me," he set his stuff down on the ground and sat with his back leaning against a locker.

"Well, it wouldn't be right to just leave you here," I stifled a giggle and laid my head on his lap while also setting my stuff down.

"Good thing the secretary didn't bother putting a time stamp on our passed," Sal noted, booping my nose.

"Yep," I smiled.

"How's your neck?" Sal asked, turning my head gently to peer down at the bandaid that was no longer blue.

"Better, it hardly bleeds anymore," I said.

"Damn, I hope that doesn't leave a mark for too long."

"Eh, can't do anything about it either way. Anyway, it was a good excuse to buy more cool bandaids," I laughed softly.

"Yeah, I think the uh... The care bear bandaid industry was beginning to shut down," he chuckled. "Mind if I look? I wanna make sure you aren't just saying that it's fine."

"Go ahead."

He gently pulled up one side of the small pink bandage and frowned when he saw the bite marks.

"I think you need to let it breathe for a little while," he pulled the bandaid completely off and flicked it in a nearby bin.

"Okay. We should probably go to class," I sighed. He nodded in agreement and I sat up to gather my books.

We stayed close throughout the entire school day, including when the annoying kid from the library asked if my zombie girlfriend was the one who bit my neck as our friend group was leaving the school. The two of us ignored xem without even sparing a glance. Xe laughed with Ash at xeir side. Once they had passed us, I scoffed loudly.

"...Was it Sal, though? I knew that bandaid wasn't there just because it looks cool!" Larry grinned.

I laughed, "Yeah, but it was only because I wouldn't wake up."

Sal nodded stiffly in agreement, ears a bright pink. Larry elbowed my side playfully and winked down at me. I elbowed him back and did my best to ignore the heat rising to my cheeks. When we had finally reached the complex, Sal tapped my shoulder to get my attention. But when I turned to look at him, he stepped behind me and to the other side.

"Hey-" I was stopped mid-sentence by his tongue on my neck.

"What was that for?!" I squeaked.

"You were bleeding a bit," he said simply, wiping a burgundy smudge from his lip before pulling his prosthetic back into place.

"Telling me works just fine," I reasoned, my face impossibly red.

"yeah, but it's not as fun," Sally Face grinned and shoved his hands in his jean pockets.

"Maybe for you!" I looked down at my feet to hide my blushing face.

"Did you say something?" Larry asked, removing an earbud and looking back at me.

"Uh- no, nothing," I stuttered. Nice going, Y/n. Very smooth.