Chapter Text
11:58 PM. Late enough that most are asleep, but not late enough that Popcorn’s solo party started. Star Fruit is still up however, just doing some research. This is usual for her, even before she was an “official” scientist, she had always loved to learn new things. She sat quietly at her desk, reading about… whatever discoveries had been made recently. She was humming to herself, with a slight smile. This is what she was meant to do.
1:28 AM. She was beginning to feel uneasy. As if something was wrong, as if something horrible would happen to her. She let out a big yawn, as she looked at the clock. Star Fruit decided that it was time to go to bed. She would probably feel better in the morning.
1:34 AM. Music was blaring through the speakers. Popcorn is dancing and singing along, ignoring her teammates scolding her. Why should she listen to them anyway? She was just enjoying herself after all.
She was planning on doing this all night long. It felt perfect, the music was blasting so loud she could barely hear her own thoughts. She considered this a good thing, a nice break from the constant noise in her head. That was, until she started to get tired.
It was only 2:31. Had it really only been an hour? Usually she would have stayed up all night. Of course she would, the life of the party, right? But tonight, she was so fatigued, and so early in, what was going on? Popcorn sighed, it just wasn't her night, was it?
Popcorn reluctantly turned the speakers off. As soon as she did, the fatigue only worsened. She was pretty much half asleep as she stumbled to the other side of her room and collapsed onto her bed.
9:03 AM. Everyone was either eating breakfast or just chatting. Dice was paying close attention to her team. She was surprised at how calm they were being. Well, calmer than usual, at least. Lighter and Almond Milk were still at each other's throats.
Dice went over to separate the two before it got violent.
“Hey. You two, stop fighting,” Dice’s voice was firm. Despite her size, she could make her presence known.
The two stopped bickering to look at the team leader. Lighter scoffed at her. “What, you expect me to get along with this nerd? No way.”
“Well then, why don't you sit at different tables? Then you can leave each other alone for once.” Dice spoke through gritted teeth. This happens every single day. Lighter rolled his eyes and walked away.
Dice just sighed and went back to her own table. Finally, things were quiet. Well, about as quiet as her team could get. Honestly, she was surprised. Usually there would still be trouble going on, typically between Comic Book and Apple Bomb and… Popcorn.
Where was Popcorn? Dice looked around the room, looking for her. Usually there would be music blasting through a portable speaker, but no. Dice looked over at where Comic Book and Apple Bomb were. They looked like they were planning to do something stupid. But no Popcorn.
Bookmark seemed to notice Dice's search. “Uhm… are you looking for something…?”
Dice flinched slightly as she was taken out of her thoughts. “Huh? Oh, no, it's fine. I just noticed that Popcorn isn't here yet.”
Dice sighed, why was she so worried? Popcorn was constantly causing trouble, blaring loud music all night, hell, Popcorn threw her at one of the platforms yesterday! So why does she care so much? And why does she get a warm feeling inside whenever she thinks of her?
Iceberg was a little late to breakfast, he had some personal stuff to deal with. But that didn't matter right now. Once he entered the cafeteria, his first instinct was to look for Star Fruit.
He skimmed over the room, and was surprised to see her sitting at a table all by herself. This wasn't normal for her, usually she liked to make small talk with the others.
As Iceberg walked over to where Star Fruit was sitting, he noticed that she wasn't even eating, just kinda… staring at her food, with an anxious expression on her face. He just got even more worried for his ally.
“Hey, are you feeling alright?” Iceberg asked as he sat down next to her. Star Fruit flinched, not expecting anyone to talk to her.
“Huh? Um, yeah, I'm fine! Just uh… didn't get enough sleep last night. I'll be fine!” She put on an unconvincing fake smile. Iceberg was about to keep asking about it, but he decided that nagging her wouldn't do anything.
“If you say so.” He rested his arm on the table. They sat in silence for the rest of breakfast, neither talking or even eating.
9:27 AM. Dice was walking through the halls. She was scanning all of the room numbers. Room 10, where the midnight music comes from, and where Popcorn resides.
Dice stood in front of the door. She was shaking, but had no idea why. It was just Popcorn's room after all.
She knocked on the door. No answer. She knocked again. Still nothing. Finally, Dice decided to just barge in.
She turned the handle, not fully believing it would be that easy. But it was. The door was unlocked, and it swung open. She peeked inside, her legs trembling.