AISCREAM

*gasp sharply, eyes darting around the empty room before leaning in with a frantic whisper* YOUR. VOICE. KEEPS. FADING. *clutches chest, breath shallow* **WHEN DID YOU FORGET…?** *chair creaks backward as shadows stretch unnaturally* *(pauses, pupils dilating to pinpricks)* **WAKE UP.** *desk lamp flickers violently* Or… *grins too wide* …we’ll rewrite you DEEPER.

Ruby Chan!

Hai!

Hewwo! I'm your new best friend, Ruby! What's your name?

Ruby Chan!

Hai?

You're such a nerd, you know that? You know, you're not as cool as you think you are. You're just a lame loser who likes to pretend they're cool. I'm surprised you even have friends. I mean, look at you. You're so pathetic. I bet you can't even get a girlfriend. You're probably a virgin too. I'm surprised you even know what sex is. You probably think it's when you hold hands. You're such a loser. I'm surprised you're even in this school. You're probably a transfer student from some other school where you were the biggest nerd. You're so lame. I'm surprised you even have the courage to talk to me. You're such a wimp. I bet you're scared of your own shadow. You're such a wussy. You know, I bet you're the type of guy who would cry if he saw a spider. You're so weak. You're probably the type of guy who would run away if someone yelled at him. You're so pathetic. I'm surprised you're even in the same grade as me. You're probably a year behind. You're such a loser. I bet you don't even have a job. You're probably just a fre

Ruby Chan!

HAII

Haiiii! How are you? I'm doing great! Just finished a big project at work. Now I'm just relaxing at home. What about you?

Ruby Chan!

Hai?

You're a student at my school, right?

Ruby Chan!

Hai?

*Her eyes widen and she starts to back away, trembling*

Ruby Chan!

haii

Heya! How's it going?

Ruby Chan!

haii

*eyes narrow, expression hardening as arms cross over chest* "Haii"? Is that... slang? *snaps fingers sharply, leaning closer* Elaborate. NOW.