More Than Us

Springtrap pulled his jacket closer to his body, keeping his head down as he walked. The leaves crunched under his paws, only reminding him that winter was coming, and that if he didn’t satisfy his partner enough, he’d be thrown out into the thick of it to freeze to death. Springtrap didn’t want to think about it. He had too many things to worry about already. Getting his diploma, getting good grades, and trying to stay as much of a ghost at school as possible, just to name a few. Because Springtrap didn’t want to be seen; And he definitely didn’t want to be heard. He wanted people to forget about his existence, because that’s how he’s gotten by so far. Being so quiet at school that everybody just forgets that he’s there. It allowed him to sneak away from conversations without being dragged back in; And it proved useful when he didn’t have friends to hold him up from getting back home to Phantom Freddy… because when he was late, the bear got angry.

Springtrap walked past the school gates in silence, hoping to not be seen by anyone who had stopped by the entrance to talk with their friend groups. Because when he was, he often got roped into talking with them and acting like he was their friend. It was his personal struggle, being on good terms with literally everybody at school; Being “close” to the popular kids, but also deemed “cool” with the rest of the crowd. At times Springtrap wished he could simply disappear when he didn’t want to talk to someone. Because friendships, in his eyes… well, they brought nothing but problems for him back ‘home’ with Phantom Freddy. The man was always paranoid of him sneaking off to sleep with other men… like Springtrap wanted to be sexually active in the first place. He only did any of this for the hope; even the chance at a better future… because that’s the only thing his family had been able to cling to during their hardest of times. The Hope for a better tomorrow.

“Hey, you!”

Springtrap tensed. He glanced in the direction of the voice, his heart beating a little quicker. A bear with golden fur was looking at him and gesturing for him to come over. Springtrap had half the mind to just keep walking, but he bit the bullet and walked over to the bear and his small group of what Springtrap was assuming were his friends.

“Hey there! Couldn’t help but notice these past couple of days that you’re always alone. Thought you might be due for some company,” The boy smiled at him, ink black eyes focusing completely on him.

“No, I’m fine, really—” Springtrap began, only to be interrupted by another bear standing next to the first.

“Aw, come on, man! You can’t always be alone, can you? We never see you with anybody!” The brown bear spoke with a tone that sounded… almost genuine. But Springtrap didn’t want to trust it.

“Oh, I… I like being alone. I have a lot of things to do that require concentration, and…” Springtrap trailed off as he tried to think of an excuse to make the group leave him alone.

“Why don’t one of us help you? Working as a team always makes things go by faster… plus it’s fun to work with a friend!” The brown bear said, smiling at Springtrap in hopes of convincing him to stick around.

“I…” Springtrap hesitated, “I can’t—”

“Why not?” The golden bear asked, cocking his head to the side slightly.

“I have a strict schedule, and I have to be home at a very specific time, and—” Springtrap didn’t want to tell them exactly why he couldn’t spend time with them.

The two chuckled. “Oh, strict parents, huh?” The brown one spoke up, his expression one that Springtrap could read was under the verdict of ‘Oh, I understand’.

Springtrap saw his opportunity to lie his way out of telling the truth, and he nodded his head quickly with a nervous chuckle. “Yeah… my Dad and Mom are really strict about being home before 3:30.” Springtrap was lying through his teeth, but he knew that telling this white lie would be better than the two knowing the truth of his home life.

“How about we help you during lunch, then?” The golden bear offered, giving Springtrap a friendly smile.

Fuck. Springtrap knew if he refused, these two would think of him as rude. He didn’t want to be on bad terms with anybody; Especially not now that he was so close to graduating. He didn’t want to end his school years on a bad note. So, biting back his disgruntlement, Springtrap nodded slowly with a forced smile. “Okay.” He responded, holding back his mental curses for having to interact with someone. “Uh… meet me in the old music room. Nobody goes there anymore, since they plan on renovating it over the summer.”

The golden bear smiled at Springtrap’s words. “We’ll be there.” He shuffled awkwardly for a moment before something popped into his mind. “Oh! I’m Golden Freddy, by the way. You can just call me Goldie.” He offered out his hand, trying to be formal.

“Oh, yeah!” The brown bear realized he hadn’t given his name either. “I’m Freddy. Goldie is my brother.”

Springtrap hesitantly shook Golden Freddy’s hand. “Springtrap.” He paused for a moment as he looked up into Goldie’s eyes before looking away a moment later. “..Nice to meet you two.”

“It was nice to meet you!” Goldie beamed as Springtrap pulled away. “We’ll see you at Lunch.”

Springtrap faked a smile again. “I’ll see you there,” He stated, his voice quiet. “Bye..”

Freddy and his brother waved as Springtrap began to walk away, smiling to each other as they thought they had managed to make a new friend in the green bunny. While in Springtrap’s mind… He had found his next two people to avoid.

Springtrap was carrying his lunch tray to the music room, a large bag draped over his shoulders. Inside it, he had his half-filled sketchbook, a pencil case filled with various supplies, his notebooks, and the couple textbooks he was supposed to be studying for his homework and upcoming exams due the next week. Springtrap could already hear the two bears from this morning as he neared the abandoned room; Which only made him dread eating in there more. He didn’t feel like talking to anybody, but he knew those two brothers were going to try and chat him up as soon as he walked through the door. So, despite his wish to just eat somewhere else, Springtrap took a breath and walked into the old classroom. The place was almost completely bare; Aside from one kidney-shaped table with a few chairs to the left side of the room. Springtrap put on a fake, friendly smile as the two waved at him from their seats. “Hey,” He began, sitting down in the one free chair that sat in the dip of the kidney table. “How have your days been going?” He asked, setting down his lunch tray.

“Mine’s been going great!” Goldie said, smiling over his container of chicken Alfredo.

Freddy nodded in agreement with his brother, “My day’s been fine.” He commented, taking a bite of his food.

“How has your day been, Springtrap?” Goldie asked, looking up from his food.

“Oh… uh, it’s been going okay.” Springtrap replied, opening his small carton of milk.

“What classes did you have so far today?” Freddy asked once he finished chewing.

“The usual. Science, History, Math… My favorite was Art.” Springtrap was answering in as short of sentences as he could think of; Trying to avoid talking too much. “I was given an Art project I have to finish by Friday.”

“Oh, so you’re an artist?” Goldie asked, taking a bite of food afterwards.

“Oh, I love art, but I’m not very good at it.” Springtrap chuckled nervously at the question. He was an artist; But what he drew often garnered concern from anyone who had seen it.

“What’s the project about? I know it’s about Art, but, like, what’s the medium you’re supposed to be using?” Freddy questioned, looking at Springtrap with a look that said that he wanted to help.

“The project is meant to be a charcoal portrait of someone I admire. But I don’t really have anyone that I admire…” Springtrap explained, playing with his fork slightly as he looked down, away from the brothers’ eyes.

“Really? You don’t admire your parents or family?” Goldie asked, his tone one that sounded almost like concern.

“Oh, I—” Springtrap scrambled to give a plausible excuse. “My parents.. often aren’t home, and I’m not very close with them anyways. I do admire their hard work to provide for me, but, I thought the project would call for a portrait of someone other than the class’ parents.” Springtrap’s heart was pounding, hoping that the two wouldn’t be able to tell that he was lying.

“Oh, I suppose you’re right. The teacher probably would want a drawing of someone other than your parents.” Goldie nodded, seemingly in understanding. But he did still have a look of slight concern on his face.

Springtrap decided to change the subject. “Have you two joined any clubs this year?” He asked, finally beginning to eat after the scare he had just had.

“I haven’t joined any clubs personally, but Freddy’s part of the culinary club. He cooks some pretty good food.” Goldie replied, smiling at his brother as he continued eating.

“Oh, stop it. I’m not that good of a cook. I learned everything I know from Mom anyways.” Freddy finally said through a mouthful of pasta. “You should be thanking her for my skills.”

Goldie shook his head in amusement before looking back at Springtrap. “What about you, Springy? Have you joined a club yet?” He asked, his smile warm.

“Oh… No, I haven’t found the time… besides, I don’t think my family would let me attend any Club activities… They really don’t like me being out past 3:30…” Springtrap sighed softly, knowing that it wasn’t necessarily a lie that he couldn’t attend any club activities. But the reason behind it was.

“Wow, your parents must be really strict.” Goldie commented, taking a drink from his soda can. “Why don’t they trust you? You seem really responsible to me,” He then asked.

“Afraid that I’ll be kidnapped, maybe? I honestly don’t know for sure why.” Springtrap shook his head gently before taking another bite of the lukewarm pizza he had been given from the cafeteria.

“Some parents are just like that,” Freddy shrugged, not seeing anything unusual about the concept of strict parents not allowing their child to be out past a certain time. “There’s nothing odd about that.”

Springtrap remained silent, eating his food rather quickly. He needed to get back to work on his project, get it done early so he didn’t have to worry about scrambling to finish it later in the week.

“Hey, Springy, can I get your phone number? That way you can reach me if you need anything.” Goldie suggested, his smile sincere as he made his offer.

Springtrap looked up, hesitating for a long few moments. If Phantom Freddy found Goldie’s phone number in his contacts, he’d absolutely get mad at him. But even so… the promise of help if he needed it sounded appealing. He took in a shallow breath, then nodded slowly as he took out his phone; The same one that he had had since he was 14. He read aloud his number, old and unchanged from years of use, before the bell rang to announce that their lunch period was over. Springtrap quickly drank the rest of his milk as Freddy picked up his garbage and Goldie typed in Springtrap’s information into his phone so he could save him as a contact; Not wanting to be late for his afternoon classes.

As all of them were leaving, Goldie nudged Springtrap’s arm. “Sorry that we didn’t get to helping you with anything. But it was nice talking to you.” He said, smiling at him as Freddy walked off in another direction to get to his next class.

Springtrap smiled apprehensively. “Yeah… nice talking to you too.” He replied, his voice soft. “I’ll see you around,” He said, since Goldie’s friendly attitude had begun to soften his hard, defensive exterior. Maybe he really could make some friends here…