i hate it here

Chapter 3 - Gay Disasters All Around

When River and Liam left spanish, the former texted Saturn to meet them near the exit of the cafeteria. As she texted her, she realized that Liam looked anxious, which is weird since they have this chill vibe. Then again they've known him for all of one and a half hours.

"Hey, how you doin'? You look about 5 seconds from combusting" She said it sarcastically but made sure to add some assurance to her tone.

"Great!" He said, his voice rising a few octaves.

"Yeah, ok dude. If you don't wanna talk about it that's cool" River says.

"I'm... fine" Liam sighs like there's more he wants to say.

"But?" She's trying to getd him to speak his mind.

"I guess I'm nervous? I don't know. Like about meeting new people. I'm kinda awkward." He resigns.

"Okay, I get it. Usually, I just close myself off with new people but I'm only friends with a selected few and lucky for you, you're on your way to becoming one" she says as she playfully shoves his shoulder.

"Was...was that an owl house reference?" He says a bit confused.

"Uhhh, I mean I wasn't trying to make one" She goes over her little speech in her head "Ohhh when I said ' I'm only friends with a selected few'" They say.

"'Keep annoying me though, I'm happy to select fewer' Amity Blight, gay panic icon" He points out.

"There is like no one at this school who watches the owl house or anything I've watched in general. The closest thing I've gotten to is Jane the Virgin and that's only because there's queer rep in that show." She says, completely astonished.

"Oh yeah, I've watched all the queer classics, you name them. Korra, Avatar, Shera, Amp-" Liam says before he gets cut off.

"I'm sorry. This whole time you've watched all these gay ass shows, especially shera, and not once did you make a reference." A shocked River says.

"Well yeah...?" Liam kind of replies and asks

"I- Don't even speak to me" River puts a hand in his face as she walks to the cafeteria doors while Liam laughs and catches up to them.

When they've both calmed down a bit River asks "So how's that anxiety feeling?"

"Y'know I actually feel a lot better. How'd you do that?"

"It's a gift" River replies. "Oh and a quick heads up, cause I'm nice like that, she's in that little corner over there," they say as they point.

Liam looks over and gets this look on his face that can only be described as starstruck.

"Yeah, she's a piece of art like that. Always with the outfit and the makeup and this and that." She says waving her hand around to develop her point.

As they walk up to Saturn, she says without looking up "Took you long enough, I thought I was gonna have to...Hi" words die in xier throat as they look up and meet Liam's eyes.

"Uh, hi" He replies with a sort of half-wave.

"Hi..." There both of them are repeating themselves while River just watches them like a tennis match.

"Hey babes. Come with me to the bathroom real quick?" River says, tugging her arm, trying to save xem from xeir own embarrassment.

"Yea, sure thing" She gets up but never pulls away from Liam's gaze.

"Great" River says sarcastically pulling them towards the bathroom.

Xey takes a few steps backwards and when she trips over herself, Saturn finally turns around and follows River.