Edge of Seventeen, That 70's Show (HydexOC)

twelve.

Ree weaved through the halls of Point Place High with determination a few days later. keeping an eye out for her ex-boyfriend's wavy, blonde hair amongst the crowd. Chewing on her bottom lip, Ree hoped that her plan worked. If not, she'd have to quit the paper and find a new extra curricular to fill its place. She couldn't afford a gap on her college applications.

Ree finally spotted Chris' tall frame leaning over the water fountain, taking a drink. She quickly made her way over to him, leaning against the wall beside him and waiting for him to finish. She had to remember that she was supposed to be feeling remorseful, so she slumped her shoulders and furrowed her eyebrows in a way she hoped made her look apologetic.

Chris stood up quickly once he realized Ree was standing beside him. His eyebrows furrowed in confusion at the sight of his ex-girlfriend waiting to talk with him. "What's up, Ree?"

Ree sighed, pushing down her anger and resentment towards him. "I was wondering if we could talk for a minute," she said, a tight smile on her lips.

Chris nodded, quickly. "Yeah, sure, of course."

Ree motioned for him to follow her and began leading him down the hallway to a green door on their right, its sign reading 'Janitor's Closet'. The ex-couple swiftly entered the closet, shutting the door quickly behind them. Ree pulled the string that hung from the ceiling, engulfing the stuffy closet in a dim, yellow light. Finally away from their peers' prying eyes, Ree let out a sigh of relief. Just as Ree went to speak, Chris began to lean in closer to her, parting his lips and closing his eyes.

Eyes wide, Ree slapped Chris' chest as he got closer. He yelped, eyes flying open and jaw dropping. "What the Hell, Ree?"

"What do you mean 'What the Hell?' I'm the one that should be saying 'What the Hell'!" Ree exclaimed, shoving him back again for good measure. "Were you trying to kiss me?" She hissed.

"Well, yeah," Chris snapped. "Why else would you drag me in here?"

"To talk, you idiot," groaned Ree. "That's why I said, and I quote, 'I was wondering if we could talk for a minute.'"

"Well, with you, 'talking' doesn't always mean talking, if I'm remembering right," he said with a smirk.

Ree slapped his chest again, eliciting another yelp of pain.

"Look, I just wanted to talk to you so that I could . ." she trailed off, trying to come up with the nerve to actually say the words. Words that she didn't actually mean. She sighed, rolled her eyes, and just blurted it out, "so that I could apologize. I'm really sorry that I broke up with you in front of everyone," she began. "Even though you deserved it," she grumbled beneath her breath, before continuing at full volume once more. "And I'm sorry that I made fun of your hair and called you stupid," she added, this time forcing down a snicker.

"Uh," Chris looked caught off guard, his eyebrows furrowed and his eyes crinkled in confusion. "Thanks?" There was a beat of silence between them. "What do you need, Ree?"

Ree pretended to be shocked, replying in an over-the-top tone of voice, "What are you talking about? Why would I need anything?"

"Because I know you. You're forgetting that we dated for almost a year."

Ree sent him a blank look, "Which you threw away for Pam Macy."

He nodded, but began to plea, "You're right, and that was so, so messed up. But, listen, I regret that day so much, Valerie."

Ree shook her head, "Don't call me Valerie," she snapped. "And I doubt it, considering you were trying to cheat on your current girlfriend not two minutes ago." Ree rolled her eyes and let out a tired sigh. "Look, I'm just here to ask if you would consider telling Everley to back off. She's ruining everything that I've worked towards. I don't even care that she's dating you; I care about being Valedictorian and I can't do that with Everley ruining my chances."