// TW for mentions of eating. There's nothing overly triggering in this fic but I'll tag anything just in case.
————————————————————————
Oh, wait, Robin? I think you're very pretty too. 9 simple words reverberated around Robin's head as she made her way to the bathrooms where she hung out at lunch.
"Hey Robin!"
Robin turned around aimlessly, searching for the voice. She felt a hand on her shoulder, and she knew who it was. Vickie.
"Oh, uh, hey Vic- sorry, Vickie!" Robin stammered out, blushing.
"Vic is fine, sorry if I scared you." Replied Vickie with a comforting smile.
"No, I'm just jumpy!"
"So I was kind of wondering if I could sit with you at lunch because I like, don't know anybody and it's a bit scary sitting on my own?"
"Yeah, of course!"
Robin didn't mind the change in plans. She would much rather spend lunch with anyone, even the new girl she had humiliated herself in front of earlier. As the two strolled down to the lunch area, Robin tried to get to know her.
"So, uh, what kinda things are you into Vickie?" Asked Robin, attempting to break the silence.
"Not much, I just kind of listen to a lot of music and bake. Like, a lot." Laughed Vickie. "I play the clarinet too." She added.
"You play the clarinet?" Robin repeated, intrigued.
"Yeah, I have been since I was 8."
"Well, uh, there's a band here, in the school, and there's auditions next week? They're always on the second week after summer break. Maybe you should try out? They only accept grade 6 in an instrument or above in senior year though."
"Yeah, that sounds cool! I used to play with my middle school's band!" Vickie smiled before continuing. "I wasn't very good though, so I quit. I might try out."
Robin panicked, realising she might actually be able to make another friend, and one who shared one of her biggest passions- playing music.
"Uh, well, I'm not forcing you, of course, I just, uh, kind of thought it would be nice. You don't have to, I won't be angry or somethi-"
Vickie cut across Robin. "Robin, I'd love to try out, you aren't forcing me."
The two smiled at each other as Robin pushed open the door to the cafeteria. Robin scanned the room for Steve before spotting him in the corner. He was surrounded by all his friends who were infinitely more popular than her, with his arm around Nancy Wheeler. She knew Jonathan would have something to say about that if he saw it. She didn't begrudge Steve his popularity, she chose to stay away when they were in school. It was easier that way. Steve had been popular well before she had met him, she wasn't going to ruin his reputation.
"Should we sit here?" Vickie motioned towards an empty table to the girls' right.
"Sure." Agreed Robin.
The two sat down opposite each other. Robin took the opportunity to study Vickie as she dug around her lunchbag. Her shock of bright red hair made a stark contrast to the white of her t-shirt, her blue eyes were hidden by her brow, furrowed with concentration. Robin hadn't brought a lunch, as she usually claimed a bathroom stall and listened to music whilst reading. Perks of having exactly 4 friends where 2 of them are incredibly popular, 1 dropped out before senior year, and 1 lives thousands of miles across the country. Vickie finally emerged, holding an apple.
"So, how are you finding it?" Enquired Robin.
"Oh, you know, very new. It's a lot nicer than my old school though." Vickie said, biting into her apple.
"That's good." Robin replied with a nod.
"Do you play an instrument? I just figured you did because you were talking about band tryouts."
"Uh, yeah, I play trumpet. I've played it for like 14 years."
Vickie laughed, amazed. "God, you must be good at it!"
"Oh, well, you know." Shrugged Robin modestly.
"You should play it for me some time."
Robin felt her cheeks heat up, cursing herself inwardly.
Vickie chewed before asking, "So what kind of things are you into?"
Girls, Robin thought to herself.
"Uh, I just like, you know, read, and like, listen to music." Answered Robin.
"What kind of music?"
"Basic kind of shit you know? Taylor Swift and stuff."
"You listen to Taylor Swift? She's literally my favourite singer like, ever."
Robin smiled, wider than a child on Christmas morning. "I fucking love that woman."
Vickie paused to take a bite of her sandwich. "So, what's your favourite album?
"Has to be rep. Not that I can relate to any of it." Robin laughed wryly, before continuing "How about you?"
"Evermore, without a doubt. It's pure poetry."
"I've never met someone who's actually into Taylor Swift, li-
"Outing me are we, Robin?" Vickie smirked, jokingly.
"No, no, sorry I didn't meant it that way." Robin blushed, annoyed at her own choice of words.
"Don't worry, I knew what you meant."
Vickie's expression clouded over. "You haven't eaten anything yet, are you ok?"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine, I just kinda hang out in the bathrooms at lunch. I just skip eating, it's easier."
"So you came here just for me?" Vickie said with a wink.
"Well, uh, yeah, actually."
"I'm onto you, Buckley." Vickie said with mock seriousness. "First you call me pretty, then accuse me of being into Taylor Swift, and now you change your plans just for me? What's next, marriage and a house in the suburbs?"
Robin blushed, a deep, fiery red. "Uh, I don't really like, uh, you know, take well to social cues and like, I kind of just say shit without a filter and I'm sorry, and you know, I'm not like, gay, or into you and I'm sorry if I, uh, seem that way. I usually kinda save this speech for like a few weeks after I meet someone when it, uh, gets too obvious to ignore, and I like, have to tell people, so yeah, I struggle badly with tone and social cues and just anything to do with people and shit and like usually this happens once I become closer with somebody but I've realised that I'm just lying to you and myself if I wait for us to become close - not that I think we will be - and then you actually learn who I am and you leave and the cycle repeats and then eventually I'm all alone and I have no one left and I'm worthless and nobody needs me or wants me and-
Robin stopped, breathless, seeing Vickie's horrified expression.
"I'm sorry." Whispered Robin, tears forming as she realised she had dug herself into a deep, deep, hole.
Robin jumped up from her seat and walked out. She walked straight into the bathroom and slammed the door of the stall. Sobbing, she held her head in her hands as she sank to the bathroom stalls' floor. Stupid, stupid, stupid, repeated Robin to herself. She sat there, tears pouring down her cheeks, the burning of the tears on her skin matching the burning in her chest. Yet again, she had fucked up her chances of meeting someone, making a friend, all because of the one thing she had never managed to control. The one thing that had stood against her for as long as she could remember. Her stupid fucking mouth.
YOU ARE READING
So I Showed Up At Your Party
Fanfiction- THIS IS A PRESENT DAY HIGH SCHOOL AU, MAIN CHARACTERS ARE 17/18 YEARS OLD Robin Buckley has always wanted to find "the one", but finding the girl of your dreams is difficult in Hawkins, Indiana. She's resigned herself to ending up alone and shari...
