carpe noctem// rick and morty

theres always a first for everything

summer smith considered herself a very "average" student, her social standing high enough to not be ignored, but not high enough to get a free pass on anything really.

she had assumed that to be the case for any student that was starting at her school, so imagine her surprise when a new student showed up, not only wearing (gasp!) clothes that weren't a plain tee and skinny jeans but also having untraditional hair colour (underneath half bleached blonde, it had been around fall when aster was scripting for that reality so you can't really blame her) on a monday morning.

she even had makeup on!.... not to say that all the other girls didn't. one could describe the new girl as being a "hippy", and while the term was mostly used by teenagers with fragile egos as an insult, there was no doubt there was something about this girl that really drew you in.

it could be seen in how every student approached her, each with their own hidden intentions no doubt. she carried herself with enough kindness so as to not be criticized, while also maintaining a cold and calculated demeanour that intimidated those with impure intentions.

summer could immediately tell this girl had learnt to navigate society far better than anyone else here, and she didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing, she didn't care much to learn though.

summer smith had only one thought, and it was that whoever sided with her, would definitely win on this battlefield called high school.

___________

aster had not expected such an enthusiastic welcome coming into the establishment, but she received one non the less.

the morning had started off normal enough, she had been tired cause sleep had seemed to escape her the previous night, but she had pulled herself together with a cup of coffee and a took-longer-than-expected makeup look.

her outfit she'd deemed presentable enough: dark green baggy mid-rise cargo pants (low rise is a no-go, as said by her stomach pouch), a fitted cream-coloured tank top that stopped right above her belly-button and a cropped brownish cardigan that was a bit oversized and not all the way buttoned, aster left the top two buttons unfastened, allowing for her tank top to show through (she had pulled to so it was falling off her one shoulder).

she had been packing her bag when the bell rung, and an extremely handsome guy showed up on the security camera. she had been confused but opened the door when the stranger called out her name.

"hey, you ready to go?" said he as aster had been examining his facial features. it took a moment for the fact that he'd been talking to her to process, but soon enough she'd snapped out of whatever trance she'd been under.

"uh... oh uhm, no, not yet. still packing" she'd made an awkward hand motion to her half-packed bag that still lay on the coffee table.

she had wanted to ask who he was, how he knew her and why was her bag-packing (see what i did there?) his problem. those questions would've been answered though, as the guy spoke once again.

"you do remember i will be dropping you off, right? don't tell me all the stress made you have short-term memory loss" he'd chuckled at his own joke, and god had aster been too close to collapsing. there should be a fine, especially for fine people (lol), because aster had been all too sure there would be a rise in deaths if he continued to violate people with his absurdly perfect smile.

she had wanted to get back at him for that, but she knew it wasn't a rational thing to do, so she just collected herself.

"pfft, of COURSE i didn't forget. just let me wrap up here and we can go" she'd turned her back to him as she hurriedly shoved the rest of her books in the bag, zipped it up and threw it over her shoulder.

"you totally forgot"

"no I didn't"

"yes you did"

"...."

the conversation had ended in asters prominent defeat, the duo now falling in silence as she locked up her apartment.

they had gotten to the school on his motorcycle, yet another big shock for aster, and during the ride, she'd managed to dive through her alternate identity's memories for information on the guy: 

firstly, that guy owned and worked in the coffee shop with her, and they knew each other since she came to seattle in june, four months ago. he was a college student, what major he was escaped her, but it wasn't all that important in the moment.

his name was apollo jasper, which was his first name and which was his last aster could not figure out.  he was well known, at least from what he said, so "if anyone gives you any problems, just tell them my name!"

... it was quite sweet to have someone that cared for her, and that guy was a major green flag overall. as she was getting off the motorcycle, he even complimented her.

"hey astie? you look nice today" he'd said in a soft voice, so soft that she might've missed it if she wasn't paying attention.

she smiled, she could see how worried he had been. it gave her courage in a way because she knew that she had at least one person backing her.

"thanks, jas, ill see you later" she gave him a half hug and entered the school.

the day had started, and she had gained a valuable friend.