Vile Attraction (Floyd Leech/Yuu, Jade Leech/Yuu)

11 ~ Under the Influence

"Lil' Shrimpy!"

Ace and Yuu both flinched. Yuu turned to Floyd and plastered on a smile. "Oh, hey, Floyd! What is it?"

"You forgot your water bottle," he replied, handing over the bottle with a grin. He seemed to be in a more pleasant mood than usual, for whatever reason. "I don't really wanna go to class. Wanna hang out, Shrimpy? You can come too if ya want, Crabby."

Ace's eyes widened. Floyd was definitely in a more pleasant mood than usual. "Uh, I think I'll pass."

"Me too," Yuu said with an apologetic smile. "Sorry, we have a test next period. I'll find you after class though, okay?"

Floyd briefly pouted, though the assurance of seeing his Little Shrimpy later was enough to bring a smile back on his face. "Okay!" He gave Yuu a quick peck on her lips. "See ya later, Lil' Shrimpy!"

A few moments after he left, Yuu let down her smiling mask, and her expression was replaced with one of apprehension and slight disgust. "Even when he kisses me I don't like it..."

"Break up with him, then."

She stared at the water bottle in her hands. "I might have to if this keeps up..." She let out a sigh. "But for now, we should get to class."

"Where did you two go?" Deuce asked as they arrived at the classroom, holding the door open for them. They had been waiting outside of the classroom for Yuu and Ace to return from wherever they had gone.

Ace looked to Yuu to see how she would answer. "Nowhere particular. You guys feeling ready for this test?"

"I think so!" Deuce answered confidently. "Housewarden Rosehearts helped me with some of the stuff I was having trouble with and I think I understand it now!"

The four of them took their seats and the test began. Ace peeked past Deuce to Grim's paper, who was peeking at Yuu's paper and trying to copy her answers. Even though Deuce was confident in his abilities on this test, Ace wasn't going to take the risk of trying to cheat off of his test. Yuu was the safer option, plus she didn't care if they copied her, as long as they didn't get caught.

Partway through the test, Yuu took a sip from her water bottle. A brief thought of Floyd crossed her mind a few moments later and she paused, realizing the thought was once again filled with her usual love for him. She pushed the thought aside, wanting to focus on the test, though she couldn't help the grin spreading on her face at the thought of finding him after classes.

Finally, the test ended without hitch and the group exited the room. "I'm gonna go find Floyd now," Yuu said, pulling out her phone to text him.

Ace raised an eyebrow, lowering his voice so Deuce and Grim couldn't overhear. "You sure you want to? You can always come up with an excuse if you don't wanna see him."

"I think I like him again..." she admitted, bashfully covering her face.

"Really? That quickly?"

Yuu felt her cheeks flush embarrassedly. "I told you it was super weird and random!"

He let out a laugh. "Alright, then. Have fun, I guess!"

She waved goodbye one last time before leaving and Ace, Deuce, and Grim begin making their way to Heartslabyul. Ace kept an eye out for Cater as they walked, wanting to tell him about his new discovery as soon as he could.

Cater was easy to find as he was painting the roses at the entrance. "Hey, it's Adeuce and Grimmy! No Yuu today?"

"She's with Floyd," Ace answered. "Can we talk?"

Deuce tilted his head curiously. "What do you need to talk to Cater about?"

"Sure we can!" Cater responded with a grin, holding out his paintbrush. "You guys can help me paint the roses if you wanna stick around."

"MYAH! No thanks!" Grim screeched, punching Deuce's leg with his paw. "C'mon, Deuce, let's go before anyone else tries to make us do anything!"

Ace waved his hand dismissively. "I'll join you guys in a bit, 'kay?"

Once it appeared the two were alone, Cater's gaze returned to Ace. "Something finally happen?" His tone was teasing, but he was genuinely curious.

Glancing around one last time, Ace wanted to double-check that no one was near before he started talking. After determining they were alone, he told Cater everything that Yuu had told him about what she was feeling.

"Hm," Cater hummed as he tapped his phone to his chin in thought, mulling over Ace's words in his mind.

"—And after our test, she was back to liking him! That's weird enough for you to help me, right? Something's definitely going on!" Ace finished his ramble, taking a deep breath at the end.

"And she's 100% sure she's not just getting cold feet about dating him?" Cater asked.

Ace nodded. "That's what she said."

Cater let out another hum as he twirled a strand of hair around his finger in thought. "Yeah, no, that definitely isn't normal," Cater conceded.

"That's what I've been saying! So, you'll help me? You have more connections and stuff than me so you can get more information and stuff!"

The older boy let out a chuckle. "I dunno how much of a help I'll be, but I'll definitely keep an eye out!" He stared at the freshly painted rose bush next to them. "But you're saying he's been normal during Basketball Club, right?"

"Whatever his version of normal is, yeah."

Cater let out a thoughtful hum. "Hm... I might have an idea, but it's kind of a stretch, tbh..."

"Let's hear it anyway," Ace responded.

"...Doesn't it seem like she's under the influence of something?"

Ace blinked. "Drugs?"

"No, no, I mean... like a spell or a potion or something," Cater chuckled. "But before you're all like 'OMG! Floyd's intoxicating her!' or whatever, that's not what I'm saying! All I'm saying is that's what it sounds like, and we don't have any proof that confirms anything."

At the explanation, Ace's eyes widened. "But... that makes complete sense! That's definitely what's going on!"

"This is why I didn't wanna tell you, Acey," Cater sighed resignedly. "You're jumping to conclusions..."

Ace shook his head quickly. "Now I know what to keep an eye out for when I'm watching him! This is why I needed your help!" He brought a hand to his chin, thinking deeply.

"I thought that much was obvious..." the older boy mused quietly, though a smile appeared on his face at the enthusiasm of his underclassman. "Anyway, if that's all, you should prolly head back to Grimmy and Deucey before they start looking for you, hm?"

"Yeah," Ace responded distractedly, multitudes of new thoughts and ideas coursing through his mind. "Thanks for your help, Cater..."