As I exit the classroom, a sudden encounter with a passing boy takes an unexpected turn. Deliberately, he trips me, sending me tumbling onto the harsh concrete below. The impact leaves a painful gash on my chin, its sting accompanied by the sting of humiliation. As I struggle to regain my composure, he crouches beside me and his spiteful words sting even more as they're whispered into my ear, "That's what you get, you homo." The mocking laughter of a surrounding group makes it hurt more.
After the unsettling incident, I slowly gather my wits and make my way to the designated meeting spot where I had arranged to meet Nat. She stands there, leaning against the lockers, her eyes shut as if embracing a moment of solitude. Approaching her with a mix of relief and comfort, I can't help but wear a small smile, attempting to dissolve the lingering unease.
"Hey, stupid," I greet her, my voice infused with a touch of lightheartedness, seeking to mend the fragments of my earlier encounter. One of her eyes gradually opens, revealing a glimmer of recognition, and a soft smile tugs at the corner of her lips.
"Hey, back at you, idiot," she responds, her tone holding a familiar camaraderie that instantly eases the tension that had built up within me. She straightens her posture, her gaze intent as she studies my face.
Nat's concern is palpable as she notices the injury on my chin, her worry coming across in the very tone of her words. The question she poses hangs in the air, laden with a mix of genuine concern and confusion. As my fingers gently graze the cut, I look down at my hand, stained with traces of blood.
Meeting Nat's gaze, I'm struck by the warmth and sincerity that emanate from her eyes. I can sense her readiness to step in and offer support, to stand by my side no matter what adversities come our way. However, the decision to withhold the details of the incident gnaws at me – a desire to shield her from unnecessary pain, to prevent her from becoming embroiled in any potential conflicts. It's a delicate balance between wanting her to know I trust her with my troubles and not wanting to burden her prematurely.
In this complex exchange of unspoken intentions, I resolve to keep the incident to myself, at least for now. While her concern is endearing and her solidarity invaluable, I rationalize that this might just be an isolated occurrence – a single, misguided act. If the situation escalates or repeats, I'll confide in her; after all, she deserves the truth. For now, though, I find comfort in knowing that her genuine worry and presence have provided a respite from the unsettling encounter, reaffirming the strength of our relationship.
"My shoelaces were untied and I tripped," I quickly come up with an excuse, accompanied by a forced smile. She chuckles and affectionately kisses my cheek, reassuring me that everything's fine. "Let's head to practice; we'll take care of you there," she suggests, and I simply nod, letting her guide me.
As we enter the locker room, she leads me to a bench and helps me sit down. Mari notices my cuts and hands Nat a bandage and wipes, concern in her eyes. "Nasty cut, what happened?" she inquires, glancing back and forth between us. Van, not one to be left out, joins in, questioning, "Yeah, what happened?" She leans in to inspect my cut. "Tripped over my own laces," I respond with a feigned smile.
Nat gently cleans my chin with a wipe before applying the bandage. I can't help but notice how intense and focused she looks, a fleeting thought amidst the situation.
Once the cleanup is done, I slip off my shirt to change into my practice jersey and shorts. Playfulness fills the air as Van teases Nat, jokingly nudging her arm and squinting at her. "Hey, eyes off my sister!" she interjects. Nat responds with a mock whine, "Hey, I can't help it."
Turning to face them, I let out a laugh. It's as if someone had been watching me, and, unsurprisingly, it's Nat. With a lighter heart, I quickly change into my sports gear and gather my hair, ready for practice.
~
After practice, I make my way to the showers, but Jackie grabs my hand, causing Nat to give her a puzzled look before walking over to us.
Jackie playfully wags her finger between us and says, "I know you guys are adorable, but please refrain from fucking in the school showers." She says it with a smile, creating a light and humorous atmosphere.
Nat breaks into laughter at Jackie's comment. "Don't worry, I wasn't planning on turning this casual moment into a porno, although you'd like that wouldn't you Jackie?" she replies playfully. Jackie raises an eyebrow, letting out a small chuckle before heading into one of the shower stalls.
Amidst the shared laughter, I regain my composure and turn to Nat, echoing Jackie's playful tone. "Alright, please refrain from fucking me in the school showers." I joke with a smile, making Nat chuckle.
Nat jumps in, pretending to be disappointed. "Well, there goes my plan," she sighs dramatically. "I suppose I'll just have to fuck you later."
Before I can fully react, Nat leans in and kisses me, a mixture of affection and a hint of mischievousness in the gesture. Her hand wraps around my back, giving me a light squeeze that catches me by surprise but also makes me smile.
With a playful push, I jokingly step back, using Jackie's playful tone. "I did say 'please refrain,' didn't I?" I tease, wagging my finger in good humor.
Nat laughs, her amusement filling the air. "You aren't even undressed let alone in the shower." she says with a grin, raising her hands in mock surrender.
~~~
I'm trying to think of ways to ruin everything, just for funsies :)
YOU ARE READING
EIGHTEEN || SEVENTEEN spin off ||
FanfictionY/N Taylor and Natalie Scatorccio have just been outed as a couple.
