consume (yellowjackets)

chapter four.

Tatum had a plan. Not a great plan, nor a smart one either. Just a plan.

She approached Shauna with just the slightest unease in the pit of her stomach, a depth usually well undiscovered. Nervousness wasn't an emotion she expressed around pretty girls.

She knew exactly how to maintain her calm.

The calm that died when those big brown eyes met hers— her knees weakened and the breath she inhaled got choked up on a forceful exit.

Shauna's eyes widened when Tatum started spluttering. "Are you okay?"

"No- Augu- dying." She said between broken coughs. Some dignity remaining, she pulled the notebook from her pocket and handed it to Shauna.

"What're you doing? I thought.. I don't know, assuming you hated me after avoiding me all of yesterday."

"Take it."

Shauna stared at the little book. "What is it?"

"A guide on how to treat people properly."

"Shouldn't you keep it then?"

There goes Tatum's poorly executed plan.

"Fuck. Just take it, Shauna. I made it for you before realising how much you didn't like me. I don't want it and if it turns out you don't either, fine. Trash it. I don't care what you do with it, but it's yours."

Something changes in the air. In Shauna's mind, something clicks. In Tatum's stomach, something shifts.

"I'm sorry for saying that by the way."

"You shouldn't apologise for honesty."

"Yeah.. except it wasn't true."

Tatum frowned. "It wasn't?"

"I.." Shauna, like Tatum a couple nights ago, doesn't want to ruin anything by speaking her truth.. the real truth.

So she compromises.

"Are you busy tonight?"

"No!" Tatum exclaimed, then cleared her throat. "I mean, no."

"I want to hear you sing."

What Tatum interprets is, let's make out. Grinning, the blonde put her hand out. Shauna stared at her, confused.

"It's a date."

"No, it's not a date."

"Oh, it's a date alright." Tatum leaned forward, her nerves vanishing and she pressed a kiss to Shauna's cheek. "I hope you're prepared for the best date of your life, Shauna Shipman!"

She's off in a sprint down the hallway, boasting to random strangers that she has a hot date.

Shauna can't contain her laughter.

Once the Anders girl is out of sight, and Shauna can no longer hear her shouting at people about their date, she opened the notebook.

A book of Shauna Shipman's favourite things.

Jackie's face was on the first page.

Flannel shirts in the second.

Brown university.

Trees, nature, dogs, baby seals, Radiohead, Blondie, Hole, fries and milkshakes, bagels, dinosaurs, daisies, strawberries all drawn so beautifully in vast detail throughout every page.

She closed the book, only halfway through and drew out a long exhale.

What Shauna couldn't comprehend was how Tatum knew this when even her best friend, Jackie, didn't.