Nova Academy

Fussy (Short)

Steven chased in pursuit of a once again, doubtfully really outraged Connie.

His hand had brushed against hers and she had randomly flown off the handle for no discernible reason. She'd been finicky all week, sometimes quiet or feral and other times excitable and even bordering on sweet.

But here he was trying to calm her down.

"Connie," He attempted. "What's actually wrong? Because there's no way you're that mad about an accident when I've done it purposely multiple times."

"None of your business. Go play with your fan girls." She jabbed at his chest, snarling like an animal.

"First of all, they are people. Second of all," He grabbed her hand, noting the various paper cuts. "You sound more jealous than mad. Is it still because of–?"

She glared at him, wishing he would disappear entirely. "No. Don't bring it up again."

"Okay, so then it's totally that." She frowned deeper so he tried switching tactics. "Look, I'm applying myself. I can't help being–," Her eyes got glassy like she was going to cry and he grunted, he hated her tears. "It didn't mean anything, Ni."

A jumble of half insults and scoffs and noises burst out of her at that and she yanked her hand away. "I know that!"

"I think on top of that is something else. You get jealous, but not like this." He hesitated when she looked like she was going to stomp off, but she seemed stuck. Sluggish even. "You're overstudying again, aren't you? Burying yourself in work so you can run away from whatever's going on in your head." He crossed his arms as she sputtered that she wasn't hiding from anything. "So, if I pull out my phone right now and text Anna, your roommate, she's not going to tell me that you study 24/7?"

She hesitated. "I do other things!"

"Okay, well let me just send her a message and ask for myself. You look exhausted." He noted the just barely visible bags under her eyes with sadness.

"Wow, thanks." Her face was tight with emotion, she looked like she was going to go into another rampage.

"You're welcome," He offered cheerfully.

"It's partially your fault."

"I acknowledge that fact, and take it in stride. But I've apologized for the last time," Steven asserted firmly as he dipped to catch her falling gaze. "However, that does prove my point that there IS another problem." He pulled out his phone. "Dear... Anna,"

"Why are you starting it like that?" She put all of her weight on one hip, folding the hem of her shirt restlessly.

"For dramatic effect. I'm giving you time to reconsider not lying to me." He let his finger hover over the keyboard and paused but she didn't budge. "Okay fine. Have it your way. Dear Anna, I am messaging to inquire about the mental status of my dear Connie–,"

"I'm not your Connie, Steven," She snipped.

"Do you really believe that, or are you just trying to piss me the hell off?" She didn't answer, only looked guilty and now, even more stressed. "Good to know. Anyways," He sighed. "Dear Anna, I am messaging to inquire about the mental status of my dear Connie, as I fear she has fallen into another one of her many bad habits of hyperfixating on an unobtainable or imaginary goal, or even more harrowing–," He raised the phone out of her reach when she jumped for it, "Studying for a test she already knows all of the material for, or isn't for months. Please respond quickly, as she may try to take my life before this message reaches your lovely hands." He hits send and Connie stopped her jumping to sniffle a bit.

"You're mean." Her voice weakened and he could hear just how deep her tiredness reached.

His heart wanted to kiss her and tell her he was sorry, but he was far more concerned for her mental health to be too gentle with her hard-headed ass. "Connie, if anyone knows about shitty mental health, you're looking at him. I want you to study, you love doing it so I love when you do. But you're downtrodden, it's breaking my heart. And I cannot stress this enough: what happened with Isabelle was less than nothing. I had hoped I showed you that, but maybe I'll just have to do it again."

She blushed hard and hugged herself.

His phone vibrated and he read the message aloud, "Dearest Steven, I am messaging to confirm and join your growing concern and distaste for Connie's obsession with being a hermit. She forgets to eat on multiple occasions throughout the weekday evenings and most weekends, and she spends many hours locked in her room, only able to be coaxed out by a promise of a speedy return. If you'd like, I can hold her down while
you—," He read the last part to himself before clearing his throat, blushing heavily, and shoving it back in his pocket.

"I'm fine! Everything's fine!" She plastered the fakest smile he had ever seen on her face like he'd believe it for a second. "I'm seriously fine."

"If I know your stubborn ass–!"

"You don't know me!" She said with venom.

"Then let me get to know you, dammit!" He ran a hand over his face and noticed that she softened just a tiny bit. "I deserve the chance at the very least."

"Steven, this isn't some slow burn fanfiction where we end up driving off into the sunset at the end. We have school, I have to learn, I like to learn, and girls in fanfiction stories who like to learn are side characters. Get lost." She turned around just barely missing his grin.

He stepped to her and rested his hands on her shoulders. "Read a lot of fanfiction?"

She dropped a few F-bombs and Hindi curse words before finally getting out, "No!"

As she strode off he called out to her, "I bet you do! I'll bet if I looked hard enough, I'd even find some of your own!"

She growled and turned around, miming drawing her sword. "Don't make me get my sword, Steven!"

"That won't work!" He yelled after her, "I'm a defensive power class, Connie! A defensive power class!"

He heard a faint scream in the distance and messaged Anna again.

By the time he got back to his dorm, Hazel had already left for home for the weekend. He clicked the number Anna sent him and called it.

"Just leave me alone," Connie said miserably. "This is my Steven-Free time. No more Steven flirting."

"Take a nap, baby. You're so tired you're cycling through emotions like a Ruby. Eat something, too." He kept his tone soft and loving, hoping it would get her to comply for once.

"Fine, but not because you told me to," She grumbled. "If I put away my stuff, will you promise to leave me be for this weekend?"

"Yes, I promise." He intended to keep that promise, as long as he doesn't get any messages from Anna again.

"Good night." The phone beeped their disconnection and Steven sighed deeply, then realized he was feeling a little hot, so he opened a window and plopped back into bed.

I guess I'm kinda tired, too," He mumbled, closing his eyes.