HEARTBREAK HIGH; •Spencer White•

twenty seven - heartbeat city

TYPING ANOTHER LINE, Daisy lost her focus again. The cursor blinked at her like it was judging her. "What are you thinking about?" Spider's voice broke through the quiet. He was propped up on one elbow beside her, watching her more than the screen.

His fingers traced lazy circles against her thigh like it was second nature, like he didn't even realise he was doing it. She had slept over, it was not planned. It had just happened the way things tended to happen with him, late night, unfinished conversation, then suddenly it was morning and neither of them had really left.

Daisy didn't mind and it seemed Spider didn't either. What he did mind was Daisy waking him up at 3am to "study properly," then refusing to stop typing even as the clock hit 7am. Spider had rolled over at some point, half asleep, and come back with coffee at 6:30 like some reluctant caretaker, collapsing beside her again without a word.

Now he was just watching her like she was more interesting than whatever essay she was destroying her sleep for. "Adult stuff," she muttered, not looking up. "Wouldn't know would you, Spence." He let out a wounded sound, rolling onto his back dramatically.

"Sorry," she added immediately, though her tone didn't really match the apology. "It's just Cash. And... her. Amerie is stressing me out." At the name, Spider tensed beside her instantly.

"What's map bitch done now?" he asked flatly, resuming the circles on her thigh, except now they were less lazy, sharper and a little firmer. Daisy exhaled, sinking deeper into the bed like the weight of it had finally caught up to her.

"Nothing," she said. "Yet." Spider frowned, that alone told him everything he needed to know. The laptop slid slightly off her lap as she dropped her head back. "Doug— Cash did something," she continued, slower now. "Not him directly. His idiot friends. He was there. And it involves... someone we know."

She stopped herself there, jaw tightening. She wasn't going to say Harper out loud. Not when it still felt like it might explode if she gave it a name.
Spider shifted properly now, all teasing gone.

"What did he do, Daisy?" His voice dropped, quieter. His hand moved from her thigh to her wrist, holding it gently now instead of playing. "Only if you're comfortable," he added after a beat, like he was reminding himself not to push.

Daisy stared at the ceiling fan spinning above them, watching it blur. "Something that could send him to jail, Spencer." That made his expression shift completely. His mouth opened slightly, then closed again. For once, he didn't have a smart comment ready.

"And if it gets out," she went on, voice thinner now, "Amerie could be the one to make it happen." Spider's grip tightened just slightly.

"She won't say anything," he said quickly. "I'm sure she won't. And Cash—Cash can handle himself, alright? He's not stupid. Don't spiral over it."

"I'm not spiralling," Daisy lied immediately. He gave her a look. "...I'm not spiralling," she repeated, softer this time. Spider sighed, squeezing her hand once.

"Coopers," he muttered. "Don't carry everyone else's mess." She didn't answer that. Instead she leaned over, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek before pushing herself up.

"I've gotta go home," she said, grabbing her laptop. "Haven't been there properly in two days."
He groaned, flopping back dramatically.

"So responsible," he muttered. Daisy just smiled to herself, already halfway out of the bed. She leaned back once more anyway, catching his lips in a quick kiss before he could complain properly. His hand came up instinctively, tugging her back for half a second longer than she intended.

"I suppose that makes up for it," he said against her mouth. Daisy grinned, pulling away.

"Obviously."

By the end of the week, SLT felt like punishment disguised as education. Daisy sat with Cash, his leg bouncing under the table so fast it was practically vibrating. Her fingers were threaded through his under the desk, grounding him more than herself at this point.

Across the room, Woodsy stood at the front, looking like she hadn't slept in days and had decided chaos was the only option left. "As teachers, we are meant to teach," she began. "But we are also meant to learn. And I have learned something pretty valuable from all of you in the past week."

She paused, Daisy squinted. "I am a slut." Cash snorted beside her immediately. "Yes," Woodsy continued, completely serious. "I am a slut. We are all sluts." Daisy stared at her.

Cash whispered, "What the fuck," under his breath.

The principal kept going like nothing had happened. "The footage from your little protest has circulated. The press has been surprisingly positive. The Guardian even wrote, 'The kids are all right.'" She gestured vaguely.

"There's even a photo of Joan of Bark in there. So that's lovely." Daisy slowly turned her head toward Cash. Cash slowly turned his head toward Daisy. Neither of them spoke.

"So this won't go on our records?" Daisy asked carefully, raising her hand like she was afraid of the answer.

"No, Daisy," Woodsy said. "Well. You'll have to pay for the cleaning bill. But otherwise—your civil disobedience has captured the hearts of Australia." A pause. "Congratulations."

Daisy slumped back in her chair slightly. "Okay. That's... fine."

"Miss," Darren interrupted, hand raised. "You said Miss Obah hadn't agreed to come back?"
The room shifted slightly as the door opened behind Miss Obah.

"I wouldn't say that, Darren," came Woodsy's voice.

"Hey," Miss Obah said immediately. "Sorry, I'm here."

"You said you would wait until I opened the door," Woodsy replied.

"I had to get my folder."

"You ruined the moment." A few students snickered as the argument continued like it was the most normal thing in the world.

"I know. I'm sorry. I'm back." The class clapped anyway, Daisy did too, lightly. Across the room, Spider leaned back in his chair looking vaguely annoyed at the concept of joy.

"Does this mean we still have SLTs?" Ant asked, already sounding defeated.

"Yes, Anthony," Miss Obah said. Ant collapsed.
"The program was so successful we'll be doing it next term. Possibly all year." A collective groan rolled through the room, Miss Obah clapped her hands once.

"So! We've covered consent, STIs, nudes, pleasure, communication—and how not to frame your teacher. That last one was a joke. Don't do that again." Daisy was already writing notes again out of habit.

"I really hope you'll see the importance of this one day," Miss Obah continued. "And please look out for each other. These might be the worst years of your lives—but they might also be the best." She glanced around the room.

"Dusty, Spider, Ant—help pack up." Spider groaned loudly, dragging a hand through his hair.

"Of course," he muttered. Daisy stood, slipping her bag over her shoulder, already moving. She paused beside him as she passed.

"See you tonight, Spence," she said casually. His eyes flicked up to hers, the irritation on his face softened immediately.

"Yeah," he said. "See you." And just like that, she left him there in the mess he'd helped create, watching him lift a chair like it personally offended him. And for once, he didn't look like he hated it.