Before We Tapped In | Suburb Talks

0.3 Group Project

Setting: Sophmore/Junior Year High School
Commitment Issues

Sean was heading towards the library, his mind preoccupied with the upcoming project deadline. As a high school student, he was never one to do the best in his studies. If he barely passed he was happy, as long as he could play soccer then he was chilling. That was all he ever really cared about. Nothing was calling out to him, at least no passion was, but people? There was always one that called out to him.

 As he turned the corner, his notebook in hand he noticed Nina standing near the entrance, her shoulders tense. Nina was one of his long-time friends, even through his afro phase, his elementary phase she was always a friend. They were close, really close, almost too close at times. She held a special place in his heart, a place that he couldn't quite explain. 

Natalie, a mutual that he had known for a long time since elementary days, known for her sharp tongue, was standing in front of her, a smug expression on her face. Natalie and Nina used to be friends, heck she used to be friends with all of them, but something happened that no one really talked about and they suddenly had beef with each other.

"You really think you can handle this on your own, Nina?" Natalie sneered. "Everyone knows you're just riding on Sean's coattails."

Nina's face flushed, but she stood her ground. "I can handle more than you think, Nat. Just because I work well with Sean doesn't mean I can't do things on my own."

"Even if Sean doesn't try he is smart. He is competent, but you," Natalie scoffed, "You are beyond dumb that I don't even know how you are alive right now."

"I am perfectly capable of doing my over research project, Natalie, and you know that," Nina uttered, "Or did you forget that we were once friends? Did you also forget that I let you copy off me in science class and I covered for your ass?"

"That is a lie, and you know that-"

"Whatever you want to believe," Nina said as she shook her head, "Was it so hard to still be my friend?"

"Yeah," Natalie nodded, "It was impossible, considering what you did-"

"I didn't even know!"

"Okay guys calm down," Gwen said appearing from behind the door, "Do you really need to do this here?"

"Whos side are you on Gwen?" Natalie rolled her eyes as she crossed her arms, "Me, your best friend, or your boy toys bestie?"

"I am not taking sides! What are we 12?" She sighed out, "I just want us to resolve our problems, we used to be friends-"

"Well we all used to be a lot of things, but clearly since you're stupid just like Nina, you both deserve to be fucked over-"

Sean felt a surge of anger. He couldn't just stand by and let Natalie belittle Gwen, and Nina like this. He quickened his pace and stepped between them, his eyes locking onto Natalie. Nina had a shock on her face not expecting the boy that she had been waiting for to be early.

"That's enough, Natalie," Sean said firmly. "If you're so done with them why bother?"

Natalie eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly regained her composure. "Oh, look, the knight in shining armor comes to the rescue. Don't let her get too comfortable, she might always look for you to fight her battles for her." she mocked.

Sean didn't flinch. "It's called standing up for my people. Maybe you should try it sometime."

Natalie scoffed and turned on her heel, "If you only knew what I've done, Sean," walking away with a huff. Sean turned to Gwen and Nina, his expression softening.

"Are you btoh okay?" he asked gently as he put his hand on her shoulder.

"Thanks Sean," Gwen smiled gently, hugging his side.

Nina nodded, a small smile forming on her lips. "Yeah, thanks, Sean. We appreciate it."

"She's just in a bitchy mood," Gwen scoffed

"I don't get why she is always so angry at me." Nina sighed out

"Maybe she just needs more time," Sean replied. 

"I don't think we'll ever be friends again," The shorter said as she looked sadly at the older girl who was once her best friend, continue to walk away.

"Let's get to the library. We've got work to do." Gwen said as she wrapped her arm over her shoulder. They started walking the opposite way quicker, Gwen looking back at the taller and saying, "You coming dork?"

He just laughed and ran to catch up with two of his favorite people, though soon things would change, but he just chose to embrace this time before moving forward.