Miss Ortega: Winter Semester (F/F, College AU, 18+)

CHAPTER 5: Yes, You Fool

i did a blended POV on this one and idk if i like it lol i probably won't do it again but i was way too lazy to re-do it so i'm sorry if you hate it :))

ily xx

Jenna sits on the bench, her hands in her peacoat and her headphones in her ears as the brisk Winter wind breezes through her hair, stinging her face and reddening her nose. Johnny Greenwood wafted through her ears, the composer one of her favorite comfort artists for when she needed a good sense of calming. It was hardly working though, her anxiety making her leg bounce restlessly as she awaited the arrival of Y/n. They'd agreed to meet here, at the same lookout spot and the same bench where the girl had broken down in her arms months ago, spilling her heart out about Devon's abuse. 

Jenna reminisces on that day, facing the foggy skyline view with an introspective expression on her face. That was such a pivotal moment for her, when she knew without a shadow of a doubt that Y/n meant more to her than she was initially willing to admit. God, so much has happened since then, so much has changed. Mostly for the better, considering she fell for the girl hard and fast, which has been the beacon of light in the darkness that's been plaguing her. And as for the worse... well, that much was obvious. Jenna tried not to dwell on the negative, tried to let Aliyah's advice settle with her as she prepared for another difficult conversation. 

"Hi." Jenna felt Y/n's presence, her timid voice cutting through the symphony in her ears and the brooding in her mind. She looks up, seeing Y/n's shy smile that made her heart skip a beat. She's wearing that adorable yellow beanie again. 

"Hey. How are you?" Jenna asks as she takes her headphones out. She wants to stand, to hug her, but things felt... tense. Distanced. She hates it. 

"I think you know the answer to that." Y/n chuckles weakly, her hands stuffed in her pockets as her eyes turned downcast.

Jenna hums, nodding in somber understanding, "Yeah." 

Y/n looks up, her eyes sad and vulnerable in a way that made Jenna's heart clench, "How are you?" Jenna stares back at her, a soft glare that conveyed the same message that was just told to her. 

Y/n feels silly for asking. She chuckles weakly, a sorrowful smile on her lips, "Yeah." She echoes Jenna's response, cause what else is there to day about that?

Jenna sighs softly, patting the space next to her, "Come on, sit. I don't bite." Y/n's smile spreads to a more genuine one, recalling how Jenna had said those exact words to her when she'd first approached her in the classroom all those months ago. It made her heart flutter a bit, thinking about how much has changed since then. 

Y/n sits, her body warmth mixing with Jenna's even though there was a bit of distance between them. She felt just as nervous as she did when they had first sat on this bench together, but for an entirely different reason now. They avoid each other's eyes for a moment, the silence between them tense and uncomfortable, filled with words they don't know how to say yet. 

"I-" They both speak at the same time, causing a fit of flustered laughter as they finally met each other's eyes. 

"Sorry, you go." Y/n insists, her cheeks flushed. From the cold or from her nerves, she couldn't be sure.

Jenna sighs before clearing her throat, "I received word on my suspension status." Her voice is uncharacteristically small, causing Y/n's nerves to intensify tenfold. It's bad news, isn't it?

"You did? What did they say?" Y/n tries to keep her voice as neutral as possible, but there's no denying the twinge of eagerness in it. She holds her breath as she waits for a response.

Jenna looks ahead, her expression oddly stoic for the gravity of the topic, "I'm out for four weeks, and I have to re-certify as a mandated reporter."

Y/n's swallows thickly, her mind reeling as she processed the information, "Okay... okay." She murmurs, following Jenna's gaze ahead before turning back to her, "That... that's better than expected, right? Or- how do you feel?" Y/n didn't quite know what to say. It seemed like an ideal outcome, but Jenna didn't seem overly thrilled. Probably because she would've rather have not been in this predicament at all. Y/n's stomach twists with guilt for the countless time as she awaits Jenna's answer.