If I Could Give You the Moon

Cool About It

"Well you were in a rush to get out of there," Scarlett giggled. "I honestly really love that group. They are so, so sweet. We need to hang out with them more often."

    Phoebe looked over at her with a smile. "Oh, we definitely will. We hung out a lot last year. Now that we're all settled in and a good month into the school year, we'll have more time to hang out. Especially as we get closer to the holidays."

    The Sisters of Mother Mary didn't acknowledge Halloween because of its "ties to the devil," but Thanksgiving and Christmas were a big deal here, according to Phoebe. There were more masses that they would have to attend, but it also came with more breaks and the staff being in a happier mood.

    "Oh, and we have to do something for Julien's birthday. It's coming up in a couple of weeks. She doesn't like to celebrate very much, but we love her and can't help it." Phoebe spoke, going off on a bit of a tangent. "We can ask her tonight about what she wants but-"

    "Phoebe! You didn't tell me J's birthday is coming up!"

    "I'm sorry, I didn't think of it until now! I try not to think about Julien too much when I'm around you," Phoebe shrugged sheepishly. "You were gonna find out eventually babe."

    "Next you're going to tell me that I missed your birthday or something" Scarlett huffed, rolling her eyes.

    Phoebe went quiet.

"Phoebe! Don't tell me I missed it! I'll actually fucking kill you!" Scarlett glared at her.

"Well, kind of but you get a pass. My birthday was in August, before you got here. The 17th, to be exact."

If looks could kill, Phoebe would be long gone and buried 6 feet under.

"Why didn't you tell me!" Scarlett hissed. "I got here like a week later. We could've done something to celebrate!"

Phoebe smirked. This girl reminded Scarlett of the Cheshire Cat.

"Not like that, you fucker."

"I know, I just like bugging you, babe. I'm not super big on celebrating my birthday anyway. Me and the boys had our only little 'party' which was more than enough for me."

"How old are you then?"

"...18"

"You cougar! I'll be 17 until March!" Scarlett bumped Phoebe.

"Aww, you're just a little baby! Don't worry, Lucy's birthday isn't until May, so you're not the youngest," Phoebe countered. "Me and Julien are some of the oldest ones here, and because of our age, we don't actually have to attend this school. But personally, I can't leave my friends. JB and I could never abandon Lucy, so we decided to stay here for graduation."

Scarlett watched Phoebe kick at a rock in front of her, sending it skittering across the path in front of them. "You're so selfless. In my own selfish way, I'm happy you stayed. You make this hellhole so much better."

"I know I do," Phoebe winked. "And don't think I failed a grade or something, because I didn't. At least in my mind failing kindergarten doesn't count."

Scarlett laughed. "I'm sorry to say this, but that's so you!"

"Are you calling me stupid?" Phoebe gasped.

"Maybe..."

"Fuck you! Hurry up, Lucy and Julien have probably eaten all of the food. You walk way too slow."

—

A warm fuzzy feeling washed over Scarlett as she watched her friends. With a full stomach and some comfortable pyjama pants, she felt as if she had been blessed by the gods. Even though the boys were just arguing about what movie they wanted to watch, Scarlett could not have been happier. Watching her friends be themselves filled Scarlett with joy, oddly enough. She's never felt so understood or known before, and all it took was three queer kids giving her a chance.

She thought back to home. When she had hung out with her friends in the past, it had been fun, sure. But a lot of the time she felt out of place. It wasn't entirely due to the fact that she was the only gay one, but it had definitely played a part. It was also partly due to the fact that Scarlett was perfectly content to just sit in other people's presence. Everyone always felt the need to be on the move, and constantly mingling, and Scarlett didn't. Sometimes the most fun she would have would be when she was able to sit and watch the others. It was something weird about her, and no one truly understood it.

Until now.

With the boys, Scarlett didn't feel the need to put on an act. They knew she wasn't mad or sad when she sat with them quietly. They understood that she was having fun, but just needed a second to relax. (They even knew that she loved having some sort of physical contact when she sat with them.)

Back at home, there would be times when people would ask her if she was okay or feel bad for her when she was quiet. Scarlett only felt bad when they asked her that, feeling judged for being herself.

Don't get her wrong, when Scarlett does talk, there's no stopping her. She loves to talk when she's comfortable. There are just times when she doesn't feel like she needs to talk. Besides, you hear the funniest things when you eavesdrop on other people's conversations.

The boys made her feel like it was okay for her to take breaks from socializing. And they also understood that she loved conversation more than anything, especially deep ones. It feels like coming up for air after drowning, being with them.

"Scar? What do you think?"

    Huh? "Wha-? To be completely honest with you guys, I tuned out of the conversation a while ago."

    "Oh we know, we just wanted to bring you back into reality. We've missed your fun little quips," Lucy announced playfully. "So what will it be: The Nightmare Before Christmas or Scream?"

    "Definitely Scream."

Julien groaned.

–

    Lucy and Julien fell asleep embarrassingly fast. After Julien disclosed her dislike for gore in movies, she cuddled into Lucy for emotional support. Bad idea. They were out like a light after 5 minutes, comfortably tangled in each other's arms.

    Phoebe and Scarlett on the other hand were quite engrossed in the movie. Scarlett loved the Scream franchise, it's peak comedy to her. Phoebe just gets into movies once she starts watching them, she's like a 5 year old with an IPad. You can't tear her away from the screen.

    Well, unless you're Scarlett.

        "Pheebs?" Scarlett whispered, not wanting to totally disrupt Phoebe.

Phoebe glanced over at Scarlett without any hesitance, softness enveloping her expression. The tiredness was evident on her face, making Scarlett feel the need to grab her and squeeze her.

She just looks so cute all cuddled up and sleepy...

"Do you think everything Lucy and Julien are okay with us being together? Like will it cause everyone to be all awkward now?" Scarlett asked, insecurity involuntarily creeping into her voice.

"Absolutely. They're cool about it. We've talked about it already and stuff. They're happy we're happy." Phoebe moved closer into Scarlett, resting her head on her chest.

"Gossiping without me now, are we? Seriously though, I'm relieved. I think you guys are the best friends I'll ever have. You're my home now." Scarlett ran her fingers through Phoebe's hair.

"That's good, because we don't plan on leaving you anytime soon," Phoebe yawned, wrapping her arms tighter around Scarlett. "You're mine now. Even though Luce and JB would disagree. You've got them wrapped around your finger."

Credits rolled on the screen, making the room even darker. Scarlett shut the laptop, Phoebe's exhaustion creep into her.

"Scarlett?"

"Mhm?

"I really, really like you." Phoebe's head buried deeper into her chest, and within 1 minute, the two were dead to the world.

A/N-

Hey guys! I'm so sorry this update took so long, ive been SO busy 🥲. I had final exams, and then graduation (yayyyy). It's summer break now though and I'm excited to be able to start writing again. I've missed it. Thanks for reading, I love you all with a burning passion 🫶