𝐋𝐄𝐓 𝐈𝐓 𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐍 / alex standall ✓

𝟏𝟗. ⁀➷ NUANCES OF MEANING

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 𝐋𝐄𝐓 𝐈𝐓 𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐍
19 / NUANCES OF MEANING
↳ season one, episode eight: tape 4, side b
act one / the tapes

"Some girls know all the lyrics to each other's songs. They find harmonies in their laughter. Their linked elbows echo in tune. What if I can't hum on key? What if my melodies are the ones nobody hears?

It all started because I was feeling lost. I needed direction, any direction."

"I gotta go meet everyone before class, I'll see you later?" Alex told his girlfriend as the pair walked down the halls.

"Why can't I come?" Nessa asked, sad because she felt like all of her friends were treating her like broken glass. At this point, everyone knew that she had the tapes, and that she was listening to them along with Clay Jensen. She felt that she deserved to be there, it involved her too.

"Because, it's about the tapes." Alex explained. "Zach wants to keep you out of it all, to protect you."

"I don't need protection, I'm fine." Nessa declared. Alex agreed with her, he wanted to be able to talk about it all with her, and he felt that she deserved to be in the loop of everything.

Alex twinged, knowing that she was right. "I'm tired of feeling like a deer in the headlights around people I've known for years, Alex." Nessa continued on.

"Okay, come on." Alex finally gave in. "I can't say no to you."

"I know you can't." Nessa said sweetly, planting a kiss on his lips before following him into the gymnasium where Zach, Courtney, Justin and Jessica were sitting. Immediately upon her entrance, both Justin and Zach glared at Alex, pissed that he was bringing her in.

"Alex, what are you doing?" Zach asked wearily as he looked over at his sister.

"She knows enough, guys." Alex said. "I'm sick of hiding this shit from my girlfriend. She stays, or we both go."

Justin and Zach exchanged glances, and they knew that Alex made a point. Nessa was on the tapes, and she was just as much a part of this as they were. They also knew that they needed Alex on board with them, and that wouldn't happen without Nessa joining this dysfunctional group.

"Okay, fine." Zach gave in. "Sit down." Nessa took a seat right below Jessica on the bleachers as Alex stood next to her, waiting for someone to speak first.

"He's out of his fucking mind." Justin stated as he shook his head.

"Clay?" Nessa asked, and everyone nodded. Nessa recalled his outburst in the school hallways, where he had directly slutshamed her in front of everyone here.

"And the way he spoke about Nessa in front of everyone?" Justin added, anger growing hot in his voice as it raised. "I'm not fucking okay with that shit. Who the fuck does this kid think he is?"

"Yeah." Alex added. "Slut shaming my girlfriend in the middle of the school is the number one way to piss me the hell off."

Nessa stayed quiet. She was irritated too, beyond compare, but she also understood how hurt he was. It was a fine line for the girl right now.