Tosser~ a James Cook fanfic~

Thomas~1

It was a warm morning as Tess and Michelle walked down the street, heading toward the milk bar to grab some groceries. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the pavement. Michelle was talking animatedly about her weekend, as usual.

"So, Maxxie couldn't stop doing his bloody dance routines in the park—like, full-on pirouettes in front of everyone," Michelle said, shaking her head. "He dragged Jal into it, and she almost lost it. Threatened to whack him with her flute,"

Tess grinned, adjusting the tote bag on her shoulder. "Maxxie's still doing the whole dance thing?"

"Of course, it's Maxxie," Michelle laughed. "Poor Jal—though, I think Chris has mellowed her out a bit. She's way more relaxed around him."

They walked in comfortable silence for a moment before Michelle sighed dramatically. 

"I'm getting so sick of Paul. He's always trailing behind me, trying to be my best mate. And the gnomes? They're multiplying, Tess. I swear, we have to smash them or something."

"I fucking hate the gnomes," Tess muttered in disgust. "They're nearly as bad as Malcolms animal statues!"

"Honestly, as much as I hated Malcolm, at least he didn't even bother with us." Michelle agreed

"What is it with Mum and men with bizarre statue obsessions?" Tess asked

Michelle snorted, nodding in agreement. "And then there was Ted. You know, I thought I liked him at first, but after a while, he just gave me the creeps. The way he acted around Scarlett? I mean, she's was 20 years old and acting like a fucking toddler."

Tess made a disgusted face. "Don't remind me. Scarlett was a nightmare and they were too incest-y for me"

"Didn't she like crash your birthday last year?" Tess asked

Michelle's face hardened, "Yep, worst birthday ever and fucking Anwar brought that stalker girl who tried to poison me, Chris forgot to tie the tents down and that bitch came onto Sid?!"

"Ok.... you're clearly not over that" Tess rolled her eyes

They both laughed, but Tess's mind wandered, and her expression grew more serious.

"Speaking of people getting on my nerves... Katie's been a nightmare lately."

Michelle raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? What's she done now?"

Tess sighed, running a hand through her hair. "It's this whole thing with Emily and Naomi. Katie keeps making these comments, y'know, the type that are aimed at Naomi being a lesbian, which she says she's not. It's subtle, but Emily's obviously uncomfortable, and she won't stand up for herself. I tried talking to her, but she's shut down and won't even tell me. And every time I'm around Katie, she's either ranting about Naomi or trying to push this weird friendship with Effy."

Michelle's eyebrows shot up. "Wait, so what exactly happened with Naomi and Emily? Was it just a kiss, or...?"

Tess shrugged, frowning. "No one really knows. Ems doesn't talk about it, and Naomi acts like she couldn't care less. But now Katie's wont leave it alone, and it's making everything awkward"

"Effy, though?" Michelle asked, tilting her head. "I mean, I know her. She doesn't exactly do friendships and no offence, definitely not with someone like Katie"

"Right?" Tess threw her hands up in frustration. "Katie's convinced they're gonna be best mates or something. It's just exhausting. I don't even think Katie gets Effy, y'know? Like, it's all an act for popularity."