toi toi toi

chapter 1: just a piece of paper

Nova's pov

Why am I doing this again? Oh right, because of all my friends I'm the only one who hasn't done a school play. Dawn, Chris, Erik and Gavin do it every year. I love seeing them do it, but doing the thing myself? That's a whole different story. But the true reason that I'm writing my name on this damn piece of paper is because Dawn asked me to. I can't say no to her! Because I... like her.

I like her.

Just thinking about Dawn make my face feel hot.

Oh, screw it. I finally write my name on the paper and turn around. "Oh that took you forever! Now move it." Shit, I was so stuck in my own head that I forgot about the long line behind me. "S-sorry." I mumble as I step away. I understand that people want to stand in the spotlight sometimes. To show them who they are and are capable of. But isn't this a bit too... much? Just as I was about to walk to the cafeteria I get a notification on my phone. It's Erik.

suits: We're at the bleachers. See you there.

I put the phone back in my pocket and pull my hoodie over my head. Pulling on the strings I walk to the bleachers. The thing I don't understand is that how Gavin can sit with just a shirt in this cold weather.

I couldn't even sit down before Dawn grabbed my wrist and pulled me next to her. "And did you do it?" She asks me with a smile that is so bright. I almost start blushing again. "Uhm. Yeah. But there was a really long line so I doubt they will pick me." Dawn shrugged. "I believe they will." She added a wink.

If you may wonder of why I named Erik 'suits' in my contact list, well it's because he always wears suits. "Where is Lola?" He asks me. With Lola he meant my banjo. Named after my cat Lola. She died on the same day I got the banjo. Sure, most people play the guitar or keyboard. But not me. I play the banjo. "In my locker. I am afraid I will damage her." I shrugged and grabbed my lunch. Bread with self made eggsalade by yours truly.

"And when do they reveal the lucky winners for the play?" I ask after school. We have this little ritual of taking our turns with driving us to school. 5 people and 5 schooldays. Except on Tuesday when it's my turn. I can't drive since I failed my test 3 times and figured that the third time isn't the charm. Tuesday is bus day. Luckily today is Wednesday which means Dawn is the driver. And even more lucky I got to sit in the shotgun seat. The guys cramped in the back.

"Okay. So after we pray for Nova Lelie to get accepted to join the play I'm thinking about going to burger king. I am really in need of some fries." I roll my eyes at the praying comment. "I think the possibility of Erik walking to school in any other outfit besides a suit is higher then me being accepted." Erik shrugged. "Dress to impress."

"Yeah, that's not happening." Gavin replied. "I've been in a closet long enough to know what's hot and not. And showing up at highschool, I repeat; at highschool, with a suit is on top of the not list." We laugh about it, besides Erik.

Yeah okay. Gavin is open about being gay but that's... Gavin... he doesn't care what other thinks and just wants to have a good time! I'm also 70% sure he's secretly crushing on Christopher. Don't tell anyone I said that. But they fit each other! Gavin breaks the rules and Christopher followes them nicely. Like... a dog. Anyways, that was not the point I tried to make. I discovered I was gay about a year ago. Around the same time I started crushing on Dawn. Even though I know that my friends will be okay with it... it's still scary to really come out. I'm scared they will treat me differently then before. And I hate change. I really do.

There weren't many people at the burger king but we still managed to take the smallest couch there is. I basically sat on Christopher's lap. Not that it was weird or something. I basically know Christopher the longest and felt more comfortable with him anyway. "Okay, Halloween." Dawn suddenly starts. Erik looked at her with a frown. "But it's september."

She ignores him. "This year is going to be a great halloween. I can feel it! I've almost finished my costume and it's going to be awesome. That's why I am going to have a halloween party at my house. Don't worry, it's going to be small. Nothing too big."

"We all know that the party won't be anything but big." Christopher commented on it with a light chuckle. He had a point. Last time it was so busy Dawn had to kick a few people out.

But she ignored him too. "What will you be dressed up as?" I eventually ask her. "Leeloo Dallas! But I'm not sure wether I'm going to wear a wig or just cut and dye my hair."

"Definetly wig. I can't imagine you walking around as a redhead for the next couple of months."

I can't believe we talked about wether Dawn should dye her hair orange or not for 3 hours. She took everyone home and when she got by Christopher's place I got out with him. "Don't I need to bring you home?" Dawn asks me with a raised eyebrow. I shook my head as I swing my bag over my shoulder. "Going to stay the night with Christopher. If you mind of course." I add the last part just as gag. "I mind at all. I will have to drive alone now for 5 minutes. 5 minutes!" Christopher rolled his eyes and started walking to the door. "Goodnight, Dawn."

"Use protection!" She yells at us before she leaves the driveway. I feel my cheeks turn red and I almost run behind Christopher.

"Hey, Browns." Christopher's parents are real sweethearts. And have great knowledge about wine. Maybe that's why Christopher's middle name is Dionysus. They were sitting in the livingroom and watched a documentary. Yes, about wine. "Hey, isn't that our favourite person."

"I won't forget this time. I swear!" Christopher yells from the kitchen.

Last year Christopher forgot about his parents anniversary. I remembered and even bought them a gift! It got me the title of being their favourite person.

I chuckle and join Christopher in the kitchen. Seeing him grabbing a bag full of snacks and soda. "Or you're hungry, or you are going to binge watch some show on Netflix."

"Second. And you are going to watch it with me. From the beginning."

"I don't seem to have a choice. Do I?"

"Nope, I'm keeping you hostage."

"You do know that we have another day of school tomorrow."

He nodded and started walking upstairs. "That's future me his problem."

Gavin's pov

It makes me sick. It just does! How can everyone here be so oblivious that Nova likes Dawn. She's blushing with every word Dawn says and she can't look at her for more then 5 seconds! Believe me, I've counted.

With a cig between my lips I sit outside on my crappy balcony of my crappy apartment. With a book in my lap I try to relax. But the words seem to be jumping off the page. With a sigh I close the book and blew some smoke away.

"I thought you stopped smoking." I heard a soft voice say. My sister. "Mom will be mad if she knows you started smoking again." I shrug. "She needs to catch me first with it." My eyes went to the book again so I didn't have to talk to my sister again but I could feel her eyes piercing in the back of my head. "Okay, what do you want, Daisy?" My voice was more annoyed then I articipated. "To make you put the cig away." I sighed and spit it over the balcony. "Happy now?" She smiled and went back inside. "Idiot." As I grabbed another cig I heard my phone ringing in my pocket.

"Gavin Collins."

"I never felt so dissapointed. I let Nova watch my favourite show with me and she falls asleep! Falls asleep!"

I chuckle as I hear Christopher's voice being so frustrated. "Because Black Mirror sucks."

"I can't believe you just said that. I'm not sure we can be friends now."

"You won't survive five minutes without me. Also it's almost midnight. Maybe that's also a reason she fell asleep. Doesn't she normally sleep around 10? And shouldn't you too?"

"Could say the same about you."

I roll my eyes. "For your information. I was about to go to bed. You should do too."

"Just because you ask it so nicely. Goodnight, Gavin."

"Night. Chris."