floriography [ stories five ]

pink + purple tulip || the country / redneck au again jesus fuck

[ pink + purple tulip - rural happiness and country charms
song - merry go round by kacey musgraves

⚠️- language and redneck bullshit pls love me

this is a teen thing!! i'll do stuff set as adults for this au, but this one is teen!!
this also uses real teachers / names / bits of gossip that i remember from my high school experience so
all the teachers at my high school had fuckin ridiculous last names

stay safe!
lew. ]

——————

Nighttime is always peaceful.

Rarely any cars go by on this rundown strip of road, but that makes it the perfect place to hang out.

Lewis finishes spreading the blankets in the bed of his brother's truck just in time for Logan's flashlight beam to come tracking up over the hill. Pillows get thrown in, and Lewis is just kicking off his boots when Logan reaches him.

The thing that surprises Lewis the most is the fact that Logan's brought someone else with him. The girl's presence is all it takes to turn him from the loud and joking person he is around his friend into the shy and afraid boy he's been publicly for years.

"I didn't wanna ditch you but Ruby was over at my house so... Lewis, this is Ruby, and Ruby, meet Lewis. Although you've probably seen each other around school."

Lewis waves, stepping up on the tire to just climb over the side of the truck. The first thing he does after he sits down is hugs a pillow close, covering the lower half of his face as well. It also muffles his voice, making him have to repeat himself a few times before he's heard. "We have American History together."

Logan frowns, presumably at his friend's cold reception of his girlfriend. "You don't have to be scared, Lew. Ruby's not gonna—"

"I'm not scared. I'm tired and my cousin's outta town so that means—"

"— no weed. I understand," Logan finishes, opening the tailgate of the truck. He helps Ruby up, then climbs up after her.

The truck is parked in the middle of a field that Lewis' family owns, halfway between the pond and the house. It's rare that Lewis' older brother lets them use the truck, but it's such a nice way to stargaze and not have to lay on the ground.

Logan lays in the middle of the bed, Ruby to his left and Lewis to his right. Things are quiet, on the verge of awkward, for a long while.

Until Lewis' anxiety-soaked voice asks, "How much can I trust you, Ruby? Like... if I say some personal, possibly incriminating stuff, would you tell anyone? The whole reason I invited Logan out was because I had some shit to get off my chest."

She's silent, but ultimately she tells him, "You're Logan's friend and it'd be such a shitty move to gossip about you."

Logan turns his head to give her a quick, affection-filled kiss before telling his friend, "I told you, she's not like the rest of them. What's up, Lew?"

Lewis' eyes focus on the Little Dipper constellation, finding it easier than looking at the other teenagers. "I, um... You know how that Daisy girl asked me out? And I told her I'd think about it?"

"Yeah. You were super flustered and almost fell down the steps in front of the school."

"Well..." He takes in a deep breath, closing his eyes for just a moment before realizing that the stars hold more comfort than the backs of his eyelids. "I don't know if I actually like girls or what and I'd understand totally if y'all are grossed out and don't wanna ever talk to me again—"

"You can't get rid of me that easily, dipshit," Logan tells him gently, reaching up with his free hand to pat the older boy's face. "What kind of best friend would I be if I didn't support you?"

"Logan, I mean this in the least homosexual way possible... but I fuckin' love you, bro."

Again, Ruby remains silent for a long moment, but when she does speak again, it's something neither boy is expecting.

"Did you know that one of the history teachers is more than likely dating the personal finance teacher?"

"What— No way!"

"Yes! Hayley saw them holding hands and walking around in town! Mr Warmke has a picture of both of them on his desk, and Andrew saw Salaback's phone lockscreen and it looked like the two of them."

"That's so wild, dude."