Laura felt lucky today because it was almost her third subject and she hasn't been bullied. It's not that she was waiting for it to happen; she just knows that the moment she gets in to the gates of Silas the bullying would immediately begin.
But today, she would like to think is a different day.
Carmilla was on her way to her art class when she suddenly feels someone tugged her on her shoulders. She scowls as she turns to the person but she immediately softens when she sees it was Ell.
'Someone's being sneaky today huh?'
'Well, I haven't seen you last night since I had this exam earlier so I decided on surprising you.' Ell answers Carmilla as she moves closer and slowly leans in capturing Carmilla's lips. Carmilla moaned appreciatively when Ell pushes her to the wall as their kisses became heated.
As the parted, Ell smirks knowing how she made Carmilla so worked up with their kiss.
'Tease.' Carmilla says as she tries to lean in again
Ell erupted in to laughter 'As much as I want to keep kissing you I can't. You have a class in like' Ell looks down to her watch before continuing, '2 minutes but I'll see you after class okay?'
'Of course, if that means more making out with you.' Carmilla gave Ell a quick peck on her lips before they parted ways.
Making out with Ell will always be one of her favorites.
'I thought you wouldn't detach your face from Ell' Elsie greets
'Hello to you too, Els' Carmilla bites back.
Elsie was about to say something snarky when they teacher walks in to their room.
Carmilla's art class ended pretty early today which she was thankful for because it means she would be seeing Laura in her next class.
It wasn't like she was cheating over Ell for having a crush over Laura right? She hopes that doesn't make her a cheater because that is the last thing she wanted to be.
And of course, she doesn't want to be cheated on as well.
Carmilla went to reality as she felt Elsie nudge her on her thigh with a pen which earned the girl with a glare which she just grins at.
'What do you want now?'
'Nothing. I was just wondering what you were dreaming about that you actually didn't hear Mr. Evans telling us about our homework.'
'What dreaming?'
Elsie snorts knowing she caught Carmilla off guard. 'Never mind. Don't worry the assignment would be too easy for you.'
Carmilla knows that Elsie is making fun of her so she settles not asking her yet. Maybe she'll just text Elsie tonight.
Laura's English class finally comes to an end and she suddenly feels anxious for her next class like she always does.
There are three reasons as to why.
First. It's physical education. For pete's sake Laura hates basketball.
Second. Silas Bitches will be there.
Third. She will get tortured.
Laura always wanted to skip PE but then she just don't do it knowing she needs to attend to that extracurricular class to have a good grade that would help her get to the uni where she wants to study after Silas.
Before heading to their gymnasium Laura went to her locker to leave her belongings and to get her PE uniform.
She was about to open her locker when she feel her phone vibrates.
She decides to take out the phone from her bag.
Once she saw that the texter is someone who isn't saved on her phonebook, Laura decides to ignore the message. Telling herself she's going to read it after class.
As soon as Laura had left her belongings to her locker, she immediately walked towards the gymnasium and she was thankful that she still has enough time to change into her PE uniform. She quickly made a stop on the locker room to change.
When she gets in, she checked the cubicle where she normally changes; sighing contentedly knowing that it was vacant.
Once she had finished changing, she stood right in front of the mirror to have her hair tied up on a messy bun.
When she had entered the gym, the class had started so she hurriedly run towards the bleachers where everyone of her class is seated, waiting for their names to be called for attendance.
Since she has arrived almost late, Laura had ended up seating on the far left of the bleachers just what Betty and Elsie had expected.
What Laura didn't know is, Betty and Elise had actually spread an egg goo to where she would be seating on, and the moment she had taken a seat t Betty and Elise couldn't hold anymore their laughter. Laura decided to ignore the laughter, thinking it wasn't about her.
After their names have been called out for their attendance, they were all told to go to their respective positions, well except for Laura. Since she was late, their coach or the PE teacher had advice her not play yet as a little punishment. So she was left on the bench while everyone else went to play basket ball.
When Laura was finally given the chance to play, Silas Bitches of course had taken this as an opportunity for them to make fun of her.
'Hey Thorneberry, think you can reach the ring with your heavy body and height?' Danny starts
'I-'
'You know, I guess it was all better when you were just there on the bleacher instead of being here on the court. You don't even belong here.' Betty pipes in, making Laura embarrassed.
As always, Laura decided to ignore them. Like she always does no matter how painful the bullying gets.
It was finally her turn to shoot the ball. She slowly makes her way to the three point lane, she starts to dribble the ball and as soon she heard Coach Lee blows his whistle, she took a deep breath and throws the ball towards the ring.
swoosh The moment she heard the sound of the net made as the ball gets in she immediately thank whatever deity there is because the ball got in. Sure it wasn't the first time she had shoot a ball in the first try, as much as Laura hates basketball, she is pretty much good at it, but this one she was actually extra proud of herself for making the shoot, knowing how much the Silas Bitches have her embarrassed again.
However, having the ball shoot fumes Danny. So she then decided to have duel against Laura.
'Hey Thorneberry, you and me, one on one. First one to get a score of ten wins.' Danny challenges.
Laura wanted to decline the challenge but then she knows that if she wins, this will be like a little victory for her against them.
'Okay' Laura simply answers.
'Woah, there. Tiger. Are you sure about this?' Lafontaine asks her.
'I'm actually not LaF. But, I just don't want them to call me as someone who is a coward. I don't want that to add up on the list of nicknames they have for me.'
'Just be careful L, yeah?'
'I will.'
During the first few minutes of the game, Laura was having a hard time on making a score. Danny was on the lead with 3 points, it was also hard for Laura to chase her since she's shorter chubby.
'Come on short stack, I thought you were good at playing. But it looks like you just peed on yourself on your shorts.' Danny says as she was trying to get a good defense with the ball.
'I did not.' Laura had stopped dribbling the ball to check on her shorts, which became an advantage to Danny as she steals the ball from Laura.
But this time, Laura didn't back down. She immediately gets her bearing and chases after Danny. She maybe short and chubby but with her determination she knows she can go places. Once she got the chance to steal the ball from Danny, she immediately shoots the ball earning herself a three-point score.
Carmilla, to her surprise, finds the game pretty interesting. At first, she was worried though about Danny asking for a duel with Laura but honestly, she was thankful that Laura had accepted the challenge.
Carmilla didn't deny it either that she was pretty impressed with Laura. She knows she's gonna win this. She wanted to cheer for her but Carmilla knows she just can't do it, so instead she settles in cheering internally.
Danny and Laura are down to a tie score and the ball is with Laura.
The game intensifies.
The gym never got this quieter.
And maybe Laura was never that unfortunate at all, because for whatever reason it was, the ball is with her and she knows that Coach Lee would soon blow the whistle to let everyone know that the game is over.
To everyone's surprise Laura actually did won the game.
And for once, she was happy.
Carmilla honestly wanted to run towards her. To give her a hug and to congratulate her but of course she didn't attempt doing it once again.
Lafontaine and Perry had rushed towards their friend. Chanting "Laura, Laura!" as the crowd actually cheered for her. Some of her guy classmates even carried her as they continue cheering for her tiny victory.
As soon as they had placed Laura down, Danny immediately went to her and grabbed her by the hair 'Where not yet over, Thorneberry!'
And of course, Danny had to push Laura, where she ended face down.
Having pushed hard on the floor, this time Laura's glasses fell off from her face and Elsie was pretty much fast enough to kick it somewhere beyond Laura'
Perry wanted to say something towards them; she knows they must do something. She knows they need to fight for Laura but she's also scared, but before she could even try to say anything Lafontaine had stood right in front of Danny, shoving her on her shoulder.
'What the fuck is wrong with you Lawrence?' They snap, earning them a glare coming from Danny and they swear Danny was close to punching them before-
'Enough.' Carmilla voiced out which led to her friends to turn their heads towards her.
'What did you just say Karnstein?' An obviously angry Danny asks her.
'I said enough.'
Danny laughs venomously 'Oh my god, Karnstein are you really softening toward these fools? I am your friend but you choose to defend them?' Danny asks throwing her arms into places.
'Danny, I'm not here to fight against you or to defend them. I only wanted you to stop.'
'You're unbelievable, Karnstein.'
'Danny…' Ell calmly warns Danny of whatever she had in mind.
'Whatever.' Danny says before she walks out of the gym followed by Betty and Elsie.
Carmilla really wanted to help Laura as soon as she saw Perry and Lafontaine carrying her. Carmilla thinks she must have a bad fall if Laura couldn't stand on her own.
Laura was changing inside the cubicle where she normally changes when she notice that there is a huge bruise forming on the left side of her ribs. She tries to slowly run her fingers there but she immediately pulls away as soon as she felt the pain which causes her to hiss.
Laura had never actually imagined that falling on the same side of your body will actually end you up with getting a bruise.
Since the forming bruise is already starting to burn like a bitch on her skin, Laura carefully and slowly wears her blue shirt with a duck in the middle, she sighs happily as soon as she was able to wear the shirt. Next was to change her shorts, the moment she removed it, she had just notice that the pee Danny was referring to from earlier was actually an egg.
That was probably the reason why Betty and Elsie were laughing at her.
She was pretty sure that they were the once who caused it.
Laura had also noticed that she now have a bruise on her knees. 'No wonder I had a hard time standing earlier' she thought to herself.
When she went out of the cubicle and went to wash her, it was only the time she had noticed that there is a crack on her glass and worst she even have a bleeding lip. She groans as she slowly crosses her arms on top of the sink as she slams her head 'Fuck, how am I supposed to explain this to my parents?'
'I have never imagined you to be someone who cusses.' Laura literally whipped her head towards the voice inside the restroom, she knows she was alone the moment she gets there and she also knows that it wasn't Perry or Lafontaine.
It was Carmilla.
'I uh' Laura starts to stutter showing nervousness on the sound of her voice which didn't go unnoticed from Carmilla.
'Relax cupcake. I'm not here to hurt you or to give you any threats. I'm just here to pee.'
Of course, peeing wasn't entirely the reason why Carmilla went inside the restroom. She went there to check on Laura and to apologize for what Danny did to her earlier, but of course once again she had chicken out.
Laura on the other hand was supposed to say something when she abruptly stopped the moment she hears the door opening revealing Ell.
'There you are babe.' She greets as she walks towards Carmilla, giving her a quick peck on the lips. As soon as she pulls away, she noticed Laura staring.
'What are you looking at? Scram!'
And with that Laura left the restroom.
Carmilla was about was working on her math homework when her phone vibrates from her bedside table.
She lazily grabs her phone and lazily swipes to its left to see who had texted her.
There were two messages.
One from Elsie.
The other from Laura.
Carmilla could've swear that her heart fall on her stomach the moment she saw Laura's name. Oh yes, she actually saved Laura's number.
Of course she chooses to open first the message coming from Elsie.
[Elsie Miller, 07:30 PM]: Hey just texting you to let you know that our homework from art class is to create a pastel sculpture, and with need to hand it down by the end of the month.
[Carmilla Karnstein, 7:35 PM]: Oh alright, sounds good. Thanks, night!
She knows her reply to Elsie could've sound a bit, off but she didn't want to chat with her. She wasn't really in the mood. Plus she is actually dreading on reading Laura's text, so that was what she does next.
This was the very first time Laura had decided to answer her text since she got Laura's number from their class records.
As soon as she lies down, she quickly opens the message.
[Laura Hollis, 07:30 PM]: I exactly don't have any idea of how you got your number and why you keep on checking me, but I would like you to know that I want you to stop it before your friends finds out about you contacting me.
Oops. That wasn't how Carmilla expected their first text to start. But how can she blame Laura of course the girls is mad at her too. Even though she's not doing anything against her.
[Carmilla Karnstein, 07: 38 PM]: I got your number from your class records. I had it in a long while now. I got it because I always wanted to apologize to you with how my friends are actually treating you and I am sorry I can't do it in person no matter how much I wanted to. But I'm really sorry.
[Laura Hollis, 07:45 PM]: Whatever.
[Carmilla Karnstein, 07:50 PM]: I understand that you're also mad at me even though I don't do anything against you but I'm really sorry, cupcake. I wish I could do something about it. Fuck, can I call you?
Laura takes in a deep breath before she replies.
[Laura Hollis, 08:00 PM]: Fine.
Carmilla's heart dropped again.
Laura answered her phone after five rings.
Finally she answers.
Shut up. Atleast I answered you.
For whatever reason, Laura's answer made Carmilla smile
Thank you.
What do you want?
To apologize.
You already did.
I know. But it wasn't enough and it will never be.
True.
Will you just here me out?
Okay
I have texted you on earlier because I know what will happen again today. I mean not exactly how it turns out to be, but knowing that you would be sharing the same space with us it would only mean that you would be in trouble. Did you even get my text by the way?
I did. I just wasn't in the mood for answering.
What's change?
Carmilla..
Sorry.
Fine. I don't know, maybe it was because you stood up for me awhile ago. Perry told me that it was you who told Danny to stop. I had to ask since your dear friend had kicked my glasses somewhere I can't reach.
Sorry about that one too. Did it get any damage?
Yeah. There's a little crack on it.
Fuck.
Yeah.
Listen, if you want, I could get you another pair of glasses we'll just keep it as a secret.
I don't know, Carm. We're not friends to begin with.
For whatever reason it was, Carmilla's heart soared the moment she hears the nickname.
Will you call me that again?
Call you what?
Carm. I don't know, it felt good when you say it.
I don't know.
Okay. Hey, by the way. I wasn't really going for a pee earlier I just wanted to really check you out. But I don't know I chickened out.
Maybe I should call you Carmken instead. Laura teases
Carmken?
Yeah. Carmilla-chicken.
Very funny, cupcake.
I have a name.
I'm aware. Anyway, I really am sorry for everything our group had caused you. I am apologizing even I'm not doing anything.
Well right now? You're friends have managed to give me a bruise on my left rib, on my knees, a blown up lips and a cracked eyeglasses which I still don't know how to tell my parents once they got home.
Shit. I am so so sorry.
Carmken?
Cupcake?
Why?
Huh?
Why are you being nice to me even though you know your friends hates me.
I don't know. Maybe you're just a good person and it's a shame they can't see it, and I know it was stupid for me to say that because we never really talk and earlier at the restroom it was the only almost encounter we actually had.
You know you can always talk to me.
Is that your way of offering me a friendship?
We'll see.
Okay. No rushing. Oh before I forget, nice game earlier. You were actually pretty good.
You think so?
Yes.
Before Laura could say anything else, she heard a car pull out in front of her, which means her parents are home.
Hey, I have to let go now.
Why?
Did you just whine?
No. there's no whining.
Whatever. Anyway, I have to put down my phone. Mom and Dad are home, and I'm not allowed to take calls or to even use my phone when I'm doing home works.
Uh oh.
Yeah.
That's fine. See you tomorrow then?
Yes. See you.
As soon as they have ended the call Laura managed to send Carmilla a text.
[Laura Hollis, 08:30 PM]: Thanks for the call, Carmken. Have a good night.
[Carmilla Karnstein, 08:32 PM]: goodnight.
Carmilla and Laura both didn't expect the kind of encounter they just had. It may not have been face to face but they were both glad that they have talked. And maybe, sooner or later they could be friends. Someday, maybe.