A.N: Hi, how long? I've been super busy but I still had time to make some drawings that I'll be posting on my networks in the next few days. I've been under a lot of stress, work, pressure and now that I started an internship to graduate my time has been reduced a lot but I still plan to come write my fics for the sake of my mental health xD I hope you enjoy it.
The vivid memory of the dance was raw, or at least her heart felt that way even though a day had already passed. Kuki settled back in her bed without being able to sleep, and it wasn't that she was worried about something bad, on the contrary, she felt happy. It was a happiness difficult to explain.
She thought she had that little voice in her head that made her feel bad because she had agreed to go to the dance with Ace but by fate, she ended up dancing at least half the night with Wally. The words were left over, they just looked at each other and enjoyed the swing of the musical pieces in their ears and in their bodies. As if all their lives they had only waited for such a pleasant moment.
Something inside her told her that she had experienced this sensation before, but she couldn't remember where or when. Not even the rainbow monkey exclusive item releases had made her feel this way.
She thought of calling him, listening to his voice, maybe that would calm her down but it was past 11 at night, he was probably already asleep.
Little by little her eyes closed and the last thing she thought was Wally gently holding her waist as they danced together on the dance floor.
Hands smeared with acrylic paint and holding several brushes full of paint, Kuki backed into the girls' bathroom. Being the time between classes, the bathrooms were deserted. She walked over to a sink and turned on the faucet, letting the water run between her fingers and her brushes. The water that ran through the porcelain turned in different colors and this seemed interesting to her to observe. Suddenly, the bathroom door opened and Abby rushed in.
"Kuki? I thought you weren't coming today girl," Abby told her when she realized that the girl at the sink was her friend.
"Hi Abby, I'm a little late today. I fell asleep," she smiled lopsidedly.
"You, falling asleep? Wow, that is new."
"There's always a first time for everything," she comments, watching as the water begins to clear and the colors become more diffuse.
"Are you holding up on that?" Abby asks.
"A little, why?"
"Do you want to wait for me? I won't be long, nature calls" the girl entered in the last cubicle.
A few seconds later, the bathroom door opened again and this time, it was Alice, Hoagie's girlfriend.
"Kuki! Just the person I wanted to meet. I'm so glad to see you, and I mean it."
"Is something wrong?" Kuki watched the girl carefully and noticed that her eyes were a little swollen. "Did you get sick over the weekend?
"So if you notice something strange on my face, isn't it?" Alice lowered her head and Kuki realized that it wasn't a disease, but something from the heart.
"Does it have to do with Hoagie?" The girl turned off the faucet so she could hear her friend better. Alice instinctively peeked out from under the cubicles to check that no one else was there. Abby, hearing her footsteps, lifted her feet to go unnoticed and pay more attention to the two girls' conversation.
"It seems we're alone" Kuki only nodded, she didn't want to give Abby away, she was also her best friend, surely she could keep the secret. "Hoagie and I… we broke up."
"W-what?" she asked in surprise. She didn't understand how it happened if they looked super good in their relationship.
"Do you remember that at the dance they played slow and romantic music so that the couples could get closer? Well, I saw everyone so enthralled with their partners and I wanted that, seriously, but I... I didn't feel that Hoagie and I had any kind of romantic connection like that, even you and Wally seemed so close that I must say I was even envious."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Oh you know very well what I mean. You love each other, perhaps in some strange way, the truth is that from the short time I shared with you I could tell that he cares a lot about you even if he is a hardhead but let's leave that topic for another day" she sighed "The thing is, Hoagie I liked him a lot but... it wasn't the same anymore and I... That hurt me, because I thought we had something special but I think he only listened to me because I started insisting at a time when he didn't even know what he wanted."
Kuki grabbed some paper towels and wiped his hands as he listened to Alice's story with her childhood friend. She began to compare herself to her story. What if she and Wally decide to be together and then see their relationship start to change and nothing seems to be what she thought? She was not going to deny that she felt so divine to be dancing so close to Wally in the dance. She was sad for her friend who could not experience such a beautiful and unique feeling. Even though Ace behaved like a gentleman that night, the best part was when they changed partners and she ended the rest of the night dancing with the boy who made her swoon.
"But, did he break up with you because he didn't feel that connection? " Kuki asked when she noticed that her friend stopped talking.
"No, I broke up with him yesterday." She let out a breath and then she continued, "You must think I'm a fool, but I had to. I felt bad being with a person like that and besides, I know he started acting weird when Abigail came back."
"And what does Abby have to do with it?"
"You're her friend and you didn't realize it? There is a certain tension between them that I really don't know how to explain. He gets distracted when she is there and looks for her with his eyes still with me and that... I can understand that I'm not the owner of his heart and I might as well walk away and...― Alice started to sob and Kuki approached her to hug her.
"I'm so sorry Alice" was the only thing she could think of to say at that moment.
"Is okay," she said once she managed to calm down, "I'm glad I can count on you, Kuki, you're very sweet and kind, but I'm not going to put you in a decision where you have to choose a side, I... I need time."
"Take as long as you need to heal."
"That includes you Kuki, at least until it stops hurting."
"But Alice...
"But nothing," she interrupted her very determined, "Give me some time to think better, reflect and heal my wounds. When I'm ready I'll look for you and we can continue to be friends as always" she took her hands and gave her a sincere smile.
Kuki didn't explain herself why at that moment, she felt like she wanted to cry but she held back. He said goodbye to Alice and a few moments later when the girl left, Abby came out of the cubicle where she was hiding.
"That was kind of…intense," Abby added.
"Abby, we need to talk" Kuki frowned and looked directly at her, causing Abby to get a little scared because it was not common to see the dark-haired woman angry if not because of Wally when he used to annoy her.
"What's up Kuki? It seems that you want to kill me with her look" she approached the sink and took some soap to rinse her hands.
"I respect your privacy Abby, I really do, but I think it's time, as your best friend, that you tell me once and for all what happened between you and Hoagie."
"Nothing happened, don't worry"
"No Abby, you have to tell me, don't you trust me? Sometimes I even feel that Wally knows more things than me." She began to get frustrated by Abby's attitude.
Abby looked at Kuki and then lowered her head and her red cap that she was wearing that day covered her face. She felt so vulnerable and weak. She didn't like to open up and talk about her feelings, sometimes things were easier for her when she talked to Nigel but she hadn't even been able to tell him everything that happened.
"Okay, Abby will tell you what happened but you have to promise me that this is something you won't discuss with him, or Wally, or Nigel. Nobody, do you understand me?"
"Spit it out, Abby."
"Hoagie and I kissed!"
Of all the things that Kuki thought about what could have happened between them, the last thing that she thought was that they had shared something so intimate.
"Wait what?" Kuki approaches Abby and takes her by the shoulders, "Look at me Abby, are you serious?"
She took a few seconds to look up at her friend, she felt very embarrassed. That was supposed to be a fact that they had both agreed not to say but things were a little out of control now. She nodded, looking into her eyes.
"Why didn't you tell me something so important?"
"We're not supposed to talk about it."
"Why not? A kiss is not something that is taken lightly, apart from that, it is so special that you share it with a person and...
"Enough Kuki, not all of us are sensitive like you."
Kuki kept quiet and tried to put herself in Abby's place. She was true, always so sensitive, sentimental, romantic and Abby was the complete opposite.
"When did it happen?" she said at last.
"More than 6 months ago," she replied.
"And what happened after that?"
"I don't know, that's the question Kuki. I thought that after that something had changed between us. We were alone in the tree house, Nigel still hadn't come from who knows where, and it just happened. We were so embarrassed that we decided not to talk about it but I noticed that our conversations, our treatment was somewhat different. We looked at each other more, we got together more, we even started going out alone, without you and little by little I… in some stupid way I fell in his charms, but I was afraid."
"I think I can understand that fear... of not wanting to ruin things, that everything stays the same but you still want more" it was Kuki who looked down and the girl could tell who she was referring to with those words.
"Babe, the thing between you and Wally can be resolved by talking."
"Well, I think that yours with Hoagie can also be resolved by talking," she crossed her arms a little angry.
"I think we both should do something. These guys nowadays are more and more idiotic" she slapped her forehead in frustration. "Or leaving things as they are would be a good option.
"I don't think that's an option. Hoagie is usually very flirtatious with girls, anyone who makes eyes at him captivates him in a certain way. You should take advantage now that he is single to clarify what you have between you.
"Are you crazy? He just broke up with Alice. I'm not that type of girl, Abby won't be anyone's second table dish."
Abby was right and Kuki admitted it. If she were to seek out Hoagie now to clear up her relationship, she would imply that she was desperate, expecting him to stay single so she could strike. That looked really bad. Especially in Abigail Lincoln.
"It doesn't have to be now, but soon, I can't stand seeing you like this, Abby. You left on that trip that I barely gave me time to process that you left."
"I'm sorry about that, but I don't regret anything. I needed to get away, far from here, I couldn't bear to see them and I was so angry and I… oh man, seriously, that trip was the best thing I could do."
Kuki released the hold she had on Abby and took her brushes that were still on the sink and began to dry them with paper.
"You know, I've been thinking about myself and Wally all weekend. I didn't even go to Nigel's house, I didn't want to look at him and I came late today on purpose so as not to find him in the lockers," she admitted.
"And what will you do with Ace? It's not for nothing, Kuki, but he seems quite enthralled with you", asks Abby, leaning on the door of one of the bathroom stalls.
"Then I'll clear things up with him before they escalate too much. He is very sweet and nice to me but I can only offer him a friendship."
Due to all the time they had been in the bathroom, they decided to continue their conversation later. When Kuki came back, it was almost time for her art classes that she also shared with Wally and Nigel to end. She looked calm and returned to her easel without realizing that the Aussie followed her with his eyes from when she left until she returned. They hadn't spoken since the dance and Wally thought he had done something wrong because they didn't speak to each other all weekend and she never made it to the tree house.
It had been a few days since Abby had that conversation with Kuki in the bathroom. Classes were over by now, and she decided to catch some football practice starring the popular guys in school, and that included Wally. Also on that day, the cheerleaders held their practices on the other side of the field.
Luckily for the girl, the previous day's basketball tryouts went so well that she was assigned as co-captain of the team. It was a surprise to everyone that a girl was included in the team but they gave Abby a full semester to put together a girl's team and to get going for a meet with another girl's team during the next season.
Walking up the steps, she didn't realize she was getting dangerously close to a certain boy until she had him at a close enough distance to rule out ignoring him. Since she had no other choice, she made a gesture with her hand and she sat down next to him but taking a certain distance.
"Hello Abby," he greeted her in a doubtful tone.
"Hello Hoagie," she replied without looking at him as she placed her backpack next to her. "I didn't expect to find you here."
"Same here," he looked ahead as the coach blew the whistle and got the team warmed up. "Are you waiting for someone?"
"Not really. I just wanted to come watch practice for a while before going to Nigel's house," she answered without giving it much thought. She was doing everything she could to sound calm and the truth was that she felt a little nervous being alone with him.
"I see."
"Are you waiting for Wally?"
"Oh yeah. Then from here we'll go for some chili hot dogs. I know Wally must have a good diet now that he's the captain's favorite popular jock boy but he insisted on treating himself before diving into practice and stuff, you know." He explained. "If you want, you can come with us," he invited her, rubbing the back of her neck nervously. He didn't have his hat on and his brown hair fell over his face and neck.
"Pretty cute," Abby thought.
"Thanks but I have other plans"
"Yes, of course, no problem," the boy laughed nervously.
They passed through an awkward silence that neither of them knew how to break. Suddenly Abby said something that she then completely regretted saying, but it was too late.
"I heard that you and Alice broke up."
"Why did I say that? For heaven's sake Abby. Can't you be any more stupid? Now he's going to think I'm a bitch or worse. Very bad idea sitting here, it was easier to just walk past him and ignore him but no, Abby had than to fall and stay by his side again"
"You already found out" he let out a heavy sigh and placed his hands on her knees looking down "I think it was inevitable, nothing was the same anymore and I somehow always ruined everything, right?"
"I don't think I am the right girl to tell you any love advice or anything like that," she looked away. She really didn't want to talk about it.
"I don't need your advice Abby, I know exactly how you are."
"Thank you," she replied without looking at him, thanking him for not delving further into the subject.
They commented on plays and passes from the football players to change the subject and little by little the tension between the two teenagers softened and they managed to have a pleasant conversation for the first time in a long time. It is true that they had been sending occasional messages on the cell phone but they had not spoken alone since the girl returned from Hawaii.
When practice ended, the cheerleaders approached the boys as many had their boyfriends on the team to chat or praise them for their efforts. Suddenly something caught Abby's attention, a girl was talking to Wally and he seemed quite interested in what she was saying.
Hoagie, who had been distracted by his cell phone, is interrupted by a poke from his friend that makes him catch his attention.
"Hey, who's that girl Wally is talking to?" the girl asks, very surprised.
"Oh, she's a friend of Wally's, her name is Victoria," he answers without giving it much importance.
"Friend? Wally doesn't have any female friends apart me and Kuki"
"Don't be like that Abby. The boy has the right, also now that he is popular, you should get used to seeing him surrounded by pretty girls. Oh, I already wish his luck."
"I'm going to completely ignore everything you said except about Victoria," she poke him again and he proceeds to rub her arm because this time she did it with more force "Tell me more."
"Oh but don't hit me Abby."
"I'll do it again if you don't tell me," she threatened.
"Okay, but no more blows," he settled back in his seat and got closer to her. "Wally says that he met her at the gym that I often refused to go to, it's just that come on, I don't need that, I just had to give the growth spurt. Well, anyway, apparently they talked a lot because she went the same days that he used to train."
"Or she asked him what days she was going to meet him."
"Well, if you say it like that," he placed a hand on her chin, thinking, "That would make a lot more sense."
"Of course it has! And look, she's flirting with him." They both looked in Wally's direction and Victoria had gotten closer to him, jumping up and touching her hair. "What she's doing is a classic plastic girl tactic to win over boys."
"How do you know that?" asks Hoagie intrigued.
"Because I'm a girl," he looks at her with a frown and Hoagie decides not to discuss that for his own safety.
"Kuki has to know this."
"Why?
"And you're going to ask why? You and I know very well that these two love each other secretly, not so secretly."
"I thought that something had already happened between those two, after all Kuki was in his house almost all summer."
"Don't you think that if something had changed between them, we would have realized it at once?" Hoagie thought about giving him a negative but yes, he was quite right.
"So…"
"Talk to Wally, tell him anything. Come out with something. Use your head."
"Something like what?" he says confused.
"Something like Ace proposed to Kuki."
"But that hasn't happened, has it?"
"It will pass soon if those two don't do something," she says, still looking at Victoria who was still flirting with her friend.
Hoagie kept thinking that something important was missing and he didn't remember what it was until he turned on the light bulb in his head and looked at the brunette.
"What?" Abby asks, uncomfortable with Hoagie's look.
"I forgot to tell you that I heard a rumor that you and Wally were dating but since they saw that Wally danced with Kuki they think there is a rivalry between you two."
"Don't joke with me, this can't be happening!," the girl shouted in frustration but no one heard her because there was no one near her.
