Hello, darlings! Sorry that it's been a bit; school started up again, and that's all crap. This chapter's also kind of short, but I guess we'll just have to deal.
Edit: Ok I'm so fucking done with this website. This is legit the 7th time I've tried to edit this chapter so I can just credit my fucking editor and it won't let me even type out her full username. I just. Want. To give. My editor love and credit properly. And I can't. And I'm pissed.
Edit: GUYS I found a solution ish. I commented on this chapter the link and her username. Please go check her out. I'm so sorry that this website is being a bitch. Also, I spelled cooperating wrong, I know, don't at me or whatever the kids say these days.
Edit: I'm literally so fucking done. The comment didn't even work and I misspelled cooperating so horribly and I can't just credit my editor. This will have to do: She's commented and her username has 'peggy' in it. Please just give her love. Please.
But like now on with the chapter:
"I want all the tea."
"Peter, what the hell?" Alex watches as her friend saunters in armed with two travel mugs. He looks stunning, in a yellow summer dress, fishnet tights, and ridiculously big heels. The curly brown hair on his head is a mess, but in a styled way, something Alex could never pull off. How he doesn't have a boyfriend yet, she has absolutely no clue.
Peggy darts up and starts sniffing at Peter's feet excitedly. Sometimes Alex seriously starts to question whether Peggy actually likes Peter more than her.
"Well, I got your texts. And I didn't feel like calling." Peter hands one of the mugs to Alex and takes a large sip out of his own. He then squats down to pet Peggy.
"So you came here?"
"Why, of course. I'd never give up the chance to see my favorite girl." The boy shoots Alex a crooked grin, brown eyes sparkling with mischief.
"You're the worst."
"Eh, I've heard it all before. Do you know what I haven't heard? What happened in your class. So spill." In a single fluid movement, Peter lands cross-legged on Alex's bed, Peggy following to lay half on Alex's lap. "Holy shit, this is so uncomfortable."
"I know, right. It's so hard."
"That's what she said." Pete waggles his eyebrows at Alex.
Alex chucks one of her throw pillows at her friend. He could be so stupid sometimes! "You suck."
"Honey, that's the point."
"Just shut the fuck up," Alex says in an attempt to act annoyed, but her laugh gives her away. But Pete just shrugs.
"Tell me the story, Lex."
"Fine, fine. So this girl walks in, and, lemme tell you, she is still just as hot, like I can't-"
"Your gay is showing."
"Do you want to hear what happened or not?"
"Sorry, sorry. Continue."
"Oh, yo, you're the girl from the café, right? I never caught your name." 'Hot Girl,' as Alex had so graciously dubbed her, walked up through the seats to plop in the chair next to Alex.
"Yeah, my name is Alex. Sorry for storming out. You're really hot, by the way. Wanna go out?"
"Alex, there's literally no way you asked her out."
"Yeah, yeah, you caught me. It was more like-"
"I-uh, um, yeah, my name is Alex. Sorry for leaving so quickly, I had to, um, get...somewhere." Alex went to scratch at her knuckles but Peggy, seeing this movement, got up and nudged her hand.
"Hey, no worries. I'm Jen Laurens. It's nice to meet you." Jen stuck out a hand for Alex to shake. Her fingers were kind of short in an oddly endearing way, with freckles dotting every inch of skin. Alex reached out tentatively to grab the hand.
"So she introduced herself, her name is Jen, by the way, and the teacher comes in, and I swear to god, she is the best teacher ever."
"Alright, class! Hello. My name is Ms. Rodriguez, and I'll be your teacher for this year. I want you to know right now, I don't tolerate disrespect towards others in this class, and I don't want to put up with kids who don't want to be here. If you don't feel that this class is right, go find another class that suits you better while you can." The teacher glided to the desk before sitting heavily on top of it and manspreading.
"I'd hate to put you all through stupid ice-breaker activities, but I'd at least like to know your names. So let's go around. I want to know your name, pronouns, and why you're here."
"Hold up, she asked for pronouns? That's so nice."
"I know, right? Afterward, we went over this year's units and stuff, and then just had free time to ask questions or something. So Jen started talking to me."
"Sooo... wanna see pictures of my cat?"
"Hell yes."
Jen pulled out her phone and pulled up pictures of a cat before scooching closer to Alex. Alex could barely breathe with a girl that pretty in such close proximity, and Peggy rested her head on Alex's knee.
Honestly, more people need to bond over cat pictures. Alex was well calmed down by cute animals, and it made striking up a conversation with Jen much easier. They mainly argued over which animal was better; cats or dogs. Alex obviously thought dogs and managed to convince Jen to love dogs. (She's still a cat person, though, but Alex decides to count it as a win anyway.)
"Oh my god, she like cats more? Stop talking to her right now, this is not ok."
"But like, Peter."
"Fine, whatever, I guess she's good enough."
(This resulted in Alex hitting him with another pillow.)
"That's the end of this class! Heads up, this was just the first class. Next class, we're getting down to business. Dismissed!"
Alex started packing up her stuff when Jen reached out and tugged at her sleeve. Alex immediately flinched back, hands up in defensive mode. Peggy went into a block, pushing Jen back a bit.
"Ah, sorry! I wasn't trying to hurt you, I just wanted to get your attention, ok?" Jens green eyes widened with honesty, not pity, and held her hands out palms up.
"Right." Alex nodded her head and commanded Peggy to stand down. "Right. Sorry. What was it that you wanted?"
"I was just gonna ask if I could have your number. You seem like a chill person, so I just-"
"Oh, yeah, sure. Uh, here." Alex's ears slowly turned pink.
"Oh my god, you got her number?"
"Fuck yeah, bitch."
"I'm so proud of my gay baby. She's all grown up." Pete wipes away a tear.
"I'm sure she didn't even mean it romantically."
"Still. Have you texted her yet?"
"No, not yet."
Pete leans forward, plucking Alex's phone from beside her. "Well, what are you waiting for, girl?"
"Pete, give that back!"
"Too late!"
Alex tackles her annoya-friend and retrieves the phone, deeply regretting giving Pete the password. A chat is already open with Jen's number.
hammyham: hey
"Bruh you got me worried there for nothing." Alex relaxes back against her wall, Peggy shoving her head under her owner's hand.
Then her phone pings.
I hate when authors are like wOnDeR wHaT wIlL hApPeN nExT when they end on a cliffhanger because they obviously know. But I have actually no idea because this story has close to no plot and I legit wonder what's going to happen next.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it! Go give my editor some love.
xxstella