"Waverly, come on! You're gonna be late for school!" Gus shouted from the bottom of the stairs.
I rushed down the stairs, my bag thrown over my shoulder. "Sorry, Gus. I kind of overslept," I apologized.
I fixed my shirt and closed my coat, which was quiet big on me, but I didn't mind, and then started towards the door. I caught a glimpse out the window and frowned when I saw that Nicole's car wasn't there. She'd decided that it was best to move back into her grandma's house, since she's already eighteen, or at least sleep there. Gus told her that she had to come over for dinner every night and sleep over on weekends. I loved that Gus was so protective over her, because Nicole didn't have anyone to look after her. Not that she needed it, anyway. I mean, she is technically an adult.
Just as I opened my mouth to speak, Nicole pulled up outside. I smiled immediately and quickly opened the door.
"Bye, Aunt Gus!" I called out as I rushed out the front door.
"Have a good day at school!" Gus called back.
I hurried to Nicole's car and climbed into the passenger side, wrapping my arms around her and kissing her cheek.
Nicole chuckled. "Good morning to you, too." She greeted, allowing me to pepper her cheek with kisses.
I pulled away and smiled at her. "I missed you. It's been so long since I slept by myself. It felt weird without you there," I told her.
She turned her head and gave me a kiss. When she pulled back, she frowned. "I'm sorry about that... I just- I didn't wanna get in the way of everything that's happening. Ya know? This is your family business, and I don't wanna intrude on it at all."
I sighed, closing the car door and buckling my seat belt. "Baby, you're not intruding if we want you there," I promised her.
She shrugged as she started driving. "You say that... And I know it's true, but it doesn't feel like it."
I didn't respond to Nicole because I didn't know what to say. I felt bad that she felt like she was intruding on us and everything that's been happening. I mean, I understand why she'd feel like that, but it sucked knowing that she did and that there's no way for me to make her feel better. When Nicole pulled into the student parking lot of the school, I looked over to the front and saw Tucker getting out of a car. I sighed, hoping that Tucker wouldn't see me and ask me about the whole prom thing. The driver got out of the car, and I could finally see who it was: Mercedes. She looked mad... Like she was upset with Tucker.
Nicole and I got out of her car and made our way towards the entrance of the school. The closer we got, the more I could hear Mercedes and Tucker's conversation.
"I already have to deal with the funeral expenses, Tucker, I don't wanna have to deal with your crap, too." Mercedes snapped at Tucker, her arms folded across her chest. She was very mad at him. I wonder what he did...
"No one asked you to come back, you know. You don't even have to be here. And I shouldn't have to go to school," Tucker shot back. He was glaring at Mercedes like she'd just broken his favorite... whatever Tucker likes.
"I had to come back. To take care of you and Beth, and to pay for Mom and Dad's funeral. You are going to school, you little shit, so why don't you just take your ass inside and go to class!" Mercedes yelled.
The kids around us all stopped dead in their tracks and stared at them. Tucker looked around at the watching students and scoffed, rolling his eyes. He muttered something along the lines of "I hate you" and stormed off into the school. The surrounding kids stood for a few seconds before looking at each other and continuing to go wherever they were heading. I stayed close to Nicole as we kept walking towards the doors to go into the school.
"Waverly?" I heard Mercedes say.
I turned around and looked at her. "Oh, hey, Mercedes. Long time, no see, huh?" I responded awkwardly.
She walked over and nodded. "Uh, yeah. How is everything?" She asked me.
"Oh, pretty good. I mean, besides everything that happened..."
Mercedes nodded a bit. "Yeah. How is Willa, by the way?" She asked, seeming a bit... I don't wanna say bitchy, but...
I frowned. "Oh, well- She's- she feels bad... I'm really sorry about your parents, Mercedes." I really meant that.
Mercedes flashed a smile. "You don't have to apologize. It's not your fault. Have Wynonna give me a call, alright? I haven't seen her yet."
I nodded. "I will."
"It was good to see you."
"You, too."
Mercedes gave me a hug before walking back to her car and getting into it. She drove away and I let out a sigh of relief. Nicole rubbed my back soothingly and gave me a quick kiss on my forehead. We walked into school together, but went our separate ways to go to our lockers. As I made my way towards mine, I saw Tucker standing there. He was waiting for me. Part of me wanted to just turn around and walk away, but I needed my books. I took a deep breath and kept walking. Tucker lit up like a very creepy Christmas tree when he saw me.
I approached him very awkwardly and flashed a small smile. "Um... Hi, Tucker," I greeted. I knew that it was better to be polite.
Tucker smiled. "Hi, Waverly. Have you thought about prom?" He asked. Wow... Straight to the point.
I cleared my throat. "Yeah, I don't think-" I stopped myself. I needed to be straightforward. "I can't go with you," I said. I brushed past him and stood in front of my locker, beginning to put the combination in.
Tucker's mood dropped immediately. "Why not?" He asked me.
I didn't look up. I wanted to mention Nicole... But I was scared. Tucker just made me uncomfortable. "I just can't."
Tucker silently stormed off, and I could tell that he was angry without him even speaking. I just wasn't sure how to talk to him... It felt like everything I could think of to say would be too... I don't know... Rude, maybe? Whatever... Prom isn't for a few months anyway. I grabbed my books out of my locker and then closed it, turning around to walk down the hall. When I got to class, Nicole was already in her seat. I smiled when I saw her and made my way to my seat. When I sat down, I heard two girls, Destiny and Ashley, whispering behind me. I put my bag down and set my books on my desk. I looked forward, towards the front of the classroom.
"I heard that she's been messing around with that new girl... What's her name? Nicole?" I heard Destiny whisper behind me.
"Waverly? Sleeping with a chick? No way," Ashley responded.
"I swear. Champ Hardy said he caught them dancing all up on each other at a party."
"I still can't believe Waverly dumped him. He's so hot! He brought a calf to its knees in eight seconds flat!"
I rolled my eyes. Why can't they just mind their own business?
"She must be a lesbian if she left a guy like that."
I scoffed at that. Or maybe I left him because he's a jackass...
"Right? I would never have dumped Champ. He's definitely one of a kind."
That's it. I turned around and looked right at the two girls behind me. "You weren't the ones dating him, so you wouldn't know the first thing about being with Champ. I dumped because he's a dick and he's bad at sex," I snapped.
Destiny and Ashley stared at me with wide eyes. I looked around and saw the whole class staring at me. That's when I realized that I totally said that at a very high volume.
"Waverly Earp," the teacher said. I turned around and looked at her. She seemed pretty pissed. "Do you have something you'd like to share with the class?" She asked me, arms crossed.
I shook my head immediately. "No thank you, ma'am," I replied sheepishly.
The class chuckled and I lowered my head shyly. I can't believe I actually said that in front of everyone! Way to go, Waverly.
The teacher began her lesson and I could see Nicole looking at me. I looked up and she gave me a confused look. I shook my head and shrugged. She sighed and turned her attention to the teacher. I sat through the rest of class, trying to focus on the lesson. I got most of it but was distracted by what had happened. By the end of it, I was ready to go home. Which was a bad thing because it was only first period. The teacher gave us the homework and then the bell rang and I was up immediately, shoving my things into my bag.
I wanted to get out of the damn classroom so badly that I'd completely forgotten to wait for Nicole.
"Waverly!" Nicole called after me.
I stopped and turned around, waiting for her to catch up. "Sorry." I apologized once she was standing in front of me.
"What happened in there?" She asked in a soft voice. She was always so sweet.
I shook my head, leaning against the wall. I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. "Nothing, just- The girls behind me were talking about me. I decided to say something... Guess I should've been a little... quieter about it." I explained to her, mumbling a bit in case said girls happened to walk by. I opened my eyes and looked up at her.
Her eyebrows were furrowed in that cute way they whenever she was concerned. I thought it was sweet."Well, what were they saying?" She asked.
I shook my head. "It's nothing, don't worry about." I reassured her with a smile. I leaned in a bit closer. "I just really, really wanna ki-"
"Hey, Waverly!" A familiar voice interrupted in an extremely fake tone.
I huffed and turned towards the voice. The girls from earlier were standing there. I plastered on a fake smile and looked at them both. "Hi!" I responded.
Destiny smirked, looking between Nicole and me. "So, is it true?" She asked annoying.
Nicole shook her head, clearly confused. "Is what true?" She responded.
Ashley looked at her. "Is it true that you and Waverly are sleeping together?" She asked very pointedly. She was acting like she already knew the answer.
I rolled my eyes. "Seriously, can you guys just-"
"That's not a no," Destiny interrupted.
"It's not a yes, either." Nicole snapped, glaring at Destiny.
I sighed. I can't believe this is happening right now... On top of everything going on, Nicole and I have to deal with this bullshit... Maybe I should just tell them. I mean, what do I have to lose, really? School's almost over. In a few months, Nicole and I will be out of this place and we'll never have to see any of these jerks ever again. Well, actually... I might. If I wanna stay in Purgatory. Which... I kinda do. Whatever.
"You really wanna know?" I asked Destiny and Ashley.
They both nodded eagerly. Why do they wanna know so bad? Ugh. This is weird.
I rolled my eyes again. "Fine. Nicole and I are not just sleeping with each other," I started. Aaaaand cue the gasps and wide eyes... "We're in a relationship. With each other."
Nicole looked at me, surprised, as I took her hand in mine and interlocked our fingers.
"Are you really?" Ashley asked, her face shocked.
I nodded. "Yeah. We are," I responded.
Destiny made a face, while Ashley smiled. "That's weird," Destiny commented.
Ashley looked at her. "Really? I think it's cool. They're in love," she said.
Destiny shook her head. "But they're both girls. It's weird. I'm gonna go talk to Champ. You can hang out with the lesbos." She scoffed before leaving.
Destiny left, leaving Ashley with us. I felt glad to have told them, and surprisingly, I didn't care about Destiny's reaction. What was one person? I mean, I am in love with Nicole... Why should I hide it?
Ashley flashed a smile. "I-I'm sorry about her. I think you guys are cute... And really, really brave," she told us.
Nicole smiled and gave a nod. "Thanks," she replied.
Ashley waved and the walked away. I let out a sigh of relief once she was gone and looked up at Nicole with a huge smile.
"I can't believe I just did that," I told her. I really couldn't. But it's a good thing I did, right?
Nicole chuckled. "I can't either... But I'm glad you did," she told me. She leaned in a kissed me right in front of everyone in the hallway.
Yep. Definitely a good thing.
A/N: Hey hey, everyone! Sorry for the shorter than usual chapter. This was kind of just a filler, but also I wanted to write something good to kinda give y'all a break from all the hell I was giving you the past few chapters lol. I hope you guys liked it! :)