Nicole's first week at Purgatory High School breezes by, something she is thankful for. Everything seemed to be going well enough for her, she was getting the hang of finding her way around the school and hadn't been late for another class since Wednesday. Her textbooks had all arrived, no more awkwardly having to ask the teacher if they had a spare copy of if the person whom was sat next to her was willing to share. Of course - Waverly was happy to on all occasions but now there was no need.
Nicole managed to talk to a few people in her classes although she wouldn't call them friends, considering as soon as the bell rung they were gone and that was it. Not a word spoken to her until the next time they were in a classroom together, which left her with lunch periods to deal with. She had tried the cafeteria the first day, deciding to brave it. Of course there were no empty tables and no one who she recognised that were willing to give her a seat.
So for the first week of school Nicole found herself eating her lunch in the library, hidden away in the far corner from any prying eyes.
That was until midway through the second week of school when Nicole found herself back in her Biology class with Waverly.
''I don't see you around much during lunch.'' Waverly stated, eyes not looking up from where she was doodling on the side of her notebook.
''Oh, well uhm. Yeah.'' Nicole spluttered out, unsure of how she was supposed to respond to the statement.
''Where do you disappear off to then? You got some cool group of friends somewhere?'' Waverly asked, not looking up still.
''Not exactly.'' Nicole mumbled, rubbing the back of her neck as Waverly's eyes finally lifted from the delicately drawn flower on her notebook.
''Oh?''
''Yeah, I kind of just eat in the library.'' Nicole admitted, getting the idea that this conversation wasn't going to end unless Waverly found out what was going on.
''Alone?'' The surprise was evident in Waverly's voice.
''It's quiet.'' Nicole just shrugged, averting her gaze to the front of the room as Waverly frowned. There was silence for a moment before Waverly spoke again.
''You should come join us in the cafeteria.'' She said, sudden determination lacing her voice.
''We'll see.'' Nicole said with a nod before clicking her pen and quickly going back to scribbling down the notes that she had missed on the board.
If Nicole was being honest with herself - at that moment in time she really wasn't sure if she was going to bother with visiting the cafeteria at all. She had brought lunch with her to school, like she did on most days so there was no need for the detour - but then maybe this would be what she needed. You see Nicole knew she needed to make friends, that if she didn't the school year would pass slowly. But then there was the word us and Nicole had no clue who that meant. If she would get on with those who Waverly called her friends.
The more she thought about it the more she realised she would, because if they were anything in the slightest way like Waverly then they were going to be some of the nicest kids around the school. Waverly seemed to have good judgement, from what she had seen the whole school seemed to love her. Smiling at her in the hallways, small talk as they passed by lockers. It became more and more apparent that Waverly was just one of those people.
So the idea was tempting and with the basketball tryouts not being for another two weeks, there was no way she was going to make friends through that. And yes, the library was quiet and Nicole liked that. But sometimes it was too much, being sat alone with nothing but her thoughts. The library clark tapping loudly at her computer keyboard and some kids huddled around a table playing chess trying to put each other off. This wasn't who she was. Not at all.
And so Nicole found herself entering the cafeteria during the lunch period, scanning the crowded room in the hopes of spotting Waverly through the taller mass of people. But it was her name being called that she heard first, spinning around to see Waverly sat at a table in the corner of the room waving her over.
Nicole weaved through the tables slowly, hoping that this moment wouldn't be one for her legs to be against her and send her to the floor. The feeling in the pit of her stomach didn't help at all, not subsiding even as Nicole pressed the notebook she was carrying firmly against herself. Her gaze didn't leave the table, wandering over the people who were sat around with her. But as she got closer she realised there were no spare seats, only one which was covered in a pile of bags which Nicole was not going to touch. Maybe there was still time to turn around and head to the library - any excuse would do really, she left her notebook there - no not the one that was currently pressed into her ribs, the other one which totally existed. Maybe she could say she needed the bathroom, maybe-
''Hey!'' Waverly interrupts her panic as Nicole finds herself standing by the table. ''I saved you a seat.'' And just like that Waverly is moving the bags from the chair, muttering something about how people always stole the spare chair for another table but Nicole is just in awe. A smile tugging at her lips as Waverly continues to ramble and Nicole slips into the chair - which is positioned right next to Waverly.
''Thank you.'' She smiles, looking around the table as they all start to introduce themselves.
But then Nicole see's it from the corner of her eye, the boy sat next to Waverly wraps his arm around her shoulder and pulls her into his side.
''I'm Champ, Waverly's boyfriend.'' He grins.
And just like that Nicole's smile is wiped from her face.
Matiky - Thank you for the review. My plan is to gradually explain more about Nicole (and Waverly for that matter) as the chapters go on - including about why and where she moved from. I considered doing this as supernatural but with the numbers of chapters involved decided to just make it as normal High School AU. The whole teasing thing is really just because I know that's how kids are - or at least where I'm from and the surname Haught - when pronounced hot would definitely be something that would get a few people giggling.
