Waverly could do so much better.
That was the first thought that came to mind every time Nicole saw them together. She could have picked anyone else in the school and they would have been a better match for Waverly then Champ. Champ who treated Waverly like she was his property, with no real line of respect or equality. The constant one lines like 'How can someone be so pretty and smart at the same time' getting on Nicole's nerves and as far as she could tell, Waverly's too.
But Waverly was Waverly and she didn't belong to anyone. Which meant she could date whoever she wanted, complete and utter idiot or not.
So Nicole tried her best to get along with Champ, as joining their table for the lunch period was the expected norm now. She would join in conversation and nod along to what was coming out of his mouth and she would try extra hard to not scoff or roll her eyes at the comments that just kept tumbling out. She would avoid looking completely at the two completely when he pulled Waverly in for a kiss or wrapped his arm around her shoulder, trying to distance herself from the situation and push away the thoughts of what it would be like to be holding Waverly like that. How easily she would mould into her side, how soft her hair would feel brushing against her arm, how it would feel when she laughed and her whole body shook against her own.
She hated that it had barely been four weeks at school and Waverly seemed to be all that was filling her head. This wasn't Nicole's first crush, she knew what she was feeling. But it had all come on so quickly from day one, each daydream and fantasy about what her future life looked like now containing the same face, the same smile and eyes. The worst part being that there were no distractions, because Waverly was her only real friend here and she couldn't talk to someone about her. So she keeps quiet and she carries on.
The basketball team trials are after school and for the first time a while Nicole is nervous about playing the sport. Teams here were mixed, not enough players from both genders signing up for the team with the other sports on offer at the school. Funnily enough that was the part she didn't mind. Nicole knew she was good enough to take on half the boys on the team and yes, her height did give her a slight advantage. But she had been playing basketball for years now and was fairly certain that she would have no problem on the court with no distractions.
See the real problem was that there were going to be distractions. The trials were held in the gym, which was open for other students to come and watch. And of course fate seemed to be against her ever since she had arrived at the school. The whole team was being re-allocated, meaning new and old members had to try out for the team. Which meant Champ was going to be there too, okay that was fine. Champ wasn't the distraction, the distraction was Waverly. Because Waverly being who she was had revealed she was going to be in the gym watching the tryouts to support her boyfriend. Nicole had kept quiet at the admission, not bothering to mention how she was trying out for the team too. It just didn't seem like it was worth the time.
Waverly found out anyway.
''Why didn't you tell me!?'' Waverly exclaimed, appearing out of nowhere beside Nicole as she pulled her kit from her locker.
''Tell you what?'' Nicole asked, slinging her bag over her shoulder and shutting the locker door with a soft thud.
''That you were trying out for the basketball team! I didn't know you played.'' Waverly actually looked hurt at the admission and Nicole tried not to comment on the fact that they had only known each other for a few weeks. So instead she just offered a small shrug.
''I'ts not a big deal.'' Nicole said, going to step away only for Waverly to appear in front of her again.
''Well, I'll be there to cheer you on.'' The determination that Nicole had come to associate with the smaller girl was back.
''Shouldn't you be cheering for Champ?'' Nicole asked, hoping the bitterness in her voice didn't come across as she mentally scolded herself for acting the way she was.
''I can support both of you at the same time. Besides Champ's ego is big enough as it is.'' Waverly smiled and Nicole instantly found herself doing the same.
''I better get going. Need to change and all that.'' Nicole cut in, realising that they had both just been stood in the hallway staring at each other for a moment.
''Oh, of course! Well, good luck! I'm sure you'll be awesome, Haught stuff.''
And then Waverly was winking and Nicole's cheeks were burning and she was walking away before she said something stupid or Waverly had the time to process the reaction fully.
What was this girl doing to her.
Oh god.
But the tryouts were successful. The boys trying out for the team were nothing that Nicole couldn't handle, the boys from her last school were a lot tougher and better at playing the sport. And Nicole managed to avoid looking over to the stands, in the fear that she would get caught up and trip over her own feet whilst looking at Waverly. But that didn't stop the sound of her cheering being the only thing that seemed to be processing in her ears.
It was over before she knew it, the coach promising to let them know by the morning who had made the team. Nicole was tired and ready to go home, or maybe visit her dad at the station first. But her name was being called and the minute she turned around Waverly was launching herself forward and wrapping her arms around her waist. It took a moment before Nicole got over the shock and wrapped her arms back around the girl with a smile.
Waverly was pulling away after what seemed like minutes to Nicole but was in reality only a few seconds and the moment was over.
''You were amazing!'' Waverly grinned, her mouth open to speak again when suddenly she was squealing. Champ having appeared from behind her and picking her up to spin around in a circle. ''Put me down Champ, you're all sweaty.'' But Champ didn't and for that alone Nicole found herself clenching her fists. ''Champ.'' Waverly said loudly again. Nicole was ready to say something when Champ finally put Waverly down who proceeded to shoot him a sharp glare.
''Relax babe. I was just celebrating.'' He smirked, looking up and finally seeming to notice Nicole's presence. ''Hey Haught! You were tearing it up dude.'' And then Nicole felt herself being pulled into a hug, only it wasn't Waverly.
It was Champ.
''Don't touch me.'' Nicole practically growled, unsure herself of where the sudden outburst of anger had come from. But she was pushing him away roughly before she knew it and turning to walk towards the locker room without another word.
Ignoring the ''What did I do?'' from Champ and even ignoring the shouts as Waverly called her name.
