AN- So I am still writing this story, just between work and school and the con I was at this weekend, my ability to sit down and write was hindered. I'll try and keep updating as much as possible!
"Hey, Haven! Want to come to my house after school to work on the project?" Oswald walked over to Haven's desk as she started putting away her things.
"Of course, Ozzy! I want to get it done as soon as possible. My family wants to go out of town this weekend." Haven rolled her eyes and made a gagging face.
"You're leaving?" Oswald said slowly.
"Only for the weekend, silly. The Wayne's asked us to go with them to their new place or something. Maybe I can see if you can come with me?"
"I don't know, I've never met your family and I don't want to impose."
"Calm down, it's alright. I'm sure it'll be fine. Come on, let's go to your house." Haven smiled and stood from her desk.
Oswald smiled and the two began the half hour walk to his place.
When they finally got there, his mother was playing some Russian Opera. Oswald and Haven giggled as they peaked around the corner to find his mother dancing with an invisible partner. Her hair was in a wild mess and the lacy dress accented by the pink scarf draped around her floated in the air as she moved.
"My darling is that you?" Oswald's mother called over her shoulder after hearing the front door close.
"Yes, mother, it's me. I brought a friend over." Oswald said and waved Haven to follow him.
"A friend! My darling has a friend! What's his name?" She asked loudly over the music.
"Her name is Haven Kooris. Can we turn down the music a little?"
"Her? You know better than that my dear Oswald, women are only manipulators. She will trick you." Oswald's mom grabbed the arm on the victrola.
"She's not going to trick me, she's too nice for that."
"Girl's are never 'too nice.'" She began to advance like a prowling cat onto the two.
"In all respect, Ms. Cobblepot, we were just wanting to study. We have a project and your son offered that we work on it here."
"Kapelput," she corrected.
"My apologies Ms. Kapelput. Your son just uses Cobblepot so I wasn't sure."
"It's quite alright, dearie." She gave her a once over with a new glimmer in her eye.
"I think it's time for us to go now, Haven. We have work to do" Oswald muttered and clenched his teeth.
"It's alright Ozzy. if I'm going to be in your lovely home, I should at least introduce myself to the woman who runs it." Haven hummed.
"Ozzy?" Ms. Kapelput looked at her incredulously.
"It's alright, mother, it's just a nickname." Oswald stammered.
"Only whores give nicknames." She hissed.
"Haven is not a whore." Oswald grit his teeth.
"It's okay, Oswald. Ms. Kapelput, it's in reference to a singer that he likes." Haven said, smiling gently, and placing a hand softly on his shoulder.
"You mean that devil's noise he listen's to? So shameful, he should be listening to the likes of-"
"Let's go," Oswald grabbed Haven's hand and dragged her upstairs.
"It was nice meeting you Ms. Kapelput!" Haven called while trying to keep up with her friend.
When they got up the stairs, Haven smiled.
"I like her." Haven said, grinning at her friend.
"I don't think she likes you." Oswald said as he led her to his room.
"I really do think you have a lovely house, needs a bit of dusting, but it's beautiful." Haven looked around, not really paying attention to her friend.
When they got to Oswald's room, Haven balked. It was what she expected, but almost out of place to the pastel picturesque aesthetic of the rest of the house. Oswald's room was covered in posters of his favorite bands. His desk was stacked with books and his piggy bank. He had a yearbook with the page opened to Butch Gilzean and Arnold Flass. Their faces were scratched out by a knife and one had a drawing of a noose around his neck. On the windowsill sat a music box and a russian nesting doll set. Haven walked around looking at everything and feeling the curtains on his four poster bed. She looked at the calendar of emperor penguins that sat on his nightstand. She turned and smiled at him.
"I love penguins!"
"We should really get started before my mother comes up here and asks why we're not actually working."
"You're right, where'd you put the poster?"
Oswald pulled a large board from behind his desk. They had worked a bit in class, but it was Oswald's turn to take the poster for the break. Haven pulled markers and other supplies out of her backpack along with their textbook. They had to pick a celestial body and describe it to the class next week. Oswald chose Pluto because he liked that it was basically a giant ball of ice. Haven wanted Venus because she wanted to talk about the history of the name. They compromised and picked Neptune. They argued over where to put everything and what details to include. Oswald, ever the pessimist, insisted they don't include the random facts because no one would actually care what they said. Haven won though, because Oswald was failing the class and she knew that the extra information would give him extra credit to boost his grade.
Finally, three and a half hours later, they finished the paper covered in glue, paper scraps, and marker smudges. Haven collapsed onto the floor with her face in the carpet.
"Did you die?" Oswald poked her gently.
"I'm glad it's done, I can't wait to throw it away." Haven groaned.
"Do you want something to eat?"
Haven looked up at him with big eyes.
"Come on, I'll cook some mac and cheese." Oswald stood and helped her up.
"You're the best, Ozzy. See, this is why you're my best friend." Haven smiled and Oswald stopped.
"I'm your… best friend?"
"Of course, why wouldn't you be? Come on, I'm starving." Haven pushed him out of the room and followed him to the kitchen.