Chapter Text
As the bus comes to a screeching halt in front of the school you fell a pit form in your core. It’s as if the weight of what you plan to do today has only just set in.
Feelings swirl in your stomach like a whirlpool. The icky sensation within yourself curls up your throat like a bile urging you to hurl, and yet you don’t.
You know that if you don’t stand now everyone else will file off the bus without even giving you a chance to move. Nugget’s elbow plunges into your side, not helping with the murky swaying in your belly, causing you to rise and hurry off the bus.
The second your feet hit the pavement you feel like an astronaut stepping back onto earth. Your shoes scrape against the asphalt as Nugget pulls you inside the building.
He peaks back at you momentarily. “Is Nugget’s friend alright? Nugget knows that Nugget’s friend didn’t get a good sleep last night but based on the current condition of Nugget’s friend’s face it appears sleep has evaded for days”
At his worry you quickly shake off the existential dread and put on a weak smile. “What are you talking about man? I’m completely fine.”
Nugget stops abruptly, spinning you around and causing your faces to almost knock together. Despite your proximity being so close that you could kiss he leans in even closer to scrutinize your expression.
“N-nugget?!” You stutter out slinking your head back like turtle and looking around at all the puzzled looks the two of you are receiving from passersby’s.
He pulls out a magnifying glass from his back pocket like a cartoon detective and closely examines your face for a moment before pulling away with a sigh. “Those eye bags tell a different story, and Nugget does not like to be lied to.”
With that he spins back around and stomps down the hallway to your locker bank. As you arrive Lily and Billy are already there putting their bags away.
Gripping you by the shoulders Nugget presents you to two very confused twins. Lily and Billy stare back at you both like you’ve spontaneously grown three heads.
“Here, Nugget presents: the insomniac child.” Nugget announces.
Lily turns to Billy giving him a confused look which Billy returns.
“Is everything alright Nugget?” Lily ask not understanding what he is talking about.
“Have you been having trouble sleeping or something dude?” Billy adds.
Nugget grumbles and shakes his head frustrated. “No! Nugget is perfectly fine. It is Nugget’s friend that the pretty Lily should be concerned about!”
He puts a hand to your chin, which still hurts, presenting your face to them. “Look! Look into the eyes of deceit!” He exclaims with great dramatics. “Nugget’s friend possesses eye bags so intense he could cosplay Stanley Kubrick!”
They both lean in studying your face with such intensity and at such close proximity that it makes you blush a bit.
“Hey, you’re right. Kidd really does have some intense bags.” Billy comments with a nod.
“Oh my, have you not been getting enough sleep?” Lily questions placing a hand on your cheek.
The situation at hand makes you so profoundly uncomfortable it causes you back up and bump into Nugget behind you.
“Ah ah ah, there is no escape for Nugget’s friend. Nugget’s friend will explain the presence of the eye bags posthaste!” Nugget proclaims.
Thrashing around you manage to pull yourself free from his strong grip. Guess digging all those holes payed off.
“Come on man, be reasonable! I’m fine. Right as rain. Cool as a cucumber. So please get off my case man.” You plead.
The three of them stare at you unsure. It’s not like you’ve ever given them reason to worry like this…right?
“You know I would tell you guys if anything was wrong, right?” You know their distrust in your answers comes from the fact that they know of your home life, but it still feels shitty to be so scrutinized.
The trio exchange looks once more before Billy looks back to you.
“Of course man.” He offers you a hand. “But, if you ever do want to talk about it promise you’ll come to us, alright?” He smiles at you.
You can’t help but smile back at him when he looks at you so earnestly. What a charmer. “Deal.” Taking his hand you shake it and he pulls you into a bro hug.
Nugget and Lily look on from either side. They exchange a knowing look that you two are oblivious to.
“Nugget hates to burst bubbles but the lovebirds should direct focus to getting to class on time as opposed to cuddling in the hallway.” Nugget interrupts with teasing annoyance. As much as he enjoys the romance in the air he doesn’t enjoy being late to class.
The two of you pull apart and Billy ruffles your hair playfully making you fix your hair in a flustered manner.
“Nugget is right. Come one Billy, let’s get to class.” Lily states while adjusting her backpack straps.
Billy sighs loudly and pouts. “Do I haveeeeee to? English is so boringgggg.” He complains.
Lily rolls her eyes and replies. “Yes you do, now come on.” She starts walking away.
He quickly fixes his act scrambling to catch up to her. “Hold on wait up!”
You chuckle as he follows after Lily down the hallway and Nugget gives you a look.
“What?” You ask.
“Nugget’s friend should buy some flowers or something. Watching this routine everyday is getting to be a bit tiring.” He comment as he starts down the hall.
That comment makes you blush. “Wait what do you mean by that?!” You shout chasing after him.
By the time you arrive to math class everyone’s already settled in so you and Nugget shuffle awkwardly to your seats at the back of the room.
As the teacher enters the room the national anthem starts and everyone stands. While all to cheery singing for 8 in the morning fills your ears you can’t help but wait anxiously for what follows.
When you everyone sits back in their seats the announcements play.
“Good morning students. Today is Wednesday September 3rd.
Botany club starts up this Tuesday in the greenhouse. Bring a permission form and your gardening hands. For permission forms talk to Dr. Danner in room 124.
This Friday marks the tryouts for the girls basketball team, come out and have a ball. If you have any questions ask Mrs Applegate in room 118.
After lunch today all students grade 7 to grade 12 will be let out of their classes and outside to watch the pep rally. The cheerleaders worked really hard to put all this together in such a short amount of time so make sure to come out and see it.
That’s all, have a great day.”
Perfect, after lunch is period 3 which you share with Penny. That’s probably why Carla picked you specifically to distract her. Also because she sees you as expendable.
Right after the announcements end your phone buzzes.
Carla🧨 < Did you listen to the announcements? Understand what you’ve got to do?
Kidd🧍♂️ > Yes I did. So before we get called down you want me to leave class early, find Penny, and distract her for a bit so you can get something done.
Carla🧨 < Ding ding ding!!! We have a winner! What prize do you want?
Kidd🧍♂️ > My dignity back.
Carla🧨 < LOL!!! Not a chance.
Carla🧨 < Make sure you’re ready by the time it reaches third period. You have to get out early BEFORE they call everyone out. Got that?
Kidd🧍♂️ > Loud and clear boss.
Carla🧨 < Good. Now focus on math class, I know you care so much about grades.
Kidd🧍♂️ > Rude :/
Carla🧨 < But true.
Carla🧨 < Bye.
Kidd🧍♂️ > I still think it’s weird you know my schedule.
When she has relayed the plan you put your phone away and take her advice to actually pay attention to math class for once.
…
Math class passes excruciating slow and you’re not sure if it’s because the crippling weight on your conscience or because it’s math class.
Either way Nugget drags you out of class by your arm all the same.
When you reunite with your friends at the lockerbank Billy is missing. You scan the surrounding area before turning to Lily.
“Where is Billy?” You ask.
She shoves her bag into her locker after grabbing a textbook. “He went to the bathroom. He said he didn’t need to stop at his locker before period 2 so it was a good time to.
Nugget lets out a sigh of relief. “Oh that’s good. Nugget was beginning to get flashbacks to middle school.”
For a moment after he says that you stand in tense silence not sure whether you should laugh or panic.
Lily breaks the silence. “Yeah…that was a really scary time for all of us. Reminds me why we are all such good friends with Kidd.” She puts a hand on your shoulder.
That sentence summons something within you.
Nugget puts one finger in the air matter of factly. “Ah yes, Nugget remembers. Nugget’s friend took real initiative getting ginger boy to make that bomb.”
Your stomach swirls. Your chest gets tight. Why do they still remember that? Why are they bringing it up now?
Do they know?
Lily turns her attention back to you and gasps. “Kidd are you alright?! Your face is so pale.” She presses the back of her hand to your forehead.
Nugget looks at you with worry…and also slight jealousy. “Nugget thinks Nugget’s friend should go home. Being at school while sick will only infect others.”
You quickly shake off all ill feelings and reply. “I’m alright, I’m alright. I’m just tired.”
Neither of them seem to believe your explanation.
“We need to talk about this during lunch Kidd. It’s clear you’re stressed or worried about something but you refuse to tell us what is wrong.” Lily states.
“Nugget is also concerned about Nugget’s friend’s well being. Nugget’s friend shouldn’t keep everything inside, that will only make things worse.” Nugget adds.
As much as you want to debate them and continue to shrug off their concern it’s pretty obvious that they won’t let you. “Alright, maybe I do need to talk about something. I’ll see you guys at lunch then.”
Lily smiles at you quickly pulling you into a hug and whispering in your ear. “Thank you.”
During your very heartfelt embrace Nugget coughs causing Lily to let go. “Sorry, I wasn’t trying to make you jealous.”
Nugget blushes and looks away bashfully. “Nugget is not ‘jealous’ Nugget’s throat is just sore.”
She giggles and pats him on the head. “You’re such a bad liar.”
Watching the two of them fawn over eachother makes you feel even worse knowing that you’re lying to both of them.
After sitting through their shy flirting for a few minutes you all head your separate ways to your classes.
When you get to foods class you are yet again met with the same conundrum as Monday; where to sit.
Scanning the room reveals only one viable option for interaction: Ozzy.
Ozzy sits in the same spot as Monday with his usual grumpy look, though now you know a bit more about the person behind it.
After hearing their bathroom squabble you now have a better idea of the character of both Ted and Ozzy.
As you sit down next to Ozzy he scowls and quickly scooches his chair away from you.
“Ugh-“ He twitches. “Can’t you sit anywhere else.”
“Look around.” You gesture with your arm. “There’s no where else to sit.”
After looking around he grumbles and looks away. “Stupid Kidd.”
“What was that?” You reply.
He looks back still wearing the same sour expression. “I said you’re stupid! You know that I don’t like you sitting with me yet you do it anyways, that makes you stupid.”
His logic isn’t entirely wrong but his words are still hurtful. “Hey man I’m just trying to learn here.”
Ozzy grips two fistfuls of his hair and groans. “Just shut up! I don’t want to hear it.”
“Come one dude, I don’t get why you hate me so much but I don’t think it’s fair. What have I ever done to you?” You question.
The two of you have never really interacted before as your groups didn’t usually mix. While you have had a few conversations with Madison and Ron before it wasn’t like you were ever particularly close with either of them.
Ozzy looks over at you with an expression of disbelief. “Are you kidding me?! You can’t be serious.” He leans in and his voice drops to a whisper. “I know you were in the bathroom yesterday, I recognized your shoes.”
Your eyes go wide, you didn’t think that Ozzy knew you were in there because Ted didn’t seem to notice. Though, Ozzy was much smarter than Theodore.
“Ok? Yeah I was there, but that doesn’t explain your treatment towards me before or after that event.” You defend.
He twitches again. “Oh come on, you think I didn’t notice? You think I didn’t notice the fact that you and Theodore became all ‘buddy buddy’ after the fact? You think I didn’t see the two of you talking and giggling at lunch yesterday? Just admit it!”
“Admit what?!” You shout genuinely confused by the turn of events.
His voice drops low again. “Admit that you think I’m disgusting.”
…
“…What?” You stare at him in slack jawed confusion.
He grinds his teeth. “I said admit it! Admit that you and him spent all of lunch giggling about me being…” He pauses for a moment before whispering. “Gay.”
You blink at him at least a thousand times before what he said finally kicks in “I wouldn’t do that!”
Now it’s his turn to blink at you. “What do you mean?! It’s only obvious that you’d do that! Why should I believe you wouldn’t?”
Yet again you stare at him in bewilderment. “Ozzy I don’t know what kind of person you take me for but I would not make fun of you for something like that. I’m not that type of person.”
He tilts his head and quirks an eyebrow. “What type of person are you then?!”
You clench your jaw as you prepare to speak. “I mean that…” You pause. “I mean I’m gay too.”
Ozzy’s eyes immediately shoot open. “WHAT!?”
All heads turn to look at the two of you after he yells.
He eyes you cautiously then looks away. “Whatever.”
After that class starts and the two of you stop talking.
…
Once class has ended you get up to pack your things before a voice interrupts.
“Look, if you were lying about what you said then I’ll never forgive you…but if you weren’t, I guess it’s fine if you sit with me tomorrow.” Ozzy says while fidgeting with his sleeve.
You look over at him surprised. “Really? That’s quite the quick change of heart.”
He flushes and shoves past you. “Oh shut up.”
With that he walks out of the class leaving you alone and smiling.