Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The 5-second whistle blows, the sound reverberating in the dingy warehouse practice space. Mayday readies herself just behind the pivot line, and when the jam starts, she bolts like lightning and just barely gets out of the pack. She’s been practicing for tryouts since day one of her fresh meat practice, and today is finally the day. On the next lap, she hits the wall almost explosively, pushing through with all her might and just barely gets her hips in front of the brace before calling the jam.

Ever since her accident, most people in Possum Springs wouldn’t dare come near her, and Mae Borowski desperately needed an escape. Gregg took her to a game on the far edges of town where nobody knew her name, and she was hooked. Mayday was hesitant to talk to new people after tryouts, but before she could think about fear. Bumble Bea skated over to the bench.

Bea was tall, with a lanky frame, towering over Mae. She took off her pivot panty and began to gear down. She looked over, a sparkle in her eyes, and smiled at Mayday.

“Hey, your jamming was great. Would you want to skate with us this season?” Bumble Bea says in a warm yet monotone voice

Mae didn't realize at first, but Bumble Bea was the team captain of the Possum Springs Roadkillers, the top team locally, well, the only team locally, but revered nonetheless.

“Fuck yes I do!!!” Mae exclaims, almost before she could even comprehend the idea

“Cool.”

At this point, Bea is fully geared down. She grabs her black eyeliner pencil and begins doing touch-ups on her makeup. Mae finally recognizes her.

“Oh shit,” Mae whispers to herself, maybe a little too loudly

Bea looks over at Mae. “Want to grab a smoke outside? For old times' sake?”

They walk outside of the warehouse and begin to lean on Bea's car while Bea lights a cigarette, and offers one to Mae. “I don't smoke,” Mae responds. For a moment, they stand there in silence, looking at the stars. Mae catches a glimpse of stars reflecting in her eyes, not quite teary but still a glimmer of sadness. Before Mae can say anything, Bea breaks the silence

“I missed you, but you hurt me so badly. I don't want an apology or a dumb excuse, but I want to forgive you. You're trying to be better, and being shitty in seventh grade isnt a standard you-or anyone should be held to”

Bea pauses, collecting her thoughts. “Come to band practice tomorrow morning, Gregg and Angus will be there too.”

“I had no idea the band was still going on without me or Casey, I figured after I went to college...” Mae lets out a little laugh before returning to the serious tone of their conversation

“I'll be there,

BeaBea.”

Chapter Text

Mae grabs her bass from the corner of her room, it's been collecting dust since senior year. As she walks to practice, she remembers all that happened the night before, the roadkill tryouts, and Bea. Bea lingers in her mind for a bit longer than normal, her eyes shining, her sarcastic humor, her lips grasping for the cigarette. When she arrives at practice, Gregg runs up to her excitedly and gives her a large embrace. Angus and Bea follow behind him.

“I MISSED YOU SO MUCH EEK!”

“MEEE TOOOOOO!”

When Gregg and Mae are together, they reflect and brighten each other, not unlike the sun and the moon. If platonic soulmates exist, they would be the reason why. They understand one another in a way nobody else could.

Angus walks over slowly, just as he always does, and waves hello to Mae, trying not to interrupt her moment with Gregg. Bea just stares at Mae, looking her up and down and eventually locking eyes with her before looking off into the distance.

“Can we start playing a song or two? I want practice to start sometime in the next century.” Bea remarks sarcastically

They play “Weird Autumn” followed by “Die Anywhere Else.” Mae is clearly out of practice, and to add insult to injury, everybody else is well-practiced, not even missing a beat.

Mae stops playing for a moment to drink some soda. “Wait, is that pizza place in town still open?”

“Yeah, of course, it's like the ONLY thing in town anymore,” Gregg replies

“Let's gooo!!!”

They all pile into Bea’s car as she lights a smoke and begins to drive. Mae is sitting shotgun, and Angus and Gregg are making out in the back, showing no signs of stopping. Bea parks in the lot, but the two lovebugs are obviously distracted. Bea rolls her eyes while Mae longingly stares into them, and then at her lips, and she begins tracing her silhouette with her eyes

Fuck. I think I like Bea.

Mae thinks to herself about this for a moment, but before she can sit with this realization, everyone else is already out of the car. She gets out, but makes an excuse to go home early, mostly to sit with her thoughts, but she was also exhausted from tryouts the night before and desperately needed to rest before practice tomorrow.