Chapter Text
By some miracle Nat managed to make it through the day. Barely. Kevyn was gonna hook her up with some stuff from his cousin. They planned to skip school, smoke weed, and dick around while their grades gradually declined. So much for that she guessed. Kevyn decided not to show up for school that day. It wasn’t really unusual, Nat was just annoyed because they had made plans for that day.
She shoved last periods books back in her locker and made her final walk of the day down the shitty school halls. Nat started her walk back to her objectively shittier trailer, but it quickened her pace when she heard an argument behind her in hushed tones, followed by the sound of footsteps that was only getting closer.
“Nat!” A voice exclaimed breathlessly as someone threw their hands over her shoulders.
”Fuck- Jesus” Nat said as she was initially surprised by someone practically jumping her outside school, but she calmed down when she saw that it was Shauna. Still a surprise, but at least it was Shauna.
She pulled Nat to the side near some bushes so the other kids walking home could get by.
”Can you stop looking at me like that?” Nat said as she laughed nervously, Shauna still looking soberly at Nat, a serious expression plastered across her face. Something was up. Shauna wasn’t usually this weird and it was scaring Nat a little. It definitely didn’t help when Jackie was lurking a few feet away, peering over at them.
”We need to talk.” Shauna finally said, serious as ever. Nat shooed her hands off of her shoulders. First Shauna scared nat, now she was getting all up in her personal space.
”There’s a reason why Kevyn wasn’t at school today.” Nat stayed silent. She wasn’t shocked, or surprised. Some part of her knew this was coming. She was used to people leaving her.
“I really didn’t want to be the one to say this, but Kevyn is dead. He was attacked by Ghostface last night.” Nat bit her lip and turned away. She felt like crying, but she couldn’t. Not in front of Shauna and not in front of Jackie, they couldn’t see her like this.
“Yeah…we’ll. Shit happens sometimes right?” She paused and sniffed, “you just gotta live through it.” Shauna reached out for Nat again but before she could comfort her Nat had stormed off in the other direction.
***
It wasn’t like Nat was just gonna breakdown on the sidewalk. There was no way that was gonna be an option. Instead she opted for crying under the bleachers. She thought about how Kevyn was probably one of the only friends she had. She talked with Van and Tai sometimes, but Kevyn was different than them. He was trash just like her. No matter how bad things got Kevyn could almost understand what it was like, still- it was better than nothing.
Nat had been so wrapped up in her thoughts and tears that she didn’t hear the approaching footsteps. What she did hear though was a soft, “Nat?”
Her head snapped up, and her eyes grew wide as she saw none other than Lottie Matthews standing awkwardly looking down at her. They held eye contact for a few seconds before Lottie broke the silence.
“Are you ok?” She sounded genuinely worried. Nat knew Lottie was probably faking it though. This was just a minor inconvenience in Lotties perfect existence. Someone like Lottie could never be sorry or concerned for someone like Nat.
”What are you doing here?” It sounded a little for defensive than Nat intended it too, but she really didn’t want anyone seeing her like this.
The question caught Lottie off guard though, like she expected no one to be surprised the most popular girl at Wiskayok high was lurking under the bleachers after school. She was probably waiting for some poor guy she was gonna hook up with, but that wasn’t likely. Lottie wasn’t exactly the type for that anyway.
“I was practicing my foot work and I heard some thing weird so I decided to check it out.” Lottie said as she lowered herself to the ground next to Nat.
“Can you tell me what’s going on now?” Nat could feel Lotties gaze on her, but Nat didn’t turn to look back at her. Nat sniffled and steadied her breathing before answering.
”Shauna told me Kevyn died- well murdered I guess.” Nats voice was still raspy from crying. Lottie scooted next to her and Nat still avoided the taller girls gaze. They sat there in silence for a few minutes. The only noise under the bleachers were Nats muffled sobs. She wasn’t sure when Lottie draped her arm over her shoulders, or when they had gotten close enough so that their thighs were touching, but Nat knew that the crying had stopped. That was a start
”Do you wanna talk or…” Lottie trailed off, biting her lip nervously as she stared foreword. Nat finally turned to look at Lottie, but Lottie wasn’t looking back at her.
“Uhm yeah I guess.” Nat said, trying to fill the uncomfortable silence.
”It’s just that-“ Nat began suddenly, “He was just one of my best friends, and I can’t believe he’s gone. Like, I’ve felt alone before, but this time it’s different, it’s more permanent.”
Lottie turned to her, suddenly serious, “I know you probably just heard the worst news ever, but don’t ever say that. Your not going to be alone forever, and if it helps, you know you have me, right?”
Nat couldn’t help it, she just burst into laughter. She felt absolutely insane. She just learned her best friend was murdered by a psychotic serial killer and now she was having a laughing fit under the bleachers.
Lottie looked at Nat like she was crazy, that just made the giggling worse.
”Do you know how fucking cheesy you just sounded?” Nat choked out. Lottie looked at her, hurt and confused, and the shorter girl quickly sobered. She couldn’t really explain why, but she immediately hated seeing Lottie look at her like that. It was worse that she had caused it too.
”Hey Lot I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.” Nat scooted closer to Lottie, closing the gap between them.
“Seriously though, thank you. Really.” Lottie gave her a small smile, and Nat knew everything was resolved. Lottie held eye contact with Nat, still smiling, their noses inches away from touching. Nat felt something in her chest, it was like a fire, engulfing everything and spreading quickly. Nat had to stop it, she had to find some way to put it out.
She stood up and laughed nervously, “I’m keeping you from your practice. You better get back.”
Lottie bit her lip and looked at the ground, and unreadable expression on her face. “Yeah your right. Stay safe, I’ll see you around nat.” Lottie offered one more smile and a wave before turning away heading back to the field. Nat knew she should be going home soon too, it was getting dark. She stayed and watched Lottie walk back anyway.
As Nat walked home she thought about all the good times and memories she had made with Kevyn, but also about the possibilities of making more with someone else. With Lottie fucking Matthews of all people too. This was gonna be a batshit crazy year