Chapter Text
Red stabbed at the treats on her plate. She had invited Pink on a small trip into a nearby village, known for their sweets, yet Red could not muster an appetite. She stared at the various cakes and brownies she had stacked her plate with and all she could think about was pancakes. How much syrup had Chloe put on her pancakes? She couldn’t remember. It was the perfect amount, though. Red wished Chloe was there to masterfully pour maple syrup on pancakes Red wished she had ordered. Things had been awkward ever since the dinner incident. Well, things had been awkward for Red. She’d been avoiding Chloe like the plague out of pure embarrassment, even if she hated not seeing the girl. They still slept in the same bed, but Red avoided long conversations. It was a little pathetic, but Red only ever seemed to feel pathetic around Chloe lately.
Pink, on the other hand, was having the time of her life.
“Oh my hearts, Red! We should have come here sooner! This place makes treats just like the royal baker does! It’s like having a little bite of home.” She punctuated her sentence with a gratified groan as she pushed a brownie piece into her mouth.
“You’re a fan of treats, then? I mean, these ones.” Red stumbled over her words.
“Oh absolutely! Picking a fave is going to be difficult though; there’s just so many good ones! I mean, look,” Pink raised a little jam tart, “This one has such a delicate sweet flavour with a pastry that melts in your mouth! But this one,” She picked up a brownie, “Might honestly be the best brownie I’ve ever tasted. Ooo, we should take home samples! Give some to the others.”
Red made a mental note of everything on Pink’s plate – any of them could be a favourite, after all. She wanted to make sure she knew all of Pink’s favourite things, “Saving some for anyone in particular?”
A deep blush rose of Pink’s neck, tinting her cheeks, “No- Well- Kind of- Not really though- I hardly thought about it honestly.” Red gave her a knowing look and she cracked, “I just really wanted to give some to Squeaky because wellhelikeshistreatsandifIgethimsomehemightlikeme.”
Red stifled a laugh, “Take a breath. It’s okay, honestly. We’ll get him some treats; I’ll help you pick something he’ll definitely like.”
“You will? Really?”
“Yeah sure.”
“Oh, perfect! We can take some to the game later, perhaps we should get some for Luis too!” Pink rose to her feet as Red looked at her in confusion.
“The game?”
“Luis and Chloe didn’t tell you? The athletics department are doing a cross-sport basketball game. It’s supposed to draw more attention to some of the minor sports tracks. Chloe and Luis are going head-to-head!”
Her boyfriend and her best friend were on opposing teams in a basketball game and neither of them felt a need to mention it? Red couldn’t help but feel a little annoyed at that. She reminded herself that she hadn’t given Chloe much opportunity to tell her anything, but Luis was still in her bad books.
“Right, yeah. Of course. Sorry I just…forgot. Come on, let’s grab some treats to go.”
・____⋆˙⟡ ♡ ⟡˙⋆____・
They found seats in the middle of the stands and Red watched as excited students piled in to see the athletes perform for them. There were a few games before Luis and Chloe’s; Red channelled any annoyance she felt into cheering on the Smees in their game against the hockey team. The dance team held their own better than anyone had expected, maybe it did pay to be flexible. In the end, the Smees lost, and Pink ran off to find Squeaky in the hopes of consoling him with a sweet treat.
Luckily, Red wasn’t alone for long. Hazel and Max sat either side of her, blocking any chance of escape she might’ve needed if Chloe happened to glance in her direction.
“You look awfully gloomy for someone getting to see sporty people sweat,” Hazel remarked as she stuffed a fistful of popcorn into her mouth.
“Smees lost their match. I’m feeling glum for them.”
“Sure,” Max grinned, “Definitely not because you’re having issues with certain individuals on the fencing and wrestling teams.”
“Trouble in paradise?” Hazel sing-songed.
“No trouble here. Just here to support my friends and help Pink.”
“Oh yeah, I saw her talking to Squeaky. Looked like it was going well. Strawberry cake was an excellent choice.” Max leaned back on the bench, causing the person behind him to grumble with annoyance, “Where’ve you been then? If you aren’t fighting with those two why are you avoiding hangouts?”
“I’m not avoiding hangouts! I’ve just been…busy…with art club!”
“Ohhh, right. You joined that. Let me guess, Ruby’s a close friend now?” Hazel smirked at her.
“I guess? She’s nice, whole lot nicer than you two sometimes.”
“Ouch.” She touched her chest in mock offense, “I cannot believe you could say such a thing!”
“Oh shut up, you’re just jealous that I can make friends.”
“I don’t need to make friends; I have my subordinates: the Smees.” Hazel rolled her eyes when Max coughed unnaturally, “And I have a best friend I suppose.”
“Don’t sound too happy about it.” He snapped.
Red leaned back slightly, allowing the two to argue over her as the wrestling and fencing teams took to the court. Instantly, cheering exploded around her. While people had been excited for the other matches, this one blew them out of the park. Not even the tourney team got such a strong reaction. Red knew why. The majority of eyes were on Chloe. Strong, talented, popular Chloe. When she finally deigned to look in the girl’s direction, Red understood why.
Chloe was wearing a sleeveless vest and basketball shorts, showing off the toning of her legs that she usually hid. Red’s eyes traced any and all exposed skin, committing it to memory, until Hazel nudged her.
“Eyeing someone are we? Calm it down, we’re in public.”
Red could feel the blush crawling up her throat, “No- I wasn’t- I was just-“
“We get it okay? You have a hot boyfriend. Stare at him in private.” Max mumbled.
Oh. Right. Luis. She glanced over to him, shirtless, near Chloe. He was attractive enough. He worked out. Good for him.
“I wonder if Ant’s here.” Hazel scanned the crowds.
“Ant?” Red felt her stomach drop slightly.
“Yeah, you know, Chloe’s friend? He said he’d be here. At least, he told Chloe he would be. Apparently, he ‘pinkie promised’ her.”
“He did, did he.” Red deflated a little.
The buzzer sounded before the conversation could continue. The game itself was uneventful; the fencing team was faster than the wrestlers – they slipped through their defences and scored several times over. Red wasn’t focused on that. She was focused, yet again, on Chloe. She watched the girl’s facial expressions as she flew across the court, marvelling in her ability to focus. Red pretended not to notice how much Chloe was sweating, how her skin shined, how it made each defined muscle easier to differentiate. She was simply appreciating how skilled her friend was. Her friend.
Do friends make your heart jump when you look at them? She looked over at Hazel, stuffing popcorn, and she had her answer.
Unfortunately, she had no time to unpack whatever revelation she was having as before she knew it, the buzzer sounded again – the game was over. The fencing team had dominated. The stands erupted into cheers once more as Chloe and her team did a victory lap around the court. She was beautiful when she was in her element. A part of Red almost envied her confidence, but she quickly reminded herself that this was the same girl who couldn’t ask a teacher a question because they scared her. Red let out a light snort at her own thoughts, earning her a strange look from Max.
“I doubt your boyfriend finds his defeat as funny as you do.”
Red glanced over in Luis’ direction, watching him scuff his shoes on the floor – he looked like a kid that had been scolded. She sighed, “I wasn’t laughing at him. I just had a funny thought,” Red rose to her feet, “I better go see how he’s doing.”
Uninterested in whatever response Max had, Red snaked through the crowds and over to her boyfriend.
Luis pouted when he saw her, “Oh gods, you saw.”
“Saw what?”
“Me lose!” He groaned.
Red eyed him sympathetically, “It’s okay, just wasn’t your day.”
“But I never lose,” He grumbled, “I need a serious pick-me-up.”
Before Red could ask what he meant, Luis wrapped his arms around her – holding her in a tight, sweaty, bear hug. She could feel his skin clinging to her, dampening her clothes ever so slightly, and she grimaced. Red pulled herself from his arms as quickly as possible, hoping the smell of sweat wasn’t stuck to her. She wasn’t the biggest fan of hugs as is, a sweaty partner didn’t help.
Luis, on the other hand, seemed to love it, “Man, I needed that. Thanks babe.”
“You’re welcome. You need a shower.”
“Oh, big time.”
“You should probably find one.”
“Definitely.”
“Off you go then.”
He stared at her.
“What?”
“I need one last pick-me-up.”
“You are not hugging me again until you shower.”
“What about a kiss?” He grinned and Red felt like the world was caving in around her.
Red frowned, “Absolutely not. Shower. You can have one after.” Could he? Did she want that?
“Alright! But I’m holding you to that,” He pointed at her teasingly, “Wait for me? I was thinking we could hang out, just the two of us. Feels like I haven’t seen much of you recently.”
Red nodded, her throat tight, “Yeah. Sure.”
He blew her a kiss, which she caught, before running off to join his team as they disappeared into the locker rooms. Red stood there for a moment, taking a deep breath, as someone cleared their throat behind her. She turned around, an apology on her lips, as her eyes met Chloe’s.
“Hey,” Chloe gave her a sheepish smile, “Didn’t know you were coming.”
“I- um, I came because Pink wanted to come.”
“Oh, that’s…nice. Been busy?”
“Kinda?”
Chloe nodded quickly, frowning, “Busy enough to avoid me at all hours of the day?”
Red winced at that, “Art club’s keeping me busy, exhibition and all that. Gotta make sure the piece is right. Ruby’s been keeping me on a tight schedule.”
“She has, has she?” Chloe’s voice pitched slightly higher, “That’s nice. You two…get along well?”
“Definitely, she’s great honestly. Great friend and artist. A part of me gets jealous of her sometimes, you know?”
“I know the feeling.” Chloe seemed shocked by the harshness in her own tone and quickly pivoted, “Wanna hang out after this? I know a place.”
“I would, but I made plans with Luis.”
“Oh.”
“Sorry, maybe some other time?”
“Sure. I’m going to go find Ant, I’ll see you later?”
That got Red’s attention, “Ant?”
“Yeah, we’ll probably just go hang out at the old cabin by the Enchanted Lake.” She smiled, a weak smile.
How often did they hang out by the lake?
Red’s mouth moved before her brain did, “Wait! Why don’t we…make it a group hang! I’m sure the others would be down, we haven’t hung out in, like, forever.”
“Really?” Red had never seen someone’s face light up so enthusiastically, “That’s a great idea! I’ll tell Ant, Max and Hazel, you grab Luis? Perfect, see you there!” Chloe ran off before Red could take her words back.
God damn it.
・____⋆˙⟡ ♡ ⟡˙⋆____・
The cabin was nicer than Red had expected. It was well put together, the only thing that plagued it was dust that ran rampant across its various shelves. Luis lit the fireplace, with Max’s help, and the group settled on the couches that encircled the growing fire. Hazel sat down with a huff and Chloe patted her sympathetically on the shoulder, earning herself a bite on the finger.
“Smees couldn’t make it?” Max asked.
“No! Apparently, the little Hearts has stolen them from me! Can you believe it?”
“She knew the way to their hearts: treats.”
“It’s alright,” Ant sat himself down next to Chloe, “We’ll keep you company Haze.”
Haze?
The group fell into easy conversation, and Red felt at ease. She sat in Luis’ arms, appreciating their size as she hid behind them whenever Chloe glanced in her direction. They talked about all sorts: school, Chloe’s addiction to perfectly sized pencils, Hazel’s growing collection of jewellery, the rat the Smees accidentally let loose in Max’s room. Red felt the lightest she had been in a while, until Ant suggested a game.
“How about some never have I ever?”
“Really?” Luis asked, unamused.
“Yeah, why not? Could be fun.”
“Nah, I’ll spectate.”
“Alright, well everyone else has to play.”
“Says who?” Hazel raised an eyebrow.
“Says me,” Ant grinned, “Come on, it won’t hurt you.”
“Might hurt my pride.”
“The wind could hurt your pride.” Max deadpanned.
Hazel elbowed him, “Fine. I’ll play. Red? You in?”
Red glanced at Chloe, who seemed to be invested in her answer, “Okay.”
It was normal to start with, the same old questions: have you drunk alcohol in class, have you bunked off for no reason, have you stolen anything (Chloe’s sheepish finger went down for that one). Red relaxed into the rhythm of the game, dropping a few fingers here and there, until Ant opened his mouth once again.
“My turn, huh? Well, never have I ever had a crush on a friend.” He looked at Red pointedly.
Max, Hazel and Ant all dropped their fingers and slowly Chloe did as well. Red could hear her heart thundering like a drum in her ears.
Ant grinned at her, “Oh? A crush? You?”
“Oh, shut up.” Chloe laughed, a blush tinting the edges of her ears.
“Was it a while ago? No? Recent? Oh, Chlo was it someone in this room?”
Chloe looked up at the ceiling, avoiding all eye contact, “I don’t have to answer that.”
“Oh, Chloe. You should have said something!” Ant threw his arm against his chest in mock shock, “I should have known I was the one for you!”
Red wanted to claw his eyes out, but Chloe laughed. She found him funny. Did Chloe think she was funny? Red couldn’t remember. She felt like she couldn’t breathe. The room was too warm, too enclosed. She needed to escape.
Red bolted out of the room, startling Luis and Hazel, and thrust herself out into the cold night’s air. She took a sharp breath in, feeling the sting of air in her lungs, as she fought the urge to cry. She didn’t understand why she felt the need to cry; hell, she didn’t understand why she ran. Why was she so affected?
The door opened, and Red expected to hear her boyfriend’s worried voice, instead Chloe tentatively spoke.
“Are you okay?”
Red’s breath hitched, “Yeah. Just hot.”
Chloe walked closer, leaning against the railing next to Red. They stood there in silence, watching as the stars reflected off the lake.
Chloe spoke up first, “Are you mad at me?”
“What? No?” Red turned to her quickly.
“I am sorry about how you met Ant, I know it wasn’t my best move.”
“I already forgave you.”
“Do you not like him?”
“I like him if you like him,” Red grunted, returning her gaze to the lake.
“That’s not an answer.”
“It’s the only one I plan on giving.”
Chloe’s hands tightened around the railing, “You keep doing that.”
“Doing what?”
“Shutting me out again.”
“I’m not-“
She interrupted her before Red could speak, “Is it because of the sleeping thing? Cause, I just wanted to help-“
“It’s not the sleeping thing!” Red could feel her ears burning, she hoped it was dark enough for Chloe not to notice.
“Are you sure? We can stop if it’s making you uncomfortable?”
“No! I mean, no. We don’t need to. To stop I mean.”
“Okay, it’s definitely weirded you out. I’m sorry, I should have never suggested it-“
Red grabbed Chloe’s forearm, “We don’t need to stop.”
Chloe scanned Red’s face before giggling, “You really want to stay in my bed, huh? I mean…if you really want to…”
Red shoved Chloe playfully, “Shut up.”
Chloe looked down at Red’s hand on her arm and covered it with her own, “Be honest with me right now.”
“About?”
She gave Red a serious look, “Who…did you want to win the basketball game?” Red started to giggle, causing Chloe to break out into a smile, “Hey! I’m being very serious here. Me or your boyfriend?”
Me or your boyfriend?
Red ignored the hammering of her chest and the dryness of her mouth, “Well, while his team had strength, yours had stamina. It was obvious who’d win. I think I placed my bets well.”
“Such cold calculated strategy!” Chloe joked, “How diplomatic. You know, it’s okay to say you wanted him to win.”
“And pit my two favourite people against each other properly? I think not.”
“Oh, so I’m one of your favourite people?” Chloe grinned like Red had said something incredible. Red just thought it was obvious.
“Of course you are.”
Chloe glanced over at the lake, “Things okay with you two? I haven’t heard much about him recently.”
“Yeah, why?” Red felt caught, even if she had no reason to.
“Just wondering. Wanted to check he hadn’t hurt you.”
“He would never.”
“Maybe you’re right.”
Red swallowed, “You should head back in, the others are going to think I kidnapped you.”
“You’re not coming?”
“Just need a few more minutes of quiet.”
“I can wait? Quietly?”
Red smiled at her, “I’ll be okay. Just a few minutes.”
“Alright. Don’t disappear on me.”
“I won’t.”
Red returned her gaze to the lake once more, basking in the warmth of the conversation. Chloe’s hands were so warm. She liked the way her nose went pink in the cold air, how her cheeks were dashed with a pink tint as they spoke. Red ran her fingers over the top of her hand, indulging in the last of the leftover warmth from Chloe’s. She wanted to hold Chloe’s hand again, desperately.
The door opened once more, and Red began to turn around before her eyes fell on Ant.
“Don’t mind me,” He smiled, “Just taking in some fresh air. Hot in there, isn’t it?”
Red’s throat burned with a feeling she could not name, “Yeah. It is.”
He stretched his arms, leaning against the railing, “Part of me hopes Chloe might lose the sweater soon, you know?”
“What?”
“Oh, come on. You can’t blame a guy for wanting a peak at the prize.”
“The prize? Seriously? What is wrong with you?”
Ant kissed his teeth, “Oh, I’m great. Chloe agrees. I’m so fantastic that I might actually be the one to finally figure her out.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
He considered his words before speaking, “There’s this…rumour, about Charming. A secret reason why she doesn’t date. I intend on disproving it.”
“What the hell are you talking about? Secret reason? You’re being ridiculous and gross.” She seethed, “I should go tell her, right now.”
“Go on then, tell her. Who’s she going to believe: the guy who’s always there for her, or the girl who’s been avoiding her for weeks?” Ant got closer to her, stepping into her space as he whispered in her ear, “When I finally touch her, she’ll forget all about you.”
Red’s hand moved before she could process what was happening. A solid right hook to the face. She could hear his nose crack under the weight of her fist. He yelped, loudly, earning the attention of everyone inside. They quickly piled out of the door, confusion written across their faces. Red couldn’t believe what she had just done.
Ant acted quickly, “What is wrong with you? Crazy bitch!”
“What the hell happened?” Luis was by her side, checking her hand.
“She hit me! Out of nowhere!”
“Red..? What happened?” Chloe asked, carefully.
Red couldn’t formulate a response, “I-“
“She started going off at me! Talking nonsense! I tried to calm her down and she broke my nose!” He held his nose, the blood seeping in between his fingers.
“No- I-“ Red couldn’t string two words together, her hands shook and she couldn’t bare the look of concern and confusion in Chloe’s eyes.
“Red?” Luis asked quietly, his fingers rubbing soothing circles into her hand.
She took a deep breath, tears brimming in her eyes, and grabbed his hand. Red pulled him away from the others and the cabin, into the night.
・____⋆˙⟡ ♡ ⟡˙⋆____・
Red woke up with shaky breath. Her hands were clenched tightly into fits, and she could feel the sweat on her back. The nightmares had returned in full force. Luis unconsciously wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close. She expected the warmth to comfort her, yet it only made her heart jackrabbit further. What did Chloe have that he didn’t?