Chapter Text
Jackson never got his sweatshirt back. Not yet anyway, Toralei was far too happy to wrap herself up in it at the end of the day and take a little cat nap. He could drive, while she still had to walk back in the harsh weather.
For now, she’d hide it in her room, mixed in with thrifted sheets so the other ghouls in her dorm couldn’t see. With the nicer weather, she was back in her usual attire, a more punk styled outfit with her usual orange scarf. Not wearing the sweatshirt took away the option of even asking her for it back.
Jackson never mentioned it when she walked into class, instead, his focus was on the paper that was facedown on her desk. The results of yesterday’s test, and a show of just how much she had actually paid attention during their study sessions.
Toralei sat beside him and leaned on her elbow, “You look happier today.” She paid no mind to her test, “Let me guess, another perfect hundred.”
Jackson showed the paper to her, “Ninety-seven, the only student to get a hundred in this class was Ghoulia…” He sighed, “I got marked down for simplifying my work.”
Toralei laughed, “You’re the only one I know who can get an A and still complain about it. I think those dorky glasses of yours are seeping into your brain…”
She turned over her paper. A seventy-nine sat at the top circled in a red substance that they both could only hope was ink.
Toralei flipped through her test in disbelief.
“Well? What was it?”
She looked back to the boy, “Seventy-nine… that’s basically a B.”
Jackson smiled, “That’s the best you’ve done so far.”
Toralei’s stomach lurched. He seemed proud of her. It wasn’t something she was used to.
She stayed quiet as she flipped the test back over.
“...thanks.”
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Toralei approached her group of felines after the final bell rang. Both of them flicked their ears towards her curiously and curled the corner of their lips into a smile.
“You two look like you have dirt.” Toralei purred as she approached the two ghouls.
“Well…” The tip of Meowlody’s tail flicked nervously. “We do. Kind of.”
“Just my favorrrite way to end a day. Tell me everything, who’s getting dragged.”
“No one.”
“Come on, I know that look, tell me.”
“We will, but…” Purrsephone started,
“We have good news and bad news.” Meowlody finished.
“Spill it then.” Toralei snapped.
“Well…” The white-haired sister began, “Everyone is starting to think you and Jackson are a thing.”
Toralei’s nose wrinkled, “ What?!”
“Everyone is talking about how you two weren’t at lunch, then you two both appeared after. Wearing his sweatshirt.”
“...with messy makeup.” Purrsephone added.
Toralei went red. “Ew- no. Nothing like that. We were just studying.”
They both nodded, believing Toralei beyond anything anyone else had to say.
“But, the good news. Frankie is upset about it.”
“Reeeaaally upset.”
The Tabby tried to compose herself, “Right, perfect, just what we wanted.”
“Huh?”
“Okay, not exactly… but it feels good to know I have the upper hand on the ragdoll.” She combed her hand through her hair. “Plus those two boys waited on her every second they were with her. I was getting annoyed with Holt always taking her song requests first at every party. Now Frankie will think those two kiss the ground I prowl on.”
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Holt had left Jackson to watch over his guitar after school. They had rationed out their time after the bell rang, with Holt getting the first hour to use the recording studio in the catacombs while Jackson got the second hour to join a pick-up casketball game with his friends.
He approached the court and placed his bag and guitar on the concrete beside the bench. After slipping his tie off and rolling up his sleeves he made his way onto the court to join up with the boys who were all jumping on the ball after a missed foul shot.
Clawd grabbed the ball and turned on his heel to bring it down the court, but they all froze when they saw the normie. Jackson expected a greeting, or even some acknowledgment, but instead, the group stayed silent while they thought of what to say. Jackson waved, but the awkwardness never left the air.
“Are… we playing offsides?”
Clawd hugged the ball to his chest as the rest of his group settled, “Sorry, our game kind of already started-”
Deuce interrupted, “We’re not playing with you dude.”
Jackson blinked, they never had an issue with him coming in late to a pickup game. “What?
Behind his sunglasses, Deuce rolled his eyes. “Seriously? You went off and dated Toralei and thought nothing would change? Jackson, she hates our guts, and you know all of the things she’s done to Cleo.”
“I’m… not dating her.”
“We saw you in the hallway with her. You two spend every second together now with her hanging on your arm. Don’t bullshit me, I don’t know how you could go behind our backs like that.”
Clawd interjected, “We know you didn’t do this on purpose, but come on. You know everything Toralei’s done and how she’s hurt our ghouls. It’s one thing to have to deal with her as a classmate, but it’s another to treat her like she’s your ghoulfriend.”
“And you know how she tried to stick her nose into Lagoona and I’s business.” Gil jumped in.
“Yeah, and I don’t like her either.” Heath added.
“She’s not… that bad of a monster.” Jackson started, “I know she’s messed up a lot in the past, but she genuinely has good qualities.”
Deuce’s eyes narrowed, “Like what? Sabotaging the competition? Spreading rumors to ruin her enemies’ lives? Embarrassing our ghoulfriends in front of the entire school?”
“I-”
“You seriously can’t think she’s good. She makes Cleo’s unlife hell.”
“I’m not with her!” Jackson yelled, trying to get a word in over their voices, “We share one class together. She was completely lost until I agreed to help tutor her. That’s it. We’re not dating, we’re barely even friends.”
“And you gave her your sweatshirt?”
Jackson sighed, “She got soaking wet from the storm the other day. I felt bad seeing her so soaked, plus the whole werecat thing… cats hate water, right? I just wanted to help. That’s it, there’s nothing more between us, after this semester lets out I’ll be more than happy to never have to deal with her again.”
The boys looked at each other to assess if they believed him,
“I promise. I’m… really not interested in seeing anyone else right now. I don’t think I will be for a while.” He hugged an arm over his chest and looked down at the painted concrete.
Deuce sighed, “Fine. But maybe tell her to lay off. It’s creeping me out seeing you two so close.”
Jackson nodded, then moved to catch the ball Deuce hurled at his chest. “But I’m still pissed at you for upsetting Cleo- so let me beat your ass at casketball. Heath, you’re on his team. Three-vee-two.” The snake smiled at him, and Jackson smiled back, “You’re on.”