Chapter Text
There was two things Ranboo was sure of when he woke up. One, he forgot to set an alarm the night before, if the sound of footsteps padding up the stairs was any indication. And two, he was going to get an ear full before he was able to blink the sleep away from his eyes.
He knew the best decision was to make quick work on getting out of bed and attempting to look like a functioning human. But he felt like crap, not as bad as most days. But crap, nonetheless. So, the mere thought of attempting to get up caused an uncomfortable flare to flow through his muscles.
He squeezed his eyes tight, releasing a heavy sigh.
Not a moment later a knock is heard at his door. Planning for the inevitable, an apology hung on his lips but was quickly chased away by the pink headed hair that poked through his door.
“Ranboo, you have about two minutes to decide if you’re going to stay home today, or you’re left without a ride.” She closed the door without another word, and Ranboo was left in a daze. He expected his mum to come barrelling in, causing a headache to form and messing up his day before it even begun. Instead, he was saved by her yelling with the calming presence of Niki.
If Niki was here in her stead, she must have left early for work and judging by Niki’s demand she wasn’t too far behind.
Another sign escaped him, today would be a good day, and if not. Tough.
Gradually, he pulled himself out from the warm comfort of his bed and made his way to his wardrobe. Two minutes to pull himself together, not enough time to have a shower, barely enough to pull together an outfit. Looks like he’d skip breakfast. Again.
___
The rays of the morning sun shined in Ranboo’s eyes, just as he thought he could escape the morning without a headache, he was sorely mistaken. The music that floated from the speakers was a saving grace for him. It played at a low volume and eased his migraine, completely different from the ear grating radio and their spokes persons that are usually played. However, it was short lived, because while Niki was gracious enough to play softer sounds, the car was stifling hot.
Rubbing his hands against his head, he remembered he never took his morning medication, nor did he pack it. Niki must of took sight of his sour expression because she decided to break the silence that they settled themselves in.
“I put some of it in your bag. not all of it, I couldn’t find the spares, but it should be enough for today.” He thanked her quietly and rested his head against the seat. Thank God for Niki.
“Look Ranboo…” He cringed slightly. He wants nothing more than to remain silent, but he knew how bad it looked this morning and there’s no way he could deceive Niki. She had eyes like a hawk. It was scary sometimes… all the time.
He silently willed the car to somehow transport itself at the front of his school, as he waited with bated breath for Niki to continue.
“Now that I’m working, and mum and dad are working, I can’t keep- “
“I know, I know! I just- “he broke off and closed his eyes. He waited a beat as the silence became unsettling before continuing. “I just forgot to set an alarm last night.” He stubbornly avoided Niki’s gaze, he didn’t want to see her face scrunched up in concern, it’s almost as painful as his muscles on a bad day. Almost.
“I’m going to try. I am trying. I just- I need time. I think.” She looked at him for longer than Ranboo appreciated before nodding and returning to face the road. The conversation drifted off, both allowing the music to fill the silence for the rest of the ride.
___
Barely two hours in and Ranboo found himself walking in the direction of the nurse’s room. His head had been pounding since the moment he woke up, and every time he stood for his class, or to put something in the bin, he was overwhelmed by dizziness. His medication wasn’t working, so he hoped he would bully the nurse to let him sleep, or better yet, go home.
He walked sluggishly down the corridor, he forgot to pack a water bottle, no doubt the dehydration adding wood to the flame, but he wasn’t about drinking from the fountains. Germs and all. So instead, he hoped the nurse was kind enough to give him a cup of water. Then again, she wasn’t the hospitality type.
In most cases, when Ranboo suffered with a migraine longer than two hours, he would pass out. He hopes that today is not one of those days, because he would very much appreciate not fainting in the middle of the hallway for anyone to see.
His slow walk (he’s walking a lot slower than he would like, but if there was one thing, he learnt from having frequent headaches and dizziness, it was to never walk faster than that of a snail, it was annoying but necessary) was interrupted by a concerning amount of colour to his left.
For the most part, he paid no mind to the notice board, but apparently this school allowed kindergarteners to hang up whatever posters they liked. The only proof he has of this is by the eye straining and absurdly loud poster pinned in the centre of the board.
He squinted at the colour vomit before him. He could tell that there were at least four different fonts, and some of the colour choices made it hard to see what was written. And to pull this whole... mess together, there was an extensive amount of emojis plastered around the poster. Kinda reminded him of a YouTube thumbnail.
“Even I could have done a better job.” He mumbled as he scanned the barely noticeable contents of the poster. Apparently, this was supposed to be a campaign poster. He stands by this being a printed form of a YouTube thumbnail. Gosh, he’s pathetic.
“I don’t doubt that big man.” Ranboo jumped, his heart flying to his throat. Good god! He looked next to him and saw a boy with brown hair standing next him, looking at him intensely. Okay, wow. Intimidating. Also, where did the hell did he come from?
After the wave of dizziness washed over him, yeah no, I’m going to faint. Like right now, he finally managed to process what he boy said to him.
“Oh, umm that- that’s not what I meant.” He replied quietly, looking at the boy intensely. The longer he looked, the more familiar this guy seemed. Were they in the same class?
“It’s okay, honesty is the best policy.” He said it with a cheery voice, but no smile could be seen. Okay, this guy is terrifying. Involuntarily, his eyes darted back at the poster, and oh! That’s why he was familiar! Amongst the chaos was a photo of a brown headed boy around Ranboo’s age, and beneath him were the words (it took him a minute to read, the colour of the text matched too closely to the page colour) vote Tubbo for class president!
“Oh, Tubbo,” He looked back at Tubbo, who quirked an eyebrow at him, and to his surprise a smile played at the edge of his lips.
“Yeah, Tubbo. You didn’t know?” He was still looking at Ranboo, it made him slightly uncomfortable. He cleared his throat, as he chose to look at the corner of his eye instead of his eyes. Wow, who would have thought that eye contact could be so intense?
“Well, in my defence, I haven’t met you before.” His smile dropped, and Ranboo felt himself brake into a sweat. Dammit, did I do something wrong?
“Ranboo, were in the same homeroom.” He winced, great this guy knows who he was, but Ranboo had absolutely no idea. Apparently, they were in homeroom together? How does he explain to him that since his week, school life started, he’s been going through his classes in a daze? Barely holding onto any information presented to him because the pain was too unbearable, or he was going to forget it anyway? It wasn’t something he was willing to explain to a stranger. No matter if they knew him or not.
“Oh, um sorry, i-I don’t really pay attention in homeroom,” his eyes darted around as he tried to come up with an excuse. “Y’know, still sleepy from waking up.” Not a complete lie, he’s never completely conscious when he walks into homeroom, and tiredness does affect him in some degree. But it wasn’t the full truth.
Tubbo scanned his face, a thoughtful look on his face. After a moment he nods, seeming to take Ranboo’s half-truth as a justified explanation
“Okay, makes sense.” He smiled at him, “Well, it’s nice to officially meet you.”
He realised a relived breath, matching his smile, “Yeah, you to.”
They continued to stand facing each other, and Ranboo for the life of him didn’t know what to do. He’ll be completely honest; he’d never really fully engaged with someone his age outside of schoolwork, so logically, the best direction to go from here, is to make polite conversation. He hoped for his sake he could change his first impression into something a little more admirable.
“So, what brings you here?” Ranboo winced internally, nice going Ranboo, as awkward as ever.
“Free period.” He shrugged, Ranboo eyebrows rosed, cheering to himself, at least Tubbo didn’t laugh at his poor attempt at conversation.
“So, you’re just roaming the halls?”
“You’re saying it like you’re not doing it as well, hypocrite.” He muttered the last word, but Ranboo still heard it, a small smile played at his lips.
“I have a purpose.” Tubbo looked at him with a questioning look.
“I have a purpose,” Tubbo did a poor attempt at mocking him, going to the lengths to making himself taller. He failed, unfortunately. Tubbo, Ranboo noticed, wasn’t very tall.
“What are you, a character in a fantasy movie?” Ranboo stifled a laugh, looking back to the notice board and shrugged.
“Probably.” God, his head was killing him, he really needed to lie down. He didn’t want to be rude to the boy next to him, but the longer the conversation went on, the more his head pounded. Why did he decided he needed to start a new conversation? He had the chance to leave, but chose against it. It wasn’t helping that the light above them was flickering.
“Well, big man, I’m looking forward to having some real competition.” He held his hand out, and without processing Ranboo shook his hand. It wasn’t until their hands joined that it caught up to him.
“Wait! What?” he asked abruptly, confusion painted on his face, Tubbo just grinned back at him.
“There weren’t many people in the running pole, only that duck guy. But all he cares out is access to the staff room. Real waste I tell ya.” He shook his head, a playful smile still on his face. Ranboo’s mind was running a mile a minute. When did he agree to this? What is happening right now? He stole a glance to the overly bright poster and mentally face palmed himself, his head whipped harshly back to Tubbo, and he blinked back spots at the action. Careful Ranboo, don’t faint now.
“Look man, I think you might be confused, cause- “Tubbo interrupted him before he could continue.
“Nope!” he popped the p, “you shook on it! Its law now!” He walked backwards to the way Ranboo believed he came from, before swiftly turning around and disappearing around the corner.
He watched him go, with something akin to horror on his face, he looked down at his hand and stared at it. If he could, he would cut this hand right off. But unfortunately for him this was his writing hand, and he had a quiz next week.
Ranboo was left standing in the hallway, his attention back on the god forsaken poster. Apparently, his goal for having a good day didn’t matter to the universe. As all he could think was how in hell did, I get in this situation?