Chapter Text
Clara still isn’t entirely sure how she got here.
Just 6 months ago she was asked by the energetic ball of chaos known as Luz Noceda to go out with her.
Clara, of course, wasn’t blind.
She could see that the girl had a fascination with her, what with the stunts she would pull in drama and cheer.
But Clara wasn’t ready to admit to that side of her, not even to herself.
So she declined Luz, perhaps too harshly.
Oh… who was she kidding, she destroyed Luz’s heart that day.
~
It was Wednesday night. Clara was, of course, one of the last kids in the school. Finishing the report of the Student Council meeting for that day.
A note had been placed in her locker, reading “turn around, and let me ask…” Clara turns around to find Luz in a suit (one that even then she had to admit looked nice) and another note in the shape of a literal human heart, asking her if she wanted to go out with Luz.
It was well past the end of the day, the only people left in school were those in extracurriculars. But Clara knows how quickly rumors spread in school even when nobody is seemingly around, and she’s worked too hard to have her social standing crumble due to her being outed.
On top of that, being outed and asked out by Luz freaking Noceda.
She had to act. NOW!
“Me? Go out with Luzer NO-ceda?” She snatches the note from Luz’s hand, rips it in half, and stomps it into the ground.
“Maybe you’ve forgotten, I am Clara Heartfield. Student Council President, Cheer Captain, and the most popular girl in school.”
“And you are Luz Noceda, the weird girl with no friends, with the most annoying hobbies, the girl who still hasn’t grasped the concept of personal space the rest of us learned in first grade.”
Clara takes a step closer pointing a finger at Luz, who just stands there shocked. “You and I couldn’t be more incompatible if you tried, I have already accomplished more than anyone could imagine. The most you could hope to accomplish is removing yourself from your little fantasy world, and getting out. of. the. way.”
Clara takes a step back, the look on Luz’s face is one of pure pain, but to Clara’s surprise, Luz doesn’t cry.
Luz manages to get out “Oh…ok… I’ll leave you be then” and walks away, she pauses at the corner of the hall but continues on after a second.
Even Clara thought she took it too far. She decided that she would apologize to Luz tomorrow.
Luz didn’t come to school the next day, she did however come back that Friday.
That Friday that all the English book reports were due before Summer break was when Luz came back.
The Friday that snakes had managed to escape, snakes that Luz brought in for her book report.
The Friday before Luz was sent to a summer camp to “think inside the box”.
Needless to say, Clara did get to apologize to Luz.
~
‘Clara shakes her head.’
That was six months ago. Clara had a lot to think about that summer, she thought about how she treated not just Luz, but everyone around her. She thought about her ‘friends’ and how the only thing they care about is status… like she did; she also thought about how despite being surrounded by people… she felt lonely.
Clara had decided that something would change, and that change was going to start with Luz Noceda. But Luz seemed different that first day of school.
For one she asked to be called Vee instead of Luz. She also had made friends with other kids that went to the same camp as her. Vee also changed her wardrobe a bit, wearing a lot more hoodies, and plainer-looking shirts that she still looks really nice in. Also, her hair is now smoothed out in a really cute way. No Clara stop it. Now is not the time to devolve into daydream mode.
Camp must have done some good for Vee because she was much calmer than how she was before summer, maybe a bit more skittish. But what was more important was she was still extremely forgiving. Vee said she “wanted to put the whole thing behind them, and have a better year this year.”
That’s one of the best things about Vee, she was so forgiving to even someone like her. Vee had accepted her apology with extreme ease and then had even invited Clara to eat lunch with her friends.
Before Clara knew it she was being invited to sleepovers, shopping trips, but the part that sticks with Clara the most was when Vee came up to her on the day after Halloween and gave her a card!... to her birthday. When Clara was mildly disappointed she realized then; she had a crush on Vee Noceda.
~
Clara couldn’t ask Vee out, not after how she turned her down so harshly less than 4 months ago so she kept it hidden. Through all the kindness she was shown, she never made her feelings known.
She made sure to only look at her nose when she spoke, not her beautiful brown eyes that sparkled with gold flakes; NO stop it.
Hugs never lasting more than 2 seconds, even if the loss of contact makes a whine escape her.
Always make sure to make enough cookies for everyone, not just Vee. Even if Vee is clearly the one who likes the most.
Clara’s been hiding her feeling well. Or at least she thought she was until Mari said something at lunch a few weeks before the school dance.
“So, when are you gonna ask Vee to the dance?”
Clara chokes on her apple “What, why would you think I want to ask Vee?”
Mari gives Clara the look. “You mean besides the googoo eyes you make at her whenever you think nobodys looking? Or how you constantly whine when you break off hugs with her? Or how about the fact that everytime you make cookies you always make them oatmeal chocolate chip, which just so happens to be Vee’s favorite cookie?
Clara looks around quickly before answering. “Ok, maybe I’m not hiding it as well as I thought. But I can’t ask her!”
“And why is that? You’re Clara Heartfield! Captain of the Cheer team, Student Council VP, one of the most popular kids in school. Don’t tell me you, of all people, are afraid of being rejected?”
Unable to look at Mari Clara continues “It’s just… I wasn’t a very good person before. What if Vee doesn’t want to forgive me for that?”
Mari rolls her eyes “Girl, what do you expect Vee to do? It’s Vee we’re talking about. This girl cried over the fact my dad set mouse traps last time you guys were over. Even if she doesn’t like you in the same way, she won’t abandon you. Besides, and you didn’t hear this from me; I think Vee might have a thing for you too.
As if on cue, Vee shows up with Gean and Alex, who both had bruised knuckles and a swollen cheek!
“Sorry we’re late guys” Alex said, seemingly unaware of their bruises.
Mari stood up quickly to help Alex “What happened? Who did this?”
Alex only shrugs “Some kid from the football team was harassing Vee, so I put him in his place.”
Vee looks away, barely able to look at anybody. “Sorry guys”
Gean speaks up “don’t worry about it girl, Alex has been like this for as long as I’ve known them. They would 100% do it again in a heartbeat.”
Alex agrees by shaking their head.
Mari speaks up after a moment. “Well, we should probably get Alex to the nurse, just to be safe. Gean, can you come help us?”
Vee raises her hand “I’ll come too”
Mari smirked at Clara “Actually, could you stay here and keep Clara company? I think something's been bothering her for a while. Your people skills are better than mine, maybe you can help”
Vee, of course, agreed to stay and help Clara.
As the other Cabin 7 members left Vee ushered Clara out of the cafeteria and into the theater hall nobody was around there during this time of day.
Clara tried to come up with an excuse out of this. ‘Tell Vee she isn’t comfortable talking with her?’ No, all that would do is worry her. ‘I need to ask about extra credit’. No, she did that last week. ‘I need to pee’ Gross. ‘Maybe I just make a run for it?’
“So what did you want to talk about?”
‘Vee already lead her to the hallway already! Quick Clara come up with an excuse’
In a moment of panic, she kissed Vee! ‘THAT’S NOT AN EXCUSE!’
Both girls are stunned for a moment. Clare is the first to recover
“Oh my god, Vee I’m SO sorry, it’s just you’re so cute and every time I look at you I get all flustered and I’ve wanted to ask you out for months but after what happened last year I just-”
Clara was interrupted by another kiss.
‘Wait Vee’s kissing me back!’
“Clara, I would love to be your date for the dance.”
“O K” ‘Great now I can’t put thoughts together’
“Come on, I’m sure the others will be excited to hear.”
~
They were. Mari had the dopeiest grin on her face and dragged both girls to go shopping for their outfits for the night.
Clara wanted to go all out for her date with Vee, but Mari reigned her in by reminding her “It’s just a school dance. Besides, Vee will like what you wear no matter what”.
The dress they settled on was a simple solid black that scatters away into butterflies, fading into a pink dress that rests below the knee. They had agreed it complimented the streak of pink in her hair and that anyone would find it adorable, especially a certain copper-skinned girl.
Clara then snapped out of her daydreams and looked at the clock.
“Crap is it that late! Vee is expecting me in less then an hour! But my gosh, tonights going to be great, nothing is capable of ruining this night for me!