Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It’s been a few years since Aphmau has had to wake up at six am. Until today, she’d only have to sign into her lectures around noon for attendance then submit or receive her assignments. Now, she actually has to leave her room and interact with human beings, face to face and in person. She was excited a few weeks ago but now that she’s had time to think about it and knowing her luck she’ll commit a social faux pas less than 10 minutes into her first class and be treated like “That Weird Kid” until she’s chased out of school again and forced to complete the first half of her formal education online.

“Mija!” Aphmau hears a knock on her bedroom door before it’s opened. “Are you ready to go? Or do you want me to drop you off?”

“I’m fine,” she waves off her mother’s concerns and forces a neutral expression onto her face. “You won't be able to drop me off every day so I don't want to get used to it.” She pulls her bag onto her shoulders. “Plus it’s not like I’m carrying anything heavy.” Phoenix Drop High has done its best to go paperless, renting out laptops to students who need them and offering online versions of all of their textbooks. Aphmau’s only bringing a few notebooks and a pencil case for her math and science classes and any clubs that might need them.

“Okay,” Sylvanna steps up and presses a kiss to her daughter’s forehead before ushering her out of the room. “I’ll be here all day in case it’s too much for you. I put some money in your wallet and the administration is aware of any-”

“I’m going,” Aphmau pulls away and steps out. “I can do this, you don't need to worry about me.” not true but if she gives up now there’s no chance of her having a normal high school experience.

The first upset of the day was Aphmau accidentally bumping into a really tall guy, although compared to her less than five-foot-tall frame everyone is tall, and him walking away before she could even attempt to apologize. 

The second was when she tried to head into the building only to find that the doors were locked. None of the other students seem that worried but the school day is supposed to start in half an hour, so shouldn't the doors have opened by now?

Aphmau could ask for help, but everyone seems to know each other already, and getting snubbed by anyone will almost definitely cause her to burst into tears and that seems like a bad start to her day. Her paranoia already has her doubting if she’s even in the right place so if something goes wrong before she can even get to class Aphmau will never show her face here again.

“I’m assuming you’re a freshman?” Someone waves to get her attention and a dark-haired girl with a mentor’s sash and a “My Name is Teony” sticker manages to sneak up on Aphmau while she worries herself to tears.

“Yes… why?”

“You’re very small and look very nervous?” Teony comments looking her over. “Is there anything I can help you with?”

“Um…” Aphmau fiddles with her backpack, glancing around to avoid eye contact. “Sorry I’m new to the area and don't really know anyone…” she trails off. “Why are the doors still closed?”

“Well, Freshman-”

“-Aphmau.”

“Well Aphmau,” Teony continues without losing a beat. “Our principal is a little unhinged and enjoys chaos, so on the first day the doors won’t open until there are only ten minutes before school starts.” 

“Oh.” She’s starting to regret not staying home again.

“Yeah,” she sighs like this is a conversation she’s had multiple times. “Is there anything else I can help you with?”

“No sorry, but thank you.”

“It’s no problem, Aphmau, that’s my job!” she glances down at her phone when a notification pings. “Sorry, I have to help with something but if you’re having any trouble, for the first few weeks mentors will be wearing sashes like this,” she gestures to her own. “So you can find them easily and ask them questions. I’ll also be helping out during the club fair if you want to try and find me later.”

Aphmau waves as she leaves before slouching over and scanning the courtyard again, backing away from the door. Apparently, the universe really wants her to socialize, or for her to give up and go home because she manages to bump into someone again even though there was no one around her five seconds ago.

“Are you okay?” a hand moves to steady her and she instinctively leans away, falling anyway.

“Not really,” she lets the blonde help her up and looks up. “Do I know you from somewhere?”

“I don't think so?” He looks confused so she gets defensive.

“Sorry! I just thought you looked kind of familiar,” she pulls away and tightens her grip on her bag. “Sorry.”

“Calm down, it's fine,” the older boy chuckles. “I’m Garroth Ro’meave if you think that’ll help?”

“Oh!” A memory Aphmau didn't even know existed pops into her head. “Is your mom Zianna?”

“Yeah! How’d you know?”

“Our moms are friends, we used to have playdates.” no recollection. “Our moms used to plan our wedding-”

“Yes!” he grabs her shoulders and she flinches, but he doesn't notice. “You’re Aphmau!” she nods sheepishly. “You haven't changed at all!”

“And you’ve changed a lot.” She has to crane her neck to look at his face. 

“Yeah well-” 

“Garroth!” a voice calls out to him from a few feet away but he waves it off.

“Everyone is pretty much the same, except for Zane-”

“Garroth!”

“But you’ll probably see him later during orientation-”

“Garroth!” 

“What!?” he finally turns around to acknowledge the darker blonde leaning against a nearby wall.

“We have to go help out at the club fair, remember,” when he sees that our conversation has been put on hold, he walks over. “You can flirt with the freshman later, let’s go.” He pulls Garroth away so he wouldn't be ignored this time.

He makes a face. “I'm not flirting, that’s Aphmau,” He says as if that explained anything. He turns to face the shorter student. “I have to go but I’ll be working the club fair for the baseball club. Come find me later okay?”

“Okay,” The freshman waves him off. 

“Wow didn't you look pathetic drooling all over him?”

It takes Aphmau a moment to realize who she’s talking to. “I’m sorry, I don't know what you mean.”

“Yeah you should be,” the redhead spits back, ignoring the second half of her apology. “I saw you play that innocent freshman act!”

The innocent freshman’s confusion increases. “I’m sorry but-”

“Look,” the sophomore interrupts. “I don't have time to deal with you. Just know that Garroth Ro’meave is off-limits. So don't get any ideas freshman,” she spits out the word freshman like it's the worst thing Aphmau could be.

Aphmau’s stunned confusion lasts until the doors finally opened, so when she finally snapped out of it, it was too late to run home like she desperately wanted to.

Aphmau makes it to her homeroom in record time, being one of the first students there, takes a seat towards the front of the room, pulls out a book, and prepares to wait. She gets away with not socializing for a few minutes until she’s approached by a boy that looks as nervous as she is.

“Hi!” he starts strong. “My name is Travis and are you a map? Because I keep getting lost in your eyes.” The frankly atrociously overused pickup line obliterates any social anxiety Aphmau might have had.

“I am not a map but you’re on the right track with getting lost,” she closes her book and turns to fully face him. “My name is Aphmau, would you like to try again?”

“Can I use my list?” He pulls a folded sheet of looseleaf out of his pocket.

“Do you have any clever ones?” She peers over the sheet of paper and he lowers it to allow her a better view.

“I had a few that I was going to try and use in my biology class?” He unfolds the paper and reads down the list. “‘You’re so hot you denature my enzymes, whenever I’m around you I undergo anaerobic respiration-”

“- because I take your breath away?”

“...Oh!” Travis makes a note. “If I were a nitrogen base I would be adenine so I could be paired with U-’”

“I like that one!”

“Really? I haven't taken biology yet so I didn't know if it was clever.”

“They’re decently clever.”

“Oh?” Travis puts his list back in his pocket and takes the seat next to Aphmau. “So what are you reading?”

“Well I was trying to read The Catcher in the Rye, ” he slumps in his seat but she doesn't notice. “But the main character is really annoying-” she looks up before she can get lost in her thoughts. “Do you actually care or were you just asking to be polite?”

“Both?” he pauses to consider. “I have a sophomore friend that had to read it for class and he was complaining the entire time.” he stops again. “Although that might be because he hates reading and not just the book.”

“Do you like reading?”

“I like comics?”

Before Aphmau can jump on the chance for an interesting conversation, their teacher calls the class to attention. “Alright, class! We’re heading out to meet all the clubs and upperclassmen. Let’s line up and get going.”

“So what did you think about the Shie Hassaikai Arc?” Travis is basically vibrating, and very excited about having something to rant about.

“It was so good! Deku finally stopped breaking his bones and we got a happy ending!

“The ending didn't seem that happy to me?”

“Well outside of the obvious sad parts-”

“A man is dead-”

“Well, that man was kind of an asshole! What gives him the right to decide who should get who’s quirk? Just because he thinks he’s omniscient-”

“But he’s not-

“Exactly!”

“Alright class,” the teacher interrupts their argument before it can get too heated. “It's our turn to head into the gymnasium. You guys are free to mingle, get to know more about the school clubs, and meet your upperclassmen until the bell rings.”

The students start to branch out almost immediately until Aphmau and Travis are left to themselves again.

“So what clubs were you interested in?” Aphmau asks while steering the duo closer to the stalls. “I want to join science club, and math club, and debate club, and LGBT club, and music club, and magicks club, and-”

“Wow you’re all types of nerd aren't you?”

“Heads up!” Before she can offer a rebuttal, volleyball slams into the side of Travis’s head.

“Are you okay?!” Aphmau doesn't think that was enough to give him a concussion but it still looked like it hurt. “Do you need to go to the nurse?”

When he caught sight of the girl jogging over a dopey smile rose to his face. “I’m fine,” He might have a concussion.

"Nice catch dork. You caught the ball with your face!" Why is she laughing? 

“You’re not going to apologize?”

She's still laughing. "You have to admit that it looked hilarious."

“I can think of several things funnier than my friend almost getting a concussion.” As Aphmau prepares to give a rant on the dangers of head trauma, Garroth’s friend from earlier steps up to diffuse the tension.

“Is everything alright over here? Katelyn isn't causing you too much trouble?”

The victim and his assailant speak simultaneously.

“It’s fine-”

“He’s fine-”

Garroth jogs over. “Aphmau! Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Apparently she’s overreacting. “Your friend hit him in the face with a volleyball though. 

“It was an accident!”

“Katelyn,” the older boys sigh in unison.

The darker blonde speaks first. “Not everyone is as hard-headed as you. Did you at least apologize?”

Katelyn throws her arms up in surrender. “Fine! I’m sorry.”

“It’s really fine,” Travis waves her off. “No harm-”

“-yes harm,” Aphmau interrupts.

“-no foul,” Travis continues, nudging her in retaliation.

“Sure,” the bluenette eyes the shorter freshman. “I didn't mean to hit him, but I am sorry,” she glances at Travis before turning to Aphmau. “Stop by the volleyball club if you wanna duel for your friend’s honor or something.”

“Katelyn,” the boys reprimand her in unison but she’s already waved them off and is heading back towards her booth.

“I’m sorry about her,” Aphmau finally noticed his “Hi! My name is Laurance!” sticker. “She’s nice once you get to know her-”

“No, she’s about the same,” Garroth interrupts. “But she grows on you.”

“Stop comparing Katelyn to a fungus.” he sighs in exasperation. “My name is Laurance,” he gestures to his nametag. “This idiot is Garroth,” the idiot in question gestures to his own sticker. “You’re both sure you’re okay?”

“They’re fine,” Garroth reassures out. “If you do end up needing anything there are mentors everywhere and we’ll be by the baseball and soccer clubs,” he gestures to himself and Laurance, respectively. “Come find me later Aphmau! I still need to get your number.” 

Travis rubs his head for a moment before turning to Aphmau. “Why does a sophomore want your number?”

“Why do you have a crush on a girl that sent a stray volleyball towards your head?”

“She said it was an accident!”

“It probably was,” Aphmau admits. “Also Garroth’s mom is my mom’s best friend so when we were little we used to play together.”

“Oh, childhood friend-zoned?” Travis hums. “But isn't that the plot of like 50% of romance movies?”

“More of a trope?” she corrects. “Aren't we supposed to be looking at the clubs?”

“Oh yeah!” he perks up. “Was theater on your impossible list?”

“No,” the last time Aphmau tried to perform in front of a crowd she burst into tears and had to be carried offstage. “But I can stick around for moral support?”

“You don't want to visit your own clubs?” Maybe make a dent in the impossible list?

“We have two hours left, I can wait if you want me to?” or she can leave? What is the right thing to do here?

“I’ll be back in like five minutes!” Travis rushes off to his fellow thespians and Aphmau pulls out her phone that’s just received a notification.

FC:

Hey, how's your first day of HS going?

Shu:

well, I'm not dead yet lol

I'm still really nervous

Nervous? You? Come on. If you talked 

to ppl the way u talk to me u should be

the most popular girl in school by now

pfft

This is real life we're talking about here :P

how is your first day going?

Meh... it's going

Shouldn't you get off the phone 

and go back to class or whatever?

haha

Look who’s talking

“Hey, cutie!” Aphmau jumps when a cheery voice announces itself. “You know it’s against the rules to text during class hours? But since you’re new and this isn't a class I’ll let it slide.” Teony slides from behind Aphmau and watches amused as the freshman slips her phone back into her self-made pockets.

“Thank you for not getting me in trouble. Please stop sneaking up on me.”

“Sorry cutie-”

“Aphmau.”

“-Aphmau, I’ll try to announce myself next time, but at least you seem a little less nervous?” the mentor offers. “I saw you and your little friend talking to Phoenix Drop High’s resident heartbreakers.”

Aphmau shrugs tentatively. “They were very pretty,” she admits. “But Garroth is a friend and I don't think Katelyn or Laurance like me very much.”

Teony giggles. “No you’d know if Katelyn didn't like you,” she reassures. “And Laurance is just very polite, he’ll loosen up if you end up getting to know each other.” She watches as Aphmau visibly relaxes and changes the subject. “So what clubs were you planning on joining?”

“Well PDH is more diverse than I thought it would be,” she pulls out the forbidden list. “So I made a list of everything I thought I might be interested and looked at the club roster on the school website-”

“Woah!” Teony gapes at the composition notebook. “That whole thing is your list?”

“No,” Aphmau flips it open. “Only the first 10 pages,” she glances to see that Teony’s amazement hasn't diminished. “I like to be thorough,” she defends.

“I believe you,” she appeases. “I just didn't think anyone but me was this neurotic.”

“Well I haven't been to real school in a while so I got nervous and planning things out makes things less likely to go wrong.”

“I get it,” Teony grabs the book offered to her. “Well our math and science clubs aren't that great but you’d probably be interested in the Academic Decathlon. If you want to be active in the school community, Student Unions and the Student Council are great ways to start. The Speech and Debate Club and Music clubs are very strict and competitive, but if you think you can handle it go for it, and I would avoid the Infinity Club.” as she speaks she pulls a pencil out of nowhere and starts marking up Aphmau’s research. “Personally, I wouldn't recommend joining more than five but the first month is basically a trial basis for all new and interested members so you could probably get away with eight.”

“Aphmau! I did it,” Travis jogs over with a bright grin on his face that grows noticeably confused when he sees the notebook. “Are you showing off the impossible list?”

Teony giggles as she hands the notebook back over. “Since your little friend is back I’m going to head back over to my booth,” Teony waves as she walks away. “Text me!” she gestures down to the book.

“Why are so many attractive people asking for your number?” Travis watches as Aphmau finds Teony’s number in the margins of your notes.

“According to my mother it’s because I’m adorable and people want to steal me away,” she shrugs at the look on his face. “I think we have just enough time to get to the clubs Teony recommended,” she snaps her notebook closed. “Do you want to come with me or do you want to try to talk to the Theater club again?” She watched him grab a brochure and stand awkwardly by their booth for 10 minutes before coming back. “I can come with you this time?”

“So what’s your last class,” the duo managed to get everything done and force Travis to make contact with the thespians. “I have Bio101.”

“I have,” Aphmau flips to the next section of her notebook. “WWLF107.” don't you have to be a werewolf to be in werewolf class?

“Never heard of it,” he brushes the weird name off. “I guess this is it?”

“For today,” Aphmau agrees. “Here,” she shoves her notebook into his hands. “Write down your number before I have to go, I’ll text you later to make sure it’s the right one.”

“Cool,” he fumbles for a moment. “You’re the first girl that’s ever asked for my number,” Travis admits.

“You’re the first boy that’s given me his number.”

Aphmau does not think she’ll be able to enjoy werewolf class. The theory is very interesting because theory always is, but Aphmau has always been too timid for werewolves. They take tough love to a different level and Aphmau has never handled teasing or roughhousing well. She’s a frustrated crier and all of those things mixed together seem to make her an easy target for her peers, even if they don't initially mean to be malicious.

Example number one: Aphmau has just walked into the beginnings of a fight. 

The instigator looks like your typical werewolf. "What did you just say!" 

"Buzz off." But the other guy seems to be another human?

Aphmau taps the shoulder of a boy that doesn't look like he’s itching for blood to be spilled. “Can I ask what’s going on?”

He peers down at her before doing a double-take. "Some new kid decided to get on Balto's bad side. So Balto's about to rip him apart," he replied. Please let that be an exaggeration. “You’re a human too?” she nods sheepishly. “Most humans end up taking WWLF101. And you’re so small too,” he places a hand on her head comparing their heights.

"That's my seat!" The fight continues in the background.

"The seats aren't assigned, just go find another one," That’s the first boy she bumped into this morning. Why is he antagonizing the Alpha male?

"Don't you know who I am?!"

"Yeah, annoying."

"Is that supposed to be funny?" 

"Kinda." It was pretty funny.

"Oh, this is perfect. You have a death wish, don't you?" Balto then looks around to see he has an audience and smirks. As his eyes roam the crowd he spots Aphmau attempting to fix her hair.  "Well lookie here,” the crowd parts as he stalks forward. “What's a human doing in werewolf class?"

 "Um-" she looks around for anyone to help and they all avoid her gaze. “I don't know?” Apparently, she was supposed to be in WWLF101 but it filled up too quickly for her late application.

"Hey!" Oh, thank Irene. "Isn't your fight with me?" Tall, Dark, and Scary finally gets out of his seat.

“Don't worry," says Balto, "I'll get to you in a minute"

And then the kid from this morning threw Balto out of the window. As the class crowds around the window to jeer at the victim of defenestration, the defenestrator picks Aphmau up by the back of her shirt and deposits her in a seat before sitting down himself just in time for the teacher to walk in and glance around as if this is completely normal. "Looks like werewolf class is off to a great start this year." a few students nod in agreement. Is this a werewolf thing or a not homeschooled thing? "Hello, class. First day and we're already throwing each other out the window huh?" He chuckles. "I know tempers can run high in these classes, but the principal informed me that the school had to cut back on their window repair budget. So, we need to try our best to cut back on this kind of behavior, alright?" seriously? This is normal?

"Okay, let's get started, shall we? Welcome everyone to 'Werewolf 107: Intro to Basic Transformation'. Now, I know some of you already know how to transform, but I'm here to explain the process in depth. Now, everyone, partner up with a seat buddy. We have an even number of students so anyone who doesn't get partnered up gets thrown out the window. I'm just kidding,” he chuckles. “kind of."

The new pair sit in silence for a few moments before APhmau’s seat partner speaks up. “You gonna try and find a different partner?”

“You brought me here,” she points out. “If you want me to leave we can both get thrown out of a window?”

He snorts and there’s another brief moment of silence as they attempt to tune back into the lecture. “The next time there’s a fight, try to stay out of the way.”

“You mean you won't always be there to throw my bullies out of windows?” Aphmau keeps her eyes on her notebook so she misses whatever expression he’s making. “Can I have your name before you continue to lecture me for existing?”

“It’s Aaron, and I’m not blaming you, I'm warning you,” he growls. “If someone has to save you every time someone intimidates you, you probably shouldn't hang around werewolves.”

“I’m Aphmau, and if I thought every werewolf was like Balto I’d never leave my room,” though if Aaron hadn’t saved her she might have started crying. “The other first-year werewolf classes are full so I’m not going anywhere.” she shrugs. Seems like they’re stuck together.

"So," Mami says. "Was your first day of school as terrible as you imagined?"

“Yes,” Aphmau finishes cleaning up. “Also do you remember the Ro’meaves?”

Aphmau didn't know her mother’s voice could get that high.

Chapter Text

Yesterday, after her mom got off of an hour-long phone call with Mrs. Ro’meave. Aphmau tried to see if she could switch to a more human-friendly Werewolf class, mostly because there’s not much a Transformation course can do for her, but when her mom called the school just in time to get in contact with the Department of Werewolf studies, they informed her that all of the “human-friendly” werewolf courses are full because they’re considered an “easy A.” So they placed her on a waiting list and told her if a spot opens up in the next two weeks she’ll be the first to know but not get her hopes up.

Aphmau thought that it’d be impossible to ruin her day less than an hour after she woke up. “Miha! Get down here! I have a surprise for you!” Then she remembers that her mother is a normal person with a normal mind.

“Mami, have you seen my-?” There are new people in her house. “You’re wearing shoes.” Aphmau catches Sylvanna wincing in the corner of her eye.

“So what?” Zane doesn't even bother looking up from his phone. “It’s not like we’re going to be here-”

“It’s fine Aphmau,” Garroth moves to take his shoes off and the brunette next to him follows. “Zane can you-”

Zane scoffs. “Whatever.” but complies.

“It’s fine,” Aphmau heads towards the bathroom.

Sylvan follows to cut her off. “Miha you have school, I’ll take care of it.”

“No, it’s fine-”

“Miha you don't have time to mop the floor you’ll be late.” Aphmau drops the mop.

“Late?”

“Yeah-” Sylvanna picks up the mop and pushes Aphmau upstairs. “Get your bag and Zianna’s boys can walk you to school.”

“And you’ll mop the floor right?”

“Yes, Miha-”

“Because you have to dust it first and then-”

“Use boiling water and the wood cleaner, I know Miha.”

“And-”

“Use a damp mop, not wet, rinse using the same process but with clean water, then dry the floor, I know.” they’re at the door and Sylvanna kisses Aphmau’s forehead. “I don't think my house has ever been this clean Miha.”

“Well dad had to be good for something so why not this?”

“Right,” Sylvanna sighs. “See you later Miha.”

“Bye Mami.” Aphmau hears the door shut behind her and doesn't realize she’s been staring out into space until she feels Garroth grab her hand and pull her along.

“So how have you been, Aphmau?” Garroth is the first to speak up. “We haven't talked in like 10 years, I’m wondering what’s changed.”

It takes her a few moments to reply “Not much. I play a few instruments and I still like soccer, although I haven't been on a team in a while.”

“PDH has sports clubs for that very reason!”

Aphmau hums in response.

“Well you know Zane right?” he gestures to the youngest brother who’s back on his phone. “But Vylad is new!”

“Nice to meet you,” Vylad speaks up. “I think we’re in the same homeroom.”

“Cool, probably a terrible question-?”

“I was adopted,” he answers before she can even ask.

“Vylad’s the youngest,” Garroth adds. “He’s like a super genius, he’s supposed to be in his last year of middle school but ended up testing into High School because he was bored.”

“We’re sort of in the same situation then,” Aphmau pulls her hand out of Garroth’s to adjust her bag. “I had to be homeschooled during middle school and I completed most of Phoenix Drop Highs Freshman beginner’s STEM courses-”

“Are you the freshman that’s taking all of the AP courses?”

Aphmau hesitantly nods her head.

“Sorry, it’s just I knew you were smart but I didn't know you were like a genius.”

“That’s really impressive, Aphmau!”

“Well, you did the same thing-”

“Not really, I just finished middle school early

“Wow, nerds unite,” Zane drawls, breaking through the trio and rushing ahead. “Go make out with a microscope or whatever you like to do.”

The Freshman pause as Garroth shakes his head and rushes after his younger brother. 

“Have you ever made-”

“Not that I know of,” Vylad continues after his brothers. “But the fact that Zane came up with it has me worried.”

“Is he referring to the proximity you have to-”

“I think he just wanted to insult us but it wasn't very clever.”

“Vylad, this is Travis, he’s very bad at pickup lines. Travis, this is Vylad, he’s a genius.”

Travis sighs, looking up the manga he was reading. “Please don't tell me that’s how you’re going to introduce me to people.” 

“Well, what else am I supposed to say about you?”

“Literally anything else,” Travis deadpans.

“But not actually literally,” Vyald interjects at the look on Aphmau’s face. “Like figuratively literally.”

Aphmau nods in understanding. “Okay! Travis, this is Vylad. He’s Garroth’s brother and a super genius. Vylad, this is Travis. He’s a budding thespian and a masochist.”

“You’re doing this on purpose,” Travis complains. “Why was his second introduction better than mine? You already complimented him.”

“Maybe because you have bad taste?” Vylad gestures to the source of their shared exasperation who just grins in amusement before pulling out her phone and ignoring their woe.

Shu:

I’m being bullied

FC:

Like actually?

Who is it I’ll beat them up

No lol

And why is your go-to solution

 to everything violence?

When has violence not solved

my problems?

“By the way, why’d you introduce us like my mother at a playdate?” Vylad takes the seat in front of Aphmau. 

She doesn't look up from her phone. “You’re a big boy aren't you?”

Shu:

That doesn't leave me with a lot of

 faith in your problem-solving skills

“Plus you both give off the same dorky energy,” she explains. “It's why we get along so well.”

“Platonic soulmate?” Travis holds up a fist that Aphmau bumps absentmindedly.

FC:

I have to go to class ttyl

Shu:

Will you be online later?

Ttyl

Sure

Aphmau puts her phone down just as the bell rings. “I’ll see you at lunch?”

“Bye Soulmate!” 

“Bye Travis!”

Today, Aphmau’s first class is creative writing, which she’s still on the fence about because while she does like writing creatively, school kind of stifles her imagination. Especially with deadlines and writing prompts, Aphmau does her best writing when she’s been procrastinating and has a project due in 3 days or at 3 am when she really should be sleeping.

But you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, even though that’s literally how you judge things, so Aphmau heads into room 304 and prepares for a fun-filled hour of prompts before she’s physically accosted by a blond blur.

“Hi, Aphmau!” 

“Hey, Garroth.”

Next to him and across from her is Laurance. “Hi Freshman, Garroth-”

“-I know Aphmau,” who is apparently missing a lot of context. “She doesn't pine-”

“What am I not pining for?” and why is that good?

“Us,” they chorus in unison, gesturing across the room to a window with two girls peeking through. They wave and the girls squeal and rush off to their next class.

“I don't like bashing anyone or their choices-” Laurance starts

“Don't lie, you love that.” Garroth turns back to Aphmau. “It’s nothing weird but it does get kind of annoying when we can't just sit in pairs.”

“Is it your magick-?” 

Garroth shakes his head. “I have strength and Laurance doesn't have an affinity.”

Legends say that thousands of years ago humanity was dying out so the Goddess Irene blessed us with innate gifts to help us help each other. The actual science says that every living creature on earth has enough magic to help them make and use simple potions. Some humans, and most nonhumans, are born with a higher affinity that boosts their natural talents to an inhuman level or allows them to use a specific branch of magic on the level of the most powerful sorcerers. Knowing that their appeal isn't boosted by an affinity kind of lowers Aphmau’s opinions of Phoenix Drop High’s female population.

“Yeah,” Laurance sighs after catching her expression. “Katelyn got the same look on her face when she found out.”

“Be grateful! You get to sit next to the hottest guy in school!”

“Really!” Aphmau perks up and makes a show of looking around. “Where is he?”

Garroth pouts as Laurance bursts into laughter. “Wow, I haven't seen you get shot down that bad since Katelyn.”

“Whatever, you can sit somewhere else since I’m so awful-”

“No, I’m sorry-”

“Don't be dramatic-”

Garroth doesn't let his sulking get interrupted. “-no, I get it. Obviously, I’m too ugly to be compared to the likes of Laurance, captain of the soccer team, hot enough to get his own Fanclub, and so charismatic that the one time-”

“-Alright! We don't talk about that!” he changes the subject. “So did you ever have that duel with Katelyn?”

“No thank you,” Aphmau shakes her head. “She’d crush me.”

“Don't you have a healing affinity?”

“And then what? It would still hurt,” he concedes to that.

Witchcraft 203 is basically a more intense chemistry class and teaches basic spells/potions to anyone with a high enough affinity. Its freshman counterpart is Witchcraft 101 which is just a theory course that Aphmau was happy to test out of because PDH offers a first-level potion’s license to anyone who passes a Witchcraft 200s class with a 90 or higher. 

When Aphmau steps through the door she sees Katelyn arguing with a girl she recognizes from the club fair, Lucinda? She was by the Witchcraft Booth. "Are you even supposed to be in witchcraft class?" 

"It's what my schedule says so like it or not I'm here until I can change it!" Katelyn is being very loud.

"Well, you don't have to yell at me, Katelyn."

“‘ Well, it’s not like you have to yell at me, Katelyn!’ Don't tell me what to do!”

Wow, very mature. "Um excuse me?" Aphmau regrets the words as soon as she opens her mouth.

"Huh?" apparently neither of them noticed her.

"Hi. I'm sorry, It's just, you both were yelling, and-"

"Hey! You're that freshman from yesterday! You'll be perfect."

"Perfect for what?" Should she be worried?

She laughs and ignores me, turning to speak to Lucinda. "Lucinda, this girl here is my new best friend!”

"What?" Did Aphmau miss something when she met this girl yesterday? Apparently, Teony was wrong, Aphmau can’t tell if Katelyn is mad, angry, or crazy

"Oh really?" Lucinda says amused.

"Yeah really!" says Katelyn.

Should she go along with this? She did hit Travis in the face with a volleyball yesterday and didn't even pretend to be sorry. "Um-" she pauses when she sees Katelyn’s expression.

"Oh really? What's her name?" Lucinda smirks.

Katelyn looks really desperate. "My name is Aphmau. What's yours?"

"Yup her name is- what? how do you say that again?" It's not that hard to say.

"That doesn't count, she answered the question for you. My name is Lucinda."

"Well, that's still one friend for me, and how many for you?" Katelyn retorts condescendingly

"Hey, girl-who-has-obviously-never-met-Katelyn-before. Want to be my best friend instead of Katelyn's? I'll help you out in this class." she offers. 

She should stop this, shouldn't she? "Why are you guys even fighting over me?" she’s known them for a day at most.

"Don't listen to Lucinda! I'll buy you lunch from the cafeteria?" Does no one listen?

"I'll give you a spell that turns people into cute kittens?" Lucinda retaliates. Aphmau can't cast transformation spells very well.

"You're allergic to cats, she's trying to kill you!"

She is? "No, I'm not!"

"You don't even know your own friend's allergies!" says Lucinda.

This is getting out of hand. "um you guys are-" and a potion comes out of nowhere turning them both into cats?

They look around confused and see the rest of the class and an older woman, with gray hair and blue eyes, who I'm going to assume is the teacher.

"Geez, those girls can fight. Sorry about that little one." 

That is so cool and kind of terrifying. "Um. It's no problem?"

"Anyway. I'm the teacher of the witchcraft class. My name is Hyria"

"Nice to meet you…do you know why they were fighting?"

"Well, one of these girls happens to be my daughter. I can't get into details because this is a problem they should settle on their own!" Professor Hyria sends a very pointed glare at the cats who didn't waste any time getting back to their argument. "But, there was a boy they both liked, and they turned him into a frog, and, well, you read The Frog Prince. In any case, class is about to begin," she says addressing the rest of the class. "Students, take your seats. As for you three," she turns back to the trio. "Since you all get along so well, you can all sit together!"

Um, no thank you. "Can I sit somewhere else?"

"Nope. Now get along, sit down, and we can begin your introduction to witchcraft!"

Sometimes Aphmau blames her hatred of school on her self-diagnosed anxiety. Other times she’s reminded of an actual reason. “Getting naked? In front of others?!"

"Hey," Travis tries to calm her down. "When you say it like that, of course, it sounds bad."

He doesn't understand! "I don't want to go to gym class! I haven't left my room in 3 years!”

"Well you look pretty good for a hermit?” he switches tactics at her glare. "Look, it's just going into the girls' locker room and getting changed. You can just go into a bathroom stall if you're uncomfortable."

“Is that what you do when you go to the boys' locker room?"

"No," he’s lying. "But, I used to do it in middle school,” he admits. “Anyway, look on the bright side! This is the first class we have together."

Right! Positivity. "I mean, I guess you're right. That is a plus."

"Yeah!"

"But what if they think I'm weird for changing in a stall?" According to all of the high school movies Aphmau has watched, being shy in front of other girls is weird.

"You'll be fine." Travis is an angel.

"If you wanna change places with me I wouldn't mind." a suave voice speaks from behind her. "Hey, baby! Travis! I didn't know your girlfriend was this adorable."

And that made Aphmau forget her anxiety. "Travis isn't my boyfriend. We’re soulmates."

Travis looks embarrassed. "Yeah, Dante she's not my girlfriend."

"And she's not gonna be if you don't put the moves on her soon. Look you're already in the friend zone," Dante says. Is this Travis' sophomore friend?

Travis' face gets redder and redder as he tries to defend himself so Aphmau forces herself to step in. "um, excuse me Mr. Uh, Dante. And you too Travis," she adds just to make sure they don't get any ideas. "I don't want a boyfriend. Especially not either of you, sorry."

"Dante!" Travis yells. "Why do you have to make everything awkward!"

"Because it's fun! But I did not expect that response."

"Sorry, it's just, I heard you dated two girls at once and-"

He interrupts her, turning to Travis. "Aw, man! You already told her about that!"

"Yeah I did!" said Travis. "I didn't want her falling for your charm."

"Fine," he sighed. "It's nice to meet you Aphmau, my name is Dante and yes Travis has talked about you before."

"Well it's nice to meet you too I guess," He's not mean. Just kind of a Chad.

"Yeah! And thanks for befriending my shy buddy over there," Travis gets more embarrassed as the conversation goes on. "I was afraid I would be the only one he'd talk to in school. It's nice to see him making new friends."

Travis finally decides to interrupt. "Uh, Dante! Shouldn't you start heading to class? The bell is about to ring," aw he's embarrassed.

"Oh, right!" he turns back to Aphmau. "Let me know if I can do anything," oh Irene, he's wiggling his eyebrows. "I- huh?" he glances at something behind him and Aphmau turns to see two girls glaring at him. 

"Mother of Irene, they're both here, I gotta get going. See ya!" Dante then runs away chuckling nervously.

Aphmau turns back to Travis. "What was that about?"

"I don't know. Dante's weird sometimes," he looks just as confused as she is and a little worried. "If I could suggest something. Stay away from him. He takes after his brother Gene a little too much, he's not a great influence. Also, stay away from Gene and his friends."

"Oh!" are delinquents actually a thing? "Alright? Thanks for the tip I guess?" Then the bell rings.

"You're gonna be fine," Travis says, watching the apprehension come back. "Just go into a stall, get dressed, and get out."

"Okay." she winces at the lack of confidence in her voice

"I'll wait for you in the backfield," he says walking away. "Good luck! And don't worry, just, do whatever you're comfortable with."

After school is debate club which was actually very productive. Debate Club is actually Speech and Debate Club and there are 6 different categories: Original Oratory (OO), Prose Interpretation (PI), Dramatic/ Humorous Interpretation (Drama), Declaration (Dec), Extemporaneous (Extemp), and Congressional Debate (Congress). Aphmau chose OO because she’s more confident in her writing than her speaking skills and hopes one will boost the other. 

As she’s leaving the first meeting she realizes that she forgot a book in room 203 and because she’s an idiot that hasn’t put any of her assignments into her online calendar she has to go get it. 

She has to pass by the room at least 3 times to gather courage when she sees Tall-Dark-and-Scary from Werewolf Class before entering the room.

“Hi…” she trails off when he glances at her. “Have you seen-” he shakes his head before she can finish asking her question so she glances around for a teacher. Normally she’d head to the lost and found but she doesn't know where that is yet. “Is there a teacher?” he gestures to the door and she groans

She groans. “Do you know-?”

“What do you want?” he spits out.

“I’m sorry, I just- I’m missing a book and I need it to finish my homework so-”

“Is this student giving you any trouble Ms....?” said teacher finally comes back from wherever they were

"Aphmau, and no sorry, I’m just looking for a book-” I reply. “It’s small and purple-”

“I saw something like that earlier,” what is with people interrupting her today? “I can go get that for you," Then he addresses SWB (Scary Werewolf Boy). "While you sit here and think about what you've done for the next-" he pauses looking at his watch. "Hour. I’ll be back. My student-aid will be by soon to watch over you." 

How long does it take to find a notebook? And why didn't he just tell her where the lost and found is? "Okay?" she glances at Aaron who looks very bothered and chooses to take a seat all the way across the room while she waits. She should have just asked for the lost and found.

Shu:

I think I’m being hazed...?

FC: 

why what happened?

I don't know but apparently

 it takes an hour to walk 60 feet

Are you walking behind someone?

Just go around them

No, and you know I can't do that.

My legs are too short so I’d do the

 awkward semi sprint to get ahead 

and then they’d catch up anyway

Tell me about it later I can't talk right now

Ttyl

Well, there goes that form of entertainment. Aphmau takes a glance at TDs (Tall, Dark, and Scary) and catches him putting his phone away. Deterring her from attempting to make conversation. She thought they were getting along well in Werewolf class, or at least he didn't seem as openly hostile as he does right now.

“um…I’m sorry about bothering you earlier.”

“You’re bothering me right now,” and here come the tears.

Aphmau didn't come here to be put in a shitty mood, she came to get her notebook which definitely isn't an hour away. “Look,” she spits back. “I’m sorry that you had a bad day or whatever but you don't have to be so mean!”

“I’m only mean to little girls who don't know how to mind their own business!”

“Hey!” the student aid has finally arrived. “What’s going on? Was he bothering you?”

“No!” she clears her throat. “I just need my notebook, the teacher said he’d bring it in an hour but why is it an hour away-!” she has to wipe her eyes as she gets more frustrated.

“Hey it’s okay,” he looks panicked for a second, glancing around for a box of tissues before handing them over. “I’m sorry to tell you this but he’s definitely not getting your notebook, he just wanted an excuse to leave early,” she realized that. “I’m sorry that you were left with him-”

“‘He’s’ right here,” said TDS growls.

“Right, well, I can show you where the lost and found is and give you a consolation gift if you like anime?”

Aphmau does like anime. “What is it?” she finishes cleaning up her face and puts the tissues in the garbage. 

“A Fairy Tail poster?” he grins as she starts to smile. “I was supposed to give it to my girlfriend but her best friend already gave it to her.”

“Yeah sure,” she lets out one final sniff before grabbing her bag. “Do you want me to pay you back?”

“Well it wouldn't be a gift if you paid for it!” he laughs and leads her out of the room

Chapter Text

“So you finally joined the Theater Club!” the last time they talked about it Travis was still gathering the courage to walk into the club room.

“Yeah!” he’s smiling so nothing seems to have gone wrong. “I mean I’m not going to do anything crazy,” why not? “But I figured I could do some small roles and see if the club is for me!”

“Have you ever been in a play before?” Vylad asks.

Travis nods. “When I was a little kid, I was in small plays and stuff but I remember liking it so I’m trying again in high school!”

“Good for you Travis! We’ll come to all of your plays and stuff!” Aphmau considers the logistics of having a sign to cheer him on.

“You’re making the same face my mom does when she’s about to go overboard,” Vlyad warns. “I thought you were too shy to go overboard.”

“Sometimes I forget,” she shrugs. “You’ll help though right?”

“Do I have a choice?” 

Aphmau shakes her head and Vylad sighs as her grin widens.

Travis looks worried. “Can you save whatever you're thinking of until after I get my big role?”

“Sure,” Aphmau doesn’t want to embarrass him, just offer an embarrassing amount of support.

“What about you Vylad?”

“Maybe the soccer club?” he shrugs. “I played back in middle school but I’m too young to join any sport’s teams.”

“Oh yeah! You skipped a year,” Travis realizes. “I keep forgetting because you’re the smartest one here.”

“Hey,” Aphmau whines. “I’m smart.”

“Yeah but Vylad is also capable. I watched you struggle for like 10 minutes to say, photographer.”

“It looks like photo-grapher so that’s what I’m gonna say!”

“But it wasn't just that though,” Travis grins when he finally finds something she’s embarrassed about. “You’re super smart but you’re so bad at English-”

“-It’s not my first language!”

“Do you have a list?” Vylad joins in on the teasing.

“I do~” and Travis actually pulls out a sheet of looseleaf numbered 1-40. “Obviously photographer, Anemone, which I can barely say. Antarctica, Asterisk, Brewery, Comfortable, pronounced com-for-tab-el. Defibrillator, February, Floccinaucinihilipilification-”

“Who can even pronounce that?” it's just a mess of syllables.

“Good job Travis.”

“Thank you. Massachusetts, pronounced mass-a-chu-shits,” he’s still going? “Often-,”

“You’re supposed to pronounce the T-!”

“No, you’re not, Antidisestablishmentarianism-”

“Not a real word-”

“Actually it is. It means “being opposed to the withdrawal of state support from an established church.”

“Thank you Vylad. Otorhinolaryngological,” why is he still going? “Rural, Sixth, Specific and Pacific, Worces-” he pauses. “Wooster-. Worster-” the bell rings.

“Oh thank Irene!” Aphmau grabs her things. “Just for that Vylad is my new Platonic Soulmate,” she rushes out of the room and grins at the sound of Travis’s despair.

“Hey, Beautiful!” Aphmau starts sprinting away.

“No! I didn't mean it! I take it back!” Garroth laughs as he and Laurance jog to catch up.

“So you’re calling her ugly?” he cackles again as he’s punched on both shoulders.

“Please don't compliment me,” it makes her feel awkward and flustered. “It’s really nice but I will cry.”

“Who hurt you?” the shorter girl shrugs and grins sheepishly.

“So how was your first week of classes?” Laurance changes the subject.

“I almost cried like every day-”

“Who hurt you?” Garroth repeats his question.

“No one!” Aphmau shuts that train of thought down. She doesn't need more than one overprotective parent in her life. “I’m just really sensitive.”

“Fine,” he doesn't sound fine. “But tell someone if you’re being harassed,” Garroth complains. “I don't understand why you’re so willing to stand up for someone else but crumple like wet paper when you have to stand up for yourself.”

“I don't crumple like wet paper!” maybe like tin foil?

“You know our moms gossip a lot-?”

“I can and will start a fight Garroth I’m not afraid of you,” and she’s not. Aphmau has a surprising amount of friends at PDH.

“Wow you guys are close,” Laurance reminds the bickering pair of his presence. “When I first saw you I thought one of you had a crush but you’re basically siblings.”

“Okay, bro!” Aphmau panics and punches him in the arm. “I’m gonna be late to class!”

“I didn't know we’d be in the same art class,” she’s had to deal with Garroth’s teasing for the past 5 minutes.

“It’s just,” he stops to catch his breath. “It’s just you got so red!” he staggers into a sheepish Laurance.

“I’m sorry Aphmau. I didn't mean to make you mad.”

“You didn't! It’s just-” she can't really explain it. He’s just so tall, and blond, and nice. Which are all traits Garroth has so she doesn't get why Laurance makes her feel this way. “I’m sorry!”

“Don't be sorry,” Garroth finally finishes laughing and places an elbow on Aphmau’s head. “Aphmau’s just shy around new people. You just need to get to know one another. Like- we’re all taking an art class,” referring to the class that we’re heading to right now. “Laurance,” he prompts.

Laurance rolls his eyes. “Do you like art?”

“Yeah,” Aphmau forces herself to build the conversation. “I’m good at it and I like being good at things.”

“Well, what else are you good at?”

“Not much-”

“Wrong!” Garroth makes a buzzer sound. “Aphmau here is basically a genius!” he brags, placing a hand on top of her head forcing it to nod. “She’s tested out of basically all of Phoenix Drop High’s freshman and sophomore stem classes and is in all AP and Honors Classes!” Aphmau tries to swing at him but is held back by the hand on her head. “She was also really into soccer when we were younger and was the only kid, apart from me,” he stops the humiliating compliments to brag about himself for a second. “who could kick the ball all the way across the big field.”

“Wow, that’s awesome. You know-,” Garroth groans as Laurance pulls a flyer out of his bag. “I’m the new captain of the boy’s soccer team but both teams practice together once a week, you should show up sometime. The team’s kind of a mess but open practices are fun.”

Aphmau takes the flyer. “What’s open practice?”

“PDH has sports teams and sports clubs. The team is full of players who compete against other schools and the club is for students who just enjoy playing the sport. Open practice is for anyone that wants to play a match. We cut the field in half and play brackets so the best teams go against each other. They’re always mixed so one team isn't just varsity members and-” the bell rings. “You should check it out,” he finishes sheepishly.

“I will,” she puts the flyer away and they walk into the classroom. “Do you like art?”

“Nah, Laurance is awful,” Garroth butts back into the conversation.”

“I’m better than you! Remember the ashtray-”

“-It was supposed to be a vase!” he sighs. “I can't believe you talked me into this.”

“You didn't have to take art with me,” Laurance defends. “It's your fault for being a good friend.”

“Thanks?”

“I didn't know being a good friend was a bad thing?” Aphmau asks. “So why are you taking art, Laurance?”

“Because of my sister,” he sighs. “She’s artsy and said I had to take some kind of art class to be considered her brother. Cadenza can be a little dramatic.”

“Yeah,” Garroth agrees. “But a lot of our classmates find her cute.”

“Hey, she’s my sister!”

“That doesn't make her not cute,” Garroth defends. “Or do you think her being related to you makes her ugly?”

“Yeah,” Aphmau giggles. “What does that make you Laurance?”

His response is interrupted by the teacher walking into the classroom.

"So what are we here for again?" They were just pulled out of their last class and told to come to the auditorium.

"Apparently the principal wants to share a few words with the students to congratulate them on a successful first week?" Travis doesn't sound very sure. “Or at least that’s what I overheard. Dante told me that he was just gonna yell at everyone for a few minutes before letting us go.

Dante wasn't wrong. The entire first-year class was seated in the auditorium and all of the teachers were on stage. Everyone waited on the principal for around twenty minutes. Before he burst into the room like he was an anime protagonist and on the other side of the door was his nemesis holding his childhood crush hostage. There was a teacher on stage checking the microphone, who he pushed aside, it was actually more of a punch and then proceeded to greet us like he was on multiple drugs. He looked crazy. The first thing he did after he got to the podium, was yell out a greeting and congratulate us on a good first week. He gave the students Ms. Hyria's warning not to take potions out of the lab while invading her personal space, he was an inch away from her face at one point, and after that his exact words were:

"Now then, that ought to cover my quota for principally things for the day! I'm off to make a new scientific discovery!" and then ran out of the room exactly as he entered it.

Because the assembly was so short everyone got to go home early. Aphmau waited in the courtyard with Travis for his dad to pick him up.

"So, that speech was," he said, trying to find the right word.

"Unnecessary?" why’d they pull us out so early if the speech was only going to take less than 5 minutes.

"Yeah. Anyway, you walk home right? My dad is going to pick me up today. so, if you wanted a ride home I'm sure he could give you a lift?"

“No thanks! My mom is coming to pick me up today." Plus stranger danger.

"Okay. Well, you've got my number, so text me if you want, okay?"

“I will, and same to you, text me whenever you want!" Just to friends being pals. Then the moment is ruined.

"Aphmau!" her mom calls honking the horn. "Vamanos! Get your butt over here!" and then she sees Travis and wears the angriest, most betrayed look Aphmau has ever seen on her mother. "Wait, Is that a boy!?" Aphmau honestly would have laughed if this was happening to anyone but her.

"Mom!" why are you like this? "Stop yelling and honking the horn!" Why is she yelling back? This is why Aphmau was homeschooled

Sylvanna ignores her. "Hey! You, with the white hair! Don't get any ideas with my daughter!" stop threatening Travis! "Remember, you marry into this family you have to deal with me!"

"Oh my Irene your mom is so embarrassing," Travis whispers.

Aphmau sighs. “I know,” it's been 14 long years.

"Miss?" No Travis! don't engage in conversation! She'll eat you! "I'm just Aphmau's Platonic Soulmate."

Her mood flips 180° "Oh. If that's the case, why didn't you just say so?" Because Aphmau honestly forgot that was an option. "Alright then, it was nice to meet you. Come on Aphmau, let's get going!"

"Alright! See you later Travis! You’re semi forgiven for homeroom,” anyone who can stop one of her mother’s rampages deserves a medal.

"BFFs?” he smiles goofily, holding up a tentative fist that Aphmau meets in the middle before running towards the car.

They drive off and Aphmau futilely spends the entire ride home, plus an extra 10 minutes in the car, trying to explain to Sylvanna, in vain, why she can't yell at her daughter from across the courtyard. 

Chapter Text

On Saturday, Aphmau wakes up, finishes all of her homework, and gets ready to waste hours of her day scrolling through Ao3 and Fanfiction.net when her mom bursts into her room. Apparently spending all weekend lounging around and doing nothing isn't "healthy" for her "mind or body". So Aphmau gets kicked out of the house and given directions to a park nearby. But Jokes on Sylvanna because Aphmau passes by a Wendy’s less than five minutes into her walk.

Aphmau does end up going to the park, more as an excuse to finally explore the town she’s been in for a month than for nature or exercise. But there’s not much to see. The park is a little less than two square miles large which does leave a lot of room for activities but the beginning of the school year leaves the area feeling pretty dead. If Aphmau bothered to think ahead before simply grabbing her phone and heading out she could have visited any of the “Diverse Recreation Activities” both her mom and the park attempted to advertise to her but it’s noon on a Saturday and she’s supposed to be raiding dungeons with FC.

She passes a trio with a familiar member and slows down to get a better look just as he turns around.

“Well hello there,” that’s when she realizes.

“You’re Dante’s brother,” Future Aphmau looks back on this moment and regrets any enthusiasm but present Aphmau thinks Dante is a charming dork so his brother should be the same. “I’m sorry for staring, it's just you looked familiar. Hi,” she waves awkwardly and tries to hurry along.

“Hey Aphmau!” a familiar voice calls out to her and they turn to see Laurance jogging up to her. The grin on his face wavers when he sees who’s behind her before disappearing as he catches up. “What do you want, Gene?”

“She’s the one who was staring at us, Laurance, gosh,” the girl with light lavender hair sighs forlornly. “Can we only do wrong in your eyes?”

“I’m sorry if I was bothering you-”

“Oh, you did nothing wrong kitten,” Kitten? “We’re just disappointed in our old friend Laurance.” Gene sweeps forward and grabs her hand pulling her forward. “Since it’s obvious Laurance isn't going to do anything I guess we’ll just have to introduce ourselves. You already know me. That’s Sasha,” he gestures to the girl. And that’s Zenix,” then the boy with brown hair and red eyes.

“Well I’m Aphmau,” she gently pulls her hand out of his. “And it was nice to meet you?” she shuffles behind Laurance. “I think? Sorry again,” she lets Laurance turn her around and lead them away.

“Were they bothering you?”

“No,” she mumbles. “I think I was staring for longer than I meant to because Gene looked kind of familiar. Garroth already told you I was shy,” she pulls herself out of his grip and walks next to him. “They just made me kind of uncomfortable.'' They walk in silence for a few seconds. “How did you know each other?”

Laurance sighs before running a hand through his hair. “When I was a freshman, I thought their group was cool because they always looked so awesome and confident. Turns out they were just a bunch of drama queens. You know that Gene’s Dante’s brother?” he watches her nod in confirmation. “Well, he isn't as crazy around Dante, but Gene’s definitely influenced Dante's current 'outgoing' behavior,” Dante used to be mellow?

“Hey!” Aphmau barely has a chance to turn around before Garroth picks her up Lion King style. “What are you guys doing together?” Aphmau doesn't like his tone of voice.

Laurance watches their shenanigans bemused. “We ran into each other a few minutes ago…” he trails off as Aphmau flips herself upside down and wraps her legs around his shoulders forcing Garroth to let her go, bringing them both to the ground. “Weren't we gonna get food?” The wrestling stops as the pair perks their heads up. “Wow.”

“-So then I obviously have to heal him right? Because we were the only strong ones in our party and we would've lost all of our loot but because he kept draining my mana I didn't have enough to attack the monsters with and he ended up with everything! So then-”

“Aphmau!” Her story is interrupted by someone shouting from across the parking lot. “I tracked your phone! I was heading to the grocery store and guess who I found- wait!” oh boy. “Is that two boys I see you with?!”

“Mami!” she turns to sprint across the parking lot. “It’s just Garroth and his friend!”

She gets to the car and instead of a “hello!” or “how was your day?” she gets “How many boys do you know?” Aphmau takes a moment to count. “If you have to count them it’s too many!”

“It’s only seven-”

“Seven is too many!”

“You enrolled me in a co-ed school!” Sylvanna said an all-girls school would give Aphmau a complex. 

“I can change my mind,” she calms down at the incredulous look on Aphmau’s face. “Well at least it was only Garroth, but the friend-”

“Is just a more polite Garroth,” Aphmau placates. “I’d introduce you but Laurance looked like you were gonna suck out his soul. What are you doing here?” If she knew her mom was gonna be out she would’ve snuck back into the house by now.

“Well…” she trails off, stepping out of the car and revealing an outfit she definitely would not have allowed Aphmau to wear. “I ran into Zianna at the mall and-”

“Hey, Gurlfriend!” Zianna power walks up to her wearing a similar outfit, sports bra, and jogging pants, but in blue followed by a very reluctant Zane, and Vylad.

“What up Gurl!”

Aphmau rolls her eyes and heads back towards the pair she left behind. “Your mom’s here,” she points towards the enthusiastic moms and the somber sons. “I think we’ve been had.”

“Yes, you have!” Ziannia arrives just in time to hear the end of Aphmau’s warning.

“Hey Aphmau,” Vylad stops beside her. “I couldn't stop her.”

Garroth sighs. “No one can.”

“And who’s this?” Zianna chirps. “A boyfriend?”

“No!” Aphmau blurts out louder than she should. “No,” she clears her throat. “He’s Garroth’s friend.”

“I’m Laurance,” said friend speaks up. “It’s nice to meet you, ma’am.”

“Ooh? A gentleman!” She turns to Sylvanna who is unimpressed.

“Yeah, so how do you know my daughter?” oh boy.

“Well Garroth introduced us and we have a few classes together,” Laurance doesn't seem to understand the danger that he’s in. poor boy.

“Yeah, and what are your intentions?”

“Mom-”

“Sylvanna-”

“What!” she looks at the unimpressed females and groans. “Fine. Aphmau,” she turns to her daughter. “Zianna and I will be jogging around the park for about an hour after that text me if you want me to pick you up.”

“Have fun kids!” Zianna drags her away.

After basically being forced to hang out the impromptu group heads over to the soccer field. 

“So what did your mom tell you to get you out here?” Aphmau starts juggling the soccer ball Zane was forced to bring. Right knee, left knee, right foot, left, right, head, down her back, kick over her head and repeat with some variations. She glances up at the boys staring at her in awe. “What?”

“You’re really good,” Laurance speaks up. 

“Yeah! The way you talk about yourself I thought you just sat at home all day playing video games,” Vylad gestures for her to pass the ball.

She does. “I’d like to,” she kicks the ball over. “But mom had a policy of forcing me to do something active for at least an hour and I like soccer so...yeah.” she shrugs her shoulders.

“Why do you always minimize your achievements,” wow. The first time Zane has spoken to her and it’s to bring out the hard-hitting questions.

“I don't do that-”

“Yeah, you kinda do,” Garroth steals the ball as it comes down on Laurance’s foot and chucks it back towards her. “Like yesterday-” his head jerks back as he’s hit by the ball causing Zane to burst into laughter.

Aphmau rushes over. “I’m sorry!” It was instinct. “I didn't want you to compliment me again!”

It takes Zane a few minutes to get his breath back, then nominate himself as goalie of the impromptu Freshman vs Sophomore soccer match.

Laurance takes charge. “So how are we doing this?” The field’s too big for an actual match. 

“We could play horse?” Aphmau offers. Like practicing trick shots.

“But then you’d have an advantage,” Garroth complains. “I don't even play soccer.”

“Okay, then sport-ball?”

“Is this another Aphmau-ism?” Vylad questions. Prime examples being “horse tornado” (carousel),” lobster spider” (scorpion), and “you know, the thing you put your papers in” (binder. But in her defense, she was really tired).

“No, I played it in middle school. It’s like a combination of soccer, basketball, and handball.”

“Or you could just play!” Zane doesn't even look up from his phone. “That could be an option!”

“True. Are you sure you wanna be goalie?” Aphmau isn't sure about Vylad but Garroth has a strength affinity and Laurance is captain of the soccer team. “You can sit on the sideline?”

“And have one of you jocks tell my mom I refused to play? Yeah right,” he scoffs and turns back to his phone.

“Alright… first to 3?” She doesn't want to be here all day.

“Sure!” They place the ball in the middle of their makeshift field and take 10 steps back. “You’re going down Freshmen.”

“We’ll see,” she smirks and at Garroth’s signal, they both run towards the ball.

“I’m really sorry!” 

The score was 2-2. Aphmau was facing off against Laurance for a chance to score the last goal. She didn't think she’d get that into it, especially because it’s only 3 pm and typically she’d have only gotten out of bed an hour ago, but she’s fired up and looking for a chance to dodge around Laurance and either score or pass it to Vylad.

“I’m impressed,” he pants. “When you said you’ve never played on a team, I thought you’d be around Garroth’s level.”

“I live to impress,” she steps into kick-

“You really do,” something about that moment distracted her. Maybe the way the sun hits his hair, or the smile on his face, or the fact that a pretty boy chose to complement her broke her concentration. Not enough to lose her the game, she still scored, but enough to change the trajectory of the ball, causing it to hit the goal post and ricochet into their fragile goalie.

“I have to say I didn’t expect you to catch the ball with your face.” Garroth is laughing more than appropriate.

“Shut up Garroth!” he’s holding a cold water bottle on the point of impact. 

“I didn't mean to um-” she’s a little out of practice but with a bit of concentration, her hands start to glow white. “I can-”

He smacks her hands away. “Don't touch me!”

“Hey!” the boys take offense to that. “It was an accident Zane, you don't have to be rude,” Garroth chastises.

“And she was gonna heal you, you shouldn't have hit her.”

“Whatever.”

“It’s okay. I should've asked-”

“He shouldn't have hit you-”

“She hit me with a soccer ball!” he lowers the make-do ice pack. “I have a black eye!”

“Oh, Zuzu!” The boys giggle at the nickname while Aphmau panics.

“I’m so sorry! I hit Zane with a soccer ball and-”

“Oh, he’ll be fine,” Zianna waves off her concern. “I have three boys, he’s been through worse.”

“Okay,” Aphmau visibly softens. “I can heal it-”

“You still practice your affinity?!” Zianna squeals. “I just remember you never got to finish the beginner’s classes…” she trails off. “We’ll anyway- Zuzu! Come here so Aphmau can heal you!”

Sylvanna takes that moment to approach. “You okay? Did that boy-”

“Mami!” she whines, leaning into her shoulder. “Don't be weird.”

“I’m not,” she pats Aphmau’s head and pulls her up. “We were planning on going to their house for dinner later-”

“And you’re gonna make me QuesadiLLas right?” please no.

“Quesadillas,” her mom emphasizes the “-illa.”

“And you can come too, Laurance! I haven't had the chance to meet any of Garroth’s friends!” The way Garroth slumps after hearing her offer implies that was done on purpose.

“Sure…” Laurance trails off when Garroth fully slumps to the ground and Zane bursts into laughter.

“You can head over at around 6?” She checks her phone. “That’ll give us enough time to change and get the house ready. C’mon boys!” she sings bouncing away.

“He didn't let me heal his eye,” Aphmau whispers despondently.

“Zianna has a potion’s license, he'll be fine.”

When they get home Aphmau reschedules her dungeon raid with FC to tomorrow, takes a shower, and has only 3 hours to attempt to wrestle with her appearance before dinner. Normally this wouldn't be a problem, they’re just eating with friends so she doesn't have to worry about her hair or pulling one of her fancy dresses out of the void that’s her closet. But Laurance is going to be there and she needs to look nice because he’s a different type of friend than Garroth and she wants to look nice. The last time she was this worried about getting dressed was more than three years ago when she still lived with her father but that was then. Now she needs to find something nice to wear so he’ll notice but not nice enough that it looks like she’s trying too hard. 

Before Aphmau can start ripping things out of her closet the doorbell rings. She heads down to answer because her mom had to stop by the supermarket to pick up supplies to help her burn Zianna’s mouth with the fires of their friendship, and opens the door to find Travis. “Surprise!” he waves awkwardly and steps aside to reveal Sylvanna.

“What are you doing here?” She steps aside to let them in and gives her mom a look as soon as Travis can't see her. “Did she kidnap you?” she pats him down while her mother rolls her eyes and puts the groceries away.

“No, I came to give this back,” he holds up a bag full of comics. “I finished them already and was wondering if I could get the next set?” he laughs sheepishly.

“It’s been two days?” they were supposed to last him the weekend.

“I need to know what happens next!” Travis shakes volume 7 at her. “All I know is that Gojo’s dead? But he’s not!? How is that supposed to last me until Monday?”

“You could find them illegally like the rest of us?” Aphmau glances at her mother, who nods her head, and leads him to her room.

“You know I hate ebooks,” she does.

“Alright,” she puts the volumes in their proper place. “I only have up to volume 16-”

“I’ll take it,” Aphmau laughs as he starts filling up his bag. “Thanks for this, I know you must be busy,” Travis gestures to the sets of clothes she left on her bed.

“Oh not really,” she waves him off and starts putting things away. “Garroth’s mom invited us to dinner so I was just trying to pick out an outfit.” She holds up two dresses. “Because I wanna look nice right? But not too nice because it’s just a friendly dinner-”

“You panicking doesn't make it seem very friendly,” Travis gestures to the dress on the left. A basic red dress with a collared neckline that falls to her knees. “Plus it’s just Garroth right?”

“Right?” She looks away and searches for a belt.

“No? Who else is gonna be there?”

“No one,” she picks a wide black belt and pulls out a pair of black flats. She glances at him and mumbles a name under her breath.

“Laurance is gonna be there?” Travis grins. “Is that why you’re so worried about looking nice?”

“Maybe?” Aphmau’s not good at identifying what she’s feeling. “It’s just he helped me earlier and then I hit Garroth and Zane with soccer balls-”

“On purpose?”

“Of course not!” She steps into her closet. Half to change and half to hide from Travis’s knowing expression. “And earlier I met that Gene guy-”

“Dante’s brother? Why were you hanging out with the Shadow Knights?”

“What are the Shadow Knights?” They sound like a wanna-be punk band.

“It’s what Gene and his friends call themselves. Why were you hanging out with Gene?”

“We weren't hanging out,” she puts away the rest of her clothes. “I noticed that he looked kind of familiar, and he noticed me staring so he started a conversation.”

“And he didn't make you uncomfortable?”

“Well, a lot of things make me uncomfortable,” like conversations with strangers. “And he has this weird history with Laurance so I think I’m just gonna avoid them.” She checks the time. “We still have two hours but I have to do my hair,” which just involves a brush and mousse but she has a lot of hair. “But you can get started on volume 9 and give commentary?” Travis reads fast and she really wants to see his reaction to Toji.*

“Are you serious!?” Travis ends up taking the rest of her volumes home. “Am I just supposed to accept this?!” he got through volumes 9 and 10 before it was time to leave and Sylvanna offered to drive him home (Potential Spoilers for Jujutsu Kaisen Volumes 9-10. This is post season 1 of the anime) “like first we find out an innocent girl has to die? And then Gojo dies? But then she doesn't want to die and dies anyway because of bureaucracy?!” Aphmau nods in commiseration. “Am I just supposed to accept this?”

She pats his back. “It only gets worse from here-”

“That doesn't make me feel better,” he curls around the next six volumes. “How could you do this to me?”

“I wanted us to suffer together,” Aphmau cackles when he turns to her in shock. 

“Thanks for dropping me off,” Travis sighs, pinching her cheek. “Next time I’m introducing you to Attack on Titan.”

“Good luck,” Sylvanna laughs. “She tried starting it years ago and couldn't get past the first episode.”

“Mami!” The car comes to a stop and she glances out the window before turning back to Travis. “Why are Dante and Gene at your house?”

“Oh?” he looks out of the window. “We have a Biology project. Thanks for the ride Ms. Aphmau’s mom!” he steps out of the car. “See ya later Aphmau!”

“Bye Travis!”

Zianna is on top of Sylvanna as soon as she rings the doorbell. “I’m so glad you could make it!” She drags them into the house.

“It’s no problem,” she laughs. “Sorry we’re late, I wanted to make sure the salsa was spicy enough for you!” She holds up a jar of homemade Salsa so hot that Travis almost spontaneously combusted after tasting it.

“Oh, you know me so well!” she pulls back to look at their outfits. “Aphmau you look so pretty! GarGar, what do you think?” Aphmau peers around Zianna to see 4 boys who cleaned up nicely.

GarGar shrugs. “She looks like Aphmau,” Vylad nods in agreement, and Zane still hasn’t looked up from his phone.

Zianna hums. “And you Laurance?”

He turns to Aphmau. “You look beautiful.”

“Sylvanna,” Zianna reads the room. “Can you help me with dinner? You kids can go play while we finish everything up,” then she drags Aphmau’s mother into the kitchen.

“So what do you wanna do?” Aphmau turns to look at the leftover boys, Zane left as soon as he was able. 

“Dinner will start in less than an hour,” Vylad offers. “We could just hang out?” he leads everyone to their living room. The Ro’meave house is nice. It’s very obvious that their rich, the size of the living room, the size of the TV, their TV stand that has a cabinet that opens at the wave of a hand, the fact that she can look out past their patio and see a very large ground swimming pool, jacuzzi, and veranda.

Aphmau chooses to ignore all of it. “Travis stopped by earlier,” she accepts a cushion from Garroth and sits in front of the coffee table. Vylad sits next to her, and Garroth and Laurance across from them. “He finished volume 10.”

“No-”

“Volume ten of what?” Laurance is sitting directly across from her.

“Do you read manga, Laurance?”

He shakes his head. “I’ve watched some anime-”

Garroth interrupts. “He’s watched Naruto, Dragon Ball, and Sailor Moon-”

“That was Cadenza’s idea-”

“You still loved it-”

“Guys-” Aphmau brings them back. “I asked because I recommended a new anime to Travis and after he finished it he asked to borrow my copies of the manga.” She turns to Laurance. “If you’re interested in watching more Anime I can recommend some-”

“Don't trust anything she says!” Garroth pulls Laurance away. “She might look cute and harmless but she’ll have you thinking you’re watching an anime about sexy bunny girls, but instead you’re crying because a girl’s dying and she makes him forget ever knowing her-”

“Hey it’s okay man,” Laurance looks so confused. “The bunny girls can't hurt you.”

“I just texted you a list!” Aphmau defends herself. “It’s not my fault you wanted a sexy anime and got traumatized.” She pulls out her phone. “I’d recommend some to you but a lot of them make me uncomfortable-”

“No there’s a few,” he takes a peek at her list. “Goblin Slayer-”

“Traumatizing.”

“Maid Sama-”

“Gross.”

“No Game No Life-”

“Incest.”

“Jobless Reincarnation.”

“Icky.”

“Cautious Hero-”

“Garroth wouldn't like that one.”

“Fairy Tail.”

Aphmau pauses to consider that one. “Yeah, add that one to your list.”

“Kakegurui.”

That makes her laugh. “Add that one too.”

“I will,” Garroth pulls out his phone. “But I just want to make it clear that I'm not looking for sexy anime, I’m just mad that an anime I thought was going to be sexy, actually made me sad enough to call Laurance-”

“That’s what that was about?” he turns, shocked. “I just heard bunny girls and thought you got rejected.”

That makes the table burst into laughter. “But what do you do for fun,” Aphmau asks. “All I know is that you’re captain of the soccer team.”

“I like cooking?” he offers. “But I’m kind of boring. I don't have a lot of free time now that I’m captain of the soccer team.”

“Oh yeah! How’s that going?” The last time they talked about it she found out a lot of the better players graduated last year.

“It’s a mess,” he groans. “We’ll be lucky to make it through the season in one piece.”

“That sounds like the captain’s fault-” Garroth dodges a cushion laughing.

“Don't blame the new captain,” he sighs. “At this point, we’d be lucky to face O’Khasis Prep, let alone beat them.” 

O’Khasis is a private college preparatory school. It’s one of the best schools in the state and caters to the insanely talented. Aphmau considered applying, but because the school is so advanced, it's also super expensive and scholarships are almost impossible to get without selling your soul or being Emmalyn incarnate. Phoenix Drop High is considered their rival school because they’ve come the closest to beating them in the past five years and because PDH has a more diverse campus, rarer talents can be cultivated better than at O’Khasis’ stuffy campus, or that’s what they say.

“The girls’ team is more stable too, so they have first dibs on the practice fields but that also means we can’t practice as often as I’d want to.” Laurance sighs again. “Sorry, guys I didn't mean to bring down the mood.”

“Don't worry about it, Laurance, just try your best,” Vylad placates. “This might not make you feel better but there’s always next year.”

“Yeah, just do the best you can now!” Aphmau blushes when he smiles at her. “Or something…” she trails off.

“Dinner’s ready,” Zianna calls from the kitchen just as the front door opens.

“Looks like I made it home just in time!”

“Look at you Aphmau, you've grown so much!” So, Garroth’s dad came home from work earlier than usual to reconnect with Aphmau and her mom. He looks like an older, taller, and broader Garroth with Zane's eyes.

“Hi, Mr. Ro’meave.” He's seated at the head of the table. Next to him are Zianna and Garroth, then Sylvanna and Aphmau, Laurance and Zane, and Vylad.

“Please call me *Garte*, I bet you have all the boys chasing you at school!” Mr. Ro’Meave talks like a stereotypical rich white guy, from the way he emphasizes his consonants, to his laugh.

“No thank you,” Aphmau blushes and keeps her eyes on her plate. “I think my mom might go to jail for murder if I even thought about bringing a boy home.” that would be a joke except it's not.

“Yeah! Don't give her any ideas,” apparently Zianna broke out the wine while they were in the kitchen. “She’s not boy crazy at all and I’d like it to stay that way!”

“Right! Stay away from those boys that aren't mine!”

“Yeah! Zianna's boys know better than to get all kissy lovey-dovey goo-goo eyes!” oh boy. The children share a commiserating look at their mothers.

“What?” I’m immensely confused. 

“Zianna, is there anything to drink? I'm thirsty,” Garte asks. So are we just going to ignore the very drunk women?

“I’ll get it,” Zane takes the first chance he can to escape the table. 

“No, you stay right here Zuzu!” Zianna sees right through him. “Does anyone else want something to drink? I got this red drank that's totes the rage!” Does she mean wine?

“I don't but I'll help you get the rest of the food out of the oven gurlfrand!” Why are they like this?

Garte’s phone rings. “This is about the beach house,” he sighs, pushing his plate away. “One second, I need to take this call upstairs. Hopefully, I can close this deal.” He leaves the table.

“This was a waste of time,” Zane pulls out his phone again.

“You know this is why mom’s always babying you,” Garroth offers. Vylad puts his utensils down preparing for the inevitable argument.

“And what’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means that ‘you’re not present Zuzu,’” he quotes. “And if you left your room more often instead of sulking and playing video games all day-”

“Leave it!” he snaps.

Laurance gets up and gestures for Aphmau to follow. He leads them to the backyard. “Sorry, it’s just you seemed kind of uncomfortable and I’ve seen how loud those arguments can get.” He sits on the patio and she copies him, leaving a noticeable space between them. Laurance sighs. “Are we friends?”

“Of course,” she pulls her knees up and wraps her arms around them. “Aren't we?” she turns to see him taking his jacket off. 

“It’s just,” he drapes the jacket over her and scoots closer. “You don't seem to like me very much.”

“That’s not true!”

“Are you sure?” he crosses his legs, turning to face her. “It’s okay if I make you uncomfortable, but if you tell me why I can try to fix it.”

“It’s nothing you’re doing,” she faces forward. “You’re just very tall, and nice, and I don't want you to not like me so that’s probably why I seem weird sometimes.” Aphmau feels him press her shoulder, light enough for her to resist but she doesn't, and she fully turns to face him. “I just like you a lot and that makes me nervous.” she feels a hand lift her chin. 

Laurance gazes into her eyes for a moment before leaning in and kissing her. His lips are soft, and he’s gentle, giving her every opportunity to pull away, and she does, after a moment, but before that she feels warm, maybe happy, but definitely confused and that’s what makes her break the kiss.

“I’m sorry,” she pulls away.

“No, don't be. I didn't mean to make you uncom-”

“It’s nothing you did!” stop treating her like she’s made of glass. “I’m just not in a very good place right now,” she whispers. “And I do like you a lot,” she pulls her attention to her hair, twirling it around her fingers. “But I don't think I’m ready… to be…”

“In a romantic relationship.” Laurance finishes.

Aphmau nods her head. “You’re very nice and pretty, but you make my heart beat so fast, and my face gets red, and it gets hard to breathe-”

“You make it sound like a panic attack,” he sighs. “I said I didn't want to make you uncomfortable and I meant it,” he stands and pulls her up. “You don't have to explain anything to me but I hope we can still be friends?” he grins when she nods her head. “Let's head inside.”

Chapter Text

FC: 

Mornin’ Shu

Shu:

Hey FC!

I had fun last night

Doing the dungeon?

OF COURSE YOU DID!

I had to heal you through it

AGAIN

LOL! Right ;)

But I did tank the whole thing…

But I wanted to level up *crying emoji*

I only need 1000XP but noooo 

Sorry

Hey, I wanted to ask you a question

Yeah?

are you ok being my friend?

why

you okay?

I just wanna know

kinda meh right now

we've been friends for like a year. Of course

 I’m okay with being your friend.

You’d know if I wasn't. I don't think I'll 

ever get tired of you even if we never meet

Thanks Shu

Can you tell me what's wrong?

I might be able to help?

Is someone bothering you?

I might be less than 5ft tall but I can still kick butt

:) it's fine

have a great day, Shu

U 2 FC :)

The Monday after the dinner incident, Aphmau leaves her house a little later than usual in an attempt to walk to school alone. She’s out of it throughout homeroom and the kiss is still on her mind when she’s heading to her first class. She doesn't think the kiss was a big deal, and she doesn't want to treat it like a big deal, but it was her first kiss with a boy and-

“Hey Aphmau!” said boy approaches from behind. “I didn't think I was going to see you today,” he keeps a cautious amount of space between them. “How was the rest of your weekend?”

“I played video games with a friend online,” she glances to the side.

“Am I making you uncomf-”

“Yes! But I still wanna be friends and we can't be if I keep running away from conversations,” she rushes forward so she doesn't have to look at him.

“Well I didn't do much this weekend either,” Laurance stays behind her but continues the conversation as if nothing happened. 

“It sounds like you did a lot this weekend,” soccer practice sounds brutal.

“Yeah, but I like it. Plus we needed to whip our new teammates into shape.” speaking of which,” he glances at his watch. “I have to get going to the field, we have a game this weekend and the team is getting the first period off to practice.”

“Then you better get going,” she waves him off. “Good luck!”

They head in opposite directions. Aphmau’s still thinking as she’s running to her first class and turns a corner, almost running into the Shadow Knight.

“I’m sorry,” she pauses for a minute to make sure everything is okay and tries to move around him but he blocks her and then does the same thing when she dodges to the opposite side. “Are you doing this on purpose?” she tries one more time before stepping back. “I need to get to class.” Aphmau wants to get there early to see if she can convince someone else to be her seat partner.

“Hey, what’s the rush?” he smirks, stepping closer. “Don't you want to hang out?”

“I’m sorry but I really need to get to class,” she takes another step back and tries to go around him only to be rebuffed again.

“I didn't hear a no,” he takes another step closer.

“No,” Aphmau finally brushes him aside and bypasses the human barricade. “Sorry, I need to get to class.” She makes it just in time for the second bell to ring and to see every seat but one filled.

She sits at the edge of her seat and prepares for a very tense hour.

“Hey, Earth to Freshman?” someone’s waving their hand in front of her face. And Aphmau snaps out of her head to find herself surrounded by the Shadow Knights.

“Hello?” when did they get here?”

“Hey Kitten,” Gene sits across from her. “Finally back on Earth?” he doesn't wait for a response, gesturing for Sasha and Zenix to sit next to her, boxing her in. “I didn't think a tuna sandwich was so interesting.”

Aphmau blushes curling into herself. “I don't understand,” she starts packing her things and preparing to throw her lunch away. “Did you need something from me?”

“No,” he rests his chin on a fist and leans forward. “I just wanted to introduce myself without Laurance butting in and trying to make me look bad.”

“Laurance wouldn't…” she trails off when he gives her a look. “I’m sorry I have to go.” She gets up. “It was nice talking to you-”

“I’m sorry,” Gene grins, slinking around the table. “Did I make you uncomfortable?” he leans in, fully cornering her against the table.

“Yes.”

“But I saw Laurance get this close on Saturday and you didn't seem this uncomfortable?” Aphmau doesn't know when he would’ve seen them this close together but she knows it's a lie. Anyone’s face less than a foot away from her own would make her uncomfortable. “You don’t know?” He finally leans back to pull his phone out and brings up a picture of her and Laurance, kissing on the Ro’meave’s back porch. “I wonder what the Garroth would think? His Best friend kissing the girl who’s basically his sister?” he grins at the panic on her face. The bell rings. “If you don't want Garroth to find out you kissed his best friend, meet me by the bleachers after school.”

“You okay?”

“Yes,” but the way Aphmau is gripping her bass directly contradicts any reassurances she tries to make. “Have you seen Mr. Bob?”

“No, but he’s definitely around here.” Travis pulls her bass away before she has to retune it. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yes but-”

“Hey Freshman!” Aphmau flinches when the entire auditorium’s eyes are drawn to her and she’s approached by a familiar werewolf. “I’ve been looking for you!” An arm wraps around and Aphmau is treated to the unmasked scent of sweaty teenage boy who thinks they’re too good for deodorant. 

“Hello Balto,” Aphmau pries his arm off of her and stands behind Travis who looks like he’s making a realization.

“Hey if you need me to get a teacher-”

“Mind your own business Freshman,” Balto snaps at Travis before facing Aphmau. “I was wondering-”

“Yo,” another, more welcome, pair of arms loops around the pair of freshmen. “Is there a problem?”

“Hey Katelyn~” “it’s fine…” the pair turns to each other in confusion.

“Yeah okay,” she snorts. “You need to leave,” she straightens up and moves towards Balto.

“Yeah right, like I’m going to be forced out by some human girl-” He tries and fails to rip his arm out of her grasp. “What the hell-”

“Yeah yeah, now get out.” she drags him to the door. “You're bothering the freshman.”

It took Aphmau a few more minutes to escape her worried friends and even more time to avoid Balto on her way to meet Gene and Co. She finds them spraypainting their emblem onto the side of the bleachers. “Hello?” they turn to her in unison.

“Hello,” he drawls. “Look at you, I thought we were gonna have to track you down but here you are.”

“Yes, what did you need me-”

“I don't ‘need you’ for anything,” he puts down the spray paint. “I wanted to talk to you about this,” he pulls up the picture again. “What would you give me to get rid of this picture?”

Aphmau doesn't have an answer. “I don't know,” She knows what she definitely wouldn't do.

He hums and assesses her. “Do a few favors for me and I’ll think about deleting this,” he waves his phone at her before glancing down at it. “Come meet my mom,” he tucks his phone away before dragging Aphmau to the parking lot. “My mom knows Sasha and Zenix and she isn't too fond of them for obvious reasons. So you are going to help me show her I know a good egg in school so she can stop pestering me.”

“But you are a bad egg?” Aphmau’s released as a car honks, drawing their attention. 

“Hi, Gene!” Gene’s mom has pastel blue hair and gives off much more pleasant vibes than either of her sons.

“Mom,” Gene greets her curtly.

She hums, glancing at me, “Who's this proper-looking little friend of yours!”

“She's my really good friend with amazing grades I've been hanging out with,” only one of those things is true.

Aphmau waves shyly but doesn't step away from the curb. “Nice to meet you.” 

“Oh, Gene honey she's absolutely adorable! I didn't realize you were capable of making friends outside of your little club!”

“It's actually a gang mom but whatever,” wow he’s a dork.

“Do you need a ride home sweetheart?” 

“No thanks! I have to get back to Music Club.” Aphmau really wants to leave.

 Gene’s mother gives Aphmau an appraising look. “I'm impressed, Gene. you're finally hanging around with someone in a good crowd. Now say goodbye to your little friend, we've got mother and son dance lessons to go to!”

Gene groans embarrassingly. “Thanks, mom.” 

Gene ruffles Aphmau’s hair and leans forward. “Listen to me little Kitty, if you say anything about what she just said I'll make you regret it.”

Aphmau backs away even further. “Bye Gene, Gene’s mom! See you tomorrow!” This is why Aphmau wants to become a full-time hermit. She sighs before heading back to the auditorium to fill her head with scales and arpeggios.

Chapter Text

“Hey Kitty!” as the Shadow Knights pass by, each drops a messy binder in her arms. “We need those back by lunch, Thanks!”

“See you later Kitty,” Zenix sneers as they turn a corner. 

“What was that about?” Aphmau turns to see her seat partner lingering by the door.

“Nothing,” She readjusts the pile before walking into the classroom.

After another silent period, at least for the pair of humans, Aphmau moves to exit the classroom before seeing Gene waiting at the end of the hallway presumably for her.

“What’s your problem?” Aaron glances down as he pushes past her and sees something because he rolls his eyes and grabs her arm, leading her past the source of her apprehension. 

“Hey Kitty, I’ve been waiting for you!” Gene straightens up when he sees who she’s walking with. “Who’s your-?”

“Buzz off,” Aaron barely falters, leading Aphmau to her locker. He stares at her for a moment before scoffing and walking away.

“Wha-? Thank you!?”

Aphmau arrived at school half an hour earlier than usual and barely managed to catch Aaron heading into the building. “Hello!” she had to jog because although he definitely heard her he didn't stop. “Hey-” she reaches out to stop him and almost immediately pulls away at his glare. “Hi!” She hands him two boxes, both noticeably handmade but wrapped and decorated with care. “I wanted to thank you for yesterday because Gene’s been kind of making me uncomfortable and he and his friends were making me do his homework although I don't know why they’d want a freshman-” she forces herself to concentrate. “Anyway I wanted to thank you because even though you haven't been very nice that was a nice thing to do so I made you cookies but I don't know if you have any dietary restrictions so they’re just vegan oatmeal raisin cookies but as I was making them I realized that you might not like oatmeal raisin so I also made you some macarons but they’re just regular macarons and not vegan. I cleaned the kitchen in between making them in case that would stop you-”

“Shut up,” he adjusts the boxes before sighing. “Thanks for the cookies, you didn't have to do that,” says almost as if reciting something. “You need to learn how to stand up for yourself.” and then he just walks away again.

“Hey Aphmau~” Lucinda sidles up to her right before class starts. “What’s this I hear about you confessing your feelings for the senior transfer student.”

Katelyn chokes on her drink before bursting into laughter. 

“What?” Aphmau doesn't remember confessing her feelings to anyone, let alone a senior. She only knows 2 seniors and she barely likes either of them. “I didn't do that!”

“Are you sure?” Lucinda pulls out her phone and scrolls through the Sophomore group chat. “Because I was talking to Nicole, who heard from Lily, who heard from Michi that our resident super short Freshman gave our grouchy senior two boxes of homemade cookies that almost made him smile,” she sighs. “Your innocent love, melting the heart of-”

“Alright-” Aphmau waves her off, ignoring Katelyn still cackling. “I did give Aaron-”

“Aaron?” Lucinda cooes. 

“Yes,” Aphmau hisses. “Why wouldn't I know his name? We've been sitting next to each other for a month. He helped me out yesterday so I wanted to thank him and everyone likes cookies.”

“So whenever you thank people you give them gifts?” Katelyn asks.

“I make them cookies,” Aphmau pulls out her notes as Professor Hyria walks into the room. “Maybe if you were nicer you’d have gotten cookies by now.”

“Hey Aphmau!” a hand grabs the strap of her backpack and fully hoists her off of the ground. “What are you in such a hurry for?”

Aphmau, fully limp in his grasp, gives Garroth a deadpan glare. “If you thought I was in a rush, why’d you stop me?”

“You dropped this,” Laurance offers her a black folder with a skull and crossbones depicted on the front. “Is it rude of me to say that this doesn't match your aesthetic?”

“No,” she offers no other explanation. “Did you need me for anything?”

“Not really,” Garroth finally puts her down and makes an attempt to carry the massive stack of books for her that she dodges. “Just curious.”

“Why do none of these notebooks have your name on them?”

Aphmau glances down at the half-destroyed notebooks in her arms. “Because they’re not mine.” she hears her phone ping. “I have to go, thanks for the help, Garroth remind your mom to call my mom later.”

“Thanks, Freshman,” the trio takes their books back as Gene inputs something into APhmau’s phone. “Feel free to just submit the online work for me,” he tosses her phone back. “I can't be bothered, no late assignments, or Garroth will be receiving a very interesting text.”

“Hey,” something nudges Aphmau’s shoulder. “You, hey.”

She groans and turns to face him. “We’ve been sitting together for over a month and you still don't know my name?”

“Fine, Aphmau,” he spits out her name like it physically pains him to say it. “Do you need to go to the nurse?” he also asks this as if any attempt to offer anyone comfort goes directly against his code of honor.

“I’m,” she stops to yawn. “Fine.” the bell rings and she grabs her bag that feels 10 times heavier than usual. “I just had a lot of homework.” 

“Yeah,” he peaks into her bag. “I’m sure American History,” a class that only seniors take. “Is very difficult. Do your friends-”

“I have class,” she brushes past him and heads for the door.

“This is the last class of the day!” he calls after her.

“Maybe for you!” Aphmau has to head to the library to catch up on her homework.

Aphmau got home from school at around five o’clock and spent two hours doing her homework, listening to music, and doing anything but telling her mother about the school situation. Aphmau doesn't want her mother to go to jail for murder but she would like advice. 

Aphmau hears the front door open, then hears her mom call out to her. “Aphmau!” she heads downstairs. “Mija, can you come down here?” When she does Aphmau finds her mom sitting in the living room gesturing for her to take a seat. “You know you can tell me anything?”

Aphmau nods her head.

“Your school called, apparently your grades have been slipping and a few people are worried because it happened out of nowhere,” Sylvanna waits for a response that doesn't come. “Do you have anything you want to tell me?”

The pair sits in silence and Aphmau finally speaks up when she realizes her mother isn't going anywhere. “You remember Laurance?” 

“Right,” she hisses. “The boy,” she catches sight of Aphmau’s face and makes an attempt to lighten her expression. “What about him?”

“Well, when we went to eat dinner at their house a few days ago, he and I talked about stuff, and then he kissed me,” please don’t be mad.

“What?” oh dear. “Can you repeat that Mija I think I heard you wrong because I swear you just told me you kissed a boy?” 

“No you heard right,” she interrupts before her mom can start yelling “I’m coming to you because you give good advice and you’ve taught me to tell you about the important things!”

“But Mija! You were kissing a boy,” why is that the worst thing Aphmau could be doing?

“He kissed me Mami and that is not the worst thing I could be doing.”

“I’m aloud to be mad!”

“Well can you not be?!” the shuts Sylvanna up, Aphmau is not one to yell, especially in arguments. “I’m trying to ask for advice and you’re yelling-”

“Miha, I’m sorry,” she frets for a moment before hugging her daughter. “I’m sorry for yelling at you,” she wipes some tears away and Aphmau didn't even realize she was crying.

“I’m just very confused,” Aphmau sniffles and pulls away. “So I wanted to ask for help because when I came here you said I could ask for anything-” she accepts a tissue and cleans her face. “But then you started yelling-”

“I’m sorry,” Sylvanna strokes her hair. “Let me hear you out and I promise not to yell okay?”

The pair ended up ordering take-out.

“Who the hell-!” Sylvanna lowers her volume when she turns to see Aphmau cringing. “Have you told a teacher?”

“Well-”

“Mija, even if these teachers are as bad as the ones at your old school, what they’re doing is technically plagiarism.”

“But the photo-”

“Garroth is a nice boy and so is,” she sighs. “Laurance, and you said he’s never made you anxious. There’s no reason why this should end their friendship. If you’re that worried Miha, drop a few hints to see where they stand and talk to them separately.”

“And the Shadow Knights?”

“Honestly Mija, and you’re not going to like this, but if you’re not willing to go to a teacher about this you’re going to have to stand up for yourself.”

“But can't you-”

“Do you actually want me to pull you out of school?”

And no, Aphmau does not. Her grades are good, she’s part of a few after-school clubs, she has friends that treat her well and share the same interests as her, and had what she considers her first kiss. If she gives up now, Aphmau doesn't think she’ll ever have another chance like this again. 

Aphmau heads to school early again, going out of her way to avoid anyone that might ask her to talk about her feelings. She lingers in the cafeteria while they’re selling breakfast and is so late to get to homeroom that there’s no chance of her making conversation with either Travis or Vylad. The rest of the day is just as bad, avoiding her friends and the shadow knights and having to skip lunch, hiding out in the music room to wait out the hour before her next class.

She hears their voices in the hall and hides in one of the not-so-soundproof practice rooms, which is really just a closet with a chair and a music stand. Aphmau sniffles, leaning against the wall and knocking her head a few times wishing that her problems would just solve themselves.

“You okay?”

“I’m sorry!” she didn't know that anyone else was in there. “I thought everyone was at lunch.”

“So did I, which is why I’m in the practice room,” she can tell that the voice is male, but while the insulation doesn't block out sound completely it does muffle the voice enough to be basically unrecognizable. She hears guitar strumming flow through the wall.

“You eat lunch in the Practice Room?”

“No, I practice in the practice rooms,” he plays a pentatonic scale. “It’s part of the music room, you know.”

“I know that,” she’s part of the Music Club. Last-minute practice sessions are mandatory.

“So what’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong.” She barely hears a scoff. 

“You were crying.” Aphmau thought she was hiding her tears pretty well.

“It’s not a big deal-”

“If it’s making you cry it’s important to you isn't it?” and the fact that it’s coming from a stranger, instead of her friends or people that she thinks are required to care about her lets her believe it.

“And you won't tell anyone?” Aphmau doesn't like that she’s whining to a stranger but at least she’ll get an unbiased opinion.

“About the mysterious girl whose face I can't see? Of course.” she starts picking the strings again.

“Okay,” and if he does it’s not like he knows her. “So Gene, the Leader of the Shadow Knights has a picture of me kissing my friend and I don't want him to show it to my other friend because I don't want them to fight. So they’ve been following me around and making me do their homework and I’m very tired,” Aphmau lets out a sob. “I know the picture thing isn't a big deal but what if it is? And they make me so…” she can't even begin to describe it. “They’re just so…”

“You’re a freshman,” he assumes. “And this senior and his friends are taking advantage of you,” he explains. “This probably isn't going to help but you shouldn't let them intimidate you. You’ve admitted to yourself that the picture isn't a big deal,” he waits for her affirmation. “So you need to go up to this guy and tell him to fuck off.”

“Bad word!” Aphmau can't stop herself.

“Seriously?” he chuckles. “Call him out the next time he tries to bother you. It’s better than letting them control you.”

“Okay,” she sighs and wipes her eyes. “Thank you for the advice.”

“Don't mention it,” his strumming picks up speed when she opens her door. 

“You’re really good at guitar by the way,” and she almost sprints out of the room. 

Despite the confidence boost. Aphmau does try to make it back to the cafeteria without Gene seeing her.

“Well look at who we have here,” she fails. “I've been looking for you everywhere Kitty.” 

“Hello,” she hikes her bag up higher on her shoulder. “Do you need anything?”

“I want you to skip with me.” what?

“No thank you.”

He ignores her. “I missed you the other day because of the new kid but don't think you’re off the hook. Come on, Sasha and Zenix are waiting for us.”

Stand up for yourself. “No thank you.”

“Excuse me?” he steps closer.

She steps back. “I said,” she glances up before looking away. “No thank you. I won't skip!”

“Listen-”

“Hey, Gene!” Zane approaches, almost from out of nowhere.

“Not you again,” Gene scoffs, shoving the ebony-haired Ro’meave aside and attempting to continue his intimidation. That was a mistake though. 

Aphmau doesn't have a lot of self-confidence. She underestimates her own abilities constantly and finds it almost impossible to stand up for herself. She will stand up for her friends though. Gene laying his hands on Zane flipped a metaphorical switch in her brain. As soon as Aphmau stopped being his main target Gene became a door that she needed to kick down instead of an impenetrable wall. 

“Let’s go,” Gene reaches for her and she slaps his hand away.

“Go fuck yourself,” she stands up straight looks him in the eye, and stalks towards him. “You’re a delinquent and a bully and you need to… to… leave me alone!” her magic pulses causing her hair to billow as if in an imaginary storm. 

“Remember what I have-”

“Who cares what you have! Take your stupid books!” Aphmau rips open her bag and starts tossing the Shadow Knights books away. “And do your own homework! You’re mean and I don't ever want to see you again unless it’s you saying sorry to Zane!” Aphmau fully turns and stalks away pulling Zane with her

The pair barely manages to turn a corner before Zane is pulling away and brushing himself off. “Why would you do that?”

“He was being rude to you-”

“So?! Now he’s going to think I’m a dork! Why can't you mind your own business.” and that’s honestly too much for Aphmau, who storms away.

Chapter Text

For an entire week after Aphmau stood up to Gene, she was waiting for Garroth to interrogate her about the kiss with Laurance but that confrontation never happened. There was no shift in their dynamic, it never seemed like he was waiting for her to slip up and confirm what happened, which means something happened to stop Gene from sending the photo. 

Maybe he finally decided to grow a conscience, or the internet gods erased all of the data off of his phone, or his phone was destroyed and he didn't have a chance to back up all of his phone’s information. Either way, he’s not bothering her anymore and after several weeks, Aphmau can finally walk through the halls without checking over her shoulder every five seconds.

“Mama?” Aphmau peers around the corner as her mother bustles in the kitchen. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure!” She checks her watch. “Do you want me to drop you off at school? It’s getting kind of late.”

“No,” Aphmau’s been ready for about an hour. She just wanted to ask her question after her mother got her morning coffee. “I was wondering…”

“Yes…?”

“If I could invite some friends over-”

“For a sleepover!” Sylvanna perks up. “Of course! I’ve never had a sleepover before- do you want to do it tomorrow?”

“Isn't that kind of last-minute?” plus it’s a school night. 

“Oh,” she pauses to think. “How about Friday? We can make snacks, plan activities, and- oh! Zianna sent me this amazing playlist that we could play-”

“So I was wondering,” Aphmau glances around the cafeteria. Acknowledging everything but the trio she’s talking to. “If you would like to come to a sleepover at my house? On Friday? After school?”

“Sure!” Teony is the first to speak up. “I’ve never been to a sleepover before.”

“Really?” Lucinda glances at her then turns back to Aphmau. “Well then yeah I'm in. I wouldn't want to miss Teony’s first sleepover.”

“I’ll have to ask my dad but I can probably come,” Katelyn gestures to the last invitation. “Who’s that for?”

“I don't know, My mom told me I can invite up to 4 girls so I made four invitations but I’m only friends with three girls.” and four boys much to her mother’s horror.

“Can you invite Nicole?”

“Katelyn,” Teony scolds her. “You don't have to do that, Aphmau.”

“It’s not a big deal. Is she nice?”

“Sure,” Katelyn’s tone doesn't invite a lot of trust.

“She’s a sweeter Katelyn,” Lucinda says. “If that makes sense.”

“I’m sweet,” Katelyn defends. “She’s in your homeroom. I’m pretty sure she sits in the last row, in the left corner of the room so you can just leave the invitation on her desk and talk to her about it in homeroom tomorrow?”

“Okay,” Aphmau writes that down, ignoring the fond looks. “And are you allergic to anything? I know Teony doesn't eat red meat or pork…?” she trails off and glances at Teony who nods in confirmation.

“Nope, we don't have anything-”

“Oh Katelyn doesn't drink soda,” Lucinda cuts in. “but yeah we’re good.”

“How did you know that I don't drink soda?”

“Cause we’re BFFs?” Lucinda glances at her like she just asked if the moon was actually made of cheese.

On Friday, after a week of her mother’s enthusiastic and exhausting preparation for a slumber party that she’s more excited for than her own daughter, Aphmau starts preparing to leave the classroom before class ends. They’d agreed to meet at her house at 6 instead of heading straight after school, giving Aphmau time to do some last-minute cleaning and start preparing food and drinks. 

Aphmau is up and out of her seat as soon as the bell rings, ignoring Mr. Kevin choosing to jump out a window, and heading straight for the exit but before she can leave, her seat buddy decides to speak to her for the first time in days.

“Thank you for the cookies,” he mumbles, handing her a box and power walking away

“What?” She opens the box, which is much nicer than the one she gave him, containing a variety of professional-looking macarons of various colors and fillings.

Aphmau manages to set up a variety of snacks and games before her friends arrive Teony, Kawaii~Chan, and Lucinda get here first, just as Aphmau is finished pulling the last of the deserts out of the oven to cool, and now everyone is waiting upstairs for Katelyn.

“My Mija's first sleepover!'' Aphmau’s Mami is still more excited than she is considering that this is her daughter’s sleepover. “Ooh, Gurl! I got tons of games that you and your gurlfriends can-”

“Mom?” please don’t. “I know you’re being really nice by letting me have a sleepover, but remember, that this is my first sleepover,” emphasis on the my.

“I know, I know,” don't think she does. “But there's this one song by Beyonce that's sure to-”

“Mom.”

“But, I just-”

“Mami!”

“Fine,” she sighs. “This is your first sleepover, not mine.”

“Thank you!” Aphmau grins and hands over a tray of chocolate chip cookies. “Please don’t hover.”

“Alright, sweetheart, I’m just so proud of you for making some friends outside of those online games!”

“Thanks,” should she be offended? “I’m gonna go check on the girls. We're just waiting on Katelyn to get here before we start.”

The doorbell rings before she can do that and Aphmau receives a text from Katelyn. She sprints for the door to prevent her mom from getting there first.

“Katelyn!”

“Aphmau!” Katelyn’s standing in the doorway with a man that’s almost certainly her dad. They both have blue hair and Aphmau doesn't think Katelyn would allow just anyone to ruffle her hair like that.

“Hi, Mr. Katelyn’s Dad!”

“Hi, it's nice to meet you, little lady,” he holds out a hand for a handshake and Aphmau accepts, stepping aside to let them come in. “I just wanted to escort Katelyn here and have a talk with your parents to make sure this slumber party was-”

Sylvanna overhears this and comes over. “I couldn't help but overhear that you’re Katelyn's dad?”

“Sylvana?!” confusion?

“Eric?!” even more confusion?!

Now they’re hugging so Aphmau’s confused and kind of scared “Sylvana! I didn't know you moved back to town.” * 

“Eric! It’s so great to see you!” Aphmau hasn't seen her mom this happy since she was reunited with Ziana so it’s pretty safe to assume that this is another one of Sylvanna’s good, and hopefully platonic, friends.

Katelyn is just as confused as I am. “Uh, what's going on?” and has no reservations about calling them out on their weirdness. 

“Oh Aphmau, Katelyn, Eric and I are very,”  say it ain't so. “old friends.”

“That's right! We go way back to high school,” he laughs putting an arm around her shoulder. “In fact, had I played my cards right, you girls might have been sisters” ew.

“What?”

They laugh at their children’s expressions. “In any case,” Don’t change the subject, Eric. “I just want to make sure my sugar pea was in good company but I see I don't need to worry about that with you Sylvana.”

“Your princess is absolutely safe with me.”

Back to more important matters. “Sugar Pea?” 

“Dad!” oops she’s upset. “May we just please go up to the room?”

“Absolutely sugar pea! Now, remember to have fun and don't roughhouse too much, unless you go to show someone who's boss,” that is horrible advice.

“I know dad,” please don't show anyone who’s boss

“Nice to meet you Mr. Katelyn’s dad! Come on Katelyn, let's go upstairs.” Aphmau is no longer comfortable with whatever energy her mom is putting out.

“So Aphmau,” Lucinda started. “What do you have planned for tonight?”

“Well I was thinking that we could watch a movie, I have all of the Michelle Mayers All Hallow’s Eve movies, some Atlas** movies, the entire Midnight Saga-”

“Oh, Tedward Cullenary is such a dreamboat!” no he is not Kawai~Chan.

“Can we not watch Midnight? It's such a horrible movie.” 

Lucinda takes offense to that. “The entire Midnight storyline might be super toxic and problematic but that doesn't make them awful-”

“You’re literally proving my point-”

“-Says the girl who has a poster of it in her closet,” and Lucinda either really wants to watch Midnight, or enjoys tormenting Katelyn, or both.

“Lucinda I swear! Aphmau I can't believe you forgot to invite Nicole, now I have to deal with Lucinda alone,” well actually.

FLASHBACK

“Um,” Aphmau’s attention is drawn to a pink-haired Meifwa. “Excuse me, are you Aphmau?”

“Yeah…” What's her name? “Kawaii~Chan?”

“Yup! That's me! Kawaii~Chan is really sorry to bother you. But Kawaii~Chan was wondering, is this invitation for Kawaii~Chan? She found it on her desk.” she holds out the sleepover invitation that was meant for Nicole.

“Um,” she doesn't want to be mean.

“Kawaii~Chan just wanted to say, thank you so much for inviting Kawaii~Chan to a slumber party, Kawaii~Chan has never ever been to one!” She's making this hard.

“Really?” Aphmau can sympathize. and she is

“Really! Oooh, this is so exciting! Kawaii~Chan didn't think that Aphmau~Chan noticed her. Kawaii~Chan doesn't really have many friends, so she's excited that someone invited her to something!” oh no. “What kind of sweets should Kawaii~Chan bring?” she can't do it.

“Um I like anything that has chocolate and no coconut,” she hates coconut. “But you don’t have to bring anything, I invited you,” she didn’t mean to but it's too late for her to take it back.

“Don’t worry Aphmau-senpai!” senpai? “Kawaii~Chan will be there with a great friendship cake! See you tonight!”

“See you!” What just happened?

FLASHBACK END

“Ok girls calm down,” Teony to the rescue. “I don't want to see any fighting between the two of you. This is little Aphmau’s first sleepover, let's make it a good one.”

“Please don't call me little, but thanks Teony. There’s a bunch of food downstairs that we can bring up now or later and I bought a lot of board games,” Although she’s kind of scared of encountering Katelyn’s competitive side.

“Well we can start with a bit of gossip,” Lucinda's tone is worrying. “You know just a little way to know each other and talk about stuff.”

“Ooh! I love gossip,” not Teony too.

“Fine,” Katelyn gets up. “But first let's close this window, I don't want any juicy secrets to get out.”

“You can just say you’re cold,” Lucinda giggles. “Let's talk about Ivy,” why is Lucinda asking all the hard questions? “Did you see her all over Garroth the other day?”

“She's so pathetic, and the way she acts really gets under my skin.” Katelyn scoffs, taking back her seat across from Lucinda.

“For once I agree with you there Katelyn.”

“But Garroth~Kun is a total hottie.” Kawaii~Chan transitions to a safer topic.

“You can say that again, and so is Laurance.”

“Ew!” Apparently, Katelyn disagrees. “Aphmau, can you believe this?”

“Well,” Aphmau feels her face flush as all the eyes in her room are drawn to her.

“No,” Lucinda grins.

“I didn't say anything!”

“You didn't have to!” Lucinda giggles. “So which is it? Garroth?” Aphmau feels herself making a face. “Or Laurance?” and the blush is back

“Let’s lay off of Aphmau,” Teony mediates. “We can all admit that they’re cuties right?”

“They're not ugly,” Katelyn reluctantly admits. “I'll give them that.”

“Jeffory is cuter huh?” Lucinda has no shame.

“Lucinda!” Katelyn is really upset.

“Ooh! Jeffory~senpai the senior? Kawaii~Chan totes sees herself shipping Katelyn~Chan and Jeffory~Senpai!”

“Yeah, but what would their ship name be?” Aphmau can’t think of any cute combinations for Katelyn and Jeffory.

“Jefflyn?”

“Yes-!”

“Pardon me ladies, but, um, what does the boat have to do with this?” 

“Not ships like boats, Teony-senpai.” Kawaii~chan corrects

“Ships, like short for relationships.” Aphmau explains.

“Yeah! It's usually for fun!”

“Huh sounds innocent enough.” Katelyn makes a face. 

Aphmau shakes her head. “Not really.” she will never get her innocence back.

“In any case, Kawaii~Chan pretty much ships everyone at school, and she def ships Katelyn~Chan and Jeffory~Senpai!”

“Well, you don't have to because-” 

“Lucinda!” Katelyn looks flustered. “That's nobody else's business! Shut up!”

“Geez, fine, fine. But you know, it's not a secret. You make zero effort to hide it at school,” 

Aphmau helps Katelyn change the subject. “Kawaii~Chan, you ship everyone at school?”

“Yep! Kawaii~Chan sure does. Even you Aphmau~Chan,” What?

“Who would I be shipped with?” Why is everyone staring at her?

“Kawaii~Chan ships you with that one scary guy you sit next to.” that doesn't narrow it down, Aphmau thinks everyone is scary. “The one in your Werewolf class.”

“Aaron?”

“You’re a werewolf?” Aphmau and Katelyn speak in unison.

“No,” she corrects. “As in, I’m not a werewolf and I will not be dating Scary-Guy.”

“That’s the guy you gave those cookies to!” Lucinda grins and shakes Teony who’s futilely using a hand to cover her smile.

“The one who doesn't talk to anyone?” Katelyn sounds just as confused as Aphmau.

“The one with the scratched-up face?” Teony is still giggling.

“His face isn't that scratched up,” the grins return as Aphmau rises to his defense.

“Why are you shipping Aphmau with the new guy?” Lucinda baits Kawaii~chan into adding to Aphmau’s embarrassment.

“I’ve seen it. You guys bumped into each other on the first day, and he defended you in Werewolf Class, and he protected you from Gene!” Why does she know all of that? “Kawaii~chan just likes what she sees.”

“I would like to respectfully tell you that you’re delusional Kawaii~Chan. there’s no chemistry just…Appreciation?”

“Yeah,” Lucinda confirms. “Appreciation for his hot bo-”

“Alright!” if Aphmau gets any redder she will pass out. “Let’s embarrass someone else!”

“What about that cute freshman that’s crushing on Katelyn?” Is Lucinda talking about Travis? 

Katelyn groans. “Oh no.”

And then Katelyn’s dad explodes through the door. Normally Aphmau would be very upset but she’s too distracted by the fact that he’s in drag. “Oh yeah!”

“Dad!”

“Sup ladies,” he’s talking like a valley girl and she can't breathe. “Sorry, I'm late for the slumber party.”

“Dad!”

“Mr. Katelyn’s dad,” Aphmau manages to catch her breath. “What are you doing?”

“Me, Nah,” back to cackling. “My name is Erica and I'm here to talk all about boys.”

“Dad! You're not fooling anyone!” 

“Katelyn, your dad is a riot.” Lucinda giggles.

“Exactly! Now, let's talk about Kaitlyn. Does she have a boyfriend?” Katelyn has a crazy helicopter parent too?

“Dad for the last time I-”

Lucinda laughs interrupting Katelyn before calming down. “No, she doesn't,” that is not what she was implying a few minutes ago. “I can assure you she's a single lady,” oh no.

“Did somebody say, single ladies!” Where did Ziana come from? 

“Put your hands up! Because that's how it should stay, single, ladies,” Of course Sylvanna is an accomplice. 

“This is my jam!” Why is he still pretending? “No boys, just single ladies.”

“Dad!”

Lucinda, Kawaii~chan, and Teony have already betrayed us and joined the chaos that is Sylvanna and her crazy parent friends.

“I’m so embarrassed,” Katelyn puts her head in her hands.

“Same,” APhmau groans.

“This is the best slumber party ever!”At least Kawaii~chan seems to be having a good time.

“Come on Katelyn, I don't want to be the only person not having fun at my sleepover,” Aphmau sighs. “Plus your dad is pretty cool you know. I don't know a lot of guys willing to put on a sequined dress and a red wig for their sugar pea.”

“Yeah I guess he is,” she sighed reluctantly.

Despite the crazy parent squad, Aphmau and their friends manage to have a good time and they’re probably going to be friends for a long time.

A few months later Aphmau sees Kawaii~chan coming down the stairs and waves her over. “Kawaii~Chan!” 

“Hey, KC.” 

“Katelyn~Chan! Hey Aphmau~Chan! Kawaii~Chan wanted to give this back,” Aphmau let her borrow her copy of the Midnight Saga the other day because despite being a self-proclaimed stan, she’d never read the books. 

“It's no problem at all!” Aphmau likes sharing books. “What did you think?”

“Much better than the movie.” If she’d said anything else Aphmau would have to annul their friendship.

“I still can't believe you ship everyone in Midnight ,” Katelyn still doubts their power.

“Speaking of shipping Aphmau~Chan, can we talk about my ship with you and-”

“Nope,” not happening. “We’re not talking about that. Ever.”

“Hey cutie,” Aphmau groans and the trio looks up to see Balto grinning sleazily.

“Balto,” Aphmau greets and immediately steers her friends towards the closest girls' Bathroom.

“Hey! I’m trying to talk to you!” the rest of his sentence is cut off by the door closing.

“Hey, Aphmau!” 

She slows down for Laurance. “If it’s about me crying earlier-”

“You were crying?” He stops her and pulls her aside. “What happened?”

“I was watching Violet Evergarden,” she lies brushing him off. “What did you want to ask me?”

“ I wanted to see if you were free to hang out tomorrow. At the festival?”

“Like a…”

“Like a date,” he finishes. “Or we can just go as friends? I’m pretty sure Garroth is free and Katelyn and Lucinda will be there.”

“Oh that’s just an excuse for her dad,” Katelyn is a really bad liar but she wanted to hang out with Jeffory so Lucinda agreed to be her alibi. “But yeah… yes. I would like to hang out with you.”

Laurance makes no mention of her deliberately avoiding the word ‘date.’ “Great,” he grins. “I can pick you up-”

“That's a bad idea,” Sylvana would lose her mind. 

He nods in understanding. “So we’ll meet by the entrance at 5?”

“Yeah,” Aphmau watches him leave and turns to find her friends peeking at her from around a corner.

“So what are you gonna wear?” The girls are on a video call to help Katelyn prepare for her date.

“Does it matter?”

“Does it matter?” Lucinda scoffs. “You’re gonna be walking for hours, there’s no guarantee of a clean place to sit, and carnival food it's exactly the most attractive thing to eat, not to mention-”

“Alright! Jeans and a t-shirt it is,” she grumbles and Aphmau can hear hangers being pushed aside.

“Add a light jacket in case it gets cold.”

“What about you Aphmau-senpai?”

“What about me?” Aphmau’s sticking to her go-to, overalls.

“Don't you wanna look nice for your date with Laurance-”

“It’s not a date!”

“He clearly wanted it to be a date,” Teony points out.

“Yeah well,” Aphmau fumbles before sighing. “You know how I was homeschooled before moving here?” the girls go silent, sensing a shift in mood. “My parents were divorced and my dad was better off financially so I spent most of the year in his custody,” unfortunately.

“Aphmau-”

“You don't have to-”

“Well I wasn't treated very well and it was obvious I wasn't really wanted. His gaining custody over me was just a way to one-up my mother. But I'm here now so it’s fine! Anyway, boys are… ”

“Icky?”

“Stupid?”

“Have cooties?”

“No,” she giggles. “Just not part of the plan. Obviously, exceptions will be made when The One comes along but I’d like to feel comfortable enough to form full sentences.”

“I get it,” Lucinda speaks up.

“If we’ve ever made you uncomfortable-”

“You’re fine Teony. You’d know,” she’d tell you. “But back to Katelyn’s outfit-” A groan cuts her off.

Kawaii~chan, despite being adamant about shipping Aarmau (ship name still in the works), was very excited that Aphmau decided to “give love a chance,” and managed to convince her to put a little more care into her outfit which was upgraded to shorts, a pink button-up, and a matching pair of pink combat boots that Aphmau begged her mom to buy her for Christmas.

Aphmau gets to the festival entrance about half an hour early and is shocked to see that Laurance managed to get there before her.

“Were you waiting long,” she got there early to prevent that.

“Nope,” he hands over her tickets. “I just wanted to make sure you wouldn't try to pay for everything.”

“I wouldn't have done that,” Aphmau is a very bad liar. “How much-”

“It’s fine,” he waves her wallet away. “Let’s go before the lines get too long.”

“You know, I've never been to a festival before.” they’ve only been walking around for a few minutes, trying to find somewhere to start.

“Really?” Is it that surprising?

“Maybe when I was little,” she admits. “But after I moved, my dad thought they were a waste of time and there weren't any near where my mom used to live,” she changes the subject. “Does this festival come around often?”

“It does actually! I'm surprised you've never heard of it. Although you did just move here.” they pass by a booth of-

“Cotton candy! Laurance-”

He already has his wallet out. “Two please?”

The man hands over his change and two sticks of pink cotton candy. “Here ya go!” 

Aphmau reluctantly takes hers. “You didn't have to buy it for me.”

“Usually when someone does something nice-”

“‘You say thank you,’” her friends have been trying to beat that into her head for the past few months. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” he smiles. “Look,” he points at the color. “It matches your outfit- where did yours go.”

“Nowhere,” she hides the bare stick behind her back.

“Are you hungry? We can go eat-”

“Not before going on a ride,” Aphmau feels like throwing up would be a bad ending to tonight.

“One more!” Aphmau goes to run off but is stopped by a hand on her shoulder.

Laurance is leaning forward with a hand on his knees. “Let’s take a break.” he’s looking kind of green.

“Sure,” Aphmau grins sheepishly and drags him over to a bench. “Sorry for dragging you around. I just really wanted to ride-”

“The Zipper***. Yeah,” Laurance sighs and leans back. “We went back to it like five times.”

“Sorry,” she whispers sheepishly. “Should I get you some water?”

“It’s fine,” he says, but he’s still panting as if he just got off the ride.

“I’ll be back,” Aphmau heads towards another food stand. 

Aphmau didn't think it took her that long to get back. The line wasn't long when she got there, although she did stop to squeal with Lucinda when Jeffory finally kissed Katelyn, but other than that she was gone for maybe two minutes. 

When she got back, Laurance wasn't where she left him.

She gets tackled from behind. “Aphmau-senpai!”

“Kawaii~chan!” she turns around to better receive the hug. “What did we say about tackling people?”

“Not to?” she asks. “But Kawaii~chan is just so happy that she found you! How’s the date-”

“Not a date!” Aphmau interrupts. “But pretty well I think? I left to go get some water…” when Aphmau looks back at the bench she catches sight of Laurance just past it waiting in another line. “Found him!”

“Who is he talking to?” it looks like Ivy and her lackeys.

“I don't know,” Aphmau starts to head over. 

“Are you sure Aphmau senpai?” Kawaii~chan pulls her back and the group they’re watching shares a laugh.

“Should I not be?” Kawaii~chan puts a hand on her arm. Aphmau is too high on adrenaline to be aware of social cues. “They’re just talking?” very closely, and sharing physical contact, looking like they’re having a good time without Aphmau. “Plus this isn't a date.” Aphmau isn't sure who she’s reminding. “So it’s fine if-” Laurance is kissing another girl.

“What’s up Freshman?” a hand grabs her arm as Aphmau storms towards the festival’s exit. 

“Leave me alone Balto,” Aphmau tries to jerk her arm away but his grip only tightens.

“You can't keep storming off every time I try to talk to you,” the skeezy werewolf leans closer. “You’ll hurt my feelings if you keep playing hard to get.”

“I wouldn't have to hurt your feelings,” Aphmau finally manages to pry his hand off of her. “If you’d get the hint and fuck off!” and with that expletive, Aphmau’s hair flares up for the second time since she’s entered PDH and the fifth time in her entire Life, charging the air around her and shocking Balto when he tries to grab her again allowing her to storm off. “I’m not playing around. Leave me alone!” 

Aphmau:

Sorry for leaving on such short notice.

Apparently cotton candy and rapid flipping

And spinning is bad for my stomach

See you on Monday?

Laurance:

Yeah no worries

See you

Chapter Text

“Hey, Aphmau~”

“Yes, Garroth~” he finally manages to catch her after werewolf class. Waiting by the door to pull her away and interrogate her.

“So I’ve been talking to my pal Laurance-”

“Uh-huh…” 

“About why you haven't been sitting with us in Art Class-”

“Right…” she pulls away to head to her locker and he follows her.

“And he told me about your kiss and the date-”

She slams her locker shut. “Yup.”

“And how you’ve been avoiding him-”

Aphmau sighs and turns to face him again. “Just say what you want to say, Garroth.”

He leans against the locker next to hers. “Laurance wants to know why you’re mad at him and I want to know why my two best friends were getting all romantic-”

“We weren't ‘getting all romantic,’” Aphmau corrects and starts walking away again. “We were hanging out and I saw Laurance kissing some red-haired-”

“So you guys went on a date-” 

“Not a date-”

“And you saw Lauracne kissing another girl and got upset-”

“It was not a date!” she whirls back at him. “I saw him kissing some girl and I just wanted to give him space-”

“You’re jealous!”

“Garroth-” Aphmau points at him and her magic flares up causing her hair to rise as if she’s in the middle of a thunderstorm. “I am not jealous because it was not a date! I am not interested in Laurance like that! and we are not dating so he can kiss whoever he wants!” she storms away patting her hair down.

“Then why aren't you two talking!” he yells after her.

“Because it wasn't a date!”

“So Aphmau~” 

“If this is about Laurance-”

“Wha- forget that guy,” the bluenette approaches from behind, wrapping an arm around the shorter girl. “I have a vision-”

“-That I told you wasn't allowed,” Teony catches up and pulls Katelyn off of Aphmau.

“I knew you were gonna say that so I checked with the principal and he said it was fine.”

“But he’s not in charge-”

“He talked to the Gym coach for me so nothing is going to stop me-”

“So what did you need me for?” Aphmau draws their focus back to whatever Katelyn wanted.

“Oh yeah,” Katelyn pulls a sheet of paper out of a pocket. “So you know how field day is today?”

She nods her head. “It would kind of be impossible not to,” Aphmau takes the page and sees that it’s a sign-up sheet.

“So after school,”

“If you’re free,” Teony reminds.

“If you're free, they’re doing a mixed grades soccer competition,” Katelyn ignores Aphmau’s flinch. “And I want to be on the winning team,”

“It’s Laurance’s team,” Teony reminds. “Because he’s the male soccer captain.

Katelyn ignores her. “-so I’m asking you, Laurance, Garroth.” two more flinches. 

“I don't know-”

“Aphmau,” Katelyn grabs her shoulders. “I don't care about whatever drama you and tweedle dumb and dumber have going on-”

“-What she means to say,” Teony pulls Katelyn away to mediate again. “Is that this isn't a setup to force you three to make up.”

“I just wanna win,” she butts in.

“Plus,” Teony waves Katelyn away. “This could be really fun. We know that you love soccer and the after-school game is picked randomly so you don't know if you’ll get this chance again.”

“Alright,” Aphnmau takes the pen that Teony pulled out of nowhere and writes her name underneath Garroth’s. “If you’re still looking for players, Vylad, Garroth’s brother, played soccer in middle school.”

“Don't we only need seven?” Teony glances at the sheet.

“Yeah, so we get Nicole and Aphmau’s freshman.”

“Vylad,” she reminds. “And that’s still only six.”

“We’ll figure it out,” Katelyn stuffs the paper back in her pocket. “Now I need to get ready to crush those juniors,” Katelyn stalks off. Banging any lockers she passes by. “I’m so pumped!”

“Kawaii~chan doesn't get it,” Aphmau has spent the last ten minutes soccer-juggling a volleyball and trying in vain to teach her pink-haired friend how to do the same.

“You’re not going to get it in a day KC,” Aphmau catches the ball as it rolls off of Kawaii~chan’s head and proceeds to juggle both of them. “Even if you were a soccer prodigy it’d take more than 5 minutes to get a feel for the coordination.” and to truly rub her point in Aphmau balances both balls on the tip of her nose. “See-” Aphmau loses her balance when someone bumps into her.

“Oops-” says presumably whoever bumped into her. But the snickers that come after negate their words. “Sorry Freshman, maybe if you weren't so busy showing off you could have watched where you were going?” Aphmau barely gets a chance to right herself before the Ivy knocks past her with her two cronies, giggling the entire time.

“Aphmau-chan? Are you okay?”

“Not really,” aside from the obvious emotional agony, that shove kind of hurt her neck. “It’s fine, I have to go compete in the soccer event-”

“Against Laurance-senpai?”

“Yeah,” Aphmau sighs. “It’ll be fine.”

“How did you do that!?” Aphmau’s homeroom did win the freshman matches, setting them up against the sophomores. “You juked that guy so hard he fell into a split! Do you know how unathletic us nerds are? That’s like insane!” She wasn't surprised that they won. “And then you did the twisty flip when I kicked too high like that one Disney movie where the girl is like a reincarnated Chinese warrior-”

“Wendy Wu: Homecoming Queen?”

“Yes!” Travis points excitedly. “It was awesome! I thought that you were like a hermit?”

“Well Travis if we’ve all learned anything, it’s that Aphmau undersells herself constantly.”

“I'm so glad I didn't miss that,” Travis sighs. “Even if I didn't get to watch the volleyball matches.”

“Please stop being gross.” Aphmau waves him away from the ball she’s curled up in. Aphmau wasn't surprised that her team one but she was shocked when her team carried her off the field, acclaiming her  ‘super awesome soccer skills.’ “first the compliments now your weird crush on Katelyn-”

“My crush isn't weird!”

“It’s a little weird,” Vylad pulls Aphmau up and towards the stands. “Didn't she find you in a bush earlier?”

“That was Dante’s fault,” Travis defends. “I wanted to try and get her to talk to me by marking her scores wrong and getting her to yell at me in that sweet, angelic voice…” he trails off for a moment before snapping back to attention. “But Dante said he valued his life more than talking to a pretty girl. Plus she punched me after I tried to leave so it’s fine.”

“Wow,” Aphmau finally straightens up again. “I didn't know that one of my best friends was a masochist.”

“Don't kink shame me!” Travis blushes, running away.

“Kinkshaming is my Kink,” she cackles, chasing Travis back towards the stands.

“Aphmau!” Aphmau suppresses a full-body cringe and turns around.

“Laurance, I need to get ready-”

“Yeah, it’ll only take a sec,” he pulls her off to the side. “Are you mad at me?”

Aphmau looks for anyone to get her out of this. “No,” she says, semi-honestly. “Why would you think that?”

“We haven't spoken since the festival, you don't sit with us in Art class anymore and you haven't been responding to my texts,” in her defense he’s only texted her 5 times since then. “Did I do something wrong?”

“Objectively? No,” and she means that. “But I couldn't find you after-”

“Hey Laurance!” a nasal voice croons and the same redhead from earlier wraps her arms around Laurance’s waist. “What are you doing, discussing our plans with the enemy?” her tone implies that she’s joking but the way she glares at Aphmau when she says enemy implies something else.

“Hey Ivy, I’ve told you about Aphmau,” Laurance seems shocked by the surprise attack but doesn't make an attempt to move away. “Aphmau, this is Ivy.”

“Hey, freshman!” The hostile sophomore makes no attempt to pull away from Laurance who seems unusually used to the contact. “Garroth’s childhood friend?” she tilts her head innocuously and glances between the two. “Don't you have a match to get back to?”

“Uh, yeah,” Aphmau glances around and turns to move away. “I’ll see you on the field I guess?” she looks at Laurance questioningly. Didn't he have something he wanted to tell her?

“Yeah,” he rubs his head sheepishly. “I’ll talk to you later.”

Their match against the sophomores ended less intensely, just because it was more evenly matched. The teams were switched up, using the best players from each grade but the freshmen won that round as well. And Aphmau didn't get a chance to speak with Laurance who was pulled towards the stands to watch the final match. Freshman vs Seniors.

“Ready to keep our win streak?” Travis pops up beside Aphmau. 

“And then the after-school match right?” with Vylad on her opposite side.

“Yeah…” Aphmau stares off into space. It’s not weird that she’s upset right? Like objectively she’s not supposed to be upset because she’s the one who said that she didn't want a relationship but despite her father’s various scoldings she can’t control her emotions. It is weird that he’s shoving that in her face right? She thought Laurance was nicer than that. Unless she has the wrong idea? But it’s pretty obvious that she saw him kissing someone at the fair, and it’s even more obvious that Laurance doesn't usually allow others to get close to him. The last time Garroth hugged him he allowed it for maybe five seconds before-

Before Aphmau realized it she was led onto the field and the game started. She doesn't even get a chance to snap back to attention before a ball is launched straight to her head knocking her on her back, allowing her to come back into focus laying flat on the soccer field, staring straight at the sky with a killer headache, wondering how she got there.

She can hear faint cackling in the distance as a face comes into view, helping her up and leading her off of the field. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah…” she trails off, pulling out of his grip and heading back in the opposite direction. 

“Uh, miss?” Aphmau focuses enough to realize the person that’s offering the unnecessary help is Jeffory. “Are you-”

“It’s Aphmau,” she interrupts. “I’m fine,” she waves him off and walks back into the center of the field. As she puts her game face back on she misses the various looks of concern that pass over her head and prepares for the kickoff.

“Are you-” she flips him off fully and stares up at the person across from her, the same person that kicked a soccer ball full force at her head and the same person who’s been sitting next to her in Werewolf class for the past few months.

“You good?” he glances at the rapidly reddening mark on her forehead and she ignores him gesturing for the referee to start.

When the match is called again Aphmau is laser-focused. That ball knocked something loose, or into place? Because the moment the whistle blows, she’s kicking the ball towards Vylad and rushing towards the senior goal.

It’s impossible to fully and coherently describe a soccer match, especially one where Aphmau is playing with some kind of head trauma but there are some iconic moments.

Aphmau kicks the ball and slides through some overconfident senior’s legs at least 5 times and does get to do her “super awesome twisty flip” as Travis liked to call it but the match is pretty even because not even pure talent can make up for experience. 

They do win in the end, after Aphmau scores a goal in the last five seconds. Falling flat on her back as soon as the final whistle is blown. 

“You two were amazing!” Travis, the ultimate hype man, pulls Aphmau up before pulling her and Vylad into a hug. “You made those guys look like amateurs! The only one who could keep up with you was that Aaron guy and even then-”

“Do you need to go to the nurse?” Vylad waves his hand in front of a dazed Aphmau. 

“No…” she trails off, slumping fully into the pair. “I just need food, and like a gallon of water.”

“Thanks,” Aphmau sighs. “I’m so happy that they gave us an hour before the pick-up matches.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Vylad places a hand on her forehead. “You’re still really red and you never got checked out after that ball hit you.”

“It’s fine,” her words don't instill a lot of confidence. Especially since she still hasn't gotten up after slumping to the ground.

“I’m sure Katelyn would understand-”

“Even if she would,” Aphmau holds up a glowing hand, having finally recovered enough stamina. “I wouldn't because I promised.” she holds the hand up to her head before running it over her legs. “Plus why aren't you worried about Vylad?”

“Because Vylad didn't carry the team and after getting hit in the face with a Soccerball launched full force from less than 3 feet away,” Travis explains.

“Vylad also isn't using up precious energy to heal himself.”

“It’s fine,” Aphmau gets up. “I’m gonna go get my phone from my locker. Tell Katelyn I’ll be there in like ten minutes. We still need to find our last player.”

Aphmau puts away her various trophies (paper ribbons) and starts to head back towards the field when she hears crying from the boys' locker room. She knocks on the door. “Hello? Do you need me to get you anything?”

“Um…” a voice whispers. “Can you help me with something?”

“Sure,” she cracks the door open. “Can I come in?” as soon as she peeks her head through the crack she’s dragged into the room with hands over her eyes and shoved somewhere very small and dark.

“Hey!” she bangs on the locker. “Let me out of here!'' She tries to summon some magic but she’s still tired from earlier. “Who’s doing this!?”

“Hope you enjoy being stuck in a locker you stupid potato! I told you to stop showing off!” Is she insane? 

“Are you insane!” They can't be serious, right? “You can't leave me in here!” She left her phone in her locker because she was planning on going back onto the field. “Let me out!” more banging but there’s no response. Everyone’s left already and the matches might have already started by the time someone passes by again. 

Twenty minutes pass and Aphmau’s just starting to doze off when she hears a door open. “Hello?”

Footsteps pause and then head towards her, and she hears a locker combination being put in before the door opens revealing a very shocked and shirtless Aaron.

“Hi,” Aphmau waves sheepishly.

He stares at her in shock for a moment before bodily lifting her out of his locker and glancing her over. “Your friends are looking for you.”

“Right!” the games. “Thank you for getting me out of there! I’m sorry for bothering you!” she runs out of the room before backtracking. “Do you know if they’ve found a seventh member? 

“No,” he grumbles, still shirtless.

“Would you like to be our seventh member?”

Chapter Text

“So you exhausted yourself after carrying your team?”

Aphmau nods.

“And passed by your locker for electrolytes and to check on your phone?”

“Yeah.”

“But on your way back you heard someone crying in the boys’ locker room, so you decided to be a decent person and check on them.”

“Uh-huh.”

“But it was actually Ivy, who locked you in a locker because you were ‘showing off’?”

“Yeah basically.”

“All I'm hearing are excuses,” Katelyn explains.

“Katelyn!” various voices scold her.

“First off are you okay,” Teony grabs Aphmau by the shoulders checking her over. “You don't have to play if you don't think you’ll be able to.”

“Wha-”

“Katelyn!”

“Alright geez,” she rubs the back of her head sheepishly. “Yeah, I can find someone else-”

“Five minutes before the game starts?”

“It won't be the best team but I could still carry us to victory!”

“This is what I was scolding you for this morning,” Teony reminds her. “And it’s also why Aphmau was almost late.”

“But I’m better than them-”

“But if I do it for them-”

“So it’s better if I do it myself.”

“Then it'll be better and we’ll…” Aphmau trails off in realization. “Win. oh…”

“Yeah,” Teony nods. “But if you’re sure you're fine.”

“I am thanks to Aaron,” she gestures to the sullen boy standing off to the side. “Who I think will be a great addition to our team.”

“Is he any good?”

“He’s right here,” he growls.

“Well, I won all of my matches-”

“Right,” Katelyn gives Aphmau a high five.

“-and he was the best person I played against.”

“Not Laurance?”

Aphmau glances at the pretty boy who’s scolding a redhead. “Nope.”

“Well I mean look at him,” Lucinda slinks over and gestures to all of Aaron.

“Sorry for talking about you like you’re not here,” Aphmau whispers as Lucinda manages to convince Katelyn. “Are you sure you wanna play?”

“It’s not like I have anything better to do,” he grumbles. “Plus someone needs to make sure you don't get another concussion.” he pats her head and proceeds to walk onto the field.

“You’re the one who gave me the concussion!”

“Yeah!” Katelyn realizes. “Did he even say sorry?-”

“Katelyn it’s fine-” Aphmau begins to wave it off and catches Aaron gesturing her over. 

“Sorry,” he glances at the angry bluenette. “For almost giving you a concussion.

“It’s fine-”

“It’s not,” he turns her around so she can catch Katelyn giving her a reluctant thumbs up. “Head injuries are serious-”

“Well, I have a healing affinity-”

“It still hurt didn't it?” and Aphmau doesn't have a response.

They won obviously and Aphmau found out that she was much more competitive than she thought when she, Aaron, and Katelyn made a game out of who could score more goals leading to a very impressive final score of 20-1 in their favor.

“I won!” Aphmau hasn't felt this giddy in years. 

“We won!” Vylad reminds from the goalie post and the trio waves him off. 

“8 to 6 to 6 means you're both losers and I win!” Her final goal was the most impressive, using Katelyn as a vault to steal the ball from Aaron and score the final goal. “I’m amazing!”

“I didn't know that she could brag,” Travis whispers to Vylad. 

“It’s the adrenalin,” Garroth rests his arms on their heads. “She’s gonna crash soon and then she’ll be back to humble timid Aphmau.”

Aphmau crashed very hard. She had to be carried off the field by Aaron and then to her mom’s car by Katelyn because at this point everyone fears an overprotective Sylvanna.

Waking up the next day was interesting, especially after she remembered everything she did under the haze of adrenalin and the fact that she saw Aaron shirtless and in a decent mood yesterday which makes him attractive? Somehow? Aphmau has only ever been attracted to anime characters and Laurance, who she’s not talking to right now, so she doesn't have a very good track record. This is shown when she’s caught off guard in Werewolf Class. She’s reading Midnight Sun for her Honors English Class and has to write a 5 five-page paper on the toxic representation of Werewolves and Native American Tribes when she notices him peering over her shoulder at the frantic notes and highlighted passages which she would be doing anyway if it was a series she was actually interested in but right now it’s just a very offensive book to be reading in a Werewolf class. She slams the book shut revealing the false cover she put on it, “Things to Make and Do in the Fourth Dimension.”

“Hello!” she grins sheepishly.

“Hi,” he grunts and turns to face the front of the room.

Aphmau stares for a moment before sighing and turning to face Mr. Gavin.

“Hey cutie, where are you off to?” Aphmau shudders and looks up to see Balto grinning sleazily.

Boundaries, boundaries. “None of your business,” and tries to walk through the doorway but he straightens up, blocking her way.

“Come on sweetheart, how ‘bout we meet up later? I want to get to know you.”

“How about you move,” Aphmau sighs in relief and steps aside to let Aaron handle it.

“I’m not allowed to talk to people?” Balto attempts to posture but he’s a few inches too short to attempt to intimidate Aaron with size.

“Talk to whoever you want but get out of my way,” and he shoves past. Aphmau grabs the sleeve of his blazer and is taken out of the room as well. 

“Thank-”

“Learn to stand up for yourself,” he pulls his sleeve out of her grip and storms down the hallway.

“Hey Kitty,” another unfortunately familiar face catches up to her in the hallway. “You’ve been ignoring my texts.”

“I blocked your number,” she reminds him. “So if you were sending any texts I didn't get them.

“Ouch,” he staggers mockingly. “But I just want to be friends.”

“And I want you to leave me alone,” she exits the building and heads towards the soccer field. “We don't always get what we want.

“Alright Kitty, I’ll level with you. I don't have the picture anymore-”

“But you still attempted to blackmail me-”

“But you and Pretty Boy aren't talking anymore so-”

“Hey Aphmau,” said Pretty-Boy walks up to the reluctant pair. “Thanks for meeting up with me,” his face drops when he sees who she’s with. “What’s he doing here?”

“Leaving.” Aphmau approaches Laurance, not having glanced at Gene throughout their entire conversation. “What did you need to talk to me about?”

“Well number one,” he hands over a slip of paper with a phone number. “The Girls’ soccer Captain wants to talk to you about joining the team. Number two,” he hesitates. “I know that you said you weren't mad at me, but you didn't sit with us in art class today-”

“Did Ivy kiss you at the fair?” 

He pauses, shocked. “How did you know about that?”

“I saw you when I came back from getting water-”

“Ivy’s just a friend!”

“She doesn't think that,” Aphmau reminds him. “And she’s really aggressive for no reason-”

“Ivy’s nice-”

“To you,” Aphmau interrupts again. “And Garroth because she thinks that you’re attractive and wants to date you.”

“But I am attractive,” he attempts to joke.

“Do you want to date her?”

A high-pitched giggle sounds from behind the bleachers. “Jeffory, you're so funny!” Is that Katelyn?

“Well of course. How else would I get to see your beautiful smile?”

Aphmau peers around the bleachers and sees Katelyn blushing, shoving playfully at Jeffory’s shoulder. 

“It’s the truth,” he dodges the next hit, holding his hands between hers. “Your smile is amazing and you look adorable when you blush, it’s why I love giving you compliments.”

Katelyn sighs as he holds her hands up to kiss them and reaches out to part her hair.

“May I kiss you?” and Aphmau has to go because that’s too adorable.

“Did you see that?” Aphmau turns around forgetting the tension of her previous conversation.

“See what?”

“Mr. Katelyn’s Dad!?” Aphmau says much louder than she needs to. “What are you doing here!” The giggles stop abruptly and Aphmau hears a lot of quiet curses.

“You know you can call me Eric, Aphmau,” She smiles and shakes her head and he sighs. “I’ve been waiting for Katelyn to pick her up. She’s taking a little longer than usual and I want to see if everything is alright.”

“I just saw her in the locker room if you want me to take you there? Although she might have left for your car already.” Aphmau can hear Katelyn taking the hint and heading around the bleachers. Hopefully to beat her dad to the car. 

“You’re a good friend,” Laurance sneaks up on Aphmau after she waves off Katelyn and her dad. 

“For that?” she turns to Laurance confused. “Anybody could have done that-”

“But not everybody would’ve-”

“All of our friends definitely would’ve.”

He hums. “If you say so,” Laurance eyes her consideringly. “What did you mean by Ivy being mean to you.”

“Oh just girl stuff,” Aphmau attempts to undersell. “Just name calling…”

“So she hasn't been bullying you?” Laurance sighs in relief. 

“Not really?” at least not compared to Gene and his Shadow nights. Or Balto.

“That’s good,” he chirps. “I wouldn't ask you to be friends after she’s been so rude but I’ll talk to her okay,” he pats her shoulder. “And make sure to come to me if she tries to bother you again, I’ll set her straight.”

“But she’s your friend-”

“Not if she’s being mean for no reason.” Laurance immediately shuts down that train of thought. “By the way-” he pauses, catching sight of something behind Aphmau. “Do you know him?” he points out a werewolf lurking by the exit and Aphmau is very unnerved when she sees Balto staring directly at her.

“Yes,” Aphmau grabs Laurance when he attempts to move away. “Did you want to introduce me to the Girls’ captain today? You’re doing a joint practice today right?”

Chapter Text

It’s Magicks and Witchcraft week, or spirit week to plebs, which means it’s time to destroy the witchcraft club! Aphmau isn't a full member of the Magick’s Club but she’s popped into enough meetings to be allowed to participate in the bake sale with Kawaii~chan. Aphmau’s in charge of numbers and organization and Kawaii~chan is in charge of baking and presentation. Aphmau was kicked out for the initial setup because it’s supposed to be a “super special surprise,” so she’s out in the courtyard practicing transformation spells with Vylad.

“Obsecro transfiguro!” Right now she’s trying to change a pumpkin into a puppy but has only managed to give it a tail. “Why am I so bad at this?” 

“Uh, maybe with more feeling?” Vylad offers.

“Okay,” she sighs. “Catuli Obsecro!” nothing. “Obsecro Transfiguro Catuli Obsecro!” she’s losing her mind. “Vylad!” she whines flopping down next to him. “I thought Witchcraft was just going to be potions. I’m only good at healing spells. Transfiguration spells are nothing like healing spells.”

“Actually-”

“Stop,” Aphmau flips over, absentmindedly pointing her wand at the pumpkin. “Vertere hoc cucurbita in catulo!” She pours as much magic as she can into the spell and all she gets is a puppy-shaped pumpkin. Even the animated tail is gone. She sighs. “I’m gonna fail.” and tosses her wand towards her backpack.

“Are you sure you're doing the spell right?”

“I am!” Aphmau read the chapter at least five times. “The page says when trying to transform something, say “transfiguro” and picture what you’re trying to transform. And if visualization doesn’t work, include the Latin word for what you are trying to transform. And if that doesn't work just say what you’re trying to do in Latin.”

“Have you tried saying please?”

Aphmau sighs and goes to pick up her wand. “Quaeso hoc cucurbita in catulum convertat!” nothing happens. “I’m done,” she pockets her wand and picks up her bag. “I’m heading to the bake sale.

“Yes! Will you save some magic treats for me?”

“No way,” sorry. “Magic treats are the quickest to go and giving out free stuff is bad business,” especially with the current stakes. “But I will save you some non-magical treats if any are leftover.”

“Boo, magic treats only,” Vylad picks himself up to avoid Aphmau’s wand hitting him.

“It smells amazing! Are you sure-?”

“If you want magic treats you have to pay for them,” Aphmau barely misses bumping into a very sweaty Aaron. “Excuse me- I know you have money because we passed by a vending machine on the way here and you got like 5 packs of pop-” Aphmau staggers as someone very deliberately shoulder checks her.

“Watch where you’re going Freshmen,” one of Ivy’s lackeys, Lily? Spits out.

“Hey!” Vylad steps up. “ there’s a ton of empty hallway you obviously did that on purpose!”

“Says who?” she scoffs. “And anyway, what are you going to do about it? Tell on me,” she spots something over her shoulder and her face crumples. Aphmau makes an attempt to comfort her but Lily slaps her hands away.

“Woah are you okay?” Aaron comes from behind Aphmau and wraps an arm around the supposed victim. “What happened?”

“I accidentally bumped into her and that freshman got all up in my face over it!” she sobs gesturing at Vylad.

Aphmau knows a losing battle when she sees one. “We’re really sorry Lily, I didn't mean to start anything-”

“Aph-,” Vylad’s mouth slams shut as Aphmau shoots him a look.

Aaron grunts at them before wrapping an arm around Lily and moving on. “Just don't do it again.

The pair watches them turn the corner before Vylad whirls on her. “Why didn't you say what actually happened?!”

“Because it’s not a big deal,” she soothes. “No one was hurt so I didn't want to start a fight.”

“So you’ll only intervene if one of us is physically hurt-”

“Of course not!” Aphmau yells before covering her mouth and dragging Vylad along with her to the bake sale. “I wasn't hurt so it’s not a big deal,”

Vylad turns to her with a stunned expression before coming to a realization right as KC turns the corner.

“Aphmau~chan! You’re right on time!”

“Hi KC, did you finish setting up?”

“Yes and look!” she holds up two maid costumes in purple and pink. “Kawaii~chan got us matching outfits!” 

Aphmau glares at the outfits for a few moments before sighing and taking the purple one. 

FC:

Hey

How’s your day going

Me:

Pretty good

I am being forced to sell cookies in a 

maid costume so that’s fun?

Are you comfortable? You need to get 

better at telling people no.

It is comfortable and it’s not that big 

of a deal. I wear it once, sell a bunch of

Cookies and move on.

But thank you for your concern.

No problem. 

That reminds me. Did you figure out your

boy problem?

Kind of? It’s not a problem anymore

Can I ask a question out of nowhere?

?

Have you ever wondered what I look like?

A Little? We’ve known each other so

long. It’s kind of inevitable.

Well I’ve been wondering what you look like

I’ve never brought it up because I know how 

you feel about internet safety so 

Can we continue this conversation later?

I need to hide my phone.

Yeah sure

Aphmau exits the stall door just as Kawaii~chan enters the locker room preparing to throw a potion. “Hold-”

“No!” Aphmau basically teleports back into the stall. “Potion etiquette KC! What is that?!”

“Oh,” Aphmau hears footsteps approaching her stall. “It’s just a basic transformation potion that’ll turn you into a meif’wa.”

“Basic transformation potions don't work on me KC,” Aphmau peeks out of the stall to see a pouting Kawaii~chan. “My innate magic messes with the potion-”

“So let’s get this one attuned-” Kawaii~chan glances back at Aphmau and pauses. “Or not… sorry Aphmau-chan.”

Aphmau sighs in relief and waves her off. “It’s fine. Let's just go sell some candy.”

“Come on Aphmau,” Vylad whines slumping over their booth. “I need it-”

“You bought half of our stock,” Aphmau laughs. “Where are you putting it?”

“Aphmau-chan!” Kawaii~chan pulls her away and holds the last tray up to Vylad. “You can take as many as you want-”

“-as long as you pay for them,” Aphmau butts in before whispering to Kawaii~chan. “If he throws up later that’s on you.”

“What are you doing with our best customer?” Lucinda strides over.

“You mean Kawaii~chan’s best customer,” Kawaii~chan takes the last of Vylad’s money and hands over the last of their cupcakes. “Who just bought the last our product which means Kawaii~chan wins!” 

“We win,” Aphmau corrects.

“Yeah with your so-called ‘magical cupcakes?’” Aphmau doesn't know why Lucinda put quotes around ‘magical’. That’s literally what they are. “What makes your magic better than ours?”

“Ours are made with Love,” and a few potions to enhance the flavor. 

“Oh yeah then what’s this?!” Lucinda pulls out a familiar potion. “Transformation magic? I bet that’s not even Aphmau!” and Lucinda chucks the meif’wa potion at her unfortunate friend. 

Aphmau is slowly realizing that competition brings out the worst in people. Basic potion theory says that to undo a transformation potion just throw the exact same potion at the afflicted creature but there were a few things Lucinda forgot to consider in the heat of the moment. 1: That Aphmau was actually Aphmau and not under the effects of any potion. 2: That the potion Kawaii~chan had wasn't the same potion she used to transform the supposedly fake Aphmau. And 3: What Aphmau had to explain to Kawaii~chan earlier because her dad was a werewolf, her innate magic messes with Transformation potions. To a lesser degree than actual werewolves but enough that it's something she constantly has to consider.

So when Lucinda throws the transformation potion instead of Aphmau turning into whoever Lucinda thought she was or being turned into a meif’wa like Kawaii~chan said she would, Aphmau feels her skin start to burn and three new appendages grow out of her head and back.

“You know I’m pretty sure we discussed proper potion etiquette less than a week ago,” Professor Hyria scolds. “So why does Miss Aphmau look very unhappy to have some extra appendages?”

“Professor-”

“Not now deary,” the woman pats her on the head and glances at the potion brewing beside her. “Well,” she huffs. “I can't do anything about it now because the potion is still technically active-”

“But-”

Professor Hyria gestures to Aphmau scratching furiously at her scalp. And the guilty magic users sigh. “You two have detention, and you miss,” she hands Aphmau a potion. “As soon as you stop feeling the active effects take this potion and come see me after class. I’ll be here until 5-”

“What if-”

“If you don't get a chance to take the potion, come see me anyway.” the Professor pulls on some goggles and waves the girls off. You’re not experiencing any adverse effects so I think only the expression and time limit of the potion were affected. You’ll be fine.”

 The girls rush out of the classroom when the cauldron she’s working over starts to bubble.

“I’m so sorry Aphmau-”

“Kawaii~chan is too! I should’ve never brought the potion in the first place!”

“It’s fine,” Aphmau scratches her head again and feels her magic reacting like a constant static shock all over her skin. “It’s just a bit of overstimulation and body dysphoria. Nothing I’m not used to,” the girls look worried at that. “If you’re that worried just brush up on potion etiquette and never give me transformation potions.”

“Yeah,” the pinkette perks up. “I didn't know your dad was a werewolf?”

“Really?” Aphmau wasn't hiding it. “Well he is, that’s why I chose to take a werewolf class,” she checks the time. “Which is where I need to be going right now. Don't worry about the potion,” Aphmau rushes off. “Even if Professor Hyria can’t do anything the effects would have worn off by Monday!”

“You’re still wearing that?” Aaron’s frowning.

“Wearing what?” Aphmau turns, spinning around but doesn't catch any traces of her maid’s outfit. “What am I-?” she brushes a hand through her hair and over her ears. “Oh yeah, these aren't fake,” she picks up his hand and places them on her ears, totally ignorant of his blush and the shocked faces of her peers. “One of my friends hit me with a transformation potion and-” she catches sight of his face. “What?” she pats herself down. “What is it? What did I do?”

Another impromptu potions/magic/werewolf lesson. Werewolves’ innate transformation magic messes with a lot of magic that caters to “pure’ humans. Aphmau is not a werewolf, that gene skipped her, but their magic is still dormant in her. Because the gene wasn't expressed she couldn't use the magic until she got hit with the potion. Another tidbit, because Aphmau isn't used to feeling or expressing Werewolf magic, she has no innate understanding of their social cues. One last fact is that because Aphmau wasn't born with the gene she’s feeling very uncomfortable as her body fights the potion’s effects. Uncomfortable enough to have accepted a pain potion, knowing that mixing potions can have unintended side effects like lethargy or intoxication.

Aaron clears his throat. “You’re fine, I think?” he glances down at Aphmau, who nods with a goofy grin.

“I’m good! I just gotta,” she turns around to step forward and immediately tips back into Aaron’s arms. “Oh,” she turns herself around in his grasp, planting her head against his chest. “You smell nice.” like smoke and new books. She looks up at him. “You’re very handsome-”

“Mr. Gavin-”

“Go ahead,” he starts writing a hall pass. “Take her to Professor Hyria.”

Getting Aphmau out of the room was easy. She was wont to follow Aaron anywhere. Keeping her on track was the hard part. It took him 30 minutes to realize he had to lead her by the hand because every five seconds she’d be distracted by some new interesting smell or sensation she would have missed as a human. After another five minutes, he straight up carries her like a potato sack, over his shoulder.

Aphmau allows her arms to fall slack and starts to sniffle.

He stops in his tracks. “Are you crying?”

“No.” she lies. They’re silent for a moment as Aaron continues walking. “Everyone is just so nice.” she wails. “Teony helps me with my homework, and Kawaii~chan makes me snacks, and Katelyn will play games with me, and Travis and Vylad will hang out whenever I want and-” she sobs. “You’re so nice!”

“Okay,” Aaron sighs, bouncing Aphmau as they pass by more wandering eyes. “It’s fine, you deserve it.”

“I do?” Aphmau sniffles. “No one has ever told me that before. Except for Mami but she has to be nice to me.”

Aaron sighs and places Aphmau on the ground. Turning her to face Professor Hyria’s door. He moves to place a hand on her head before thinking better of it and stuffing it in his sprocket.

Aphmau plants her head on his chest. “Thank you for helping me,” she nuzzles into his shirt. “You deserve it too, I feel like-” Aphmau allows Aaron to turn her around and lead her into the potion’s classroom. “You’re always pushing people away but everyone wants to be your friend ya know-”

“No, they don't-”

“Yes, they do! And- and, I was talking to some of the girls in our class- they think you’re super handsome like- compared to the other guys you’re like-like those fancy cookies you got me right?” Aaron blushes behind her but she doesn't notice. “And they’re like store-bought cookie dough, like-”

“Miss Aphmau, I see you haven't had a chance to take your potion?” the professor eyes the girl hanging off of the senior’s arm.

“She almost collapsed in Werewolf class,” Aaron explains, leading Aphmau to one of the chairs. “So I brought her here.”

“It took us so long,” she groans, placing Aaron’s hand on her head.

“Because you kept running-” he sighs, reluctantly ruffling her hair and shrugs at the professor.

“Well,” she sighs. “Looks like it’s time to get creative, stand back young man,” and she pulls out a potion.

“No,” Aphmau groans, face down at a table with Travis and KC. 

“Yes!” Kawaii~chan exclaims. “Aaron-senpai carried you across the school like a princess and then when Hyria-sensei used the cat potion to cancel the original potion’s effect, Aphmau-senpai became ten times more clingy!”

“Was he annoyed?” Aphmau covers her face with her hands and slumps down in her chair

Travis attempts to console her. “I mean why would he be? Being hugged by a cute girl and a cute cat? That’s like my dream,” he fails.

“I don’t remember any of that,” apparently both potions messed with her brain chemistry enough for her brain to decide that the entire experience was too traumatizing to store for later.

“I mean he took very good care of you?” Travis offers. “He’s much bigger than you, it would have been easy for him to increase his stride and leave you behind.”

“And,” Kawaii~chan offers. “He’s the one who volunteered to help,”

“Because I forced him! But it’s fine,” she nods to herself. “I just have to make him more apology cookies.”

Chapter Text

Today was way too lively for Aphmau. 

It started with her walking to school with Garroth. They had their usual conversations about sports, school, and him trying to convince her to join the soccer team and her vehemently rejecting the very thought before they go their separate ways once they reach the building.

In homeroom, she talks to Vylad, Travis, and Kawaii~chan about anime. They try to convince Aphmau to finish Attack on Titan, she laughs and says no, Aphmau talks about a new webcomic she started, Kawaii~chan squeals over the hot boys, Vylad discusses lore, and Travis talks about the logistics of actually wielding a 6ft long 10inch wide sword.

Then lunch happens.

Aphmau forgot her lunch at home this morning. The cafeteria is serving pizza but it looks like they sliced open a dollar store baguette, slapped on some sauce and cheese, and placed it in a microwave for less than a minute. Before she can even begin to consider the more expensive options an unfortunately familiar arm wraps itself around her shoulders and pulls her away from the line.

“Excuse me-” Aphmau pulls away but is reeled in to reveal Balto.

“Sit with me, today freshman. None of this food is good-”

“What is your problem?” Aphmau fully shoves his away. 

“I don't have a problem-” he reached a hand towards her head that Aphmau slaps away.

“You clearly do,” she turns away and heads back towards the lunch line when a hand lands on her shoulder.

“I’m not done talking to you-”

“Yes you are,” a red-haired werewolf shoves Balto back. “You need to back off. He already talked to you about this-”

“I’m not gonna listen to some human-”

“He’s earned his place and is better than someone that keeps screwing up after losing theirs.” the newcomer grabs Aphmau’s hand, giving her ample opportunities to free herself, as he buys her Peanut butter and jelly sandwich and leads her towards a table full of werewolves. “Do you need a drink?”

“I’m good,” she gestures to the thermos clipped to her bag. “Thanks for the help,” she pulls her hand out of his grip but keeps in line with him. “You didn't have to do that.”

“Not that I think you didn't have it handled, because you looked super close to just full-on decking him-”

“I wasn't gonna punch anybody!” although she was feeling the start of another magical outburst. 

“But you wanted to!” The boy grins down at her as they reach his table and she notices his heterochromia. “I’m Blaze! This is Raven,” he gestures to a silver-haired werewolf with blue eyes. “Evan,” then a blonde werewolf with amber eyes. “And Fenrir,” a brunette with brown eyes that Aphmau recognizes from her werewolf class.

“Nice to meet you,” she waves shyly before sitting in the seat Blaze offered to her. 

“Nice to meet you Alph…mau. Aphmau! Sorry,” Evan grins sheepishly.

“It’s no problem, you’re not the first person to mispronounce my name.”

“Yeah Evan,” Blaze reaches over to whack the blond. “We don't want him to get mad at us.”

“The principle?” Aphmau didn't think he’d care that much. “I wouldn't report you for getting my name wrong.”

The four wolves glance at each other before Blaze speaks up. “Sure! Do you like what I got for you by the way? I didn't know if you were allergic to anything but when you buy from the cafeteria you should really stick to the prepackaged stuff-”

“Or salads-” Raven gestures to his own meal.

“Or that. The hot meal is really hit or miss so I never risk it.”

“Thanks for the advice but this should be the exception.” Aphmau basically finished her sandwich in two bites. Aphmau eyes the trashcan and spots Balto waiting by the door. 

“Where are you headed? I’ll walk you.” Blaze picks up her trash and heads to the door and Aphmau rushes after him.

“Chill out Teony,” Katelyn says. “You’ll do fine on the Spanish test.”

“No I won't,” she whines. “There’s a whole writing section I’m not ready for-”

“But you’re good on verb conjugation?”

“Yeah,”

“And noun and adjective agreement?”

“Yeah?”

“Then you’ll be fine,” Katelyn reassures. “Plus Aphmau’s here to help and she’s basically fluent.”

Basically? “I am fluent,” Aphmau corrects. “And Katelyn’s right you’ll be fine. I was talking to some werewolves in your class about it and apparently, the writing section is just reading comprehension.”

“No prompts?” Teony sighs in relief. “Okay, I feel a little better.”

“Now that your GPA has been preserved, me and Lucinda have to head to class.” Katelyn drags the ginger out of the bathroom.

The leftover pair stares at the door. “Do you think they’re actually going to class?”

“No way,” Teony snorts. “I’m going to use the time before my test to study.” and Teony heads out as well.

Aphmau originally came into the restroom for its intended purpose so she heads into a stall just in time for the door to open again.

 “So spill the beans Lily, how are things going with Aaron?” because she recognizes Ivy speaking, Aphmau can assume that she’s talking to Lily, her cousin, who Aphmau has seen walking Aaron to class recently.

“Boring.” Aphmau was shocked to hear that, with the way she’s always giggling, she was sure that Lily had a crush. 

“Yikes! Really?” 

“Yeah, he’s just weird!” says the psycho who helped lock someone in a locker. “Not to mention he’s awkward, he barely talks to me!”

“Sheesh, what a drag.”

“Tell me about it. I just want to use him, break his heart, and get it over with.” is this a freaking Movie? “But he's just so hard to reach. At this rate, it’s gonna take longer than we planned. Good thing he's kinda cute to look at.” 

Aphmau took the first opportunity she could to bolt out of the restroom undetected. She had to miss the first few minutes of her next class because of it but it was the first time and she’s a good student so the teacher let it slide. Although heading to class turned out to be pointless because she could barely concentrate. What is she supposed to do with this information? Obviously, tell Aaron, but what if he doesn't believe her? She spent the rest of the period worrying about his response before bumping into him on her way to study hall.

“Watch it,” he snaps and brushes past her.

That almost made her chicken out but hiding it would be awful. “Hey!” she snaps back before catching herself. “I was looking for you,” she pulls him aside and spends a few moments looking for the right thing to say.

“Look-”

“I heard Ivy and Lily talking about you!” she finally blurts out. “And it wasn't nice, other than the fact that they think you’re attractive, but they were talking about Lily forcing herself to date you and a plan to break your heart, plus Balto has been acting weird lately and trying to follow me home-”

“Wait what?”

“What? I’m sorry-”

“No shut up,” Aaron groans and runs a hand down his face. “You think Lily is trying to manipulate me and that’s somehow related to Balto harassing you,” he watches Aphmau withdraw into herself and rethink his approach. “I believe you,” he affirms reluctantly. “Why haven't you told anyone about Blato?”

“Because it’s not a big deal?” Aphmau tries. “It’s just people keep telling me to stand up for myself, you especially, and I didn't want to keep relying on others to solve my problems when it’s easy to just ask my mom to pick me up or hang out with my friends after school-”

“So he makes you feel unsafe?” Aaron asks. “And you were more worried about me getting my feelings hurt than for your own safety?” he shakes his head. “You’re insane,” he scoffs. “Come with me,” and Aaron leads Aphmau to the Principal’s office.

Despite her best efforts, the Balto situation has been made into a big deal. The Aggressive werewolf is currently sitting across from her and is being glared into submission by Aaron who chose to skip class to bring Aphmau here.

She turns to stare at the boy placed a few seats away from her. “You didn’t have to-”

“Shut up,” he doesn't break his gaze.

After a few moments, Aphmou sighs and pulls out her phone.

Shu:

Sorry to text you during school

But I need someone to talk to

Aphmau hears a buzzing sound and looks up to see Aaron pick up his phone, glance at it, and send a text. Her own phone buzzes.

FC:

I have some free time. What's up?

Well the issue with the guy at school 

kind of escalated

Aaron’s phone buzzes again, and he glances between his phone and Aphmau before sending his next text.

Escalated how?

Well

Aphmau sends her next text after turning on her text notifications and watches for Aaron’s reaction this time

He tried to follow me home a few 

times and now we’re sitting in the

principal’s office waiting for our

parents to arrive.

When Aaron receives that text he types up a response, sits in the chair next to her, and waits for her reaction when he hits send.

Are you in the same room as me?

“Apparently,” Aphmau whispers back. “Nice to meet you?” she smiles hesitantly.

“Nice to meet you,” and this is the first time Aphmau has seen Aaron smile, not a smirk or the grins full of teeth he uses to threaten rowdy werewolves but an actual smile, that’s crooked and very awkward as if it’s an expression his face is not used to making.

“I can’t believe we go to the same school,” she whispers. “This is a coincidence on the level of fate, you’re so different.”

“So are you-,” he rebuts

““You’re so quiet,”” they speak in sync.

“And we’re still friends?” she whispers. “I’m not disappointing?”

“Why would I be disappointed?” Aaron reassures, raising a hand to ruffle her hair. “I’ve always wanted to get to know you, the real you.”

“So he wasn't expelled?” Katelyn rages. “What the hell! And why didn't you tell us-”

“Katelyn,” Lucinda cuts the rant short before turning to Aphmau. “And you’re okay with this?”

“I don't want anyone to be expelled-”

“That’s not what I asked,” there’s a moment of silence before Lucinda sighs. “So what? He was given a warning and that’s it?”

“Yeah,” Aphmau sighs. “It should be fine,” she’s not sure who she’s trying to convince.

Kawaii~chan has been unusually silent. “Do you want us to change the subject?” Aphmau nods. “Okay!” she perks back up. “So what’s the scoop with you and Aaron-senpai? You two were looking very friendly when you left the principal’s office!”

“Well…” Aphmau trails off blushing. “He was the one who forced me to go see the principal in the first place and after a long discussion it turns out we have a lot in common?”

“Like what?” Lucinda grins. Using Kawaii~chan as a perch to peer impishly down at Aphmau. 

“We both play the same video game all of the time, we can both play guitar although he’s much better than me-”

“Is he actually better than you?” Katelyn interrupts. “Or is this you being insecure?”

Aphmau ignores the ensuing scolding. “Well he practices a lot more than I do so obviously he’s better,” she ignores the doubtful looks being passed above her head. “But yeah so now we have each other’s numbers and that’s that.”

“No way,” Kawaii~chan challenges. “Before, Aphmau-chan kept saying that there was no way she and Aaron-senpai would ever get together but now you’re best friends! It’s enemies to friends to lovers-”

“We were never enemies,” Aphmau corrects. “Just reluctant acquaintances and we’re not going to be lovers.”

“Yeah, no offense.” Teony buts in. “But Aaron is almost eighteen too it’d be a little weird if he started dating a fourteen-year-old-

“Fifteen,” Aphmau corrects. “But yeah Teony’s right, we’re just friends and that won't be changing.”

“I’m sorry-”

“No, you’re not,”

“I am,” Aaron placates, he attempts to ruffle her hair but Aphmau dodges. “Shu-”

“Aaron-” the pair glares at each other before Aphmau continues forward. “You literally had one job!”

“My job wouldn't be so hard if you had better combat spells-”

“I shouldn't need combat spells at all if you were better-”

“Woah Kitty,” an unfortunately familiar voice comments. “I haven't seen you this ford up in a long time, is this guy bothering you?”

“What do you want Gene?” “What’s it to you?” the pair glances at each other after speaking in unison.

“No he’s not, he was actually about to apologize,”

Aaron scoffs. “No, I wasn't-”

“Then go find another healer,”

“So Kitty,” Gene interrupts again. “Can we talk-”

“I’m pretty sure I’ve told you this a hundred times but I want nothing to do with you,”

Gene continues talking anyway. “You know you’re not actually a werewolf right? You don't have to do whatever the Alpha says.”

Aphmau feels Aaron tense next to her and goes out of her way to hide any reaction to what she just heard. “I’m not hanging out with Aaron because he’s the Alpha,” she literally just found out. “We’re hanging out because we’re friends,” she grabs Aaron’s arm and pulls him past Gene. “now back off,” she feels his gaze on her back and doesn't increase her pace until they’re out of sight.

“Aphmau-”

“You’re the Alpha male?” she whispers furiously. “I thought you were human?”

“Humans can be Alpha if they’re respected enough,” he defends. “Why do you think Balto backed off?”

“Because he’d be risking expulsion?” Although Aphmau’s not sure that would stop him.

“No,” Aaron glances up and to the side, avoiding eye contact. “Because I told the werewolves to stop bothering you.”

Aphmau gazes at him in disbelief. “What did you do?”

“Nothing bad-”

“If it’s not bad then tell me!”

“Or I could apologize for letting you die and stealing all of your exp?”

“Aaron-”

“I made you the Alpha female to try and stop werewolves from bullying you but it had the added effect of making Balto more interested in you.”

“Why’d you do that?” she asks not actually looking for an answer.

“I’m sorry-”

“It’s fine, just-” she waves him off. “We’ll talk about it later.”

“So Balto was the Alpha before you were and when you beat him on the first day you got the title through ‘right of conquest.’ And because the Alpha female hadn't been chosen yet you chose me because you were afraid that I’d be targeted for being a human in Werewolf Class?” that’s kind of dumb but really sweet.

“I didn't actually pick you,” he admits. “But we were seat partners, despite being the youngest person in the class you have the best grades and you’re a developed Magick user. That was enough for them to unconsciously acknowledge it and after your performance at field day it was basically confirmed.”

“Five months after school started?” Aphmau can't comprehend how she didn't see it before. “It took you that long to pick an Alpha female?”

“It wasn't necessary!” he defends. “I could keep them in line well enough myself, and I couldn't find anyone more qualified than you so…” he shrugs helplessly.

“But what was so wrong with me-”

“There’s nothing wrong with you, but you were so shy at the beginning that I didn’t want a bunch of rowdy werewolves bothering you with their petty feuds every day.” Aaron sighs. “I’m sorry,” he admits. “I shouldn’t have kept it from you.”

“No, you shouldn't have,” Aphmau pouts. “But what about next year? Will I still be Alpha female or will they nominate someone else?”

“I’m not sure,” he admits. “You’ve been a great Alpha despite the fact that you had no idea. You’re well informed about werewolf customs and you don't discriminate so it should be fine.”

“Great?” Aphmau sighs. “Is there anything I should be doing-”

A high-pitched voice calls out to her from a distance, “Aphmau-senpai!”

She keeps talking, ignoring the eyes tracking something behind her. “Like other than mediating conflicts-”

“Aphmau,” another voice calls out to her. “Don't ignore us-”

“Are there any social faux pas I should avoid-”

“Aphmau-senpai!” something hyper and pink crashes into her from behind. “Kawaii~chan needs to ask you a question!” she’s pulled away from Aphmau as a familiar bluenette pulls her away from the table and holds Aphmau over her head. 

“Excuse me,” Katelyn pushes her chair back in place and nods at Aaron. “We’re borrowing her,” she gestures at the unimpressed freshman being held hostage above her. “Hope you don't mind.”

Aaron just cocks an eyebrow and waves them off. “Go ahead.” and turns to his lunch. 

“Wow alright,” Aphmau accepts her fate. “Just wait you clod! you’re a hooligan, a vandal!” Aphmau shouts across the cafeteria as she’s carried off. “Lout, ignoramus, philistine! Other medieval insults that I can't think of off the top of my head!” he just smirks and waves as she exits his eyeline.

The pair brings her into an empty classroom and shuts the door behind them leaving the room pitch black.

“Guys-” 

A desk lamp turns on from the front of the room and Lucinda turns around in a computer chair and props her legs up on the desk. She's petting a white cat with green eyes. “I’ve been expecting you-” she breaks into laughter as soon as she catches sight of the unimpressed look on Aphmau’s face. “Sorry,” the room breaks out into groans as the light turns on and the blinds are pulled up revealing Teony, Vylad, Laurance, and Garroth who were also part of this joke.

“What was the point of this setup if you were gonna break character as soon as you saw her?” Garroth pulls up a chair and sits by the desk.

“Like you could’ve done better-”

“What’s this about?” Aphmau approaches the front of the room and the cat jumps off Lucinda and perches on the desk. 

“We wanted to talk about your new boyfriend!” Travis’s voice comes out of the cat. 

“And the Balto situation,” Laurance reminds from the back.

“Yeah, that- but first the boyfriend,” Garroth crosses his arms. “Why did it take a virtual stranger for us to find out that someone was harassing you?”

“I met Aaron around the same time as all of you,” technically she met him first, she bumped into him earlier and she’s been gaming with him for the past 2 years. “So he’s not really…” she trails off at their unimpressed looks. “It’s not that big-”

The entire room erupts into groans.

“Aphmau,” Travis jumps from his perch on the desk and into her arms. “You’re the smartest person I know and also the dumbest.”

“Not how I would have said it,” Lucinda approaches from behind the desk. “But a little bit yeah. How would you feel if a grown man twice my size was following and harassing me all of the time.”

“That's diff-”

“It’s really not,” Lucinda sighs and pulls Aphmau into a hug. “Oh Aphmau, you adorable little dummy.”

“I don't think she appreciates the patronization.” Teony points to the pout on Aphmau’s face.

“I don't,” Aphmau pushes out of the hug. “But I get what you’re trying to say so I’ll come to you the next time I need help.”

“And the next time we might think you need help,” Vylad corrects.

“Or the next time if you saw someone in the same situation as you, you might think they need help.”

“Or at least complain about it in a place Katelyn will hear,” Garroth offers.

“Yeah, then the problem will get rid of itself.” Laurance nods in agreement.

“I know you’re making fun of me,” Katelyn jabs the blond duo in their ribs. “But I would annihilate someone for you.” Katelyn pulls Aphmau into another hug.

“So would I,” Garroth joins in.

“Kawaii~chan too!” who joins in after being oddly quiet this entire time.

“Please don't,” whether Aphmau is talking about the assassination or the group hug no one knows.

“But Aphmau we just love you so much,” Lucinda places herself between Katelyn then Garroth and Teony, Laurance and Vylad join in.

“Not that I’m not having a great time,” the bell rings. “But we have class.”

Chapter Text

An elbow lands on Aphmau’s head, and she glances up to see Aaron smirking down at her. “Hey, shorty,” he removes his arm to ruffle her hair. “You busy?”

“Not really,” Aphmau looks down at her work and can barely remember what she was just doing. “You?” She turns back to where he just was and finds-

“Nothing,” he’s to her left now, much closer than he’s ever been. “But I’ve been thinking about you,” he props his head upon his elbow, and his gaze freezes Aphmau in place. “You’re captivating,” he lifts her chin, pulls her closer, and Aphmau opens her eyes to her bedroom ceiling.

She sighs and speaks aloud. “Just another thing to repress.”

“He finally asked you!” Kawaii~chan is screaming in the girls’ restroom. 

“And you said yes!”

“Obviously,” Katelyn tries to brush it off, but it’s obvious that she’s just as excited.

“What else~” Lucinda s ings.

“Jeffory is planning on taking us in a limo!” Katelyn’s excitement has let loose as she joins in on her friends jumping and squealing.

“Why have I not heard of this?” Lucinda pokes Katelyn as punishment

“You’re so lucky, Katelyn-senpai!” Kawaii~chan exclaims, bouncing up to her. “Your boyfriend is super cute, nice, and rich!”

“Yeah,” she giggles. “But That’s not why I’m with him!” 

“Nope! You're together for that big limo, you gonna get!” Lucinda joins in on the excitement.

“Calm down. It's supposed to be a secret,” Katelyn attempts to bat away Lucinda’s prodding.

“Then why did you tell us?” Kawaii~chan joins in on the poking, intensifying Katelyn’s giggling.

“Isn't a girl allowed to brag every once in a while?”

“You’re allowed to brag as long as you let your gal pals help you look for dresses.” Lucinda bargains.

“I mean, prom is about three months away,” Katelyn looks contemplative. And so does Aphmau for a slightly different reason.

“Is it normal to ask someone to prom this early?” the girls peer up from their window shopping to Aphmau, who has a new notebook out.

“Does it have to be?” Katelyn taps something on her phone, and Lucinda rolls her eyes and gestures Aphmau over.

“Usually, you ask someone a month before the dance so they can figure out something to wear, but Jeffory’s kind of like Teony in the way that he’s really neurotic. Katelyn and Jeffory are already dating, but it’s nice to make sure and even nicer to see someone go above and beyond for you.”

“Huh,” Aphmau writes something down. 

“Plus…” Lucinda tries to peer into the notebook, but Aphmau leans away. “Jeffory’s taking Katelyn dress shopping for Valentine’s Day!”

“Because I want our outfits to match, and I want to get his opinion. Although he’s probably just going to say yes to everything,” Katelyn grumbles.

“But that means he likes it-”

“No! It just means he’s too nice to disagree with me and tell me what he’s really thinking,” Katelyn pouts. “Like you Aphmau, but cuter.”

“Hey Alph…mau, Aphmau-”

“You do know that Aaron told me, right?”

“Oh yeah!” the excited werewolf bounces over to the seat across from Aphmau and sits herself down, pulling a notebook out of her backpack. “Can you help me study? Please, Alpha!”

“Did you not understand my study guide?” it’s the culmination of all her notes.

“Well,” Dottie pulls the 20-page packet out of a folder. “It’s very thorough?” she drags her seat next to Aphmau and turns to her excitedly. “But it’s also super long! So could I get the cliff notes version?”

Aphmau sighs before pulling out her notebook. “Well, yesterday, Mr. Gavin was reviewing how mana channels in Werewolves are slightly different than in humans and have evolved to make human transfiguration magic painless, which is why they have such an innate talent for it but is also why certain potions have to be tweaked because the added ingredients that would make a transformation painless can lead to an overdose because they’re not needed. For example…” Aphmau trails off. “Dottie?”

The Were snaps back to attention from where she’s been staring off into space. “Yes, Alpha?”

“Why don’t you tell me what you need help with, and I’ll do my best to explain.”

“Hey, Travis?” Aphmau peers down at her incapacitated friend and receives a groan in response. “Lunch is about to end. Are you sure you don't want to eat anything?”

Travis lifts his head to offer a glare. “I already-”

“Anything that’s not an overpriced and over-caffeinated Starbucks drink that will surely shorten your lifespan from the sugar content alone?”

“No,” he sighs. “I’m just going to finish my Starbies, take a power nap in study hall and fail my Bio quiz before passing out again before play practice.”

“Or,” Aphmau offers, sliding over an untouched sandwich. “You could make healthy life choices?”

“See, now I’m sure that you’re some type of superhuman,” Travis reluctantly pulls the sandwich closer to him. “because I’ve never seen you procrastinate like the rest of us mortals.”

“Well, that’s just because if I’m not being productive while there are things to be done, I get anxious. That’s why I only have fun on the weekends.”

“Aphmau, that’s really sad.”

“No,” Aphmau objects, pulling away the half-empty cup that Travis was about to take a sip from. “It’s productive. Also, stop drinking this. You’re vibrating so hard it’s starting to shake the table.”

Travis hums. “Do you think-?”

“No to whatever you were about to say,” Aphmau gets up when the bell rings and moves to throw Travis’s stolen drink away.

“What, no!” he stuffs the rest of the sandwich into his mouth and takes his drink back. “Don't act like you’re better than me just because you make better life choices. Wait until we get to college and the existential dread kicks in.”

“First, that is a terrible thing to wish on a friend. Second, the existential dread is already here.” Aphmau waves Travis off as he moves to object and heads to her next class.

“So, how’s your day been?” Aphmau smiles down at her scowling seatmate.

“Five different werewolves asked me to help them study today.”

“Did no one like my study guide?”

“It’s very comprehensive?” Aaron offers. “But the quiz is only for last week’s information, and that packet has everything we’ve gone over since September.”

“Well yeah?” Aphmau doesn't understand what the problem is. “But anyway, what’s up with you?”

“Just tired,” he sits up in his chair. “I was getting pinged like crazy in the class group chat last night.”

“Really?” Aphmau slept like a baby aside from a bit of weirdness.

“Yeah,” he sighs. “The wolves like you better than me, so they’d feel bad about bothering you at 2 am,” he yawns. “Not me, though.”

“It’s ‘cause you’re super reliable, Alpha!” Dottie appears almost out of nowhere. “Plus, Aphmau is super tiny and needs her sleep to grow more!”

“Yeah, no,” Aphmau shakes her head, smiling wistfully. “I might gain like 2 inches, but I’m probably going to be stuck under 5 feet.” she shrugs helplessly.

“Aw,” Dottie does not comment on Aphmau’s supposed dejection, only pulling her into a very suffocating hug. “At least you’ll stay this cute forever.”

“Speaking of cute!” another werewolf approaches, holding something behind his back. “You doing anything for Valentine’s day?”

Aphmau can feel Dottie motioning furiously as she responds in the negative. 

“Well, I was wondering-”

“Pop quiz, everyone!” Mr. Gavin enters the room, waving a stack of papers. Everything in your bags or off of your desks, I’m expecting this to take the whole period.”

“So how’d you do?” as soon as Mr. Gavin let everyone go, Aaron stuck to Aphmau and dragged her out of the room. “I had a little bit of trouble with filling in the diagram, but-”

“Hey, Alpha!” a very unwelcome voice calls from across the hallway causing Aaron to stop in his tracks.

“Can’t we just-”

“You could,” Aaron straightens up and stuffs his hands into his pockets, clearly accepting the blatant challenge as Aphmau groans and heads around the corner.

It’s Valentine’s Day with friends, and Aphmau is actually excited. Usually, she just exchanges the customary cards and candy with her classmates, but she has actual friends and admirers this year. So for the first time ever, the cards she’s received outnumber the cards she’s given. And during study hall, she got Kawaii~chan to agree to be her fake girlfriend, and they’re going to see the new Midnight movie with the couples discount.

By the time she arrived at Werewolf class, Aphmau’s been handed enough candy to swim in and is riding a sugar high that will last her a few hours.

“Happy Valentine’s day!” she hands Aaron a familiar type of handmade box that is noticeably more ostentatious than the first one. “I went a little crazy with this one,” she admits as he opens it. “I made oatmeal raisins because they’re your favorite, and then I got bored, so I started making tarts,” each of her friends got one, but if someone compared them, they’d notice that Aaron’s is the largest and the prettiest, decorated with various fresh berries on top of the custard filling.

“Thanks,” Aaron accepts the box, picks up a large bag, and hands it over. “This is for you.”

“Baby!” Aphmau gasps when she looks inside to see a massive and super fuzzy plush wolf. She pulls it out. “Soft!” and plants her face into it.

“So, I guess you like it?” Aphmau looks up to see Aaron staring at her with an affectionate smile. 

“Yes! It's so soft and big. So soft baby, big baby, super big soft baby,” Aphmau descends into mumbles as she starts to rub her face against the plush.

Aside from Aphmau being incredibly distracted, the rest of the day was regular. Aaron walked her home after school. She finished her homework, wasted a few hours, then went to bed. But instead of playing video games or reading fanfiction, she picked up her sewing needles for the first time in a little over three years.

Chapter Text

“Hey, Alpha!” a werewolf calls out to Aphmau as she’s walking to her next class.

“Hey…?”

“Bryce! Sorry to call you down, but I was wondering…” he spots something behind her and trails off. 

“Wondering…?”

“If you…” he blanches before shaking his head and turning away. “Nevermind! See you later, Alpha!”

Aphmau cocks her head in confusion before feeling an arm wrap around her and pull her away. “Hey, Garroth! Did you know him?”

“I’ve shared a few classes with him, but not really.”

 It’s Prom Season, and everyone is going insane. Seniors, because it’s their last school event and they’re graduating soon. Juniors, because it’s their first prom and time to really start worrying about college. And first- and second-year students because exams are soon. Aphmau was riding on Katelyn’s high until a few days ago when she broke up with her boyfriend, Jeffory. Now they’re spending their shared free period comforting the grieving bluenette.

The female half of the infamous friend group, minus Kawaii~chan, are hanging out in the bathroom during their only shared study. Aphmaus’s fixing Katelyn’s hair, Lucinda is attempting to cover up the symptoms of Katelyn’s most recent breakdown, and Teony is trying to introduce some logic into the scenario.

“But Katelyn, I don't understand,” Teony attempts to catch the eye of her unusually docile underclassman. “You told us you broke up with him, so why are you so upset?”

“Because I didn't want to break up,” she sobs. “I was complaining about how he never disagreed with me about anything ‘cause he’s just always so nice and accepting, but he agrees with everything I say, and I don’t want a yes man!” at this point, Lucinda gives up on finishing Katelyn’s makeup. “So we were picking outfits for prom, right?” Katelyn stifles a sob.

 “And he kept saying yes to all of my choices, and when I asked him to pick something, he said he’d ‘be okay with anything I wanted,’ but I didn't want him to ‘be okay with it!’ I wanted us to pick something that we both really like together! So then we took a food break and were passing by the crazier part of the boutique where they sell like costumes and stuff, and I pointed out this really ugly suit and dress pair to try and make him laugh, but he said, ‘whatever you want Katelyn,’” she stops to wipe her eyes, removing all of Lucinda’s hard work.

 “And then we started to argue because I felt like he didn't feel that strongly about anything, and I was the one to ask him out, you know?” she sniffles and loses some of the heat she was raking up. “Eventually, I said, ‘if you’re so blazé about everything, what about our relationship? Do you even like me, or are we dating because you were too nice to say no, and he couldn't say anything!” she sits up straight to pull something off of her neck and throw it on the ground, but Lucinda picks it up before Aphmau can get a good look. “Fuck him! Fuck Jeffory and his stupid people-pleasing!” Katelyn storms out of the bathroom before anyone can say anything.

“Hey, Alpha!” a different werewolf calls out to Aphmau on her way to her next class.

“Leonard!” he’s part of a werewolf math study group that Aphmau leads occasionally.

“Sorry to bother you, Aphmau, but I was hoping-” he dodges an incoming projectile that manages to dent the locker behind him. 

Aphmau turns to look for the assailant and watches as Katelyn stomps down the hall in their direction, not being impeded by foot traffic as her rage permeates the air around her creating a 5-foot radius that no one is willing to penetrate. “You!”

“Nevermind!” he turns and sprints in the opposite direction just in time for Katelyn to reach Aphmau’s side.

“What did he do to you?”

Katelyn nods at something over Aphmau’s head before grabbing her hand and pulling her down the hallway. “He knows what he did wrong.”

“So are we just gonna let Katelyn stay upset?” Aphmau’s in a  group phone call with, Kawaii~chan, Teony, and Lucinda. “Because she’s gotten better, but she’s also scared away several werewolves who’ve attempted to talk to me outside of class. And as the Alpha female, I need her to chill out.”

There’s an unusually long silence. Then, “I don't know I feel like Katelyn scaring boys away is a great way for her to release stress.”

“It’s not just boys,” Aphmau sighs. “One of the senior wolves, you know Mercedes?”

“Werewolf, close to being valedictorian but was in one too many fights and doesn't qualify?”

“Yeah, she didn't like me in the beginning because she’s the better choice for-”

“She thinks she’s the better choice,” Teony rebuts. “You wouldn't know this because you’re a freshman, but compared to last year, the werewolves are getting into fewer fights, breaking less property, and interspecies bullying has decreased significantly!”

“That’s just Aaron. I haven't actually done-”

“So you aren't organizing and leading Werewolf study groups that compensate for a lot of the learning disorders that Werewolves are more likely to have? Or typing up and printing out various versions of your notes for your various classes so that your wolves can pick a version that they're best suited towards? Or constantly-”

“Anyway!” Aphmau interrupts before Teony can continue complimenting her. “She was the first werewolf Katelyn chased away because she was trying to ask me to prom and wouldn't take no for an answer-”

“Is that why Kawaii~chan heard a rumor about Mercedes-san getting sent to the hospital halfway through lunch a few days ago?”

Aphmau’s silent for a few moments. “It technically wasn't necessary…” she trails off as her friends sigh in unison. “This isn't about me!”

“We know, cutie, and yeah, I guess Aphmau’s right. Katelyn really shouldn't be starting fights-”

“It’s less starting fights and more scaring her opponents into submission before the fight can even begin.”

“So, what do we think will cheer Katelyn up?” Teony changes the subject. “I always like to-”

“Katelyn’s not a nerd like you, Teony,” Lucinda teases.

“I was gonna say read books,” Aphmau can almost hear Teony pouting. “Isn't she a thespian? I’ve read a lot of good plays that I think she’d like.”

“Katelyn likes watching plays more than reading them, Teony. Unless you’ve got audiobooks?”

Teony grumbles. “Ebooks are the devil’s work.”

“Katelyn-senpai likes competitions! Especially when Lucinda-senpai and Nicole-chan are involved!”

Katelyn sighs, lugging herself onto the field. “Why am I here again?”

“These three,” Lucinda gestures to the beaming Aphmau, Kawaii~chan, and Teony, each with scoreboards and a whistle. “Wanted to help cheer you up and asked Nicole and me to beat you at volleyball.”

“Uh-huh,” Katelyn hasn't perked up yet, but her reply was slightly less despondent.

“Aphmau agreed to make the winner any type of dessert they want~” Lucinda coos.

“And it’s gonna be 2v1, so we can beat you into the ground!” Nicole tosses a volleyball over, and Katelyn catches it.

She looks consideringly at the ball, then at the court. “I do like pie,”

“And with a final score of 47 to 45 and a game that took 2 hours!” Teony glares at the panting trio, who don’t even look the tiniest bit sheepish. “Katelyn wins! And gets a free pie from Aphmau and bragging rights!”

Lucinda scoffs. “And we know she’s gonna be annoying since she beat us two against one,” she’s grinning as she walks up to bump Katelyn in the shoulder. “Good job girl! I haven't seen you this fired up in forever!”

“Yeah,” she sighs. “I needed that.”

“So?” Nicole sidles up to her ignoring the furiously shaking heads warning her away. “Are you ready to stop moping and get back in the game!”

Katelyn’s still holding a volleyball and chucks it at the word mope. “Yeah! Fuck that guy! I’m not going to waste my time pining over some loser that didn't even want me-!” she goes stalk still and begins to deflate. “He didn't want me.”

Aphmau sees a kid get hit from across the field and heads to check him out as Lucinda smacks Nicole, and everyone moves to placate a sobbing Katelyn.

The kid is still on the ground from when the ball hit him. “Zane?”

“What?” he snaps, but his voice is unfamiliar. “Why is it always…” he trails off. Grabbing at his throat. “What did you do?!”

“I’m so sorry! I'm sure Katelyn didn't mean anything by-”

“I don't care if she didn't mean anything! Something still happened!” and it was an undeniable something. Before, Zane’s voice was barely any deeper than Aphmau’s and cracked furiously anytime he opened his mouth. Now, it’s significantly deeper, which is worrying, especially since the cause for such a drastic change was an injury.

“Well, I know, but-”

“Hey freshman!” someone grabs her arm, pulling Aphmau to a stop. “So I was wondering-”

“Who are you?” Zane stopped as well. “Actually, I don't care. What do you think you’re doing?”

“I ‘m asking-”

“No, you’re accosting her in the hallway like some barbarian. You didn't even introduce yourself! You just grabbed her like she’s some sort of thing!”

The kid raises an arm mildly but doesn't let go of Aphmau. “Sorry dude-”

“Why are you saying sorry to me?” Zane pulls her closer to him, breaking his grasp on Aphmau. “I could care less about your apology. Why don't you go crawl back into whatever muculent place you crawled out of and stop grabbing random girls as if anything of yours is worth even a mote of her attention,” and then he just turns around and continues walking. 

“Woah Zane,” Aphmau grins. “Your new voice makes you super intimidating!”

“Does it?” he grabs his throat again before visibly stifling a grin. “Don't think this means you're off the hook or that I like you,” he pauses to gag. “Or anything like that. I just hate jerks like that,” he starts to grumble. “Thinking they can just grab you for no reason, Even Garroth knows better. You should’ve punched him,” he speaks up. “Why didn't you use your magic like that time you yelled at Gene.”

“Times,” Gene evokes Aphmau’s anger often. “Honestly, I was shocked by the initial grabbing, then shocked into silence by your rant. But thanks for having my back!”

“So, what did I miss?” Aphmau returns to find a Katelyn and Lucinda vs. Garroth and Laurance basketball game. 

Teony sighs as Kawaii~chan hands her a bottle of water. “The boys brought drinks and panicked when they saw Katelyn crying. Garroth offered words and Laurance violence, which made Katelyn start laughing because apparently, it’s ironic. Then they talked, which eventually led to nostalgia about their past competitions, how they haven't had a match in a while, and how their last score was taken three years ago and was 59 to 58 in the girls’ favor. Which led to friendly banter, which quickly turned unfriendly, which led to this,” Katelyn dunks on Laurnace then chest bumps with Lucinda as Travis simps and Vylad keeps score.

“At least they’re having fun?” Laurance makes a three-pointer and, not even a second later, is tackled by Lucinda, who couldn't end her last-second bid to make him drop the ball. “And I know a lot of healing spells?”

“Hey…? Alphas?” Fenrir walks into the room and finds Aaron carrying Aphmau on his shoulders as she attempts to reach for something on top of one of the metal cabinets inside Mr. Gavin’s classroom. 

“Hey, Fenrir!” Aphmau pulls a stack of textbooks towards her and hands them down to Aaron, somehow managing to stay perfectly steady with the weird Alpha synergy the pair refuses to admit they have. “Did you need something?”

“Yeah…” he watches as Aphmau scrambles down Aaron’s back and picks up another stack of books before the pair heads towards the door. “Mr. Gavin said to ‘hurry up and get me those textbooks before I pair you up with Dottie and Ryland for the final pair’s projects.” the Alpha pair shivers in disgust before speeding towards the teachers’ lounge.

“So,” Aphmau grabs his bag and starts walking Aaron home. “Are you excited?!”

The pair walks in silence for a few moments before Aaron throws her a look “for…?”

“Your graduation!” it's only a few weeks away. “You’re going to FCU, right?” FCU, or Falcon Claw University, is one of the best State Universities well known for its diverse study program and high graduation rate. 

“Yeah, I guess. Why?” Aaron smirks down at Aphmau before ruffling her hair. “You gonna miss me?”

“A little,” Aphmau admits before pushing him off to fix her hair. “You are decent about 20% of the time we’re together.”

“Only twenty?”

“It could have been twenty-five, but there’s a reason my hair’s a mess right now. I think I’ll appreciate fewer height jokes as well.” 

“I hope you forget to save an essay, and your computer crashes, making you lose hours of work.” Aaron reaches another hand out that Aphmau dodges.

“Never gonna happen,” Aphmau catches the next hand Aaron sends after she tries to push it away. “I use autosave now,” she makes a face that he mimics, the pair still attempting to fight with their hands clasped.

“How’s prom-” Aaron’s interrupted by a long-drawn-out groan. “What happened?” he asked, but he’s smirking, so he definitely already knows.

“Do you have a date?” he shakes his head. “And I don’t because I didn't think I would go. But apparently, the wolves are taking the fact that I don't have a date as an invitation to keep asking me to be their date! I think that someone’s asked me out at least five times a day since the prom posters were sent out, sometimes multiple times by the same person, and-”

“Should I ask them to stop?” Aphmau stops in her tracks.

“That was an option?”

“Yeah-”

“So then why didn't you do it before?!- wait. I take that back.” Aphmau absolutely would’ve gotten mad if Aaron banned the wolves from asking her out without asking her first. “Yes, please. Can you also come to the next study session? We’re going over stuff for the final, and you’re better at teaching than I am.”

“Yeah, sure.”

“You look happy,” Zane comments, walking past her desk. 

“Aw, thank-”

“It’s weird.” Then, he just keeps walking straight to his desk.

The trio of platonic soulmates stares as he walks past before resuming their previous conversation. “So it’s been confirmed, right? They were besties at one point. I just want to know if they've ever dated!” Travis throws his hands up in surrender. “Is it that weird if I want to know If I'd’ve had a chance?”

“Yes.” “a little yeah.”

“I mean, he’s an imaginary two-dimensional man. So he could technically be whatever you want him to be,” Vylad attempts to placate.

“Yeah, but that’s fanon. I want to know if, canonically, Gojo bats for the same team as me.”

“Personally,” interjects Aphmau, who has unfortunately thought about this a lot. “They’ve probably kissed, you know, as bros do.” the two bros in front of her nod in unison. “But they’ve probably spent too much time together to find the other attractive.”

“Speaking of kissing!” Kawaii~chan appears out of nowhere and drapes herself over Aphmau. “Is Aphmau-chan going to prom?”

“Why would Aphmau be going to prom?” Vylad asks. “She’s a freshman.”

“Yeah, but Garroth-Kun is going-”

“Because he’s too nice to say no to teachers and is just helping with the setting up and taking down of decorations,” Aphmau interjects. “Plus, Garroth is taking Katelyn.”

“But what about all of the werewolves that were asking you? Aphmau-chan wasn't interested in any of them?”

“No, and don't jinx it. Aaron finally convinced them to stop.” the mood shifts a bit, and Travis and Kawaii~chan are smirking.

“So Aaron scared off all of the boys that were interested in you?”

“And girls,” Aphmau adds. “But yes, why is that weird?”

“Kawaii~chan thinks that Aaron-senpai was jealous.”

“I asked him to do it.”

“But I bet he was happy to do it for you,” Travis smirks when he sees that Aphmau doesn't have a response. “So you’re not planning on going, but does Aaron have a date?”

Aphmau barks out a laugh. “No, He’s been asked out twice as much as I have and not just by the werewolves,” she giggles. “He actually jumped out of a window last week to escape the line of promposals waiting for him after Werewolf class.” Aphmau had to bring him his stuff after he forgot it in the classroom. “Look,” Aphmau starts when she notices they’re not going to let this go. “Prom is next week. If Aaron was going to ask me out, it would’ve happened already, so let it go.” the bell rings, and Aphmau starts to pick up her stuff. “I’ll see you later. Don’t,” she point directly at Kawaii~chan. “get any ideas.”

“‘A Werewolf, also known as a lycanthrope or a lupine, is a human with wolf characteristics, either as a result of genetics (e.g., one or both parents are werewolves) or after being placed under a curse or affliction (e.g., potions or spells).’ Then it’s just the basic myths versus facts.”

“Oh! Can I ask you about something? You know how the Midnight-” Aphmau’s barely evens tarted her sentence when Aaron bursts into laughter. “You don't even know what I was going to ask,” she whines.

“I don't have to. The author managed to be accurate in the most offensive ways and then get everything else wrong. You know, like those male authors who write as if they’ve never seen a woman before-”

“Stop!” Aphmau covers her face. “I’m having flashbacks!”

“What?” Aaron starts to pull her hands away but isn't trying very hard because Aphmau manages to resist. “You don't wanna talk about milliboobs per handful?”

“Stop,” her cries have turned into reluctant laughter. “Change the subject!”

“We could talk about the omegaverse?”

“No!” Aphmau lurched back and would've fallen off of the bleachers if Aaron hadn't caught her. “That’s even worse,” she hides her face in his chest, forcing her laughter to taper off. “Geez,” she sighs, resting her chin on his sternum and looking up at him. “I think I am gonna miss you.”

“Why’d you have to say it like that,” he chuckles, pulling her closer. 

“I need to get something from my locker. You can head to class if you want.” It’s just a book for her English class, but she’s happy that Aaron has decided to wait because, despite his warnings, Aphmau has been getting stared down by wolves gathering the courage to disobey their Alpha. When she turns back to Aaron, she notices him glaring at a prom flyer. “You planning on going?”

He sighs and stuffs the flyer into his pocket. “Maybe.”

Aphmau peers up at him. “You don't sound very excited?”

Aaron grunts and looks contemplative for a moment before pulling the flyer out of his pocket and tossing it into the nearest trash bin. “It’s just a lot of noise and people in one room with awful food and even worse music.”

“Actually, PDH has a great catering company. Although I don't think that’s going to change your mind?”

Aaron shakes his head ruefully. “What about you? Did any of those wolves catch your attention?”

Aphmau makes a face before shaking her head. “We’re just a lonely pair of losers, aren't we?”

Aphmau thought she was free by the end of the day, but someone finally decided to test the Alpha’s patience. Aphmau was preparing to leave when Balto took the lack of Aaron as an invitation to approach. “Hey, cutie,” 

Aphmau doesn't even spare him a glance as she heads out of the classroom.

“Aw, c’mon, babe,” he steps in front of the door so that she'd have to acknowledge him to leave. “you still mad at me?”

“What do you want, Balto?”

“I want you to go to prom with me.”

“Pass.” Aphmau didn't even think about it for a moment.

“C’mon,” he reaches out a hand that Aphmau immediately slaps away. “Oh, spicy. Why are you so mad, kitty.”

Aphmau pulls out her phone and sends a text before heading back to her seat and starting a game of sudoku.

“Are you ignoring me?” he waves a hand between her and her phone that Aphmau also ignores. “What’s the big-”

“What are you doing, Balto?” Aaron walks back into the classroom, looking very angry.

“None of your business- hey!” he grabs Aphmau when she gets out of her seat to head towards  Aaron. “I’m not done-”

“Let her go,” Aaron growls. “Now.”

“Alright.” he releases her arm, allowing Aphmau to hide behind Aaron. “It wouldn't have been such a big deal if she just answered my question.”

“You didn't ask a question.” Aphmau finally speaks up. “You just told me that you wanted to go to prom with me and then wouldn't leave me alone even though I was very deliberately ignoring you.”

“But would yo-”

“No,” Aphmau spits out. “I don't know why so many people seem so obsessed with me, but I am over it and would very much like it to stop. I don't want to go to prom!”

“Wow,” Balto drawls, looking directly at Aaron and seeing something that Aphmau misses. “Your mate doesn't want to go to Prom with you at all?” he laughs, then puts a mock pout on his face. “Ohh, that’s so sad. I guess you two aren't a couple after all.” 

“Who said we were a couple?” is that what everyone thinks?

“You're blushing,” Balto points out.

“Why are you still here?” the werewolf raises his arms in surrender and exits the classroom.

“I hate him so much,” Aaron growls. “Are you okay?” there are no visible signs of Aphmau’s distress, but she's gotten reticent. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“Not really.” She sighs. “Do people think that we’re a couple?”

“A lot of the wolves do,” Aaron grimaces. “Especially since I ordered everyone to stop asking you to prom.”

“Sorry for that.” she sighs, rubbing a hand down her face. “I think I want to go home.”

“Want me to walk you?”

“No,” Aphmau straightens her backpack and starts walking. “I’ll see you later.”

FC: look outside

Aphmau was attempting to do her homework but mostly lying on her bed and staring up at the ceiling when she got a text from Aaron. When she looks outside her window, she finds him standing there with a sheepish grin on his face before he looks down at his phone and sends another text.

FC: can we talk?

She nods and gestures to a ladder leading to her roof before closing her blinds and hedging into her attic. And using another window to join Aaron on top of her house.

“Sorry to bother you when it’s so late.”

“It’s Friday,” Aphmau shrugs. “So, what’s up?”

They sit in silence for a few moments before Aaron speaks up. “Does it bother you? That people think we’re a couple.”

“No,” Aphmau turns to look at him. “I thought it would bother you though. Having people think you’re dating an annoying freshman.”

Aaron turns to her. “I don't think that you’re annoying?”

“You call me annoying at least once a day.”

“If I actually thought that you were annoying, we wouldn't be hanging out.” Aaron clarifies. “But sometimes you’re a little bratty,” he reaches a hand out towards her hair before adjusting his trajectory towards her shoulder. “You’re probably the least annoying person I know,” he admits.

“Thanks?” Aphmau rests her head on his shoulder. “So, what did you actually come here to talk about?”

“Yeah! you forgot your calculator…” he stares at the screen for a few moments before typing ut something. “here.”

“Thanks.” she looks down at the screen.

GO 2 PROM? 8D  

Chapter Text

Prom is tomorrow, and getting to this point was an experience.

“As soon as Aaron asked me, I had to plan out a way to convince my mom to let me go, right? So the next day, I returned from school when she was already home. I walked in, headed straight for the stairs, and just said, "Hey, Mami, Aaron asked me to Prom yesterday!” Then I hid in my room. The house went still, which wasn't a good sign, but I didn't hear her sprinting up the stairs, so I mistakenly assumed that she was fine with it. But what had actually happened was that she acknowledged my hatred of confrontation and waited for me to get hungry so that she could confront me at dinner. So it’s prep time. She’s had a few hours to think it over, I decide it’s a good time to bring it up again, so I ask her if I can go. She accidentally sliced her hand open while peeling potatoes, and I had to drive her to the emergency room. They stitch her up, and at this point, she hasn't said a word to me since I asked. That is when I run into Katelyn, who saves the day. Her dad had also injured himself in a fit of rage, but he had a concussion. When they saw each other, they did the parent thing of loudly complaining about their kids even though they’re in the same room, but Katelyn got sick of it and went on like a ten-minute rant about hypocrisy and how her dad wasn't this crazy about keeping her brothers safe and after a very long argument and both of our parents being sedated they finally agreed to let us go.”

Vylad has an indescribable look on his face. “Whenever I hear about the crazy things that happen in your day-to-day life, I worry about you.”  

“At least I get to go to prom?” 

“Yeah! I think that you’re the only freshman going to prom this year. That's crazy!” Travis found the story much more amusing.

“I don't think I’m the only one,” underclassmen are usually in charge of photography.

“The only one without a job to do,” Travis corrects himself. “What’s it like being the protagonist in a shoujo manga?”

“Awful,” it really is.

Aphmau’s hanging out at the Romeave’s because Sylvanna wanted to hang out with Zianna, and she doesn't trust her daughter to be home alone anymore because she’s afraid Aaron will come and snatch her away while the house is empty. Travis is here because he started another dark shonen and wants to lament to an active audience instead of strangers on the internet.

“I’m just excited to have fun.” her first year of high school is almost over. 

“Are you sure you’re not just excited to spend the night with Aaron?” Vylad teases.

“And also that,” Aphmau admits.

“So something is going on between you two?” Travis asks.

“No. We’re just best friends who became friends in a weird, unexpected way.” 

“Like soulmates?” Travis gets a pillow in the face for that.

PDH’s prom is held on the Saturday before finals to give Seniors that last push to help them survive high school until graduation. It starts at 7 pm and lasts until 11 pm, which is when the various after-prom parties that Teachers, parents, and underclassmen are not invited to start, and when Garroth, Katelyn, and Aphmau are going to head home early, with Aaron if he doesn't feel like being social.

The girls are getting ready at Aphmau’s house, so Katelyn doesn't have to defend her entire outfit from her dad, and Aphmau can do her makeup. Katelyn has finally learned to appreciate concealer and a decent winged eyeliner but usually leaves her brows and eyeshadow to Lucinda, who is not here.

“If you sat still, I’d have been done 20 minutes ago,” Aphmau reminds her.

“Sorry, I’m just really excited!” Katelyn is basically vibrating in her seat. 

“I know, and you’re lucky because I’m done. Go get into your dress.” Aphmau did her best to match everything to Katelyn’s dress which isn't the same one she wanted earlier in the year but is just as pretty. It’s a gorgeous ocean blue dress that flows down to just above her shoes and is accented by a bedazzled corset belt. “Don't mess up your hair. I spent a long time on it.” you’d think that her hair being so straight would make it easier to manage, but she puts so little care into it that getting it sleek enough to start styling was a process. “Remember to ask Lucinda and me about hair products. I think your natural hair texture is much wavier than you think.”

“Is this one of your girly girl things?” Katelyn steps out of the closet to pull on a pair of white flats.

Aphmau makes a face before texting the list to Lucinda for approval. “Your hair would be easier to manage if it was healthier.”

Aphmau’s makeup is much simpler; the same goes for her hair and dress. It’s a cotton candy pink dress with a pleated skirt and keyhole neckline that she pulled out of her closet for the occasion. She’s also wearing four-inch heels that she’ll get rid of maybe an hour into the dance and has straightened her hair for the first time in three years.

“Send a picture to Lucinda before we head down. I want her to acknowledge my superior makeup skills.”

“Wow,” Katelyn gets her first good look at the completed look. “I look like a mermaid!”

“You’re welcome!” Aphmau used a lot of glitter and gemstones today.

“Wow.”

“I know!”

“I look-”

“I know!!”

“Amazing,”

“I know!!!” Aphmau grabs her hand and drags her out the door to the stairs. “Ready to blow their socks off?”

They stop at the stairwell. “We're ready!”

“Ahh! Let me get my camera!”

Aphmau goes first, earning herself a round of applause and a bright blush.

“You look gorgeous, Mija!” 

“Yeah yeah, now, Katelyn!” Aphmau turns all the lights off except for one lamp that she points towards the staircase before opening her camera. “Do it like I showed you!”

When Katelyn walks down, the room is shocked into silence. The spotlight highlights her, giving her an almost heavenly silhouette. Her dress and make-up cause her to glow. The silence continues for a few more moments as she reaches the bottom of the stairs until Eric bursts into tears and Sylvanna and Zianna start squealing. 

“You look so good, sweetie!” Zianna is holding up a video camera and filmed the entire entrance. “Oh, I love it. Aphmau did such a good job!”

“She really did,” Garroth speaks up. “You look amazing.”

“Thanks,” Katelyn tucks a stubborn strand of hair behind her ear and punches him in the shoulder. 

While everyone is fawning over Katelyn, Aphmau turns to Aaron. “You clean up nice.”

“Thanks,” he smirks down at her before poking her nose. “That was nice of you,” he clarifies. “What you did for Katelyn.” he nods to the trio of gushing parents now that Eric has finally regained his senses.

Aphmau turns away from him. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Is that a blush I see?” he reaches out to poke her cheeks.

“Stop,” she whines, grabbing his finger, then his hand. 

“I got you something,” he reaches behind him. Keeping their hands entwined.

“A corsage!” He lets go of her hand to help her put it on and reaches for it again once he’s done. “I got you something too!” and help him put on the boutonniere. “Done!” Aphmau stares at their hands before glancing up at Aaron, taking him in while he’s distracted.

Aphmau had always thought that Aaron was attractive. Of course, the amount would fluctuate based on how mad he’d make her, but despite the effort he never puts into his appearance and his stoic demeanor, it's hard to deny Aaron’s obvious appeal. 

Aphmau startles when he finally meets her eyes, and the air between them becomes charged as neither looks away -

“Okay!” Sylvanna pushes the pair apart. “Time for pictures!”

They arrive at school early because Garroth has actual responsibilities, but Aphmau, Aaron, and Katelyn choose to hide from teachers looking for volunteers until Prom actually starts.

The dance was fun. Unfortunately, Aaron sucks at dancing, but Aphmau only tripped in her heels once, and there’s been no sign of Jeffory, so Katelyn is having the time of her life. Most of her time has been spent on the dance floor with a few interludes to eat/drink.

“This has been fun so far,” Katlyn’s lost her shoes, and her hair is falling down her back instead of up in the fancy ponytail Aphmau spent twenty minutes on. “Come on, Garroth, let's get another dance in!”

“After you.”   

As they walk away, Aphmau leans closer to Aaron to whisper. “I’m kind of happy that she didn't take me with her.”

“Yeah?” he looks down at her.

“I mean, I did come here to spend time with you,” she admits. “Plus, I’m like a fawn in these shoes. So you’re going to have to pick up the slack.”

“It’s not my fault you're an awful dancer.”

“You’re the bad dancer, not me. You keep stepping on my toes.”

“Because you stepped on mine first!” their faces have gotten much closer

“No, I did not!” she giggles and pushes his face away half-heartedly. “And even if I did, you’re still a horrible dancer.” 

“Maybe you’re just too short for me to dance with,” he counters. 

“You can't make that joke. I’m 5’3” right now!”

“And I’m 6 feet tall. So what’s your point?”

“You know what-” Aphmau moves to stand up and notices trouble arrive.

“What?” Aaron turns and sees the same thing.

“Jeffory’s here-”

“And he’s heading right for Katelyn.”

Aphmau wants to help prevent whatever’s about to happen, but by the time they move to stand up, the disaster has already started.

“Is this what people look forward to when they talk about prom?”

Aaron chuckles. “Probably not. I’m pretty sure it's about making memories, but the only thing I want to remember is you.” Wow. 

Her face heats up. “Do you want to get out of here?”

“In here!” Aphmau ends up dragging them to her favorite place. “Tada!” she grabbed a guitar on their way in and led Aaron into one of the standing practice rooms that barely has enough room for one person, let alone two. But she makes it work, pushing him down and planting herself in his lap.

“What kind of memories do you want to make?” Aphmau tunes the guitar and doesn't notice Aaron sitting stark still behind her. “And why me?” she plays an open chord before working on her picking with the pentatonic scales.

“Well,” Aaron reaches around Aphmau to pull the guitar out of her hands and set it aside. “You’re the first person in a long time who’s been kind to me for no reason.” Aaron wraps himself around her. “I was drifting before I met you, just doing whatever I had to because my parents told me to, but now I’m actually enjoying my life,” he admits.

“Have I ever told you about my dad?” Aphmau doesn't wait for his response. “My parent got divorced about ten years ago, and my dad won custody because he was more financially stable, so I'd be living with him for ten months, not including holidays. But he didn't actually want me,” Aphmau admits getting choked up. “It was just another way for him to one-up my mom, so he put me into a private all-girls school that emphasized ‘traditional feminine values,’” she takes a breath.

“You don't have to-”

“I do,” so she continues. “The teachers,” she shakes her head. “The teachers had weird outdated ideas of what girls could and couldn't do, and a lot of the male staff were really creepy, and one day he,” Aphmau makes an aborted gesture that Aaron, unfortunately, understands immediately. “And when I tried to report it, no one believed me, and I was called dramatic, an attention whore, etc., and when I went to my dad, he just-” Aphmau gestures weakly. “So he’s never cared about me.”

“I’m sorry,” Aaron tilts his head to rest a cheek on Aphamu’s hair. “I don't think my story is as bad as yours.”

“Even if our pain isn't comparable, that doesn't mean you're not hurting, and you don't have to share if you don't want to.”

Aaron hums before standing up, bringing Aphmau up with him and exciting the practice closet. He pulls out his phone and hits a button before setting it down and pulling Aphmau closer. “I’m gonna miss you, Shu.” his chin is resting on her head, and they're swaying to the beat. “I’m gonna miss your butchering of the English language, your random anti-capitalist rants, and the way you’re always immediately ready to get into a fistfight for your friends but fold like a wet piece of tissue paper whenever you have to defend yourself.” Aphmau pinches his stomach for that.

“Fuck you,” she giggles, pinching him again when he gasps at her language. “I'm going to you and your awful short jokes, and the way you steal my lunch when you pretend I’m not looking, and how awful you are at accepting compliments-”

“Like you’re any better-”

“It’s my turn- and your terrible dancing, which I’m starting to think you were doing on purpose.” because they've been swaying for a few minutes without incident, although that may just be because Aphmau is standing on his toes like a toddler. “Let's stay in contact, okay?”

Aaron sighs before tightening his grip on her.

Chapter Text

7.

“We’ve got one week until you have to leave for the agonizing, soul-crushing, torturous, harrowing ordeal that is your freshman year of college!”

“Yay!” Aaron cheers with almost tangible sarcasm, so Aphmau shoves him off her bed. They're hanging out at Aphmau’s house because her Mami is out of town and they don’t have to worry about nosy parents being unreasonably overprotective. 

He's quick to get up. “We have to plan this out,” Aphmau continues, going limp as he attempts to return the favor so that he won't drop her on the floor. “Have you finished packing yet?” she asks, pulling out her notebook. The most fun has to happen this weekend before her mom gets back, then the rest of the week before Aaron's parents get back to drive him to Falcon Claw.

Aaron deposits her on the floor before flopping onto her bed. “Nope.”

Aphmau rolls her eyes before getting up and searching for her shoes.

“Aaron,” Aphmau sighs the moment she steps into his room. “You’re leaving in a week.”

“Yeah, well,” he places a box on his bed. “If I just pack everything away, I’m not going to have any clothes to wear.”

“Uh-huh,” Aphmau hums, peering into his closet. “That’s why your gaming setup is still here, you haven't done your laundry yet, and all of these boxes are empty,” Aphmau gestures to the room around her. It looks like Aaron made an attempt, gave up halfway through, then didn't bother to clean up afterward. “Do your laundry. I’ll start folding,” and they get started.

Aaron comes back five minutes later. “Forty-five minutes.”

“Good, put these away,” Aphmau gestures to the stack of clothes she’s finished folding. “I finished your pants. That pile over there is t-shirts, that one is button-ups and downs, sweaters and hoodies, and I left your dress clothes and underwear in the closet.” Aphmau points to the various piles of clothes she left around the room. 

Aaron stands stunned for a few moments. “I was only gone for a few minutes?”

“So why has it taken you five days to get to this point?” Aphmau makes a face at him before handing over another pile of clothes. “So, are you gonna start helping or what?”

Aaron copies her expression before picking up one of the finished piles and placing it into a suitcase. 

“Why,” Aphmau holds up his fifth red hoodie. “Do you have so many copies of the same outfit?”

Aaron glances up and opens his closet to reveal five boxes of what Aphmau can only assume to be hoodies. “One of my dad’s friends tried to open a clothing store and sometimes sends the rejected designs to our house. “My sister alters the colors she likes and I just remove the logos.” He pulls out a red hoodie that looks several sizes too small on him and chucks it into Aphmau’s face. “The attic is full of them.”

Aphmau glares as she pulls the sweater away before shrugging and placing it into her bag. 

“And we’re finally done!” Aphmau flops backward onto his bed as Aaron observes his empty room. “You really need to keep better track of your clothes. I think we threw out a third of your closet.”

“You’re keeping half of that,” Aaron points out.

“You’re telling me you’re going to wear any of it?” Aphmau stands up and gestures at the pile of clothes she’s stolen. Most of them are too small, some close to Aphmau’s size, and the rest are shades of pink and yellow that Aphmau knows Aaron will never wear. 

“Alright,” Aaron rolls his eyes and moves to shove the rest into a corner of his room.

“Woah, wait,” Aphmau starts picking them up. “We literally just cleaned your room.”

“Yeah, and?” Aaron pokes her side, forcing her to giggle and jerk away. “I’ll just throw it away later.”

“No, you won't,” Aphmau dodges the next poke and heads for the door before a pair of arms wraps around her waist and fully lifts her over his head, forcing her to drop the pile. “You know I’m right!”

“No, I don't,” he tosses her onto his bed before wrapping her up like a burrito and kicking the pile into a corner as he initially intended. But, when he turns back, the empty blanket burrito is gone, and so is Aphmau.

“Aph-” he barely even flinches when she launches forward to wrap around his back and dig her hands into his sides. “Hey!” they immediately descend into combat.

6.

“Don't!” She grabs for him, trying to keep herself steady.

“This was your idea,” He laughs and finally helps her, pulling Aphmau closer, so she doesn't roll away. 

“Yeah, well-” She starts to slip, so he puts his hands on her waist. “You told me you’ve never done this before, so I thought you’d be just as bad as I am,” but Aaron is impossibly perfect.

“We’ve been here a while-”

“Thirty minutes.” who learns how to skate backwards in thirty minutes?

“So I picked up some things,” Aaron commits to keeping ahold of Aphmau, slowly pulling her around the rink. “Plus, I think it’s impossible to be as bad as you are.”

“Not true,” Aphmau gestures to a group of girls who collectively wipe out while trying to keep ahold of each other. “And-” she wobbles for a moment. “I think it’s kind of impossible to be as dumb as you are.” she releases his hand as she finally gets herself steady.

“Not true," he reaches to grab her as she almost falls again. "I’m definitely smarter than you are.”

“You know what?” Aphmau yanks her hand out of his to skate away, but his grip is too tight, and he comes with it, falling and bringing her with him.

Because humanity is awful, the other patrons skated around them as they, mostly Aphmau, lay in agony. 

5.

“Okay,” Aphmau nods as she paces in front of the shop. “It’s like a pinch, and then I’ll be done!” she chirps to herself as she gathers courage.

“Or you’ll bleed everywhere, the hole will get infected, and your ear will fall off,” Katelyn counters, then dodges the flash of light Lucinda sends her way that turns a plant behind her pink.

Aaron sighs as Aphmau crouches in the doorway of the tattoo shop, not even paying attention to the fact that she’s blocking the entrance. “Okay,” he lifts her over his shoulder and walks into the shop. “Hey,” he waves over the guy at the counter. “We’ve got an appointment for Aphmau? We’re a little early-”

“A whole hour!” Katelyn calls from the entrance before she’s dragged away by Lucinda again.

“But she’s a little nervous,” Aaron sets Aphmau down and watches her lean forward to rest her head between her knees.

The worker is a girl that’s the embodiment of alternative fashion, bright purple hair, covered in black: crop top, leather skirt, combat boots, covered in tattoos, countless face piercings, ear piercings, and a tongue piercing that Aphmau barely catches a glimpse of as the woman starts to speak. “We can always cancel the appoint-”

“No,” Aphmau groans releasing her legs and standing up to pace before Aaron pulls her back down to the couch. “Babies can do this, so I can do this,” she announces, bringing her knees up again. 

The woman smiles at Aphmau before pulling out a tablet. “Your appointment was for three ear piercings, I assume on your earlobes?”

Aphmau nods.

“And is your anxiety from lack of experience, a fear of needles…”

“The first one,” Aphmau watches as she ticks a box on the tablet before pulling some gloves in.

“You mind?” she waits for confirmation before grabbing Aphmau’s ear. “Two will fit decently, but the last one might have to go through cartilage?” she starts to explain when she sees the panic on Aphmau’s face. “It’ll be more painful, there’ll be more blood, and it’ll take longer to heal, around three months if you take good care of it.”

“Then just four is okay for now.”

“That wasn't as bad as I thought it would be,” Aphmau chirps, swinging Aaron’s hand as she heads out of the shop. “I think I might come back for the cartilage piercing later.”

“Don't let it get infected. Apparently, your entire ear could fall off,” Katelyn points out very unhelpfully from underneath Lucinda.

4.

“You’re only here because I’m mad at Katelyn right now, and I can't do this alone.”

“It’s just a scary movie,” he sighs, grabbing the popcorn and forcing the blanket off her. “And it hasn’t even started.”

“If you don’t want to be here,” She says, grabbing the bowl, so he doesn’t vacuum it down like everything else he eats. “You can leave, and I’ll do this by myself.”

“And miss you freaking out over everything?” he grabs a handful and leans back. 

They’re watching the first Micheal Myers Halloween movie because her summer homework requires an in-depth analysis of a famous movie franchise, and all the easier options were taken. 

When Aphmau starts the movie, she almost immediately moves to hold his hand. “Don't make fun of me,” she hisses as he rolls his eyes and tucks her under his arm. 

“Isn't this movie not at all scary?”

“Well, it's not gory?” she comments as Micheal commits his first murder. “And I don't think there are any ghosts, but,” she pulls out the sheet of paper her teacher handed her when she was forced to pick this movie. “‘It’s an independent slasher film full of suspense that leaves you looking over your shoulder for weeks, waiting for Micheal to come and finish the job,’ so a little scary. It was filmed in the 1970s, so the special effects aren't outstanding, but it is one of the most famous horror movie franchises for a reason.”

“Oh my Irene,” Aphmau flinches, hiding her face in Aaron’s arm as Laurie stabs Micheal, only for him to get up again. “Why did I turn the lights off?”

“For the atmosphere?” Aaron smirks, only to recoil a moment later when the doorbell rings, and Aphmau releases a piercing shriek right next to his ear.

“Sorry,” she whispers before cackling after getting a glimpse of his face. 

Aaron sighs and pauses the movie as Aphmsu gets up to answer the door, only to pause a few feet away. He sits up. “What’s wrong?” he watches as Asphmsu hunches in on herself before walking back into the living room and pulling him up and towards the door. 

The doorbell rings again. “Can you…?” Aphmau gestures to the door before hiding behind Aaron, who’s very deliberately holding back his laughter. 

“Who is it?” he calls out.

“Dominos Pizza!” that causes Aphmau to perk up and open the door.

Aaron had to physically force Aphmau to start the second movie. 

“I feel like one is enough,” she whines, straining for her laptop, but Aaron has deigned to sit on top of her and start the next movie. “Why can’t I start the paper?”

“You were taking notes the entire time with time stamps included. You'll be fine. Plus, aren't there like 12 Halloween movies?”

Aphmau huffs before surrendering and going limp, allowing Aaron to get off of her just as the opening scene starts. “What’s your point?” Aphmau groans after coming to a realization. “There are like four different timelines,” she whines. “I should've picked Harry Potter. At least then I could've ranted about the JK Rowling conspiracy.”

Aaron turns to her, confused. “What’s the JK Rowling conspiracy?”

“Well, one that she doesn't exist.” Aphmau pauses the movie, happy for an excuse to do so. “And two that she’s a plant to cover up a secret society of writers, which is why the series was so successful, but I feel like if a bunch of amazing authors collaborated on the Harry Potter series they could have done much better than she did and there would have been much more and better world-building,” Aphmau turns to face Aaron as she gets excited. “Like what about regions that Rome didn't invade? Their spells can't be based on Latin, maybe more indigenous folklore and just a larger world and not just the occasional tweet from a middle-aged woman about how Hufflepuffs have orgies in their common room.”

Aaron blanches before bursting into laughter. “You are such a loser!” 

“Hey,” Aphmau whines, trying and failing to get up as Aaron just pulls her closer so he can laugh in her face.

3.

When Aphmau met up with Aaron today, they decided to enjoy the nice weather, and there was an unspoken agreement to ignore the new bandages on his face. So they spent the first few minutes in silence as Aphmau waited for him to give her a signal of what he needed from her. They’re lying in opposite directions, with their heads by each other. Their shoes are off, Aphmau because she didn't want to dirty the blanket, and Aaron because he likes how the grass feels on his feet. As they stare up at the sky, it’s almost effortless to pretend that things will stay the same, that they will be friends forever, and that their shitty pasts will have no effect on a better future.

“Do you ever feel like,” Aaron finally speaks, turning to face Aphmau. “Like the world has something against you specifically and goes out of its way to give people any reason they can find to hate you?”

Aphmau turns and gives him a thoughtful look. “I don’t hate you.”

2.

Aaron’s parents are home. So they couldn't meet today.

1.

Aphmau just wasted 10 hours binging the rest of the Halloween franchise. It’s 8 pm, and she didn’t get to see Aaron today. Unfortunately, she won't be able to see him tomorrow either because his parents bought him a car to make visiting easier, so he’s heading down alone early, which means Aphmau probably won’t see him until winter break or at all if he makes new friends on campus and decides he doesn't want to hang out with an emotionally stunted highschooler.

Aphmau’s cleaning up the remnants of her horror movie marathon when she hears a tapping on her window. It’s not a tree branch because there are no trees outside her window, so the obvious answer is an ax murderer.

“Shu?” or Aaron throwing pebbles at her window. 

She catches his attention before gesturing to the front door and heading down herself. “What are you doing here?” Sylvanna is hanging out with Zianna again, so Aphmau will be by herself until 10. 

“I didn't want to leave without seeing you,” he shrugs and turns to her, revealing a sizeable hand-shaped bruise covering half of his face.

Aphmau stares for a few moments before dragging him inside. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“Not really,” he raises the hand Aphmau didn't grab to scratch at a cut on his cheek, revealing a mess of bloody bandages. 

Aphmau leads him to the second-floor bathroom, pulls out some alcohol and bandages, and starts to unwrap his hand, examining the injury. 

“I don’t need all of that,” Aaron protests, trying to pull his hand away. “It’s just a scratch.”

“A scratch you needed several feet of bandages to wrap completely” she tightens her grip. She turns on the sink and lets the water run over the cuts for a few moments before pulling his hand out and examining the several large gashes centered around his fingers and knuckles. “What did you do that got your hand this messed up?” Aphmau’s going to need more bandages.

“Ipunchedamirror.”

“You what?” She finishes applying the antibacterial ointment and starts covering what she can with bandaids before wrapping the whole mess with a clean bandana so he won't mess with it.

“I punched a mirror,” he examines his hand to avoid looking at Aphmau, who allows him to ignore her for a few seconds before she pulls his hand towards her.

She works on his face next, applying some bruise cream and giving him an ice pack to help reduce swelling. Then pulls him into her room, where he flops face-first into her bed.

She studies him for a few moments before laying down beside him. “You excited?”

“No,” he turns his head to face her. “It’s my parents’ Alma Mater. They have influence there.”

“Can I do anything?”

“Just,” he sighs and closes his eyes. “Don't forget me.”

Aphmau closes her eyes as well. “I don't like the way your parents treat you.”

He scoffs. “Neither do I.”

“When are you leaving tomorrow?”

“Whenever,” Aaron twists to lay on his back and then turns back to her. “I parked my car down the street. So I can leave whenever.”

“And your parents are okay with this?”

He finally admits it. “My parents don't know where I am.”

“I don't want to tell you what to do.” because Aphmau has dealt with plenty of people telling her she’s overreacting or that her father only wants what’s best for her. 

“But I can't stay here?”

“You could,” she admits. “But you shouldn't.”

“I’ll leave in an hour.” Aaron shuts his eyes and wraps herself in Aphmau’s comforter. “Tell me about your essay.”

“Well, the most obvious thing the franchise tries to shove in our face is how unrepentant he is about his killing sprees. There’s no remorse or hesitation. There’s also no real reason other than the nightmares and supposed supernatural force he was haunted by that drove him to kill his sister. Of course, one could argue about the failings of the American mental health system and how shoving him into an asylum to be poked and prodded at for fifteen years probably didn't help. Still, he grew up in the average suburban household and was torturing animals and killed his sister in cold blood at six years old…”

Aphmau’s rant jumped through various topics, the most notable being the latest chapters of JJK and how the author of Attack on Titan has been planning how to torture his readers since the anime was published, before finally trailing off after a few hours. Now they're just sitting in the dark.

“You’re fully packed?” 

He nods.

“Didn't forget anything?”

“Nope.”

“Said your goodbyes?”

“As many as I felt necessary.”

“Are you heading straight there or making a pit stop?” the campus is a few hours away, but it’s close to midnight, and Aaron looks exhausted. 

“I’ll probably sleep in my car before heading out tomorrow morning.”

“Or you could call one of our friends-”

“Your friends-”

“And ask to stay the night.”

Aaron grunts before standing up and checking his bandages. “I’ll sleep in my car.” he stretches for a moment before crouching down to look for his shoes. 

Aphmau sighs before turning on her lights and moving to help him. “Call me when you leave and again when you get to campus.”

Aaron grunts when he finds his shoes and moves to leave. “Bye.”

“Goodbye.” Aphmau sighs and locks the door behind him.

He doesn't call.