Chapter Text
As AJ knocked on the principal’s door, she knew it was the right thing to do. But that didn’t stop her feeling her heartbeat in her ears. She might have given a mysterious aura, but she had never gotten in trouble. In reality, she was that straight A student that didn’t do anything wrong. That’s why KingPun had been so exhilarating. Freeing. And necessary. She had needed that outlet to be the goofy, fun, rebellious kid she’s always wanted, but could never afford to be. Because of her parents but also because of herself. She did worry what others thought of her, what college applications would think of her. And yet she knew she would throw it all away for Paige.
Paige, who made her head spin. Who made her smile more than she had in years. Who got her. Paige was so easy to talk to, open up to and be light around. Paige was goofy, kind and hilarious in all the best ways. God, how AJ’s heart ached for her.
But Paige had wanted Gabby. She had always wanted Gabby. That was painfully obvious to her now. AJ felt like a real idiot, fawning over Paige. If AJ was being really honest, she had always had a crush on Paige. Even when they were supposed to be doing that ridiculous egg assignment. She had purposely sat next to Paige, but when she had looked back, Paige was already in full fledged conversation with her sister, and AJ would never want to take anything away from her sister, who looked happy to be partnered up. So, AJ never said anything and was put with whoever else was left with no partner. In fact, AJ loved the fact that everyone thought Paige was KingPun - it kind of showed that their humour matched and of course that they had art as a passion in common.
AJ had always paid attention to Paige and so knew straight away that track was not her in the slightest, that she must have had an ulterior motive. Too bad it turned out to be her sister, embarrassingly for AJ. When the coach had signed AJ up to train Paige, AJ had a moment of bi-panic, not sure how she would do with extended time with her own crush, Paige. However, after Paige had made the effort to talk to her at the party (granted, it was only to get away from Chantal) AJ leapt at the chance to spend more time with Paige without really thinking about it.
She of course didn’t want Paige to get in trouble and so never vandalised again, only leaving her art on paper and stickers. As the weeks went on, her tiny crush had become fully fledged puppy love for the damn girl. She knew there was no way she’d let Paige take the fall.
She hadn’t exactly planned on telling Paige the truth the way she had. In fact, she was hoping to not tell Paige and just go directly to the principal’s office, so Paige wouldn’t feel bad about the whole scenario. Now, although it hurt her heart whenever she saw Paige, she still had no choice but to protect her.
So here she was. Principal’s office. She told the principal about how KingPun came about, how she also had a key to the school being co-captain and through her various other extra curriculars. She started off small, adding to popular vandal spots but it spiralled into something much bigger, to the point that it was her favourite after-school activity. She’d tell Gabby she was at music practice, because that was the one activity they didn’t do together. Nobody else tended to take much notice of AJ. Everybody took notice of KingPun though. AJ liked the duality - of being both known and unknown. Expression in the form of art and language.
After hearing her story, the principal sat back in her chair. She saw how it added up, and AJ brought her all the evidence she needed to convict her. When her parents were called in, they at first protested against the principal.
“Surely there’s been a mix up!” they cried. They thought they were helping, but in reality their shock made AJ feel like shit. Firstly, because they seemed so shocked and disappointed, but secondly because they didn’t even truly know her if they didn’t think she was capable of the artwork. AJ supposed that was what hurt most - having nobody who truly knew her. She thought Paige might become that person but she was bitterly mistaken.
Nobody talked on the way home. The silence was so thick with tension. When they parked up at the house, her dad finally spoke.
“You will not be doing any more artwork ever again. Do you understand me?”
The words stung so much her eyes began to prick. She ran upstairs and cried in her room.
When Gabby came home that day, she ran straight to her and tried to comfort her. But AJ couldn’t look at Gabby without thinking about the whole Paige situation, which made her insides go even more sickly. Eventually, AJ couldn’t take it anymore and told Gabby to leave her alone. Gabby’s face looked so heartbroken AJ felt bad, but she couldn’t help how she felt. Maybe with a bit of space she could stomach Gabby again.
So, the next day, when Gabby dragged her out of her room, she reluctantly agreed. Mainly because she knew Gabby was trying, despite the fact she should be angry with AJ for keeping such a big thing from her. That’s one of the great things about Gabby; she will always put AJ first, even above her own ego. AJ wasn’t sure if she would have done the same if the situation was reversed. Sure, she’d always have her back, but maybe not within the first 24 hours of such a bombshell.
So, despite the sadness, frustration and stress of the whole situation, AJ placated Gabby by getting in the car. It was only as they pulled into the school gate did she think that maybe Gabby wasn’t doing something nice for her after all, that maybe she was going to get her expelled as retribution for not telling her or for the Paige situation. Why the hell else had she chauffeured her to the place she was barred from?
“What the hell Gabby?!” AJ yelled as Gabby parked the car. But she completely ignored her and got out of the car and holy shit was that a spray can in her hand?
“Jesus Christ, what the hell are you doing?” AJ ran after her. Gabby just looked whilst prepping the can to be used. She leaned down.
“Gabs stop!” She did not in fact stop, but started spraying the ground. “Are you trying to get me expelled at this point?”
“Hey, look I know you’re upset-”
“Yeah, more so now!” AJ was barely handling the stress of the suspension and this was really tipping her over the edge.
“But I will always have your back. If you’re going down, I’m going down with you.” Had Gabs truly lost her mind?
“Okay yeah, I appreciate the gesture but this is not going to help me at all. In fact, I think this is going to get me in more trouble.” AJ looked down to see some squiggly lines on the floor. “Also what the hell is it?”