Chapter Text
Gwen was usually the first one to enter the craft room for Sewing Club, but not because she was early, or even on time. She rarely saw another person, and when she did, they were usually only in there for something else. She liked the solitude, however; it allowed her to really focus on whatever she was working on.
Currently she was working on her prom dress, while daydreaming about who she would want to ask her to go. She wasn’t too sure if someone would ask her, but if she had to ask someone, she wouldn’t be against the idea. She’s dated before, gone for occasional romps, but very rarely felt like someone could keep up with her interests. As evidenced by the lack of other parties in the Sewing Club.
It was hardly an official school club anyways, no teacher wanted to supervise and Gwen had to personally convince the school board that she could run it herself. There’s room for liability with a club dedicated to sharp objects, but they obliged her since she would graduate in 3 months anyways.
It wasn’t always like that, there was a large group of students that were regulars during freshman year, but they’ve all graduated since. The kids in her grade are interested in other arts and activities, especially PE. ‘Can’t ruin this dress, I spent so long on it.’ She’d always think in response to doing any kind of physical activity; completely oblivious to the fact that she could just wear something else. She saw it more like she was too attached to the dresses she’s made to wear something else. Especially the ones her mother gave her.
There was a knock at the classroom door.
Gwen was suddenly ejected out of her deep thoughts, jolting up towards the door. She set the dress down and lightly skipped over. She couldn’t see anyone from the glass, but opened it anyway.
“The door’s unlocked, you can just come-” Gwen began, opening the door to reveal a shorter than expected person beyond the door.
“Oh. Hi Vex. What brings you here?” Gwen asked, looking down at the fuzzy one. It was hard to see Vex’s eyes under that big hood of hers.
“I’m here to sew, or something.” Vex replied. Gwen smiled awkwardly. ‘Was she here to fix her plushie?’ Gwen thought to herself as Vex walked in. She looked down at the shadowy black blob of a stuffed animal that Vex was always seen carrying around. Vex was a new student, and Gwen always took it upon herself to learn everyone’s names; but this was really the first time they’d talked. Gwen always thought about reaching out, since she too likes to carry a plushie around, but never found the opportunity. There were some other kids that carried plushies around, but Gwen thought Annie and Nunu were too young to hang around. She glanced over at the plushie version of herself her mother made for her.
Vex hobbled over to another table in the room, setting a small bag and her plushie on it.
“I have all the sewing stuff over by my table, but I can share!” Gwen said, turning her view back to Vex. The yordle hopped up onto the stool.
“I’m fine, thanks.” Vex replied. Reaching into her sack and pulling out sewing tools and some patches of cloth. Gwen took a deep breath; she wasn’t gonna let this potential new friend get away. She returned to her table and grabbed some of the supplies.
“Do you mind if I join you here?” Gwen asked, holding more things that she probably should. Vex began sewing some purple string into a black patch she was holding.
“I guess.” Vex replied, still not breaking any sort of emotion. Gwen set the stuff she was holding down and brought over the rest of it, including her dress. She took the seat near Vex, and Vex shifted over slightly. Gwen returned to sewing.
The two of them sat in silence for a while, just creating their art in their hands, but Gwen couldn’t take it any longer.
“What are you working on?” Gwen asked, not taking her eyes off her work. She couldn’t see it but she could practically hear Vex roll her eyes; Gwen cringed slightly at the awkwardness. Surprisingly, Vex held up her left sleeve and set it on the table.
“I sew designs into these patches. Then I attach them to my hood in random spots.” Vex said, showing some amount of excitement for the first time that Gwen had seen. Gwen looked down at the sleeve and noticed the black and dark purple patches of cloth attached to the hood, with purple string swirling around in intricate designs of spirals and various other shapes that are complex to sew. Gwen was impressed by the craftsmanship of the stitches and designs.
“These are really impressive!” Gwen commented. She reached out to touch the sewing and Vex pulled away. “Oh, I’m sorry…” Gwen said. Vex just looked at her.
“It’s ok. I just wasn’t expecting it. Nobody has ever cared about my hood, or me for that matter.” Vex said. Gwen was caught slightly off guard by how she just slipped that statement into there, but tried to move past it anyways. Vex set her sleeve back down. “You can touch.” She continued. For some reason, Vex saying that made Gwen get really flushed. This new girl she just met immediately felt comfortable enough to let Gwen touch her passion. She wasn’t sure if it was embarrassment at the implication or warmth from the connection she was making.
Gwen ran her fingers delicately across the hems and stitches of her hood. It really was impressive work.
“Can I show you what I’m working on?” Gwen asked, and Vex just nodded. Gwen took her hands off of the sleeve and held up her prom dress. It was a beautiful and floofy dress composed of ghastly whites and dark blues; with gold fixations that she was still attaching. “I have a whole outfit and everything, I want it to be perfect.” Gwen said, taking in her work, still flush thinking about what Vex had said.
“Pretty.” It was the only thing she said about it. Gwen set it down and went back to work.
“I’m glad you think so. I’m afraid no one will ask me to prom though, everyone looks at me weird in the halls.” Gwen said, looking a little down.
“You wear fancy dresses to school everyday. I’m practically in my pajamas.” Vex commented, looking up at her.
“But you’re wearing fancy pajamas! Besides, it’s what's comfortable for me. The dresses remind me of my mother. She also gave me this.” Gwen said, leaning over and grabbing her doll, handing it to Vex. Vex held the doll version of Gwen in her hands and admired the detail. Vex began rotating it around in her hands. Gwen got extremely embarrassed when she looking up the doll’s skirt. She grabbed it back, giving an awkward laugh.
“Sorry, I got curious.” Vex said, a little unaware of the implications. Gwen set it on the table.
“Anyways, I just hope someone asks me. I’d hate to go alone.” Gwen couldn’t be more oblivious if she tried.
“I’ll go with you.” Vex said after a brief pause. Gwen turned to Vex in surprise. “You’re the first person to care about my thing.” Gwen teared up a little. “Are you ok?” Vex asked. Gwen wiped her eyes with the back of her hands.
“It was just so sudden, that’s all.” Gwen finally answered. “I’d love to go with you, but I’m making something you have to wear.” Vex seemed slightly uncomfortable at the idea of wearing something other than her hood, and Gwen immediately noticed it. “Oh, no! You can keep the hood, I just want to make something small.” Gwen said, smiling at Vex.
Vex’s slight frown turned into a tiny smile, and Gwen got warm feelings from making the most outwardly depressed girl at school smile.