Chapter Text
It seemed today was going to be yet another dull day in Downton City Academe. Rosalee was sitting in her first class of the day reading the latest book she had snagged from the library, waiting for the morning bell to ring. She was a good twenty pages into the first chapter when she heard someone sit down at the desk beside her dropping their bag beside them with a soft thump before letting out a tired sigh. Casting a glance to her right Rosalee saw her good friend Hine sitting there looking red in the face and glancing at their watch, thank god they managed to make it on time.
“Miss the bus?” Rosalee asked without looking up from their book. Hine glanced over at her, tucking a curl of dark black hair behind her ear as they rolled their eyes.
“Unfortunately, I got there just as the driver was pulling away too! I tried to run after him but he must not have seen me.” She said with a shrug, going to pull out their school-issued Chromebook and the pack of fancy pencils they always kept to take notes. “But hey, I got here on time!”
“Yeah, for once.” Rosalee teased with a smile, that got her a playful shove in return.
“Hey, I’m almost never late! You know that” Hine said with a look of playful offense on her face. Rosealee smiled and tucked a bookmark in her novel before shutting it.
“Yeah yeah I know Hine, I’m just teasing.” She assured, smiling at her friend. Hine was a dark-skinned woman with long curly black hair. She had a round face with big dark eyes that were framed with smokey grey eyeshadow, thick black eyeliner, and soft cherry red lipstick. She was, by all accounts a stunning woman that had guys, and the occasional girl, fawning over her left and right. Today she had on a yellow jean skirt that reached down to her mid-thighs and a blue crop top paired with sunglasses that were almost lost in her poofy black hair and a simple gold bracelet that Rosealee had given her as a birthday gift.
Rosalee on the other hand was nearly the opposite. She was a caucasian woman with olive-tone skin and fiery red hair and tended to lean more towards gothic and alternative style than Hine and her sunshine and good vibe style. She was tall and slender, standing at around 5’ 7'' while Hine was shorter and curvier, she was only around 5’ 4”. Rosalee had multiple piercings on her ears, one on the side of her nose, and one on her belly button while Hine just had a basic piercing on her earlobe. Hine was a kind soul who wanted to make friends with EVERYONE while Rosalee was much more reserved and liked to keep to herself. To make a long story short, Hine and Rosalee were two totally different people at a glance, but when it came to values, interests, and goals in life, these two girls were closer than anything.
Their friendship started in middle school when Rosalee offered to walk her home one day after school, she saw that some men were giving Hine trouble and wanted to make sure she made it home safe. The two got to talking and well, the rest was history. That one kind gesture turned into a daily routine, and now these two spent every possible moment they could. Rosealee was pulled out of her trip down memory lane when Hine started speaking once she had finished pulling out all of her school supplies.
“But hey on the plus side since I missed the bus I met up with Jeremy on the walk up, you know the tall blond kid who’s majoring in Sports Science? Well, apparently he heard from a buddy of his, Dell, who heard from his boyfriend Jane, whose dad works in the school administration office. That we’re getting a new exchange student coming in next week!” Hine said, her face lighting up with excitement.
“Really? Any idea where they're transferring from?” Rosalee asked, curious. If they were getting a new student it meant that Hine would be doing her damndest to make a good impression on them. . . And that meant that Rosalee would be dragged along with her as Hine tried to ‘Expand her social circle’ as she put it.
“Some European country I think. . . “ Hine said thoughtfully. “Jeremy didn’t give me much to go off of. But oh how exciting! Who knows maybe you’ll find someone other than the characters in your books and video games to fawn over.” Hine joked with a smile, Rosalee rolling her eyes in playful annoyance.
“Oh ha ha ha,” Rosalee said, sarcasm dripping from her laugh. “Hine how many times do I have to tell you, Nicholas is the only man I will EVER need in my life! He’s mature, kind, and doesn't get jealous if next week I’m off reading dirty fanfic about Harvey!” Rosalee pointed out, making Hine snort softly with laughter, the pair of friends had done this back and forth teasing so often it may as well be a scripted performance. Hine gently went to put a hand on her friend's shoulder, her face an expression of grim disparity as if she were about to give devastating news.
“Rosie there is one vital flaw in your happily ever after. Nicolas and Harvey aren’t real.” Hine said hardly able to hold back laughter as Rosalee clutched the front of their black AJR band shirt in horror.
“How DARE YOU assume that they’re not real! Maybe to your oblivious mind but to me they come to life each time I read their stories. I can almost feel their hands, hear their voice, feel the way their lips dance across-“ Thankfully Rosalee was cut off by the sound of the school bell ringing. Both girls were chuckling to themselves as Rosalee put away her book and pulled out their computer.
“But in all seriousness Rosie, will you at least give them a chance? You're an amazing person and deserve people besides me to hang around with.” Hine said, putting a hand on her friend’s knee. Rosalee smiled and let out a soft sigh.
“Oh Hine, you're the only friend a girl like me would dare ask for, but fine if you really feel it’s important to you, I’ll tag along with you to meet the new exchange student.” Rosealee relented a soft smile on their face as Hine grinned and bounced slightly with excitement.
“Awesome!! Ooh I promise you won’t regret it Rosie!” Hine exclaimed, going to open their botany text book, Rosalee nodded and went to do the same. Even if she and this new student end up hating each other's guts, Rosalee would gladly give it a shot if it meant Hine was this happy.