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“Can you repeat that again, I don’t think I heard you correctly the first time,” Veronica said with the same stupid expression she’s been having since the conversation started. The bafflement and guffaw, like Duke hadn’t been clear enough, which for her information, she has. Duke had better days than this. She still had power over the student body. She could make Veronica pay for being such a shitty listener.
She took a deep breath, preparing herself to repeat it for the second time. Only her voice failed her. “I-” She pursed her lips, her cheeks flushing in embarrassment. She huffed, crossing her arms. “I have a thing for…” She coughed, looking away. ”Chandler.”
“And I was wondering if you could help me out.” She rushed out, seeing Veronica's eyes judge her.
It wasn’t her fault that Heather’s stupidity eventually charmed her. It’s been getting pathetic for her to crush on Heather of all people and act like- well act like Veronica, an incoherent mess who constantly made a fool of herself. But even with Veronica’s fault somehow, for some ungodly reason, Mac said yes to dating her.
Veronica’s stupid confused expression didn’t fade away, sadly. She blinked and then gestured incredulously at her, remaining speechless for seconds.
“What? How can I possibly help you with that, Heather?” She practically shouts. At her glare, Veronica’s voice goes down to a whisper. “I mean I could recommend a good therapist if you’d like?”
“Har Har. You’re hilarious aren’t you, Ron.” She snapped.
Putting up her hands in defense, her eyes wide. “Duke, I don’t even know how to help you, the people who mostly fawn over her are disgusting pervs!”
“You’re Heather’s best friend, you won that title in Junior year. I can’t exactly go to Mac, so don’t even suggest it, I see it written on your face.” She spat. She takes a deep breath to calm herself at Veronica’s pout and continues. “You can help me find out how exactly to… ask her out.” Feeling her pride take a strike again. Seriously, how many times did she have to repeat that in one day?
“I don’t get why don’t you know, you’ve been best friends for a decade-” She heard Veronica mutter. Duke’s eyes narrowed at the brunette who just sighed dramatically, slumping on her locker with a heavier pout. She was about to tell Veronica to quit being a baby and help her out but before the words could escape her lips. Veronica puts a finger on her lips to shush her.
She slapped her hand, with a disgusted look.
“ What the fuck, Ronnie? ” She frowned.
Veronica’s excitement didn’t deter, she tapped her chin, and her eyes lit up.
She snapped her fingers, with a smile. “Duke, you’re so going to love me after this, I know just the thing!”
“You do?” She said more skeptical than in question. How Veronica managed to date Mac would always be a mystery to her but she couldn’t just brush away results.
“Yep. She’ll definitely say yes to you, Duke.” She said with a wide smile.
…
Heather loved Mac, really she did. Heather’s been with her since Kindergarten and stayed at her side even when things were intense. Heather may not feel any romantic attraction to her best friend, but she’s sure that Heather was her soulmate with how well they fit together. With that said, the platonic love of her life wouldn’t stop annoying her, and it was beginning to irritate the living shit out of her.
She groaned from her bed, rubbing her temple. “Honestly Heather, it’s not a big deal.”
That seemed to snap Mac from her pacing, and she scoffed. “You have a crush on Duke and you just want to ignore it!”
She shrugged, crossing her arms. “It’s the best course of action, She clearly doesn’t like me back.” Pretending she didn’t feel the sting when she said those words. “I told you for closure. It’s not that serious.”
Heather didn’t agree, keeping her mouth in a thin line.
“Spit it out, I know you’ll only get more restless.” Chandler sighs.
“You don’t like anyone, Heather,” Mac says the obvious.
Heather still felt offended, she did like people. She enjoyed being friends with Ronnie and Mac. Only for Duke it felt different, it felt fragile. Something she should be careful with. It intrigued her. For most relationships, she didn’t have to work for. With Mac, everything felt natural and they’ve always got along, even in their arguments they eventually got back to one another like a magnet. With Ronnie. Ronnie was like a stuck piece of gum she had to live with and tolerate, more now than ever considering she was dating Mac.
With Duke, she had to work for their relationship. They had talks and fights that she’s never had. Duke was one of the few people that understood her and called her out on her bullshit. Heather never had to fight for someone’s attention; she's always had it, good or bad. But with Duke? She didn’t. She had a cold shoulder and wouldn’t acknowledge her until she put the work in. Duke didn’t fight for her affection like she used to, she had this stronger persona ever since their first fight.
She knew her worth and finally embraced it. She didn’t go for her red scrunchie, Duke finally dressed in what she preferred without caring about what others thought. She’s been slowly dropping green and going with bolder colors and clothes that compliment her frame.
Heather was beautiful, and only an idiot wouldn’t be able to see that.
“This is- Probably your first crush, and It’s Duke! I don’t think you should just go and ignore it.” She says softly. “Don’t you wanna take the chance to see if she feels the same?”
No, I really don’t.
“We’re finally okay, again, Heather.” Unable to keep contact with Mac’s brown puppy dog eyes, she stared at her mattress. “Do I really want to ruin that for whatever I’m feeling? What if it just goes away? Or what if she doesn’t feel the same way I do and she gets angry, which she should for the way I’ve treated her.”
“Yeah, but she forgave you, hun.” Heather reminds her. “And I’m pretty sure she was close to punching you for asking a lot. I mean like every day.”
She winced. “Heather did punch me.” She touched her nose, remembering clearly. It didn’t help that Heather had her rings on. “I think after breaking my nose, she kind of felt better about us.”
“Exactly! And it’s been months since that… issue. So, why not give it a try?” She said with so much optimism.
“It’s not that easy, you know that.” She exhales.
“Then just make it easy, Heather.” Mac nudges. “You can make it a simple yes or no question, if she says yes you plan a date and if she doesn’t say yes, then you continue on. With what your friendship endured, this isn’t the bombshell you think it is.”
“You’re such a smartass.” She rolls her eyes affectionately.
“And you’re my idiot.” Mac grins.
“Fine. I’ll do it.” She flushes. “I’ll ask her out tomorrow.”
….
Duke takes a deep breath, fixing her blazer, she would not do Veronica’s plan. After her idea to serenade Heather at lunch, she walked out and decided she would things her way. She had enough of feeling this… thing. Walking up to Heather who stood by her locker clearly in her thoughts. She swallowed the bile and huffed out.
“Heather.” She frowned. Chandler for the most part looked surprised to see her, a good sign maybe. Duke crossed her arms, tilting her head up to see her amber eyes stare back in curiosity.
Why did she have beautiful eyes? Were they always this beautiful? They must be contacts surely-
“Yes?” Chandler asked with a furrowed brow.
Duke noticed her cheeks were red, very bright red.
“Heather, you’re white.” Duke chastises. “Wear sunscreen.”
Somehow she turned redder. Jesus.
Duke scoffed. “You’re lucky I brought some for Mac.” Reaching for her bag, only Chandler grabbed her hand. Duke looked at her in bafflement.
She scrutinizes. “Are you seriously too proud to wear sunscreen? Heather, you know avoiding it could cause serious skin damage, especially since you’re so pale.”
“I know Heather, I just wanted to ask you something.” Chandler rushes out.
“How did you get sweaty so fast? Are you sick or something, is that what’s happening? ” Almost wanting to rip her grip from Chandler in case she was. She hated being sick more than anything.
“I’m not good at this, okay!” She whines. Letting go of her hand, forcing herself to take deep equaled breaths, she leans against her locker and purses her lips. “I just wanted to ask you to-” Her voice cracked. She snarled at herself. “Oh fuck me gently with a chainsaw.”
“What?” She said dumbfounded.
Pointing a finger at her, she glares. “Heather, we're going on a date tomorrow at six pm. You better be fucking ready when I pick you up, alright?”
“Oh.” Her eyes widened. “Wait-”
“Bye, Duke. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Chandler pushes herself out of the locker and heads for the door stomping like a petulant child.
Duke blinks. “What about your classes?”
“Fuck off, I have a date to prepare!” Flipping her off.
Duke feels herself smile and calls out with a playful eye roll. “I like you too, Dumbass!”
Heather trips before catching herself, and Duke snorts.