Chapter Text
To say that Charlie was excited was an understatement. The fact that she had been literally skipping to the bus station was proof enough that she couldn’t wait to start school again. This was gonna be her last year of college and she couldn’t wait to get back into it. Her dad did always say she thrived in environments where she could sate her hunger for knowledge in a challenging and creative way. She got that from him, not that that was a surprise to anyone.
Now, Charlie met up with her girlfriend, Vaggie, at the entrance and was treated by the sight of her in a red collared shirt and a tight black skirt, with her long, platinum hair done in a ponytail. Charlie couldn’t resist swooping the shorter girl in her arms and kissing her sweetly. To her credit, Vaggie quickly recovered from the sudden attack and kissed her back.
“You look lovely, hun,” said Vaggie the moment they pulled apart. Her mouth morphed into a breathtakingly beautiful smile, and Charlie felt her heartbeat increasing.
She scoffed incredulously. Charlie, in turn, was wearing her usual white shirt with black suspenders and red pants, “You’re one to talk, you look… wow”
Vaggie chuckled, “Well, I appreciate it, I figured since it’s our last year I’d put a bit more effort in.”
That pulled Charlie back to reality from staring a bit too hard at the way Vaggie's shirt hugged her body in all the right places. Despite having been together for three years, she still finds Vaggie just as beautiful as the first time they met, her attraction and love for her only growing as time goes on. Vaggie seems to share the sentiment, if her expression is anything to go by.
“Right! Our last year! I can’t believe that we’re already seniors. I’m gonna miss this place so much,” Charlie said, already feeling her eyes getting a little wet from the thought. Vaggie smiled at her sentimentality and put a comforting hand on her shoulder.
“Don’t worry,” she said, her smile turning amused, “you still have a whole year to change your mind about that.” Vaggie was well aware that wasn’t going to happen since Charlie absolutely adores going to college, but the joke still made her chuckle.
“Alright,” Vaggie said, taking Charlie’s hand, “you ready for our last first day?”
Charlie took a breath and grinned wide, feeling the rush of excitement coursing through her veins. “Yes, let’s do this!” she said, and they made their way into the building.
…
The building was just as crowded as it always was, bustling with students as their voices and footsteps filled the large hallway. Charlie looked around in wonder as she and Vaggie made their way to their assigned classroom. Charlie was surprised to find that almost all the seats had been occupied. But she supposes it would make sense since it’s the first day. Half the classroom would stop coming to class by the middle of the semester though, she was sure. Charlie was glad that her peers showed up in such a number at least at the start, but that meant that she and Vaggie couldn’t sit together. Slightly disappointed, they hugged and split up to find empty seats.
Charlie found one in the second row near the door and was happy to find that she was close enough to pay close attention to the lecture. On her right there was a dark-skinned girl with two large ponytails currently playing an awfully violent game on her phone, so Charlie swallowed her intent to make friends with her and turned to the other side. On her left, there was a tall, pale boy with fluffy blonde hair, clad in feminine clothing clearly testing the limits of the dress code. He seemed nicer than the girl though. He was currently doodling little pig drawings in his notebook but immediately looked up when Charlie extended her hand to him.
“Hi there! I’m Charlie!” she said cheerily, hoping to make a new friend today.
The boy raised an eyebrow, but he didn’t seem to be mocking her. It took a moment before he shook her hand, clearly not expecting such a gesture of introduction. Odd if you ask Charlie. People should be making friends all the time as far as she’s concerned.
“Uh, nice to meet you, Charlie. I’m Anthony, but I go by Angel,” the boy said. He had somewhat of an accent. Maybe from Brooklyn, Charlie couldn’t tell exactly.
“Nice to meet you, Angel! I love your makeup by the way. Did you do it yourself?” she asked. His makeup truly was stunning. He had pink eyeshadow and dark pink gems under his eyes, three on each side. His mascara and eyeliner were also done flawlessly, leaving Charlie more than a little impressed.
“Oh-” Angel blinked. He seemed to be surprised at Charlie’s words. He was looking at her intently, probably trying to figure out if she was making fun of him, which she wasn't. Was he not used to getting genuine compliments? “Thank you. Yeah, I do my own makeup.”
“That’s amazing! You have to teach me how to put on eyeliner, I never seem to be able to do it right.”
“Sure, why not,” he shrugged. Charlie was glad to see a smile spread on his face, his initial distrust of Charlie thankfully disappearing.
She was about to ask him what other classes he had to see if they shared any more when Angel’s phone went off and his mood visibly darkened. She figured she wouldn’t bother him anymore. Besides, the class was starting anyway as the professor entered the classroom.
Charlie turned her attention to the front, where a short Latino woman with long white hair stood, her posture commanding respect. She wore a simple black and white dress with black stockings and ballet shoes. She looked extremely sharp and strict so Charlie figured the class would be one of their more challenging ones. She smiled. She couldn’t fucking wait.
…
After the class ended and Charlie went to look for Angel, she found that he was already gone, probably having fled as soon as class ended, while Charlie was still packing her notebook and all her pens, markers, and highlighters. No bother, she’d find him and exchange numbers another time. She was about to go find Vaggie but was surprised to find her talking with Professor Carmine. Usually, Vaggie doesn’t like their professors, only tolerating them cause she wants to go to college with Charlie. If it were up to Vaggie, she’d be already taking on a job and working to provide for them. She wouldn't have to, since Charlie’s family was on the wealthier side, but it would make Vaggie happy. The plan still remains though, since Vaggie is already searching for jobs for after they graduate. Watching her talking to their professor now, Charlie couldn’t help but smile, glad that there was at least one subject her girlfriend seemed to show an interest in.
As Charlie was waiting, she felt someone bump into her from behind.
“I’m so sorry, I didn’t see you there,” came a high-pitched voice. When Charlie turned, she was met with a short girl in a white-pink dress and a strawberry bob. She was holding her books close to her chest and was looking up at Charlie apologetically. Charlie smiled at her.
“No worries! Happens to all of us. I’m Charlie by the way, what’s your name?” she said, extending her hand. The girl positively lit up as she maneuvered her books to one hand in order to shake Charlie’s.
“I’m Niffty! It’s nice to meet you!” came the enthusiastic reply. Charlie was slightly taken aback by her cheerfulness but was beyond happy to find someone who matched her own bright personality.
“Nice to meet you too!” Charlie said, then remembered something Professor Carmine talked about earlier, “Oh! Since we have an assigned group project for this subject, would you like to join me and my girlfriend?”
At her words, Niffty’s face somehow lit up even more, “Oh my gosh, that’s so sweet of you! I’d love to! Can my friends join too?”
“Of course! I’m always up for making new friends.”
Niffty squealed, hugged Charlie, and ran off, probably to inform her friends that they had a group now. As she was skipping away, Vaggie approached.
“Thanks for waiting for me, babe. What was that all about?” she said, nodding at Niffty’s retreating form.
Putting her hands on her hips, Charlie sighed happily, “We seem to have a group for our project.”