Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Jesus, how long had it been since Regina had been at school for this many hours? It was an hour after school ended already, there was no stupid way Janis was still in the art room doing whatever she liked doing.

She anxiously tapped her foot again the rows of lockers lining the hallways until the door creaked open and Janis emerged, covered in charcoal and paint.

”Regina…?” She blinked. “What are you doing here?”

”No reason.” She cocked her head. “What took you so long? Art club usually ends after an hour sharp.”

”Nothing.” She wiped her nose sheepishly.

”What was it?”

”Well, this girl asked if I wanted to go to homecoming with her. The explanation was pretty long.”

”Who was it?”

”Why?”

Regina furrowed her eyebrow. “Who was it?”

”Bella.”

”Which Bella?”

”Bella Hudson.”

Regina scowled. “I’m going to fucking kill her.”

”Oh, come on,” Janis leaned on the lockers on the spot next to her. “Don’t be bitchy, it’s not like she knows. What are you doing here, anyways? Hooking up with Aaron?”

They both burst out laughing. Saying she was hooking up with someone was Regina’s favorite alibi to saying she was with Janis. And no one contested her, really. They found it to be a privilege to be able to say that.

”What were you doing in art club?”

Janis frowned. “Feels like you’re avoiding my question, but I’m working on a commission for some lady across my street. It’s a butterfly.” She pulled out a small handkerchief, embroidered with a half-finished blue butterfly.

”It looks great.” She smiled, her hand tracing each thread.

”Would you wear one of these if I ever made one for you?” Janis ran her own hand across it. “If we weren’t trying to avoid everyone seeing us together, of course.”

”Yeah! Of course I would!” Regina scoffed. But in the end, she probably wouldn’t just for the sake of protecting her privacy.

See, in high school, there were two devastating things going on for them:

1. The absolutely shitty after-effects of Regina accidentally spilling that Janis was a lesbian, and

2. Everyone thinking they hated each other because of it.

Both of them were smart enough to keep their relationship under wraps after it, because it eventually got too complicated after every guy on the planet started to gravitate towards Regina.

Janis didn’t really care anymore, her reputation had always been a strange one.

”Anyways!” Janis clapped her hands together. “You’ve probably been here for a while, do you want to come over to my house…?”

There wasn’t much point to object, either. Regina couldn’t ask to go to her house just because her mom was there, her mom that oh so conveniently wanted her to marry a man and didn’t stand to hear her out the moment she peeped about a girl.

”Janis.”

”Yeah?”

”I’m planning on coming out to her next week.”

”Your mom?”

”Yes.”

”Wow.” She blinked. “Oh crap, okay. Do you need anything?”

“No. I just wanted to tell you in case anything goes to shit or something.”

”Nothing will go to shit, Regina. I’m sure your mom will understand.”

”How did your parents react when they found out you liked girls? More specifically, me.”

”Oh, they knew I liked girls.” She snorted. “They still don’t know about you, though.”

”Oh.” She bit her lip. “Crap, do you think my mom already knows?”

”I think that’s something for you to find out on your own.”

”Yeah. Yeah, okay.” She sighed.

”If it comforts you, no one at school will probably care. Hell, every single girl will probably end up throwing themselves at you, too.”

Regina smiled at the comfort. “Like this?” She pounced at Janis, kissing her and pinning her hips down hard enough that they almost bruised.

”Yeah, like that.” Janis shrugged. “But if anything happens, you know my house is open as much as you’re willing to go.”

”Thanks…you’re the best.”

Janis peered over her shoulder. “Also, I thought you gave your little plastic crew rides home? What happened?”

”Oh, they won’t die.” She clicked her tongue. “And seeing you is really hard, anyways.”

”Yeah, I think the only time we could actually comfortably do that is if we were dead.”

She pressed a much softer kiss against Regina’s pink lips.

”I wouldn’t be caught dead like this.”

Janis laughed and twirled a strand of Regina’s hair around her finger. “I hope not. Do you have any plans for homecoming, by the way?”

”If next week goes well, yeah.”

”Me?”

”Yes, you.”

Chapter Text

The next week was a mess. Just an absolute mess.

Because seriously, why in the world did Regina’s mom spill how Regina was gay to Gretchen’s mom, who spilled it to Gretchen and now everyone knew about it?!

More people were staring at her than usual, which was hard to say because most people usually stared at her.

She found out about it when she was just walking to the halls, totally nonchalant, when a girl walked up to her, all made up and pretty.

”Hey, Regina, supply closet is open at lunch.”

”What did you just say to me?” She glared, having a double take.

”I said do you want to—“

”No, scratch that. Stop talking. Just shut the fuck up.”

In her panic, she ran to the bleachers, not even caring that she would miss a class.

@Reginageorge: Janis

@Reginageorge: Janis I need you to meet me at the bleachers.

@Reginageorge: Please

@Janismyass: ?

@Janismyass: are you ok?

@Reginageorge: Please.

She sat there, trying to steady her breath until Janis crouched down next to her, also uncaring that she was skipping class.

”Hey, what’s going on?”

”Everyone knows.”

Janis’s eyes widened. “I hope you’re not talking about what I think you’re talking about.”

”Everyone knows I’m gay.” She said hopelessly.

”Oh…? Wait, how? I thought you only told your mom.”

”She told Gretchen’s mom.”

”Oh.” She pursed her lips together. Unfortunate, Gretchen and her mom had a tendency to spill every secret they were ever told at the tip of a hat.

“Is your mom at least okay with it? Cause I totally have room at my house right now.”

”She’s about as fine as she could get, yeah.” Regina exhaled. “But I’m really fucking freaked out, I’m pretty sure all the guys are avoiding me now and I think a girl just asked me to hook up with her in the supply closet.”

”Was she pretty?”

Regina shrugged. “A bit, yeah.”

Janis crossed her legs together and scooted closer to Regina, seeing as she was clearly going a bit crazy. “Well, seeing as you’re freaking out because people know you’re gay, what year is it?”

”2024, duh.”

Janis raised an eyebrow. “So…who gives a fuck you’re gay?”

Regina threw a hand up. “Aaron? Shane? Everyone?”

Janis put her hand down. “Regina, you’re a lesbian. You don’t have to care about guys, it’s okay.”

”Wait…” Regina furrowed an eyebrow. Her logic was surprisingly flawless. “Huh.”

”So?”

”I’m still a nervous wreck.”

”Regina fucking George.” Janis shook her by the shoulders. “You are Regina George, do you know what that means? You get whatever you want, and if what you want is peace, you will get peace. And if what you want is anyone in the world, that’s what you get.”

”What if I just want you?”

After saying that, Regina immediately cringed.

”Thanks, babe, but that was cheesy as fuck.” Janis wheezed from laughter.

”I know, I know! Ignore that.” Regina flushed bright red. “How did you deal with people finding out you’re a lesbian.”

”I can’t say I had to.” She brushed a piece of hair out of her way. “Let’s be very honest, people kind of knew I liked girls before I even knew.”

”That’s kind of fair.” Regina shrugged. Even with her shitty gaydar she figured out Janis was slightly not straight months before Janis did.

Janis cocked her head to the side. “Do you want to talk more about this later?”

”Yeah…but I don’t know when we might have free, private time next. I’m kind of getting swarmed by the entire school right now.” Regina said sheepishly.

”Over the weekend I could drive us to that abandoned movie theater downtown. No one ever thinks to look there.”

”You’re driving?” Regina perked up.

”And…you’re actually willing to go there?” Janis said in shock. Regina never liked the abandoned movie theater. She said it was too musty and always smelled bad for reasons unknown.

”If you’re driving, then yeah.”

”Okay, I’ll drive. It’s done.”

”George! Ian!” The principal’s voice boomed through the gym.

Crap. He must have seen them ditch class.

”Should we run?” Regina whispered.

“I’m running.” Janis snorted. “You’re talking your way out of this.”

Regina raised her eyebrows when Janis absolutely sprinted away, leaving only her under the bleachers.

”Regina.” He crossed his arms when he found her. “Can you explain why you skipped class and came to the gym of all places?”

”Um…” She stuttered. “I was…vaping?”

He looked confused. “You’re not even—just go back to class, and you’re getting a detention.”

That was pretty pointless. Regina never actually went to the detentions she was given, and no one even cared that she didn’t go.

She pulled out her phone again. Janis was in fact, active on Instagram.

@Reginageorge: Rude.

@Reginageorge: I got another detention

@Janismyass: i cant talk, im in class

@Reginageorge: BULLSHIT

@Janismyass: well

@Janismyass: you dont even go to those anyway

@Reginageorge: Still

@Janismyass: saturday at 2?

@Reginageorge: Idk, i might have something at 2

@Janismyass: what no i meant am

@Reginageorge: Oh shit

@Reginageorge: Ok yeah that works

@Janismyass: :) see you then

Regina scoffed and walked back to class.

Chapter Text

The abandoned movie theater is so dark, so dark she can barely see, but she is kissing Janis.

She is kissing Janis.

And it is undeniably one of her favorite things ever.

Janis’s back is pressed against a wall, and she is holding on for dear life against Regina’s waist.

And they are laughing, both of them. They can speak or yell or cry and not a single soul would hear them, which was by far one of the rarest experiences they could have, because people always seemed to keep tabs on at least one of them.

Regina presses her lips against Janis’s neck, leaving pink trails of lipstick on the sides of it. It tickles Janis, and it makes her laugh.

Their giggling sounds foolish to them, like they are immature and do not know what they are doing, but it is there.

They spend a while playing their games until they slow to a stop, their kissing slowed into a lazy, tired dance. Both of them were marked with small smudges of lipstick, Janis with pink and Regina with a darker red, almost purple, like a bruise that would never go away.

”I’m honestly so tired right now.” Janis laughed, nose to nose with Regina. “In hindsight, maybe I shouldn’t have set the time for 2 a.m.”

”Oh, you’re right. I’m really tired, too.” Regina smiled, feeling the sensation of supporting a bit more of Janis’s weight in her arms.

“We should sit down for a moment.”

”Sit down? In this place?” She scoffed. “We might as well go swimming in a pool of black mold.”

”Black mold is a bit much.” Janis rolled her eyes. “Tetanus? Not so much.” She dragged her over to some of the cushy, couch-like seats, which gave the feeling that the theater was slightly newer, or less abandoned.

She pulled out her phone, turning on YouTube. “Do you want to watch anything?”

”We’re going to watch YouTube here? Seriously?” Regina sat down next to Janis, leaning her head on her shoulder. “Why not Hulu or some shit? They have way more stuff.”

”I’m not paying for that subscription.”

Regina took out her own phone. “Let’s watch The Notebook.”

”Why do you like that movie so much? I never got it.”

”It could just be background noise, I’ll pirate it.”

”Oh. Okay.”

Regina moved her head down to Janis’s lap.

”Don’t fall asleep. You like The Notebook. You have to explain every second to me annoyingly while we watch.”

Regina fidgeted with Janis’s necklace. “I will very annoyingly.”

Janis leaned down and kissed her again. “This is nice.”

”Yes. This is very nice.”

Regina was still playing with her necklace. “I wish we didn’t have to hide in here.”

”It obviously sucks, but what else are we supposed to do?”

Regina clicked her tongue. “Yeah, you’re right.”

Even if she wanted to say it, she knew Janis also wanted to keep it under wraps, because they were both in shambles. Not that it was hard. Hiding their relationship was almost a mere game to them that they had been skillfully playing for a year and a half.

”I say this is all Gretchen’s fault.” Regina laughed.

”I think it’s your mom’s fault, no offense to her.”

“What can I say? We have big mouths.”

Janis pushed a strand of Regina’s hair out of her face, and she watched her phone screen. She still didn’t get The Notebook.

They heard the door eventually creak open.

”Holy shit, Janis, what was that?” Regina pulled her head up from her lap.

”Probably the movie, don’t worry.” She grumbled.

”Definitely not. I know this movie like the back of my fucking hand.” She pounced up and turned off her phone. “Stay here or go to your car. I’ll be back in a bit.” She picked up a stick from the ground and quietly walked out of the room.

”Woah, this place is fucking sick.” Some guy laughed.

”Isn’t it?! I heard fucking Janis Ian talking about it, I thought it would’ve been some lesbian bar or some shit.” Some girl guffawed. The mention of Janis made her scowl.

But she waited. That voice was all too familiar, and they clearly knew Janis.

”If it was a lesbian bar, I’m sure Regina would also be here with her at this point.”

Regina’s eyes widened. Now she recognized that voice. Fucking Gretchen Wieners. Fuck her.

Her muscles were tensed, and she threw the stick on the ground as loudly as she could.

”Who is that?!” Gretchen screamed and pushed the boy in front of her, who Regina couldn’t quite name.

”Hey there.” She leaned against the door frame.

”Oh! Regina!” Gretchen laughed anxiously and tried crossing her arms. “What are you doing in this…dump?”

”I kind of want to ask that to you, too.” She nodded with her lips pursed. “Who’s he? I thought you were with Jason.”

Gretchen turned pasty pale. “He’s no one! Just a friend.” Her teeth clenched into a forced smile. “Why are you here, anyways?”

”Just exploring.” She shrugged nonchalantly. “I don’t see why it matters.”

”Exploring doesn’t usually end with lipstick marks on your neck.” The guy scowled, his phone’s flashlight now shining on her.

Shit, she didn’t realize they were on her neck. She was like a deer in headlights.

”Yeah…why are there lipstick marks on your neck, Regina?” Gretchen squinted.

”Ask your fucking boyfriend.” Regina stood up taller, which seemed to work because of the significant height difference between her and Gretchen.

She furrowed her eyebrows. “Okay!”

Her voice felt too cheerful for her facial expressions and the overall vibe of the movie theater’s lobby.

Gretchen and the boy turned around and left, and Regina immediately attempted to wipe off the smudged, dark red lipstick that stained her neck.

They didn’t go away in the slightest.

Her eyes felt prickly from tears that she held back, and she stormed back to where her and Janis had been.

”Are you still here?” She called into the room.

She wasn’t. Odds are she was back at her car.

”Hey.” She slammed the door of Janis’s car closed.

”Hey! What happened back there?”

”Nothing.” She grumbled.

”It doesn’t look like nothing. You look angry as hell.”

”Gretchen came here with some rando. Don’t know why.”

”What? She came here? It’s twenty minutes away from her house, why would she come here?”

”That’s what I want to know.” Regina swiftly buckled her seatbelt. “Did someone tell her about this place?”

”I doubt it. No one ever comes here, that’s why it’s abandoned.” She looked at Regina, who had become dead silent. Contemplative. “Do you just want me to drive you home?”

”Home?”

”Or two blocks from your house, like the usual.”

”But yeah. That sounds great.”

Janis eyed Regina’s neck, pursing her lips at the marks on her neck.

”And yeah, I know she saw your lipstick, but I think I have enough to call it even with her because the guys she was with wasn’t Jason.”

”It wasn’t Jason?” She gasped. “But doesn’t that mean—“

”Yeah.” Regina nodded. “And they were definitely about to hook up, which should be enough for the both of them to shut the fuck up.”

”Well. Thank god.” Janis’s hand reached out and grazed her neck and the countless marks that sat there gently. “I’m sorry about the lipstick.”

”It’s fine. It’s not your fault.” Regina leaned back against the carseat. “It was just bad timing.”

”It was, wasn’t it?”

“I’ll just, like, talk to her at school. I have a lot of dirt on her I could use.”

”It’s not like she knows who you were with, right? That’s good.”

“I don’t know.”

She looked quite hopeless. Depressed, even.

”We’ll be fine. Just…keep cool with it. Like you always do.”

Chapter Text

Oh my god, Regina was fuming. She was angry, and everyone at school sensed it, alright.

”Gretchen?” She said sweetly, beckoning her from the lunch table. “Can you walk with me for a bit?”

The entire lunch room was completely awestruck. Scared, even. They watched Gretchen gulp and slowly walk over to Regina.

”Regina, I—“

”I’m making a deal with you, because I don’t need any nosy bastards in my life right now. Are you listening to me?”

”I’m not here to get kicked out of the plastics, Regina.” She chuckled nervously. “Whatever, I won’t say anything that happened at the theater.”

”No, you listen to me.” Regina slammed her hand against a locker, stopping her from moving forward. “I will actually ruin your life if you tell anyone.”

”Like how?” Gretchen pushed her arm out of the way. “You know about Danny and whatever. You win.”

”I know you fucked with Aaron while we were together.”

She was practically shaking now.

“I have photographs of you smoking I could send to admissions officers in a heartbeat. I have voicemails of you drunk and joking about jumping off bridges. Hell! I have recordings and texts of you insulting other people here. Videos of you telling them to fuck off to their poor fucking houses.”

”And what makes you think I have none of you?” She cheekily cocked her head.

”Oh, I know you have some shit on me. I just don’t care.”

Gretchen shook her head. She looked so disappointed, like a mother seeing her child fail a test. “You know I was never going to tell. Truthfully, I don’t give a fuck if you like girls or go on dates with someone I know and love. I’m not like that, Regina. I’m not like you.”

Regina’s heart thumped in her chest, each word biting into her skin and eating at her brain. “Just making sure.”

What she really wanted to do was scream. Yell that she wasn’t like that either, really. Kick something and assure that this conversation wasn’t something that defined her and that she wasn’t that much of a shitty person.

”I’m going back to lunch. Do whatever you want.” Gretchen calmly walked back to the lunch room, leaving her with her fists clenched.

Yeah, this was definitely a mess. She pulled out her phone for the two people that may or may not have an idea on what to do.

@Reginageorge: Hey guys, bad news.

@Damixnsversion0806: girl why is there a period

@Damixnsversion0806: i dont like that period

@Reginageorge: I threatened Gretchen. Idk if it went well

@Damixnsversion0806: WHAT THE FUCK

@Damixnsversion0806: WHAT THE FUCKITY FUCK

@Reginageorge: Gee, thanks. I really need advice though wtf

@Damixnsversion0806: sorry, that was jan texting but wdym you threatened her

@Janismyass: regina what the hell do you mean you threatened her

@Reginageorge: I told her about some dirt I have and shit and she said she has a fuck ton of dirt on me too

@Damixnsversion0806: THEN WHAT WHAT DID SHE SAY

@Reginageorge: I’m typing chill

@Reginageorge: She said shes not like me and she isnt going to tell anyone

@Damixnsversion0806: so…whats the problem?

@Reginageorge: It’s too hard to explain Damian.

@Janismyass: where are you rn

@Reginageorge: Why

@Janismyass: where

@Reginageorge: Just outside. In the hallway

Footsteps soon pattered over to Regina, and Janis desperately dragged her into a bathroom stall.

”What did she say? Like actually.”

”I sent it to you! In the text message!” She rolled her eyes. “I have so much shit on her, I swear! I have like, drunk voice messages from her and pictures of her doing weird shit.”

”And she definitely has some of you. There’s no way she doesn’t. But she said she wouldn’t say anything.” Janis snorted.

”But I wasn’t expecting her to actually use it! Aren’t people scared of me? Isn’t that supposed to be the natural order of this place?”

”Regina…” She sighed.

”But I seriously have a ton of shit on her, there’s no way she would talk, and I—“

”Regina. Listen to me.” She enunciated every word carefully. “This shit’s going to pass, anyway. And if you’re so worried, soft launch it or something. Or just let it pass.” Her head was leaned against the locker, her eyes almost sleepy.

”You…seem mad.”

”I’m not mad! I’m just…what’s the point? We don’t have to cause pointless drama over this, right? We could just let it pass.”

”No!” She blinked. “I’m not letting this pass, I thought the verdict was that we wanted this under wraps!”

”Answer me honestly.” She looked at her firmly. “Because I know you wanted it a secret because you weren’t out and whatever, but you are now. Do you want to keep this a secret?”

”I don’t feel ready for that! What’ll happen? I thought everyone thought we hated each other.”

”That was years ago.” She whispered. “We talk more in front of them nowadays.”

”We…do.” Regina sighed. “I’m really sorry, I don’t know how to deal with this. Do you want to like…soft launch it or something?”

”I think you need that stress off of you.”

”Okay.” She chuckled, and they rested in a comfortable silence for a moment. “Do you want people to know about us?”

”What I want is for you to not get hung up about this because you think people won’t accept it. They will because—“

”—you’re Regina George and you will get peace if peace is what you want.” They said in unison.

”See?” Regina smiled. “I know.”

”It’s your choice, pretty girl.” She lightly punched her arm and checked the time. “Okay, I think I should leave now while you think about whatever thoughts you usually think. I’ll see you later.”

Janis left a light, fleeting peck on Regina’s cheek.

She was long out of view before the bell rang, and Regina was swallowed up by the crowds of people heading to class, pushing past her like she wasn’t even there.

This entire thing should have never happened.

Chapter Text

Janis looked at her mostly faded nails, annoyed.

They were in her garage, covered in paintings and random band’s posters alike. No one would find them there.

”I need to paint my nails again. They’re all faded and disgusting.”

”Really?” Regina looked up from her phone and examined her hand.

Yeah, they kind of really did need new paint.

”I’m going to get some nail polish remover, sorry if it smells bad.”

”Don’t worry about it. I don’t care about the smell.”

Janis took a cotton ball in one hand and the remover in the other, ready to scrub off flakes of nail polish scattered across her nails.

Someone unexpectedly began to bang on the garage door. ”Janis! Let me in!” Regina swore she got a heart attack.

”Back door, Damian.” Janis nonchalantly said.

”What the fuck?” Regina eyed the garage door.

”Oh my god, you are not going to believe what I just heard!” He ran in a panic. “There are dating rumors for…Regina.” He slowed down when he saw her. “Regina! What are you doing here? It’s a Wednesday.”

”What?” Regina blinked.

”Nothing!” He laughed. “I wasn’t talking about anything.”

”Dating rumors? What is this, Euphoria High School?” Janis rolled her eyes.

”Holy shit. Backtrack right now. What dating rumors?”

”I can’t say it out loud. No way.” Damian shut his mouth.

”What? Come on!” Regina grabbed his arm as he tried to run away. “Show me!”

”Yeah! Show us.”

Damian quickly pulled out his phone, switching to a profile with no profile photo, clearly someone’s burner account, and sent Regina a link.

”What the fuck?” Regina opened it up to see an image of her speaking with Cady. Just casually, likely about a hangout or some random boy Cady liked. It looked like an old photo, too.

The caption read: “I am so willing to bet Regina is dating Cady.”

”That girl is the straightest fucking person out there.” She furrowed her eyebrows. “Or, not the straightest and she can also be whatever she wants, but what the fuck?”

Janis looked to Damian. “Does Cady know about this?”

”No…” He rubbed the back of his head.

”Well fuck.” Regina rushed to grab her phone. “Fuck fuck fuck.”

@Reginageorge: Who the fuck are you? Leave Cady out of this.

@User1119375: Lmfao

@User1119375: Was I right

@Reginageorge: Noooo you fucking dumbass. I’m not dating her, delete that post

@User1119375: Who?

@Reginageorge: Why the fuck would I tell you

@Reginageorge: It’s none of your business. Just delete it.

Annoyingly, she was left on read, but she thought she got her point across.

“What are you going to tell Cady?” Janis asked, eyes wide.

”She doesn’t know, so we probably don’t have to worry.”

”Wrong!” Damian yelled, waving his phone around like a madman. “Wrong, because look at what she just messaged me!”

@Cadybird: Why is everyone messaging me about dating Regina? Asking for help like 8 people just dmed me to ask when I started dating her wtf…I haven’t even talked to her in like a week.

Regina’s mouth was opened, but not a sound came out.

”She saw it?!” Janis screamed. “No, no, this is fucking terrible!”

”Call her.” Regina ordered, grabbing Janis’s car keys.

”What the fuck? Are you stealing my car keys?”

”No, you two are coming with me.” She sighed. “Damian, call Cady. This needs an intervention.”

They all piled into her car without a single thought, Damian tapping through his phone for Cady’s contact.

”I’m calling her. Don’t act up.” He tossed the phone to Janis in the passenger seat.

”Damian! I’m so glad you called!” Cady cheered.

”We heard about the…um…dating rumors.” Regina nervously laughed.

”Regina? You’re with Regina?” Cady asked, confused.

”And Janis. Careful what you say.”

”Oh! Okay.” She paused. “So…why are you three calling me? Is this an intervention?”

”You guessed it.” Regina chuckled. “So listen, here’s the thing. You need to shut those dating rumors down as best as you can.”

“Yeah, trust me, I’m trying.”

”Good.”

”Why?”

”How good are you at keeping secrets?”

”Um…”

”That’s what I thought. Janis and I are dating.”

”Wait, what-“

All three of them took a deep breath before the questions began.

”Really? Like actually? For how long? When? Why? Aren’t you guys fighting?”

”Yes, yes, a year and a half, almost two years, and no. That entire fight wasn’t even technically a fight.”

”Are you kidding?!” She yelled. “Eighty percent of my school life revolved around that, and it wasn’t true?!”

“Geez, sorry…” Regina grumbled. “But we’re on our way to soft launch it so people get off our ass, just letting you know.”

”Why are you letting me know? Sounds like you guys have it covered.”

”We do.” Regina grinned cheekily. “Anyways, thanks babe. We’ll update you later.”

”Now that that’s over, where are we going?” Damian stuffed his phone into his pocket and peeked over the front seat.

Janis pushed him back for Regina.

”We’re going to some random park I went to a bunch as a kid. I remember it has a pretty bench or two, we could do something there.”

”My nails aren’t even done…” Janis sadly looked at her clean, polished hands.

”That’s fine.” Regina smiled.

”Oh my gosh.” Damian realized. “Wait, that’s kind of smart.”

Regina took a sharp turn into the parking lot, disregarding the shitty parking job she did. “Alright, get to a bench. Preferably one out of view.”

Janis smiled and ran after her, hand in hand.

”Damian! You’re good at taking pictures, right?” Regina called out.

”Good?” He scoffed. “I’m like, the best.”

Regina formed her hand into half a heart. “Janis, come on.”

”A heart?” Janis smiled. “How cute.”

Damian positioned himself above them, snapping tons of photos of their hands.

”Wow. Your hand not having nail polish really does make it unrecognizable.” He sighed at the camera roll.

”What?! Let me see!” Janis snatched it out of his hands, and scrolled through each and every one.

”These do look pretty good.” Regina looked with her. “Wait. Oh my gosh, send that one to me.”

”Done and done.” He grinned and sent it to her. “Are you posting it now?”

”Duh. I just don’t know what to caption it.”

”Wait, what if people think it’s Cady’s hand?”

”She has new acrylics. No way they’d think of that. They wouldn’t think it’s Janis, either. They know the back of her hand like the back of her hand.”

A slight laugh pushed past Janis’s throat. “Fucking terrible analogy. I’ll take it.”

”Oh! You should write something like “beautiful girl” or a song lyric or something! Or tell them something emo to hint it’s Janis.”

”I’m not emo.” Janis rolled her eyes.

”Not quite…” Regina pouted. “Those feel too pushy and fake.”

Both of them stared dumbly at her.

“Yeah, yeah. I get that was pretty much my entire status quo, but still.”

”What if you just put the letter J?” Janis leaned against her shoulder.

”Wait, wait. Both of you just gave me an idea.”

”Really?” They perked up.

Regina hid herself from them, leaning her phone at an invisible angle. “It should be up in a couple minutes. Check it out then.”

Janis and Damian could hardly contain their excitement, excited squeals breaking out throughout the park.

”Holy shit, it’s up!” Damian screeched.

This was possibly the cutest thing his eyes had ever laid themselves upon, despite the caption absolutely being the most threatening thing Regina had ever posted.

It was the picture that counted, though. The way their fingers just barely touched but seemed to be locked in place.

Don’t talk about my girl <3

Janis flushed a deep red. “My girl?” And she looked at Regina’s shit eating grin.

”My girl.” Regina looked away, hiding her own face of embarrassment.

And Damian was right there, clapping his hands at the post. “Perfect!”

Chapter Text

The rumors that Regina was dating Cady didn’t stop, not even in the slightest.

In fact, they were talked about even more. The slightest sight of them would trigger a chain reaction and suddenly cause the entire school to talk about them.

Hey! At least they didn’t touch Cady because they thought they were dating.

@Reginageorge: Jesus fucking christ, did that picture not give them a single hint? I swear everyone’s talking about Cady and I.

@Janismyass: everyone thinks its her hands and that the photo was faked or smth :(

@Reginageorge: They were like half right

@Janismyass: not the timeeeee wtf

@Janismyass: lowkey angry even though its hard to figure out

@Reginageorge: Do you know how Cady is doing

@Janismyass: people just arent saying stuff about it to her lmaooooo

@Janismyass: blissfully unaware

@Reginageorge: You know what I will take that

@Janismyass: anyways what are your plans for homecoming

”Regina?” Cady peeped, her eyes sad and like a puppy’s.

”Hi! What’s up with you?”

”I was trying to talk to a boy…but he just avoided me glared at me…” She sighed. “Is there something in my hair or teeth or something?”

”No, no.” Regina stopped her. “Absolutely not, you’re a ten out of ten.”

”Is it the dating rumors? God, everyone’s talking about it, but I didn’t think they thought it was true.”

”Why…else would they talk about it?”

Yeah, thinking Cady was unaware was a bad idea, anyway. She was very far off from stupid. However, she was riding on her slight lack of social awareness.

”Also, can I hear more about you and—“

”Wait!” Regina clamped a hand over Cady’s mouth. “Not here. How do you feel about skipping class so I can explain?”

“How long is the explanation?” She raised an eyebrow. “I actually have AP environmental sciences next—“

”Skip class or I’m not telling you.”

”Rude,” she rolled her eyes. “But fine, we don’t have anything today.”

”Good.” Regina pointed to the door. “Now, you pretend you’re angry and walk out the front, and I’ll act smug and walk out the back.”

”Acting?!” She loudly whispered.

”Babe please, I know what I’m doing.” She put a palm up to Cady’s face and sashayed out the back.

”Okay…?” Cady grumbled and tried as hard as she could to storm out of the front.

It worked. For the most part, people were absolutely bewildered and wondered if they had broken up.

”Explain. Now.” She said the moment they met in Regina’s car.

”What do you want to know?”

Cady’s eyes lit up, and she leaned closer to her. “How did it start?”

”What, is this How I met your mother?” She scoffed. “But we were always talking, I apologized very shortly after the incident, but the school did pretty much make it out like we were fighting.”

”So? Why didn’t you say anything?”

”Too many fights.” Regina checked her nail beds. “At some point, we figured telling them we started dating while they still thought we were absolutely fucking terrible together would just hurt the both of us. Still will.”

”But you soft launched!” Cady shook Regina.

”So people will get off my ass about you.” Regina contemplated her words. “That sounded a lot meaner than I meant it to. Sorry!” She grinned. “I might do something for homecoming to actually say it.”

”Really?! What is it?”

“Not telling.” She replied, all smug and sing-songy.

Cady groaned. “This gossip session sucks.”

”I’m not stopping you from asking other questions about Janis and I!”

”Have you two done…it?”

”Oh you poor, poor, innocent thing.” She placed a hand on her shoulder. “No. Who do you think I am?”

”Regina George?” She sighed. “Why not? I thought you were the kind to—“

”First off, I haven’t been on Dick Express for like, over two years, and Janis doesn’t want to so I don’t bring it up.”

”Oh. Fun.” Cady squinted. “Who else knows you two are dating?”

”Damian. That’s about it.”

”Oh, thank god someone else knows.” She relaxed against her seat. “Do I have permission to gossip with him?”

”Go crazy.”

”Oh, and last question.”

”Yeah?”

”Why do you two like each other?”

”Rude.” Regina rolled her eyes.

”Wait, I—“

”I’m kidding. But…” She shrugged. “We were friends for a while, and I sort of…crushed on her in middle school?” She smiled, blushing. “Anyways, after apologizing I kind of hinted that I liked her and she eventually said she liked me too.”

”It took that long?”

”It took two years. It’s not that long.”

”Two years of you liking her?”

”Almost four, actually.” She laughed. “But whatever, that doesn’t matter.”

”Wow.”

Cady swore her eyes almost popped out of her head, because Regina definitely seemed like the kind of person to be with a supermodel or something. No offense to Janis, she was super hot! But she was under the impression that she would like Gigi Hadid, Zendaya-esque girls. Again, no offense to Janis because Janis was also mind-bogglingly hot.

”You know, this talk was almost not worth it  when you said you weren’t telling me what you’re doing for homecoming.”

”Still not.” She smirked.

”That sucks.” Cady frowned. “Well, this was nice. I should probably get to my class. You probably should, too.”

”Yeah. You’re right.” Regina smiled and watched her leave the car, even though she would probably not go to class. She had a better thing to do.

@Reginageorge: I told Cady

@Janismyass: about us?

@Reginageorge: To be fair she kind of already knew

@Reginageorge: Gave her some details though

@Janismyass: oh thats cool

@Reginageorge: You’re texting in class though? What happened there haha

@Janismyass: meh im bored as hell

@Reginageorge: Come out then

@Janismyass: im lesbian

@Reginageorge: I recoiled so hard at that I took a screenshot

@Reginageorge: Come onnnn we’re both bored

@Janismyass: you’re not in class?

@Reginageorge: I took Cady out of class to talk to her haha

@Janismyass: OMG YOU MONSTER HOW COULD YOU DO THAT

@Reginageorge: It won’t happen againnnnn

@Janismyass: better not

@Janismyass: she wants to go to an ivy league soooo

@Reginageorge: Yeah ok I’m sorry

@Reginageorge: Do you want to drop by my house after school? I want to talk

@Janismyass: this sounds bad

@Janismyass: is this bad?

@Janismyass: youre scaring me

@Reginageorge: Don’t be. It’s actually a really good thing

@Reginageorge: I hope

@Reginageorge: ;)

Chapter Text

“What do you want to tell me?” Janis whispered, giggling at Regina’s house.

”You don’t have to whisper. My mom is out with her friends.” Regina changed in her large closet. Janis could hear several zippers zipping and plenty of fabric rustling.

”I’m just wondering what you want to tell me about! And I’m at your house for the first time, so I’m really excited.”

”Get prepared!” Regina cheered, stepping out of her closet in a dazzling red dress that made Janis’s jaw drop. “I know Bella Hudson got to you first, but do you want to go to homecoming together?”

Janis gasped softly. Regina was abso-freaking-lutely gorgeous with a capital G.

”So…homecoming? If you don’t want to because I know something as overwhelming as that is really hard on you, so there’s the option of just staying in and watching a movie and—“

”No, no, of course I want to go to homecoming with you.” Janis sputtered. “Oh my gosh, sorry, it’s just that—this dress is gorgeous! Where’d you even get it?”

”I got it a couple days ago from Armani.”

”Last name?”

”No, Armani, like the brand?” She giggled and hugged Janis from behind. “Holy crap, I can’t believe you’re coming to homecoming with me.”

”Wait, I thought we were stopping it at the soft launch? Are we all in?”

”That depends…” Regina tapped her chin. “Are you?”

”Oh my gosh, yeah.” She stuttered. “Wow, this is just a lot of information in a really short amount of time, sorry.”

Regina gently smiled and sat them both down. “Hey, are you okay? Do you need a moment?”

”No, no, I’m okay.” She grinned. “I don’t even know what to do for a dress though. It’s in a week and I didn’t think I’d end up going.”

”What were you planning?” She cocked her head.

”Movie night.” Janis laughed nervously.

”Would you rather have a movie night or go to homecoming? I didn’t actually buy our tickets yet.”

”…movie night.” She groaned, devastated. “But you look really good in that dress so it’s too fucking hard to decide.”

”Oh my gosh, you just gave me an idea!” She gently shoved Janis. “We could dress up while we watch!”

”Regina, what would people even say if you didn’t show up to that?”

”Um, we could pretend we’re partying, duh.”

”But wouldn’t it be suspicious if you don’t go. I mean, at least to them you’re like a guest of honor at all times.”

”And who gives a fuck about them?” She grinned. “They should know I’m too good for that shit by now.”

Janis pursed her lips. “But still. I feel bad. You love dressing up for homecoming.”

Regina pressed her lips against her cheek. “Don’t! Who cares about this year?”

“Everyone.” Janis pouted. “It’s senior year.” She shook her hand, redoing her response. “You know what? Why don’t we go for a few hours? That’s about the time it takes for it to all fizzle out.”

”Okay.” She smiled. “That sounds amazing.”

”However,” Janis chuckled. “I don’t have a suit or dress or whatever I want to wear, so I might need some help. I kind of suck at finding formalwear.”

”Do you want to borrow one of mine?”

”Sparkly…” She grumbled.

”I should have expected that. We could run over to some stores and find you something pretty. Is a purple dress good? You look great it purple.”

”You mean fetch?” She suppressed her laughter.

Regina rolled her eyes. “Oh my god, that term gives me a migraine.”

”Are there any suits that would work? I think that day would be a suit day.”

”A suit?!” Regina’s mouth gaped. “Wow, hot. I’m sure we could find a purple suit somewhere, but we’d have to move fast. Getting that stuff tailored is no joke.”

”Wow. A purple suit. Okay then.” She blinked, expecting a more classic, black suit. Something more socially acceptable considering she was the one wearing it.

”You’ll look hot.” Regina said. “I don’t see anyone bashing you because you’re coming with me.”

”Movie night after?”

”Always.” Regina unzipped her dress and threw a nice sweater on. “Let’s call Damian and Cady! I really want to make plans with them for this.”

”My phone’s on low battery.”

”Damn.” Regina pouted and pulled out hers. 

@Reginageorge has added @Cadybird to the group.

”Guys!”

“Why are you calling?” Cady groggily asked, clearly just awakened from a nap.

”I didn’t know you napped. We’re making contingency plans for homecoming!”

”Contingency plans is a bit overdramatic!” Janis called out. “They’re really just plans for homecoming, like escape plans. And defense plans. You know what? Maybe it wasn’t that overdramatic.”

Cady lightly chuckled.

”Also, do you know where Damian is?” Janis said as she inched closer to the camera.

”How should I know? If anything, you should know.”

“Sad.” Regina pouted. “We need our little gay boy’s advice.”

Like magic, Damian joined the call, and everyone burst out laughing.

”Our little gay boy!” Cady gasped.

”Cady! Regina! Janis! Oh my gosh, what are we talking about?”

”Homecoming.” Regina ran her fingers through her hair. “I was hoping that Cady could do some weird math thing and calculate how we could get out of there if we were mobbed.”

Damian scoffed. ”Girl, you need to be humbled, because it is not that serious.”

”Weird math thing? Do I look like Spencer Reid to you?”

”Don’t diss Spencer Reid’s good name!” Janis took the phone from Regina. “Look, we just need a nice way to enter and exit. Any ideas?”

”You’re also not that serious! Just say hi, people love you two!”

”Are you sure about that?” Janis frowned.

”The moment they see you walk in it’s going to click. No offense, but you guys are kind of the gayest people at school.”

”Look who’s talking!” Janis snapped. “Is that really your advice? All in favor say aye.”

”Aye.”

”Aye.”

”Whatever! That wasn’t even a fair question, there’s only four of us!”

”What are you two wearing?” Cady asked, the sound of a microwave now looming in the background.

”Something hot. Next question!” Regina said in a sing-songy voice.

”Well, I’m wearing a suit—“

”Oh, sounds like someone going to be hot shit!”

”I am in Regina fucking George’s bedroom to go to homecoming with her. You take your guess.”

The microwave beeped. “What do you mean by that?”

”Yeah! What do you mean by that Janis, huh? What do you mean by that?”

”No sex!” She groaned sarcastically. “You two suck.”

Regina leaned over and aggressively kissed her on the cheek. “It’s okay babe, pretty privilege.”

”Gross, PDA.”

”Get a room.” Cady gagged.

“We’re in Regina’s.”

”Yeah, but one without us on call! If so, go crazy.”

”Whatever, just eat whatever white people food you microwaved.” Janis laughed. “Alright, I’m hanging up now. See you guys later.”

”So?” Regina walked back out of her closet, now with a pair of athletic shorts on rather than her dress.

Janis buried her face in a blanket. “We definitely need to watch some horror shit when we get back, though.”

”Damian said it. At this point it’s just not that serious unless they’re that obsessed.”

Janis dumbly blinked.

Chapter Text

“So?” Karen slurped her drink, almost obnoxiously. “I heard you’re coming to homecoming.”

”Yeah…?” Regina popped a cheese fry in her mouth. “What about it?”

”I was just wondering who you would bring.” She giggled. “You know, what with the dating rumors and all.”

”Wow, I didn’t know you could read Instagram captions.”

Karen frowned at her, like the usual pout when she couldn’t quite understand an insult. And clearly, Regina was on her last threads of patience.

”Whatever. Ask Janis.”

”Janis?” Karen cocked her head. “Why would I ask Janis?”

Holy fuck. Maybe Regina was just mad and that was why everyone on earth seemed a billion times stupider. Why couldn’t homecoming arrive faster?

”No reason.” She rubbed her eyes. “I’m not hungry, you can have the rest of these if you want.” Regina got up from the table so she could sit with Janis and Damian. Or Cady. Or anyone better, really.

”You’re not eating it?” Karen called out with a cheese fry in her mouth. “Why? Are you on a diet again?”

The last threads of patience, really!

@Reginageorge: Where are you guys

@Cadybird: Calc classroom for studying

@Reginageorge: Gross

@Janismyass: with damian

@Damixnsversion0806: hallways

@Cadybird: Why?

@Reginageorge: Because Karen has the media literacy of Dora the Explorer

@Damixnsversion0806: PLEASE

@Janismyass: THAT WAS A LITTLEEEE TOO CREATIVE

@Reginageorge: Cady which calc classroom I’m going there

@Cadybird: There’s only one calc classroom though???? Norbury

@Reginageorge: On my way!

@Reginageorge: Fuck no why does autocorrect do that

@Reginageorge: Omw 

Cady put down her pencil. “Ms. Norbury? Regina’s going to come here in a moment.”

”Regina?” She knit her eyebrows together. “Why? Isn’t she too cool for this class or whatever people say nowadays?”

”I don’t know.” She shrugged. “I guess she’s coming here to talk with me.”

”Why? Is it to fight?” Ms. Norbury leaned against her desk. “If so, I’m all for locking the doors.”

”No, no. We’ve made up since last year. We’re cool now!”

She calmly leaned back in her seat again. “Oh. Alright…I didn’t realize you two were this close, though.”

”Yeah.” She smiled.

”Cady!” Regina thundered into the classroom, shocking Ms. Norbury. “I’m so annoyed by Karen, you don’t understand!”

”No, I fully understand. Like you said—“ her words were cut off by her laughing in between each one. “She had the media literacy of Dora the Explorer.”

”You said that?” Ms. Norbury gaped.

”Yes.” Regina grinned mischievously. “Also, do you happen to have an NDA policy of any sorts? Just so we could make this conversation a little more interesting.”

”I’m a high school calculus teacher, Regina. I do not have a policy for NDAs.”

”Oh.” Regina pouted.

”If it comforts you, I doubt Karen and Gretchen will ever be in one of my classes.”

”Good enough.” Regina said. “Janis and I are dating.”

”Oh.” Ms. Norbury shrugged before she fully processed what was said. “Wait, what?!”

”That’s what I’m saying!” Cady threw her hands up.”

”I have had to make seating charts according to you two because of how big that scandal was, if you can call it a scandal! What do you mean you two are dating?!”

“Anyways, Cady, now that we’ve confirmed we’re going to homecoming together I literally can’t keep my mouth shut so I’m hanging here with you instead of with Gretchen and Karen.”

“Thanks…? I thought we were going to hold off hanging out until the rumors settled, though.”

”Rumors?” Ms. Norbury’s eyebrows went up in concern. “What rumors, are you two alright?”

”Well…” Cady looked away. “There are rumors that us two are dating.”

Ms. Norbury sighed. “Why did I start teaching at this school again?”

”I wish I could ask that too, Ms. Norbury.”

”But Cady, I thought you were involved with Aaron? Why would they make those rumors?”

”We never actually got together.” She laughed nervously.

Regina cringed. “Yeah, I’m still sorry about that.”

”Not your fault. He was just a cute asshole.” Cady sighed and picked her pencil back up.

”Wait, what are your plans for homecoming, Regina?”

”Telling everyone I’m dating Janis…”

”Sounds tough.” She smiled. “Well, I wish you good luck on that.”

”Well, now that you know, can I add you to an Instagram groupchat?”

”That…would he completely against school policy. Come back when you’re in college.”

”Damn.” Regina frowned.

”The bell rings in two minutes. You might want to get a head start getting to class from here if you have dating rumors with Cady.”

”Thanks, Ms. Norbury. Also, does Janis go to any of your classes—“

”Ask later! Head start, I have office hours later.” She chuckled at how Regina frowned. “Or are you too cool for that?”

”I’m probably too busy. Thanks for the offer though.”

She patted Cady’s desk. “Wish me luck when I see Karen and Gretchen.”

”Gotcha.”

So. For her next class, which she would actually be attending. French 2.

”Gretchen, Karen!” She strutted in. “Listen, I wanted to ask you two about helping—“

”Ms. George. Please sit, it’s class time.”

”But—“

”Asseyez-vous s'il vous plait.”

She rolled her eyes and parked herself in the back. She had been hoping to speak with them in person, but of course Ms. Park was acting all stiff today.

@Reginageorge: Help me shut down the dating rumors with Cady.

@Gretchwn: What happened to hi

@Reginageorge: Oh boo hoo. Help me shut down the dating rumors with Cady

@Prettykarenpretty: whattt they arent true? thats so sad

@Reginageorge: Wtf

@Gretchwn: Why…would they be true?

@Gretchwn: Ykw dont even answer that.

@Prettykarenpretty: waitttt is cady not gay i thought she was

@Reginageorge: NO shes not to my knowledge

@Reginageorge: Are you guys not processing a single word I just said

@Gretchwn: Mmmmmmm

@Gretchwn: No

”Ms. Shetty!” Ms. Park angrily barked. “Are you using your phone?!”

”Non…?” Karen sheepishly replied and slipped her phone into her bag.

Gretchen and Regina exchanged looks and went back to their phones.

@Reginageorge: Whats up with you

@Reginageorge: I thought youd want to help me

@Gretchwn: Regina I’m not fucking stupid

@Gretchwn: I’m literally doing you a favor by not telling people youre dating janis

@Reginageorge: Oh so you did figure it out

@Gretchwn: Yeah.

@Reginageorge: What do you want an apology from me or something

@Gretchwn: YEAH

@Gretchwn: You made so many dick moves you know that right

@Gretchwn: Like thanks for threatening to ruin my life

@Reginageorge: Ok fine I’m sorry

@Reginageorge: I was really stressed out because back then I thought we both weren’t ready to reveal our relationship but now we are and I REALLY REALLY want these rumors shut down because I think they’re hurting me Janis AND Cady

@Reginageorge: And Janis and Cady for sure don’t deserve that

@Reginageorge: So there

@Reginageorge: I’m sorry I was such a dick and I will make it up to you when I can

@Gretchwn: Thanks regina

@Gretchwn: I forgive you<333

Regina scowled at the audacity of the message, but sighed in relief at the next one.

@Gretchwn: I’ll shut down whatever I can

Okay. Maybe this would be a nice, peaceful homecoming.

Chapter Text

“Oh my god…this suit is way sparklier than it looked when we bought it.” Janis looked at her shimmering sleeves, unsure on if it was too much despite how similar it was to what she wore last year.

”It looks great! I love it, personally.”

”What about you? I want to see your dress.”

Regina peeked her head out of her closet, obscuring the rest of her body. “I’ll be out in a minute. Just hold on.”

Janis kicked back and went on her phone, scrolling through endless videos of her schoolmates getting ready, in the meantime.

Cady? Gorgeous. Karen? Gorgeous. Gretchen? Gorgeous.

Truthfully, she wasn’t sure if she was up standard for the all-out, final homecoming vibe. Don’t get her wrong, she loved her outfit! But everyone else was so lavishly beautiful, she felt she had a reason to feel a bit shy.

”Are you ready?!” Regina waltzed out, twirling in her red dress that made Janis’s jaw drop down to the floor.

”Yeah.” Janis breathed. “Oh my god, you’re gorgeous.”

”Thank you.” She smugly giggled. “I take it you like it?”

”Yeah. It makes your…boobs look good.”

”Thanks.” Regina burst out laughing. “I hope they do.”

Janis stood up, looking up to make eye contact with Regina’s tall stature. “Well, you look good.”

”Thanks.” She smiled. “You do, too.” Regina grazed her hand over Janis’s eyeliner.

Janis sneakily bounced up onto her tiptoes and pecked a kiss onto Regina’s nose.

“Oh!” Regina’s hand drifted up towards her nose where the kiss had been.

”Are you ready to go over and blow everyone’s minds?”

”Yeah.” Regina shrugged. “Wait, on second thought, do you know what food they’re going to have? I’m kind of hungry.”

”It depends what you want to eat.”

”A burger and fries…”

”Oh my god.” Janis laughed. “Do you want to do that after we leave?”

”Okay. That’s a good compromise.”

Janis reached out her hand so they could go to Regina’s car, something much classier than her own old, beat up Subaru that was a few years too old for maximum functionality.

”And don’t forget, you’re driving. I don’t want to damage your car.”

The school was illuminated heavy, much differently than the usual lighting on a regular day. It was colorful. Pretty.

”How late do you think we are?” Janis huffed at the front door.

”Fashionably.” She linked her arm with Janis’s. “Come on! It looks like it’s gotten pretty far along. It shouldn’t be awkward.”

”Can I at least text Damian and Cady first?”

”No.” Regina swatted her phone away. “They probably wouldn’t even answer, let’s just go!”

She pushed the door open, greeting them with poppy, upbeat music and confetti all over the floor. People were dancing, and it was quite the happy scene.

However, several of them stopped when they walked in through the door. Surely they must have just had a terrible coincidence to arrive at the same time.

But they were arm in arm, grinning from ear to ear.

They could hear some people whisper, “What the fuck?”

Totally understandable. Totally.

Cady eventually made her way to them.

”Oh my gosh, your dress is fucking gorgeous!” Janis squealed and hugged her.

”You finally did it!” She beamed. “This is awesome!”

”Isn’t it?” Regina grinned, her eyes slowly scanning the room. She could see Gretchen in the corner waiting for them to finish speaking.

”Yeah! And a lot of people finally stopped talking about the rumors, so I’m not being ignored by everyone and whatever.” She lightly chuckled. “You guys deserve it, have fun.” She patted them on the back and cheerfully ran back into the dancing crowd.

Regina’s smile faded slightly when Gretchen came over, albeit quite reluctantly.

”Hey, I’m going to get us something to drink. Do you want anything?” Janis nudged Regina, seeing as Gretchen seemed quite hesitant to speak with her around.

”Can I have some Sprite? Thanks.” She nodded.

It was silent between them until Janis was gone.

”So…”

”Yeah.”

”Janis? That was the last person I expected, actually.”

”Why are you so surprised if you knew?”

”Because you two were…you know, enemies.” Gretchen shrugged. “Was that part even true?”

”I don’t even know how to explain it to you.” Regina threw her head back. “I guess we were, but it didn’t last long. Shocker, I apologized.”

”Is she nice? It looks like you really like her.”

Regina blinked. “Yeah, she is, she’s amazing. I don’t know what I’d do without her.”

Gretchen looked hurt.

”Look, I’m sorry I—“

”I’m not mad you didn’t tell me. You know what? I get it, that entire thing is just weird to say, probably.”

”It is…but you’re very clearly pissed.”

”Well, I thought we were kind of best friends, and I guess I didn’t realize this huge part of your life.”

”Nobody really knew.” Regina sighed.

Gretchen pursed her lips. Yeah, like that was supposed to make her feel better. “Well, I have no idea what happened between you two, but I’m happy for you.”

Regina weakly smiled and opened her arms in an inviting manner. “Thank you?”

They hugged for a second, smiling through the awkwardness.

”You’re in a really good mood today, Regina.”

”Well, what the hell? It’s senior year, that’s basically the last day of the world.”

”We still have time, it’s only homecoming.”

”Yeah.” Regina clicked her tongue. “You would hope so, huh?”

Janis returned, a can of sprite and glass of punch in her hands. “Hey, Gretchen!”

”Hey, Janis.” She smiled. “I was just about to head back to the dance floor.”

”Really? How was it?”

”They played the Cha cha slide and Macarena a lot. Like, a lot lot. It’s kind of annoying, but I guess it could be worse.” She anxiously chuckled.

”Sounds…nice.” Janis grinned.

Gretchen was gone before they could say anything else.

”Well, here's your Sprite.”

”Thanks.” Regina took a hasty sip from the can and set it down on a nearby table, drumming her fingers on her sides. “Do you want to dance for a bit?”

”I’m…not that good at dancing.”

Regina took Janis’s hand without a second thought, because her not knowing how to dance hardly mattered to her.

They ran into the crowd of people at the front of the auditorium, all dancing to the hyperactive music.

Janis had no idea what to do. She kind of awkwardly swung her hands around, followed what Regina was doing.

”And you said you were bad at dancing.” Regina giggled and threw herself into a long hug with Janis, right there on the dance floor.

It felt like the entire school was watching them.

Neither of them cared.

They were panting by the end, exhausted from the heat of bodies around them and dancing like insane people.

Regina stumbled to where they sat previously and downed most of the Sprite in one go, which was easy from how flat it had become.

”That was kind of fun.” Janis laughed and sipped at a new glass of water. “I don’t dance often.”

They sat down, watching the room through the purple light that washed over everything in sight.

Regina sighed tiredly. “Hey, I’m going to head to the bathroom, I don’t feel that good.”

”Oh?” Janis scurried up to help her. “Why? Did you dance too hard?”

She tried to make her sit back down. “No, no. I’ll be back in a few minutes…don’t worry about it.”

She cocked her head as Regina walked away, swaying slightly with each step.

She drummed her fingers on her thighs awkwardly because she was alone again. This was usually the point she would go home. It made her want to cry because she wasn’t going home.

”Where’d Regina go?” Damian approached her from the dance floor, smiling and like a breath of fresh air.

”She’s in the bathroom.” She pointed towards the door. “How’s homecoming going for you so far?”

”Amazing.” He sat next to her.

She leaned her head on his shoulder, taking a deep breath.

”Geez, Janis, are you okay? You seem fucking exhausted.”

”Just the dancing.” She chuckled. “It was fun. I thought I’d be harassed more today.”

”Maybe tomorrow.” Damian laughed. “People were just staring because they were surprised, that’s all.”

She slowly breathed, hardly even aware of the intensely loud music. “I really do like her.”

”Oh, girl. I know. I can see it whenever you look at her.” He whispered.

She smiled and looked up at him. “Thanks. You’re like, the best wingman or whatever you are.”

”Of course.”

There was a big chunk of silence before Janis spoke again.

”It’s getting pretty late, right?”

Damian nodded. “You look really tired, too. You should head out with Regina.”

She stood up. “Thanks.”

”Good night, Janis.”

It was, again, refreshing. But this time, to step out of the auditorium and into the hallway.

She headed straight to the bathrooms to see what was taking Regina so long.

”Regina?” She looked through the row of stalls. “Are you in there?”

She reached the last stall at the end of the bathroom, the biggest one, and saw her propped up on the wall and lying on the floor.

Lying on the floor?

”Regina?”

She received a grunt in response.

”Holy shit, what happened? Are you drunk?” She hissed and crawled underneath the stall door.

”No, I didn’t drink anything.” She grumbled.

It smelled true. She knew the smell of alcohol very well, and nothing came from Regina.

”What happened then? Did you throw up.”

Regina hung her head wearily.

”It’s—It’ll be okay. I’ll take you home.”

”I don’t want go home.” She clung onto Janis.

”It’s not safe for you to be here right now, though, I think you ate something wrong.” She gently coaxed her up, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. “We can go to my house for the night, please?”

Regina was so out of it she hardly even heard what Janis said. Jesus christ, good thing she found her.

Janis heaved upwards and walked them both to Regina’s car.

@Janismyass: hey guys, think regina had smth weird

@Janismyass: taking her home

@Janismyass: just letting you guys know

She waited in the car for a while. It took a long time for a response to come.

@Cadybird: What? Is she ok?

@Janismyass: yeah shes with me rn

@Damixnsversion0806: i could call an uber for you guys

@Janismyass: dont need it, were taking her car

@Damixnsversion0806: then call us if smth happens IMMEDIATELY

@Janismyass: i will

@Janismyass: thanks

”You okay?” She brushed a strand of Regina’s hair away from her face, frowning at the lack of response before driving home.

Who did something like that? Was it really just Regina catching something?

Tears that she suppressed stung her eyes and made it hard to swallow. Regina was fine, really! She had no idea why she felt like crying! Maybe this was just a good time to start a movie night.

She didn’t live far enough from school to have an actual, valid amount of time to cry, so she bit her tongue and carried Regina into the car.

It was late. She was tired. She just wanted to watch a shitty movie and bask in the knowing that it was all over.

She sighed deeply when she opened the car door and saw Regina, still unconscious.

”Regina?” She sweetly asked, hoping to tell her they were at her house if she was conscious.

But alas, she wasn’t. So she just opened the garage and gently laid Regina on her mattress in the corner before turning on her television and switching to a cheesy rom-com she could use as background noise.

”Janis, honey, you’re home already?” Her mom quietly peeked through the door. “I thought you would be out till 12:00.”

”I…was. But Regina was tired. Is it okay if she crashes here for the night?”

She raised an eyebrow. “Regina?”

”I won’t burn the house down.”

Her mom pinched her cheek affectionately. “That’s not the problem, you know it.”

”We haven’t been fighting in years, mom. We’re good friends.” Janis rolled her eyes.

She pursed her lips. ”You look very cute in the suit, by the way. You should have sent me pictures.”

”Thanks, I will later.”

”Don’t stay up too late, okay? You look tired.”

“I won’t.”

She sighed in relief when her mom was finally out of sight.

Chapter Text

Regina woke up slowly, at first, blinking to adjust to the light and soon jolting away because this was, clearly, not her house.

”Hello?” She yelled, shaking. “Where the hell am I?!”

She examined herself. She was still in her dress, and she was pretty much intact, except for her makeup, slightly messed up from the mattress.

Oh, now she was awake. This was Janis’s room.

”You’re awake.” Janis sat at the edge of the mattress with a glass of water. “Are you feeling okay?”

”Janis.” She softly gasped. “What happened? Why am I at your house?”

“You probably got drugged or something at homecoming so I brought you here. But nothing happened. My mom’s home if you need to ask for anything.”

”I’m…fine. Are you sure nothing happened at school?”

Janis pursed her lips. She didn’t know that. She didn’t know any of that. “I’m sure. Do you need a change of clothes? You could borrow some of mine.”

”Can we go out for burgers? I’ll pay. And drive.”

”You’re definitely not driving.” She snorted. “Are you fine with sweatpants?”

”Sweatpants? Why would I need sweatpants if I’m going out like this?”

Janis blinked. “Oh, I thought—“

”Well, I need to put this dress to good use! Now, where’s your car?”

”Yeah, about that…”

Regina fell silent when she saw her car parked in the driveway. “Hey, I didn’t know I was cool enough to drive while unconscious.”

”Regina—“

”You could’ve crashed it.” She furrowed her brows.

”But I didn’t! Give me some credit here, you were unconscious.”

Regina pouted. “Then can I drive?”

”Still no.”

”But I’m fine!” She groaned, walking forward in a straight line. “See?! Not drunk.”

”That was definitely not the original problem. Look, let’s just go get burgers first, then we can come back and you can drive. How does that sound?”

“Fine.” She suspiciously cocked her head. “Let’s get Wendy’s.”

”Wendy’s sucks.” Janis blinked. “Okay, okay, fine. Wendy’s it is.”

They awkwardly went into the car, and Janis just thought how weird they might have looked with their combination of clothes, herself in a pair of checkered pajama pants and oversized band t-shirt, and Regina in her glamorous dress. It was insane how perfect her hair still was.

”Janis?”

”Yeah?”

”So…I was drugged at homecoming?”

”I don’t know…I think so.”

”I mean, it’s happened before, but this time just feels so weird.” Regina leaned her head against the window. “Why am I so scared of this if it shouldn’t even bother me?”

”I don’t know how to say this, but I think it’s normal for it to be all weird for you.”

”But I’m bothered by it. It’s happened to me before, which is fine, but it’s still weird.”

”It’s definitely normal for you to be bothered by it. I was actually worried by how calm you were about it.”

Regina gulped. “I’m sorry if I ruined the night for you.”

”You did nothing of those sorts.”

”Really? You aren’t mad in the slightest?”

”No!” Janis exclaimed. “Regina, no matter what happens, if I’m there, I’m going to help you with whatever I have. You know, because I care about you. A lot.”

”Oh.” Regina breathed. “Um…thanks.”

”Yeah.”

They kind of drove in silence for a moment, acknowledging each other but choosing to wallow in their own thoughts for a moment.

”Do you want to go inside or just get drive-through?”

”Let’s just go through the drive-in. There’s no point of going inside, anyway.”

Janis smiled. “Well, I kind of look like shit, so I guess you’re right.”

”It’s still kind of crazy that we can be in public together now.”

”We can? I mean, you were possibly drugged and we have no idea what the motive might’ve been—“

”We can. It was just once.”

”You’re not concerned about this. At all.”

”Yeah. Who gives a fuck?”

”Me, but I guess you’re right…do you just want a cheeseburger?”

”And a Frosty.”

”Fun.”

She ordered and drove them forward.

”Do you want to go to my house after this?” Regina asked.

”I thought you haven’t told your mom about us.”

”I didn’t, but if the school knows now pretty much everyone is bound to know.”

”I like that logic.” She had a bite of her frosty. “Oh my god, this is way better than I remember. It’s terrible, but better.”

”I know, right?” Regina bit into her cheeseburger, using only her index finger and thumb to minimize what she had to wipe off later. “Eating Wendy’s is just a competition of trying to think it’s better than the last time you come.”

“Can you eat while I’m driving, or are you too deep in passenger princess mode?”

”You can drive.” She sighed. “The idea of burgers sounded so good last night.”

”Well, it was fun last night! I don’t usually dance.”

”You were great last night.” Regina shifted on her seat uncomfortably.

”Did something get on your seat?”

”No, why?”

”You did a weird shifting thing in your seat.” Janis blinked.

Regina sighed in defeat. Her girlfriend was far more perceptive than she thought. “I thought this dress was comfortable when I woke up.”

”So?”

”I need a change of clothes from you, please.”

”Wow, really?!” Janis’s eyes widened, a sarcastic glint running through them.

Regina rolled her eyes. “Preferably pajama pants or something.”

”This is insane, I wish I recorded you saying that.”

”It’s not that big of a deal!”

”Alright, alright.” Janis laughed. “I have a good pair of sweatpants for you. You know, the ones you rejected?”

”Thanks…” She flushed. “I’ll give them back to you when we get to my house.”

”Oh, shit, you were serious about us going to your house?”

”Yeah. I actually meant it when I said I don’t give a shit if my mom knows anymore.”

Chapter Text

Janis was unsure of where she should sit, because Cady was back with Mrs. Norbury, and Damian was with his little theatre kid boyfriend somewhere.

And personally, after everything at homecoming, Janis wasn’t sure if Regina would want to leave the safety of the Plastics or her car.

”Janis!” Regina waved her hand from across the cafeteria.

She shyly walked over and slid her tray on Regina’s table. “Hi.”

Regina pressed her lip on her cheek. “Hi there.” She smiled. Her nose crinkled ever so slightly after she did so, it was adorable.

”Hi, have you had lunch yet?” Janis leaned comfortably into Regina’s arms after realizing it really wasn’t hurting anyone.

”I have not. I want Burger King.”

”Burger King’s kind of a long shot. Don’t skip class for it.”

”Boring.” Regina frowned. “School food’s shitty anyways.”

”You’re kind of right.”

Regina’s head snapped over towards everyone in the cafeteria when she heard a small clicking of a phone camera.

”You.” She immediately pointed out to where the noise came from, and the people parted slightly to reveal a nerdy-looking, gangly bot. “Come here.”

”What the hell are you doing?!” Janis quietly hissed.

The boy froze.

”Did you not hear me? I asked you to come here!”

Reluctantly, he got up and trudged over, phone in hand.

Regina turned on his phone. “Unlock it.”

”I don’t have to—“

”Unlock. It.” She scowled.

He obliged, and she scrolled into his camera roll, clicking on the picture of her and Janis. “Can you explain why you have this?”

”It’s just a picture.”

Regina slammed her hands on the table. “Jackass, if you want to jack off to some girls because you can’t get one, look somewhere else.”

”Regina.” Janis furrowed her eyebrows.

”Fine.” Regina exhaled. “Delete the photo.” She ordered the boy.

Quickly, he did.

”Now go into your deleted photos and delete that, too.”

He attempted to angle his phone away from her, but she roughly readjusted the position back to her, and he really did have to delete it.

”Thank you.” She smiled condescendingly. “If you take another one I’ll make sure you have to sleep with one eye open.”

Soon enough, he went back to his table, cloaked behind a never-ending stream of whispers.

”Oh my god…” Janis whispered near Regina’s ear. “Are you sure that wasn’t a bit much?”

”Actually, it might have been.”

”So…why?”

”Why what?”

”Why’d you go through all that?”

”You’re a very private person.” Regina smugly grinned.

Janis raised an eyebrow. “Then thank you.”

“Not to mention, that guy’s a fucking creep. I wasn’t lying when I said I he does weird shit. He tries to take pictures of me. Like, a lot of them.” She shuddered at the memory of just that particular boy constantly staring at her, pulling his phone out to take pictures of her at the slightest provocation. Even more than any other creep at school.

”I seriously wonder how you’re so calm about it.” Janis worriedly rubbed Regina’s arm.

”It comes with all this.” She shakily smiled, her shoulders tensing up. “It’s like, part of my job description to just deal with it.”

”But…this isn’t a job.” Janis said blandly.

”Close enough.” Regina stared into space before snapping back to reality. “Anyways…!”

”No, no, don’t pretend nothing’s wrong!” Janis frowned. “First it was homecoming, and now this?!”

”Both don’t matter.” Regina said in a sing-songy voice. “It’s the circle of life, biatch. Nothing can fix it, anyway.”

”No shit I might not be able to fix it, but can’t we prevent more stuff from happening?”

Regina shrugged. “Can we just talk about this later?”

Janis resisted the urge to strangle Regina with the rubbery spaghetti from the school lunches.

”We have to. You can’t avoid this. I love you and I’m not letting you have this keep happening to you.”

”Aw, that’s cute. I love you too.”

Chapter Text

Gretchen nervously tapped on her leg to the hallway’s clock ticking.

”So, are none of us talking about you two are dating? Then why did we have to stay here after school?” Karen finally speaks up.

”All of us knew.” Damian, Cady, and Gretchen all said in unison.

Karen scoffed. “What?! Since when?!”

”Since they fucked in an abandoned movie theater.” Gretchen grumbled.

“Since they started—wait, wait, Gretchen, what the fuck?!” Damian exclaimed. “They fucked in an abandoned movie theater?!” He glared at Janis. “You lied?!”

”Guys, we did not fuck.” Regina clapped her hands together. “We just had a little…”

”Did you guys just make out?” Karen blinked.

”Ding ding ding. Do you want a gold star?” Regina rolled her eyes.

”Regina!” Janis elbowed her ribs.

”Why are we even asking this?” Cady groans. “All I did was ask if you guys had the physics and history notes!”

”We don’t.” Gretchen checks her nail beds. “I don’t know why we’re talking about this, either, we all knew anyway.”

”Well, Karen asked if Cady took chemistry before, then…” Janis trailed off. “I have no idea, actually. Here’s the notes for history, but I’m in AP biology, so I can’t help with physics.”

”Alright…” Cady clicked her tongue. “Well, that was a pointless reason to stay on campus.”

”I know what we should discuss!” Damian exclaimed. “What happened to you on homecoming night? You left with Janis really suddenly.”

”That is not a good way to transition this to something no one cares about, not even me!” Regina furrowed her eyebrows. “Can we just go home already? We finished giving Cady whatever we had.”

”Janis…” Damian glared suspiciously.

”Damian…!” Janis clenched her teeth threateningly. “Let’s talk about this in private, okay?”

”Wait, is this one of those things that needs an intervention?” Cady knits her eyebrows together.

”We do not need an intervention, thank you very much.” Regina hissed.

”I beg to differ very mildly.” Janis muttered under her breath, just enough so only Regina heard, and maybe Damian.

”Intervention? Intervention? Intervention?” Cady pointed to the circle.

”Just because you say it’s an intervention doesn’t actually mean it’s an intervention.” Damian rolled his eyes. “You two, are you okay?”

”Yes!” Regina exclaimed.

”She’s answering a lot more than usual, that means no.” Gretchen said to Damian.

Damn it. Admittedly, it was expected that Gretchen knew quite a few of her mannerisms.

”That’s a thing?” Janis’s eyes widened at the newfound information. “I’m using that.”

”Karen, Gretchen, go home.” Regina pointed at the door.

”You’re not telling us?” Karen frowned.

”I’ll tell you two later when I’m ready.”

Thankfully, Karen and Gretchen had enough awareness to not point out that she fully implied that something was in fact wrong.

They picked up their things and left the hallway silent, Cady and Damian on an uneasy edge.

”So?” Cady peeped.

Regina inhaled deeply. “Before I begin, this is less of something that concerns me and more of something that concerns Janis.”

”Ooh, la, la.” Janis said dryly. “They’ll get it because it’s not normal for it to apparently have happened before.”

”I was drugged at homecoming.”

”Oh.” Cady blinked. “Wait, what?!”

”Allegedly!” Regina attempted to calm them, not like it was easy.

”Apologies, but you’ve been drugged before?” Cady’s mouth gaped. “And you say it so casually!”

Regina shrugged, but everyone saw how there was now a slight tremble in her shoulders. “Again, it’s fine. I’m fine with it.”

”Janis is right, this is a ginormous deal.” Damian’s generally playful demeanor became serious.

”What the hell am I supposed to even do about it?”

”Secret…service?” Janis half-heartedly suggested.

”I like that idea.” Regina snapped.

”Janis, no.” Damian objected. “I’m going to suggest therapy or the school counselor.”

”But the school counselor is fucking disgusting.” She complained. “I’m literally ninety percent sure he doesn’t shower.”

”Don’t say that! He’s great!” Cady patted her back comfortingly. “We could go together if you want.”

”Sure, we could do it later…” Regina sheepishly rubbed the back of her head, although Janis fully doubted she would go through with it.

”So…is this the end of today’s intervention?” Damian asked.

Janis looked at her nails, bored. “That’s the thing about interventions. Once they start, they never stop.”

”Then remind me not to get an intervention next time.”

”No.” Cady smirked. “That’s the point of interventions.”

”Guys, just a reminder that it’s now 4:30.” Damian checked his watch.

”So?” Janis blinked.

”I’m hungry.”

”Oh! Right!” Janis hurriedly picked up her bag. “We should probably head out before the security guard finds us.”

”Yes, let’s end my intervention.”

”Sweet.” Cady smiled. “Intervention adjourned!”

Chapter Text

“Ms. Norbury!”

Ms. Norbury put down papers she was grading and sighed. “Good afternoon, Regina.”

”I know you’re going to ask me why I’m here, so I’m going to tell you that I’m…” She looked around before whispering. “Hiding from my friends.”

It wasn’t like she was going to ask, but she just shrugged and accepted the answer. “Why are you hiding from your…friends?”

”They’re intervening!”

”With what…?”

“Me getting drugged at homecoming!”

”I’m sorry, I—“

”It’s fine, I already got a therapist.”

She has absolutely no clue why Regina was telling her this.

”Why are you hiding in here, then?”

”Because Cady probably doesn’t think I’d ever come in here.” She smugly said.

She couldn’t argue with that logic.

Ms. Norbury quickly checked the clock. “Well, you can stay for as long as lunch lasts, and I’ll be reporting that…” She picked up some paper and her phone.

”No need, I already reported it.”

Ms. Norbury stared at her, flabbergasted. “Regina, what?”

”Which is why there’s no need for an intervention!”

”That’s an actually valid reason for an intervention! You can still use friends for support.”

”I don’t want to.” Regina frowned.

”You could always tell them to back off.” She sighed. “If you truly think you do not need their extra help, seriously! Tell them to back off.”

”Well, what do you think?”

”I think I’m a calculus teacher that in no way knows you and has never had you in my class.” She pursed her lips. “But I also think you should let them help you. Not intervene, but help you.”

”Oh.” Regina blinked. “That’s smart. Thanks.”

”No problem.” She picked up the papers again, ticking off some wrong answers she saw.

”Wait, is that Bella’s?” Regina pointed to the paper after seeing the name on the corner.

”Yes, why?”

”You should mark her off more.”

”What?!” Ms. Norbury looked taken aback. “Why would I do that?”

Regina blinked dumbly. “No reason.”

”Very mature, Regina, but please at least let me grade papers without coercing me to fail your enemies.”

”Not coercion, just a suggestion.” Regina walked back to a desk and slumped into it.

”But if you don’t want to be found right now, you might want to leave. Cady asked for help on her test corrections.”

”Test corrections? I thought she usually got perfect scores.” Regina frowned.

”She skipped a class one day, so she missed something on the test.”

Wow, everything was really coming back to bite Regina in the ass.

”That was my bad.”

”Your bad?” Ms. Norbury looked over her glasses. “What did you do so that it’s your bad?”

”I made her skip class to tell her Janis and I are dating. You know, just to disprove the dating rumors.”

”You made her skip class over that?!” Obviously she couldn’t get too mad, either, because she had to stay professional.

”Good news, it doesn’t matter anymore! I no longer affect your seating chart.”

”It definitely does. I actually had to change it again because of whatever happened with you kids! Do you know how hard it is to eavesdrop enough to configure a seating chart?”

Regina pursed her lips. “My bad.”

Ms. Norbury didn’t seem to necessarily care all too much at that point. “You know what? It’s not a big deal.”

Truthfully, it was just because Regina and her friends were now seniors, and finals were only a couple of months away.

”Hey, Ms. Norbury! Sorry I’m late, I—“ Cady froze when she saw Regina. She looked out of breath. “Oh my god, it’s like a convenient dream come true.”

”Don’t say anything just because I’m in a calculus classroom.” Regina said grouchily.

Ms. Norbury rubbed her forehead. “Test corrections, Cady?”

”Wait, hold on, sorry.” Cady sheepishly said and rushed over to where Regina is. “Okay, so I was looking for you because—“

”Nope!” She cheerfully responds. “I’m going to get therapy, I reported it and everything, I don’t want an intervention.”

Cady stared at her with wide eyes. “But this is serious.”

”And I’ll tell you if I want an intervention, but right now I don’t.”

”Okay then…” Cady knitted her eyebrows, and they both awkwardly stood there until Cady made a move. “Also, you’re kind of sitting at my desk…”

”Oh!” Regina jumped up. “Sorry.” She cleared her throat awkwardly. “I’m gonna head out now, then.”

”Alright…” Cady gulped. “See you later?”

”Yup.” Regina said mindlessly and walked out of the door.

”Ms. Norbury, is it fine if I just don’t do corrections today?” She sighed in her direction.

”I mean, sure, but it isn’t necessarily going to help your grade.” She squinted. “But you got a sixty on this test, are you sure you don’t want to correct it?”

”Is it the last day to turn it in?”

”Yes!” Ms. Norbury exclaimed. “You had a week and it’s a Friday, now.”

Cady blinked and sat down meekly in her chair. “Oh. Dang.”

Ms. Norbury resisted the urge to strangle herself with her papers. “Do you like someone again?”

”No.” Cady responded hopelessly.

She couldn’t believe it in the slightest. “So you really did skip class so she could tell you she’s dating Janis?”

”Yes.”

”Wow!” She leaned back on her seat. “This school is interesting, I’ll give you guys that.”

“Well, I wanted to know!” Cady huffed. “I’ll figure out the math over the weekend, I swear.”

”You’re getting late credit on the corrections if you do that.”

”I know!” She set her things down and got comfortable in her chair. “But if I do better on the next test I only need a ninety-four for an A.”

”You use the world “only” way too comfortably. I’m not completely sure if we’ll have more tests because finals are coming up so fast.”

”Oh.” Cady swallowed. “Oh my god.”

”Do you want help on your corrections?”

”Yes please.” Cady hung her head, but the bell rung, much to her disappointment. “Wait, can I turn it in after school?”

Ms. Norbury sighed yet again. “Fine, but you better do it fast! I’ll give you twenty minutes after the bell rings.”

Chapter Text

“As you know, finals are in…” Madam Park checked the calendar. “A little over a month?”

The entire class groaned.

”Don’t ugh at me! You guys are the ones taking this class when most of your language requirements were completed in sophomore year!”

A boy in the front raised his hand. “Will this test be multiple choice?”

”No, it’s two essay based questions and a free response.”

The entire class groaned again.

”It’s AP French!” She laughed in between words. “I’m not just going to throw a scantron at you guys.”

”Can you?” Regina frowned. She really didn’t pay attention in this class, and she didn’t want to have to study.

”No.”

The entire class groaned yet again.

”Alright, alright! Independent study time for the rest of class, then. Don’t forget to turn in your missing work.”

The boy in the front raised his hand again. “Can I go to the bathroom?”

”You don’t need my permission, you need the bathroom pass’s permission.”

”Cool.” He shrugged and left the classroom.

Regina turned around to talk to Gretchen. “What are you doing to do for studying?”

”I’m probably not going to study.” She crossed her legs and examined her nails. “I only need a sixty to pass this class, and I could just use Vietnamese for language stuff.”

”Smart…” Regina nodded.

”Why? Do you not know some of this stuff?”

”No. I haven’t known what I’ve been doing in this class since I started.”

”Then…why are you taking this class? You finished your language requirements in sophomore year.”

Regina sighed. “I wish I knew, Gretchen. I wish I knew.” She huffed and opened her notebook. “I wish I was like Cady, that way I could be smart enough to not study.”

Gretchen eyed Regina judgmentally. ”She’s smart because she studies.”

”Well, it sounds worse when you put it like that.”

She flipped the page to some where she took notes on conjugations.

Conjugations…French conjugations were way too weird, and she’d forgotten a ton of them.

Midway through her study session, the fire alarm began to blare.

”What? Why’s the fire alarm going off?” People from around the classroom began to stand up.

”Wait, where’s Ricky?” Madam Park looked around in a hurry. “I swear…”

”Is Ricky the guy that just went to the bathroom?” Someone asked.

”Yes.” Madam Park grumbled.

”Thank god.” Regina whispered to Gretchen as she chuckled. “Who knew that guy could give us this perfect timing?”

”I swear you’re going to fail this final.” Gretchen chuckled with her as they walked out the door.

Madam Park remained watchful as they evacuated to the football field, although there clearly wasn’t a fire.

Regina took it as a chance to walk around and have some fun, immediately finding Janis.

”Hi, are you enjoying this pleasant fire drill?” She said smugly.

”Shouldn’t you be with your class?” Janis replied, but she couldn’t hide how amused she was. “Were you the one that set this off?”

”God, no. How petty do you think I am? I wasn’t even doing anything in French.”

Janis giggled. “We’re never gonna hear the end of this from Duvall, then. That sucks.”

And just like that, Principal Duvall began speaking through his megaphone from the center of the field.

”Everyone, it appears this was a false alarm. I am very disappointed, and the perpetrator will be punished.”

”That’s it?” Regina eyed Janis. “I thought he would have talked for, like, way longer.”

”Can we blame him? I thought he would’ve quit last year.”

”Please walk back to your classes without any distractions.”

Janis frowned. “Do you know who even bothered pulling the fire alarm?”

”Do you know Ricky?” Regina asked.

”The ugly one?”

She paused and took a moment to think about it, despite the subjectivity. “Honestly, yeah.”

”Yeah, I’ve heard of him. Was it him?”

Regina nodded.

”I should’ve expected it. I heard he’s an asshole. And dumb as fuck.”

”I really don’t have any idea how he’s in AP French of all things.”

”That, too.” Janis chortled.

”Ms. George! Back to class!” Principal Duvall pointed them away. “Do you want another detention?!”

”Sorry!” Regina said hurriedly and scurried away as fast as she could. She rarely even went to her detentions, but she’d rather not get one for a reason as stupid as not going inside after a fire alarm. Detentions were for doing cooler things, like bringing a dog into school without permission.

”Does anyone know where Ricky is?!” Madam Park yelled as everyone walked back to class.

If anything, he might have just skipped class after possibly having pulled the fire alarm.

”Regina?” She soon marched over to her when she saw her walking behind everybody else. “Have you happened to see Ricky?”

”Personally, I didn’t even know the guy’s name until today.” She shrugged casually, about to walk fully back to class.

”Then please explain this.” Mr. Duvall popped up, seemingly out of nowhere, and showed her a picture on his phone that seemed to be from the yearbook.

There it was. A perfectly clear photo of her and Ricky, if that was his name, chatting at a lunch table.

”That’s gotta be fake. I did not know Ricky existed until today.”

Mr. Duvall rubbed at his forehead. “We’re just suspicious that you might have had something to do with this because of recent behaviors of skipping classes very frequently.”

“Well, I had nothing to do with this! I was literally studying in French.”

Was studying the right word? Probably not. She just figured it was close enough to not matter. She prayed that Madam Park wouldn’t question that.

”Regina, please be honest.” Madam Park stared at her with a piercing glare.

She simply rolled her eyes in response. “Well, I am being honest. I was studying in French.”

”You know what?” Mr. Duvall said matter-of-factly, a bit too much so that Regina worried quite a bit. “You can explain in my office.”

”Explain that I didn’t do anything?” Regina snapped. “It was ten minutes of class time! It isn’t even a big deal.”

”Explain. In. My. Office.” He walked past her.

Did she understand him being slightly suspicious? Sure, but it had been an entire year since the Burn Book drama and whatnot, she didn’t see a reason to pin this on her.

And she thought this could have been a peaceful month.

Chapter Text

“Ms. George.” Mr. Duvall gathered his hands on top of his desk.

Why was it so dim in his office? There were multiple windows and a lamp, so it should have been way brighter.

”Mr…Duvall?” Regina raised an eyebrow.

”As you know, I want to discuss the fire alarm with you.”

”I’m missing French for this.” Not that she minded, of course.

”I’m not blaming you! I just feel like you would be the kind of person to…know something on this?”

”No.” Regina glared at him. “Why don’t we even have Ricky in here? He was the one that probably pulled it.”

”We haven’t found him yet.”

”Yeah! Because he probably went home. How hard is that to understand—“

The next moment, Ricky was practically thrown into the office by a security guard.

”We found him wandering the halls.”

Regina squinted at him, jaw unhinged. “Why?!”

He sat down, face glowing with a shit-eating grin. “Hey, Regina.”

”Gross, don’t say that.” She rolled her eyes.

”As you two know, we suspect you might have taken part in pulling the fire alarm when it wasn’t needed.”

Ricky was still smiling, leaning back on his chair like nothing would happen no matter what he said. “I didn’t do it.”

Total liar.

”You did it, but we want to know accomplices.”

”I said I didn’t do it!” He yelled angrily. Even his voice was annoying.

Mr. Duvall sighed heavily. “Don’t lie, three students and a teacher said they saw you do it.”

He shut up. It would be pretty difficult to argue with that logic.

Regina raised her eyebrows. “So…can I leave?”

”No. Your involvement still hasn’t been disproven, and Ricky clearly knows you.”

Ricky caught Regina’s eye for a moment, and Regina whipped back to Mr. Duvall in a moment of judging them both. “But seriously! Why is it so dim in here? You have a lamp!”

”It’s not dim in here, Ms. George.” He look at Ricky. “Do you have anything to say on this matter, Ricky?”

”Regina’s great.” He grinned.

”Objection, I think this guy’s really creepy and I haven’t known him until now.”

Mr. Duvall shot her a look. “This isn’t a court case.”

”Well, you’re sure acting like it is!”

”Objection, I want to go back to class.” Ricky said boredly.

”Objection, that’s not a real objection, and we all know you’ll just skip class.” Regina glared at him. “But the thing is, pulling the fire alarm is stupid, Mr. Duvall! I wouldn’t waste my time on that. If anything, I would just skip class and go home!”

Mr. Duvall slammed a plastic water bottle against the corner of his desk. “Here’s the verdict.”

”This isn’t a court case!” Regina jumped at the noise.

”Well, we’re making it a court case!”

”Are you serious?!”

He grabbed his phone and called a security guard. “We need the eyewitnesses of who watched Ricky pull the fire alarm.”

”Oh, boo. I had nothing to do with this! Is it really this hard to understand?”

Mr. Duvall stood up and wordlessly began skimming through a drawer full of student files. “Here they are.” He pulled out five folders. “You two’s files and the student witnesses.” He began flipping through them, simultaneously tapping the keyboard on his computer.

”Regina, I see you’re planning to attend UC Berkeley for…”

”A major in criminal justice and minor in fashion.” She said proudly.

“Really? I didn’t know you were interested in law.” He asked suspiciously.

”I liked Legally Blonde…”

”Oh.” Mr. Duvall blinked. “That’s actually pretty fair.”

”Right? I loved Elle Woods, she’s such an icon.” She sighed in relief, having expected way more backlash for her reasoning.

”So I see this setting is appropriate.” He closed her file.

”It’s really not. I want to go back to class.”

”And Ricky.” He turned to face Ricky. “I see you’re taking a gap year.”

He hollered excitedly. “What can I say? I’m planning to go to France with my parents.”

”Of course.” Regina groaned. A classic rich white boy. Wait. Was that why he was taking AP French?

”Any other plans after the gap year?”

”No.” Ricky said plainly.

”Well then.” Mr. Duvall closed his files. “Oh my! Would you look at that? Our eyewitnesses have arrived.”

Damian stepped in with two of his girlfriends.

”Oh my god, Damian!” Regina smiled as he excitedly sat down next to her. “What are you doing here?!”

”He’s an eyewitness.” Mr. Duvall raised an eyebrow.

”Oh.”

She really wasn’t getting anything in her favor, was she?

”Mr. Duvall, I swear on my mother that Regina over here had nothing to do with this.”

He waved the other two girls Damian had been with out of the room. “But the issue is that you two clearly know each other very well.”

”Well, I knew Cat Stevens, but that doesn’t make him guilty.” She sassed.

”Who’s Cat Stevens?” Ricky asked dumbly.

Regina’s eyes widened. “You don’t know Cat Stevens?”

He shook his head.

”Not even Moonshadow?”

He shook his head again.

”Wow, you really suck. This is why I don’t know you.”

He just looked confused and mildly offended. “But yeah, Regina had nothing to do with this.”

Mr. Duvall got up and began to pace the room. “Is that so?”

”Yes!” All three of the teenagers yelled in unison.

Regina was fuming at how suspicious he still looked. “What, so you want proof? Then I’ll give you proof! Ricky, throw my student files in the air!”

Reluctantly, he did, sending all of the paper flying.

”See? If he doesn’t care about me enough to throw my student files around like that, why would he care enough about me to listen to me?!”

”I don’t think you’re proving your point as well you as you think you are.” Mr. Duvall squinted.

”Damn it.” Regina muttered under her breath.

”Language.” He warned. “However, because of how bad your proof is, I will reduce your punishment from the planned months of detention to…three weeks.”

”You’re kidding.” Regina scowled.

”It’s a valid punishment!”

She took a deep breath and calmly stood up. “Let me out of here before I flip way more than just a stupid, extremely replaceable student file!”

”Woah!”

All three of them backed away very slightly from Regina.

“Okay, guys!” Ricky put his foot down. “This is clearly getting out of hand, and I just wanted to go home!”

”What about it, dumbass?!” Regina flipped him off.

”Aaron Samuels and Shane Oman told me to do it! Geez…” He suddenly turned timid and looked away.

”Oh.” Mr. Duvall blinked.

Regina gripped the edge of the desk. “I’m sorry, did I hear you correctly?”

”Yes! It was Aaron and Shane, now can I go back to class?”

”You think you get to go back to class?” Mr. Duvall laughed dryly. “You guys are definitely all getting detention!”

”Even me?” Damian frowned.

”No, not you. You haven’t done anything.”

Regina grit her teeth and left the room without permission. She was literally going to kill those two.

Chapter Text

Regina’s doorbell rang at 9:00 in the morning, when she was still barely awake, and she opened the door to see face-to-face with Ricky.

”Hi!” He waved, holding a bouquet of flowers.

”Ricky…?” She questioned. “I’m sorry, wha—what are you doing here? And without any warning? How did you even get my address?”

She wished she had a warning ahead of time. Right now, her hair looked like a messy piece of shit, and she was donned in a pair of pajama shorts and oversized band shirt she took from Janis the previous night.

”Well, after the fire alarm incident, being in the principal’s office with you made me realize that I think we have a real connection.”

Regina raised her eyebrows and laughed in disbelief. “P—pardon?”

Janis walked down the stairs, hair freshly washed, to see what the commotion was about. “Oh! Who’s that?” She pointed to Ricky.

“It’s…Ricky. You know, the one you told me about…?”

”That’s not Ricky…” Janis cocked her head.

”Yeah it is!” Regina threw her hands up. “You know, the ugly one you told me about? He’s right here.”

”I’m right here…” He grumbled. “Ricky…”

”Yeah, I know that, dumbass!” Regina huffed. “And, I’m sorry, what were you asking?”

She knew what he was asking, but she needed to hear him say it again, just for confirmation.

”I was asking if you wanted to go out with me sometime…”

Janis coughed facing away from them to conceal her laughter.

”Wow. Okay.” Regina raised her eyebrows. “I’m sorry, Ricky, do you have social media?”

”Not really.”

”Alright, that’s what I thought.” Regina cleared her throat. “Janis, babe, introduce yourself.”

”Hi, I’m Janis Ian. I’m Regina’s girlfriend. We’re dating.”

“Wait, you’re gay?” Ricky blinked. “And I thought you two were enemies. Like, mortal enemies.”

”No…” Janis trailed off.

”Get with the times, please.” Regina rolled her eyes. “There was a video about us on the ASB’s Instagram, I thought everyone saw it.”

”Really?” He clicked his tongue. “Damn. How’d I not see that?”

”I would love to know too, buddy.” Regina leaned against the door. “And, tangent, how the fuck did you get my address?”

”Student files.” He shrugged.

Janis looked absolutely mortified, but Regina shrugged it off like no big deal.

”Oh yeah, I forgot about that, my bad.”

”Do you…want these flowers?” He shyly offered.

”I’m good.” Regina scrunched her nose.

“Yeah…” He sighed. “Sorry, I’ll just…go home now.”

”Yeah…” Regina shut the door.

”Oh my god.” Janis finally giggled. “What the hell was that?”

”I don’t know.” Regina leaned over just from laughing. “Seriously, what’s his deal? You’re telling me he didn’t see that video from the ASB?”

”Right?” Janis nodded along with her. “I’ve never even seen that kid before! I was talking about the ugly Ricky in band.”

”Anyways, are you fine if I shower now? You were in there for a really long time.”

”Sorry, your haircare’s really good. I couldn’t resist.”

”That’s why your hair smells so nice…” Regina nodded. “I’ll be down in a second, then. Should we have waffles for breakfast?”

”I want something…savory.”

”Eggs?” Regina cocked her head.

”Yes.” She smiled and patted Regina on the back. “Wash up fast, I’m hungry.”

”Alright.” Regina dragged herself up the stairs.

Man, these past few days had been freaking rough, and she still had to deal with upcoming finals and, unfortunately, graduation.

She stepped into the shower and flopped onto the floor, letting hot water run over her body. Refreshing. The hearing had taken quite a toll on her sanity.

God, it was so peaceful. She hummed and leaned against the shower wall. She hadn’t slept very well the night before, either. She’d been up late with Janis and wasn’t very used to not sleeping for that long.

So? She closed her eyes for just a second and dozed off, banging her back against the shower

Ouch.

”Earth to Regina?” Janis waved her hand in front of Regina’s face, still dripping wet. “Are you alive?”

”Oh, shit.” She looked around. “What happened? Am I dead?”

”No?” Janis raised her eyebrow. “You fell asleep in the shower, and you made this ginormous fucking sound so I went up to check up on you. You basically almost waterboarded yourself in your sleep for a second.”

Regina stood up, making the towel draped over her slip off. It took her a second to realize and put an arm over herself.

”Regina, I don’t care if I see your boobs, I’ve seen them before. Did you finish washing up before you fell asleep in there?”

”No…” She scratched the back of her head. “Damn. I’ll just go with you to make breakfast.”

Janis threw the band shirt that Regina had been wearing previously at her gently. “You have to show me where the eggs are.”

”Yeah, yeah. I need pants.” She grumbled, grabbing the athletic shorts she had worn earlier.

”But you know,” Janis leaned against the door frame. “If you were that tired last night, you should have slept.”

”I wanted to hang out with you.”

Janis frowned. “We’re hanging out now, aren’t we?”

”Shut up.”

She quickly tugged some clothes on and rushed downstairs to see Janis successfully navigating through her kitchen and cooking. Not that she didn’t expect it, of course.

”Good news, I found the eggs.” Janis smiled and showed one of them off.

”Oh, that’s good.” Regina walked behind her, hugging her and resting her chin on Janis’s shoulder.

”You okay? Did you hit your head in the shower while you were in there?” Janis chuckled, craning her neck to kiss her cheek.

”No.” Regina whined. “I was really just tired.”

Janis smiled softly, stirring the eggs in the pan.

”Regina, I need you to get off of me.”

”What? Why?”

“The pan is hot and I don’t want to burn you.”

”Oh! Shit!” Regina jumped away and brought out some plates from a cabinet. “Damn, I thought you were telling me to fuck off.”

Janis wheezed from laughing and dumped the eggs on the plates. “What I think you need is some food in you.”

”Yes! Yes, you are totally right.” Regina sat down. “I should probably start dieting sometime—“

Janis kissed her, and that seemed to shut her up very well, even making her flush a bright, bright red. “Eggs. Eat.”

Regina shoveled some into her mouth.

”Seriously, what happened while you were in Principal Duvall’s office?”

”Well, I’m stressing about a week’s worth of detention.”

”Really?” Janis knit her eyebrows together. “I thought you proved you were innocent.”

”I…kind of threw a chair in French after hearing Aaron and Shane told Ricky to pull the alarm.”

”Shit, them? Really?!”

”Yep.” Regina threw her hands up. “God, it was like an entire fucking court hearing in there!”

”I heard a bit about that from Damian, but not much.”

”That’s also where that lil weirdo Ricky came from.” She laughed, hanging her head. “Mr. Duvall talked to us about college for a suspiciously long time, too.”

”Is that so?” Janis shifted uncomfortably.

”Yeah…?” Regina squinted. “I think it’s nice we’re going to college just a couple of states apart. It’ll be easy to meet in the middle.”

”Oh, definitely.” Janis had some more of the eggs. “Wow, our year is ending way too soon. This is weird as fuck.”

Regina shushed her. “Eat your eggs.”

Chapter Text

Regina ran to where Janis was after school, seeing her just using her phone on one of the benches, headphones in.

”Whatcha doing?” She put her hands on her shoulders, peering over to her phone.

It was just music, actually.

Janis looked over her shoulder and took out her headphones. “Hey! It took you a while to come out.”

”I know.” Regina pouted. “Are you ready to go?”

”Yeah…” Janis glanced at her phone. “I think I am.”

Regina also glanced at her phone. “What’s on your mind? You seem awfully…something.”

Janis stood up and stared face-to-face with Regina.

”What is this? You’re scaring me.”

”Regina, I—“ She paused and drew a shaky breath. “Parsons took me off of their waitlist.”

For a moment, Regina has the impression that this moment should be depressing.

”They accepted me. I’m going to fashion school in New York.”

Regina shook her head in disbelief. “Holy shit, Janis, that’s amazing!” She pulled her into a hug. “Parsons is going to be so lucky to have you!”

When they pulled away from each other, Janis drew a breath to gleefully speak, but nothing comes out.

There was a small moment where they both managed to acknowledge that Parsons is in New York, much farther than Colorado Rock, where she was originally planning on committing to.

It would mean years of long-distance unless they come back to Illinois that frequently.

“Is that what all this fuss was about?” Regina asked, masking her slight upset with a shield of total and utter joy. “You seemed so tense these past few days, but this is amazing! You deserve it!”

Janis let out a single, small chuckle. “I know, right?” Her voice cracked ever so slightly.

”And in…New York…!”

”Yeah…!”

Regina cleared her throat awkwardly.

”I think we have to talk about this.” Janis stared at her feet.

”Yes! Obviously!” Regina broke the silence. “But we can talk about it later! Like, way later. Like when we get to my house!”

”I thought we were getting coffee.”

”My house after that.”

Janis had intended to study for upcoming finals, but she supposed she didn’t actually really care about them anymore.

”New York…” Regina whispered to herself while they walked to her car. “That’s crazy.”

”Right?” Janis laughed. “I’m really excited.”

For some reason, Regina wanted Janis to say that she would just reject going in favor of going to school near her.

Still, she knew it wasn’t going to happen.

”So…I guess we’re doing long distance?” Regina’s voice went up an entire octave, masked only by the loud bang the car door closing produced.

Janis pursed her lips.

”Colorado Rock is also a really great option! I’m just—“

”Regina, I’m not giving this up.”

”I’m not telling you to!” Regina’s knuckles turned white from gripping her steering wheel. “I just thought we were going to California together, so I’m shocked! But I’m happy for you, genuinely.”

”This is really fucking terrifying, right?” Janis laughed anxiously. “I didn’t think I’d make it in, either.”

”It’s not terrifying, it’s great.” Regina pulled over from how much she was shaking. Odds are it wasn’t the safest to drive if she was trembling like a wet dog.

”No, it’s terrifying. It’s literally on the other side of the country from Berkeley, and I just—I’m not even imagining giving this up.” She inhaled, adrenaline running through her veins. “I don’t think either of us are going to move from where we’re going.”

”Definitely not.” Regina clenched her fists at her knees. “I mean, I get it. I…probably wouldn’t move from Berkeley if that was me.”

But would she really not?

”Yeah!” Janis nods. “Like…Berkeley can teach you what you want to know, you know…law and maybe some fashion, because you’re basically Elle Woods. And…Parsons can teach me what I want to know. It doesn’t solve the fact that we’re pretty damn far from each other for four years, but that’s a pretty good comfort for now.”

Regina twiddled with her thumbs. “Well, we kept this a secret for two years, how hard could long distance be for a few more?”

Janis took Regina’s hand into her own. “I, personally, don’t want to break up because of this.”

”Me neither. I really like—“ Regina coughed before sputtering. “I really love you.”

Janis playfully stuck her tongue out. “Gross.”

Regina grinned and started the car again. “No, you are.”

”Also, no offense, but how’d you get into Berkeley in the first place? I thought you failed a bunch of classes in freshman year.”

”Honestly? My dad was a legacy.” Regina giggled.

”Stop, really?!” Janis’s mouth gaped.

”Yep! And I think my modeling counted as a pretty good extracurricular.”

”Yes,” Janis pointed furiously. “I almost forgot you modeled for cars in Japan!”

”It still runs sometimes, actually.” Regina pulled into the parking space for a coffee shop.

They both sighed contently without even thinking to get out of the car.

Regina turned her body to face Janis. “I think I just got an idea.”

”Oh?” Janis raised an eyebrow. “Well, now you’re scaring me.”

”It’s not a bad thing!” She raised her hands innocently, just to lower the suffocating tension of it all. “Do you want to sneak into Aaron and Shane’s house and—“

“Woah! You said this wasn’t a bad thing!”

”It’s not! My original plan was to just kill them or something, but we could just prank them!”

Janis took a deep breath. “Do you even know what you would have to do to sneak into their houses?”

”Yes!” Regina said firmly. “I memorized them and their families schedules pretty fucking well.”

”What? When?”

”I just asked them a couple times and they literally folded.”

”Oh.” She paused. “Wait, you’re being serious.”

”I am! We could do that thing—you know? Where you put hair dye in their shampoo or something?”

”Regina, in all honesty, I don’t think either of them use shampoo. Or wash their hair.”

Regina hit Janis’s shoulder as she laughed. “Good one, holy shit. But seriously, do you want to?”

”That depends. Where are they going to college, just in case they freaking attack us once we’re there?”

”I want to say…Virginia? Or Texas, maybe…?”

”What I’m hearing is you don’t know.”

”Of course I don’t know!” Regina angrily flushed red. “I don’t give a shit about them!”

”There’s gotta be a better way to do this…” Janis put her hand on her cheek methodically. “Permission to bring Cady and Damian into this? For planning, of course.”

”Fine.” Regina heavily sighed and rubbed her forehead. “Just text them first.”

”Cool!”

@Janismyass: intervention kind of sort of

@Janismyass: but not for regina

@Janismyass: but also for regina. Ykw? My house tomorrow

No one besides Regina even read her message until they ordered their coffees and drank over half of them.

@Cadybird: What the fuck.

Chapter Text

“What happened to us?” Regina frowned.

Cady rolled her eyes. “Oh, sorry we keep staying on campus for God knows what. I thought we were going to Janis’s?” She glanced at Janis.

”Hey, don’t ask me, I was just going to drop by the art room before going.”

”So…why are we here? All I saw was that it’s an intervention.”

”Because I’m impatient, and I don’t think some of us knows what intervention means.” Regina furrowed her eyebrows. “I want to break into Aaron and Shane’s houses.”

Cady lunged at Regina and clamped a hand over her mouth. “Don’t say that so loudly!”

”Why not? No one’s at school because everyone went home.”

”Who’s fault is that?” Damian nonchalantly typed on his phone.

Regina sniffed. “Don’t remind me or I’ll burst out crying.”

Cady giggled at her remark. “Why are you even planning on breaking into their houses? I thought you got over them…well, actually, you were never actually really hung up on them, right?”

”Girl.” Damian stared at her. “You don’t know about how they made Regina get falsely accused over the fire alarm?!”

Cady’s eyes widened, and she grumpily crossed her arms. “No one tells me anything anymore.”

”Sorry, babe.” Regina shrugged. “But here’s the good thing! I want to enlist you two to help me.”

”Enlisting?!” Damian exclaimed. “How is that a good thing? And how serious are you making this?”

”Very.” Regina moved her eyebrows up and down. “See, the thing is that this is basically going to be an elaborate heist, because obviously, breaking into two rich guy’s houses is pretty fucking hard.”

Cady raised her hand cautiously. “What’s Janis doing in this?”

”I’ll be staying home or breaking in with her. Depends on how willing to get arrested I am by then.”

”Well,” Regina scoffed. “I don’t like that word.”

”Then?”

“Arrested.” She huffed huffed. “There is no way we’ll be arrested because we’re way too good!”

”You know what we should do?” Damian leaned in to whisper. “We should just egg their houses and get it over with.”

”I like that idea.” Cady smiled and agreed with him.

”Egging houses is stupid! That’s for fucking elementary schoolers.” Regina pouted.

Damian’s hand shot up. “I’ll pay for the eggs! Don’t get arrested.”

”No!” Regina put a finger over his mouth. “We need to—“ She whipped her head around. “Wait, did you just say you’ll pay for the eggs?”

Janis slapped her forehead in defeat. “How is that enough to convince you?! You’re like, the richest person in this school!”

”Because it takes like thirty dollars of eggs to properly egg two houses!”

”Eighty.” Damian went back on his phone.

”Eighty?” Regina’s jaw hit the floor. “Woah, inflation’s a real motherfucker.”

Janis snorted. “Yeah it is. But I say we egg their houses if that’s everything.”

”Wait, oh my god, I figured out a plan.” Cady squealed.

”Continue.” Janis nodded.

”The average time everyone at this school is asleep should be around three or four AM. If we go at 3:30 in…say, Janis’s car, because it looks generic, and we spend fifteen to twenty minutes on each of their houses, we should be able to get away with it without any problems.”

”Oh. That sounds easier than I thought.” Regina frowned. “So we just stayed here for nothing?”

”We always stay here for nothing. School barely even has a point anymore.” Janis complained. “All I do is wait for finals week.”

”Don’t remind me.” Damian covered his ears. “I literally can’t sit through my physics final or I’ll die.”

”Really? I thought this year’s classes were easy.” Cady said quietly.

She was met with the jeering of everyone else.

”I’m serious! You can pass pretty much all the classes just from doing homework. I mean, not that you’d have time if you’re too busy egging Aaron and Shane’s houses.”

Regina squinted at Cady. “Do you…want to help us egg the houses?”

”Gladly! If I could, I’d probably push Aaron Samuels off a cliff!”

”That’s the spirit.” Janis laughed.

”Okay, fine.” Cady slumped back and pouted, eyes oddly grim for the situation. “Maybe I do want to egg his house with you. Maybe I know enough to offer a bit…more.”

Regina crossed her arms, peered down at her intimidatingly. “Well, what about it?”

Cady grinned smugly. “Do we have access to spray paint?”

Damian gasped gently. “Full on vandalism? Is that what you mean?”

Janis scoffed. “We’re egging his house, we might as well go all the way.”

Cady nodded in agreement, tinted with a slight bit of malicious knowledge. “There’s a place near his back gate. He kissed me there before, I think it’s some sort of blind spot.”

Janis practically drooled at the thought of graffitiing Aaron Samuel’s house. She could end up like an evil, less influential Banksy that drove property values down instead of up.

”And you’re sure that would work?” Regina raised an eyebrow.

Cady nodded calmly, enough to send waves of relaxation through the group’s veins. “I know it will. And you have Shane covered.”

Just then, a security guard strolled by, and seeing the teenagers apparently loitering there wasn’t something he liked.

”Hey! You kids!” He gruffly shouted, and they froze like a deer in headlights at his voice.

And what did they do?

Well, they ran. He had most definitely seen their faces, but they left so fast he barely cared.

Janis was panting by the time she stepped on her gas, totally winded from running.

”So?” Regina said in between breaths.

She wordlessly gripped the steering wheel, knuckles turning a ghostly shade of white.

”Are you ready to make a fucking masterpiece on Aaron Samuel’s wall?”

Janis smiled nervously. “I’m going to become fucking Banksy.”

Chapter Text

“Stop drinking all the energy drinks!” Cady angrily scolded at Janis in the backseat.

”I reserved two each for you guys! Just let me have a caffeine heart attack!”

Damian pulled over to the side and slammed on the brakes. “Both of you. It’s three in the fucking morning and dark as shit, so shut up and enjoy the ride.”

”Roller coaster employee?” Janis looked around until Damian shot her a look. “Well, it was worth a shot.”

They were currently on their way to Shane’s house, seeing as it would probably be easier to egg his house.

One hundred and fifteen dollars of eggs they bought were rattling around in the backseat. Truthfully, Regina and Damian had very different ideas of what egging people’s houses were. Regina’s was a couple eggs here and there, and Damian’s was adding an egg wash to all the walls.

Needless to say, buying such a large quantity of eggs at eleven at night was a very awkward venture. And yes, they paid in cash.

”Is this the street?” Damian pulled over, hidden from the view of all people that might pass by.

”Yes.” Regina hopped out of the car, hurriedly opening the trunk. “Should we take four cartons each?”

”Yeah.” Janis shrugs. “Damian, can we count on you not to fall asleep and be a good getaway driver?”

He rolled his eyes and popped open a can of energy drink. “Duh. Go for it.”

The trio gingerly began jogging to Shane’s house.

”Guys?” Cady loudly whispered. “Now that I think about it, we never discussed how to do any of this quietly.”

Regina paused. Sighed. Relaxed her arms and turned to face Cady with a face full of disappointment. “We were so confident, why the fuck would you say that?”

”What if we just made the goal not to get arrested?” Janis peeped.

They were too far gone to particularly care, not that they ever did.

”Whatever. I have six hundred dollars in my bank account, we could use that for bail.” Cady marched forward to his house.

It was annoyingly big. And well maintained. The lawn was perfect, and each inch of the house had these beautiful, purposeful accents that were clearly very well thought out.

”Should I aim for the windows?” Janis caught herself up in her own giggles. “Try to smash a brick or two somewhere, honestly.”

Cady slapped their arms as she laughed. “Plus side, we don’t care about them so we totally could!”

Regina covered both of their mouths with her hands. “Don’t throw bricks at his house! If we get caught we’re fucked if we do that.”

They were mildly taken aback by her rationality, but who cared? Absolutely no one.

The rationality ended pretty quickly when she lobbed the first egg at the wall next to the garage, nearly hitting a window.

”Holy shit, that’s fun!” She grinned stupidly and threw another egg. “It’s a shame, we only have twelve cartons. How many eggs is that?”

”One hundred and—“ Cady huffed in between eggs. “Forty four!”

”Really?” Regina scrunched her nose. “That’s a lot more than I thought. We’ll be throwing these all day.”

Janis’s eyes lit up, and she took an entire carton to throw at a wall. The entire box at once.

”Genius!” Regina slammed another carton at the wall. “We’re so getting away with this.”

They continued to gleefully shove cartons of eggs into the walls until a light flicked on.

They froze like deer in headlights.

”Shit.” Regina whispered.

”Fuck.” Janis mumbled.

”Dang.” Cady squeaked, taking Janis and Regina’s arms and instinctively sprinting away with them.

”Hey!” They heard a gruff voice yell when they were a few houses down.

”Run faster!” Cady hissed, almost feeling the presence of the man nearing. “If we’re unlucky, he might have a gun!”

The sound of their approaching footsteps was enough to alert Damian, who was keeping a watchful lookout for them.

Without a single bit of hesitation, they were all able to pounce into the car while he simultaneously slammed the gas.

”Wait, did you just say he might have a gun?” Regina peeped.

”What?!” Damian looked back to the girls. “Shane’s house had a gun?!”

”No…” She sighed. “Cady was just trying to scare us.”

“It worked! You guys ran way faster after I said that.”

”You guys should thank god Regina’s white enough for privilege.” He turned the car to park closer to Aaron’s street.

”Well, it goes gay, gay, gay, Cady, so our privilege cancels out in the end.”

”That’s barely how it works—“ Cady stopped herself. “You know what? I won’t ask. Janis, do you have enough spray paint?”

”Absolutely.” She mischievously smiled, imagining what preposterous things she would be able to draw on his house.

Yeah, she still didn’t know the exact thing she wanted to draw, but how hard could it be?

”Gremlin.” Damian looked at her through his mirror.

”I know!” She stuck out her tongue at him. “How far are we parking? Are we thinking one or two streets away?”

”One or less? There is no way in hell you guys are running that much with that many eggs.”

”That’s risky.” Janis whispers solemnly. “He’s really athletic, isn’t he?”

Regina knit her eyebrows together because Janis was totally right. Aaron was really athletic, and he definitely knew his way around this neighborhood better than they did. “Nah, we’ll be fine.”

“I think Janis is right.” Cady speaks up. “That is a totally valid reason to—“

”We only have one energy drink left.”

”To move forward and park right next to his house! Damian, park this bitch right up in his driveway.”

”You got it.”

He slowed down on the street and stopped in front of his house like they agreed.

This time, Janis didn’t grab eggs, but a bag full of spray paint and some glitter. She still had no actual idea on what to draw, but her timer ticked down the moment Regina aggressively slammed a carton of eggs against the most visible part of the house.

Cady did the same, except she slammed it into an exceptionally pretty bush of flowers.

”Where’s his car?” Regina hissed.

Janis’s face contorted with a look of horror as she rushed to the wall they planned out and started shaking the spray paint to get it out.

”Shit, shit, shit.” She muttered under her breath, just to herself. What to draw? Something big, immature? It couldn’t be as elaborate as Banksy’s things, and she didn’t want to drive out the poorer families with high property taxes.

”Is it going good, Janis?” She heard from someone the moment she sprayed a small line as a start on the wall.

”Yes…?” She nervously chattered.

Okay, so a line! She started with that.

She heard a clang of eggshells on metal. Apparently they had found Aaron’s car. That meant she didn’t have all that much time left.

A bead of sweat dropped down her brow as she started to desperately spray on paint, the first thing that came to her mind in her panic.

It was a stupid message, so she made sure to make the surrounding flourishes and decorations much more plausible.

She took a moment to peek around the corner when she was mostly done, just to see their progress, and holy shit, they barely had any eggs left. How angry were they?

She sped up even more, adding some final doodles that she couldn’t fully tell if they were penises or middle fingers. Not that it mattered.

”Are you done?” Regina huffed, out of breath.

”Fuck yeah.” Janis shook the can one last time, just to add an extra exclamation point.

”Wow, it’s like fucking Picasso.” Regina scoffed. “It’s accurate, too.”

Janis grinned and snapped a photo before they ran back to Damian and Cady. “We’re so going to jail if we get caught.”

They were laughing when they clamored into the car, so in unison, Damian and Cady asked, “What did you write?”

Thinking of the photo she took, Janis widened her smile.

”Small brain, small dick.”

Chapter Text

“Welcome back. It’s been a long weekend, right?” Madam Park started to write on the board so they could review for their finals. “First of all, don’t forget the senior bonfire will be hosted at the park on—“

A loud clang comes from just outside the door.

”Where’d Ricky go?” A girl raises her hand, looking around the room for the mousy kid.

”That’s a great question.” Madam Park rubs in between her eyes. “I’m sorry, I’ll be right back.”

”Thank god we don’t have to do boring ass review.” Regina grins.

”Regina, you’re barely passing this class. You need it.”

”My grade actually went up.” She grins smugly and tries overhearing what is happening outside.

”Why are we acting like that’s a valid reason to not study?”

Another loud, metal clang resonates through the hallway. And yelling.

”Are they fighting?” Gretchen raises an eyebrow.

”No,” Regina snorts, smirking. “It sounds like one of them is honestly just losing.”

She looks around cautiously before sliding out of her desk and opening the door a crack.

”You were right!” She yells to the girl.

”Is Ricky out there?” Gretchen tries looking over Regina.

And yes, it did seem like he was losing.

”I didn’t do anything, man!” He yells at Aaron while his back is slammed onto the metal, frustrated.

”You ratted me out, dumbass! You got my phone and allowance taken away!”

They can’t help but laugh at the situation unraveling. It just sounds so…stupid.

Regina wonders if that was what she sounded like up until junior year. Actually, she probably still might.

It’s not long before several students, including Regina and Gretchen, creep out of their classrooms to record Ricky getting his ass beat by Aaron.

”Everyone, please do not record!” One of the science teachers tries controlling the crowd, but it’s obviously in vain.

Aaron’s face cracks a small grin while throwing punches that Ricky mostly dodges, sweat dripping down his forehead.

”Mr. Samuels!” A voice booms from across the hallway. He barely hears it.

Two security guards grab his arms and rip him away.

”Your ass is mine!” Aaron hollers, ripping away one last time. “Your. Ass. Is. Mine.”

Regina cringes. She has the most severe second hand embarrassment of her life from hearing that.

“That sounded gay. Am I the only one that thinks that?” Gretchen bites her lip laughing.

”It’s not even that serious. I bet he’ll get them back in a week, max.”

Principal Duvall huffs and centers himself in the hallway.

”Everyone, please listen up!”

Everyone continues to chatter about how fun it had been to watch.

”I said to listen up!” He booms. “If not, this time will be deducted from tomorrow’s lunch!”

The school slowly falls silent.

”This will not happen again, do you understand?! We have less than a month of school left, and you better all behave! This is unacceptable, you’re all high schoolers!”

Everyone definitely understands why he wanted to retire so bad last year, and frankly, they still weren’t sure why he still hadn’t.

All Regina wants to do is ask what his point is.

Principal Duvall checks his watch before glaring at Ricky. “You. Please come to my office after this period ends.”

Ricky grins as goofily as ever, to everyone’s surprise. “Cool.”

He crosses his arms. “Not cool! Do you know how much class you miss because you practically live in detention and talking with me?”

”I still have pretty good grades.”

Principal Duvall raises an eyebrow. “Alright, everyone, back to class!”

Regina collectively hears a groan while everyone marched back to their rooms.

She spends a little more time leaning against the door, watching everyone.

Ricky shortly comes back through the door.

She can see his face is slightly bruised, his eye a light purple that will surely become a black eye by the next day at the latest, but otherwise? He seemed fine. Happy, even.

”Are you…good…?” Her eyes scan his face.

”Yeah.” He smiles, albeit a bit more weakly than usual. “Aaron Samuels is way fucking weaker than I expected.”

She coughs down a laugh before clearing the doorway. “Well, badass.” She pauses. “By the way, what’s your grade in this class?”

He looks down at his feet, calculating. “It’s at least a ninety now, but I’m not sure. I never check.”

Regina’s mouth gapes at him as he walks to his seat nonchalantly.

What a fucker, truly.

Chapter Text

“We finally fucking found it!” Janis flops down onto a lawn chair lying around. “I should have paid more attention to the announcement for the location.”

”You guys are two hours late…” Ricky walks towards them, red cup in hand. “Where the hell was there to even go?”

”Well—“ Regina interrupts. “We came here first, but it was too early so we thought it was somewhere else, so we went to every park in a fifteen mile radius until we got back here.”

“Oh.” He blinks. “Well, you’re way more than two hours late.”

”Wasn’t it supposed to start at five?” Regina squints suspiciously.

”We changed it to two, we even posted it in the group chat.”

”Oh, I don’t check that.”

”Yeah, you don’t…” Janis relaxes in the chair, totally content.

”Hey, baby, why are you so tired? I was the one driving.”

”The stress of you missing like two exits while we were looking for parks.”

”Two?!” Ricky scoffs in disbelief.

”You don’t get to say anything, you actually payed attention.” Janis drawls. “Anyway, what did we miss?”

”A lot…the guy that brought a portable water slide already left.”

”What? What’s their name?”

“I want to say…Mason?”

Regina scowls. “That doesn’t narrow it down at all.”

”No need to be so mean…” He pouts.

”Sorry, sorry. Did you guys already do everything fun?”

Ricky shakes the cup around, sloshing sounds echoing out of it. “We still have a bit of beer and Coke.”

”Beer and…Coke?” Janis raises an eyebrow. “I’m sorry, that just sounds like such a shit combination.”

”Everyone drank the rum by itself, can’t help you.”

”What’s left, anyway?”

Ricky shrugs. “Dunno.”

”You’re terrible. We’re getting food.” Regina sticks out her tongue.

”So…most of the people that brought food already left. There’s Fritos. They’re kind of stale.”

”Fritos!” Regina guffaws.

”Stale Fritos.”

”Told you we should have left earlier.” Janis grumbles.

”I’ll pay for some burgers…” Regina rubs the back of her head apologetically. “Do you just want to watch the sunset?”

”I’ll take it.” Janis folds up the lawn chair she sits on. “Is this anyone’s?”

Ricky shakes his head. “I think it’s owner left. I’m pretty sure they were drunk. Actually, it probably wasn’t even safe for them to drive.”

”Concerning, but I’m sure they’ll live…” Janis replies. “Maybe they had a designated driver?”

”Maybe they lost their car.” He chuckles by himself until he realizes he is chuckling by himself. “But yeah, whatever.”

“Come on! Let’s just wait for the sunset!” Regina laughs at his now red face, dragging Janis up from the lawn chair.

”You’re so nice to her…” Ricky frowns.

”She’s my girlfriend, dumbass. See you later!”

”We’re not taking the lawn chair?” Janis frowns.

”Fine, take it. I’m not sure if we’ll need it, though.”

Janis waves to him cheerfully as Regina leaves with her to where a wooden fence is, perfect for sitting on.

“Sorry for getting us here so late.” Regina sighs.

”It’s fine. It’s pretty shitty that everyone just got high and or drunk and left early, and so fast.”

Regina leans in and presses a kiss to her cheek. “God, you’re too great, Janis.”

”I know that!”

Giggling, Regina wraps an arm around her and holds her closer. “I’m going to miss this.”

”What?”

”You know…when we go to college?” She sighs. “Or when you go to college and I accidentally get rejected.”

”Accidentally is a strong word.”

”But I’ll miss it. That’s all I’m saying.”

Janis frowns. “We don’t have to think about that, we’ll call every day.”

”Okay.” Regina purses her lips.

”Hey, hey, what?” Janis turns her head. “Do you think we won’t?”

”I’m just worried, honestly. I mean, what if you get all famous and busy with life, and I just have to watch you from the sidelines?”

”You won’t, you know why?” Janis asks. “Because I love you.”

”I love you too.”

”So…nothing to worry about?”

”Maybe.” Regina sighs.

”Come on, it’s a really long time from now, let’s just enjoy this time now!” Janis smiles at her. “We’re here to watch the sunset, and maybe get burgers later, because that’s what we’re here to do.”

”I get it, I get it.” She leans her head against Janis, staring silently at the sun slowly setting.

Janis smiles as she looks at her girlfriend, so peaceful, like this will be the most cathartic experience of her life. Actually, it just might be, so she presses a kiss on her lips. “I love you.”

Regina just smiles.

”Hey, guys, sorry to interrupt whatever’s happening, but the guy that owns that lawn chair wants it back.” Ricky says shyly from behind them

Regina inhales deeply, clearly near the end of her rope. “And you’re only telling us this now?!”

”Yeah.”

”Just take it, Ricky.” Janis sighs. “We’re kind of having a moment.”

”I’m fine with you guys being gay, just to clarify! He’s just coming to get the lawn chair.”

”Can’t you take it now and just leave us alone?” Janis blinks.

“Nah. He’s coming to get it himself.”

”Fine—just please leave us alone right now.”

”Alright, alright!” He puts his hands up innocently. “See you guys later, geez.”

Both of them stare at Ricky until he leaves, and continue staring when the guy that owned the lawn chair came to get it.

”Hey.” He clears his throat while taking it.

”Yeah, hi.” Regina drawls sarcastically.

”How’s it going?”

“Just go!” She yells. This is definitely the end of her rope.

”Okay!” He yells back. “I’m leaving, geez!”

”Great, perfect!”

”You don’t get to keep the chair!”

”I don’t care!” Regina shakes her fist. “Just go home!”

”Fine! Meanie!” He stomps away with the lawn chair clattering ridiculously against the floor.

”I’m not mean, you’re just interrupting us, fucking bastard!”

”Get a room!” He yells from a distance.

”You and your chair get a room if you love it so much! Get married with the chair, huh?!”

Janis understandably looks concerned at their argument.

Regina exhales and turns back to Janis. “Anyway, I was—“

”Regina?”

”Yes?”

”Just being honest, I think it’s ruined.”

”Damn it!” Regina groans as Janis gently pats her back. “Man, I knew that it was ruined, but this fucking sucks. Men suck.”

”I know.” Janis nods along with her, ignoring her comment on the chair.

”Good talk, though.”

Janis chuckles and makes Regina wrap her arm around her again. “We could have the heartfelt talk later.”

”It’s planned now, which might be just as bad as it being ruined.”

”I’m sure we’ll forget by the time it comes up again.”

Regina shrugs. “I’ll give you that.” She looks to Janis and laughs a little. “They’re all so fucking ridiculous.”

”Right?!”

Regina smiles and kisses her for a good, long while.

”I love you.”

Janis just smiles, uncaring that the sunset is shockingly mediocre and that Ricky and that other guy kind of ruined their moment, and kisses her again. Right there under the dying light.

Chapter Text

“Are you guys confident for your final test?”

”Oh my god.” Regina leans back against her chair. “I don’t ever want to deal with this class again.”

”You won’t have to if you pass this test.” Gretchen smiles, clearly prepared.

Regina frowns in Madam Park’s direction. “I should have burned this place down when I had the chance.”

”Maybe if you pray, you’ll pass.”

Regina quietly scoffs. “God wouldn’t listen, I’ll probably get sent to hell for being gay as shit.”

”Homophobic!”

”I’m gay…!”

Madam Park shuffles through the tests worriedly, and for quite a prolonged amount of time.

”Hey guys, sorry, but I need to reprint these. There was an error and now only half of a question printed.”

Regina sighs in relief. “Just my luck, right, Gretchen?”

”We have less time now.”

”When did you become diligent?” She frowns and turns back to the front.

”Hey, do you want to hang out once we’re done with this?” Gretchen asks her.

”Sure. Whose house?”

Gretchen blinks. “Obviously yours…?”

”How come it’s always mine?” Regina frowns. “I know we always have, but thinking about it after all these years…”

”Your living room is basically the size of Cady’s house.”

”Okay, fair point.”

“In French, please.” Gretchen smirks to suppress her laughter.

”Touché.” Regina frowns. “What about food? Can you bring in some?”

”I’ll get some pizza delivered…?”

”Add french fries to the order and it’s a deal.”

Gretchen furrows her eyebrows. “What kind of pizza place even serves fries, much less fries you’d like?”

Regina smiles threateningly and turns around.

”Fine, deal.”

Her grin turns a bit more genuine, but she wonders why Madam Park hasn’t come back. With this amount of time left, she probably can’t do a single thing on the test.

”Attention, faculty, all printers and computer servers are down. Please await for instructions.”

Regina slams her hands on her desk. “What?!”

Gretchen snorts. “It’s like the stars aligned for you.”

”There must be a god!” Regina burrows her head into her arms. “Thank fuck, we won’t have to take a test!”

“Well, if you’re really unlucky, she’ll have already printed everything out.”

”Hello again, everyone.” Madam Park sighs at the doorway. “Unfortunately, the test didn’t print out.”

The entire class gasps, anticipating excitement.

”But—!”

The entire class groans.

”I have two copies, so I’ll make a deal to you guys. Two of you have to take the test, you guys can choose whoever you want, but the average scores of the tests will be the entire class’s.”

It’s a fair deal, Regina thinks. They have some pretty strong academics in this class, and actually, Gretchen is right behind her.

”Let’s make Gina and Andrew take the test!” Someone yells.

Good choice, good choice…both of them are insanely smart.

Gina shakes her head. Fuck. “Sorry, I didn’t study at all for this because my grade’s good enough. I’ll probably flunk it.”

”Same here.” Andrew frowns.

”Tim and Mike…?” Their voice quiets down.

”We’ll purposely fail it if you make us take it.”

No more responses.

”Gretchen?” Regina nudges her. “You gotta help me out here.”

”I’m not taking that test if I don’t have to.” She frowns.

Ricky raises his hand. “I’ll take it.”

The class kind of groans, an unsure noise.

”Hey, I have a ninety four in this class!”

Regina raises her eyebrows in surprise. “Hey, woah, woah. I’m sorry, you’re telling me you raised it four percent in less than a month?!”

”Yeah, like it’s hard?”

She takes a deep breath. “Everyone, give me a second!” She turns around sharply. “I’ll pay for all the food and hold the gathering at my house if you take it.”

”I’ll tell your grandma you’re gay if you don’t.”

”Deal!” She holds her hand out to shake it. Gretchen takes it.

”I’ll take the test with Ricky.” She announces. Frankly, everyone seems happy about the lineup.

”Everyone happy with that?”

Nods and approving mutters around the room occur.

”Alright. Ricky, Gretchen, please come with me. Everyone else, just don’t burn the school down.”

Regina kicks back on her chair, taking out her phone.

@Reginageorge: Hellooooooo everyone

@Reginageorge: I got out of that stupidass french test soooo anyone wanna come over to my house after school?

@Reginageorge: Ok so janis cady and damian? All of you?

@Reginageorge: Good talk

@Reginageorge: Fucking finals

Unfortunately, no one was really active because of final tests.

Well then, back to scrolling. How long could it possibly take for them to take a French test?

It takes an entire hour for anyone to respond to her.

@Cadybird: Sorry…had to watch a movie before getting on here

@Reginageorge: Boooooo

@Reginageorge: So are you coming?

@Cadybird: Of course! :)

@Cadybird: Can you give me a ride though?

@Reginageorge: Yeah I’m taking Janis too

@Cadybird: Awesome! Ilysm

@Janismyass: i didn’t even realize you were having a party

@Reginageorge: Janis!!!!!!!!!!!

@Janismyass: hellooo

@Reginageorge: Miss you :(

@Reginageorge: I’ll pick u up in front of school ok?

@Cadybird: Its ok to use a separate chat guys what the fuck </3

Regina giggles and puts her phone down, only to see everyone else was also…on their phones. Never mind, she’ll just stay on her phone. It looks too awkward, otherwise.

@Reginageorge: WHEN THE FUCK DOES CLASS END

@Cadybird: In 40 minutes. Maybe early release if everyone in your class finishes though?

@Reginageorge: Don’t get my hopes up

@Reginageorge: I literally just need gretchen and ricky to finish the test asap im gonna dieeeee

”Class!” Madam Park frowns. “Just because I told you not to burn the classroom down doesn’t mean you can go on your phones!”

”Sorry…” Everyone grumbles, putting them down.

”None of you have any other classes to study for?!”

”Most of us are skipping our next classes because we don’t have finals for them, Madam.”

Regina’s eyes widen. This could mean everyone could get out of school earlier, right?

Under the table, she types rapidly on her phone.

@Reginageorge: Guys if you dont have next period clads meeg at parking log early

@Karenlovekaren: Ummmmm what

Twenty minutes pass before Madam park brings Gretchen and Ricky back into the classroom, both poised but relaxed. A comforting sign.

”Hey, guys!” Ricky throws up a peace sign. “It went great!”

”Really?” Regina gulps in her anticipation.

”It…did, actually.” Madam Park says, completely surprised. “They had an average score of ninety, Gretchen with an eighty and Ricky with a perfect score.”

The entire class cheers.

”A perfect score?!” Regina stammers amidst the chaos. “Ricky got a perfect score?!”

No one hears her, just cheering for the two and Madam Park failing at her attempt to calm them down.

”People are testing!”

After a while, she just sighs and sits down, figuring they could calm themself down.

”An eighty?” Regina quietly pats Gretchen’s back. “Great job!”

She smiles gently, crossing her arms as she relaxes against her seat.

”You guys can start packing up. Class is almost over.”

Gretchen takes out her phone, as she is already packed up.

”Karen seriously couldn’t read what you wrote?”

“Just…go get her. If she has class, make her take anyone else that has more classes.”

”Got it.” Gretchen sighs. “See you in a bit?”

Regina nods excitedly. “Also, hey, Ricky!” She waves to him. “I’m having a small get together, do you want to—?”

”Sorry, can’t make it…” He says meekly. “I have some parties I’m going to.”

”Oh…” She blinks. Damn.

”Have a good summer, guys, great job!” Madam Park smiles at them one last time, and this kind of feeling swells in Regina’s chest, even though she probably won’t miss school.

”You too, Madam Park.” Regina pushes through the doorway when the bell rings, finally seeing how different the light is now that school is over.

”See you in a bit, Regina!” Gretchen waves, walking backwards for a bit.

”You too!” She yells out before bursting through the school doors.

This sunlight…it is definitely not the same. It’s brighter, warmer, yet somehow not inviting at all.

”Regina!” Janis hugs her from behind, cheek pressed against her back rather adorably.

”Hey!” She turns around, hugging her back. “I didn’t know you saw my message about skipping your last period!”

”Karen sent it to us to interpret.”

”Ah…” It falls silent.

”I know.”

”Well…then where’s Cady and Damian?”

”Coming.”

Regina clicks her tongue, nods. “Do you just wanna wait in the car…?”

”Maybe we should wait for them?”

”Then I’m going to sit down somewhere to order pizza.” Regina sighs heavily. This totally could’ve been Gretchen’s job if Regina hadn’t been slacking off so much in French.

@Gretchwn: Hey lol so im gonna stay at school cause karen cant come rn see you later

Regina groans. “Are you serious?!”

”It’s okay!” Janis pats her shoulder. “Just text Damian and Cady, we can just go to your house a bit early. We could use some time to relax.”

”Then pile in.” She flashes a smile, not a single plan to look back at school in place.

Chapter Text

Ceiling fan? Full power. Air conditioner? Ridiculously cold. It’s definitely summer, alright.

”This pizza fucking slaps.” Damian licks his lips after a bite of pepperoni.

”Tastes way better when Regina pays.”

The music feels deafeningly nostalgic as Gretchen says it.

”Screw you.” Regina laughs. “But you know, is anyone else almost confused how we all passed high school with no obstructions?”

Cady laughs and rolls her eyes before sipping her soda. “Because you three are rich, I moved here from Kenya, and Damian is gay.”

”And Janis is…a lot of things.” Damian says matter-of-factly.

”Oh shit, were we diversity students?” Karen gasps.

”No, no.” Cady shakes her head. “We were diversity students, you guys are borderline nepo babies.”

Karen sighs, her shoulders dropping. “Oh. That sucks.”

Regina just sighs into her hand. “I have no words.”

Janis laughs out loud, in the corner next to one of the vents without any pizza. She scrolls through her phone, looking at photos of her now college.

”Is she even listening?” Cady grumbles to Regina.

”Get off your phone!” Regina exclaims, crawling over to where she is. “Come on, sit with us, stupid!”

”Okay, okay…!” She shuts off her phone, puts it face down on the floor. “What kind of pizza is that?”

”Pay attention.” Regina frowns, but she cuts her some slack because of how much college occupies all of their minds. “It’s pepperoni or cheese.” She hands her cheese, because she knows that’s all Janis likes.

”Thank you.” Janis grins cheekily.

”Get a room.” Damian pats Janis’s head good-naturedly.

”Oh, come on, you’re so cruel.” Cady giggles. “Regina, do you have anything to drink?”

”Well, we have some shitty grape juice that’s legally called wine.”

”I—“ Cady pauses. “I meant soda, or something.”

”Oh.”

”I’m all for wine, don’t get me wrong. Just at someone else's house right now—“

”Dude.” Regina stops her as she gets up. “We aren’t going to roofie you, chill. Want some Pepsi?”

”Yeah, sounds good.”

Regina marches over to her refrigerator, the one in the garage with all of the beverages her family thinks are shitty.

There are boxes, piled up high through the entire space, full of Regina’s old things to throw away.

She eyes one next to the fridge and kneels in front of it to see what’s in it, just for a small kick of nostalgia now that high school is officially over.

It’s a stuffed animal, one from when she was really, really young. Pink and made to look like a little baby elephant.

She smiles, holds the fuzzy remnant of her youth in her hands and hugs it to her chest.

High school is over now. She can let go of it.

She puts it back into the box where it came from and takes a further look into it. Blankets, plushies, toys, all kinds of things she won’t need anymore when she moves out. This must be a donation or trash pile of some sorts. She laughs and keeps it open to move on to another box, eyes filling with a new, quieter sense of wonder in the trove of boxes.

”Hello?” Janis knocks on the door, startling Regina. “You’ve been taking an actual while in here, everything okay?”

”Oh, yeah.” She chuckles. “Just found some old stuff.”

Janis kneels next to her and takes a peek into the boxes. “Donation pile?”

”I guess, yeah.”

Janis purses her lips. “That’s an awful lot to donate.”

”Well, I can’t take everything with me, can I?”

Janis grabs some drinks from the fridge so Regina doesn’t have to. “Do you want some more time alone? Considering it’s your house, I feel like it’ll be better if you come back.”

”Can I just have another ten? I’ll be right with you guys.”

Janis smiles softly.

”I’ll bring back some booze.”

”Alright, Regina.” She shuts the door gently.

And she wallows, sits against a wall and shuffles through another box of her things that she loved so dearly in middle school, now pretty much just garbage.

An old gym shirt here, a cork board with a pink frame there.

She smiles and grazes them with her hand before closing it.

Now, for some alcohol.

”You guys can stay over if you want, I don’t mind.” Regina pops open a wine bottle. “No point in drunk driving today.”

”Damn, girl, this early?” Damian laughs and sticks out a paper cup. “What’s gotten into you.”

Regina pours it silently for Damian, Janis, Gretchen, and Karen.

”Want any?” She shakes the bottle at Cady.

”I’m good.” Cady politely declines. “I can take anyone home if they want to go.”

”Valid.” Regina shrugs and takes a sip from her cup. “Wanna watch a movie, guys?”

”Not really…” Cady frowns. “I just want to talk with you guys. I feel like two years was nowhere near enough do get anything done.”

”Silly, we still have all of summer to worry about this.” Karen chuckles.

”Yeah, but we’ll all be busy slowly becoming stupid freaking adults and whatever.”

Truthfully, Regina understands that. “Alright, then we’ll talk.” She lays down on the floor, hair splayed out around her in a halo. And of course, everyone follows.

Janis clears her throat the moment she lies down. “So…wild school year, yeah?”

”It was fun.” Cady smiles contently. “I liked it.”

”Of course you did.” Damian says. “Most high schools aren’t that batshit, though. I swear.”

”I figured.” Cady turns her head to face them. “It went by too fast, though.”

”No kidding.” Regina feels her eyes droop. “It literally feels like yesterday we graduated middle school.”

Of course Cady doesn’t relate to the part where she says we, but she is happy, nonetheless.

”But we can stay in contact, right?” Regina reaches her hand out towards the ceiling. “When all of you out-of-state people decide to come back.” She looks at Janis. “Right?”

”She’s asleep, Regina.” Damian sighs.

”Oh my fucking god.”

Everyone finally fell asleep, but it’s so late and Regina doesn’t feel like turning on the lights.

Her solution? Sitting alone in the darkness of her room. Perfect.

She opens up her windows, lets the fresh air rustle through the room.

Then she sits again. Contemplates that it’s really happening, that life is finally moving on.

A knock on her door, polite and familiar.

”Come in.” She sighs heavily, knowing very well it is just Janis.

”Hey.” She pokes her head through her door, face fresh and dewy from sleep. “How are you still up?”

”I could ask you the same thing.” She chuckles weakly. “But seeing as you got twelve hours of sleep—“

”Is everything okay, Regina?” Janis raises an eyebrow. “You look tired.”

”Well, obviously.” She pats the spot on the floor next to her. “It’s weird. Empty.”

”Not going to high school, you mean?” Janis sits. “Yeah, that is weird. Is that why you’re all mopey right now?”

”Yeah.”

A beat. A pause.

”Is it because high school is ending, or is it that the people are finally heading different directions in life?”

Regina shrugs tiredly. “The latter, probably. I’m sick of it.”

”Me too.” Janis chuckles, holds her closer by the shoulders. “I never thought enough time would pass for this.”

”You’re leaving me.” Regina laughs, bitterly this time. “I mean, come on. Barely any time has passed, and you’re leaving me.”

”Sure…but we’ll be back. It’ll be different, but we’ll be back.”

A final brick falls away from whatever dam that held Regina together, through Janis’s acceptances and her own rejection. “What’ll happen if you meet someone new? Someone better. You know you can. I know you can.”

Janis smiles, flattered yet a little disheartened. “Regina, what are you even saying? I couldn’t find someone else, you’re perfect.”

Regina leans her head against Janis, exhausted from years and years of school and chaos. “If you find someone else, someone better, I won’t be mad. Not ever.”

Janis kisses her temple. “Don’t be ridiculous, you know I love you.”

Regina thinks about all those couples that already broke up so nothing would hold them back in college. She wonders if maybe it would be better if they did the same, if Janis could use that, but all of those thoughts leave her head the moment Janis cups her cheek, pulls her in to kiss her like they are the only people that exist.

”I love you, too.” Regina says when they are so out of breath they simply have to break the kiss.

And she figures: The time will pass. But Janis will be there.

Chapter Text

Janis closes the trunk of her car, filled to the brim with suitcases, boxes. Her stuff.

”Is that everything?” Regina dusts off her hands.

”I believe so.” She laughs. She thinks Regina looks particularly beautiful today, in that denim shirt and pajama pants. “I’ll be so sore tomorrow from this.”

”Yeah, I bet.” Regina huffs. The weight of both the boxes and Janis leaving weighs down on her soul. “My shoulders fucking hurt.”

They both lean against the car’s trunk, looking at the house as they take some deep breaths and recover.

”Is this it?” Regina asks, heart slowly breaking.

”No. I mean, for now, maybe, but I’ll always come back.”

”One day when everything is perfect, I’ll give you the knowing that it’s okay if you don’t. If anything better than me ever comes, know that you deserve it. You hear me, Janis?”

Janis chuckles, resigned. “Don’t worry. I’ll always come back.”

Regina herself hasn’t even packed up, finished a single chore at her own home. But she was still willing to wake up two hours earlier than normal to come over. She doesn’t want to waste it. “Do you…want to take a walk around the block?”

Janis checks her phone, the meager amount of time she has before her next urgent task. The task which is leaving.

”Sure. I should be able to.”

Regina holds out her hand, warm and calloused from holding box after box.

”Do you have your keys?” She asks Janis.

”Yes.”

”Wallet?”

”Yes.”

“License?”

“Obviously.”

They don’t find much to talk about. What’s even the point of trying to on such a sorrowful day for the both of them?

Regina stops them halfway around the block.

”I know we’ve been over this already, but this was one of the best summers I’ve ever had with you.”

”I know.” Janis smiles, agrees. “I loved this summer, too.”

Does she wish it lasted as much as Regina wishes for it? Does she desire for it to keep going no matter what?

Regina pauses, soaks in the moment. “Thanks.” She says curtly.

”Always.” Janis leans in and kisses her cheek. “Should we continue the walk?”

A leaf falls from a tree a few yards away from them.

Regina wraps an arm around her shoulder, unable to muster any words. They haven’t talked too much around each other lately. They just sit in silence and memorize every groove and feature of the other’s faces.

”Janis! Hurry up!” Her parents yell when they’re in view again. Must be time for her to go.

”Wouldn’t want you to be late.” Regina chuckles bitterly.

”We have all the time in the world.” Janis smiles, thinks about the few seconds she could consider to be an eternity.

”You…don’t.” Regina playfully rolls her eyes and pulls her in for a kiss.

”Gina!” Janis giggles. “My parents’ll see.”

”Dude, come on, they know.”

”They do.” She scrunches her nose and kisses Regina, a nice, long kiss.

”Alright, you gotta go.” Regina pats her hip good-naturedly, a sendoff. “See you later, seriously! Are you coming on Christmas?”

”I’ll be several states away, I won’t give you any false hope.” She says coyly. “Don’t worry, though. I’ll call every day, I’ll have a lot to gossip about.“

”Give me a definite, Janis.” Regina pouts.

”Fine.” She cups her cheek. “I’ll see you next summer?”

”I’ll see you next summer.”