Chapter Text
Victor walked through the halls that morning with… a renewed sense of optimism. It was like someone had slipped a multicolor filter over life, and he was now seeing everything clearer.
Vera noticed almost immediately. Which wasn't entirely surprising, considering that she was his partner in most classes.
The moment he walked in, his shoulders slightly pulled back, and his head held higher with his usual grin brighter, She raised an eyebrow. Though, she didn’t say anything until a bit later, once they got to 3rd period.
“What’s gotten into you?” She asked, an amused tone in her voice. He raised an eyebrow, twirling a pencil over his fingers.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He said, his grin wide as he glanced to the front of the classroom. Vera snorted, glancing to the same spot, and looking at the blonde cheerleader.
“Right. So your little sunspot has nothing to do with this?” She said, amused. Victor grinned, and a glint appeared in his eye. But, he said,
“I have no idea what you are talking about.”
Vera sighed, but gave a small smile.
“Fine. but make sure to tell your little girlfriend hi for me.”
Victor smiled, and turned back to the teacher, pretending to listen and attempting to wipe the smile off his face.
It wasn’t exactly his fault that Nova was so distracting. And yes, was he being slightly dramatic, about one interaction they had, and the first real one in two years?
Maybe.
But he had been working towards this for years. And maybe it was slightly pathetic, but even that one interaction made his world feel brighter. Just the memory of her shaky breath, and her blue eyes staring deeply into his, made a dreamy smile come over his face.
At the end of the day, love made a man a fool.
He walked through the halls, anticipating science, more than he usually did. More than he probably should, but he couldn't stop.
If only the world gave him a minute to rest.
He had forgotten his notebook, so he asked for a pass to leave class. As he got his things, another person entered the hallway.
He glanced over his shoulder, and who he saw made his shoulders tense.
Ray Sol. Resident baseball star, jerk of the century, and his middle school bully.
And, Novas childhood best friend.
He waited, silently praying for him to pass, and leave him alone. But it almost seemed, that he had been looking for him.
Ray stopped, leaning against the lockers just behind his locker door.
“Barton,” he said.
Victor slammed his locker door, and turned to look at him with a bored expression.
“Sol.”
Ray glanced over his shoulder, then turned back to Victor, with a smug expression.
“Got a minute?”
Victor snorted, dropping his bag by his feet.
“Actually, i need to get to class. Maybe another time…?” he said, going to grab something out of it.
“I meant now actually. Wasn't really a question.” Ray said, stepping closer. Victor sighed, standing up, and looking him in the eye. Because he could do that now (when did that happen?)
“Listen Ray, I don’t have time for your stupid jokes. I’m not 12, and this isn’t middle school. So make your blood sucker joke, and then move on.” He said, trying to move around him. But Ray stepped in front of him, arm crossed and stance defensive.
“I want to talk about Nova.” He said. Victor wasn’t expecting that.
“Nova?” He said in disbelief. Ray nodded. Victor snorted, the sound oddly dismissive in a way that made Rays expression morph into fury.
“What about Nova?” He said, leaning against his locker. Ray glared at him.
“You know what about. You need to stay away from her. I though you got that hint years ago.” He said, stepping closer. Victor just snorted again.
“I am pretty sure, that nobody tells Nova what to do. She wouldn’t be talking to me if she didn’t want to. Although, I seriously doubt that she would take kindly to the fact that you are trying to fight irrelevant battles for her.” He said. Ray stepped forward again.
“She doesn’t know what’s best for her. I am warning you, on behalf of me and her family. You need to leave well enough alone.”
Victor snorted.
“I met Cynthia. Her mom. She’s lovely. Not sure I’m gonna get many threats there. And you?” He said, stepping forward, a glint in his eyes.
“I’m not scared of you, or her father. You can't push me around anymore, and neither can he. And the further you push me, the further you push her. She has morals, even if it’s not for people she’s close to.” He said, thinking of how Nova still didn’t treat Ray the best after the painting.
“Nova is our age, she doesn’t need you making decisions for her. Now, if you’ll excuse me,” he tried to say, pushing past Ray. But Ray just grabbed the front of his shirt, pulling him back.
“I mean it Victor. This isn’t a threat, it’s a promise.”
Victor was stunned for all of two seconds. And then?
He grabbed Rays shirt, roughly flipping them around, and slamming his back into the lockers.
“And here’s my promise. You can’t push me around anymore, and you never really could. If you ever try to threaten me again, or tell me what to do, there will be consequences.”
Then, he dropped his shirt, roughly pushing him away, and walking back to class, a small smile on his face, as he saw Rays stunned expression.
He may not be violent, but he sure as hell wasn’t about to let Ray threaten him. Not about her.
And then? He went to science, and did exactly what he was warned not to do. Ray saw.
Smart move? No. But by the time he realized that, it was too late.
———————————————————————
No matter how much sleep Nova got that Saturday night, she still was almost as wired the next morning. She still felt an alien buzz under her skin, and she felt… lighter. Like she was floating.
She headed down the stairs for breakfast that morning, with her hoodie and sweats on, her hair down, and a small smile on her face.
“Good morning,” she said to her mom. Her mom raised an eyebrow, as she sipped her coffee.
“Good morning,” she said back, an amused lilt to her voice, as she tilted her head. Nova looked back,
“What?” she asked, with a slight laugh in her voice. Her mom just shrugged, but she was smiling.
“I don't know. You just seem… happier this morning. Less moody.” She said, her smile softening as she handed Nova the matcha.
“I guess science really helped.” she said with a wink. Nova's cheeks turned pink with embarrassment, at her moms not so subtle hint.
Again, it was embarrassing. Didn’t make it wrong.
She went to her room, but she felt too restless to do anything. She needed out, and she needed it now.
So, she did something probably stupid. She pulled out her phone, and sent Zoey a quick text.
Nova: SOS
She waited for the response, smiling when it came not even ten seconds later.
Zoey: Omg, what happened? Nova. tell me right now
She inhaled, before typing out the 5 words that were likely going to change her whole life.
Nova: I think I’m in love
Zoey started typing. Then stopped. Then started again.
Zoey: Bitch. Get your things, I will be there in 8 minutes with Zed's car.
Nova smiled, and fell back on her pillow. Well, she just made either the best, or worst decision of her life.
—------------------------------
“Wait.” Zoey said, sitting back against the back porch railing, and rubbing a hand over her forehead.
“You’re telling me, that it was him? He was your mystery photographer?” she said. Nova nodded, messing with her froyo cup, as she ate the cold lemon dessert.
“Yup. I had my suspicions, but he confirmed it yesterday.” she said, trying not to look her friend in the eye.
“And he drew you a picture? And switched his classes? And he made sure to go to an event for you, and actually help you in a partner project?” she said, her tone more disbelieving with every question. She winced giving a sheepish smile.
“...yes?”
Zoey looked at her, a look of disbelief and confusion on her face.
“What?” Nova asked with a laugh, and shook her head.
“Nothing. I'm just wondering why you aren't pregnant with his child yet.” she said.
Nova slapped her arm, and she started hysterically laughing, completely ignoring her chocolate and peanut butter froyo.
“Hilarious. You should join a comedy club.” she said, her tone annoyed. But she was smiling.
Zoey wiped her eyes, and straightened.
“Okay fine. But I'm serious, that is husband level shit. Why exactly, explain it to me again like I'm 5, did you ever let this boy go?” she asked. Nova sighed, propping her hand under her chin as she looked at the neighbor boys playing soccer in the streets.
She should have told her the story again. The fight, the reasons, the lying. But honestly? She was tired. So, so, tired of all the excuses and reasons. So, instead she said,
“I don't know.”
Zoey gave her a look that said ‘elaborate’ so she sighed and continued.
“I had my reasons. I know I did. But now? I'm tired of every last one. It's all starting to blur in my head, and I… I don't know how to feel anymore.” she said, dropping her hand from under her chin,and hugging her arms around her torso.
Zoey scooted closer, wrapping an arm around her friend's shoulder, and sat there quietly. She didn't speak for a while, but after a few minutes, she hesitated, before softly saying.
“I dont think thats true Nova.” she said. Nova looked at her, her expression confused. But her green haired friend gave her a soft sad smile, and continued.
“I think you do know. I think you know what you want, and it scares you. I think you know that you don't care about those reasons anymore, and that you love him. I think that terrifies you.”
Nova swallowed thickly, staring out at the beat up streets. The walls of Zombietown, so similar to Shadyside. The place where people struggled, because their town failed them. Because her father kept them here.
Was that really who she wanted to make decisions about her heart? Someone who couldn't have enough of one to help young kids, or pick up his own daughter. Did she trust him more than the sweet boy, who she had held while he cried.
In theory, the decision was easy. In practice, it was tearing her apart.
“I'm scared Z.” she said quietly.
“I hurt him so much. I know I did. What if… what if he doesn't want me? What if it's too late?”
Zoey smiled, brushing a piece of hair off Nova's shoulder.
“I don't think he does. But honestly? He's been taking all the leaps. It's your turn to try, and know that you might fall.”
Nova sat there, looking up at the setting sun. and maybe life didn't feel stable, and maybe she felt like someone had just pulled the rug from beneath her feet. But for the first time in a while her mind, and her path forward was clear.
She had to listen to herself. Not her father. Not Ray. She had to go her own way. And it seemed, that that path?
It led to him