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She feels it, their tension. They’re standing on the right of her, exchanging quick darts of their eyes, a silent communication as to what to do next. Regina can hear them breathing, mostly Gretchen and ugh, it’s so gross like a panting dog.
“Regina?” Gretchen breaks the silence, her voice slightly timid.
“What?” Her gaze shifts, she’s impatient and Gretchen seems to have lost her ability to speak in those five seconds that have gone by.
“Well....We were just wondering....” Gretchen stumbles over her words.
“Why are you wearing that hoodie?” Karen’s blue eyes shine with curiosity.
Regina’s movements start to slow. “What?”
“You’ve never worn that hoodie before,” Gretchen blows out a breath, a hint of accusation to her words. “I don't think you even have one like it.”
Regina straightens herself up, needlessly adjusting the length of the hoodie. When she does, she gets a waft of him and her stomach curls in excitement. The hoodie is black and oversize and for one of those grungy bands she’ll never listen to in a million years.
“Is it yours?” Karen asks.
“Of course it's mine,” Regina snaps. “Do you really think I’d wear someone else’s hoodie? God...”
“But where did you get it?” Gretchen persists, confused. Regina is completely aware of both of their eyes on her, on the hoodie and she has to look away, she can’t look them in the eyes right now.
“Maybe it’s new,” Karen says.
“It doesn’t look new,” Gretchen’s voice is mild, but doubtful. And the thing is, she’s right, obviously, but they can’t know. Nobody can.
Regina shuts her locker and looks straight at Gretchen. “Well, it is. Do I have to explain myself to you?”
At once, Gretchen stammers. “Well, no. Of - of course not-”
“Then shut up and get out of my face,” Regina fakes a smile. It’s not an attempt at sincerity, and they all know it.
She starts to walk away in the opposite direction while her friends stand there dumbly.
“But-but we always walk to class together!” Gretchen says when it becomes apparent that Regina is leaving them all alone.
Regina doesn’t dignify her with a response. She walks as quickly as she can to the other end of the school where the auditorium is. It’s not in use right now, not this early.
She knows he’s there already, waiting. Instead of waiting for a time when they can be together without interruption, without the risk of being caught, Rodrick pleaded with her to see him now.
Ugh. He’s lucky he’s cute.
Regina slips past through the doors. It’s completely dark in here, she can vaguely see the outlines of the audience seats and the stage, but she doesn’t see him anywhere-
“Hey gorgeous,” an arm throws itself over her shoulder and Regina curses loudly, whirling around with a furiously beating heart.
“Don’t do that!” She whacks him on the shoulder and Rodrick snickers. “My God, what is wrong with you?”
“You’d have to ask the guidance counselors about that,” he quips. Still a little annoyed at being scared, Regina huffs but allows him to pull her in for a kiss. “I see you’re wearing the hoodie.”
She crosses her arms. “I didn’t have anything else to wear.” He snorts.
“I’ve seen your closet, Gina. I don’t think that’s possible.”
“Don’t call me that.” Ugh, it’s such an old lady’s name, but her resistance only makes him more amused.
“I thought you said you’d never wear it,” he lowers his voice, teasing. But there’s something else too, something she can’t identify.
“So what if I am?”
“I like it,” Rodrick’s hands are on her waist. She’s in his space, breathes in the scent of his aftershave even though she's not sure why he’s even using it. He doesn’t have any facial hair to begin with.
He holds her tight, she can feel the warmth from his hands sleeping through the hoodie.
“Next time wash it before you give it to me.”
“Oh, yeah?” Rodrick grins, or she’s fairly sure he is. “I don’t think you mind at all.”
“Please. It’s so gross.”
“Mhm.”
And if the hoodie becomes a permanent part of her wardrobe, well, it’s Regina’s business.