Chapter Text
It’s a day like any other. All four of them occupy a corner of the class, Lia and Ashley all the way at the back, Jay and Aaron one row ahead.
Aaron’s slightly out of his comfort zone not being in the back, but it’s a sacrifice he’s willing to take to sit next to Jay. He steals a glance at her, she seems too busy to notice, taking notes of everything the teacher is explaining.
Behind them, Lia and Ashley are whispering. Silently giggling about something, or nothing, like they always do.
Ashley reaches over to draw something in Lia’s notebook. Their arms touch for just a brief moment, but Lia goes bright red.
“Hey.. watch it..”
“Sorry..” Ashley leans a bit further, finishing her drawing without getting too close to Lia again.
Aaron glances back, smiling a little as he sees Lia blushing.
“What are you two up to, huh?”
“Just… drawing.”
“And that’s why Lia’s blushing so badly..?”
“It’s.. nothing.” Lia immediately defends herself.
Aaron can’t help but smile.
“Lia’s so cute like this…” He thinks, quickly turning away as he feels his face getting warmer.
He is immediately met by Jay’s gaze.
“You okay?” She smirks.
“I’m fine. Aren’t you supposed to be taking notes?” He snaps back.
“The teacher is done explaining, you would’ve known if you were paying attention.”
“I looked away for like… 5 seconds, asshole.” Aaron whispers.
“Okay, so what was the lesson about?”
“Uhm… Germany..?”
“That could either be the saxons or fucking Hitler, moron.”
“Stop shitting on me, I know we’re at post-war Germany..”
“So you did pay attention after all..”
“I always do. You know that. My grades are as good as yours.”
Jay side-eyes him. “You’re just effortlessly smart.”
“Paying attention in class is all there is to it.”
“Some people have to work their ass off for it, you know?”
“I guess.. You’re not one of them though. Why do you bother so much?”
“What do you mean?”
“You could do jackshit like I do, and still pass most of your classes.”
Jay smiles. “You think I do much more than you, just because I participate more in class?”
“I guess.. I’m wrong, aren’t I?”
“Myeah.. you are.”
In the row behind, Lia and Ashley have quieted down. They’re both listening in on Aaron and Jay.
Suddenly, Jay turns around. Lia instinctively looks down at her notebook, Ashley keeps looking at Jay.
“Hey.”
“What are you staring at?”
“Just admiring the banter between you two.” It’s not a lie, but her admiration is more jealousy than anything.
“Of course you are.” Jay says, leaving whether she knows or not in the air.
Ashley finally looks away, a little flustered, making Jay turn back too.
“This class is killing me.” Lia whispers to Ashley.
“You’re telling me..” She sighs.
Like clockwork, the bell rings. Lia’s books immediately disappear into her bag, while Ashley takes it a little slower.
In front of them, Aaron packs his bag, while Jay finishes writing some last notes.
“You done yet?” Aaron slides onto his desk and sits facing the two in the back row as they stand up, waiting for Jay to finish.
“Yeahh… Hold on!” She finishes a last scribble, before closing her notebook and putting it in her bag.
“Cool, we can go.” Aaron slides off his desk, and forces his way past Jay, scooching between her and the desks behind.
Lia and Ashley are already waiting in the hallway, as Aaron joins them, then Jay too.
“You lot are eager to go home.” She remarks.
“You aren’t? I’m tired as hell.” Ashley shrugs.
“I don’t mind going home, I suppose.”
Aaron sighs. “We all know you’re as done with the school day as the rest of us… Let’s just go.”