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Cherri is only a little annoyed that she is on a bus to a classroom that she would only be in for around 20 minutes. It was too hot out, and Cherri hated going places she didn't need to be for more than an hour, especially with weather like this.
But, she's only a little annoyed, because a few rows in front of her, sits Apo Kuna. Cherri hadn't seen her since the self-defense class, and certainly hadn't spoken to her either. Maybe Cherri's fears of Apo hating her had some merit? There was no way that Apo hadn't noticed her odd behavior. Of course, it had only been four days since then, so that wasn't surprising.
What is surprising, is that Apo is on public transit. Today. Apo doesn't have a class today. Cherri knows because she asked Katie about Apo's schedule, so she could dream about planning dates around it. It was fun for around fifteen minutes, and then Cherri had self reflected for more than two seconds, and had abandoned the idea entirely out of sheer embarrassment.
Which meant that on Tuesdays, Apo didn't have a class. But here she is anyways. Cherri glances down to her phone, and then back up towards Apo. The woman has her hair up in a ponytail, but wisps of reddish brown stray around her neck. Cherri wants to touch them.
She is two rows behind Apo, so there's not much that she can do, not that she would. Cherri wipes her brow, still sweating from the unbearable heat. (That, and nothing else.) She supposes she should've joined Apo in the tank top club, but frankly, Cherri isn't the biggest fan of her arms, so it probably would've made the bus ride worse.
Speaking of tank tops. Good lord, did Apo look good in them. Cherri swallows harshly as the bus goes over a particularly bad bump. Tank tops flaunted her arms, and even worse, Apo didn't even know she was doing it. Cherri was sure she didn't. Otherwise, there was no way she would wear them so frequently.
Cherri hopes Apo never finds out.
Cherri feels another flash of annoyance, along with her sigh of frustration at the heat. Seriously, all this for a stupid 15-minute sketch on 'how clothes fall on the human form'. What kind of fucking title was that?
Whatever, it's the reason that Cherri gets to see Apo today, so she doesn't mind much anymore. Apo is looking at her phone, and dons her signature black headphones. Cherri remembers when she had asked Apo about them, and the woman had sheepishly told her that they were well-disguised noise cancelling headphones.
Cherri thought it was cute. Thinks, still that it's cute that Apo gets so overwhelmed in crowded places. So even Apo's headphones aren't safe to look at.
Wow, and suddenly, none of Apo is safe to look at, as she takes the bottom corner of her shirt, and lifts it up to wipe her brow.
Oh, what the fuck.
Cherri looks away, but is unable to banish the image of the muscles on Apo's shoulders, and back from her mind. A flush settles on her face, and, okay, she'll admit it. Now, she's sweating from more than just the heat. But Jesus Christ, did Apo need to expose her entire midsection? On a bus? Cherri could barely handle seeing her like that when she wasn't delirious from heat. Now, Cherri's leg bounces up and down restlessly. She probably looks psychotic to the regular commuter.
And then, it's Cherri's stop. It was fun while it lasted, and Cherri doesn't think she'll see Apo again after this, so she bids a reluctant farewell in her mind as she steps off the bus.
Bye Apo. And also fuck you because I'll be thinking about the sweat on the back of your neck all day.
Cherri pushes the thought from her mind, like it's the plague. Then, she opens her phone, and starts her playlist on shuffle, as she begins to walk to her classroom.
Now, Cherri has never been the most fast-paced walker. Not only is she short, but she also just… doesn't have very strong legs. (Unlike someone that Cherri knows)
Therefore, it's no surprise that someone passes Cherri as she's walking. Cherri pays them no mind, glancing up, before glancing back down at her feet again.
Wait, what?
Cherri looks back up, and yes, there she is. Apo. Apo with her hair up, with her tank top and headphones.
Apo walking into the art building. What the hell could she possibly be doing there. Cherri stops walking abruptly, staring after Apo with a wildness that can only be described as panic.
Then, Cherri tells herself to focus. They're literally just in the same building. It shouldn't be this big of a deal. But it is, so Cherri forces herself to take a deep breath, and she keeps walking.
Apo holds the fucking door. Cherri doesn't think that Apo realizes it's her, but the other woman stalls for a split second, and pushes the door open a little more so Cherri can get through.
"Thanks." It's little more than a mumble, and Apo doesn't hear, or respond. (Probably because of her stupid fucking headphones.) But Cherri feels like an idiot anyways, as she steps into the building. The main lobby is sparse, with a sort of modern-architecture feel to it that Cherri sort of hates, and sort of loves at the exact same time.
Katie. Where was Katie? Her roommate had work, so she hadn't ridden into class with Cherri. Oh god, Katie was going to spit roast her when Cherri mentioned it later. Because of course she had to. Katie would see her, and immediately be able to tell that Cherri had come into contact with Apo. It was an inherent trait of hers. Katie said that Cherri just 'got a look in her eyes'.
Not true, by the way. Cherri would never have a certain look about her when Apo came by. That would be way too pathetic.
"Cherri!" Speak of the devil, Katie strides up to Cherri with a smug grin that tells Cherri everything she needs to know. "So glad you could make it."
"I hate you," Cherri announces, glancing past Katie's shoulder, and around the lobby. Several art students mill about the large room. "It's official, Katie. I hate you."
"Aw, you can't be too mad." Katie laughs, "You get to stare at Apo for a class, Cherri. You should be thanking me for convincing her to model."
"Convincing her to model???" Cherri practically whisper-shouts. She has to stop herself from grabbing Katie by the collar and violently shaking her. "Why the fuck would you do that?!"
"Why are you such a mess around her?" Katie raises a brow. "Same reason. She's hot. Plus, I like watching you suffer."
Cherri has an insane urge to crumple to her knees and let out a pained, choked sob. She doesn't, obviously, but it's worth mentioning that she wants to very badly.
"Whatever…" Cherri solemnly swears that she needs to get new friends. Katie promptly reminds her why they are friends not even a second later.
"Plus, you can draw her! You had mentioned really wanting to. Now you have an excuse without being like- creepy, or whatever you're worried about."
Cherri keeps scowling, but Katie has a point, unfortunately. Cherri had been wanting to sketch Apo for months now, and this was her opportunity. However, Cherri is allergic to giving Katie the satisfaction she wants.
"Fine." Cherri says, practically spits, actually. "Fine. Whatever."
Katie smiles. Cherri has given her that satisfaction anyways. Her roommate snorts, elbowing Cherri as she waves at—
Apo. Because of course she is. Apo has noticed the two standing around like idiots, and waves back. She looks a little stupid, with her whole tough-guy masc aesthetic, waving like an idiot.
I need to make out with her, is instead what Cherri thinks, instead of she looks so stupid.
It is, unfortunately, very endearing, especially when Apo's lips are graced with a beautiful, soft smile. Cherri presses her lips together. Katie tugs her by her sleeve towards Apo.
"Apo!" Katie grins, "You came after all."
"You- you saw me sign up, Katie." Apo looks a little confused, raising a brow. "Of course I came?"
Katie gestures vaguely as she comes to a stop in front of Apo. "Whatever. I know this stuff isn't your style. I thought you might chicken out."
Apo squints. "I'm just… standing there… right? That sounds pretty easy."
Oh yeah, it'll be easy for Apo, maybe. But Cherri braces herself, in preparation for the class to come. Then, her professor, appearing out of seemingly nowhere, ushers them in.
Katie bids a quick goodbye to Apo. Cherri silently curses herself for not saying goodbye along with her. Apo waves to Cherri anyways, and she might be imagining it, but Apo's eyes linger on her for a second too long.
Oh my fucking god, is she blushing? Cherri falters, tripping over her own feet as Apo's eyes flick away from her, her face flushing faintly.
"Oh my god Katie I think she's blushing." Cherri grabs her roommates arm like a vice, tugging at her sleeve to direct her attention.
"Oh she totally is." Katie smirks, glancing back at Apo. "She likes you…"
Katie drags out the you dramatically, and Cherri takes another look at Apo. It's embarrassing how hope swells in her chest, embarrassing how she wants Apo to have a crush on her, so badly that it hurts.
Of course, no matter how hot Apo is, it doesn't matter if Apo doesn't like Cherri back. Everything hinged on that, and Apo was good at hiding whatever opinions she held towards Cherri.
She looks back towards Katie. "No she doesn't."
It's meant as dismissive, but Katie sobers up immediately, raising a brow at Cherri.
"At the very least, she's interested. Trust me, I've never seen her stare at someone, or try to figure someone out as much as she does you."
"Wait- Really?" Cherri hates the way her voice sounds so desperate, hates how her lips quirk up. She's special. Apo doesn't treat anyone the same as her. It doesn't matter if the way she treats Cherri isn't romantic. Cherri will settle for being different.
Katie stays silent, as they enter the room where the class is taking place. It's eerily quiet, it always is. it's like a spell has fallen over the entire class. Cherri both loves it, and hates it.
Still, Cherri claims a quiet triumph in her newfound information. She's different.
Then, her face flushes in embarrassment. That shouldn't make her as happy as it does. But it does, and Cherri can't quite hide it as much as she'd like to.
Whatever. Cherri takes a seat in her assigned chair. The easel in front of her seems to mock her, and Cherri squints at it, idly wondering if sketching paper even has the ability to mock someone. She decides no.
Once everyone has properly settled, their professor gives some mini-lecture about how they should focus on the clothing, and how cloth bends, and twists, depending on the position it's in.
Cherri has a feeling she won't be focusing on the clothing. But she ignores the feeling, instead watching as Apo strolls out. If she's nervous, she sure doesn't show it, as Apo moves to the middle of the room confidently, to sit in a prepared seat.
And she’s in a shirt. Well, she was before, but the flannel that she dons now—probably provided by the professor—is loose on her arms, which only makes Cherri more acutely aware of the fact that she knows what is underneath the sleeves.
Katie grins at her from across the room, and Cherri tries for a death glare, which probably comes out a lot more gay, and a lot less threatening. Then, Cherri glances back towards Apo, only to find the other woman’s eyes on her already, as Apo quickly glances away.
Had she been staring?
Cherri begins to sketch Apo’s face, trying to ignore the notion. If she focuses too much on those kinds of ideas, she’ll end up right back where she was when she attended Apo’s class.
Apo’s nose is… strong. Cherri hadn’t known noses could be, but Apo’s definitely is. Where the art student’s nose is rounder, and more soft, Apo’s nose is sharp, and angular, just like the rest of her face.
And her hair, god, her hair. The curly ringlets of hair, trapped in the same ponytail as before. It was a shame that Apo looked just as good with her hair up, otherwise Cherri might wish Apo’s hair to be freed. But no, exposing Apo’s neck was unfortunately… very… attractive.
Cherri wants to walk right up to Apo, and run her fingers along the strong slope of her jaw. If she was in a dream world, she just might.
Yes, her fingers would ghost across Apo’s jaw, and Apo would be to stunned to speak, a pretty flush on her face. And Cherri would murmur about how she’d like to kiss all the faint freckles on Apo’s face, no matter how long it took.
Huh. That’s a thought. Not a particularly helpful one, Cherri laments, as she looks over the oddly detailed sketch of just Apo’s face. She was supposed to be drawing all of Apo. Whatever, it looked pretty.
To be fair, anything about Apo had to be.
Cherri draws the slope of her shoulders. Finally focusing, even if just a little, on what the stupid sketch is all about. Cloth.
Of course, it helps that Cherri still has Apo’s shoulders practically emblazoned in her mind, as she absentmindedly sketches them bare, and then overlays the clothing on top of the drawing.
Had Apo’s shoulders been freckled? Cherri can’t remember, and silently curses herself for it. They were so faint that she hadn’t noticed if they were or not.
Whatever, it’s not like her shoulders were even supposed to be showing in the sketch. Banishing the thought from her mind, Cherri absentmindedly sticks her tongue between her teeth as she sketches. A nervous habit that she had been meaning to break. She glances back up at Apo, and god, Apo doesn’t get any less amazing to stare at.
Cherri calls to mind Katie’s earlier allegation about Apo being interested in her as well. What would she even do? Ask for Apo’s number? Where would it go from there? Was it too much to ask that Apo fall for her too, or was the architecture student already on her way there?
Apo catches her staring. To be fair, this is the one time where Cherri shouldn’t feel embarrassed. She should be staring, she’s drawing Apo, for fucks sake! But Cherri feels her face flush anyways, and she glances away.
Good, now the shoulders are done. The sketch is only supposed to be of the upper body, and thank god for that. Cherri doesn’t think she could do it in fifteen minutes, no other reason, definitely.
Cherri checks her watch. Most days, she doesn’t like wearing it, things on her wrists irritate her, pulling and prodding at her skin. But today, she made herself. Phones generally weren't considered good manners in class, and Cherri was pretty sure that their professor took off marks, even if subconsciously.
Ten minutes had passed. Christ, Cherri needed to hurry, if she was to fix the awkward angle of Apo's arm. Quickly, she glides her pencil to map out the curve of Apo's chest, feeling woefully embarrassed for staring. The tank top, luckily (Or unluckily, depending who you asked), is quite tight on Apo, so not much texturing needs to be done.
She fixes the arm, and glances up again, to make sure she has the swish of her sleeve correctly drawn.
A quiet, sharp inhale, and Cherri's eyes drag up to Apo's again. It can't be a coincidence now, and Cherri, with an odd burst of confidence, Cherri holds her gaze.
And Apo flushes. Apo flushes red, and tears her eyes away first. Cherri feels triumphant.
Apo was staring. She was staring, and now she's embarrassed. Cherri made her embarrassed. She should be. Staring was weird. (Cherri, in reality, had stared at Apo probably more times than she could count on both hands. She was the weird one.)
The professor calls out for them to stop sketching, and Cherri startles, as if she hadn't expected the class to ever end. "Leave your drawings where they are. I'll collect them later."
Cherri stands, brushing off imaginary dust from her lap. It's over. Cherri didn't think she could make it, but it's over. Now, her and Katie can—
Where the everliving fuck is Katie. Her roommate seems to have disappeared, and Cherri frantically looks around, before making a beeline for the lobby. Glancing around, Cherri can't spot Katie anywhere.
"Please tell me she didn't-" Cherri mutters, before a hand taps her on the shoulder. Relief floods her. "Katie. Thank god. We need to go before-"
Cherri whirls around. It's… not Katie.
"Cherri?" Apo smiles nervously, her eyes crinkling at the corners.
"Wow." Cherri blurts, and then promptly struggles to recover. "You uh- You aren't Katie."
Apo huffs a laugh, which might be the most gorgeous thing Cherri has ever heard. "Evidently, no."
"S- sorry. I'm waiting for… Katie?" Cherri tries for a smile. Apo smiles wider in return, so she must succeed at looking at least a little normal.
"Me too, what a coincidence." Apo nods importantly, and Cherri's face flushes, because she looks so stupid, and so stupidly attractive at the same time.
An awkward silence falls over them, and Cherri silently prays to whatever lesbian goddess lies above that Katie finds them soon, lest she get any funny ideas. (Ideas that involved blurting out how beautiful Apo looked, just standing there.)
"So- uh- I actually had something I wanted to ask you about." Apo says, after the silence grows too hard to bear. "If you don't mind, of course."
"Of course not!" Cherri forces out. Oh god, Apo was totally about to ask her about the staring. She was totally about to ask about it, and then Cherri would have to stammer something about how it helped the drawing process. "Uh- Go ahead."
"Uh- Bek was talking to me the other day about-" It's not about the staring. "About this post on her account that you keep-" Oh fuck, it's not about the staring, it's actually about- "—that you keep… liking and unliking?"
Cherri freezes. Oh god, she can't get out of this one, can she.
"And I just wanted to say that if you're like… interested in Bek, she's… taken. Pretty blatantly." Apo says awkwardly, glancing away from Cherri.
Cherri's mouth falls open. If she wasn't so shocked, she might blurt out how 'It's not Bek I'm interested in', but she stops herself just in time.
She's- Apo thinks that- "You think I'm interested in Bek?"
Cherri can't help the embarrassing snort that escapes her. Apo looks a little shellshocked at the noise. "Sorry- I just- No offense, but she is extremely not my type."
Cherri leaves out that she's looking at someone who is exactly her type.
"Really?" Apo sounds—if Cherri didn't know any better—relieved at the admission. "Well- that's- That's good. I guess she didn't have anything to worry about then?"
"Absolutely not." But you might.
Apo and her smile at each other like idiots. Maybe Cherri's intentions might become more clear? Maybe this reassurance was all that Apo needed to confirm that she—
"Wait." Apo seems to stall, and Cherri can see the gears turning in her head. "If you don't like Bek, why would you like that post so much?"
Fuck.
"I- Just because-" Because why? Because she liked Apo? Because Apo looked so good in that tank top, because Cherri just wanted to blurt out— "Can I have your number?"
Silence. The other students have all but left the building lobby, aside from a few stragglers, so it is truly silent.
God, Cherri's fucked it up now. Cherri fucked up, and Apo is going to go 'what?', and then Cherri is going to want to disappear into the floor so badly that she just might actually do it. Then, she's going to become a puddle, soak into the flooring, and then become a gay little patch of mold in the wood beneath the floor.
Yes, this is her life now, Cherri decides.
"Sure." Apo fumbles for her phone with a nervousness that can only be excitement, and glances at Cherri. "Sure I- I will."
Cherri gapes.
She will.