Chapter Text
The day had finally come.
Anya Forger was going to confess to Damian Desmond.
When she first got off of the bus and entered Eden, she was already nervous. She gripped her backpack strap like it would fly away, and bit her lip so hard it started bleeding.
“Anya!”
She turned around to see her best friend, Becky Blackbell calling her from the end of the hall.
When she walked up to Becky, she was surprised to see Ewen standing directly next to her.
Anya loosened her hold on her backpack. “Goodmorning Becky! And…uh Ewen? You're not normally here?”
Ewen scoffed. “Morning walking health hazard.”
Anya shot him a glare.
The brunette leaned towards Anya’s ear. “I asked him if Damian liked you and he just shrugged. Damn nonchalant idiot.”
Anya giggled. “I’m gonna start walking to class. I have a question about the homework.”
Becky grabbed her backpack that was sitting on the floor next to the three. “I’ll go with you since I don't have anything better to do. Bye idiot.”
Ewen scowled. “Just go away already.”
The two girls continued their walk down the hall, with Becky occasionally stopping to flirt with random boys that were passing. When they arrived at their class, Anya walked directly past the teacher.
“I thought you had a question?” Becky said, placing her backpack under their shared table.
Anya yawned and sat down. “Nah, I just wanted to get some sleep before class started.”
Becky rolled her eyes and laughed. “Well you could have said that.”
“You know I need mental preparation for today.”
“Mental preparation…” Becky stared at her confused. “For what?”
And then it hit her. Anya hadn't told Becky about her plans to confess to Damian. All Becky knew was that she liked Damian.
Anya sighed. “Becky. You have to promise me you won't tell a soul.”
Becky was intrigued. “I promise. Now spill!”
Anya contemplated not telling her, but she knew she would probably need her help.
She coughed. “Well…uh, I may or may not be thinking about telling Second son I like him today?”
Becky stood up from her seat. “YOU WHAT?!”
Every person in the room turned to stare at the brunette, causing Anya to turn the same shade as her hair.
The teacher cleared her throat. “Ms.Blackbell, please be quiet.”
“Sit down!” Anya whisper-yelled. “Yes, I think I’m gonna confess today.”
Becky sat down in a daze. “I have no time for preparation.”
“What?”
Becky rubbed her temples. “Anya. Do you realize I can't get fireworks, a beautiful lake, a bouquet with 100 roses and live music within the same day?”
Anya scoffed. “I don't want you to get any of those things. I want it to be low-key.”
Becky slammed her hand down on her desk. “I want it to be lowkey my ass!”
The teacher looked up from her papers. “Ms.Blackbell.”
Becky went silent immediately. “Sorry Ma’am..”
It was a matter of seconds before Becky’s voice was heard again.
The brunette took Anya's hands. "At least let me help you. Please?”
Anya smiled. “Fine, just don't make it a huge deal.”
It is a huge deal. Becky thought.
“Fine, I won't."
Their teacher began to speak. “Alright, can everyone turn to page 57, East-West wars…”
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Classes flew by quickly. Before the two knew it, it was lunch time. Becky dragged Anya to a random table and got to work.
“So, do you know where you're doing this?” Becky said, taking a bite out of her food.
Anya shrugged. “Maybe in the courtyard after school?”
Becky nodded. “Good idea, but it might be crowded if you do it directly after school.”
Anya groaned. “You’re right. I might as well give up now.”
The two girls sat and pondered, until Becky's head perked up. “I know!”
“What?”
“Theres this spot behind the school where cars pick people up. Martha usually picks me up there, and I unfortunately see Damian waiting for his car every day. It's relatively empty if you go during dismissal.”
Anya took a sip of her water. “Doesnt he stay at the dorms?”
“He goes home for the weekend.”
Anya blinked. “I guess that's a good idea, but you're forgetting something crucial.”
Becky cocked her head to the side. “What?”
“I take the bus…”
“Then you can sleepover at my house. It's Friday anyway.”
“Really?”
Becky laughed at Anya's shocked expression. “Yeah, we can just move our weekly sleepover to today instead of tomorrow!”
Anya leaped to give Becky a hug. “Thank you! Even though I’m probably gonna get rejected, I appreciate the gesture.”
Becky rolled her eyes. “Of course. And you're not getting rejected, I promise.”
“Thats what you think.”
The first bell rang, signifying lunch was over.
Becky checked her watch. “Shit. Lunch ended fast. Your next class is with Desmond, right?”
Anya nodded.
Becky squealed. “This is so Berlint in love!”
“Shut up Becky.”
Becky laughed, brushing crumbs off of her skirt. “Okay okay, see you after school!”
Anya stood up from their lunch table. “See ya!”
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The next class was torture. Even though it was Classical Language, which was Anya's favorite class, she felt like she was gonna melt just from being near Damian. And Damian was just oblivious. It had never been this hard to sit next to him, even when she first started liking him. So why was it so hard today?
Anya buried her face in her hands. “You have to be kidding me…”
“What?” Damian said, placing the book he was reading on their shared desk.
Anya froze upon hearing his voice. “It's nothing.”
“Its obviously something, because you're sitting here like you're being tortured.”
“Second son, I said it's nothing. Back off.”
Who pissed in her cereal this morning? Damian thought.
“Nobody pissed in my cereal, this is your fault…” Anya said under her breath.
Damian cocked his head to the side. “What?”
“Nothing.”
“Fine.”
The teacher's loud voice echoed through the classroom. “Goodmorning!”
“Goodmorning.” The students said in unison.
The teacher cleared his throat. “Today you will be working with your desk partners. Work together to translate page 47 of your class book please.”
Anya audibly groaned.
“Is something wrong Ms.Forger?”
She perked up immediately. “No sir! Sorry.”
“Alright then…you may begin.”
Damian turned to Anya. “Seriously, are you alright? I thought classical language was your favorite class?”
Anya scratched her neck. “Im fine, just a little tired. Let's get to work. You do half and I’ll do half, capisce?”
“Okay…”
For the rest of class, neither of them spoke to each other. And all Anya could do was melt further into her seat.
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The second the bell rang, Anya sprinted away. She was utterly grateful that school was over until Monday, but the dreadful feeling in her stomach returned when she realized it was time to confess to Damian.
“Anya!”
She recognized the voice calling her name instantly.
The girl whipped around and ran to her bestfriend. “Becky! I totally screwed up.”
Becky groaned. “Dear god…what did you do?”
“I was a total bitch during classical language! I'm totally getting rejected.”
“No you're not. You're just embarrassed because this is your first crush.” Becky said, grabbing the girl's arm. “Cmon, we gotta head to the car. Are you ready?”
“No…”
“Too bad!”
Becky dragged Anya to the carpool. The two slowed immediately when they saw Damian leaning against a pillar, reading.
“Goodluck girlfriend!” Becky pushed Anya towards Damian, laughing when she almost tripped.
“Becky why would you —”
“Anya?”
Anya once again froze. She stood up fully. “Damian! Uh, hi there!”
Damian scoffed. “ Why are you even here? You take the bus.”
“Uh – I'm sleeping over at Becky's.”
Damian continued reading his book. “Good for you.”
“Well, I also wanted to talk to you.”
Damian was suddenly intrigued. “Why is that?”
Anya’s cheeks began feeling warm. “Because I have something to tell you…?”
“What?”
“I may or may not have a humongous crush on you and basically I'm trying to ask you out so please say yes so I don't go home and bawl my eyes out —”
She was cut off by the loud noise of a book closing.
A furious blush appeared on Damian's face. “Thats not funny Anya.”
Anya met his eyes. “What?”
Damian rolled his eyes. “If you're trying to test my patience you won't win.”
Anya's lower lip quivered. She had been rejected. She fiddled with the hem of her skirt. “You’re right. Sorry.” Anya turned away from him so he wouldn't see her crying. “Okay Becky, we can go!”
Becky approached from behind a pillar. “Oh Anya…” Becky took Anya’s hand and started walking her to the car.
Damian stood in place for a moment, trying to process what just happened. Eventually, he ran up to the pink haired girl. “Anya? Are you crying?”
Anya stopped walking.
Anya wiped her tears before talking. “No. I’m sorry for bothering you.”
“Anya wait –”
Before he could finish speaking, Anya ran to the car.
Damian stared at the brunette. “What the hell just happened?”
Becky sighed. “You rejected her.”
Damian froze. “She was confessing?”
Becky nodded.
Damian sighed. “Shit…”
“It's sad, really. I was rooting for you.” Becky gave him a sad smile, and continued her walk to the car.
And all Damian could do was watch as the car drove away.
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