Chapter Text
The school bell chimed as the crowd gathered, leaving their classrooms. Nicole was the last person to step out of class, glancing briefly outside the door before finally walking away from the entrance. It was suffocating to be squeezed through the gap between people. All sorts of perfumes were blending with sweat, creating an awful, noticeable aroma that lingered across the room.
Nicole's eyebrows narrowed as she wandered through the halls, quietly searching and scanning the corridors. She arrived at music class and sat beside Manon. Manon was blasting music through wired earphones plugged into both ears. Before Nicole could tap her shoulder softly, Manon shivered from the sudden warmth of the touch and turned to look at the person beside her.
"Oh, hey Nicole!" Her face lit up, plucking her earphones away.
"Hey... have you, uh... spoken to Alyssa? She seems off," Nicole whispered to Manon, both of them turning their heads to look at Alyssa from across the room. Alyssa stared blankly into thin air, her eyes seemingly detached.
"Yeah? What about her? Maybe she's bored... I could never be bored during music class!" Manon replied with certainty in her voice, a little too loud compared to Nicole.
Nicole shook her head and sighed, looking at her this time. She curled her fingers, pausing to think. "I did talk to her... she seemed fine. Maybe I'm being paranoid after the group project we had. When she got paired with Jess."
Manon tilted her head while raising an eyebrow. "Jess...?" She was unfamiliar with the name.
"Oh. Right. That was an old friend of ours... last year."
Manon nodded in understanding and shrugged. "We could cheer her up, I think?" she gestured willingly with excitement.
"Sure." Nicole fixed her sunglasses.
The teacher abruptly cut them off, causing the room to fall silent. "Alright everybody, open your textbooks."
Nicole went blank, her lips left halfway open. "I'll tell you about it soon," she muttered.
"Okaay! The three of us should TOTALLY hang out together after school!"
***
AFTER THE LESSON
"Alright class, dismissed. Don't forget..." The teacher's voice faded into the background.
Nicole approached Alyssa with Manon following closely behind her. Alyssa groaned while stretching her arms. "Ugh, is she serious? We already have another assignment due? Does she think we sleep with our faces glued to a textbook?!" she fussed, sweeping her hair from her shoulder.
"Hi, Alyssa! Nicole and I were talking about how the three of us should hang out after school. It would be so fun!" Manon swirled around them, leaning in closely.
"Oh, uhmm..." Alyssa raised her eyebrow, fixing her hair with her other hand. "I have plans... with Nicole today, so..."
"Awh, really...?"
"Mmyeahh..." Alyssa turned to look at Nicole, giving her a look.
"What about tomorrow?" Alyssa nudged Nicole.
Nicole flinched slightly and crossed her arms. "Ohh... yeah. Sorry, Manon. I... forgot. We'll see, I guess?" Nicole replied hesitantly.
"It's totally fine!" Manon's voice lowered, despite her effort to maintain her usual tone. "Okay, see you guys then!! Text me, Nicole."
"I will, bye."
A part of Nicole felt her heart sink at the look of rejection in Manon's face. It felt sharp and precise, straight toward her heart. Alyssa's fake smile dropped the moment Manon left.
"What was that for...?" Nicole's gaze shifted from Manon walking away back to Alyssa.
"What? I'm not hanging out with her... unless we get to find out what's really going on with her." Alyssa clicked her tongue, her lips smacking in annoyance.
Nicole sighed, shaking her head. "She's a really nice person. I don't think there's any dirt to dig up on her." She crossed her arms firmly. "You don't have to hang out, but I'm not gonna talk shit about her."
"You've hung out for like... a week, and you're acting like she's some saint. She could've hooked up with some teacher for all we know, right?"
"She wouldn't do that." Nicole's fists clenched shortly. "You don't have to go after her anymore, alright? She doesn't want that fake boyfriend you have."
Alyssa rolled her eyes, scoffing. "Whatever, just remember who's been here longer, Nicole." Her voice slipped into a crack, on the edge of almost yelling.
The two of them went to their next class without another word. Alyssa continuously ignored her throughout the day, leaving Nicole to eventually give up. Later, Manon approached her from behind, tackling her waist lightly by surprise. Nicole froze, her glasses nearly falling halfway down her nose bridge.
"Jeez... you scared the hell out of me. Manon?"
"HUH?? How'd ya know it was me?" Manon's arms lingered a little longer before letting go.
"Your perfume." Nicole inhaled the scent of the really strong perfume—it was almost like walking into a candy store, making it easy to recognize her. She couldn't help but cough at the intense scent; it made her feel almost nauseous.
"Where's Alyssa? Weren't you guys hanging out?"
"Uh... we canceled plans. She got busy."
"Aw shucks... I WAS gonna give her something."
"?" Nicole looked puzzled. "What is it?"
"I can't show you...!" Manon giggled as she circled Nicole, almost losing her balance.
"Oh my gosh—" Nicole grabbed her by the back of her shirt before she could fall. "Jesus! What were you trying to do...?" she said, trying to hold back her laughter with puffy cheeks.
"I saw... him!! You know! The cool guy..." This time Manon stood up successfully, hiding behind Nicole. Too many people were passing by for Nicole to figure out who it was.
"Is it that guy?" Nicole pointed at a random stranger wearing reindeer ears and a bushy crown.
"Nuh-uh."
"Uh... I don't think you're planning to tell me?"
"Definitely not!"
"Whatever. I'll let you know if Alyssa changes her mind."
"Tots cool! Thanks Nicole! You're THE best! Both of you guys!!" Nicole smiled, waving goodbye to Manon.
Her instincts suddenly told her she was being watched. Skimming the area, she saw Alyssa glaring at her from a distance before quickly looking away.