Chapter Text
Jackie looks so angry marching towards the car Shauna debates locking the door.
She does do it for a second but immediately unlocks it, delaying will only make this worse.
Jackie throws herself into the passenger seat and turns to glare at her.
Shauna pretends to not notice and starts to drive.
“Nope. Pull over.”
She knew that wouldn’t work but hey worth a try.
Pulling back on to the street she turns the car off and faces Jackie.
“Jackie I’m really sorry i didn’t call. I got in late and fell asleep.”
“I thought you died.”
“Jacks it was a church thing , with Laura Lee, how would i die.”
“Building collapse. Car crash , act of god.” Shauna would laugh but Jackie has her serious face on and she knows from experience that would be a terrible idea.
“Okay point taken , I’m really really sorry Jackie.”
Shauna takes the hand of Jackie’s that is closest, giving it a small squeeze.
“Okay i forgive you.”
Shauna thinks she’s got away with it as she drives towards the School.
“Why was it so late?”
Shit. What did Lottie say again.
“Oh um we started playing some boardgames….”
“Ohhhh and you became a monster. That tracks.”
“Excuse you! I play boardgames like a normal person.
“Your Mom had to ban Guess who cause you kept flipping the board.”
“That is a reasonable reaction to you saying a moustache is not a beard.”
“They have separate names shaun.”
“They are both beards a moustache is a beard!”
Although deeply offended Shauna is happy that she doesn’t have to lie too much about Sunday and can pivot to a sillier topic.
Jackie derails that plan. Setting her own course.
“Did you at least have a good time before you traumatised a bunch of church kids?”
Shauna can’t help the smile that overtakes her face.
“Yeah i had a really great time.“
Short sweet not a lie.
As they pull into the parking lot Shauna eyes start searching for Lottie’s car. She finds it in the back corner but its owner long gone. Disappointed for no real reason. It’s not like she would get to really talk to her.
“Okay so when you were MIA i called Mari. She said everything went well with the mission. So today should be fine but if anyone says anything just let me know.”
She had forgot. Again.
Thank god for Jackie. Again.
Walking to her locker has never felt so ridiculously long.
Every flavor of clique is staring at her, talking, looking, gossiping.
Her lip has healed okay but Sunday didn’t help. Self conscious she tries to remember how to walk like a normal person and not bring more attention to herself.
Jackie is glaring at anyone brave enough to try make contact. Not used to the queen of likeablity Jackie Taylor practically growling at anyone who approaches makes the crowds flinch back and disperse.
She should just go home sick. Tuesday some new drama would happen and she would be old news.
It would be easy ,half way through her first class she could fake a stomachache.
Mr Martins is terrified of teenage girls so he wouldn’t question her.
“Shauna have you like forgot your combination?”
Shit she’s at her locker.
“Sorry was just thinking.”
Jackie looks unconvinced but moves the 3 lockers down to her own one.
Shauna flings open hers to deposit her heavier books.
Inside is a small greeny blue gem.
A small scrap of paper is folded near it.
This is Amazonite it is also known as the stone of truth and courage. It helps calm negative energies into something more positive. If you need me i’m here. Or i can find Misty.
X L
Shauna rubs the stone then places it in her front jean pocket.
Flowers and stones. Lottie sure does know a whole lot of random stuff.
How she actually got into her locker is something Shauna decides not to question.
Emboldened she decides there that she can at least make it to lunch, just so she can thank Lottie.
The day drags on but luckily whatever magic Mari and Jackie had worked kicked in after homeroom. People stop talking about her and staring.
Mostly and even then anyone stupid enough to continue is soon forgotten when Jackie fixes it with a glare and a squeeze of Shauna’s good hand to reassure.
The cold weight of the gem in her pocket keeps her grounded. Shes not sure if she believes in magic stones but she believes in Lottie and that’s enough.
Yellowjackets wise she only shares classes with Jackie and Tai today. She can tell that Tai is desperate to discuss the date.
Jackie unaware of Tai’s desperation refuses to leave Shauna’s side for even a second which means Tai doesn’t get her rundown of Sunday.
She’s in the bathroom taking advantage of the pre lunch quiet when Natalie finds her.
“Shipman.”
“Hey Nat.”
“I just want to say…well thanks for you know…” she mimes a punch.
“I know it was more for Taylor but yeah it meant a lot to Misty.”
“It wasn’t just for Jackie. I care about Misty…..she’s a Yellowjacket”
“Yeah.” Nat puts her hands in her pockets looking uncomfortable.
Shauna takes pity.
“How bad will lunch be?”
Nat takes the bait.
“I talked her out of the balloons, if it comes up you are terrified of them.”
“Noted.”
Both of the exchange grimaces then break into smiles.
“I should get back to class.”
“Sure you don’t want something to help you through lunch?” Nat has pulled a joint out and is waving it.
Shauna really thinks about it .
One hit wouldn’t do that much.
Lunch will be awful.
Her afternoon classes are light and mostly self directed. She would be fine to drive after.
Fuck it.
“Ok.”
Nat looks impressed and shocked.
“Okay damn Shipman one party and you become a father’s worst nightmare. A smoking fighting bad influence.”
Shauna rolls her eyes.
“Don’t worry Nat i won’t steal your title as resident bad boy.” Nat smirks in a way that should be annoying but makes Shauna a little light headed.
They move to the stall closest to the window.
Nat lights the joint and takes the first draw.
Shauna takes it from Nat’s fingers and takes a small inhale.
“Come on Ship , it’s weak i swear.”
She takes a much bigger draw then blows it in to Nat’s face.
The both laugh and Nat takes it back to finish.
Before she heads back to class Nat sprays her down with something to cover the smell.
Shauna walks back and breaths in the scent.
It’s the one Nat always smells like. A combination of citrus and something woodsier maybe cedar? She’s not too sure but it’s very pleasant.
She makes it back to class minutes before the bell. It takes her a moment to gather her things.
Jackie is waiting at the door.
A big smile on her face.
Shauna can’t help but pulling her into a hug.
Jackie returns it fully.
Hugging Jackie is like coming home after a long day. Always comforting always cosy.
She feels the pressure of the crystal in her pocket as she holds Jackie.
Lottie.
Hugging Lottie is different but still amazing it’s exciting and electric.
She’s strategising how and when she can hug Lottie the soonest.
“Why do you smell like Nat?” Jackie has pulled back to look at her.
Oh.
She needs to lie.
Jackie won’t let it go if she admits she smoked with Nat or was near Nat smoking.
“I was near her…..and she dropped it and it sprayed.” It’s a horrible lie. They both know it.
She really is terrible at lying.
Jackie just stares at her incredulous.
She looks like she’s about to call her out on the terrible attempt at a lie when Jeff comes bounding round the corner like an untrained puppy.
Shauna has never felt such joy at seeing Jeff.
“Jackie! I know you said today was a Yellowjackets lunch but i thought we could walk and wait in line together.” Jeff god bless him looks thrilled at his idea. Shauna can see Jackie thinking up how to say no and takes her chance flee.
She releases Jackie.
“That is very very sweet of you Jeff, i’ll meet you there Jacks.” She can feel Jackie’s eyes on her back as she disappears into the crowd moving towards the caf.
She didn’t really think through the walking in alone part of her plan.
So despite the calm of Nat’s joint doing its best, her anxiety starts to build.
She’s going to have to walk past Kyle’s table.
What face do you even make walking past the guy you broke the nose of. Wait did she actually break it she can’t remember. Anyway. Face.
Smug? Contrite? Blank?
“Hi Shauna.” A blonde girl falls into step beside her.
It’s Laura Lee. Maybe god is real and he has sent this angel of a girl to save her from a seriously awkward walk.
Laura Lee who is also dating Lottie.
Shauna forgot for a second and panics. Laura Lee knew about the the date and she could hate her now but true to the taller girls word Laura is the exact same as she always has been with Shauna.
Sweet and soft. Maybe a little more attentive.
“Hey Laura Lee, how’s your day been?”
“Very long. I had a History pop quiz and I’m pretty sure i have flunked it.”
“Oh I have heard Mrs Wilson is known for killer Quizzes.”
“Honestly i always think the last one will be as hard as it will get and she just ramps it up.”
They have successfully made to their usual table. They are the first to get there.
Jackie had decided, for morale it was best if they ate lunch as a team as often as possible. No one argued with her, they all liked it even if some of them won’t admit it (cough Tai cough Nat).
Now sitting away from any nosey ears.
Their lunches can get rowdy with team politics so they always sit as far away from other groups as they can.
Laura Lee fixes her with a stare. Very focused and kind.
Her hand trails over the table and gently takes the injured hand. Inspecting it.
“How has your day been? Has everyone been nice? How is your hand?” Laura Lee throws the questions out like she has been holding her breath.
“Oh yeah. It’s been better than i thought it was going to be. Jackie and Mari really did a great job. The hand is okay writing has been a bit rough on it but really okay otherwise.”
“Okay good. That’s good. Lottie and Nat are going to grab our food so you can rest your Hand and stay clear of the jerks.”
Ahh Laura Lee was the Jerk deflector. No one at school bothered her because honestly she was just too nice.
Hearing Laura Lee call somebody a mean name brings a thrill to Shauna.
“That’s very sweet of you all.”
As if summoned by their mention the two girls arrive.
Trays in hand Nat throws her self next to Laura Lee with a wink thrown to Shauna.
Lottie walks round to deposit a tray in front of Shauna and sits down to her right.
“Nat suggested you would want more snacks than an actual meal.”
Nat was very much right.
Lottie has picked pretty much all Shauna’s favorites. A combination of Fries,chips a fruit cup and a large looking blueberry muffin. Under the table Shauna finds Lottie’s knee and gives it a squeeze.
“Thanks Lot.”
Nat and Laura Lee have delved into a conversation that Shauna can’t make herself care about.
All day she’s been waiting for this moment.
She picks up the bag of chips and rips it open with her teeth so she doesn’t have to move her hand off Lottie’s knee.
“How has your day been?” She asks between chips.
“It could have been better. Yours?”
“Better than i expected. Although someone broke into my locker.”
“Oh that is dreadful. Did they take anything?”
“No they just vandalised it with a very thoughtful gift.”
“Hmm they sound charming.”
“Oh they defo think they are.”
Lottie reaches to Shauna’s tray and grabs a fry. Shauna stares in mock anger.
“Hey you have your own!”
“Stolen tastes better it’s a fact.”
Shauna steals two back.
Shoving them in her mouth.
“Okay i do have to agree.”
“Crime pays.” Lottie nods sagely.
The mirth in her eyes is driving Shauna wild. She wants to grab her by the hand and drag her out of here. Stupid Lottie looking so hot it should be a crime in her stupid jeans and stupid soft looking purple t-shirt.
Mari interrupts Shauna’s inner monologue with her arrival at the table with a couple of the other girls.
The seats next to Nat and Shauna stay empty, everyone knowing who they are for. Mari places her self next to Lottie.
It takes everything in Shauna to not sigh at losing her one on one with Lottie.
But Mari had really helped her.
Shauna leans around Lottie using it as an excuse to have a hand on her shoulder.
“Hey Mari thanks for what you did it’s really helped a lot.”
Mari looks very pleased with herself and Shauna’s praise.
Shauna should learn more about the girl.
All she knows is that she’s an unrepentant gossip and her boyfriend left her for his own cousin.
She sees Van and Tai approach and smiles at them both. Van stops behind Nat and leans over to try and steal a fry. Nat with cat like reflexs defends the attack and launches back to respond.
Tai silently takes Van’s tray and without even taking a glance back at the wrestling fools. She moves down the table.
Tai sits next to Laura Lee and places Van’s next to her. She rolls her eyes at Shauna.
“So did you end up having a good Sunday? You were pretty stressed about what to wear?”
Tai asks with a sweet smile not hiding her need to poke fun at the mess Shauna was pre date.
Shauna looks out the edge of her eye to Lottie.
Lottie is pretending not to care about whatever they are talking about. Casually sipping her water. The subtle smirk on her face gives away her smugness. Clearly waiting for her to gush about what a great time she had.
Shauna picks up a fry and eats it. Then looks to Tai.
“It was mediocre.” Lottie chokes a little on her water and Laura Lee is stifling a giggle.
Lottie gives up the pretence of not caring.
“I feel like you were just saying what an amazing time you had.”
“Nah it was just okay.” Shauna is really trying hard not to break her character.
She gives a half shrug.
Lottie looks indigent and it is very cute.
“That feels inaccurate. You had excellent company.”
“Laura Lee was delightful. The rest? Meh.”
Her hand finds Lottie’s knee and she taps out a smily face.
“That’s disappointing. Tai are you free next week? maybe you will like the company better?”
Shauna pinches Lottie who takes it in stride.
“No offence but pass.” Tai bored that the conversation isn’t mocking Shauna enough pivots.
“Are you sure it was that bad cause you were really freaking out about what to wear?”
Shauna picks up muffin and takes a frankly huge bite. Her plan being to give her time to think of a rebuttal. She’s too high to defend from them both.
Fuck this a great muffin.
Her fingers continue to draw patterns on Lottie.
A tray hitting the table breaks her reprive.
Jackie.
Her hand stops feeling like she’s been caught doing something wrong.
Mouth still full of muffin she tries to speak.
“Mello” Jackie flashes her a smile that puts butterflies in her stomach. She pats Shauna’s back when she chokes on the muffin.
Nat and Van having tired themselves out also take their seats.
Shauna finishes her bite and starts drinking the soda Lottie had got her.
Jackie has pulled out 2 painkillers from her purse and is holding them out to her.
Shit she forgot she needed to take more or her hand would get a lot worse.
“Thanks jacks what would i do without you.”
“Something terrible like terrorise Laura Lee’s friends or punch an asshole.”
Shauna hears Lottie choke on her water.
“I did not terrorise them! I play board games normally!”
She defends.
“Jackie, she was actually telling us what a bad time she had.” Shauna might actually kill Tai.
“Don’t listen to her.”
She looks at Shauna now.
“You were literally talking about how great it was this morning and you never got home till late so that has to be a lie.” Jackie’s eyebrows are pinched in a frown.
Never missing an opportunity to make fun of Shauna Tai takes her shot.
“How late is late?”
“Not that late….” She knows what Tai is thinking and is seriously considering how to go about kicking her under the table.
If she was a bit taller she might reach.
“Shauna!” Everyones head spins round to the source of the shout.
It’s Misty.
Standing behind Shauna.
Almost menacingly.
A Tupperware in hand.
She presents it to Shauna.
Shauna can’t help but think of the neighbour’s cat that took a liking to her and would drop off dead birds as gifts.
“I would like to formally thank you for your gallant and chivalrous actions. I know baked goods seem a poor prize but Natalie informed me of your…..aversion…to balloons so i hope this will suffice.”
Shauna nods solemnly at the balloon comment.
Misty looks so serious it makes Shauna a little sad, how few people show up for the girl that this is such a huge deal for her.
“Misty this is honestly too much! thank you so much but i really should be apologising for being such a psycho.”
Misty looks offended.
“Shauna you did a good thing and i won’t accept an apology for it.”
Shauna defeated takes the box.
“Thank you.”
Misty smiles wildly, a little terrifying, she takes the seat by Natalie.
The box contains about a dozen of what might be the best looking cookies Shauna has ever seen.
“Misty these look amazing!!”
Lottie peer’s over to look in the box.
“Oh my god they do look incredible .”
Laura Lee tuts, disappointed. Lottie looks up suitably admonished.
“Sorry.”
Shauna takes one out and takes a huge bite. They taste even better than they look.
She quickly finishes the rest of the cookie and debates a second.
“Misty that was really sweet of you, how are you feeling after it all? he hasn’t bothered you again has he?” Shauna hadn’t even thought of that. She’s lucky that she has Jackie who thinks of these things.
Shauna and everyone else’s eyes swing round to Misty.
Misty looks thrilled at the attention of all the team.
“Thank you Jackie. Yes i am fine. He hasn’t even looked my way!”
That’s a relief. At least Shauna hadn’t made her a bigger target.
Shauna starts on the second cookie when she has a thought.
Share.
She should share.
“Anyone want one? They are really good!”
She offers to everyone who wants one and places one on Jackie’s tray.
She won’t take one but if Shauna places it then she would at least try it.
Shauna watches Jackie nibble away and the group devolves into their own easy conversations.
It’s a really nice lunch.
Jackie without Jeff hanging off her spends the time actually talking with them all.
Gossiping with Mari across Shauna and Lottie’s heads.
Exchanging playful barbs with Nat.
Ganging up on Shauna with Tai.
Shauna loves it.
It’s nice to see her version of Jackie slipping out with the team.
Lottie’s hand has been alternating between resting on her thigh and drawing random shapes throughout the whole Lunch so when it stops Shauna has to fight hard to stop the pout that she wants to form.
Lottie has pulled a note book out her bag and is writing something Shauna looks over to see what she’s writing.
‘free for call after class?’
“Hey Jacks am i driving you home today or is Jeff?”
“Jeff has a team thing or something.”
“Oh okay cool.”
‘call after you drop her home?’
Shauna grabs the pen and draws a smiley face.
Lunch ends and Shauna walks to her next class. It’s one that she doesn’t really need to pay attention too which is good because Tai sticks close to her waiting to pounce on the gossip Shauna has.
Mrs Connor tells them they can break off to write their essays around the school as long as they behave. She is a pretty awesome teacher that gives them a lot of free reign.
Tai leads them to the disused classroom that the Varsity kids had claimed years ago.
It’s empty as it normally is at this time.
They get their essay’s out just in case and then Tai lets loose.
“So???”
Shauna has been desperate to gush and aww over Sunday so wastes no time.
“It was incredible. She brought me like a single flower that meant she liked my smile then she drove us out towards the Field but it ended up being this like adorable flower field in the woods, where she had packed a picnic of all my favorite snacks!”
“Damn Matthews got game.”
“Yeah and then we planned to go out this Sunday but it’s my turn to plan.”
“Any idea what that plan is?”
“I’m thinking i make dinner, my Mom is going to my Aunts for the weekend.”
“Can you even cook?”
“A little.”
“That sounds very reassuring, make sure you have a plan to cover up the food poisoning you both get. Captain Jackie might be a little oblivious but even she might notice that coincidence.”
Shauna slaps Tai’s arm.
“She is not oblivious!”
“But you are a bad cook?”
Shauna is stumped.
Tai’s laugh fills the room.
The radio is blaring while Shauna waits for Jackie. Her eyes remain locked on the spot where Lottie’s car is.
Laura Lee is sitting in the passenger seat waiting. Lottie must have gave her the keys.
A pang of jealousy shoots through Shauna at the girl sitting there.
But that’s her seat, Laura Lee was there first and Shauna was just second or third or who even knows.
Insecurity bleeds through her.
She can’t even be mad because it’s Laura Lee and she is the best.
She is sweet and kind and good. Her blonde hair angelic her body small and delicate. All the things Shauna isn’t.
The wheel between her fingers is being gripped like a vice the leathers stitching imprinting on her skin. The pain in her knuckle starts to worsen.
She looks straight ahead unable to look anymore.
Knock
A yelp escapes her lips.
It’s Lottie knocking a huge smile taking over her face.
Shauna turns the radio down rolls the window.
“Hey! Did i scare you?”
“A little.”
“Sorry i saw Jackie was still talking to that annoying math teacher and saw my chance to tell you how about how fucking pretty you look today.”
The blush that hits her reaches her ears.
Lottie’s gone before Shauna can respond but only because Jackie is fast approaching the car.
Jackie slips into the car changing the station as she does.
“Sorry i swear to god that man has no clue about anything he was actually telling me…….” Shauna tunes out the rant years of practice letting her know when her response was needed.
She steals glances at the other girl. She still looks as perfect as she did when they left this morning but her shoulders have loosened away from the eyes of the people.
Her hands are waving frantically as she explains the indignities she had suffered at the hands of her Math Teacher.
God she loves this girl.
Her mind wanders then to Lottie.
It’s been less than a day of them ‘seeing eachother’ but Lottie has already made such an impact on her.
She knows that she will always be in love with Jackie. Will always be a part of Jackieshauna but Lottie’s ‘Love is too big for one person’ is starting to make some sense. She could see her self falling head over heels for the taller girl.
Lottie with her thoughtful gifts and honest words.
Maybe she isn’t as fucked as she thought.