Chapter Text
September 4th, 2023. It’s the first Monday of the month, meaning it is time to go back to the hell hole that is Wiskayok High.
I had a plan for today, By plan, I mean staying in bed until noon and probably writing another song with the same chord progressions. Instead, the wind blows the smoke from the tail of my cigarette as I wait for a certain someone who insisted I come on the first day because apparently, she has something important she needs to tell me.
Three puffs later, a matte black convertible pulled up. The door opened halfway way and the first thing I noticed were the recognizable Doc Martens. She started walking in my direction, and there she was; Lottie Matthews. As always she walks like a breath of fresh air. Her pink skirt sways left and right for every step she takes. The wind gracefully blows her hair, revealing more of her face.
She stopped in front of me and put up her pointer and middle fingers. I immediately knew what she was asking, so I placed a dart between her fingers, then pulled a zippo from her pocket, lighting it up.
“The fuck took you so long?” I said in a mad but light tone. I don’t really mind the time she arrived at, I literally just got out of the house.
Lottie laughs as she blows. “Please, like you didn’t just wake up.” She looks at my face and takes me by surprise her hand is on my face. Her touch is soft and warm and smells like cookies. I could feel something in my stomach but I ignored it as I heard Lottie say, “Look, you have an eye booger!” I swatted her hand away and she let out a giggle.
“Let’s go, Lot. Don’t wanna be late for the first day.” I said as I walked towards the passenger side. She laughs softly knowing it’s a joke.
As soon as we got in the car, I immediately connected my phone to Bluetooth. Lottie hates it when I do that because to her my music makes her sad which is ironic coming from her, considering her playlist only consists of Lana Del Rey.
“Natalie, I’m the driver, I should have the aux!” she whines.
“Hey! I’m supposed to be in bed right now, so shut it.” I tell her. Lottie frowns.
“Fine!"
We started to roll. It was very quiet except for Radiohead playing in the background. I looked at Lottie. She has that face that she does when she has something to say but keeps it to herself for suspense. I know that she can’t wait to spit it out. We haven’t seen each other for three weeks, because her snob-ass parents decided to drag her to their country club. Lottie cried about it over the phone saying how they are torturing her and that the country club is just a bunch of out-of-touch rich people. That was the last time we spoke in summer, until last night, she texted me saying she had something important she wanted to tell me, and she needed me in person. And as the good friend that I am, here I sit waiting for her to tell me what it is that is very important.
“Spit it the fuck out, Matthews,” I told her. How she looked at me, I knew something happened at the country club... and she was happy about it? I squinted my eyes a little.
“Okay. So. Uhmmm... I don’t even know where to start.” She continues, “I think I just met someone. Like met as in, I now have a thing for her.”
Something in me shifted. I don’t really know how to react, because, well it’s Lottie. She never talks about a crush like ever. Except for that one time, she told me that she enjoyed the kiss she shared with Laura Lee over a game of Spin the Bottle back in freshman year at Jackie Taylor’s JV sleepover. Lottie talked about how soft and tasted like strawberry cream Laura Lee’s lips were for WEEKS; and basically, was her gay awakening. That was the last time I heard of a crush from Lottie, until right now.
“I have so many questions,” is what I started saying. Then I started to ask all the questions all at once. “Do I know her? Where is she from? Is she also a member of the country club? Is she also rich? And the most important question... Is she hot?” I give her a smirk.
She hit my arm, then shouted, “Nat!”
“What?! I’m just curious.” We laughed.
“Well, to answer your questions. Yes, you do know her. She is from here. No, she isn’t part of the club, she worked there as a lifeguard. Funny story, she actually did save me-” I cut her off. I looked at her with concern.
“Wait! What happened?” she rolled her eyes.
“Will you let me finish my story?” I nodded. “I was walking at the edge of the pool and then I kinda slipped. I thought I was going to fucking die for a second. But there she was, catching me in her surprisingly jacked arm, by the way. So, to answer your last question, she is very hot.” Her tone was telling she really was into this girl. Right now, all I am feeling is a sense of curiosity. Who in the world is this chick?
So I asked. “Who is she, Lottie?”
Before talking, she took a deep breath. “Shauna.” she finally said.
My eyes went wide, and I felt every confusion in my body. “As in Shauna SHIPMAN?”
“Yes.”
“As in Yellowjackets midfielder, Shipman?”
“Yes.”
“As in Jackie Taylor’s bestfriend, Shauna?”
“Yes, Nat. That Shauna Shipman.” She confirms.
My mouth is still open as I slam my back on the seat. I am not gonna lie, I did not see this coming, at all. Like Shipman? Seriously? Shauna has this façade; when you first meet Shauna, sure you’ll say she’s shy, but under all that... I don’t know. Shauna is like a ticking time bomb.
I look at Lottie again. “Isn’t she like in love with Jackie or something.”
“If she is she wouldn’t have flirted with me.” She said with a sly grin on her face.
I'm still very much in shock at this moment, but at the same time, I can’t help but worry about Lottie.