i deserve better

“Flowers?” Fez’s eyebrows raised in disbelief. He’d passed the kitchen on his way in, and whilst he hadn’t taken the time to observe the decorations, he was almost certain he hadn’t seen a vase. She seemed desperate to defend herself though, so Fez didn’t question it further, not wanting to cause any upset as she scrambled for another lie. “Yeah, man. ‘Course I would,” he replied with a nod, glancing around as though the perpetrator was already present. It was his whole reason for attending in the first place, out of defence for his friends. Campbell needed to be taught a lesson for the way he was treating Sam, and it had to come from Fez, because he could handle the consequences. Coming from someone on the outside would scare him too, into stopping. “I can handle messy, yo. ‘Been doin’ that for life. Ain’t nothin’ I ain’t seen or dealt with before. What’s on your mind? I promise I won’t tell nobody nothin’, it stays between us.” He meant that, too. She was safe to confide in him if she wanted to. 

Although it was obvious the man didn’t believe her lie, Chloe nodded in response nonetheless, and to her amazement, he stopped pressing her on it. For that, she was truly grateful. She was too vulnerable right then to keep up the act forever, and he’d already begun to make her crack. Her nod had become an unwritten contract between them, an agreement to let his suspicion slide until she was ready to face the truth — if that day ever came. Continually amazed by his behaviour, she blinked at him in surprise, clearing the fresh tears in the process. “But - why?” Chloe would do the same for her friends, of course, but they’d only just met. He didn’t owe her a thing. And since she didn’t see his behaviour as flirting, now worlds away from her usual interactions with men, she couldn’t understand his reasoning. He didn’t seem to be showing off or talking a big game — in fact, he seemed entirely relaxed. His presence was actually calming, though she wasn’t in the space to focus on that, as the more she tried, the quicker she realised she was struggling to read him, and it was starting to become frustrating.

Fez would be lying to claim he wasn’t confused by her response, unsure what the actual problem was, considering she’d only half admitted it. The rest of her answer was covered by what appeared to be an extension of her first lie. “Yeah, what kinda’ allergies you got? ‘Cause last I checked there ain’t no cats in here, and you ain’t eatin’ nothin’.” He raised his eyebrows, pursuing his attempt at getting her to open up. “Boys can be boys, fo’ sure. Don’t mean they have to be assholes. Someone said somethin’ to you or what? ‘Cause if they have… I can do somethin’. Have a word, or whatever.”

Heat crept into her cheeks at the line of questioning, feeling desperate to protect whatever reputation she’d earnt herself so far this year. Her and Luke’s relationship had only gotten worse since moving, and she’d had to stand alone, try and forge connections. It was near impossible when everyone around her was seemingly better at everything, some not even human — but still, crying at parties couldn’t end up being what she was known for.

Fez shook his head in disagreement, not satisfied with her response. “Nah man. I know I don’t know you or nothin’ but I can tell this ain’t allergies. You look hurt.” It wasn’t any of his business, but he hated seeing anybody upset. If he could at least make her smile, genuinely smile, by the end of their conversation, he’d feel better. He hoped that she would, too. “I’m sorry I ain’t got like a tissue or whatever. If you wanna’ use my sleeve or somethin’ it’s cool. Don’t be embarrassed though, for real. You feel what you feel.”

For a few moments, she gaped at him. On top of everything else, Chloe felt stunned. She hadn’t expected a total stranger to take interest in her for one, especially considering how gross she must’ve looked right then, but also to contradict her. He’d called her out, and he’d been incredibly considerate about it, which left her feeling confused. The more her walls were lowered, the more defensive Chloe got, trying to save face; but she also felt a stronger sense of comfort because of it. It was like he’d gotten through before she’d managed to block him out.

Fez had only attended the party to settle a debt with Campbell, but he had to wait for the right time. He’d finally had enough of him hurting his friends, which included Campbell’s own brother Sam. Fez couldn’t comprehend how someone could be so cruel to their own family, and he’d decided a lesson needed to be taught to avoid further insult. It wasn’t until the blonde sat down beside him that Fez realised he hadn’t planned a way to pass the time, but perhaps this was it. She seemingly didn’t notice him, but he certainly saw her, and the hand that wiped a damp spot off her cheek. “Yo, hey. What’s wrong? Ain’t this suppos’ to be a party?”

Chloe nearly leapt out of her skin when she realised she was being addressed, and watched. So much for subtle. How had she not noticed the hot guy on the couch? Immediately wiping away stray tears, she tried to laugh it off, insecurities raging now that she’d been caught at her most vulnerable; and by an attractive stranger, of all people. The silver lining is she was sure he wouldn’t press her, even if the lie was obvious. She just had to stifle the urge to sob. “Oh, absolutely, it is, yeah. But I’m totally fine, thanks for askin’. Just allergies, y’know? Kinda embarrassin’ when it hits at times like this.“

“Thank you. See, someone agrees!” JJ shouted out, throwing his arms up and gesturing around himself. Nobody seemed to engage with his overreaction though, so he shrugged, and turned back to the girl who’d addressed him. 

Chloe chuckled at his outburst, shaking her head in wonder. His behaviour reminded her of Lucas, but it was in a nice way. On his good days, even his manic ones, he’d always be talking about injustice, and getting everyone’s attention. Oddly, she felt nostalgic about it. “Alright, you weirdo. No need to shout the walls down,” she grinned. “Who are you even talkin’ to?”

Chlo and Fezco had confirmed to meet after she’d finished school, so he waited on the wall outside for her, eyes scanning the crowd as the students had began to filter out. After hearing about the upcoming wedding, and that everyone in Alexandria was welcome to attend the reception, his mind has instantly thought of asking her to be his date. And then, having spoken with Hanna, and her excitedly agreeing to help him get ready, Fez’s decision had been finalised. All she had to do now was say yes. “Yo, how’s it goin’?” He greeted as Chloe approached him, surprised by his own sudden shyness. “Thanks for meetin’ me. I uh — I got somethin’ I wanted to ask you, if tha’s cool.”

It had been impossible for Chloe to concentrate that day at school, knowing she’d be meeting up with Fezco afterwards. She wasn’t great at studying on the best of days, but now she was completely distracted, caught up in the thrill of doing something she shouldn’t, fear that she’d be caught doing it, and a shy curiosity about the boy that had been texting her ever since they’d met on New Year’s Eve. That night had ended in violence for some, and though Chloe hadn’t visually witnessed it, she’d heard rumours around the halls that Fez himself had had something to do with it. But it hadn’t ever come up between them, and she wasn’t sure how to ask, not sure she wanted to know, so she’d kept the curiosity to herself.