Mel’s Garden🪷

• . ݁₊ ❝ Hey slow down! Look at that book right there ❞ . ݁₊ ⊹

❝ Woah...look what's in it ❞

Dividers: @koosuvi

Mel/Melly ✦ . 　18 ⁺ 　 . ✦ . bisexual black writer . 　⁺ 　 . she/her ───── obsessed with the color green and nature if you couldn’t tell ✦ . 　⁺ 　 .

series masterlist ── masterlist ─── ao3 ──

Fandoms: Bully, AOT, Until Dawn, Dispatch, Mr. Robot, JJBA, LIS 1 & 2, Danganronpa, DBH, JJK, Euphoria

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

❝ Flip to the next page! ❞

Requests are open! Ask me anything and you'll receive an apple for your troubles

❝ Oh man...sweet! ❞

I do not condone the use of my work being copied, or fed to ai. Please follow my rule, and you can enjoy your treat!

Gary smith x gn alt!reader

Based off this request

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

People at Bullworth were always used to seeing something crazy, everyone staying in their own circle and doing their own sanctioned weird things.

Most of the rules for each clique was to not judge, be welcoming to anyone no matter what you looked like.

All except one clique, the one you were bound to fall spell bound. Clean posh attire, shoes too expensive, it should be illegal to walk the campus grounds with them. Hair always styled to perfection, never put up and always down to let the wind flow through with each step you took.

Derby was your first quote on quote ‘friend’, only because he wanted to invite you to the Harrington house for tea. All because you fit his appeasing look for a friend who could match him in expensive taste.

On the outside you were posh, exactly what he liked and wanted his friends to be. But you couldn’t be anything but that

But Gary knew that. He knew that you were hiding something underneath the layer of fake fancied attitude.

The faces you’d make, knowing deep down you wished you never faked yourself out to look normal, and be involved with those people.

The stiffness whenever somebody asked why you always preferred to wear long sleeves; the discomfort when you refuse to change for gym, or in desperate attempts slipping on your PE uniform over your actual clothes.

Those things stuck out to him, but what drew him in the most, was how you alwaysmanaged to keep your hair down. Even on the hottest days of the year, your hair brushes your neck and face.

And you didn’t want to do anything about it. Almost forgetting it as a habit until Gary noticed—noticed like he always did.

“Is there a reason you always keep your hair in your face? I can hardly see you.” He always knew how to catch the littlest of details.

And the small detail he caught was the fact the sun beat down directly on the two of you. And still, you refused to roll up your sleeve, or put your hair up to alleviate yourself from the sun cooking you like a freshly painted black asphalt driveway.

“I like it this way, why are you bothering me about it?”

“I don’t know really, but something deep inside is telling me you’re hiding something. We've known each other for so long, but you still won't open up to me” You wanted to turn away, tell him to fuck off like you usually did when he pissed you off.

But that’d make you look even more suspicious—or is sitting here doing the exact same effect?

“And you of all people should know those inbred trust fund babies don’t like secrets. So why hide it?”’

“I’m not hiding anything.”

“Then why don’t you show me that you aren’t?” You wanted to keep up the wall—make sure nobody could ever find out what you were hiding under the layers that will never see the light of day.

He was going to find out eventually, catch on and pester you until you give up. Why not just show him now so you wouldn’t have to need to bother you ever again?

Hesitant, you moved your hair back, showing Gary your ears that you always kept hidden. Piercing, bars and studs trailing up all across your ears shining in the now exposed sunlight. Stretched earlobes, wide, but just small enough to be hidden in plain sight.

Gary couldn’t help his curiosity, eyes jumping around to fully take in just how you had all your piercings hidden for so long.

All the times he’d look at you—pick and observe everything for who you were. Howcould he have missed this?

“Why are you hiding these? Derby should have better things to worry about if he’s concerned about a few piercings”

“I keep these hidden for a reason, you know that. I only get piercings I can hide easily.” You had more, of course you did. Your flipped up septum, showing him before flipping it back up. And your belly piercing, lifting your shirt up to show him the bow attached to the end; different from all of the other jewelry you had inside your piercings.

But you were hiding more, your hands going to roll up your sleeve. Tattoos, a well designed half sleeve on your forearm with blasted colors, letting him observe before rolling your sleeve back down to conceal from anyone's eyes that might trail over to look at you.

“My dad is friends with Mr Harrington. So by default I’m placed into the Harrington house, and forced to look ‘normal’ and hold up to their crooked traditional standards. He would be hysterical if he found out I still looked like this.” Gary could tell that dampened your mood. Your head hanging low balling yourself up trying to defer from your heavy emotions. He pulled you closer, arm wrapping around your backside as your head fell to lean onto his solid shoulder.

“You’re just cooler than them. Maybe one day, we both won’t have to hide who we truly are.”

“You’re not good at hiding anything, but thank you anyway.” For once you laughed at your own joke, seeing his offended expression as you sat up.

Maybe he’s right. One day, you won’t have to hide who truly were.

Baby steps, showing off one thing at a time to feel more comfortable coming out of your shell. Gary was the first big step, the one person you could trust, now you just had to do that with…everyone else.

Y’all know that one future song? AT THE SAME DAMN TIME AHHH

Can you write the greasers (one or two is fine if you don't want to write for all of them) dating a reader who is really sweet to them specifically but is also incredibly sadistic and enjoys making anyone who's mean to their partner cry because they think it's funny

(Yes this is the same person who asked about you writing for characters other than the main trio. Ion give a FUCK bout those three I want the greaseballs)

Sorry this took so long, but here it is!

Nobody's Perfect

Johnny Vincent x fem!reader

5 times Johnny was clueless and defended you +1 you finally got caught up

★ Word count: 4.2k

an: Before anyone gets on me, the word larp in this story means LIVE ACTION ROLE PLAY, not whatever the hell else it means...Okay now that's out the way, I hope you enjoy my first attempt at writing Johnny

Pop goes the weasel

Secrets, one of the biggest killers in relationships when exposed to be kept away for a certain reason.

Everyone had there’s, but yours would eventually be the downfall of what's all you’ve known.

You vowed to be loyal to Johnny—the nicest girlfriend he’s ever had to always guarantee he could live a stress free life and only focus on himself and his high to uphold reputation.

He loved it, he loved you especially more than anything. But something had changed recently—a mask slipping from something you thought you swore would never see the light of day.

But Johnny never cared, or noticed really. In fact, only the people around him did

“Hey Johnny, you really gotta control ya’ girl. She popped a hole in my tire!” Johnny was tinkering with his own bike when Peanut came up to him, the distress all over his face when he tried to show Johnny the deflated tires.

“Theirs no way she would ever do that, are you positive you didn’t just roll over a nail?” His voice was laced with irritation, still not even paying attention to look at Peanut's bike.

Well, not until he said something else.

“No I always take care of my wheels man. You gotta believe me, I have proof it was her.”

“Proof? What kinda proof?” Peanut knew that would get his attention, but he was still thoroughly surprised when his head shot up, dropping his wrench to see his friends version of proof.

“You remember how a few hours ago we argued over who won last spring's race around New Coventry? Well I saw your girl creepin’ around before I parked my bike outside to get a haircut, but I thought nothing of it.” He paused, seeing his friend's face still focused intently.

But that intent was soon squashed.

“But when I came out, my tires were deflated, and I know she had something to do with it!” His face dropped, hearing the end of the story—the accusation for somebody in Johnny's eyes who wouldn’t hurt a fly.

Hell, a mosquito either if it really came down to it; and those things are the spawn of all evil.

“Don’t be ridiculous, that’s not proof. That’s just proof you don’t know how to watch your stuff. She’s the sweetest girl I’ve ever known.” Peanut should’ve known he was going to defend you—no point in even trying with him.

Maybe he’d just have to ask you himself. And right on cue with that thought, Johnny felt arms wrap around him, the smell of a sweet, vanilla perfume filling his nostrils like a gassed poison. Dazed, making him feel all warm inside knowing exactly who it was.

“Hm? are you talking about me Johnny?” It’s like you appeared from thin air, your arms wrapped around your boyfriend, ready to defend yourself from whatever came at you.

A sweet smile spread across your face when Johnny turned towards you, placing a soft peck on your lips before speaking.

“Hey, I have a quick question babe.”

“What is it?” You mumbled in response, pulling your arms back from around Johnny's neck to look at him, seeing him shift when you locked eyes.

Weird—unusual feeling from him always holding eye contact with you.

“Did you pop holes in Peanuts tires? He says he saw you outside the barbershop and-”

“No, I would never do that!” You cut through his words, Johnny not even attempting to continue—the point landing and your answer already given.

“I saw you guys arguing earlier, and I knew you were gonna be upset, so I went to the store next to the barbershop and got us these.” You dug in your bag, pulling out a silver box and handing it to Johnny.

Peanut should’ve known better than to question you, because the matching leather chord bracelets with Johnny’s and yours initials on it, distracted him from ever getting to the truth.

2. Burned...WHAT?!

The nerds truly minded their business when it came to physical altercations. They knew not to even attempt to scuffle, and try and work around to beat them in ways they couldn’t have ever thought of.

Well, except today. Johnny being the cause for this exception.

“Y-You can’t just ride your bike during our larp session. We were almost done wrapping up the scene!” Earnest was the one to speak out, shielding himself with the detailed styrofoam sword he spent weeks on preparing for his destined acted out knight's quest.

They even reserved the spot around the comic store, setting up and just getting to the climax of the story. The knight gets ready to battle his companion for the sacred comic book—the last limited edition version of course.

But just as they were about to duel, all of the plot reaching a dramatic crescendo. Only to be interrupted when Johnny of course, had no idea and rode his bike right through as a shortcut.

“Can’t you just start the damn thing over? I didn’t even touch ya’!” Johnny had already gotten off the bike at this point, heated not even a proper definition to describe how much he wanted to strangle Earnest and the rest of his crew for stopping to argue, shooting spuds and paper spit wads at him as he rode away as payback for even attempting to justify what he did.

But just like anytime someone messed with Johnny, you were just around the corner; this time not watching the whole thing, but seeing the end and hearing what the nerds had to say when he rode away.

“That’ll teach that greaseball a lesson!” Algie was the one to scream out, everyone snickering and agreeing with him while dropping his spud gun to pick up his sword again to continue the scene.

It was the perfect opportunity for something, revenge for thinking they could get off scot free for messing with Johnny.”

“They think shits sweet, just wait.” You mumbled, disappearing behind the brick wall again, knowing exactly what plan to bring into motion from just realizing why they were acting out the scene in the first place.

It was the perfect time to sneak, gathering everything and setting up. Now waiting to see their reaction before disappearing into the smoke again.

Yea, smoke. A fire burning their comic and manga collection in the garbage can.

A dumpster fire, literally and figuratively.

“W-Who did this?! Oh my gosh IT’S ALL BURNING!!” Donald was the first to notice, smelling the burning ashes and cautiously everyone going to check out.

But when they saw the torn pages of miscellaneous panels surrounding the bin, they put the pieces together and realized what really happened.

Johnny eventually circled back around, seeing the dumpster fire and immediately jumping to turn towards them.

“Who started this fire? Don’t tell me this is a part of one of your story scenes.” He backed away from the flames, turning back to see all of the nerds huddled up all scared hugging each other for comfort.

“N-No it’s not we swear. But we’ll get to the bottom of who is responsible for burning all…all of my precious collection.” Melvin could barely stand, feeling his eyes fill with tears and his knees begin to wobble.

Johnny not even noticing, or care really only worried about more…pressing issues.

“Well? Call the damn fire department unless you want it to spread across the whole street.” It was reasonable, as they may have been the ones to start it—or cause it.

“I can’t…I think I just had a heart attack. I need medical attention stat!” But Melvin couldn’t bear to stand much longer, everyone catching him when he almost fell back flat onto the asphalt rising in temperature from the heat.

Johnny rolled his eyes and went to call them himself, walking to the nearest store and using their landline and hearing the sirens come bye and swiftly put out the fire.

Police were also at the scene, inspecting around to see what might’ve caused the fire.

Johnny was just trying to grab his bike to leave the busy scene, but one thing flashed across his eyes. Picking it up to see exactly what he knew he just saw.

Your ring, the same silver banded one you always wore no matter what day it was.

There’s no way, it could’ve just fell off when you walked by…right?

3. Daddy's dirty cash

It’s no secret the preps weren’t the nicest people in the bunch. Kind of like those blueberries that look round and plump, but taste like death once bitten into.

You knew they were mean to Johnny—not really from a first hand account, but from the stories he’d tell you whenever he wanted to rant about how bad his day was.

That’s what’s going on right now, Johnny spilling his heart out hoping you’d listen and give him the exact responses he’d want to keep his head and ego inflated.

Well you listened, just…too hard.

“Can you repeat what you said babe?” You drew circles on his chest, feeling the clothed sweater ball under your fingers with each swipe you took while cuddling next to him on the couch, that you guys spent most of your hangout times at.

“Repeat what?”

“The whole thing for me please, I don’t think you got everything out you wanted to say.” A cover up, a pretty damn good one you’d say; because he fell right for the bait.

“Well what I really wanted to say is Derby’s an asshole. Him and his posy thinking they have the nerve to come onto my territory and call me trashy because I said they’re only rich because of daddy’s money.” You felt the rumbling from his body when he spoke, the gears already turning in your head on what you should do.

“Trashy…Trash…” Johnny still couldn’t piece together what you were thinking, so he thought you were just agreeing with him.

“Can you believe it? They’ve got some nerve if they think I’ll just let that slide.”

“Yea, it won’t.” The idea was solidified, your next move being the same one that’ll make the preps never wish they messed with Johnny.

The next day was easy—figuring out when the preps go to the boxing gym for their daily training. Sweet talking Pinky to let you gain access to the Harrington mansion for tea, and stealing the key before you skipped out the mansion.

Happy to finally stop talking to Pinky, her voice and conversations comparable to watching paint dry and hoping that’d keep you entertained.

But it was all worth the while—all to see the preps reactions when they arrived the next day from the boxing gym.

Everyone on campus noticed—could see and only laugh at the Harrington mansion absolutely trashed. Piles of food waste, random garbage and other things that could only be described as a biohazard just sprawled on their perfectly trimmed grass.

Not only was the outside trashed, but the inside was the same. The halls filled with the thrown trashcans on the floor stinking the whole place—the smell permeating not only inside the actual estate, but wide spread across campus also.

A disaster was an understatement; but the preps weren’t mad for the exact reasons you thought they’d be.

“This is utterly disgusting! Ugh how are we gonna clean all of this!” Gord was the one who stressed the problem, standing at the gates of the estate looking on. All while everyone else peaked past the wall of preps to see what was going on.

“Clean? Who said we were cleaning up this retched mess. We’ll hire cleaners for this job.” Derby had a point, everyone agreeing and stepping back not even letting the disaster stress them.

But this time Chad spoke up, another problem rising that seemed impossible to solve.

“Yea okay that’s settled. Where do you suggest we sleep tonight then?” Just on cue to answer the unknowing question, Dr Crabblesnitch spoke from behind to catch there attention.

“It is unfortunate this has happened to you all, Mr Harrington has been contacted to hire a cleaning crew.” They all sighed in relief, turning away from the trashed lot to thank him.

“Thank you, I’m sure daddy will have spare rooms for us until this is settled.” They started chatting about how much money they could spend on new clothes while being in the said spare rooms—not even taking time to consider if that could even be pulled off.

Well of course it could be pulled off by Mr Harrington, but Crabblesnitch disapproved before it could even start.

“Unfortunately it is against the schools rules to reside off campus. For now until further notice, you must stay in the dorms on campus–”

“The DORMS?!” Pinky exacerbated, cutting him off before he could even finish his statement.

All of the other preps gave their complaints, but it fell on deaf ears as Crabblesnitch simply told them to pack up what they could and to find a vacant room in their assigned gender dormitory.

People complained, not just the preps about the changed living arrangements knowing they’ll cause havoc for someone ‘below their tax bracket’ for simply existing.

“Eugh I’d rather die before I stay in a dorm with Pinky. Can I stay at your place until then?” You were walking with Johnny when you said this, his immediate approval of the offer.

But the gears turned in his head, the utter confusion when he questioned you.

“I thought you were friends with Pinky, what happened?”

“Not anymore, she’s trashy.”

4. Sweet as hot chili peppers

Baking used to be one of your favorite pastime hobbies; only giving it up when you were enrolled in Bullworth with no baking equipment or stove near you to even try and whip something up.

But ever since you decided to stay at Johnny's, sneaking out every night to do so; you decided maybe picking the hobby back up wasn’t such a bad idea.

Maybe there was love in the air, or the sweet smell of brown sugar and vanilla that practically pulled Johnny into the kitchen when he got a whiff.

“Whatchu making their babe?” You felt his arms snake around your waist, pulling you flesh against his body to feel the warmth radiate from him.

Your arms were practically jello, but you still mixed the batter like nothing was even wrong.

“I’m making cookies for you, why else would I be baking this early?” Your head turned to look at him, seeing his eyes drop down to your lips—the tense feeling not going away knowing exactly what he was thinking.

But you felt like pushing his buttons, teasing while pulling away from his embrace to scoot away from him.

“Don’t do me like that today. This is the only time we have alone with each other.” He tried getting close again, his face leaning to rest in the crook of your neck—but stopped only to be pushed away from your hand covered in batter.

“Well, I’m not in the mood. I’m baking this stuff for you, remember?” The batter was almost done, just the toppings to be mixed in and it’ll be all ready and prepared for baking.

Johnny was smiling knowing he’d get to enjoy some fresh cookies; but there was just one problem, a huge one.

The batch you made could feed an entire party 3 times over. And if it was just you, Johnny, and maybe some of his pals that visit, eating the cookies, they’d go bad before half the batch would be gone, and he’d hate to see your hard work go to waste.

“Yea you’re right, but I can’t eat all of that.”

“I’ll store the leftover dough to make another batch.” It was a good suggestion…If Johnny had the fridge or the proper tupperware to store the dough.

Even though he hated seeing you so down, he had to reject the offer.

“No, don’t do that.” You paused, looking at him to hear his solution to the problem you thought wouldn’t even turn out to be one.

“Why don’t you hand out some cookies at Bullworth today? Everybody's been kinda tense from everything that’s been happening lately. But I know your sweet treats could help bring back the peace a little bit ya’ know?”

“But everyone at Bullworth has been an ass to you. Why would I reward them with my baking?” Your tone switch was like night and day—just talking about all the people at Bullworth who were mean to Johnny makes your blood boil.

“Because everyone deserves a little sweetness in their life, even if they’re all rotten on the inside.” He sensed you were tense, saying this making you crack a smile just like he planned.

Maybe you could atone for your previous actions. But with what he said, the gears turned in your mind. Not even intentionally this time, but always welcomed if it meant getting the sweet revenge you rightfully deserved.

Or maybe it was the urge, feeling like what you did wasn’t enough. One more time with the perfect opportunity to mess with the student body before you’d decide to throw in the towel and call it even.

Johnny kissed your cheek before walking out the kitchen, putting on his leather jacket and packing his bag for the day.

You told him he could go without you, promising to lock up the place when you finally decided to leave.

But really, it was to scrounge through the fridge to find exactly what you were looking for.

Of course you made a regular batch—labeled so you and Johnny could enjoy those later. While they were baking in the oven you looked through each pantry, pulling out various items to whip together something that would instantly kill a small victorian child.

Or somebody who’s never had the spiece level of something above a bell pepper, also known as half of the Bullworth population.

You created a paste of the readily available ingredients in a bowl: The bottle of hot sauce that was in the cupboard, crushed red pepper flakes, paprika, cayenne powder, and some other various peppers from the fridge.

And the star of the show, a lot of salt, only in some of them though. So if somebody grabbed the first salty one, they’d think it’s a bad cookie and grab another to test, only for their mouth to be unknowingly burnt trying to take 2 cookies and expecting the best out of both of them.

Mix matching between the two, you packed away everything to set off for your trek to school.

The first opportunity you asked Earnest if he wanted some—his chipper ready take on whatever was available attitude made it a whole lot easier to hand him all of the bags of cookies to take for himself, telling him to hand them out to people and take credit for making them to help him boost his social credibility.

Was it kind of fucked up? Yea, but Earnest had it coming since you saw how perverted he was.

With real life women, and the ones in the comic books…You wanted to skin your hand off when you grabbed one of his comics and it was sticky with who knows what.

So, it was all the more satisfying when you saw him distribute the cookies and face the brute force of it when he took credit for making them.

They’d scream at him, tell him he was shit at baking. Hell somebody in the end ripped the bag away from him and threw the cookies away.

It wasn’t until he tried one for himself, that he realized you played him, again.

5. Mad man

It was truly a miracle you’ve gone unscathed for so long—nobody not even having the slightest clue or to ever have the courage to point fingers.

Well, until now. And Jimmy of all people had to be the one to speak to Johnny. Approaching him with one idea in his mind—the answer to his question about why you did it.

“Johnny, you can’t be delusional forever. I have proof it was her who trashed the Harrington mansio-”

“No, don't accuse her of such things. She would never.” He was still hard set on defending you, even with concrete evidence, he still tried to piece together how he let this slip between the cracks.

You were always so nice, so sweet and kind to him; the best girlfriend he could ever ask for.

But things have always been kind of…weird around you. People stopped bothering him as much, the fights only rare and only stopping when some freak accident would happen, or it would happen randomly after Johnny tells you about it.

There’s no way you were fighting off every foe that came his way, he should be doing that with you!

“Well, when you leave whatever delusional world you’re in you can look at these photos yourself and see her. Your girlfriend isn’t as innocent as you think she is.” He dropped the photos on the table, sprawling across laying all out for him to see.

He couldn’t believe it, what more was there to say to the hard copied proof evidence right in front of him?

The silence was telling, Jimmy saying one last thing before leaving.

“People around here like to talk, I stole these from somebody so you better be grateful. Tell her to chill out before she makes this worse on herself.”

+ 1

The day felt the exact same as every other one, but the only difference being a huge one that kept you up all night smiling ear to ear.

Johnny planned an outing, a date to call it fancy to the drive in theater just on the outskirts of town. He managed to get his old truck to work, truly wanting this day to be perfect for the two of you.

But then lies the problem. The dread Johnny felt when he saw you climb into the passenger seat, knowing what he saw in the photos and putting all of the pieces together.

He couldn’t sit with the info much longer, needing to tell you to stray away from evercausing trouble on his accord.

Even if it was to help.

“Babe…Can we talk?” His voice was serious, his eyes avoiding yours when you tried looking at him.

“Hm, what is it?” You tried ignoring it, but deep down you knew something was bound to happen.

He was avoiding eye contact, one of the biggest tells from him hesitating to say something .

“I need you to be 100% honest with me right now. Can you do that?” You nodded hesitantly, watching him lean over to dig in his bag for something.

The last thing you expected, or hoping you’d expect was pictures of you trashing the Harrington mansion; the picture blurry, but still clear as ever it was you pouring out trash on the yard.

“I know it’s been you behind all these weird events. Popping Peanuts tires, the fire by the comic store, this, and you giving those cookies to Earnest to pass out.” Every single event listed, your own lie slipping up right in front of the only person that shouldn’t have known.

You didn’t care if anyone else knew, they’ve done worse things to each other. But Johnny knowing showed that you weren’t the precious girl he always thought you were. The sweet, kindred gentle soul that cared for him more than anyone else.

You could kiss that fantasized facade goodbye.

“I just wanna ask why you’re doing all this. I get you care, but it’s too much…I can't even defend you like that. I’ve never seen this side of you before; why’d you hide it from me?” You wondered how long it’d take him to catch on. You thought you’d even tell him yourself.

But there wasn’t a point anymore; with the proof sitting right in front of you, the only thing you could do was tell him why you did it in hopes that’d make him feel indifferent.

“I hid what I did so you wouldn’t look at me differently. I hated seeing you so angry because of those people messing with you…I love you Johnny, and I wanted to make sure you could always be happy.” You spilled your heart out, feeling the emotions building up inside, desperately trying to escape when you saw his face. An indescribable splayed across his face.

You thought it was over, really. But when you felt Johnny’s arms wrap around and hug you, all of your worries were washed down the drain along with his own guilt.

“I know you’re a sweet girl, what you have done for me proves that. But please…chill out before you end up expelled.” You could tell he meant it, the hug lasting longer then it should have to prove that.

You’d agree to his plea, swearing you’d never hurt or do anything on his account while he started the car up and drove to the not-so far away destination.

It was weird, when you did the things you did, it was fulfilling you in ways you couldn’t even describe.

Is it because you defend Johnny? Or a secret, new found love for tormenting people who could never see it coming and figure out it was you.

Jimmy Hopkins x Gary Smith

Bullworth’s first firework show gone wrong

★ Word count: 2.3k

an: my first smopkins rendition, I hope you guys enjoy these crumbs while I work on these requests! ( ^ω^ )

★ ✮ ★ ☆☆ ★ ✮ ★ ☆☆ ★ ✮ ★ ☆☆ ★ ✮ ★

Gary always had something up his sleeve—bothering people with his ingenious ideas, or ranting about his problems with modern society and there stupid rules.

Jimmy was used to it, feeling the brunt of his ranting whenever he had the unfortune of being near him; and today was one of those awful days when all Jimmy wanted to do was push Gary out the window.

Though, it wasn’t his usual talk where he could talk for hours with not a sign of stopping. But more so dropping hints, using the same word over and over again.

Trying to make it obvious to anyone that could grip and understand, but Jimmy still wasn’t getting it.

“I really want to show you something. It’s colorful…and it'll blow your mind! Get it…blowing, like a bomb, or a really big explosion!” He kicked his leg under the table, his hands motioning to the giant ‘explosion’ he was envisioning. Jimmy’s face scrunched, eyebrows furrowed with irritation after ignoring Gary for the twentieth minute in a row.

For once, Jimmy had something else—the homework starting to pile up from the amount of tasks he’s asked to do on a daily basis. He did what he could in class, but even then it still wasn’t enough. So doing homework during lunch was the only time he could ever have peace to finish.

He couldn’t even enjoy the little peace he had before class when ignoring him, so he had no other choice butto speak up.

“Look Gary, I don’t care what ‘mind blowing’ thing you’re planning. If it’s so cool you can tell me later.” He dropped his pencil, looking up to see the smirk on his face that only irritated him even more—the fact that he was so dense he couldn’t even see he wanted nothing to do with him.

Or like in Gary fashion, he chose to ignore that fact, almost getting to the big reveal to his master plan later tonight.

But because of Jimmy’s refusal, another idea sparked into his mind.

“Ah I see you’re busy. I guess I’ll leave you to your chicken scratch called homework.” He flipped around to get up from his spot, walking over to Jimmy’s side with his plan already in motion.

He removed something from his pocket, grabbing Jimmy’s hand while holding it to say his final words.

“Meet me on the football field at 7. We have some entertaining to do.” He let go of his hand, walking away before Jimmy could look down to see what he left him with.

A firecracker, red and cylindrical resting in the palm of his hands, gone the next second stuffed into his pocket hoping nobody saw him with the contraband that would surely call for a few hefty hours in detention.

What could Gary be planning? Just one fire cracker could leave open for a lot of stories, but each one was too vast for Jimmy to even be thinking about right now.

He’ll just have to meet Gary at 7 to see what he’s talking about.

⋆✴︎°｡⋆⋆✴︎°｡⋆ ˗ˏˋ ✸ ˎˊ˗🧨💥

The time rolled around quickly, the classes and the one short task he squeezed in managing to fill in for such a large gap.

Jimmy wearily walked to the field, Petey trailing behind him just as suspicious he was about the whole thing.

“Do you know anything about explosions Petey?” Jimmy turned around and asked the question so casually, but Petey stopped in his tracks, eyes widening with the suspension, immediately turning into nervousness.

“I-I don’t know anything about explosions, or bombs really. Why are you asking? Are you planning to blow the school up-”

“Yea Petey, that’s totally why I asked, tell them I have the bomb in my back pocket while you’re at it.”

“Are you serious…?”

“No Petey, don’t say that type of stuff out loud. You’re gonna get me in way worse trouble then detention.” The joke Petey was going for didn’t land, realizing his mistake and doubling down on apologizing before making their trek to the field again.

Jimmy never felt safe alone with Gary, so as his safety net, he brought along Petey so he wouldn’t feel so alone.

He couldn’t hold his weight in a fight, but in terms of gathering information on a situation and figuring out how to quickly escape, he was your go to guy.

Though tonight seemed like the night where that’d be all powerful and useful.

They descended the uneven stairs, scoping the field to look for Gary—but to no avail he was nowhere directly on the field.

But rather sitting in the bleachers, popping up and reaching to him once he heard Jimmy call for his name.

“You called for me?” He dragged his words, his usual playful tone in full swing action while Jimmy wasn’t on board for any of the antics.

“Yea dude, why’d you want me to come down here? The football team isn’t even practicing today.”

“Yea, that’s a part of my plan…You can follow me though.” He grabbed Jimmy’s hand and dragged him through the bleachers, Petey trailing behind still nervous for the next turn of events.

Jimmy didn’t want to show it either, but the deep down fear awakened in him when he saw two black duffel bags tucked under the bleacher seat.

He picked one up, slamming it down on the metal seat making Petey jump back, and Jimmy unknowingly shielding him when he did the same.

“Gary…are those…” Petey’s voice trembled, looking down at the bag and looking back up to see Gary’s smile widened.

“...Bombs?” He spoke from behind, saying the exact words Jimmy wanted to say so badly.

“Yea are those? So your big plan was to blow up the school? You're a real piece of work if you think I'm helping you.” His words were laced with disgust, seeing Gary’s face soon go from pure crazed happiness, to annoyance.

“No it’s not to blow up the school you morons, gosh you can never catch a hint.” He bent down to pick up the second bag, Jimmy speaking up again ready to flee with Petey the next second.

“What hint, leaving a damn firecracker in my hand earlier today to hint to what exactly??”

“To this.” Gary grabbed the zipper, fully opening the bag and exposing the contents inside.

Thankfully, it wasn’t a bomb. But it probably was the closest next thing.

Fireworks, all of the different kinds you could imagine all stuffed into the duffel bag with the color full boxes and sticks all labeled with the different types they were.

Bottle rockets, artillery shells, fountains. And ground based spinners and smoke bombs Along with the small handheld ones like roman candles, sparklers, pop-its, snappers; and of course the first one he was handed, fire crackers.

“And to you guys both, you are going to help me set up for Bullworth's first firework show! I got all the prefects and staff to worry about the contraband in the teachers lounge while we’re out here.” The shock, the silence that hung over when he finished his rant was short lasted when Gary pushed the bag towards them.

“The word has been spreading, everyone will arrive in about 20 minutes, so we better get set up fast before you disappoint the entire student body.” He picked up the unopened bag to walk towards the center of the field, already beginning to set up, all while Jimmy looked through the bag and Petey stared holes through the back of his head.

“Are you really gonna light fireworks with Gary? I mean…aren’t those dangerous?” Petey had a keen sense of danger—most of the time Jimmy agreed, but still proceeded and faced the repercussions of it.

But this time, it looked like he was leaning over to the dark side with Gary.

“I don’t know, I was against it at first because Gary proposed it. But I kinda like fireworks.” He pulled out one of the roman candles, handing it to Petey while holding the lighter in his other hand.

“Try this one out, it’s fun when you try and aim it at somebody.” Before Petey could even agree, Jimmy was lighting the paper tip with the elongated lighter, Petey’s hand shaking when he felt the sparkle of it loading up, and ready to shoot.

“Jimmy I don’t know how to use this!”

“Just don’t try to kill me with it, turn the other way!” Quickly he turned, and right on cue the first round came out. loud crackle, the smell of the burning starting to become more prominent the quicker the rounds came out and shot onto the grass.

It was a miracle it didn’t catch on fire, how will it last with the tens and hundreds of fireworks ready to go off in just ten minutes?

“That…wasn’t bad. Can I try another one?” He seemed excited, but that joy was soon crushed when Gary’s voice boomed from across the field.

“No you can’t. Get to setting up before I shove one of those down your throat.”

“No you won’t.” Jimmy replied.

“You wanna test that?”

“We’re good, we’ll set up now!” Petey’s short whipped answer cut the conversation clean off, picking up the bag and walking towards the center where Gary stood.

It didn’t take long with all hands on deck, the students of Bullworth starting to come and pack the bleachers.

Unknowingly, Petey was just added to the firework lighting crew as Gary discreetly handed him the lighter. Gary preparing to introduce himself to the new face crowd of students all looking down at the pile of fireworks, and the 3 boys standing in front of them.

“Welcome ladies and gentleman to Bullworths first firework show! As we wait for the infamous show to start, I’ll need a few heads to pass out the remaining sparklers and roman candles as crowd working. Join me by the stairs if you want to help.” Immediately everyone started chatting, people getting up not even letting Gary pass out the handheld before they grabbed them, people with lighters already on them lighting up the sparklers and waving them around. The roman candles lit up, shooting them into the sky as the sparks flew down and landed on people's exposed skin—burning them, but still continuing to do it.

“Oh? Jumpy much, I guess we have to start the show earlier than expected then.” Gary stood off to the side, leaving just Petey and Jimmy in front of the massive pile of assorted fireworks.

Not even the slightest clue which one to start with.

“Gary, I don’t know how these things work. Which one do I start with?!” It was a pathetic attempt, Gary was still doing crowd work and completely ignoring them.

“I think we should just start with the smallest one, then work up?” Petey was just as confused, though more nervous holding the lighter in his hand looking down.

But it seemed like the smartest move, so that’s what Jimmy did. The crowd moving on from Gary’s antics to the first colored spark in the sky, the sparkle crackling and dissipating only after a few seconds of it launching.

So that’s what the two of them did, alternating lighting each firework and running away so it wouldn’t hit them, not even being able to enjoy the show from the exhaustion running back and forth between nearly dying, and lighting the same thing that was causing this near near experience.

“Come on guys, why are you slowing down, this is just the beginning!” Gary turned to the gassed out Jimmy and Petey, hands on their knees trying to hold onto the small string of air they have before it completely goes.

“Maybe we're tired Gary, why don’t you try lighting some?” Jimmy shoved the lighter into his hand, pulling his sleeve closer to the fireworks, the smell of ashes and a slightly sweet smell hanging in the air the closer they moved towards the destructive fire shooting mass.

“Oh? Who knew lighting fireworks was too hard for you two. Weaklings.” He leaned over, lighting the biggest one possible and running away just the same as they did.

But many things went wrong, not just the way Gary ran away so slowly from the fireworks almost burning his sweater. But the unknown figure standing at the top of the stairs, a suit all too familiar to the entire student body that made their hearts drop.

“What in tarnation is going on here?! Stop whatever is going on right this instant!” It was a prefect, more of them behind him ready to bust whoever they could get their hands on for causing such a ruckus echoing across campus.

But something happened, divine intervention almost as not only did the firework go off right on time. But a malfunction happened.

All of the fireworks were setting of—lit all at the exact same time.

An explosion, just as Gary visioned it. Seemingly a joke, but indeed coming true after all.

“What are you doing Hopkins, run!!” Gary bolted, Jimmy following close behind before he disappeared, seeing all of the prefects catching the students running away.

Jimmy felt an arm grab him, pulling him behind the bleachers in the small gap between the layered brick wall and them.

Gary was the one who pulled him, Jimmy's body smashing against his as they tried to stay quiet, not even caring they were so close to each other to get mad, let alone move to let themselves get caught.

Heavy panting, feeling their breaths against their ears and waving onto their face, chests heaving and falling making the tiny space even tighter then it already was.

Jimmy could see Gary, see every dip and imperfection in his skin, staring at him as his eyes purposely avoided his, the smell of cologne prominent, woody and musky smelling although fading, but still radiating and filling his nostrils.

Gary could practically count each freckle on Jimmy’s face, resisting the temptations as his arms wrapped around Jimmy to pull him closer.

i stumbled across your settle for my love fic thinking i'd read a chapter or two before bed ... and then somehow it was 6am because i was too invested to stop reading😭 the way you portray the characters is literally perfect and i love it soooo much !!!! it has to be one of the best bully fanfics out there, if not THE best

i was literally giggling and kicking my feet and then crying the next chapter i'm not even kidding😿 i really can't wait for the next chapter !! you're an amazinggg writer😚

Omg thank you this made my day😛 I was lwk feeling shitty about my writing not doing well on here but you made it better 😽😽

Prepared to be SICK OF ME

Gary x fem reader! Jimmy x fem reader!

Your new life for the years to come resides in a small town which houses the infamous Bullworth Academy. You try to navigate through the struggles of being left behind to fend for yourself in a new environment during your sophomore year of high school. But what happens when two boys known for trouble make it their goal to stir up your boring life, making sure you'll never be alone, even if they have to fight for your attention.

Chapter 12

★ Word count: 7k

Masterlist for all chapters

﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌

Notes: Sorry for disappearing, it won't happen again...maybe. But these might be useful for this chapter

╰┈➤ = Back to normal, second person POV

★ = Gary’s POV

꩜ =Jimmys POV

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Chapter 13: Guilty By Suspicion

。。。

Jimmy knew it was wrong to kiss somebody willingly after telling himself he wouldn’t. All really because he wanted to save and prove himself for you .

“Zoe, why are you doing this, did you not just hear that!?” He pushed her off, voice wary but stern as he saw Zoe’s wolfish expression.

“You know why I’m doing this.” She grabbed him by the collar, dragging him closer towards the storage room.

“I don’t know why! I don’t like you anymore Zoe, you just fucked up my shot!” He pushed her off again, rougher, Zoe stumbling before narrowing her eyes, hand pushing Jimmy back against the brick wall, finger pointing in his face.

“What, so you can get with another girl in the same spot we always met at!? Saying this Bean Cola machine was the best on campus, bullshit.” His eyes widened, looking at Zoe crazy as his head whipped around to scope the scenery, jittery to find anything to pull himself from the situation at hand.

“Now you can show emotion? Is that what she does to you? Make you do stuff I couldn’t even evoke out of you? Stuff nobody else can, but you still haven’t confessed to her.” She stepped back, disgusted as she eyed Jimmy up and down.

“Stop being such a pussy.” Her words made him reach another level of anger, ticking another in the box of chances fucked up by an outside source looking in.

He knew something was off, though Zoe's words were quick before lips pressed against his own, kissing back involuntarily before he realized what would occur from such a minute action.

Zoe dropped her head down, picking it back up to laugh and see Jimmy's scrunched face, arms crossed holding himself together tight, like he was shielding himself from something.

“Do you love her?” The question so straight forward, he couldn’t do anything but immediately try to defend himself.

“What the fuck kind of question is that?! It’s not like I can after that bullshit stunt.”

“Answer the question James! Do you love her, or not? Because right now you’re acting like the same old person I broke up with.”

“Ah come on don’t pull that bullshit! Why are you even doing this?” His arms were out, accentuating his words in desperate attempts to have his questions answered with greater intent.

“Because that’s my friend, and I don’t want her to get hurt from your antics.” She didn’t even give him the time to retort, her back already turned away saying one last thing.

“Tighten up Jimmy, if you want her, you got a lot more shit you need to get better at.”

。。。

The seasons were starting to catch up—the cold air sweeping through not as comforting anymore, more annoying when walking from building to building across campus with the multiple layers you try to throw on.

And because of the terrible forecasted weather, cooping up in the library on a Friday night seemed like the proper, environment right answer.

Only, instead of relaxing reading a good book, more grueling work needed to be done. An art project assigned to do research on a painting and then recreate said painting to present in front of the class—pretending you’re the actual artist that made the piece to fully capture the story behind it.

At least the heavy load of the work kept your mind off other matters. Only stressing you out in other aspects not better than the other.

“Ya’ know Petey…It feels like right now I should be snuggled up reading a book, not this damn project.” Annoyance laced through your tone, dropping your materials to look up at Petey, knee deep in a book for research, that not even a historian would read on a normal day.

“At least she assigned you the fun part, re-creating the painting seems easier than trying to do research on it.” He also had the same permanent look of disarray on his face, dropping the book the same way you dropped your markers to rub the sides of his head.

“Well it would've been fun if these markers weren’t from before the stone age.” Petey looked at the markers, seeing the dried out tips and your attempt to color over your sketched lines on the thin, poster sheet paper. One more stroke with the dry thing, and a hole would form in the middle.

“And it’s not like I can go into town to buy more material, because A: it’s cold outside and I don’t want to waste my money. And B:…IT'S COLD OUTSIDE!!” Immediately, the librarian shushed you, your outburst attracting everyone's eyes over, the embarrassment settling in.

“Um why don’t we just call it a night then. I'll ask somebody to lend us some materials.” Petey sat up, equally as embarrassed cleaning up the table, shoving everything into his bag as you decided to do the same.

“Why didn’t you ask Zoe to help us? She seems like a pretty talented artist.”

“She’s dead to me.” Cutthroat response, quick enough that barely even Petey caught it.

Though he did, pausing his movement with a contorted face of confusion.

"What happened between the two of you? Not that it's my business or anything. But…I've been kinda in the dark for a while, and I don't feel like being the middle man between you guys friendship proble-" He cut his own words off, flinching when you snapped your head towards him and dropped the half empty bag.

"Petey just…let me explain myself, you’re ranting again."

“Right...Sorry.”

“You're okay dude, don't apologize. Just give me a minute to collect my thoughts.” And it did in fact take a minute—way longer than it as you finally packed all your items, sitting down once again to finally spill what's been going on.

"She kissed Jimmy, I saw it with my own eyes! Her practically eating his face out right after she got all weird and distant when I brought up he was gonna meet up with me later.” He listened attentively, a question waiting—ready to shoot out.

“When did this happen?”

“A few days before Halloween.” His face contorted, your answer not prompting for what the solution should be.

“Did you try talking to her? Maybe there was a reason-”

“Reason?? What reason could she have for doing that? If she had a reason, she would’ve told me!” Your voice raised involuntarily, the attempts from the librarian telling you to quiet down falling on deaf ears.

Petey’s already thinned patience was running out, the problem looping in back on itself, with no acts of it resolving itself.

He hated to do it, but you had to eat your own words to finally get where he was coming from.

“...Okay, so by your logic then, she should tell you her every move, you don’t bother to talk and ask her yourself. And if she defies that order, you avoid her like the plague and expect things to go back to normal.” His false sweet tone was deceptive, the sarcasm lacing through his words like a perfected spice blend.

Though, it did work in the end.

“Yes exactly tha-...are you being sarcastic again?” You caught yourself, but the realization came like a ton of bricks, the ‘I told you so’ look on Petey’s face satisfied with that reaction.

“You see my point now? You guys used to always talk, and she’s your roommate for crying out loud. You can’t avoid her forever and expect something out of it.” He laid it on, words digging jabs at your already bruised ego the more he spoke.

“But what she did was messed-”

“Okay? Do you wanna assume that forever? Or actually confide in her?” You wanted to fight back, but he immediately shut it down, the look on his face doing most of the back talking for him.

“You complain about Jimmy being avoidant, yet you're doing the exact same thing. No problem is going to get solved by this ignoring streak.” His words were like sticks, constantly poking to wake you up from the dazed reality you lived in.

He was right, the number one thing you always complained about, was the exact same thing you were becoming without even realizing it.

“Is this why Jimmy does things like this without even batting an eye…No it can’t be, he’s does that shit on purpose.”

“And I know you’re avoiding her right now, this past week is all making sense to me now.”

“No I have not!”

“Don’t lie, you’ve been purposely hanging around me and keeping me out longer so you can get to your dorm late.” Your secret was out—and still, you tried denying it. But Petey was stern, getting up right after to walk towards the door, you trudging behind him not ready to face Zoe, but really not ready to face the cold again.

Petey pushed open the door, the frosty air slapping you in the face. Feeling your normal regulated body temperature, immediately start to dip.

“Seriously how did it get so cold so quickly?? I swear the temperature was actually enjoyable just a week ago.” You folded your arms inward, trying to contain any body heat left, Petey doing the same as the doors slammed shut behind him.

“That’s just how this area gets around this time of year, if you lived near here you’d know.” Luckily, the hat in his coat pocket provided some relief.

But you weren’t so lucky. You didn’t have a hat, let alone a coat because you were so adamant on not going back to your room.

And look where being such a stickler for not talking to Zoe. Not seeming to affecting her, but definitely affecting you now.

“I do live in this area, it just wasn't this bad before!”

“Wait…how far away do you live from Bullworth?” The wind blew past your ears—meaning Petey’s words were definitely not heard, and now your ear tips were frozen.

“Does it even matter?! It’s to damn cold for conversation!!” It didn’t even startle Petey you yelled, only less shocking when you sped walked away from him—stomping on the crushed leaves fallen from the trees ages ago, to finally make it to the dorm building.

Never have you been so thankful to smell the weird scent of mildew, covered by the overwhelming smell of perfume all the way until your room. But once you opened your door, the greatest irritate of them all was blowing right back in your face.

The window, wide open letting out all the hot air, and the frosty air all into the one room that should arguably the comfiest space at Bullworth.

“Some people are really up the wall here.” You didn’t even waste time stomping towards the window, ready to slam the damn thing shut and slip into a warm pair of pajamas and call it a night.

But something within yourself told you to look down.

You didn’t really know why you decided to listen to your gut today, but the shock of a decision, your discovery almost making you fall right back outside through the window and taking the screen with you.

It was Zoe, climbing up the ladder that was just right below the window.

You knew she snuck out often, but you never saw it in action. So when her facial expression showed just how equally shocked she was, it wasn’t long lasting.

Her face hardened, jaw clenching and eyebrows furrowing when the pieces in her brain finally connected, realizing you were staring down at her climbing back into the one space she wanted to avoid the most.

But you had to be the one to make the change. Communication, the one, and only biggest way to move in the right direction with relationships.

“Zoe, I know I’m probably the last person you wanna see right now…but.” You stuck your hand out, the cold air blowing up your sleeve making a shiver shoot down your spine.

But seeing Zoe's expression change—soften slightly when she saw your hand, made the weight on your shoulder lighten when you realized she was open to speak.

“Can we talk?”

“Yea, we can.” Her words felt stand offish, her grip tight as she climbed in the rest of the way.

Though, you couldn’t catch her when she fell onto the hardwood floor. The thud making you jump back, but also inclined to help her up.

“Oh!…Are you okay??”

“I’m fine, you don’t gotta baby me.” She pushed your hand away, dusting herself off as she stood fully straight up to take her jacket off.

It’s official now, only do one helping hand out for Zoe, or she’ll feel offended and take it to heart, just like this here scenario.

You couldn’t even say anything back, knowing deep down she was right, and you were in fact wrong.

But why did she have to say it?

“Look I’m sorry Zoe, I realized-”

“Stop with the sob story. I can already tell what you’re going to say.” She looked at you like you were crazy, cutting you off and then speaking over to talk for you.

“You’re sorry, you ignored and avoided me, you realized you were wrong all along. Blah blah blah I changed my ways and here I am. Am I right?” Silence, you couldn’t even find the words to speak up—back talk her and say she’s wrong.

But really, you knew she was right. And that’s exactly what you were going to say.

“...Yea, you’re right.” You thought this would've calmed you down, but the conversation only escalated.

“Good, now that’s out the way, we can get to the real conversation.” Her tone was stern, the attitude very present, even in her next sentence that single handily made your blood bowl into a scoville level not even readable.

“How are you and Jimmy doing?”

“There’s no way in hell she just asked that.” Rightfully so, you looked at her like she was crazy, and was before you spat fire back.

“Bad, no thanks to you and your mouth that was all over him.”

“...Excuse me?” The genuine confusion, or fake confusion was the tip over, the last drop in the already overfilling up to offset the argument that was destined to happen.

“Don’t act fucking dumb. I saw the two of you tonguing each other down near that beam cola machine! The same place…The same place Jimmy told me to meet him up at.” You paced the room, your fingers curling through your hair in an attempt to block out Zoe trying to interject, but her weak attempts fell on deaf ears purposely not wanting to hear her out.

“I knew you were looking at me differently. I-I always felt the shift in change whenever I brought up his name, but I tried ignoring it listening to you saying you ‘don’t care’ about him anymore.”

“I don’t care about him!” For some odd reason these words broke though, her attempt to get through close, but still ignored from your own thoughts being louder than the outside world.

“What do you mean she doesn’t care?”

“You should have never told her about Jimmy.”

“How was I supposed to know she’d do this?” Your fists clenched in your hair, and your breath rapidly increased, feeling the anger flow through and take over more than it did before.

But you were suddenly pulled out, literally and figuratively when you felt Zoe’s hands pull your arms to stop your pacing, putting them in front of you to face her forward head on and look into her eyes, seeing her guilt ridden expression the moment you finally zoned in on what just happened.

“Can you stop and please just let me explain myself!” Her grip was tight, holding you still with the firm intention of not letting go, not at least until you calmed down for the next words to come out her mouth.

Only a few beats before they did so, and a few beats before your heart dropped, and your eyes widened with the disbelief that what she said, may be true.

“I did what I did because…I didn’t want Jimmy to hurt you like I did.” She spoke low, the moment from just a week ago flashing through her mind.

The moment she tested him, hearing Jimmy for the first time in months and realizing, he was changing. Whether she liked it or not, you undoubtedly were the cause of his change.

Even if it was small, it took a lot for Jimmy to shift from his usual ways. You couldn’t see it, but everyone else around could.

That’s what irked Zoe the most, was that you could get him to change, but she couldn’t.

“What do you mean… hurt me?”

“Like wasting your time, making you feel like the relationship was pointless. Like how ours was.” It’s felt as if the tension in the room dissipated, the grip on your arms lessening as she turned away—the shame and guilt eating her up knowing what she’d have to say next.

“I thought you said the relationship wasn’t serious. What changed?”

“It was always serious, he just didn’t see it as that, and made a fool out of me.” Her voice echoed, even turned around you could hear the slight inflection in her tone.

She sat down on the bed, looking up to you still frozen, and it taking her all to get the next words to come out.

“I’ll tell you everything, just…promise you’ll listen to me. You deserve a proper explanation.”

“I…” You didn’t know what she meant; or you did know, and you just wanted it to be everything but that.

It was bound to come up, how Zoe's relationship with Jimmy really ended—and how much it’s really affected her since.

“I promise.” You walked over to her side of the room, opting to lay on the opposing side of the bed, staring up to the ceiling ready to dial in completely and listen.

She decided to do the same, lying down with her arms crossed, each word spoken so freely, coming after the next with the changing topics.

“My relationship with Jimmy wasn't complicated at first. We started as this on and off thing, not too serious, but also not casual in any way. We ‘officially’ got together around the start of summer. And for those first few weeks just getting started with break, it was probably the best feeling thing I’ll ever experience.”

“The best...?”

“I know what you’re gonna say, what made it the ‘best’ when it’s Jimmy we're talking about. But really, it was just his presence that made it special. We were always near each other. Inseparable almost, either at my folks place, or that old beach house spending time doing stupid shit together to make up for the fact we had nothing to do the entire summer—besides his stupid missions.” Her voice shifted, the annoyance present with the last sentence.

“Outside of those, it was just normal couple stuff, but it wasn’t like the holding hands and going to movies kinda thing, it was more of who could destroy the most shit in a factory without getting caught. Or who could tag the town hall without the cops chasing after us.”

“Oh? Is that why you’re always sneaking out to do that stuff on your own?” It wasn’t hard to believe she’d do something like that, a chuckle from her side confirming that.

“Yea, not as often as I used to though.” She lulled over her words, drawing in a deep breath before continuing.

“It was the little things in between that really solidified our relationship. I helped him with his hair every morning—and eventually taught him how to do the spiked hair look he always begged me to do. I bought my first tattoo gun, and we practiced on each other. Even though we were shit at drawing, we have matching tattoos, forever etched onto my body, a forever reminder of how good we used to be.”

“Can I see the tattoo?” You couldn’t tell if it was the appropriate time to ask—as you couldn’t see her face to get a good depiction of an emotion.

But surprisingly, she was reluctant.

“I knew you were gonna ask that.” She sat up, her head turned around with her back still facing you.,

“Lift up my shirt, it’s somewhere on my back.” You sat up, carefully lifting up her shirt with your fingers trailing against her spine—her skin soft and littered with freckles. Taking what felt like hours to lift up the shirt until you found it.

A skull tattoo, small and relatively okay for being done by Jimmy. But just one thing made it look weird.

“It kinda looks like a penis.” You could tell it offended her, the quickness by her pulling her shirt back down said it for you.

“Yea, I told you it wasn’t the best…But we were two idiots in love, fighting against the world that wanted nothing but the worst for us. But as you know, this story doesn’t have a fairytale ending exactly.” She laid back down, keeping her line of voice going, even if the emotions were starting to get to her, weighting heavier than anything previous.

But you didn’t know how much more you could take; the deep seeded insecurity inside you festering with each scenario Zoe told that played through your mind on looped replay.

Hearing all the stories—how compatible they were before disagreements took that away.

What made you the opposition? The one to change Jimmy from his ways from the one person that could truly get him?

A small dot, insignificant feeling on both sides of the problem, but still so grand on how both of them view you now. Even if Zoe told you otherwise with her continuing words of information.

“After that first month though, things started to go downhill. All of the missions and shit he’d do for other people started to pile up, and the lying started. He told me he’d never kiss another girl, or do any crazy favors for them, but if someone gave him money to do it, he’d switch up quicker then I could fucking blink. I tried to pretend it didn’t bother me, be the ‘cool girlfriend’ he wanted so badly; but I just couldn’t do it. We argued a lot over that shit, until one day he just…stopped talking to me. His stuff was still in the beach house, but he was never there, so I decided to be the one to officially cut ties.” You couldn’t find the right words to say after her rant. A congratulations for moving on? Condolences for possibly losing the love of her life? It was too complicated to think about, so you just let her keep talking.

“I moved all my stuff out, and went back to my place—and I spent the rest of my summer like that. It hurt like hell to see him switch up so quickly like that, so that’s why I could hardly believe he’d switch up for someone like you.”

“Yea, just keep poking at my already fragile ego about how different I am from you.”

“I was jealous, I can admit that. But deep down, I knew it wasn’t just jealousy, it was the fear of him doing the same shit to you like he did to me. You are the only person here who actually talked to me like I was human, and not some freak girl; so I thought if I tested him, kiss him to see if he was really committed. So you wouldn’t go through the same thing I did.” You wanted to say so many things, but your body language and facial expressions showed so much more.

Clenched jaw, furrowed brows with a stiffened stature. All signs of the discomfort and confusion this entire conversation caused you.

Which thankfully, was reaching a closing point. A closing point of realizing the amount of overthinking that will commence right after.

“I know I messed up things between you and Jimmy, I’m truly sorry for that. You don’t have to forgive me, or hate my guts for all I care. But if you take any of this conversation to heart, just…Go easy on Jimmy, listen and hear him out for what he wants to say. Give him the chance. He taught me how to enjoy life, even when it seemed dull he’d always find a way to make it better—and I know he can do the same for you.”

꩜⋆ ˚｡⋆୨˚

The days went by quick, the weekend leaving as soon as it arrived, blurred lines between days. But just in time for the cold, gloomy Tuesday morning class, chemistry.

It’s been torture for Jimmy, being next to you in class, and not being able to say anything.

Well, on the one day he went that following week. The rest of the days he couldn’t bare to be in the same vicinity as you and not speak and laugh together.

All of the happy, laughable moments when the teacher would say something so off the wall the only thing the two of you could do was turn to each other. Side eyes before laughing yourselves almost falling off the stool.

Which did happen to you once, he still holds that over you anytime you get a little too rocky in the chair. And every time he brings it up, you try to push him off. But he was always too strong for you to get enough momentum to push him.

All of the work assignments, the times he’d purposely act like he didn’t get it to get help from you, but your answer would end up being wrong too. So you’d argue with him up and down that he somehow made you get the answer wrong.

And then he’d argue, back you’re the worst teacher ever. And on the rare occasions, he’d be the one schooling you on what you got wrong. The ego getting to his head thinking he was the smartest of them all, and then horribly humbled when the next test rolled around.

Moments like these, is why he wanted to keep trying to work things out.

So here he was, sitting in the cold classroom, earlier then everyone else waiting for class to start.

And maybe just one chance for him to finally speak, say what he really wanted to on the night on Halloween.

“No…I can’t say that. Then it’ll look like I'm just recycling my words. I need to be original…Be. Original. THINK.” If people could read his thoughts, they’d look at him more crazily than they already did.

Being original, communication and other things of that nature were never his strong suit.

So imagine his surprise when you walked into class, seeing you in the same old boring uniform as everyone else, but still managing to outshine everyone even on there best days.

It was like an angel walked through the door and blessed his eyes, and blessed him even more when you gave your signature small smile, and waved to him before you sat down.

“Good morning Jimbo.” That nickname, oh he hated it so much, but it was probably the best sounding thing right now.

“Good…Morning to you too. How’s your day been so far?”

“It’s been okay. I’m just glad I didn’t get rained on.” Just on cue, Jimmy could hear the droplets of rain hitting against the window—a calming sound, and making it only harder to stay awake.

“Yea that’s nice I guess.” If awkward had a definition for a moment, it’d be this one. He only just let you settle into your seat before speaking again.

Trying again, one more time to win back what he missed so dearly.

“(Y/n) I don’t know if you wanna-”

“Zoe talked to me.” But it seems, you shared the same half brain cell when it came to confronting sensitive topics. As soon as he spoke, you spoke to early, cutting him off completely.

“She did?…When?” His voice lowered, like she was in the room listening in on the conversation.

“Last Friday. She told me everything... And that you didn’t wanna kiss her.”

“Finally, that only took you a week to figure out.”

“I’m sorry for being so rude at the party. I should’ve let you speak for yourself. I jumped to conclusions to soon.”

“You had a right to be mad, I’m over it now.” Was he really over it? Not really, but it seems like you were, so jumping to the next topic was the only option.

“And it’s true, you can trust me one hundred percent I didn’t want the kiss. I’m done with her.” He could finally articulate his thoughts, finalize in front of you that he wants nothing to do with Zoe.

Though, he wasn’t exactly out of the dog house yet.

“Well, I don't know if I can really trust her judgment, or her 'words of wisdom' to trust you.”

“Why not?”

“I gotta test it myself—to prove you’re innocent.”

“Oh come on, are you my lawyer now!?” It felt like nothing even happened, back to the same old banter, the normal flowing conversations.

It almost felt too good to be true. Which it probably was, but he won’t jinx himself.

“Yep, and I’m gathering evidence so you can just get a slap on the wrist, and set free. She said to give you a chance…so here's my chance. So don’t fuck it up Jimbo, you’re my best client, I have faith in you.” The class was starting to fill up, so only you could get the last word out. But Jimmy couldn’t even let the new found opportunity sit before the teacher walked in, obviously not prepared, and scattered brained like usual

“All right students! Your unprepared teacher here has to run to the copy machine to print these permission slips. I burnt most of them…experimenting yesterday.” He didn’t even explain himself this time around, pointing to a random student to be in charge of the class before he ran out.

“Permission slips?” Jimmy was the one to question, his absence causing his gap in knowledge to show.

“It’s the permission slips for a field trip. I think to the aquarium. I heard they were originally just taking the freshman biology classes. But the sophomores didn’t go last year, so they’re taking all the chem classes too.” The classroom soon cranked ten times in volume, the student he pointed to not making it any better being in ‘charge’.

With the conversation masked by the chatter, Jimmy found time to think of something.

“...Would you want to go with me?” The question seemed bold for Jimmy, feeling himself wanting to drill his head when you responded.

“Duh, we’re all going together. I was bound to go with you.”

“No, not like that! Like we stay together during the field trip.” You didn’t seem convinced, so he pulled out the last trick up his sleeve.

“I can get you a plushie too.”

“Oh my gosh REALLY?! Deal, sold, no negotiations.” He laughed, seeing your widened eyes and smiling face when he proposed the idea. He knew your weaknesses, and knew specifically that sea animals and plushies were some of the bunch. So both combined? It was a guaranteed success.

“Oh so now you only wanna agree because I’m promised I’d get you something.”

“No I was gonna say yea regardless.” The door swung, the teacher carrying the stacks of paper, and a packet of index cards. He had the same student he put in charge to pass out the papers, and one index card.

“Now, as you probably know. You here sophomores and…two juniors are eligible to go along with the freshman on the aquarium field trip. But they told me last minute I needed to have an assignment attached! So you’ll answer a few questions on the postcards.” The student reached your table, placing down the permission slip and not a second later you were reading all of the details.

────────────

Sea and Interactive Aquarium field trip: Meet date Friday, November 16th.

Meet at the Bullworth front gates to load the buses at 5:00am. Last call will be 5:30 for stragglers. If you do not make this time, you will be left to spend the rest of the day in the detention hall while the rest of your classmates have fun.

Students are able to bring money for food or soveniouers. In a special case if a student can’t provide their own lunch, they must tell their teacher to write in the school packs a lunch for them.

Students must wear full uniform, no sweaters or other items to cover up the uniform. Or you will be told to change, and the item will be confiscated.

Sign here: ________________________

────────────

The rest of the permission slip had rules and such to follow once they arrived. But you skipped it to sign your name at the bottom, passing up the paper with the biggest smile.

“My first field trip at Bullworth. I didn’t even know we had the money for this kind of stuff.”

“I’m just as surprised as you.” Jimmy soon signed his paper also, passing it up just in time for the teachers last announcement.

“Okay, on your post cards, I came up with the uber-genius question to ask. Name 10 fish, or things in the aquarium, that would look reallyyyy good fried or grilled up!” As he spoke, he wrote down the question on the board. But the collective marks and gasps made him turn around and drop his marker.

“Don’t act like you all haven’t thought of it too! And don’t complain, because this assignment just went from extra credit, to mandatory!” The class chatted and tried to oppress his idea. But he was really doing them a favor. An easy assignment that can probably get done in the first 10 minutes of walking through.

“Well…it’s better than an actual assignment I guess.” You mumbled, lying your head down on the cold table.

The class eventually lowered in volume, the rest of the period being used as a free day for catch up work.

Or for you, catching up on sleep. The lights being dimmed upon requests, and the soft tapping of the rain against the window, it was the perfect formula for an optimal nap.

But you felt something tap your shoulder, but stop the second you started to stir, a voice instead, stringing your ear.

“I don’t know if you’re sleeping but…I want this field trip to prove you can trust me. I’ve been shitty in the past, but now I know better, and how to make it up to you. It’s been rocky these past couple weeks, and I hope this field trip can bring us back to how we used to be, or something more.”

╰┈➤ ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨˚

“Something more?” You knew pretending to be asleep while Jimmy spoke was the best idea you could ever come up with.

Though right after, you did actually lull to sleep, only to again, be woken up by Jimmy telling you class was over.

You rubbed the drowsiness out your eyes and packed up. Looking outside to see it’s still raining.

And this day, was the one time you forgot your umbrella.

“Damn it!” You yelled, aggressively searching through your bag for the 5th time, but still no umbrella magically appeared.

“What is it?” Jimmy questioned, peeking over into your bag to see you’re almost forearm deep into it.

“I left my umbrella in my room. And I just got my hair to look right today.” You swear you felt Jimmy’s eyes glue for an extra few seconds, but quickly pushing away those delusions when you realized you’re gonna have to choose to A: Run out to your room to get your books and notes, and look crazy for the rest of the day. Or B: Go without the books and notes and get chewed out by the teacher.

It was starting to look like either choice was terrible, preferably the second one if you did the embarrassing honors of looking over at someone's book.

“You can use my jacket.” Jimmy heard your problem, and jumped to speed to solve it. Taking his jacket off, you look up to see him extending it out to hand.

“But how will you stay dry?”

“I don’t need to leave the building for a while, I’ll be fine, just promise you’ll bring it back.”

“Can’t say, this jacket is pretty nice.” He cracked a smile, turning away at the next moment to leave you as the last remaining people in the classroom.

You slid the jacket on, mainly just using it to cover your hair and run back to the dorm.

Scrounging through your room you found your umbrella, sliding off the jacket to hang it up to dry.

In the same corner, was an all too familiar reminder of a scenario that almost played out exactly like this one.

Gary’s sweater vest, discarded and thrown into the corner. Promising you’d return it to him, but all of the crazy shit getting in the way and distracting you from getting rid of the ugly reminder.

It was poetic in a way, both of them items used to shield you from something, but in polar opposite ways. The vest to protect your ill fitting uniform—showing the ugly start but festering beginnings after a few days of forgetting the skeleton in the closet. Each use being more worn in than others, but not wanting to show any signs of it.

The jacket, showing redemption. Forgetting something so important, but there to serve as a blanket of new beginnings because of a missing piece. The hole filled, but with something else that was just a place holder.

Was this how you felt about them? Jimmy and Gary being compared to pieces of clothing?

It seemed stupid, but it helped you ground yourself. Start to really think of ways to separate and start to lean on one more.

Sure one answer would be more obvious than the other—but in Bullworth fashion, things can always switch up.

Just like today, a letter appeared.

Well not really appeared, but handed to you. Zoe showing you the plain unlabeled white letter.

“Who is this letter from? It’s creepy.” You stood in the doorway, holding and observing the mysterious letters for any clues on who it was from. But to no avail, no clues pointed towards anything.

“I don’t know, some freshman boy handed it to me. Maybe you have a secret admirer.”

“Or a stalker.” You muttered, crossing the threshold of the door to go sit at your desk.

Looking on the outside wasn’t gonna do you justice. So you tore it open, pulling back the tab and pulling out the folded paper. A thick sheet, smelling faintly of a woody, musky cologne that made your nostrils flare.

It was a familiar scent. Way to familiar for just to be a once off occasion someone walked past wearing the exact cologne that somehow transferred onto the paper.

And revealed itself to be all of true when you unfolded the paper. Heart beating past the speed of time when you say his name at the top of the paper.

Gary Smith.

────────────

To (Y/n): From Gary Smith

I hope this letter finds you, as I don’t think it would have been accepted if I were to hand it to you myself. I would prefer to talk in person, but this will have to suffice. It’s been hard for me to come to terms with a lot of things recently, hence why I haven’t talked to you as much as we used to. It hurts. I avoid your looks, your gaze that I used to taunt you for, but I actually miss once it’s stopped. My main reason for writing this letter is I want to apologize. Not some heartless apology just to get you to shut up and get back on your good side. 

A test of time and really see why I was so wrong. Even on our first day of meeting each other, you saw the ugly side of it, and each situation after that seems to grow. I was too pushy at the Halloween party, completely seeing the situation in a different light when I could’ve just talked and communicated with you. You just looked so beautiful, I couldn’t help but admire how beautiful you looked in your costume. I deeply regret pushing you off at the beach. I’ve taken time to realize what I’ve done, and how I pushed your feelings to the side because I was scared of what came next. It was a special day for the both of us. And I want to make it up to you again, to start over and show you how much I care.

The field trip is in 2 days, and I want you to go with me. We can have a great time together, only if you want to go with me. So if you want to go, meet me by the gates at 4:45. I’ll have something to give to you if you decide to come with me. The guilt is eating me up on the inside, and I don’t know how much more I can take of us being apart like this. I miss us together. And I want to change for you. I promise I will.

────────────

You had to reread the letter. Over and over again, each time your mind going almost the same speed as your beating heart.

But the one thing that sold it for you, was the invite to hang out with him on the field trip.

The one Jimmy already invited you to.