#deblice

Half of the Lautski part was going to be barneston but I blacked out and it’s all Lautski

someone suggested I put Virginia on my Zoey playlist and now I love Boys Go To Jupiter tysm

I was going to put less Lautski on this one cuz they actually survive their stories but next thing I knew

“Come on, Alice!” 

The sun was shining, the birds were singing, the parking lot of Hatchetfield High was empty, and Ziggs was skating around, or attempting to skate, at least. Really, what they were doing was wobbling like a newborn giraffe. Alice Woodward laughed to herself, perched on a bench that sat outside the school, donning a pair of second-hand skates she’d borrowed from her mother just for the occasion.

“Shut up, you know I can’t skate well.” She stretched her legs, watching as Ziggs took a nosedive onto the pavement, then stood again, laughing wildly.

“Come on, don’t leave me alone out here!” Ziggs whined, attempting to push off but falling again, this time into the grass at Alice’s feet. “I don’t wanna fall on my ass all alone! It’s not my fault I’m built like a baby horse!”

Alice giggled, sighing and reaching out for their hand. “Deb’s not even here yet and you’re already covered in dirt.”

“I’m always covered in dirt,” they stated proudly. “It’s my natural form, Alice. High off my ass and laying on the ground.”

“Whatever you say, Ziggy.” She helped them to the bench beside her. Their breath heaved, but they were grinning. A few moments passed before Deb rolled in.

Deb had never gotten her driver’s license, nor her permit. The moment she pulled aside, Ziggs was shooting out finger guns. 

“Yo! Stupid bike!” They called. Deb flipped them off, swinging a leg over the old black bicycle and leaning it up against a nearby tree. She made a beeline toward Alice, who practically jumped into her arms, unsteady because of the skates. 

“You two haven’t been having fun without me, have you?” Deb stepped back, still clutching Alice’s hand to keep her upright. She was wearing a plain white tee, arms covered by her favourite tattered orange flannel, a pair of paint-stained jeans with a carabiner clipped to a belt loop, and a pair of brown hiking boots. Her backpack was slung over her shoulder, and her curly reddish brown hair was tucked neatly under a beanie. Smirking, she helped Alice back to the bench, kicked up some pebbles in Ziggs’ direction, tossed her bag down on the ground, and removed her skates from it.

Alice shifted over on the bench to give her girlfriend room. “You’re gonna teach me, right?” She batted her eyelashes. 

Deb elbowed her jokingly, sliding off her boots to reveal mismatched socks underneath. “I’d be honored.” She thrust her right foot into a skate, then her left, and tied them tight. “Your skates fit?”

“Well enough,” Alice shrugged. 

“I’ll get you new ones, princess.” Deb winked flirtingly, and Alice felt her face grow warm. It was funny, the way Deb was able to make her feel so flustered, like a schoolgirl with a crush, despite the fact that they’d been dating for almost a year.

“Let’s see if she can actually do it, first.” Ziggs stumbled to the side of the bench. Deb shot them a look, then proclaimed matter-of-factly: “Of course she will. It’s you I’m worried about, is that a bloodstain on your leg? Did you cut yourself?”

“Skinned knee shminned shmee~” Ziggs attempted to spin, lost their balance, and almost ate the pavement. Deb smiled and rolled her eyes.

“Well, c’mon, Alice.” She got to her feet and pulled Alice up with her. “We’ll start slow so you don’t end up like this dumbass.”

Alice shifted her weight onto Deb, hunched over like a grandma on her walker. “Catch me, please, Deb, we know I’m gonna fall!” 

“Nuh-uh!” Deb pushed off, tugging Alice along. They moved slowly, but Alice was gaining confidence fast. She stood up a little straighter, put more pressure on her own two feet. 

“See? You’re doing it, Al!” Deb linked her arm with her girlfriend’s, beaming. “You’re gonna be a pro in no-time!”

“Next time, maybe we should go to the Rollerama.” Ziggs pointed out helpfully from the ground. “You know, so Alice and I can actually learn?”

“Shut it, fuckhead,” Deb teased. “Alice is learning just fine from me, you’re just stupid.” 

“Touchee…” 

“Though I don’t doubt you’d love to use one of those plastic things they teach little kids to skate with.”

“Hey!”

It went on for hours. They had originally agreed to meet at two and skate for an hour or so, then split. But once Alice had the hang of it, she was living the dream, hand in hand with Deb, flying around the parking lot. By the time they were done, the sun was far west in the sky.

“We should probably head out…” Deb whispered into Alice’s neck, pulling her back into a hug and holding her close. Alice leaned into the warmth, entangling both hands with Deb’s.

“See you tomorrow?” She murmured, to her girlfriend and to herself. Deb nodded against her skin. Alice pulled away, turning around embracing Deb from the front. Deb placed a kiss onto her forehead, sweeping her hair out of her eyes and tapping her finger against her nose.

“You free on Saturday, princess? I wanna take you skating for real. You, me, Rollerama, as long as you want. Sounds good?”

“Sounds great, babe.”

As if on cue, Deb cupped Alice’s face in her hands and drew her in for a quick peck on the lips, which quickly turned into a scattering of kisses all across her face. Alice squinted her eyes shut, blushing profusely. 

“See you Saturday. I love you, princess.”