#factory athletic club

[angldelight]

Mad!max who treats his gf like too much of the queen he sees her to be, letting her wear his shoes after clubbing bc the stilettos are hurting her feet. He carries her home over his shoulder since they're too drunk to drive, walking in his socks

More from me, -ghost anon 👻

hi ghost anon ! ur so cute.

- mad!max who lifts his gf up. 😭 doesn’t matter how heavy you are, this man is a TRAINEDDDD athlete. he’s lifting you up the minute you mewl out “maxie.. my feet hurt.”

and don’t come at me saying how maxwould shout and get mad at his girl. this man had the blueprint to burn down the ferrari factory because of a bad strategy.

mad!max who gives his gf his jacket every time they go out, or his scarf or his gloves— he’d give her his life if needed.

mad!max who pushes his card into her hand telling her to go and have a good time before gently pushing her towards the mall entrance. all because she had a bad day.

yeah, mad!max is what you call a loyal man (a submissive one in some ways too).

[oh-obrien]

GRID ACE 0.5

GAMER READER x Lestappen SMAU

Summary: Reader is a Red Bull e-sports athlete who happens to catch the attention of two particular drivers with her streams.

All pictures are from Pinterest and reader has various face claims!!

Part five and I promised this one would be the last but I’m a slut for this pairing apparently and can keep going🤭

Look for one or two more parts!

Also look out for a Maxiel college SMAU!!

Comment to be tagged ☺️

Masterlist / Previous Part / Next Part (my links aren’t working right now I’ll be fixing it tonight 😊)

Xx.y/n.xX just posted

Las Vegas, Nevada

Liked by Yourbestfriend, Landonorris, and 45,688 others

Xx.y/n.xX , @ yourbestfriend and the grid... not sold separately.

Yourbestfriend shop the package deal today!

-> Danielricciardo it's like those American stores that sell huge amounts of things!

-> Xx.y/n.xX today on @ Danielricciardo can't google the correct terms: Big Box Stores

-> Landonorris to be fair he isn't American and he's trying

-> Xx.y/n.xX hey, @ landonorris. Five. Seconds.

-> Oscarpiastri great now he's crying in the corner

-> Danielricciardo @ landonorris crying in the club (the hotel bathroom) because he just received the most devastating news ever (y/n was a bitch) even though it was expected (y/n is a bitch every day)

-> Yourbestfriend WOAH WOAH WOAH DANNY BOY. She might me a bitch but she's my bitch.

-> Maxverstappen1 my bitch.

-> Charles_leclerc ours*

User1 MY PARENTS ARE PARENTING IN THE COMMENTS

-> User2 sometimes I forget they're actually dating and then they whip out that

-> User3 no because Max and Charles will just say our girlfriend sometimes and my brain like factory resets

-> User4 NO LIKE Y/N LITERALLY SAID MY BOYFRIENDS ON STREAM THE OTHER DAY AND I WAS KICKING MY FEET GIGGLING

-> Landonorris imagine how tired we are of it.

->User1 LANDO NO

-> Georgerussell63 imagine how tired we are.

-> User5 I’m D E A D GEORGE TOO

f1 you all better be ready to race next weekend after this one

-> Redbullracing what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

-> McLaren we don’t want to hear wedding bells only car engines

-> Scuderiaferrari VROOOOOOOM

-> Xx.y/n.xX they’ll all be in tip top racing shape for next weekend 🫡

-> User1 EXCUSE ME WEDDING BELLS???

User6 I’m trying to tell who on the grid is out all together.

User7 I WANT TO KNOW WHOS FINGER HAS THAT FAT ROCK ON IT IN THE SECOND PICTURE.

-> User8 THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TRYING TO FIGIRE OUT TOO. THERES TWO THOUGH SO LIKE???

-> User7 I feel like it can’t be Y/N she always has really fun nails and they just hard launched like a few weeks ago

-> User9 my boyfriend is a RB mechanic and says this has been going on for well over a year now

-> User10 it always makes me mildly uncomfy when people speculate about this stuff

-> User7 girl sit down they’re public figures

-> User10 it can really easily just be a friend out with them and one one of the drivers SO’s though

-> User11 Y/N in her gold digger era bagging two F1 drivers

-> Xx.y/n.xX my contract from professional gaming ensures I don’t need to “bag” anyone thank you very much. Sorry you can’t find one man to love you let alone two ☕️

-> User12 OH MY GOD THAT IS INSANE

-> User13 period Queen 👑

𓈒⠀𓂃⠀⠀˖⠀𓇬⠀˖⠀⠀𓂃⠀𓈒

Landonorris just added to their story

Story Replies:

DanielRicciardo : you’re going to be in trouble for this one

Landonorris : Danny boy, Max posted it with me while Charles and y/n were on their bathroom break.

Georgerussell63 : Today on Lando breaks the internet

Landonorris : it’s my duty 🫡

Xx.y/n.xX : If I wasn’t so hungover right now I’d be mad about this.

Landonorris : your lovely fiancé told me I should post it

Xx.y/n.xX : my lovely fiancé was almost as drunk as I was and his judgement was impaired

Landonorris : no, max was actually pretty in his right mind.

Xx.y/n.xX : if he wasn’t out getting me and Char coffee right now I’d be more mad about this

Yourbestfriend : best man 🤝🏻 maid of honor 🤝🏻 being menaces to society

Landonorris : you know it sweetheart

Yourbestfriend : sweetheart?

Landonorris : did I stutter ?

Yourbestfriend : 🫣

𓈒⠀𓂃⠀⠀˖⠀𓇬⠀˖⠀⠀𓂃⠀𓈒

User1 E X C U S E M E?????? I know we all went FERAL over Lando’s post last night but WHAT??

-> User2 I just assumed it was one of his friends. I did not realize the rest of the grid was there

-> User3 I bartended for most of the event last night and I can tell you they brought out the club and if you KNEW who it was you’d go INSANE!

-> User1 GIRL YOU CANNOT JUST SAY THAT

-> User3 the couple was ALL OVER each other.

User4 REMBER Y/N’s INSTA THE OTHER DAY??? We NEED to figure out whose hand that ring was on!!!

-> User5 my vote is on Max, Charles and Y/N

-> User6 Y/N’s Val team was posting on their stories that they were in Vegas a couple days ago, why else would they be there?

-> User7 Y/N’s best friend has also been posting that she’s in Vegas.

-> User5 she’s been traveling with the grid also, I think there’s something else going on there with her and a driver as well.

F1forthegirls BREAKING : an unnamed source has confirmed that the party was for Y/N, Max and Charles. The source c confirms that Land and Yourbestfriend rented out the club, set up catering and tapped most of the grid to help decorate.

-> User8 NO FUCKING WAY THIS IS TRUE

-> User9 Until my mother confirms absolutely nothing is true!

-> User10 WHEN DID THEY GET TOGETHER THIS IS INSANE

-> User3 they were like a bunch of love drunk idiots last night it’s definitely real. Those boys WORSHIP her

-> User11 WE NEED MORE DETAILS @ user3

-> User3 nah they deserve to keep is mostly private! They haven’t even announced yet and this leaked!

𓈒⠀𓂃⠀⠀˖⠀𓇬⠀˖⠀⠀𓂃⠀𓈒

Xx.y/n.xX just posted

Las Vegas, Nevada

Xx.y/n.xX Max and Charles have the best pit crews but I have the best “I Do” crew.

User14 I AM SO SORRY BUT W H A T THE ACTUAL FUCK

-> Xx.y/n.xX ahh you can’t say fuck, penalty.

-> User14 HELLO???

Danielricciardo I made a great pick with the last decorations

-> Xx.y/n.xX 🙄

-> Landonorris I HELPED

-> Xx.y/n.xX no boys allowed ✋🏻❌

Yourbestfriend girly really goes for it with the hard launches

-> Xx.y/n.xX it’s my specialty 🤭

User15 are we just not going to ask when this happened???

-> User16 so it was totally y/n in her last post with the MASSIVE engagement ring

-> User17 it looks like a stack my bet is she got two rings actually

-> User18 each boy would’ve definitely gotten her one

-> User19 I NEED THE DETAILS!!!

-> User20 I want to know when they ACTUALLY got together being that they’re apparently ENGAGED now??

Maxverstappen1 what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas

-> Charles_leclerc no you just party too hard to remember

-> Georgerussell63 actually @ oscarpiastri and I needed to drag you and Y/N out of the club, Max was perfectly fine.

-> Maxverstappen1 exactly.

-> User21 WHY AM I THINKING ABOUT LOVE DRUNK MAX GIGGLING WHILE HE FOLLOWS THEM BACK TO THE HOTEL

-> Xx.y/n.xX @ Landonorris drop the vid!!!

Redbullgaming excuse me that’s OUR top frag we’d like to keep her!!!

-> Redbullracing actually she’s coming home with me

-> Scuderiaferrari I feel like we deserve a place in this conversation now also

Yourteammate1 THE BEST WEEKEND 🍾 🎊

-> Yourteammate2 THE BEST BRIDE TO BE

Valorantesports Whatever they’re doing I like it!

-> Xx.y/n.xX admin pulling out the Neon vocie lines 🥹🫶🏻

𓈒⠀𓂃⠀⠀˖⠀𓇬⠀˖⠀⠀𓂃⠀𓈒

Charles_leclerc just posted

Tagged @ Xx.y/n.xX, @ maxverstappen1

Comments on this post have been limited

Liked by Landonorris, yourbestfriend, and 1.23M others

Charles_leclerc Together is a wonderful place to be

Xx.y/n.xX Forever and ever and ever!!

Maxverstappen1 of course this is the picture you picked

-> Charles_leclerc it happens to be one of my favorites

-> Xx.y/n.xX they’re all my favorites

Landonorris ITS HAPPENING STAY CALM! STAY CALM!

-> Danielricciardo he is not calm

-> Oscarpiastri he’s definitely not calm

Scuderiaferrari CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR FUTURE FERRARI ROYALTY (and max too we guess)

-> Redbullracing truce?

-> Scuderiaferrari we’re still coming for that world championship

Carlossainz55 🍾🎊🥳 Congratulations!!

𓈒⠀𓂃⠀⠀˖⠀𓇬⠀˖⠀⠀𓂃⠀𓈒

Maxverstappen1 just posted

Tagged @ Xx.y/n.xX, @ charles_leclerc

Comments on this post have been limited

Liked by redbullracing , georgerussell63 and 1.83M others

Maxverstappen1 My favorite place is next to you

-> Xx.y/n.xX and Char*

-> charles_leclerc AND CHAR!

DanielRicciardo let the festivities begin!

-> Xx.y/n.xX Danny’s in his wedding planner era

-> DanielRicciardo at your service m’lady

Redbullgaming Two world champions and a soon to be world champion? UNSTOPPABLE!

-> Maxverstappen1 Hell yeah! My crew delivers!

-> Valorantesports Max Verstappen three time world champion pulling out OUR voice lines? AHHHHH

-> Xx.y/n.xX you’re not ready for Max’s Geckko main arc.

Lewishamilton Congrats, mate! Lucky to have gotten a front row seat to your story.

-> Xx.y/n.xX 🫶🏻

Tag list : @that-one-little-soybean @menagerofmischief @delululeclerc @evermoreandroyalblue @tsnelf7 @dukeofjjune

[eddy25960]

FACTORY ATHLETIC CLUB n2 - Saber Dridi photographed by Baldovino Barani x factoryfanzine

[read-marx-and-lenin]

People around me keep assuming that Chinese Olympians are basically forced to compete at gunpoint, which I think was also the stereotype for the USSR. Do you have any recommendations to learn more about how communist countries manage their athletes? Thank you so much if you have!

I'm not too into sports-related things myself, but I've had Pat Sloan's Soviet Democracy on the mind recently after arguing with that one troll, and that talks briefly about the funding and organization of athletics in the Soviet Union at the time (the pre-war Stalin era.)

Just as in the sphere of the theatre there is an opportunity for the ordinary amateur to become a professional, so, too, in painting and writing, in sport and in science. A reference to sport in this connection may raise a query in the minds of certain readers. Does this mean that there is professionalism in Soviet sport? The answer is that in the U.S.S.R. today the facilities for sport are rapidly growing all over the country. New sports grounds are being laid out, and factories and collective farms, towns, and villages, have their teams, which compete against each other in separate matches and league competitions. But these teams require trainers. And the trainers are the “professionals” in the Soviet Union. Any Soviet worker can participate in sport free of charge. Those who are good enough to play in their town or factory teams have their expenses paid when away from home, and draw the equivalent of their wages from the sports club when away for matches or training. Those who are outstanding at any sport become eligible for the whole-time work of instructor to other teams. In this way the road is open for the amateur sportsman to become a full-time professional instructor.

Pat Sloan, Soviet Democracy, 1937

While not every socialist state is comparable to the Soviet Union, and the Soviet Union itself was not the same throughout its existence, I think this example serves to demonstrate that a socialist economy is perfectly capable of fostering athletics without resorting to force.

If anyone has any recommendations for other resources regarding sports in socialist countries, please leave them in the notes!

[virtualdummy]

You can use your consumer power to support Palestine!

Here’s how:

WHAT IS A TARGETED BOYCOTT?

Imagine a group of people where each person is boycotting a different company. Now imagine a group of people where each person boycotting the same company. The second group has organized a targeted boycott.

Targeted boycotts focus consumer power on select companies to create incremental, yet high-impact change. Once a targeted company changes its behavior, consumers move on to boycotting a new one.

HOW DO I BOYCOTT SOMETHING?

Sometimes boycotting is as simple as not purchasing a product. Boycotting also includes direct actions.

This can look like:

Asking government agencies to not collaborate or contract with targeted brands.

Asking banks to stop investing in targeted brands.

Asking local stores to remove a targeted brand from their shelves.

Asking your workplace or university to stop buying supplies from a targeted brand.

Changing your retirement and other investment accounts to avoid targeted brands.

Signing a boycott pledge, and asking peers to join you.

WHICH COMPANIES SHOULD I BOYCOTT?

Companies that play clear and direct roles in an issue are selected for targeted boycotts.

BDS, a Palestinian-led organization, has made a list of seven companies to boycott that directly support Israel's occupation of Palestine.

AHAVA

AHAVA is a cosmetics brand. They have factories and a main store on an Israeli settlement.

Starter Ideas:

• Don't buy AHAVA products.

• Write or call local beauty supply stores and ask them to remove AHAVA from their shelves.

АХА

AXA is an insurance provider. They invest in Israeli banks that fund Israel's theft of Palestinian land and resources.

Starter Ideas:

• See if you can switch insurance providers.

• Spread the word about AXA's investments.

HP

HP is a tech brand. They help run the biometric ID system that Israel uses to surveil and restrict Palestinian people.

Starter Ideas:

• Don't buy office products from HP.

• Ask your workplace or university to stop buying HP office supplies.

PRODUCE

Fruits, vegetables and wines are often labeled "Product of Israel" when they come from stolen Palestinian land.

Starter Ideas:

• Don't buy produce with "Product of Israel" stickers.

• Ask local grocery stores to stop purchasing produce from Israel

PUMA

PUMA is an athletic brand. They sponsor teams from Israel's Football Association that occupy Palestinian land.

Starter Ideas:

• Don't buy athletic gear from PUMA.

• Write or call sports teams, clubs, and athletes, and ask them to drop PUMA.

SIEMENS

Siemens is a multinational company. They helped Israel build settlements on Palestinian land by supplying electricity and fossil fuels.

Starter Ideas:

• Check if your retirement account is investing money to Siemens.

• Support the EastMed pipeline campaign.

SABRA

Sabra hummus is owned by PepsiCo and the Strauss Group, an Israeli food company that provides financial support to the Israeli army.

Starter Ideas:

• Don't buy Sabra products.

• Pressure local grocery stores to stop purchasing Sabra products.

FOLLOW BDS FOR THE LATEST BOYCOTT NEWS!

[ymaohoh]

'Rule 63' - Hellcheer Fic - Oneshot

Superstar athlete Chris Cunningham is struggling with nightmares and visions and goes to freaky Ellie Munson for relief. Rule 63' - Gender Swap - Hellcheer AU Basically a gender swap version of 'Chrissy Lives' Characters are kind of OC but not really. I've tried to keep them as character-based as possible but there had to be minor tweaks to make it realistic in the 80's. POV switches between characters.

Ellie is 19. Chris is 18. Really enjoyed writing this one. Let me know what you think and if I should do another chapter. Also on Archive. Word count: 9,322 Rated: No ratings, some swearing.

Setting: Hawkins High School

Date: 1986, baby

Introducing: 

Ellie Munson, lead guitarist in amateur rock band Corroded Coffin, repeating her senior year again because she has crap grades and a rebellious streak. Her interests? Dungeons and Dragons (she runs the Hellfire Club as D&M and rules with an iron fist), listening to heavy metal at full volume with the car windows rolled down, and reading (and getting high to) The Hobbit, Dune, and other fantasy books which let her drift away. She was the school pariah because she didn’t play by the same rules - ‘a freak’ - and people just didn’t like her very much. The other students (and most of Hawkins) hissed she was a ‘bad influence’ - a junkie slut, trailer trash, juvenile delinquent - who would no doubt end up just like her shitty mom. Oh they were just waiting for the day she stumbled and proved them right. 

Ellie wasn’t so sure - she was mean and scary, yes, and she played up the freak role at school because it made certain dickheads keep their distance - but she knew she wanted more out of life. This year she was getting her diploma and getting the fuck out of Hawkins and away from these small-minded hicks. They could literally kiss her ass. 

Introducing: 

Chris Cunningam, captain of the basketball team and hot-shot athlete with college scholarships coming out of his ears. His interests? Sports, tutoring (his grades were outstanding), and being a perfect all-round good guy who everybody simply fawned over. Guys were lining up to be his buddy and girls wanted to date him. You’d think he’d be this obnoxious douchebag but Chris stood out from his peers - he was kind, patient, always looking out for the little guy. Everyone knew Chris had the perfect future lined up for the taking (a stable high-earning job within his dad’s law firm, a big house with the white picket fence, a beautiful wife and children). 

Chris wasn’t so sure - people didn’t want to see the real him - the guy who hated parties and crowds, who couldn’t do anything without his dad breathing down his fucking neck, who was so petrified of letting people down and not being perfect that it gave him panic attacks. Nobody asked him what he wanted to do after school and sometimes (just sometimes) he would let himself imagine a future away from Hawkins and all the stress. 

Enter stage left: 

Ellie was known to be the school dealer. She even had a system; people would drop a note in her locker with a time and place and she would meet them, easy peasy. Her rules? Cash only, not on a night when she had Hellfire, and absolutely no questions. She didn’t give a shit about why they wanted the weed or who they wanted to impress, she just wanted to get in and out with zero complications. Selling weed was not something she wanted to do forever but it meant she could save up for if - no, when - she graduated. 

She couldn’t exactly get a normal job packing groceries because the whole town thought she was a good-for-nothing junkie who would steal from the tills rather than do an honest day’s labour, and she was too young to work in the factory with her aunt. 

Some of the money went towards helping her aunt with the bills. Wendy took her in when she was still a kid and her parents split in the middle of the night without even a goodbye or see you later. Wendy was a confirmed spinster and worked a lot so Ellie often had the trailer to herself, but they made it work. She was nice, sturdy, calm; a good balance to Ellie’s puzzling inner chaos. 

(she tried explaining to Mr Kelley about her crazy brain and how sometimes it wouldn’t let her focus but he just told her to lay off the pot, which to be fair wasn’t terrible advice overall). 

So when Ellie arrived at school (late as usual) and found a neatly folded note in her locker she didn’t really give it much thought until she saw the initials at the bottom - C.C.

No fucking way…

But it had to be him because who else would write please and thank you in a drug note then the resident goody-two-shoes Chris Cunningham? 

She only had one class with Chris - English (her worst and seemingly his best) - and he was different from the other douchebag jocks. He never once picked on her or called her a freak and even told the cheerleader Patty to lay off when she tried stealing her notes. He’d smiled and given her a little nod as to say ‘it’s cool’ and for a second he made her believe it. That was the thing about Chris: he was nice, he was kind, and he never told a lie. 

(it was no wonder she struggled in that class, but she would rather die than tell judgy ol’ Mr O'Donnell about it).

Chris had a killer smile too - though his front tooth was slightly crooked (which somehow made it even better?) - and the bluest eyes she ever saw. He was also ripped. He must work out a lot because his arms looked like they could easily toss you over his strong shoulder or rip a phonebook in half. Not that she’d noticed, obviously, but the scribbles in the bathroom stalls went on and on about his muscles, his shoe size, his (perfect) butt. To her absolutely shame (and she would never ever admit it even under torture) she once imagined in class how nice it might be to be held by those arms. Ugh. 

Sure she was an outcast and liked traditionally unfeminine pursuits, but she was still a girl. She had hormones and feelings and all the crazy stuff that made teenage years super fun. 

(and yeah Chris had once cheered for her during a stupid talent contest in middle school but that was years ago and he was only being nice). 

It would never happen, this wasn’t The Breakfast Club (Wendy loved these kinds of films - she would drag Ellie to the video rental place every weekend for a new one. Ellie liked Robin who worked there (he was pretty outlandish too) but former ‘It Girl’ Stacey was intimidating as fuck. She had no idea how the two were friends). 

Chris was a solid 9 whereas she was a 3 on a good day if she stopped doing weird shit to her hair. He might be Emilio Estevez but she was no Ally Sheedy. 

Even if she wanted to suddenly change her clothes and slap on some make up (seriously, what was that ending?), those big strong arms were busy hugging his actual girlfriend Jackie Carver (and carrying her books, opening doors for her, probably opening goddamn jars too). Jackie Carver was head cheerleader and the darling of the school. She was the perfect match for Chris in every conceivable way; church going, wholesome, sickeningly rich. Apart from the occasional teasing, the jocks tended to leave Ellie alone for the most part but the cheerleaders were another matter entirely. They loathed her - and to be fair, she hated them right back. Jackie was the ringleader and Ellie simply loved getting a rise out of her.

(this wasn’t hard to do; she only had to mention how she was joining a Satan-worshipping cult and little Miss Carver would hiss like an alley cat). 

So yeah, in conclusion Chris was a good guy and the last person she would ever expect to ask for drugs. It almost made her want to break rule number three. 

His note asked to meet at the abandoned picnic bench during lunch period which meant she had to wolf down her sandwich and get a move on. She told her little sheepies with a wink she had private business to attend to and left before they could give her any sass (Dusty was seriously showing too much attitude for her own good). Her bandmates only nodded, well used to her side-hustle. 

As she walked through the trees she had a fleeting thought that this could be a prank or a set up. Were the cheerleaders waiting to jump her and steal her stash or tip another slushie down the front of her shirt? (that was a seriously shit day). Would Queen Bee Jackie be waiting instead of her prized King? 

Ellie was too scrawny to be a fighter, but her dad had done at least one useful thing in teaching her how to throw a punch (when he still gave a shit) and she was scrappy. She could also read people and situations well. She kinda’ had to. As a girl dealer in 80’s Indiana it was crucial she could make speedy decisions on whether best to fight or fly. 

She decided to run at the first sight of a green and orange pom pom. 

And maybe a tiny part of her was quite interested to meet Cunningham alone in the woods. 

**

Chris was going insane…or maybe not insane exactly, but he was definitely on the edge of some kind of nervous breakdown. His head was pounding and he was so damn tired from all the restless nights. He hadn’t felt this bad since freshman year when he was trying to beef up enough to make the team (months of eating nothing but carbs and protein shakes/constant calorie counting/early morning runs that made him want to puke his guts out). 

He needed some kind of relief. 

Painkillers did nothing and he wouldn’t go near his mom’s valium in case she noticed (though the odds of that were…yeah). He saw Mr Kelley at their weekly therapy sessions but it would sound so dumb if he started bringing up the strange ticking noises and dreams that seemed more like hallucinations. It was too dangerous anyway; he'd probably tell his coach who would then blab to his parents. Then he’d really get it in the neck. His parents hated anything out of the ordinary. He could already hear his dad calling him a punk, a loser, and an embarrassment. 

“Chrissss,” he’d say, dragging it out like he always did when he was mad. “I’ve worked hard to give you and your sister everything. Now you want to wreck it all by crying about feelings like some girl? Get a grip, son. A real man knows who he is and what he wants out of life. Don’t let me down.”

In the end it was a teammate who suggested Ellie Munson. He told him about the note system too. He warned Chris that Ellie was creepy and to be careful, even if she did sell decent pot. She wasn’t the kind of girl you wanted to know.

He was anxious as hell as he walked to the meeting spot, and more so when he got there and saw…no one. 

Damn. Had she not seen the note? Or maybe she just didn’t want to sell to him? He didn’t really know Ellie personally but being a high-school athlete came hand in hand with a certain…reputation. Perhaps she thought he was just another cliche dumb jock looking to make trouble?

(he knew the guys gave her a hard time and tried to intervene when he saw it. He hated bullies - they reminded him of his crappy dad - but yeah, he could probably do more if he was honest with himself. It was hard when Ellie basically gave the finger to anyone who even approached her though). 

With a sigh, he decided to head back. This was all probably a bad idea anyway; he’d never even touched a joint before and if his parents or coach or Jackie found out they’d seriously kill him. His perfectly curated image would be in shatters. 

And Jackie could be really cold when she wanted to be. It always made him feel like he was walking on eggshells. 

But then Chris heard that creepy ticking noise again and he flinched back. 

Then a snap.

He whirled around and came face to face with Ellie Munson, who held her hands up. “Woah…hey…sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you. You okay?”

Chris nodded but he kept back. The ticking had stopped but that didn’t mean it wouldn’t start back up again. God, he really was going insane. He’d end up like Jack Nicholson in that creepy film with the white straight jackets at this rate. 

Ellie sat down at the table and placed a black lunchbox next to her. “There's, uh... There's nothing to worry about. Okay? No one ever comes out here. We're safe. I promise.”

Chris looked at her properly. Ellie Munson was known about school to be wild and weird and most people avoided her. She looked weird in her black ripped jeans, leather jacket, and faded denim vest covered with band patches and pins. Even her leather boots were scuffed and way too big to belong to her. Her hair was wild too; an explosion of messy brown curls that fell to her waist with a knotted bandana (failing) to keep it away from her face. She didn’t wear makeup like Jackie but he noticed three heavy silver rings on her fingers (again, way too big for her). Her ears were heavily pierced and…yeah…one even had a safety pin through it. 

He knew she liked to kick up a fuss in the cafeteria and make loud bizarre speeches about inequality and feminist rights, she never ever attended class (when she did she preferred to sleep in the back row), and could swear like a biker. She also protected a flock of freshmen like a mother hen. So yeah weird but she wore it well. She wore it in a way that proclaimed proudly she didn’t give a shit what other people thought about her, which was…actually pretty cool. 

Ellie’s boldness and shere cheek should by all rights freak him out, but it didn’t. Instead he felt a strange twist of jealousy in his chest; he’d love to borrow that nerve and tell the people around him to leave him the hell alone. 

So when she told him they were safe, he found himself believing her (even though she was like half his height and he definitely bench pressed heavier weights than her). Strange.   

“So, how does this work exactly?” he asked, sitting down too. 

“Oh, just like any other old sale, except, uh, cash only, and, uh, for obvious reasons, no receipts. I'll do you a half ounce for, uh... 20. What do you say? Plenty of bang for your buck. Should last a while.”

Another snap. He shuddered and rubbed his temples. 

“Hey, uh, we don't need to do this. Just give me the word and I'll walk away. Okay?”

She was looking at him with something like real concern flashing in her brown eyes. He felt oddly touched. He couldn’t remember the last time anyone looked at him like that.  

“It's not that. I don't want you to go. It's just…” he took a deep breath to steady himself. “Do you ever feel like you're losing your mind?” 

He half expected her to leg it but to his surprise Ellie just grinned. Up close, he noticed a dimple in her left cheek which was pretty cute. 

“Um, you know, just... on a daily basis. I feel like I'm losing my mind right now doing a drսg deal with Chris Cunningham, the King of Hawkins High.” 

Chris could feel his cheeks burning - he hated being called that. That was all Jackie’s doing. She had big plans that they were going to be crowned at prom and then probably marry right out of school and…ugh. He was about to say so when Ellie went on…

“You know, this isn't the first time that we've, um... hung out.”

“I'm sorry. I…”

“That's okay.”

Before he could say another word, Ellie launched herself back off the table and he sprang to his feet to…help? Catch her? Check she was ok? But Ellie was grinning again and he found it so infectious that he smiled right back. 

“I wouldn't remember me either, Chris. Honestly, do I have stuff in my hair?” she laughed. There were brown and gold leaves in her hair but instead of fixing it (like Jackie might’ve) she shook it out and seemed totally unfazed. “You don't remember me?”

“I’m sorry!” Chris laughed. 

“Middle school, talent show? You were doing the basketball thing. You know, the... dribbling… thing you do. It was pretty cool, actually. And I... I was with my band.” 

Then it hit him. “Corroded Coffin! Yes, of course. With a name like that, how could I forget?”

“I dunno. You're a freak.”

Ellie was beaming and Chris sat back down on the edge of the table to watch her. If anyone else called him a freak he might’ve been offended but Ellie said it like it was a badge of honour. Her dimple was back. 

A vague memory of a tiny girl with patched dungarees holding a guitar suddenly came back to him. She’d been waiting to go out on stage with her friends, terrified and clearly falling to bits with nerves. Chris had smiled and wished her luck, and afterwards whooped and clapped so hard he thought his hands might fall off. His dad had ripped him to shreds for his own performance - but her little crooked smile and twinkling eyes stayed with him. “No, you just... You looked so... Different?” 

“Yeah. Well, uh, my hair was shorter and I had braces, and I didn't have these sweet old tatties yet.”

She tugged at the neck of her shirt (with Hellfire written across the front) and he spotted a line of black ink just underneath her collarbone. He knew some girls got tattoos - not any of the girls he knew, of course - and Ellie implied she had more than one. He felt himself blush again when he realised he wanted to see more. Which would obviously be really inappropriate and creepy. 

He was very aware of the fact they were all alone and he was significantly bigger than her, even if Ellie didn’t seem to notice. He dragged his gaze back to the safety of her face. 

Thankfully his voice didn’t betray any of what he was feeling. “You played guitar, right?”

“Uh-huh. Still do. Still do. You should come see us. Uh, we play at The Hideout on Tuesdays. It's pretty cool. We... We actually get a crowd of about five drunks. It's not exactly the Garden, but you gotta start somewhere, right?”

He was surprised she was allowed to go to The Hideout at all with drunk guys - let alone to play in a band. Maybe her boyfriend went along to keep her safe? Chris didn’t even know her that well and he wanted to. “You know, you're not what I thought you'd be like.” 

“Mean and scary?” 

That’s what Jackie or his friends would say. “Yeah.” 

“Yeah, well, I actually kinda thought you'd be kinda mean and scary too.” 

He actually snorted at that. “Me?”

Ellie laughed and when she laughed she did it properly - lips wide, eyes bright, her head tossed back. It was so incredibly animated and warm and real that it made Chris want to huddle closer to her flame. She perched on the seat beside him and opened up the lunchbox. 

“Terrifying. Uh, so, in other good news, flattery works with me, so... Twenty-five percent discount for the half. Fifteen bucks. You're robbing me blind here, you know.”

Oh right. Drugs. He’d almost forgotten. He’d enjoyed speaking to her so much (and watching her - she was more interesting to look at than anyone else he knew) that for a brief wonderful moment the ticking and spiders and nightmares vanished. 

But they came back back now and he felt himself physically recoil. 

“Do you have anything maybe stronger?”

He didn’t think anything shocked Ellie Munson, but that sure did. 

**

Right. So perfect wholesome Chris Cunningham was sitting in her crappy van and they were driving back to her trailer. 

He said he wanted something harder than weed and Ellie said yes but obviously didn’t keep that kind of thing at school. She offered to meet him the following day (same time, same place, even though it was a Saturday) but Chris had looked so serious when he asked if he could please possibly get it tonight after the game and her club meeting. She’d been too taken back by the intensity in his eyes to say anything other than yes, honestly. So they met later that evening by her van and he actually opened the door for her. Ellie couldn’t remember anyone ever doing that kind of thing for her before. 

(she’d had a short-lived daliance with a boy from her art class and he’d brought her roses and candy, but the next day he was sucking face with a girl from their photography class who put out, so it wasn’t really what you’d call meaningful).

She thanked him and hopped up into the driver’s seat (damn it, she was too short for anything elegant) and Chris slid in beside her. He was polite enough not to mention the many takeout coffee cups, the spare and broken tapes cluttering the floor, or the very used mattress in the back (used for when she needed to transport band equipment). He said his own car was in the shop right now and he’d caught a lift this morning. 

“Seriously, I’m not trying to make a move or anything…I just need something to help, you know?”

It hadn’t even crossed her simple puny mind that Chris might have any ulterior motive to coming back to her trailer. Maybe some guys might but that didn’t seem to be his style. 

“Am I your piece of rough, Cunningham? Not worried one of your team mates might see you slumming it with me?” Ellie said, only part joking. 

Chris blushed and rolled his eyes. “You make me sound like a total prude. Aren’t you worried about your badass image being tanked by me?” 

She liked it when he blushed. Luckily with his pale skin and colouring, he had no chance at masking it. 

“Glad you brought it up actually, can you duck down ‘til we get out the gates? One look at that letterman jacket and my scary reputation is kaput,” she smirked. She turned on the radio and heavy metal music blasted out from the speakers. She thought he might ask to turn it down and was pleasantly surprised when he said he didn’t mind it. “Sorry, I don’t have any Cyndi Lauper or Billy Joel…”

“Get lost,” he laughed. “Do not start quoting Uptown Girl (Boy) at me, Munson.” 

It was almost too easy to make Chris laugh. She’d enjoyed messing with him back in the woods and wondered what other buttons she could press. What got under his skin? 

There must be something, obviously, if he was asking her for ketamine. 

You’ve gotta’ cool it, she told herself. Yeah he’s super cute and remembered the band but you weren’t really joking…he would absolutely be slumming it with you. He’s not even the same species AND he has a girlfriend who looks like she could be a runner up for Miss America. 

Inwardly sighing at her lot in life, she bravely asked, “So how was the game? Did you - uh - throw some balls into laundry baskets?”

Chris looked sideways at her, obviously surprised that she cared so little for something the entire school (including the faculty) seemed crazy about, but then started chuckling again. “Yeah, we…we won actually. It was a championship game.”

“Oh…good. Glad it went well for you.” Ellie wound down the window and lit a cigarette as they neared a stop sign. She offered him one and he took it after only a split-second hesitation. 

“Thanks. We practised really hard and I’m proud of how well we all came together. It��s one of the things I like most about playing sports, you know? The team work,” he added. “Ever been to a rally?”

She’d never thought about sports like that before, it always just seemed like one big popularity contest. His enthusiasm kind of humbled her a bit. “Uh - no, not high on my ‘to do’ list, I’m afraid. I’d be too worried about one of the cheerleaders drop-kicking me honestly.” 

“Oh really? Are they…what? They mean to you?”

She raised an eyebrow. “Seriously, Cunningham?”

He didn’t look like he was bullshitting her. He looked genuinely confused…“Sorry, I don’t really know…”

She thought about all the times the cheerleaders stole her clothes (and dumped them in the toilets) after gym class, how they tried to trip her up in the halls, how they filled her locker with shaving foam so all her notes were useless, how they stuck gum in her hair and Wendy had no choice but to cut it out leaving her with a tuft that stuck out for ages. 

Yeah, she could see how Miss Carver would want to keep that all hush hush from her lovely boyfriend. 

“Yeah, I mean it’s not your problem so you don’t need to apologise, but yeah they make my life pretty miserable on a daily basis. They pick on the freshmen too and that really gets under my skin,” she added. “Your buddies on the team can be real jerks too. It’s why I stopped dealing at those jock parties. Those meatheads can call you a freak and ignore you at school, but after a couple of beers they get pretty shitty if you catch my drift.” 

“They’ve messed with you?”

“Tried to. I just avoid it all now.”

Chris seemed honestly shocked at that and his hand twitched like he wanted to…what? Comfort her? She felt a bit bad - he obviously had no idea about what kind of people he chose to hang around. “That’s seriously not on. Not to you or the kids,” he muttered. “Does…Jackie…?”

Ellie actually snorted. “No way, Chris. She’s your girlfriend and there’s no way I’m airing out her dirty laundry. These lips will remain sealed.” 

“But…I could try talking to her?” 

Maybe Chris speaking to Jackie on her behalf might help for a week or two (Jackie would be sure to cry a little and pout and say no honey, she’s really stupid, she must be mistaken) but then Jackie would be livid. She’d think she was deliberately trying to split them up or something. 

The little chaos demon in her brain thought fuck it, ask him anyway. 

“Nah, it would only make it worse. Just…drop it, okay? Thanks but I can look after myself for a few more months. After that? I’m getting out of this craphole and I’ll never see those shitheads again.” 

She could tell he didn’t want to drop it but also didn’t want to push her either. She appreciated that - she hated it when people tried shoving in and telling her what to do. Was it the same for Chris? 

So instead Chris sighed and ran a hand through his short hair as he finished up his cigarette. She glanced at his blond hair - it had hints of red if you looked closely, so it was more of a strawberry blonde. It was buzzed short at the back and sides, but the longer hair on top looked thick and soft. He was still wearing his game clothes and they did little to hide the thick muscular expanse of his chest and arms. As Dio played on the radio, she wondered what Chris might look like in rockstar jeans and a leather jacket like the guys at The Hideout wore. 

Probably just as great as he did in his usual preppy acid-wash jeans and sneakers. 

She tried to imagine herself in the kind of clothes Jackie typically wore (very Molly Ringwald) with her hair brushed and professionally styled, bright eyeshadow smudged around her eyes, eating fucking sushi and cheerleading. Shit, it would be like watching a toad kiss a prince but without the Disney ending. It just wasn’t her. 

Ellie kept her eyes forward on the road like a very very good driver. 

Chris nobley changed the subject. “So what’s this Hellfire about? It’s not actually a satanic cult, right?”

Ellie huffed out a laugh. “I wish. It’s just a club where we play Dungeons and Dragons. It’s like a board game but we use our imaginations. The others built their own characters but I’m Dungeon Master - D&M - so I kind of plan it all out. There’s about seven of us right now, and we just finished a pretty sick campaign called the Curse of Vecna…” she trailed off. “Whoops, sorry. I can kind of get carried away with this stuff.”

“No way, it sounds interesting!” She glanced at him to make sure (again) he wasn’t making fun of her, but yeah, he did look interested. “I’ve heard about it - it’s got elves and goblins and stuff, right? Like Tolkien?”

“Holy crap. You’ve read Tolkien? Don’t tease me now - the Chris Cunningham has a secret nerdy side?”

Chris grinned. “My uncle lent me the books when I was still a kid. Totally loved them. I always wanted to be like Aragorn with a sword and armour…well, right up until my dad saw and tossed them out in the trash. Didn’t line up with his grand plan for me.” 

“Plan?”

“Yeah…my parents are pretty strict. They - uh - have my whole life planned out for me, you know?”

Ellie didn’t know. Her parents didn’t even have plans for their own lives, let alone a kid they never wanted. She knew she wanted to leave Hawkins but after that? Life was fuzzy. 

“Well...if you ever want to sit in on a game and watch, I can probably convince the girls you aren’t a spy. You’d be more than welcome. It’s usually on the night you have practice though.” 

“Well… maybe one day I can flake? I’d like to watch you. Play, I mean. I’d like to watch you play,” he coughed. “It’s really cool how you look after those freshmen - they seem to really look up to you - makes me think you might be a softie underneath, Ellie.” 

Ellie fucking cackled. “No no no. That’s too much now. First you want to buy drugs, then you offer to ditch sports to watch my nerdy game, and now telling me I’m a softie when you’re basically a walking teddy bear? Are you even a jock? I thought all you meatheads lived and breathed school spirit, right? My dumb perception of high school is being massacred.”

But actually there did seem to be a hell of a lot more to Chris then she could’ve ever guessed. Hidden layers, and all that. 

“Maybe I’m more than a cliche. Right, Munson?” 

And he gave her such a deliberate look that she sniggered and shook her head. Point very well made. She noticed a faint scattering of freckles on his nose and cheeks that really suited him. 

“Well… you got me there.”

She turned off the main road towards Forest Hills and now Metallica blasted out of the speakers. They were quiet for a little bit but it wasn’t awkward. 

“Seriously, thank you for this,” Chris suddenly said. “I feel…more normal…more awake…than I have for weeks.” 

Ellie smiled, and this time it was friendly and yeah soft. Damn it. 

“This is such a weird fucking day.”

**

Ellie pulled up outside her trailer and Chris slid out somewhat nervously. He’d never been to Forest Hills trailer park before and wasn’t sure what to expect. His parents and Jackie made it out to be some cesspit of evil - “a place filled with drunks, degenerates, single parents” - but all he saw was the soft glow of lights as families ate their dinners and settled down for the evening. Little Ellie Munson switched off the ignition, shouldered her backpack (heavy with D&D journals), and waved for him to follow as she found her door key. She told him this was her castle and he found himself smiling, once again at ease. 

(he almost offered to carry her bag but her lunchtime rants indicated she might see this as patronising. He’d felt like a total idiot earlier when he held the door open and she’d carefully arched an eyebrow.)

Jackie always expected these things of him and got royally pissed if he forgot. It would be nice to offer for once without it being demanded. 

Ellie told him her aunt Wendy was working a night shift so they’d have some privacy. 

He blushed, eyeing the neighbouring trailer quickly to see if anyone was spying through the curtains (his mom would be). “What about your folks?” he found himself asking, following her inside. 

“Oh they split ages ago. Pops found himself a new shiny family, and I think mom’s still in jail? She could be dead in a ditch somewhere, for all I know. They don’t exactly keep in touch,” she said, shrugging. “Want something to drink? Beer, coffee, water?”

She spoke like none of it mattered but her shrug was a little too casual. 

“Uh…water would be great.” 

Inside the trailer wasn’t what he’d expected at all. It was small, sure, but clean and neat. It was also really homely looking. Plenty of bright pictures on the walls, dollar store knick knacks decorating the sides, squashy cushions on the couch. Her aunt must really like teapots because there was a whole wall dedicated to her collection. He compared it to his own sterile home which looked more like a showroom. 

Ellie dropped her bag on the couch and toed off her big boots in the middle of the room. Chris did the same only he lined his sneakers up neatly by the door (a habit). She passed him a bottle of water from the fridge. 

“You never worry about being home alone so much? Is it…safe?” 

“Yeah, it’s alright here and I can always run over to Mr Mayfield’s if there’s an emergency. He’s over in the trailer opposite,” she added, fiddling with the radio so music started playing. “Besides, when I’m on my lonesome I can play whatever music I want. Helps me relax, you know? And concentrate.” 

“Seriously? That blows my brain. I need, like, total silence to read or study. I’d love some time on my own but my schedule’s real tight. There’s always something to do, or someone wanting something.” He caught her looking at him. “Yeah I know, poor little rich boy. I sound like an asshole.” 

“Everyone’s got issues,” she shrugged. She gestured for him to take a seat and tucked some of her wild hair back behind her ear. He wondered if it felt as springy as it looked. “Make yourself at home, okay? I’ll go get the Special K.” 

She went back to what was presumably her bedroom and Chris took a sip of the water. The music coming out of the radio wasn’t Ellie’s usual madness, maybe it was a station her aunt liked? 

Tick. 

Christ, really? His head had been blissfully quiet ever since meeting with Ellie. Her noise and bustle, her liveliness, had been like a balm to his nerves. 

He found himself bouncing his leg. He tried to take a deep breath. 

Tick. 

“How long will it take to work?” he called, trying to distract himself. 

“Depends on if you…snort it or not. If you snort it…then yeah, it’ll work pretty quick,” she said when she came back. She was biting her bottom lip and holding a bag of something that looked like powder. “Look, I’m going to break one of my infamous rules right now, but I have to ask…have you ever done anything like this before? Kind of worried you’re going to spiral and get into some serious trouble. You can do it here if you want? Then at least I’ll be around to keep an eye out. My aunt won’t be back until tomorrow morning.” 

Again it kind of sounded like Ellie actually cared (or at least she didn’t want him to die in a K-Hole). Her offer relieved some of the tension in his shoulders and he nodded gratefully. 

“She won’t mind you having a boy here?”

Ellie actually laughed out loud at that and even snorted. His mouth twitched into a grin. She joined him on the couch - though left a deliberate space in between. 

She’d shrugged off her jacket by now and wore only the black and white Hellfire shirt and jeans. He could see another tattoo winding along her elbow that looked like bats. He wondered if she did them herself or went to the one parlour in town (run by an ex-biker who looked gruff and shady). Didn’t her aunt mind? 

But then Ellie was nineteen, a year older than him. She was legally allowed to lift her shirt and have whoever she wanted ink her skin. 

“She’d never believe me,” Ellie chuckled, dragging his thoughts back into the room. “I don’t have guys ‘round here ever.” 

“No way…really?” Chris raised his eyebrows. “No boyfriend or anything?” 

He pictured some tall shaggy haired guy with biker boots and tattoos. He’d have to be in a band (maybe they practised together?) and wear the same style of silver jewellery she did (now he thought about it - those big rings probably were his). He’d smoke pot and read Dune and tell people loudly to fuck off if they bothered him. A guy who could go to The Hideout every week and watch her play, and cheer and hangbang like her own weird cheerleader. The kind of guy, in short, that Chris definitely was not. 

He suddenly thought about himself standing beside Ellie with his arm tight around her shoulders. She was so small that he could easily tuck her against his side, and then he would run his fingers through that wild mane of hair. Jackie rarely smiled when they were together (or at all unless there was an audience) but he could easily imagine kissing Ellie’s grin. 

Not that she would ever let him. She seemed to like him okay, but he would never be the guy in biker boots. She probably had posters pinned up in her bedroom of rockstars and ‘bad boy’ movie stars. Girls like her went for the Judd Nelson’s - not the Emilio Estevez’. 

“Boyfriend? Me? Yeah right, Cunningham. I’m the last girl at school any guy would willingly hang out with, except maybe as a bet.” 

“That’s crazy.” The words left his mouth before he realised it and he blushed, but didn’t want to take them back either. “I mean…yeah, you’re a little different, but you’re cute as hell. Your hair is incredible and that smile? Hell, it’s beautiful.” 

Her eyes widened and he noticed how warm and brown they were. She was blushing too and it somehow suited her. He felt a little twitch of - what, pride? - that he could make Ellie react like that. 

(this was the girl who flipped off (judgy) Mr O'Donnell when he tried making her read her essay out loud, tied her own bra to the flagpole during morning assembly, who got cool tattoos from scary bikers, and stood on lunchroom tables to declare loudly liberal feminism was the only way to go and Reagan could suck it.) 

“You’re crazy. I’m the freak, remember? I know people don’t like me, they don’t ever pick me, but it’s okay. I’m used to it.” 

She was so brutally honest that it nearly knocked the air from his lungs, but then honesty seemed to be what you got with Ellie Munson. She might keep some things close to her chest, but there was no bullshit, no lying, no flattery. It was so fucking refreshing. 

“I don’t think you’re a freak, Ellie, but even if you were…that wouldn’t be so bad, right? You make it look good.”

She tucked a little smile into her shoulder. “Thanks, Cunningham…you’re one of the nice ones.”

“It’s Chris, and you’re welcome.”

Another song came on the radio - some kind of old country song that reinforced this was definitely something her aunt listened to. It reminded him of the stuff his grandad used to put on.

“And you’re in a band, right? That’s awesome.”

“Don’t tell me you're a secret fan of Joan Jett,” she laughed, somewhat shakily. “Jess from the band keeps suggesting we buzz our hair.” 

“Debbie Harry actually. Had a poster up on my wall before my mom ripped it down and called me a pervert.” 

“That is perverted behaviour,” Ellie joked. “Glad she did. Rock music is a gateway to drugs and sex and all kinds of debauchery. Look what happened to me. Can’t have you succumbing to the dark side now.” 

“Yeah, you’re right. It’s pretty scary. I take back all my earlier words. You keep all that Sith crap away from me. I’m all Jedi.”

He saw her silently mouth the word ‘Jedi’. 

“...after Aragorn I kind of loved playing as Luke Skywalker in the backyard with a rolled up newspaper as my lightsaber,” he winced. “Please keep that tidbit extremely super secret, Munson, and yes, I was a kid.” 

He never spoke to Jackie like this, but with Ellie it was too effortlessly easy to slip into this playful persona. She was so honest that it kind of dragged it out of him too. 

“God, think I’m in love,” Ellie said after a few seconds and threw her head back against the couch cushion. She placed a hand above her heart dramatically. “My whole life has led to this pivotal moment.”

Tick. 

Chris couldn’t help but flinch again when he heard the ticking noise and this time Ellie stared at him, sitting up. 

“Okay…so I’m definitely breaking rule three again…what’s going on with you, Chris? Why do you need drugs this bad? Are you in some kind of trouble?”

“Honestly?” Ellie nodded. “I think I’m going crazy. Been having these nightmares and seeing stuff for weeks now and I’m losing it. It started as just weird noises and ticking and nightmares, then I saw spiders crawling over Mr Kelley’s face in his office. I freaked out, Ellie. I ran away because I thought I’d be safer with people around, you know? But then that happened…and I still keep seeing them. Doesn’t matter if I’m alone or in the middle of class or sitting right here with you. I keep hearing the ticking noise - it’s like it's chasing me.” 

Chris sat forwards and ran his hands through his hair, willing himself to get a grip. 

“And the nightmares?” Ellie asked quietly. “What happens in those?” 

“It’s usually my parents. Mom and dad. Mom will be strung out on Valium in bed with her mouth stitched up, or laying in a puddle of her own sick by the sink. Sometimes it’s my little sister lying there instead. It happens every time and I can’t do anything to help her. My dad…he fucking stalks me like a ghoul. He used to treat me bad, Ellie, punishing me with food when he thought I was looking too thin or too fat. He used to smack me about until I got taller than him, so then he started picking on me…which goddamn hurt more. My dad - the ghoul in the nightmares - is always telling me I’m useless, I’m an embarrassment, saying I’m letting everyone down. It’s like…all the stuff I’m already feeling, you know? But having it thrown in my face every night…it’s exhausting.” 

His words came out in a rush. Ellie had drawn closer and placed a small tentative hand on his knee. Instead of feeling embarrassed by the action - or pitied - it made him feel safe and seen. 

“How can you possibly let anyone down? You’re, like, the most perfect guy ever,” she murmured. “Can’t you talk to anyone about this? You know, Jackie or a friend?” 

“They aren’t interested in crazy, Ellie. If something doesn’t fit right in their perfect little world then they don’t wanna know. Trust me. Jackie doesn’t do…feelings...unless they’re her own. I can’t talk to her about any of this real stuff. And my friends? They’d just tell me to man up, buy some weed, and get over it before the next big game.” 

Ellie looked like she wanted to say some very choice words but was trying hard to put a leash on it. 

“What about a teacher or your coach? Mr Kelley? I know I’m the last person to willingly talk to authority figures and as a rule they all suck, but this sounds serious, it’s really hurting you. And your parents…they…well sorry, but they sound like total assholes. Especially your dad.”

Chris found himself laughing at that. His dad was one of those untouchable pricks who used money and bullying to gain respect and unfortunately it worked every time. No one ever challenged him or called him an asshole like that. “He is an asshole.” God, even saying it was awesome, even if a little scary. 

“You could…” Ellie was biting her lip again. “I don’t know…leave? You’re eighteen, right? Do you have any family you could stay with?”

“If I left I’d be saying goodbye to scholarships, college, there’s no way I’d graduate. My father would do his best to wreck my whole life if I don’t fall in line,” he responded bitterly. “And besides…I can’t leave my sister alone with them. As long as he’s using me as his punching bag, he can’t turn his attention to her. Can you imagine the kind of crap they’d say to her?”

Chris sighed. He placed his hand on top of Ellie’s on his knee and the coolness of her fingers (and rings) helped pull him back down to the world. 

“I’m sorry to just lay this on you, Ellie. Seriously. You’ve been amazing helping me out tonight, and I’m just messing everything up like usual. You don’t need to hear about all this crazy shit and my nightmares. You’re a good listener, you know that?”

“It’s been said,” she smiled weakly. 

“Do you think I'm losing it?”

Anyone else might’ve said, yeah you sound crazy Chris, but Ellie simply shrugged. She squeezed his hand. “I don’t think you’re crazy. I think you’re going through it right now and bottling it up, but you aren’t insane. You’ve got a right to feel your feelings. And I…I don’t mind listening. If it helps. You’ve made my night a little less lonely.” 

Chris looked over at her and felt like he could drown in the warmth and kindness in her eyes. It wasn’t something he ever expected to find there, but he found himself drinking it in. Ellie too seemed to be searching for something in his expression, her eyes flickering over his eyes, his nose, his mouth. 

It would be all too easy to tug her hand and close the distance. To nestle his face in the crook of her neck and inhale the strawberry shampoo she used. 

**

But Ellie suddenly stood up and she clapped her hands. “Okay, you know what? No Ket. That’s now removed from the table. I’m going to roll us a joint using the good stuff I save for myself  - and we’re going to get high and talk about it all, okay? Really lay it on me, Chriss, no bullshit or pretending. Then I’ll make some grilled cheese sandwiches and we’ll feast and come up with a plan of defence, right?” 

Chris looked surprised but as she spoke a grin settled back across his lips. He really did have one killer smile. 

“You’re on, weird girl.” 

Before she went back to her room for the weed, she found herself hesitating for a moment. She tapped her fingers against the doorway. “Sorry for calling you a meathead earlier and being a dick about the game. You said about it meaning more to you than just scoring goals - and how you enjoy the feeling of working together to achieve something. Way you describe it, it kind of reminded me of Hellfire a little bit and why I like it so much. Guess we both like being part of something…” 

See? Genuine nice comment. Chris seemed to think so because he flushed bright pink. Obviously her sneaky brain had to ruin it by adding, “...we’re big damn losers, am I right?”

She hurried back to her bedroom and stashed the ket securely beneath her bed. Instead she scooped out a tin from the desk drawer where she kept the high quality stuff she bought directly from Reefer Rita. There’d be enough here for maybe three joints and she was betting Chris would only need one to feel buzzed (even though he was big, it was obviously still his first time - she’d have to walk him through it so he didn’t hack his lungs out). 

She glanced at her mirror on the way out and adjusted her shirt. She thought about dragging a brush through her hair but weirdly Chris actually seemed to like it wild? 

She had to pinch her arm. The Chris Cunningham was in her lounge and they were going to get high together. Chris Cunningham (who it turns out is a secret nerd and thinks she’s cute) actually/incredibly/unbelievably seemed to like her enough to confess about his messed up family and nightmares. 

(Nobody had ever called her beautiful before. Not even her dad or mom or aunt). 

She should probably go and buy a lottery ticket, all things considered. 

She steadied herself before she went back through. She felt like a Mage on a quest to solve the riddle of the Cunningham Curse. Sure, she didn’t know how to solve spooky haunting nightmares and banish abusive parents (she assumed kidnapping was out of the question) but she could listen and offer what little support she could muster. 

And Chris was dealing with this every single day because of bullshit toxic masculinity and societal pressure which forced the poor guy to feel he had to shoulder it alone. 

Well that could get fucked. 

“Here we go…As promised, first class pot…Chris?”

Chris was standing very still in the middle of the lounge and as she stepped closer she could see his face had turned a ghostly white. She peered up and saw that his eyes were twitching. 

“Hey Chris?” Ellie gently tugged on the green sleeve of his letterman jacket. “Come on, you’re scaring me.”

But he wasn’t listening. God, was he having a seizure? A stroke? She needed to call an ambulance. The lights in the trailer began to flash and she felt the uneasy uncurling of terror in her stomach. 

“Chris, please wake up! I don’t like this, please! Say something!” 

When he began to rise up in the air, Ellie screamed and fell back on the floor. “Fucking hell!” 

This was no seizure or fucking stroke. Something really bad was happening. 

Chris began floating higher and higher. His whole face was blank - completely void of anything. Then he shot up and his whole body slammed against the trailer ceiling.

“CHRIS!” 

Ellie scrambled back and as she did so, she knocked the radio off the side and the volume rose. Some stupid country song began blaring out at full volume. 

Ellie was crying, screaming, gasping for breath. This was like something out of a horror film, only much much worse. She couldn’t just switch this off or hide under a blanket. 

She nearly threw up when Chris’ left arm suddenly snapped like it was no more than a twig. 

“No!” she sobbed. “Chris! Stop this please. I’m scared, please! WHAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING!” 

(remember that well-honed ability to pick her fights? To choose to fight or fly?)

She clambered to her feet somehow and stepped up onto the coffee table, reaching up as high as she could to grab at him. She managed to wrap her hands around the lining of his jacket and she pulled with all her might, but he didn’t shift an inch. It was like playing tug-of-war against a mountain. 

“Chris!” she screamed. “Please! Stop this!”

And then - miraculously - the lights stopped flashing. 

And Chris awoke with a shuddering gasp, and fell right on top of her. 

Ellie’s legs buckled beneath her as they tumbled down onto the table with a loud crash. She landed right under him, catching the full brunt of his weight, and tried to ignore the searing pain that came from her ankle as she heaved herself up into a sitting position. 

She groaned as she managed to roll Chris over onto his back. His head was cradled in her lap. 

She pressed her fingers to his neck to feel for a pulse, but her hands were shaking too badly to feel anything. 

“Chris,” she whispered. “Please say something. Please don’t be dead. Can you hear me?” 

She was crying in earnest now and the tears disappeared into his hair. What the fuck was going to happen if he was…Oh my god. 

Chris then suddenly sat up with a cry of terror of his own, making her scream all over again. 

He looked fucking insane, rabid, horrified. His chest was heaving like he’d completed a mile long sprint and every line of his body was tense. His big blue eyes were wide and terrified as he looked around them, surveying the broken table and the radio which was still blaring out music. He seemed to need a moment to remember where he was. Then his eyes came to rest on her and he let out the biggest shuddering breath. He took in the tears racing down her cheeks, the flinch of pain when her ankle throbbed, the mix of raw fear and sweet relief that was written across her features like a goddamn neon sign. 

He was so close that she could feel his entire body shaking. 

And then he was holding her in a hug that was so tight she felt she might explode, but still she twisted her arms up around his shoulders and hung on just as tightly. She could feel him trembling as he cried and tried to convey (in stutteringly split phrases) what the hell just happened, but she couldn’t hear above the ringing in her ears. 

Eventually his grip loosened and she gasped for air. 

This couldn’t be brushed aside as a dream, a nightmare - he was clutching his broken arm to his chest. 

“Chris…you’re really alright?” she mumbled. She was still hanging onto his jacket in case he tried floating away again. “Help me up, need to ring an ambulance…or police…it’s not safe. Hold your arm steady, it’ll need looking at...I think my fucking ankle’s broken.” 

She could hear the faint noise of banging coming from nearby (was it the door?) but she couldn’t tear her eyes away from Chris. 

Chris put a trembling hand to her cheek and wiped away some of the fresh tears with his thumb. 

“Ellie…” he croaked. His voice sounded rough like he’d been screaming too. “Ellie…this is going to sound mad…but something just tried to kill me, and I think you saved me.” 

**

A/N: Psss it's definitely The Party at the door, ready to spice it all up.

Quick notes:

Yeah Ellie is soft for Chris and he feels safe with her.

Had to tone back some of Ellie's habits because it wouldn't be realistic or safe for her to do some of the things guy-Eddie gets up to (though really it's not safe for him either).

I changed it so the cheerleaders are the worst. That's not a commentary on 'girls being bitchy' honestly, it's just the guy jocks wouldn't physically act on their resentment with a girl but the cheerleaders can and would.

Chrissy has shown she's a nice person and would feel protective of Eddie in danger - same thing for Chris only as a beefcake guy he's able to express this more literally (as in Ellie going to the Hideout).

Yeah the prototype for Ellie's fictional boyfriend is basically Eddie and vice versa.

Did I want them to kiss? Fuck yes, but maybe if I ever do a part 2. Didn't seem to flow here and really Chris wouldn't make that move. He'd be worried about taking advantage and is keenly aware how it looks that he's alone with Ellie in the trailer. It's about the implication, guys.

Girl Eddie would be scrawny and small, I think. Chrissy is super fit and strong because of her cheerleading so it makes sense Chris would be the same.

Do I like the Breakfast Club? Yeah, a bit, but that ending was crap.

I will not do a 'She's all That' with Ellie. Fuck no.

If I do a part 2 then forgive me for the shit switching of names. Honestly - what would Nancy even be?

[cosmicanger]

FACTORY ATHLETIC CLUB n2 - Saber Dridi photographed by Baldovino Barani x FACTORY Fanzine

[yandere-daydreams]

to that one anon, you can sell things on connudatus street by renting a stall in the morning.

you can also use your allure to attract customers and get them to buy more items but be careful because if you get their arousal high enough they will attack you and initiate an encounter.

robin is also the one i married right off the bat (followed by sydney <3),i would do anything and everything for them.

another anon said: For that other anon: You sell produce on the street with the club, stolen goods/ illegal items in the pub with Landry, artifacts picked up around town go to the museum, and if you have alot of produce you can sell it at the factory on elk Street sometimes 😉

i know you can also sell your produce on connudatus street if you're running alex's farm, as long as we're talking about ways to make money. people do try to shoplift pretty often, so it's good to get your athletics stat,,, not terrible if you'll be doing that full-time.

also, kinda curious to know everyone's favorite love-interest/npc and why. paticurally whitney-fuckers. what's going on with you guys.

[1000sassa1000]

Yann Mimeau

photo by Baldovino Barani

Factory Athletic Club n1

[lboogie1906]

Shirley Ann Hemphill (July 1, 1947 – December 10, 1999) was a stand-up comedian and actress.

A native of Asheville, North Carolina, she moved to Los Angeles in the 1970s to pursue a career as a stand-up comedian. After working the Los Angeles comedy club circuit, her routine attracted attention leading to her being cast in guest-starring roles on television. In 1976, she landed the role of brassy waitress Shirley Wilson on What’s Happening!!. She was cast in One in a Million.

In 1985, she reprised her role as Shirley Wilson in the syndicated revival of What’s Happening!! titled What’s Happening Now!! She returned to stand-up comedy and made occasional appearances in films and television until her death.

She attended Hill Street School and Stephens-Lee High School and won an athletics scholarship to Morristown College where she majored in Physical Education.

She sent a cassette tape of one of her comedy routines to Flip Wilson. He was impressed by her routine and in turn, sent her a cassette recorder and a dozen roses. He invited her to visit the set of The Flip Wilson Show. She returned to her job in Asheville but decided to pursue a comedy career instead. She quit her job and traveled to Los Angeles by bus. She got a job waitressing during the day and performed at The Comedy Store at night.

She had a guest role on Good Times which led to another guest-starring role on All’s Fair. After seeing her performance on Good Times.

She spent most of the early 1980s working in nightclubs around the US and doing the occasional guest appearance on TV shows, including The Love Boat, Trapper John, M.D., Martin, and The Wayans Bros. She appeared in her first movie, CB4. She co-starred in her second movie, Shoot the Moon.

She performed her stand-up routine on several popular TV shows including The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, A&E’s An Evening at the Improv, Black Comedy Showcase, and Black Comedy Tonight. She was a regular at The Laugh Factory comedy club in Los Angeles. She appeared in an episode of The Jenny Jones Show in a What’s Happening!! reunion show. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

[pvccblog]

QUESTIONS AND NUKES

Hello once again everyone! Wow, God is SO GOOD! We have fallen in love with this town and the opportunities here to connect with people have been outstanding. Both of our events today just about doubled in size and they were awesome! Honestly, we've stopped counting attendees because we are confident that God will bring who He wants.

Today's focus in Sports Camp was on knowing your opponent. Malia taught the lesson, continuing on with the life of Moses. One of the points that stuck out to me is that sometimes your biggest opponent can be yourself. That is so true! Thanks Malia for teaching it so we'll. She made it relatable for a wide range of ages and I think everyone got it.

We decided to eliminate volleyball because one girl was in it yesterday and she switched to basketball. There are lots of kids in basketball and four or so in football. It's been pretty fun. There are some real athletes out here!

After camp we went swimming at a pool club in Willows. Pastor Joe booked the whole pool for two hours and it was super fun. His family and another family from the church joined us. It was a great time! And btw - it was only about 97 degrees. That might sound hot, but that's 19 degrees cooler than the day we went to the lake!! Yep, that's right, it was 116 that day! The weather really had us concerned in the beginning, but it's really not bad now!

Speaking of great times - BARF Night was just the best! We certainly love our BARF Nights with tons of people, but there's also something special about having a group of less than 30, including our team. The interaction is much more personal and there's opportunity for friendships to form faster.

We played The Question Game tonight. The first time we played, Eva won! It came down to her and I and she schooled me. By the way, I'm not the type of guy to let the young people win, so it was legit.

We went outside and played Nuke 'Em again at the end of the night. It's definitely the favorite so far! The game was epic and seemed to last forever. We actually ended the night 30 minutes late!

In between the games, Marcus and Eva shared their stories. They were both very different, but each one was spot on!

When Marcus shares you cannot deny that it is from the heart. He is a young man who is serious about his faith. His relationship with God is so real. He shared boldly tonight, even about some hardships. I see him developing into a rock. He is a calm, steady leader that can be consistently relied upon. It's such a joy watching him grow up. Love you, Marcus.

Eva was also a joy. She shared boldly too, and man, she preached it! She challenged those in the crowd to choose Jesus over anything else on earth! This is Eva's first trip with us because in the past she wasn't really interested in coming. God did an amazing work in her heart several months ago and she fully committed her life to Him. Praise the Lord!

I already told you that Eva preached it, and to prove it let me tell you what Pastor Joe's son Sebastian said after she shared. I walked back up, and he looked at me and said "you're about to lose your job!" LOL! How cool is that?!?!

Way to go Eva! Nicole and I are honored to be a part of your life and growth!! We are praying that you remain in Him for life!!

Also, Bailey bought some Beanboozled Jelly Bellys at the factory the other day. If you don't know what those are - DON'T GET THEM!! They convinced me to play the game with them and I had the absolute joy of eating a jelly belly flavor titled something like "Used Band Aid".

AWFUL!!

In our family time tonight we challenged ourselves to take the conversations a little deeper. We are even discussing ways that we can help this happen. We will likely have a little more "hang out" time during BARF Night to allow relationships to develop. Please pray for God to open up doors for this to happen!

Thanks for your support!!

[fictionalgainer]

Jackson's secret part II

The atmosphere inside the old factory was growing increasingly warm, amplifying the exhaustion from their playful chase. Richard, ever the trendsetter, was the first to speak up. "It’s sweltering in here. How about we lose the shirts?"

The suggestion made sense. After all, they knew each other better than anyone. As the shirts came off, an unspoken revelation unraveled before them.

William, typically self-assured, looked suddenly vulnerable. Despite his best efforts to suck in his stomach and hoist his pants high, it was evident that he had developed a pronounced belly, signaling a few too many indulgences over the past year.

Richard, once the proud owner of a chiseled six-pack, had seen a subtle transformation. Although he attempted to tense up and suck in, the faint outline of a budding belly was visible, betraying his once athletic form.

Harry, the ever-carefree one, was relatively unchanged, but closer inspection revealed small pockets of flab that hadn't been there during their last gathering. It wasn’t enough to raise eyebrows, but it wasn’t the lithe frame he remembered either.

The initial shock rendered the group silent, each processing the reality of time's passage and life's changing rhythms. Their shared vulnerability hung in the air, unspoken yet deeply felt.

It was Harry who broke the silence, trying to lighten the mood. “Well, looks like life's been good to all of us, in one way or another.” He patted his little bit of flab, grinning.

Richard smirked, “Speak for yourself. Some of us just changed workout routines.” His playful defense brought a chuckle from the group.

William, with a resigned sigh, said, “Guess we’re not the young lads we used to be. But hey, a bit more to love, right?” He gave his belly a gentle pat, trying to own it.

Wanting to divert attention from their unexpected body revelations and to embrace the nostalgia of their surroundings, Jackson proposed, "How about a game of hide and seek? Just like old times?"

Hide and seek, a game from their childhood, felt different this time around. Not just because of the passing years, but also due to the undeniable fact that they had outgrown – quite literally – many of their old hiding spots. The cavernous old factory that had once felt endless to their younger selves was proving to be a tighter squeeze than they remembered.

Harry, tasked with finding the others, started counting. "One, two, three..." His voice echoed, setting the others into a frantic search for a spot where their now larger frames might go unnoticed.

Richard, eager to reclaim a favorite hiding nook from his childhood, wedged himself between two rusted machines. It was a tight fit, and the pressure against his midsection reminded him of the meals he had skipped leading up to the gathering. He had hoped to present a leaner version of himself, but as minutes passed, his stomach growled loudly, betraying his hunger.

William, hidden not too far away, heard the telltale sound and whispered, "Rich, was that you?"

Emerging from his spot, Jackson added with a smirk, "Sounds like someone's singing the song of his people."

Feeling cornered, Richard sighed and emerged from his spot. “Okay, okay, I tried this crash diet before coming here. I wanted to, you know, look thinner.” He finally let go of his breath, no longer tensing or sucking in. To everyone's surprise, Richard's frame closely mirrored William's, the contours of his fuller belly evident.

William, chuckling, remarked, "Guess we both had the same idea. Welcome to the 95kg club!”

Jackson, taking it all in, said, "You know, seeing you guys like this... it's kind of reassuring. We're all in this together."

Harry, having given up on the game and joining the group, laughed, “Talk about revelations! But hey, I’m starving too. Any suggestions?”

After a moment of contemplation, Jackson suggested, “Why not hit up a fast food joint? My treat. And I promise, no judgment on whatever we order.” The group agreed, wanting to skip the family gathering and its potential for unsolicited comments on their appearances.

[eddy25960]

FACTORY ATHLETIC CLUB n1 - Yann Mimeau by Baldovino Barani

[currentesurience]

FACTORY ATHLETIC CLUB n1 - Yann Mimeau by Baldovino Barani

[ies10]

Guru Kashi University: A Centre for Academic Excellence and Holistic Development

Located in Talwandi Sabo, Punjab, Guru Kashi University (GKU) is a renowned institution committed to imparting quality education and promoting holistic development. Established in 2011 under the aegis of Balaji Education Trust, the university is recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and offers a wide range of Bachelor's, Master and PhD programs. Guru Kashi University has rapidly grown as a leading educational center catering to diverse academic needs in various fields such as Engineering, Management, Agriculture, Law, and Education.

Academic Programmes and Courses:

Guru Kashi University offers comprehensive programs catering to the diverse interests of its students. Its courses span various disciplines such as:

Engineering and Technology: GKU offers B.Tech, M.Tech, and diploma courses in various branches of engineering like Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, and Electrical Engineering. The curriculum is designed to balance theoretical knowledge and practical experience to ensure that students are industry-ready.

Agriculture: GKU offers Bachelor's and Master's programs in Agricultural Science with a strong focus on agriculture, promoting modern agricultural techniques, research, and sustainable agricultural practices.

Management and Commerce: The university's MBA and BBA programs in Management and Commerce are designed to develop leadership skills, business acumen, and an understanding of the global economy. GKU focuses on case studies, internships, and live projects to provide students with an insight into the real world.

Law and Education: The School of Law offers integrated BA LLB, B.Com LLB, and LLB programs. Additionally, the Faculty of Education offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs aimed at training future educators in innovative teaching methods.

Pharmacy and Health Sciences: GKU’s pharmacy programs are known for their quality and provide in-depth training in the pharmaceutical field with an emphasis on research and industry-relevant skills.

The university’s commitment to academic excellence is evident through its well-structured courses, experienced faculty, and industry-focused training. GKU also emphasizes research and encourages students and faculty to contribute to their respective fields through innovative research and projects.

State-of-the-art Infrastructure:

One of the key highlights of Guru Kashi University is its state-of-the-art infrastructure. The campus has modern classrooms, well-equipped laboratories, and state-of-the-art research facilities. The university has a well-equipped library with a wide selection of books, magazines, and online resources catering to the academic needs of students from all disciplines.

The campus also has state-of-the-art computer laboratories, athletic facilities, and auditoriums creating an environment conducive to both academic learning and extracurricular activities. GKU's residential facilities including hostels ensure a comfortable and conducive environment for learning.

Faculty and Research:

Guru Kashi University's faculty comprises experienced educators and experts who bring practical expertise to the classroom. The university promotes a student-centered approach to learning through interactive teaching methods such as group discussions, seminars, workshops, and factory visits.

In addition to education, GKU also invests heavily in research activities. The university encourages students and faculty to participate in research projects that address real-world challenges and contribute to advances in science and technology.

Student Development and Extracurricular Activities:

At Guru Kashi University, education goes beyond academics. The university encourages participation in extracurricular activities and aims to develop well-rounded individuals. Students are encouraged to join various clubs and organizations that develop their creativity and leadership skills. These include cultural programs, sports events, debates, technology festivals, etc where students can showcase their talents and build self-confidence.

GKU also emphasizes community service and social responsibility. The university regularly organizes awareness programs, health camps, and outreach activities where students can contribute to society while gaining practical experience.

Vacancies and Job Opportunities:

Guru Kashi University has its placement cell which works tirelessly to place students in top companies. The university's close links with various industries, companies, and organizations provide excellent employment opportunities to its graduates. Career guidance, skill development workshops, and preparatory training are provided to improve employability. Top recruiters from fields like Engineering, IT, Agriculture, Healthcare, Management, etc. regularly visit the campus to provide placement opportunities and internships. The university's focus on employability ensures that students are well-prepared for the challenges of the professional world.

Conclusion:

Guru Kashi University is more than just an educational institution; it is a place where students can grow both personally and professionally. With strong academic programs, dedicated faculty, modern infrastructure, and a focus on holistic development, GKU provides a nurturing environment for students to achieve their career goals and become responsible citizens. With cutting-edge research, vibrant campus life, and strong industry links, GKU offers a comprehensive education that prepares students to succeed in the modern world.

[demonhanabi]

The Happenstance Reaction - Chapter 1

Originally posted in February 2024

Penny watched as the swim team did their practice laps. She was sitting at the bleachers and there was a smattering of other boys and girls doing the same things as her. That is to say, getting her dose of cute boys in speedos.

Taking a bite of her breakfast burrito Penny idly thinks if this is what College is supposed to be.

After all, Penny is not really sure she wants to stay in college. She’s currently a freshman at UNO, looking to major in fine/studio arts because she thought it would involve acting…which it didn’t do that exactly, they could eventually teach her to teach other people about acting but Penny was finding this whole college thing to be a bit of a bust.

She wanted to act, wanted to be the next Julia Roberts. But she was starting to think that if she stayed here in Omaha it would never happen. It was still her freshman year so Penny was perfectly aware that she was being impatient, but her 18th birthday was coming up in 6 months and it was just too tempting, she might just drop out and go to California in her shitty car.

The only thing that Penny liked about college so far was that she felt like she’d be able to find her true love here.

Tamika had told her that Kurt from the Athletic training program was asking about Penny and that her boyfriend Jack had confirmed he was going to ask Penny out. She couldn’t wait, she had a good feeling about this Kurt…yum yum, those muscles.

"Hey Pen." Penny liked Tamika, the girl was in the Physics department but looked like a damn supermodel. She was being wasted in the sciences building. Penny got lucky to get Tamika as a roommate.

"Hey girl, ready to go out clubbing tonight?"

"Ugh, can’t." Tamika really looked disappointed. "The Physics department is preparing to host a welcome party for the boy genius himself and we all have to be present. Can’t wiggle away."

"Boy genius?"

"Oh yeah, you probably don’t know. There’s this guy in the Physics world that is basically the second coming of Einstein. He got his first PhD at 14, the second at 16 and his name is attached to pretty much every award available, pretty much almost always followed by ‘The youngest ever’-something."

"Oh damn, sounds like a fun guy at parties." Penny laughed.

"You have no idea. He’s also pretty famous, or rather infamous for being a pain in the ass. It doesn’t help that he’s almost always right, I heard he’s caused several researchers to quit after meeting with him for a couple of minutes."

"And he’s coming to UNO, why?" Penny was under no illusions that their little University held any sort of importance.

"He’s actually on loan from Caltech. He’s staying for 3 months to give some lectures and do research using our equipment." Tamika shrugged, her face confused.

"Huh, how old is he?."

"Just turned 18, it’s actually a little creepy at seeing all the older ladies go gaga over him."

"Haha, poor guy then. Anyway, since you can’t come tonight, how about we meet on-" And Penny kept going with her life, this conversation soon forgotten.

***

As Penny worked her shift at The Cheesecake Factory she kept thinking about her future. College so far had made her feel like a failure, she felt stupid for choosing a Major without really understanding what she was signing up for and just because she thought it had something to do with acting. Sure, college life was fantastic, she loved living on campus and not having to worry about the farm anymore. Having clubs, coffee shops, and shoe stores within walking distance was a game changer as well.

And yet…Penny wondered if she should keep going.

Was college really going to get her closer to her dream? For that matter, what was her dream? She enjoyed acting but if she was honest with herself she wanted the fame as well, she didn’t want to be a background character in a sitcom, she wanted to be in movie posters so that the bitches from high school would froth at the mouth when seeing her.

Maybe it was a better idea to drop out and go try her luck in California.

That idea was only reinforced by the book in front of her. It was a slow afternoon and her manager didn’t mind Penny doing homework at an empty table, Penny knew she wasn’t the only waitress that did that. Glaring at the book Penny had to wonder why learning to design clothes required her to know math, and it’s because someone replies to her that she realizes she actually said that outloud. ‘I need to stop that habit.’

"It’s to ensure the piece of clothing you’re designing actually fits correctly. You would also need it to calculate how much to charge for that piece of clothing." A boy her age is standing next to the table she’s using. He’s tall, way too tall and wiry, like one of those swimmers she loved to go and watch practice. And for some reason he’s dressed like one of her professors, a red plaid shirt over a light blue tee, khaki pants, and a tweed jacket. At least he was wearing cool sneakers. For some reason he looked really happy to be answering her question.

"As you’re probably aware, the clothing designing process always starts with a sketch. This sketch will contain shapes, patterns and sizes as well as how they relate to one another in space, in simpler terms, Geometry. Which is one of the fundamental branches of math." Without being invited to, the boy takes a seat in front of her.

"Of course, that is a vital part of the design process," points to his shirt "Squares, triangles, circles and other designs are always present in our clothing and can be easily defined as mathematical in nature, however, even those designs that can be defined as abstract still use geometry to ensure they’re aesthetically pleasing." Penny is not sure that he has taken a breath since he started talking and the way he’s talking to her reinforces the idea of a professor, he’s probably a freshman as well and trying way too hard.

"Math is also used by stores in order to determine stocking rates. And it goes without saying that return on investment is something present at every step of the way to determine that everyone will stand to gain from it. And it’s all thanks to…" He trails off and looks at Penny expectantly.

"…Math?..."

"That’s right! Excellent. And that’s why you need Math in clothing design." He looks so proud of himself that Penny can’t help but laugh.

"Okay, okay, thank you for the explanation. Can you then help explain how this formula becomes a graph? I’m not getting it, how is this a circle according to the book?" Penny shows him her book and the formula (x−h)2+(y−k)2=r2.

"Do you have your graphing calculator?"

"My what now?"

"Oh boy. How did you pass your SATs?"

"Hey! Don’t be mean."

"I’m sorry. Let me show you how to do it without a calculator."

And the boy did just that, Penny realized that all of this was stuff she had seen in High School but this boy took the time to show her how to solve formulas, not only that but also how to graph them on paper. It wasn’t exactly fun but she could tell he had experience tutoring people.

"Oh! That’s awesome, that makes so much more sense now."

"Yes, math is a wonderful thing."

"Thank you so much. Oh, your food must have arrived at your table by now. I’m sorry for taking so much of your time."

"I haven’t ordered yet. I was approaching you for that reason when I heard you pose your question about math."

"Oh gosh, I’m sorry. Thank you again. Let me get you a menu, don’t move from there."

Quickly going through the familiar motions she cleaned his side of the table and got him a menu.

"Don’t order dessert, as thanks for helping me understand this. I'll get you a slice of cheesecake after your meal. My treat."

And for the first time he looks uncomfortable "Oh…is this like a gift?"

"No, it’s just a way to repay the help you already gave me."

His face clears "Ahh, like Quid Pro Quo?"

"Sure, let’s go with that."

"Then, I accept. Thank you." His attention now on the bible of a menu in front of him.

Penny had to smile, this boy was weird but not in a bad way. It was probably his first time away from home, and college had been scarier than he expected, he wasn’t being a creep, he hadn’t even ogled Penny or tried to make a pass at her. In High School she wouldn’t have been friends with him but here it was perfectly normal, maybe they could help each other out with homework. ‘I mean, he can’t be good at every subject.’

After almost ten minutes of him going through the menu Penny is getting a little impatient. "All of it is good."

"Highly unlike. But this is my first time at this establishment so I suppose that asking for recommendations would be the next logical step. Is there anything that you recommend?" His face is open and honest.

"Hmmm, how about a burger? I just had the Smokehouse B.B.Q. Burger a few days ago and it was really good."

"I’ll have that please, and a glass of lemonade."

"Coming right up." Penny moved to the kitchen to set his order. As they waited for his order to be ready, he kept helping her.

Penny kept an eye on the kitchen and as soon as his burger was ready, she went to get it. While he ate, she went right back to work on her assignment, thanks to this boy’s help she was getting it and didn’t want to stop now. If he needed something then he could just ask her.

As Penny worked she took notice of this strange boy, he ate carefully, methodically. Her first thought was that maybe he was feeling awkward eating in front of her but he was ignoring her, completely absorbed in enjoying his burger with no regard for other people.

Maybe this was why people liked study groups so much? It was nice to have someone help you and even though they were not talking, his physical presence brought her a sense of companionship. They were both students and were facing school together.

Penny made good on her promise and got him a slice of cheesecake. Her gut told her that he had a sweet tooth so she made it a slice of the Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cheesecake. She was not disappointed, he basically devoured it.

"Thank you. You were correct on the hamburger and your selection of Cheesecake was equally pleasing. I might make this a weekly visit after today."

"Oh you’re welcome Sweetie. I always work this shift so you can find me here." Penny winced, it sounded too much like a come on. But the boy simply nodded and moved to stand up. And okay, Penny had at least been expecting for the boy to ask for her number but he didn’t seem interested in her. ‘Maybe he’s gay.’

"My name is Penny by the way, just realized we never introduced ourselves." She extended a hand to him.

He looked at her hand for a long moment and when she was about to put it down he reached out and shook it.

“My name is Sheldon. Pleased to meet you.” He gave her a small shy smile and Penny smiled back.

“I like that, Sheldon. It fits you well. I’ll see you around Sheldon.”

“Likewise.” And he’s gone. She smiled at seeing the 20 dollar tip.

Penny likes Sheldon, he’s a little high strung and talks like an old timey professor, but he’s a good boy, maybe he and Tamika can hit it off, talk science at each other while helping Penny with her homework.

The rest of her shift was pretty calm, she only had to stop working 2 times and while none were as generous as Sheldon tip-wise, they still left some. The drive back to the dorm was calm, but Penny refused to listen to any music. The knowledge in her head was fresh and she didn’t want anything to interrupt it. She was going to finish all of her math work that night.

After a couple of hours of work, Penny closed her books and rubbed at her eyes. She was tired but happy. She might like this geometry stuff after all.

Tamika finally entered their dorm and went to slam face first onto her bed. Penny took a look at the clock and saw it was pretty late.

“Not a great party I take it?” Penny asked, seeing the exhausted woman.

“Oh no, fantastic. Simply fantastic.” Tamika’s voice was slightly muffled but the sarcasm still shone strongly. “Boy genius is everything they claim and more. Oh! And he’s an ass, not five minutes into the party and he’s already offended everyone. I don’t know how he plans to lecture with that attitude.” Tamika laughs suddenly “And you know the best part? He left his own welcome party halfway through to go eat lunch! We had to stay back to help clean." Tamika finally sat up to face Penny "Can you believe that?. And his first lecture is in a week."

"Wow, sounds like a fun guy.”

“I think it’ll be an interesting lecture…want to come and see?”

“Me? Why?.”

“C’mon, you owe me one.”

“Nuh uh.” Penny shook her head.

“I’m going to get Jack to organize a double date with Kurt. So you owe me.”

“...Okay.”

Penny really wanted that date, she’ll go and get bored for an hour and maybe even work on her homework. Maybe Sheldon won’t mind helping her again.

***

Penny was kind of getting the hang of this geometry thing. They were teaching them how to sketch correctly and Penny loved it, she could see how it all would come together into a design. She was thrilled at the end result.

It was as if for the first time something clicked about college. She was having fun.

It had been a few days since Sheldon had helped her and she had tried to pay attention around campus to see if she could find him but she hadn’t had any luck so far. Maybe he was too shy and only went to classes and then went back to his dorm. Perhaps he needed a friend and Penny could be that friend.

She didn’t see Sheldon again until her Thursday shift, she was working the dinner shift and this time the restaurant was a little more active. She still had her notebooks on an empty table at the back but she had less chances to work on it. Penny was really liking the design classes and she had been taking them more seriously.

One moment the table with her stuff is empty and the next moment she looks, Sheldon is sitting there reviewing one of her notebooks. A smile comes to her face because he’s once again dressed like a mini-version of a professor…well, not so mini, the boy was tall as heck.

Making her way to him she prepared her notepad, technically this table wasn’t at her section but whatever. “Hey Sheldon!”

“Good evening Penny.” He gave her a small shy smile and Penny had to resist the urge to say ‘Awww’ out loud. “I see that you have made strides in your school work. Excellent job.”

“Aw thanks Sweetie.” Penny blushed a little and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, it felt nice to hear someone complimenting her school progress. “Let me get you a menu.”

“No need, I have already memorized it. Thank you.”

Penny laughed but Sheldon only looked at her confused. “Wait, you’re serious? It’s like a bible sized menu.”

“I possess an eidetic memory. The menu is forever in my mind now.”

“Oh! Wow, that’s really cool. So that’s how you remember all that math stuff!” Penny pointed a finger at him.

“Yes, it’s also fun.” Of course he would find it fun.

“Well then Mr. Photographic memory, what can I get you then?”

“Eidetic, not photographic. I can remember sounds, feelings, smells, etc. not just images.” He corrected her “And can I please get a California Omelette and a glass of Lemonade please.”

“Coming right up.”

Just like last time she took peeks at Sheldon while he ate, he once again ate in a very deliberate and methodical manner, like a machine. The smile he had after tasting the omelette though, was very human.

As her section cleared she went to Sheldon. “Can I get you anything else Sweetie?”

“A slice of…” He trailed off frowning in thought, it was the first time Penny had seen him with this intense look and it was because of Cheesecake. ‘Wackadoodle’ The smile on her face was genuine, Sheldon was really cute. Hopefully no one was bullying him. “A slice of the Fresh Banana Cream Cheesecake please.”

“Be right back.”

After getting Sheldon his slice of Cheesecake, Penny sat in front of him and watched as he once again devoured his dessert. Sheldon could eat like a beast, maybe he was a swimmer after all.

“Is there something on my face Penny?”

“Oh, no. Sorry, I was lost in thought. Hey Sheldon if it’s not much of a bother, can you help me understand this please.” Penny pointed to her open notebook.

Penny liked how Sheldon explained things. She did not like how he assumed things tho. He talked to her like she should know everything, but to be fair, once she explained that she needed a simple explanation he would make sure to adjust his tutoring.

Sheldon could come off as arrogant but Penny thought it was a defense mechanism. He was probably sheltered his whole life and school was the one place he always did well at so he most likely has a pride thing going on.

“Awesome, thank you Sheldon. I get it now.”

“You’re welcome Penny. I shall retire now.”

“Before you go! I wanted to ask you, what building are you in? Arts, Sciences or Sports?”

Sheldon tilted his head, like a puppy trying to understand something. “Sciences of course.”

“Of course, how silly of me.” No reaction at her tone. “Well, you know if you are free, some mornings I go and watch the swimming team practice. So if you wanna hang out or something you can find me there. I’ll be there tomorrow.” Penny was no longer worried about Sheldon getting the wrong idea.

“Hang out?” He said it as if tasting something for the first time. Unsure if he liked it.

“Yeah, we can talk about stuff, school or life, or do homework together.”

He looked confused but then his face cleared in understanding “Do homework togeth-Oh! Missy told me about this, is this an activity to determine if we can become friends?”

“Yeah, that’s right.” Missy huh.

“Very well.” Sheldon looked really proud of himself, like he just figured out something super important. “I shall see you tomorrow.”

“Bye Sweetie.” Penny gave him a small waive. He left the same amount for a tip.

***

The next morning she didn’t have to look for Sheldon, he was already sitting in the bleachers, near the bottom and had 2 notebooks on his lap. Apparently he was working on both of them at the same time. ‘Definitely trying too hard.’

Penny doubts that she’ll be able to provide any assistance with his homework but she’ll still try.

“Hey Sweetie, morning.”

“Good morning Penny.” He finally looks up from his notebooks and gives her the now familiar smile. ‘He needs to smile more.’

"I am unsure on what we should do to determine if we can become friends. Missy was unhelpful in this regard as she was not in her dorm room when I called her." Sheldon did look confused but eager. Penny took a seat next to him.

“Okay, that’s a start. Who’s Missy?”

“Missy is my twin sister.”

Penny was relieved. Sheldon was a sweet boy and she knew girls that would take advantage of that.

“Oh! You’re a twin, that’s cool. Where does she go to school?”

“She is currently attending the Nursing program at Galveston College.”

“Cool. Oh wait, why Texas?”

“What do you mean?” Honest confusion on his face. Sheldon didn’t do great with indirect questions Penny noticed.

“As in, why is she in Texas and you’re here in Nebraska?”

“Ah, I see. I’m originally from Galveston, Texas. Missy’s grades limited her scope of options so Galveston College was the best option for her. As for me, well I am-” A shrill whistle and a shout interrupted Sheldon.

“Penny!” Kurt is jogging towards them and he’s smiling. He was not part of the swimming team so seeing him here was a nice surprise for Penny. She could already feel herself blushing, Kurt was wearing a white undershirt that exposed a lot of his muscles, red shorts, and a whistle around his neck that completed the lifeguard look.

Penny was already smiling like a fool, but her smile was ripped out of her face by Kurt’s words. “Beat it creep. If I see you harassing Penny or any of the girls from the swim team I’ll beat your ass.”

‘Oh God no.’ Why did Kurt have to be an idiot and harass Sheldon? Penny had liked Kurt a lot and now she was going to have to beat his ass.

Penny was already turning to apologize to Sheldon, expecting to see him frightened but against her expectations he looked as cool as a cucumber. “Fascinating. You and Jason Davies must share a common ancestor. Though I suppose it stands to reason it was from the Neanderthal branch seeing your protruding forehead.”

Penny gaped at Sheldon, he had just insulted Kurt without any kind of fear. Now she most definitely was going to have to kick Kurt’s ass if he tried to hurt Sheldon. But Kurt only looked confused, she’s not sure if at the words or at the lack of fear from his would-be victim.

“What did you just say to me?” No anger in Kurt’s voice, just honest confusion.

“Language is both a blessing and a curse. I suppose in your case it’s more of the latter than the former. Allow me to try and simplify this so even you can understand-” Sheldon’s words are cut off by Kurt hauling up by the front of his jacket and Penny has seen enough.

“Let. Him. Go. Kurt.” Penny comes between them and she tries to remove Kurt’s hand from Sheldon’s jacket but Kurt is built like a brick house and she's not having much luck.

“Wait, Penny? You’re on this freak’s side?” Kurt can’t understand why she’s getting in the way, he’s supposed to be the hero.

“He’s my friend Kurt, now let him go before I kick your ass.”

Kurt doesn’t get the chance to respond. A heavy hand on his shoulder and a very unamused voice interrupts him. “Young man, let go or I will make you let go.” Two campus security officers are flanking Kurt and one even has a baton out. Kurt is many things but totally stupid is not one, Kurt finally lets go of Sheldon.

Sheldon is not even looking anxious, he is more concerned about his jacket being crumpled than being moments away from being punched.

“Are you okay Sheldon?” It was way too early for this.

“I am. Thank you for your concern Penny. And for defending me.” Shy smile directed her way.

Penny looks back at Kurt and the officers but he’s already being escorted away. ‘Goddammit Kurt’ It seemed that Kurt hadn’t quite figured out that this was no longer High School. Penny made a mental note to let Tamika know that Kurt was no longer an option and she was not interested in that date anymore.

“No worries Sweetie, I got you. Now, how about we go somewhere else? Oh! I know, I’ve been meaning to go to the Aquarium, wanna go?” Penny shakes her car keys at him and mirrors Sheldon’s eager smile.

They spend the first half of the day at the aquarium and Penny has to admit that she had a great time. Sheldon was like her own walking encyclopedia, he had knowledge about seemingly every subject.

She also learned that Sheldon loved fish, but he was particularly fascinated by the glowing jellyfish. He talked her ear off about how very soon in the future people could have fish that acted as night lights and Penny could only shake her head at him. He was really cute in an innocent way.

They had a quick lunch at a McDonald’s and since the Zoo was right there, they might as well spend the rest of the day there. Penny refused to acknowledge the flutter in her at seeing Sheldon smile at the baby koalas. Nope, no flutter there.

“Hey Sheldon, want to go grab dinner before breaking off?”

“Oh my, it’s already this late. Yes please.”

And that’s how they end up at the only Chinese restaurant near the University. Penny thinks this is a great time to continue with some of the conversation from earlier since they mostly talked about fish and animals until now.

“So, Sheldon, since your family is back in Texas, where are you living at right now?" She was curious about this, he seemed like a sheltered boy.

“I have an apartment at the Swivel building.”

“Wait, the one next to the Target? And you live alone?”

“That is correct, on both accounts.”

Sheldon liked to surprise Penny a lot. The Swivel building was a high end apartment building. Penny had gone there once for a party and it was an amazing building…and expensive as heck.

“Wait, who is paying for it?”

“The University.” And he went back to this Orange chicken like it was the most normal thing to do.

“Sheldon…are you smart-smart? Like super smart?”

For the first time since meeting him Penny can see Sheldon blush and look away shily. “...yeah.”

Damn, if she had been a better student she could have gotten a scholarship and an apartment like Sheldon here but no, she had to be dumb.

“That’s awesome Sheldon.” And it really was, he was so sweet but he looked lonely. Well, he now had Penny as a friend and wouldn’t have to be alone anymore. “Hey Sheldon, I was going to invite you to my dorm room tomorrow to ask for your help on some math stuff, but since you live alone can we meet in your apartment? I’ll buy us lunch as thanks.”

“I suppose that is acceptable.” And just like that she had a date with Sheldon. ‘No. Not a date-date. A study-date, as in friends studying together.’

Penny dropped Sheldon off at his building and made plans to meet him the next day. She kept smiling on her way to the dorm. It was fun to simply go out with a boy without him trying to grope her inappropriately or try and convince her that her car is the perfect place to hook up.

She was looking forward to Saturday already.

***

Coming back to her dorm Tamika jumped on her as soon as she crossed the door.

“Have you heard?!” Tamika had her ‘I’ve got good gossip’ face.

“About what?”

“Kurt!”

Penny grimaced “Ugh, no thanks. No longer interested in that double date.” Penny waved her hand and moved out of Tamika’s grasp.

“What? No. Kurt is gone.”

At that Penny stopped and turned to look at the other girl “Gone?”

“He got himself expelled!”

“Holy crap! How?” Kurt must have attacked the officers or something, damn, she dodged a bullet.

“Apparently he attacked a faculty member!” Tamika looked happy to be able to be the one to break the news.

“No way!” Penny was shocked. Kurt really was that dumb, after his confrontation with Sheldon he must have gone berserk and attacked a professor or something.

“Yes way! And Jack says that Kurt was weeping and apologizing.”

“Nuts. I actually saw him this morning. I was with a friend sitting on the bleachers you know?”

“Of course, Swim Team practice.”

“Exactly, so we were there and Kurt comes and pulls my friend from the front of his jacket and next moment I see Campus security dragging Kurt away, he must have been brought in front of the dean or something afterwards for him to get expelled.”

“Holy shit, he caught you ‘macking with someone?”

“Errr, no. We were just talking and I don’t like how that word sounds, don’t use it.”

“Why not? My dad uses it.” Tamika pouted.

Penny shudders “Ew, no, it sounds gross. And not the point. We were just talking and Kurt was trying to, I don’t know, be an Alpha male or something. And my poor sweet friend almost got punched.”

“Oh damn, that’s who you were out with? Your ‘friend’?” Tamika did air quotes and had a shit eating grin on her face.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. It’s not like that. This is a sweet boy from the science courses, if you weren’t dating Jack I would have played matchmaker with you two so you could talk science to each other. Poor guy is all alone.”

“Oh wow, I was joking but it sounds like you’re crushing on this guy.”

“Nah. I could never, he’s too sweet for me.”

“Does this mystery friend have a name?”

“His name is-” A pounding at the door interrupts her.

“Baaaabe, c’mon, let’s go!”

“Coming!” Tamika had a set of pipes. “I had a date with Jack…but do you want to come with us?” Penny really loved her roommate but she couldn’t miss the look of ‘please don’t actually say yes’ on her face. Someone was getting busy tonight and it wasn’t Penny.

“Go, have fun. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Yay! You’re the best. Don’t wait up.”

A quick kiss on the cheek and Tamika is gone. That girl was falling in love and didn’t even realize it. Jack was from the Athletic training program as well but unlike Kurt was taking school seriously. He wanted to be a rehab specialist and Tamika was falling head over heels for him.

Why couldn’t Penny find that as well? Was it really so hard?.

Before going to bed Penny made sure to put everything she needed to do work in her bag. Sheldon was already willing to help her so it was better to be prepared. Right before falling asleep Penny realized she never agreed on a time to meet with Sheldon. Good thing she had at least asked for his apartment number.

‘You got lucky Penny. You dodged a bullet with Kurt and made a friend.’ That was Penny’s last thought before falling asleep.

***

Ever since coming to college, Penny would try to sleep in as much as possible. No longer being in the farm meant she no longer had to wake up at ungodly hours to help around with chores. Not having the breakfast shift at the Factory meant Penny slept in until noon. And today was no different, she woke up at 11 with some change and by 11:45 she was ready to start her day.

And yeah, while Sheldon was not interested in her in THAT way, she still has her pride so she’s wearing cute jeans and a blouse with some cleavage because…okay, she was just curious and wanted to see if Sheldon would take a peek. Just healthy curiosity, that’s all.

Penny is debating whether to buy something to eat or not but the grumbling in her tummy makes the decision for her. A short stop for a donut and crappy coffee and she’s ready to finally go to Sheldon's apartment. She’s glad that they never agreed on a time because by the time she arrived at his apartment door, it was closer to 1 than to 12.

*Knock, Knock*

“Good afternoon Penny.” Sheldon was still dressed the same way as the other times she saw him. Penny was hoping that during weekends he would be a jeans and tee kind of guy.

“Hey Sheldon!”

The apartment is immaculate, as in scary clean. Poor guy must be afraid of dirtying the place up. She puts her bag on a chair and looks around for any pictures or posters but there’s nothing like that.

“The walls look a little bare there Sheldon. Not one for decorating?”

“Ah, this is only a temporary residence. I will not be using it after 3 months so I find it unnecessary to decorate.”

Ouch, so he was not here permanently, it made sense, it was the start of the semester so the dorms were full to the brim, Penny had gotten lucky and scored hers pretty early on. And if Sheldon was as smart as she suspected then that meant the school was probably waiting for one of the single dorm rooms to become available for Sheldon to move in. Lucky bastard, those dorms had their own showers. ‘Maybe I can convince him to let me use his shower?’

“I see, too bad, this is a fantastic apartment.”

“It is satisfactory I must admit. Would you like a beverage?”

And that’s how Penny finds herself doing homework and advancing on her sketching class on a Saturday afternoon instead of going to a party or getting drunk. This is the shocking part, Penny is having fun.

Sheldon truly made for a great tutor. Penny was getting the hang of how to ask him questions. He did horribly with indirect questions or requests, but if you told him straight up what you needed, he immediately adjusted. It was a nice change of pace.

She only made him mad once while he helped her and it was for a very unexpected reason.

“I don’t get it. Maybe I am really stupid.”

“Penny.” It’s his serious tone that makes her look up from her notebook “You are not stupid.” Sheldon’s blue eyes are bright and full of something she can’t identify. It makes her laugh nervously, she hadn’t really noticed how blue his eyes were.

“Sorry, bad joke.” Penny mumbles.

Sheldon makes sure she gets it. He is very intense when helping her but Penny likes it, if only her teachers were like this she wouldn’t feel like a failure so often. So what if she needs a little more help than others, it doesn't make her stupid.

And it’s because it’s on her mind that she blurts out the question to Sheldon.

“Sheldon…Do you think there’s a place for me here, in college?”

Sheldon’s face focuses on her fully, he is frowning in confusion. “What do you mean? Everyone has a place in College.”

“No, no. I meant…well, it’s just that, I feel like I struggle more than others at this stuff. Even now I’m asking for your help when I see all my classmates just do this without any difficulty. And, and, and I chose this Major because I thought it would help me become an actress but no, and…I just wonder if I should keep going.”

Penny can’t look at Sheldon directly, she’s doodling nonsense on her notebook. She’s not even sure why she asked him.

“Why wouldn’t it help you become an actress?” She finally looks up and Sheldon is not looking at her funny or giving her pitying looks. Sheldon is giving her his full attention and taking her seriously.

“I mean, it can?”

“Of course it can, a BFA or a MFA can go a long way in helping you, or you can join the drama club and get theater experience which can be invaluable for obtaining future roles. As for options outside of college you can go to acting classes, there’s also summer programs that foster upcoming actors.” Sheldon’s intense look makes it impossible for Penny to look away. “Experience is important, and University can give you that room to obtain it, while also giving you the opportunity to network with people in the acting business. Many actors have been discovered thanks to theater clubs, improv groups or low budget films. You are already on the correct road.”

Penny felt like crying, this is all she wanted to hear. Not her mom calling her stupid for wanting to act, not her dad looking at her in disappointment. Not her high school friends laughing at her dream and not the condescending looks of boys that just wanted to get in her pants.

“Thank you.” Penny’s voice was watery but the smile she gave him was all happiness.

Needing to take a break she offered to go pick up lunch and Sheldon agreed. Since she was buying she told him it would be a surprise but seeing him start to get uncomfortable Penny cracked and told him she was going to get Italian subs which seemed to calm him down.

As she went to pick up lunch Penny had to admit that Sheldon was more mature than what she had given him credit for. He didn’t laugh at her dream and reassured her that she was doing the right thing, maybe she could stick with college for a little longer.

Penny smiled all the way to the restaurant.

Thankfully the place was not busy so she’s back to Sheldon’s place rather quickly. Sheldon liked the sandwich enough to ask her where she got it from, so that’s a win in her book. After lunch Penny is not quite ready to go back to studying.

“Hey Sheldon, don’t you miss your family?” She stretches her legs as she sits on his couch.

“I miss my Meemaw and my mother.”

Penny frowns slightly, “What about your twin sister?”

“Missy and I have drifted apart. Same with my older brother and his wife…and their daughter.” There’s a tone of something in his voice.

“But you miss them.”

“...I find myself thinking about them.” Now Sheldon is the one having difficulty looking at her.

“My mom isn’t a great person. She keeps drinking until she passes out, my dad resents her for it but does nothing. Coming to college was like a breath of fresh air, I was finally free from them. And even with all that, I find myself missing them at times.” Penny usually needs to be drunk to tell someone this. “They were shitty parents, but they still are my parents.”

The silence in the room is heavy.

“Missy and Georgie both resented me from a young age. It was easier to breach that gap when we were younger, however, as we grew older we were unable to do the same. My brother had his own family to worry about of course, but Missy…I miss what we had when we were younger.” Sheldon looks resigned and sad.

“Can you tell me about your Meemaw?”

Sheldon’s face immediately brightens and he tells her about his Meemaw, the woman with the underground casino, about her love for cigarettes and R-rated movies, teaching Sheldon how to shoot, teaching him how to bake cookies and how she tried and failed to teach him how to lie.

Penny can see it, a young Sheldon sticking to his Meemaw’s side in a house full of people that couldn’t understand him.

Penny told him about growing up trying to be the perfect son until her breasts started growing and her dad basically stopped talking to her. About Junior Rodeo and how even to this day she sort of misses it. And how she didn’t miss the farm work but did miss the animals.

Sheldon told her about his father. Sheldon had loved his father, but then he lost his job and that changed him. It made him drink a lot more and it made him cruel, his mother the recipient of most of it. When his dad died it had come as more of a relief for the entire family, but that only fractured it even more.

Penny had been right about Sheldon, he was lonely.

But not anymore, he had Penny. They would kill it at UNO and college life.

Studying and homework goes out the window after that talk.

They simply get to know each other. Penny tries to teach Sheldon the greatness of Rom-coms while Sheldon tries to get her to give Star Trek a chance. They end up watching The Lord of the Rings on Sheldon’s couch and Penny hates to admit that she’s into it.

Sheldon got her good, she loves the friendship between Frodo and Sam, it’s unfair how hot Arwen is and once Aragorn and Legolas come into play that’s all Penny needs to love the movie. She’s heartbroken to find out it’s only the first film of a trilogy that is not even fully out yet.

“Sheldon! We need to go watch that movie when it comes out!”

“Funny that you mention it, it’s slated to premiere next month in cinemas.”

“Yay, then we gotta go.”

“Very well Penny.” Sheldon gave her another shy smile. This boy needed to smile more.

“Thank you very much for today Sheldon, I’ll get out of your hair now.”

“Out of my hair? But you haven’t touched my hair.”

“No, I mean, I’ll go back to my dorm now.”

“Ah, I see. I’ll walk you to the door.” Penny made sure to not forget anything and was soon standing outside of Sheldon’s door. “So, thank you again Sheldon. Goodnight.”

“You’re welcome Penny. Goodnight.” And he closed the door on her face.

Penny pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes at the closed door. She wasn’t expecting Sheldon to invite her to spend the night, but he hadn’t even peeked at her cleavage. It didn’t sit right with her, made her feel like she was losing. ‘Okay Penny, kinda messed up thinking there.’

Maybe Sheldon just wasn’t interested. Maybe he was gay. ‘Yeah, it’s probably that.’

***

Penny didn’t see Sheldon again until Tuesday morning. It was another practice day for the Swimming club and when she arrived at the bleachers Sheldon was already there, writing something on a notebook.

“Hey Sheldon, mornin’ “ She tried to not yawn and failed.

“Hello Penny. Good morning.”

Penny smiled at him, she was glad he was coming here so early to meet with her. Maybe Sheldon could be her gay best friend.

They sat side by side, Sheldon working on his notebook while Penny watched the male members of the club practice. As soon as they were done Penny tapped Sheldon’s knee with her own. “Hey Sheldon, let's go get breakfast, my treat. I want a breakfast burrito.”

Sheldon jumped a little at her touch but did not say anything about the tap. At least he finally looked up from his notebook. “A breakfast burrito does sound…” and he just trailed off looking at where the pool was.

Penny turned and the first thing she saw was the women from the club walking towards the other end of the pool. Sheldon was looking at them. Well, to be more exact, he was looking at their asses.

‘Huh, so much for a gay best friend.’

Feeling a bit annoyed, Penny snapped her fingers in front of Sheldon’s face until he looked at her. The blush on his face meant he knew he was caught.

“Enjoying the view?” Penny raised her eyebrows.

Sheldon grimaced, blush still prominently on his face. “I apologize Penny. I got distracted. We were discussing going for breakfast burritos.”

“I mean, I was. You were trying to-” Sheldon yelped.

“A breakfast burrito sounds like an excellent idea. Let’s go.” And he grabbed her by the hand to pull her towards the parking lot, his face red all the way to her car. ‘Wackadoodle.’

The ride to McDonalds was quiet, but once they had their respective breakfast burritos and they were sitting on a bench outside the McDonald’s Penny decided to mess with Sheldon.

“So…you’re an ass man.” Not a question.

Sheldon glared at her but Penny just glared back. “Penny. Liking women with good birthing hips is a biological response and-”

“That’s a yes then.”

Sheldon glared at her and she could see a small twitch on his cheek. He did not reply to her and took another bite of his burrito.

“I mean, that’s perfectly fine. I was just wondering why you weren’t-”

“Penny. I will be more than happy to assist you with your next assignment if you let this matter rest.”

Penny put a finger to her chin, pretending to think it over. Sheldon did look embarrassed and she had gotten her answer about why he didn’t peek at her cleavage, Sheldon was an ass man.

“Okay. Deal.” Penny stood up and dusted off her jean-clad butt more forcefully than it was necessary, but she never took her eyes off from Sheldon and sure enough, his eyes were on her butt as she dusted imaginary dirt from it. ‘Oh yeah, an ass man.’

“Hey buster! My eyes are up here.” Penny couldn’t keep the laughter out of her voice. Sheldon simply glared at her.

***

Penny had dropped off Sheldon at the sciences building, he said that he had a class to prepare for and that was fine, Penny was meeting Tamika at the cafeteria anyway. Even with Kurt gone the other girl had forced Penny to go with her to the ‘Boy Genius’ class.

It was fine, Penny could lose one hour of her life on this. Not to mention that it would make Tamika owe her one.

‘Dammit, I should have brought Sheldon over. The class he was talking about must have been the Boy Genius one.’

Finding Tamika was easy, the girl was a damn supermodel, you only had to follow the drool marks. “Let’s go girl. Boring class time.”

“Ugh, don’t remind me. This most likely will be a disaster. At least it’s only one class, the rest of his lectures will be for undergrads.” They walked together to the sciences building and Penny was not so discreetly looking for Sheldon. “What are you doing Penny?”

“Looking for my friend, he most likely will be attending this class as well and I wanted to see if he would sit with us.”

“Okay, cool. At least with someone else we can gossip.”

No signs of Sheldon on the way to the classroom and neither in the classroom itself. Sheldon was tall and not easy to miss. ‘Huh, maybe Math majors don’t have interest in this class.’

Giving up on finding Sheldon, she and Tamika found a place near the back of the classroom. If this guy was as much of an asshole as Tamika had described him then it was best to stay away.

Little by little the classroom filled until there was no place to sit, but even that didn’t stop people, they were standing up and pressing close to each other like sardines.

“It’s a shame you couldn’t meet Sheldon, he’s crazy for this type of stuff.”

“Yea-wait, you said Sheldon?”

An authoritative voice interrupted further talking. It was rare for the Dean to address them, this only reinforced that this was not a normal situation. “Listen up everyone. I want you all to pay close attention. UNO was very lucky to be able to get Dr. Cooper for these 3 months. Take advantage of it and don’t waste Dr. Cooper’s time.”

‘Huh, Cooper like Sheldon, small world.’

“Dr. Cooper. The floor is yours.”

And there, emerging from the back of the dean Penny saw her new friend, the boy that had helped her with homework, that introduced her to Lord of the Rings and the boy that was checking her ass this morning.

“My name is Dr. Sheldon Cooper and I’m here to try and teach you the wonderful world of physics. I am certain that my lectures will be wasted on you, but alas, I shall still provide them.”

Holy crap on a cracker. Sheldon was an asshole…