#locker journal

[fresherfriut]

[panthalassaunited]

I Stepped on a Hawk

I don’t think I’m ready for this kind of commitment

Sure when things are nice, they are very nice, as soothing as the breeze through the thatch palms and slash pines,

As wondrous as the hidden secrets of the rocklands. The gentle afternoon sun set against clear blue skies radiates the heat of many good days we had.

But those hurtful things you said.

That wild and crazed look in your eyes.

I know it was an accident, I know you didn’t mean it,

But now I have to check and re-check myself, Always.

I can’t be myself, I have to dump every ounce, every fiber of my being into making sure you don’t get upset.

And yet I fail you still.

Meaningless words to me, you took them as a directed attack.

I didn’t mean anything by that tone I had.

And now you won’t speak to me.

I can’t do this anymore.

My love for you is as that of the Gardner and their prized crops.

I want nothing but the best for you, to help you to grow and thrive and be truly you…

But I don’t think, for my sake and your’s, this will work out.

Why didn’t I know sooner?

I would have never taken a step had I known I wasn’t ready.

My therapist says “it sounds like you got more than you bargained for?”,

Maybe they’re right.

And that’s when I stepped on the hawk.

Your silence cuts deep, much like the hawk did later,

My brain feels clouded, I don’t want to work anymore.

I want to lie down and rot.

I’ve failed, again.

Even when I tried as best as I could not to, I failed again.

And you withdraw yourself from me.

I’ve done you great wrong.

My mind is squeezed between great and dismal bricks looking at the Pithecellobium,

When I felt something budge under my feet.

A lightning bolt, a spark, a sound of thunder, the hairs stand on the back of your neck,

I stumbled back in horror, as I peer down to see the turned-over hawk.

A large snake, a North American Racer, perhaps four feet long, once wrapped around the downed raptor, swiftly slinks away.

Everything goes into panic.

The mind, fragile, a Robin’s eggs, grasps at burning straws, gasps, reels.

Eyes meet the eyes of the hawk, blind fear and confusion in both.

I crouch down to examine, yes they’re still alive.

Grabbing a thatch palm I gently try to flip them over, onto their feet,

When talons deftly shoot out and sink down into the meat of my palm.

It hurts, the cuts are deep, but incomparable to the weight of the sin I had committed.

The garden gloves I had don’t work either, and one is ripped off my hand in fury.

They flash their wings, beak agape in fright.

The hoodie is called for, and I quickly throw it down upon them.

Instant relaxation.

Memory turns to muscle as routines of old are dredged from the depths of the psyche.

Gently unfolding the wings, watching primaries slide against secondaries,

A complex machine, tested against the mettle of life itself, whetted against the stone of trial and tribulation,

Moves and flexes like clockwork.

No broken bones in the right wing, none in the left, the scaly legs are warm and still functional.

Retrices fan out, the patterns put all together mark this one as a juvenile Broad-winged Hawk.

Everything checks out, all is well, no damage done.

Setting them in the shade on a clear platform of limestone, the hawk stands, confused, dazed.

Eventually, folding into themselves, they give their own self-assessment.

A gentle straightening of feathers, ruffled plumes relax.

I back off quickly.

Hours later, passing by the spot I had left them, a flash of movement from the pines directs my gaze skyward.

A relief, the hawk still flies. They got themselves up to the slash pine off to the right of the rock I had set them on, and now they are soaring through the canopy.

Communication is better then.

We come to an understanding.

Things mend, I still don’t think I can do this.

But I’m glad I can help to set things right.

[crnl-chicken-tots]

The first and last time Ushijima lets either one of them ride a horse with him.

BONUS:

[rotton-teeth]

Toralei Fearbbok after school activies that arent just ~Music~

[aleixis]

one of my friends' ex asked me for my ig wtf .

[retr0-dayz]

early 2010s justice back to school supplies

[empressofthelibrary]

Posting the wip bc I'm about to start color swatching, and I dunno if this is gonna survive the inks but I love the energy in this sketch

Katie doesn't have a surname yet but I'm already sold on her

[arolesbianism]

Times are getting desperate boys the sandbox tools suck so I'm hunting down other planetoids for more lore

[the-invisible-queer]

YO WAIT

The only way I'd ever part with my Camp Rock/Jonas Brothers shit - all authentic to the 2008/2009 era - is if it's in the hands of Joseph Adam Jonas, himself

FUCKING WAIT

LISTEN I WONT EVEN TAKE HIS MONEY

I'll literally give it to him for free just for a chance to finally meet him and get a hug

[vgna-wf]

met someone the night i arrived bc he got locked out of his room. tall nerdy guy with a shrek shirt on. hung out some of yesterday, followed him on his errands as he prepared to leave. went to the bookstore together. real sweet guy. very lefty, talked a lot. lots of niche interests. surface level very similar to my favorite ex, but also very much not so. not interested in him but ive now identified them as a Type of Dude. still texting bc i liked him

had breakfast with a woman who seems extremely accomplished and well connected and has all the right opinions yet is also very privileged. enjoyed talking to her and felt mostly open and honest but also found myself a little uncomfortable because i was worried about saying all the right things and coming off as honest and down to earth all at the same time. there was definitely a barrier to connecting.

had dinner in a tavern. sat at the bar. bartender asked about my book, talked about sci-fi. he was great and i wish i was more comfortable socially. im getting there. it was cool because this place (like the place i went to last night, although a bit more bougie) had a lot of regulars and it’s fun to watch them have their rapport with the bartender. found out he was going to the same concert tmrw (!!) so hopefully i can say hi then

in the evening, met a man in the smoking section from kentucky who lives in airbnbs with his dog and travels the country for his weed business. had a very open and honest and real conversation with him. felt like i met a good soul. attractive in a particular disheveled beardy millennial sort of way. he invited me to go find a rooftop bar with him. brought the dog. we went and he kind of became an ass. not to me, but his actions, even if funny, showed a disregard for other people, and his jokes became pretty offensive. he was fun and it felt nice to have his interest but oh boy. glad i had the experience but also disappointing

[wileys-russo]

sleepless nights II a.putellas

sleepless nights II a.putellas

your eyes fluttered open as a sudden chill whipped through the bedroom, curtain waving madly with the howling wind which had just set in through the window which was cracked open, the low angry growl of thunder in the distance indicating a storm was almost upon you.

squinting tiredly in the dark you saw from the alarm clock on your bedside table it was just past three in the morning, the blaring green numbers a little blurry as you wiped at the sleep which had crusted over in the corner of your eyes.

reaching out groggily for your girlfriend you hoped to bury yourself in her embrace and steal her body warmth, though you frowned feeling only cold empty sheets beside you, signalling wherever the blonde had gone she'd been gone for awhile.

With a heave you pulled yourself into a sitting position, wrapping your arms tightly around yourself as goosebumps began to form on your bare legs at the temperature change.

it was rare for barcelona to be so cool this time of year but the weather had been all over the place lately, and there had been storms forecast all week long and now it seemed for once they had finally predicted correctly as the grumble of thunder grew ever closer.

swinging yourself out of bed you shuffled over to the open window, forcing it closed with a grunt and a small bang as the curtains fell deathly still once again, a small sigh of relief sounding as the room was quiet again.

you could have sworn either yourself or alexia had closed the window once your movie finished, the two of you curled up in bed watching as the couch just wasn't as comfortable and disallowed you from sprawling out on top of your girlfriend like you so adored to.

though when the movie finished and alexia had long fallen soundly asleep beneath you it was well after midnight, and so the chances of you simply turning off the television and passing out with the window still open was not unlikely.

burying your chin within the collar of your girlfriends hoodie drowning your body you made your way over to the bedroom door, letting out a yelp of pain when you stubbed your toe on the corner of the wooden storage trunk which sat at the end of the bed.

"maldita caja estúpida!" you cursed, hopping up and down and grimacing, wishing away the pain which was throbbing through your left foot. the brief pause allowing your eyes to adjust a little more to the dark you exhaled with a huff and grabbed the door handle, gently pulling it open with a small creak.

the hallway light was off though you could see a gentle blue hue radiating out from the closed door which connected to the living room, a frown creasing into your eyebrows at the sight.

your girlfriend being the superstar footballer she was, was obviously quite a busy woman and didn't technically live with you just yet, though there was no doubt she spent much more time here than at her own apartment.

you'd discussed moving in officially, but agreeing you both owned far too much stuff between you you'd taken inspiration from your girlfriends best friend and really alexia's apartment now existed as a huge storage locker, with her spending most nights a week in your bed with you.

it was really only training, meetings, international breaks or away matches in which alexia was called away from the domestic bubble of bliss she existed in within the four walls of your apartment.

as far as you were both concerned, it may as well have been much her home as it was yours, because after all really, to alexia you were her home.

the two of you had met a few years ago, and started officially dating almost two years ago after months of dancing around your true feelings for one another, with your anniversary set to be next month.

in among struggling your way through a journalism degree at university you worked nights at a small tapas restaurant on the outskirts of barcelona.

it hardly covered your bills between tuition and rent, and meant you still had to spend countless hours of your weekends tutoring to make ends meet. but you'd worked there nearly four years now and had grown rather attached to the place and all the people who came with it, it was like a little family.

the girls of the barcelona womens team were far from a stranger to the residents of barcelona, many were yet to forget the way she'd lead both club and country to countless trophies and victories over the years.

in turn one maria león and her family and friends were frequented visitors to the small tapas bar, its obscure location and mostly repeat elderly clientele making it an ideal place for the defender to blend in, well as much as she could.

you weren't stupid you knew exactly who she was, and her girlfriend ingrid, though you never held it against them and made sure to treat them the same as you would any other customer, feeling quite sorry for them when ever so occasionally their meal would be interrupted with someone wanting a photo or a moment of their time.

you grew accustomed to the couples presence as they had with yours and everyone else who worked there, until one day they didn't come with family.

instead you were jolted from your daydreams as maria burst in followed by at least ten other boisterous girls, most of which you recognized to be her teammates.

you were quick to make your way over to take their order as you caught ingrids eye and she gave a soft smile and a small nod, starting at one end of the table and gradually making your way down.

"the usual for you two?" you spoke as you arrived before ingrid and maria, recounting what you knew they always ordered, first looking to maria with a smile who nodded her head with an appreciative wink, then fell to ingrid who smiled, shaking her head slightly at how predictable they had seemingly become.

"-and I don't know your order because I haven't seen you here before." your eyes fell to the brunette sat on maria's other side with a friendly smile, the girl averting her own gaze to the menu in front of her.

of course even if you didn't know her order, you knew who she was, you'd have to live under a rock now to know who she was, but you were determined to treat them all with the same respect and sense of humility that had drawn the couple to suggest the bar for the team night out in the first place.

"this is alexia, el capitána." maria grinned as alexia gave her a look and bumped her shoulder into hers as you smiled, rocking back and forth on your heels awaiting her order.

when finally she did order you quickly ran through the whole docket with the table to make sure you didn't miss anything. "eh and some bread? for the table." alexia spoke up quietly but kindly as you send the girl a warm smile with a nod, scribbling it down on your notepad.

"gracias guapa." the brunette returned your smile as you tried not to let your cheeks heat up at the compliment, maria digging her elbow into her friends side with a cheeky grin when you weren't looking as the older girl gave her a fierce glare and shoved her away.

"i-uh lo siento." alexia apologised quickly as you assured it was more than fine, though still maybe a little flustered your pen slipped from your grasp, clattering to the floor as you wiped your hand on your pants, small beads of sweat having formed on your palms.

what was happening to you?

mumbling an apology you bent down to pick it up, though as you reached for it a hand had already settled beneath your own.

a small spark seemed to shoot up your arm at the contact and as you glanced up you were met with a pair of bright hazel eyes staring right back at you.

at the time weren't sure why, but your stomach flipped at the sight.

alexia was quick to withdraw her hand as you stood to your feet, slender fingers offering you the pen and a small smile.

"gracias." you forced out as you took it from her grasp, ingrid and mapi watching on amused at the awkward interaction unfolding before them, nobody else paying you any attention.

"food will be done soon." you rambled out flashing a shy smile in her direction, your cheeks flushed red with colour as you turned on heel and hurried off back to the kitchen, heart pounding in your chest as alexia watched you go.

and from then, the rest was a story you still loved to tease the blushy catalan about.

you jumped slightly as a crack of lightning hit the sky and the hallway lit up around you like a christmas tree before plunging back into darkness.

a loud roar of thunder let you know the storm had now arrived, and you heard the awaited noise of raindrops sloshing against the window panes.

the torrential downpour having begun you pulled open the door stepping out into the living room, the sound of the storm somewhat drowned out by the noise of the tv.

you instantly noticed your girlfriend curled up on the corner of the couch, her head turning quickly toward you having heard the door open.

"hola cari." you greeted with a soft smile, arriving before her. you knew the older girl well enough to know something was bothering her without even needing to ask, the nights spent watching old barcelona games a coping mechanism of sorts for her when she was battling with something.

"mi amor." the blonde greeted you returning your smile, and even after how much time had passed the terms of endearment which often fell from her lips never failed to make you go all warm and fuzzy.

"did I wake you?" alexia asked worriedly as you straddled her lap, knees resting either side of her hips, large strong her hands falling to your bare thighs.

"no amor, the storm did." you reassured her quickly, placing your hands on her cheeks and gently pecking her lips. "i promise." you spoke again, a little more firmly this time as she opened her mouth, no doubt to question again if she'd woken you.

her body vibrated beneath you with a small chuckle at how well you knew her. "estás bien?"  you asked curiously, head tilted slightly to the side as your eyes searched the midfielders eyes for signs of discomfort or sadness.

the older girl nodded wordlessly, pressing a gentle kiss to the pad of your thumb as it ghosted tenderly over her bottom lip. "promise." alexia spoke before you could, her tone mocking your earlier words as her nose scrunched up with an amused smile.

"ha ha." you droned sarcastically with a roll of your eyes, hands moving from where they cupped her cheeks to wrap around her neck, arms settled comfortably on her shoulders as hers wrapped around your waist, pulling your body even closer into hers.

you knew better than to push her for answers on why she was really up, the stubborn blonde she would tell you when she was ready.

"you are thinking very loudly preciosa." alexia chuckled, pressing her forehead against yours, practically able to hear the cogs turning as you tried to think back to what might be bothering her.

"cannot be as loud as you snore querida." you teased lightly, watching her mouth form a small o of surprise and she pulled away. "oye tonta i do not snore!" she protested with a frown, crease in her eyebrows strengthening as her annoyance grew.

"you do snore. amor would i lie to you?" you grinned, the smile spreading wider across your face as the older girl huffed, exhaling a small puff of air from her flared nostrils.

"sí, mentiroso." alexia poked her fingers into your side eliciting a small squeal from you as you batted away her hands.

the smile not dropping from either of your faces you leant in and connected your lips to your girlfriends, her arms wrapping back around your waist before you pulled away.

"i love you." you whispered sincerely, pressing your forehead back to hers. "i love you." alexia echoed back, tilting her head up to sweetly kiss your nose making you grin and peck her lips a few more times.

"which game is this one?" you asked, turning your neck to glance at the tv behind you. "the 2011 champions league semi final first leg, barça and real madrid." alexia answered as you slid gently off of her, taking up the seat beside her instead and stretching your bare legs over her lap.

"go to bed cariño, you have been out working all day." alexia rasped with a smile, catching your eyes drooping slightly as she gently nudged your knee, eyes shining with concern which you waved off.

"no i am awake now, i have tomorrow off amor. you train in the morning, sí? " you questioned as the girl nodded her head, she had training and then nothing on for the next two days, and she intended to spend both with you.

"i was looking for this cari."  the girl tugged at the bottom of your hoodie, the over sized grey and now slightly faded material had the logo of your old university draped across the front, it had always been your favorite.

"ale i have had it on all afternoon since we showered, you did not notice?" you laughed with a curious raise of your eyebrows.

"mm no princesa i was a little busy thinking about what we did in the shower." alexia smiled suggestively, your cheeks flushing with warmth at the memory of her staring up at you from between your thighs, eyes glowing with lust.

"bueno, no puedes tenerlo." you remarked as you bit back a smile, wrapping your arms around yourself stubbornly. "amor you know i could get it off, sí?" the older girl smirked defiantly, and you rolled your eyes but couldn't argue she was stronger than you.

"alexia no por favor i only have a t-shirt on and i do not have pants, there is a whole room of clothes you can go get if you are cold!" you kicked her lightly as her smirk grew and she chuckled.

"bien. so go get pants and give me the hoodie!" alexia countered, just as stubborn as you if not more.

"no! i asked you before we went to bed to get me pants and you pretended to be sleeping." you huffed at the memory, your girlfriend was a terrible actress with her over dramatic breathing and inability not to smile when you called her out on it.

"no. i want this one!" your girlfriend frowned, poking your stomach as you squealed and kicked her. "tonta you have so many, go get one!" you shooed your hands at her and turned back toward the tv.

"but this one smells like you and is more comfortable." alexia's hands bunched around the soft grey material, pulling you into a sitting position, your legs still draped over her lap.

"ale!" you couldn't help but laugh as her nose tucked into your neck, gentle pleadings mumbled against your skin, hands sneaking up the inside of said hoodie, goosebumps prickling beneath her touch.

"bien, tú ganas! go get me one of yours and we can trade." you bargained with a groan, nodding over her shoulder to the bedroom, the closet overflowing with articles of clothing belonging to the both of you even if it had started off as yours.

"you do not need my hoodie cariño, i am here." alexia grinned as you scoffed, opening and closing your mouth trying to find the right words to continue arguing with her.

"do not bother amor, i always win." alexia whispered against your lips with a smirk, pressing hers against them and swallowing any protest you attempted.

"stop pouting bebita." alexia chuckled as you stood up with a huff, pulling the hoodie off of your body and glaring down at her, hauling the article of clothing at her face.

"sí maybe you should go back to bed, tan gruñón." alexia teased again as she pulled on your hoodie over her tank top, reaching out to quickly grab your hand as you scoffed turned to head toward the bedroom.

"ven aquí." the older girl laughed, pulling you to lay down between her legs as she stretched out down the length of the couch, pulling the blanket which was draped across the back of the couch on top of the two of you.

"mi niña gruñona." alexia teased quietly as you lazily swatted her, body relaxing in her hold as her now hoodie clad arms wrapped around you, bare legs intertwining with hers beneath the blankets as the two of you tuned into the game.

"alba hates storms, she would always wake me up when the thunder started." alexia spoke up quietly after awhile.

"when we were little, we would always make a big fort in her room and our papi...he somehow always knew, would come and lay with us." alexia confessed and your heart panged at the reveal of maybe the real reason she had gotten up.

"storms remind me of him." alexia added on as gently you reached out and slipped your hand into hers with a soft squeeze. "you miss him." you spoke quietly, knowing the last thing she would want to hear was some sort of grief advice or statement he was always with her, she hated pity, especially from you.

"sí, but i know he would be proud of alba and i." alexia smiled sadly as you brought your intertwined fingers closer, tenderly kissing her knuckles and then craning your head up a little to peck her lips before settling back down.

and that's how the two of you spent the next few hours, wrapped up in one another's embrace, limbs intertwined, swapping and recounting many stories of your childhoods, the downpour of rained drowned out by the roar of the crowd on the tv before you.

just another sleepless night.

[bookloversofbath]

Stalin's Englishman: The Lives of Guy Burgess :: Andrew Lownie

[panthalassaunited]

Trying to figure out why I feel like shit after camping in a seabird colony for a few days and then going back to a more modern setting.

[phamapple]

LOVE IN THE SPOTLIGHT

When Y/N, a shy and talented student, catches the eye of schools celebrity Karina, she's swept into a whirlwind romance. But as they navigate the challenges of fame and relationships, they must confront their own feelings and doubts. Will their love shine bright, or will it fade under the spotlight?

Warnings; fluff, angst, fem!reader, kissing, ups and downs, Karina is lowk down bad, freader is mean at first, mentions of bullying and past trauma, lmk if I missed anything cuz I think there’s a lot that I missed :P 8.7k WC

Karina was the kind of girl who commanded attention without even trying. Her stunning looks, athletic build, and charming personality made her the campus crush. Everyone knew her name, and everyone wanted to be her friend – or more.

As she walked down the hallway, her long legs striding confidently, she flashed a bright smile at her admirers. She was used to being the center of attention, and she lapped it up like a cat in cream.

But amidst all the chaos, there was one person who remained oblivious to Karina's charms. Y/N, the quiet girl who always kept to herself, didn't even glance up as Karina passed by. She was too busy scribbling notes in her journal, her dark hair falling around her face like a curtain.

Karina's eyes flicked to Y/N, a familiar pang of curiosity sparking within her. Why did this girl remain so immune to her charms? What was it about her that made Karina want to try harder?

As Karina continued down the hallway, she couldn't shake off the feeling that she was missing out on something special. And she was determined to find out what that was.

—

The crowd was electric, cheering and chanting Karina's name as she took to the court. She was a force to be reckoned with, her movements fluid and confident as she dribbled the ball down the court.

But amidst all the chaos, Karina's eyes scanned the crowd, searching for one person in particular. And then, she spotted her – Y/N, sitting at the back, her head down as she scribbled in her notebook.

Karina's heart skipped a beat as she caught sight of Y/N's dark hair, her slender fingers moving deftly across the page. She felt a surge of determination – she was going to make Y/N notice her, no matter what.

As the game began, Karina put on a show, sinking shots and making impossible passes. The crowd went wild, cheering and whistling, but Y/N didn't even flinch. She just kept drawing, her eyes fixed on the page.

Karina tried everything – she spun the ball on her finger, she did a behind-the-back dribble, she even attempted a slam dunk. But no matter what she did, Y/N didn't spare her a glance.

It was as if Karina was invisible, and it was driving her crazy. She began to wonder if she was just a ghost, floating around unnoticed by the one person she wanted to impress.

But then, Karina caught a glimpse of Y/N's profile, her eyes flashing with annoyance as she gave a side glare to the people sitting next to her. They were being too loud, and Y/N's patience was wearing thin.

Karina's heart skipped a beat as she realized that Y/N wasn't as oblivious as she seemed. She was just... selective. And Karina was determined to be the one she selected.

As the match drew to a close, Karina noticed Y/N getting up from her seat, an annoyed look on her face. Karina's eyes lingered on Y/N for a moment before she turned her attention back to her teammates, who were gathering for a group photo.

As soon as the photo was taken, the coach dismissed them to take showers. Karina quickly rushed out of the gym, her eyes scanning the hallway for any sign of Y/N. Her "fans" cheered and followed her, but she managed to lose them in the crowd.

Finally, she spotted Y/N in the hallway, packing up her bags. Karina's heart skipped a beat as she approached Y/N, a playful smirk spreading across her face.

"Look whose in a hurry," Karina said, leaning against her locker.

But Y/N didn't even glance up. She just kept packing, ignoring Karina completely.

Karina's eyes never left Y/N's back as she walked away, her smirk faltering for a moment. She was taken aback by Y/N's complete disregard for her. No one ignored Karina like that. Ever.

For a moment, Karina just stood there, frozen in surprise. Her fans, who had finally caught up to her, looked on in confusion, wondering why Karina wasn't reacting to Y/N's brush-off.

But then, Karina's expression changed. Her eyes narrowed, and a determined glint sparked within them. She pushed off from the locker and started walking, her long strides eating up the distance between her and Y/N.

"You know, I'm not used to being ignored," Karina said, her voice low and smooth, as she fell into step beside Y/N.

Y/N didn't even flinch, just kept walking with her eyes fixed on the floor ahead.

Karina's smile grew wider, her competitive streak kicking in. She was intrigued by Y/N's indifference, and she was determined to get a reaction out of her.

"Hey, are you okay? You seem a little... distracted," Karina said, trying to sound concerned.

But Y/N just kept walking, her silence a palpable force that Karina couldn't seem to penetrate.

Karina's eyes locked onto Y/N's, her heart racing with anticipation. She had expected Y/N to be beautiful, but nothing had prepared her for the intensity of Y/N's gaze. Those dark features seemed to draw Karina in, making her feel like she was drowning in their depths.

Y/N's words, however, were like a splash of cold water. "You know, you're quite talkative," she said, her voice flat and emotionless.

Karina's face fell, her excitement deflating like a punctured balloon. She had been expecting... something more. A spark of connection, maybe, or a glimmer of interest. But Y/N's words were like a slap in the face, leaving Karina feeling silly and exposed.

"Hey, someone's got to fill the silence," Karina said, trying to sound casual despite the sting of Y/N's words. She leaned against the locker, her eyes never leaving Y/N's face.

Y/N raised an eyebrow, her expression still unreadable. "Is that what you're doing?" she asked, her voice dripping with skepticism.

Karina's heart skipped a beat as she realized that Y/N was actually engaging with her. It might not be the most enthusiastic conversation, but it was a start. And Karina was determined to see it through.

Karina continued walking side to side with Y/N, her eyes still locked on Y/N's face. "So, what's your favorite subject?" she asked, trying to sound casual.

Y/N raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. "Why do you care?" she asked, her voice flat.

Karina felt a flutter in her chest as she met Y/N's gaze. There was something about Y/N's reserve that drew her in, made her want to chip away at that tough exterior. "I care because I'm interested," Karina said, her voice a little softer.

Y/N's eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing. For a moment, Karina felt like she was being stripped bare, her motivations laid out for Y/N to see. But then, Y/N's expression softened, just a fraction.

"Math," Y/N said, her voice a little less flat.

Karina's heart skipped a beat as she smiled, feeling a spark of connection. "Really? I'm more of a language person myself."

As they talked, Karina found herself becoming more and more attracted to Y/N. There was something about Y/N's quiet confidence, her sharp intellect, that drew Karina in.

But Y/N's past seemed to be shrouded in mystery, and Karina couldn't help but wonder what had made Y/N so reserved, so wary of connection.

As they talked, Karina couldn't help but notice the vast differences between them. Y/N was quiet and reserved, while Karina was outgoing and confident. Y/N was a math whiz, while Karina struggled with numbers. Y/N was content with solitude, while Karina thrived on social interaction.

Despite these differences, Karina found herself drawn to Y/N. She loved the way Y/N's eyes sparkled when she talked about math, the way her hair fell in soft waves down her back. Karina was captivated by Y/N's intelligence, her wit, and her quiet strength.

As they stood there, locked in conversation, Karina felt a sense of connection she couldn't ignore. She took a step closer to Y/N, her heart pounding in her chest.

"Hey, can I get your number?" Karina asked, trying to sound casual despite the butterflies in her stomach.

Y/N raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flickering across her face. For a moment, Karina worried that she had misread the situation entirely.

But then, Y/N's expression softened. She smiled, just a little, and reached into her bag for her phone.

"Sure," Y/N said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Karina's heart skipped a beat as Y/N's fingers brushed against hers, sending shivers down her spine. She felt like she was melting into Y/N's eyes, losing herself in their depths.

Just as Y/N was about to hand over her phone, a loud voice boomed down the hallway.

"Karina, we need to talk!"

Karina's head jerked up, her eyes scanning the hallway until they landed on her best friend, Rachel, striding towards her with a determined look on her face.

"Rachel, what's up?" Karina asked, trying to sound nonchalant despite the disappointment coursing through her veins.

Rachel glanced at Y/N, her eyes narrowing slightly. "We need to discuss the party tonight," she said, her voice firm.

Karina sighed, feeling a pang of frustration. She didn't want to leave Y/N's side, not when things were finally starting to heat up.

But Rachel's expression was unyielding, and Karina knew she had no choice but to follow her friend.

"Sorry, I'll catch you later," Karina said, smiling apologetically at Y/N.

Y/N nodded, her expression unreadable. "Later," she repeated, her voice soft.

As Karina turned to follow Rachel, she felt a pang of disappointment. She had been so close to getting Y/N's number, to making a real connection with her.

But as she glanced back over her shoulder, she caught Y/N's eye, and for a moment, they just stared at each other, the tension between them crackling like electricity.

Karina's heart skipped a beat as she realized that this wasn't the end of their conversation. Not by a long shot.

Karina tried to focus on the party, laughing and chatting with Rachel and the other guests. But her mind kept wandering back to Y/N, wondering what she was doing right now, whether she was thinking about her too.

Rachel noticed Karina's distraction and raised an eyebrow. "Hey, what's going on?" she asked, her voice low.

Karina hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. But Rachel was her best friend, and she knew she could trust her.

"I met someone today," Karina said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Rachel's eyes widened with interest. "Who?" she asked, her voice eager.

Karina smiled, feeling a flutter in her chest. "Her name is Y/N. I met her at school today."

Rachel's expression turned thoughtful. "I think I know who you might be talking about," she said. " oh the quiet girl that her hair always covers her face?"

Karina nodded, her heart racing with excitement. "That's her."

Rachel grinned mischievously. "I can help you track her down," she said. "I'm sure I can find her socials or something."

Karina's eyes lit up with hope. "Really?" she asked, her voice eager.

Rachel nodded. "Yeah, I'll do some digging. But you have to promise me one thing."

Karina raised an eyebrow, curious. "What's that?" she asked.

Rachel's expression turned serious. "You have to be careful, Karina. We don't know much about Y/N, and I don't want you getting hurt."

Karina nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Rachel. "I'll be careful," she promised.

And with that, Rachel set off to track down Y/N's socials, leaving Karina to wonder what the future might hold for her and the mysterious Y/N.

—

Karina's heart skipped a beat as she spotted Y/N on the rooftop, her sketchbook open on her lap. She felt a rush of excitement, remembering the way Y/N's eyes had sparkled when they talked about art.

As she approached Y/N, Karina noticed that the other girl was completely absorbed in her drawings, her pencil moving swiftly across the paper. Karina smiled, feeling a sense of wonder at Y/N's talent.

She sat down beside Y/N, trying not to startle her. Y/N looked up, her eyes narrowing slightly as she took in Karina's presence.

"Hey," Karina said, trying to sound casual.

Y/N nodded, her eyes dropping back down to her sketchbook. "Hey."

The silence between them was comfortable, but Karina couldn't shake the feeling that Y/N was still wary of her. She glanced over at Y/N's sketchbook, her eyes widening as she took in the beautiful drawings.

"You're really talented," Karina said, her voice sincere.

Y/N's pencil paused, her eyes flicking up to meet Karina's. For a moment, they just stared at each other, the tension between them crackling like electricity.

Then, Y/N's gaze dropped back down to her sketchbook, her pencil beginning to move once more. "Thanks," she muttered, her voice barely audible.

Karina smiled, feeling a sense of triumph. It was a small step, but at least Y/N was talking to her again. And as she sat there beside Y/N, watching her draw, Karina felt a sense of peace wash over her.

As they sat there, Karina noticed that Y/N's drawings seemed to be getting more and more intricate. She leaned in closer, her eyes scanning the paper.

"What are you drawing?" Karina asked, her voice soft.

Y/N's pencil paused, her eyes flicking up to meet Karina's. For a moment, they just stared at each other, the tension between them building.

Then, Y/N's gaze dropped back down to her sketchbook, a small smile playing on her lips. "You," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Karina's face flushed with surprise and delight as she took in Y/N's words. No one had ever drawn her before, let alone as a gift.

As she took the piece of paper from Y/N, Karina's hands trembled slightly. She stared down at the drawing, her eyes widening in amazement.

It was her, all right. Y/N had captured her likeness perfectly, from the shape of her eyes to the curve of her smile. But it was more than just a physical likeness - Y/N had somehow managed to capture her spirit, her essence.

Karina's eyes stung with tears as she looked up at Y/N. "It's beautiful," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Y/N smiled, looking pleased with herself. "I'm glad you like it," she said.

Karina's gaze dropped back down to the drawing, her heart swelling with emotion. This was more than just a gift - it was a connection, a bond between her and Y/N.

As she looked at the drawing, Karina felt like she was seeing herself through Y/N's eyes. And what she saw was a person who was worthy of love and acceptance, quiet personality and all.

Karina's eyes met Y/N's, and she smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude and affection. "Thank you," she said, her voice sincere.

Y/N smiled back, looking happy and relieved. "You're welcome," she said.

As they sat there, the drawing between them, Karina felt like she was on the verge of something new, something special. She didn't know what the future held, but she knew that she wanted to explore it with Y/N by her side.

—

Karina's mind was racing as she walked home from school. She couldn't stop thinking about Y/N's beautiful drawing, and she felt a surge of gratitude towards the quiet artist.

As she entered her house, Karina was greeted by her assistant, who handed her a stack of fan mail and scheduling commitments. But Karina's attention was elsewhere. She walked over to her desk, where she kept her own art supplies, and began to rummage through them.

She pulled out a set of paints, a canvas, and a few brushes. As she started to work on a new piece, Karina felt a sense of calm wash over her. This was her way of relaxing, of expressing herself.

As she painted, Karina's thoughts turned to Y/N. She wanted to create something special for her, something that would show her how much she appreciated the drawing.

Hours passed, and Karina lost herself in her art. Finally, she stepped back to admire her work. It was a beautiful portrait of Y/N, captured in a moment of quiet contemplation.

Karina smiled, feeling proud of herself. This was the perfect gift for Y/N. She carefully wrapped the canvas in paper, eager to present it to Y/N the next day.

The next morning, Karina arrived at school early, her gift in hand. She spotted Y/N sitting on the rooftop, her sketchbook open on her lap. Karina's heart skipped a beat as she approached Y/N, her gift at the ready.

"Hey," Karina said, trying to sound casual.

Y/N looked up, a hint of surprise in her eyes. "Hey."

Karina smiled, holding out her gift. "I made something for you."

Y/N's eyes widened as she took in the wrapped canvas. "What is it?" she asked, her voice curious.

Karina grinned mischievously. "Open it and see."

Y/N's fingers trembled slightly as she unwrapped the paper. And when she saw the portrait, her eyes went wide with wonder.

"It's beautiful," Y/N breathed.

Karina beamed with pride. "I'm glad you like it."

Y/N's gaze met Karina's, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. The air was charged with emotion, and Karina felt like she was drowning in Y/N's eyes.

As Karina and Y/N grew closer, Karina's fans began to take notice. At first, it was just a few curious glances, but soon, Y/N found herself surrounded by paparazzi and screaming fans.

Y/N was overwhelmed. She had always valued her anonymity, and the sudden attention was suffocating her. She tried to avoid Karina at school, but it was impossible.

Karina noticed Y/N's withdrawal and felt a pang of guilt. She knew that her celebrity status was the reason for Y/N's distress, and she didn't know how to fix it.

One day, as they sat together on the rooftop, Karina turned to Y/N with a concerned expression. "Hey, is everything okay? You've been avoiding me lately."

Y/N sighed, looking down at her feet. "It's just...I don't like all the attention. I like being invisible."

Karina nodded understandingly. "I get it. But I don't want to lose you because of my fans. Can't we find a way to make this work?"

Y/N looked up, her eyes searching Karina's face. "I don't know...I just feel like I'm losing myself in all of this."

Karina's heart went out to Y/N. She knew that she had to find a way to protect Y/N's anonymity, or risk losing her altogether.

As Y/N walked down the empty hallway, she couldn't shake off the feeling of being watched. She had been trying to avoid Karina's fans all day, but it seemed like they were everywhere.

Suddenly, she heard the sound of footsteps behind her. She turned around, and her heart sank as she saw the mean popular girl, Victoria, and her minions approaching her.

Victoria's eyes narrowed as she looked at Y/N. "So, you're the one who's been getting all the attention from Karina," she sneered.

Y/N tried to stand her ground, but she could feel her legs trembling. "What do you want, Victoria?" she asked, trying to sound brave.

Victoria sneered. "I want you to stay away from Karina. She's way out of your league."

Y/N felt a surge of anger, but before she could respond, Victoria's minions closed in on her. They pushed her against the wall, and Y/N felt a wave of fear wash over her.

Victoria's eyes gleamed with malice as she leaned in close to Y/N. "You're just a nobody," she hissed. "And nobody gets to steal Karina's attention from me."

Y/N tried to defend herself, but Victoria's minions were too strong. They pushed her to the ground, and Y/N felt a wave of hopelessness wash over her.

As she lay there, helpless and alone, Y/N couldn't help but think that she was right back where she started. The trauma of her past was repeating itself, and she felt like she was all alone in the world.

—

As Karina walked into the infirmary, her eyes scanned the room until they landed on Y/N. She was sitting on a bed, her eyes fixed on the floor, and her face pale. Karina's heart skipped a beat as she took in the sight of Y/N's bruises.

She rushed over to Y/N's bedside, her concern and worry evident on her face. "I heard what happened to you, and I'm truly sorry about that," Karina said, her voice filled with empathy.

As she sat down on the edge of the bed, Karina reached out to take Y/N's hand, but Y/N just gave her a cold gaze. Her normal expression and personality seemed to be back in place, and Karina felt a pang of heartbreak.

Karina looked at Y/N, trying to understand why she was pushing her away. "Y/N, I...I just wanted to make sure you're okay," Karina said, her voice barely above a whisper.

But Y/N just kept staring at her, her eyes empty of emotion. Karina felt a lump form in her throat as she realized that Y/N didn't want to see her.

"I'll leave," Karina said, trying to sound calm. "It seems like you don't want to see me right now."

As Karina stood up to leave, Y/N's gaze never wavered. Karina felt a stinging sensation in her eyes as she turned and walked away, feeling heartbroken and hurt.

It was all her fault, Karina thought, as she walked out of the infirmary. Y/N had told her that she wanted to remain anonymous, but Karina's celebrity status had blown her cover.

Karina's feelings of guilt and regret quickly turned to anger as she realized who was responsible for Y/N's pain. Victoria. That mean, popular girl who thought she could bully Y/N just because she was getting attention from Karina.

Karina's eyes narrowed as she made a mental note to confront Victoria. She was going to make sure that Victoria paid for what she had done to Y/N.

Karina stormed out of the infirmary, determined to find Victoria and give her a piece of her mind. She marched through the hallways, her eyes scanning the crowds of students until she finally spotted Victoria and her minions hanging out by the lockers.

Karina's anger boiled over as she approached Victoria. "You're the one who hurt Y/N, aren't you?" Karina accused, her voice loud and clear.

Victoria looked up, a sneer on her face. "What's it to you, Karina?" she asked, her voice dripping with malice.

Karina's eyes flashed with anger. "You're going to regret what you did to Y/N," she said, her voice low and menacing.

Victoria just laughed, but Karina could see the faintest glimmer of fear in her eyes. Karina smiled, satisfied. She was going to make sure that Victoria paid for what she had done.

Karina's eyes narrowed as she confronted Victoria. "You're going to apologize to Y/N," she said, her voice firm and commanding.

Victoria sneered, her eyes flashing with defiance. "Why should I?" she asked, her voice dripping with malice.

Karina's face darkened. "Because you bullied her, and now you're going to make amends."

Victoria's ego wouldn't budge. "I'm not apologizing to anyone," she said, her voice rising.

Karina's anger boiled over. She took a step closer to Victoria, her eyes blazing. "You're going to regret saying that," she said, her voice low and menacing.

And with that, Karina began to bully Victoria. She mocked her, belittled her, and made her feel small and insignificant. Victoria tried to fight back, but Karina was relentless.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Victoria broke down. She collapsed to the ground, tears streaming down her face. "I'm sorry," she sobbed. "I'm so sorry."

Karina's expression softened slightly. "Apologize to Y/N," she said, her voice firm but not unkind.

Victoria scrambled to her feet, her eyes red and puffy. She stumbled over to Y/N, who was watching the scene with a mixture of confusion and concern.

"I'm sorry," Victoria sobbed, throwing herself at Y/N's feet. "I was wrong to bully you. Please forgive me."

Y/N's eyes widened in shock. "What happened to you?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

Victoria just sobbed, unable to speak.

Y/N's gaze turned to Karina, who was watching the scene with a mixture of satisfaction and guilt. "Karina, what did you do?" Y/N asked, her voice firm but curious.

Karina's expression was enigmatic. "I just made sure Victoria understood the importance of apologizing," she said, her voice neutral.

Y/N's eyes narrowed. "There's more to it than that," she said, her voice firm. "Tell me what really happened."

Karina sighed, knowing she couldn't keep the truth from Y/N. "I may have bullied Victoria a bit," she admitted, her voice sheepish.

Y/N's eyes widened in surprise. "You bullied her?" she repeated, her voice incredulous.

Karina nodded, looking guilty. "I just wanted to make sure she apologized to you," she said, her voice defensive.

Y/N's expression was thoughtful. "I appreciate what you did, Karina," she said, her voice sincere. "But next time, can you just talk to me about it instead of taking matters into your own hands?"

Karina smiled, feeling relieved. "I promise," she said, her voice filled with conviction.

And with that, the two girls shared a warm smile, their bond stronger than ever.

—

Rachel had always been Karina's closest confidante, but lately, she'd noticed a change in Karina's behavior. Karina seemed distant, preoccupied, and Rachel couldn't help but wonder if it had something to do with Y/N.

As she watched Karina and Y/N interact, Rachel's suspicions grew. She saw the way Karina looked at Y/N, the way she smiled at her, and the way she seemed to light up in her presence.

Rachel's instincts told her that Karina had developed feelings for Y/N, and she wasn't sure how to feel about it. On one hand, she was happy to see Karina happy, but on the other hand, she was worried about the potential consequences.

What if Y/N didn't feel the same way? What if their relationship became public and damaged Karina's reputation?

Rachel decided to meddle, to try and protect Karina from potentially getting hurt. She started by casually mentioning Y/N's name in conversation, trying to gauge Karina's reaction.

"Hey, Karina, how's Y/N doing?" Rachel asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

Karina's eyes flickered, and she seemed to pause for a moment before responding. "She's doing okay, I guess," Karina said, her voice neutral.

Rachel's eyes narrowed. She knew Karina well enough to recognize the signs of evasion. "What's going on between you two?" Rachel asked, her voice probing.

Karina's expression turned guarded. "Nothing's going on, Rach. We're just friends."

Rachel raised an eyebrow. She didn't believe Karina for a second. "Save it, Karina," Rachel said, her voice dry. "I know you too well."

Karina's eyes flashed with annoyance. "Rachel, drop it, okay?"

But Rachel just smiled sweetly. "I'm just looking out for you, Karina. You know that."

Karina's expression turned skeptical, and Rachel knew she'd planted a seed of doubt in Karina's mind. But as she watched Karina walk away, Rachel couldn't help but wonder if she'd just made things worse.

Rachel was determined to prove that Y/N was using Karina for her fame. She started by snooping around Y/N's social media accounts, looking for any clues that might suggest Y/N was taking advantage of Karina's celebrity status.

As she scrolled through Y/N's posts, Rachel's eyes narrowed. She noticed that Y/N had been posting more frequently since she'd started hanging out with Karina, and that many of her posts seemed to be subtly referencing Karina's favorite music or movies.

Rachel's suspicions were aroused. She decided to do some more digging, and started by asking around to see if anyone else had noticed anything suspicious about Y/N's behavior.

She approached some of Karina's other friends, trying to casually bring up the topic of Y/N. But no matter how hard she tried, Rachel couldn't seem to get anyone to agree with her. They all seemed to think that Y/N was a great person, and that she and Karina made a wonderful couple.

Rachel was frustrated. She knew that she was right, and that Y/N was just using Karina for her fame. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't seem to prove it.

Just as Rachel was about to give up, she stumbled upon a cryptic message on Y/N's social media account. It was a post that seemed to be referencing Karina's latest basketball match, and Rachel's eyes narrowed as she read the words.

"Seems like someone is trying to ride the coattails of fame," Rachel muttered to herself, her mind racing with possibilities.

Meanwhile, Karina had been oblivious to Rachel's meddling. But when she stumbled upon Rachel snooping through Y/N's social media accounts, she was furious.

"Rachel, what are you doing?" Karina demanded, her voice low and angry.

Rachel looked up, startled. "I'm just trying to protect you, Karina," she said, her voice defensive.

"Protect me from what?" Karina asked, her eyes flashing with anger.

Rachel hesitated. "From Y/N. I think she's using you for your fame."

Karina's face darkened. "That's not true," she said, her voice firm. "Y/N is my friend, and I trust her."

The two friends argued back and forth, their voices growing louder and more heated. They stood in the hallway, attracting the attention of passing students.

"You're just blinded by your feelings for her," Rachel accused, her voice venomous.

"I'm not blinded," Karina shot back. "I know exactly what I'm doing. And I know that Y/N would never use me for my fame."

Rachel scoffed. "You're so naive, Karina. You think everyone is as nice and genuine as you are."

Karina's eyes flashed with anger. "I'm not naive," she said, her voice cold. "I just choose to see the best in people."

The argument continued, with neither side willing to back down. Finally, Karina stormed off, leaving Rachel looking upset and worried.

Y/N, who was sitting in the library studying, couldn't help but notice the tension between Karina and Rachel. She wondered what was going on, and felt a pang of concern.

Is everything okay between Karina and Rachel? Y/N wondered.

As she watched, Rachel got up and walked out of the hallway, looking upset. Y/N's curiosity was piqued. She decided to go and talk to Karina, to see if everything was okay.

Y/N got up and walked out of the library, looking for Karina. She finally found her sitting in the courtyard, looking upset.

"Hey," Y/N said, sitting down beside Karina. "What's going on?"

Karina looked up, her eyes flashing with anger. "It's just Rachel," she said, her voice cold. "She's being ridiculous."

Y/N's eyes narrowed. "What's going on with Rachel?" she asked, her voice concerned.

Karina sighed. "She thinks you're using me for my fame," she said, her voice bitter.

Y/N's eyes widened in shock. "What? That's not true," she said, her voice firm.

Karina smiled, her eyes softening. "I know it's not true," she said, her voice gentle. "I trust you, Y/N."

Y/N's heart skipped a beat at Karina's words. She felt a rush of emotion, and suddenly realized that she had developed strong feelings for Karina.

—

As Y/N stepped into the school, she was immediately bombarded by whispers and giggles. She tried to ignore it, thinking it was just the usual morning chatter, but as she walked down the hallway, she couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off.

She noticed students glancing at her, smiling and nodding in her direction. Y/N's confusion deepened. What was going on?

Finally, she mustered up the courage to approach a student who was standing by her locker. "Hey, can I ask you something?" Y/N said, trying to sound casual.

The student turned to her, a bright smile on her face. "Of course, Y/N! Congratulations, by the way."

Y/N's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Congratulations for what?" she asked, her voice hesitant.

The student's smile grew wider. "For you and Karina, of course! I'm so happy for you both. You make a great couple."

Y/N's eyes widened in shock. Couple? What was she talking about?

And then it hit her. The rumors. The whispers. The giggles. It all made sense now.

Y/N felt a wave of panic wash over her. She didn't want to be involved in any dating rumors. She didn't want to be the subject of gossip and speculation.

She quickly excused herself and made her way to Karina's locker. Karina was standing there, chatting with her friends, but when she saw Y/N approaching, she smiled and walked over to her.

"Hey, what's up?" Karina asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Y/N took a deep breath. "Karina, can I talk to you for a minute?" she asked, trying to sound calm.

Karina nodded, and Y/N pulled her aside. "I need to ask you something," Y/N said, her voice low. "Can you please shut down the rumors about us?"

Karina's expression turned confused. "What rumors?" she asked, her voice innocent.

Y/N sighed. "The rumors about us dating. I don't want to be involved in any of that."

Karina's face fell, and for a moment, Y/N thought she saw a flash of hurt in her eyes. But then Karina nodded, a small smile on her face.

"Of course, Y/N. I'll take care of it."

Y/N nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. But as she turned to walk away, Karina called out to her.

"Y/N, wait."

Y/N turned back to Karina, who was looking at her with a concerned expression.

"Is everything okay?" Karina asked, her voice soft. "You seem a little distant."

Y/N hesitated. She didn't want to hurt Karina's feelings, but she needed some space to think about her own feelings.

"I'm fine, Karina," Y/N said, trying to sound casual. "I just need some time to myself, okay?"

Karina nodded, looking a little sad. "Okay, Y/N. If you need me, I'll be here."

As Y/N walked away, she could feel Karina's eyes on her. She knew Karina was sad, but she needed this time to herself.

Over the next few days, Y/N kept her distance from Karina. She stopped sitting with her at lunch, and she avoided her in the hallways.

Karina noticed, and she was sad about it. She missed Y/N's bright smile and her infectious laugh.

But Karina respected Y/N's boundaries. She gave her the space she needed, hoping that eventually, Y/N would come back to her.

As the days turned into weeks, Karina couldn't help but wonder what was going on in Y/N's mind. Was she okay? Was she still thinking about their conversation?

Karina's heart ached with longing. She missed Y/N, and she couldn't wait to see her again.

But for now, she would wait. She would give Y/N the space she needed, and hope that eventually, they could go back to the way things were before.

—

Karina and Y/N were both surprised when their teacher, Mrs. Johnson, assigned them to work together on a project. They had been avoiding each other for weeks, and the thought of spending time together again was daunting.

But Mrs. Johnson was insistent. "I think you two will make a great team," she said, smiling at them. "You both have unique skills and perspectives that will complement each other well."

Karina and Y/N exchanged a skeptical glance, but they knew they had no choice. They reluctantly agreed to work together, and Mrs. Johnson handed them a folder with the project details.

As they left the classroom, Karina turned to Y/N and asked, "So, where do you want to start?"

Y/N shrugged. "I don't know. What did Mrs. Johnson say the project was about again?"

Karina pulled out the folder and flipped through the pages. "It's a multimedia presentation about the impact of social media on society," she said, scanning the assignment sheet.

Y/N's eyes widened. "That sounds like a lot of work."

Karina nodded. "I know. But we can do it. We just need to divide up the tasks and work together."

Y/N hesitated, clearly unsure about working with Karina again. But Karina could see the faintest glimmer of interest in her eyes, and she knew that Y/N was intrigued by the project.

"Come on," Karina said, smiling at Y/N. "It'll be fun. We can work at my house, and I'll order some pizza."

Y/N raised an eyebrow, clearly tempted by the offer. "Okay, fine," she said finally. "But just for the project."

Karina grinned, feeling a surge of excitement. "I'll pick you up at 3 pm tomorrow."

As they parted ways, Karina couldn't help but feel a sense of hope. Maybe, just maybe, this project would be the start of something new between her and Y/N.

The next day, Karina pulled up to Y/N's house in her sleek black car. Y/N was waiting outside, looking adorable in a pair of ripped jeans and a faded t-shirt.

"Hey," Y/N said, sliding into the passenger seat.

Karina smiled, feeling a flutter in her chest. "Hey."

As they drove to Karina's house, the tension between them was palpable. But Karina was determined to keep things light and friendly, at least for now.

When they arrived at Karina's house, they settled in at the kitchen table, surrounded by laptops, notebooks, and snacks. Karina ordered some pizza, and they spent the next few hours brainstorming ideas and working on their presentation.

As the sun began to set, Karina realized that she was having more fun than she'd had in weeks. Y/N was laughing and joking with her, and for a moment, it felt like old times.

But as the night wore on, Karina couldn't shake the feeling that Y/N was still holding back. She seemed hesitant to meet Karina's eye, and her smiles were fleeting.

Karina wondered what was going on in Y/N's mind. Was she still unsure about her feelings? Was she afraid of getting hurt again?

As they packed up their things and prepared to part ways, Karina felt a pang of disappointment. She didn't want the night to end, didn't want to lose the connection they'd reestablished.

"Thanks for tonight," Y/N said, smiling at Karina.

Karina smiled back, feeling a sense of hope. "No problem. I'll pick you up tomorrow at 3 pm again."

Y/N nodded, and Karina walked her to the door. As they said their goodbyes, Karina felt a spark of electricity as their hands touched.

It was a small moment, but it gave Karina the courage to keep trying. She knew that she still had a long way to go to win Y/N back, but she was willing to do whatever it took.

As she watched Y/N walk away, Karina felt a sense of determination. She was going to make this project count, and she was going to win Y/N's heart back, no matter what it took.

As they finished their project, Karina and Y/N felt a sense of pride and accomplishment. They had worked tirelessly to create a stunning multimedia presentation, and it had paid off.

"I'm so glad we got to work together on this," Y/N said, smiling at Karina.

Karina's heart skipped a beat as she met Y/N's gaze. She had been wanting to tell Y/N how she felt for weeks, but she had been too afraid.

"I'm glad too," Karina said, trying to sound casual. "We make a great team."

Y/N nodded, and they both sat back to admire their handiwork. The presentation was impressive, with sleek graphics and smooth transitions.

As they sat there, Karina couldn't help but steal glances at Y/N. She was beautiful, with her long hair and bright smile. And she was smart and talented, too.

Karina felt her heart fluttering in her chest. She knew she had to tell Y/N how she felt, but she was scared. What if Y/N didn't feel the same way?

As they packed up their things and prepared to leave, Karina realized that she couldn't let the moment slip away. She had to tell Y/N how she felt, no matter how scared she was.

"Y/N, can I talk to you for a minute?" Karina asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Y/N looked at her curiously, but she nodded. "Of course, Karina. What's up?"

Karina took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, but she knew she had to be brave.

"Y/N, from the moment I met you, I knew that you were someone special," Karina said, her voice trembling with emotion. "I was drawn to your kindness, your intelligence, and your beauty. And as we worked together on this project, I realized that my feelings for you went far beyond friendship."

Y/N's eyes widened in surprise, and she looked at Karina with a mixture of shock and curiosity.

"I know that I may have scared you off before," Karina continued, her voice filled with regret. "But I want you to know that my feelings for you are real. And I was wondering if maybe, just maybe, you feel the same way."

The room was silent, the only sound the quiet hum of the computers. Y/N's eyes were fixed on Karina's, and for a moment, Karina thought she saw a glimmer of reciprocation.

But then Y/N looked away, her face flushing with embarrassment. "Karina, I...I don't know what to say," she stammered.

Karina's heart sank, but she refused to give up. She took a step closer to Y/N, her eyes locked on hers.

"You don't have to say anything, Y/N," Karina said, her voice soft. "Just know that my feelings for you are real. And I'll be here, waiting for you, whenever you're ready."

Y/N looked up at Karina, her eyes searching hers. For a moment, they just stared at each other, the tension between them palpable.

Then Y/N looked away, her face still flushed with embarrassment. "I need some time to think, Karina," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Karina nodded, feeling a sense of disappointment. But she also felt a sense of hope. Y/N hadn't rejected her outright, and that was all that mattered.

"I understand, Y/N," Karina said, her voice soft. "Take all the time you need. I'll be here, waiting for you."

As they parted ways, Karina couldn't help but feel a sense of uncertainty. Would Y/N ever feel the same way? Or would Karina be left waiting forever?

But one thing was for sure: Karina had confessed her feelings, and now all she could do was wait and see how Y/N would respond.

—

Y/N's eyes searched Karina's face, looking for any sign of insincerity. She had been hurt before, and she wasn't about to let her guard down again without being sure.

"Karina, I need to ask you something," Y/N said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Karina's eyes locked onto hers, filled with a deep sincerity. "Anything, Y/N. What is it?"

Y/N took a deep breath. "Is this...is this just a publicity stunt? Are you just doing this to get attention or boost your image?"

Karina's face fell, and for a moment, Y/N thought she saw a flash of hurt in her eyes. But then Karina's expression softened, and she reached out to take Y/N's hand.

"Y/N, I promise you, this has nothing to do with publicity or image," Karina said, her voice filled with conviction. "My feelings for you are real. I've never felt this way about anyone before, and I wouldn't dare cheapen them by using them for publicity."

Y/N's eyes searched Karina's face, looking for any sign of deception. But all she saw was sincerity and honesty.

"Okay," Y/N said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "I believe you."

Karina's face lit up with a radiant smile, and she leaned in close to Y/N. "Thank you, Y/N," she whispered, her breath tickling Y/N's ear. "Thank you for believing me."

As they stood there, Y/N felt a spark of electricity run through her body. She knew that she was taking a risk, but she couldn't help the way she felt.

Karina's eyes locked onto hers, filled with a deep longing. Y/N's heart skipped a beat as Karina leaned in closer, her lips brushing against Y/N's in a soft, tender kiss.

The world around them melted away, leaving only the two of them, lost in the magic of their first kiss. It was a kiss that spoke of promises and possibilities, of hopes and dreams.

As they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, Y/N knew that she had made the right decision. She had taken a chance on Karina, and it had paid off in the most wonderful way.

Their kiss deepened, becoming more passionate and intense. Y/N felt like she was melting into Karina's arms, becoming one with her.

As they finally pulled away from each other, gasping for air, Y/N smiled up at Karina. "I'm so glad I took a chance on you," she whispered, her voice filled with emotion.

Karina's eyes sparkled with happiness, and she leaned in to kiss Y/N again. "I'm glad too," she whispered, her lips brushing against Y/N's. "I'm glad too."

As they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, Y/N knew that this was just the beginning of their love story. And she couldn't wait to see what the future held for them.

—

Y/N was determined to teach Karina how to bake cookies. She had been baking for years, and she loved the way the sweet aroma filled the kitchen.

Karina, on the other hand, was a disaster waiting to happen. She was clumsy and accident-prone, and Y/N had visions of flour covering every inch of the kitchen.

But Y/N was determined to make it work. She gathered all the ingredients and equipment, and stood patiently as Karina measured out the flour.

As soon as Karina started mixing the dough, Y/N knew they were in trouble. Karina was using a stand mixer, but she had no idea how to control it. The mixer started to spin out of control, covering Karina in a cloud of flour.

Y/N couldn't help but laugh. "Karina, stop! You're going to cover the entire kitchen in flour!" she exclaimed.

Karina looked up, her face covered in a fine layer of powder. "I'm sorry! I don't know what's happening!" she cried, laughing.

Y/N rushed over to help Karina, and together they managed to wrestle the mixer to the ground. The kitchen was a disaster, but they had managed to salvage the dough.

As they slid the cookies into the oven, Y/N couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. Despite the chaos, they had managed to make something beautiful.

Twenty minutes later, the cookies were done. Y/N and Karina pulled them out of the oven, and the aroma of freshly baked cookies filled the air.

They sat down at the kitchen table, surrounded by the chaos of their baking disaster. But as they took their first bites of the cookies, all was forgiven.

The cookies were perfect - chewy on the inside and crispy on the outside. Y/N and Karina sat there, munching on cookies and laughing together.

As they ate, they started to get sleepy. The warmth of the kitchen, combined with the comfort of each other's company, was too much to resist.

Before long, they were both leaning on each other, their heads nodding forward. The cookies were forgotten, left to cool on the kitchen counter.

As they drifted off to sleep, Y/N felt a sense of peace wash over her. She was exactly where she was meant to be - surrounded by the chaos of the kitchen, and the love of her life.

The next thing Y/N knew, she was waking up to the sound of Karina's gentle snores. They were still sitting at the kitchen table, surrounded by the remnants of their baking disaster.

Y/N smiled, feeling a sense of happiness wash over her. She leaned over and gently kissed Karina's forehead, trying not to wake her.

As she pulled back, Karina's eyes flickered open. She looked up at Y/N, a sleepy smile on her face.

"Hey," Karina whispered, her voice husky with sleep.

Y/N smiled back, feeling her heart skip a beat. "Hey," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

They sat there for a moment, just looking at each other. The kitchen was still a mess, but they didn't care. They were happy, and that's all that mattered.

[teamatsumu]

the best bad decision. (iwaizumi hajime x reader)

summary: “wrote a confession for character A, accidentally gave it to character B instead” - for my valentine’s day event - theme: confessions

word count: 2.3k

warnings: fem!reader, swearing, oikawa is insensitive sometimes, fluff

tags: @nishayuro @kitas-tapioca @kakashineedstotouchgrass @amisuh @avis-writeshq @samanthaa-leanne @akaashi-todorki @keiva1000 @kindnessspreads @msbyomimi

event masterlist

You liked to think you weren’t one to fall into stereotypes. But every once in a while you did something that reminded you that you weren’t different from everyone around you. Like right now, standing hidden behind the corner of this building, clutching an obvious red envelope in your hands, waiting for the volleyball team to shuffle out of their club room so you could sneak in and slip the envelope into a certain boy’s locker.

So you had a tiny little crush on everyone’s favorite boy, Oikawa Tooru. Sue you.

Your ears were on high alert, staying as still as possible so you could focus on the voices drifting out of the room. You were a bit farther away, since you wanted to be hidden, but if you strained yourself enough, you could make out the sounds. You tried not to make yourself tense, afraid you would wrinkle the envelope. You had been so careful with it. Making sure you didn’t smudge any words as you wrote, perfuming the paper afterward. You even used that expensive wax and seal that you bought only for journaling purposes. You wanted it to be known that you made an effort.

All for him.

It was hard not to fall for someone as charming as Oikawa. He was tall and handsome, he was always so nice, always welcoming to anyone who wanted to speak to him. He was beyond talented. You could watch him play for hours. You did watch him play for hours. At the end of the day, you were just like all the other giggling, blushing girls who admired him.

The only difference is that you had never gone farther than admiration until now. You had never spoken to him, never greeted him in the hallways, never made him anything to eat like girls often did. You had watched from afar and basked in the warm, bubbly feeling that comes with having crushes.

But now here you were, slipping him a letter with all your feelings written on it. You were going into this not expecting him to accept the confession. You hadn’t even put your name on it. It was anonymous. God knows how many of these he got on a daily basis. And with Valentine’s Day approaching, you were sure his locker was overflowing. What was one more, right? You were doing this for yourself more than anything else. You needed to get these feelings out because they were overflowing in your head.

You were shaken from your thoughts when you realized the locker room was completely silent by now. You listened closely, giving it another few minutes. No shuffling, no humming, not even a peep. The coast was clear.

You could feel your entire body shake as you turned the corner and stealthily hurried to the club room door. You couldn’t let anyone see you going inside, so you quickly opened the door, slipping in and sliding the door shut behind you. You let out a sigh of relief.

Then you turned around, and your eyes met wide chestnut ones.

Oikawa was standing next to an open locker, a half folded shirt in his hand. He had probably been mid fold when you had barged in, staring at you with those big browns, mouth slightly open. Thick silence stretched over you both as you stood frozen, not even blinking.

Oikawa’s eyes drifted down to your hand, the very obvious, deep red envelope. His lips twitched before a smile took over them.

“Hello there.” His voice was lively. “Is that for me?”

You tensed at the sound of his voice, your panic finally catching up to your brain as you gulped around the knot in your throat. “No!”

He raised an eyebrow at that, tilting his head a bit. A lock of his hair fell over his forehead. “No?”

“No.”

Another silence, awkward as anything. You couldn’t move at all. You felt like you were frozen in place. Every muscle in your body was pulled tight. You had never anticipated that of all the people who could catch you in the locker room, it would be Oikawa himself.

“So who’s it for?” He then asked, eyes darting between your face and the envelope. You felt your face burn, heating up so much it made you dizzy.

“It’s-” Your mouth was so dry. You had no saliva. None. Not a drop. It felt like you were incomprehensible. Could you even speak? Or was it all gibberish? Were you spiraling now?

Oh my god oh my god oh my god oh my god-

“It’s for Iwaizumi-san.”

Oikawa blinked at that, and you realized you had caught him off guard. Well, he wasn’t the only one. You had caught yourself off guard too. It seemed that, in the midst of your panic and staring at Oikawa, the only other person you could name was Iwaizumi.

Iwaizumi Hajime. Oikawa’s best friend. Seijoh’s ace. Someone you saw just as much as Oikawa considering they were attached at the hip. No wonder when you had to think of someone, you thought of him.

“Well now I’m truly shocked!” Oikawa sounded jovial, placing a hand on his hip, his half folded shirt crumpled in his other hand. “A confession for Iwa-chan? I never thought this day would come!”

Your mind raced and you tried to scramble your thoughts together into somewhat understandable sentences. But you had just dug this fresh hole for yourself and you didn’t know what to do to get out of it. In fact, at this moment, there was no getting out of it. You had to go along.

“Y-yes.” You managed to blurt out, not knowing what else to say, looking anywhere but at him, who was steadily growing more and more amused by the second.

“You have to give it to him!”

Your head snapped up, and that’s when you realised what true panic was. What you had felt so far was nothing compared to the shitstorm your brain was experiencing after what he had just said.

“Come on.” Oikawa threw the shirt carelessly into his locker, slamming it shut and fast walking to you. With one grip on your forearm, he tugged open the club room door and proceeded to speed out of it, dragging you with him.

“W-wait!” Your voice trembled, and you doubt he even heard you. You felt like your whole mouth was stuffed with cotton. You tried to lock your legs into place and break Oikawa’s momentum. It was not happening. He was way stronger than you. You tried to pry his hand off your arm, but his grip was vice-like.

“Oikawa-san!” You basically shrieked like a hyena, finally breaking through right outside the Seijoh gym. You snatched your hand away.

“I can’t!”

Oikawa stared down at you, blinking owlishly. You bit your lip.

“Oh.” He breathed, and you saw realization wash over his face. You froze. Had he figured it out?

“I get it.” Did he?

Then he promptly turned around and cupped his mouth with his hands, leaning in through the open gym doors.

“Iwa-chan!” He shouted.

You gaped at him, struggling to even comprehend what was going on in his head. But that was the least of your worries, because trudging footsteps sounded and then the boy in question was standing in the gym entrance, scowling down at his friend.

Oh no. Oh, this is bad. This is so bad, I’m so screwed-

“Look!” Oikawa pointed at you, or more accurately, he pointed at the envelope in your hand. Iwaizumi followed his gaze, and you saw his scowl drop as shock colored his features.

“It’s for you! Can you believe it?” Oikawa let out a cackle, leaning an arm against the gym door. You wanted nothing more than for the ground to open up and swallow you whole.

Iwaizumi looked genuinely incredulous, like this was something he hadn’t dreamt of in his wildest dreams. Later when you looked back on what happened, you would be surprised that despite being friends with the most popular guy on campus, Iwaizumi did not get much attention. He lived in Oikawa’s shadow, and he liked it that way.

Right now, his feelings were the least of your concerns though.

Finally free from Oikawa’s grasp, you lunged forward, slamming the envelope against his chest before turning on your heel and absolutely booking it. There was no other option. You couldn’t give that shit to Iwaizumi. You also couldn’t give it to Oikawa and say you had lied. It couldn’t get any more humiliating than it already was, so you might as well run away.

Very active fight or flight response, one might say.

Oikawa watched your back as you ran full speed, one hand holding the envelope he was so unceremoniously handed. He turned his attention down to it when the flowery scent hit his nose, and he couldn’t help but smile.

“Aw, she perfumed it too! How romantic.”

He grinned up at Iwaizumi, whose ears had turned red. Iwaizumi’s scowl deepened as he stared at the shiteating grin on Oikawa’s face. But he didn’t stop himself from taking the envelope Oikawa handed to him, his heart doing jumping jacks in his chest.

………………..

When you tried to convince your mom that you didn’t really need high school when homeschooling was a perfectly viable option, she told you to suck it up and there was no way you were dropping out. You didn’t know how to tell her that your life in high school was pretty much over. How could you show your face in any place where you might run into Oikawa or Iwaizumi?

But alas, you could only take one sick day before throwing yourself back to the wolves.

You were jumpy the whole day, paranoid that somehow everyone knew what had happened two days ago. But your day went by as normal, unaffected by the storm in your head. You should’ve known your peace wouldn’t last. At lunchtime, the one person you had been dreading the most was standing before your desk, looking down at you expectantly.

“I was hoping we could talk.”

Well. This was it. The one thing you were hoping and praying you could somehow avoid.

Iwaizumi led you outside for some privacy, finding an empty bench overlooking the school’s running track. You sat stiffly by his side, waiting for him to speak.

“I read the letter.”

You closed your eyes and nodded, coaxing him to continue. You knew the contents of the letter. You had mulled them over in your head ten thousand times yesterday. You had not written Oikawa’s name. You had talked only about how you felt about him and the thoughts plaguing your head. You knew how easily Iwaizumi could have thought it was about him and not Oikawa.

“I’m sorry.” You blurted out.

“For the confession?”

You hesitated. “For how it all played out.”

That was vague enough.

Iwaizumi let out a breathy chuckle, and you looked up at him. “I think I should apologize instead. Oikawa can be a bit of an insensitive jerk.”

You felt your lips twitch into a smile, shrugging. “He kinda steamrolled all over me.”

Iwaizumi groaned, running a hand through his spiky hair. You followed the movement with your eyes, gaze pausing on how his bicep flexed. Something in your heart stuttered.

Up close, he was extremely attractive. His skin was smooth and clean, and his hair looked soft despite being so short. His jaw was defined and his eyes were striking. When he looked at you for longer than a beat, it made your insides squirm.

“I’m sorry about him. He told me he found you in the club room. I’m sure you wanted to do it anonymously. He shouldn’t have dragged you here. That wasn’t cool.”

You smiled at how considerate he was being. “It- It’s okay.”

“And I’ll make him apologize to you too. Promise.”

His lip ticked up in a crooked smile. You couldn’t help but stare. You watched him grow a bit nervous, rubbing the back of his neck. A little habit?

“I was wondering if you would like to have dinner with me sometime?”

The question caught you off guard. You knew how Iwaizumi perceived you after the contents of that confession. You had just not anticipated that he would want anything to do with you. In your slurry of thoughts, you realized you had still not told him that the confession wasn’t for him. You stared at him, wide-eyed.

The sun beat down on your heads, casting harsh shadows on his face. High cheekbones. Strong jaw. And those same captivating eyes. You couldn’t remember ever appreciating him the way you were right now. Oikawa’s light was so bright it made Iwaizumi almost invisible. But here and now, it was just him. No distractions, no takeaways. Just Iwaizumi in all his glory. And it was making your heart skip.

“Okay.” You breathed.

Iwaizumi positively lit up at your words, straightening his back. His features smoothed, his eyes widened and a smile took over his face.

“Cool!” He blurted out, before clearing his throat. “That’s uh, I mean. Great. That’s great.”

You giggled as he stumbled over his words, endeared by his reaction. Your heart and mind both told you this was the right decision. With Oikawa, it was a puppy crush. With Iwaizumi, something told you it could be so much more.

Years later, when you told Iwaizumi about the exact intentions of that letter, and how you were beyond grateful you hadn’t given it to Oikawa, all he did was cackle while the Argentinian setter whined about how he had missed his chance.

He was joking, of course. He was the proudest best man ever at your wedding. He wouldn’t have it any other way.

[aleixis]

me resisting the urge to geek out after my rin fic is on a recommended list