#oc melissa

[floororangejuice]

melissa and ILOVEYOU virus designs for my lovely friend @ballcrusher74 's fun computer world

[thesquiddlesquad]

This time I'm giving Renee a break and projecting an experience onto Melissa. This happened to me when I was much younger than she is here, but I thought it made sense for her to miss these signals. Barnaby is trying not to get too excited that his daughter might actually befriend another child and not spend all of recess reading.

[papercutzo]

stupid shitpost doodle with an old character and their new redesign on the left

[thesquiddlesquad]

This is the kind of insult Frederick would use.

Live Melissa reaction:

(This is her worst nightmare... well, one of them)

I'm going to make you realize, after the fact, that you picked the wrong answer on an important exam even though you knew the right answer and the question was actually fairly easy, you just overthought it and picked something stupid.

[monerelluvia]

🩸 I ask god to send a swordsman, and god says "look at your hands"

[morgana-larkin]

Ok so I suddenly felt the need to write a fic about Melissa being a mom and gets with her daughter's best friend. Not edited in the slightest and I hope you like it!

On another note: I'm busy for most of the day tmr so I will not have time to write the last Chessy request before the end of the year.

Part 2

Mommy Dearest

Warnings: sex references

Words: 5.25k

“So what are you going to do now that you’ve graduated college?” You ask your friend.

You and your friend Becca are hanging out in her mom’s backyard as you both just graduated from college. 

“Well I’ll have to find a job but it shouldn’t be too hard as they’re always looking for firefighters. My mom just loves that I’ll be one.” She says and you smile. “What about you? Have you applied to any teaching jobs or subbing?” She asks you.

“Yep a few.” You tell her and she smiles at you.

Just then you hear the front door open and close and her mom calling out her name. 

“We’re in the backyard mom!” Becca yells and her mom comes over.

“Hey honey, hey Y/n.” Melissa says to you both. “Just relaxing after graduating yesterday?” She asks and you both nod. “I’m so happy for both of you! A new firefighter and a new teacher!” She says with a smile and you blush a bit. 

You met Becca when you started college as you were roommates and you visited her mom’s place quite often as you were only half an hour away. Melissa and Becca are quite close after her father, Joe, left. The first time you met Melissa, you felt like you could faint right there with how attractive she is. You never knew you could be into middle aged women. You knew you were into women but never knew your type, until you started instantly crushing on your best friend’s mom 4 years ago. 

“Do you guys want to stay and watch a movie tonight?” Melissa asks. “I could run out and get some snacks.” Melissa suggests.

“Oh I have a date with Will tonight but Y/n do you want to stay?” Becca asks you and your brain stops working. Staying here alone with Melissa? It takes a few seconds for your brain to process it properly and then you realise that both Becca and Melissa are looking at you.

“Uh- um sure, ya I’m free tonight.” You stutter out and Becca gives you a weird look while Melissa smiles at you. 

“Great! I’ll go run to the store and get us some snacks!” Melissa exclaims and then leaves.

“Are you ok?” Becca asks you once her mom leaves.

“Ya, just never been with your mom alone before.” You tell her.

“You’ll be fine, she doesn’t bite. Unless of course you’re into that.” She says and you look at her with furrowed eyebrows. “Do you really think I don’t know about your crush on my mom?” She asks you and your jaw drops. You honestly thought you were subtle. “Just so you know, I don’t want to hear about you fucking my mom if that happens.” She tells you bluntly.

“Wait what? Your mom is…?” You start to ask.

“Into women? Yep, she’s bisexual.” Becca says. “I don’t think she realises that you have a crush on her.”

“Nothing will happen.” You tell her, even though you want something to happen.

“Well I’m just saying that I’ll be back here at about noon tomorrow.” Becca tells you and wiggles her eyebrows. You give her a playful shove and she gives one back to you and you both laugh.

Melissa returns about half an hour later with yours and her favourite snacks. 

“Honey, are you staying for dinner or is it a dinner date?” Melissa asks Becca.

“It’s a dinner date and I’ll be back at around noon tomorrow.” Becca tells her mom before giving her a kiss on the cheek and leaving.

“I guess it’s just me and you tonight hon.” Melissa tells you with a smile before going into the kitchen to make dinner. You watch her ass sway as she walk away and you realise something, you are fucked tonight. You go inside as she starts making dinner and you join her in the kitchen to keep her company and to be close to her.

“What are you making?”

“Well I thought about making your favourite, pasta alla norma. To celebrate your graduation.” She tells you as she moves around the kitchen with ease.

“Really? Oh I would love that.” You say with a bright smile. There’s two reasons it’s your favourite dish, one because it’s actually really good and two, because you get to hear her speak Italian.

“Good, by the way, do you like Italian?” She asks you and you look at her.

“Well I think the food is really good so yes.”

“I meant the language hon.” She tells you. “You blush every time I speak it.” She adds and your cheeks turn red. 

“Oh- I…um.” You try to speak but lost the ability at that moment. 

“No need to be embarrassed, hon. It’s a beautiful language and you’re cute when you blush.” She says as she looks right at you and you wonder how you didn’t faint right there.

“Um, ya the language is really nice, never got to learn it though.” You tell her.

“Ya they don’t really teach it in America. I learned from my Nonna and my Ma. Maybe I can teach you some basics, if you want.” She offers and you widen your eyes.

“Oh, I-I’d like that but I wouldn’t want to inconvenience you.” 

“If it was an inconvenience then I wouldn’t have offered.” She tells you while looking at you. She then sees your shy body position and remembers you’re stuttering while talking. “Do I make you nervous?” She asks you and you look at her.

“Why-why would you ask that?” You ask her.

“Because of your body language and the fact that you keep tripping over your words.” She says softly.

“Maybe a little nervous, I’ve never been alone with you before, Becca has always been here.” You say honestly and she smiles softly at you.

“We’ve known each other for 4 years hon, you don’t need to be nervous around me.” She tells you and you look down. “Tell you what, how about I finish making dinner and you can go pick what movie to watch?” She suggests with a smile and you look up at her and nod. “Ok, it’ll be done in about 10 minutes so how about you go look.” She tells you.

“Alright, was there a specific genre you are in the mood for?” You ask her and she shakes her head.

“We’re celebrating your graduation tonight, pick whatever you want.” She tells you and you nod before going to pick something.

Melissa comes out 10 minutes later with two plates of food and sees you have a movie ready to go. 

“What did you end up picking?” She asks as she hands you a plate.

“You’ll see. Becca and I love to watch this movie when we were feeling stressed.” You tell her and she smiles at you.

“Alright, press play when you’re ready.” She says and you immediately press play and start eating. 

The movie starts playing and throughout it you keep glancing at Melissa who seems to be enjoying a teen queer movie.

“She uses a stuffed animal to get off? There’s so many other ways to do that.” She says out loud as you swallow and you start coughing. She pats and rubs your back until you stop and she looks at you with slight concern. “You ok?” She asks and you nod.

“Just went down the wrong way.” You tell her and she smiles. 

“Ok, just don’t die. I’d never hear the end of it from Becca if her best friend died while hanging out with me.” She jokes and you laugh.

10 minutes into the movie is when you finish eating and you put the plate on the coffee table.

“Did you want more or are you good?” She asks you.

“I’m good.” You tell her and she nods before paying attention to the movie.

Near the end of the movie you start feeling sleepy and without thinking you rest your head on her shoulder and fall asleep.

You wake up the next morning to some noises from the kitchen. You get up off the couch and make your way over. You see Melissa in the kitchen putting some snacks in a bowl and she looks up to see you.

“Hey hon, how was your nap?” She asks you. 

“Uh, good. I guess I was more tired than I thought.” You say as you rub your eyes.

“Well Becca told me both of you hardly got any sleep this week so it’s not surprising.” She tells you as you yawn. “If you’re still tired then you can go sleep in Becca’s room tonight.” She offers and you look around for the time. 

“What time is it?” You ask her before realising your phone is in your pocket.

“9:24.” She says after looking at the stove clock.

“I think I’ll take your offer as I don’t think I have the energy to drive back to campus.” You tell her and she smiles and nods.

“Where are you going to stay that school is done?” She asks as she hands you a bag of your favourite chips.

“I made enough money working that I can afford a small apartment.” You tell her and she nods.

“Well you’re always welcome here if you ever want some help with teaching or some Italian food.” She asks and you smile.

“Thank you.” You tell her as you take a few chips and shove them in your mouth. “I actually have a question for you.” You say and she looks at you and nods. “I was wondering if I can shadow you?” You ask her and she tilts her head. “I already did that with a couple other teachers but you’ve been teaching longer than they have.” You tell her and she smiles.

“Of course. But you’ll have to sign your name under some forms due to the cameras.” She says and you nod. “I get up at 6 in the morning and I get there around 7:15-7:30.” She tells you and you nod. “So you can stay here tomorrow night or meet me there in the morning.” She says and you think about it. 

“If Becca is alright sharing her bed one more time with me then I’ll stay over.” You tell her and she nods.

“I’m sure she won’t mind. You guys have been sharing that bed like once a month for 4 years.” She says with a chuckle and you smile. “At one point I thought you two were hooking up.”

“No, Becca is straight and she’s not my type.” You say and she looks at you.

“What is your type then?” She asks you and you blush.

“You.” You mutter as you look down and she looks at you.

“What did you say?” She asks.

“Older gingers.” You say as you look back up at her. 

“Well my daughter is definitely not your type then.” She says with a giggle. “Seeing as she’s a brunette and the same age as you.” She says and you nod. “Are there any older ginger women that have caught your eye?” She asks as she eats a couple chocolates.

“There’s one but I’m unsure if she likes me.” You tell her, leaving out the part that she’s right in front of you.

“Well maybe get to know her. Once she gets to know you then I’m sure she’ll like you.” She says with a smile and you blush slightly. “Well I’m gonna turn in for the night. It might be Saturday night but I don’t want to mess up my sleep schedule and be a zombie on Monday morning.” She tells you as she puts her snacks away. “You’re free to stay up and watch tv if you want.” She tells you as she leaves the kitchen.

“I’ll go to sleep too as I’m still quite tired.” You tell her and follow her upstairs. 

“Alright, do you need anything? I think you already have your own toiletries here.” She says and you nod.

“Yep, I’m good. I’ll just borrow some of Becca’s clothes.” You tell her and she nods before wishing you a good night and going into her bedroom.

“Good morning.” She tells you once you walk into the kitchen.

“Morning.” You tell her groggily.

“Just woke up?” She asks you and you nod.

“How are you so chipper at 8:30 in the morning?” You ask her and she laughs.

“I’ve already had a mug of coffee.” She says and you smile. “Do you drink coffee now?” She asks and you nod. “I knew you’d cave eventually.” She says as she pours you a cup. She hands you a cup along with the sugar and cream. “I’m making some toast and scrambled eggs for breakfast.” She tells you as you make your coffee to your liking. You nod and then give her the sugar and cream back once you’re done. You take a few sips as she finishes getting breakfast ready.

“I’ve wanted to ask, is Becca short for something?” You ask her and she shakes her head.

“Nope, although you’re not the first to ask me that.” She says. “I wanted to name her Aurora but her father wanted her to have an American name so like an idiot I settled on Becca. And now her father isn’t even around.” She says and you hum.

“Aurora is a beautiful name.” You tell her and she looks at you.

“Right? But apparently it was too Italian.” She says with a chuckle.

“It’s Italian?” You ask her and she nods.

“All the good names are.” She says with a wink. “Mine’s Italian.” She tells you as she finishes the eggs.

“What does Melissa mean?” You ask her and take a sip.

“Honey bee.” She simply says. “And my mom calls me honey, no doubt because of my name.”

“You call Becca honey.”

“I guess because my mom calls me that so I just took it.” She tells you as she puts the eggs on the plates and reaches for the toast.

“You know considering you’re a single mom, you did an amazing job at raising her.” You suddenly say and she looks at you.

“Well thank you hon, it means a lot.” She says with a smile. “And here’s your food.” She says and hands you the plate and you both head over to the dinner table. “So, got any plans today?” She asks you and you nod.

“Once Becca gets here then I’m gonna drive us to our dorm room and start packing up. We want to move out before the first so they don’t charge us for an extra month.” You tell her. “Plus I move into my new apartment on the first.” You add and she smiles.

“And where’s your new place?” She asks.

“About 5 minutes from here.” You tell her as you take a bite of toast and then tell her the address.

“Oh I know where that is.” She says and then you both continue eating.

You and Melissa hang out until Becca gets back and then you both head to your dorm room.

“So you were alone with my mom for 18 hours and nothing happened?” She says and you nod. You start packing a box as she does the same.

“Well I slept for 10 of those hours but yes nothing happened.” You tell her.

“Dude, you have got to get some game and confidence. Honestly I’d prefer it if it wasn’t my mom but you haven’t slept with anyone.” She tells you. “Oh my god if you two got married then you’d be my mother in law.” She says and you snort.

“Marriage? Bec she doesn’t even know I like her.” You say and she looks at you.

“Then tell her you coward.” She says and you look at her.

“Coward?” You say and gasp.

“Yes! You’ve liked her for 4 years already. If that hasn’t changed yet then you’re not gonna stop liking her.” She says and you sigh.

“By the way I’m sleeping with you in your bed tonight.” You tell her.

“Why?”

“Because I’m going to shadow your mom tomorrow.” You say and she rolls her eyes.

“Of course you are.” She says and you snort.

“Believe it or not but I want to shadow her because she’s a good teacher and not because of my feelings.”

“Why not shadow my aunt Barb then?” She says and you sigh.

“Ok it’s also because of my feelings, but your mom is a good teacher.”

“I know she is.” Becca says and you tape up the box.

*A few hours later*

“I’ll help you figure something out, you’ll be fine.” Becca tells you as you get back to her house.

“Oh my god Y/n, what happened?” Melissa asks as you’re crying.

“She got a call from her landlord saying that her apartment flooded badly and they have to redo the entire place. They said it’s gonna take 3-4 months to do.” Becca tells her mom. “They gave her the money back and we already gave up our dorm room.” She adds on.

“I have nowhere to go.” You sob out and Melissa brings you in for a hug and lets you cry into her chest.

“Hon, you don’t have nowhere to go. You can stay here with us.” Melissa says softly and you sniffle and pull back.

“What?” You ask her, not sure if you heard her correctly.

“You can stay here with us until you find another place.” She says and gives you a smile.

“Would any of your guys know of a place within her budget?” Becca asks her mom.

“I can definitely ask around.” Melissa says then looks at you. “We have a carpeted basement, we can get you a futon to use for now and you can stay here.” She tells you and you sniffle again.

“Really?” You ask her and she nods.

“Of course.” Melissa says. “How about for now, I heat up the leftovers from last night, then I’ll make us all some hot chocolate and we can watch booksmart again or something else.” Melissa offers and you nod before sniffing again.

“You watched booksmart last night?” Becca asks and you nod. “Awesome, love that movie.” She says and then she perks her head up. “Oh we can watch the L word, maybe seeing some tits might cheer you up.” She says and you chuckle as she hands you some tissues.

“Definitely worth a try.” Melissa says and they both look at you.

“Ok.” You say and they smile before Melissa heads to the kitchen and Becca gets the first episode of the L word ready.

During the L word, Becca gets a text from her boyfriend and you glance at her phone and she catches you.

“No eavesdropping.” She says and shoves you away, causing you to bump into Melissa. 

“Hey.” You tell her casually and she giggles.

“Hey hon, got shoved by my daughter I see.” She says and you nod. “Feel any better?” She asks and you nod again.

“A lot better, thank you.” You tell her and she wraps an arm around you and gives you a kiss on your head. Becca sees the interaction and sneaks a picture and smiles. 

The next day you get up bright and early and your alarm also wakes Becca up who hits you with a pillow until you turn it off.

“Ok ok, it’s off.” You tell her and then she goes back to sleep while you get up. You head into the bathroom with a change of clothes you brought from the dorm and get ready. 

By the time you get downstairs, Melissa is finishing getting two mugs of coffee ready for you both and has breakfast ready.

“Eat up.” She says as she sees the time. “We’re leaving in 10 minutes.” She tells you and you nod.

You both head out after eating and she drives the both of you to Abbott. You sign in and sign the forms for the cameras before Melissa brings you to the break room.

“Y/n?” Barb says as soon as she sees you. “How lovely to see you again.” She says and you say hi back to her.

“Who’s this?” Janine asks and everyone looks at you.

“This is Y/n, she’s my daughter’s best friend.” Melissa says. “She’s gonna be shadowing me for the day so all of youse be nice.” She warns them and then brings you to the table she shares with Barb.

“How was graduation, dear?” Barb asks you and you smile.

“It was good, unfortunately my parents couldn’t get time off work to come and see me but Melissa was there and cheered for me, very loudly.” You say and Melissa shrugs.

“I also took lots of pictures.” Melissa says and shows them to Barb. The rest of the Abbott crew came over to look at the pictures too.

“You and Becca look very happy.” Barb says and everyone else agrees.

“So Y/n, you’re a fellow teacher now?” Janine asks and you nod. “Maybe you can swing by my classroom and we could-”

“She ain’t shadowing you squidward.” Melissa cuts her off and Janine immediately stops. “Come with me Y/n and I’ll show you my classroom.” Melissa tells you with a smile and you both head to her classroom.

“Well she’s very protective of her.” Janine says and crosses her arms.

“If I didn’t know any better I’d say Mel has a crush.” Jacob says and then all 3 of them look at Barb for confirmation. Barb just has a smile on her face and takes a sip of her coffee.

“Janine can be a bit much when you first meet her but she grows on you.” Melissa tells you as she bends forward to unlock her classroom with the key around her neck. You end up checking out her ass as she does that and then follow her in her classroom. You look at her classroom and you smile.

“This is my classroom.” She tells you.

“I like it, it feels very welcoming.” You tell her and she smiles.

“I try to make it that way.” She tells you and then she gives you a tour of the classroom until the students start arriving. 

You watch her greet all her students with a warm smile and some of them give her a high five or a hug. They all look at you as they walk in and they all take a seat as the bell rings. 

“Alright my little eagles.” She says and you laugh quietly at that from the back of the classroom. You know her love of the Philly eagles but never thought she would incorporate it in her work, although it also doesn’t surprise you. “As you probably noticed we have someone with us today and they all turn to look at you and you wave at them. “She’s just studying how I teach as she’s a teacher as well.” She tells them in a way they’ll understand. You get your notebook and pencil ready as she starts teaching and you start taking notes.

By lunchtime you have about 4 pages filled with notes about how she teaches and she brings you to the break room. The two of you start talking and eating and then you get a text from Becca.

“Is my daughter finally awake?” Melissa asks, knowing Becca likes to sleep in.

“She’s been awake for a couple hours actually.” You tell her and she laughs.

“I guess being on her own turned her into a morning person.” Melissa says. You laugh at that and then you look at the text.

Becca: 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩?

You giggle at her text before sending a quick no and then give your attention to Melissa.

“What did she tell you?” Melissa asks.

“Just an inside joke.” You tell her and she nods.

She then brings you to the couch and gets the yearly plan and her weekly plans for the class out and shows them to you. She goes over how she plans in detail and the rest of the Abbott crew just looks at Melissa and you together. You take notes about what she explains to you while also eating. You got quite good at doing homework while eating in college. You ask her questions once in a while and she answers all of them.

“Hey mom.” You hear and everyone turns to look and you see Becca there.

“What are you doing here, honey?” Melissa says and Becca slumps into the chair beside the couch.

“Will and I are having a disagreement and I usually rant to Y/n about how he’s wrong but she’s here.” Becca explains and Melissa gives you an amused look.

“I’ll get a coffee for both of us while you get the whole story.” Melissa tells you as she grabs your mug. She messes Becca’s hair up as she passes by and Becca gives her a look of disapproval.

“MOM!” She yells and Melissa just laughs. “I spent 10 minutes doing my hair.” She says.

“To impress who? You and Will aren’t talking right now.” Melissa counters and goes to the coffee machine.

“Your daughter is cute.” Janine says to Melissa.

“Ya she is.” Gregory agrees and Melissa gives him a glare. “I’m not going to hit on her, I’m with Janine and happy with her.” He defends himself with.

“Luckily she looks more like me than her good for nothing father.” She says and gets the coffees ready.

“I can’t believe we’ve known each other for 5 years and we’re just seeing your daughter now.” Jacob tells her.

“She’s been going to college for the past 4 years and was only visiting me like once a month.” Melissa tells them.

“Is that where she met Y/n?” Janine asks and Melissa nods.

“I was helping Becca bring stuff to her dorm and that’s where we first met her.” Melissa says as she watches you listen to Becca rant about Will.

“BECCA!” You yell and cover your ears. “I didn’t need to know those details.” You tell her and Melissa smiles.

“You’re such a prude.” Becca says and stands up.

“Just because I didn’t sleep with 20 people doesn’t make me a prude.” You say and Melissa coughs on her sip of coffee.

“Sorry, what was that?” Melissa asks and both you and Becca turn to her before Becca turns to look at you.

“You said you would never tell my mom.” Becca complains and you smirk.

“You give me details about your sex life and I spill secrets to your mom.” You tell her and Becca crosses her arms and huffs.

“Please tell me more things I don’t know ‘bout my daughter.” Melissa says as she walks to you both. You give Becca a look, daring her to say more about her sex life. Becca sighs before she gives up.

“Fine, I won’t say anything else, just don’t tell my mom anything else.” Becca tells you and you smile at your win.

“Well I for one would love to know what went on in college.” Melissa says as she comes to sit beside you.

“You don’t want to know.” You tell her and Becca nods her head.

“I guess as long as you’re not pregnant or had a child.” Melissa says and looks at Becca.

“You would know as Y/n and I came to see you once a month, mom.” Becca tells her.

“Tell that to all the pregnancy tests I’ve had to get you in the past 4 years.” You slip out and Melissa looks at you then Becca in shock.

“So all those safe sex talks just slipped out of your mind?” Melissa says and nobody sees Mr. Johnson eating popcorn in the corner.

“Well Y/n once made out with 10 girls in one night when she got plastered.” Becca says and you roll your eyes.

“She’s your mom Becca, not mine.” You say with a chuckle.

“You wish you could call her mommy.” Becca accidentally slips out and you widen your eyes. Everyone in the break room is dead silent and their jaws dropped and you all then hear crunching as Mr. Johnson is still eating popcorn. You then give Becca a death glare and she starts to back up. “Great to see you mom but I gotta go before Y/n kills me.” She says and runs out and you chase her.

Everyone turns to look at Melissa who’s still in shock. Does that mean you like her? 

That thought runs through her head and then Barb sees the time and tells everyone to leave to go get their class. Melissa gets to her classroom with her class and sees you leaning against the wall, pouting with your arms crossed.

“We can talk later.” She whispers to you and you sigh.

The day goes faster than you liked and before you know it, the kids are packing up and getting ready to go. Melissa drives you both back home and you both see that Becca isn’t here, either making up with Will, avoiding you or both.

“So want to tell me what Becca meant?” Melissa tells you and you look at her.

“Not really.” You tell her and she walks up to you.

“Will you anyway?” She asks of you and you sigh. You end up looking at your hands and stay quiet. “Y/n.” She says and grabs your chin and gets you to look at her. “Do you like me?” She asks and you look at her with fear in your eyes. You then nod slightly and Melissa smiles. You close your eyes before she smiles because you fear her reaction and then you suddenly feel her lips on yours. You open her eyes as soon as she pulls away and you look at her in shock. “I like you as well.” She says and your brain just logs off right there. “If you’re not going to say anything then you may as well just kiss me.” She tells you and you grab her head and kiss her. 

Melissa kisses you back roughly and gets you to walk backwards until you hit the wall. She puts one hand on the wall for balance and the other hand is on your waist to keep you close to her. You end up moaning into the kiss and Melissa trails down to your neck and starts sucking. You put your hands in her hair as you move your neck to the side to give her more access. 

“OH MY GOD!” You hear and Melissa pulls back and you both see Becca there with her jaw dropped and eyes wide open. Melissa keeps one hand on the wall and lets out a deep breath.

“Of course my daughter causes this but also interrupts.” Melissa says and you giggle.

“Ok the causing it was an accident as Y/n was spilling my secrets, interrupting it was a traumatising accident.” Becca says and Melissa laughs.

“Does knowing your mother have a sex life traumatising you?” Melissa asks her daughter.

“Not just that but you’re doing it with my best friend.” Becca complains and you smirk.

“Well your mommy is really hot.” You tease her and Becca immediately leaves and you both hear the car pull away quickly.

“I’m really hot huh?” Melissa says and you nod. “Well aren’t you sweet.” She says and kisses you.

Taglist: @esposadejoyhuerta 

@imaginesmultifandoms 

@idonothingalldays-blog 

@sexysapphicshopowner 

@dvrkhcld 

@lilfartbox1

@ricejucie 

@unicorniusfallapatorius

@a-queen-and-her-throne

@sleep-deprived-athlete

@og-kxsh-420

@sasheemo

@midnight-lestrange

@dashbag-art

Let me know if you want to be added!

[thesquiddlesquad]

Annika and Opal consider themselves sisters. They've lived together since Annika joined the Magi and they're very close. Opal is 10 years older than Annika and was her mentor, so she's the older sister. The Magi all call each other Brother/Sister (name), sort of like monks/nuns, but Annika specifically refers to Opal as 'my sister'.

Melissa has a younger stepbrother named Frederick. They've lived together since they were around 8 and 4 respectively, so while they still refer to each other as 'stepbrother/stepsister', they are functionally siblings.

Does your OC have any siblings that aren’t related to them biologically, but are considered as such — either by your OC themselves or by their caretaker(s)? If so, why are they considered siblings? (e.g. adoption, step-families, childhood environment, long-term friendship, etc.)

[tealottie]

sorry it broke tumblr; round two

[zal-cryptid]

👻 Misfits' Halloween Costumes! 🎃

[jazziejax]

𝐀𝐛𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐭 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲

𝐌𝐬.𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥

Pairings- Black!OC x Abbott Elementary Cast, later Black!OC x Manny (Can be read as x Reader though!)

Summary- Pilot Episode Experience with Naoya Lovel

Warnings- Swearing, kids, mixed race reader( those aren’t warnings really, just what to expect)

Jazzie’sNotes!- let me know what you guys think!! I’ve been really obsessed with Abbott Elementary recently and I’m contemplating if I want to write S1&S2 just to get to the Manny season. I want to get there fast but I know what won’t be possible with two seasons worth of writing. Let me know what you guys think I should do.

Word Count- 6,358

“Okay, so you wouldn't put the number on the bottom because that's what?” The older woman asked, drawing out her words as she stood in front of her fourth-grade class, pointing at the whiteboard behind her with her yardstick.

“The denominator.” The class answered.

“Correct, and what do we call the one on top?”

“The numerator.”

“Yes! You guys are killing this lesson.” She smiled as she placed her hands on her hips. She caught the camera crew in the corner of her eyes and then turned to them. “Or should I say I’m killing this lesson?” She smirked, flipping her hair over her shoulder as she posed. It was silent for a moment as they all watched her just smile.

“Wouldn’t you agree?” She’s asked, looking at one of the guys behind the camera. He nodded, moving the camera along with him, causing her to smile and adjust her glasses. “Why, thank you.”

“Hello! My name is Naoya Lovel. Pronounced Now-Ya, it’s Japanese because I’m half Japanese. Don’t ask why I’m half Japanese in Philly, it’s a long story.” She sighed as she shook her head.

“Well, actually, let me tell you the story because it’s actually kind of crazy.” She chuckled, starting to explain, but it then cut to another clip of her in the class.

“Ms.Lovel, we ran out of paper towels.” A student said, standing in front of her desk with paint on the palms of his hands. Noaya looked up, at him, a slight frown on her face. “Ohh, okay, well I have some in my desk.” She started, pulling open her desk drawer. The camera angled down to catch the empty towel box staring back at her. She smirked up at them awkwardly and shrugged her shoulders. “What, I have a constant runny nose.”

“As a teacher, you teach kids how to solve problems while solving your own. In your personal life and at school. And in this school, there are a lot.”

“Ms.Lovel, I need paper towels too.” Another student said, showing her blue and pink palms to her teacher. Noaya then stood from her seat, looking around her room. “Okay, okay class. Give me one sec.” She said, nervously looking around her room to solve her paper towel problem. She the. Saw a stray beach towel near the window on her small bookshelf. “Oh! Here we are, guys.” She said, rushing over to the towel and snatching it up.

“This could be a lesson too.” She smiled excitedly and grabbed a pair of large scissors from her desk. “I probably shouldn’t have these just sitting out.” She mumbled to herself, giving the camera a sideways glance. “So class, this is going to be a hands-on moment. If there are almost thirty of you, how many pieces would I need to cut this into for you guys to share?” She asked, looking at all of them. There was a moment before anyone said anything, the kids thinking over their answer. Then, some of their hands shot up. Naoya flashed the cameras behind her a quick smile before turning back to the kids.

“Noaya, Jacob, and I came in last year with 20 other teachers. We’re three of the four left so…trauma bonding, I guess?” Janine said, in regards to the other girl.

“Yeah, I taught for two years before I got here, I transferred from Addington to here because those people are a bunch of stuck-up freaks who are just in it for a little extra on their check.” She said with a smirk. “And that’s not what I’m here for, I’m here to change lives.” She boated, folding her arms.



“Hey, Melissa, can you please tell “Ta-Nehisi Quotes” here that “white boy” is a term of endearment from the corner store people?” Janie said as she walked into the break room on the second floor.

“Ooh, cheese steaks?” Naoya questioned as she looked up from her papers, knowing the full situation after only hearing the words ‘white boy’ and ‘corner store’.”

“For Zach Ertz, yeah.” Melissa started, turning around with a fresh cup of coffee in her hands. “For him. It’s an insult.” She smirked, then paused at the sight of the cameras in her face.

“Well, you guys, I need a new rug. Mine is officially done.” Janie said.” Coming take a seat right next to the working woman.

“Mhmm! Me too.” Jacob started, taking a seat on the other side of her. “I shook mine out and all the asthma kids had to go to the nurse's office.” This conversation caused her to raise her head, placing her work aside and adjusting her glasses as she listened.

“Yeah, mine’s busted.” Melissa started. “And you can’t class up a rug like you can a couch with a nice coat of plastic.”

“You guys have rugs? All we have is a little mat.” Naoya started, looking between all of them. They all cringed at her words, but couldn’t say more before someone’s loud voice cut through the air.

“Hey-yo! What it does, baby-boo?” Ava yelled as she walked into the break room and over to where they were sitting. “What yall think about this little film crew I bought in here.”

“Distracting makes our jobs harder,” Melissa said disinterestedly, shooting the crew a glare.

“I wish I would have known this was going to be a video thing, I would have made myself look better,” Naoya mumbled, causing the camera to turn her way. She smiled, making her face appear happier than usual.

“But exciting. We about to be on TV.” Ava said, looking between them all.

“Because they are covering underfunded, loosely managed, public schools in America.” Barbra interrupted in a matter-of-fact tone.

“No press is bad press, Barb.” Ava practically disregarded the woman’s claim, continuing to smile at the camera. “Look at Mel Gibson. Still thriving.” She laughed. “ “Daddy’s Home 2”? Hilarious!” She looked around the room, either expecting people to laugh with or or just so confined in her large ego that she didn’t care if they laughed or not.

“Ava’s the worst person I know,” Noaya stated. “I’ve never seen her show an ounce of care about anything other than money. Which is a terrible mindset to have as a principal because you’re literally in the brokeest position of power.”

“There you are.” Ms.Schwartz sighed as she rushed into the room, spotting Ava. “Ava, can I talk to you?” The woman was out of breath as she stood before the principal, and her attire was disheveled. “I-I need an aid. I’m outnumbered there. The kids are crazy.” She ranted this wild look in her eyes. “One of the kids told me to ‘mind my six’ this morning, I don’t know what that means! I need help!” She ranted. Ava placed and hand on her shoulder.

“Calm down.” The darker woman said, cutting Ms. Schwartz off. “They’re just kids. And, besides, aids cost money, and we don’t have that.” She said before flashing a quick smile at the cameras. “Right, but I just—” Ms. Schwartz started again.

“Do you want to split your salary with somebody else?” Ava asked, leaning closer and angling both of them away from the cameras.

“No.” The other woman said dejected.

“No!” Ava cut her off before she could continue to rant. “No, I didn’t think so.”

“Well, if we can’t get aides, maybe we can get new rugs?” Janine chimed up, standing from her seat.

“All I’m hearing is “new, new, new, need, need, need,” Ava answered. “And yet, Barb, one of our best and most senior teachers here.” She continued, walking over to the older woman who sat at the table with Melissa and drank her coffee. “She never complains. What is your secret, Barb?”

“Knowing there’s not much you can do, Ava.” The woman said with a sarcastic smile. But Ava didn’t care to hear her condescending tone.

“So understanding.” The principal smiled, looking around the room. “Be like Ms.Howard, people.” That was all she said before she left the room.

Noaya shook her head as she started to collect her things, knowing the bell would be ringing anytime soon.

“But, I’m not Ms.Howard.” Ms.Schwartz cried from where she stood.

“Ohh, Tina, look.” Janine started, walking over to the stressed woman. “Try some counting exercises, between one and forty the kids start to quiet down.” The other woman gave a slight nod before she exited the room, still in obvious distress. “You, know, a little support might help make things happen, ladies,” Janie said, turning around to face the older two women in the room.

“My support was gonna do about as much as that five-year-old bra you’ve got on right there,” Barbra said as she pushed in her chair. The camera then cuts to Naoya staring at the camera, her jaw clenched. Janine looked down at her chest for a slip second, before covering it up with her sweater and deciding to ignore the woman’s bra statement. “Hey, it’s not impossible to get things. Melissa asked for those new toy cash registers for her classroom and got them.”

“Yeah, those aren’t toys.” The Italian woman stared as she put on her coat. “I know a guy who wired a Walmart demolition. I got a guy for everything. I know a guy right now working on the stadium build. Need rebar?” She asked, looking around the room.

Noya just shook her head.

“No,” Janine answered.

“Melissa is resourceful, capable.” Ms. Howard started, looking between all the younger teachers. Naoya’shead jerked back at what she was insinuating but before she could say anything, Janine placed a hand on her shoulder and started talking.

“Well, I think the younger teachers are capable.”

“Really? Then why is it that Ms.Schwartz’s hair is falling out? Why does Jacob here need a smoking break every five minutes?” The woman sassed, gesturing over to the male beside her.

“I switched to an herbal vape.” He tried to defend himself.

“And why can’t any of you stick it out longer than two years? More turnovers than a bakery.” She hissed before her and Melissa walked out of the door. Once it shut behind them, Naoya turned to her friends beside her.

“I almost lose my job every day dealing with the people here.” She shook her head, resting her butt on the table behind her, the other two following suit.

“You know what? Hell, I think we should still try for rugs.” Jacob’s said.

“Yeah.” Janine agreed.

“You know, before I taught here, I was in Zimbabwe.” Jacob started, causing Noaya to stand up completely and begin to walk to the door. “I was going Teachers Without Boarders, and what I learned—.”

“Jacob.” Noaya cut in, turning to face the two of them. “What did we say you about, like, not talking about your time in Africa?” She said, gesturing between her and Janine. The boy stuttered, trying to come up with an appropriate answer.

“We told you to stop. Yeah, it’s weird.” Janine finished, looking over at the male.

“I have an immense amount of respect for my elders, including the ones I work with.” Naoya smiled at the cameras. “But Mrs.Howard has a smart mouth on her. A mouth that has never been directed at me.” She continued to smile, although strained, and raised her hands in mock defense. “But the day it is the day I got to prison.” And although she was finished, she was cut off by the sound of quick hurried footsteps making their way around the corner. She turned around just in time to catch Janine with a student.

“Noaya, come quick, there’s a fight.” The older woman got out as best as she could, although out of breath. Naoya ran around the corner, practically leaving the child and shirt woman in the dust.

“Damn, she’s fast,” Janine said, briefing glancing at the kids next to her before rushing to follow the running woman.

“What the hell is going on here?” Naoya yelled as she entered the hectic scene with a bat in her hands. She saw the crazed look the teachers were giving her and she shrugged. “I heard there was a fight, I brought it just in case.”

“Where did you get that? I was right behind you.” Janie asked, out of breath with her hands on her knees.

“I didn’t know she had it in her like that.” Melissa nodded a proud smirk on her lips. “I like her.”

“That’s beside the point, what happened?” Naoya asked, looking at the older white woman standing in front of a child. “He hit me first!” Ms.Schwartz said, pointing at the boy across from her.

“Liar!” The boy yelled back at her, being held back by Ms.Howard.

“I’m a liar? I'M A LIAR?” Ms.Schwartz asked a crazed look in her eyes, her gaze solely trained on the little boy.

“I can’t believe she hit a kid,” Noaya said, shock written all over her face as she folded her arms. “I mean, I threaten that I will but I never actually do it.” She shrugged.

“Okay!” Ava yelled, interrupting the conversation between the small group of teachers. “So, not good. Ms.Schwartz was out of line and clearly didn’t know how to handle her class.” The woman sighed.

“You hired her.” Melissa spat back.

“And fired her,” Ava responded. “They give me a lot of power around here. It’s crazy.” The woman smirked.

Melissa and Noaya both gave the camera a look of disbelief.

“In the meantime, Mr.Johnson will be watching her class.” Ava finished.

“Mr.Johnson the janitor?” Naoya spoke up. “Our conspiracy theorist janitor? Teaching social studies? Do we not see the problem with this?” She asked, looking around at the group.

“I think maybe we should alert the school district to this,” Jacob spoke up, getting spins of approval from the rest. “I mean, a child was harmed.” He tried to finish before Ava cut in.

“Hey! Harmed?” She questioned. “I handled this. No need to let them know that a child was harmed on my wa—” She stopped, remembering that she was being recorded, and looked towards the camera. “On the school's watch, to be clear.” She clarified.

“Ava, this is not handled,” Janine spoke up. “There is a 70-year-old custodian who voted for Kanye teaching social studies right now.” The woman stressed, pointing down the hall. “We need help. Look, I know we don’t have any money—“

“Okay!” Ava cut her off. “Alright. I’ll make a small emergency budget request to the district, and then you guys can get pencils and hire aides or whatever else you need.”

“So, even rugs?” Janine asked her entire demeanor from earlier changing at the woman’s words.

“Sure! Just email a request.” Ava replied.

“Okay! I can- I can write an email.” Janine smiled excitedly.”

“Another day in principal life.” Ava smiled at the cameras before walking away, horribly singing some old song. “I believe the children are our future.”

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“Um…Hello?” An unfamiliar voice called out as she came into the school building, making their way to stand in front of the desk. “I’m looking for Ms.Coleman.” The man said. Melissa looked up at him. “Oh, yeah she’s—“ She was cut off by Ava rushing up next to her.

“Hello.” Again said flirtatiously, looking the man up and down.

“Hi, I’m Gregory Eddie. I’m the sun for the teacher who, uh…” He trailed off, looking down at the papers he pulled from his briefcase. “Pinter a student.” The man said worriedly, looking back up at her.

“Oh! You’re the sub.” Ava said. “Forgive me, I thought one of my colleagues here hired a stripper for me.” Ava laughed off, dismissing the looks Melissa and Barbra gave her. “Okay.” That was all Gregory could say to that, giving the woman obvious judgmental looks.

“Nice to meet you, young man.” Barbra offered him a kind smile.

“Yeah, nice to meet you, Ryan,” Melissa said, staring at the together papers.

“It’s Gregory.”

“Eh, let’s see how long you’ll be here.” She said, only flexing up after she was done stapling. “Then I’ll remember your name. Okay, Tim?”

Gregory didn’t even have time to fully digest the interactions he just had with the women before him before Jacob came around the corner. “Yes!” He smiled, stalking up to the man. “My dude.” He said, arms open for some sort of hug but was cut short by Gregory putting his hand out. “Oh, yeah,” Jacob said, placing his hand on the one offered out to him. “Keeping it profesh. I like that.” He smiled, leaning against the counter. “I’m Jacob. It’s nice to see another male teacher in here. It’s not a lot of us. Hey, now I got somebody to talk sports with. You like women’s tennis?” The paler man asked, before shooting the camera a sideways glance. “Or, as I call it, you know, regular tennis.”

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Naoya was walking the halls, whistling a tune with her bad over her shoulders when she came across a tall, good-looking man in a gray sweater. Hearing her, the man turned around to see a tall, light-skinned woman with a large, light brown puff ponytail at the back of her head. She had on specs that covered most of her face, enlarging her eyes. She was dressed in a slightly baggy pair of dark wash denim jeans with brown shoes that matched the brown in her green sweater, paired with a white shirt underneath. Seeing the mysterious man, she furrowed her brows at him from down the hall.

“Uh, hello.” The man waved awkwardly from down the hall.

Naoya waved back as she made her way closer to the man. “Uh, hi. Are you lost?” She asked, slowing down when she got in front of him. “In a school building?…And smelling like pee and/or vomit. I’m calling security.” She started to back up and pull out her phone, or even yell before she stopped and frowned. “Oh wait, I am security.” She said, moving her bat to her good hand getting ready to swing.

“Wait!” The man yelled, sticking out his hands in defense. “I’m a sub! I’m here to fill in for the woman who kicked the kid.” He defended.

Naoya visibly relaxed as she looked the man up and down, taking in his formal attire. “Okay.” She said, dropping her defensive pose. “That still doesn’t explain the smell.” She said, giving the man a disgusted once over. Gregory stuttered to get an answer, embarrassed by the cameras and such an awkward situation in front of another beautiful woman.

“It’s a long story. A broken toilet, a student wet his pants, another one threw up.” The man shrugged, a look of disgust crossing his face as he thought it all over. At his words, Noaya nodded with a look of understanding.

“No, yeah. I get it. Well, um, congratulations on being here considering…” She trailed off, gesturing around the school and then to him. “If you need anything at all, I’m at the very end of the hall. I'm Naoya Lovel, and I teach fourth grade. I’ll be here to help any way I can, I am known for having everything anyone might ever need, so.” She shrugged and began walking away, pat him, and to her class. The man nodded, a sliver of a smile on his face as his eyes stayed trained on the spot she just left. Catching the camera out of the corner of his eye, she quickly straightened up and then turned the opposite way to face her. “May I ask why you’re carrying a bat?” He asked.

Naoya stopped walking, the bad still in her hand as she angled her body slightly to look back at him. “No, you may not.” She said with a smile before continuing to walk away and into her classroom. Gregory just nodded and walked into his room as well.

“Today was utterly disgusting, but she and Janine seem nice.” He smiled slightly.

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“I got a good feeling about this,” Jacob smirked at Naoya and Janine as they and the rest of the teachers gathered outside at the entrance of the school. It had something to do with Ava needing them to see the improvements she made to the school. “Right? Me too!” Janine said excitedly. Naoya rolled her eyes, stuffing her hands in her pockets due to the cold weather.

“I wish I could live in the blissful ignorance you guys call optimism.” She said, looking between her two friends. They only rolled their eyes at the girl, who was usually a pessimistic person, so they didn’t take her words too seriously.

“Good morning!” Ava said to all the teachers before her, who were obviously in no good mood. “Good Morning!” Janine was the only one to respond.

“Gregory.” Ava finished, giving the man a look. Noaya furrowed her brows slightly, throwing the man a sideways glance.

“The district was so moved by my plea that they approved the emergency budget and sent us the money right away,” Ava said to the group. The crowd started clapping, Jacob and Janine were genuinely happy while most were in shock that the district pulled through.

“Okay, we could have hired aides, we could have got rugs.” Ava continued as the clapping died down. “But then I thought, “No. We need something more immediate.” She said, her words causing Naoya to nod her head as she began slowly making her way away from the group. She knew this wasn’t going to end well, and this was her stopping herself from throwing her loafers at Ava’s head.

“Oh, no, no. The rugs are immediate.” Janie spoke up. “They’re like instant Xanax for kids. I explained it all in my email.” She told the group as she made her way to extract her phone from her purse.

“Girl, who told you to send an email?” Ava asked, looking down the steps at the shorter woman. Jannie stopped what she was doing and glared at Ava. “You did.” She hissed, looking at her confused.

“Anyways, I always feel better when I get my hair done.” Ava continued, not caring for what Janine had to say, as she showed off her new blonde number. “Thus, I do better work, like I’m doing now.” She smiled at them. “You know, fix the outside, the inside takes care of itself.” She then gestured up to the giant tarp over the building, the man pulling it down to show a sign.

It was a giant Willard R. Abbott Elementary sign with Ava on it, leaning onto the letters. The teachers just stood there and looked up at the sign, no words were said between any of them. But they all had the same thought.

What the fuck?

“Yall seeing this?” Ava asked, copying her pose that was on the sign.

“A plastic sign?” Janine asked, looking between the woman and the sign.

“Thank God for the school district, because they gave us $3,000 and I had to spend all of it.” Ava said as if she didn’t care about the severity of the words she just said.

“You spent all of the money on this?!” Janie asked in disbelief.

“Rush job, can you believe this quality?” The terrible principal continued.

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“This is fucking ridiculous, she has gone too far,” Naoya said as she, Jacob, Janine, and Gregory rushed back into the school.

“Somebody needs to do something before I get my bat back out. Actually, Forget the bat, I’m gonna go get a gu—.”

“Okay! Yes.” Jacob cut her off, trying to ignore the scared look Noaya received from Janine and Gregory, while she just continued to sit in her anger, not even seeing them. “Somebody, anybody but you, should do something.” The man said to the angry woman.

“You know what. I’m gonna do something.” Janine said, as stored up and Naoya. Well, maybe not as much but still fired up.

“Okay, alright. Whatever you do, I will co-sign it.” Jacob encouraged. “Yes!” Janine said. “That is how change works. Someone does something and somebody co-signs it.” He finished.

“I want Jannie to succeed in what her plan is because Ava needs to be out in her place, “professionally”, or whatever Jacob said,” Naoya stated, rolling her eyes. “But I also want her to prove something to Barb. For her sake. Because Janine really needs a mother figure in her life and the constant groveling for Barb’s praise is starting to make me want to choke.” She finished with a shrug. “That’s my girl though, I love her.”

“Hey, you two, wait up! I’m going out to lunch too.” Janie called out to Melissa and Bard as they walked down the hall. The camera caught Naoya, who rolled her eyes at the situation she was just talking about making an appearance as she walked after Janine.

“Oh yeah, where are you going for lunch pip-squeak? Bird feeder?” Melissa joked, putting her purse over her shoulder.

“Thought you’d be working on your next miracle from Saint Ava.” Barbra pushed.

“Ha ha, No.” The shorter woman defended herself. “I don’t think I’ll need anything from Ava ever again.” Janine smiled, her words causing the other three women to look confused.

“What does that mean?” Naoya chimed in from behind them, ready to go out for lunch as well.

“Well, I emailed the superintendent and told him everything Ava has done today. No way she doesn’t get fired.” Janie bragged.

“Oh, for the lives of God.” Melissa groaned.

“Janine,” Noaya said in disappointment. “This is why I told you to tell me.”

“What?” She asked, looking between the three women.

“The superintendent never sees our emails,” Barbra told her. “He has them bounced back to the person in charge of where they came from.”

“Wait, I’m sorry.” Janie stared. “Person in charge? That means the emails go back to…” She trailed off, the dots connecting. Just in time for said person to come in the intercom with an announcement.

“Teachers, it’s come to my attention that some of you—one of you—.” Ava clarified, looking through the glass of her office at the group of women standing at the door, her eyes trained on one in particular. “Think it’s okay to go over my head. So, during lunch break—this lunch break—we’ll be having a trait workshop so that we can learn how to become a woke family.” The woman was clearly pissed off, glaring at Janine from where she sat. “It’s gonna be fun!”

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“We are at a crossroads, this is a crisis,” Ava stressed as she stood before the hired group of teachers.

“No, a crisis is eating the cafeteria pizza for lunch.” Naoya chimed in from where she sat in the back.

“Uh, why are we here, exactly?” Gregory asked his seat right in front of hers.

“Well, chocolate drop.” Ava started, causing Naoya to snicker at the name. “I learned that someone here doesn’t respect me. But it’s not about me. Because if you don’t respect me, how can you respect this school?” She continued, causing them all to look at her confused as such a stupid correlation. But, it looks like Ava took that as a look of confusion due to her question.

“You can’t. It’s mathematically impossible.” She finished.

“W-Whoa. Who doesn’t respect you, Ava—I mean, the school?” Jacob asked.

“Me,” Naoya said but seemed to be completely ignored.

“It’s not important. We’re gonna make this a group matter so as too not to single any one person out.” The woman answered him. “Let’s try an excuse where we say whatever we want out loud to each other, no matter how critical. It’ll be fun, let’s start with Janine.” She said, looking over at the short woman who was practically shrinking in on herself.

“Janine?” She asked, smirking evilly.

“Yes?” Janine asked dejectedly, knowing that this whole situation was her fault and knowing that Ava did the exact thing she said she didn’t want to. Single her out.

“You’re pushy, squeaky and annoying,” Ava stated.

Collective disagreement was heated around the room.

“Excuse me?” Melissa piped up.

“Thaya just…” Gregory said.

“When is it my turn?” Naoya asked, starting to take her earring out of her ear.

“No, it’s not bad. No.” Ava defended. “We’re shaking to make us all better. Constructive. Hershey kiss, why don’t you try, start with Janine.” She pushed.

“I don’t want to.” The man sighed.

“You’re right, it should be someone who knows her better. Noaya, Jacob, Barbra?” She asked, looking between the two.

“When is it your turn? I wanna go when it’s your turn.” Naoya stated, folding her arms to keep herself at bay. Gregory glanced back, seeing the look of pure hatred on her face.

“Well, her hair is—“ Jacob started before getting cut off.

“Not!” Noaya and Barba said at the same time, the younger more so talking to her friend next to Janine, who gave the man next to her a look of disbelief.

“Ava, no one’s doing this to anyone.” Melissa started, looking at the woman before her.

“Hold on, I came prepared for this. Sheena, come on in.” Ava said, looking behind her to a student who was sitting behind the library desk.

“Ava, that is my student, she should be at lunch right now,” Janine complained, as everyone in the room looked at the little girl, trying to see what Ava's plan was.

“I am kinda hungry.” The little girl sighed, begrudgingly walking closer to the woman.

“Sheena, remember what we talked about? What was the thing that you wished was different about Ms.Teagues?” Ava asked the little girl. She just stood there, not knowing what to say as the whole room waited on her.

“She got some big feet.” Mr.Johnson chimed in from the very back of the children’s library where he was sweeping.

“Okay.” Janine sighed before standing from her seat. “Everyone, that’s enough. I am the person who disrespected Ava. I emailed the superintendent to tell him that she spent the school's money on a sign.”

“And got her hair done,” Naoya said, Janine, gesturing over to her in agreement.

“I’m sorry, Ava.” She continued. “And I’m sorry everyone missed lunch, especially you, Sheena. But I didn’t it because I care about the kids in this school, and that shouldn’t be a bad thing.” She ranted. “I—Okay. You know what.” She sighed, done talking. She felt as if no one was listening anyway and just wanted to leave. She was on her way out before turning back around. “Sheena, you should have this. I’m sorry.” She said, handing the school pizza over to the girl.

“Uh, no thank you.” The girl said, shaking her head. Janine just sighed again and turned to leave.

Ava chuckled as she watched the girl walk off, shaking her head. “Not a compelling speaker.” She smirked as she shook her head. “Charisma vacuum, am I right?”

Noaya cracked her neck as she stood up. The teachers in front of her filmed a little at the sound and her sudden movements. But she ignored that. “You know what, Ava? I was going to whoop your ass in the parking lot, and as much satisfaction as that would bring me, I don’t want to lose my job. Because I care about these kids. Just like Janine. And she may be a lot of things, like naive, a bit clingy and too cheerful—.”

“Ooh, this is good stuff, let me call her back in here,” Ava smirked as if she didn’t hear the first part of the girls’ speech.

“But she is also right.” Barba cut in, standing up with Naoya. “You know, actually wanting to help the children at this school shouldn’t be a bag thing.” The older woman finished for her. Afterwards, both her and Naoya walked out, letting Ava sit with their words.

They walked out to find the girl in front of her classroom, looking through the window. “Janine, ignore Ava. Big feet are a sign of fertility.” Barbra stated.

“I’m telling you to just give me the signal, I can have her framed for mur—something.” The light skinned girl said, catching herself in front of the cameras.

“Every lunch period, guys.” Was all Janine said before stepping out of their way to show the inside of her class. They both looked in seeing a little boy napping on his jacket, as the library door sounded again. “Every single one, Amir comes and naps in the rug.” She said, informing the whole group as Melissa, Jacob and Gregory joined.

“Mm-hmm. He was in my class.” Barbra said with a fond smile on her face. Mom’s got a lot of kids. Dad’s not around and when she is, the parents fight.”

“Right, so he doesn’t get much sleep. I told him to sleep at his desk, but she says that rug is softer—.” The shirt woman paused, trying to get emotional over the whole situation. “Softer than his bed at home.” There was a moment of silence as all the adults sat with her words. It’s hard hearing about the life of the kids you see everyday, knowing they live lives no one should. And knowing it’s on you to create a better life for them at school.

“You know what? I don’t care I you think I’m good at this or not anymore. I care about whether or not I can make a change.” Janine told Barbra as sternly as she could, which wasn’t a lot.

“Janine.” The woman started. “Teachers at a school like Abbott— we have to be able to do it all. We are admin, we are social workers, we are therapists, we are second parents. Hell, sometimes we’re even first.”

“Mm-hmm.” Melissa agreed.

“Why?” Barbra continued. “It sure ain’t the money.”

“Yup. I can make more working the street, easy.” Melissa chimed in. Causing Jacob and Naoya to look at each other in concern.

“Prostitution?” She mouthed over to the man, who shrugged.

“Look, we do this ‘cause we’re supposed to.” Melissa said to Janine. “It’s a calling. You answered.”

They all looked at eachother fondly, before Jacob started.

“I believe it was Brother Cornel West—“

“No.”

“Don’t.”

“Not right now, white boy.”

They all told him, causing the man to retreat back to his corner.

“You want to know my secret?” Barbra asked, ringing the subject back to where it was. “Do everything you can for your kids.” She smiled. “We’ll help. Hey, I suggest we put our money together and buy Janine the rug.” The older woman encouraged. “What yall think?”

“Absolutely.” Melissa said, pulling out her wallet.

“Guys, you can’t.” Janine started, looking between them. “You don’t have it. I know because I have the same salary as you and I overdrafted on a doughnut hole this morning.”

“Don’t tell me how much money I have.” Noaya stated, holding her hand out as a halt to the girl's words. “I do not claim that broke energy.”

“Well, why are you gonna do?” Barbra asked. “Steal a rug?”

“Not me, but I know a guy who knows a guy?” Janie trailed off, looking between Noaya and Melissa. The light skinned girl raised her hands. “I don’t know a cute guy that can steal that many carpets that fast.” She shrugged, a hopeless look on her face as she glanced at Melissa.

“Way ahead of you.” The woman said as she started typing into her phone. “I’m gonna have to bake a ziti.” She said, holding the phone up to her ear. “Hey, Tony, ya big strung, listen, you still working that stabiuk build?” She said into the device as she walked away from the group.

Sometime later, a guys pulled up in a truck around back with a bunch of rugs for them. They all celebrated, going one by one to grab a rug. “Yay! I finally have one! My room was so depressing.” Naoya said as she waked down the hall with her rug.

“You’re on a mission.” Gregory stated, looking at the shorter girl in between him and Noaya. “It’s cool to see.”

“Thank you. Just a day in the life of being a teacher here. You get used to it.” Janine smiled.

“And that smell in the walls?” He asked, pointing.

“Oh no, you’re never gonna get used to that. Sometimes I wish I had a bad nose like Naoya.” She joked, elbowing the girl next to her. The taller woman lightly groaned. “Janine, you know that’s a big insecurity of mine. I have a fear of smelling bad.” The half Japanese girl tried to clarify to the male. “You’re subbing to go full time right?” She asked, wanting to change the subject.

“Um, we’ll see.” He said as they all briefly stopped in the hallway. “This job definitely surprises me.”

“Well, I hope you stay.” Janine said. “For the kids.” She clarified. Naoya shot a quick glacé to the camera, a small smirk on her face. She then decided to walk away. The camera caught Gregory’s eyes jumping from both women walking away, a small smile on his face. He then looked in the camera and dropped his expression.

“I’ll stick around for a while.” He said. “You know, for the kids.”

“Look guys!” Naoya said as she rolled out her shakes rug for her students. They all celebrated, clapping excitedly at the fact that they had a rug now.

“Ms.Lovel, I hate the egales.” One student said, standing next to the woman.

“Yeah, me too, kid. But don’t tell anyone I said that.” She said, patting the top of their head as Ava walked past her door. She paused at the sight of the rugs. Naoya placed her hands on her hips and cocked her neck, making Ava glare at the woman for a quick second before walking away.

“And that kids, is how you get rid of the enemy without fighting.” She said, pointing around the room to make sure they were watching. “Now that we have a rug, let’s watch that nature documentary!” She said excitedly, causing all the students to yell with excitement well.

[alicenpai]

it's con crunch season........ nothing super special but chibi galore. finally making the shaker charms of my dreams & thinking of having an OC corner on my con displays in the future...

[thesquiddlesquad]

New character alert! This is Florence, or Florrie, another friend of Renée's and Melissa's from school. Florrie is the cheerful, sociable type. She can be a bit ditzy and doesn't have the best impulse control, but she has a good heart.

Melissa, in contrast, is usually the serious one. She's certainly serious about going to college. She's never been interested in heterosexual marriage and motherhood (something most people expect her to outgrow), and since marrying a woman isn't an option and living alone isn't really an option either, Melissa's life plan is to stay with her father. Unfortunately, it doesn't quite pan out that way.

Renée changes her mind a lot about what she wants. She's prone to being dazzled by the shiny new idea, and takes inspiration from whoever she thinks is cool. This interaction with Melissa plants the seed of 'college' inside her mind, but it doesn't sprout until much later.

[sadruru]

I'm so in love 🌹 Fresh and old (I just really forgot to post the sketch sorry xD) art and sketch comm from lovely @germanich  Thank you so much!💖

The first portrait in particular gives me a hard time...

It's like Melissa's about to engage someone in a dangerous dance! The light, the shadows, the fire in her eyes... It makes my heart go hot 🔥

[thesapphictimelady]

Ad Astra Per Aspera

Word Count: 2.6K

TW: Implied previous domestic abuse, references to alcohol

A/N: Been working on this for like 2 months lol. Not proofread at all, but I had fun with it. Comments are appreciated :) Hope you enjoy!

“Hi, I’m looking for principal Coleman?”

The red head leaning against the desk turned, “Yeah, she’s not here today.”

“That can’t be right. I’m supposed to be meeting with her today. It is Thursday, right? I know my head isn’t always screwed on right but I was sure it’s Thursday.”

“Yeah, it is. Wait, are you the one with the dumb name?”

“E-excuse me?”

The red head tossed her hair, “Ava told me there was someone coming in with a stupid name and I should welcome her and “show her the ropes” and that she’d be helping in my classroom.”

“My name’s Cassiopeia,” she said, shuffling her things around to shake the older woman’s hand.

The older woman scoffed, ignoring her hand, “The hell kind of name is that? Nah, I’m calling you Cassie. And that’s how you should introduce yourself. The kids’ll end up calling you Pee or something. Come on, I’ll take you to the break room.”

“I don’t think I caught your name,” Cassie said, trying to keep up with her long strides.

“Yeah, that’s cause I didn’t give it to ya,” she swung open the door to the break room, “I found fresh meat looking for Ava,”

“Melissa Ann Schemmenti, you know we don’t speak about our colleagues like that!”

Melissa shrugged and took a seat next to the other teacher, “Sorry Barb, just callin’ it like I see it,”

Barb swatted Melissa’s arm and turned to face Cassiopeia, “It’s nice to meet you dear, I’m Barbara Howard, I teach Kindergarten”

“My name’s Cassiopeia. It’s nice to meet you.”

Melissa groaned and pointed at the young woman, “Didn’t I say to introduce yourself as Cassie? I wasn’t kiddin’.”

“Jacob Hill!” another teacher blurted from by the fridge, “I’m Jacob Hill. I teach history. I like your name. Cassiopeia, She was the queen of Ethiopia according to Greek Mythology. Her daughter Andromeda was saved from a sea monster by the hero Perseus. Did you know-”

“Jacob that’s enough,” Barbara said, gesturing towards a chair for Cassiopeia, “I’m sure she knows the history of her own name.”

Cassie sat and smiled gratefully at Barbara before she reached into her bag to retrieve her notebook and a pair of earbuds, deciding it was best to just sit quietly until the kids arrived.

“Pineapple absolutely goes on pizza,” Jacob said, picking up the conversation they had been having before her arrival.

“Not this again,” Melissa groaned, “It does not go on pizza!”

“It does! It’s been put on pizza since 1962! Contrary to the term that’s frequently used, it actually isn’t from Hawaii though. It was created in Ontario, Canada. The man who made it was actually Greek and-“

“Hey, new kid,” Melissa interrupted, “What kind of pizza do you like”

“I actually haven’t had pizza in a long time,” Cassie said, pulling her earbuds out.

“Oh don’t tell me you don’t like pizza!”

“No, I do! My…my ex used to make homemade pizza for date night. She was not a good person. Which is why I’m here. Miles away from anyone I know.” Cassie shifted and tugged at her sleeves, making sure the yellowing bruises from the night she had left were still covered.

The room stayed quiet for a few minutes before Barbara finally said, “Well now you know us!”

“Yeah,” Melissa said, her emerald eyes trained on Cassie, “You know us. And based on what Ava told me, you’re in my room for now,” she glanced down at her watch, “So grab a cup of coffee and let’s head over there now so ya know where stuff is. We’ll see youse at lunch.”

Melissa patted Barbs hand as she stood and grabbed her coffee mug, holding the door open for Cassie.

“Good luck, Cassiopeia!” Jacob called

Cassie waved at the other teachers, hastily gathering her things and following the redhead out the door.

“So you don’t got anybody out here?” Melissa asked as she flipped the classroom light on.

“No ma’am. I don’t know anyone here.”

“Why Philly? I mean, other than the obvious.”

Cassiopeia laughed softly, setting her things down on a desk, “I saw a job posting for Abbott and just…packed up my life and came here. I needed a change.”

Melissa nodded slowly, setting her mug down and looking the new teacher up and down, “Well listen kid, we got recess duty this week. I don’t know where you’re from but it gets hot. You might wanna reevaluate that grandma sweater.”

Cassie flushed and tugged the sleeves down over her hands, “Thanks but I’ll be fine.”

Melissa hummed thoughtfully before shrugging, “Suit yourself. You can put your stuff back here. How do you feel about science?”

The morning went smoothly and before she knew it, she and Melissa were standing outside watching the kids recess. The older woman had abandoned her leather jacket in her classroom and tied her hair up in a ponytail.

“Aren’t you hot?” Melissa asked, fanning herself with one hand.

“I’m fine,” Cassiopeia lied, pulling her hair off her neck in an effort to cool down.

“At least let me cuff your sleeves!” Melissa said, reaching for Cassie.

“No! No, I’m fine.”

“Kid, it’s a million degrees and you’re wearing a Mr. Rogers sweater!”

“I’m fine,” Cassie insisted.

Melissa sighed, before turning back to the kids “5 more minutes my little eagles! Ms. Schemmenti is too hot so we’re going to go inside.”

“Yes Ms. Schemmenti!” the kids called back to her.

“They really like you,” Cassie said.

“Yeah, well, the older ones had me when they were in second grade so they know the drill. We’ll take them to the gym and then head to the break room for lunch. By the way, you can eat the school lunch, but I do NOT recommend doing that.”

Cassiopeia laughed, “Thanks for the heads up, but I don’t usually eat lunch”

“Whadya mean you don’t eat lunch. You gotta eat”

“I eat breakfast and dinner! I’m just never hungry at lunch”

Melissa shook her head, “You can have something from my lunch”

Cassie opened her mouth to argue but the redhead was quick to cut her off, “It’s not up for debate kid. Alright my little eagles it’s time to line up!”

All the kids came running over to the door, lining up single file to follow Melissa inside and to the gym. Cassie stayed at the back of the line, closing the door behind them. Once the kids were inside the gym with the other recess duty teachers, Melissa dragged Cassie to the break room.

“Cassiopeia! You’re still here!” Jacob cheered.

“Where else would I be?” Cassie laughed.

“Melissa has a habit of running people off,” Mrs. Howard said, smiling fondly at the redhead who had sat down next to her.

“I do not!” Melissa said, pulling food out of her lunchbox, “Only the incompetent ones. New kid is smart.”

Cassie flushed and went to go perch on one of the windowsills but Melissa stopped her.

“Where do you think you’re goin? I told you it’s not up for debate.”

“Ms. Schemmenti, really, I’m fine!”

“Sit.” Melissa said sternly, grabbing a paper plate from the cabinet and putting some ziti on it.

“I wouldn’t try to argue dear,” Mrs. Howard warned when Cassie opened her mouth, “It’s better to just do what she tells you.”

Cassiopeia sighed and sat in the seat the older woman had indicated, taking the plate of ziti, “Thank you, Ms. Schemmenti.”

“Don’ worry about it kid.”

“So, Cassiopeia,” Barbara said, “How was your morning? Was Melissa nice to you?”

“Ms. Schemmenti was very kind to me. And the kids are wonderful! I don’t know how she manages to have such a well behaved class when she’s juggling two different grades!”

“The kids know better than to mess with me,” the redhead said, glancing up from her phone.

Cassie smiled and took a bite of the ziti, “Holy shit this is amazing!”

“It’s my nana’s recipe,” Melissa said, “She used to…” She trailed off, brow furrowed, “Did youse hear that?”

The room went silent as all the teachers listened to a timid knock at the door. Melissa jumped up to open the door. One of the older girls was standing on the other side, sniffling.

“What’s wrong hon?” Melissa asked her, bending down slightly so she could whisper in the redheads ear, “Gotcha. Let’s go to my classroom, okay? Hey, new kid, I might need you and your huge bag. Follow us.”

Cassiopeia grabbed her purse and was quick to catch up with them.

“What’s going on?” she asked once inside the classroom.

The younger girl looked nervously at Melissa.

“It’s okay hon, Miss Cassie is gonna be more help than me. She started her period. Nurse isn’t here and I don’t need the products anymore. Got anything in that bag of yours?”

“Oh! Oh of course, give me a second,” Cassie dug through her purse, producing pads and a small heating pack, “Do you need anything else? Tylenol?”

“I need new pants,” the student whispered.

“I’m afraid that’s the one thing I don’t carry with me,” Cassie said apologetically, “Is there somewhere we can get those?”

Melissa sighed, “Yeah, Ava’s office. But she has that place booby trapped since the last time I- actually I think that’s not important right now.” Melissa said, throwing a look towards the cameraman right outside the door who quickly ducked out of sight.

“That’s okay,” Cassie said, “What’s your name sweetheart?”

“Kya,”

“Okay, here’s what we’re gonna do Kya. We’re gonna tie my sweater around your waist to hide the stain and then Ms. Schemmenti is gonna give your mom a call to bring you some new pants, okay?”

“Okay,” Kya whispered.

“We can use Barb’s bathroom,” Melissa said, “She won’t mind.”

Cassie nodded and unbuttoned her sweater, folding it and gently tying it around Kya’s waist, “There. Now go with Ms. Schemmenti and she’ll get you taken care of.”

Kya took the pads out of her hand and followed Melissa out of the room. Cassie busied herself putting things back into her bag, completely missing the look the other teacher had given her. A breeze came through the open window and she shivered, rubbing at her arms before she froze.

“Fuck,” she whispered, “Please tell me I have a back up sweater somewhere in my bag!”

Cassie turned her bag over on the desk, searching the contents for something, anything she could use to keep the bruises on her arms covered.

“So, new kid,”

Cassie jumped, whirling around to see Melissa leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed.

“Hi, Ms. Schemmenti! I-I didn’t hear you coming!” Cassie quickly tucked her arms behind her.

“Uh huh.” Melissa said, walking into the classroom, “Thanks for your help with Kya. You sure were protective of that sweater all morning but you didn’t hesitate to give it to her.”

“I remember middle school. She didn’t need anyone teasing her for the stain”

Melissa nodded thoughtfully, “Whatcha got behind your back?”

“Nothing!”

“So if I walked behind you, there wouldn’t be anything to see?”

“No, there’s nothing back there!”

“And there’s nothing, say, on your wrists?”

“No ma’am.”

“Well then I’m sure you have no issue going back to the break room with me.”

“Actually I think I’ll stay here and…start grading the science tests!”

The redhead frowned and shook her head, “What’re you hiding kid. Just show me. You’ve been hiding something all day.”

Cassiopeia swallowed the lump in her throat and brought her arms back to the front, looking anywhere but Melissa’s face.

“Kid,” the older teacher whispered.

“I don’t want your pity. That’s why I kept them covered. I’m completely fine.”

“Hon…”

Cassie looked up in surprise at the gentleness of the teachers words. Melissa’s emerald eyes were soft and she gently took Cassie’s arm in her hand.

“Hon, this isn’t nothing,”

“I don’t want anyone’s pity, Ms. Schemmenti. I’m going to go home. I don’t have a back up sweater and it’s bad enough that you’ve seen them.”

“What-?”

“What happened?” Cassie cut her off, not wanting to hear her ask, “My ex. I told you this morning she wasn’t a good person. She wasn’t too pleased with the news that I wanted to break up. Now please, let go,”

Melissa let go of Cassie’s arms, backing up so the teacher had space to grab her things, too stunned to stop her as she quickly left the classroom.

When Cassiopeia got home, she threw everything onto the couch before going to the small kitchen to retrieve a bottle of wine and a plastic cup. This was supposed to be a new beginning and already she had someone pitying her.

“I knew I should’ve pushed off my start date,” she muttered to the small apartment as she filled her cup and collapsed on the couch. It didn’t take long after draining the bottle that she fell into a fitful sleep, using her bag as a pillow

It was her phone ringing that woke her. She glanced at the screen and was immediately filled with dread when she saw the “Unknown number” on the caller ID. Hesitantly she accepted the call, sitting in silence while she waited for the caller to speak.

“Hello? New kid? You there?”

“Ms. Schemmenti? How did you get my phone number?”

“I know a guy. Listen, what do you like on your pizza?”

“What? Ms. Schemmenti it’s…it’s 3 in the morning! Why are you calling?”

The line was quiet for a moment before the redhead sighed, “Listen, I’m real sorry for pushin’ you today. I shouldn’t have made you tell me what the bruises were from. Let me make you a pizza to make up for it.”

Cassiopeia laughed softly, “This is a dream. A weird, alcohol induced dream.”

“No it’s not. Kid you can either tell me or I’ll show up with something random.”

“Show up? Are you driving right now?”

“Yeah, I had a late night. Are you decent? I’m almost at your place.”

“How do you know where I live??”

“Again, I know a guy. Are ya decent?”

“Yeah, I-I’m decent. Should I unlock the door or do you know a guy for that too?”

“Ha ha very funny kid.”

The call dropped, leaving Cassie alone in the dark again. She jumped up and started throwing things into the small closet, trying to make the tiny space look halfway decent, before giving up and instead throwing on an oversized sweater and unlocking the door.

Melissa had her arms completely full of grocery bags when she got to the door.

“Ms. Schemmenti what-”

Melissa pushed past her into the apartment, “I told ya, I had a long night. Where can I put this?”

Cassiopeia led her to the tiny kitchen, still not quite sure if she was awake or not. Melissa dropped her bags on the narrow counter and started pulling things out.

“Okay, what is going on? You don’t need to do all this, you apologized on the phone.”

“Trust me kid, that wasn’t enough. And your secret is safe with me. I told the others you were sick and I sent you home.”

“School starts in 4 hours.”

“Actually, the kids are off tomorrow so no one will care that you’re hungover and I haven’t slept. Trust me, Ava will be hungover as hell.”

Cassie sat down on one of the wobbly stools, “So you’re making me a pizza…as an apology?”

Melissa finally glanced over her shoulder at the younger woman, “Yeah, you got a problem with that?”

“No…I don’t think so.” Cassie put her head in her hands, “I think I’m too hungover for this,”

Melissa laughed and tossed her a bottle of aspirin, “Picked this up at the store. You probably need it more than I do”

Cassie took it gratefully, “Thank you, Ms. Schemmenti.”

“You’re welcome kid. Go lay down. I’ll take care of this and I’ll wake you when it’s time to head to school.”

[papakhan]

little thing about Sun, advice he's had from other people in his life about other things, and his conflict about Lanius

[greyfongschemmenti]

Bitter

Summary: While dating Gary, Melissa found out about your new relationship that leaves her...bitter.

Note: I wrote this on a whim after listening to the song. I kept thinking this in my head and needed to write it out. Not Beta'd. I hope you enjoy

Pairing: Melissa Schemmenti x Reader (gender neutral)

Warning: angst, mentions of alcohol towards the end

This is inspired by the song Bitter by FLETCHER, Kito

WC: 1.1k

Melissa sat at her desk, her manicured fingers tapping rhythmically on the wooden desk as she stared down at her phone. She was debating whether or not to send you a text. You both used to text constantly, sharing jokes, memes, little flirty quips, basically anything and everything. But lately, she noticed that once she and Gary started dating the messages had dwindled to almost nothing. They would still message but it wasn’t the same.

A badge pops up on her phone, y/n just posted a new photo. Melissa hesitated but then she opened the app and a small gasp escaped her lips. A photo of you looking out of frame in mid laugh with the caption, ‘best part of my week are lunch dates with you’. Melissa’s eyes darted up and she noticed that it was y/n’s girlfriend that posted it, some collaboration thing. She’s posting on your instagram now? You’re usually private. Whatever that means she can’t remember what Jacob taught her.

She slammed the phone screen down and covered her face then leaned back in her chair. She glanced up, her eyes inadvertently drawn to the clock on the wall. You would be arriving any minute now, probably hand in hand with the new girlfriend, the one Melissa had heard so much about but never wanted to meet. It all started innocently enough. Melissa and you had always shared a flirtatious rapport, a connection that danced on the line between friendship and something more. Yet, both knew that Melissa was with Gary, and you seemed content with the casual dynamic.

However, when you introduced your new girlfriend to everyone one lunch period, everything changed. Melissa hadn't anticipated the tidal wave of emotions that would crash over her upon seeing you together. It was a bitter pill to swallow, witnessing you with someone else, someone who now occupied the space that Melissa had temporarily claimed.

She sighed and slipped her phone back into her pocket, trying to shake off the feeling of disappointment that lingered like a heavy cloud over her thoughts. you had been her confidante, her partner in crime, even though they had always maintained a flirtatious friendship. But now, with you dating someone new, everything felt different. Though the mature part of her knew that she had no right to feel like this. She was dating Gary afterall and for the most part the relationship was great. 

As if on cue, the school entrance door swung open, you and your girlfriend walked hand in hand heading to the teacher’s lounge. Melissa saw them walk in the room and she couldn't help but notice the way your gaze lingered on your new girlfriend, the adoration evident in every glance. 

She forced herself to focus on the salad she brought for lunch, burying herself in her phone, finding anything to distract herself from the ache in her chest. But no matter how hard she tried, the laughter and banter that flowed easily between you and your girlfriend, every word felt like a knife twisting in her heart.

She stole a glance at you and your new girlfriend, her stomach churning at the sight. You were so happy, seem so in love, and Melissa couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. She had thought she was enough for y/n, and had convinced herself that their friends with benefits arrangement was all they needed and no harm done when she decided to date Gary. She forgot the part that y/n wouldn’t be waiting around until she was single. But now, seeing you with someone else, it was like a slap in the face, a reminder of her own mistake.

She would catch herself looking at her phone waiting for a reply or a text from you, when there was a notification it turned out to be from either her mom or Kristen Marie. She knew she shouldn't care, shouldn't let your new relationship affect her the way it did. But no matter how hard she tried to rationalize her feelings, she couldn't escape the hurt, the sense of betrayal that gnawed at her from the inside out. Jacob walked in and was playing a song on his phone, a song you remember well.

The memories flooded back, overwhelming her senses as a familiar song filled the air. It was their song, the one they used to dance to in your living room, the one that had always made Melissa feel like this could be something more. But now, it felt like a cruel reminder of everything she had lost.

Melissa forced herself to smile through the tears that threatened to spill over, pretending that she was fine when all she wanted to do was run away and never look back. She felt like a spectator in her own life, watching as you and your girlfriend laughed and joked, wondering if she would ever feel like she belonged again.

She glanced up again, her eyes locking with yours across the room. For a moment, it felt like time stood still, like they were the only two people in the world. But then you gave her a soft smile until you looked away, your attention already drifting back to her, leaving Melissa back to her thoughts.

Lunch breaks at work became torturous affairs, filled with forced smiles and polite conversation on the days that your girlfriend would visit for lunch. Melissa couldn't escape the feeling of being on the outside looking in, forever excluded from the intimate bond that you now shared with someone else.

Even social gatherings with their mutual friends became bittersweet occasions. Melissa watched as you and your girlfriend mingled and started to really integrate with the group. She longed for the days when she and you had been the ones sharing secret smiles and stolen glances. Jacob had suggested that everyone should meet up for drinks after a hectic week of testing. Everyone agreed and it was one of the rare moments that everyone was in one place outside of work. 

Gary and Gerald were in the midst of a conversation while Barbara was telling Melissa about their upcoming plans for Sunday brunch. Yet her gaze went over to the younger group of teachers, forced to watch as you and your girlfriend danced in the middle of the packed bar with eyes so warm looking at each other in an embrace while Jacob and Janine were there recording the interaction. She saw as you held a glass of whiskey you started raising it for a toast with Gregory when he arrived. And in that moment, Melissa knew that no matter how hard she tried to push her feelings away, no matter how much she pretended to be okay, the bitterness would always linger, a constant reminder of what she had lost. Yeah she’s bitter.