I MAY BE AN IDIOT, BUT I'M NOT STUPID

After two long weeks of being grounded for the party disaster, Nat was finally back at school. As she made her way to her locker, she noticed people turning their heads and smiling at her.

Nat furrowed her brow, glancing over her shoulder. She half-expected someone popular to be walking behind her, but no, the attention was on her, "What the heck," She muttered under her breath as she reached her locker.

"Well, well, well," Gino teased, already leaning against it. "Look who finally decided to grace us with her presence—the party queen herself."

"Is that why everyone's staring at me?" Nat asked as she gestured toward the groups of students.

Honestly, she didn't get it. Her party had been a complete disaster. Uninvited guests had shown up, turning her living room into a mess, but she'd barely noticed. She'd been too wrapped up in her conversation with Gino about Tyler. Then, just when things were spiraling, her parents stormed in and shut the whole thing down.

"Yep! They loved your party! It's all anyone's been talking about. You're basically a legend now," Gino nudged her. "Just don't let it get to your head. When I got popular, I made too many jokes about being cool and sexy and accidentally ended up with a massive ego."

Nat snorted, spinning her locker dial, "This isn't rocking and rolling—I don't want to be popular. I just want to go back to being the hopeless gay kid who's in love with Tyler." She grabbed her books and slammed the locker shut.

Gino raised an eyebrow, "I think you mean hopeless romantic."

"Nope, I meant hopeless," Nat shot back, her heart fluttering at the thought of Tyler.

As they walked down the hallway toward their first class, Gino continued, "Speaking of hopeless romantics... You should join the spring fling dance committee. We need someone to make the dance announcement video. And after seeing your film, I think you'd be perfect for the job."

Nat stopped in her tracks, "I don't know if I—"

"You'll work with Tyler," Gino cut in.

The mention of Tyler made Nat's heart skip a beat. Her mind flashed back to their almost-kiss—the way they'd been so close, the warmth of Tyler's breath, the tension hanging between them. They hadn't talked about it since, and just thinking about it now sent a nervous flutter through her stomach.

Still, the thought of working with Tyler again excited her. She imagined them brainstorming ideas, sharing snacks, and staying up late pulling the video together.

A wide grin spread across Nat's face, "I'm in." The words spilled out before she could think twice.

~

Meanwhile, as Nat and Gino walked to their first class, Luna and Cameron were in the parking lot, they sat in Cameron's van, parting from a kiss.

Luna looked up at Cameron, "So, can I seduce you with interesting science facts?" She teased, although she was serious.

Cameron arched an eyebrow, "Interesting science facts?" He studied her.

Luna rolled her eyes but was unable to hide her smile, "Did you know honey never spoils? They've found it in ancient Egyptian tombs that are still perfectly edible after 3,000 years!"

Cameron widened his eyes, "Wow, you really know how to get a guy's heart racing," He said with a teasing smirk playing on his lips.

Before Luna could respond, he leaned in again, closing the space between them. Their lips met softly at first but as the kiss deepened, Luna pressed closer, her fingers sliding up to the back of his neck, pulling him in.

~

It was now recess, and Darcy and Mac sat at a cafeteria table, their trays mostly untouched.

Mac stared blankly at his food, slouched in his seat, while Darcy absentmindedly poked at their fruit salad.

Suddenly, Nat and Gino slid into the seats across from them, "Nat!" Darcy practically bounced in their seat. "We haven't seen you in ages! How was being grounded?"

Mac perked up, a grin spreading across his face despite the heaviness in his chest, "Yeah, how was being trapped in your house for two weeks like?"

Nat threw her hands up, "You wouldn't believe it! I spent an entire weekend reorganizing my sock drawer. I'm basically a changed person now!" She lifted her foot slightly, showcasing her socks.

Gino's brows twisted, "They're mismatched." He deadpanned.

"Whoops." Nat grumbled as she pulled her pants over her socks, hiding them.

"Well, at least your party was totally awesome!" Darcy jumped in.

Nat bobbed her shoulders, "I guess, but let me tell you, I'm never throwing one again. I'm now officially stupid first and gay second." She sighed.

"Anyway, how was everyone else's break?" Nat continued, elbows resting on the table.

"I went camping with my dad!" Darcy exclaimed as their eyes lit up. "We went ice fishing, and I caught a fish that was this big!" They held their hands apart, beaming as they recalled the moment.

"Oh, cool!" Nat smiled, nodding along. "Mac, how about you?" She turned her attention to the boy.

"Being bummed out about my breakup." Mac's voice dropped slightly as Darcy instinctively started patting his back in support.

Nat's smile faded, "Mac, that sucks. I'm really sorry." She already knew about the breakup, but hearing how sad he still was made her worry. Despite everything, she just wanted him to know she was there for him.

"Yeah, I don't really know how to get over her," Mac added.

"Maybe you should distract yourself," Gino suggested. "You know, find something to throw yourself into. When I broke up with my exes, I dove right into my many, many, many talents. What are yours?"

Mac shrugged as a lopsided grin broke through, "Maybe looking twelve and saying thank you to bus drivers."

Gino blinked, "Wow—"

Darcy leaned in, eager to help, "Ooh! What about hobbies? Like, anything you're great at?"

"Hmm," Mac paused to think back on his hobbies. "Being weird and then immediately questioning all my life choices."

"Amen," Nat approved, resonating with Mac's hobbies.

Gino leaned back in his chair, shaking his head, "This isn't getting anywhere," He groaned.

Nat rested her chin on her hand, fingers tapping against her cheek as she considered their options, "Maybe focus on your studies?" She proposed, hoping to spark something in Mac.

Mac's gaze drifted off, lost in thought as he considered the idea, "Maybe," His voice gained a bit of warmth as the corners of his mouth hinted at a smile.

"Perhaps, Luna could tutor you," Nat decided.

"Oh, yeah!" Darcy nodded vigorously.

As Nat mentioned Luna, their eyes swept around the table, noticing her absence. "Wait, where is Luna, anyway?" Gino's brows knitted.

~

Luna and Cameron were cozied up in the backseat, covers draped over their bare chests.

Cameron propped himself up on one elbow, studying Luna with a longing gaze. Her cheeks were red, and a smile played at the corners of her lips as she caught her breath, "Shouldn't we be getting to class?" He questioned, though a teasing smile was planted on his lips.

Luna bit her lip, trying to suppress a laugh, "Definitely." A grin broke free. "One for the road?" She lifted a brow.

Without missing a beat, Cameron leaned in, "I'd say that's a solid plan."

As their lips met again, Luna melted against him, her fingers tangling in his hair.

~

Three minutes later, Luna and Cameron sat up in the back of the van, the sheets still wrapped around them. Cameron was trying to catch his breath while Luna seemed perfectly calm.

"Seriously, how are you so out of breath? I did all the work!" Luna's brows twisted in disbelief.

"Hey, I was cheering you on," Cameron replied, leaning back against the metal wall. "And what a performance it was!" He breathed.

Luna giggled before tilting her head, considering more.

"Oh, I can't--"

~

Four minutes later, the pair fell backward onto the mattress, both of them breathing heavily.

Cameron stared up at the ceiling of his van, "Wow, we're really good at that," He tried to catch his breath as he turned to Luna.

She mirrored his expression, "Yeah," Luna smiled.

~

Meanwhile, back at the table, Nat, Gino, Mac, and Darcy were scanning the cafeteria, their eyes darting around for Luna.

"Maybe Luna took the day off," Gino joked.

The group laughed, sharing a knowing look, imagining her lounging at home. But they all knew she'd never actually do that.

"Wait a minute," Nat said suddenly as her eyes widened. "Isn't it Monday? Doesn't she always spend Mondays with the principal in her office?"

"Oh, yeah, that's right!" Darcy agreed.

As the four remained blissfully unaware of where Luna was, Mac's smile faltered and he cleared his throat, "Okay, maybe I should actually focus on my classwork," He came around to the idea.

"Yeah, I'll just concentrate on the already amazing grades I have," Mac flashed a grin that didn't quite reach his eyes. "I haven't hit rock bottom yet." He added, trying to sound more confident than he actually felt.

Nat perked up, "Oh, that's the spirit! What are you sitting at?"

Mac bobbed his shoulders, "I don't know; I haven't checked in a while." He pulled out his laptop.

As Mac flipped the laptop around, the screen lit up to reveal his grades. The moment he saw them, his smile vanished, replaced by wide eyes and a dropped jaw as the numbers sank in. The marks were worse than he'd imagined.

"Maybe I have hit rock bottom," Mac muttered. He forced out a dry chuckle, trying to lighten the mood. "Do you guys want anything while I'm down here?"

Mac hesitated before flipping his laptop around to show his friends, "Yikes," Gino grimaced.

"Dude, how did you get these marks?" Nat's eyebrows twisted together.

"I don't know—just whatever common knowledge I have left in my brain," Mac shrugged as a weak grin crept back. "And I'm running out of brain cells because I generously dedicate them to loving my friends!"

Gino, Nat, and Darcy exchanged glances, "How are you even still enrolled?" Gino asked as he leaned back in his chair.

"Hey! My intentions are good! I'm trying!" Mac exclaimed as his hands shot up.

~

With Mac's revelation lingering in his mind, it was now the end of the day. Nat trailed behind Gino into a classroom, where the spring dance committee meeting was set to take place. As she examined the room, her heart skipped when she spotted Tyler.

Without hesitation, Nat slid into the seat beside her, "Hey, Ty!" She greeted, hoping to draw Tyler out of her heartbroken thoughts.

Tyler looked up, her serious expression shifted to a soft smile—the kind of smile that made Nat's stomach flutter, "Nat, I see you've also been enlisted for this," She replied. "I missed your presence over the winter break."

Nat's cheeks warmed, "I missed you too." The words came out faster than she intended, but she couldn't help it.

Before either could say more, Gino cleared his throat, snapping them back to the present, "Alright, people, listen up!" He announced over the chatter, pulling everyone's attention. "You've got plenty of time to be silly later, but for now, let's get our act together."

"First on the agenda," Gino continued, tapping his notes. "We need to finalize the theme. I'm thinking 'Spring Fling.' You know, flowers, sunshine, all that jazz. What do we think?"

A murmur of agreement went through the group.

"Great, let's split off into our groups," Gino instructed as he clapped his hands.

~

As the groups split off, the decoration crew clustered near the door. At the back, the food team settled in, discussing snack options, while the music group formed a circle at the front. Meanwhile, the coffee crew huddled around Gino, taking his order, while Tyler and Nat, the announcement video team, remained in their seats.

"Alright, I have already brainstormed several ideas," Tyler's eyes flickered to the pages of her notebook as she flipped it open, subtly leaning closer to Nat.

Nat's heart raced at the closeness, and she tilted her head, "Wow, you're all one step ahead of everyone, huh?"

"Yes, I do walk quickly," Tyler bobbed her head.

Nat laughed softly, clearly amused. "Not what I meant in the slightest." She shook her head and then added, "So, what's the grand plan for the video?"

Tyler straightened up, "First, I suggest we should keep it short and to the point. We need something creative that grabs attention right away." She started.

"Okay, cool, cool, cool," Nat nodded, her mind racing with ideas. "Oh! How about we recreate some movie scenes where flowers are everywhere? Or where characters are decked out in florals?"

Tyler tilted her head, contemplating the idea. her fingers tapping against her notebook, "That could work. It fits the theme and will engage the audience visually."

Nat leaned back, "I knew you'd get it. It's perfect-o."

Tyler's soft smile returned, "Indeed. It is... 'perfect-o'." She echoed.

~

Note:

Short character development starting filler chapter :))

Published: 18/10/24