Chapter Text
Nova walked into her science classroom the next day, not with dread but more… confusion? She didn't really know what to think.
Her day had been weird. And it all started with a skateboard, and a girl.
She was walking to school, after her dad had a last minute meeting he needed to leave for, and she had run into someone who was vaguely familiar.
She had been clipped in the shoulder by someone passing on a skateboard, and when the person turned around, Nova stuttered in the middle of her apology.
It was Vera. The Vampire esque girl pulled off her helmet, curls of red and black tumbling across her shoulders. Charcoal eyes swept over her, as red lips stretched into a smile.
“It's okay, Bright. I wasn't watching where I was going.” she said, pulling her leather jacket around herself, her expression curious.
“So,” Vera said, crossing her arms.
“Youre the girl that broke my cousin's heart.” she said. Nova choked, looking at her.
“What?” she asked. Vera snorted, rolling her eyes.
“Please. Don't act dumb. You know what happened as well as i do.”
Nova straightened her backpack straps.
“Its not like that. And quite frankly, its nothing to do with you.” she said, looking away. Veras gaze hardened, as she stepped forward.
“Victor said that too. But you know what? It is my business. Because that is basically my brother, and even though he drives me crazy, i love him to death. His well being is mine, and yours relies on it.” she said, fire in her eyes as she got closer to Nova. Nova didn't flinch, looking into her eyes.
Vera sighed, stepping back.
“I am not gonna say anything. Mostly because he made me promise not to. And unlike some people, I keep my promises to my friends.” she said, giving nova a look. She felt her cheeks heat, and was about to fire back, when Vera spoke again.
“Oh, and if I could give you some advice, sunshine? He is being careful this time. But i think that we both know, he is likely going to hand over his heart. Again. Just-” Vera sighed, putting her helmet back on.
“Just don't drop it this time.”
And Nova was massively conflicted as Vera skated off. Because on the one hand, who was Vera to talk to her like that? She didn't even know her.
But on the other hand? Nova was the girl that had given Victor that sad look in his eyes, and Vera was his cousin. She would hate herself too.
She sighed, and headed towards school. But the weird didn't stop there.
The second she stepped into her new 1st period, which was now yearbook, she expected to be met with her new co-writers. Instead, she was met with a confused looking teacher, and the familiar counselor.
“Hello Nova.” the teacher said, giving her a smile.
“I'm glad you are here. We needed to ask you about something.” the counselor cut in, but the yearbook teacher cut her off with a glare.
“I already TOLD you miss nelson. Miss bright has shown real dedication, and her place on this committee is non-negotiable.” the teacher said sharply. The counselor sight, rubbing her temples.
“I know. But I just wanted us all to consider the.. Implications of Ms Bright being on the school yearbook and news board, considering her… situation.” the counselor said carefully. Nova narrowed her eyes.
“Is that why you tried to kick me off of it?” she said. The counselor shook her head.
“No, I'm afraid that was legitimate. We do not have a photographer for your column,”
“Didn’t.” her teacher corrected.
“That young man volunteered yesterday, and now there is absolutely no reason for Nova not to write. And her father's political standing has nothing to do with her. And if you try to make it about that, it will be considered discrimination.”
The counselor sputtered at that, but her teacher cut them off again.
“That is all Miss Nelson. I can show Nova around from here.” she said sweetly, all fake kindness. The counselor looked like she might explode, before leaving the room in a barely disguised huff. Her teacher rolled her eyes, then turned to Nova with a smile.
“Hello Nova. my name is Miss Avery. I think we are going to get along just fine.” she said with a smile, holding her hand out. Nova took it with a smile, nodding.
“Good to meet you.”
Miss Avery smiled at her again, before taking her around the classroom, and showing her the cubicle desk she would be working at. Once Nova sat down, and smiled at the set up, Miss Avery leaned against her desk with a smile and Nova remembered her earlier question.
“Miss Avery?” she asked hesitantly.
“Yes?” she asked. Nova hesitated, before asking the question that had been bugging her.
“Who volunteered to be my photographer?” she asked. Miss Avery smiled deviously and then shrugged.
“He said he would be here tomorrow, and he would introduce himself then. He did want me to inform you that he would be taking pictures for you at the game tomorrow, and sending them via email.” she said. Nova nodded, trying to calm her racing heart. Her teachers eyebrow quirked, and she leaned against the desk.
“Why? You have an idea of who it is?” she asked, her tone amused. Nova almost choked on her own tongue, her cheeks blooming with heat.
“N-No.” she stuttered out. Her teacher gave her an amused look, before laughing and walking away.
“Okay Nova, we’ll see…”
Yeah, that had been pretty embarrassing. But it didnt matter, because there wasnt any chance that it was him. There was almost no chance, that Victor Barton was her new photographer.
…Right.
After that class, the rest of the day went pretty smoothly, minus the one time she got caught up with a few air headed girls, and was almost late to 3rd period. Then, she made it here, into her science class.
She had to stop, take a deep breath, and then mentally hype herself up, as she pushed open the doors of the classroom, remembering to breath.
She may or may not have forgotten a second later.
There was Victor, his head in his sketchbook, per usual. He was wearing a black motorcycle jacket today, to compensate for the slowly chilly weather approaching. He was wearing jeans, and white Air Force 1’s. He was, as always lately, strikely pretty in a way that no teenage boy should be.
Doing her best to be nonchalant, she walked up and sat next to him, setting her bag down. His pencil stopped on the paper as she sat down, and she tried her best to ignore the small smile that slid over his face.
“Good afternoon.” he said simply, glancing over. She willed the blush to not travel to her face, and smiled back, nodding.
“Good Morning.”
She saw him look away quickly after that, his cheeks also tinged pink.
Well. at least she wasnt alone.
She pulled out her notebook, just as the teacher came to the front of the class to begin teaching.
She tried to focus, she really did. But Victor kept glancing over at her every 4 seconds, then looking away. She didn’t know why, but she knew she was going to go crazy if he didn’t stop soon.
“What?” She finally whispered, when he glanced over at her again. To her surprise, he didn’t deny anything, jus shrugged and leaned back.
“I don’t know. You just seem a little… frazzled today.” He said. She rolled her eyes.
“Yeah, well it’s been an eventful few weeks.” She said exasperatedly. He snorted.
“You can say that again.”
They sat in silence for a bit longer, until the teacher instructed them to break off into partner work.
“So.” He said with a smile, opening up the assignment.
“How’s Ray?” He asked. She gave him a glare. Victor laughed, the smiled.
“Kidding, kidding. I know he’s probably still miserable and tormenting children.” He said simply. Nova glared, setting her pencil down.
“Why are you talking to me, if all you are going to do is try to rile me up?” She asked. He raised an eyebrow.
“I’m not trying to provoke you. But most conversations with us just end up like that anyway.” He said. Nova looked at him then, but he looked back down, and wouldn’t meet her eyes again.
They sat in silence for maybe ten more minutes, before Victor tapped her arm, and she looked up.
“Look,” he said quietly.
“Mr Laufner is about to set his sleeve on fire.” He said conspiratorially to her.
“What makes you say that?” She asked, a little more breathless than she would have liked as he leaned closer. But he just smiled, and gestured to their teacher's chemistry set up.
“He labeled the wrong bottle. It’s gonna light on fire.” He said quietly. She covered her mouth with her hand, trying not to laugh.
“Are you sure?” She asked. He smiled, and nodded.
“Wait for it.” He said slowly, as the teacher combined the liquids. Then, right on cue, it lit on fire, and his sleeve went up in flames.
He hopped around, yelping while trying to douse the small flame, as Nova burst out giggling.
“Oh my god, he looks like that little animated fire thing from Super Mario.” She said with a laugh. Victor smiled, and added.
“Or that guy from Aladdin who breathes fire.”
They both just looked at each other for a minute, before bursting out into giggles.
She laughed until her stomach hurt, the teacher too preoccupied with dousing his sleeve to get mad at her.
And honestly? It was… nice. It felt natural.
She liked laughing with him again.
They traded lighthearted conversation after that, superficial things that no one else really cared about. But it felt big. Like they were finally breaking free of the monotonous cycle they were stuck in.
When the bell rang, she stood up and gathered her things, preparing to leave, but Victor stopped her.
“So, where did you want to meet up tomorrow?” He asked, rocking back on his heels. Her face crinkled in confusion, and she tilted her head.
“What?” She asked. He gave her an amused look.
“We have to meet up tomorrow? To work on the project over the weekend? Didn’t you hear him?” He asked. She felt her cheeks heat, because no. She did not notice. Because she was too busy staring at him.
“Well um… I guess we could go to my place on Saturday.” She said a little awkwardly, rubbing her wrist.
“My dad has a work trip, so it should be… quieter?” She tried, almost wincing at how forced it sounded. But he just smiled, and nodded.
“It’s a date. Just… text me, okay?” He asked, looking at a text distractedly, his brows crinkling.
She nodded, probably too quickly, as he started to leave.
“Bye Sunshine.” He said over his shoulder, walking off. She barely registered it, and by the time she woke up long enough to try and respond?
He was already gone.