if you want it (you can have it)

Until I Found You

Summary: It's that time of year again; get your boats at the ready and your costumes a fitted – it's Nevermore's annual Poe Cup!

"I'm sorry, the what cup?" Larissa repeated, her brows furrowed in confusion.

"The Poe Cup!" Morticia beamed. "If Ophelia Hall is going for a two year winning streak, then I'll need you as my co-pilot!"

"And what gave you the impression that I know anything about boating?" She replied, sarcasm dripping from her words.

They were sitting across from each other, underneath the old oak tree, trying to study for Mr Steele's exam the following Friday. Then Nadine had come running over, practically bouncing with excitement over the Poe Cup. It had then been up to Morticia to explain what on Earth the Poe Cup actually was to Larissa, since she'd only been at Nevermore just over a month.

"Look, you don't need to be an expert in boating to take part!" She scoffed, snatching Larissa's textbooks from her lap and ignoring the groan of disdain it earned her. "If I have you as my co-pilot, I can lead the team and you can... well, I don't know, order them around?"

"I'm not a leader, Tish."

"Nonsense, Rissa! I'd bet you'll be running this school in twenty or so years." Morticia grinned. "Come on, please be my co-pilot?"

She pouted like a child, giving Larissa the best puppy eyes she could fathom.

"Alright, fine."

"Yes!" Morticia clapped her hands excitedly, before standing up and brushing grass off her skirt. "I need to use the restroom, don't lose our spot!"

"I won't."

She walked off into the school building, an excited spring in her step, and Larissa reached over to grab her closed textbook to start studying - again. Right as she found the page they'd needed, Larissa jumped when someone dropped down into the space next to her.

"Hey Larissa..." It was Samuel, the guy from her botany class who she'd spoken to maybe once or twice.

"Oh. Samuel, hi. Did you need something?"

"I was actually wondering if you wanted to go to the Weathervane with me later?" He asked, leaning back on his hands.

"The Weathervane?" Larissa replied.

"Oh right, you're new - it's a little coffee place down in Jericho. I'm really struggling with the new unit about carnivorous flora and you're pretty good at this, figured you could help me out..?"

"Is that all I am to you?" She deadpanned, raising her eyebrows at him sarcastically. "A faucet of botany homework help?"

"Of course not." Samuel beamed, flashing pearly white teeth in a cheeky grin.

"You're also really good at Algebra." He snickered, and Larissa couldn't fight a smile at his presumed unbotheredness. From the very limited interactions they'd had, Larissa could still see that Samuel was a decent guy and not a total asshole like the guys he hung around with.

"Fine, I'll help you."

"Yes!" He pumped his fist in the air in feigned victory. "I'll come by your dorm around 6?"

Meanwhile, Morticia was walking out of the building and back over to her spot with Larissa, but she stopped in her tracks when she saw Samuel sitting next to her. He said something that caused Larissa to laugh, a small but sincere chuckle, and she nodded her head. Then he got up and walked away, turning around to wave goodbye before disappearing into the building.