April 1995
"Tatum, will you sit down. My legs are getting tired just looking at you " I said as opened the packed of grapes on my lap. Sid, Tatum and I were sat around the waterfall waitin for the boys while they got their lunch.
"I can't Y/n. Okay, if I fail this test, moms gonna kill me. She's already mad at me for turning her favourite white blouse pink!" She said as she paced back and forth infront of Sid and I, book in one hand and an apple in the other as she tried to memorise all the words on the page
"Tatum, you'll do fine. It's just a small test to see how were doing progress wise before the summer exams" I nodded along with Sidney's words as we both tried to calm our friend down.
"Yeah well if I get another D, moms gonna freak and take away the car"
"I think thats a blessing in disguise" I said as I looked down at my food shoving a grape into my mouth
"How many times do I have to tell you. That tree came out of nowhere" Tatum said letting out a huff and turning towards us.
"Right and the cat"
"And the guy on the sidewalk"
"And the other parked car" Sidney and I said back and forth. Tatum gave both of us death glared as a small smile crossed my face
"Well if it isn't Woodsboros version of the heathers" a voice said as Tatum turned to look behind her to see the boys walking towards us. Randy walking infront with a smirk on his face
"Can it, Meeks" Tatum said as she turned back to her book. Billy sat by sidney as he leaned down to kiss her, randy stood looking over tatums shoulder, readin what was on the page before poking her in the side causing her to hit him.
Stu came to sit by me as he looked at Tatum with furrowed brows "what's she reading?"
I waved my hand as I focused on the grapes "shes trying to study before this test" I could see Stu nod in my peripheral vision as I looked up to Tatum.
"So Y/n I was wondering-" Stu began as I turned to the side to look at him as he fidgeted with his hands.
"Y/n" a voice called out as something hit my leg. Looking down there was a football causing me to pick it up before looking over to the grass area and Jogging over towards us was troy. Rolling my eyes I let out a breath as he reached us.
Everyone besides me tried to find something else to focus on as Troy rubbed the back of his neck. "Sorry about that, Sam has shit aim"
"It's fine" I said as I threw it back to him, keeping eye contact with him. There hasn't been many interactions between Troy and I since the whole Stephanie thing.
"So Y/n I was wondering if you maybe wanted to-" everyone's head snapped back to the conversation
"Absolutely not"
"Are you crazy?"
"Do you want your nose broken again?"
"You had your chance"
"Dick"
Troy eyes widened as everyone spoke at once causing a small smile to cross my face as I looked down before looking back up at him
"I think you just got your answer" he nodded before turning away. Tatum shook her head letting out a scoff
"That boy is completely deranged" I let out a breath before nodding. My attention came back to Stu who's head was down as he muttered to himself while playing with his hands. It was weird for Stu to act like this, I'd only ever seen him like this once and that was before the big football game.
"Sorry Stu, you were saying something before Troy came over" Stu looked at me like he wanted to speak but stopped himself before a goofy smile crossed his face
"Nah doesn't matter"
"You sure?" I asked him as I took in his body language once again. He seemed more relaxed now but was still fidgeting with his hands
"Yeah, I was uh.. just gonna ask about the math homework" furrowing my brows I nodded as I turned away before looking back to him
"Stu we're not in the same math class" he looked at me, eyes wide before relaxing
"Yeah that's why it didn't matter" I nodded to him as I questioned his antics. Placing the grapes onto Stu's lap I stood as I wiped down my clothes before grabbing my bag
"As much as I love the company of our new bookworm, the pda couple and two idiots, I have to leave you" I said as I began walking backwards before blowing a kiss to Tatum
"Hey watch who your calling bookworm" she called out to me as I let out a laugh before turning on the spot and walking towards the school, raising my hand up in the air once again, waving back to them.
I made my way in through the school doors before making my way over to my locker. Pulling open the door I smiled warmly at the photos inside it. My baby sister and I was the photo at the top.
The photo is of us the day she came home from the hospital. She was wrapped in a little pink blanket and had a small hat on her since it was November.
At the bottom was a photo of mom, dad and I. It was my seventh birthday and the photo shows us all gathered around a chocolate birthday cake, smiles spread across all our faces since I had chocolate frosting on my nose.
The photo in the middle was my favourite. It was taken at Tatum's 15th birthday. It was the six of us all sitting around one big table. We didn't know the photo was being taken and that's what made it so special, all the smiles on our faces were genuine.
I smiled once again at the photos before grabbing my biology book out of my locker and placing it into my bag before taking my English book from my bag and placing it back into my locker and dropping my bag on the floor.
"Hey Y/n" I turned to look down the hall at the call of my name and came face to face with Stu. A smile crossed my face as I looked at him before turning back to my locker
"You get bored out there too?" He let out a small laugh as he leaned his back against the locker beside me
"Yeah well when Randy started explaining respiration to Tatum, that was my cue to leave." I let out a small chuckle as I shook my head grabbing things from my locker.
"Sound about right" Stu's smiled as he leaned his shoulder against the wall, now facing me
"So, about earlier"
"Yeah?" I said as I focused on finding my notes copy
"I wasn't actually gonna ask you about the maths homework" I raised my eyes brows as I nodded
"Okay?"
"I was gonna ask you something else" he said as he began to fidget with his hands again
"Oh yeah and what might that be?" I said as picked my bag back up placing the copy I had been locking for into it.
"Would you maybe wanna, I don't know, go on a date with me?" I turned my head to look at him to see his face now red as he rubbed the back of his neck "I-I mean you don't have to I was just wonderi-"
"Yes Stu, I would love to go on a date with you" a big smile took over his face as he let out a breath
"Really?"
"Really" he pushed himself of the locker and looked like he didn't know how to contain his excitement
"Okay, okay. Great. Um how about I pick you up tonight? Say around 7?" A grin crossed my face as I nodded
"Yeah sounds like a plan" He clapped his hands together as he spun on his heel walking down the hall. "Wait where are we going?" He spun back to me and tapped the side of his nose "well what should I wear?" A smile crossed his face as he looked at me
"Wear something comfortable" I shook my head at him as he turned away a skip now in his step as he spun in a circle, high fiving a few people before holding open the door for a few people who laughed at his enthusiasm as he danced out towards the fountain.
I, once again, shook my head laughing as I closed my locker as swung my bag onto my shoulder.
Tonight should be fun
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I pulled open the door to my house and stepped inside, putting my bag on the small chair by the door. The sound of laughing and music filling the air as I made my way into the kitchen.
Tessa lay on her tummy on her small playmat. It was perfect where she was because mum could get to her in a split second if anything happened and with the way the kitchen was, mum could see her the whole time.
Mum had a spatula up to her mouth singing along to the words as she sang directly to Tessa, causing the infants eyes to light up. I laughed as I stepped into the kitchen causing mums attention to turn away from Tessa and to me as she pointed her finger at me and continued to sing along to the words.
Picking up a wooden spoon off the side of the counter her and I began singing and dancing around the kitchen before I went over to Tessa, picking her up and dancing with her in my arms.
I placed a kiss on her head and she snuggled into my side. I stood by the counter as mom turned down the music and began talking to me
"How was today?"
"It was good. I'm um going on a date tonight too" mom stopped what she was doing as she looked at me
"Oh please don't tell me it's with Troy" I laughed as I looked at her
"No mom, it's with Stu" she turned to look at me as smiled
"The young Macher boy?" I nodded as she did too "I like him, always was a polite kid"
"Yeah well im gonna go get showered and everything now okay" she smiled as she took Tessa off me. I made my way towards the door as she called out to me
"Are you gonna be eating then?"
"Yeah, I'll have a bit. I don't really know what the plan for tonight is but if we're not going for food I don't wanna be hungry the whole time" with one last nod mom turned back to the counter and got on with what she was doing.
I hauled myself up the stairs and towards my room. Pushing open my door, I threw myself on the bed and as excited I was for this date, I was absolutely exhausted. I lay on my bed for 20 minutes, 'resting' my eyes as I thought about what Stu was gonna do tonight. God knows with that boy.
Standing from my bed I walked over to my dresser pulling out a towel. I made my way to the bathroom and locked the door behind me before dropping my stuff and getting into the shower.
The hot water that hit my body calmed the nerves that had began rising as I thought about tonight. I wouldn't say it was nerves as much as excitement but whatever it was I didn't like the feeling. It made me uneasy.
The smell of mango and passion fruit filled the air as I lathered the shampoo onto my hair. The scent of the fruits filling the bathroom making me feel safe, I know its sound stupid saying a scent makes you feel safe but its just the scent that reminds me of home.
I tipped my head back underneath the water as the suds ran from my hair all down my back. I put the conditioner in my hair as I began to wash myself with the pink loofa that's sat on the small ledge.
I shaved my legs with the cheap conditioner that I had bought exactly for this purpose. After shaving my legs and underarms and all that I put my head under the water taking all the conditioner out.
Once it was all washed out of my hair a washed my back and rinsed my body once more before turning off the water and getting out. I wrapped the towel around me as I tried off my hair with the other one.
Once I cleaned up a bit I made my way back to the room and threw on a pair of sweats and a jumper and made my way down the stairs. Walking into the kitchen the smell of food hit me as mom and dad sat at the table.
"Hey dad" dad lifted his head from his dinner a smile crossing his face as I sat down by him.
"Hiya sweetheart, you okay? How was school" I nodded as I picked up my fork
"It was good, it was good" mom cleared her throat across the table catching both dad and I's attention as we both lifted our head to look at her.
Meeting her eyes, she widened them as she nodded towards dad.
Jesus she couldn't make it anymore obviously could she
"What am I missing here girls?" I let out a small huff as I looked at dad
"I'm going on a date tonight dad. I was going to tell you when dinner was over but I guess mom had different ideas" mom let out a sigh as she looked across at me
"I'm just excited" dad looked at mom like she was crazy as he turned back to me.
"Oh god it isn't Troy is it?" A laugh left mom as I looked back at dad
"No dad it's not Troy. It's Stu" dads eyebrows furrowed as he leaned back in his chair
"Stuart Macher? Your friend stuart?" I shoved a fork full of potatoes into my mouth as I nodded hoping to get away from this conversation. "Interesting"
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Once dinner was done I went up to my room to dry my hair and change. I had 45 minutes before Stu was meant to arrive.
After drying my hair a knock came on my door causing me to turn in my seat. Mom walked in looking tired holding a crying Tessa.
"Honey, I know your getting ready for your date, but she will not stop crying and your dads gone to that meeting in the town hall. I think she wants your teddy" I stood from my chair and took Tessa into my arms
"Mom, how about you go for a nap and she can stay with me okay? I'll put her down before i go" She gave me a grateful smile and handed me a teething ring Tessa had been eating as she turned on the spot walking out the door.
I Looked down at my crying sister before walking towards my bed and picking up the small pink teddy bear. Taking it into her hands her crying stopped immediately
"A bear? Seriously Tess? All that over a bear?" Her big glassy eyes looked up as me before fixating back on the bear. Letting out a sigh I sat back on my chair placing her on my lap as I began to try and style my hair somehow.
Once I put a bit of makeup on I picked Tessa up into my arms. Placing pillows in a small square with extra ones at one side. I placed Tessa down into the middle of them, leaning her back against the side with the most pillows.
She sat there happily as she played with the small teddy bear. I turned to my wardrobe picking out two tops.
"Hey Tess which one?" I asked turning back to the baby who had the teething ring in her mouth. "This one?" I asked lifting up a top as she stared at it "or this one?" I asked lifting the other one as she began to slap her hands together. "This one? Okay"
A smile crossed my face as I put the top down onto the bed my her. Turning back to my wardrobe the doorbell sounded through the house causing me to turn on the spot.
"Who's that Tess? Huh who's that?. Is that stu?" I asked the infant as I picked her up and placed her on my hip before made my way downstairs. I spoke to Tessa the whole way down the stairs as she looked around the house pointing at random things
I got to the door and pulled it open to come face to face with Stu. He was dressed in a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt, a bunch of flowers in his hand. A smile on his face as he looked at me.
"Hey Y/n" I smiled at him as I stepped aside letting him in. "Who's this little beauty" he said as he looked at Tessa who was babbling away in my arms
"This is Tessa" Stu put his hand out giving her a little handshake as she let out a small giggle
"Well she is just gorgeous" he said speaking to her before he leaned back up looking down at me "She's not yours is she?" I gave him an unimpressed look as I made my way towards the stairs. "I'm joking, Jesus Y/n how bad do you think I am?" I let out a breath as he laughed walking over to me.
I turned on the spot and made my way up the stairs "are you coming or not?" The sound of jogging up the stairs caught my attention as I turned towards my room. I walked in placing Tessa back onto my bed before turning towards the door to not see Stu.
Walking over to my door I looked out into the hall to see him standing there looking at the floor with his hands in his pockets.
"Are you coming in or not?" His head snapped up to me as he looked around speechless
"I just didn't think you'd want me in your room?" I smiled at him as I shook my head
"Your fine, come on" he smiled back as he walked into my room and sat at my vanity. A noise coming from Tessa catching his attention as he went over to sit by her. Her arms immediately lifting to show she wanted him to lift her. He looked at me wide eyed as I walked over
"It's okay you can lift her, she won't bite"
"I've just never held a baby before, how do I?" I stood from the seat as I picked her up and placed her into his arms. She immediately snuggled into him and he visibly relaxed.
I smiled at the sight as I grabbed my clothes and made my way to the door to go and change. "Woah, woah. Where are you going" I turned on the spot to look at Stu who was holding a now sleepy Tessa
"I'm going to change is that okay?" He nodded as he looked down at Tessa and took notice she was falling asleep before lowering his voice
"Yeah but what if something happens to her?" He said nodding his head towards the infant
"Are you gonna let anything happen to her?" He quickly shook his head "them nothing gonna happen to her okay? And I'll only be two seconds okay" he nodded once more as I made my way into the hall and towards the bathroom.
Once I changed I made my way back into the room to see Stu swaying back and forth as Tessa rested her head against him and his cheek rested against her hair. I was shocked at how quickly Tessa took to Stu, it usually takes her a long time before she goes to anyone.
He turned towards the door and smiled at me as he took in my appearance "you look beautiful" he mouthed to me in fear he would wake Tess up.
I nodded towards the door and he walked down the stairs with me as we made our way into the living room where one only Tessa's cots were. Mom was asleep in the armchair as we walked in so both Stu and I made our way over to the cot.
He looked at me with wide eyes once again as he held her. "Just put your hands behind her head and put her down" Stu carefully put her down as she snuggled into a small toy.
Both Stu and I stood looking at her as i just made sure she was okay. "Sweet dreams Tessy" I looked to Stu as he looked down at her
"Tessy?" He turned his head to me as he smiled
"Yeah I thought of it when you went to change" I smiled at him as we turned towards the door and make our way out to the hall. I tapped mom on the way out and pointed to the cot as she nodded and went back asleep.
I shut the door behind me as Stu and I walked outside. "So where are we headed?" I asked him as he walked over to his car and I followed in suit. He came around to the passenger door and opened it
"It's a surprise"
"Oh what a gentleman" I said as I got into the car. He made his way to his door as he got in and turned on the ignition.
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10 minutes late Stu and I pulled up outside of a field with a steel gate cutting it off from the road. Confused I looked to Stu as he looked back with a smirk on his face
"Your not going to kill me are you?" I asked him as he shook his head
"On the first date? No way. give it like a year" I raised my eyebrows as I looked back at him
"Charming"
"I know it doesn't like like much but just wait okay" hesitantly I nodded my head as we both climbed out of the car. He went to the back door pulling it open as he grabbed two things from the back.
I stood at the front of the car as I looked up at the night sky. Since it was April the sun was only really going down. The back door slammed shut as Stu came to stand by me.
"You ready" I nodded to him as he handed me the red pleated blanket. He walked ahead of me as he threw his leg over the gate before jumping onto the ground. He stood waiting for me to follow him as he held the small wicker basket in his hand.
Like he did I threw my leg over the gate before jumping down beside him. A big toothy smile appeared on his face as he waved his hand for me to follow him as he took off across the green field.
The sound of the bees buzzing and the birds singing overhead caused me to smile as I looked around. There wasn't a sinner in sight and the sun was now at an angle before it would turn golden.
As I caught up to Stu we walked in silence until we got to a small hill towards the end of the field. Stu was the first to walk up onto it as he let out a breath and took in whatever was on the other side.
Turning on the spot he put a hand out for me to grab onto as he pulled me up onto the hill. "What do you think?" He asked as I looked at what had been hidden on the other side. A beautiful lake sat On the other side and the clearing in the trees caused the shimmer of the sun to bounce of the water.
It was like something I'd only ever heard people talk about. I took In the beauty of it all as I stood speechless. "I knew you'd like it" I turned to look up at Stu as he took the blanket from me and walked down onto a little ledge that kept you hidden from the road.
"Cmon" I looked down at him as he placed the blanked onto the ground and sat on it. I stepped down by the blanket and sat on it by him. His back rested against the grassy part of the hill as he took in The scene infront of him.
"It's beautiful" I said as I leaned back like he did.
"Yeah, mom and dad use to bring me and my sister here when we were younger. It was one of the only places where we never fought" he let out a small chuckle as he sat up and grabbed the small wicker basket "I didn't know what to bring so I just brought sweets. Oh and grapes. Cause I know you like them"
I smiled at him as I leaned up looking at all the sweets in the basket. It wasn't a secret that Stu had a sweet tooth so to see what he had brought wasn't a surprise.
We sat by each other for a while talking and laughing about random things that we usually talk about in school. Only this time there wasn't Randy's imput, or Tatum's eye rolls, or the sound of slobbering coming from wherever Sidney and billy would be sitting, but just us. Just Stu and I.
I had always liked Stu, that definitely wasn't a secret. But when him and Casey became a thing there was nothing I could do. I tried to push the feelings away but it was blatantly obvious that they weren't going anywhere. Anyone who wasn't blind could see how much I liked him.
When him and Casey got together I figured there was no hope. She was popular and he was a jock. Those two things just go together like bread and butter. So I tried to take my mind off things, Stu, and that's where Troy came into it.
I hadn't meant for him and I to get so close but when we did everything changed. Stu and I became distant. He couldn't stand to be around troy and I. Troy on his own? Stu was okay with. Me on my own? Stu was okay with. Troy and I together? Stu was always mad at.
It wasn't long after Troy cheated that Stu and Casey broke up. It was said that they broke up because Stu didn't like her anymore and didn't want to lead her on. Casey told me different though and Two weeks after they broke up, Casey and Steve orth we're going out.
"I won't lie, I'm surprised you said yes" I turned my head to look at him as he sat with his arms draped over his bent knees
"Why's that?" He shrugged as he looked up towards the starry sky
"I don't know, I guess after the whole Troy thing, I thought you would hate the male species" I laughed as I looked out to the lake
"Well I have to make a few exceptions seeing as I'm stuck with you, Randy and billy the whole time" now was his turn to laugh as he put up his hands
"Touché" he said looking down
"I'm surprised you asked" his head lifted to look at me as he shook his head
"Well I wanted to for a long time but I only really got the courage to in the past week" I nodded as I looked back out to the lake.
"Hey Y/n?"
"Yeah Stu?"
"Can I kiss you?" My head turned towards him as he looked between my eyes and lips. He was close now, barely a few inches away.
All I could do was nod as he leaned forward placing his lips on mine, his hand coming to rest on the side of my face. The kiss lasted for a few seconds before both of us pulled away, smiling like two idiots, his hand still on my cheek
"I really like you Y/n, i have for a really long time" my smile widened as I looked back at him
"I really like you too Stu" now his smile widened as he looked at me
"I'd really like to kiss you again"
"I'd really like you to" I responded as he leaned back in.
Never in a millions years would I of thought that I would be sitting under the stars as Stu Macher tells me he likes me.
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As the sun had set and It began to get cold Stu and I decided it was time to go home. So as we got in the car and drove all the way back to mine. The smile that was on my face as I walked from the hill never left.
Pulling up outside my house, Stu got out and walked around my side, opening the door. I got out and we made our way up to the front door. It was around 9:30 now and dads car was in the driveway meaning he was home from the meeting.
Both stu and I stood infront of my door as we looked around, now not knowing what to do
"I'd like to go on another date with you if you'd like?" He said as he shoved his hands into his pockets, rocking back and forth on his feet
"Yeah I'd like that too" I said as we got quiet again. Looking at each other, both of us leaned in as the front door swung open and we pulled back quickly
"So this is the boy?"
"Dad cmon you know Stu" I said as I crossed my arms
"Hi mr Y/l/n" Stu said as he raised his hand, to wave.
"Stuart" dad said as he nodded to him holding his hand out for Stu to shake, dad got a grip on Stu's hand as he pulled him into him "I have two shotguns" Stu's eyes widened as his breath got quicker
"Jesus dad" I said as I walked inside pushing dads chest back lightly as he let go of Stu's hands "goodnight Stu"
Stu smiled over dads shoulder as he looked at me "night Y/n" he turned and walked to his car and I dragged dad back into the house shutting the door behind him.
That poor boys gonna have a heart attack.