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A Midsummer Night's Scheme

Summary:

Despite Lydia's best efforts, it does appear as though the entirety of Rydell is keen to disrupt her carefully laid plans.

Notes:

I succumbed. Please enjoy what is a bonafide sequel to calamity feign, for continuity purposes it takes place about a month after the last chapter of calamity, and about two months after the events of soubrette boulevard. It's also from Lydia's perspective this time, because why not.

Also if anyone's confused about the names, there is a reason I promise. Gold star to anyone who can twig what I've been doing and pop it in the comments aha.

I think it's going to be three chapters, we shall find out together if it remains so. I'll be updating as and when I can, but it's likely going to be around 20 August, busy few weeks at work to get through before then.

Please do let me know what you think - as ever, very happy to have any kudos, comments, bookmarks. I hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 1: Lydia enjoys taking her textbooks out for a walk

Chapter Text

As Lydia sprinted through the otherwise empty halls of Rydell High, her footsteps squelching with each step, she already knew it was going to be a terrible day.

She wasn’t a believer in bad omens by any means, but too many things had gone wrong this morning for the day to be anything but a write-off.

1. Overslept as alarm didn’t go off? Check.

2. No breakfast because of said oversleeping? Check.

3. No parents to drop her off at school since they’d already gone to work? Check.

4. Getting drenched because of a sudden deluge the second she’d stepped outside? Check.

5. Arriving late to school because of the said rain / oversleeping? Check and check.

Eurgh. Lydia had quickly visited her locker and was now headed to AP Biology, which was, of course, on the other side of the school. In what was certainly more evidence to add to her ‘this is a shitty day’ list, when Lydia rounded the next corner, she knocked straight into someone else. Some idiot more like, who just stands waiting around corners?

“Hey, no running! I need to see your hall pass.”

Inhaling deeply to swallow the sharp retort that had been creeping up her throat, Lydia offered what she knew to be a paltry smile. More like a grimace, but whatever might work to get this bespectacled bozo off her case. “I don’t have a hall pass...I just need to-“

“You know the rules. No hall pass means detention.”

Lydia paused, blinking rapidly. “…how could I get a hall pass when I haven’t been to class yet?” She raised the stack of books in her hand and hissed, “and if I was cutting, I wouldn’t exactly take my textbooks with me, would I?”

The hall monitor just shrugged. “Rules are rules.” He slipped a detention slip underneath the top book and offered her a smug grin. “You have a great day now.”

Lydia just about restrained herself from throwing her books to the ground in order to strangle the Napoleonesque hall monitor. It was unlikely to do anything except further delay her at this point. Even though it would be so satisfying.  

Not even gratifying him with a response, Lydia pushed past him, speed walking to not incite any further issues with hall monitors. Who apparently had nothing better to do than to accost random people in the hallways.

It didn’t take long before she finally arrived at her class. Lydia peeked through the door, unduly pleased to see the teacher was crouched down behind their desk, presumably grabbing something. As quietly as possible, Lydia crept into the room, ignoring the curious looks of her classmates to focus on quickly locating a seat. A waving hand pulled her attention and Lydia noticed it belonged to a certain keen pink lady, who was gesturing towards the vacant seat next to her.  

Hell, she’d sit next to fucking Niel if it meant she didn’t get a lunchtime detention.

As she sat down, Olivia slid over her open textbook and whispered, “page 62.”

If Lydia had been in a better mood, she probably would have said thanks. As it was, she made a sort of grunt of assent. Olivia hummed in response, presumably, and rightly, assuming that Lydia was not a morning person.

Lydia was so engrossed in reading about mitochondria that she didn't notice the classroom had gone quiet. Olivia pinched Lydia's leg hard, causing her to look up and into the annoyed face of her teacher.

“Nice of you to join us, Miss Simcox. Perhaps you’d like to tell me all about why you were late over lunch. You can help me wipe the sexually explicit graffiti off the desks.” The teacher clapped her hands together and stalked back towards the front of the class, “right, everyone continue your…”

Lydia stopped listening, dropping her forehead to the desk with a low thunk. Great, now she wouldn’t be able to make any rehearsals, and opening night was next week. This wasn’t good enough. Mr Vaughan expected better. She expected better of herself.

Lydia, who was prone to tears when angry, swore under her breath as the pencil in her hand snapped.

A small piece of paper landed in Lydia’s lap, and she unfurled it without lifting her head. Unsurprised to find Olivia’s scrawled handwriting.

‘You okay?’

Fighting against the urge to rip the paper into teeny tiny shreds, Lydia sighed as she sat upright. Swiping the spare pencil next to Olivia, in order to draft a brief response. ‘What do you think?’

Lydia slid the paper over without taking her eyes off the front of the class. Beyond suspicious that their teacher might make another unannounced visit. After a few moments, the note was tucked underneath Lydia’s hand, waiting on the desk.

‘Sorry you got detention :(‘

Lydia was perplexed as she couldn't recognize this new handwriting. She immediately looked around the room and spotted Jane and Hazel sitting behind. Jane offered her a friendly wave and Hazel smiled before turning her attention back to the front of the class.

Of course, the pink ladies had to share everything. Even dumb notes in class. Lydia pulled out the detention slip from between her books, raising it so the other girls could see.

“…that sucks,” whispered Olivia, bent down over her paper to muffle the sound.

Lydia shrugged. It did. She returned to the note, scrawling what she wished she could say out loud. ‘Hazel–can you let Mr V know I can’t make any rehearsals today? I’ll make it up tomorrow.’ After a quick glance to make sure their teacher remained distracted, Lydia reached behind her and felt slight fingers grasp the note from her palm.

A few seconds later, Hazel coughed. Lydia held her hand out to receive the response before carefully unfurling it behind the textbook she was using as a barrier.

“Sure. He will not be happy.” Next to Hazel’s message, Jane had scrawled something as well.

‘Want me to tell Cynthia you can’t ‘make’ time for the second floor broom closet?‘

Ignoring the unnecessarily loud snort from Olivia, Lydia immediately turned to glare at Jane. Who pretended not to notice her, the absolute reprobate. Lydia quickly drafted a written response, passing it to Olivia and turning to nod at the teacher. Whatever she’d just said, Lydia 100% agreed with. Hopefully, that would keep them off her back for the rest of the lesson.

“Ah Lydia, thank you for volunteering.” Shit. “What do you think is the answer?”

“Uh,” oh fuck. Lydia squinted at the blackboard to see if it might shed some light, maybe even the topic. Alas, it was just the date. Olivia tapped the textbook, which Lydia hoped contained the answer, in her peripheral vision.

“Uh,” squinting down at the page, Lydia finally blurted, “Cytoplasm?”

“…well, it’s good to see that someone,” the teacher glared at somebody in the back of the class, “was paying attention. So, now we’ve discussed the…”

Exhaling deeply, Lydia nudged Olivia slightly with her arm, mouthing ‘thank you’, which was received with a shy smile. It never ceased to amaze her just how intelligent Olivia was. Like, Jane was smart, of course, and Hazel too. Both were constant contenders for top of the class and oh god sometimes they were so eager that it was annoying. Olivia, she was quietly confident. She rarely spoke up in lessons, but every single one of her quizzes had perfect scores. Right now, Lydia was extremely grateful for it.

A cough from behind prompted Lydia to proffer her hand. Just as she grasped the note, however, a much louder cough caused her to jolt upwards, to where her teacher was waiting with her hand out.

“No notes in class. Hand it over.”

Oh shit. Lydia could feel the colour draining from her face. Jane's comment about Cynthia and the broom closet was highly unlikely to be interpreted in any other way. Frozen in sheer panic, Lydia felt the note get pulled from within her fingers.

Is this how it all ended? In AP Biology? Her life, her love laid bare to a litany of her least favourite classmates, and Cynthia’s closest friends. Perhaps she could move to Hollywood sooner? Floyd and Arthur might be up for it. Oh, but how could she leave Cynthia? And to this, of all things? She couldn’t. Maybe they could leave together and carve a new life on the east coast?

“…Miss Valdovinos, you can join your friend in lunchtime detention and if you need the nurse’s office. Tough.”

Lydia then noticed the manic chewing noises from next to her. Olivia, brave, stupid, magnificent Olivia, had grabbed the note from her hand and promptly started eating it.

Still struggling to swallow the wad of paper, Olivia nodded at the teacher to confirm she’d heard. Miss Noel moved on to the next unfortunate pupil, who appeared to have fallen asleep and was loudly snoring.

Awash with gratitude, Lydia, for one of the first times in her life, prompted a hug with someone. As she pulled away from the hug, Lydia dropped a light kiss on to Olivia’s cheek, along with a whispered “thank you.”

“Uh, s’fine,” Olivia sniffed, eyes wide as a light flush crept along her face. Oh darn, she’d forgotten.

“Hold on, let me.” Lydia quickly licked her thumb and swiped it across Olivia’s cheek, wiping off the remnants of her lipstick. She really ought to pay better attention, honestly one of these days, her makeup was going to get her into trouble.

“I think you’ve got it all now.”

Lydia paused, glancing over her shoulder to find Jane furiously glaring down at her scribbled notes. It had definitely been their little ringleader who had spoken, although she was pretending not to pay any attention now.

How interesting.

Always one to test a new theory, Lydia finished wiping Olivia’s cheek, but she didn’t move far and indeed shifted her seat closer to the other girl. Perhaps Lydia was imagining it, but it felt very much like she was being glared at from behind. “So, what are we working on now…?”

Olivia cleared her throat before responding. “Err, pair project. We couldn’t work as a three, so I’ve just been looking at these roots,” she gestured towards the lone microscope in front of her. “It’s identifying the different stages of mitosis.”

“May I? I daren’t ask for another.”

Olivia shrugged, “go for it.” Lydia was still fully within Olivia’s personal space as she leaned over to look through the eyepiece.

Far less interested in the pieces of an onion than her own hypothesis about two of Cynthia’s closest friends, Lydia couldn’t help asking. “I’m not sure what I’m supposed to be looking at. Could you show me?”

“Sure,” Olivia brought her face next to Lydia’s and squinted down. Because Olivia was sitting nearby, Lydia's arm went across her shoulders when she reached over the back of her chair. Completely on accident, of course.

A loud and extremely annoyed sigh from behind prompted Lydia to smirk.

Wholly unaware of the discomfort of the girl behind her, Olivia continued to prattle on about whatever Lydia was supposed to be looking for. “-and that’s the final stage, see?”

Lydia hummed, letting out a pleased gasp that even she had to admit was over the top. “I do now. Thank you so much.” She squeezed Olivia’s shoulder in thanks and heard what sounded like a muffled curse word from behind.

“Miss Facciano. The answer to question six, please?”

“Uh…” Jane had clearly been paying attention to something other than their extremely interesting lesson on cells. Gosh, Lydia just couldn’t put her finger on what that could be.

“It’s prophase, Miss.”

“Thank you Olivia, although I would in fact like it if you didn’t answer every question for your…pink corner over there. Miss Facciano, I expect better.”

Satisfied that she had even more evidence to compile away for her ‘only two (?) of the pink ladies are straight’ theory, Lydia continued to work with Olivia. In no time at all, they had completed the assigned activities for the rest of the class.

Despite entering the lesson in an extremely foul mood, by the time that the bell rang, it was no surprise that she was feeling much better. Plus, teasing Jane hadn’t hurt. She was just so easy to wind up.  

“Thanks, see you guys.” In no mood to be late to another lesson, Lydia all but sprinted off with a cursory wave to the three pink ladies. The rest of her morning went by just as smoothly until lunchtime, when she arrived back at Miss Noel’s classroom for her detention.

Releasing a deep groan before she entered, Lydia stalked through the door. “Miss Simcox, you’re early. For once. Come grab a rag, I’ve already put rubbing alcohol on them,” she sighed, “…I learned my lesson after those T boys got sick.”

“Birds,” corrected Lydia absent mindedly as she grabbed a rag and headed for the desk furthest away at the back of the room.

“Whatever they are, I’m just glad that little ringleader of theirs is gone. Oh, speak of the devil,” Lydia winced, unsurprised to find that Olivia was standing in the doorway with a face like thunder. “Here, take this one, and I’ll be hiding this.” Miss Noel took the rubbing alcohol and locked it in her desk, eyeing Olivia.

Eurgh. Sometimes Lydia just had to wonder how the school hired such riffraff, including that creep, Mr Daniels. Then she would remember who their principal was and stop wondering. “Olivia,” Lydia waved her over, glaring at the teacher herself.

Olivia threw herself down onto the desk next to hers, scowling as she scrubbed angrily at the various phalluses on the desk. If she was muttering darkly under her breath in Spanish, then good for her. It wasn’t like Lydia or, most likely, Miss Noel could understand her. Although Lydia was skilled in French and Latin, she had always struggled with Spanish. Which unfortunately meant she could not appreciate any theatrical performances from below the border. Which was just a shame, really…

Lost in her thoughts, Lydia did not immediately notice the new person entering the room, at least until their teacher spoke up. “Ah Miss Zdunowski, better late than never.”

“Hey, teach.” Cynthia had walked straight into the room, gait as neurotic as ever, and Lydia felt her heart ache. Oh, just to see her was enough. A wide grin split across her face, unbidden. Not to quote Shakespeare purposefully, because he was a hack, but oh. There truly was nothing in the world Lydia loved so well as her. Schooling her features into indifference, Lydia rested her cheek on her hand, though she kept her gaze focused on Cynthia.

“Guess I really am on the rag this time.” Cynthia was brandishing one of the pre-soaked rags as she finished raising both of her eyebrows.

Olivia groaned, letting her head hit the desk in response. Lydia rolled her eyes, though she couldn’t help smiling. How had she let herself fall this far, and this hard? 

If Cynthia was a boy, she’d most likely want to set fire to him.

As it was though, Lydia let her eyes trail over the as usual, terrible outfit that Cynthia had worn. Some massive brown skirt that was drowning her, and a yellow sweater that was nigh fluorescent. Oh god why couldn’t she stop thinking about this unmitigated fashion disaster? Floyd was already concerned that her infatuation with the smallest, and loudest, pink lady resulted from a traumatic brain injury. He still kept apologising for dropping her during a performance of The Taming of the Shrew.

Miss Noel just sighed, pointing over towards where Lydia and Olivia were sitting. “Over there. I don’t do well with the fumes, so I’m going to just lock you in here. I’ll be back at,” she turned to squint at the clock on the wall. “One, and I expect to see all of my desks clean. Cause any other mayhem and you’ll all be collecting new frogs for dissection.”

With that, she stalked through the door and all but slammed it behind her; the click showing that she had indeed locked them in.

“Come here often?” Cynthia was grinning as she sat down, dragging the desk along the floor until she was sitting next to Lydia.

“What are you doing here?” Not that Lydia wasn’t happy to see her, but Cynthia didn’t even have any classes with Miss Noel, so how…?

Olivia snorted, which prompted Cynthia’s face to flush with that exceptionally attractive shade of claret.

“Well?” Lydia crossed her arms over her chest, quirking an eyebrow at the girl, who was now avoiding her gaze.

“Ah, you see,” Cynthia sniffed, fingers twitching reflexively around what Lydia knew to be a comb in her sock. “I…might have snuck into old Nessie’s room to free up the frogs…”

Lydia blinked. “Wait, what? Nessie?”

“Yeah, she’s like the loch ness monster, see?”

“Right.” She didn’t immediately see, but that was less important. “…but why did you do that?”

Next to her, she could see Olivia’s shoulder’s shaking as she did her best to hold in her laughter. “Yeah Cyn, why?”

“Can it O,” the flush had now spread to Cynthia’s ears. “I mean, I didn’t wanna dissect them anyway, but also I kind of wanted to see…you.”

Oh.

“...you’re such an idiot.” Lydia shook her head, the smile on her face genuine as she batted at Cynthia’s shoulder.

Cynthia just grinned at her, eyes soft as she responded, “yeah, but I’m your idiot.”

Olivia coughed, and even if it sounded suspiciously like ‘sap’. Lydia just rolled her eyes as she got back to half-heartedly scrubbing at what looked like a pair of breasts on the table.

Lydia paused, watching Cynthia and Olivia, who were now bent over one of the other desks, cackling at something that was definitely rude.

“How did you even know I had detention…?”

Olivia hummed, “I told her.”

“Yeah, I thought she was dying, on account of all the coughing. Hazel told me what she did,” Cynthia patted Olivia’s back, “and that you’d both got detention so, I got detention too.”

Not wanting to let on that she was at all touched by the gesture, even if she totally was, Lydia just scoffed. “And how will that look on your permanent record, hmm?”

“Eh,” Cynthia shrugged, “it can’t get much bigger, and I don’t need college to work with my dad. Who cares?”

“You should still keep your options open.” It sounded as though Olivia was parroting someone else’s words, especially if Cynthia’s reaction to miming along to it was any sign.

“Yeah, yeah I know. Sue me for wanting to see my girl today.”

Damn, when did Cynthia get so smooth? Lydia noticed the smirk that immediately followed her statement, although she pretended as though she hadn't seen it. She didn’t want Olivia to think she was a total sap.

Deciding to get the punishment over as soon as possible, just in case Miss Noel came back, Lydia focused on cleaning the desks. She had precisely zero interest in spending her evening down at the creek. Olivia seemed to clean just as thoroughly as Lydia, nodding at each completed desk before moving on to the next one.

Cynthia however…

“Wanna see me sneeze out an eraser?”

“No,” sighed Lydia.

“Aww, it’s my best party trick. What else am I meant to do to kill time?”

“Help us clean the desks, maybe?”

Although Cynthia grumbled under her breath, she followed Olivia’s request. The room fell into silence, aside from the sounds of scrubbing. Lydia knew it wouldn’t last long.

“Okay, truth or dare O.” Cynthia spoke over the responding groan from Olivia, “what? Your mouth ain’t cleaning. Help me out, I’m dying here.”

“Fine. I’m not getting into any more trouble, so truth.”

Cynthia hummed as she tapped her chin. “Would you rather kiss Bozo Buddy or McGee?”

Lydia laughed, shaking her head at what was possibly the most bizarre question she’d ever heard.

“All their questions are like this,” Olivia sighed. “I’ve had enough of teachers, so probably Buddy. Annoying as he is.”

“Gross,” Cynthia crinkled her nose in distaste and Lydia tried very hard not to think about how cute that made her look. She failed.

“Fine, let’s see how you like it.” Olivia turned to face Lydia, “truth or dare?”

“I’m not interested in playing.” God, she couldn’t think of anything worse. She was thankful that her only experience with sleepovers was when Floyd passed out on her floor a few months ago. She’d been lucky to escape these asinine games. Until now, it seemed.

“Oh, absolutely not. I still can’t get the taste of ink out of my mouth. You owe me.”

Lydia narrowed her eyes at Olivia, though after a few seconds, she agreed. “Fine. Dare.” It was unlikely that Olivia would ask her to do anything too deranged.

“Great,” Olivia grinned, pointing towards the supply closet in the room. “I dare you to kiss one eyepiece. Leave a nice big lipstick stain for Miss Noel to find later.”

“Oh yeah, like she won’t realise it’s me.” Lydia crossed her arms over her chest.

“If it’s just the one, she might not even notice.” Olivia shrugged, “plus it’s a dare so, get to it.”

Cynthia slid across the top of the nearest desk. “I can help if you wanna practice.”

Lydia ignored Cynthia's suggestive look and stalked into the closet, leaving a large imprint on one of the microscopes.

“…never thought I’d be jealous of a stethoscope.”

Shaking her head, Lydia sat next to Cynthia this time, so that she could lean against her shoulder. It wasn’t so overt as a cuddle, but it felt nice all the same when Cynthia placed her hand gently against Lydia’s lower back. Their backs were to the wall, so it didn’t feel as dangerous as it might otherwise have been.

Olivia smiled softly at the two of them, though Lydia noted it didn’t quite reach her eyes. Another piece of evidence for the mental dossier, perhaps.

“Hit me with your best shot, doll.”

Lydia lightly slapped Cynthia’s shoulder in response, willing the flush to recede from the unexpected pet name. From the smug grin on Cynthia’s face, she was unsuccessful.  

“Oh, gag me,” Olivia mimed being sick as she leaned against the wall.

“Bite me,” Lydia hummed, considering what she might like Cynthia to do. “Truth or d-“

“-dare.” Cynthia grinned and Lydia matched it with her own. Cynthia was just too predictable.

“I dare you to say, ‘thespians rule, pink ladies drool.’”

“…now that’s just cold.” Pouting aside, Cynthia knew the rules of the game far better than Lydia did and soon after, she murmured “thespians rule, pink ladies drool…”

“What was that?” Lydia cupped her ear towards Cynthia, “I couldn’t quite hear you.”

Cynthia groaned, letting herself fall forward so her chin was resting on Lydia’s shoulder. “Ugh, thespians rule, pink ladies drool. Happy?”

“Very.” This close, it was extremely difficult to focus on anything that wasn’t Cynthia. Unbidden, her gaze dropped to the very talented mouth inches away from her own. The corner of Cynthia’s lips quirked, and Lydia swallowed instinctively.

Olivia’s feigned gasp drew their attention. “How could you, Cyn? I’m telling Nancy you said the pink ladies are awful.” 

“Psh,” Cynthia flicked an errant pencil at her. “It was truth or dare, she’ll understand.” She paused. “I hope.”

“Okay, my turn and I’m asking Lydia this time.” Olivia leaned forward, the rag held limply in her grip. “Truth or dare.”

“Dare, obviously.”

“I dare you to tell me a truth. Were there any other girls before Cynthia?”

Oh. Lydia froze, which must have alerted Cynthia, who tucked her arm against her hip. Squeezing it once for comfort. Lydia had to remind herself that for Olivia, this was a nice, normal question. She didn’t understand the history, or indeed the trauma, associated with her first love.

Adjusting herself slightly on the desk, Lydia cleared her throat before responding, “yes.”

Olivia gasped properly this time. Fully interested in the conversation, she asked, “and?”

How did she even unpack everything that had happened over the summer? Lydia sighed, letting herself lean further back into Cynthia. “It didn’t go well. She pretended I’d made everything up.”

Olivia winced. “I’m so sorry.” She glanced towards Cynthia, and Lydia could almost see the cogs whirring in her mind. Before Olivia could reference the actions that had hurt her so, and for which Cynthia had profusely apologised, Lydia asked her own question.

“Truth or dare, Olivia.”

“Truth I guess.”

Hmm. She needed to play this carefully so as not to rouse suspicion. “If you had to choose one pink lady to live with forever, who would it be?”

Cynthia scoffed. “Me, obviously. I’m hilarious.”

“You talk in your sleep, and you never clean your toothpaste out of the sink. So, you’re not even top two…”

Lydia couldn’t help laughing, which caused Cynthia to redden even further.

“Nancy is definitely last place, mostly because of her irrational fear of alarm clocks…I guess if it’s between Hazel and Jane, I’d go for Jane.”

“Facciano’s great and all, but she’s such a stickler for the rules. You’d have lights out at 8pm sharp for the rest of your life.”

Olivia waved Cynthia’s comment away. “Jane’s great. She’s smart and kind.” Olivia looked almost dreamy as she talked. “She isn’t afraid to stand up for what she believes in.” She paused before clearing her throat. “Also, her room is spotless, so I know she’d make a good roommate.”

Lydia hummed. She barely had enough time to file the information away in her mind before Cynthia rounded on her.

“Your turn. Want a truth or a dare?”

“Hmm,” Lydia pretended to think before doing something she’d wanted to do since Cynthia had walked into the room. “Dare.”

Not even pausing for a second, Cynthia responded, “I dare you to kiss me in the supply closet. If you want to, that is.”

Lydia just grabbed Cynthia’s terrible yellow jumper and pulled her towards said closet, whispering “I want…” as the door clicked shut.

Neither of them heard Olivia’s muffled groan through the door as Cynthia crashed into her, lifting Lydia up and placing her on the shelf. They knocked a few supplies onto the floor, but so be it. Lydia was far more occupied with the tongue pressing against her own, and the hands resting just slightly above her knees. Lydia let them, focusing instead on her own hands, which crept up that hideous jumper.

The heat baring against her splayed fingertips was almost too much to bear, and she could only assume that Cynthia felt very much the same. She lifted her hands slowly along Cynthia’s stomach until a pained whine, which had come from her own lips, broke her concentration. Cynthia had also continued her own journey, and her fingertips were tingling pleasantly against Lydia’s thigh.

The small, and increasingly less focused part of herself that paid attention to stupid things like logic was fully screaming at Lydia. It was with great restraint that she eventually broke the kiss, panting against Cynthia’s neck as she came down from the unexpected high.

“Guess we got…carried away, huh?” Cynthia nuzzled into her neck and Lydia couldn’t help closing her eyes. The nose brushing against her skin was doing nothing to help maintain her composure.

Clearing her throat, Lydia pulled away, a soft smile still on her face. “We, um, we still need to finish the desks. It must be nearly one now.”

Cynthia nodded, planting one more kiss on Lydia’s lips before pulling away. “Gorgeous as you are, I might need to take a few minutes to,” she swiped at her mouth. “Clean up. I’ll come out in a few.”

Oh, how she ached to tell her. To just blurt out her feelings and to hell with the consequences. Cynthia, I love you. Even if you don’t know the difference between a stethoscope and microscope.

Lydia had wanted to confess it ever since the pink ladies had held her captive. It was getting increasingly harder not to just say it and it didn't help that she still felt dazed from the impromptu make-out session. Unable to stop herself, she blurted out, “what are you doing on Saturday?”

Cynthia blinked at her. “Err, no actual plans. Why…?”

“Pick me up at 7.” Even if she hadn’t yet planned anything, or even talked about it with the idiots that would likely help her, Lydia was tired of waiting. She wanted to tell this unmitigated fashion disaster that she loved her, and she was going to. By hook or by crook.

Unwilling to part, Lydia leaned in to kiss her one last time before striding from the closet.  

On the other side of the room, Olivia was grumbling under her breath as she scrubbed angrily at the desk she was working on. Lydia’s stomach clenched. If Lydia had been forced to finish chores for detention while everyone else went to make out, she would have been just as mad as Olivia..

Lydia just started cleaning one of the few remaining desks. After making sure that her makeup was decent, of course. They would never readily explain smeared lipstick after being in a room with just three girls.

After a few moments, Cynthia emerged, fumbling with something in her pocket. Although intrigued, Lydia said nothing, and the three of them worked in silence to complete the task before Miss Noel walked back in.

Thankfully, they had just about finished as the door unlocked.

“Oh, looks like the fumes didn’t get you at least.” Miss Noel laughed, but none of the other occupants of the room found it amusing, so she moved on. “Let’s see whether you’ve actually cleaned instead of just huffing the rags.” Lydia bristled as her gaze focused on Olivia. Even though Cynthia opened her mouth, no doubt to say something that would ensure they all had detention for a month, Lydia clamped her hand across it.

Miss Noel’s inspection seemed to go well, even if she dragged her finger across each of the desks.

Cynthia clearly went to make a joke and Olivia clamped her hand across her mouth this time, clearly in no mood to delay leaving the classroom.

It worked as Miss Noel excused them. “It’s 12:50, so you might get something from the canteen before lunch is over.” She waved them off and Lydia didn’t need any further encouragement as she fled from the room. She could just about hear, “Cynthia, wait. You haven’t got out of frog duty and we need a plan of action for later…” as she grasped onto Olivia’s arm and hissed into her ear, “I’m going to tell Cynthia on Saturday. You need to summon the pink ladies.”

Olivia scoffed but still allowed herself to be led towards their respective lockers. “Tell Cynthia what? Also, I can’t just click my fingers and-“

Nancy, who appeared almost out of nowhere, cut her off. “There you are. Did you know that the paper in your stomach could grow into a tree?”

“Paper isn’t a seed,” Hazel swiped in, walking alongside them.

“Where’s Cynthia?” Where had Jane come from...? Lydia looked around, almost expecting to see some sort of pink lady beacon. Maybe there were tracking devices sewn into the hem. She wouldn’t put it past Nancy.

Making a note to inspect Cynthia’s old jacket later on, Lydia answered, “she has to help Miss Noel catch frogs for dissection. Later at the creek.”

“Oh, you’re here.” Nancy turned to face the other pink ladies, all but dismissing Lydia. She’d take offence if it wasn’t just how Nancy was. “Ugh. I wanted to go down there later. Not that I make a habit of listening to the Soc’s, but I heard Dot mention they were going ghost hunting later. I thought Cynthia and I could step on twigs, rustle around in the dark, the usual.” Her eyes lit up, “maybe we can get Niel to crap his pants.”

Tempting as that was, Lydia needed to get things back on track. Namely, guilt tripping the pink ladies into helping her with their next date. If she wanted everything to go off without a hitch, unfortunately, she needed them. “She won’t be catching frogs all evening. I’m sure she will be happy to wander around the woods with you.” Lydia sighed, choosing her next words carefully in the school hallway. “…do you remember that time we went to the beach?”

“Uh, yeah, I still can’t wear my favourite slacks as grains of sand have contaminated them. Thanks again.”

Lydia returned the glare from Nancy, snapping back, “like I wanted to go? You literally grabbed me off the street and took me there.”

Hazel cut in between the two, her eyes glancing purposefully between Lydia and something over her shoulder. “I don’t think you want any more detentions.”

Sighing, Lydia crossed her arms over her chest and glanced quickly behind, unsurprised to see Miss McGee watching the small group. Jane offered her a small wave, “hi Miss McGee.”

“Hello ladies, I trust you aren’t yet another gang shaking down thespians?”

Lydia opened her mouth to confirm those suspicions, but Nancy quickly slid over, placing her arm around her shoulders. “We would never.” Though it looked as if it physically pained Nancy, she added, “I…respect them.”

“That’s right,” Lydia tried very hard to tamper down the smirk, afraid it would give the game away. “Nancy here even volunteered to play the role of the donkey next week.” Fully ignoring the look of abject horror on Nancy’s face, she continued, “she’s already had plenty of experience as an ass. Oh sorry, I meant being Rowdy. My mistake.”

“That’s wonderful. I love to see different friendship groups getting along.” Miss McGee patted Nancy on the shoulder. “Let me know if you’re ever missing those hooves. The position’s yours if you want it.”

Nancy just stood there, lost for words, and barely holding back a pained grimace.

“Well, I won’t keep you.” Miss McGee turned towards her office, “Olivia, come with me, please? I need you to show Blanche how the filing system works.” Before Olivia could protest, Miss McGee held up both her hands. “I’ve already spoken to your next class. It wouldn’t have been an issue if you didn’t get detention.”

The pink ladies waved Olivia off, although after walking a few steps, she turned with a gasp. Having pieced together what Lydia had referenced about the beach. “You aren’t?! Oh, tell me all about it later, okay?”

Lydia nodded, and Olivia disappeared from view.

Nancy pushed herself away from Lydia, eyebrows furrowed. “I both hate and respect how you’ve forced me into the play. Eurgh, I’m going to be the most deranged donkey that Rydell’s ever seen. You just wait and see if Mr Vaughan lets me in another show.”

“What did Olivia mean?” Jane was squinting carefully at her, presumably uncertain what Lydia and Olivia could have to talk about later. Filing away even more evidence of jealousy, Lydia glanced around the hallway. Aside from the four of them, it appeared to be quiet.

Lydia exhaled softly, preparing herself to say the words. “I want to tell Cynthia that I love her.”

Hazel immediately squealed, launching herself at Lydia to embrace her tightly. Jane just beamed at her. Nancy’s glare remained in place, although it softened slightly.

“So, what’s the plan?” Hazel asked as she pulled back from the hug.

Huh, what was the plan? Lydia paused, chewing her lip as she contemplated the potential next steps. Finally, she landed on something that was perfect.

“On Saturday, I want to take Cynthia to the tree, by the beach.” Jane gasped, clearly understanding precisely which one. Undeterred, Lydia continued, “and have a picnic, maybe in the evening so it’s darker?”

Hazel hummed, “if it’s public, you probably need us to act as a distraction, right?”

“Ugh. A picnic on the beach? Acting? With you?” Nancy groaned. “How are all of my least favourite things together?”

“Right,” Lydia responded to Hazel, completely ignoring Nancy. “I don’t know what kind of distraction but-“

“Don’t worry about it,” Jane patted Lydia on the shoulder. “We’ve become pretty good at distractions. Leave it to us and we’ll figure something out.”

Nancy scoffed. “That better be the royal we. I’ll help,” she paused, leaning in close to Lydia to mutter, “on one condition.”

Honestly, it was at times like this that Lydia was immensely grateful that Nancy loathed the theatre. There were already enough diva’s, thank you very much. “What’s your condition…?”

“You come with us to the creek tonight.”

“Nancy, I don’t even want to go...”

Nancy waved Hazel off. “Cynthia’s always saying how much she wished we all hung out together.”

Damn. Using her obvious weakness of all things Cynthia related against her? Nancy was devious.  

“I don’t know…”

Nancy scowled. “You made me your donkey. Think how embarrassing that will be. All I ask in return is that you come help me scare the pants off the soc’s.”

“Oh my god, can we come?”

Lydia almost jumped, surprised as she was by the sudden appearance of Floyd, who was standing beside her alongside Arthur. Floyd offered the pink ladies a wave, which was returned by Hazel immediately.

“Please,” Arthur gripped onto Lydia’s shoulder, almost draping himself over her. “It would be so good to get revenge on Fred. He flushed my script down the toilet and now we have to share.”

He gestured towards Floyd. Who pressed in on Lydia’s other side, “let’s do it. I’m always up for mischief. Live a little, Lydia.”

Lydia sighed. She could see when the jig was up. “Fine.”

“Excellent,” Nancy walked off as the bell rang for class. “Let’s meet by the suspicious bone pile at six.”

“…the what?” Hazel sprinted after Nancy, her pleas going unanswered.

“I’ll let Liv and Cyn know about the plan. See you later.” Jane also walked off, chasing down the other two pink ladies, their bickering fading into the background as they disappeared from view.

“I like this new, interesting version of you who breaks rules.”

“Shove off Floyd,” Lydia pushed him off her shoulder, though she was smiling, just a little. She really had changed ever since Cynthia had bulldozed into her life. Floyd was right. She was far less angry, and she was much less of a stickler for the rules. Her relationship with the other thespians had also improved. Hell, she was even taking the time to ask Geraldine how her several stick insects were doing.

Cynthia Zdunowski, and the rest of the pink brigade, really had affected her. As she walked alongside both boys towards their shared calculus, her mind drifted somewhat. If she also liked this version of herself, then what was the harm in that?