Mythological Beauty
It was Wednesday morning, a week after meeting Shauna. Ben had called Nat the night before and told her that Paul wants them to move the stuff back to into the new shed, since it was all done. So, before she went to sleep, she set an alarm for 7 am and when she walked into the kitchen dressed in her Dickies pants and a black tank top, wet hair and her shoes on, Alex couldn't hide the surprise on her face.
"you're up," Alex exclaimed with wide eyes.
"I'm up," Nat replied, "going out."
Alex nodded with a smile, "well, have fun."
"thanks." Nat ruffled Rory's hair after kissing his cheek, grabbed her board and left.
She shook off how awkward the interaction was and headed to Main street. She went to her favorite deli, she got two hotdog rolls and one donut with sprinkles since it's Van's favorite and an orange Capri-sun. As she left the store, brown paper bag clutched in one hand and skateboard in the other, she heard someone call her name,
"Nat?"
she looked over to her left to where the voice came from, squinting from the sun.
Her eyebrows twitched up, a small smile on her lips, "Lottie, hey.”
Charlotte Matthews—5’10, long legs, bangs, a smile straight out of a movie. She had deep kind brown eyes, perfectly thought-out fits, and a presence that made her look effortlessly put together. A pink tank top, matching skirt that stopped mid-thigh, blush and gloss applied just right. Meanwhile, Nat had thrown on whatever was clean and called it a day.
Jesus Christ.
Lottie locked eyes with her, closing the distance. Lottie was on the student council, captain of the soccer team, daughter of the richest guy in town. It was in spite of that, or because of it that Lottie was the sweetest person Nat had ever met.
Fourteen feet… ten feet.. six.. she stopped at three.
"Hey you.”
They weren’t exactly close.
Before her dad had died, Nat had been a bit of a class clown, endlessly cracking jokes with Van. Now, everyone knew to leave her alone. Even the teachers looked at her with pity.
Except Lottie. She never changed.
They were almost friends once—middle school, Lottie would invite Nat to her sleep overs, pool parties, movie nights. And Nat was especially nicer to her because of it. Then high school rolled around and whatever friendship they had fizzled out. Lottie stayed friendly, though. Just like now.
"how are you?" Lottie asked, tilting her head to one side, watching her.
"how's your summer been so far?”
Nat nodded, "I'm good, yeah, summer's, yeah- it's been okay- it's alright," Nat stammered, distracted by Lottie’s easy smile.
Now, Nat wasn’t about to deny her attraction to Lottie—physically, she was perfect. But her being a good two-shoes, and plainly innocent.. erased any inappropriate thoughts before they could start.
Lottie had never dated anyone (that anyone knew of), never had a hook-up rumor attached to her name. The only story was from fifth grade, behind the bleachers—Ethan Turner, post-soccer match win, a two-second peck.
"that's good," she giggled, "I was about to grab some coffee, but I saw you and I had to say hi," she said, stepping closer and nudging Nat's skateboard with her spotless shoe, "so, hi.”
Nat's head was starting to hurt.
"Hi," she averted her gaze and looked down at her board, rocking it back and forth, discreetly putting some space between them again. "uhm, I didn't see you at Travis’s the other day,”
Lottie seemed lost in Nat’s face, before blinking “Oh—yeah, Tai was going through a breakup so me and Jackie stayed with her,”
Then, after a pause, like she hadn’t meant to say it:
“If I’d known you’d be there, I would’ve come.”
Fuzzy-brained, Nat forced a shrug, "it's Travis, of course I'd be there,”
Lottie smiled, "noted, I won't doubt you next time,"
the two looked at each other for a moment, then she cleared her throat.
"what are you up to today?”
Nat realized she was actually on her way to do something, "oh, shit, Ben asked me and Van to help his boyfriend to move some stuff, I was headed there now,"
Lottie stepped forward again.
"That's cool of you to help out.”
Her hand landed on Nat’s arm, right below the elbow. Warm. Gentle. Searing. "I'll let you go but I'm volunteering at the pool. Lifeguard, teaching kids how to swim, maybe you could come by sometime?”
She eased her grasp, fingers brushing down Nat’s arm before intertwining with hers.
Nat’s head was about to explode.
"I don't know… Public pool kinda gross me out ever since Mari pushed me under the water after she told she was peeing in fifth grade," Nat said with an awkward laugh.
Lottie laughed, "I get it, kids can be disgusting.”
She stepped back, not letting go. "Promise me we'll hang out sometime, okay?"
Nat nodded before her brain could stop her mouth, “Yeah. Sure thing."
Lottie gave her hand one last squeeze before walking into the cafe. A wave, a smile, gone.
Nat stood there, blinking like an idiot.
*******
"You should ask her out.”
Nat watched as he scarfed down his half of the donut, she rolled her eyes. "Just cause you find someone attractive doesn't mean you should date them, it just means they're hot." She explained to him.
"Is that it though? You just find her hot?” Van asked, side-eyeing her as they sat on the curb in front Paul's house, they had just finished putting everything back in place in the shed, however he asked them if they could take some things to the junkyard for an extra 15 bucks which they couldn't refuse, so now they were eating up before they went.
Nat shook her head, "it doesn't matter, I'm not looking for a girlfriend. And I don't even know if she’s into girls—she’s never dated, so she’s clearly not looking for anything either.”
Van wiped his mouth and got up,
"maybe the two of you could 'not look for anything' together," he said with an amused smile.
"you're so annoying," Nat laughed as Van pulled her up.
"you love it, though"
"I really don't."
Van put his baby voice on,
”aw, is little Nat sad cause she's clearly into someone for reasons beyond sex,”
"I'm not into her, dipshit, it's Lottie. She’s… Lottie.”
Nat sighed, rubbing her face.
“I get it, she’s seems too innocent to think about like that.”
“Exactly. Even if it’s not sexual—“
Van started humming.
“Baby, I’m hot just like an oven.”
Nat’s jaw dropped. “That’s fucked up.”
Van laughed, pushing ahead on his board. Nat shook her head, smiling despite herself.
*******
Shauna laid on her bed already dressed in a cropped blue shirt and jean shorts, hair in a low ponytail, lazily chewing on a Twizzler. Her window was cracked open, letting in fresh air as she mindlessly scrolled through instagram.
A few days ago, she’d briefly run into Van and asked for his number (to hang out) and his instagram (to stalk, but she didn’t tell him that).
His page? Exactly what she expected. Skating videos, blurry selfies, pictures of him with ‘the boys’ (Nat, Kevyn, Travis), and deep-fried memes. Typical boy stuff she didn’t care for.
Nat’s, though… Nat’s was interesting.
Although it’s not much different, skating videos and candids of her and friends but also shots of her modeling for Kevyn since he’s into photography, and even snippets of original music.
Unexpected.
She found herself lingering on the photos, noticing things she hadn’t paid attention to before—the shaggy mullet, the stupidly charming smile, the sharp brows, the long lashes, the full lips.
She liked the way Nat dressed too. Band tees. Black jeans. The casual confidence.
She didn’t like to generalize, but it had been painfully obvious from the moment she saw Nat that she was into girls. The short nails and the blatant flirting with that girl at Travis’s party sealed the deal.
Shauna sighed, rolling on her side. She liked to think of herself as a yearner—someone in a perpetual state of longing for the unattainable. Straight girls. Emotionally unavailable people. Guys in relationships. Anyone who wouldn’t give her the time of day.
She didn’t understand why she did it—something to do with her dad leaving, trust issues, or the crippling insecurities she refused to unpack.
She had sworn off dating and put on this armor of pining, because that way, no one could hurt her. Even if it meant she was constantly hurting herself
Still scrolling down Nat’s page when voices outside caught her attention. One of them unmistakably Van’s.
"what? How do you know?!" His voice was nearly a shriek.
Shauna moved toward the window in time to see Van trying to smack Nat, who was ducking away with a shit-eating grin.
"Lottie told me," she could hear amusement in Nat's voice.
Shauna couldn’t hear the rest, but whatever it was, it sounded entertaining enough to investigate. She grabbed her sandals and headed outside. By the time she approached them, they still hadn’t noticed her.
"and you didn't think to tell me??" Van’s voice was scandalized.
Nat had her shoulders raised, defensively, "I just found out dude, she probably broke up with her the day she left.”
Van's features relaxed, frown still on his face, "what an asshole.”
Shauna had no idea what they were talking about, but watching them was entertaining.
"hey losers," she finally spoke up.
Van jumped. Nat barely reacted, just turning toward her with a smile.
"hey mamas," Van greeted, with a sleazy smile, bouncing his eyebrows.
Nat laughed and kicked him with her foot.
Shauna looked between the two, "what are you guys up to?"
Van shrugged, "kicking names, taking ass.”
Nat blinked. "Don't you mean taking it up the ass, pretty boy?"
Van laughed, "only if you're taking charge, baby.” He leaned in, making kissy noises.
Shauna smirked. They hadn’t been this openly chaotic the first time she hung out with them, but she liked seeing it.
“Anyways,” Nat cut in, nodding toward the bikes. “We’re heading to the junkyard.”
"can I come?" Shauna looked between the two.
Nat shrugged, "sure, if you want to."
“It’s a long ride—like half hour,” Van grinned.
Shauna rolled her eyes. “I’ll survive."
They tied the boxes to their bikes, Van tossed his wireless speakers into Nat’s basket—his mom’s old bike. As they set off, music blasting, Van took the lead, standing up on the pedals, pushing fast, reveling in the burn in his legs.
Shauna found herself laughing, not at him, maybe with joy.
She turned toward Nat—already looking at her.
For a second, they held each other’s gaze, the wind whipping past them.
Then in true Nat fashion, she looked at Van, sped up, steering toward him like she was gonna crash into him. “bitch, chill out!” Van yelped, swerving as Nat laughed.
The three arrived at the Junkyard, they could spot it from a mile away. There was a house right outside of it, which Van told Shauna was Russell's house, the yard’s towering six-foot-seven keeper. They couldn't see him or his red truck anywhere so they continued past his house and to the chain-link gate of the yard which was partially open, so they let themselves in.
The junkyard was mostly a trash-pile of old cars, but there were some couches, old TV's, rusty street signs and appliances. At the middle of the yard was a little set up, two couches facing each other and a wooden chest in the middle as a make-shift coffee table.
Van and Nat dropped the boxes on the chest, Nat immediately kicked both couches, hard. Shauna raised an eyebrow.
Nat shrugged. "Rats," and plopped down and started looking through the boxes they brought.
Shauna hesitated, then carefully lowered herself onto the couch, making a mental note to skip the junkyard next time.
Van pulled out his pack of cigarettes, took one and offered them to Shauna, who refused. He patted down his pants and shirt, "light?" he asked Nat after not finding his own. she fished it out of her pocket and handed it to him.
“So, Shauna, you got a girlfriend back home?”
Shauna looked up. Van was grinning. Nat, head down digging through the boxes added casually—“Or boyfriend. Or whatever. We don’t judge.”
Shauna shook her head, "no, I don't date," she looked away.
"damn, neither does Nat…” Van nudged Nat. “You two would be perfect together."
Nat snorted, "he's just deflecting, he was hoping you were single so he could ask you out," she said with an amused smile. Van jammed a finger in her ribs and she jumped, eliciting a weird noise to exit her mouth.
However Shauna didn't seem amused, she crossed her arms, "I'd appreciate it if you didn't catch feelings for me, actually I'd appreciate if you didn't think about me like that at all."
With wide eyes, Van shook his head, "no, no, she's just- no, she's joking, I'm not- I didn't wanna ask you out- not that there's anything wrong with you, I just- I didn't," he stumbled over his words.
“He likes someone else, he's liked her since third grade," she patted his thigh, "I was just kidding, you don't have to worry about him."
Shauna looked between them, Van excessively nodding in agreement, and Nat, composed and annoyingly calm.
"should I worry about you?" Shauna asked with a stern look.
Nat's face broke into an easy smile, "no, not looking to date either," she leaned back and put an arm on the couch behind Van's head.
Something in Shauna shifted. Of course, Nat is emotionally unavailable. Should’ve seen it from a mile away.
Shauna nodded after a moment, uncrossing her arms. "So, you like someone?" she asked Van with a small smile.
Van lit another cigarette. “Taissa Turner, star midfielder, class president, and the treasurer of my heart,” he said dreamily.
“We just found out she and her girlfriend broke up, so Van has his panties in a twist," Nat said taking a cigarette for herself.
"that's a good thing though?" Shauna asked confused, "she's single.”
Van exhaled smoke, shaking his head, "Doesn't matter. She's way outta my league. And besides, she only dates assholes, jocks not film nerds and amateur gamers," he gestured to himself, "her being single just means she'll start dating another prick."
"can I see her?" Shauna asked, unable to contain her curiosity.
Van wordlessly unlocked his phone, pulled up Tai’s instagram, handed it over. She scrolls through her page, looking her over, “she’s really pretty”
Van perked up immediately, “right??” He leaned back on the couch looking up at sky and sighs, “I need her on an astronomical level.”
Shauna and Nat share a look, before burst out laughing, “baby boy is down bad” nat teased.
Van pouted. “It’s not funny, you guys, she’s like my one true love and she doesn’t even know I exist.”
Nat, still laughing, “dude, she follows you back on instagram AND she always talks to you at school, what are you talking about?”
“shhh, that’s what they say in rom-coms before they end up with the girl,” Van says, holding up a finger to Nat’s mouth. “It’s a form of manifestation, man.”
Shauna watched them banter.
Then asked, “do you guys spend a lot of time here?”
Nat glanced at her, considering, “sometimes, dunno, it just feels like a place for people who don’t really belong anywhere else.”
Shauna hummed, tilting her head. “And you think you don’t belong?”
Nat shrugged, feeling exposed.
“So,” Nat said, needing a change in subject. “Did you think of any adventures for us?”
Shauna gave a little smile. She’d been exploring town everyday since meeting them. She met some people, one of them had been Lottie.
Lottie was easy to like. Friendly, open, down for anything. And since Shauna was spending more time with these two idiots, it wouldn’t hurt to have someone with a little more feminine energy around to balance things out. And so Shauna got her number after Lottie herself suggested they should hangout, because of course Lottie would.
"not an adventure,” Shauna shrugged, “but since it's so hot, I thought we could go cool off at the public pool.”
Van laughed. "I'm down but Nat here hates that place," he nudges Nat with his shoulder.
"So many kids in still water. Gives me the heebie-jeebies," she says with a grimace.
"but, we can go, I'm just not getting in the pool.”
They went home, changed into swimsuits and head over, the smell of chlorine thick in the air. Kids screamed, old people floated lazily, patchy sun screen on the noses and shoulders.
Shauna locked her bike on the rack while Van and Nat stuff their boards under a chair where Nat will be far away from the child-infested waters.
"We should've brought Rory," Van mused, watching the kids run around.
Nat shook her head, ”I don't really trust you to watch him and I'm not going in there to look after him so no," she says, while subtly scanning the place for a certain brunette.
Shauna raised an eyebrow "who's Rory?”
Nat turned—then paused. Shauna was taking off her clothes revealing a navy blue two piece.
Nat blatantly stared.
"My baby brother.” She answered belatedly.
Shauna catching the look, narrowed her eyes. Nat, caught, gives a sly smile in return.
"I didn't know you had siblings," Shauna said, stepping closer.
Van wandered towards the pool looking for the least crowded place so he could jump in.
Nat forced herself to focus on Shauna’s face. ”just Rory, he's four and Alex, she's like eight years older than me.”
Her eyes flickered away—other side of the pool.
She’d found who she was looking for.
Lottie was kneeling by the pool’s edge, helping two kids with their floaties.
Sun-kissed skin, red and white lifeguard one-piece, Hair flowing, sunglasses perched on her nose.
Nat’s brain short-circuited.
Shauna followed her gaze, curious by the way she practically froze.
Interesting.
She looks back at Nat, trying to work out what exactly about Lottie that had caught her attention, if she was particularly attracted to that girl or just any living breathing girl in her vicinity, considering she was racking Shauna's body with her eyes just a moment before.
So she decided to test something. "Hey Charlotte!"
Nat snapped her head toward Shauna, eyes wide.
Lottie looked up, smiling as she approached.
"you know Lottie?" Nat asked with furrowed eyebrows.
Shauna nodded, still smiling, "yeah, we met the other day, she's real friendly."
Lottie came to a stop in front of the two.
"hey guys!" she beamed. Then her gaze landed on Nat.
"Hi Lottie," Nat said. Breathlessly.
The two holding eye contact for a moment.
"Shauna, you didn't tell me you knew Nat!" Lottie turned toward Shauna, placing a hand on Nat's arm.
Nat’s body locked up. Internally imploded.
“Yeah. her and Van have been showing me around town," Shauna said, "it's real hot today so we thought we'd come cool off.” she said motioning to the pool.
Shauna watched the two, intrigued.
Nat was cocky at Travis’s party, Flirting like it’s a sport. But with Lottie? She was awkward. Caught off guard. It wasn’t an act this time. This time? Nat was a mess.
Lottie was into her, too. That much was obvious. But she was holding back, why?
Lottie tugged at Nat’s shirt, "not you, though?”
“You know it.” Nat smirked, masking nerves.
"Just gonna kick back on this chair and relax."
"Good thing I just finished my class for the day.” Lottie said. “Now I get to keep you company while those two are in the pool.”
Van’s voice cut through the tension, “Shauna! Come in here, the water is not lukewarm like usual, it’s actually pretty cool.”
Shauna took that as a cue to leave, not before giving Nat a knowing look, she walked over, slowly lowering herself to the edge of the pool and just puts her feet in the water while Van talks her ears off. Nat watched her for a second before realizing that Lottie has sat right there on the edge of Nat’s seat, looking at her.
Nat smiled down at Lottie, “don’t feel like swimming?”
Lottie shrugged, “I’ve been swimming all day.”
She seemed to be looking Nat up and down, under her sunglasses, but Nat wasn’t sure.
“come sit.” She smiled, patting the plastic pool chair.
Nat hesitated. Felt dangerous. But she moved anyway, peeling off her shirt and tossing it on the back of the chair before sitting down. Her eyes falling on Lottie again.
“might as well catch some sun if I’m not gonna swim.” Nat says nonchalantly.
Lottie pushes her sunglasses up to the top of her head, her eyes were sharp, glittering, locked onto Nat’s exposed skin. “Might as well.”
Nat’s neck prickled. Heat—either from the sun or Lottie’s eyes on her.
Lottie glanced at the pool, looking back at Nat, “how’d you meet Shauna?”
Nat swallowed. “She moved next door to Van, and she just came up one day and introduced herself,” Nat said, “she’s pretty chill, we showed her around town and took her to Travis’s.”
Lottie smiled gently, “that’s so kind of you, Nat.” Nat shrugged, “it was Van’s idea really, I didn’t do anything.” But Lottie had this smile on her face that made Nat feel like she saved Shauna from a burning building or something.
Lottie leaned back on Nat’s legs. “How come you’re not traveling this summer?” Nat asks her,
You’re usually out of town by now.”
Lottie sighed. “My moms traveling with her friends and my dad has business in New York, he’s back and forth almost everyday, so I decided to stay home with him.”
Nat tilted her head. That was interesting.
Lottie added quick, “plus Jackie and Tai aren’t going anywhere, at least not until next month.” Then more deliberate:
“I was thinking, since you don’t like swimming here, maybe you could come to mine instead.” Lottie looks at Nat hopeful, “you guys are more than welcome.” She added quickly.
Nat’s head is starting to hurt, Lottie looked hopeful, nervous.
“Yeah, I’d love to.” She swallowed. “I’m pretty sure they’d be down as well.”
Lottie smiled. “Great! I have after tomorrow off, Friday, you’re welcome then.”
Nat nodded, “we’ll be there,” She looked at the pool, at Van rubbing the side of his head, wincing in pain.
“Hey Lottie, would you maybe wanna invite Jackie and Tai?” Nat added.
Lottie blinked, caught off guard, she stammered “uh, yeah! Of course I can, I’ll invite them.”
Nat picked up on her confusion and what seems to be… disappointment?
“it’s just that..” She nodded toward Van, now arguing with a five-year-old. “He sort’ve has a thing for Tai. Thought maybe they could actually talk, outside of school, you know?”
Lottie’s face lit up. “Who knew you were such a matchmaker?” She giggles, “let’s do it.”
They spent another two hours at the pool, before the hunger took over. Shauna invited them over to her place for lunch, so Nat and Van stopped by his house first to change.
Van spoke, “what if her family’s strict or something and they’re not okay with her hanging out with dykes?” He’s tearing his closet apart for a clean t-shirt.
Nat though for a moment, it was true, they didn't know anything about her. “They’re from California, I’m sure it’s fine.” She scratches her neck where the sweat has dried. “what are we doing hanging out with these two, anyway?”
Van froze mid-tug, shirt half-on, then grinned. “Oh, come on. Don’t act like you’re not eating this up.”
Nat’s smile betrayed her scowl. He pulled her off the bed, still smirking. “I saw you with Lottie today, you guys were basically eye fucking the whole time.”
Nat rolled her eyes, followed him out the door, “like I said, she’s hot but I’m not doing that,” she’s quiet for a second, “besides, I don’t know if she’s into girls plus what would she want with someone like me? she could literally have anyone she wants.”
They cross the front lawn to Shauna’s house.
Van gave her a pointed look. “Well, I don’t see how you’re gonna get anywhere with that attitude.”
“Whatever,” she muttered.
Van’s grin still stuck in her peripheral as they let themselves in, just like Shauna told them to.
First time in her house, first time in her space.
Her room wasn’t much to look at yet—half-unpacked boxes, a bed, desk, small couch, full length mirror and books stacked high.
Lottie sat at the desk, legs crossed, flipping through a paperback. “Hey guys, Shauna’s taking a quick shower.”
Van made a beeline for the bed, flopping on it, “Mmm, soft.” he nuzzled into the comforter.
Nat, meanwhile wandered, glancing over Shauna’s belongings.
Van sat up and snorted, “first time in a girl’s room, Nat?”
She shot back without missing a beat, “first time on a clean bed, Van?”
He made a face at her which Nat returned. Lottie giggled at their banter, looking at Nat with soft eyes. Nat’s heart gets caught in her throat. She swallowed hard and drops onto the couch, hoping to shake off whatever weird thing Lottie’s giggle just did to her. Across the room, Van smirked knowingly, Nat fought the urge to kick him.
Shauna walked in, dressed already and a towel draped over her shoulders. “Ordered pizza, hope that’s okay with everyone.” she said drying her hair with her towel.
Lottie nodded at her, “sounds perfect.”
“hell yeah,” Van perked up, “dude, I’m so hungry I could eat the box too.”
A pause. Then—collective groans and laughter.
Nat slung one arm over the back of the couch, trying to play it cool while her knee bounces just enough to betray her.
She looked at Shauna, “is it just you and your mom here?”
Shauna, taken aback by the question, played it off with a shrug, “yeah, an only child of a bad divorce. Living the dream, right?” Voice thick with sarcasm.
Van looked at her sympathetically, “if it’s any consolation, both me and Nat also have daddy issues.”
Shauna laughed at that and sat on the bed with Van, “not really, but thanks.”
Shauna glanced at Lottie, “don’t tell me you got daddy issues too?”
Lottie pushed up from the desk, stretching before sitting on the couch next to Nat, “hmm, doesn’t everyone?” Nat looked at her curiously, and Lottie pretended not to notice. “I like your room, by the way.”
Shauna hummed. “thanks, I haven’t really finished setting up, it’s taking me forever just to do my books.”
Van nodded, “yeah, you have a shit-ton, have you read all of them?”
Shauna smiled at him, “yeah, pretty much… don’t you do dare call me a nerd.”
Van crossed his heart, “I would never.”
Nat laughed, “he’d be one to talk.”
Van flipped her off, “at least I can see the floor in my room.”
Nat looked embarrassed, “shut up, dude.”
Lottie giggles from next to her and leans back on Nat’s arm. And she tries—so hard—not to react.
They crashed at Shauna’s all day, pizza boxes on the table, sun sinking low through the blinds.
Lottie’s phone buzzed, and she pulled it out, frowning. “Shit, I gotta go, dad wants me there for dinner.” She scooted off the couch, hand on Nat’s arm for stability as she stood.
Pushing her purse up her shoulder, straightening her skirt. “I’ll see you guys Friday at my place?” Her eyes swept the room, lingering on Nat.
“For sure,” Nat nodded.
Van propped up on an elbow, grinning. “Hell yeah, pool to ourselves? Doesn’t get any better than that.”
Nat and Lottie share a knowing look.
Shauna shrugs, “works for me.” She looks between the two, a smirk threatening her lips.
Lottie steps toward the door, “alright, thanks for having me, Shauna.” She smiles towards the girl then waves a quick goodbye to Nat before she slipping out.
The door clicking shut.
Nat’s eyes lingered.
Van shook his head, laughing. “Man, Nat, you’re a goner. Friday’s gonna be hilarious.”
Nat grumbled. “Shut up,” chucking an empty soda can at him, it bounced off his chest as he cackled.
Shauna tilted her head, “he’s not wrong, you could cut that tension with a knife.” Shauna smirks widened, “not looking to date, huh?”
Nat glared, “I’m not, Lottie’s just hot.”
A beat.
“She’s probably straight anyway. Who gives a fuck?” She sank into the couch, staring at her hands.
the faint touch of Lottie’s fingers still lingered.
She shook her head, exhaling through her nose.
It doesn’t mean anything.
Lottie was nice to everyone. It was her whole thing.
Shauna felt triumphant, her self-sabotage knocking on a door somewhere around her brain begging to be let out.
Of course, it had to be Nat.
She always did this—go for people who weren’t an option.
And Nat? Nat was the worst option of all.