Takumi and Devilcake

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Rabbit

Rabbit

Misguided Ghost
Original poster
FOLKLORE MEMBER
Posting Speed
  1. 1-3 posts per day
  2. One post per day
  3. Multiple posts per week
  4. One post per week
Writing Levels
  1. Intermediate
  2. Adept
Preferred Character Gender
  1. Male
  2. Female
  3. Nonbinary
  4. Transgender
  5. Agender
  6. Primarily Prefer Male
Genres
romance, modern, drama, modern fantasy, horror
It was not long after school had ended and Erika was quietly walking behind the bleachers on the football field. This particular time was the time the cheerleader had their practice which means she hadn't gotten Freyja to come with her due to the risk of running into the popular girls on the squad.

Erika wasn't here to look at the cheerleaders, she was here to take pictures of the brightly colored fall leaves and hopefully some cool footprints in the mud, but there was something captivating about them. About the way they moved and jumped in unison, about the way their skirts and hair blew in the breeze.

On a normal day she would just walk past them, itching to take a picture, yet still walk past them. But there was something about the way their blue uniforms contrasted with the orange of the fall that made her stop and bring the camera up to her face. They would most likely start training indoors soon, now that it had finally started to get cold and this could be her last chance to capture them. Her finger pressed down the trigger out of habit before she was able to think about it anymore.

Erica knew the picture wouldn't be any good though, she was to far away and the bleachers blocked her sight. She carefully made her way closer, most cheerleaders had their back to the bleachers and they were focused on what they were doing so as long as she wasn't obvious nobody would pay enough attention to someone walking past to see what she did.

She took one more photo and then another. She knew these girls would turn out as beautiful on the film as they were in real life, she also knew she'd be dead if they knew she took them and maybe that was part of why she wanted to take them.
 
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Going over the final steps of the routine with the girls was Victoria Witherspoon, the current Captain, her auburn hair pulled up in a messy bun. Once done with said routine she turned, just in time for brown eyes to catch sight of on girl in particular with a camera lends. Brows furrowing the auburn haired girl made her way past the other cheerleaders to stare her down, despite being rather short, an air of authority rolling off of her easily due to her taking charge everyday when she sees fit.

"What do you think you're doing?" it was a simple, quiet question, cold with a small hint of irritation in it. Some of the other girls glanced at each other before glancing to the scen before them; summing it up to Erika doing something Victoria didn't like. And when Victoria didn't like something it was best to stay out of the Queen B's way.

@devilcake
 
Erika had known this was a bad idea, but apparently her impulsive mind couldn't completely realize that until she stood face to face with Victoria Witherspoon. And if there was one out of the cheerleaders you probably didn't want to get busted by it was the captain.

Erika stayed quiet at first, looking wide-eyed at the girl in front of hers cold expression. She was not entierly sure how to get out of this situation and she cursed herself for not having been able to resist taking the pictures. This was something she could get in trouble for, not just by the cheer squad, but if they told a teacher she would actually have to face consequences other than the social isolation she was already exposed to for being seen as weird.

"... N- nothing" she tried once she finally found the capability do something other than to just stare back at Victoria. Maybe she'd get away with it by pretending she hadn't done anything even though it was really obvious, "I'm just passing by?"
 
Victoria waited for a response, and the one she got wasn't satisfactory. Rolling her eyes, Victoria placed her hands on her hips and sneered. She didn't like being lied to.

"Nothing, right. Look, weirdo, why not mosey on through and get out of my sight? You won't get reported, this time. So, best keep your camera pointed somewhere else, hm?" it was a silent threat, her patience wearing thin the longer she stared at Erika. From there, she would turn her back on the other, addressing the rest of the cheerleaders now.

"We're done here, great work girls." she sighed. Then glanced at Erika over her shoulder.

"You should be grateful that I'm being so nice."
 
As Victoria turned back to her fellow cheerleaders Erika's feet momentarily felt as if they were stuck to the ground, baffled that she seemed to have gotten away with the whole thing and also still slightly shaken after being threatened.

She didn't move until Victoria addressed her again, telling her she should be grateful, at wich Victorias harshness almost actually made her say thank you. She was able to stop herself though and the words came out as a mumbling "yes, sure, okay" as she slowly backed away a couple of steps and then hurried in the direction of the football fields exit.

Once she felt she was far enough away, which apparently was a bench at a bus stop not far of from the field, she slowed down. Taking a deep breath she sat down and stared in front of her. Why had she done that? Was there anything more stupid she could have done? She looked down at her camera angrily, almost as if it was it's fault this all had happened.

She clasped the camera in her hands, and continued to stare at it for some more time as if it would make her feel better. It didn't though and she pressed the display pictures button to at least see if it all had been worth it at list. It had.

The pictures really did look lovely, not only because of the contrasting colours but also because the early setting fall sun and the fact that the cheerleaders in the picture were just doing what they were doing without knowing they were being photographed.
 
Almost as if on cue, someone jad timidly approached minutes later from the back of the school building, having walked the distance towards the girl. They didn't speak for a moment, fidgeting slight with something in their arms before taking a seat next to them.

"Erika? Is something the matter?" they asked quietly. Sitting beside her was Freyja, a timid and quiet girl with a kind heart but no real ounce of courage in any bone in her body. She considered herself average, slightly motherly, and plain. She didn't complain much, and listened when she needed and gave advice when she felt it could help, though that wasn't often.

"Were you picked on, by chance?" she added after a moment, barely above a whisper.
 
There was no way to get startled when Freyja spoke, no matter how unaware you had been to her presence before she uttered her quiet words. When the timid girl sat down next to Erika she was a little surprised, yes, but also really happy she was there. She smiled at her friend, almost apologetically, leaned closer and let her head rest on her shoulder.

"Nah it doesn't really count this time" She murmured, It wasn't unusual for Erika to get picked on for just saying and doing things she found normal, and because Freyja was her friend she got to deal with it a lot to, which always made Erika feel guilty. She was glad she hadn't convinced her to join her this time, "'cus it was kind of my fault my fault this time"

Erika knew she was being weird for real sometimes, like today when she took pictures of people without even asking first, and those times she had herself convinced that the insults really was something she deserved. But sometimes she wondered if it really was warranted every time people called her that, because a lot of the times she was just trying to make friendly conversation or ask about school work when it happened.
 
Freyja rested her cheek on top of Erika's head as the other rested theirs on her shoulder and talked to her.

"Do you need a hug? You didn't mean any harm I'm sure, and sometimes...people can be mean when they might be feeling bad themselves. It's one of the statistics of bullying after all." she replied.

"If only people could get along...but it's fine, being as the world may be beautiful, but it is not perfect." she spoke, giving a little wisdom for the day. Without a word, she handed Erika one of the many sketchbooks in her arms (there were only three), as a way of silently stating to take a look and forget about the moment that made you sad. It was new and didn't have many sketches but what it did have were mostly uncolored sketches of animals and the environment.

"I might draw this moment, so that our friendship is enternal both in this physical realm and on paper." it was partially a joke, to try and cheer Erika up.
 
" I appreciate that since I consider the realm of your imagination one of the more important ones, certainly higher up than this physical one" She continued the joke with a small laugh before getting quiet again, briefly looking through some of Freyjas more recent sketches, "these are all really nice"

Somehow Freyja always had something reasonable and insightful to say or do and Erika really didn't know what she would have done without her. She was truly the best friend one could have and Erika was lucky she could consider her one of hers.

Erika wondered and hoped Freyja felt the appreciation she deserved. She still decided to express her feelings by saying a quiet "thank you". She felt like the two words didn't really express all the gratitude she felt for the girl just being there for her.
 
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Freyja smiled and gave a small laugh at Erika's continuation of the joke. She was glad the other girl seemed to be happier because of it. Hearing Erika's words about her art and then thank her she looked down at her lap sheepishly.

"You're welcome, and thank you." Freyja replied before hugging her friend.

"I....I'm glad that you think they're so nice." she added. Though hearing someone approach them caused her to look up before flinching at just who it was.

Victoria Witherspoon. Freyja looked almost nervous in the other's presence. Victoria rose a brow before scoffing. Outfit consisting of a white short sleeve shirt, a jean jacket, and dark jeans and designer boots. Always one to try and stay stylish she usually took one look at Freyja and frowned. Deep down, she thought the girl looked better in the uniforms she wore compared to the dresses that stopped at her ankles, but she'd never outwardly admit it. To anyone.
 
"of course your drawings are always amazing..." Erika's voice started out loud and happy but slowly quieted down as she saw Victoria come walking towards them. It irritated that she came there and ruined the nice moment she was having with her friend, it also irritated her that she dared make her friend feel nervous, which Freyja very evidently was.

She grabbed Freyja's hand to hopefully give her some comfort and glared back at Victoria as the girl looked Freyja up and down judgementally. Sure Erika had been kind of scared when the cheerleader had confronted her back on the football field, but now that she didn't have the entirety of the cheerleading team behind her Erika at least didn't find her as intimidating
 
Freyja gave Erika's hand a gentle squeeze, but remained silent.

Victoria's glare became colder when Erika dared to glare back. She didn't say anything as she stared the other down in their stare off, before scoffing once more and rolled her eyes. She was surprised that Erika even did that, and had to give the girl credit for being brave and foolish enough to do that. But she wouldn't let those feelings show.

"You two...waiting for a bus or something?" she muttered, placing a hand on her hip. Her intimidating aura almost leaving immediately, causing Freyja to release a small breath as the chill she got down her back stopped and the air felt lighter.

Freyja wish she wore her hijab or a scarf, then she could hide her face and maybe be ignored, because she didn't want another stare off like that to happen again. It was almost frightening.
 
Even if Victoria had broken the silence and Freyja seemed to relax a little Erika didn't let her guard down, it still felt like they were being talked down to, as if they weren't allowed to be there.

Erika kind of whished they had actually been waiting for the bus so that she could have told Victoria that of course they were waiting for the bus, that's what you do at bus stops, just to make her look stupid. But seeing as that wasn't the case she couldn't do that so instead she settled with: "Why do you care"

Maybe she would have been better off just ignoring Victoria, or just nodding or shaking her head. She was sure Freyja would have like to avoid a confrontation as well. But that was the thing, with no other classmates around to put her down Erika was quite confident her self, and also quite confrontational.
 
"It doesn't matter if I care or not, I asked a question. But I guess it was a waste od time to expect a satisfactory answer from a loser like you." Victoria scowled before ignoring the two further to silently seethe.

Freyja glanced to Erika, jaw dropped slightly at the fact that she even stood up to Victoria, and the cheerleaders response afterwards. If she had more a backbone she may have said something to defend her friend, or would have done something. She felt a little bad about having Erika basically face the girl herself.
 
Erika was quiet for a while after she had said that. Calling her a loser as if she hadn't heard that a million times before. She hated that she had to admit it did affect her slightly, though. It wasn't fun to be called names when she knew people meant it and she was glad Freyja was there, she might not say anything Erika would have probably left and gone away to mope somewhere else.

"Then don't ask next time" Erika muttered finally, too stubborn not to have the last word but her confident no longer there for her to say it loudly. She didn't look at Victoria as she said it, she looked down at her hands, back to scowling at the camera she was holding, whishing she hadn't taken those stupid pictures.
 
"Are you really telling me what to do, freak?" Victoria snapped, eyes narrowing towards the other. Usually, Victoria's word was final, and she always got her way, except for now and she didn't like it. Freyja placed both hands on Erika's and gently shook her head, a sign that Erika shouldn't cause the cycle of retorts to continue further and have enough self control to end it.

Freyja didn't like the tensions still in the air, and hoped that things would settle down soon. It felt like the two were silently challenging eatch other for hours even though it had only been minutes.

"U-um, the bus is coming." Freyja spoke, almost sagging with relief at the sight of the bus. Though what Erika did next was a concern.
 
Erika winced at the word. She hated being called that, and while she normally would have walked away at that point, or even earlier. But she had never really gotten the chance to stand up for herself like this, because for once she was on fair grounds, it wasn't her and a bunch of girls laughing when she tried to defend herself, it was just Victoria. And while Victoria really was quite intimidated Erika could stand her ground when there was no one else there, and she kind of loved it.

Erika really didn't want to put Freyja in more distress so maybe the bus coming was a good thing, she had no idea how far things would get if they continued so she stood up, grabbed Freyja's hand to get her to come with her.

"Yeah c'mon Freyja, let's go," she said firmly, to show that they were in fact not taking the bus hopefully annoying the cheerleader
 
Victoria was pleased with Erika's reaction to being called a freak, thinking that the girl knew better thannto get the last word in.

Seeing as the other didn't make an immediate retort she figured she won, until the other grabbed Freyja's hand and started walking away from the bus stop. Erika's hopes of annoying Victoria were answered, but that didn't mean it was particularly a good thing.

"Next time, if you're not taking the bus don't bother coming this way and trying to speak back to me loser!" she hissed, hands curling into fists as her blood boiled once she realized the other was, in a way, getting the last word in.
 
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Erika didn't even turn her head at Victorias weak attempt to get the last word in, she simply continued to walk hand in hand with her friend and didn't stop to speak again until the bus and Victoria was gone. But when she did it was to grab Freyja's other hand and carefully apologise.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to have you pulled into that" but as soon as she was done asking forgiveness her previously concerned expression turned into one with a slight grin, "Did you see that though, I totally stood my ground against Victoria Witherspoon"

Erika was pretty impressed with herself. Of course she knew the only reason she had been able to do it was because Victoria had been there alone and Erika couldn't say she looked forward to the next day of school. Maybe, and hopefully, Victoria would pretend as if this had never happened to avoid having to admit the defeat she had suffered to her friends. Either way, it didn't matter to much to Erika at that point, what mattered was that she had done it.
 
Freyja remained silent as she was almost dragged off, not letting go of Erika's hand. She was surprised and grateful that things didn't get physical at all. She wouldn't be able to stand seeing her best friend hurt!

When Erika apologized Freyja quickly shook her head.

"You don't have to apologize! As long as you're unharmed I am happy." she replied before smiling and giggling.

"Yes, I saw! You did well and looked so confident!" she praised, though her smile became a bit solemn at the thought of what might happen the next day, if Victoria thought it fit to do something mean to get back at Erika or if Freyja wasn't there at all to be a sort of moral support for her.

Shaking her head clear of those thoughts she gave a smaller smile to her friend.

"Well, ah, let's walk!" she coughed a little awkwardly to fill the silence that had settled.
 
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