Human!Avatar Au where the Sully family moves to Metkayina village, (whether that be in New Zealand or Hawaii or even Alaska, depends on how you envision the Metkayina people, me personally they are Maori from New Zealand) and Lo'ak has a total Free Willy arc with Payakan.
Trouble maker, Lo'ak gets caught doing something stupid at marine park and is made to come back and clean up his mess. Bonds with the whale, Payakan, a young whale taken from the wild and put in captivity, (to the displeasure of the local community, who unfortunately have no resources to free him.)
Lo'ak who then through his new found friendship with Tsireya and her family, and the strengthened bond with his own family, are able to free Payakan, and help him return to his old pod.
Could even go further, by considering the second and third movie.
Ship transporting oil has an oil spill in Payakan's pod's territory, and Lo'ak and everyone have to help Payakan AND hus podmate Ta'Nok.
More problems where hunters are targeting Payakan and his pod.
Lo'ak was chilling in his dorm listening to music, just trying to relax after another annoying day. He honestly didn't know when was more draining, the school work or being around the new group vibe. He didn't care if fishlips got a girl, but he hated how it hurt Lizzie. He also was less than comfortable about his boy Rotxo being with his sister. He just wished he could find a way to get the couple that were supposed to be together, together. He had been trying to rack his brain since it a came to a head and the only thing he could come up with was pissing them off enough to break up...but he knew Kiri would have his head if he tried some shit like....wait...wait a second! Grabbing his phone he quickly looked for the one person he knew would be fully on board with his sudden idea.
Lo'ak smiled as he pulled up Spider's name, he knew Ari would agree with him on this, now to just get Spider and Lizzie to agree
Spider shook his head as he sat his phone down on his nightstand and turned off his light…it was an interesting idea, and he wondered if it may be stupid enough to work. Kiri didn't seem like the type to get jealous, but had she ever been in a situation that would make her feel that way? And then there was Lizzie and Ao'nung. Was he the jealous type? He had always seemed a bit like a playboy to him...and Lizzie, he wouldn't do anything unless she was 100% on board. She was a nice girl and she understood what he was going through, he didn't want to hurt her just to try and get Kiri, that wouldn't be right. Sighing he wondered if he could get enough time in-between classes tomorrow to even bring up the idea to her.
Lizzie finally shut off her light as she laid back, still thinking of her and Ari's conversation. Sure she wanted Ao'nung, but she wouldn't do it at the cost of Spider, he was a kind, sweet soul who was going through the same heartache she was. She wouldn't do that to him, even if it meant giving up Ao'nung, she just wasn't that type of girl. She wondered though what he thought of the idea, Ari had said that Lo'ak was talking to him, did he just flat out say no? She would have to see if she could find time in-between classes to ask him.
Mr.Mclanie was already huffy when Lizzie took her seat, her body dragging since her mind kept her up last night for longer than she would have liked, and she had to rush out so that she wasn't late after having overslept, but the smell of coffee suddenly perked her up when she took her seat. She looked over at Spider, him having assigned himself the seat beside her ever since that first day and saw a to-cup on his desk, knowing full well that he didn't drink coffee she raised a brow.
“Got it on my way to class, you didn't reply to my good morning message so I figured you slept in” he chuckled while sliding it over to her.
“Oh you sweet precious soul” she breathed, taking the cup, and a large gulp.
“Nectar of God” she breathed while she sat it down.
“also I'm so sorry about not replying, insomnia last night, so my body went into do not disturb mode this morning”
“I completely understand,” he laughed before looking towards the board.
“honestly my brain was kinda doing that too last night” Lizzie quickly swallowed her second gulp of coffee, she wondered if he would be the first to bring up lo'ak’s idea.
“So um…Lo'ak messaged me last night”
It seemed like he would be.
“Mmm, Ari messaged me” She nodded, sipping on the coffee now, she could see him turn to look at her, about to speak, when Mr.Mclanie cleared his throat, letting everyone know that class was starting.
Spider held the door for her as they made their way out of class.
“So…um…pffff….I don't even know how to start this”
He started once they were a ways away from any listening ears.
“Lo'ak thinks we should fake date to make Kiri and Ao'nung jealous” Lizzie stated after taking a breath.
“Yup” he nodded, happy that at least one of them was able to say it.
“What are your thoughts about it?” She asked and he ran his hand over his face, hating that she put him on the spot, he had been thinking about it all night and there was only one conclusion he could come to.
“I don't know if it would even work, Kiri doesn't seem like that type, and I'm not gonna just use you like that” he stated, watching as she gave him a small smile and nod.
“I'm in the same boat, I don't think Ao'nung would even be phased and I don't want to use you like that”
“So we're in agreement?”
“Well at least we have each other even as we are swallowed up by the crushing agony that is heartbreak”
“You always word things so elegantly” he laughed
“Thank you, it's a gift” she laughed as well. They smiled as the laughter died down, both nodding at their mutual agreement, friends. They parted ways for their next classes, fully confident in their choice.
Needless to say that Ari and Lo'ak were not happy with the two, telling them that they were crazy to pass on Lo'ak genius idea, but the two stuck to their choice, even as they got to lunch and saw the same sight that they had come to expect, even as hard as it was. Even as everyone agreed on a bonfire at the beach that evening since it was Friday…Friends.
Ari laid on Lizzie's bed while the girl picked out an outfit for the night. One that would be both comfortable and warm
“I just don't understand you two! It's a flawless idea!”
“Except for the fact that we're pretty sure neither Kiri or Ao'nung are the jealous type. And we don't want to use each other just for a maybe”
“But what if they are! And is it using if it's agreed upon? It's not like it's one person left in the dark”
“It is what it is, we agreed” Lizzie shrugged, pulling on the blue star cardigan she had finished crocheting a couple of days ago over her long blue dress. She grabbed her bag and looked at Ari.
“Ok, ready when you are”
Upon arriving at the beach the two noticed that everyone was already there and the fire was already going since the sun had gone down. Lizzie could see Neteyam talking to Tsireya who was sitting next to Kiri and Rotxo, the couple casually holding hands, the four gathered around the fire sitting across from Ao'nung and Leilani. Lizzie felt her heart clench as she watched the two, Ao'nung's arm wrapped around Leilani's waist while her head rested against his shoulder. She looked towards Ari who suddenly sprinted off to the right, her gaze followed the girl's path and noticed Spider and Lo'ak laughing and rough housing nearby. She shook her head at the two, smiling while she decided it would be best to join them.
“Hey there mamas, was wondering when you two would show up” Lo'ak spoke while throwing his arm around Ari's shoulder.
“We had to look good” Ari said while flicking her hair.
“Thanks, finished it a couple of days ago” she replied
“I’m convinced there isn’t anything you can’t make” he laughed.
“Man that’s what I’ve told her” Lo’ak stated before everyone heard Leilani laughing at something Ao’nung said. The three turned to look at Lizzie, who was looking down, her arm grabbing her other arm, hugging herself. Spider reached up and rubbed her back.
“Wanna go somewhere else?” He asked, watching as she just shook her head.
“Fuck that, y’all ain’t about to be pushed out of the group because of this shit. Rotxo is one thing, but she’s not part of the fam” Lo’ak stated, ready to go say something.
“I’ll fight a bitch, can I fight a bitch, cause you know I will” Ari stated, already rolling up her sleeves.
“No Ari it isn’t worth it” Lizzie told her.
“My idea still stands” Lo’ak started, causing Spider to roll his eyes.
“Hey, if nothing else, they will get uncomfortable and leave” he shrugged, And this time it was Rotxo they heard laughing at something Kiri said. Lizzie reached over and took Spider's hand, already knowing how he was feeling. She looked over at him, silently asking him if he was ok, to which he gave her a small smile and nodded.
“See, that right there, it comes easily for y’all” Lo'ak spike up
“What?” Spider asked
“Holding hands, checking on each other” Ari added, causing the two to look down at their joined hands.
“Think about it, you just do what y’all already doin, just play it up a bit, and boom, convincing relationship” Lo’ak started
“Really it’s a win win, you two make the other jealous, and all you have to do is what already seems to come naturally” Ari shrugged. Lizzie looked over at Spider. They had agreed against it, but when they explained it like that, would it be any different than what they were now? Spider was already looking at her, his mind thinking the same as he repeated their words in his head.
“Should we?”
“What do you think?” They asked at the same time.
“I guess…if you are comfortable with it” Lizzie started
“We could give it a shot” Spider shrugged.
“Yes! For the love of God give it a fuckin shot!” Lo’ak groaned
“Do you really have anything to lose? If it doesn’t work you can just say you agreed you were better off as friends” Ari added, watching as Lizzie and Spider nodded. Suddenly though, Rotxo’s voice rang out again.
“Hey! You guys just gonna hang out over there all night?” Everyone all looked over at the group, noticing that the group was staring at them. Lizzie looked over at Spider, both of them silently confirming the plan. He gave her hand a squeeze as they all made their way over, Lo’ak sat down on a log, Ari sitting on the ground between his legs as he kept his arms around her. With no other seats open, Spider sat down on the sand, pulling Lizzie down in between his legs and against his chest, his arms rested on his knees until she got comfortable, then he lightly wrapped them around her. When they finally looked up at the group, they noticed that everyone had gone silent, watching them. They were used to Lo’ak and Ari being touchy, but this was new.
“Um…something you two want to tell us?” Kiri asked.
“I guess it is about time we tell them” Spider started while looking at Lizzie, and she wondered how he could play this off so easily.
“I suppose we should” you laughed
“We decided that since we get along so well, that we’d give a relationship a shot” Spider smiled, pulling Lizzie closer.
“Whoa seriously?” Rotxo asked
“He’s easy to be with” Lizzie laughed, which wasn’t untrue, Spider was easy to be around.
“You’ve only known each other for a couple of weeks” Ao’nung stated
“True, but I still remember that comment you made when I first came back, when Lizzie made the cookies. You said someone was gonna wife her up…I had wondered if I had just as much of a chance as anyone else, so I asked her out” Spider shrugged, Lo’ak sniggering beside them and quickly hid it in Ari’s neck, he knew exactly what Spider was doing, and he was so proud of him.
“And I always remembered what you had told me awhile ago Kiri, about finding someone that vibes with my energy and doesn’t drain it, and honestly, Spider’s energy always boosts mine and balances me out” Lizzie smiled, rubbing her thumb over the back of Spider’s had while she leaned back against him more.
“I think you make a beautiful couple” Tsireya smiled, not noticing her brother’s eyes cutting over to her.
“I knew it would happen eventually, you two fit together well” Neteyam nodded.
“I mean I’m happy for you two, I’m glad ma bro and sis are together, y’all make a good pair ” Rotxo smiled.
“I don’t know the two of you well, but you do look super cute together” Leilani nodded with a smile.
“I’m glad you found each other” Kiri nodded.
“So what were we talking about?” Lo’ak asked, turning the conversation away from the new couple who were wondering if they could do this.
It had been days since everything came to a head. Ao'nung and his new gf were not subtle about their relationship, or rather, she wasn't. He didn't sit at the group table as much, but when he did, she would practically sit on his lap. At least Rotxo and Kiri were a bit more aware of any awkwardness their relationship might cause within the group and kept PDA to a minimum, although Rotxo sneaking a kiss when he thought no one was looking still happened.
And due to their shared situation and knowing just how the other was feeling, Lizzie and Spider found themselves messaging each other after classes, either to check up on the other, or to just bs.
*Spider messaged Lizzie*
*Lizzie messaged Spider*
Even closing in on 2 weeks later, Spider found Lizzie being at the top of his recent contact list.
But little did Spider and Lizzie know...That Lo'ak had an idea to help
Shaking her head, Lizzie packed up the rest of the "crap ton" of cookies she made and grabbed her bag, luckily it was big enough to fit the Tupperware container in.
Making her way towards her first period she wondered just what this Spider guy was really gonna be like. Ari had filled her in more the night before, letting her know that his name was actually Miles but he preferred to be called Spider...where that nickname came from she wasn't sure, figuring it was something the Sully kids had dubbed him when they were little. The reason he preferred it was cause his dad's name was also named Miles, so...yeah. Speaking of his dad, she had told Lizzie that he was ex military as Neteyam had stated, having gone awol for awhile, so long that everyone thought he was dead. His wife had died not long after Spider was born and so with no father around, the Sully's took him in and raised him with their own kids. Then his dad popped into the picture a year ago and wanted to be part of Spider's life again...and Spider was nice enough that he gave him a shot at being a father. Lizzie honestly didn't know what she would have done in that situation, her own relationship with her father being strained due to him up and leaving when she was a kid, she hoped she would be as forgiving as Spider but she honestly wasn't sure.
"don't look too deep in thought, you'll get wrinkles" she heard a light laugh beside her, causing her eyes to shoot up and be met with Tsireya's dark ones.
"girl don't scare me like that" she laughed, while returning the hug that Tsireya happily gave.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to I swear. May I ask what you were thinking so hard about?" She asked with a head tilt as they fell into step.
"it's nothing really, I was just thinking over some of the stuff Ari told me about Spider...and his dad...it makes me think of my own family life I suppose" she shrugged.
"you never talk much about your family life, is it a lot like Spider's?"
"I suppose just the absent father part"
"Perhaps when the time comes, that is something you two may bond over"
"Ah yes shared trauma does bring people together" Lizzie laughed, causing Tsireya to giggle as well as they stopped outside of Lizzie's first class.
"Oh! You did bring the cookies for lunch right? My brother hasn't shut up about them since you posted that this morning" she smiled... Ao'nung hadn't stopped talking about them? Lizzie tried to push down the blush and slow her heart as the butterflies took off again.
"Y-Yeah I brought them" she nodded, hating how she stuttered, especially with the look Tsireya was giving her for it.
"ok, good, cause I would have to kill him if he didn't shut up I swear" she laughed again, before the warning bell rang.
"oh I better get going! See you at lunch!" She called out, already running to her class. Lizzie took a moment to take a deep breath, he mind racing and yelling at her to stop getting her hopes up, but she couldn't help replaying Tsireya's words, and Ao'nung's comment this morning about someone wifing her up. She quickly made her way into her class and looked around..huh...Spider wasn't here yet? Taking her seat she grabbed her book and notebook before watching the door, she hoped he wouldn't be too late, Mr.Mclanie hated when people were late.
Quickly tucking her phone back into her bag, Lizzie turned her attention to Mr.Mclanie who had turned to begin his lesson, when suddenly the door burst open, causing all eyes to fall on the slightly panting boy who walked into the room, the final bell ringing just as the door closed behind him.
"I take it you are Mr.Socorro" Mr.Mclanie scowled.
"Yes sir, sorry about that, don't know my way around yet" he apologized, before looking around the classroom, quickly spotting Lizzie and giving her a smile.
"Well I trust that you now know your way to the class, so do not be late again!" He dismissed Spider, and Lizzie watched as he cringed at the man's loud tone, before turning and making his way to her.
"Hi" he smiled, sitting next to her.
"Hi, don't worry about Mr.Mclanie, he's always like that"
"Great guy"
"Yeah I'm pretty sure if he had a colonoscopy they would find a stick that's been lodged up there for years" She told him, watching with a smile as he quickly tried to hide his laugh. After that they fell into a comfortable silence, something Lizzie was thankful for. She was honestly nervous about meeting him, she didn't do well with meeting new people, her anxiety was always on high around strangers and she didn't want to come across as the panicked weirdo to someone who had known the group far longer than she had. But Spider had a very chill aura to him, and it helped calm her nerves instantly. As the lesson dragged on the two shared a few more hushed jokes and quips, quickly hiding their smiles from Mr.Mclanie who kept eyeing them until the end of the class.
"so what is your next class?" Spider asked while holding the door for her.
"sadly, Math" she groaned, hating even speaking of the subject.
"ugh, I don't know which is worse, having the class early or later. Like early you get it done and over with, but it's also still too early to comprehend that crap"
"Exactly! Like my brain has not had enough coffee for this" she laughed.
"Now you sound like Kiri"
"coffee is something we in fact bonded over...so what is your next class?"
"History, at least Neteyam is in that class with me"
"there you go, Rotxo is in my math class"
"be sure to bug him for me" he laughed as the pair walked.
"Don't tempt me, he is fun to bug" she laughed back as they stopped in front of another hallway.
"well, this is where we part ways"
"until lunch" she nodded.
"yes! The cookies I almost forgot" he smiled.
"yup" she laughed while patting her bag, causing his eyes to look down at it, before looking up at her with a look that was both questioning and pleading.
"the others are going to kill you if they find out" she laughed, but reached into the bag and container and grabbed a cookie, handing it to him.
"they will never know, promise" he smiled happily biting the cookie, and stopping for a moment, looking at the cookie, then at her.
"are they bad or something?" She asked, suddenly worried, the tester one had tasted fine. She watched him smile just as the warning bell rang and he began to back down the hall.
"No, you definitely need to listen to Ao'nung though, the whole, watch it or someone is gonna wife you up" he laughed, quickly eating the rest of the cookie with a smile. Lizzie could only shake her head with a laugh as the boy quickly disappeared into the classroom, and she turned to make her way to her own.
Sitting down next to Rotxo, Lizzie could only shake her head at Ari's text.
"uh oh, that looks says that was Ari" Rotxo whispered, gesturing towards the phone.
"it was" Lizzie laughed.
"what about?"
"just wanting to know what I thought about Spider" she replied,deciding to leave out the other question so that Rotxo didn't get the wrong idea.
"so what is the verdict girlie?"
"he's really nice, and chill, I think he and I are gonna get along really well" she smiled at him.
"good, definitely don't want any rough waves in the group"
"No definitely not. So how was your weekend?" She asked, acting as if she knew nothing.
"Oh! Y-Yeah it was great, got to hang out at the beach with Lo'ak, Neteyam, Ari, and Kiri" he smiled at the memory.
"Ari wasn't too much of a handful was she?" She laughed.
"Na, course not, Lo'ak and Neteyam kept her occupied of course"
"more like she kept them occupied" they both chuckled before they turned their attention back to the teacher.
The rest of the classes went by fairly slowly, but at least she had a friend in every class. Ari pretty much interrogated her as soon as she stepped into their shared science class. Wanting to know why she hadn't answered her, and when Lizzie replied that the teacher had, in fact, walked in, Ari proceeded to ask her until Lizzie finally conceded and admitted that yes, Spider was a cutie.
"Now can we drop it?" Lizzie pleaded.
"Ok ok...Just wanting to know if there could possibly be a budding romance-"
"Ari"
"Listen, I know you like Ao'nung but-"
"Hello class!" Mr.Spellman entered the room, effectively cutting off their conversation. Mr.Spellman kept them busy throughout the whole class, between mixing chemicals that almost blew up a kid who definitely was not paying attention, to explaining WHY you had to do it perfectly, the conversation had all but died between the two girls. And as soon as the bell rang Ari was out, but Mr.Spellman kept Lizzie back.
"Ms.Mills I was wondering if we could talk for a moment"
"of course Mr.Spellman, what's up?"
"I know you and Mrs.Williams work very well as a two person team. But as you know every table here has at least three people on it"
"Yes sir"
"I'm going to be adding someone else to this class, I know this is an advanced class and it's the middle of the year but we have a spot open and he would do well here. I just wanted to let you know before I spung him on your table" he finished with a laugh.
"well thank you for the heads up" she laughed.
"may I ask who it is?" She added.
"Of course, Miles Soccoro, I've actually known him since he was a child. I worked with his mother and father for awhile, and also the family that pretty much adopted him in"
"The Sully's"
"You know them?"
"I'm friends with Lo'ak, Neteyam, and Kiri, I actually just met Spi-Er-Miles today" she smiled.
"Oh! Great! So no problems then?"
"None at all, can't wait to have him in the class"
"Good good, well hurry off to lunch, I'm sure Mrs.Williams is waiting on you" he laughed, causing the girl to laugh as well, it was more like Lo'ak waiting on the cookies.
"have a nice day Mr.Spellman!"
"You too Ms.Mills"
Sure enough, a little ways down the hall was Ari, leaned against the wall typing away on her phone.
"ok I'm here. He just wanted to let me know that Spider will be joining the class as our third at the table" she smiled.
"REALLY?" Ari grinned, quickly putter he phone away.
"yup, he'll be joining us tomorrow. Guess for now they had him in a different class until they could move him" Lizzie shrugged.
"I can't wait! But let's head to lunch, Lo'ak is getting antsy"
"I fuckin knew it" Lizzie laughed. As soon as the two entered the lunchroom it wasn't hard to spot their group, and as soon as Ari laid eyes on Spider.
"MY SPIDER!!!" She all but screamed before running at the boy and practically launching herself, wrapping her arms around his neck and legs around his waist. Luckily he was able to catch her, but that didn't stop him from stumbling a bit due to the force.
"It's good to see you too Ari" he laughed, placing her down and then giving her a tight hug back.
"Don't ever move away again! You're not allowed to!" She pouted.
"Yes ma'am" he smiled at her, before looking up as Lizzie approached.
"Hey" he nodded.
"Hello again, found the rest of your classes easier I hope?" she asked.
"I wouldn't say easier but, luckily I wasn't late to them" he laughed.
"That's always a good thing" she laughed back as they sat down, Lizzie sitting on the end with Spider and Kiri beside her, while Ari sat in between Lo'ak and Neteyam, who had seemingly brought her some McDonald's chicken nuggets and a Carmel ribbon crunch frappe.
"Ok mama" Lo'ak spoke, rubbing his hands together.
"You are insatiable when it comes to these" Lizzie laughed while pulling the container out of her bag and placing it in the middle of the table.
"That is for everyone" she stated as Lo'ak opened it, already grabbing four cookies.
"yeah yeah" he nodded.
"thank you" Neteyam smiled while grabbing a few.
"You spoil them" Kiri laughed while taking one.
"If this is how she spoils the group I'm really glad I came back" Spider laughed while grabbing a couple.
"You have another man to cook for now" Ari laughed.
"So many men and yet single. I call bs on that whole " a way to a man's heart is through his stomach" talk" she sighed.
"and here I thought it was through his third and fourth rib" Kiri shrugged, making Spider and Neteyam choke on their cookies.
"This is why I love you Kiri" Lizzie laughed.
"so where is Rotxo, Tsireya, and Fishlips?" Lo'ak asked, looking around.
"Rotxo said his and Tesirya's swim coach called them in for something" Kiri shrugged.
"Probably going over last minute things since the competition is coming up" Ari nodded, grabbing a cookie.
"probably, man the pressure they are under" Lizzie sighed
"it's tough, I couldn't do it that's for sure" Spider shook his head before digging into his lunch.
"I definitely give all y'all props that are on a team. I just could never" Lizzie said, looking over at Neteyam and Lo'ak since they were two of the school's best on the basketball team.
"You get used to it" Neteyam shrugged.
"No you get used to it when you have this complex that makes you wanna be the best" Lo'ak added, side-eyeing his brother.
"Do you want to be the best Neteyam? The very best?" Lizzie asked.
"Like no one ever was" Spider added, causing Lizzie to look over at him with wide eyes.
"what?"
"Oh my God shut up I didn't think anyone would get that reference" she laughed.
"how could I not?" He asked, laughing as well.
"Oh my fu-Now there are two nerds at this table" Lo'ak sighed, but you could see the smirk playing on his lips.
"hush, I think it's cute" Ari smiled.
"What's cute?" Another voice spoke up, as an arm reached between Spider and Lizzie to grab a few cookies.
"Spider and Lizzie are referencing Pokemon" Kiri stated.
"God I haven't watched that show in years" Ao'nung shook his head with a laugh.
"Will always be a classic though" Lizzie shrugged, looking up at Ao'nung, who hadn't sat down yet.
"definitely" he smiled.
"Are you gonna sit down or are you gonna stand there and look stupid?" Lo'ak asked, watching as Ao'nung flipped him off.
"as much as I would love to, I'd rather not waste Lizzie's cookies by upchucking cause of your face...beside I can't" he said while looking out towards the door.
"whatever dickhead" Lo'ak scoffed, reaching for another cookie.
"and why not?" Ari asked, looking at Ao'nung with a brow raised, a look that said she knew something, and the way the Ao'nung looked at her then away said she did.
"I just can't, but.." he started, reaching for another cookie, despite Lo'ak's protests.
"Thank you for these, delicious as always" he smiled at Lizzie, giving her a wink before heading off. Lizzie could feel her face warm at the action, sure Ao'nung was always the flirty type but there was something about that look, almost as if something was changing, changing between them perhaps...was he finally perhaps seeing her as a possibility, as something other than a friend?
"who's that?" Neteyam asked.
"I don't know" Kiri answered, and Lizzie found herself looking up at all of her friends, their eyes cast in the same direction, as she followed their gaze she felt her stomach drop, because there, clinging to Ao'nung's arm, was a beautiful girl, smiling sweetly at him. And Lizzie watched as he nodded before they both walked out of the lunch room. She wasn't sure how long she stated at the door, but when she turned back, all of her friends looked at her.
"fucking idiot" Lo'ak spoke, arms crossed as he leaned back in his chair.
"Lizzie" Neteyam started but the girl was already standing.
"I'm um...gonna get some air" she nodded, quickly making her way out of the lunch room and to the only place she knew she could hide... Mrs. Alkebulan's art class. The relationship she had with the teacher was parental in a way. Mrs.Alkebulan was like that with all her students, taking on the living mother role, even more so to any souls she thought needed help or comfort. From her dress that displayed not only her bubbly personality, but also her culture. To the way her words would ring out in her East African accent, wise words that always seemed to make you feel as if you were speaking with the universe itself. Right now, Lizzie needed that comfort.
"what is it dear?" Mrs.Alkebulan asked, as the girl stepped in, she knew it was lunchtime and she should be with her friends.
"I'm sorry to barge in...I just needed someplace away" Lizzie apologized, but the woman simply held up her ringed hand, bangles jingling as she moved.
"nonsense, I have told you many times, my class is your safe space, so come, tell me what is troubling you" she gestures towards the chair she pulled next to her. Lizzie nodded and sat down, confessing how she felt stupid for even thinking a boy she liked could like her back, how she should have known that he would always see her as a friend, but it didn't make it hurt any less, and how she wondered if she ever would find anyone.
"The heart is a complex thing my child, and I fear you are only tasting a pinch of it. You are not stupid for letting your heart feel, but we must not let our hearts run off unless we know they will be safe. The soul and heart are very similar in that way, our soul is us, our hearts are ours to give, but we must give it wisely. You can love with all you have my child, and I encourage you to do so, as often as you can. And when the time comes, which it will, they will be someone, who will protect your heart, who will treat it like the most precious jewel in the world, and in turn you must do the same for them. Then, you will find your true mate" she smiled.
"A true mate" Lizzie mused, she liked the thought of that, that somewhere out there was someone who was perfectly made for her...or at least would protect what was most precious to her"
"they are a once in a lifetime find indeed" the woman smiled before handing the girl some food.
"oh I don't want to take away your lunch" Lizzie protested.
"it's extra, I had a feeling today I would have company, so I wanted to be prepared" she replied with a kind smile, pushing the container towards her...Mrs.Alkebulan always did make the best food.
"So where is she?" Spider asked as he watched Ari sat down her phone.
"Art class"
"I had a feeling she would go there" Kiri nodded as Rotxo came to sit beside her, Tsireya taking Lizzie's spot beside Spider.
"Why art class?" Spider asked.
"Mrs.Alkebulan is kinda like a mother to all of us" Neteyam replied.
"I tried to tell her in Science but Mr.Spellman interrupted" Ari sighed.
"tell her what?" Rotxo asked, stealing some fruit from Kiri's lunch.
"So how long has she had a thing for him?" Spider asked.
"we're not really sure" Ari shrugged.
"Lizzie doesn't really talk about her feelings a lot" Neteyam added.
"She is frustrating in that way" Kiri added.
"As if you're one to talk" Lo'ak rolled his eyes, earning a grape being thrown at him.
"unrequited crushes suck though, especially if they've been going on for awhile" Spider nodded, reaching for another cookie, catching Neteyam and Lo'ak's eye, before he quickly looked away, he knew they knew he was speaking from experience.
"I just hope she'll be ok" Tsireya sighed
"Lizzie is a strong one, but the heart takes time to heal" Rotxo replied.
--
Lizzie was already scribbling away as she sat at her desk when she heard the other students begin to file in. Her mind replayed Mrs.Alkebulan's words as she sketched out ideas for a piece. But she soon felt arms around her neck and knew right away that it was Ari.
"I'm fine" she laughed, patting the girl's arms and feeling her let go before taking her seat beside her. She heard the chair on her other side move and turned to see Spider, Kiri sitting next to him and completing their little circle of desks.
"Hello" she smiled at them.
"I'm fine...really" she told Kiri when she caught the look she was giving her.
"what's that?" Spider asked, trying to change the subject for Lizzie's sake.
"Just some doodles hoping to maybe find one I like and turn it into a painting" she told him.
"can't wait to see it" he smiled at her, causing her to smile back.
"Ok class" Mrs.Alkebulan started
"Today's project is going to require you to look deep within" she started, looking around the room.
"You have heard the expression "Go to your happy place" yes?" She asked, looking around as everyone nodded.
"I want you to show me what that place looks like, and why it is your happy place" she smiled.
"You can use any sort of medium for this project, and don't worry if you don't finish it today, we can work on it tomorrow as well" and with that she gestured to everything and made her way back to her desk.
"Shall I get some paint for the table?" Kiri asked
"Yes please!" Ari smiled
"Sure" Lizzie nodded
"I can help" Spider said as he began to get up, but Ari beat him to the punch.
"I'll help, you sit!" And with that she and Kiri walked over to the paints.
"Demanding as always" he chuckled.
"That's Ari" Lizzie smiled, both of them turning at the sound of Kiri's phone vibrating on the table, the screen lighting up with a message, a message that the both of them were able to read before the screen went dark again.
"Hey, I really enjoyed the other day and was wondering if you maybe wanted to do it again sometime? Like this Friday? Dinner and a movie?-Rotxo"
Lizzie turned to look at Kiri who was still at the paints with Ari, but noticed that Spider was still staring at the phone, with a look that she recognized all too well at that moment.
'Oh no'
"Hey, are you o-"
"So when did that happen?" He laughed lightly, but Lizzie could tell it was a forced laugh.
"I'm not sure if anyone is supposed to know...I'm not sure if you can call it a thing honestly" Lizzie started, and was going to end it there, but when Spider's eyes met her she knew what he was feeling, so she continued.
"They hung out this past weekend and ended up going to dinner, that's all" She shrugged, but could still see the far away look in his eyes, and before she could stop herself, she reached out and grabbed his hand, giving it a light squeeze, and a slight smile when his eyes met hers. An unspoken conversation between them, one of knowing exactly how the other was feeling.
"ok, here is the paints" Ari stated as she and Kiri placed the pants on the table, Lizzie letting go of Spider's hand, but not before Ari caught it, but decided not to say anything.
"Ok, our happy place" Ari nodded, looking at the canvas in front of her.
"Happy place" Lizzie nodded, looking over at Spider, both of them now hidden behind the canvas that sat upon the small easels on their desks. Both of their shoulders slumped, the heaviness of their hearts painted across their faces as they looked at each other, and she watched as he mouthed something, and she knew exactly how he felt.
