[Wrapped up in a box and left with a note at Mae’s place.]
Mae,
I can’t believe how much my life has changed in this past month, for the better with you by my side.
Even though I’m known for being good with words, I could be here all day telling you how much you mean to me.
I wanted to do something special for our one month anniversary. After the Showers’ game today, I hope you would join me at my place where I will be cooking us a romantic candlelit dinner that we can enjoy together, and hopefully enjoy other things afterwards.
But for now, a gift. The bracelet is made from recycled guitar strings. I thought it was beautiful, just like you.
Happy anniversary. And here’s to a long and amazing future.
[Left in Mae’s bedroom is a note and a book shaped parcel, wrapped in a Hawaiian shirt?]
My angel,
Two months we have been together. Can you honestly believe it? I would never in a million years think that someone like you would be with someone like me but here we are.
But alas, I was stuck with what I could gift you with this month. I definitely blew my load too soon with your bracelet. But never fear, your girl is a genius!
I made a scrapbook. A scrapbook of us. All the photos we’ve taken together since we’ve been a couple. Flyers from BOTB’s, tickets from when we went to movies or played mini golf, receipts from restaurants, you name it, it’s in there. Wrapped up in my shirt I wore at Halloween. (FYI I might need that back soon so don’t trash it thanks babe.) It’s two months of us, just for you.
Also may I ask a favour? Not that I can know your response, this is a letter… At 7pm tonight look outside your bedroom window. Weird I know, but trust me.
All I can say now is, thank you. Thank you for the past two months. You mean the world to me babe. Can’t wait for the next months we spend together.
Always yours
Stacey x
[At 7pm that night Stacey stood outside of Mae’s place holding up her boombox and blasting her cheesy love song mix tape, just like she promised. She doesn’t care about a noise complaint.]
(♡°ω°♡) Maecy (Mae & Stacey) Moodboard → lil soft baby sunshines that you want to protect forever and ever (1/?)
STACEY: Not as far as I know. But, I haven’t looked out of a window in a while
STACEY: I don’t know. Whatever pretty girl takes my fancy
MAE: you actually haven’t looked out a window in 80 years. it’s mae from the future. the dinos are here !!! but at least we have a killer soundtrack to accompany our suffering !!
[…]
MAE: i think ur fancy
Summary→ Struck with pre-show jitters, Mae feels insecure to go out to perform for Battle of the Bands, but Stacey shows up and comforts her.
MAE
Mae was nervous to perform. She’s not sure how she landed herself with another solo, but this time there wouldn’t be a video version of Blair backing her up. Just her singing. And Mae wasn’t sure if she could do it. Especially given her song choice and who she had in mind while selecting it. Mae knew Stacey would be in the audience and that made the nerves in her stomach escalate even more.
There was no doubt Mae had a crush on Stacey. She had for a while now ever since they were both in the same math class together last semester and Stacey tutored her while Mae thought about kissing her stupid, cute face. Stacey was oblivious to Mae’s pathetic crush, and Mae wasn’t all that shocked. Girls never tended to see her more than their “cute” and “funny” and “sweet” friend. Because that’s all Mae was most of the time—which was fine. Stacey was great.
“Get it together, Mae, come on.” Mae mumbled to herself as she paced around the “dressing room” which was actually just the break room, but every Battle of the Bands it was treated like one. “It’s gonna be fine. You know this song like the back of your hand and you can’t fuck it up—actually, yes, yes you can fuck it up.” Mae covered her face and groaned. “I can’t go out there. I can’t, I can’t, I can’t, I can’t, I can’t.” Mae chanted to herself, chewing on her lip and running a hand through her hair.
STACEY
Another day, another Battle of the Bands. Stacey hadn't missed a single one since she started working at ACup, and she wasn't going to start now. She vowed to herself that she would attend every single one until the end of time, even if she wasn't working at the coffee shop anymore. But today she was working, they had been busy as always and she had finally found a gap in the seemingly never ending rush. Deciding that they were looking a little low on coffee beans, Stacey decided that while there was a lull in custom, she'd go and fetch some more from the back to save running out during the next queue of people.
As she walked out the back and headed for the stock room, Stacey could hear a voice. As far as she knew, most of the Warblettes and Pamela Lansbury were out the front either warming up or just hanging out, so who was out here? Walking slowly towards the break room as to not startle the potential, well, thief? stalker?, she wasn't sure exactly who it could be, she pushed the door open to see... "Mae." Stacey said out loud, confused to see the other girl inside the room. "What are you doing back here? Show's gonna start soon, you need to be out with your team." She smiled softly at the older girl.
MAE
Mae jumped when she heard a voice speak up and her heart started to race when she noticed it was Stacey. “Oh—he-hey, Stace.” Mae stammered as she waved at Stacey awkwardly before rubbing her hands nervously. “I know they’re out there.” Mae chuckled, looking down at the floor. “I can’t go out there.” Mae mumbled, shaking her head. “I was able to perform last time because Blair was backing me up but tonight is all me and...I can’t. What if I choke?” She asked, gulping. “I don’t think I can do it—you know what?” Mae looked up. “Sorry. I shouldn’t be telling you all this I’m just being really dumb about it.” Mae sighed. “Forget I said anything.”
STACEY
"Whoa whoa whoa." Stacey said urgently as she stepped into the room. She was surprised to see Mae like this, she was always so upbeat and happy and so beautifully full of life that it made Stacey's day when she spoke to her, but now she just looked scared. Gently placing both her hands on Mae's arms she looked at her. "Hey listen to me. You're going to be amazing." She smiled. "When I heard you last time, I was completely blown away by how good you were. And most the time I forgot that Blair was even backing you up because all I could focus on was you." She grinned now as she looked into Mae's eyes. "You've got this."
MAE
The moment she felt Stacey’s hands holding her, Mae felt her heart beat faster, looking up to meet Stacey’s eyes and biting her lip. “Yeah? You think so?” Mae asked. “I just..I don’t want to mess up. And I’m so nervous.” Mae shook her head. “I’m not as good as everyone else there.” Mae mumbled. “I’m good at swaying in the background, but I don’t know if I’m good at being center stage.” Mae looked back at Stacey and blushed at Stacey’s compliments. “Really?” Mae smiled. “You think I’m good?” Mae looked down and pursued her lips before looking back up at Stacey. “Yeah...yeah I can do this. Maybe.” Mae mumbled.
STACEY
"I don't think so, I know so." Stacey replied with a grin. "Trust me." Shaking her head slowly she couldn't believe what she was hearing from the other girl. "You're much better than swaying in the background. Like a thousand times better than that." Smiling even more as Mae did, Stacey nodded. "Yeah I think you're better than good. You're amazing. You're spectacular." She laughed. "You can do this. I believe in you. And I'm supporting you every step of the way."
MAE
Mae chewed on her lip at Stacey’s kind words and affirmations. Stacey had a lot of things going on, much like the only song Mae used as a method to flirt, and being the sweetest person alive was one of them. “Do you....do you mind if I look at you when I do my solo? Wouldn’t mind looking at your eyes. They’re pretty and it’ll make me less nervous.” How smooth, Mae, how very smooth. Mae thought to herself. It was a good enough excuse. “You’re the best, Stace.” Mae smiled, taking a deep breath as she tried to calm down her nerves
STACEY
Sweet, oblivious Stacey just nodded and smiled even more. "If that's going to make you less nervous, then yeah, do whatever you want." Letting go of Mae's arms, she checked the time on her watch. "You better get out there. Your team needs you." She grinned brightly. "Want a hug before you go? For good luck?" She held out her arms for Mae to hug her.
MAE
Mae only smiled fondly as the compliment went over Stacey’s head, as always. It was endearing, but sometimes Mae wished Stacey would get the oh moment where she realizes nothing Mae has said ever had a hint of it being platonic. Mae smiled at the offer and nodded enthusiastically. It was better than nothing. “I would love that.” Mae said softly before hugging Stacey and feeling herself getting a little dizzy because how could Stacey smell that good? Mae pulled away and blushed, looking away. “Um, I’ll see you out there, then?” Mae asked with a shy smile.
STACEY
Stacey wrapped Mae up into one of her special comforting hugs, hoping it would help to sooth her nerves. Pulling back she grinned down at Mae. "Yeah, I better get back to work. I was on the hunt for coffee beans, but this was way more important." She went to leave the break room but then paused and looked back at Mae. "Break a leg."
MAE
Mae felt herself relax as soon as Stacey wrapped her up in a hug. Was she hugging a teddy bear or a human, Mae honestly couldn’t tell the difference anymore, but she wasn’t complaining. Mae blushed even more when Stacey said she was more important than coffee. Mae could die happy right there at the words. “Thanks, Stace.” Mae managed to say, watching as the girl walked away before biting her lip to hold back her smile. She was definitely ready to perform now. Especially the song she was doing for her solo. Mae hummed “Ocean Eyes” by Billie Eilish as she walked over to the Warblettes, glancing over to look at Stacey and smiling to herself. Yup, Stacey definitely knew how to make Mae melt when she saw those ocean eyes of hers.
