Chapter Text
“Alright… Doomcoming, we’ll drink booze and celebrate our impending death.”
The idea of Doomcoming had only brightened the mood slightly. But, it was better to celebrate instead of moping around and waiting for their incoming demise.
All the girls had been bustling in and out of the cabin in order to set up for the party tonight. Mari and Akilah were inside preparing the stew, Jackie was getting herself ready with Shauna and Misty, Tai and Van had somehow vanished once again, so that left Lottie and Nat outside. Alone.
Nat was carefully applying her makeup, more careful than she normally would. Tonight wasn’t the night for clunky black eyeliner. In the reflection she had a perfect view of the front porch where she was able to see a certain girl trying so hard to make… something?
What is Lottie trying to do? Nat thought to herself. Whatever the hell she was making, she was getting frustrated every 2 minutes. “Stupid pendants…” Nat heard Lottie mumble. It made her scoff to herself and continue to stare. It was almost entertaining watching the taller girl get angry at what looked like a pair of antlers.
“You need some help over there?” Nat caught herself saying out loud. Lottie swung her head towards Nat and gave a sheepish smile. “If you think you can,” she responded. Lottie scooted over to let the blonde girl have access to her project. When Nat got a closer look at it, it didn’t leave her any less confused than a minute ago. “What’s this supposed to be?” she asked while studying it intently.
“It’s supposed to be a Doomcoming crown,” the brunette answered. “Y’know, for when we elect a Doomcoming Queen or whatever. Problem is I just can’t get this damn pendant to stick,” she went on.
“Oooh, I see it now,” Nat said while nodding her head. Now that she was looking at it that way, the crown was beautiful. In a way, the crown was just so… Lottie . The antlers and the veil matched her personality perfectly in a way. The leaves and flowers on the crown had a similar vibe to how Lottie dressed. They’re the same color as what she was wearing at the party before we left for nationals…
**
It felt weird to be standing in a line next to the 5 girls she was arguing with just 3 minutes ago. It felt even weirder to be standing next to Lottie. It must have been a picture to behold: what with her being dressed in all black and the girl next to her looking like she came with Barbie’s Dreamhouse.
Nat felt like she wasn’t really in her own body at this point, so she couldn’t help but steal quick glances at the taller girl and that killer skirt she was wearing. Lottie seemed to be taking up her entire attention. Was she holding a cigarette this whole time? I never knew she smoked. Hot.
She probably should have been paying attention, because that little voice in the back of her head that sounded weirdly a lot like Jackie’s was getting louder and felt like it was getting closer.
“Nat, I love that you don’t care what anybody thinks,” she heard, which dragged Nat back down to Earth. What Jackie said almost brought her to tears, or maybe that was just the weed and the alcohol. And maybe the fact that she felt the stares of the other girls. More specifically, from the girl standing right next to her.
I wonder what Jackie’s gonna say about Lottie and Shauna? Nat thought to herself. But, it never happened. Jackie forced the others to say nice things about each other. Nat glanced at Lottie who had turned to face her. Shit. We’re starting. Okay, just don’t say anything stupid or gay or whatever.
“Lottie…” she started. Wow, she's really pretty. “You never talk shit unless someone really deserves it,” she finished and hoped that it was good enough. Good, now move on before your big mouth says anything else . But the fact that a small smile crept onto Lottie’s face was making her stay planted. It felt almost like she was melting. You’re high as balls, Nat, you’re not actually melting. Now get the hell out of here before you embarrass yours- wait when did Lottie get a…
“Also… I like your pilgrim hat,” Nat said, even though it felt like she was watching herself say that. It felt like she was watching some cringy, high teenager talk to their crush and totally fuck up their chance; causing her to begin to snicker and giggle, not realizing that she was the cringy high teenager talking to their crush and totally fucking up their chance.
Nat would later sit around the bonfire and cry about the conversation with her friends.
**
Thinking back on that night made Nat’s face flush. She traced the pendant that was sitting in the palm of her hand. “It’s beautiful, Lot,” she verbalized and looked at the girl next to her. Lottie was looking at her in a way that made her stomach do loops and her hands shake. “I may have something that could make this stick,” she looked back down at the pendant in her hand.
“Really?” Lottie asked with a hint of shock. “You are full of surprises, Nat,” she continued. Full of surprises? Oh, you have no idea .
Nat excused herself and ran to her stuff inside the cabin where she kept. When she came back, she had a small tube of Super Glue.
“Why did you bring that with you?” Lottie asked the blonde girl.
“I was supposed to be working on a project that was a month overdue and was planning on working on it when we landed,” Nat said briskly. Lottie just nodded and let it go.
While Nat was gluing the pendant onto the top of the skull of whatever animal this was, she felt Lottie’s eyes on her. She took a deep breath and turned her head to catch Lottie staring at her.
“What?” she said with a big smile growing.
Lottie gave her a small smile and said, “Nothing. I just really like what you did with your makeup.”