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.𖥔 ݁ ˖𓂃.☘︎ ݁˖(episode 3  - the cole effecthomecoming huddle day // second week of october 2023).𖥔 ݁ ˖𓂃.☘︎ ݁˖

Bea felt like she's still in Washington, D.C.

After braiding the second half of her hair, she stared at herself in the mirror. Clothed in a black short vest that hugged her waist with a white buttoned up shirt underneath, a mini leather skirt as her bottom with flea tights underneath, silver earrings as her only accessory, and a Doc Martens 1460 boots that she bought a year ago, she bitterly smiled at herself.

Her clothing style both in her previous school and in Silver Falls High was completely the same as how other typical students wore: just some casual outfit like a shirt, jeans/shorts, and comfortable footwear. It was a surprise for her to see herself in the mirror, remembering she dressed the same as she was a few months ago; from eating at the famous Old Ebbitt Grill to celebrate the class president's birthday to shopping with her dad at the CityCenterDC where they used to hang out together and shop birthday gifts for her.... well, her dad's ex-wife.

She missed dressing up like this. She missed hanging out with people from the city. She missed her hometown, her real hometown. The gal might be in Silver Falls, but she'll always carry a piece of Washington, D.C here.

"Bea! Your friend is here!"

Amelia's voice called her below. Bea takes a look at herself in the mirror one last time before grabbing her sling bag and heading out downstairs. Amelia was already there, waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs "Sweetie, you look beautiful," she smiled, eyes sparkled as soon as she saw her niece. "Thanks, aunty," Bea smiled back.

"Benjamin will say the same thing, you know?"

"Dad has seen me wearing this outfit combination a million times. I bet he's tired."

Both girls laughed.

"Stay safe, alright?" she gave her a concern look. "Are you sure Phoebe is a good driver, sweetheart? Gosh if only I weren't on duty today, I would've take you there. Bennett's really busy at his bakery because of this homecoming huddle, and only if Sebastian isn't sick - "

"Aunty, I'll be fine! I promise," she reassured the concerning woman. "Just call me okay?" Bea nodded, fixing her aunt's nameplate in her scrubs. Amelia thanked her and excused herself to leave early.

"Good morning, Dr. Jordan!"

"Morning, dear! Have fun the two of you!"

Phoebe, who's already at the doorway, dressed up with a purple milkmaid top and a moss green cardigan with colorful and fun buttons, maxi multi-earth-toned colors skirt, a mushroom clay pendant pinned in her ears , and black boots. Her golden curls still stay the same; unstyled, but with two silver star hairpins on each side of her hair.

"You look amazing!" she scanned her from head to toe. "Is this how a city girl - well aside from Jackie - usually wore?"

"Um, I guess?" Bea shrugged. "You look amazing too! I love your style," the girls both gushed and walked towards Phoebe's car, excited to hang out with each other.

_____________

Minutes had passed and they finally arrived at the venue. As they expected, it was packed with a lot of people, from the booths, the current students in Silver Fall High to the alumni. "Cake by the Ocean" blasted through the speakers, with the cheerleading team performing at the stage.

"There's no way that's the song," Bea cringed at the song choice. "Who picked that? They clearly don't know what they're doing."

"I don't listen to pop music that much," Phoebe admitted. "What was that song all about anyways?"

"You don't want to know."

Both girls started to visit the booths, their mouths started to water as soon as the aroma of foods welcomed them. They instantly splurged their money on them (spoiler: Phoebe spent the most).

Out of all the days she had been in Silver Falls since her arrival, this has to be one of the most exciting and enjoyable experience she had. All thanks to Phoebe Miller.

"Oh! You should try the Walter Cider!" Phoebe dragged Bea before the poor girl could even munch the last piece of the grilled smoked burger they bought from Phoebe's neighbor's food booth. As they arrived there, Jackie, Cole, and an unfamiliar guy were there waiting for their customers for the day.

"Oh hi!" Jackie smiled both at them. As she turned to Bea and seeing the clothes that she wore, her smile grow wider.

"Bea, right? The other city girl transferee."

"Yeah, you're right. Hello, Jackie.".

Despite the school being a small one, this is the first time the two city girls have met face to face.

She seemed so sweet. We could've met earlier in school! Too bad, we don't share the same class schedule.

"Ladies," Cole greeted both of them. "You're in luck, Bea. Our apple cider can cure sickness and sure enough, Bash will recover in no time," he grabbed an empty bottle and went to their cart to fill it.

"Wait, I didn't order - "

"Bash actually ordered one through a phone call this morning," the other guy said. "And what he said about 'curing sickness' - " he air quoted. "- is not true, you know." The four of them chuckled.

He's cute. Looks a little nerdy.

"I think we haven't introduced ourselves properly, although I see you sometimes in the house to tutor Nathan. I'm Alex, by the way," he grinned and offered a handshake.

"Bea. Nice to meet you Alex," Bea accepted his handshake. Phoebe ordered one and Alex started pouring the cup.

"You want one?"

"Seb already ordered a giant bottle. I'm good."

"So..." Jackie cleared her throat, seeing both Phoebe and Alex engrossed in a conversation about their upcoming activity in Chemistry next week immediately after Phoebe ordered her cup. "... how's life so far here?", she turned to Bea.

"Good, I guess," Bea started to recall her first memories when she moved here. "It was really hard to adjust at first, but I think I'm getting the hang of it, thanks to my in-laws and her." Jackie faintly smiled, knowing who she was referring to. "How about you?"

Jackie paused, before composing herself again. "Fine. It's fine."

They may have met for the first time today, but something about being the only transferees from the city in the school made it seem like there's an unexplainable yet soothing connection already between them.

"You know what? We should hang out some time, Jackie."

"I like that, Bea. Oh and if you have time, you can visit our auctio - "

"Alright capital girl, here's the big 'ol bottle of the finest Walter Apple Cider," Cole announced as he put the bottle in front of Jackie and Bea. "His friend already paid this for him, so you don't have to worry about anything."

She thanked Cole and was about to grab the bottle before realization hit her. How is she going to carry this around if she's still hanging out with her friend?

"What's up guys?"

A very familiar voice was heard.

"Phoebe, you're looking whimsy today, huh? Love the mushroom earrings."

She turned around and saw Isaac, who acted as if he was scared of Phoebe's threat about kicking his balls if he didn't leave her alone.

His outfit was simple - leather jacket with a white t-shirt underneath, pearl necklace hanging on his neck, and dark denim jeans paired with Timberlands. He's also holding a small paper bag.

Despite this simple look, she felt her insides twisted. Bea was confused, but chose to ignore it.

"Hey," Isaac flipped his hair as soon as he saw Bea.

"Hey."

Isaac scanned her from head to toe. "You don't look too bad. Your Doc Martens elevated your style."

"You don't look too bad too, Garcia. Your Timberlands and leather jacket are really the cherry on top."

"Isn't it a little too hot to wear tights in this weather though?"

"I was going to ask the same thing about your leather jack-"

"Are you two going to keep flirting or what? You're scaring the customers away," Cole interrupted, making both of them break contact. Alex, albeit annoyed by his older brother since way before Phoebe and Bea arrived, agreed.

"Are you here to take over, Isaac?" Jackie asked.

"Pfft, no. I'm here to borrow her for a while." Before anyone could further comprehend, Isaac dragged her out from them and from the crowd until they reached a spot where there were less people, but still inside the venue.

Bea released her hand from his grip. "What are you doing?"

"Just wanted to ask about the activity."

"I literally sent it to you this morning. I finished it before midnight, and revised it as soon as I woke up.", she crossed her arms. "Is there a valid reason why you're dragging me here?"

Isaac froze for a second before composing himself, clearing his throat and subtly touching his necklace. He looked anywhere but her.

"You remember yesterday?"

Bea remembered the two of them in the kitchen; Isaac about to say something when Nathan interrupted them.

"Oh yeah. I did tell you to tell me today. What was it about?"

"I'm sorry."

Bea's eyes widened. Isaac Garcia? The one she thought is a jerk? Apologizing?

"Is this a joke - "

"Do I look like I'm joking?", for the first time from their previous interactions, Isaac's voice was serious. He looked at her intently.

"The thing that seems small to me is a big thing for you.", he started. "I shouldn't have grabbed your lemonade. This is what I'm trying to say yesterday."

"Garcia - "

"Don't worry, I apologized to Jackie too. Twice."

Bea blinked, still surprised by this apology.

Isaac scratched his nape, chuckling awkwardly. "You know, you don't have to accept my apology or anything - "

"It's okay."

Now it's Isaac's turn of being speechless.

"It took you a while, huh?" she gave him a loopsided smile. "But yeah. It's okay."

Isaac gave her a smile, showing his oh so perfect white teeth. Another uneasy feeling twisted Bea's insides.

"So uh, are we good?"

"Yep."

"Isaac, come here already!"

Both turned around to find where the source is, and eventually saw Lee and Nathan, waving at his direction. Nathan noticed her and both of them smiled at each other. He wiggled his eyebrows while pointing at Isaac's direction, clearly teasing her, in which Bea rolled her eyes in return.

"Lee's already calling me. I think I got to go."

"Yeah."

"Oh, and this is for you."

He handed the paper bag at her and she accepted.

"See you in class, pretty!", he winked and laughed at her reaction when she rolled her eyes, cheeks slightly turning red.

Something about the word "pretty" coming from his mouth for the first time in a while sent chills in her spine.

Well whatever that is, it was a stupid "nickname" that he used ever since the first time they met up until the first day of school. And it was stupid of her to think twice if he was complimenting her or not on that day.

It didn't mean anything.

Before saying thanks to the Garcia boy, he already jogged towards where his brother and cousin were.

She took a peek at what was inside and was surprised to see a cupcake.

But it wasn't any ordinary cupcake.

It was the same cupcake from the cafeteria. The same one Isaac gave it to her.

She was confused at first, but started connecting the dots.

Isaac acted differently around her.... him randomly giving her a cupcake...

And now, he apologized for his actions and gave her the same dessert.

That day in the cafeteria, maybe Isaac didn't give her a cupcake just because "it's a new addition to the menu".

____________Omg happy 100 reads! TvT

Thank you all so much for reading this story :)