Girls' bathroom- Friday midday

[annieadderall.livejournal.com]

Annie didn't know why she was so upset. It was a three-person race, and unless someone jumped in last-minute, she was going to make it on Student Council. And even if someone did join, it's not like anyone couldn't see how hard she was trying. She kept trying to remind herself of that, but it wasn't really the point.

She was used to being left out, and even used to people teaming up against her. She'd really thought that people would be different here, and surprise, they weren't. That hurt more than just all the campaign stuff, and she'd liked her so-called competition till five minutes ago. She thought briefly of just dropping out, but she had never gotten anywhere by giving up and she doubted that'd make her feel better. Maybe she should change her campaign slogan. Vote Annie: The Only Senior Candidate to Never Make Someone Cry In The Bathroom. Nah. Even at her worst, she wasn't that petty. No, she was going to have to do exactly what she'd been doing: show everyone she was the right person for the job. And absolutely crush the other two in the debate.

She'd just maybe cry it out a little first, though.

[I have 20 invoices to enter all day and can finally use this icon. Open!]

Comments

[necroslacker]

Sam wasn't really thinking about much of anything when he walked by the girl's bathroom. He'd heard about the graffiti from the other day but other than that, he didn't pay much attention to it until he heard what sounded like crying coming from inside.

He stopped and stepped closer, listening carefully. After a second, he cleared his throat and called out, "Is, uh, is everything okay in there? You hurt or something?"

[annieadderall.livejournal.com]

"No, it's okay! We're all fine in here!" Annie called. Of course, she sounded like she'd been crying so that was maybe not convincing.

[necroslacker]

Sam thought he recognized that voice but he couldn't be sure with the door right there. Still...

"Annie?" he asked, frowning at how her voice sounded. "You don't sound fine. Oh, it's, uh, Sam. You sure you're all right?"

[annieadderall.livejournal.com]

Noooo cute boys were not supposed to see moments like this! "Sam? Yeah, it's me," she said, trying to wipe any tears away in case he came in. "I'm fine. Just, you know, allergies."

[necroslacker]

"D'you need me to get you anything?" he asked, still keeping his ear close to the door. "Like...Claritin?"

Was that what they took for allergies?

"Or something hot to drink? Honestly, I don't know what to do for allergies."

He wasn't sure if she really had allergies but he wouldn't just imply she was a liar.

[annieadderall.livejournal.com]

She laughed just a little, because aww that was sweet. "Not sure that'll help," she admitted.

[necroslacker]

"What'll help, then?" Sam asked, staring at the door in front of him. "Do you need me to...get someone?"

[annieadderall.livejournal.com]

She felt bad, leaving him on the other side of the door, girls' bathroom or no. So she took a breath and opened it, leaning in the doorway. "No, it's okay. Just... bad day."

[necroslacker]

"You don't have allergies," he said, frowning at finally getting to see the state of her. "What happened?"

[glacial_queen]

After fighting off a bunch of HYDRA soldiers, Karla had decided to take another shower and also I wanted to use this icon. She had just finished rinsing the conditioner out of her hair when she thought she heard--

Poking her head out from under the spray, she called, "Is someone there? Are you all right?"

[annieadderall.livejournal.com]

Annie sniffed, trying to sound totally fine. Which always tended to be kind of impossible at times like this. "Just me," she said. "I think there's something in my contact."

She didn't wear contacts.

[glacial_queen]

"You should probably try that with someone who can't read psychic scents, Annie," Karla said, turning off the shower and wrapping a towel around herself. It was a big, fluffy thing and covered more skin than most of Sookie's sundresses.

She stepped out of the stall in her sandals and towel, reaching for her bathrobe to sling over her, too. "Wanna talk about it?"

[annieadderall.livejournal.com]

Annie shrugged. "I don't know. I'm probably just being a crybaby about it. It's just a campaign."

[glacial_queen]

"Oh, for Student Council?" Karla sounded sympathetic as she shrugged on her robe. "Is it not going well?"

To the best of her knowledge, there were only three senior candidates and three open spots, so...

[annieadderall.livejournal.com]

"I just got blindsided with the other seniors forming an alliance," Annie said. "I mean, this is not Survivor. And I don't even know that that show's still on!"

[glacial_queen]

"Wait--Wes and Quinn have teamed up? But...why?" It made no sense! There were three spots! "Teamed up against you? That hardly seems fair at all!"

Not that politics necessarily were, as Karla very well knew, but this was high school.

[annieadderall.livejournal.com]

"I know, right?" Annie said emphatically. "It's a three-person race for three seats. It's like they're both trying to screw me over and look like they can't stand alone at the same time."

[ancientbschamp.livejournal.com]

Sometimes when it came to situations like these, Gabrielle and her rampantly hurt-comfort canon could sniff them out like a bloodhound.

So the second she heard crying from the other side of the bathroom door (she'd just been wandering down the hallway) she had to step in and see what was going on.

"Hello?" she called. "Are you all right?"

It was a legitimate question. What if the plumbing was messing with her the way the library had the other day?

[annieadderall.livejournal.com]

It seemed like everyone found you when you didn't want to be seen all red-faced and teary. "Yeah. Fine. Totally okay."

[ancientbschamp.livejournal.com]

"Annie?" Was it worse when they knew you by name?

Gabrielle pushed the door open and stepped in, immediately frowning. "By the gods -- what's wrong?"

Yes, yes, that conveyed the point that you didn't buy the 'totally okay,' but stop being so dramatic, Gabrielle.

[annieadderall.livejournal.com]

"Oh, you know..." And having used the contact and allergies excuse, she continued, "...how PMS is. Sometimes you just cry in bathrooms..."

She frowned. "Can we forget I tried that one?"

[ancientbschamp.livejournal.com]

Gabrielle, in her totally unthreatening way, leaned against a nearby sink. "At least bathrooms have running water and paper towels. Trust me, it's a lot better than having to go hide out in a tiny cave on a mountainside and cry," she offered.

Then smiled slightly. "But we can forget if you want."

[annieadderall.livejournal.com]

Annie offered a tiny smile. "I'm just being stupid," she explained.

[ancientbschamp.livejournal.com]

Gabrielle was just the type of person to not even ask what was wrong before she came right out with "I don't think you are. Is there anything I can do to help?"

[annieadderall.livejournal.com]

She was going to say no, but... "Can I get a hug?"

Hi, girl she'd talked to once before.