ODETTE | MOETTI

"WAKEY WAKEY ODEY baby."

My eyes fluttered open for a few moments but slipped shut when I only found darkness.

Sleep didn't have a chance of dragging me back into slumber-land because the voice was at it again, this time accompanied by a shake. My brows furrowed before I forced my eyes to open again.

This time I was nose-to-nose with my cousin.

"Odey you up?"

I rolled onto my side, away from her questions. It was difficult to fumble together an intelligible response while I gripped onto the slippery tugs of sleep.

What I managed was, "It's black outside so no."

It was so dark I'd missed her face when I'd opened my eyes before; it was definitely not time to be awake.

"But I'm hungry." She draped herself over me so I could feel her weight press onto the dip of my waist. "Come with me downstairs please?"

The thought of leaving my warm, comfy bed felt rank.

"Go on your own."

It was silent for a moment in the dorm and my ears could only catch the vauge snoring of our roommates.

I thought she'd given up when she whispered more quietly, "I asked if Neo could meet me in the kitchens so we could talk but I'm too scared to go on my own."

Her admittance squeezed my heart and I let out a long groan. I could never say no to her, especially not to that.

"Why couldn't you ask him to meet you at a normal time you plonker?" I grumbled into my pillow, savouring the warmth before I'd have to depart from it.

She knew I'd given in and wrapped my blobbed form in a hug. "Love you Odey."

No matter how disgruntled I felt, I murmured the phrase back. "Love you too Les. I'm always here for you."

I turned around so I could see her face— or as much of it as I could in the low light.

"But could you really not have arranged it for. . ." I glanced over her shoulder at my bedside clock. "Two AM?"

She shrugged but the purse to her lips told me she'd been thinking the same.

"Plus you haven't even told me the story between you and Mr Flirty-pants but here you are asking me for help with your escapades."

"Oh my giddy aunt." She covered her face with her hands as she whined. "This is not an escapade."

I hummed and tried to keep my eyes from falling shut. "You keep telling yourself that hun."

In a completely unwarranted move, she yanked my covers off me and left me vulnerable to the outside air. I groaned and hid my face in my crossed arms in a last attempt to stay warm when something soft landed on my back.

"Pop that on, I've already grabbed your flats. The sooner we're there, the sooner you'll be back in bed."

I squinted my eyes at her and heaved one last sigh before sitting up. She'd tossed me my favourite weighted parka and I slipped it over he head with no hesitation. True to her word, she had my black flats dangling from her fingers.

Forced to be lucid, I looked over her with my better adjusted eyes and found her in her pj's and slippers too. She'd thrown on a dressing gown and her braids into a bun. I didn't bother pulling off my red bonnet and took the flats from her so my feet were no longer naked.

I was as ready as I'd ever be. I yawned as I stood up and grabbed my cover from where Lesedi had thrown it over her bed and tugged it back over mine.

"Alright, we can go."

She grinned before tugging my arm towards the door and I held in my eye roll.

She owed me big time.

The walk to the kitchens constituted of Lesedi bearing my body weight while I leaned against her. I was drowsy, no doubt about it. I wasn't used to being roused awake outside of my routine.

It was a miracle I hadn't fallen down the stairs.

Since the chandelier lights used sensors, we weren't walking in pitch black. Well, we weren't walking in bright light either, rather the low setting all bulbs in the building shifted too once it past eight in the evening. It lowered the possibility of us being spotted if we crossed paths with security at least.

There wasn't necessarily a rule against wandering after-hours, but it was highly discouraged. I, personally, didn't want to explain to my parents why I was wandering the school in the middle of the night. They'd come with their own conclusion no matter what I said and it wouldn't turn out well for me.

Unsurprisingly, the Kitchen wing was darker than when we'd last been here. I half-wondered if Neo had shown up yet as I glanced at Lesedi. Her free hand fiddled with the knot that held her dressing gown closed. My eyebrows furrowed.

Why was she trying so hard to pretend she wasn't bothered?

I shook my head to myself and stopped walking before we reached the doors. Due to our linking elbows, she came to a stop too. She brought her gaze to mine then looked away. I hummed.

"What?"

I waited till she met my eyes again to speak.

"Why's this got you in bits, Les?" I gave her hand a squeeze as I whispered. "He hasn't done owt bad to you, has he?"

She shook her head before I'd even finished the question. "No, no, no. Not at all. He's actually. . .he's actually. . ."

I tried to remain patient and not let my worry harden my tone. "He's what?"

"He's actually a solid guy. . . More than solid even." Her voice was soft, as if she'd only just came to the realisation.

I felt something in my bone relax at that.

I wouldn't need to injure one of the school's basketballers then.

"I'm glad he's not a creep." I gave her hands a small squeeze. "If he ever does try owt, tell me and I'll be on him."

She giggled quietly but I could see the tension leave her body. "Thanks Odey."

"Anything for you Les." I reached up to pinch her cheeks before stepping back so she didn't have a chance to fight me. "Let's get going to your rendezvous location."

She ughed and shoved me a little while I laughed. "I'll rendezvous you in a minute if you don't shut up."

"I guess your lover-boy has competition."

I chuckled at her indignant huffs as she stomped off ahead. But the quietness of her footsteps made my eyes dip to her bunny slippers.

What a cutie.

I followed her and kept my thoughts to myself.

As we neared the kitchen doors, I strained my ears for any sounds inside. A sense of de-ja vu washed over me at the masculine chatter on the edge of my hearing. This time round though, when I reached Lesedi's side, she didn't hesitate to push open the door.

"All you have to do is be yourself, be who God created you as. There's something special about you and she'll come to realise that herself, you don't need to force it."

I couldn't catch her eyes at Grey-Eye's words that we were now able to hear. He was speaking to Neo, that much was obvious, but the snippet sounded like he was comforting him. As if Neo felt just as nervous as Lesedi and needed the same reassurance.

I caught her shoulders swell and drop with a deep breath before she walked into the space. I trailed after her, hoping she knew I was in her corner no matter what happened.

What I first noticed about the boys in the low lighting of the kitchens was their outfits. It was almost comical how closely Neo's outfit matched Lesedi's. He had his own dark blue gown and the same color bonnet that protected his locs. Rather than bunnies covering his feet he had sonic slippers. I had to hide my smile behind my hand when I noticed the eyes would blink with each step he took.

It didn't take long for my eyes to drift to Grey-Eyes as he leaned against a counter and rolled his eyes at his friend's words. A baggy shirt draped his torso but the short sleeves did nothing to hide his biceps. I noticed the veins that trickled down to his wrists before I forced myself to look away. His shirt matched his plaid pyjama bottoms and fluffy slippers. I was surprised to see they matched Neo's.

Awe what a pair.

"Ah! We've been joined by our long-awaited guests!" He looked slightly embarrassed at what we'd managed to overhear, but not enough for it to dampen his greeting.

It remained exuberant and managed to pull a tired smile from my lips while Lesedi hushed him. ( Though I didn't miss the curls to her own lips. )

"Why don't you say that even louder next time, I don't think you woke up enough students." I knew she'd meant for it to come out dry, but her affection dulled the edge.

Still, her words garnered a nod from Grey-Eyes as he levelled his stare onto his friend. "That's what I've been saying. If I didn't know better, I'd say he wants us to get caught."

His voice was different to what I'd expected. It was more gravelly with a lilt I associated with Ireland. It made me curious about where exactly; I was less familiar with Irish accents than I wanted to be.

Neo wore a sheepish smile before defending himself but my eyes drifted back to Grey-Eyes. He hadn't noticed my arrival yet but it meant he hadn't caught my wandering gaze.

Unlike last time, my impending interaction with him and Neo didn't swamp me with fear.  Sure I was nervous, like I always was, but my mind wasn't speeding off and jumping to every scenario that could play out depending on my words. Or then again, maybe that was down to how tired I was.

I couldn't even pretend to be invested in the conversation bouncing off my ears. I'd just finished yawning when I noticed Grey-Eyes' gaze on me. Heat crawled up my neck and I hoped my face hadn't looked weird. I was in the middle of imagining it from his point of view when he lifted a hand at me. Amongst my embarrassment and fatigue it took me far too long to realise he was waving at me.

An unfamiliar pleased feeling crested in my chest. I didn't even realise I was smiling until those two pink spots on his cheeks appeared. I had to hide it behind a hand while I used the other to wave back. Something in my frame softened at the tugging up of his lips.

Our introverted exchange couldn't go on for much longer when Neo led him over to us. "This here is Kaede Hayashi. Looks like a big, grumpy bastard, is actually a softie."

Kaede? Where had I heard that name before?

He escaped Neo's hold and his eyes slipped over to me before going back to his friend. "You need to stop introducing me like that."

"You're gonna have to settle for it, unless you start introducing yourself first mate."

Kaede just glared at him and I had to stifle my laugh. I clearly wasn't doing a good job when everyone turned to me.

Lesedi discreetly elbowed me with a raised eyebrow as if to say, "Your turn."

Oh.

I tried to not overthink it and forced out a quiet, "I'm Odette Moetti, Lesedi's cousin."

I didn't know where to look so settled on Lesedi and her encouraging smile.

"I don't think I introduced myself to you last time we saw each other, I apologise. It's nice to meet you — again — the name's Neo Moseki." He stuck a hand out for me to shake and something about his aura made me feel comfortable.

Still, I could only think to copy his words. "It's nice to meet you too."

His handshake was firm and he nodded to himself before tapping his chin in thought. "You sure you're not a "looks like a big meanie, is really a softie" like Kaede too? I only say this because those are the only people he can stand— take me for example."

He flexed his biceps and I burst out laughing. His grin reassured me that he was only joking. That and the gentle charm to him told me he was easy-going and didn't take things too seriously. Especially if he could poke fun at himself— and Kaede's and Lesedi's groans told me this was a regular occurrence.

My cousin sighed and padded over to the fridge beside the counter Kaede was just leaning against to get some grapes. "I see your jokes haven't gotten any better over the summer."

"I worked hard on them just for you, what are you talking about." His faux rolled eyes made my lips twitch as Kaede shook his head.

"The only thing you worked hard on was making terrible money choices."

Once she'd joined my side, Lesedi held out the tub of purple grapes she'd found as we watched the two interact.

"There's nothing terrible about buying bath bombs K." He sniffed and looked him up and down.

"There is when you buy five crates of them." Kaede's deadpan response had the two of us choking on our grapes— especially when Neo spluttered and couldn't form an argument.

We had to pat each other hard on the back but our hits were nowhere near coordinated. The fact that they were so off target only made the situation that much funnier. The boys had stopped talking to look at us in concern. I felt tears pooling in my eyes as Lesedi croaked but we were still breathless with laughter.

"Now look at what you did K."

"What I did? Are you a muppet? Are you sure they're not just laughing at your poor decisions?"

I only just started breathing normally when Neo harrumphed. "I distinctly remember wanting to have a chat with a certain someone, not be bullied by my supposed best friend. Get."

"Whatever." Was Kaede's response as he walked away from him.

Still recovering from the lack of oxygen, I realised too late what Neo's words meant. I stringed together the meaning when Lesedi left my side to head in his direction; the two of them would leave Kaede and I to ourselves for their private chat. Granted, they weren't that far away— the sink was ten meters away at most.

But it still meant I'd have to interact with him on my own.

My eyes slipped to Kaede and where he busied himself with rooting through one of the cupboards on my right. I glanced between the pair already engaged in their hushed chat and Kaede who'd located an apple. A corner to his lips had quirked up and I found myself replicating the expression at his simpleness before taking a deep breath.

He wouldn't be annoyed if I headed over to him would he?

Regardless of my fretting, I forced myself to head to him. It would be more weird if I was stood by myself doing nothing than if I approached him.

I just hoped he'd be fine with it.

"Hi?" There was no way I could make the quiet greeting not sound like a question.

His silvers struck mine and his Adam's apple bobbed. I couldn't tell if it was surprise that had him swallowing the bite of fruit in his mouth or if he didn't need to chew that much. I tried not to stare at the tanned expanse any longer as I felt his eyes trace my face.

He cleared his throat a little but he sounded more raspier than before, "Hey."

I couldn't take being under the full force of his greys. I looked away and fiddled with my parka sleeves, suddenly self-conscious about my attire. I doubted that I pulled off nightwear as well a he did and his unwavering stare didn't help silence my thoughts. Not while I was hyperaware of the bonnet on my head and how my parka was large enough to drown me.

"Um, I've heard that Neo's on the basketball team, are you on it too?"

It was difficult to find something to say with my cluttered mind. I didn't know much about him but the best place to start was with the basics.

Kaede didn't seem to mind as he put a pause on his munching to respond.  "Yeah I'm on the team. . ."

He trailed off and I had an inkling he had more to say. I hummed to let him know I was listening and gave him a chance to speak his mind if he wanted.

One of the worst things in a social situation was feeling like there was a time limit on your response. It caused me to rush my words and be more harsh on myself afterwards. If I couldn't cope with it, I definitely wouldn't subject others to the same thing.

"I'm the captain this year actually." He smiled a little after admitting it, like the fact was still unbelievable.

The word "captain" triggered my memory for where I'd heard his name before. From Jae a few days ago when Aerona was trying to figure out if anyone in the group knew any ballers.

"He's captain of the basketball team this year and a family friend. . . And ex-boyfriend."

He was Jae's ex.

My eyes rested on him in the revelation and I almost felt guilty for what I'd been thinking about him.

I tried to push my feelings to the side to focus on the present. "Congrats on, um, getting the position, you must be really happy."

He dropped the apple core in a nearby bin as he let out a low chuckle. "Yeah, something like that."

Well at least it didn't seem like he was completely against it like Jae.

Hi gaze shifted back to mine. "What sports d'you do?"

The question half-comforted, half-surprised me. Meeting students who didn't know who I was was rare. Yes it threw me off, but it meant our interaction, would be built on a blank slate. That I was talking to someone who didn't have any preconceived notions about me. That I wasn't being trialled against whatever they'd heard about me. That they'd learn about me, from me.

It reminded me that I could still find freedom in my existence not revolving around my swimming career.

"I'm a, uh, swimmer." I tried not to fidget as we skirted the truth.

If he hadn't made the link yet between me and Odette Moetti the school's swimmer, I wasn't going to help him get there. I didn't want to see someone's behaviour change for the umpteenth time.

"Do you want an apple?"

The random question drew my eyes to him. His ringed thumb was pointing to the cupboard he'd gotten his fruit from.

"You seem antsy, I didn't know if you wanted one but I was in the way and you didn't know how to ask me to move." His ramble was paired with averted eyes but it calmed my mind, gave me some comfort.

I wasn't the only one who overthought or worried in social scenarios.

He was a little like me.

Some part of me loosened as I shook my head. "Thanks for being so considerate, but I'm not too hungry. Those apples do look good though."

I thought he would leave the swimming conversation there, and pursue a different topic but he surprised again me by asking, "What's your fave stroke?"

The majority of people's interest when it came to me and swimming was my career. It wasn't seen as a recreational activity now I had a name, image, legacy attached to it. But here Kaede was asking me questions that had nothing to do with my progress.

My lips curved up a little, "It's a bit controversial, but butterfly."

Of all things, I wasn't expecting for him to smile at me. It was almost like he wasn't aware of it. It softened the hard lines to his face and caused his cheeks to form barely-there apples. Those sharp eyebrows of his had eased and it brightened his whole countenance.

He had a face that was meant to smile.

"I get what you mean."

His eyes clashed with mine and, for a moment, my breath caught as I thought he was responding to my thoughts. I bit on my lip and tried to ignore the thudding in my chest to focus on his words.

"Personally, I'm trash at the stroke, but I do love it."

I couldn't help but snort at the unusual sentiment. People usually hated it and couldn't do it.

"How come?"

He looked away as he admitted, "I usually use breaststroke but my nana absolutely loves it. I can't hate something that makes her so happy."

The softness to his words as rubbed his neck, nearly had me awing. Clearly, she meant a lot to him and it was always nice to hear a guy express his fondness for his loved ones.

I couldn't shed the lift to my lips. "As a Butterfly stan, I can confirm it does cheer me up."

"It makes me feel like I'm dying, but I feel you."

His drab tone made me hide a laugh behind my hand. I didn't miss the way the corners of his eyes creased at the sound and the corners of his mouth flick upwards.

The conversation couldn't go on for longer when Neo slapped his hands on Kaede's shoulders. "What's this about dying? You know you can't leave me Kae-bae— not without a smooch at least."

Kae-bae?

I almost missed Neo's joke as I noticed how broad the basketball captain's shoulders were. They looked like they were built from many hours in the gym and they tapered to his waist. I quickly caught myself gawping and mentally cringed at myself for doing so to Jae's ex.

I glanced up in time to see Kaede roll his greys, seemingly used to Neo's antics. I didn't have time to sat anything when Lesedi joined my side with a giggle. She looped her arms with mine and I squinted my eyes at her in a non-verbal question.

The ease in her browns combined with her lax form told me yes, she was alright. It was more than enough to settle my mind— even whilst the boys dissolved into another row. I guessed Neo's joke had triggered it, that or he really had laid a smacker on Kaede's cheek by the way he was rubbing hard at the area.

"Never ask me for emotional support ever again you dope, I won't help you."

"Aw come on, let's not lie to each other."

On the edge of my hearing, I caught some footsteps approaching us. The grin to my face faltered and I looked to Les to see if she'd heard it too. Her furrowed brows told me she had. However, the boys were none the wiser and before either of us could shush them, a loud voice came from outside.

"This is security guard Bruce, everyone come on out. You kids know you aren't allowed in the kitchens, especially after-hours. You've got ten seconds before I radio for more guards."

Oh no.

EL SPEAKS !
heloooo sorry for the late update my dad took my phone 💀 im on my ipad rn so if theres any spag errors please tell me 🙏🏽🙏🏽😭

but ANYWAYS what do you think?? be ready for more pookie moments next chap 🤭 its where the snippet from the act 1 chapter is from

VOTE and COMMENT to show me you want more cute scenes like this. 😍 love yous all and hope yous have had a good day 🫶🏽 you can always rant to me if it wasn't 😠❤️

( posted; 28/04/24 )