Catra leaned over the sink, her head down, breathing deeply. Her body was shaking slightly as she tried to calm herself down, focusing on slowing her thoughts. Something was happening, deep inside that scared her. It made her stomach fall into itself.
She tightened her grip, claws digging into the edges of the metal sink. Anxiety rose in her chest, catching in her throat. She glanced up slowly, making eye contact with her reflective self, her usual slit irises enlarged due to her distress.
This isn't right. This isn't fair.
Her eyes glistening as tears began to form. Anger and hate towards herself and these emotions exploded suddenly and she scratched the mirror, claws extended as much as possible; anything to cover up the shame of seeing her own face.
The bathroom was dark, a tiny sliver of light slipped through the window, the mechanical lights outside giving the room a slightly warmer glow. Catra preferred it like this, revelled in it most days, however it did little to calm her today.
Metal screeched across the floor as the door was shoved open. Catra hissed, startled by the intruder at the door, the hairs on her skin standing on edge.
"Geez, its fucking dark in here."
Bright lights flickered on above them and Catra could see Lonnie leaning against the now closed door.
"Hmm, figures it'd be you," Lonnie snickered.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Catra said, her eyes narrowing and arms tightly crossed.
"Ha, nothing," Lonnie moved closer to Catra, a nasty smile stretching across her face, "So, let me guess, another long conversation with Shadow Weaver? You know, if you keep acting this way, she's gonna have to get rid of you. I wonder what would happen to you then."
Catra exhaled angrily, breaking eye contact and storming towards the door, elbowing Lonnie as she passed her.
"Aha, running away again. You're pathetic, Catra."
Catra grabbed the handle, yanking the door open, keeping her back to Lonnie.
"Fuck you, Lonnie."
The hallway she exited onto was beginning to fill with other students and Horde soldiers. Catra stuck close to the walls, still writhing in anger at everything Lonnie had said.
A hand grabbed her arm and what felt like a shockwave of electricity coursed through her body. She turned her head to find herself face-to-face with Adora. Shit.
"Catra," Adora said, wearing a serious expression, her sapphire eyes shining in the fluorescent hallway lights. Catra could feel her heart attacking her ribs as her heart rate increased.
"Hey, Adora," Catra smirked, hiding her anxiety as well as she could.
"You skipped Gym again."
"So, what? It's not like I need the training," Catra replied, shaking off Adora's hand.
"Seriously, Catra, you have to be more respon-"
"Yeah, yeah," Catra exclaimed, cutting her off, "I'm sure you have more than enough training for the both of us."
Catra winked at Adora, who broke her harsh manner with a soft chuckle.
"You're such an idiot," Adora sighed, smiling. She grabbed Catra's arm again and pulling her forward, "Well, you're not missing Weapons Training; I'm making sure of it."
Catra exhaled dramatically but followed behind anyway, smiling slightly at Adora's persistence.
"What do you even do when you ditch? It's not like we can leave the fright zone."
The bell rang, indicating the start of next period.
"Oh, Adora. A girl's gotta have her secrets."