Chapter 8 – The Fight for Freedom

Catra

There was a brief silence after the blonde apologized to her and, in all honesty, it was awkward.

Sure, the blonde apologized and seemed to understand her, but it still felt weird being there with her.

"Well, thank you again for listening to me. I hope we can be friends from now on." The taller girl spoke, her tone nervous and her face with a fading blush.

"Sure, but…" She stopped abruptly, not knowing if it would be good to tell the other girl that she had just come to college in order to drop out and never come back. It was not the kind of conversation she would like to have with her. Or more like, with anyone right now.

"Hey, it's okay, I get it. It might be hard for you to think of me as a friend after the way I acted yesterday. Don't worry. We can be just… acquaintances, or something like that." Adora scratched her neck while looking at everything but her, an expression of sadness on her face, and she felt a little bad about it. That was not what she meant, she just… wasn't ready to talk about herself with other people. It felt wrong, even if she knew it was just a thought her parents had implanted on her and there was actually nothing wrong about telling someone else how your life is going or how some things makes you feel. And so, she gave it a try.

"That's not it. It's just… I just came here today because I'm dropping out. I'm… doing something else with my life and being friends would be kind of weird since I don't think we will be seeing each other very much." Her words came out quickly and she felt a rush through her body, as if she was doing something she shouldn't do.

As the words left her mouth, a feeling of freedom also engulfed her mind. Nothing mattered now. What if her parents found out about her discussing her life with someone else? They could go and fuck themselves. They couldn't and, she knew that very well, they wouldn't care now. She was her own person and it was amazing.

"Really!?" The surprised blonde in front of her brought her back to reality.

"Yeah. I never really liked this career and I was just doing it for my parents." Well, a little lie there wouldn't hurt. Even if she was more willing to talk about herself now, that didn't mean she would tell Adora the story of her life in five minutes.

"Oh, well… That's good then. You have to do whatever makes you happy." A warmth spread through her chest at hearing the taller girl. It felt good how she didn't judge her as she had unconsciously expected, but at the same time, it arose a question: was she desperate for approval? She never had it and it felt really nice right then. She almost wanted to keep talking to the blonde to see if she would approve of some other things about her. God! Her parents really did make a number on her. She was messed up. "But I mean, we could still be friends if you want." She was again taken out of her thoughts. "You know, I have lunch with a couple of friends every Sunday, maybe you could join us this week. If you want, obviously. Don't feel pressured or anything." The girl chuckled nervously and she couldn't help but giggle at that. What could have happened to her yesterday to make her so stressed and angry? She seemed like a goofball now. Then again, not everyone had a happy, easy life and she was pretty sure the blonde didn't, if the bags under her eyes and her previous behavior told her something.

"I wouldn't like to intrude and… honestly, I'm not that good at… talking…" She started speaking with confidence that quickly died as she continued. She had said that without thinking and now she was embarrassed, not used to showing that weak side of her.

"Don't worry. My friends are nice and I swear I will never yell at you again. Besides, we're not really that good at talking either. We mostly complain about life and talk about how one day we will be successful people. It's kind of silly, to be honest." It was obvious to her that Adora was rambling without thinking, a thing that made her giggle again. "But like I said, don't feel pressured. It would be nice to have you there, but I wouldn't like for you to do something you don't want to do." And that got her thinking about herself again.

When she first started college, one of her short term goals had been to make friends. Real friends, not the acquainted rich kids she had to put up with at every event she attended with her family. It was difficult, of course. She had so much shit already installed in her mind she instantly judged people without thinking and she knew she sometimes spoke those nasty words out loud. Her most recent memory of that was with the blonde in front of her, when she accidentally said something she didn't want to and that, ultimately, resulted in a huge introspection where she learned that she hates herself more than she thought before. Would it be cool to try and make friends with Adora and her friends? What if she said something awful again? But then again, she couldn't live the rest of her life in fear. She needed to move forward. She was now free to do, say and think whatever she wanted. She needed to take risks.

"Okay… if you're sure I'm not imposing…" She said shyly, looking at the table as if it was the most interesting object in the world while trying not to look at the girl in front of her. There was a little voice inside her head telling her everything would go wrong, but she did her best to silence it.

"Nonsense. I wouldn't invite you otherwise." She heard movement coming from the blonde's seat and she raised her head a little, watching her taking out her phone from her backpack. "Why don't you give me your number and I can text you the details later. I mean, we say we get together for lunch, but we just have breakfast some times and even dinner so… yeah…" The girl rambled again, earning another giggle from her. Could she be doing that on purpose? It felt genuine and she liked that. It seemed like she really had a big misunderstanding regarding the blonde's personality.

"Sure…" And so, she hesitantly gave her the number. Crippling, almost unconscious fear aside.

After all, she was basically starting a new life. She couldn't get stuck with what she already knows and thinks. This was her opportunity to really know the world her father complains about so much. What if she got hurt? She would cross that bridge once she got there. Right now, she just wanted to try everything she had never tried before because of the jerks that controlled her life. She was sure it couldn't get any worse than that.

Adora

When she got home that night, she felt like she was floating on cloud nine.

Not only had she been able to solve her little squabble, she had also made a new friend. A very cute new friend. It was weird how she didn't notice her cuteness way before. Maybe because of how chaotic her life had been recently, but now that she spoke to her for a while, she couldn't think about anything else. Okay, that was maybe too dramatic. She did think that the girl is cute, but she doesn't have a crush or anything. Maybe she was just overly excited about that development.

"That's a smile I like to see. I take it everything went well?" Her grandma asked her as soon as she got to the living room where she was watching TV on the old couch. She sat beside her and sighed in relief.

"You were right, like usual. It went so well I made a new friend. A new, cute friend" She spoke with happiness as her grandma put her hand in her arm and shook it with a giggle.

"No. You were right, I just told you why. Now, tell me more about this cutie. I want to hear every detail. Your love life gossip is what gives me strength to keep living!" They both laughed at the old woman's comment before she answered.

"It's not like that. I mean, she is cute, but we're just going to be friends." Her grandma turned the TV off to focus completely on her.

"Oh, of course. That's why you remarked the word 'cute' when you told me you had a new friend." She giggled nervously at Razz's words.

"Because she is cute, but that's it. I'm not looking for a relationship right now and we're just friends." The woman shook her head in disapproval as she hummed.

"I don't buy it. I've heard that before with a certain girl. I know you just ended things up with her, but that doesn't mean you have to wait years before finding someone else. You never know when it comes to love. You just need to give it a try and hope that it won't end like it did with that girl, Lonnie." She couldn't help but giggle at the enthusiasm her grandma showed when talking about love.

"I get it, but we're just friends. I think… I messed up and we patched things up. It's too early to think about something else. Physical attraction is not everything." She said trying to finish that subject, but of course, her stubborn grandma was not over yet.

"That's right, but bread is not the only thing that feeds the man. We need meat." A loud cackle escaped her mouth at her grandma's words.

"Razz, you naughty woman!" She spoke after laughing and the woman at her side just shrugged her shoulders.

"It's the truth, dear. You're a young, healthy woman. No one can blame you for getting horny. Especially if the girl is really cute. Casual sex is not a bad thing." Another laugh came out and she hugged her grandma tightly.

"I wish you could live forever. I would be really lost if I ever lose you." Her grandma hugger her too and she rested her head on the woman's shoulder.

"What are you talking about? I'm barely in my eighties. I'm just as young as you are." They both giggled a little. "Besides, I know you wouldn't be lost. Just look at what you did today. You had a problem, found a solution and solved it by yourself. You're already a very capable woman. I should be the one scared. One of these days I will be too much and you will end up throwing me into a retirement home." Her grandma caressed her left cheek with one of her hands and she took said hand in hers.

"I would never do that. You're all I have." The woman suddenly broke the hug, startling her a little.

"Come on, let's not get sad now." Her grandma took her cane and stoop up quickly. "I woke up with a lot of energy today and I baked some pie. Let's go have some while we keep talking about that cute girl that just became your friend." She giggled and stood up too, following her grandma.

After having dinner, they both went to sleep, but before doing so, she checked her phone to see if she had any new texts. She didn't check it during college so she had a few from her friends.

Softy: Are we getting together this Sunday? I want to hear all the new office gossip you have.

DramaQueen: Sure. I just hope I don't get too much homework so that we can stay longer than last time.

Softy: Same. I swear, college is awful.

DramaQueen: Is 12 okay for everyone?

Softy: Am or pm?

DramaQueen: Am. I'm taking you both to an alien orgy.

DramaQueen: Of course 12pm! It's lunch, Bow.

Softy: That's why Adora has your number saved as DramaQueen.

DramaQueen: That's because she wants to die young.

DramaQueen: I'm not a drama queen.

Softy: Of course not, miss alien orgy.

DramaQueen: Fuck you.

She laughed as she read the small conversation her friends had before she answered anything. Were all friends as weird as they were? Well, if Catra was going to join them, she might find out.

"12 is okay by me. Is it okay if I bring another friend with me?" She replied quickly, letting her phone on her bed to change into her pajamas (which were really just her underwear and an old shirt). Once she did, she turned off the light of her little room and sat on her bed to see if she got an answer already.

Softy: Sure. I hope said friend is as cute as the last friend you brought. But without the cheating, of course. You deserve as much.

DramaQueen: OMG! You made a new friend and you haven't told me?

DramaQueen: I swear Adora, you need to stop being afraid of what everyone would think of you so we can have lunch together at work.

Softy: Why are you the one complaining? I don't even work with you! I have to wait a whole week to see how you're doing.

"It's not like that, Bow. And I haven't told any of you because it just happened today" She replied quickly, lying on her bed to get ready to sleep.

DramaQueen: Okay then, I will let it slide, but my point still stands. Stop being afraid to tell people about our friendship!

DramaQueen: I'm really tired of eating lunch with my dad. The kind of food he eats is… ew!

Softy: It was funny when he hunt down that grasshopper to eat it. Best sleepover ever.

DramaQueen: Ugh, don't even remind me of that.

DramaQueen: I love him but he's just so weird sometimes.

DramaQueen: But whatever. We're having lunch together tomorrow, Adora. You need to start living your life without worrying about what others think.

"Okay mom, I know you're doing it for my sake even if I wouldn't like that. Thank you, mom." She replied between giggles.

DramaQueen: Jesus Freaking Christ!

DramaQueen: I hope this new friend of yours is not as dumb as you both.

"Don't worry mom, she's fine, but I will let it up to you to decide if I can be friends with her." She could imagine her friend's face at that moment. Drama as usual. And so, she couldn't help but giggle again.

DramaQueen: I swear I'm gonna slap you in front of the whole office tomorrow!

"Please don't, mom. I gotta go sleep. See ya'" Without waiting for an answer, she locked her phone and left it on the nightstand.

Even if her day had been tiring, she couldn't really sleep. She was weirdly overexcited about her new friend. She even thought about texting her right then and telling her when they would get together, but at the same time, she knew she really needed to sleep. Only God knows what her boss would have waiting for her tomorrow and, if Glimmer was really going to make her eat lunch with her, it could be a very tiring day so, trying to dissipate her thoughts, she closed her eyes and went to sleep, hoping for better days to come.

Hey! I'm finally back again.

It's been a chaotic month for me, but it's almost over.

Anyway; Now things are starting to actually move forward.

There's just one thing I want to be clear about: I mentioned sex in this chapter, but I don't really have plans to write something like that in this story. I had a lot of fun when I did it on my previous fic, "Pentagram", but I don't feel like this one needs the spiciness. What I do have to warn you about right now is that, in chapters to come, we will be dealing with panic attacks, internalized homophobia and some other things that I will be sure to warn you again before they pop up in the story.

I hope you're enjoying this as much as I am enjoying writing it! I'll try to post the next chapter as soon as I can.

Also: I wrote this chapter while listening to "Manowar" and the title comes from their song "The Fight for Freedom."