Ride or Die
Chapter 12: Action and Inaction
From the very first sighting she'd had of Katara, she had hated her from the very depths of her being. Why she had this hatred, Rika wasn't quite sure. Until that one particular summer night, the only knowledge she'd had about the young woman was that she was Aang's ex-girlfriend and that things had ended badly between them.
Typically, Rika knew there were two sides to every story. The only information she'd learned from Aang was that he'd gotten out of a long-term relationship a few months prior, and the split had been not just painful, but soul-shattering and gut-wrenching. Out of respect, she hadn't pressed Aang for any details.
Rika knew how very personal relationships could vary from one person to the next, and perhaps Aang had taken the breakup harder than Katara had. Outwardly, Rika acted cooly towards Aang's recounting of what had happened, the little information he did divulge. But deep inside, Rika was morbidly curious.
One Sunday afternoon, all of her questions had been answered. She'd made friends with a young woman named Meng, the pair bonding over a shared love of Glossier makeup and Lush haircare products. Over a long conversation at the Jasmine Dragon, Meng had laid bare everything that had occurred six months prior at a New Year's party.
How Katara had not only pursued her boyfriend Jai but that the pair had disappeared together for an extended period. Without glossing over any details, Meng recounted the ensuing brawl between Aang and Jai, and how Zuko's house had been trashed beyond recognition.
As Meng had finished retelling the story, a fresh wave of disgust and hatred for Katara had befallen her. Who on Earth could have betrayed Aang in such a manner? Only the filthiest of slags, Rika rationalized. But further, Rika had questioned Meng on why she'd taken Jai back after the fallout.
To that question, Meng had simply shrugged. She loved Jai and wouldn't blame him for anything. By Meng's recounts, Katara had pursued Jai and was a homewrecker.
The following week, to get a text message of Aang and Katara locking lips in her car only served to confirm as much. Not only had the bitch tried to ruin Meng's relationship, but had managed to ruin her own with Aang.
There wasn't enough space for them both in Harbor City, and she's vowed to run Katara out.
Sitting outside of the coffee shop, Rika exhaled and squeezed her eyes shut. Flipping down the visor, she pulled her sunglasses down the bridge of her nose, inspecting the purple welt growing on the crest of her cheekbone. The mark was disgusting and disfiguring, marring her otherwise flawless complexion.
Just as he had intended it to be, she thought bitterly as she flipped the visor back up.
Without the sunglasses to hide it, Rika would have sunken into herself and hidden in her house until it healed. She couldn't stand to be seen in such a mess. Squeezing her eyes shut for a final time, Rika brushed her hands over her cheeks, pushing the salty tears away.
As she pushed the car door open and slid out of the sedan, Rika drew in a deep breath to center herself. At this point, there was no one else she could go to. If Meng were to truly know the source of her disfigurement, their friendship would be over.
Pushing open the glass door to the cafe, Rika entered, chest tight as she caught sight of Katara. For a moment, Katara was distracted by a few customers placing orders. This would be the perfect moment to slide into a seat and wait. She would wait for the customer to order and leave. That was it.
She couldn't stand the thought of anyone else learning the truth of what had happened.
Watching the time on her smartwatch, Rika feigned interest in whatever app she was using on her phone. Drawing her eyes upwards, Rika watched out of the corner of her eyes as the customer left, leaving her and Katara alone in the cafe.
Standing from the wooden bench seat, Rika pocketed her phone and approached the register.
"Hey! What can I get-" Katara's words fell short as she looked at the young woman.
All of the pre-rehearsed words and statements Rika had prepared for herself suddenly disappeared. Her mind went numb as she registered Katara's reaction to her, the brief flicker of recognition and disgust on her face before settling into a neutral look.
"Um... a tall latte with foam."
Quickly and expertly, Katara rang up the order, took her payment, and prepared the drink. The exchange was awkward and stunted. Within a matter of minutes, Rika had her drink in hand and Katara had returned to her duties.
Taking a small, measured sip of the latte, Rika lingered next to the bar. What could she say? How could she just open with, 'I know what happened because it happened to me too.'
She wanted to tell her, 'I'm so sorry... for everything.' But she stopped herself, rationalizing that this was no time to crumble. They hadn't even exchanged a friendly greeting.
Pushing the sunglasses put the bridge of her nose, Rika set the latte onto the top of the bar. "Katara?"
The young woman let out a huff as she placed an empty blender down. This was not going well.
"Yeah, Rika?"
Internally, Rika was frantic, bursting with emotion, but kept her face neutral as she looked down at the drink. "I... the drink is wonderful. Thank you."
"I'm glad you like it." Katara's tone was dry as she turned away from Rika, focusing on washing out the blender.
At this point, it was clear Katara was signaling for her to leave. Their transaction was finished and she wanted nothing else to do with her. Cringing, Rika steeled herself. It was now or never.
"I just wanted to apologize..."
The sound of the plastic blender falling into the steel washbasin sent a shock over her system. For a moment, the pair was silent as Katara picked the blender up and turned to face Rika.
"For what? Vandalizing Gyato's car? Don't worry about it, Aang took care of it. We'll just pretend it never happened."
Oh. The car. She'd forgotten about Gyatso's car. Swallowing, Rika's face burned with embarrassment.
"I am sorry about the car... but it's not that."
The look on Katara's face could have sent Rika out of the cafe. The audacity, she imagined.
Filling the space and silence between them, Rika pulled the Ray-Bans off and set them onto the counter.
"What on Earth?" Katara breathed as she dropped the blender for a second time, rushing towards the counter. The splotch of violet pooling under Rika's left eye. It was so similar to the injuries that she'd had.
Painful recognition blossomed in Katara's chest as she stood silent, unable to move or form words.
Without hesitation, Katara was on the opposite side of the bar, pulling Rika into the back room of the cafe. Once behind the door, Katara took hold of Rika's hands.
"Did he do this to you?"
Swallowing hard, memories of the previous night flooded Rika. How she'd stood on her tiptoes, clawing at his fingers, desperate for him to release her. How he'd grabbed a fistful of her hair and yanked her upright. How it's felt like he was ripping the scalp from her skull.
'Stop, please...'
The look of rage in his eyes, how his face had compressed into a hard stare. He'd stared at her for a moment before releasing her.
Swallowing hard, Rika took a step back from Katara, dropping her gaze to the polished concrete flooring. "Yes."
"What a sick piece of shit!"
It was at that moment that both women knew what had to be done. Lies and slander had grossly distorted, only to reveal the truth of what truly had happened, the true nature of things.
Then the silence of the storage room, a strange and silent reconciliation fell over the women. No longer were they enemies, but forever banded together in a distorted, dysfunctional truce.
Katara's sudden arrival at her home had alarmed Suki.
She'd been alerted to her friend's arrival by the sound of brakes squealing and tires crunching on gravel. The quick, harsh knock at her front door had sent her into a panic.
No one bothered her during the day. To have a guest arrive in the early afternoon sent suki into a panic.
After Katara's arrival with Rika in tow, the confusion had only been built before Katara had explained what had occurred. How Jai had attacked Rika the night before in the hidden stretches of Lagoon.
How Meng was still unaware of what had happened. Of how Rika had turned down Jai's advances, only to have her hair ripped from her scalp and a fresh mark be left on her face.
In a daze, Suki had guided them all to her backyard, sitting them down around the pool. Earlier in the day, she'd planned to roll a blunt and to relax with a book. Now she was playing cleanup and domestic abuse advocate.
"Did you go to the police yet?" Suki asked, her tone soft as she placed a hand on Rika's arm.
Shaking her head, Rika slumped forward, bare feet dangling in the lukewarm pool water. Of course, she hadn't gone to the police. Not yet, at least. If she were to go to the police, her friendship with Meng would be over. Not that it counted for much anymore lately, she thought bitterly.
Giving the girl a soft squeeze, Suki stood from the pool. She needed to get Katara alone for a moment.
"Rika, sweetie, stay here. Katara and I will get some drinks real quick."
Pulling Katara up, Suki pulled them both into the kitchen before latching the door shut. "What the fuck?"
Pinching her nose, Katara closed her eyes as she leaned against the door frame. "I know. It's fucking sick. He's a piece of shit."
Suki's reality had forever changed at that moment. To know that Jai had not only gone after Katara but was terrorizing other women made her sick to her stomach. Mind reeling, she moved to the cabinets, frantically pulling out a few glasses.
"Did you file the protective order yet? This is spiraling, Katara. We need to go to the police, like, now."
Licking her lips, Katara frowned. "Aang's uncle took care of that. I was served the notice last week. Jai hasn't bothered me in weeks. I thought..."
Looking out of the window, Katara watched as Rika hugged herself, arms drawn tightly around her small form. A fresh wave of pain and remorse for the young woman overtook her. To see someone else go through what she had broken her.
No one deserved what had happened to them both.
For months, Katara had let the fear of Jai dominate her. She's changed every aspect of her life, had formed her routines and habits around it. The heightened vigilance she had a night when she was alone, the looking over her shoulder constantly. It all stemmed from that one night, that one party.
If only she'd taken him seriously, all those years ago. During high school and her freshman year of college when he'd cornered her in the library. Her long-term inaction, and then sudden action had caused another to be thrust into Jai's path.
No matter the bad blood she and Rika had, Katara was sympathetic to her plight. No one deserved to be beaten, no one deserved what had happened to them.
She'd suffocated her feelings in alcohol, buried her denial, tiptoed around the thinly veiled threats. Her inaction had caused a rift between herself and Aang. They still hadn't spoken since he'd found the pictures of her in the car.
"What should we do, Suki?"
Watching Suki pour a few drinks, Katara was silent as she waited for her answer.
"Call Aang. I'll keep Rika busy. This ends now."