Saturday, October 12th, 2013: Downtown Portland – Riverfront Lodge
"… Hey, Vic."
Two words. That's all it takes for the triumphant smirk to slip from Victoria's face, for her mouth to suddenly go dry. Though to be fair, it's less the words themselves that have this effect on her, and more the way they're said.
It's Max's voice on the other end of the line. The girl Victoria spent weeks pursuing, who she by all rights had expected to be her girlfriend by now. The girl she had been falling in love with, before fate intervened against her like it always seems to do.
But it was the tone of a girl whose entire world had disintegrated around her. Who woke up to find her best friend, the one she was meant to love, dead right in front of her… only to be accused of killing her immediately after. A fact that Victoria had mercilessly rubbed in Max's face in a fit of rage the last time they spoke.
It's almost funny to think that Victoria's cruel words, and the slap that followed, had only happened two short days ago. With everything that's gone down since, it honestly feels like two months at this point. But at the same time, hearing Max's voice again reminds her that the wound in her own heart is still red, and raw, and oozing. Navigating this conversation might be trickier than she thought.
"Hi, Max… how are you holding up?"
The silence on the other end of the line nonetheless speaks volumes. Victoria knows how easily this can devolve into a fight which would be nothing but counter-productive at this point. She hasn't forgiven Max for playing with her heart the way she did, she might not ever be able to, but she at the very least can try to be the bigger person for once in her life.
"Okay, yeah that was a stupid fucking question. Look, I really need to talk to you about something, but first… I'm sorry. What I said about Chloe… that was so fucked up. She didn't deserve that."
"No... she didn't."
Victoria can almost see that same look of anger on Max's face from the moment following the slap, the moment before Victoria ran from Max's room and out of her life. The kind of look that was so uncharacteristic for the seemingly unflappable, impenetrable 'Ice Queen Maxine.'
"But…" Max sighs, "I'm… sorry too. I shouldn't have hit you like that. And, I know it doesn't count for much, but I never meant to hurt you."
Victoria clears the lump that is trying to form in her throat. This… this is actually going a lot better than she thought it would. No shouting, no tears. Neither one of them has cursed the other out and hung up yet. Neither one of their apologies really begin to bridge the lake full of shit between them, but it's probably the best start to this call that she could have hoped for.
"Are you back home?" she asks, opting for small talk while she rebuilds the nerve to drop the bomb that is the reason for her call.
"No… we're staying at a hotel in Bay City right now. The lawyers are trying to work out a deal to let me stay in Seattle until everything is resolved, but since it's across state lines… besides, Helena thinks we should stay close until the charges are filed and I have a bail hearing."
"The charges…?"
"Yeah. Helena thinks murder is off the table, but… they're probably going to charge me with manslaughter, Vic."
"No fucking way!" She's honestly shocked that a charge that serious is even on the table still, with a lawyer as high-profile as Helena Ortiz representing Max. It must be the new DA whatshername trying to win points with the "tough on crime" crowd in her first year on the job. Especially after the scandal of the former DA's daughter running away from home, followed soon thereafter by Mr. Amber being indicted for his involvement with some big time drug dealer.
"I'm surprised you didn't know already. There was an article about… about Chloe in the Gazette today. It didn't mention my name, but it said a current Blackwell Academy student was being investigated… I figured it would be the talk of the school by now."
Fuck. Yeah, even if no one else managed to put two and two together on that one, Courtney absolutely would have talked shit to everyone she can find by now. Yet another thing Victoria will have to apologize for, eventually…
"Oh, no… I mean, I don't know. We've been in Portland since yesterday, so…"
"You and the girls?"
Victoria hesitates, inwardly cursing herself for her slip. She considers brushing it off, but quickly decides against it. She had already said she wasn't going to run from whatever this was between herself and Kate anymore, and if they come out of this weekend as something more than friends, like Victoria is honestly hoping for at this point, everyone else including Max will just have to deal with it.
"No… m-me and Kate…" Victoria stammers, the end result coming out far less confident-sounding than she would have liked.
Good one, Vic! Way to be out and proud, you honestly did a better job with fucking Alyssa.
"…"
She waits to see if there's going to be any kind of response from Max's end, but when it seems that one isn't forthcoming she decides to just cut to the chase. "Yeah, so the…"
"Kate Marsh?"
"Yeah. Look, this is all tied up in why I was calling, are you…"
"Well that sure didn't take long at all."
The caustic tone from the other end of the line definitely gets Victoria's hackles up. "… the fuck is that supposed to mean?"
"You know exactly what I mean. What, did you go straight to her room from mine after we broke up, or did you give it a whole day?"
Okay, this is not how Victoria wanted things to go, but… seriously? Who does this bitch think she even is, having the gall(field) to say something like that after how things went down?
"Umm excuse me, Maxine, but that sounds a whole lot like none of your fucking business. You broke up with me, remember? You lost the right to have an opinion on who I'm spending time with the minute you told me you were…"
"Yeah," Max snaps, though Victoria can catch a hint of hurt showing through the jealousy and irritation in her voice. "I was in love with Chloe, and I kept that from you and that was wrong. But Vic, that whole time I wanted it to be you. I thought if I just tried hard enough, eventually…"
"Eventually my ass! Even if you did come to love me in a month or two or even a year, I'd have always been your second choice and you fucking know it."
"Oh, right, so you're going to keep pretending you didn't have a thing for her the entire time we were together? I sat behind you in photography. I saw the way you looked at her."
This catches her off-guard. Max has her dead to rights on that one, but still… "That… that was different. I honestly didn't know how I was feeling about-"
"Fucking Christ, she was stalking you, Vic…"
"Look, it's more complicated than…"
"… and even after that, no matter what I did you still looked at her like you were just waiting to drop everything and run to her the first chance you got."
"The first chance? Bitch, I had multiple chances and I ran away from her every goddamn time. And you can bet your ass I wish I hadn't, because maybe my life wouldn't be so much of a disaster right now!"
"Well, you didn't have to do me any favors."
"Newsflash, not everything is about you! Whatever was or will be between me and Kate doesn't matter anyway, because the other day on the courtyard I was ready to go all-in with you. And don't you dare try to tell me you were willing to do the same."
"I…"
"I mean, did you even want to kiss me? Or touch me, or even fuck me? Or were you just doing the bare fucking minimum to keep me interested? Jesus Christ, Max, forget loving me… did you even fucking like me? Or was it just my money and family connections you were stringing me along for?"
"That is so not fair, Victoria."
"Isn't it though? Because from here it looks like you played me like a goddamn fiddle. Did you even mean that bullshit you said when you asked me out, or did you hear that Kate invited me to tea and figured you'd swoop in to call first dibs on the Chase meal ticket?"
"First, I absolutely meant what I said that day. You're an amazing photographer. Second, I'm not going to apologize for playing dirty to go after someone I wanted… you taught me that. Setting up Warren…"
"Well forgive me, but if I'd known your one true love was Warren Graham of all people, I wouldn't have…"
"Not the point. You think I'm so dumb that I couldn't figure out why you hooked him up with Stella? We were working on that project together, remember, and you sure as hell made a beeline to the fucking courtyard. How many rolls of film did you use up on Kate and her snuggling at the fountain? Keeping your options open, much?"
"Th-That's not… who else was I supposed to hook him up with? It's not like he had a ton of girls lining up for the chance. Besides, my camera is digital…"
"Uhh, hello? Brooke Scott? I'm new here and even I know she has a thing for him. Just admit it, you didn't like the idea that Kate and Stella could be a thing, so you schemed to get the competition out of the way."
Oh. Now all the stink-eyes and catty comments she's been getting from Scott over the past few weeks make a lot more sense. But who cares, Warren's better off with Stella anyway. Brooke would have eaten his ass alive.
"Fine, you win! Point for Max fucking Caulfield! But sorry to say, me 'scheming' after one date doesn't stack up to being lied to for our entire fucking relationship."
"No? What about putting yourself in between me and Jefferson all the time, or were you just trying to keep him for a back-up too? Or how about inviting me to smoke up before making a move on me, or getting your friends to run interference so you could set up all those perfect 'impromptu' moments…"
"That's called being romantic, asshole!"
"Or a manipulative bitch."
"Oh no you didn't, you hypocritical fucking whore!"
"Insecure skank..."
"YOU'RE GOD DAMN RIGHT I'M INSECURE," Victoria shrieks. "Do you know why? Do you even care how many relationships I blew up out of fucking fear, before you? Before I finally let myself get close enough to tell you that I... I..."
"… Shit. Vic, I..."
"FUCK you, Max."
"... I guess I deserve that."
Another long silence passes between them, only to be broken by Victoria's throat hitching, her breath escaping her lungs in short, violent bursts. Her head is so fucked up right now that it takes her confirming that her cheeks are dry before she realizes she's not crying, but...
"Are… are you laughing at me, right now?!" The voice coming through her phone speaker sounds somewhere between annoyed and flabbergasted.
"No…?" She unconvincingly attempts to hide the laughter in her voice, suddenly struck by how fucking ridiculous this entire conversation must sound. Also the accidental alliteration of "hypocritical whore" and "insecure skank" just caught up with her, and that shit gets her every time.
"Sorry... It's just, for a minute there I couldn't decide if we were both too toxic to have ever even had a chance, or if we totally deserved each other."
The line is quiet for long enough to make Victoria double check that the call didn't get disconnected. But, eventually, she hears Max chuckle.
"Yeah… high school sweethearts we were not, I guess."
"Maybe not…" Victoria swallows hard, trying to take this opportunity to push all the drama and bullshit aside for a minute. "And… maybe I'm not who you love, and you're not who I need, but… that doesn't mean we can't be friends, still."
"You… you still want that? After everything…?" Max's voice right now is the tiniest Victoria has ever heard it.
"Duh. Don't get me wrong, you're still a total fucking bitch…"
"… Gee, thanks…"
"… but you know all my friends. The bitchier the better, I always say."
"Vic… I know you're probably sick of hearing it, but I'm sorry, okay? For everything, I mean. I really didn't want to fight when you called, but hearing that you're having a great weekend shacking up with Kate… I just felt like, in the end you've got what you really wanted. And I've got nothing, because Chloe's gone. All of my friends were yours first, I probably won't even be able to go to Blackwell anymore because everyone will think I'm a murderer, and I'll be lucky if I don't go to fucking prison."
Victoria blinks back the tears that try to prick at her eyes. She was getting so caught up in being mad at Max that she forgot how terrified she must be right now. She's not some cold-blooded killer, for Christ's sake, she's just a teenager at an art school trying to figure things out like everyone else.
"I… I get it. But Max… I still want to be on your side. That's not nothing. And Taylor will come around too, I can already tell she misses you. Courtney might be a tougher sell… she did say something about 'smacking the smug off your busted Taylor Swift-looking ass…'"
"… Real nice…"
"Hey, her words not mine! But, as for the rest… I think you'll be able to come back to Blackwell sooner rather than later. And not as a manslaughterer or whatever. That's actually why I called in the first place… I'm hoping I can help with the whole prison thing."
"I don't understand…? You've already helped so much with bailing me out and recommending a lawyer. Christ, Vic, I'm so grateful for that…"
"This is… something else. Look, this isn't going to make a whole lot of sense at first, so bear with me, okay? When we all met up at the tree on Wednesday, you got there before me right? Do you remember who else was there?"
"Uh, Hayden and Nate, I guess? T and Court were with you. I don't remember when Zach and Logan got there."
"And did anyone give you something to eat or drink?"
"Maybe? That whole day seems kind of hazy right now. I'm sorry, but what does that have to do with…?"
There's really no pussy-footing around this, Victoria decides. Time to bite the bullet. "… Nathan drugged me at the End of the World party."
"…"
"You… still there, Max?"
"… You're joking, right? Vic, if this is a prank or something it's not funny…"
"Trust me, I wish it was. Nate dosed my drink with… with a date-rape drug, and… Max, he tried to drag me out the back door to his truck. If Kate hadn't been there, I have no idea what would have happened."
"Oh my God…"
"I know, right?"
"I'm such a fucking bitch. I'm sitting here laying into you like I'm the only person in the world who has problems, and you were going through that the whole time?"
"I mean it's not a barrel of laughs or anything but I'd still say you've got the gold medal in the Misery Olympics on lock right now."
"… You could have led with that, you know?"
"It's not an easy subject to broach, okay? I had to build up to it!"
"Just saying, it would have saved us a lot of screaming."
"You know I've never met a shouting match I didn't like."
"Drama Queen…" Max chuckles again. It's… good to hear her laugh, after everything. "Vic, I'm so sorry that happened to you, but I don't see how that's supposed to help my case."
Victoria takes a deep breath. "Because… I think he might have drugged you too."
"You… wait, WHAT?!"
"Think about it, after he slipped me whatever and Kate took me back to my room, I said and did things I couldn't remember the next day…"
"Holy SHIT."
"Yeah… But Max, there's more." Victoria goes over the details of what happened that night, from the threat Nate made when she told him about her break-up with Max, to Kate's account of the kidnapping itself. The evidence of his drug purchase on the day of her disappearance, and the folder full of creeper shots.
"Do you think it's possible?" Max begins to stutter, obviously having trouble choking out the words. But for the first time since Victoria picked her up from the police station that day, there's a glimmer of hope in the girl's voice. "That he… that it wasn't my… I think they took my blood after they arrested me, they didn't say anything about any drugs…"
"Yeah, but you would have gone a lot longer than me before you were tested. Google says that kind of drug has a short shelf-life. And then you've got the timing of everything, the memory loss… And I don't care what their tests say, when I picked you up the next day you were totally out of it. It just seems like too much of a coincidence, you know? Like it's the only explanation that makes some semblance of sense."
"But why me… why us? We were his friends…"
"Believe me, I've been asking myself that same question all weekend. Was it a weird jealousy thing because we were dating, or did he just properly lose his mind for real this time? No matter what I come up with, it always feels like something's missing."
"That… that motherfucker." Max seethes. "This whole time I've had this feeling that something wasn't right… that I didn't do what they said, that Chloe's last moments were stolen from me somehow. And whenever I think about it, I get so goddamn angry. Like if I could ever get my hands on whoever was responsible, I'd make them pay."
"You'll have to get in line for that one, girlfriend." Victoria winces at the word choice as soon as it passes her lips, but Max seemingly lets it slide.
"What are you going to do? I'm assuming you haven't taken all this to the cops yet, since everyone says the Prescotts own—"
"—this poop-hole town, yeah."
"The fuck did you just say?"
"Inside joke… but you're right. I don't have any confidence that those assholes would lift a finger against Nate… they'd just sweep it under the rug like they always do for Sean's baby boy. But that's where you come in. I got to thinking that if I hand the evidence over to your legal team first…"
"… then they'd have to address it," Max interjects. "Because it would come out in court anyway."
"Yep, and worst-case scenario? The cops and the DA decide they like Prescott money so much they make your case go away to keep it quiet. I'd have to figure out some other way to deal with Nate, but at least you'd be off the hook. That sounds like a fair trade to me."
"Vic, you're a genius."
"Well I'm glad there's at least one thing we can agree on."
"You are such a dork." Max pauses again, before adding "Vic… saying good-bye to Chloe wasn't the only thing Nate stole from me. Before I blacked out and got on the bus or whatever… I never got the chance to tell you what my answer was going to be. I—"
"Max." Victoria cuts the girl off, squeezing her eyes tightly shut. "I'm sorry, but… I don't think that's something I can hear from you right now. That water just needs to flow on under the bridge, you know?"
More silence from Max's end of the line. When she finally breaks it, her voice is very quiet. "… Okay. I understand. Look… I know I fucked everything up. But do you think we can ever be, you know… good again?"
Victoria sucks at her teeth. She wants to just say 'yes' to make Max feel better, but after everything that's gone down between them, Victoria feels like she deserves some honesty. "I… want to be. The stuff you said that day… Max, it really hurt. And I'm not good with letting shit like that go… but I don't want to be that person anymore. I want to be better."
Victoria heaves a long sigh. "So, I can't promise it won't be awkward for a minute, but… if you're good with being friends somewhere down the road, I'm sure we can get there."
"Yeah… I'd like that a lot. Right now the only friend I have that wasn't involved in birthing me is Lisa, so I can't really afford to be choosy or anything."
"That's probably a good thing, since we don't know where Nate is it's probably best that no one else at school knows where you are, either. Which reminds me, don't mention that Katie and I are in Portland right now, ok? I've been trying to keep that under wraps."
"True… I mean, Mark is—"
"Mark? Mark?! Pardon me, but after all the shit you've given me for calling him that—"
Max laughs for the third time since the call began, which is starting to make Victoria feel… good. Lighter. Happy that she can do something to help Max, even if things didn't turn out so well for them in the end.
"Mr. Jefferson is going to be meeting with my parents and I when he gets back in from San Francisco later today, to go over how the showing went. But aside from him, you're the only one who knows I'm here."
Victoria doesn't particularly like the sound of that, for some reason. Pretty much everyone at Blackwell knows Jefferson has a massive boner for Caulfield, and with her feeling so vulnerable right now… but on the other hand, Max's parents are going to be there, and "Creepy Kate" sex dream and the rumors about him fucking Rachel Amber aside, she has no reason to believe he'd actually go there. Victoria was, herself, evidence to the contrary with as many of her own advances were sternly rebuffed.
"Yeah… I guess that's fine. Umm, congrats on that by the way. You deserved it."
"Not that I got to enjoy it or anything, but thanks. The lawyers said trying to go would have been construed as an attempt to flee, so…"
"Still. Winning Everyday Heroes is huge… it'll be a big step for your career." Oh, also I may have tried to sabotage that whole deal at the party, but I was drunk and pissed off at the time so I think we can all agree that doesn't count, right?
"So… speaking of the lawyers, are you going to let them know that I need to arrange a meeting?"
"Definitely. I'm going to fill in Mom and Dad first, if that's ok, and call them right after."
"Sure."
"Cool… hey, Vic?"
"Yeah?"
"What you said, about me being there to give Chloe the perfect last day? I've been thinking about that ever since. Sometimes it feels like the only thing that keeps me from going crazy, so… thank you."
"No problem, Max. Au revoir…"
Victoria lays back in the bed, her phone hand resting on her chest as she takes a while to process the conversation. In some ways it went better than she imagined, in others worse. She honestly expected herself to be a weepy mess by this point, but in the end what she mostly feels is a sense of relief… like at least one of the many weights she's been carrying has finally been lifted off her shoulders. Both the flashes of anger and the first shaky steps toward some future reconciliation were cathartic, and while this isn't quite what Victoria would call closure… it's at least a good start.
Her phone rings less than ten minutes later. After taking a deep, steadying breath, Victoria begins walking the attorney from the firm representing Max's defense through the events of the last few days, as well as Nate's background and the Prescott's history with the Arcadia Bay Police Department, in painstaking detail. The conversation ends up taking longer than even Victoria would have expected, given the sheer volume of clarifying questions she has to answer.
In the end they are able to put together a clear path forward… one that will hopefully lead to Max's exoneration, and justice for herself. And, most importantly to Victoria right now, one that will ensure Kate's safety as well.
Upon stepping back into the suite's master bedroom, Victoria is greeted by the sight of Kate seated on the bed with her back rested against a pile of pillows and her legs stretched out in front of her. A stack of schoolbooks is piled up next to her, seemingly going ignored in favor of the sketchpad and pencil in her hands. At the sound of the door opening, Kate looks up and gives Victoria one of those sweet little smiles that she's not sure if she'll ever get used to having aimed her way.
Victoria cocks an eyebrow, nodding at the nearby books. "Getting caught up on homework?"
Kate rolls her eyes and heaves out a heavy sigh, turning her pad to reveal the beginnings of a drawing filled with cute little anthropomorphic animal figures. "I wish. I tried, but… it was hard to concentrate with so much on my mind."
A slow grin spreads across Victoria's face. "So much on your mind, like… biology homework, for example?"
"Maaaaybe," Kate smirks, giving her one of those looks that says 'You're gonna have to try a lot harder than that to get me flustered at this point, Chase.'
"I figured I could use some one-on-one tutoring for that kind of homework, though."
"No shit? I might know someone who can help you with that. She offers very competitive rates."
Kate's eyes twinkle at that, but then her expression grows more serious. She asks the question that's been hanging in the air since Victoria walked in. "So… how did it go?"
Victoria sighs, not even sure where to start. The good stuff? The bad stuff? The awkwardness in between? Ultimately, she decides to respond by sweeping Kate's books onto the floor before turning and falling backward onto the bed, her head landing squarely on Kate's cotton-covered thighs. Theatrically pressing the back of her wrist to her forehead, Victoria whines "Dote on me, Katie. Shower me with all the affection."
"That bad, huh?" Kate giggles at Victoria's melodramatic display, before eliciting a relieved moan from the short-haired blonde when she begins to scratch at her scalp in slow, gentle circles.
"Nnnn…" Victoria groans, her eyes closed and her mouth slack with satisfaction. When she's finally able to form a more coherent response, she murmurs "It wasn't the worst. I think we worked some things out." Creaking one eye open to look at Kate askance, she adds "I'm surprised you didn't hear any of the screaming earlier."
"Maybe a little…" Kate admits with a small shrug. "I had my headphones on most of the time, though."
"Uggggghhhh you are too good for this world, Katie. I so would have had my ear pressed up against the door the whole time if I was in your shoes."
Kate casts a chagrinned glance at the nearby wall. "I'm not that good… I think I mostly did it because I was afraid of what I might hear."
"You mean… like me and Max working things out a little too well?"
Kate nods slowly. "I'm sorry… I know it's wrong to feel that way…"
Victoria reaches up to cup Kate's chin in her hand. "Don't be… you're cute when you're jealous. Besides… I'm like the jelly-est ho alive, so keep that in mind next time you're getting all cuddly with those skanks at bible-camp or wherever."
Though that earns her a sweet smile from the girl in question, it reminds her about what came up in her fight with Max earlier. Clearing her throat, Victoria hesitantly says "Katie…? There's something I need to tell you."
"Hmm?" The girl asks, her face contented and adoring while she continues to scratch Victoria's scalp.
"That day you invited me to tea, when I took your picture? I saw how… close you and Stella seemed to be. And… I didn't like the way that made me feel. So when it came time to set Warren up with someone…"
Kate tilts her head curiously, and she gives the hand that rests on Victoria's stomach a gentle squeeze. "You know, I always did wonder why you didn't try to get him together with Brooke…"
"Shit, was I the only one at Blackwell who didn't know about that?"
"She only mentions him like every third sentence." Kate giggles.
"So…" Victoria turns her hand to play with Kate's fingers. "You're… not mad, or anything?"
"Why would I be mad?" Kate laughs. "Stella and I are just friends, and she's not interested in girls that way. Besides… even back then, I only had eyes for you."
Victoria doesn't know what to say to that, her fluttering heart as it is taking residence in her throat. So, she beams up at Kate instead.
Taking her hand back to rub her chin, the girl looks away as though deep in thought. "Stella is cute though, now that you mention it. Really cute. She's got such pretty hair, and nice, sexy lips…"
Victoria's smile falters. "Oh, I will cut a bitch."
Her gaze taunting and amused, Kate gives her a cheeky grin. "Hmm? Look who's cute when she's jealous now."
Feeling her cheeks heat up, Victoria snarks "I knew I should have finished the job with the pillow when I had the chance…"
Kate returns her free hand back to Victoria's while the other toys with her hair. "Not that I'm not enjoying this, but… what's the plan?"
Victoria heaves out yet another long sigh. Kate seems to be a little too good at steering things back on track, especially when it's a subject Victoria wants to avoid. "I've got a face-to-face meeting scheduled with the law firm representing Max. They're going to want to go over the testimony again, review the physical evidence we've gathered, document our injuries… then we'll make a determination on when and how it will be best for me to press charges against Nate."
She squeezes the girl's hand tightly, making sure she has her full attention for the next part. "Katie… they're going to want you to testify, both at the deposition and the trial if it comes to that. You're the only sober person that saw what he tried to do to me. But you need to understand that you don't have to. A trial like this can get ugly, and having a spotlight on you like that…" She trails off as the dirty-blonde shakes her head.
"I'll do it," she matter-of-factly states, as though Victoria told her she needed help with the laundry or something.
"You've got some time to think it over, though. And you really should. The Prescotts are scary people, Katie."
"Victoria, I'll do it. You believe this is our best chance, right?" At Victoria's hesitant nod, she continues "And I believe in you. Besides… I'd be much more afraid of what would happen if I didn't."
While Kate continues to lazily scratch and massage her scalp, Victoria marvels at how the girl can be so soft and gentle, yet so unflinchingly brave all at once. "Well, hopefully it won't come to that anyway. If I can track Nate down before we go to the cops, I'm going to confront him. I think if I do, I can get him to confess."
Kate's hand stops. "That… sounds too dangerous. I don't like it…"
Victoria pouts and nudges the girl's arm until she starts scratching again. "I get that, but Kate I've been dealing with him for years. I know how to get in his head, and I honestly don't think he'd have the balls to try something on me while I'm pissed off and sober."
Kate's face remains troubled as she contemplates this. "… only if I come with you."
"The fuck you are! Kate, I don't think he'd hurt me but I can't say the same for you. You've humiliated him twice now, and I'm not about to give him a chance to get even."
Leaning over her to better allow Victoria to witness the steely resolve in her eyes, Kate retorts "Victoria, you must be smoking some drugs if you think there's any chance I would let you go face him alone."
Simultaneously suppressing the urge to cackle at 'smoking some drugs' and the exasperation she's feeling at the moment, Victoria keeps her voice as neutral as possible. "… we can cross that bridge when we come to it, I suppose."
It's obvious there will be no debating Kate out of this, so in the end she'll either have to acquiesce or find some way to ditch her beforehand. She doesn't like either of those options, of course, but she's not above risking Kate's ire by doing the latter if it's the only way to keep her out of harm's way. However, in the end it will only matter if either someone spots Nate and lets her know, or if Graham's computer wizardry helps her track him down herself. For all she knows he could be halfway to Mexico by now.
Kate looks away again, a tinge of sadness in her voice as she asks "I guess… we'll need to leave for Arcadia Bay pretty soon, then?"
"You don't sound too excited about getting back…"
Flushing a bit with embarrassment, Kate admits "I am, it's just… being here with you makes me feel like I'm living in a fairy tale. I guess I'm just worried that I'll wake up Monday morning and everything will be back to normal."
"Katie… I can promise you we won't go back to the way things were. I don't think I even could do that, unless… unless that was something you wanted…"
The girl shakes her head sharply, and when she meets Victoria's gaze once more her eyes are moist with unshed tears. "Never. That's the last thing I would want."
Victoria smiles and reaches up to brush aside a wisp of hair that got caught in Kate's lips. "I'm glad we're on the same page, then. Besides, I asked for the meeting to be set for tomorrow afternoon, anyway."
Kate's lips take that surprised little "o" shape that Victoria has come to adore. "You… you did?"
"Yeah. Well, it would have been difficult for the lawyers to be ready before early morning regardless, and I figured a few extra hours would mean we could spend one more night here without having to rush out…"
Her flush deepening, some of that heat from before returns to Kate's gaze. "Does… does that mean you have, p-plans…? For tonight, I mean?"
Hmm, someone's mind's in the gutter, isn't it? Victoria merely gives the girl a sly grin. "Well… for one, I was hoping you'd let me take you out on the town. See some more of the sights, have a nice dinner… there's this fantastic French restaurant on the other side of the river I'm just dying to take you to…"
Kate's forehead scrunches in consternation, her mouth screwing into one of those sideways pouts of hers. "Victoria… you know I don't like it when you spend a lot of money on me."
Victoria pokes her side, forcing Kate to unleash an indignant, ticklish squeal as her hand spasms into a fistful of Victoria's hair. "Yeah, but you also said we were dating, so…"
"Excuse me?" Kate protests, giving her hair a light pull. "As I recall, you were the one that said we were dating. I just confirmed it."
It takes everything Victoria has to ignore the rush of heat that builds between her legs at even a pull that soft. Oh, if Kate only knew…
"Be that as it may, this is what dating a Chase looks like. C'moooooon, Katie, it's our last night in Portland. You've got to let me wine and dine you just a little…"
Kate glares at her suspiciously before finally relenting. "Well… If you'll agree to go without the wine, then… it's a deal." She punctuates this by holding her free hand out for Victoria to shake.
"Why no wine…?" Victoria asks with a suspicious glare of her own. When Kate just shrugs innocently, she reaches up to grasp her hand. "Fiiiiine, teetotaler. Now, if we're going out, I have got to put some work into making myself somewhat presentable."
Moving to stand, she turns back to the girl and asks "Do you have anything to wear? Any more surprises for me from that wardrobe of yours?"
Kate looks down to her lap, where she's idly toying with her fingers. "M-maybe a thing or two…"
"Oooooh, color me intrigued… I'll leave you to it, then." With that Victoria absconds to the bathroom, imagining all the things Kate could be wearing by the time she gets out… and how nice it would be to take them off of her, of course.
Court – 911! 911 911 911!
VIC GET UR FACE OUT OF KATES COOCH AND HELP MEEEE
Sweet T – Beeatch stop being dramatic LMAO
I told u 2 leave the lovebirds alone 😉
Unknown # – Hey girls quick ?
Add Contact: HotLips
Sweet T – STELLA 3
HotLips – Shouldn't it be…
"Get UR face out of Kate's Marsh?"
Get it? MARSH?
Court – EWWW GOD WHY
HotLips – Cause it's such a hot and humid biome?
Sweet T – LOL and a bit sticky too? 😉
Court – I GET IT OK STFU
HotLips – DEFINITELY moist…
Court – STAAAAHP
Sweet T – OMG STELLA marry meeeeeeee
HotLips – Hmm I dunno Taylor…
What would Warren think? :x
Sweet T – Forget him!
If he liked it then he shoulda put a ring on it! XD
Court – …
Unknown # – ~_~
I'm right here you know…
Add Contact: Graham
Sweet T – AWWW Warren nooo!
I'm kidding I'm kidding
I would never let NE1 split up my babiez ❤️ ❤️
Unless ur angling 2 get that harem kick-started… 😉
Graham – (・_・;)
I feel like there is no safe way to respond to that…
HotLips – Good answer babe. See?
He IS smarter than he looks! :p
… Ok, seriously?
Vic - WTF is even happening right now?
Court – VIC! OH THANK GOD
FIRST OFF PLZ TELL ME U WASHED UR HANDS FIRST
DON'T WANT 2 CATCH BABYLEZ SWAMP COOTIES THRU PHONE
Vic - Hey you know what? Never mind
Ur all going back on mute. :P
Court – WAIT!
U HAVE YET 2 LEARN THE DEPTHS OF TAYS BETRAYAL
Vic - Jesus Christ spit it tf out Court
Trying 2 take a bath here
Court – SHES DRAGGING ME ALNOG W/ HILL & GRAHAM
2 WATCH "MONKEY PLANET" THE DRIVE-IN 2NITE
Vic - LMAO WHAT
Haha glad u finally found someone
2 give those tickets 2 Graham
Graham – :D
Court – 8 HOURS OF PEOPLE DRESSED LIKE MONKEYS VIC
EIGHT. FUCKING. HOURS! PLZ DO SOMETHING
Vic - LOLOLOL NOPE
Ur on ur own Bish
Have fuuunnn~~!
Court – UR DEAD 2 ME :[
Graham – Actually there's not many "monkeys" in the PotA films
Chimpanzees, orangutans, and gorillas mostly. Just saying…
Court – FUCK OFF GRAHAMCRACKER NO 1 ASKED U
Sweet T – Cmooooon Court it'll b fun!
Hey Vic is Kate there? 😊
Kate M. – Yes I'm here. Hi Taylor😊
Hi everyone hope you are well😊😊
Change Contact: Mon Petit Lapin ❤️
HotLips – KATY-CAKES XD
Sweet T – YAAAAY hi Kate! ❤️
Ignore Court she's been in a sour mood this decade
Mon Petit Lapin ❤️ – Hehe sour doesn't bother me…
I mean look who I'm hanging out with this weekend ^_^
HEY! 😐 - Sent
Mon Petit Lapin ❤️ – 😉
It's so cool you're all going to the movies though!:)
Sweet T – Inorite! Stella & I cooked it up
We r all showing support for Team Katori
Mon Petit Lapin ❤️ – Team Katori?
HotLips – Y'know… like Kate/Victoria?
Sweet T – YEP I totally ship u 2. 😉
Mon Petit Lapin ❤️ – Awe oh my gosh that is too sweet! :'‑)
Vic - Oh, KT, no… Don't encourage her
It's like feeding a cat, she'll never leave
Sweet T – SHUP Tori! U will NOT ruin this for me!
HotLips – So… Katy-cakes…
Yano I gotta ask…
How did it go last nite?
Mon Petit Lapin ❤️ – STELLA!
Sweet T – ooooh yes spill dem beans!
Vic - We went to that new business on Main St.
What was it called again? Nunya? ;p
Sweet T – booooooo ur no fun…
Throw a girl a bone here!
Mon Petit Lapin 3 – Well… I mean…
We DID sleep together Victoria… :/3
HotLips – WAT
YAAAAASSSSSS!
GET IT GURRL XD
Sweet T – OMG SRSLY?!
Vic - KT how could you!? D: D: D:
U promised it would be our secret!
Court – FUCK
Sweet T – ^^^ LMAO pay up skank!
Vic - Waaaaaaait hold up I know u jerks
Did NOT bet on my sex life!
Sweet T – Easiest $5 I ever made 😉
Vic - #CANCELLED. BOTH of you!
HotLips – SHUT UP you guys!
I need details! ALL OF THEM
Mon Petit Lapin ❤️ – Haha Are you suuuuure?:)
I wouldn't want to make anyone uncomfortable…
Graham – Err I gotta go get ready
So I'll cya all later! And… congrats?!
Graham has left the chat
LOL - Sent
Sweet T – Warren nuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu! XD
Mon Petit Lapin ❤️ – Awwwe did I scare him off?:(
Court – UGH HILL WOULD U POP HIS CHERRY ALREADY
HIS TERMINAL VIRGINITY THING IS PAINFUL TO WATCH
HotLips – (＾ｖ＾) Whatevs chica…
I bet I'll get more action than u 2nite!
Court – BITCH I WILL TAKE THAT BET! ;p
Mon Petit Lapin ❤️ – Now I feel bad…
Esp. since all we did was sleep… :/
Sweet T – CRAP MY 5 BUCKS
Court – LOLOL EAT IT TAY
Sweet T – Mmmm if you insist… (*^3^)/~
Court – GAAAAAAAAAY
HotLips – Srsly tho KT? That's all?
No touching, no spooning…
Not even a little kiss? 😉
Vic - Welllllll…
Maybe sleep isn't ALL we did...
Mon Petit Lapin ❤️ – !
I KNEW it! You'll pay for that missy…
Vic - ^_^;;
Ok u losers leave us alone
KT & I are going out 2night and
We're NOT 2 b disturbed!
Sweet T – Ooooo K have a good night~~! Xoxo
Mon Petit Lapin ❤️ – You too ❤️
HotLips – ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) Have fun U 2, be safe…
I slipped some condoms in ur bag KT 😉
Mon Petit Lapin ❤️ – You did not!
HotLips – Left side inner pocket…
Mon Petit Lapin ❤️ – STELLA
HotLips – XD XD XD
Mon Petit Lapin ❤️ – Just… WHY?
Sweet T – Cuz girrrrlll…
BOM BOM BOM
You'll be a woman… soon! 😉
Vic - Omfg BYE
"So… what do you think?" Kate smiles nervously as she stands before Victoria, decked out in an adorably frilly, cream-colored off-the-shoulder top and navy-blue skirt. Her ensemble is rounded out by a pair of thigh-high stockings that come up juuuust enough to offer a positively delicious glimpse of her pale legs below the skirt's hem.
Clad only in her fluffy hotel bathrobe, Victoria can do naught but stare dumbfounded at the sight before her. Her voice is brimming with delight when she finally speaks. "Oh my God, who knew you had a fashionista hidden underneath that church-girl exterior all this time?"
"You… you like it then?" Kate asks, her eyes gleaming with timid pride.
"Like it? Katie, I love it. Turn! Turn!" Victoria steps in to get a closer look, admiring the quality of the garments. Her eyes rove over the girl again and again, sure her face looks somewhere between awestruck and a lioness salivating over her next meal. She rubs a stretch of the top's frills between two fingers, and even causes Kate to yelp in surprise when she turns down the waistline of her skirt to check the label.
"You got all of this at the same place as the dress? You might turn me into a thrift shopper yet…"
Kate casts an embarrassed glance over her shoulder as she nods. "I wasn't sure what to wear for the party so I picked up a few things." She giggles at Victoria manhandling her back around to give her one last approving once-over.
"I… I wanted to look good for you," she adds, her voice trailing off into a murmur.
Victoria reaches up to give Kate's shoulders a squeeze, her emerald eyes rising to meet Kate's hazel once more. "While that is incredibly hot of you to say, Katie, what's important is that you dress to please yourself, you know? As long as you feel good about it, I promise you could make a potato sack look sexy."
Kate flushes as she nods once again, but offers a cheeky grin at the same time. "W-well… there's no reason I can't do both, though, right?" As if to underscore her question, she raises one hand to trace her chest at the border of her top, her shoulders back and eyes shining with quiet confidence.
"Absoluuuuutely," Victoria purrs. "Besides, I shouldn't be that surprised anyway… As much shit as I gave you for your prim-and-proper look, it was pretty obvious you knew what you were doing with those thin white blouses and skirts that showed off just enough of those killer legs of yours to keep all the horn-dogs at Blackwell coming back for more. Myself included, of course… you didn't think I missed the way the hems magically seemed to raise a quarter-inch higher every week, did you?"
Kate tries to maintain an innocent expression for a moment, but ends up smirking as she turns away from Victoria's expectant gaze. "You… might not be totally off-base, there."
"Oh, trust me honey, I intend to hit all the bases in due time. Bathroom's all yours!"
Victoria ignores Kate's indignant spluttering while making a beeline to the guest room to get changed, grinning at her mental image of the girl's surprised expression and pink cheeks.
Pulling all of the available options out of her suitcase (Victoria over-packed, of course, in order to ensure she had an outfit to suit whatever occasion might arise), she takes her sweet time mixing and matching tops and bottoms, dresses and accessories.
In the end, she decides to complement Kate's more "girly" attire with a breezy business casual look: a burgundy button up shirt, worn partially tucked and paired with black chinos and suede ballet heels. With a black leather belt and, of course, her pearl necklace to top things off, she moves onto the make-up… opting for a matte burgundy lipstick to match her top, rosy blush, and bronzed eyeshadow
Perhaps not her most understated look, but… Kate said she wanted to look good for her. So, likewise, Victoria wants to knock Kate's thigh-highs right back off.
"Are you decent?" she asks, with a light knock on the bathroom door. When Kate hums affirmatively, she steps inside to see the girl putting the finishing touches on twining her long, honey-colored hair into an absolutely stunning plaited braid. Kate's eyes, reflected as they are in the mirror before her, widen at the sight of Victoria, and she quickly spins to face her with her lips parted in surprise.
"Vic… Victoria, you're… you're perfect," she stammers. "I mean… you're always perfect, of course, but… I've n-never seen you like this…"
Despite the fact that her heart seems to want to burst right out of her chest at the sound of Kate's praise, Victoria plays it off with a quick roll of her eyes. "Whatever… you know flattery will get you everywhere, little bunny. Do you need any help?"
Kate looks over her shoulder to inspect her handiwork. "No, I think I'm just about ready…" With that, she reaches for the tube of lip gloss on the counter nearby… only for Victoria to yoink it out from under her at the last moment.
"Not so fast, missy. As master of this particular suite I invoke jus primae glossa, the right to be first to apply your lip gloss."
"I'm pretty sure that's not a thing," Kate laughs.
Doing her best to appear non-plussed, Victoria retorts "Did you take two years of Latin as an underclassman? I didn't think so."
"I thought you took French…"
"Same difference, they're all romance languages anyway! Just trust me, Katie, the ancient romans thought of everything. Now…" she says, unscrewing the cap and holding the applicator between her index and middle fingers like it was one of her cigarettes, "… are you going to submit to my authority?"
Kate's eyes twinkle with mirth, and something else… something deeper. Hungrier. "Is that what you want? For me to… submit?"
The air in this relatively spacious bathroom suddenly feels a lot heavier, like it takes twice the effort to draw a breath. "M-maybe not all the time," Victoria stammers, feeling the heat building in her cheeks and ears. "But it seems like a good start…"
"Are we still talking about lip gloss?" Kate asks with an amused grin. But before Victoria can stutter out a response, the girl leans forward, parting her lips in anticipation of Victoria's first stroke.
Fucking Christ, am I ever going to have the upper hand with this chick? Get your head in the game, Chase. Feeling not particularly like the master of anything, Victoria's heart flutters at the first press of the applicator tip to Kate's waiting mouth. She wills her hand not to tremble as she slowly paints those delightful curves and contours with a thin sheen of gloss, enraptured by the way her full red lips move and depress under her gentle touch. Imagining that it's her own lips, not some thin piece of plastic, doing the touching.
God, but she wants to kiss Kate so, so bad right now…
Kate seems to be just as strongly affected as she is, however, from the rise and fall of her petite chest as her breath quickens, to the way her pupils dilate as she stares almost unblinking into Victoria's eyes while she works. It's clear that they are equally close to the precipice… Just the smallest of pushes being all it would take to send them both tumbling into oblivion. Victoria can feel that want, like a pressure welling up within Kate, just as an equal and opposite force builds within herself. Each being held back by the thinnest layer of will. Like two bubbles brushing against each other, needing only a single kiss to burst and release the passion being held tenuously at bay.
Knowing that she's mere moments from throwing this little competition of theirs, as well as realizing that there's only so much lip gloss one can apply before it starts getting redundant, Victoria takes the tiniest of steps back from the ledge.
"There…" she nearly croaks, clearing her throat before offering the applicator to Kate. "Do you… want to do me?"
Kate snatches it from her hand with the quickness, rubbing her own lips together to spread the gloss as she eagerly reaches out to return the favor. Victoria touches her fingertip to the center of her lower-lip, before doing the same with the upper. "Just a bit, here… and here."
"That hardly seems fair…" Kate pouts, eager to give as much of a long and thorough glossing as she received.
"That's capitalism for you. I bought the room, I make the rules… besides, layering requires a more delicate touch." Victoria's eyes hooded with desire of her own, she leans forward to offer herself up to Kate's light dabbing. When the girl pulls her hand away, Victoria purses her burgundy lips together to blend the gloss with her lipstick… or in offer of a kiss, depending on how one chooses to interpret it. Kate's eyes gleam at the sight of it, her face moving nigh-imperceptibly closer almost of its own accord.
Do it, Katie… you know you want to. Victoria raises a sultry eyebrow, eagerly awaiting the moment Kate breaks at last.
But as the moment stretches on, Kate's breathing eventually begins to slow, the bridge of her nose fading to a somewhat lighter shade of maroon. Turning away, the girl smiles shakily as she presses her fingers to the marble counter-top to steady herself. Finally, she raises her eyes to the mirror, her reflection casting a questioning glance Victoria's way.
'Am I pretty? Am I worthy? Do you want me?' those eyes seem to ask, unable to hide her sincere desperation for Victoria's approval.
Yes, yes, and GOD yessss… Victoria's eyes silently respond. If the heat of her desire could be transmitted with just a look, Kate's clothes would have been burned off already.
She steps behind Kate so that her own reflection looms over the girl's shoulder, her lips quirking in approval at the vision of the two of them so close together. Oil and water. Cat and rabbit. Flame and moth. It shouldn't work, she tells herself… it shouldn't feel this right.
But Victoria has long since given up trying to explain it… after all, how can you explain something that just is?
"Do… do you think we're… r-ready?" Kate tremulously asks, rocking back on her heels as though she wants nothing more than to fall into Victoria's arms.
"Almost…" Victoria murmurs, looking their twin visages up and down. "There's just… something missing."
Kate tilts her head quizzically, before her eyes light up. "Oh, my cross! I left it on the nightstand…"
She turns to go retrieve it, but is stopped when her shoulders are suddenly caught in Victoria's iron grip.
"W-wait…" Victoria breathes, her eyes wide and nostrils flaring as she turns Kate to face the mirror once more. Kate's breath catches in her throat, the confusion in her hazel eyes giving way to sharp, shocked realization as Victoria slowly reaches back to unclasp her pearl necklace.
You know what this means, right Katie? Victoria silently asks of Kate's reflection as she lifts the strand up over her head. I don't need to say it out loud, do I?
Of all her accessories, this particular piece of jewelry is the one most strongly associated with the Victoria Chase brand. Through no small amount of effort and endless self-promotion, pearls have become part and parcel to her very identity in the eyes of her peers. They represent elegance and sex-appeal… while at the same time giving an illusion of purity and innocence, one that she can only be worthy of in her most wishful of thinking. They are perfect, gleaming moons that constantly orbit her, each bearing the power to control the very tides, to enthrall the wolves that howl at the very sight of her.
"Vic… Victoria…"
Kate stands stock-still, frozen almost like a deer caught by the headlights of an oncoming bus. She moves only to lift up her braid as Victoria begins to pull the pearls flush with her thin, pale neck. Victoria's hands shake as she pulls either end of the strand together behind her.
Anyone who sees this will KNOW, Katie...
Victoria raises fiery, possessive emerald eyes to meet Kate's… her hazel and gold orbs saucer-wide with understanding. With acquiescence.
That they can't have you… they can't TOUCH you…
The clasps CLICK into place.
… that you're MINE.
The pearls fall flush with Kate's pale skin, clinging to her neck and chest as though they were made just for her.
"Will you wear this for me, Katie?" Victoria rests her palms on the girl's shoulders, not breaking her stare for an instant. "Not… not just tonight…?"
"Yes…" Kate whispers, taking in a deep, quivering breath. Slowly, she reaches up to press a few of them between her thumb and forefinger, rubbing them together as her eyes dart between Victoria's reflection of her own. "Yes…"
Victoria gives those shoulders a firm squeeze. "Good… with that settled, then… then I guess we're ready…"
Kate turns her head in Victoria's direction, their faces now scant inches apart. "You know…" the girl murmurs, pausing to allow her pink, darting tongue to wet her lips. "I wouldn't mind just… staying in…"
Victoria purrs with delight. This is it. This is as close to an admission of defeat as she is likely to ever get from Kate. Those hungry eyes, those parted, wanting lips all but cry out for Victoria to hurl her onto the bed, to lift her up onto the marble counter-top, or, hell, just take her right here on the bathroom floor… But does the cat ever go straight for the kill?
No. She toys with her victim first. Enjoys the delicious, prolonged suffering that makes that eventual first bite all the more satisfying. Victory is, after all, meant to be savored.
"Mmm… tempting," Victoria coos. She slides her hands slowly down Kate's arms, moving in so close that their noses are practically touching. "But I'm not about to let you look this good and miss my chance to show you off.
"Besides, I want you to think of this as a safe environment, where we can remind each other…" Victoria smirks, her eyes taking on a wicked gleam. "… that it IS ok to wait."
Kate's eyebrows scrunch inward as though she's in pain. Victoria can feel the girl's breath on her mouth and nose when she releases a longing, shuddering sigh. "You're so mean…" she whines.
"Mmhmm… just call me Regina George. Now get that cute butt in gear," she commands, with a sharp tap to the body-part in question for emphasis. "The night is young, and we're going to fucking OWN it."
One thing Victoria prides herself on is her ability to show her date a good time, especially when she's on familiar turf and money is no object. And while Kate is quite possibly the most exceptional girl she's courted, this outing's results were no exception. Victoria eschewed the standard clubbing and bar-hopping fare, knowing that Kate wasn't about that kind of scene... no, tonight called for quiet. Romantic. Intimate. That last word in particular replaying in Victoria's mind again and again as the night progressed. Intimate. Intimate. Intimate. Intimate.
They began by visiting a spa in the Northwest district for a couple's candlelight massage and foot bath. The brief spike of envy Victoria felt at the sound of Kate's relieved moans was quickly melted away along with the knots and tension in her back and shoulders by her own masseuse's deft hands. Though Victoria was certain she could get the complimentary champagne service without being carded, she let it slide… Kate did seem stubborn, after all, about their adherence to the "dining, but no wining" agreement, despite being reluctant to elaborate on why. Not that Victoria minded terribly… for her, tonight was all about Katie. As far as she was concerned, whatever Katie wanted, she was going to get.
Whatever… another word that had a nice ring to it. Whatever. Whatever. Whatever. Whatever.
From there they took a tour of the Lan Su Chinese Garden, walking arm in arm through the courtyards and pavilions, marveling at the lush vegetation and classical Chinese architecture illuminated by lantern light. And, of course, paying a visit to the teahouse for Kate's drug of choice: oolong for herself and green tea for Victoria. the self-described espresso-addict joking that her date may just make a convert of her yet.
But Victoria had a hard time paying attention to the gardens. Or the pavilions. Or the tea. Or anything at all, really, aside from the way the moonlight played on Kate's fair skin. The way her fingers kept rising up to touch Victoria's pearl necklace, as though reassuring herself that it was still there. The way those hazel eyes looked at her with such pure, primal hunger every time she did. Had anyone ever looked at Victoria like that before? Like she was suffocating, and Victoria was the last gasp of air? Like Victoria was an oasis amidst leagues of scorching, inhospitable desert, one that would drive a thirsty traveler to offer up her first-born for just one sip of her cool, crystal waters?
No… from the way her heart pounds, the way her tongue ties, the way her body reacts every time she sees that look, Victoria would definitely remember it if anyone had.
Victoria's primary goal of this little outing was to keep Kate's mind off of nightmares and depositions, off of the stresses and anxieties that would come with their impending return to Arcadia Bay. To give her that "normal girl" experience she so wistfully mentioned early this morning after they woke up practically in each other's arms. And in that respect, her plan seemed to be going off without a hitch. A joy and wonder the likes of which Victoria hadn't seen since the day they met in the Girls' Dorm hallway shining on Kate's face. No, it was more than that… for even on that magical day there was still a trace of incalculable sadness, of unfulfilled longing that her eyes bore no trace of now.
She almost asked about the first time they hung out in Kate's room, about Kate's tearful confession that she'd had unrequited feelings for someone from her time before arriving at Blackwell. Feelings that were only real to her. Victoria manages to resist the urge to bring this up, partially because she realizes how ridiculous it is to feel insecure over a former crush from Kate's past when she herself could field a soccer team with her own collection of exes. But mostly because thinking that there could be someone else back in Salem that Kate looks at with those same eyes feels like a dagger in Victoria's gut… especially after speaking with Max earlier reminded her how fresh those wounds still remain.
That's not the kind of question she's prepared to have answered, not when all of this is so fragile and new. Not when the answer is liable to send Victoria running screaming for the hills.
After a decadent dinner of mussel velouté and beef cheek bourguignon, Victoria had planned to take Kate to explore the Portland Art Museum, a staple that she makes time for every time she visits the city. However, she soon finds herself acquiescing to Kate's increasingly strong hints that she's ready to return to the hotel, trying her best to ignore the swell of nerves that trills through her stomach like so many flittering butterflies. The hour is getting late, after all, and they would have a long day ahead of them tomorrow. They'll visit the museum next time, they agree, both grinning at the unspoken promise that there would be a next time for the two of them… and perhaps even a time after that, and after that…
Soon they find themselves strolling down the sidewalks of downtown, hand in hand as they make their way along the final stretch to the hotel. They'd hopped out of their uber a few blocks away to give themselves one last chance to stretch their legs and soak in the night around them. Though their evening had been filled with laughter and easy conversation up to this point, Victoria finds that Kate has fallen notably quiet, the only sounds between them the scuff of Kate's shoes and the clack of Victoria's heels on the concrete.
"Victoria…?" Kate asks, breaking the silence at last. "Can… can I ask you something?"
"Of course," Victoria responds, giving the girl's thin hand a reassuring squeeze.
It seems to take Kate quite some time, either to find the words she wants to say, or to work up the nerve to say them. When she finally speaks, her voice is soft, and hesitant.
"What… what is it that you… l-like about me?"
"Geeze, Kate…" Victoria laughs, feeling her ears burn with embarrassment at being put on the spot like that. "What kind of question is that?"
Kate grips her hand tightly, her eyes locked on the sidewalk a few feet ahead of them. "It's just… this is all happening so suddenly, you know? I guess… I want to be sure that you don't feel… obligated to me or anything. For helping you with Nathan the other night."
Victoria returns Kate's grip just as hard. Of course, she knew that Kate had a good reason for asking something like that. She's not the kind of girl that fishes for compliments, after all… but, as it turns out, the reason is one that Victoria is all too familiar with. Because despite all the confidence and bravery Kate has proven she possesses, she can still be just as much of an insecure teenager as Victoria is. But more than that, Kate wants to be sure that Victoria is with her for the right reasons. Because Kate is the kind of girl that is willing to deny herself someone she truly wants if she thought being together would hurt that person in the long run.
"Well, for starters, you're sweet and tiny… like one of those fun-size candy bars." Victoria smirks as she glances her way, and though Kate still doesn't meet her eyes, her red lips still twitch up into the beginnings of an amused smile.
"You're so brave. And not just for beating up kidnappers or whatever… you're brave enough to be yourself, to do your own thing no matter how much shit you take for it from assholes like... Like me. And you're kind, genuinely kind… more so than anyone I've ever met. But you also have this positively devilish sense of humor that catches me off guard every single time you let it peek out."
Victoria sighs, studying the pattern of the bricks that make up the wall to their right. "You challenge me. But, at the same time… you make me feel safe. And I'm not used to feeling that way, like, ever. When I'm with you, I don't have to hide, or bullshit, because you see me. The real me. And you don't know how fucking scary it is for me to be seen like that. But I'm finally starting to realize how much I need to know that someone can see past the rich, spoiled little bitch and… and still want to stay."
"Besides…" she continues, blinking back the tears that have begun to form. "It's not… sudden, for me. I've wanted this for a long time, Katie. When you confessed to me on the roof that day, I wanted so bad to say yes. To just drop everything else and be with you, but you were right… I was afraid. Of having to choose between you and my social standing. Of not being good enough for you. Of hurting you. When I got back to my room I cried, just sobbed into my pillow for like an hour straight. At one point Taylor walked in and I had to scream at her to get the fuck out… the next day I told her I was on my period."
Victoria chuckles ruefully at the memory. "She played along, but I could tell she didn't buy it. You know, she was subtle about it, but she tried to get me to text you back when I was at the police station. I think she always had an idea about you and me."
"Oh, Victoria…" Kate whispers, squeezing her hand as though holding on for dear life.
"And even before that, those first few days in the dorms… I really was hoping that there could be something between us. I may be a thirsty ho but I don't hang out in the shower room to flash everyone I just met, you know. But when we met in the hall the next morning, I realized you were religious, and… and I thought I overstepped. That you didn't… like me the same way."
"It was nothing like that!" Kate protests, taking Victoria's hand in both of hers now. "I… I was just so overwhelmed at first, and didn't know what to do or how to t-talk to you…"
"Kate, it's okay…" Victoria reaches up with her free hand to dab at her eyes. "It was probably for the best, honestly. I had my head so far up my own ass back then, I don't know that it would have worked. I wasn't ready. I think I would have gotten there eventually, but… this past week has opened my eyes to a lot of things that I couldn't see before. If there's one thing I can be grateful about with all the hell I've gone through, it's that."
Her skin feels so hot under the cool night air that Victoria's almost shocked her face hasn't caught fire at this point. Giving the girl a little nudge with her elbow, she finishes with "So… I guess that's all I've got for now. Thanks for listening to my Ted Talk…"
Kate appears to have fallen silent again, and this time it stretches on long enough that Victoria's own insecurities begin to nag at her. Did I say too much? Too little? Did I make such a fool of myself that she's having second thoughts now? She knows all these thoughts are ridiculous, that Kate couldn't possibly be that fickle. But it still doesn't prevent them from worrying her like a cloud of biting flies.
She's about to crack a joke, some pithy little remark to ease the tensions swirling in her mind before they become a tornado of anxiety, when Kate comes to a sudden halt… that firm grip on Victoria's hand pulling her to a stop as well. The girl is still focused on the sidewalk between them, her forehead knitted and mouth working as though she too is struggling with something behind the curtain.
"Katie…?" Victoria starts to ask, but she is forestalled by those brilliant hazel eyes, practically shimmering in the moonlight rising to meet hers.
"Victoria, I…" Kate pauses to wet her lips. "I said that I would be patient… that I would wait for you as long as you need me to. And I mean that, but… I just need you to know that this is everything to me. And I don't care if you were drunk, or thinking of me as a rebound. No matter what the reason, I'm so happy that you gave me my first kiss."
Victoria swallows nervously, finding herself captivated by the sheer, earnest emotion shining through those eyes. The anxiety from earlier combining with the weight of the moment to drive every last ounce of suave self-assurance right out of her body. Right now, she understands exactly what Kate meant about feeling overwhelmed, unsure of what to do or what to say… so she falls back on her tried and true strategy, the one that never fails her: buying herself time by deflecting with humor. Crossing her arms over her chest, Victoria purses her lips and raises a single eyebrow, doing her best to give off an air of casual aloofness.
"Oh yeah?" she asks with a smirk, raising that eyebrow another millimeter or two for added effect. "Well then, I guess it's too bad it was stricken from the rec…"
But Kate, after taking a swift step forward to close the distance between them, rises up on her tiptoes to cut her off with a soft, gentle kiss.
It is the barest brush of Kate's lips to hers, one that could even be described as chaste, and just as quick as it began Kate is stepping away once more. But it leaves Victoria stunned and breathless all the same, her mouth falling open as her mind races to catch up.
It happened so fast that it leaves her to wonder if it really happened at all, or if it was just a product of her own fantasies. However, the way Victoria's heart is jack-hammering in her chest, the way her lips are practically burning from that brief touch, as well as the bright red flush spreading across Kate's nose and cheeks and the telltale smear of burgundy left behind on the girl's lips all confirm: it did happen. Kate just kissed her.
Kate just KISSED her.
And no matter how one might describe such a kiss, the look in those eyes of hers right now is anything but chaste. They're wet and shimmering and boring a hole right through Victoria, practically searing her with want. With intensity. With challenge. But also, something else… a deep, aching need to know.
That she's not alone.
That her feelings are requited.
That this is just as real for Victoria as it is for her.
Once again Victoria finds herself on the edge of a cliff, one that Kate has led her too so many times before. In Mrs. Hoida's classroom, when she unleashed her hidden lust. On the dorm roof, where she nearly professed her love. In the showers before the End of the World party, where she silently offered up her body and soul to soothe Victoria's pain. And every single time, Victoria ran away, as far and as fast as she could. To protect Kate, yes… but if she's being honest, truly honest, she knows that she also did it to protect herself.
Because Victoria knows one step is all it will take to fall into the deep, endless sea of Kate's passion, and once she does there will be no turning back. She'll either learn to swim in it or she will drown, but either way the life she knew before will be gone forever.
Kate simply stands there, clutching Victoria's pearl necklace with just as much reverence as she would her cross. Her jaw firmly set, her eyes patient, defiant, and pleading all at once. Victoria knows that Kate would await her answer for a lifetime if she has too, because the one thing the girl possesses above all others is the absolute certainty that this is what she wants. All she needs is for Victoria to choose once and for all to be with her.
This isn't the way Victoria wanted this to happen. It's too much, too fast. She thought that she could take things slow, meticulously plan every single, measured step to ensure that she avoids every mess, every pitfall. After all, she as well as anyone knows one thing for sure: only fools rush in.
But Victoria knows something else, as well. Something that she's learned from years of hard experience: that she can be a fucking idiot when she wants to be. So, with that in mind…
This time, she doesn't run. This time, Victoria takes a long stride to close the distance between them and presses her fingers to Kate's cheeks, tilting the girl's face upward at the same time that she leans in to envelop the girl's lips in a kiss so fierce and desperate that no one could ever accuse it of being chaste.
She growls hungrily as she continues her forward motion, attacking Kate's lips as she forces her backward, refusing to stop until she has Kate pinned to the brick wall behind her with one thigh wedged between her legs. A low moan that seems to well up from deep within the core of Kate's very being escapes her mouth in the brief moment that Victoria pulls away, only to come crashing back in once more… and soon enough Kate's hands are locked around Victoria's wrists, her mouth searching, pressing, and molding into Victoria's with equal ferocity. Equal desire.
Victoria knows that they're making a scene, putting on quite a show for anyone who might happen to walk or drive past. But she doesn't care, couldn't give a good God damn what anyone else might think. Because this is it. This is the moment she's been waiting for weeks that somehow feel like years. She feels as though she's taking in the intense fucking heat that seems to radiate from Kate, absorbing it through her mouth until it infuses every cell in her body.
And when Kate's lips part ever so slightly, when Victoria can feel the soft tip of her tongue waiting behind them, she figures that's as good as an invitation as any. Without hesitation she slides her tongue into Kate's mouth… and this time, she's not drunk, or high, or under some bizarre otherworldly influence. Because that's why Kate was so adamant about not drinking tonight, wasn't it? So that Victoria would not have a single excuse after this, no option but to accept this for what it is.
Because this time it's Victoria making the choice, all of her, and she brings the full weight of her years of experience to bear. Eliciting tiny squeaks of satisfaction as she probes Kate with her tongue, teases her, allowing herself to meld into Kate for long, tantalizing moments. Then darting away, forcing the girl to whine in frustration as she desperately chases her again and again.
Victoria's mind is on fire, her every nerve vibrating, starbursts blooming behind her closed eyelids. She has envisioned this moment so many times, but even in her wildest fantasies she never knew it could be like this. It takes everything she has to capture the electricity that courses through her veins and mold it, shape it, and redirect it right back into Kate while she relishes the feel of her lips, the press of her body, the sweet taste of tea, cherry lip gloss, and Kate's tongue.
Kate begins listing to the side, her legs shaking like they're about to give out from under her. Victoria slips her hands underneath the girl's arms, slapping her palms against the bricks to steady her. Kate takes the opportunity to wrap her arms around Victoria's neck to pull her in even further, though it's anyone's guess whether it's to keep herself upright or to trap Victoria into a crushing kiss that she can no longer retreat from. Probably both.
But Victoria needs to retreat. Because Kate's barely breathing, sagging into her like she's mere instants from passing out. Because Victoria is becoming so lost in their shared passions that if it goes much further she'll be lucky if they don't catch a public indecency charge. However that may be easier said than done, as Kate's arms around her neck are so heavy and inescapable that they may as well be made of fucking iron. The girl obviously couldn't care less if she faints in the process of pulling Victoria ever deeper into the kiss. Shit, how can a chick so small be so strong? Do they put roids in the fucking communion wafers or something?
So, Victoria does what she always does when she really needs to win. She cheats.
Shifting her weight, Victoria grinds her thigh between Kate's legs, causing the girl to gasp aloud, her arms weakening as a shiver runs through her stiffening body. She pounces on the opportunity to suck Kate's bottom lip between her own, trapping it between her teeth. Pulling. Nibbling. Making Kate moan so loud they can probably hear it all the way back in Arcadia Fucking Bay before finally releasing it with a wet pop. Victoria doesn't waste a moment before diving in to taste Kate's neck, salty with sweat, leaving a trail of lipstick on her way down to that pale, exposed shoulder as the girl gasps for air.
Finally, when she's confident enough that Kate can stand unassisted, Victoria slowly pulls away to gaze into Kate's now vacant, glassy eyes. Eyes that seem to say 'Kate's not here right now, please leave a message and I'll get back to you when I return to this solar system.'
Fighting off the intense urge to go back in for another kiss, Victoria smiles shakily and stutters "S-sorry, I… I maybe got a little overzealous there. Are… are you alright, Katie?"
Kates doesn't say a word, doesn't even move save for her left hand finding its way back up to the pearls around her neck, continuing to pant as though she'd just finished running a marathon. Sharp inhale, shaky exhale. Sharp inhale, shaky exhale.
Victoria bites her own lip this time, inwardly freaking the fuck out while Kate's gaze slowly comes back into focus, wondering what emotions those expressive hazel and gold eyes will reveal. Is Kate feeling the same nervous delight, the same contentment as Victoria? Anger that she took her to first base and was moments from stealing second in full view of a busy street in the middle of downtown Portland?
Kate's free hand clenches and unclenches at her side while her fingertips toy with the pearls around her neck. Her face and neck, at least the stretches of skin not covered in Victoria's burgundy lipstick, burns fiery red, those hazel and gold eyes taking on a mysterious, unreadable look… no, that's not quite right. Victoria absolutely recognizes that look. It's the same one that she saw in her own reflection when she put that necklace on Kate in the first place. A look that says 'Now you've done it, Victoria Maribeth Chase. You're in deep shit. You're up the creek without a paddle.'
A look that says: 'Now you're MINE.'
Without another word Kate grabs Victoria's hand and pulls her, practically drags her along behind as she hurries down the sidewalk in the direction of the hotel.
Is… is this really happening? Victoria wonders, feeling like she's on auto-pilot while she meekly follows Kate's lead. Am I letting this happen? Fuck, could I stop Kate, stop myself if I even wanted to?
It's kind of funny, when she thinks about it. She's always thought of herself as a predator, and Kate the cute, innocent, fluffy prey. But now the rabbit was leading the cat straight back to her den. Victoria supposes the only question is, which one of them is about to be doing the devouring?
But when Kate looks back at Victoria over her shoulder for a few seconds, when Victoria sees that same deep, primal hunger from before… now mixed with something new, with the anticipation of a hunger about to be imminently satiated, the answer becomes pretty God damn clear.
Yeah… Victoria's money is on the rabbit.