An airhorn tore through the peaceful silence, ripping Max from slumber as her head jolted off the pillow. Chloe's kneecap thrashed into her lower back, sending sharp stars along her spine. Squinting and in pain, her eyes focused on a figure standing in the center of the room, arm extended out with something in their hand. She blinked a few times, and the image became clearer, revealing Victoria staring at them with an almost disinterested look. Her thumb tapped the screen of her phone, and the air horn sounded off again.
"Wow, what a bitch," Chloe muttered, her breath tickling along the back of Max's neck. Victoria smirked and drooped her head.
"You guys should really lock your door," she said.
What an amazingly shitty way to let us know you're back. I'm going to have a bruise from Chloe!
"We usually do," Max replied, allowing her head to fall back on the pillow. She smiled. "Hey, Vic. We missed you."
"Yeah, I did until about a minute ago," Chloe grumbled. "Go back to Seattle, demon."
"Missed you guys too," Victoria said, tilting her head impishly. She looked around the room for a moment, then sighed. "It's nice to be back." She held the phone out to Max and hovered her index finger near the button on her air horn app. "You guys want breakfast?"
"Oh god," Max chuckled, thrusting her arm out in a failed attempt to stop her. "Please don't, my head will fall apart."
"Then get up!" Victoria laughed, hopping up and down impatiently. "Come on!" Without waiting for a reply, she took a step toward the bed and clutched the blankets, her eyes glimmering mischievously.
"Wait, wait!" Max protested, flailing her arm again. "We are...not clothed." She narrowed her eyes and sleepily grinned as Victoria backed off with her hands up.
"Of course," the blonde huffed, rolling her eyes. "How long do you need? I can fuck around on the internet for a bit."
"Three hours," Chloe mumbled against Max's skin, her arms sliding around the girl's hips as she snuggled into the warm bed. Max giggled as Victoria's eyes angled to the back of her head.
"Fifteen," Max said. She moved one shoulder in an attempted shrug. "With wiggle room."
"Fine, fine," Victoria pouted, moving toward the door. She gave Max a serious look. "Fifteen with two minutes of wiggle room." She pointed at her. "If I hear so much as one moan of pleasure through our shitty, thin walls, I will wake you up every night with this thing." She jostled the phone in her hand, then walked out the door.
"Victoria's back," Max mockingly cheered quietly.
"Yep..." Chloe said flatly. She snickered, then took in a breath, releasing an over the top, very loud moan.
"I'm not even in my room yet!" Victoria's muffled scream leaked under the door.
"Three minutes to spare, I'm impressed," the blonde said, opening her door. Max stared at her dryly, before cracking a smile and holding her arms out. Victoria returned it and ducked into Max's open arms, giving her a tight hug. "I actually did miss you guys," she said. Her chin resting on Max's shoulder, she looked at Chloe. "Even you, I can't believe it."
"You make it sound so lovely," Chloe snarked, laying a hand to her chest. She bared her teeth in a smile and took the girl in her own hug. "Yeah, I did kind of miss your pompous, little ass."
It's like they have their own language. Bitchanese?
"Oh shit," Chloe said, backing out of Victoria's embrace. She grabbed the girl by the wrist and held her arm up. "Look at you! You got your arm back!" She jerked it left and right. "How does it feel? Did they give you any cool cybernetic implants?"
"Yeah," Victoria laughed, pulling her hand free. "Check it out." She held her hand up and concentrated on it, slowly curling all of her fingers inward but the middle one. Chloe nodded her head with a chuckle.
"Guess I deserved that," she admitted.
"But seriously," Max said, "how does it feel to finally have a hand again? Is it weird?"
"It was a little at first." Victoria spread her fingers out. "But I got used to it in like a day. The novelty sort of wore off pretty quick." She held a hand out in explanation. "Although I did spend like, I don't know, an hour clapping. Just clapping, like a total idiot." She brought her hands together in demonstration, shaking her head with a smile.
"I guess it's the little things," Max laughed. "What time did your flight get in?" She peeked over Victoria's shoulder to see the clothes strewn about on her bed.
"Two hours ago?" She posed it as a question, glancing at her phone. "Yeah, two hours. I slept for most of the flight though, so I'm pretty awake." She clasped a hand to her stomach. "I haven't eaten yet, I was waiting for you guys! Can we please get something to eat?" She frowned a little. "Where is Kate, by the way? It doesn't seem like she's in her room. I wanted to surprise her. Sounds like she's had a...fucked up time lately."
That's an adequate description. Hopefully you can help make her feel a little better...
"I think she mentioned something last night about getting breakfast with her dad," Chloe said. "She had lunch with him yesterday but I guess the guy is trying really hard to mend fences." Victoria's frown deepened and she turned to go into her room, with Max and Chloe following.
"So she probably won't want to eat then," she said. Her posture went rigid and she turned to them with a look of disgust, holding her hand out like a claw. "I cannot believe her mom freaked like that. I'm just blown away that people like that really exist and aren't just...made up stereotypes."
"I was...pretty surprised myself," Max admitted, her lips quirking sadly. "You should have been there, it was completely crazy. All because me and Chloe are together." She glanced at her girlfriend, who simply shrugged. Victoria had moved over to her desk and was fiddling with papers before she fell still.
"You know, Kate actually told me..." Her fingers twitched restlessly. "She told me she was suicidal and that she told her mom and her mom just...didn't fucking care." Her brow furrowed as her eyes showed sparks of anger. Max nodded weakly. "I think if I was there, I might have actually attacked her." Her voice was deadly serious.
"Well," Chloe rocked her head back and forth, "I mean, I feel like we have decent proof that that's definitely in your wheelhouse." She pointed at her hand. Victoria puckered her lips as she once again examined her hand.
"It's just..." She nervously blew out a big breath and plopped onto her bed. Her face briefly showed a pained expression, then she looked back at the girls with tears in her eyes. "Kate told me all about this thing, right? But I guess, I don't think she really realized what she was admitting to me?" She angled her eyes at the floor and played with her hands. "I know at this point I have kind of an unhealthy complex with protecting her. Guilt and all, you know. I don't think she realized what she was really saying when she told me she was suicidal." Max closed her eyes and sighed, pressing a palm against her face. Chloe shifted uncomfortably.
Oh. Dammit, Vic...
"Yeah," Victoria said in response to her reaction. "That...that sure fucking hurt." She tilted her head back, staring at the ceiling. "Gonna take a while to get over that one. I mean, I do know it wasn't just me. Nathan and Jefferson were the...main culprits, I guess. But I played my part and I played it pretty fucking well. It's...I've been trying so hard not to think about it. I think I might completely derail if it gets in too far." She worked up a small smile. "I can't believe that girl has forgiven me. It'll take me a lifetime to forgive myself and she does it in an instant. Like it's no big deal. I swear, she is a fucking saint."
"Darn it!" A disappointed voice swept in from the doorway. The three girls turned in unison to find Kate standing just outside the room, an annoyed look on her face. She held a shiny, gravity-defying string in one hand, leading up to something obscured by the door frame. "I was hoping I could have a surprise for before you got back!" She stepped into the room and carefully pulled down on the string, bringing the balloon in with her. The metallic backside was visible at first, but it slowly spun until multicolored, balloon styled letters spelled out 'welcome home!'
Max looked just in time to see Victoria's reaction. Jaw hanging open, eyes wide, still as a statue. Still, something in her big, dark eyes was swirling chaotically. It was that same energy Max had seen in Chloe's so many times before.
Victoria...you...you've got it really, really bad. Wowser.
"Sorry," Kate shrunk under their gaze, "is it dumb? I thought it'd be nice, but..."
"No," Victoria said, shaking her head. "Kate, that's...really sweet." She stood up from the bed and shambled toward her, as if her legs weren't in her control. Chloe backed out of the way, shooting Max a quick smile with raised eyebrows. Victoria wrapped her arms around Kate and nestled her face in the girl's shoulder. "I really missed you."
"I missed you too," Kate replied, closing her eyes as she settled into the embrace. Her cheeks took on a rosy pigment. Taking the opportunity while she could, Max responding to Chloe's look with one of her own, barely able to resist the urge to excitedly flail her hands.
Oh my GOD, this is so cute!
"I'm sorry you've been having such a rough time lately," Victoria said. She breathed deeply, strengthening her grip around Kate. The girl didn't respond immediately, instead letting her head fall to the side to rest against Victoria's. Then, as if she'd forgotten where she was, it snapped back straight and her blush deepened.
"It's...it's okay," she said. Victoria finally released her and looked her in the eyes.
"We'll help you get through it," she said, light and comforting. Kate nodded with a somber smile.
"I know." Her voice was very quiet. She cleared her throat and held the string out to Victoria. "Here. I'm glad you're back." The girl took it, looked up at the balloon and shook her head.
"Thank you," she replied. "It's..." She quirked an eyebrow, as if finally remembering they weren't alone and slowly turned to Chloe. The punk stared back, her lips tight in a straight line, visibly holding down a grin. Somehow, that made Victoria relax. "It's ridiculous how adorable you are," she finished, rolling her eyes at Kate. She chuckled in response.
"I guess," she said, shrugging. Then she gasped in excitement. "Oh! Your hand!" She grabbed it and looked it over, joy etched across her face. "I'm so glad you finally got that thing removed!"
"You have no idea." Victoria made a sound of disgust. "Next time, I'm only going to kick." She held up a foot menacingly.
"I'd just like to point out," Max interjected, raising her hand, "that you woke us up with a fucking air horn to get breakfast and I remain breakfastless." Victoria glared at her.
"Excuse me for having a moment to be welcomed back," she growled. "You didn't get me any balloons!"
Oh my gosh, you drama queen.
"I didn't know that was part of the deal!" Max shouted back, her lips curling up playfully. "I didn't get that memo, alright?!"
"Well, maybe you're just not that good of a friend!" Victoria shot back. Chloe sighed and stood beside Kate, slinging an arm over her.
"Good morning, Chloe!" Kate said to her, closing her eyes as she smiled. "Is it weird that I'm so used to this?"
"Morning," Chloe said back, squeezing Kate's shoulders affectionately. "Also, nah. It's all part of our lovely, little dynamic."
"I can't believe this is where you decided to come," Chloe droned, staring at Victoria with a slack, neutral expression. "It's my...fucking day off!" She held her hands out like 'why!?' growing more animated with each word. Victoria shrugged, stabbing her fork into the omelet and making a grandiose show of the bite she took.
Chloe should just get an air mattress and sleep here...when she's not sleeping with me, of course.
"You sure you don't want anything?" Max asked Kate. She had only ordered a cup of tea.
"Yeah, I ate with my dad already. But I always have room for Earl!" She waved her hand over the mug. "He is just so reliable." She sighed dreamily.
"How'd that go? The dad meeting?" Victoria asked after sticking her tongue out at Chloe.
"It went okay..." Kate scowled as she tore open a packet of sugar. "He's trying so hard. It's like now I'm mad at my mom for putting him in this position." A little smile bloomed in her cheeks. "Although, it was kind of cute..." She looked at Max. "He was asking me questions about...you guys? How it..." She snickered. "Works, I guess? He's showing a lot of willingness to try and understand."
That's...actually really fucking cool of him.
"Well, that's interesting," Chloe mused, tapping her fork to her lips. "Did you tell him that before we kiss, we have to sacrifice a goat and bathe in its blood?" She wiggled her eyebrows.
Don't forget about the ritualistic chant. It won't work without the proper chant!
"I left that part out," Kate said, waving a hand dismissively. "Figured it's best not to overwhelm him." Victoria sputtered into her drink and turned to eye Kate.
"I would have never expected you to say something like that a few months ago," she said.
"I probably wouldn't have, but..." She shrugged. "I'm different now."
"Is that good or bad to you?" Max asked. She let herself fall sideways, putting her weight on Chloe.
"Definitely good," Kate said with conviction. "I mean, maybe some stuff is a little..." She huffed as if exhausted, "hard to figure out, but you guys have definitely changed me for the better. I have fun now?" She giggled.
"Fun is good," Chloe agreed. "I'm a fan of it, anyway." She groaned and let her head hit the bench behind her. "This fucking song plays all the time."
OH, is this the song you're always humming with a pissed off look?
"I like this song," Victoria protested, turning to regard the jukebox. "It's catchy."
"STD's are catchy too," Chloe replied with annoyance. "I swear to fucking god, like ten times a day. I want to take a baseball bat to that thing."
"Yeah, let's...not get fired," Max said slowly, patting Chloe on the knee reassuringly. The girl grunted and crossed her arms.
"Oh shit," Victoria suddenly said, her eyes wide. She grabbed her phone. "Max, have you seen any of this Waters chick's work?" The brunette shook her head. "It's actually...kind of amazing." She swiped around on her phone for a moment, then turned it so Max could see. It was an exceptionally bright and colorful photo of a field of wildflowers. She couldn't help but notice how drastic the comparison was with Jefferson's famous black and white work.
It's definitely a good change of pace. Who says colors can't be stylish and artsy?
"That's a great shot," Max said, taking the phone so she could examine more closely. "You been looking into her?"
"Mhm," Victoria muffled with a mouthful. She swallowed and pointed at the phone. "I mean, she kind of goes all over the place with style. Portraits, landscapes, black and white, color." She excitedly tapped Max's hand. "She even has an entire collection of instant stuff, totally up your alley." Max 'oooh'd!'
"That's so awesome," she said, handing the phone back. She sank against the seat. "Man, I am so ready to have a good photography class. Gives me a little motivation when it's time to go back."
It certainly would make all the other classes a bit more bearable.
"I hear ya, sister," Victoria replied. "I took some okay shots back home, I can show you later if you want."
"Definitely," Max said. "I think even just having someone to talk shop with would be great at this point." She turned to Chloe and rested her hand on the girl's arm. "No offense, babe."
"None taken," Chloe chuckled. "You know I'm the first to admit I don't know shit about picture taking." She held her hands to her face, pantomiming a camera. "I enjoy the finished product, but...yeah." She turned her attention to a young girl walking toward the jukebox, watching with interest. The girl went onto her tiptoes, studied for a moment, then inserted change. With a press of a button, she turned and skipped back to her seat. Then the song that was just on started to play. Chloe's eyes went wide and she lurched forward, slamming her hands on the table, looking at the other three wildly. "I'm going to slit my throat if we don't leave in the next twenty seconds."
That's a bit of an overreaction.
"Oh no," Kate said, somewhat horrified. Victoria narrowed her eyes and slowed her movements as she reached for her glass, a subtle smirk on her lips. Chloe shook her head emphatically.
"I am not even playing," she said, though there was laughter in her voice. "I will beat you to death with my spoon."
"Your girlfriend's kinda violent," Victoria said, aiming her gaze at Max. The brunette smiled warmly and wrapped her arms around Chloe's before resting her head on her shoulder.
"I know, isn't it cute?" Max asked.
After breakfast, with an almost silent impulse, they decided to go to the shore. It wasn't the same section that Frank often stayed at, but one that was set up as sort of a communal area. There were a plethora of benches, two gazebos and a worn, but still quite extravagant fountain in the center. Max, Victoria and Kate sat on a bench backwards while Chloe took her spot on top of the picnic table, her feet planted on either side of Max. Off the in the distance, the waves softly tumbled from big to small.
"I think it's colder here than it was in Seattle," Victoria muttered with a pout, pulling her jacket tighter. "Winter is such a drag."
I'd love to know what winter did to you to make you hold such a grudge.
"But there are pretty good photo ops," Max said, her eyes scanning the surrounding area. "Even the air is different, like, visually." Victoria sighed and moved her head back and forth in surrender.
"Yeah, okay, fine," she snorted, "suffer for my art. Woo-fuckin'-hoo."
"Oh, hang on," Kate said, clapping a hand to a pocket on her coat. She dipped her fingers in and retrieved her phone. A sad smile appeared on her face. "Aw, it's Abby. Just saying she hopes I'm doing okay."
Poor Abby. I hope she and Lynn aren't getting caught up in this too much.
"Abby's cool," Chloe said, cupping a hand around her lighter as she lit a cigarette. She frowned around it. "I hope we didn't...influence her too much." She couldn't help but sound a bit deflated. Kate shifted herself so she could see the blue haired girl.
"Oh, please. It'd be a blessing for her to get any influence at all from you. Don't..." She growled in frustration and put her hands on her head. "I am so mad that my mom made you feel that way!" Chloe took a deep drag of her cigarette, shaking her head as she blew out smoke.
It just seems...unnatural to see Kate so angry.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to open that up. I just thought of it and I have a big mouth." She leaned forward and gently ran her fingers through Kate's hair, pulling a collection of strands neatly behind her ear. "Don't worry about it, seriously."
"It's so awful," Kate charged on, her forehead creased in anger. "I just...I can't get over it! It's just constantly going in the back of my mind!" She laughed incredulously. "I told her I was having thoughts of killing myself and..." She flailed her hands in the air, like that was enough to complete the sentence. Max noticed Victoria shift uneasily.
Ah man. She really doesn't realize how that sounds.
"I'm sorry, Kate," Max said, entirely unsure of how to diffuse the conversation.
"It's just ridiculous," Kate continued. "I mean, am I selfish for expecting at least a little bit of understanding and love?" Her hands curled into tight fists, the red from the cold draining to white. Again, Max noticed Victoria look away as she fidgeted. "She couldn't have given me something!? I was so depressed! I wanted to die! I didn't want to be alive anymore to have to deal with everything!"
"Fuck this," Victoria muttered, standing up from the bench. She crossed her arms and focused on Kate. "I'm sorry, okay?" Her voice was bitter. "I am sorry! What do you want from me!?" Kate recoiled, flipping from rage to a very confused fear in a heartbeat.
Woah, where the hell is this coming from?!
"What?" She asked. Victoria held out and arm, as if pointing to the answer, then let it fall and slap against her thigh.
"I'm sorry I made you want to die, Kate! Trust me, I feel like shit!" She moved her hand violently with each word, causing Kate to flinch each time.
"Why...are you yelling at me?" She asked in tiny sounds, huddling in on herself and looking as though she might cry.
"Woah, Vic-" Chloe began, but Victoria cut her off.
"Oh, shut the fuck up," she barked, rolling her eyes. Chloe was so taken aback, she couldn't find a response. "I don't..." She shook her head in disbelief, "I don't understand what's happening. How you say you forgive me so easily. I'm a shitty fucking person, alright? I can't tell if you all just pity me or what the fuck is going on. I know for fucking sure you can't possibly think of me as a friend. Not after what I did." She looked away, her jaw tight. "God dammit," she hissed, kicking a rock across the lot.
You are out of fucking control. What the hell is going on?
"Well, I thought we were friends!" Kate shouted angrily, now standing up as well. She relaxed a bit and released an acidic chuckle. "I actually thought...nevermind." She brought her lips together tightly enough that they changed color. Victoria whipped around quickly, not a trace of anger in her expression. Regret had taken root instead.
"Kate," she said, raising her hand, "I didn't..."
"You know what?" Kate stared at her harshly, as if summoning the nerve. "Fuck you, Victoria." She turned quickly on her heel and stormed off.
"Oh my god," Victoria merely breathed the words as she slapped her hands to her temples. "Fuck, fuck, fuck!"
"What the hell is your problem?" Max asked, looking at her with disgust. She stood and turned to Chloe. "I'm gonna go make sure she's alright." Chloe only nodded, her eyes wide and focused on Victoria.
"God dammit, I'm so fucking stupid," Victoria cried, still clutching her head. Chloe closed her eyes and pulled on the cigarette, mulling over her plan of action. She actually thought she might be shaking a little. She wasn't used to seeing her friends get into it with each other.
"Okay, so," she said, opening her eyes. "Why? Just...why?" Victoria turned to her.
"I don't know! I don't know why I did that!" She ground her teeth, pressing her hands into her eyes. "Fuck!"
"It was rhetorical. I know why," Chloe said. "I invented the whole 'act like a bitch in an attempt at self-preservation thing.' Trust me, I see right through that shit. I just...fucking really?" She craned her neck, almost in awe.
"What the fuck," the blonde fell back onto the bench and buried her face in her hands. "I just...I feel so bad about it still. I care about her so much. Do you know how bad it hurts knowing that I did that to her?"
"Well, making her feel like shit is a great way to cure that," Chloe whipped icily. "Yes, I do know exactly what it's like." The thought of Max in the Dark Room swayed through her mind. She focused on it, crushing it to death and silence. "Believe me," she said. "I fucking know."
"What do I do?" Victoria asked, almost begging. Chloe held up her hand, her brows knitting together.
"Go...fucking talk to her and fix it," she said it like it was obvious. She slid from the table onto the bench next to her. "Listen, Vic. Do you love her?" Victoria froze, her eyes huge as she stared at the ground.
"I don't even know what that means," she replied desperately. "What the fuck is love?"
"You said earlier that you'd do anything to protect her. And that includes from yourself, right?" Chloe asked. Victoria's non-answer was enough of one. "Right," Chloe nodded. "You feel all...like you're going to ruin their life. Like you're nothing but poison for them." She hadn't noticed she switched from singular to plural, from her to them. She laughed somewhat darkly. "Well, guess what, it's not your fucking call. Only they can decide what they want. Kate forgives you." She nudged her roughly with her elbow, bringing Victoria's eyes to meet hers. "She does. You think she'd get you a fucking balloon if she still had any resentment?" Chloe took one last drag and flicked the cigarette away, then ran her tongue along her top row of teeth. "Man, Max mentioned that you were insecure but I had no idea it was this bad. Giving me a run for my money."
"What am I supposed to say to her?" The blonde asked.
"Be honest," Chloe said. "Just...tell her that you're still kicking the shit out of yourself about it."
"How honest am I supposed to be?" She asked, the anxiety in her voice very evident. "I just...I just want her to be my friend still."
"Yeah," Chloe sighed, rubbing her eyes. "I know." Victoria grimaced at her.
"I'm...sorry I told you to shut the fuck up," she said. Chloe flitted a hand.
"It's cool. Like I said, you're playing my game. I know you didn't mean it." She stood up and grabbed a hold of Victoria's arm. "Come on, you need to fix this."
"I just don't understand," Kate said, wiping her sleeve across her nose as she cried. Max sat with her arm around her, trying her best to be comforting.
"I know," Max said. "I...really don't either. I really don't." From the corner of her eye, she saw Chloe and Victoria walking toward them. The look on the blonde's face was enough to show the fullness of her regret, though the extra wave of pain in her features when she saw that Kate was crying definitely cemented it. She glanced at Chloe, who only fluttered her eyes closed as if exhausted and saying 'ridiculous.'
"Kate...?" Victoria stood in front of her, seeming about two inches tall. The girl looked up at her, still only giving a look of bewildered betrayal. Victoria sighed and knelt down before her. "I'm...well, sorry really doesn't even begin to cover it." Max decided to give them some room and took her spot next to Chloe, just a couple feet away.
"Why did you say all that?" Kate asked, her lip still trembling. "What did I do?" Victoria took a deep breath and cautiously reached out, taking Kate's hands into her own.
"I just...kind of lost it. I know you don't do it on purpose, but it...talking about being suicidal. You have no idea how much that hurts. I really care about you, you know? So getting reminded of what I did before..." She clamped her eyes shut. "Ugh, I might start crying, sorry."
"Don't cry," Kate said, concerned as ever. Victoria's eyes shot open.
"Really?" She asked, almost laughing. "I can't believe this..." Her eyes angled upward as she thought. "I don't know how to say any of this. But, yes, I know you said you forgive me. I do know that. But it's really hard for me to believe. Not because of you, but because I know I wouldn't." She scrunched her lips to the side. "I don't think I deserve to be forgiven. Especially not now, knowing all of it. I try to just not think about it, but it's always there."
"I really do forgive you though," Kate said it with a bit of whine.
"You're...amazing. Like, completely just fucking amazing." Victoria stumbled a bit on her words. "And that...really scares me." The end of the sentence trailed off into a whisper.
"Why?" Kate shook her head, still not understanding.
"Because I don't want to hurt you," she said. "I'm not like..." She huffed. "I'm so bad at this." She breathed out slowly, trying to steady herself. "Do you know why I freaked out on that reporter?"
"Because he was harassing me," Kate answered. Victoria gave a half nod.
"Yeah, but...it's also because I really care about you." She looked down at her hands, safely wrapped around Kate's. "Really care about you," she repeated, scowling at the words. "It doesn't...sound right."
"I care about you too," Kate said. Victoria shook her head in frustration.
"I know. I know you do," she said. "And I'm so lucky that you do. But, I think...I'm scared that I'll do something wrong and hurt you because I really, really care about you. All I want is a smile on that pretty face of yours at all times." Like magic, Kate grew a tiny smile. "Yes, exactly like that." Victoria returned one of her own. "It's my favorite thing in the world. I don't..." She turned to Max and Chloe, her mouth open and eyes pleading for help.
"Vic." Kate tugged their hands toward her, snatching Victoria's eyes back to hers. "Please, talk to me. I want to understand what's wrong."
"I'm trying," Victoria laughed in a desperate rhythm. "I swear to god, I am trying so hard. But I suck at this. I don't know how to say any of it. I don't know how to tell you that I cried myself to sleep when you told me you thought about killing yourself. I don't know how to tell you that I think about you all the time. Or how I came home early just because I missed you. I don't know how to say that I think you're beautiful and mean it not just in a supportive, girl to girl way. I just have no fucking idea how to explain that I have feelings for you. Romantic ones that scare the shit out of me." She released what could only be described as a horrified and disappointed gasp as she realized her words.
A deafening silence filled the area as they stared at each other, each with gigantic eyes. Victoria glanced down again and jerked her hands away from Kate's in a panic.
"I'm sorry," she said. "I..." She cringed at Kate's confused expression. "I didn't..."
Kate audibly gulped, uncertainty flickering across her face. She closed her eyes, the corners crinkling in thought. Victoria was just about to back away when Kate slid forward off the seat so that she was on her knees as well. She leaned forward just a hair, then backed away. She was still for a moment, their eyes locked together. She nervously licked her lips, reached out and placed a hand on Victoria's shoulder. Then, eyes closed, she leaned forward again, softly planting her lips on the corner of Victoria's mouth.
"Um..." Victoria blinked, completely stunned. "What...was that for?" Kate shrugged with a tremendous amount of nervousness.
"I...I thought that's what we were supposed to do." She looked down. "Was that bad?"
"Katie," Victoria's voice was a strained whisper, "do you want to kiss me or do you just feel like you're supposed to?" It seemed like the wrong answer would shatter her then and there.
"I want to," Kate replied, still seeming utterly terrified. "Really badly," she added, again pulling her eyes away from the girl in front of her. "It...is scary," she said. "I'm really confused."
"You want to kiss me?" Victoria asked again, a bit louder but no less fragile. Kate slowly met her gaze and nodded shyly. Victoria's breathing seemed to catch in her lungs. "Okay," she nodded and moved forward carefully, her hand finding a home on Kate's cheek. And then their lips met.
Standing not far away, Max and Chloe both turned away, flustered and guilty of staring. Chloe clawed into her waist.
"Oh my fucking god," Max whispered as quietly as she possibly could, shocked beyond belief. Chloe was identical, but she still had it in her to lean in close to Max's ear.
"You absolutely owe me twenty dollars," she said.
A/N: Oh hey, what's up? How have you been?
It's been a little bit! I guess three-ish months? Sorry about that! There's a list of reasons that could wrap around the world twice, but I'll just leave it at "real life is crazy" and "writing other things!" I do apologize for the wait, sincerely.
Annnnnywho, how about that chapter? It's official, Kate Marsh and Victoria Chase are touching lips and saying they like each other! This is kind of a big chapter, I guess, so I do hope I've delivered on all the hype. I know I've been building up to it since like, chapter 11 or something insane like that. The whole ChaseMarsh aspect of this story started as an exercise in morbid curiosity, so it feels kind of cool to finally reach this point. With Max and Chloe, their relationship was established before I even began typing. It was kind of a get out of jail free card. It's been pretty fun to build a romantic relationship from the ground up and convince people (and myself!) that it was actually believable. Hope so, anyway! And of course, I won't suddenly stop writing about them. Really, this is only the beginning. We'll see how the relationship develops from here, for sure.
And for those who may be wondering about Play Crack the Sky, the fic I'm writing with MaiQueti, I can say that we're getting very close! Turns out the process has taken a bit longer than an anticipated, partially because, as I've said "real life is crazy" but also because the story itself has far exceeded what either she or I expected in scope. We originally were laughing in disbelief that it might be 40k words, thinking that was absurd for what we were trying to do. Then whoops, it...really just soared passed that mark. But! I can say that I am REALLY excited to share it with you guys. It is very different from Ouroboros, but I've never been more proud of something I've worked on. I hope we can get it to you all soon enough. And if you didn't know, MaiQueti has done a cover AND two amazing art pieces for scenes in the story. You can peep those on her deviantart, which is linked in my profile. Or just google search it, whichever is easier for you!
As for Ouroboros and the next update? It'll certainly be muuuuuch sooner than this one. I think I should be able to start sliding into posting regularly again pretty soon. I say soon a lot. Which sounds like politician speak because it just kind of means whatever the hell it means. Hmm. Still, it'll be here before ya know it. And, I really appreciate everyone's patience while Ouro has sat in stasis. I know it sucks, but it does mean a ton to me that you've been so understanding. Hopefully it was worth the wait :)
So! As always, thank you so, so much for reading and dedicating any of your time to this. I'll see you guys with the next update!