"okay what is going on with this Mara person because I am tired of seeing Adora mope around all day and fake happy around you two." Catra said the next day at lunch while Adora went off with a blue haired senior that Catra didn't care enough to remember her name.
"Wait, she told you about Mara?" Glimmer asked, brows shooting up at that although Catra just shrugged.
"yeah, what of it? I mean she was worried senseless the other night which was why I ended up sleeping over at your place." Catra responded, sending an sideways glance toward her usual table before sighing and taking a seat.
"Look, whatever is going on with Mara is effecting Adora and I have never seen her act like this." she added remembering the conversation in the locker rooms the previous day and how Adora had been acting a bit strange since—but she understood that—after all, showing emotion was showing weakness and letting someone else have power over you and old habits die hard.
Catra knew that all too well.
"Mara's been sick a long time and she's had a really bad relapse and I guess that Adora's just been worrying about her." Bow answered, earning a look from Glimmer.
"If she was that worried she would have told us!" Glimmer stated, not noticing how Catra rolled her eyes at the exclamation.
"Simmer down Shimmer. I'm pretty sure she wouldn't have told me either if I didn't pry it out of her." Catra said before turning her full attention back to Bow and adding "Can you at least tell me what's wrong with Mara? I just want to know what Adora's dealing with."
Both of the other teens grew quiet and shared a look—much to Catra's annoyance—but after a few minutes Bow spoke again.
"Mara is a veteran who served two tours in the army and she has sever PTSD. She was doing really well there for a while on the meds they put her on but they slowly stopped working and..."
Bow's voice trailed off as if he was unsure if he should continue.
"She got worse again after Adora moved in?" Catra guessed, earning a glare from Glimmer.
"She was getting worse before then! Don't you start making Adora believe that..."
Catra couldn't keep from scoffing at the shorter girl as she stood up, turning her full attention to her.
"I don't have to make Adora believe anything...She already does and frankly I know it's bullshit which is why I asked you what was wrong to begin with. Maybe you don't know Adora as well as you think you do, Glamour."
With that Catra stalked off, leaving Glimmer sitting there practically steaming with anger while Bow resisted the urge to facepalm at the whole conversation between the two girls.
"Maybe you can cool it a bit? I mean she was being nice...Well nice for Catra anyway and she was really concerned about Adora yesterday. She isn't a terrible person just...Shall we say rough around the edges?" Bow suggested, earning a glare from his childhood best friend.
"I still think she's up to something Bow! I mean she went from being a jerk to whatever the hell this is...I don't trust her! I mean who knows if this is just some ploy to end up hurting Adora!" Glimmer pointed out, earning a look.
"You know who she reminds me of?" Bow said after a while, earning a huff.
"Who?"
Bow smirked slightly as he saw the look he was getting from Glimmer.
"A certain eight eight year old who was temperamental and depressed after her father died. The girl who really had a hard time making friends. Seriously, Glimmer...From what Adora told us about living with that Beatrix person, Catra and her didn't have ideal childhoods and that sort of thing damages people. Remember how Adora got all worried when she learned I was adopted? Who knows what happened. I think we should at least give her a chance. She probably just as a hard time putting her thoughts and feelings into words."
The rest of the day passed by in a rush of color and soon enough Catra found herself standing on the field, watching as Adora passed the ball—taking note that the blonde's form was sloppy at best.
"Come on Adora! You got this!" Catra called, not really bothered by the fact that she was sitting out the first half of the game, especially since her mind was too preoccupied with the blonde to really care about anything else.
"Catra, after half time I need you to replace Kyle because if we don't do something we're going to lose this game." Their couch said, earning a smirk from Catra who shot Lonnie a look that clearly said 'take that' before she answered.
"Sure thing. How long till half time anyway?"
"about another five minutes."
Nodding Catra turned her attention back toward the pitch, eyes training on Adora and sighing a bit when she saw how distracted that Adora still was. I swear the first person that blames her if we lose, I am going to punch the ever living horse shit out of them. She thought, her knuckles throbbing slightly as she thought about punching anything else that week.
Angela was still working in her office when Glimmer burst through the door, out of breath and looking slightly pale.
"Mom, we need you outside stat...Adora's hurt."