Summary: Growing up is the worst. Feelings are gross. Life would be less complicated if boys had cooties forever. How do people deal with this? Catalina wondered if seeing Varian's smile is worth the trouble.

What was she doing? What were they doing? Oh god, what am I doing? Catalina freaked, hiding deeper in the shadows. She shouldn't be here. Eavesdropping on them like that was stupid, but her legs had other plans. They felt like they were glued to the ground.

It was supposed to be a quick errand into the city. Nothing more. Nothing special. Hanging out with Varian was always just a small bonus.

She should say something. Since when was she such a coward?

The boy laughed. A faint blush covered his face while his azure eyes shone brighter than the stars. Catalina's chest constricted painfully and she pressed her back harder against the wall. The princess's arm was around him, touching him ever so familiar.

"Amazing!" Varian moaned with a joyous smile."Love it! " He put another piece of chocolate into his mouth and Rapunzel smiled satisfied.

What is wrong with me? Seeing Varian happy wasn't a bad thing, the thief reminded herself over and over, still…

"Is there anything you can't do?" He asked her with a cheeky grin in his voice.

Catalina couldn't hear Rapunzel's reply she was too distracted by the fingers tousling through Varian's dark hair, and her leaning down kissing him. For a moment the world got blurry before finally her feet had mercy and she took off.

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"Catalina!" Rapunzel's voice echoed over the market. Excited she waved her hands while running towards her.

"We did it!" She pulled the girl into a giant bear-hug, swinging her around like her favorite rag doll. "We did it! The annual art contest, we won!"

Catalina took a stuttering breath. She tried to relax, but her body felt stiff and awkward.

"Thanks for all your hard work!" The future queen finally released her and started rummaging through her bag. "I got you something."

A small packet came to light. It was wrapped in expensive-looking paper and an adorable bow sat on top. She shoved it right into Catalina's hands.

"I don't want it. I am good," she mumbled not able to meet Rapunzel's eyes.

"What? I didn't quite catch that." The princess looked concerned, and her grin wavered.

"I," She couldn't. "I… thank you. This really wasn't necessary." Catalina smiled big and fake and felt like crying. She was such a pushover.

"I, uhm, I have to go." With the tail between her legs, she ran again, leaving a very confused princess behind.

"Did I do something wrong?"

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Catalina growled and the nearest onlookers jumped out of the way. It didn't make sense. Why was it bothering her so much? She turned sharp to the left and stomped through a narrow alley, all the while clutching at the princess's present. Innocent it weighed down on her heart.

Abruptly she stopped and looked at the damn thing, before throwing it into the trash. She was such an ugly girl.

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"Have you seen Varian?" Angry asked, casually popping her head through the open door.

"He's probably off somewhere eating chocolate," her sister sulked. There was no fire in her voice just a dull ache.

"You're still hung up on that?" She didn't get what the fuss was all about.

"I am not," Catalina replied, but wouldn't look her in the eyes.

Hmm, her pouting face proved the opposite was true.

"She kissed him." Catalina clenched her fist.

"So what?" It was weird to see her so stressed out about basically nothing. "It doesn't count, wasn't even on the lips."

"Whatever," the young girl muttered and continued nurturing the foul mood she harbored for the past couple of days. Kiera wouldn't understand.

"You know, if you're that upset why not do something about it?"

"Like what?"

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"Huh? What's that?" Lance leaned over his pair of troublemakers while having a closer look. A chill went down his spine. "Are you trying to kill someone? Trust me there are gentler ways than this."

Angry kicked him against his shin.

"Uhm," Catalina stuttered. "I asked Attila to teach me how to bake." Gloomy she looked at the burned mess in front of them.

"Why?"

"Sorry I am late." With perfect timing, Varian suddenly entered the picture.

"What? Who invited him?"

Angry giggled at her panicked expression.

"Don't!" She shrieked covering her failed experiment.

Too late.

"Urgh, are those Cupcakes?" Varian questioned.

"Catalina made them all by herself," the youngest Schnitz jumped in and Catalina flushed red in embarrassment. Where was a pit when you needed one?

For a split-second, Varian glanced down at her flustered expression. He took a deep breath to brace himself and put one of the things into his mouth. Hastily he swallowed it before his body could protest.

"Oi!"

The alchemist made a face as if he just bit into a lemon. "Bah!" He stuck out his tongue, instinctively trying to get rid of the flavor. "Oh wow, this was awful. They taste exactly as they look."

"I know that already." Catalina hugged herself. "You weren't supposed-"

"Can't wait for the next batch!"

Catalina's eyes widened and her head snapped up. A smile stretched over his lips, easy and kind and utterly perfect. Somehow all the light seemed to be drawn to him. Varian wouldn't notice, her pulse sped up, right now he had only eyes for her.

Heat raised to her cheeks. "Idiot," she said, hiding her face in her hands and all she could pray for was that he would see through her lying heart.