"Annnd that's the last of it," Adora puffed out, sweat gathering on her forehead, after putting the last of her items in the big cart in front of her.
"We're gonna miss you so much dear!" Her mom, Spinnerella, was on the verge of tears.
"Darling, we talked about it. No tears." The dark-skinned woman by her side said, though she was already handing her a tissue to blow her nose.
"Moms, I'm not going away forever," Adora tried to comfort them, "Plus, it's not like I'm going to be alone! I'll have a roommate."
That seems to put a stop for the water works, for now. Adora was grateful for the tears, but this was the third time that day that her moms had said goodbye to her, even though they had yet to make it to her room and help her unload. Not that she needed the help, but they felt calmer after nesting, and she was happy to let them linger as much as they needed.
Between yet another round of goodbyes and fussing, they made it to the three-floor structure which was going to be Adora's home for the next year.
"Wow, it's much more spacious than the pamphlets let on!" Her moms inspected the place, taking note of which of the two bedrooms was bigger to fit Adora's mountain of workout clothes and sneakers.
"It's the special dorm for those that got honor rolls in high school," Adora explained as she put a single cactus on her desk which she had claimed as her own already. In her room, there was a single double bed, a desk, bookshelf, and walk-in closet. The bathroom was in between the two bedrooms, leaving the kitchen at the front of the house. It really was impressive for first-year dorms.
"I got lucky since I have track," she continued as she inspected the string lights she had in her hands, trying to figure out a place to put them.
"They're the lucky ones," Netossa said, grabbing some push pins to help her set up her decorations. "You were the best, and don't you let them forget that."
Adora nodded, "I won't."
After another hour of unpacking, they decided to call it quits after Adora insisted she could finish the rest.
"Okay, then, we'll be leaving now," Spinnerella said her hundredth goodbye. This time it was her other mom who burst into tears.
"Be good! Don't forget to call us once in a while, and please, try to make friends outside of sports." They clung to Adora, who was beginning to get teared eyed at well.
"I will, and I promise." With that, Adora waved at them from the window in the living room, laughing as they blew her kisses and formed heart shapes with their hands from afar. They really were sweet, dorks, and disgustingly in love, but sweet, nonetheless.
"Okay," Adora stripped off her jersey jacket, leaving her in a solid white tank top. "Time to finish this."
Just then, the door to her apartment was slammed open, making her poke her head out of her room. In walked the last person she expected to see: Catra. She knew her from her high school, but only from afar. Adora doesn't know when she began to notice her presence. Not that they ever interacted. The closest she had ever gotten to know about her were through rumors. Rumors of her getting into fights any chance she got, evident in her usually bandaged up hands. Adora would stare at her as she got escorted to the office more times than she could count, taking note of the sad expression in her eyes. She was mesmerized by them. One blue, one yellow, one of the few physical traits that made it obvious she was a magicat. They were rare and few and far between that Adora couldn't think of a time she had seen another. And even though Adora had always wanted to talk to the other girl, she could not bring herself to, even on the day of their graduation.
That Catra was now standing in front of her, hands on hips, scanning the room for something. Her mismatched eyes landed of her, making her gulp.
"Great, you stole the better room," Her voice was icy, sending shivers down Adora's spine. Before she could say anything in return, Catra was moving to the other side of the apartment, pulling her own luggage in one of the university move-in day carts.
Before she could register what she was doing, Adora strode across to grab ahold of the other end of it. "Here, let me help you. I'm basically done with mine."
The magicat stared at her and jerked it out of her grasp. "No thanks." And slammed the door in her face.
Dumfounded, the blonde stood outside her door for a few minutes, just to have the door open suddenly again.
"Um, do you mind?" Catra gave her a wtf look.
"Oh, sorry!" Adora moved out of the way quickly, trying not to trip on her own feet. Nice, Adora, perfect way to start off the year.
"Geez," Catra muttered under her breath as she went to the front desk to return the now empty cart.
Feeling like a complete idiot, Adora went back to unpacking. Before she knew it, half the day was gone. And there was still no sign of Catra. The blonde was starting to get worried.
Maybe she went out to eat something? Adora felt her own stomach grumble at the thought. Well, I guess she has to come back eventually. Good thing her moms had insisted she take some instant ramen. She had only packed instant food fearing she wouldn't have a full functioning kitchen, but even though she did, she would hate to see the food untouched. She made a mental note to put a grocery list on the counter for Catra so she could grab stuff at the nearby grocery store. Personally, she didn't want to rely on cafeteria food for an entire year. Even though she usually grabbed whatever for lunch and dinner, she preferred to make her own breakfast. Nothing fancy, just toast with a sunny side egg on top with her usual protein shake.
After finishing her second instant ramen, she set down her chopsticks and stretched out on the couch, the weight of move in day weighing on her.
The sound of footsteps and keys jingling outside her door made her sit up straight.
Catra kicked open the door, and Adora was able to take all of her in this time. Her hair was longer than the last time she had seen her, disheveled and voluminous in the best way. Her sharp black nails paired with fingerless gloves. She wore black torn up jeans, and had a red tank top on with the words Wild Cat written across the front.
"Take a picture, it'll last longer." Catra smirked at her, noting her gawking.
Adora sputtered out the first thing she could think of, "I made you some food if you're hungry. I wasn't sure if you had gone out to eat or something, but I made it anyways. Also! I left a piece of paper there if you want to add anything specific you want from the store. I can take care of that no problem. Also—"
Catra laughed long and hard. "Breathe, Jesus Christ." Even though she had laughed, Adora felt it wasn't her place to do the same. She had a feeling she was laughing at her and not with her.
She blushed in embarrassment. "Sorry."
"And stop apologizing." Catra glared at her.
"Sor—Okay." Adora barely stopped herself from saying it again. Get a grip, Adora. She mentally kicked herself. Man, she was really doing great right now.
But before she could make a bigger fool of herself, Catra was already halfway into her room.
"Wait! I haven't properly introduced myself!" But before she could take another step, the magicat blocked her from entering her space, placing a slender yet toned arm across the entrance. The blonde was easily taller and stronger than her, but she got the hint and took a step back. Catra leaned against the doorway, arms crossed.
"You seriously need to back off," her eyes cold as icicles.
"I just thought that since we were roommates…" Adora trailed off, feeling ridiculous at voicing her thoughts.
"What? That we'd be friends?" Catra snorted, making the blonde frown. "And no need for introductions. I know who you are, Adora Grayskull, star runner, beloved by all."
Her heart skipped a beat at the sound of her name in her lips and was overjoyed that she knew she existed.
"I didn't think you'd remember me!" Adora smiled broadly.
"How could I not? Practically every girl in our grade had the hots for you. I should know," Catra licked her lips, "I had to comfort a lot of broken hearts."
Adora felt her eyes widen.
"Well, this has been fun, but I would like some peace and quiet." Catra shooed her away. At that motion, Adora noticed thin lines decorating her left wrist.
"Wha—" Before she could even start her question, she was shoved against the wall, a sturdy arm pressing against her throat.
"Seriously," Catra hissed at her, "Get out of my face. Before I make you regret it."
Adora knew, she knew, she could free herself from her grip, but her heart was hammering in her chest at the nearness of the other girl. She was so close that she could feel the heat radiating off of her smaller body. Get your head out of the gutter, she scolded herself.
"Hmph." Catra, taking her silence for resignation, withdrew her arm, leaving her standing there as she, yet again, closed the door to her room.
Her eyes were wide, a light blush decorating her pale cheeks. God, she had to get out of there. She quickly went into her room and grabbed the first workout gear she could find and was out of there in a heartbeat.
She was lost. There was no doubt about it. The same cafeteria kept popping up no matter which way she went. And the map she was currently hold in front of her was of no help.
"Arg!" She balled up the piece of paper and threw it in the general direction of the nearest trash can.
"Hey!" A voice complained. She turned to find a couple standing in the way of her goal.
"Oops! I'm so sorry! Totally meant to throw that in." She quickly apologized.
"Don't worry about it," the girl said, waving her hand, fluffy half pink, half purple hair bounced as she moved.
"Were you looking for something?" The boy who spoke had dark skin, a single earring of a bow decorating his ear.
"The gym actually," Adora scratched the back of her neck sheepishly.
"Oh! We're heading there now too actually!" It was then that she noticed they were wearing matching workout gear.
The girl, who was noticeably shorter than Adora's own 5'7 frame, put her arm through hers as if they were the best of friends and hadn't just met. "It's this way!" She pointed and off they went.
"I'm Adora by the way," the blonde introduced herself as she began to adjust the weights in front of her after finally making it to her destination.
"I'm Glimmer," the girl said, sitting in a nearby machine, watching her as she began her warmup. "And this is my boyfriend Bow."
Bow waved at her. "Are you a freshman too?"
"Is it that obvious?" Adora asked.
"Kind of." Bow admitted. "But honestly, we'd probably be the same if it weren't for the fact that Glimmer grew up around here."
"We went to the same high school and decided to come here together." Glimmer and Bow shared a loving look. "How cheesy is that?"
"No, that actually sounds nice," Adora couldn't help her mind wander to her newly found roommate. At that, her heart sank a little.
"Which dorm are you staying in?" Glimmer asked.
"At the Mara building."
"Wow!" The couple exclaimed.
"That's like the best one! I would have probably ended up there too if I hadn't joined a sorority." Glimmer's eyes sparkled.
"Yeah, it's really nice," Adora said but her heart wasn't in it.
"Uh-oh," Bow said, "That doesn't sound good. Having roommate trouble?"
"Something like that. She wants nothing to do with me."
"Don't worry about it!" Glimmer tried to cheer her up. "You have us now. If you ever want to hang out just let us know and we'll be there."
"You guys." Tears glistened at the corner of Adora's eyes, putting down the weights she had been holding. Glimmer and Bow went to quickly embrace their newfound friend.
Maybe college wasn't going to be so bad, Adora thought. She was currently standing in front of her door, slightly nervous to have another encounter with her roommate. She shook her head, wet hair slapping the side of her hair, fresh from taking a shower after her workout. Just go in there and let her know that she was going to have to deal with the fact that they were roommates, whether she likes it or not. Feeling the resolve in her thoughts, she left herself in.
Inside, the lights were off. She tip-toed towards her room, lifting her gym bag high up so it wouldn't shuffle and alert Catra that she was back. Which was dumb now that she thought about it since she probably had heard her open the door.
She closed the door as quietly as she could, letting out a sigh of relief at the silence that filled her room. She probably already went to bed.
She looked at the clock, it read 10pm. Shoot. She hadn't meant to be out so late on her first night. But Glimmer and Bow had been such good company after what had happened earlier that morning. They had even exchanged numbers and shared another group hug before parting ways.
Adora toweled dried her hair and changed into her usual sleepwear; women boxer briefs and a grey tank top, throwing herself onto her bed, exhausted.
A moan pierced through the silence. Adora froze. Silence. And then, another moan, louder this time.
Ohmygod.
Adora slapped her hand to her mouth as if it had been her that made the sound. But nope. It was coming from Catra's room. Was she…no way!
Heat rushed to her face once again. Not that she hadn't been exposed to sex before, but more so because she could help the way her mind wandered to what was going on just a few feet away from her that was causing those sounds.
"Catra!" A high-pitched voice cried out. And then she knew. Catra had company. Adora was quick to grab her earbuds and press play, not caring what song was playing next. She pulled the sheets over her head, trying to block out the very obvious, and increasingly loud, sex noises.
God, this is the worse.