🎶: Cool - Dua Lipa
Samantha tapped her pen against the edge of her notebook, the silence of the library pressing in like a thick fog. The faint drone of the air conditioner barely registered over the sound of her own thoughts, which were anything but quiet. Her eyes drifted to the rows of neatly shelved books, a silent army of knowledge she was supposed to be absorbing. Focus, Sam. Just focus.
But it was no use. The stillness wasn't comforting—it was suffocating. And Caitlyn's absence wasn't helping. Normally, Caitlyn would be here by now, sitting across from her with that cool, composed demeanor, laying out a meticulous study schedule. But lately, Caitlyn had been... elusive. Slipping out of meetings early, brushing off questions with clipped responses, and spending more time—too much time—with Violet Kane.
Samantha shook her head, biting back a grin. Caitlyn and Vi—the dynamic duo nobody would have thought actually possible, least of all Sam. Caitlyn was the kind of person who ironed her socks and probably had a favorite font for official memos. Vi? Vi looked like she actively sought out trouble, beat it up into a pulp, and wear it like a badge of honor. Caitlyn's world was color-coded spreadsheets; Vi's was graffiti on the walls and maybe the occasional fire alarm pulled for kicks.
The weird part wasn't that they were so different—it was how they'd started to click, like some bizarre chemistry experiment where opposites didn't just attract, they set the lab on fire. And Caitlyn, who usually had a plan for every eventuality, was suddenly winging it, letting Vi of all people rewrite the rules. Which, honestly, is either inspiring or terrifying, depending on how you look at it.
Samantha tapped her pen against the table louder, her mind wandering back to a personal conversation she'd had with Vi. It started out as an attempt to unravel the mystery and ended up as a masterclass in frustration.
-flashback-
"I've got to ask," she'd said, arms crossed and her tone dipped in dry disbelief. "What is Caitlyn doing with someone who probably considers 'planning ahead' a personal insult?"
Vi, leaning lazily against the wall, had cocked an eyebrow, a smirk curling at the edge of her mouth. "What can I say? I bring out her adventurous side."
Samantha snorted. "Adventurous? She alphabetized her tea collection last week."
Vi's grin widened. "Maybe I'm just here to mess with the system. Shake things up."
"Right. You're the human equivalent of a jackhammer. Meanwhile, Caitlyn's a swan. Graceful, elegant... and probably rethinking all her life choices."
Vi laughed at that, a low, confident chuckle that made Sam simultaneously want to roll her eyes and throw her pen at her. "You're underestimating swans," Vi said, still grinning. "They're feisty when they want to be."
-end flashback-
And that was it—no heartfelt revelations, no actual answers. Just another smug, half-clever remark that left Sam wondering if Vi was a genius or just absurdly good at being irritating. Probably both. Now, staring at the empty chair where Caitlyn was supposed to be, Sam drummed her fingers on her notebook. Maybe Caitlyn is a swan. But these days, it's starting to look like Vi's handed her the jackhammer, and she's figuring out how to use it.
Seraphine was twirling a strand of her pastel pink hair, flipping through her textbook with the enthusiasm of a cat watching paint dry. Loris, meanwhile, was pounding away at his laptop like he was on the verge of discovering the meaning of life—or maybe just faking productivity so he could avoid actual work.
"Sam?" Seraphine's voice cut through the quiet, her tone hovering somewhere between confused and mildly desperate. "Can you explain this theory to me? It's like trying to read ancient hieroglyphics, except the hieroglyphics are also mocking me."
Sam didn't respond. She was still lost in her thoughts, her fingernails tapping an uneven rhythm against the table as she replayed her last conversation with Vi for the hundredth time, trying to find some hidden clue that probably didn't exist.
"Sam," Seraphine tried again, waving her textbook slightly, "please tell me you're smart enough to explain this, because if you're not, I'm going to start panicking. Or worse, Googling."
Still no response. Seraphine frowned, glancing at Loris, who barely looked up from his laptop. "Is she okay? She hasn't blinked in like, a minute."
"She's fine," Loris muttered. "Probably brooding about Cait and Vi."
"Oh, great," Seraphine said with a dramatic sigh, tossing her highlighter onto the table. "Earth to Sam!" Seraphine finally snapped, leaning across the table and waving her hand in front of Sam's face.
Sam blinked, startled, and looked up. "Huh? What?"
"You've been staring at your notes for five minutes," Seraphine chirped, her voice bright and sweet, though tinged with an air of dramatic concern. "Are you solving world peace over there, or is this just your impression of a very thoughtful statue? Either way, it's giving me main-character energy, and I love that for you."
Sam blinked, shaking herself out of her daze. "Sorry," she muttered, running a hand through her hair. "Just... distracted."
"Distracted?" Seraphine gasped, sitting up straighter, her eyes sparkling with exaggerated enthusiasm. "Oh my gosh, did you just crack the secret to acing exams? Or—" she leaned forward, her tone dropping conspiratorially, "—are you trying to figure out if pigeons really are government spies? Because honestly, I've wondered that too."
Samantha froze mid-fingernail tap, slowly lifting her gaze to Seraphine, her expression blank yet somehow dripping with disbelief. It wasn't a look of judgment, exactly—it was the kind of look you give someone who's just asked if water is wet. Equal parts bewildered, impressed, and vaguely concerned for their well-being. Loris finally glanced up from his laptop, his fingers pausing mid-typing. He looked at Seraphine, then at Sam, then back at Seraphine, before letting out a soft snort.
"Pigeons. Government spies. Of course," he muttered under his breath, shaking his head as he went back to typing. "Why do I even listen to conversations around here?"
Seraphine, of course, was completely unfazed, smiling brightly as if she'd just shared the most profound insight of the century. Samantha opened her mouth, then closed it again, deciding no response could possibly do this justice. Instead, she glanced at Loris, who simply raised an eyebrow as if to say, Your problem now, and went back to his laptop.
Before Samantha could fully resign herself to Seraphine's particular brand of chaos, the door to the library creaked open, and in walked Maddie Nolan. Samantha's gaze locked onto Maddie as she strolled over to a table nearby, her ginger hair falling perfectly into place as if she'd just stepped out of an academic lifestyle commercial. Sam hadn't exchanged more than a handful of words with Maddie since she started showing up to student government meetings a few weeks ago. She wasn't exactly mysterious—people talked about her enough—but there was something... odd about her.
Apparently, Maddie had transferred to Piltover U from some fancy prep school "for fun," which, in Sam's mind, was the academic equivalent of climbing Mount Everest just to see what the view was like. Who does that? Sam thought, staring at Maddie as she unpacked a meticulously organized set of notes from her bag. And those grades? Straight A's at her last school. Like, who actually gets perfect grades and then decides to just... start over somewhere new? For fun? It was unsettling.
Maddie glanced up briefly, catching Sam's eye for a split second before offering a polite smile. Samantha immediately looked down, her pen resuming its tap-tap-tap like she hadn't just been caught blatantly staring. Weirdly perfect and vaguely intimidating. Great. Just what this campus needs more of.
"Unbelievable," Seraphine huffed dramatically, leaning forward to rest her chin on her hands, her lips jutting out in a pout that could rival a puppy's. "First, you ignore me for five straight minutes. Then, when I try to save us from academic despair, you keep ignoring me. And now, you're staring at Maddie Nolan like she's a painting in a museum? Do I need to start glitter-bombing my own study notes to get your attention, Sam?"
Samantha sighed, still not looking up. "I wasn't staring."
"You so were," Seraphine shot back, her voice dripping with mock offense. "I saw it! You went full 'Who is she?' mode. Honestly, I'm almost flattered. But also, rude."
Loris, without looking up, muttered, "She's not wrong."
Sam didn't hesitate. She grabbed her pen and hurled it at Loris with the precision of someone who had been silently preparing for this exact moment. It hit him square on the shoulder, and he flinched, looking up with a startled expression. She didn't say a word, but her glare practically screamed, You asshole. If telepathy worked, Loris would've been floored by the force of her unspoken Can you not?
-ਠŕ§-
🎶: Diet Pepsi - Addison Rae
The soft, catchy beat of Diet Pepsi by Addison Rae pulsed in the background, filling the air with a playful, almost teasing rhythm. Vi's bedroom was dimly lit, the glow of her neon wall sign casting flickering pink and blue hues across the room. The song's bass seemed to sync perfectly with the thudding of Caitlyn's heart, which felt entirely too loud in the otherwise quiet space.
Caitlyn wasn't sure how they'd ended up like this—her back pressed against the rumpled sheets, Vi leaning over her, one knee propped on the mattress, that infuriatingly cocky smirk tugging at her lips. Vi's hair was a mess of burgundy waves, falling into her eyes in a way that somehow made her even more magnetic. It wasn't fair, really—how Vi could look this effortlessly hot while Caitlyn felt like a mess of nerves and hormones.
She hated how much she wanted her. Or maybe "hate" was too strong a word. It was more like she resented the lack of control, the way Vi had somehow rewired her brain so that her cocky smirk and messy hair now occupied prime real estate in Caitlyn's thoughts. It was ridiculous. She was supposed to be the composed one, the girl who had her life together, not someone who spent her nights staring at the ceiling and replaying every stupidly charming thing Vi had said that day.
Vi, meanwhile, had been waiting for this—for weeks, if she was honest, though it felt like a lifetime. All the stolen glances across crowded rooms, the whispered conversations that ended too soon, and the moments interrupted by Caitlyn's phone buzzing with another text from Samantha, the student government, or worse, Caitlyn's mother. It had been maddening. Every time they'd come close to this, life seemed to step in and pull Caitlyn away, leaving Vi with nothing but pent-up frustration and the gnawing sense that she was playing a game she could never quite win.
But now, finally, there was nothing. No interruptions, no buzzing phones, no one knocking on the door or calling Caitlyn's name. It was just them, and Vi was determined to make the most of it. She'd waited long enough, and judging by the way Caitlyn was looking at her—lips parted, her breath coming in soft, uneven gasps—Caitlyn had been waiting, too.
And yet, here she was, breathless, her skin buzzing under Vi's touch. Caitlyn wanted her like she wanted coffee after pulling an all-nighter: desperately, completely, without even a hint of shame. It wasn't just the physical pull—though, God, that was part of it—it was everything about Vi. The way she made Caitlyn laugh even when she didn't want to, the way her rough exterior gave way to glimpses of something softer, something Caitlyn wanted to hold onto and never let go.
"Cupcake," Vi murmured, her voice low and teasing, "you okay there? You're looking at me like you're about to solve me like one of your puzzles."
Caitlyn blinked, heat rising to her cheeks. She opened her mouth to retort, but nothing clever came out, just a quiet, "Shut up, Vi."
Vi grinned, leaning closer, her face just inches away. "Make me."
"You know," Caitlyn murmured, her voice soft but teasing, "this is not how I imagined spending my afternoon."
Vi grinned, her hand sliding up Caitlyn's side, fingers grazing the hem of her blouse. "What, you thought we'd actually study? Come on, cupcake, don't pretend you didn't see this coming."
Caitlyn rolled her eyes, but the corners of her mouth betrayed her, curving into a small, reluctant smile. She reached up, looping her arms around Vi's neck and pulling her down just enough for their faces to hover tantalizingly close. "You're impossible," she murmured, her voice low but tinged with amusement.
Vi's grin widened, the kind that was equal parts cocky and utterly devastating. "Impossible?" she echoed, her tone teasing as her fingers brushed lightly against Caitlyn's waist, sending a shiver up her spine. "That's funny. I was going for irresistible."
Caitlyn's breath hitched, her resolve slipping with every second Vi's piercing blue eyes stayed locked on hers. They had that infuriating mix of confidence and softness, like Vi knew exactly what she was doing to her—and was enjoying every second of it.
"Don't flatter yourself," Caitlyn managed, though the slight quiver in her voice betrayed the effect Vi was having on her.
"Too late," Vi whispered, her lips quirking into a playful smirk. Her gaze dropped to Caitlyn's mouth, lingering there for a beat too long, making Caitlyn's pulse race. "But you like me that way, don't you?"
Before Caitlyn could retort—though she wasn't entirely sure she had one—Vi closed the distance between them, her lips capturing Caitlyn's in a kiss that was anything but tentative.
Caitlyn's breath hitched, her body instinctively arching into Vi's. Her lips were soft, but the kiss carried a roughness, a hungry urgency that sent a thrill racing down Caitlyn's spine. Vi kissed the way she did everything else—boldly, unapologetically, and with a confidence that made Caitlyn's head spin.
Vi's hand slid to the small of Caitlyn's back, her fingers pressing firmly against the fabric of her blouse. Even through the material, Caitlyn could feel the warmth of her touch, grounding her and setting her skin ablaze all at once. It was like Vi had a map of her body, knowing exactly where to touch, how much pressure to use, and how to make Caitlyn forget every coherent thought she'd ever had. Her free hand cupped Caitlyn's jaw, her thumb brushing just below her ear, a gesture that was surprisingly tender given the intensity of the moment.
Caitlyn felt herself melting into it, her heart pounding as Vi's kiss deepened. Vi tasted faintly of peppermint—sharp, cool, and completely addicting—and Caitlyn found herself leaning in, desperate for more. Caitlyn's hands tangled in Vi's hair, her fingers threading through the soft, unruly strands that she had been lowkey obsessed with since the first day she'd met her. Her mind hazily noted how it felt—a mix of silk and wildness, like everything else about Vi.
God, Caitlyn thought, as Vi's lips moved against hers with an almost maddening precision, how does she know how to do this? How does she know exactly what I need, exactly what I want?
The music thumped in the background, but it was distant, a mere hum beneath the roaring of her pulse and the overwhelming sensation of Vi—her touch, her lips, her presence. Caitlyn wasn't thinking about anything else now. Not about the student council, not about exams, not even about how much trouble this might cause her later. There was just Vi, impossibly close, impossibly perfect, and Caitlyn wanted every bit of it.
"Vi," Caitlyn whispered against her lips, her tone a mix of exasperation and something softer, something she wasn't quite ready to name.
Vi pulled back slightly, her forehead resting against Caitlyn's, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "What? I'm just helping you relax. Isn't that what good study partners do?"
Caitlyn let out a soft laugh, her cheeks flushed and her breathing still unsteady. "You're ridiculous," she murmured, though the smile tugging at her lips betrayed how little she meant it. Caitlyn's fingers tightened in Vi's hair, pulling her back down for another kiss. This time, there was no hesitation, no holding back. Caitlyn kissed her with a hunger that surprised even herself, a need that had been building ever since Vi had first sauntered into her life with that infuriatingly cocky grin.
Vi responded in kind, her lips moving against Caitlyn's with a fervor that sent a thrill racing through her veins. Her hand slid from Caitlyn's waist to the hem of her blouse, fingers teasing the fabric before slipping beneath it to graze the warm skin of her stomach. Caitlyn shivered at the contact, a soft gasp escaping her lips as Vi's touch sent sparks of electricity dancing across her skin. She arched into it, craving more of that intoxicating sensation.
Vi obliged, her hand trailing higher, fingers brushing the underside of Caitlyn's bra. Her touch was light, teasing, and it drove Caitlyn wild with anticipation.
"Vi," she breathed, her voice barely more than a whisper.
Vi pulled back just enough to meet Caitlyn's gaze, her eyes dark with desire. "You want me to stop?" she asked, though the playful lilt in her voice suggested she already knew the answer.
Caitlyn shook her head, unable to find the words. Instead, she pulled Vi back down for another kiss, pouring all of her pent-up longing and frustration into it. Vi responded eagerly, her hand slipping beneath Caitlyn's bra to cup the soft swell of her breast. Her thumb brushed over Caitlyn's nipple in a slow, deliberate motion that had Caitlyn arching into her touch with a soft moan.
The sound seemed to spur Vi on. She deepened the kiss, pressing Caitlyn back against the mattress as she explored every inch of exposed skin with an almost reverent touch. Her fingers trailed along Caitlyn's side, sending shivers racing across her skin, the gentle pressure making Caitlyn's breath hitch.
Caitlyn was lost in it—in Vi's touch, in the heat of their bodies pressed together, in the heady mix of desire and affection that swirled between them like a living thing.
And then, without breaking the kiss, Caitlyn's hands moved to the buttons of her blouse, her fingers fumbling slightly in her urgency. She wanted more—more of Vi's touch, more of this intoxicating connection between them. Her breath caught as she finally shrugged the blouse off her shoulders, the fabric slipping away and pooling somewhere on the floor.
Her hands didn't stop there. With a soft exhale, she reached behind her back, unhooking her bra with practiced ease. The straps slid down her arms, and she let it fall to the side, forgotten in the moment. Caitlyn's skin prickled with anticipation as the cool air met her newly exposed skin, a sharp contrast to the warmth radiating from Vi.
Vi pulled back slightly, her gaze flickering downward before returning to Caitlyn's face, her blue eyes softening with an awe that made Caitlyn's breath catch all over again. It wasn't just hunger in Vi's eyes—it was something deeper, something that made Caitlyn feel seen in a way she hadn't expected. The intensity of it sent a thrill coursing through Caitlyn's veins, her chest rising and falling as she met Vi's eyes. Vi's hand continued its exploration, fingers tracing the curve of Caitlyn's breast before trailing down her stomach, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. Caitlyn's breath hitched as Vi's hand slipped beneath the waistband of her skirt, fingers brushing against the damp fabric of her panties.
"Is this okay?" Vi murmured against Caitlyn's lips, her voice low and husky.
Caitlyn nodded, unable to find her voice. She was too caught up in the sensation of Vi's touch, in the way her body seemed to come alive under it. Vi took that as encouragement. Vi pressed two fingers inside slowly, savoring the way Caitlyn's walls clenched around her. Vi let out a low growl, her breath hot against Caitlyn's ear. "You're so fucking wet for me, cupcake."
Caitlyn gasped at the contact, her hips instinctively arching into Vi's touch. It felt so good—better than she'd ever imagined—and she couldn't get enough of it. Vi seemed to sense that. She moved with a slow, deliberate rhythm, fingers teasing and exploring with an expertise that had Caitlyn teetering on the edge in no time.
Caitlyn reached up and pulled Vi into a messy, urgent kiss. Their tongues clashed, teeth nipping and lips crashing together as they lost themselves in each other. When they broke apart, Caitlyn's chest rose and fell rapidly, her breaths coming in short, uneven gasps. "More," she demanded, her voice trembling with need.
Vi obliged, increasing the pace of her thrusts while her thumb found Caitlyn's clit, circling it with just the right amount of pressure. Caitlyn cried out, her back arching off the bed as pleasure coursed through her. "Yes, just like that," she moaned, her legs spreading wider to give Vi better access. Caitlyn's head fell back against the pillow as sensations overwhelmed her.
The sight of Caitlyn so completely unraveled was almost too much for Vi to handle. She wanted to remember every detail—the way Caitlyn's hair fanned out against the pillow, the flush that spread across her chest, the way her lips parted as she gasped for air. But more than anything, Vi wanted to make this moment last forever. She leaned down, capturing one of Caitlyn's nipples with her mouth and sucking gently. Caitlyn's hands flew to Vi's head, holding her in place as she whimpered softly. The combination of Vi's fingers moving inside her and her mouth on her breast sent Caitlyn spiraling closer to the edge.
Caitlyn clung to Vi, her nails digging into her shoulders as she rode out wave after wave of pleasure. "Vi," she gasped, her voice barely more than a whisper.
Vi didn't slow down. Instead, she added a third finger, stretching Caitlyn even further and drawing out another moan from her. Her thumb pressed harder against Caitlyn's clit, rubbing in quick, deliberate circles until her entire body tensed. With a cry of Vi's name, Caitlyn came undone, her release washing over her in intense waves. Vi kept moving, prolonging the pleasure until Caitlyn's grip on her hair loosened and her body went limp against the mattress.
For a moment, they stayed like that, Vi's fingers still buried deep inside Caitlyn as they both caught their breath. Vi finally withdrew her fingers, giving Caitlyn a gentle squeeze on the thigh before settling more comfortably beside her.
The quiet was thick with satisfaction, the kind that made it feel like time had stopped just for them. Caitlyn's chest rose and fell slowly, her body still tingling from the aftershocks of her orgasm. She turned her head slightly to look at Vi, who was already gazing at her with a lazy, contented smile.
"You're incredible," Caitlyn murmured, her voice soft and a little hazy, as if she were floating somewhere between reality and a dream. Her words slurred slightly with the languid satisfaction coursing through her, and her hand found Vi's arm, tracing lazy, aimless patterns along the muscle. It felt grounding somehow—like she needed the physical connection to keep herself tethered to the present, even though her body still hummed with a pleasant, almost electric warmth.
Her head lolled to the side, her cheek pressing into the pillow as a soft, breathy laugh escaped her. "I think I forgot how breathing works for a minute," she added, her voice light and utterly unguarded, her normally sharp edges softened by the sheer bliss of the moment.
Vi chuckled low in her throat, the sound warm and intimate. "I'll take that as a compliment," she said, her tone playful but tinged with a quiet pride that made Caitlyn's chest flutter all over again.
Caitlyn's fingers tightened slightly on Vi's arm as she shifted, her gaze flickering up to meet Vi's. A flicker of resolve sparked in her eyes as she gave a small, mischievous smile. "Your turn," she murmured, her voice still soft but carrying a quiet determination.
Vi's grin softened, and she shook her head, leaning down to brush a featherlight kiss against Caitlyn's temple. "Not tonight," she whispered, her voice low but filled with a warmth that made Caitlyn's breath catch.
Caitlyn frowned slightly, propping herself up on an elbow. "But—"
Vi placed a hand gently against Caitlyn's cheek, her thumb brushing over her skin in a way that made Caitlyn's protest falter. "I'm serious, cupcake," she said, her lips curving into a tender smile. "This? This is all I need right now. Just you, like this."
For a moment, Caitlyn said nothing, her gaze searching Vi's face for something unspoken. Whatever she found there seemed to soften her expression, and she let out a quiet sigh, settling back against the pillow.
"Okay," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Her fingers resumed their lazy tracing along Vi's arm, and a small, contented smile tugged at her lips.
Vi pulled her closer, pressing a kiss to the top of her head as they sank back into the quiet comfort of the moment. A faint vibration buzzed against the wood of the nightstand. Vi sighed, glancing over her shoulder toward her phone, the screen lighting up with a name that made her stomach tighten: Lux. Caitlyn noticed the shift immediately, her fingers pausing mid-trace. "What is it?" she asked, her voice soft but laced with curiosity.
"It's nothing," Vi said quickly, reaching over to grab her phone. She flipped it over in her hand, hesitating for a moment before glancing at the screen. The text preview blinked up at her: "Hey, you around? Wanted to talk."
Vi stared at the message for a beat too long, her thumb hovering over the screen as an uncomfortable knot tightened in her chest. She should have told Lux to back off weeks ago, back when she and Caitlyn had first started seeing each other in secret. It wasn't like she wanted to drag this out, but the thought of having that conversation—of actually saying the words—made her stomach churn. It wasn't that she owed Lux anything romantic; she didn't.
But Lux had a way of lingering in Vi's life, her sunny charm wrapping around her like a persistent vine. Vi didn't know how to cut through it without feeling like the bad guy. And honestly, it was easier—less messy—to just... avoid her.
That wasn't to say she didn't know the right thing to do. She did. She just didn't trust herself to do it well. Lux deserved better than a blunt dismissal or a half-hearted explanation, and Vi wasn't exactly a master of handling emotions—hers or anyone else's. So instead of dealing with it, she'd dodged her texts, shrugged off her invitations, and hoped Lux would eventually get the hint.
But Lux hadn't. And now, her persistence was beginning to seep into the quiet corners of Vi's life, the ones she had carefully carved out for Caitlyn. Vi let out a low breath and set the phone down, screen face down, on the table. She turned back to Caitlyn, her expression carefully neutral.
"Just Lux," she said, her tone as casual as she could manage.
Caitlyn's eyes narrowed slightly, her lips pressing together in a way that told Vi she wasn't buying the nonchalance. After a moment of silence, she tilted her head, her voice low but pointed. "Why is Lux texting you right now?"
Vi smirked, leaning back against the headboard and throwing an arm casually behind her head. "Maybe she's just jealous she's not the one tangled up in my sheets," she quipped, her grin sharp and teasing.
Caitlyn didn't laugh. She arched an eyebrow instead, her sharp blue eyes boring into Vi's like a laser. "Try again," she said, her voice icy but calm.
Vi sighed, dragging a hand through her messy hair. "Fine," she muttered, the smirk fading slightly. "She probably wants to talk or hang out or... I don't know, bake cupcakes or solve world peace. Lux is always reaching out for something."
Caitlyn stared at her for a beat, her expression softening just slightly but still holding a razor's edge. "And?"
Vi hesitated, biting the inside of her cheek. "And I haven't told her to back off yet," she admitted finally, her voice low but steady. "I should've. I know I should've. I just... haven't."
Caitlyn's gaze didn't waver, but the tension in her shoulders eased just a fraction. "Why not?"
Vi shrugged, her hand gesturing vaguely. "Because I suck at this stuff, okay? I can punch through walls, no problem. But feelings? Telling people things they don't want to hear? That's a whole other fight I'm not great at."
Caitlyn's lips twitched, though she didn't quite smile. "You don't say."
Vi shot her a look, but it lacked real heat. "Look, cupcake, I know it's messy. I know it's my mess. I'll handle it. Just... not tonight, okay?"
Caitlyn studied her for a moment longer, then let out a quiet sigh and leaned back against the pillows. "Not tonight," she agreed softly. "But soon."
Vi grinned, leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead. "Soon," she promised.
-ਠŕ§-
🎶: Another Sad Love Song - Khalid
Lux stared at her phone, the message to Vi glaring back at her. The small "online" indicator next to Vi's name taunted her, a faint green dot that meant Vi had seen the text—or at least had the chance to—but still hadn't responded. Her fingers hovered over the screen, the temptation to send a follow-up message nearly overwhelming. But she stopped herself, biting down on her thumbnail instead, a habit she'd never quite outgrown. The silence felt heavier with each passing second, pressing down on her chest until it was almost hard to breathe.
She hated this—this feeling of vulnerability, of putting herself out there and being met with nothing. Lux had always been good at putting on a sunny front, at being the cheerful, confident one in every room. But in moments like these, when the silence stretched and the dots never appeared to show Vi typing back, all that confidence felt like a fragile mask.
The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the field, the golden light glinting off the goalposts and the scattered water bottles left behind by the football team. Lux shifted on the wooden bleachers of Piltover U's stadium, her legs still sore from cheerleading practice. The faint smell of sweat and grass lingered in the air, a reminder of how much time she spent on this field.
Her teeth grazed the edge of her nail as she dropped her phone onto the bleacher beside her with a soft clatter. She leaned back, her hands braced against the cool metal behind her, and let her head fall against the seat above. She felt stupid, like she should've known better than to hope Vi would actually answer. The unanswered message sat like a stone in her chest, dragging her down into a familiar pit of frustration and self-doubt.
"Lux," came a deep voice from behind her. She startled slightly, sitting up straight as she turned to see her brother, Garen, standing at the edge of the bleachers, a towel slung over his shoulder and his football jersey damp with sweat. His expression was concerned, his sharp blue eyes studying her in a way that only an older brother could.
"What are you doing here?" Lux asked, quickly wiping at her face as if she could erase whatever sadness might have been visible. She forced a bright smile, but Garen wasn't buying it.
"Practice just ended," he said simply, climbing the steps to sit beside her. "I saw you sitting here. Figured I'd check in."
Lux let out a small laugh, though it lacked her usual warmth. "I'm fine, Garen. Just... thinking."
Garen didn't respond immediately, his gaze drifting to the phone lying face down on the bleacher beside her. He knew that look on her face—the one she got when she was trying too hard to seem okay. The one she thought he couldn't read, but he always could.
Vi, he thought with a quiet sigh. He didn't know all the details, but he knew enough. Enough to see the way his sister lit up whenever Vi was around, and enough to notice how quiet she got when Vi wasn't. It pissed him off sometimes, not because of Vi, but because Lux deserved better than whatever half-hearted scraps Vi was giving her. She deserved someone who saw her the way she deserved to be seen—someone who actually showed up.
"You're bad at lying, you know," Garen said finally, his voice gentle but firm.
Lux blinked, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye. "I'm not lying," she muttered, though her voice wavered just enough to betray her.
Garen leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he looked out at the empty field. "You don't have to talk about it," he said after a moment, his tone softer. "But you don't have to pretend with me either."
Lux swallowed hard, her fingers tightening around the edge of the bleacher. "It's not a big deal," she said quietly.
"Maybe not," Garen replied, tilting his head slightly to look at her. "But that doesn't mean it doesn't suck."
Lux let out a shaky breath, her facade cracking just a little. Garen didn't press further; he simply sat beside her, his steady presence offering a quiet comfort she hadn't realized she needed.
END OF CHAPTER ELEVEN