Welcome to Westview University, where Rio Vidal, the ever-charming captain of the varsity basketball team, is adored by *literally* everyone—everyone, that is, except Agatha, the perpetually grumpy pre-law student who would rather ingest her notes than entertain Rio's antics.
“Oh, Fuck me, I didn't mean to be late” Rio was pulling her hair in a messy bun.
"So, Agatha practically burned a hole in your jersey with her death glare today. Did you not see her when you arrived late to the Council meeting? Agatha has told you time and again to come on time; she's definitely irked at you," Alice quipped, adjusting her bag as she laughed.
Rio couldn’t deny that Agatha did look angry, but then again, that was just Classic Agatha. She wouldn’t be herself without a dash of drama.
Rio grabbed her bag and began packing her training clothes. "All I did was exist a bit too loudly," she replied, a playful smirk on her lips.
"She’s disappointed, but not mad," Alice explained, defending their Student Council president.
Rio in all her glory doesn't know why she's nervous to see Agatha again after being chronically late for the nth time. She guesses it is because despite being beautiful an Angry Agatha is hard to please with, which, if you asked Rio what she thinks about Agatha glaring at her—
it's hot, she's hot, Agatha is Hot
But right now Rio is nervous and a nervous Rio says anything without a fucking thought. And She doesn't want to think about how hot the Council President is right now.
Because fuck, Rio must be sick for thinking that if ever Agatha annihilated her she will never resist nor fight, hell, she will be thankful even more that those sapphire eyes bore to her own pair one last time.
“Rio? Earth to Rio?” Right, she was talking to Alice, Rio didn't even hide her annoyance with Alice interrupting her thought. But back to the narrative if only Alice had talked to Agatha, she'd never have to receive Agatha’s loathing glare.
Rio turned the blame on Alice, lamenting that she hadn’t informed Agatha about her whereabouts. Her being late to The council meeting is inevitable.
"This is your fault, Alice," Rio pouted slightly.
"It’s not my fault you’re so irritating! I’d be dramatic too if I were Agatha," Alice teased.
"No, it's just—" Rio began, but she was cut off by the arrival of Natasha at the court, who immediately jumped into their conversation
"I’d be annoyed too if I were Agatha: first, you dribbled your basketball through the library while I (Agatha) was studying; second, you knocked over my coffee." Rio's childlike grin only ignited the teasing further.
Alice rolled her eyes at Rio's antics while Natasha continued, "And third, you had the audacity to tell Agatha, 'Oops, didn’t see you there, sunshine.' Be thankful Agatha hasn't knocked you out. Remember, she has a black belt in taekwondo!"
"That's True," Rio conceded, immediately catching Alice's inquisitive look without adding anything further.
Rio noticed Alice's expression but shrugged it off. "Excuse me!" Rio exclaimed, turning to Natasha. "I wasn't done speaking; you interrupted me."
"What’s the deal?" Natasha asked, her curiosity piqued. Alice and Natasha exchanged glances, waiting for Rio to explain.
"Well, Alice—" Rio started.
"Why am I being pulled into this?" Alice interjected.
"You didn’t tell Agatha I would be late to the meeting. You know Coach kept me back for a quick chat," Rio sighed, frustration creeping into her voice as she argued her case.
This wasn’t the first time she had been late to a council meeting. There had been multiple instances, and even though Agatha had blatantly expressed her annoyance, she had always spoken to Rio with respect.
It wasn’t intentional this time; she was ready to walk with Alice to the Student Council office immediately after practice when their Coach asked her to stay back and discuss their new routine.
"Well, I thought you would message her," Alice murmured, guilt evident in her tone.
"I couldn’t," Rio replied abruptly, surprising both girls.
"Huh? Why not?" Natasha asked.
Rio hesitated, debating whether to share the reason, but the eager looks on their faces made her relent.
Rio laughed nervously, glad her reason went unnoticed. "Um, well, she blocked me."
"See?" Alice interjected playfully, while Natasha burst into laughter, linking her arm around Rio's shoulders. "Oh, to be blocked by Agatha Harkness—your luck must be dreadful, Cap!" she teased.
Rio shook off Natasha's embrace and stepped back to grab her water bottle off the floor.
"Just stop provoking her next time," Alice suggested, a playful mockery in her voice.
"Don't blame me for her attitude; you’re guilty too," Natasha chimed in, still chuckling.
"Fine," Rio surrendered.
“Well aren't you going to apologize?”
“Go say sorry, I guess” Natasha and Alice says in unison
Rio winced subtly because seeing Agatha earlier at the meeting has made it crystal clear for Rio not to tease the President. Agatha’s body doesn't even make an effort to hide how displeased she was with Rio.
the sign was there—
Do not touch
caution Hot
Danger explosion risk
and Rio knows not to ignore a warning sign explosive when she sees one.
“I will try, when I see her” is what Rio said. The two hums seemingly satisfied with the answer.
Her friends don't have to know her history with Agatha.
When we peel back the layers of our emotion and examine the intricacies of human connection, a compelling narrative unfolds. Rio thinks that wherever their relationship stands it's between wanting to leave and wanting to stay.
It's really complex.
Agatha had never really pushed Rio away (it happened twice but Rio doesn't believe in giving up) nor did she ever tell Rio to stay. Albeit the obvious disdain and harsh words Agatha had said to her. Rio will endure it, if it means having Agatha even in that way.
At its core, love and hate are two sides of the same coin. It's a powerful emotion that stems from deep engagement with another person. When Rio loves someone—be it a friend, a family member, or Agatha—Rio tries to have an investment that creates a bond, interweaving her lives and aspirations with theirs.
With such closeness, she becomes vulnerable. Her needs and desires intertwine with theirs, which lead to disappointment, betrayal, or unmet expectations.
Rio See's it but for Agatha she'd rather drink a poison than admit having to be accustomed to human emotions. She'd rather die than explain her droplet size of emotion.
But Agatha wasn't like that always, at least that's what Rio remembered.
Rio's starting to think it was her fault. Or maybe partially her fault.
What was once tenderness can become resentment, and sometimes that resentment hardens into outright hatred.
That transition was fueled by a sense of loss or an inability to reconcile how someone Rio once cherished can now evoke feelings of anger and frustration. In a sense, it is the intensity of love that gives rise to the capacity for hate.
Is it Rio's fault????
You know it was definitely yours
Their emotional fallout was extreme: from love to hatred in what can feel like a heartbeat.
“Guys I think I'm sick” is what Rio blurted out.
“Can I go home early?” Rio looks at their coach which she thankfully said ok.
Sharon, their coach, advises her to relax and rest. But she can see the scanning face and worried looks from her teammates but thankful no one presses.
Thinking of you….I miss you
—
2 weeks after.
Rio had left her baseball cap in the library. When she returned to retrieve it, she found Agatha sitting there, her trademark scowl firmly in place as she scribbled notes from a law textbook. Pretending to casually dribble a basketball (which she definitely wasn’t about to drop), she strolled over.
"So, are we going to talk about this animosity, or...?"
Agatha barely glanced up. "What animosity? I'm just trying to study here. You can leave your ball at the door."
Rio blinked, forcing a wide smile. "Still mad, I see."
Agatha raised an eyebrow. "Do I look like I care enough to still be mad?"
Rio leaned closer, grinning mischievously. "No offense, but you kind of look like you want to throw me under a bus sometimes."
"Well," Agatha replied coolly, "you are in my way, and you dribble like a fucking toddler."
Rio gasped theatrically, placing a hand over her chest. "Excuse me? You're talking to a highly trained toddler!"
Agatha rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress a smirk. "Whatever. Just don’t break anything before the next campus event. We need people who can organize things, not just shoot hoops and look pretty."
“You think I'm pretty?” Rio asked playfully
“No” Agatha immediately said. Avoiding Rio's eyes
“That's not what you said three years ago”
“Fuck you” Agatha spats out. Luckily there were only a few people inside and they're far from where they were.
Rio's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Oh, sweetheart, not now, but I will next time. If you let me”
Agatha scowls but the faint blush in her cheeks are starting to get visible. Agatha diverted her attention to the books on her hand pretending to inspect it.
“No fucking way, Shut up” is what Agatha said
Rio steps even closer to where Agatha was, clutching the ball in her left arm “Just checking?” with a smirk plaster in her face, Rio tucked the few locks of chestnut hair away from Agatha’s face.
The action caused Agatha’ breath to hitch. Blue eyes staring at Rio’s brown orbs, so Intense she almost forgot how to breathe.
Rio’s thumb softly finds its way on Agatha’s cheeks, softly caressing the skin of the woman.
I miss you ….Rio doesn't have the time to tell when Agatha slightly flinched at the realization of their distance
After what seems to be a whole minute. Agatha swatted Rio's hand away from her face, so fast like she was broken out into an unknown spell and just got the realization of what was happening.
Agatha frowns and Rio just blinks twice trying to even her breathing and beating heart
“Right —” Rio steps backwards, trying to create enough distance between them.
“Get lost” Agatha said weakly
“Are you mad?”
“What type of question is that”
“Agatha, I'm sorry…please Answer me,” Rio's voice sounds vulnerable, almost pleading, making Agatha stop on her chair.
“I’m not. now, please leave”
“So that's it! You're not actually mad; you just want me out of your way in your perfectly curated little world." There it is back to the annoying Rio Vidal she hated.
Agatha paused, narrowing her eyes. "Yeah, pretty much. And maybe learn how not to take up half the gym with your inflated ego."
Rio laughed, putting her basketball onto a nearby chair. "So I’m the egotistical one, huh? And you’ve been scowling at me across campus all this time?"
"Can you please leave? If you're done here, can't you see I'm reading something important?" Agatha said, her tone clipped.
"Touchy, aren’t we? Fine, Boss. See you around," Rio said, raising her hands in mock surrender as she spotted her baseball cap on the table beside Agatha's textbook. She grabbed it quickly.
"Whatever," Agatha muttered as Rio exited the room.
💜💚
Rio had a love-hate relationship with Agatha. Always. She couldn't quite put her finger on why, but there was just something about the other girl that drew her in like a moth to flame. It was like they were two magnets, poles opposing, yet inexplicably attracted to each other.
Agatha was the type of person who could burn a hole through your soul with a single glance. And Rio had been on the receiving end of that look more times than she could count. Every time their paths crossed, Agatha would pierce her sharp blue eyes onto Rio's brown orbs, making her feel like she was being slowly disassembled.
Oh, she hates me.
Rio muttered to herself as she shot hoops during practice, imagining Agatha rolling her eyes at her from across the campus. It was a familiar feeling, one that she'd grown accustomed to over the years. But it didn't make it any less annoying.
"She probably still thinks I'm some student athlete with no brain," Rio muttered to herself, trying to shake off the feeling.
But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't help but think about Agatha. Her sharp jawline, her piercing eyes, her perfectly chiseled nose... Rio's heart skipped a beat as she imagined what it would be like to kiss her again.
Ah must be nice, going insane for a woman.
Damn, even at training sessions, I can't stop thinking about you.
Rio Vidal, the varsity team captain and openly hot-lesbian, was the queen of the court. She was tall, athletic, and annoyingly good at making three-pointers *and* charming professors into giving her extensions. Everyone loved Rio... except maybe Agatha.
But as it turned out, their adviser, Ma'am Calderu, had other plans for them. She paired them up for Acquaintance Night, citing that it would make things more efficient.
Rio's eyes widened as she read through the list of contacts and reports that needed to be accomplished before the event. And then she saw it - Bingo! She couldn't believe her ears when she was partnered with none other than the Student Council President.
"Agatha, you'll be working with Rio," Ma'am Calderu said with a smile.
Agatha looked like she was about to protest, but before she could say a word, Rio chimed in.
"Ma'am, I think this is perfect. I mean, who could be better to work with the student body and inform the students than the President and the Press Information Officer?"
Agatha raised an eyebrow, clearly annoyed. But Rio just grinned and winked at her.
She's sooooo pretty. Rio Vidal calmed down.
Ok not advertising violence but If she starts punching me I'll even say thank you for every punch.
Ma'am Calderu smiled at Rio's comment. "That's a good point, Rio."
Agatha sighed and crossed her arms. "Fine."
Rio grinned at her. “Don't you worry madam President. I'll make this partnership worth your while."
"Annoying," Agatha muttered under her breath.
The other students in the room noticed the tension between them, but they deliberately ignored it. Even Ma'am Calderu just dismissed it with a calm tone.
"Agatha, as the SC President, you need to oversee the event's overall coordination. While Rio, as the Press Information Officer, engages with the students more, please manage promotions as well, and help your President organize communication."
My president? Ooh sounds nice Ma'am..
Rio looked at Agatha's direction and smirked. "Oh did you not hear ma'am Calderu?? We're a Dream team."
Agatha glared at her. "Dream team my Ass, probably More like a nightmare"
The office erupted in laughter at the two girls' banter.
"Well, okay you guys take care and drive safely…no funny business, send me the details of your plans and inquiries, that is if you happen to finish the draft quickly" Ma'am Calderu said with a smile.
As they filed out of the office, Alice turned to Rio and whispered something in her ear. "Note taken Pres...but we need to..."
Rio smiled and whispered back. "I know, I'm planning to stay a little."
Alice nodded and turned to Agatha. "Ah okay sure, we'll have to go Harkness."
Agatha looked up at Alice and smiled slightly before turning to leave.
But just as Alice was about to follow her out of the office, she turned back to Rio and whispered something in her ear again.
"Rio what the fuck are you doing let's go, our coaches are waiting," Alice said with a grin and amusement.
Rio smiled back at her and nodded before turning to follow Alice out of the office.
As they walked out into the hallway, Agatha was nowhere to be seen. But Rio's eyes scanned the area until she spotted her standing by her car, fidgeting with her keys.
"Agatha!" Rio called out to her.
Agatha turned around and raised an eyebrow at Rio.
"Whoa, whoaaaa Harkness, wait!" Rio said softly, trying to sound nonchalant.
Agatha frowned slightly and took a step closer to Rio. "Just wait, please?" Rio shyly scratched the back of her neck. An instant reaction she does when she's nervous
Rio nodded and smiled at her. "Just wanted to ask if you're okay."
Agatha looked at her for a moment before shrugging and turning back to get into her car.
"Agatha!" Rio called out again.
This time, Agatha stopped and turned around to face Rio.
"What?" she asked curtly.
Rio took a deep breath and stepped closer to Agatha. "Just...I missed you," she said softly.
Agatha looked up at Rio and raised an eyebrow. "Right... I don't."
Rio sighed and smiled wryly at Agatha's dry comment. "Library on Thursday, don't forget the plan," Agatha said firmly before getting into her car and driving away.
Rio watched as Agatha's car drove off into the distance before turning to follow Alice back to their practice session.
She didn't realize just how asymptotic their current situation was—always near yet never able to connect.
Here we go again, Rio sighed.
It wasn't the first time that Agatha seems to be so distant with Rio but Rio the ever persistent team captain just couldn't get to give up just yet. She can feel it.
The rage, the longing...her love. She can feel Agatha still holding back. And maybe if she could break it even if it's just a sliver of hope Rio will take it.
She hope she's not just imagining things because she strongly feels her.
That Agatha still loves her. She just needed to break those damn walls.
On their second meeting. Rio waited again for Agatha and this time Agatha let's her carry her books.
Before Agatha could even cross the threshold of the door, Rio called out to her in a rush. “Whoa, whoa, Harkness, just wait a second,” she said softly, her teasing tone giving way to something more earnest.
“Just a moment…”
Agatha halted in her tracks, her brows knitting together in a small frown. Rio observed as Agatha exhaled deeply, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavy in the air. But instead of voicing her thoughts, Agatha shrugged off the moment and continued walking, books clutched tightly in her arms.
“Agatha!” Rio called out again. Agatha didn’t look back, continuing her casual stride out of the office.
Tsk. So stubborn.
Taking a deep breath, Rio closed her eyes for a moment before pursuing Agatha outside.
“Agatha!” She hurried after her. When she noticed Agatha’s left arm starting to tremble under the weight, she silently took the books from her grasp. Agatha's surprised expression was clear, but Rio felt a wave of relief wash over her when she heard a quiet, “Thank you.”
“Eight books, really?” Agatha let out a short laugh.
“What do you expect? It’s law school,” she shrugged, an amused glint in her eyes.
“Wow, boss,” Rio exclaimed, and for the first time that evening, Agatha looked deeply into her eyes. “You carried eight books in one arm and your laptop in the other? Are you some kind of octopus?” Rio teased, earning a bright laugh from Agatha, who now fell into step with her.
“Don’t tell me you waited for me just to do that,” Agatha said, gesturing at the books in Rio’s hands.
“Maybe? What if I did?” Rio replied playfully.
Agatha shrugged, a faint smile breaking through her earlier seriousness. She paused, studying Rio in silence, her gaze lingering.
“Rio—what are you doing?” Rio cleared her throat, attempting to summon the courage she needed.
What am I doing, really?
“Relax, I can sense what you’re thinking, Agatha,” Rio broke the silence, her eyes fixed on the ground as she resisted meeting the mesmerizing blue of Agatha’s eyes.
Agatha frowned, a faint scoff escaping her lips as Rio dared to glance at her from the corner of her eye.
Did I say something wrong?
“That... that’s very perceptive of you,” Agatha replied, her tone fogged with uncertainty.
“I know,” Rio said softly, aware that they were nearing Agatha’s parked car.
“Agatha.”
“Rio—”
“I…” I missed you.
“I’m sorry,” Rio murmured, the weight of her words hanging between them like an unbroken string.
Agatha looked up, studying Rio's face as if searching for signs of playfulness, but all she found was a raw vulnerability that seemed to break through Rio’s usual bravado.
“Right... thanks for carrying my books... You really don’t have to next time,” Agatha said flatly as she started to step inside her car.
Rio sighed. Here we go again—this painful dance between them.
“But—” she started, wanting to plead for more conversation, feeling that if she said anything further, A
gatha would slip away completely.
Can’t we just talk?
At the library
Agatha was a snobbish incarnate: rolling her eyes when Rio was late, sighing audibly when Rio forgot her pen, and flat-out ignoring her attempts at small talk. It was almost an art form.
"G'morning, Boss Agatha" Rio said smirking as she sits in front of Agatha who's rolling her eyes clearly annoyed at the small talk.
"You're late" Agatha sighs not looking up "and It’s Agatha,"
Rio blinks "Whoa Easy Boss Agatha, hostile aren't we?. I was just gonna ask if you could help me find a book for Design. Please?."
Agatha finally looks up, eyebrow raised "Do I look like Google to you?"
Rio started grinning, She doesn't even know why she's laughing."No, you look like someone who definitely doesn’t need help reaching the top shelf. Unlike me."
"Rio.. you're literally inches taller than me" says Agatha, looking back at her laptop, the annoyance apparent in her tone.
"Yep about that..."
"What?"
"Well.." Rio started but the next words she's about to utter were interrupted by Agatha again sounding impatient
"Rio, please sit down aren't you tired standing up..I'm giving you permission to sit, I'm not cruel" It's when Rio didn't answer that Agatha looks up again to see Rio's face, she was already looking down at her.
Rio smiled softly at Agatha but was replaced immediately when her foot started hurting again. "I Cant" Rio said simply. It's then that Agatha just now noticed that Rio's right foot was carefully bandaged, there is an ice pack pressed on top of her calf.
"Ohhh" Agatha momentarily paused, looking between Rio's face and her foot "that's why I'm late, sorry, practice accident" Rio's words sounded so apologetic that Agatha's face softened.
"What happened?" Agatha questioned.
Rio's chuckle can be heard clearly in the busy library "Ooh is that a concern I'm hearing" A smug smile decorating Rio's face
Agatha groans but standing up "Fine. Which book?" She asked instead, ignoring the last question of Rio.
Rio smirks "Your number." The teasing back in her voice almost too confident for Agatha's liking
Agatha drops her book on the floor almost hitting Rio’s foot "Oops." And then she scoots away from Rio who was left in shocked.
"Phone book, really?? That was your joke" Agatha still not looking at Rio said quietly but enough for Rio to heard.
During the quarter finals game, Agatha was dragged to watch by Wanda
"Are you paying attention?" Wanda asked Agatha "Pay attention to which one?"
Wanda laughs carelessly "Oh Bestie my Department literally talks about you and Rio"
It's not impossible that they won't be the topic of conversation given that in all SC Organization projects they are often seen arguing. Agatha dislikes Rio that's it, but she can keep things Civil if it meant they finished the project early. But what she doesn't get is Wanda's response. Curiosity almost won in Agatha's mind, she wanted to ask why they were being talked about but she kept the question to herself. She somehow knew why.
I...It's about Rio... Rio Vidal. Rio who's the Team Captain of the women's Basketball, Rio who's the President of the Student Athlete association, Rio who's the Architecture Major, Rio who's the council P.I.O, Rio who's everyone's favorite, Rio who's Single.
Rio...Rio...Rio. It's always about her.
Wanda nudged Agatha, She didn't know that she was just dumbfounded for a few minutes "huh?"
"Agatha!! Oh my... You weren't even listening to me" Wanda said dramatically "What's that?" "I said Rio's looking at you!" Wanda decided to point at Rio who's drinking her Gatorade now talking to Alice
Agatha didn't mean to scoffed But she did, sounding more sarcastic than she intended
"She’s probably looking at the snack stand behind me." She said feigning nonchalance
"Are you all right?" Wanda studied her face for a moment "you were stunned earlier, you didn't hear me or even noticed that Rio is looking at you" there was no hint of teasing in Wanda's voice it was a pure concern but Wanda's innocent words about Rio looking at her is starting to irritate Agatha
"Oh Please, she's NOT looking at Me" Agatha said dryly, emphasizing every syllable, hoping that Wanda would just drop the conversation.
But Wanda just gave her a look, you know the look like she knows something Agatha didn't know. Yep that one. The shift from Wanda's innocent eyes starting to look mischievous. Agatha knows that look
She's going to tease Agatha.
"Ooh trust me with this one she was staring at you just now" just after Wanda made a comment the announcer spoke back to the ball game.
The players stood up again and Rio looked in their direction again, their eyes met for a moment.
Agatha hissed sharply, noticing
Guard she's crazy, I know I'm beautiful but arghhgg. Irritated. Agatha said to herself
Rio was now heading to the middle of the court, clearly smiling. She whispered something to Alice and Natasha who immediately looked directly at Agatha.
Agatha can feel Wanda's gaze still looking at her with that teasing look "the game will resume.. watch now" she commented not looking at Wanda "Okay bestie as you said" Wanda laughs
4th quarter into the game and Rio's team was one point shorter than the opponent University team but when Rio scored the game-winning shot, she pointed straight at Agatha in the crowd.
"Oh My...Crazy" Agatha commented. She was clearly embarrassed by the brief attention people paid her.
Arghh it's your fault to Rio
"That's for you, Aggie!" Rio yells over the noise of the crowd.
"It’s Agatha!" Agatha yells back, Rio only shrugged her shoulders now running to her teammates celebrating
"See? Still thinks she's not looking at you?" Wanda teased
"Whatever let's go, I'm heading out my driver is waiting" Agatha said standing trying not to look at the crowd. She knows Rio is looking at them.
For some reason Rio finds Agatha in the hallway.
The hallway was draped in a suffocating silence, the low hum of fluorescent lights the only background noise as Rio found herself once again entangled in a confrontation with Agatha. It was the kind of afternoon where shadows stretched long, amplifying the tension that crackled between them.
Agatha stood there, arms crossed defiantly, her glare piercing through the air like an accusation. “You need to stop flirting with me.”
Rio tilted her head, a playful smirk dancing on her lips as she feigned innocence. “Flirting? Aggie, you think I'm flirting??"
The name slipped from Agatha's lips like poison. “It’s Agatha! And don’t act like you don’t know why I hate you!”
There was a flicker of hurt and confusion in Rio’s eyes, a bewildered blink that spoke of genuine surprise. “you never let me explain?”
Agatha's breath hitched, the weight of their shared history crashing down around her, threatening to spill over in tears. “Stop... stop confusing me, Rio!”
Rio's expression morphed as the hurt seeped through her bravado, a conflict brewing beneath the surface. “Me? It should be me asking that, question Agatha! Do you want me to leave, or do you want me to stay?”
Agatha’s frustration ignited, her voice sharper than before. “thought we'll fix our relationship.. you broke my heart ! What kind of lunatic does that?”
Rio let out a bitter laugh, the sound almost bitter enough to taste. “Didn’t you say you hate me? Didn’t you say you didn’t want to see me? I did exactly what you told me. I stayed away because that’s what you wanted. I gave you what you wanted, Agatha.”
The air crackled with tension as Agatha threw her hands into the air, frustration spilling over. “Oh my God, you’re unbelievable. No, that… that doesn’t mean I wanted a break-up. I hoped we’d fix what was broken. But you didn’t even answer my calls.”
It was a heavy silence that followed, thick with unspoken words and unresolved feelings, as they stood on the precipice of something neither was quite ready to confront.
As Agatha gazed up, a sigh escaped her lips. Her eyes met Rio's, who was staring at her with an intensity that was becoming all too familiar. "What are you doing Rio??, stop it, You're staring at me again,...stop staring at me and talk to me like a normal person" Agatha said, her voice laced with a mixture of resignation.
Rio's eyes darted away, her face flushed with the hint of rage. "Sorry ha, I didn't mean to," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. The apology was nothing new, and Agatha's response was equally predictable. A sharp, humorless laugh escaped her lips. "You never did mean to," she said, the words dripping with sarcasm.
The air was thick with tension as Rio hesitated, her voice quieter than usual. "Why do you still hate me?" she asked, the question laced with a sense of vulnerability. Agatha's response was cold and detached. "I don't think that's any of your business," she said, her eyes flashing with a warning.
But Rio couldn't help herself. She murmured, her voice barely audible, "I can't do this whole pretending- I want you still" The words hung in the air, a challenge to Agatha's defenses. Agatha's teeth gritted in frustration as she shot back, "then why do you have to leave??? You've never understood anything, have you? Not even when you were supposed to care."
Rio leaned forward, her eyes narrowing as she whispered, "I did care." The words were a spark to the dry kindling of Agatha's emotions, and she exploded into a bitter laugh. "Yeah, well, you had a funny way of showing it," she said, the pain and anger evident in her voice.
If only you know how much I hated that decision..how much I regret everything. I still want you
Rio needs to say something. The silence between them is way too deafening than the honks of cars around the parking lot. It's good that they're in the hidden part and only the light of the moon and the rustling of the wind are the only witnesses to their two.
For a huge parking lot it seems almost empty.
Agatha looks vulnerable, she looks conflicted.
Well everything about this is conflicting.
And if Rio had a nickel every time she feels like she's hurting Agatha she'd give it.
And from the looks of Agatha it looks like she hasn't said anything yet.
She was probably waiting for Rio to speak...to say something. "I didn't mean to hurt you." Rio's response was soft, barely audible But Agatha was beyond consolation.
Her voice snapped, trembling slightly as she spoke. "Oh, don't. Please, don't. .....that's it Rio, You never meant to hurt me. That's exactly the problem, You didn't mean to but you still did it."
Rio's face contorted in pain as she asked, "Agatha, what are you talking about?" But Agatha's emotions had reached a boiling point. She closed her eyes, swallowing hard as she struggled to contain the words that had been bottled up for so long. "I loved you, Rio," she said, her voice cracking with emotion. "And you—" The words caught in her throat, and she couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence. All she could manage was a choked whisper, "You just walked away like it was nothing." The pain and betrayal were still raw, still festering, and Rio's presence had ripped open the wound all over again.
Rio puts her hand in her chest as if holding her heart not to fall out. Agatha is Crying and it hurts to see her Cry "Did you think everything was easy for me? Agatha, you were in that hospital bed unresponsive for fucking half a year.....Do you think it's easy for me? Every choice I make feels like I'm losing you... and I don't know how to stop it. I don't know how to save you, how to save us"
Flashback: The Breakup
3 years ago, they’d been inseparable. But something about the weather on that one particular night of December made them both drive into arguments, eventually ending their relationship
One night, Rio had come back from practice, exhausted and distracted, to find Agatha sitting and waiting in Rio's dorm room, looking exhausted as ever.
They fought for a few weeks. Sometimes the fight would start with something from a simple teasing until they grew up...somedays they would resolve it with just them fucking— rough, heated, senseless but never actually talking about the problem after until they fight again....and the other would bring back whatever shit they were fighting about...vice versa, It doesn't matter who started because at the end both of them know they are hurting each other.
The cycle just fucks up your mind big-time, no?
Rio doesn't even know what started the fight but every time they start talking, it's like a fire will start with Rio's words and Agatha fueling the conversation even more like gasoline.
"I saw your mother the other night, she was looking for you."
She can see Agatha tensing at the mention of her mother.
"What did you tell my mother?"
"That you were probably busy with the readings and all" Agatha just nodded
"How's your practice?" Agatha carefully asked, soft eyes looking at Rio. Her eyes looked like she was crying a few hours ago.
"Good"
"Look I'm sorry for shouting at you last night. I'm very stressed and my mother is no help at all. She gets all controlling and shit...I'm sorry...Rio...I wasn't thinking right" Agatha started, reaching for Rio's hand but Rio kept her arms crossed in her chest.
Rio spoke calmly, though pain was evident in her voice.
She needs to say it.
It's slowly suffocating her, that feeling of not being free.
Pretending isn't her forte and right now Rio can't pretend that everything between them is okay…it was in fact in the brink of death now
Rio needed a way out….she needs
to breathe
Fuck it