- Come on cupcake you have to come - were the words scribbled on a yellow post-it note Vi slapped on Caitlyn's open page. Vi is talking about Ekko's back to school party at his house, that was a tradition since he was in year 9 and the girl's were in year 10. It is now their last year of school and Caitlyn has never been to one of these parties. She tells herself it's because she hates parties, but it's more from the lack of invite until now.
- No way, Maddie incessantly keeps asking if I'll go, I don't want to see her - Caitlyn anxiously writes back. Their classmate Maddie has had a hugely obvious crush on Caitlyn since last year, a crush that over grade 11, quickly went from cute to annoying.
Vi met Caitlyn in the second semester of last year, when from the lack of teachers, two small biology classes turned into one big class with a seating plan, which by chance, united Caitlyn and Vi.
Vi has always been confused as to why she is drawn to Caitlyn, because none of her friends are like her. They have totally different backgrounds and interests and very few friends in common. Nevertheless, she finds it hard to not want to be around her all the time, and as a result they have become inseparable.
Caitlyn, on the other hand, knows exactly why she is drawn to Vi. It's because of her huge crush that she has been trying to keep under wraps for the last six months, for the pure fear of losing her. Every bone in her body tells her to go for it, to make the move, but her brain still holds every single doubt and fear that Vi may not feel the same way about her.
- and… you're still not interested? - Vi replies with her red pen.
Caitlyn glares back at her before writing her response.
- NO!!!!!!! SHES ANNOYING
- Alright then I'll protect you - Vi begins writing, before she pauses and contemplates her response - we could maybe hide in Ekko's spare room, I'm sure he trusts me to give me the key.
When Caitlyn's eyes fall on the words written on the note, she almost gasps and feels her cheeks get hot. How is she supposed to survive an entire party with a girl like Vi at her side?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Vi looks in the mirror and wonders if her outfit is too basic. She's no stranger to parties, but now that Caitlyn will be in attendance, Vi is on edge and doesn't know why. The complicated thing about trying to dress up for a party as a butch is that if you're not literally wearing a fitted button down shirt or something, the outfit looks too casual. As Vi throws different shirts and pants on and off she tries to envision what Caitlyn will wear. Vi has never seen her in party clothes, but she can't imagine anything looking bad on Caitlyn. Vi pictures how her style could be, maybe some type of miniskirt, showing off her hips and slim waist, and long sleeved V-neck top, showing cleavage. Vi immediately shook her head at the thought, trying to block the mental images of her friend's body.
Vi finally settles on a black and grey tie-dye tank top, black ripped jeans with some chains, a carabiner and her red jacket. She quickly finishes off with some black eyeliner and eyeshadow that she smudges all into her eyelids. Vi has never been one for much makeup, but she has always felt that smokey makeup suits her.
By the time she's finished with the whole routine, Vi realises that she's ten minutes late to go to Caitlyn's house and she hasn't even eaten yet. Scrambling to gather her things, she quickly bothers Vander for food before racing out the door and into her old car.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
When Vi pulls up to Ekko's street with Caitlyn beside her, she's forced to park half a block away from his house due to the other cars filling the street. When they get out of the car, Vi can finally take in Caitlyn's look; a half shoulder long sleeved black dress, with a sideways cut out on the waist, showing off Caitlyn's lightly toned abs. She wears her hair long and in a middle part and her dark blue and black makeup compliments the tones of her hair.
“You're staring.” Caitlyn says to Vi, her cheeks growing pink under the streetlight.
Vi clears her throat nervously. “Yeah, um… you just- you look good. I've never seen you dress like that before.” She stutters. Vi quickly paces ahead so that Caitlyn doesn't catch the red flush in her cheeks.
They eventually make it inside the house and are calmly sifting through the sea of teenagers from the neighbourhood and school. Vi is holding Caitlyn's hand as she leads the way, and even though Caitlyn hasn't consumed anything, she already feels drunk and high from her friend's touch. They reach the kitchen where Powder, Ekko, Mylo and Claggor are pouring themselves drinks.
“Ugh, finally, you're here to save me from these subhuman boys!” Powder groans as she frees herself from Ekko's arm around her shoulder. “Please tell me one of you is here to have fun.” Her eyes glimmer with excitement and mischief.
“Nuh uh.” Vi shakes her head at her slightly younger and shorter sister. “I'm staying away from you tonight, last time you made me take so many questionable mixed shots that I was vomiting in the bathroom for the whole night.” Powder rolls her eyes at Vi's response.
“Hey, not my fault that you've got a weak stomach.” Powder turns her attention to Caitlyn. “Pleeeaaase Caitlyn. Tell me that you know how to have fun.”
Caitlyn chuckles nervously as she eyes all the different bottles of alcohol on the bench. “Powder, if you teach me how to have fun I will let you guide the night.” Says Caitlyn.
Powder punches the air in victory and serves two shot glasses full of a glittery, red concoction.
“Um… what is this?” Caitlyn asks with a suspicious look on her face.
“Don't worry,” replies Powder, “it's edible glitter.”
Vi laughs in amusement as both Caitlyn and Powder pick up the shot glasses. Vi's younger sister immediately downs the liquid without even making a face. Caitlyn glances at Vi anxiously before also bringing the glass to her mouth and pouring, feeling the sour, burning sensation of the liquid down her throat. She figures at least this will calm her nerves.
Three shots later, Caitlyn is pulling Vi to the living room, where the music is bursting from the speaker and the colourful LED lights are low and a few people are dancing. Vi is reluctant as she is being dragged by one hand and a beer in her other hand. Vi has already had four other beers, so she's loose enough to enjoy herself. However, the alcohol is making her cheeks hot and her balance lazy, so she keeps leaning on Caitlyn, and feeling their bodies together is more intoxicating than any alcohol. Standing in front of Caitlyn, the only thing her eyes can fixate on is her friend's pink lips, shiny from the gloss, that seem to be inviting her in.
Before she realises it, Vi is dancing along with Caitlyn and their bodies are moving closer together, matching a subtle rhythm to the music. Vi is fixated on Caitlyn, she can feel her breath on her face and the hot warmth of her body.
Caitlyn is riding a complete high with her newfound confidence. Her doubts are melting away, and she can't tell if it's from the alcohol coursing through her system or from watching Vi getting so nervous and flustered all night. In the past, Caitlyn may have been unsure about whether Vi only treated her as a friend or there was some underlying attraction hidden in her behaviour, but now it was undeniable. Just as Caitlyn thinks she has built up enough confidence to make a move, Vi pulls her back to the corner of the room.
“Hey, I'm just going to go to the bathroom because I've had a bit to drink, wait for me?” She says, glancing away to avoid Caitlyn's eye contact.
“Sure, yeah take your time. If you're not feeling well just let me know.”
When Vi enters the bathroom, the cool white light almost makes her feel dizzy. She hasn't had much to drink and she's definitely not drunk, but not sober enough to drive again yet. Vi isn't even paying attention to these details though, because all that is surfacing in her mind are the rushing thoughts about Caitlyn. Now looking back she's realising how attracted to her she is, and always has been. All this time she has been bottling up how she feels about Caitlyn to avoid being vulnerable. Really inconvenient, Vi thinks, that she's in the bathroom, tipsy and only just coming to terms with the fact that she likes Caitlyn - maybe even loves her.
Finally, Vi manages to pull herself together, but as she's exiting the bathroom she almost slams into Caitlyn, who seems as if she were already about to knock on the door. Caitlyn has an expression of panic in her face.
“We have to leave right now.” Caitlyn says seriously. “Maddie has found me and I cannot be here anymore or I will commit a felony.”
“Okay, okay.” Vi laughs, pulling her by the hand. “Let's go.”
They make their way back to Vi's car and silently settle themselves into the velvet seats.
Vi clears her throat suddenly, “So, I should probably let you know that I'm not quite sober enough to drive, so we're going to need to sit her for like half an hour while I sober up.” She says, pulling out a bottle of water from her glove box.
“Okay, that's alright.” Caitlyn replies.
They sit in silence as Vi slowly sips her water. The air is heavy around them in the dim illumination of the courtesy lights. Caitlyn notices how the warm light highlights Vi's cheekbones and darkens the shadows of her eyes and jawline. Caitlyn shifts her position so one of her legs is folded on the passenger's seat and she turns to face Vi. Before she can say anything, Vi turns to her as well and breaks the silence.
“So, what happened in there.” Vi gestures harmlessly.
“Oh. Yeah right. Maddie.” Caitlyn laughs softly. “I was just standing on the wall and she just came over, getting in my space and everything. I don't know, I just wasn't in the mood. Which sucks because I was really enjoying myself there.”
“Hmm. Well, maybe we escaped just in time before Powder gave you something that would make you throw up.” Vi chuckles.
“I guess it's just part of the experience. I've never done anything like that before.”
“Yeah, you did look like you were having fun.” Vi says amused.
“And you?”
Vi shrugs indifferently. “Parties aren't really my thing to be honest.”
“Then why did you come?” Caitlyn looks at her friend puzzled.
Vi takes a deep breath before she replies. “Well, mainly for my friends and to take care of my sister, but… also, I was curious…” Vi looks away shyly.
“Curious about what?”
“About what you'd be like. Letting loose, dressing up. I guess I've been curious about that side of you.”
“Hmm, so you wanted to see me in a hot dress.” Caitlyn chuckles smugly. Vi immediately chokes on her water and her cheeks grow hot and red.
“Wha- I didn't mean it… you're twisting my words-”
“Vi! It's alright…” Caitlyn says soothingly. She looks down at her lap shyly. “So, what's your verdict?”
Vi takes a good look at Caitlyn, up and down. She can hear her heart palpitations in her ears and her mouth feels dry with anxiety. Or maybe anticipation. She can't even tell anymore.
When she looks back up at Caitlyn, she is inches away from Vi. She wonders when their faces even got that close.
“You look…” She tries to quietly clear her throat, but it comes out as a nervous cough, “really good in that dress.” Caitlyn's eyes are locked on Vi's with an intense sapphire stare.
Next, Caitlyn doesn't even know if it was her or Vi that leans in first, but all of a sudden their lips meet. Vi tastes bittersweet, like coke with a slight aftertaste of beer. Caitlyn immediately interlaces her fingers in Vi's messy red hair, tilting their heads and bringing them closer together.
Vi's tongue slightly tugging in Caitlyn's mouth sends shivers across her whole body, even more so when Vi brings her strong arms around her waist, closing the distance between their bodies.
Vi's body feels electric with Caitlyn's against hers, sending a static shock through her bones, making her more desperate to have Caitlyn as close as possible. With her hands around her waist, Vi picks Caitlyn up to bring her onto her lap, leaving not an inch of their bodies apart. Caitlyn cups Vi's face in her hands as Vi wraps her arms completely around her waist, leaving Caitlyn comfortably straddling her and pinning Vi to the seat.
They both pull away to catch their breaths, chests rising and falling heavily as Caitlyn rests her forehead on Vi's. Vi smiles like an idiot and they both giggle, giddy from the electricity between the two.
In their embrace they are completely consumed by each other's warmth, with their heartbeats in sync and finally slowed.
Caitlyn pulls back so she can take in Vi's face; cheeks pink and eyes twinkling in the lights, with a small smile creeping on the corner of her lip.
“So,” Caitlyn clears her throat, “how do you feel now?”
“Oh, stone cold sober.” Vi replies. “Wait, was this all just a plot to sober me up and take you home?” She jokes.
Caitlyn slips off Vi's lap and back to her seat, straightening her dress and smoothing out her hair.
“Take me home, Vi, and maybe you'll get lucky again.” Caitlyn replies with a cheeky smile.
Vi wastes no time backing her car out and speeding home.