For Caitlyn
Vi and Caitlyn sit awkwardly on the couch, blanket draped over their laps, while they watch a movie. It's almost as though they don't want to be too close, but don't want to be too far either. Caitlyn reaches for popcorn at the same time Vi happens to and their hands accidentally touch. How cliché.
Caitlyn’s face flushes and she pulls her hand away before Vi can notice. Vi just shrugs and stuffs her face with more popcorn, man-spreading further as she leans back. Caitlyn takes a glance at Vi to find her with her legs spread. She swallows hard and moves her gaze back to the TV. This is the fourth movie they've watched today.
They alternate choices for every movie. They skipped lunch, since they were snaking the whole time anyway. And now it's about 5pm (Vi picks really long movies).
As the movie ends Caitlyn picks up her phone to check the time, letting out a sigh and glancing at Vi. “What time did you want to go home?” Caitlyn questions.
Vi shrugs, “haven't thought about it. I think six or seven would be good, why?”
“Well it's about five now,” Caitlyn replies.
Vi’s eyes widen. “Five?”
Caitlyn nods. “Should we order some food or did you want to eat at home?”
“Uhh…” Vi tried to muster up a response. “We can… we can get food.”
Caitlyn nods and opens her DoorDash app. “What do you have in mind?”
Vi takes a moment to think, clearly struggling to pick. “Not Chinese.”
Caitlyn let out a chuckle. “I wouldn't dream of feeding you anymore Chinese.”
Vi smiles at her, admiring the way Caitlyn laughs. “I'm in a pasta mood. You?”
Caitlyn nods. “Pasta it is.”
Caitlyn places an order from Olive Garden as Vi sits awkwardly next to her. Caitlyn glances over at her, raising an eyebrow. “Are you alright?”
Vi's eyes widen as she's called out. “Y-yeah. All good.”
Caitlyn nods and sets her phone down. “About half an hour.”
Vi sighs but nods and leans back on the couch. “More movies?”
Caitlyn picks up the remote, “I suppose.”
Vi watches silently as Caitlyn searches for another movie. Her gaze travels over Caitlyn’s body, trying to take her all in. “Cait?”
Caitlyn’s eyes don't move from the TV, “hm?”
“I should pay you back for all the food you've been buying this week,” Vi says quietly.
Caitlyn shakes her head, placing the remote on the coffee table after picking a suitable movie. “No, Violet. You will do no such thing”
“But-” Vi starts.
“No buts. You will not give me a cent. You hear me?” Caitlyn replied sternly.
Vi lowers her head and nods slowly, “mkay…”
Caitlyn nods and turns her gaze back to the movie she had picked, not noticing that Vi seemed to be a little down.
_________________________________________
The food had arrived and they ate quietly on the couch while watching some cheesy romance movie Vi had suggested. Caitlyn hated it, but didn't mention it. Vi laughed at all the corny jokes.
Vi was over halfway done with her food, while Caitlyn had barely touched hers. She just stared down at her box, poking noodles with her fork. “Vi…?”
Vi lifts her head, a mouthful of pasta currently stuffed between her lips. “Hm?”
Caitlyn sets her takeout box on the coffee table. “Can I tell you something personal…? Something- something no one really knows about me?”
Vi nods and sets her food down on the coffee table. “Of course, Cait.”
Caitlyn lets out a breath, preparing herself for what she's about to admit. “You know how everyone thinks I'm stuck up?”
Vi nods.
Caitlyn sighs, “well, I'm not. At least not purposely.”
Vi raises an eyebrow, “what do you mean?”
Caitlyn looks down at her hands and picks at her nails. “I'm-... I have autism. It's not- severe. But it's there.”
Vi’s gaze softens, “why didn't you tell me before?”
Caitlyn shrugs, still not looking at Vi. “Only my family knows.”
Vi nods, “well you can always trust me, Cupcake. Thank you for doing so.”
Caitlyn lifts her gaze to finally look at Vi and gives her a soft smile. Vi sees it and smiles back. “I’d really like to hug you, Cait.”
Caitlyn’s eyes widen slightly, but she nods anyway. Vi shifts a bit closer and carefully wraps her arms around Caitlyn. Caitlyn instantly relaxes against Vi, having never felt more safe in her life. She doesn't know what it is about the pinkette, but she knows she likes it.
Vi goes home that night. At 9pm, but she goes home nonetheless. Both girls stay up late, just thinking about each other. Vi wonders if Caitlyn likes her back. Caitlyn wonders if Vi felt the flutter she had felt when they hugged.
Vi reluctantly closes her eyes, forcing herself to sleep. The trial is tomorrow, and she has to be at her best. For Caitlyn.