Ceilings

Caitlyn stood in front of the full length mirror in her private dressing room, her hands trembling as she adjusted the sleeves of her dress. The replacement costume shimmered under the bright vanity lights, the intricate details glinting like stardust. It was an ice blue dress, the bodice encrusted with tiny crystals that cascaded down into delicate snowflake patterns along the waistline. The skirt was made of layers of soft, translucent chiffon, each edge dusted with silver thread, giving it the appearance of frost kissed by morning light.

The back of the dress was daring, plunging into a deep V, with thin crisscrossing straps of silver that added both elegance and vulnerability. Long, white sleeves clung to her arms, dotted with the same glittering crystals as the bodice, creating a cohesive, ethereal look. The dress was undoubtedly beautiful, dazzling even, but as Caitlyn gazed at her reflection, all she could see were the flaws she imagined in herself.

Her hair was slicked back into a sleek bun, not a strand out of place. It emphasized the lines of her neck and jaw, leaving her feeling uncomfortably exposed. Her makeup was bold, the way her coach and stylist had insisted. Deep nude lipstick, sharp black eyeliner, and a dusting of silver shimmer across her eyelids. It was glamorous, dramatic, meant to draw attention to her on the ice. But to Caitlyn, it felt loud, almost like a mask she didn’t know how to wear.

Her insecurities gnawed at her as her eyes traced the contours of her body in the mirror. The tightness of the dress clung to her figure, and every curve, every edge, seemed amplified in her mind. Her thoughts spiraled. Her arms looked too thin, her thighs too thick, the skin that showed was marred by faint scars she couldn’t forget. The commentators’ voices filtered faintly through the walls, announcing the scores of another skater, their tone electric with excitement.

Caitlyn’s stomach twisted painfully. Each cheer from the crowd outside felt like a countdown to her own moment under the blinding lights. Her breath hitched as she stared into her own eyes in the mirror, willing herself to stop trembling, to stop doubting, to focus on the months of preparation that had led her here. But the fear was overwhelming. What if she fell? What if she forgot the program? What if she wasn’t good enough?

Her knees felt weak, and she gripped the edge of the vanity table to steady herself. The clock ticked closer to her time, and her heart pounded in her chest like the beat of a drum. Somewhere deep inside, she tried to summon the image of her father’s encouragement, of her coach’s praise, of Vi’s words. “You’re the best skater I’ve ever seen.” But the weight of the competition, of the expectations, was suffocating.

A soft knock came at the door, pulling her from her thoughts.

Caitlyn froze as the door creaked open, her breath catching in her throat. She had expected her coach or an assistant, someone coming to usher her to the rink. Instead, standing there, larger than life and framed by the doorway, was her father.

"Dad?" she whispered, her voice cracking as her vision blurred with tears.

His warm, familiar smile broke through the tension in the room like sunlight through storm clouds. "Hi Caitlyn," he said softly, stepping inside and closing the door behind him. His accent wrapped around the words like a gentle melody, a sound she hadn’t realized how much she missed until now.

Before she could think, she rushed into his arms, burying her face against his chest. The scent of herbs and faint antiseptic clung to him, a reminder of the revolutionary surgeries he had been performing in Ionia, his home country, for the past few months. His strong arms encircled her, grounding her in a way nothing else could.

“Why are you here?” Caitlyn asked, her voice muffled against him. She switched fluently between both of her native languages, finding comfort in the way she was able to speak with her father. She pulled back just enough to look up at him, tears daring to slip down her cheeks. “I thought you were still overseas.”

“I was,” he said, brushing a strand of hair from her face with a tenderness that made her chest ache. “But I couldn’t miss this. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for the other competitions, but I made sure to be here for you now.”

“Dad…” she said, her voice trembling. Her fingers gripped the sleeves of his coat tightly as if he might vanish again if she let go.
"Oh, Caitlyn," he said gently. "I'll always be here, as long as you need me."

They spoke in Ionian, the language flowing easily between them, a private refuge from the storm of her emotions. Her words spilled out, barely coherent at first as she tried to explain everything: how her mom had been stricter than ever, how her life felt suffocating under the weight of expectations, how much she wished he had been home.

“She’s been relentless,” Caitlyn admitted, her voice cracking. “Ever since…” She hesitated, not wanting to bring up the fight with Vi or her mother’s punishments. “She’s watching me all the time, controlling everything. I…I don’t know how much more I can take.”

Her father’s brow furrowed as he listened, his hands resting on her shoulders. "Your mother loves you deeply, Caitlyn, but I know how she can be. I should have been here sooner to help you, to balance things."

Caitlyn shook her head, her tears falling freely now. "It’s not your fault. I just… I feel like I can’t breathe. She doesn’t trust me to make any choices on my own anymore."

He pulled her close again, his voice steady and soothing. "You are stronger than you think, Caitlyn. And you are not alone in this. Remember that." His words carried the weight of both comfort and encouragement, grounding her even as her emotions swirled.
“I’ve missed you so much,” Caitlyn murmured, clinging to him like a lifeline.

“I’ve missed you too,” he replied, his tone soft yet resolute. “And I’ll always be here for you, Caitlyn. Always.”

For the first time that evening, the crushing pressure in her chest lightened just a little. Even though the world outside her dressing room felt impossible to face, her father’s presence reminded her that she wasn’t completely alone.

Caitlyn pulled away, her fingers twisting the hem of her dress nervously. "I… I made a new friend," she said softly, unsure of how to bring it up. She searched her father’s face, trying to gauge his reaction.

To her surprise, his expression didn’t shift into anything resembling anger or disapproval. Instead, he simply nodded, his gaze warm and understanding. "I know," he said gently. "Your mother told me.”

Her heart skipped a beat, and she pulled back slightly, staring at him with wide eyes. "She did?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"She did," he confirmed, folding his arms as he leaned back slightly against the wall. "And before you worry, no, I’m not mad. Not even a little bit."

"You’re not?" she asked, blinking in confusion.

Her father let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. "No, Caitlyn. Why would I be? You’re allowed to have friends. You're allowed to have more. And most importantly, you’re allowed to care about people." His voice softened further as he stepped closer. "Listen to me, Caitlyn. I don’t care who this friend is or what your mother thinks about it. What matters to me is you. I love you, endlessly and unconditionally. I love you no matter who you love. That will never change."

Her throat tightened, and she looked away, blinking back sudden tears. "I thought… I thought maybe you’d be disappointed, or angry, like Mom."

He tilted her chin up gently, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Never. Your mother and I don’t always see eye to eye on everything, and that’s okay. But nothing you could do, nothing, would ever make me stop loving you. You’re my daughter, Caitlyn. That’s all that matters."

A tear slipped down her cheek, and she quickly wiped it away, biting her lip to keep from completely breaking down. "I don’t deserve you," she whispered.

"Don’t say that," he said firmly, his hands resting on her shoulders. "You deserve love and understanding, Caitlyn. From me, from anyone who claims to care about you. Don’t let anyone make you feel otherwise."

For the first time in weeks, Caitlyn felt a flicker of genuine warmth spread through her chest. She hugged her father tightly, her voice thick with emotion. "Thank you, Dad. For being here. For everything."

He held her close, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "Always, Caitlyn. Always."

Her father left with a reassuring smile, promising to find Cassandra and try to talk some sense into her. Caitlyn stood there for a moment after the door closed, exhaling deeply, her chest still tight with a mix of nerves and gratitude. She smoothed her tights down, fixing an imaginary crease, and adjusted the sparkling bodice of her dress one last time. Her hands trembled, but she steadied herself. It was time.

She walked out of the dressing room and toward the rink, where Coach Grayson waited by the boards. Grayson looked up from her clipboard as Caitlyn approached, her sharp eyes scanning Caitlyn’s face for any signs of doubt.

“You ready?” Grayson asked, her tone clipped but not unkind.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Caitlyn said, her voice quieter than she intended.

Grayson gave a curt nod. “Good. Just remember what we’ve worked on. Strong edges, no hesitation. You’ve done this a hundred times.”
Caitlyn nodded, gripping the boards tightly as she stepped onto the ice. The chill hit her immediately, the familiar cold seeping into her skin like a second heartbeat. The rink was alive with noise, the hum of the crowd, the scratch of blades on ice, and the echoing voice of the announcer. But it all faded to a dull roar as she focused on the task ahead.

She joined the other senior girls for the short warmup. Skaters in their glittering costumes moved with practiced precision, carving the ice with smooth strokes and elegant turns. Caitlyn kept her movements deliberate, pushing herself into every glide, every jump, trying to tune out the prickle of insecurity that still lingered.

Her jumps were clean but cautious, her spins tight but restrained. She wasn’t here to dazzle, not yet, this was about finding her rhythm, grounding herself before the real test began. The minutes flew by, her body falling into the routine she’d drilled into it over countless early mornings and late nights.

And just as quickly as it started, the warmup was over. The whistle blew, signaling the end, and Caitlyn skated back to the boards, her heart pounding. Grayson gave her a quick nod, her expression unreadable.

“Deep breaths,” Grayson said as Caitlyn leaned against the boards. “Stick to the plan. You’ve got this.”

Caitlyn nodded again, inhaling sharply as she stepped off the ice. The next time she’d step out there, it would be for her performance. She tried to steady herself, but her hands wouldn’t stop trembling.

The rink was quieting down as the announcer’s voice echoed through the arena, setting the stage for the first skater. Caitlyn sat near the edge of the rink, her leg bouncing uncontrollably, nerves coiled tightly in her chest. She focused on the tips of her skates, her fingers fiddling with the hem of her dress, trying desperately not to look at the ice.

The crowd erupted into cheers as the skater before her finished her program. Caitlyn flinched, the sound pulling her back to the present. Her heart pounded in her ears, drowning out the applause. She stared straight ahead, fixing her gaze on the boards instead of the girl gracefully bowing on the ice. The waiting was always the worst part. too much time to think, to doubt, to feel the crushing weight of every expectation and insecurity.

“And now,” the announcer’s voice boomed, “ladies and gentlemen, representing Piltover figure skating club and making her senior nationals debut, please welcome… Caitlyn Kiramman!”

The crowd’s response was thunderous, cheers and applause crashing like waves against her fragile composure. Caitlyn swallowed hard, her throat dry as she stood. Her legs felt heavy as she stepped onto the ice, her blades biting into the surface with a faint crunch. The announcer’s words still rang in her ears, the weight of the grand introduction settling over her like a mantle she wasn’t sure she could bear.

Caitlyn skated a couple of laps around the rink, her movements fluid but restrained as she tried to find her focus. She pushed into a few light jumps, testing her edges, her body going through the motions almost mechanically. The cold air nipped at her cheeks, but she barely felt it, her mind racing ahead to the program she was about to perform.

Her music was cued. This was it. Caitlyn took her starting position, her body folding into a pose that felt both rehearsed and strangely foreign in the moment. Her breaths came shallow and fast, the nerves twisting tighter in her stomach. She stared ahead, her vision narrowing to the middle of the rink, willing herself to calm down.

But then, in the corner of her vision, something caught her eye. High up in the stands, amidst the sea of faces and lights, was a flash of bright pink hair. Messy, unmistakable. Caitlyn’s breath hitched, her carefully constructed focus splintering.

It couldn’t be.

But there she was. Vi.

The vibrant pink strands seemed almost to glow under the stadium lights, and Caitlyn’s heart skipped. Vi was perched on the edge of her seat, her expression unreadable but her presence impossible to ignore. Caitlyn’s grip on her composure slipped, the world narrowing and tilting all at once.

Vi was here. After everything.

A rush of emotions flooded Caitlyn, nearly knocking the breath out of her. After everything, after all the pushing, the lies, the distance, Vi was still here. She hadn’t given up. She was here to support her, to uplift her, no matter how much Caitlyn tried to push her away. Tears pricked her eyes, but she blinked them back, swallowing the lump in her throat.

It should have distracted her. Seeing Vi in the crowd, bright pink hair standing out like a beacon, should have thrown Caitlyn completely off course. But for some reason, it didn’t. If anything, it anchored her. As the music began a soft, lilting piano melody that swelled into a powerful orchestral arrangement. Caitlyn inhaled deeply, letting the sound ground her.

With everything on the line, Caitlyn felt an unshakable resolve settle over her as the music began. The presence of Vi, quietly supporting her from the stands, gave her an unspoken strength. As the melody built, so did her intensity. Her movements sharpened, each step purposeful and precise, as though she were breaking free from unseen chains.

She launched into a triple loop, soaring high and landing with effortless grace, her blades cutting into the ice like a whisper. The crowd’s cheers of approval reached her faintly, but she remained in her zone, utterly consumed by the world she was creating.

The piano gave way to a swelling orchestra, and Caitlyn powered into a flawless triple lutz-double toe loop combination, her jumps clean and fluid, arcs carved perfectly in the ice. A triple flip followed, her landing as soft and confident as a feather settling to the ground, her arms extending with an elegant flourish.

Her movements grew bolder, more expressive, no longer bound by hesitation. She spun with precision and speed, transitioning seamlessly from a camel spin to a striking back sit spin. Her free leg extended in a sharp, angular line, radiating strength and defiance.
The music paused briefly, and the arena seemed to hold its breath. Caitlyn stood motionless at center ice, arms outstretched, her chest rising and falling as she caught her breath. Her gaze swept across the crowd, not truly searching for anyone but feeling the collective anticipation around her.

When the melody resumed, softer and more delicate, her skating transformed. Her steps became intricate and quick, flowing like water as she danced with newfound freedom. She launched into a double axel, her body spinning in a blur before landing with ease. She transitioned into a step sequence, weaving across the ice with movements full of joy and strength, her arms drawing graceful arcs as if painting the air itself.

As the music climbed to its triumphant finale, Caitlyn returned to center ice. She entered her final spin, a breathtaking blur that slowed into stillness as she struck her closing pose, arms reaching upward in a gesture of triumph. The last note faded into silence, and for a heartbeat, the arena was completely still.

As the final note of her program faded into the air, there was a single moment of suspended silence, as though the world itself was holding its breath. Then the arena erupted, the applause crashing like a tidal wave around her. It was deafening, overwhelming, but Caitlyn barely heard it. Her heart was pounding, her chest heaving, every muscle in her body burning with exhaustion and triumph.
She did it. She really did it.

The announcer’s voice boomed over the speakers, clear and jubilant: “That’s it, ladies and gentlemen! Caitlyn Kiramman, with a near perfect score! There’s almost no way anyone could take first place now!”

The words hit her like a shockwave, and all at once, the weight of it all came crashing down. The months of grueling practices, the endless pressure, the constant self doubt… it was over. She had skated her heart out, left everything on the ice, and it had paid off.
Her knees buckled, and she collapsed onto the ice, tears streaming down her face. Not tears of pain or frustration, but of joy, of relief so profound it was almost paralyzing. The cold of the rink seeped through her tights, but she didn’t care. She let herself fall forward, her forehead resting lightly against the ice as her sobs wracked her body.

All around her, the crowd roared in celebration, their cheers blending into a single, euphoric noise. She could hear them chanting her name, a sound that felt so surreal it barely registered. Caitlyn lifted her head slightly, her vision blurred with tears, and looked up at the stands. For a brief, fleeting moment, her eyes found the unmistakable flash of pink hair high above the crowd, and her heart swelled even more. Vi was there. She had been there for her.

Caitlyn pressed her hands against the ice, grounding herself in the cool solidity of it. She had doubted herself so many times, convinced that she wasn’t good enough, that she couldn’t live up to the expectations placed on her. But now, with the cheers echoing around her and the announcer’s words still ringing in her ears, she realized that she had done more than just prove herself. She had reclaimed a part of herself she thought she had lost.

Her tears continued to fall, but now they carried with them every ounce of gratitude she felt. Gratitude for her father’s unwavering love, for her coach’s relentless belief in her, and for Vi’s quiet, steadfast presence. She had done it not just for herself but for everyone who had been in her corner, even when she hadn’t believed in herself.

Slowly, Caitlyn pushed herself to her feet, the tears still streaming down her cheeks but her smile radiant and unstoppable. She skated toward the center of the ice, raising her arms to the crowd in a gesture of thanks. The cheers only grew louder, the energy in the arena electric and unrelenting.

As she glided off the ice, the reality of what she had achieved began to settle in. Caitlyn Kiramman had just become a national champion. And for the first time in what felt like forever, she felt like she was exactly where she was meant to be.

Caitlyn stepped off the ice, her heart pounding in her chest, the adrenaline still rushing through her veins. But it wasn’t just the thrill of her performance, there was something deeper, a sense of relief, a sense of joy that was finally breaking through the walls she’d built up for so long. She had done it. She had poured everything into that routine, and the crowd’s reaction was still echoing in her mind, a wave of approval and admiration that washed over her like a tide.

She had been so terrified before she stepped onto the ice, but now, as she moved toward the side of the rink, something in her had shifted. She felt lighter, like all the weight she had been carrying, her mother’s impossible expectations, her own self doubt, the tension with Vi, had dissolved into the ice beneath her.

And then, she saw Grayson.

Her coach was standing at the boards, waiting for her with a smile so wide and unreserved that Caitlyn barely recognized her. Grayson was always so controlled, so poised. But now? Now, there was nothing but raw emotion.

Before Caitlyn could even open her mouth, Grayson reached her and pulled her into a hug, one so tight that Caitlyn felt as if all the air had been squeezed from her lungs. She could hardly believe it. Grayson was always the one to keep things professional, to keep Caitlyn at a distance when things got too emotional. But right now, Grayson’s arms around her were a steadying presence.

“You did it,” Grayson said, her voice a mixture of pride and awe. “You really did it, Caitlyn.”

For a moment, Caitlyn was still, trying to take in the meaning of those words. She felt the tears pricking at her eyes once again, but she fought them back, not wanting to break down again in front of her coach. Instead, she simply nodded, her voice lost for words. She had worked for this moment for so long, and now that it was finally here, it was all too much to handle.

Grayson pulled back and gave her a look, something almost playful in her eyes. “Come on, let’s go see your scores. You earned it.”

They made their way to the small couch in the “kiss and cry” area. Caitlyn’s legs felt unsteady as she sat down, her heart still racing, but this time, with excitement rather than fear. She tried to calm herself, focusing on her breathing, but it wasn’t easy. Not with the moment she had just experienced, and not with everything hanging in the balance.

The commentators’ voices filled the arena, their excitement palpable. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation, every skater waiting for their chance to shine. But for Caitlyn, it felt like the world had narrowed to just one thing: the screen. Her heart beat in her chest as she watched, waiting for her scores to appear.

And then, they did.

The numbers flashed on the screen, one by one, and Caitlyn felt like her heart stopped. She blinked, hardly daring to believe what she was seeing. The technical score was nearly perfect, and the artistry mark, something she had always struggled with, was almost as high. The difference between her and the next skater was vast. It felt like a dream.

Grayson, ever the stoic coach, placed a hand on her shoulder, but this time, Caitlyn didn’t mind. She leaned into the touch, not hiding her emotions this time. “Look at those scores,” Grayson said softly, her voice full of pride. “No one’s going to top that. Not now. You’ve made your mark, Caitlyn.”

The tears began to spill over again, and Caitlyn let them fall freely, not caring who saw. She had fought so hard for this, against so many odds, and now, it felt like she was finally, finally, allowed to feel something other than the pressure of perfection.

Grayson’s voice pulled her back to reality, though, still full of admiration. “You did it, Caitlyn. You showed everyone what you’re really made of.”

Caitlyn sniffled, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand, trying to pull herself together. The world felt suddenly bigger, full of possibility, and she knew that whatever happened next, she had already proven to herself that she was capable of more than she’d ever imagined.

Caitlyn sat frozen on the couch, the world still spinning around her. The applause, the flashing scores on the screen, it all seemed so far away now. For a moment, she felt like she was drifting in a haze, the weight of everything she'd just accomplished pressing down on her chest. She had done it. She had pulled off the performance of a lifetime, something she had worked for endlessly. But there was only one thing that mattered now, one person who had made everything feel possible: Vi.

She had felt it during the routine, the power of Vi’s presence. It wasn’t just the audience or the energy in the arena that had carried her through, it was Vi. Vi's unwavering support, her acceptance, her ability to make Caitlyn feel like she wasn’t alone. Vi’s presence in the stands, that flash of pink hair amidst the crowd, was what had grounded her when her nerves threatened to overwhelm her. It had been everything Caitlyn needed to break through all her doubts.

She glanced back toward the stands, her heart hammering in her chest, hoping, needing, to see her. But the stands were bustling with people leaving their seats, and there was no sign of Vi. Her stomach twisted, a sudden knot of worry forming. Where was she? Had Vi left already? Had she not even seen Caitlyn’s performance?

"Grayson," Caitlyn said quietly, her voice trembling just slightly as she met her coach’s eyes. "I—I need to go to the bathroom."

Grayson gave her a quick, concerned glance, but Caitlyn didn’t wait for a response. She stood up abruptly, the overwhelming emotions threatening to spill over again. She needed to find Vi. She couldn’t shake the feeling of emptiness that had settled inside her when she didn’t see her there, when she couldn’t feel her presence.

The halls of the arena were chaotic as people bustled about, heading for exits or gathering their things. Caitlyn’s eyes searched the crowd frantically, but there was still no sign of Vi. Panic started to creep in. What if she had already left? What if she had left because Caitlyn had pushed her away, had made her feel like she wasn’t wanted anymore?

She shook her head, trying to push away the thoughts, but they clung to her. Caitlyn hurried through the backstage area, her heart racing in her chest, ignoring the murmurs and stares from other skaters and officials. She wasn’t thinking about anything except finding Vi.

Her breath quickened as she turned down another hallway, her eyes scanning each door, each corner, looking for any trace of the girl who had become her anchor in a sea of uncertainty. Just when Caitlyn was starting to lose hope, she spotted a flash of pink hair, wild, messy, unmistakable.

Vi.

Her heart soared, but it quickly turned to anxiety as she saw Vi duck into a bathroom. Caitlyn’s pulse quickened, her feet moving almost of their own accord. She didn’t think, didn’t hesitate, she just had to get to Vi, had to make sure she was okay, make sure that Vi knew what she meant to her, that she wouldn't be alone ever again.

Caitlyn paused in front of the door for a moment, feeling the weight of the decision settle in her chest. Her mom’s disapproving glare, the expectations, the consequences she’d face, those were all things Caitlyn had considered. The pressure of it all had made her hesitate, made her wonder if it was worth it. But in that instant, all of it faded away. The doubts, the fear, the uncertainty. It didn’t matter anymore. Nothing mattered except Vi.

Cassandra could go fuck herself.

So, without another thought, Caitlyn made her way into the bathroom. It was small. only one stall, a single mirror above the sink. Caitlyn pushed the door open and stepped inside, locking it behind her. She heard the soft click of the lock, but it felt like an eternity as she turned to find Vi standing in front of the mirror, looking at her with a mix of shock and confusion.

Vi froze, her mouth falling open slightly. It was as if Caitlyn had just appeared out of nowhere, like she wasn’t even supposed to be here.

Caitlyn didn’t give her time to say anything. She didn’t need words to explain what she was feeling. She only needed two.
"You came."

Her voice was barely above a whisper, but the emotion behind it was so raw, so vulnerable, that it hit Vi like a wave. Caitlyn’s heart was racing, her chest tight, but as she looked at Vi, she felt something else, something unspoken, something that couldn’t be put into words. It was everything she had been wanting, everything she had feared, and everything she had been fighting for.

Vi’s face softened, her expression turning tender as she stepped closer. She shook her head slightly, her eyes glistening with a mixture of relief and happiness.

“I’m so happy I did,” Vi said softly, her voice full of warmth. Caitlyn could hear the honesty in those words, and it made her heart skip a beat.

Without thinking, Caitlyn threw her arms around Vi, pulling her into a tight hug. The warmth of Vi’s body against hers, the familiar scent of her hair, it was everything Caitlyn had needed in that moment. It was the kind of embrace that made everything else fade away. For a brief, fleeting moment, the entire world seemed to stop.

Vi didn’t hesitate. She wrapped her arms around Caitlyn, holding her just as tightly, her body trembling slightly. They stood there for what felt like forever, neither of them wanting to let go, both of them clinging to the feeling of being close again, after everything that had happened.

Caitlyn’s body trembled as she held onto Vi, the world around her spinning with all the weight of everything she had carried in silence for so long. She had never allowed herself to feel so vulnerable, so exposed, but in this moment, as she clung to Vi in that small, locked bathroom, she didn’t care.

"I…I’m so sorry," Caitlyn choked out, her voice breaking as she pressed her face deeper into Vi’s shoulder, the soft fabric of her jacket grounding her in a way she didn’t know she needed. Her hands grasped at Vi’s shirt, pulling her closer, as if the distance between them would make the emotions crash harder. "I never meant to hurt you. I didn’t want to… I didn’t want to lose you."

Her voice cracked on the last words, and for the first time, Caitlyn allowed herself to fully break. The things she had been wanting to say finally came out as tears were streaming down her cheeks uncontrollably. She could barely breathe, could barely think as the weight of what she’d done, the hurt she’d caused, the distance she had put between them, flooded her mind.

"I thought if I pushed you away, it would make it easier," she whispered through her sobs. "I thought if I just… pushed you far enough, you wouldn’t have to deal with me, with my mom, with all this…" Her voice faltered, and she wiped at her eyes, her chest heaving. "I thought if I made you hate me, you’d go away. And then I could just deal with all of it on my own. But I was so wrong, Vi. I didn’t know how to stop. I didn’t know how to let you in, how to trust anyone again."

She gasped for air, the emotions constricting around her throat, threatening to suffocate her. Her heart was racing, her hands shaking, her whole body betraying her. “My mom took my phone. She took everything. She was the one who sent that text. I would never, Vi. Never.”

Vi didn’t say anything right away, but Caitlyn felt the way she tightened her hold, the warmth of her comforting, steady presence. Vi’s fingers gently brushed through Caitlyn’s hair, and Caitlyn could feel her breath against her shoulder. It was grounding, anchoring her in the midst of the storm. Caitlyn let herself feel it, let herself lean into it. Vi was still here. Vi was still here, after everything.

Caitlyn pulled back slightly, still holding onto Vi’s arms, her voice trembling as she spoke the question that had been gnawing at her heart ever since she spotted that flash of pink. "But… but why did you still come? Why didn’t you just… give up on me? After everything I did, after everything I said… why are you still here?”

Vi stayed silent. The question hung in the air between them, tentative, dangerous.

Caitlyn swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her chest as the words hung in the air between them. "Why did you come, Vi?" she asked again, her voice trembling. She was desperate to know, desperate to understand why, despite everything, Vi had shown up.

Vi didn’t answer right away. She looked at Caitlyn, her expression unreadable, her lips pressed into a thin line as if she were weighing something impossibly heavy. For a moment, Caitlyn thought she wouldn’t answer at all, that maybe Vi couldn’t find the words. But then, Vi let out a shaky breath and looked down, her fingers fiddling with the hem of her jacket.

"I came," Vi started, her voice soft and uncharacteristically unsure, "because I couldn’t stay away. No matter how much you tried to push me out, no matter how much you wanted me to hate you, I couldn’t." She glanced up, her blue gray eyes locking with Caitlyn’s, and Caitlyn felt like the ground beneath her was giving way. "Because I like you, Cait."

Caitlyn froze. The words hit her like a tidal wave, knocking the air out of her lungs. She felt the world tilt, her breath catching in her throat as she stared at Vi, who looked just as shocked as Caitlyn felt, as if she couldn’t believe she had just said it out loud.

"I really like you," Vi said again, more confidently this time, her voice steady. "I’ve felt this way for… I don’t even know how long. Maybe since the first time I saw you skate. Maybe since that night at your house. All I know is I’ve been trying to figure out how to tell you for so long, and every time, I just…"

Vi cut herself off, shaking her head and running a hand through her messy pink hair. She started pacing, the nervous energy rolling off her in waves. "I know I shouldn’t feel this way. I know you’ve got so much on your plate, and I know you'll never feel the same, you've made that clear. The last thing you need is me complicating everything. But I couldn’t stay away, Caitlyn. I had to be here. I had to see you, to support you, even if you didn’t want me to. Because you mean everything to me, and I—"

"Vi," Caitlyn interrupted, her voice barely a whisper, but it was enough to stop Vi in her tracks.

Vi stared at her, her eyes wide and vulnerable, and Caitlyn’s heart clenched at the raw emotion she saw there. She didn’t think. She couldn’t think. All she knew was that something inside her had shifted, something she had been too scared to admit to herself until this very moment.

Before she could second guess herself, Caitlyn reached out, her hand gently cupping Vi’s cheek, and leaned in. Her lips met Vi’s, and for a moment, the world around her disappeared.

The kiss was soft at first, tentative and unsure, but then it deepened, and Caitlyn felt a spark run through her, igniting every nerve in her body. It was electric, a rush of emotion and sensation that left her breathless. Vi’s lips were warm and soft, and the way she responded, the way she tilted her head to meet Caitlyn more fully, sent a shiver down Caitlyn’s spine.

It was everything Caitlyn had ever dreamed of and more. The kind of kiss that made her forget where she was, forget who she was supposed to be. In that moment, nothing else mattered. Not the pressure of nationals, not the expectations of her mother, not the world outside that tiny bathroom. All that mattered was Vi, and the way she made Caitlyn feel whole in a way she had never known was possible.

When they finally pulled apart, Caitlyn’s cheeks were flushed, her heart racing. She kept her hand on Vi’s cheek, her thumb brushing gently against her skin as she looked into Vi’s eyes, which were filled with wonder and something else Caitlyn didn’t dare name.
"I…" Vi started, her voice hoarse, but Caitlyn shook her head, a small, breathless laugh escaping her lips.

"Don’t," Caitlyn said softly. "You don’t have to say anything. I just… I needed you to know."

Vi smiled then, a real, genuine smile that lit up her entire face, and Caitlyn felt her chest tighten. For the first time in what felt like forever, she wasn’t scared. She kissed Vi again, and this time, she wasn’t worried about what came next. All she knew was that she was exactly where she was supposed to be.

In Vi’s arms.