Im high as a kite (You said you're picturing me Naked.)
Two years had passed since the explosive argument in the library that left Caitlyn Kiramman and Violet “Vi” fractured in ways neither could articulate. Despite the passage of time, their rivalry burned brighter than ever, fueled by unspoken words and lingering resentment. As juniors in Piltover University’s Criminal Justice program, they had no choice but to coexist, both academically and in their shared dorm.
Neither had moved out. Neither had backed down. And neither had forgotten.
Caitlyn sat at her desk, highlighter in hand, meticulously annotating her notes for their upcoming ethics midterm. The faint sound of Vi’s music seeped through Vi's noise-canceling headphones, an irritating background hum that crawled under Caitlyn’s skin.
“Can you turn that down?” Caitlyn finally snapped, not looking up.
Vi, sprawled on her bed with her laptop perched precariously on her knees, didn’t so much as glance her way. “It’s not even that loud.”
“It’s loud enough to be distracting,” Caitlyn shot back, her tone sharper than she intended.
Vi sighed dramatically, yanking her headphones off and tossing them onto her pillow. “Happy now, Princess?”
Caitlyn’s jaw tightened at the nickname, her grip on the highlighter tightening. “I don’t see why you even need the noise. Maybe if you actually focused on studying, you wouldn’t be scrambling to catch up all the time.”
“Thanks for the unsolicited advice, Mom,” Vi retorted, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
The room fell into a tense silence, but the air was thick with the weight of their mutual annoyance. This was their routine now—barbed remarks and simmering hostility that never quite boiled over but left them both seething.
Outside their dorm, things weren’t much better. Their shared classes had become an extension of their private war, each debate a battleground where they fought to outshine one another.
The lecture hall was filled with the low murmur of students, the sounds of notebooks rustling and laptops clicking as Professor Marin made her way to the front. Caitlyn sat at her usual spot, the front row, her posture perfect, her eyes focused on the syllabus in front of her. Vi, of course, was somewhere toward the back, legs propped up on the desk, headphones draped lazily around her neck as she fiddled with her phone.
Professor Marin’s voice rang out, cutting through the casual chatter. “Alright, class. Today we’re doing something a little different. I’m going to pair you up for a mock interrogation exercise. This will test not only your knowledge of criminal behavior but also your ability to work as a team under pressure.”
The class quieted, eager to see how this exercise would unfold. Caitlyn, always the overachiever, sat up straighter, prepared to perform at her best. But when the professor started calling names for the pairs, Caitlyn’s stomach sank as she heard the dreaded one: “Caitlyn Kiramman and Violet... Vi...”
The room seemed to hold its breath for a moment before a ripple of laughter passed through the students. It wasn’t lost on anyone that Caitlyn and Vi were never the model of cooperation. In fact, their rivalry had become legendary around campus. They had always been like oil and water—one precise and controlled, the other wild and unpredictable.
Caitlyn shot a glance at Vi, who flashed her a smirk, as if already relishing the chaos they were about to create.
“Let’s get one thing straight,” Caitlyn said firmly, rising from her seat and adjusting her blouse, the crispness in her voice signaling her no-nonsense approach. “We’re doing this my way. Stick to the script, and don’t make it a circus act.”
Vi stretched her arms above her head as if she hadn’t heard a word Caitlyn had said. She then leaned casually against the desk, her posture easy, the faintest trace of a grin tugging at her lips. “Relax, Cupcake. I’ll make you look good.”
Caitlyn’s cheeks flushed, her grip tightening on the folder she held in her hands. Vi’s lazy charm always made her feel like a tightly wound spring next to her relaxed and carefree demeanor. “I don’t need your help to ‘look good,’” she shot back, trying to mask the irritation rising in her chest.
Vi raised an eyebrow, her grin widening. “Sure you don’t. Just try to keep up, princess.”
Professor Marin gestured for them to begin. The tension between Caitlyn and Vi was palpable as they moved to the front of the room. Everyone watched with anticipation, already aware that this was going to be anything but a smooth performance.
As they began the mock interrogation, Caitlyn immediately took the lead. She stood straight, professional, and unwavering, her voice smooth and controlled as she asked the mock suspect questions. Her style was methodical, her questions deliberate, each one carefully crafted to extract the information she needed. She stayed within the confines of the script, adhering to the textbook techniques she had studied so carefully.
Vi, on the other hand, had her own ideas. She paced around the room, tossing in off-the-cuff questions, sometimes bordering on aggressive, sometimes surprisingly empathetic. She leaned in close to the suspect, breaking the “professional” distance that Caitlyn had worked hard to maintain. Her approach was raw, instinctive, her eyes flashing with excitement as she threw herself into the moment.
“Wait, wait,” Caitlyn interjected, trying to regain control as Vi veered off-script once again. “You’re not supposed to be asking that question. Stick to the plan!”
Vi glanced over at her, smirking. “Where’s the fun in that? People don’t always follow the script. The suspect’s not gonna crack from some textbook lines, Cait. You gotta shake things up.”
Caitlyn’s face flushed with frustration, her mind racing as she struggled to regain control of the situation. Vi was impulsive, reckless—everything Caitlyn wasn’t. Yet, as much as it irritated her, Caitlyn couldn’t deny that Vi’s approach was, in its own way, captivating. It wasn’t what she would have done, but it still held an undeniable raw power. She couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy that Vi had the confidence to throw away the rules and let her instincts take over.
But there was no time to dwell on that. She had a role to play. And she couldn’t afford to lose control. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to focus, to push past the flare of irritation threatening to derail everything.
Vi noticed Caitlyn’s tightening jaw and the way her hands trembled slightly as she tried to adjust to the chaos Vi was introducing. A small, almost imperceptible flicker of something—guilt?—flashed in her eyes, but it was quickly replaced with her usual grin.
“You know,” Vi teased, her tone low and smooth as she leaned against the table, eyes twinkling, “you could learn to loosen up a little. Not everything’s about following the rules to the letter. Sometimes it’s about feeling the moment.”
Caitlyn bit back a retort, fighting the urge to respond with something sharp. Vi was pushing her buttons as usual, but there was something in her tone, something unspoken, that caused Caitlyn’s chest to tighten. She couldn’t figure out why it affected her like this. She wasn’t going to let Vi get to her—not this time.
“Please,” Caitlyn muttered under her breath, only loud enough for Vi to hear. “You’re just trying to throw me off.”
Vi’s expression softened for a brief moment, her grin faltering as she met Caitlyn’s gaze. “Maybe,” she said quietly, then returned to her usual teasing, “but you make it so easy, Princess.”
By the time the mock interrogation ended, Professor Marin looked positively exhausted, though there was a hint of amusement in her expression as she addressed the class. “Well, that was... certainly something.” She cleared her throat, trying to regain her composure. “You both make excellent points in your methods, but perhaps next time, try working with each other rather than against.”
Caitlyn turned away quickly, her cheeks flushed with a mixture of frustration and embarrassment. She hated being told she could have done better, especially in front of her classmates. Her carefully crafted image of the perfect student was slipping, and she hated it.
Vi, however, was unbothered, flashing Caitlyn one last cheeky smile as they made their way back to their seats. “You didn’t do too bad, Cupcake,” she said, her tone light, teasing. “If you ever need a lesson in how to make someone crack, let me know.”
Caitlyn muttered under her breath, not bothering to look at Vi. “Maybe next time I’ll get a partner who actually takes this seriously.”
Vi’s grin faltered for just a moment. Her eyes narrowed slightly, but the vulnerability quickly faded as she leaned back in her chair. “And maybe I’ll get a partner who doesn’t suck the fun out of everything.”
Their classmates watched the exchange with varying degrees of amusement and pity. Some of them exchanged glances, clearly entertained by the ongoing tension between Caitlyn and Vi. They’d all seen it before—this constant push and pull, this unspoken challenge between the two. It was clear to everyone that, despite their differences, there was something deeper beneath the surface.
But Caitlyn wasn’t ready to acknowledge that yet. Not after this. She stared ahead, refusing to meet Vi’s eyes, even as she could feel Vi’s gaze on her, like a quiet presence lingering in the air between them.
The exercise had ended, but the unspoken war between them was far from over.
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That evening, Caitlyn sat alone at their dorm’s shared table, meticulously typing her essay for Legal Ethics. Vi was sprawled on the couch, balancing a game controller in one hand and a bag of chips in the other.
“Could you at least pretend to care about your work?” Caitlyn asked without looking up, her fingers flying across the keyboard.
“Could you at least pretend to relax?” Vi shot back, not taking her eyes off the screen.
Caitlyn sighed heavily, her patience fraying. “I don’t have the luxury of wasting time like you do.”
Vi paused the game, turning to face Caitlyn with a scowl. “You think I’m wasting time? You think I don’t care?”
“That’s exactly what I think,” Caitlyn snapped, standing up and crossing her arms. “You breeze through everything without putting in half the effort I do, and somehow you still manage to—”
“To what?” Vi interrupted, rising to her feet. “To beat you? That’s what this is about, isn’t it? You can’t stand that someone like me, someone who doesn’t fit into your perfect little mold, is just as good—if not better—than you.”
Caitlyn’s heart pounded, her nails digging into her palms. “You don’t know what it’s like to be me, Vi. You don’t know the pressure I’m under, the expectations—”
“Don’t act like you’re the only one with problems!” Vi’s voice rose, raw and unfiltered. “You think I don’t have pressure? I’m not here because I want to be; I’m here because I have to be. Because if I fail, it’s not just me who pays the price—it’s Powder, too.”
The mention of Powder—Vi’s younger sister—made Caitlyn falter. She hadn’t heard Vi talk about her family in years, not since that night in the library.
But the moment of vulnerability was fleeting. Vi turned away, grabbing her jacket. “You don’t get it, and you never will. So stop pretending you’re better than me.”
Before Caitlyn could respond, Vi stormed out, slamming the door behind her.
Hours later, Caitlyn sat alone in the dimly lit dorm, the soft buzz of her desk lamp the only sound in the stillness of the room. Her half-finished essay lay before her, but the words blurred together on the page. Her pen hovered aimlessly above the paper, and every time she tried to focus, her mind drifted back to Vi.
Vi’s parting words from earlier echoed in her mind, sharp and unrelenting. "Maybe I’ll get a partner who doesn’t suck the fun out of everything.” They weren’t cruel—Vi had said them with that familiar grin, her tone light, almost teasing—but Caitlyn had heard the edge beneath it. And beneath that, the subtle hint of something more.
She wasn’t sure why it stung so much. Vi’s words had always been laced with sarcasm, but this time, there was something different. The way Vi had said it, as though she was... disappointed. As if Caitlyn’s cold distance bothered her more than it should.
Caitlyn ran a frustrated hand through her hair, pushing the stray strands out of her face as she stared at the page in front of her. She hated this. Hated how she couldn’t seem to shake the growing unease in her chest, the nagging thoughts that had been creeping up on her for weeks. It wasn’t just the rivalry anymore. It was something else, something she couldn’t quite name.
Her thoughts returned to Vi—the way she had confidently taken control of the mock interrogation today, how effortlessly she had played with the boundaries Caitlyn so carefully constructed. Vi was reckless, brash, but that was what made her so... captivating. Caitlyn hated that, too. Hated how, despite all the things that made her want to throw her out of the window, Vi was the first person her mind drifted to when she was alone.
Her frustration deepened, her face heating as she pushed the essay aside, burying her face in her hands. What is this? Her heart hammered in her chest, and a knot of tension wound tighter and tighter in her stomach. Vi’s teasing remarks always stirred something in her, something she hadn’t been able to sort out, not even in the quiet moments when she tried to think things through.
You miss her.
The thought came to her unbidden, a small, quiet whisper in the back of her mind. The voice wasn’t judgmental or accusatory, but it carried the weight of a truth Caitlyn wasn’t ready to face. You miss her. It was a simple statement, but it rattled her. Her chest tightened, the breath she had been holding slipping from her lips in a frustrated exhale. Her face burned with heat, as though the thought had physically scorched her skin.
She couldn’t look at it directly. She didn’t want to. The rivalry, the insults, the competitive streak that had defined their relationship for so long... How could that possibly be anything but animosity? She’d spent years priding herself on being the one who had it all together, the one who played by the rules, the one who never let anyone see the cracks. But now, in the quiet of her room, those walls were starting to crumble.
The question burned in her mind again. Do you really miss her, Caitlyn?
She sighed, shaking her head as if to clear the thought from her mind. But the longer she tried to push it away, the more she realized that the thought wouldn’t go anywhere. Vi had wormed her way under her skin in ways Caitlyn couldn’t control. It wasn’t just the rivalry anymore. It wasn’t just the way Vi could infuriate her with a single smirk. No, it was something deeper. It was the way Vi’s presence had become a constant in her life, her unpredictable nature always just a breath away. Vi wasn’t just an annoyance or a challenge anymore—she was something more complicated, something Caitlyn was beginning to recognize as... longing.
Her face flamed again, and Caitlyn groaned in frustration, burying her face in her hands. Her fingers pressed hard against her temples as if she could force the feeling away. She didn’t have time for this. It was almost midterms, and she was already behind on her schedule.
Focus, she told herself, trying to force her mind back to the essay. But the weight of the thoughts pressing against her chest refused to let her. She had never felt this out of control, and she hated it. She hated how Vi had the power to make her feel like this—distracted, unsettled, confused.
She didn’t even know when it had started. At first, it had been nothing more than a flicker of awareness. Vi’s voice had always caught her attention, but she’d never thought much of it. The occasional glance, the way Caitlyn would find herself staring just a little too long at Vi when she was laughing or when she was so focused on her work that her brow furrowed in concentration.
But now, it was more than that. The flickers of something softer, something she didn’t want to acknowledge, had started to grow.
No, she thought, this is ridiculous. She slammed the palms of her hands against the desk, trying to push the thoughts away again, but this time, the burn on her face didn’t fade. It lingered, and she knew it wasn’t just from the frustration of the work. There was something else, something more insistent.
Her mind drifted back to that moment earlier, the subtle tension that had filled the air when Vi had leaned in, eyes locking with hers. Caitlyn could still feel the pull of that moment, the slight shift in the air, the way her breath had caught in her throat when their gazes had briefly lingered a little too long. She hated that feeling, the way Vi’s presence consumed everything when she was near. She hated how much she wanted to hate it.
But more than that, Caitlyn hated how much she wanted her.
With a groan, Caitlyn leaned back in her chair, trying to quiet the whirlwind of thoughts spinning through her head. The essay, the midterms—none of it seemed to matter anymore. Not when the very real possibility of her feelings for Vi had started to feel like an overwhelming weight.
In that moment, Caitlyn realized one thing for certain: she couldn’t keep pretending this didn’t matter. Not anymore.
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When Vi returned in the early hours of the morning, Caitlyn pretended to be asleep. She heard the soft rustle of Vi’s jacket, the quiet creak of her bed as she climbed in, and the heavy sigh that followed—one that seemed too full of weight and regret to be brushed off as just a tired exhale.
The room was dark except for the faint moonlight that filtered through the window, casting long shadows across the floor. Caitlyn kept her breathing even, her body stiff under the covers, trying to convince herself that the ache in her chest was just the result of too much stress, too much tension that had built up between them over the years.
Vi’s footsteps were soft on the carpet, the sound almost imperceptible. Caitlyn could tell she was trying to move quietly, as if to avoid disturbing the fragile peace between them. But as she approached her own bed, Caitlyn heard her pause, just for a moment. The space between them felt unbearable, even in the stillness.
Caitlyn's heart pounded as she heard the rustle of blankets, then the quiet tap of Vi’s boots hitting the floor. Vi was settling in, the bed creaking under her weight. For a long time, there was no sound other than the steady rhythm of their breathing, though the silence was thick, oppressive, as though each of them was holding their breath, waiting for the other to speak.
Then, just when Caitlyn thought she might lose control and turn to face Vi, she heard it—a small sigh, a deep exhale that seemed to carry more than just exhaustion. It was a sound that spoke of frustration, maybe even regret, but it was softer than the way Vi had stormed out earlier. It was quieter, almost vulnerable.
Caitlyn didn’t dare move. She didn’t want to give herself away, didn’t want to break the fragile semblance of sleep she had constructed. But deep down, she knew it wasn’t really sleep at all. It was just a façade, a way to keep from confronting the ache she had been trying to ignore.
From the corner of her eye, Caitlyn saw Vi’s silhouette shift in the dark, heard the soft, familiar rustle of Vi’s sheets as she tried to settle in. The seconds stretched on. And Caitlyn could feel the weight of Vi’s gaze, even though she couldn’t see her face.
Vi, after a few long moments, shifted again, sitting up just slightly. Caitlyn's pulse quickened, and she stiffened, as if bracing herself for another harsh comment, another fiery exchange. But instead, there was only silence. Then, just as Caitlyn was starting to think she’d imagined the whole thing, she heard it.
A soft whisper.
“Caitlyn?”
Vi’s voice was quiet, almost hesitant, and it made Caitlyn’s breath catch in her throat. It was the first time in weeks that Vi had spoken her name without that edge of sarcasm or disdain. It was an attempt, Caitlyn realized, an attempt to break through the coldness that hung between them like a heavy fog.
But Caitlyn didn’t answer. She kept her eyes closed, pretending to be asleep, even though the impulse to turn around and face Vi, to say something, was overwhelming.
Vi was still for a moment, the silence thick and unyielding. Caitlyn could almost feel the internal struggle, the way Vi was fighting with herself, wondering whether she should try again or just give up. After a few seconds, Caitlyn heard her shift on the bed again, but this time it wasn’t the restless movements of someone trying to get comfortable. It was quieter. More deliberate.
And then, as if making up her mind, Caitlyn felt the lightest brush of Vi’s hand against her shoulder. It was so gentle, Caitlyn almost didn’t feel it at all. But there it was—Vi’s touch, tentative and uncertain, the kind of touch Caitlyn had never expected from her.
“Are you okay?” Vi whispered, her voice soft, almost fragile, like she was afraid Caitlyn might break if she pushed too hard.
Caitlyn’s breath hitched. The question caught her completely off guard. For a long moment, she didn’t respond, the weight of it hanging in the air between them. She wanted to say something, anything, to bridge the gap between them, to admit that maybe—just maybe—she didn’t know how to handle this distance that had grown between them. But the words wouldn’t come. Her throat felt tight, constricted, as though saying something would somehow make everything real.
Vi didn’t move away after her question. Instead, Caitlyn could hear her breathing softly, almost as if she, too, was waiting for something—an answer, a signal, maybe even just the smallest acknowledgment. Caitlyn could feel the tension in the air, thick and charged, like a storm that was about to break.
After what seemed like an eternity, Vi spoke again, her voice quieter this time. “I didn’t mean to... hurt you.” It was a simple phrase, but there was an undercurrent of something in it—regret, maybe, or guilt. It was a crack in the armor Vi had carefully built around herself, the façade of indifference she always wore when faced with Caitlyn’s sharp words.
Caitlyn swallowed hard. She felt the weight of Vi’s apology, and it threatened to undo her. She wasn’t sure why it hurt so much to hear it—why the vulnerability in Vi’s voice made her chest ache with something so deep, so unfamiliar.
But still, Caitlyn said nothing.
Vi’s hand lingered on her shoulder for a moment longer before it slowly, almost reluctantly, pulled away. Caitlyn wanted to reach out, to stop her, to pull her back into the moment where the walls between them had started to fall. But she didn’t. She couldn’t. She didn’t know how to fix this. Didn’t know how to fix her.
And so, they lay there in silence, each of them pretending the other didn’t exist, the distance between them growing ever wider with every passing second. Caitlyn couldn’t bring herself to speak, to say the words she knew would change everything.
But deep down, the aching emptiness in her chest told her the truth: this wasn’t just about rivalry anymore. Something had shifted. And neither of them knew how to handle it.
In the darkness, Caitlyn closed her eyes tighter, trying to force the tears back. But she knew, with an undeniable certainty, that nothing would ever be the same again.
The tension between Caitlyn and Vi had become an ever-present hum, buzzing just beneath the surface. Neither one of them was willing to acknowledge the change, but it was there—unspoken, lingering in the air, impossible to ignore. Their rivalry remained, but something was different. Something subtle.
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In their Ethics class, where they had been paired together for group discussions, Caitlyn found herself unable to concentrate on the lecture. She couldn’t help but notice the slight shift in Vi’s behavior—how, during their usual banter, there were moments when Vi’s sharp retorts softened, her teasing more playful than biting. Caitlyn felt a spark of curiosity, but she didn’t know how to interpret it. Was it just a temporary change, or was something more at play?
It happened during a particularly heated exchange, when Caitlyn and Vi were debating the moral implications of a legal case. They were both deeply immersed in the discussion, neither giving an inch.
“Caitlyn, come on, you can’t seriously be suggesting that this was justified. You’re as bad as the defense lawyer!” Vi said, her voice dripping with mock disbelief.
“You can’t just write off a person’s actions because of a faulty moral compass, Vi,” Caitlyn shot back, her voice tight with frustration. “You’re always looking for the quick, easy answer. There’s no nuance in that.”
Vi smirked, leaning back in her chair. “And you’re always overthinking it. Just because you write the perfect argument doesn’t mean it’s the right one.”
But then, just as Caitlyn opened her mouth to respond, something shifted. Vi’s eyes locked with hers across the table, and for a fraction of a second, the teasing smirk faltered. The playful challenge in Vi’s expression faded into something softer—something that Caitlyn couldn’t quite put her finger on. For just an instant, Caitlyn saw a flicker of something else in Vi’s gaze. It wasn’t the usual sharpness or amusement. There was a flicker of understanding, maybe even acknowledgment that they were both equally stubborn, equally proud, trapped in this endless cycle of competition.
Caitlyn’s breath caught, and she quickly looked away, her heart pounding in her chest. She hated how much that brief moment affected her, how the heat in her cheeks flared unexpectedly.
After class, Caitlyn tried to shake off the uncomfortable feeling in her chest. She tried to lose herself in the crowd of students filing out of the lecture hall, but she could feel Vi behind her. As Caitlyn stepped into the bustling hallway, her thoughts still on the strange shift in the air, something else happened.
As Caitlyn was about to push her way through the door leading outside, she felt it—a brush of warmth, delicate but unmistakable. Vi’s hand brushed against her arm as she passed by, so lightly that Caitlyn wondered if it had been an accident. She froze, her heart skipping a beat, her breath catching in her throat.
She looked up, her pulse racing. Vi was already a few steps ahead, her gaze flicking away quickly, but there was something there in the way she avoided Caitlyn’s eyes. A hint of something more—something Caitlyn had never seen before. It wasn’t just the playful teasing, the rivalry they’d become accustomed to. This was different. Vi’s fingers had barely grazed her arm, but the touch sent a shockwave of warmth through Caitlyn’s chest.
For a second, Caitlyn wondered if her heart was beating a little too fast. Her mind scrambled to make sense of what had just happened. It was nothing, she told herself. Just a casual touch. Vi’s probably just being her usual self.
But even as she tried to brush it off, she couldn’t deny the heat spreading through her body, a warmth that had nothing to do with the hallway’s temperature and everything to do with the unexpected intimacy of the moment.
She bit her lip, trying to ignore the way her chest ached with the weight of something unspoken.
She heard Vi’s voice a few steps ahead, low and teasing. “You’re really going to pretend that didn’t happen, aren’t you?”
Caitlyn’s heart skipped again. The casualness of Vi’s tone, paired with the way she avoided looking back, made her wonder if Vi had meant it. If the touch wasn’t just a mistake. Vi’s teasing had always been part of their rivalry, but this... this felt different.
“Just keep walking,” Caitlyn muttered, trying to ignore the blush creeping up her neck.
Vi’s smirk was audible in her voice. “Come on, Princess. Don’t tell me you’re embarrassed now.”
Caitlyn turned away, biting back the sudden, absurd urge to laugh. “I’m not embarrassed,” she snapped, though her voice was quieter than she intended. “I just don’t have time for whatever this is.”
She kept walking ahead, trying to make her legs move faster to escape the awkward tension. But even as she quickened her pace, she could feel Vi right behind her, as though the space between them had shrunk in ways she couldn’t quite explain.
They walked in silence, but it was a heavy silence, charged with something Caitlyn couldn’t escape. Each footstep felt like it echoed louder in her mind, her body hyper aware of Vi’s presence just behind her. She could feel the pull—the same pull she had ignored for weeks, the subtle undercurrent of attraction that always seemed to simmer beneath their rivalry.
Vi’s voice, low but teasing, broke through her thoughts. “You know, for someone who pretends not to care, you’re not very good at hiding it.”
Caitlyn’s chest tightened, and she glanced over her shoulder, but Vi was already a few steps ahead. There was a challenge in her voice, but also something else—something softer. Something that made Caitlyn’s heart flutter unexpectedly.
“I’m not hiding anything,” Caitlyn snapped, but the words felt weak. “And you’re the one making everything weird.”
Vi turned back with a sly grin. “Is that so?” She slowed her pace until she was walking beside Caitlyn, her shoulder lightly brushing Caitlyn’s as they moved through the crowd. It wasn’t an accident, not like before. Vi’s touch lingered, just enough for Caitlyn to feel the warmth radiating from her. “Maybe you’re just scared of what’s right in front of you.”
Caitlyn’s breath hitched. “I’m not scared of you, Vi,” she managed, but her voice faltered. Her heart beat faster as she realized how much she wanted to be honest with herself.
Vi smiled to herself, clearly enjoying the effect her words had on Caitlyn. She raised an eyebrow, her eyes glinting with something playful. “Right. So why are you blushing?”
Caitlyn opened her mouth to argue, but no words came out. Instead, she turned her gaze forward, the warmth of Vi’s presence beside her making her feel both alive and uneasy at once. She wasn’t sure what was happening between them—whether it was just more of their usual rivalry or something deeper, something Caitlyn wasn’t prepared to deal with.
But as they continued walking, side by side, Caitlyn couldn’t shake the feeling that something was changing. Something undeniable. Something she wasn’t sure she was ready to face.
The tension in the air was thick as Caitlyn and Vi continued walking side by side. Caitlyn’s pulse raced, her cheeks flushed, and she could feel the weight of Vi’s presence next to her, the teasing grin still lingering in her mind. But something snapped in Caitlyn’s chest, a sharp tug of frustration that turned her normally cool demeanor into something raw and angry.
“What is your problem?” Caitlyn spat, spinning on her heel to face Vi, her fists clenched at her sides. She wasn’t even sure where the words were coming from, but they felt necessary, like a dam that had been holding everything back for far too long. “Seriously. You’re insufferable. I’m not some puppet you can mess with.”
Vi raised an eyebrow, unfazed by the outburst, clearly enjoying the effect she was having on Caitlyn. “Puppet? I’m not sure you even know what fun is, let alone how to have it.”
Caitlyn's jaw tightened, her anger building with every casual, dismissive word Vi threw at her. “You think this is funny? You think it’s all just a joke?” Her voice was sharp, louder than she intended, but she didn’t care. “You think you can just walk around, make your little comments, touch me like you own me—”
“Whoa, whoa,” Vi interrupted, holding her hands up, clearly entertained by Caitlyn’s outburst. “Easy there, Cupcake. You’re making it sound like I did something terrible.” She couldn’t help the smirk that tugged at her lips. “It was just a little touch. Relax.”
“Relax?” Caitlyn repeated, her voice rising even more. She was fully aware she was being irrational, but she couldn’t stop herself. The frustration, the confusion, and the weird feelings swirling in her chest—it all boiled over in a surge of heat. “Why don’t you try actually respecting boundaries for once, Vi? Instead of constantly prying and pushing and—”
Vi was quiet for a moment, just standing there, watching Caitlyn rant. Her gaze was patient, almost detached, as if she were watching Caitlyn go through some kind of internal struggle. When Caitlyn finally stopped, breathless from the torrent of words, Vi took a slow step toward her, her expression unreadable.
“You know,” Vi said, her voice low but steady, “you really need to get the stick out of your ass.”
Caitlyn’s eyes widened in shock. “What—”
“No, seriously,” Vi interrupted, her tone casual, like she was discussing the weather. “It’s honestly painful to watch you get so wound up over something so stupid.” Vi’s gaze softened a little, her smirk replaced with a look that was almost... contemplative? “You’re always so tense, Caitlyn. So serious. You’re so damn rigid all the time, and you can’t seem to just let go of all this built-up pressure.”
Caitlyn opened her mouth to retort, but the words died on her lips. She stared at Vi, her mind racing. Was she hearing this right? Vi, of all people, was talking about how tense she was?
Vi stepped even closer, her posture relaxed, like she wasn’t fazed by Caitlyn’s outrage. “You really need to stop trying to control everything. You think if you plan and study and analyze everything, you’re going to be perfect. But you’re not, Caitlyn. And guess what? You don’t need to be.”
Caitlyn’s chest heaved as she tried to make sense of Vi’s words. “I do need to be,” she muttered, her voice lower now, a defensive edge still hanging on to her words. “If I’m not perfect, everything falls apart. Everything.”
Vi cocked her head to the side, watching Caitlyn carefully. “And what if you could just... relax for once? What if you didn’t have to be perfect all the time?” Her tone was softer now, almost like she was genuinely curious. “You think you’ll be able to keep doing this forever? Living in that box you’ve built for yourself? Because, newsflash, Caitlyn, that box is gonna suffocate you if you don’t get out of it soon.”
Caitlyn shook her head, almost angry at how much Vi’s words seemed to make sense, despite how much she hated it. She couldn’t just let go. She couldn’t just abandon everything she’d worked so hard for.
But Vi was still watching her, like she could see right through the walls Caitlyn had spent years building.
Vi took a step back, her hands casually shoved in her pockets. “You need to stop thinking that control equals strength. It doesn’t. Sometimes, Caitlyn,” she said with a hint of teasing in her voice, “you’ve gotta just let go. Maybe not everything is a battle. Maybe, just maybe, you could stop being so uptight and—”
Vi paused, considering for a moment, her eyes glinting with something that wasn’t entirely playful. “...And just enjoy being here. You know, with me.”
Caitlyn’s breath caught in her throat at the words, her mind whirling. She opened her mouth to protest, but it caught in her chest. Vi was staring at her, her usual teasing gone, replaced with something that almost looked like... fondness?
Caitlyn felt her heart hammering in her chest again, the warmth of Vi’s gaze more unsettling than ever. She couldn’t decide if it was because of the ridiculousness of the situation or the fact that, for the first time, Vi wasn’t playing her usual game. She was serious. And Caitlyn had no idea how to respond to that.
Vi’s expression softened even further, like she realized that Caitlyn wasn’t ready to hear any of this yet. She gave her a sly grin and winked. “But, hey,” she said, shrugging like she wasn’t too concerned, “what do I know? I’m just the girl you keep trying to pretend you don’t like.”
Caitlyn’s stomach twisted painfully at the words, her face flushing with a sudden heat that wasn’t entirely anger. She opened her mouth to argue but was left with nothing but a furious knot in her chest. Vi just stood there, waiting for Caitlyn to say something, her smirk more genuine now than Caitlyn had ever seen it before.
With a final shake of her head, Caitlyn turned away, determined to leave before she did something really stupid. But the words—Vi’s words—kept echoing in her head, making the distance between them feel both unbearable and impossibly complicated.
She didn’t know what to do with that. But for the first time in a long time, Caitlyn felt something inside her that wasn’t just frustration.
It was... maybe something else entirely.
The air between them crackled with tension as Caitlyn turned away, trying to shove down the swirling feelings in her chest. Vi watched her for a moment, her gaze lingering, before she let out a quiet sigh. There was something almost amused in the way Vi tilted her head, her lips curling into that familiar, cocky grin.
“Caitlyn,” she called out, her voice smooth, teasing. “You coming tonight?”
Caitlyn froze in her tracks, her heart skipping at the sound of Vi’s voice. She turned back slightly, eyebrows knitting in confusion. “Coming to what?”
Vi's grin widened. "The party. It's at Kelsey's place. You know, the one with the ridiculously overpriced champagne and all the overpriced 'cool kids' from the school?" She paused, watching Caitlyn carefully, her smirk taking on a more playful edge. "Figured you could use a break from all your... studying."
Caitlyn’s brow furrowed in disbelief. “A party? You’re asking me to go to a party?” Her voice was laced with skepticism, and she couldn’t help the incredulity that slipped through. "You really think I need to—"
Vi shrugged, unfazed by Caitlyn’s obvious hesitation. “Why not? You’ve been all work and no play for ages. Maybe it’s time you finally let loose. Who knows? Maybe you’ll even enjoy yourself.” Her tone was teasing, but there was something else there—something softer, almost like an invitation, not just to the party, but to something else.
Caitlyn’s pulse picked up at the thought, though she quickly masked it with a scoff. “I don’t think you’re the best person to tell me how to have fun. Especially with your flair for chaos.”
Vi chuckled, her eyes sparkling. "Hey, chaos is an art form. And trust me, the whole ‘perfect, responsible’ act you’ve got going on? It’s a little... tiring." She tilted her head, studying Caitlyn as if she were looking at a puzzle that had yet to be solved. "But maybe you’re not as uptight as you think you are. Maybe you just need a little push. A little experience, if you will."
Caitlyn blinked, her chest tight. She didn’t know if it was the teasing or the sudden shift in Vi’s expression, but something about the offer felt different. The words were playful, but the weight behind them… real. It was like Vi was seeing past the exterior, past all the walls Caitlyn had built. It unsettled her in ways she couldn’t quite describe.
“I’m not interested in your games, Vi,” Caitlyn shot back, her voice sharper than she intended. But inside, her thoughts were racing. A party? With Vi? She was definitely not ready to admit how tempting the idea sounded, even though she knew it was probably a terrible idea.
Vi didn’t back down, though. She simply took a step closer, that teasing grin never faltering. “C’mon, Cait. You never know unless you try. Live a little.” Her voice dropped to something softer, almost coaxing. “Besides, I think you’d have a lot more fun than you’re letting yourself believe.”
Caitlyn’s breath hitched slightly at the look Vi gave her then—something almost earnest behind the mischief. But Caitlyn wasn’t sure she could handle that vulnerability, that hint of realness coming from her, not when she wasn’t even sure what was happening between them anymore.
She opened her mouth to decline, to make some excuse, but before she could, Vi added, “I’ll even be nice. I promise. No pranks. No tricks.” She paused, letting the words hang in the air, her gaze steady. “Just... one night. With me. No rivalry. No pressure. Just us.”
There was an edge to Vi’s voice now, a sincerity Caitlyn wasn’t used to hearing. It made Caitlyn hesitate, uncertainty creeping into her chest as she tried to hold on to her usual reticence. She wasn’t the kind of person who just dropped everything for a night of partying. She wasn’t like Vi, who could waltz through life carefree, the life of the party with nothing to lose.
But as she looked at Vi—really looked at her—Caitlyn felt something shift. Maybe it was the way Vi was looking at her, like she was waiting for Caitlyn to finally drop the walls, to admit something neither of them had been ready to say.
For a moment, Caitlyn stayed silent, caught in the web of their rivalry, their history, the strange connection they had that neither one of them could fully explain.
But then, finally, Caitlyn sighed, her shoulders sagging as she glanced over at Vi. “Fine,” she said, her voice low, guarded. “But don’t expect me to be all... fun and spontaneous. I don’t do ‘carefree’ like you do.”
Vi’s smirk widened, though there was something a little softer in it now, a quiet victory that Caitlyn couldn’t bring herself to be irritated by. “Deal. Just remember, you asked for it,” she said with a wink. “I’ll pick you up later. Don’t look too surprised when you actually enjoy yourself.”
Caitlyn nodded, though she couldn’t quite shake the weird flutter in her stomach. She hadn’t planned for this, hadn’t expected to feel this way, but there was something undeniably enticing about the idea of stepping out of her usual comfort zone. With Vi.
As she turned to head back to her dorm, Caitlyn’s mind raced, the invitation echoing in her head. She didn’t know what it meant. She didn’t know if it was a way for Vi to prove a point, or if it was something more. But for the first time in ages, Caitlyn felt the pull of something different—something unfamiliar—and the anticipation of what might happen next.
Maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea after all.
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The party arrived faster than Caitlyn had anticipated. She spent most of the afternoon trying to ignore the nervous flutter in her stomach, pretending to study for the upcoming ethics midterm. But no matter how hard she tried to focus, her mind kept drifting back to the invitation, the party, and the fact that Vi—Vi—had actually convinced her to go.
By the time evening rolled around, Caitlyn was standing in front of her wardrobe, staring at the endless options. She fiddled with her sleeve, a wave of unease settling over her. She had no idea what to wear. She'd never been to a party like this—hell, she'd never been to any party. Her idea of a good time involved textbooks, lectures, and a quiet evening of studying, not dancing, loud music, and flashing lights.
“Ugh, I’m going to look like a complete fool.” Caitlyn muttered to herself, running a hand through her hair. The more she thought about it, the more she realized that maybe this whole thing had been a mistake. She’d barely made it out of her comfort zone today, and now, she was about to spend an entire night with a crowd of people who probably already knew each other—and with Vi, who… who had the uncanny ability to make Caitlyn feel like she was walking a fine line between irritation and attraction.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the door creaking open. She looked up to see Vi standing in the doorway with that familiar, cocky grin.
“Need some help, Princess?” Vi asked, her voice laced with mischief.
Caitlyn jumped, startled. “Vi! What are you doing here?”
Vi shrugged and stepped into the room, her eyes scanning Caitlyn’s wardrobe with practiced ease. “You’ve been staring at that closet for like half an hour. If you’re going to waste the whole night deciding, you might as well have someone who knows what they're doing help.” She raised an eyebrow, a teasing glint in her eye. “Besides, I’ve been to more parties than you’ve been to lectures. I think that qualifies me.”
Caitlyn rolled her eyes, but a faint blush crept up her neck. She hated that Vi had such a way of putting her on edge, especially with that playful tone of hers. “Fine. But no funny business, okay?”
Vi raised her hands in mock surrender. “No promises, but I’m just here to make sure you don’t embarrass yourself.”
Caitlyn sighed, but she couldn’t quite suppress the slight smile that tugged at her lips. She watched as Vi rummaged through her clothes, completely at ease in a way Caitlyn could never manage. “Alright, go ahead. You’re the expert.”
Vi grinned like she’d won some victory, then immediately began pulling out clothes. “Okay, we need to get you out of your comfort zone a little. You don’t want to look like you’re heading to a lecture, but you also don’t want to go full ‘I’m here to party’ either. Hmm…” She pulled out a sleek black top that Caitlyn had bought impulsively a few months ago. It had a scoop neck that was flattering but not too revealing. “This,” Vi declared with confidence. “Perfect.”
Caitlyn stared at it for a moment. It was sleek and understated, but still more revealing than anything she usually wore. “You think that’s… okay?”
Vi tossed the shirt over her shoulder and grabbed a pair of dark skinny jeans from the back of the closet. “Okay? Girl, you’re going to look incredible. It’s not too much, but it’s just enough to show you’re not here to be invisible.”
Caitlyn hesitated. There was something about the way Vi said it—like she was sure, like she knew—that made Caitlyn’s heart flutter. It was silly, really, how much the thought of looking “invisible” had affected her, but it did. She never wanted to fade into the background. But she never wanted to stand out too much, either.
"Are you sure about this?" Caitlyn asked, her voice softer than she'd intended. There was a little more vulnerability in her tone than she usually allowed.
Vi met her gaze, her expression shifting just slightly, like she was suddenly taking Caitlyn seriously. "You’re overthinking it, Princess," she said, her tone unexpectedly gentle. "You look amazing no matter what, but if you're going to take this step, might as well go all in."
Caitlyn couldn’t stop herself from looking into Vi’s eyes, and for a second, she saw something there—something soft. Her heart skipped a beat, but she quickly shook it off. Get a grip, Caitlyn, she thought. She’s just being nice. Nothing more to it.
But the fluttering in her chest didn’t subside.
"Okay," Caitlyn muttered, reluctantly taking the shirt and jeans. "I'll wear it."
Vi’s eyes lit up with satisfaction. “That’s what I like to hear,” she said, her grin returning in full force. She quickly handed Caitlyn the top and jeans, then grabbed a pair of sleek black heels from her own closet. “And these,” she said, holding them up like a trophy. “Trust me, these will make the outfit pop.”
Caitlyn opened her mouth to protest, but Vi was already pulling her to the mirror, brushing her hair with a practiced hand. “Let me guess," Vi said with a mischievous grin. "You’re about to tell me you don’t wear heels.”
“I’ve never worn heels like those,” Caitlyn muttered, but she couldn’t quite look away from Vi’s hands as they carefully tugged her hair into soft waves.
“Yeah, well, tonight’s a first.” Vi shot her a playful glance in the mirror, and Caitlyn could see the glint of something teasing—and maybe a little fondness—there. "Besides, you’ll be fine. They’ll look great on you. Trust me."
Caitlyn turned her head slightly to meet Vi’s gaze in the mirror, her heart racing inexplicably. She couldn’t help but notice how close they were, how her reflection captured the soft glint in Vi’s eyes that wasn’t just mischief—it was something more.
Before Caitlyn could process what she was feeling, Vi’s hands were already in her hair again, brushing it into place. “There we go. Now you’re ready to knock ‘em dead.”
Caitlyn couldn’t deny it. She looked in the mirror and barely recognized the girl standing there. She was still herself, but… different. More alive. More confident.
Vi turned Caitlyn to face her, her expression a mix of pride and amusement. “See? It wasn’t so bad letting me take the reins. You look incredible, Cait. Seriously.”
Caitlyn flushed, her heart skipping a beat again. Vi’s praise meant more than she’d care to admit. She quickly dropped her gaze, trying to hide the blush creeping up her neck. “Thanks. I, uh… don’t know if I’m ready for the party, though.”
Vi’s grin softened as she stepped closer, her voice dropping into something quieter, something more sincere. “You’ll be fine. Just have fun, okay? You’re not here to impress anyone. Just let go for once, Cait.”
Caitlyn felt her pulse quicken as Vi’s gaze lingered on her. For the briefest moment, Caitlyn wondered if Vi could hear her heart hammering. Could she feel it too?
Before Caitlyn could say anything, Vi wiggled her eyebrows and added, “You know, it’s your night, too. Let’s go make it memorable, alright?”
“Yeah,” Caitlyn whispered, barely able to hold back the smile tugging at her lips. “Alright.”
As they left the dorm together, Caitlyn couldn’t shake the feeling that the night—this night—was going to be the beginning of something she couldn’t quite define. Something that both terrified and thrilled her. And it all started with Vi.
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The party was everything Caitlyn had expected, and yet, it was nothing like what she'd imagined. As soon as they entered, the pulse of the music hit her like a wave, vibrating through her chest, drowning out the scattered conversations and laughter around them. The space was packed—students from all over campus crowded the apartment, drinks in hand, bodies swaying to the bass-heavy beat.
Vi, effortlessly cool and confident, led the way, her presence drawing attention wherever she went. Caitlyn trailed behind, a little overwhelmed by the sheer volume of people, the flashing lights, and the dizzying swirl of colors. She tugged at her top self-consciously, feeling like she didn’t quite belong here. She barely knew anyone, and she felt out of place in the sea of familiar faces that she couldn’t connect with.
“Relax, Cait,” Vi’s voice cut through the noise, turning to grin at her as she made her way through the crowd. “Come on, let’s grab a drink.”
Caitlyn hesitated. The thought of drinking—of being out of control, of losing any semblance of her usual composed self—made her stomach churn. But Vi was already leading her toward a table where an assortment of colorful, vaguely dangerous-looking cocktails sat, some in solo cups, others in fancy glasses with umbrellas.
Vi grabbed two drinks with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Don't think, just drink."
Caitlyn raised an eyebrow, her resolve slipping under the weight of Vi’s easy confidence. "I’ve never really—"
"You’re not gonna get anywhere standing here looking like a deer in headlights," Vi teased, handing her one of the cups. "Just one won’t kill you."
Caitlyn opened her mouth to protest, but before she could, Vi had already taken a sip of her own drink and wandered off into the crowd, leaving Caitlyn standing there, holding the cup like it might bite her.
For a moment, Caitlyn considered just setting the drink down and leaving. But the allure of doing something different, something spontaneous, was too tempting. So, with a deep breath, she brought the cup to her lips, hesitating only for a second before taking a small sip.
The liquid was fruity and sugary, with a faintly bitter aftertaste. It burned a little as it slid down her throat, but she took another sip, and then another. The edges of her nerves began to dull, and the discomfort of standing there, alone and awkward, started to fade into a soft buzz.
She took a step forward, weaving through the crowd, trying to find Vi, but the room seemed to blur in front of her. The lights flickered, the music pumping through her chest in a heavy rhythm that made her head spin. She stumbled slightly, and for a moment, the world felt a little too big—too fast.
“Cait, hey!” Vi’s voice cut through the noise, and Caitlyn blinked, focusing on her. Vi stood near the center of the room, her posture relaxed, leaning against a wall with a drink in one hand. She was laughing with a group of people, but when her eyes landed on Caitlyn, her smile softened, and she waved her over. “Come on, what are you doing standing there like a lost puppy?”
Caitlyn felt the warmth spread through her, the drink making her limbs feel a little heavy, a little looser. She laughed, the sound coming out a little too high-pitched. "I’m just... figuring it out," she mumbled, taking another sip of her drink, feeling the heat of it rush to her cheeks.
Vi’s gaze lingered on her for a moment, a playful smirk curling at the corner of her lips. “You’re not thinking too hard, are you?” she asked, her voice teasing.
Caitlyn shook her head, her thoughts swimming in slow motion. “No... I’m just... trying to fit in,” she admitted, her words spilling out before she could stop them. She couldn’t believe she’d said that. Was she really trying to impress Vi? The thought made her blush deeper.
“Fit in? With who?” Vi raised an eyebrow, leaning in a little closer. “If anyone’s gonna stand out tonight, it’s you. You’re looking damn good, Cait. Seriously.” Her tone was casual, but Caitlyn caught the edge of something else in her voice—something softer, something that made her heart race, even in her tipsy state.
Caitlyn blinked, the compliment catching her off guard. She couldn’t help but smile, even if she wasn’t sure if she was supposed to. “Thanks. You’re not so bad yourself.”
Vi smirked, her eyes glinting with something Caitlyn couldn’t quite place. “Just don’t get too comfortable. You’re not allowed to outshine me.” She winked and took a swig from her own cup.
Caitlyn was still trying to process the words when suddenly, the music shifted, and someone started a game of beer pong nearby, the crowd gathering around the table in raucous excitement. Vi, always the social butterfly, was already on the move, and Caitlyn felt an impulse to follow. But the drink, the music, the overwhelming noise—it all became too much.
“Vi,” Caitlyn called, but her voice was lost in the growing crowd. She took a step forward, but her legs felt unsteady, and she had to steady herself against the wall. Her vision wavered, and for a moment, she felt the room tilt. The sudden surge of dizziness made her feel oddly lightheaded.
She blinked rapidly, trying to focus, but everything felt like it was happening in slow motion. And then, she caught sight of Vi, laughing with a group of guys, her back to Caitlyn, carefree, confident, glowing in the center of the chaos.
A twinge of loneliness washed over Caitlyn, the mix of alcohol and her own self-doubt crashing together. She hated feeling like this—out of place, like the odd one out. Maybe if she just followed Vi’s lead, she could blend in, just for tonight. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to let go, just a little bit.
But the more she tried to push forward, the more she felt like she was fighting against a tide she couldn’t control. The laughter, the flashing lights, the music—it all blended into a dizzying blur. Her head throbbed with a mix of confusion and something else, something deeper that made her heart race.
She stumbled again, and before she could regain her balance, a steady hand landed on her arm. “Careful there, Princess.”
Caitlyn’s head jerked up, finding Vi standing beside her, her expression now soft, a concerned look in her eyes. “You okay?”
“I… I’m fine,” Caitlyn muttered, her words a little slurred as she looked at Vi, struggling to keep her focus. “Just... getting used to all this.”
Vi raised an eyebrow but didn’t push further. Instead, she gave her a soft smile. “You sure about that? You look like you could use a break.”
“I don’t know what I’m doing here,” Caitlyn admitted, the vulnerability slipping out before she could stop it. She looked away, embarrassed by her own words.
Vi didn’t say anything for a moment, just studied her with an intensity that Caitlyn couldn’t quite understand. And then, with a small, teasing grin, Vi took Caitlyn’s drink from her hand and set it down on a nearby table.
“You’re gonna be fine. Come on. Let’s get some air, yeah?”
Caitlyn, too disoriented to argue, nodded, letting Vi guide her toward the balcony. Outside, the cool air hit her like a wave, clearing her foggy mind, and for a moment, everything felt quieter. The distant sound of music and chatter barely registered.
Vi leaned against the railing, giving Caitlyn space but still close enough that Caitlyn could feel the warmth of her presence. It was quieter out here, but the silence didn’t feel heavy. Vi was next to her, and that was all that mattered—at least, that’s what Caitlyn tried to convince herself.
Vi looked over at her, an unreadable expression on her face. “You okay now?”
Caitlyn took a deep breath, still feeling the effects of the alcohol, but something in Vi’s gaze made her heart flutter. She met her eyes and offered a small, shy smile. “Yeah. I think so.”
Vi’s lips curved up at the edges. “Good. Just remember—sometimes you have to loosen up a little, Cait. Life’s too short to always be so serious.”
Caitlyn’s heart skipped a beat at the way Vi was looking at her. Did she mean that? Or was she just teasing me again?
“Yeah,” Caitlyn muttered softly, not trusting herself to say more. Her emotions were a tangled mess, but Vi had a way of making everything feel a little bit clearer.
Even if she still couldn’t quite figure out why her heart was racing around Vi.
The cold night air hit Caitlyn's flushed face as she stepped out onto the balcony with Vi, the faint chill of the outside world serving as a brief respite from the overwhelming atmosphere inside. The sounds of the party were muffled out here, leaving only the faint hum of distant conversations and the occasional clink of bottles. Caitlyn leaned against the railing, trying to regain some composure, but the buzz from the alcohol had settled deep into her limbs, making her feel a little floaty, a little unsteady.
Vi stood next to her, leaning casually against the railing, her posture still exuding effortless confidence. Caitlyn stole glances at her, still trying to piece together what was happening. Vi wasn’t like anyone Caitlyn had known—she was brash, unpredictable, wild—and yet, there was something in her gaze, in the way she carried herself, that made Caitlyn want to know more.
“You good now?” Vi asked, her voice teasing but laced with concern. She glanced sideways at Caitlyn, watching her carefully.
Caitlyn nodded, though her movements were a little slower than usual, as if her body was still adjusting to the alcohol. “Yeah. I think I’m okay now.” Her words slurred slightly, and she couldn't help but giggle, the sound bubbling up unexpectedly. “You... you were right. I just needed a little break.”
Vi raised an eyebrow, a small, amused smirk curling on her lips. “I told you, Princess, you just needed to take the stick out of your ass. It's not all that bad once you let go a little.”
At the mention of her usual uptight nature, Caitlyn couldn’t help but laugh again, the sound escaping in a happy, almost hiccupping burst. “I’m just... I’m not good at this whole party thing,” she admitted, her head spinning slightly as she leaned in closer to Vi, the closeness of her presence oddly comforting. “I... I’m not good at anything fun.”
Vi’s smirk softened, her eyes glinting with something unreadable. She shifted slightly closer, letting their shoulders brush together as Caitlyn continued to sway gently on her feet.
“Well, you're pretty damn good at making a scene,” Vi teased, nudging her lightly. “I think that’s a talent all on its own.”
Caitlyn felt her cheeks flush, a giggle escaping her lips again. She wanted to feel embarrassed by her drunken state, but Vi's easygoing attitude made it hard to stay self-conscious. “I’m really good at making a scene, huh?” She blinked up at Vi, suddenly feeling a bit lighter. “That’s because I... I just don’t know how to do things like you do. Like... like this.” She gestured vaguely to the night around them, to the music, the party, and the wild energy she couldn't quite keep up with.
Vi tilted her head, her expression softening as she studied Caitlyn. “You don’t have to be anything you’re not, Cait. Just enjoy the moment for once.”
Caitlyn turned fully to face her, a dreamy, drunken smile on her face. “I’m enjoying the moment,” she said, her voice quieter, almost shy, as she stumbled slightly and reached for the railing to steady herself. “I just... I just don’t know how to stop being so serious all the time.” She met Vi’s eyes, and for the first time that night, there was a softness in Caitlyn’s gaze—a rawness she usually kept hidden behind walls of intelligence and restraint. “I don’t know how to be fun like you, Violet.”
Vi’s heart skipped a beat at the unexpected confession, the way Caitlyn’s eyes shimmered with vulnerability. She moved a little closer, her voice quieter now. “You don’t have to be fun like me. You just gotta let go. That’s all.”
Caitlyn blinked up at her, her expression a little fuzzy as her thoughts floated, alcohol still coursing through her system. She placed her hand over her heart dramatically, swaying slightly. “You’re so... so wise, Violet,” she sighed, the words slipping out before she could stop them. “You're like... like my very own prettiest violet,” she said, the last part coming out in a slightly sing-song tone as she looked at Vi with a dreamy expression.
Vi froze, her smirk faltering for a fraction of a second. She hadn’t expected Caitlyn to be so... affectionate, especially not in this state. The words hit her in a strange, almost endearing way, and she felt her heart skip.
“My prettiest violet,” Caitlyn repeated, giggling softly to herself. “That’s... that’s what you are.” She leaned her shoulder against Vi’s arm, her touch light, almost shy, but the proximity felt electric. She looked up at Vi, eyes wide and innocent, her voice thick with affection. “You are so pretty, you know that? Like, so pretty. I don’t think I’ve ever told you that.”
Vi's smile softened, an amused chuckle escaping her lips. She tried to hide the warmth spreading through her chest, but it was hard not to be affected by Caitlyn’s genuine, albeit tipsy, affection. “You’ve had one too many drinks, huh?” Vi teased lightly, but there was something in her voice that lingered longer than usual, something softer. “But thanks, Cait. You’re not so bad yourself when you’re not being all... rigid and uptight.”
Caitlyn laughed again, her head lolling to the side as she leaned further into Vi. She pressed her cheek against Vi’s arm, her eyes fluttering closed. “I’m... I’m not rigid. I’m... fun when I want to be,” she murmured, her voice a little more drowsy now, the effects of the alcohol starting to settle in.
Vi held her steady, her fingers lightly brushing against Caitlyn’s arm in a gentle gesture of reassurance. Caitlyn’s drunken warmth, her easy affection, felt oddly comforting—like something she hadn’t realized she needed. Vi wasn’t used to seeing Caitlyn like this, and yet, it was hard to ignore the way the night seemed to shift, how everything felt a little more... real.
“Maybe you’re right,” Vi said softly, her gaze flickering to Caitlyn’s face. She couldn’t help but smile at the sight of Caitlyn in such an unguarded, vulnerable state. “Maybe you’re finally starting to let go.”
Caitlyn hummed contentedly, her head resting against Vi’s shoulder now. “Yeah... maybe I am.” She looked up at Vi again, her eyes heavy with the drunken fog, but still sparkling with that same strange warmth. “You’re still my prettiest violet, though.” She added, voice small but filled with unspoken affection.
Vi’s heart skipped once more. She couldn’t deny that there was something sweet about Caitlyn in this state—something real that went far beyond the rivalry and the walls they had built between each other.
“Well,” Vi said, smiling down at her, “maybe I’ll have to keep you around after all, Princess.”
Caitlyn sighed contentedly, slipping closer to Vi, her laughter bubbling up again. “Yeah, you better,” she mumbled, her words getting softer and more affectionate the more she leaned into the warmth of Vi’s presence. And for a moment, the party, the chaos, the world outside all seemed to fade away. It was just her and Vi—drunken, vulnerable, and unexpectedly close.
And Caitlyn? Caitlyn was completely, utterly, and unabashedly smitten.
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The party buzzed around them, the lights dim, the music pulsing through the walls, and Caitlyn felt a strange sense of disconnection. She’d never been one to let loose like this. The alcohol in her system made everything feel hazy, as if the world was a little too bright and a little too blurry all at once.
Vi, however, seemed to thrive in the chaotic environment. She was laughing with her friends, a carefree grin on her face as she sipped from her drink. But Caitlyn couldn’t help but notice how alive Vi looked in this space—so much more relaxed than the girl Caitlyn was used to seeing. There was something magnetic about her tonight. Something that pulled at Caitlyn’s chest.
“You okay?” Vi’s voice suddenly cut through her thoughts, and Caitlyn blinked, realizing that Vi was standing right next to her.
Caitlyn smiled weakly, her vision swimming just a little. “Yeah, just… just not used to this kind of thing,” she admitted, her voice a little slurred.
Vi raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Not used to having fun? Or not used to being a little tipsy?” She teased gently, her voice soft but warm.
Caitlyn’s heart skipped. There was something about Vi’s tone tonight that felt… different. It wasn’t as sharp as usual, and it made Caitlyn’s stomach flutter. She let out a soft laugh, trying to mask how flustered she felt.
“I’m definitely not used to this kind of fun,” Caitlyn said, her cheeks flushing a little more than she intended. “But... it’s okay. I’ll survive.”
Vi smirked, her eyes twinkling with that familiar mischievousness. “I think you could use a little more fun. Come on, let’s get you out of your head.”
Before Caitlyn could respond, Vi looped her arm through Caitlyn’s, leading her to the dance floor. The music was loud, the crowd close, and Caitlyn felt a rush of heat spread across her skin. She was acutely aware of how Vi’s presence made everything feel more intense—how every touch, every glance, seemed to send a spark through her.
As they danced, Caitlyn felt herself loosening up a little more, the alcohol taking the edge off her usual tension. Vi’s laughter was infectious, and Caitlyn couldn’t help but grin when Vi shot her a playful look over her shoulder.
“You’re not so bad at this, Kiramman,” Vi teased, her voice low, just for Caitlyn’s ears.
Caitlyn’s heart skipped again, and she found herself taking a step closer to Vi, the world around them beginning to fade. “You’re not so bad yourself,” she said, her voice coming out a little softer than she’d intended.
The moment hung in the air between them, and Caitlyn felt the space between them close in. She took a breath, feeling her pulse quicken, but when she glanced at Vi, she saw the same soft look in Vi’s eyes—something deeper, something different.
“Caitlyn,” Vi said, her voice dropping an octave. “You’ve got this… you’re not as uptight as you think you are.”
Caitlyn swallowed hard, the warmth in her chest intensifying. “I’m not uptight,” she shot back with a small, teasing smile. “I’m just... careful.”
Vi leaned in, her breath warm against Caitlyn’s ear. “You need to let go. You’re a lot more fun than you think.”
Caitlyn closed her eyes for a moment, her breath catching in her throat. Vi’s proximity felt dangerous—but also intoxicating, like something she wasn’t ready to acknowledge but couldn’t ignore.
Without thinking, Caitlyn reached out, her hand brushing against Vi’s arm in a moment of sheer impulse. And suddenly, the space between them didn’t feel nearly as wide.
Vi’s gaze softened, her lips curling into something that wasn’t a smirk but something more vulnerable. “Caitlyn,” she whispered, and the way she said her name sent a shiver down Caitlyn’s spine.
Before either of them could say anything more, someone jostled them, breaking the moment. Caitlyn blinked, disoriented, the weight of the alcohol still clouding her thoughts. But in that brief instance, she couldn’t ignore the way her heart was beating—fast, erratic, like it was trying to tell her something she wasn’t quite ready to hear.
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Caitlyn and Vi stumbled out of the party, both feeling the effects of the alcohol, though Caitlyn's had hit her harder. The noise of the party faded as they made their way back to the dorm, their laughter ringing through the hallway as they tried to keep themselves steady.
“You’re gonna make me trip and fall, Princess,” Vi teased, nudging Caitlyn with her shoulder as they leaned against each other for support.
“Shut up,” Caitlyn slurred, her head leaning against Vi’s shoulder. “I’m just... not used to wearing heels.”
Vi chuckled softly, glancing down at Caitlyn with a small smile, though there was a warmth in her eyes that Caitlyn hadn't quite noticed before. “You looked good tonight, you know. Like, really good.”
Caitlyn’s heart skipped, and she flushed despite the alcohol buzzing through her veins. “Thanks... I didn’t exactly know what I was doing.” She shot a sheepish glance at Vi. “But you... you looked incredible.”
Vi raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Flatter me all you want, cupcake,” she said with a grin, “but I’m not going to let you forget it.”
As they reached their dorm door, Caitlyn fumbled with her keys, her hand trembling slightly. She finally got it open, and Vi nudged her inside, her laughter still lingering in the air. They both collapsed onto the couch, still a little too close for comfort.
“God, I’m so drunk,” Caitlyn muttered, sinking into the couch. Her body felt like it was buzzing, and everything seemed a little too bright, a little too sharp. She wanted to laugh, but the warmth of the alcohol made her head heavy, the world around her spinning.
Vi sat beside her, not quite as drunk but still visibly affected by the evening. She leaned back, stretching her arms out, her fingers brushing against Caitlyn's in the process.
Caitlyn’s breath caught for a moment, the contact feeling like a spark against her skin. She looked over at Vi, who was already staring at her, her expression unreadable.
Caitlyn licked her lips nervously, suddenly very aware of the way her heart was racing. Her body was warm, flushed with both alcohol and something else—something she couldn’t quite place. “Vi, I—”
Vi interrupted her with a quiet chuckle, her gaze softening. “What’s on your mind, Princess?”
Caitlyn stared at her for a moment, the words tangled in her head. She was drunk, and this wasn’t like her—this wasn’t the Caitlyn who controlled everything. But there was something about the way Vi was looking at her, like there was no one else in the world at that moment. Something that made Caitlyn want to bridge that gap, to stop pretending that there wasn’t something deeper between them.
“I... I just...” Caitlyn’s voice trailed off as she found herself leaning closer, caught in the magnetic pull of Vi’s presence. She didn’t know what she was doing, or why she was so drawn to Vi in this moment. But it didn’t matter. All that mattered was the heat rising between them, the need to close the distance that had always been there.
Before she could stop herself, Caitlyn found her lips pressing against Vi’s, soft and hesitant at first. She felt Vi freeze, a moment of surprise before Vi’s hand cupped the back of Caitlyn’s neck, pulling her closer. The kiss deepened, slow and almost reverent, as if neither of them quite knew what to make of it. But Caitlyn didn’t care. She let herself sink into the kiss, the buzz of alcohol and the rush of emotions blending together.
When they finally pulled apart, both of them breathless, Caitlyn’s heart was pounding wildly in her chest. “What... what was that?” she breathed out, her voice a little shaky.
Vi didn’t answer right away, her fingers still resting gently on Caitlyn’s neck. Her gaze was softer now, almost vulnerable, as she stared at Caitlyn with something that felt like quiet understanding. “I don’t know,” Vi whispered, her thumb brushing against Caitlyn’s skin. “But I think we both needed it.”
Caitlyn swallowed, her head spinning. “We’ve... we’ve been fighting for so long, and now... this?”
Vi chuckled lowly, her eyes glinting with something both teasing and tender. “Yeah, but sometimes things don’t make sense, Caitlyn. Sometimes you just need to let them happen.”
Caitlyn nodded slowly, her chest tightening in a way that felt both exciting and terrifying. She didn’t know where this would go, or how it would change things between them. But for the first time in a long while, she didn’t want to think about the consequences. She just wanted to let herself feel whatever this was.
“I think... I think I like it,” Caitlyn admitted quietly, her voice barely a whisper.
Vi smiled softly, her fingers still brushing against Caitlyn’s neck. “Good. Me too.”
And for the first time in what felt like forever, the space between them didn’t feel so insurmountable. The distance, the rivalry, the history—they were all still there, but at this moment, it didn’t matter. What mattered was the warmth between them, the unspoken bond that had been there all along, just waiting for them to stop fighting it.
With a soft sigh, Caitlyn let her head rest on Vi’s shoulder, the weight of everything else falling away. They were quiet for a moment, but this time, the silence didn’t feel heavy. It felt... right.
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She couldn’t recall when she clammered into Vi’s lap, all she felt was the intense feeling of a tongue and roaming hands, her hands found its way to the back of Vi’s head, her fingers entangling themselves in her hair, releasing a soft gasp from the women.
The kiss soon broke away, the fire soothed momentarily, soft lips peppered light kisses along her neck, sending jolts down her spine, she gasped and moaned softly when teeth met skin, a soft suckle leaving a trail of purple and angry red.
“Vi–” She gasped, squirming lightly in her lap, the rough calloused hands traveled along her side, and back up her back before staggering lips met hers once more, her face blushed furiously, the demanding tongue returned once more, except this time, she was on her back, her gentle hands traveled to her neck, her hands interwoven, dragging the women down to meet her more into the kiss.
The kiss broke once more, and Vi placed her head on Caitlyn’s shoulder, and she responded with a stroke atop her head.
“My prettiest Violet.”