Fred Again & First Realisations
The following day, the classroom hummed with a low buzz as students pretended to pay attention. Vi sat near the back, hoodie up, with her head slumped on the desk, phone hidden in her lap. The professor’s monotone lecture on historical conflicts washed over her as she tapped out a message.
Vi: When are you going to be allowed to come back to class?
On the other side of town, Caitlyn lay sprawled on her bed, scrolling through documents on her tablet. Her own phone—the phone—buzzed softly.
Cait: I don’t know. But online classes are starting to get on my nerve.
Vi frowned at the reply, her foot bouncing with impatience. She typed again, careful not to catch the teacher’s eye.
Vi: I miss you.
There was a slight pause before Cait’s response appeared.
Cait: You literally saw me 20 minutes ago at your house for lunch.
Vi suppressed a grin. It’s different, she thought, thumb already dancing over the screen.
Vi: Yeah but it’s been three weeks since you last came to class. Surely you’re not still in trouble? Class is so boring without you here.
Cait smirked at her phone. She liked hearing that Vi missed her presence. But she knew better than to get sappy and distract Vi from class — she had a call to make, no matter the time difference.
Cait: Get off your phone darling and actually learn something. Humanities can’t be that bad.
Vi wrinkled her nose at her Cait’s lecturing tone. Noticing the nickname but ultimately deciding to listen to the words of advice.
Vi: Ugh, but Princess - Humanities is kicking my ass.
Cait rolled her eyes affectionately. No shit – you don’t even know that I’m part of your history books.
Cait: Huh, figures.
With that, Caitlyn turned off the phone, slipped it under her pillow and sat up. Enough texting. She needed Mel’s help, and if anyone could fix this shit predicament she had been caught in, it was her PR manager-turned-crisis handler. Straightening her blouse, Caitlyn headed into the conference room and dialled Mel’s number.
The large screen flickered to life. It took a moment, but eventually, Mel’s face appeared. She looked half-asleep, blankets pulled up to her shoulders, darkness surrounding her before she flicked on the lamp. Caitlin’s eyes arched. Bit early to go to bed…ah time difference, whoops?
“Caitlyn?” Mel asked, sounding more alert than she looked. “What’s going on?”
“Mel, I need to go back to school,” Cait said without preamble, crossing her arms, honestly not really caring how late in the night it was for Mel – she was on a mission. “Online classes aren’t cutting it. I can’t be cooped up here forever.”
Mel rubbed her eyes, a slight frown creasing her forehead. “You’re doing just fine online. And this arrangement is for your own good, Caitlyn. Until we can be sure everything’s smoothed ov-”
Caitlyn cut her off. “If I’m just going to attend classes online, I might as well be in England. I mean, what’s the point of being here if I’m stuck inside all day?”
Mel’s expression shifted, and she straightened, suddenly more awake. “If you want to return to England—”
“No!” Caitlyn blurted, panic flaring. “I don’t want to go back. I want to stay here.”
Mel narrowed her eyes, curious now. She searched Caitlyn’s face for an answer “Why?”
“If I don’t get to go back to school, I’ll, uh, I’ll stop responding to calls and disappear forever” Okay maybe a bit extreme but she had to show Mel how desperate she was.
Mel just pushed again, clearly not threatened. There was a reason, and Mel needed to know before she could make any actual decisions. “I need to know why Caitlyn, Has something…Or perhaps, someone?” Mel quirked her eyebrow, narrowing in on Cait’s expressive face.
Caitlyn’s breath caught. She hadn’t meant to be so forceful. Taking a shaky breath, she quietly admitted, “I’ve made a… friend. A…a really good friend. I want to see her at school again.”
Mel’s eyebrows rose. “A friend, huh?” she repeated. “I’ve been through your phone records for security checks—no new numbers. How have you been in contact since you’ve been on lockdown?” Mel’s eyes narrowed in on Caitlyn, a tad frustrated with Caitlyn’s carelessness for rules but underneath, very happy for her.
Caitlyn flushed, looking down at her feet. “I may have gotten a separate phone. Just for her.”
Mel’s face went serious. “Caitlyn, if this person is going to be close to you, they need to sign an NDA—”
Caitlyn snorted a laugh, shaking her head. “She doesn’t need one, trust me.”
Mel’s tone hardened. “Caitlyn, anyone who is close to you needs to sign one if—”
“She doesn’t know who I am,” Cait interrupted, words tumbling out.
Mel’s jaw dropped slightly. “How can she not know who you are? You’re a princess of England, Caitlyn.”
Caitlyn swallowed, feeling a warm flutter in her chest, thinking of Vi, the attic, the vinyl records, the easy smiles. “She’s different,” Cait murmured. “No social media, no obsession with gossip. She only listens to downloaded music and vinyl at home. She doesn’t even know my last name – and if I’m being honest, history is her worst subject, I doubt she would even know the Kiramman name.” Cait tried her hardest to convince Mel, thinking back to Vi when they first talked. “She’s so…real, Mel. She doesn’t see me as anything but some British girl she likes to talk to and have lunch with.”
By now, Caitlyn was rambling without realizing it. Mel watched with an amused glint in her eye. “I don’t know how you managed that,” Mel teased softly. “But I have to say, I’m impressed.”
Before Caitlyn could respond, there was a shifting noise off-screen. Another voice piped up, sounding groggy and curious: “Sounds like the problem is solved then?”
Caitlyn froze, slightly at the comment but mainly at the recognition of the voice. That was Jayce, her cousin. Her eyes went wide. Mel and Jayce? She covered her mouth, stifling a gasp as Mel turned her head, face flushed.
Jayce’s sleepy face appeared, leaning into view. “Hey, sprout,” he said, using her old family nickname. “If you want to go to school, I’m sure Mel can talk to Aunt Cassandra. No need to make threats about disappearing.”
Mel’s face was beet red, glaring daggers at Jayce. Caitlyn, on the other hand, was delighted and shocked all at once. “R-right,” she managed. “Thanks. Really, thank you. Uh, both of you.”
Mel cleared her throat, regaining some composure. “Yes, of course. I’ll speak to your mother. But yes, you can return to school tomorrow - I’ll handle it.”
Caitlyn grinned, her heart soaring. “Brilliant! Thanks, Mel. You too, Jayce.”
She hung up before Mel could protest or explain - she’d done enough damage already. Still, she couldn’t help the giggles that escaped as she imagined Mel, her ever-proper PR manager, entangled with Jayce. What a world.
But that silly drama faded against the excitement thrumming through her. She was going back to school. Back to the hallways and the classrooms. Back to Vi. She didn’t care if anyone whispered about her scandal - it was old news now, surely. The only thing that mattered was seeing Vi’s face when she showed up unexpectedly.
Caitlyn practically danced out of the conference room; her heart lighter than it had been in weeks. Tomorrow couldn’t come soon enough.
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Dinner at the Lanes household had a comfortable, familiar chaos to it that evening. Vander sat at the head of the table, passing dishes around, while Mylo and Claggor argued quietly over who had the better gaming reflexes. Ekko - settled next to Powder - contributed the occasional amused grin. Powder herself was clearly on a mission; her gaze kept sliding toward the empty seat that belonged to Vi, a determined sparkle in her eyes.
Just as Vander served another helping of mashed potatoes, Vi slid down the stairs of the attic with ease and took a seat, hair damp from her after-gym-workout shower. She’d been running a tad behind schedule, which only seemed to fuel Powder’s anticipation more. Without wasting a second, Powder cleared her throat and dove right in.
“So, Vi,” she said, voice sweet but with a suspicious edge, “Have you told your friend about the rave ticket yet?”
Vi stiffened, nearly dropping her fork. “oh, I, uh… I haven’t seen her today,” she lied, trying to sound casual.
Powder tapped her fingers against the table, her tone turning smugly, matter-of-fact. “Really? Because I’m pretty sure she was in your room again during lunch. Y’know, your attic room. Where the loud music comes from?”
Mylo snickered, leaning back in his chair. “Wow, Vi, sneaking her in at lunchtime - pretty romantic.”
Vi shot him a glare and kicked him under the table, trying to hide the blush creeping up her neck. The memory of Cait sprawled on her bed earlier that day - helping her dissect some English AP reading while Vi took every opportunity to mock her accent - flashed through her mind. She couldn’t help a tiny giggle escaping, which only made Mylo grin wider.
Powder pressed on, relentless as ever. “Don’t try to deny it. I know you two have been meeting up there,” she said, waggling her eyebrows. “You climb that trellis like it’s your personal staircase. Which, by the way, is totally unnecessary.”
At that, Vander chuckled softly, folding his arms. “Vi, I’m well aware of your rooftop escapades. Why not use the door, like a human being? If you don’t want me to meet her – just text me and I’ll go out for a bit – climbing is just unnecessary”
Vi froze, caught completely off guard. Her family knew about the attic routine. Perfect. Now, she had no excuse. She mumbled, “Just. shut up,” under her breath, cheeks burning, and tried to focus on her dinner.
Powder refused to give up. “Look, we have these tickets. The rave is in three days! If you don’t ask her tomorrow, it might be too late, and she’ll say no, and trust me, you’ll want her there.” Her voice dipped suggestively at the end, making Vi’s ears burn hotter.
Mylo, enjoying every second of Vi’s discomfort, chimed in. “So then, uh, who’s playing, anyway?”
Powder looked triumphant. “Fred again..! It’s going to be epic.”
Vi shrugged, pretending she knew the name. “Sure, Fred… again?. Sounds great.” She glanced at Powder, trying to sound more relaxed than she felt. “I’ll ask her tomorrow, okay?”
Powder crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair, satisfied. “Good. I’m counting on you. No more excuses.”
With that, the family let the topic drift to other things, but the lingering smirks and sideways glances kept Vi on edge. She spent the rest of dinner trying to hide her smile in her plate, already plotting how to bring up the rave invitation without giving Cait any reason to tease her half as much as her family just had.
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The next morning, Vi stood in front of her mirror, tugging at the hem of her hoodie and trying to steady her nerves. She needed to find a casual way to invite Caitlyn to the rave without making it sound like a date - or worse, like some kind of family interrogation. Swallowing hard, she forced herself to think of something – anything – more natural to say than, “Hey, come meet my entire family at a rave.”
Once at school, Vi slipped into her usual seat at the back of the classroom. Hood up, AirPods in, she took out her phone to message Cait, about being bored, when she suddenly felt the desk beside her shift. Her brow furrowed; no one took that seat. It was Cait’s seat. She turned, ready to give a piece of her mind to whoever dared claim it—
—and found herself face-to-face with Caitlyn.
Vi’s heart skipped a beat. “You’re here,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the buzz of the classroom. Without thinking, she plucked out her AirPods and grabbed Cait in a quick hug, pulling back as soon as she realized what she’d done. Her cheeks burned, but Cait didn’t seem to mind. She blushed just as furiously and admitted, “My parents let me come back.”
Vi grinned, leaning on old habits to cover her racing pulse. “No shit, Sherlock,” she teased, nudging Cait’s shoulder playfully. Cait rolled her eyes, and both girls turned their attention to the lecture—though Vi couldn’t resist sneaking sideways glances. Her heart was drumming like crazy, and each stolen look at Cait made it worse. She suddenly understood this feeling: she liked Caitlyn. Fuck. How was she supposed to act normal now?
When their morning classes ended, they slipped away together, as usual slipping back into old habits – like no time had passed, Caitlyn leading the way towards Vi’s house. Once they were out of sight, Cait took Vi’s hand as they headed down the alley. Vi’s mind raced - what did this mean? Did they always do this? Had she been oblivious the entire time? Shaking her racing thoughts, she followed silently, allowing Cait to climb the trellis first, then going up after her. It was their thing, she wasn’t going to stop doing it now.
Inside the attic, Caitlyn placed the Tango in the Night vinyl on the turntable. As “Seven Wonders” began to play, she sprawled on Vi’s bed, eyes closed, swaying to the music. Vi stood there, mesmerised by how at home Cait looked - soft, calm, completely at ease. She wanted to memorise the sight, to lock it away forever.
Finally, Vi sat at the foot of the bed, clearing her throat. “Hey, so…” she began, and Caitlyn sat up, giving Vi her undivided attention. Vi took a breath, trying to sound casual. “How chill are your parents?”
Caitlyn snorted. “Why do you ask?” She could sense something was up.
Vi rubbed the back of her neck. “Powder got tickets to this rave, and I remember you saying how you’ve never been to one, and so we have a ticket for you. The headliner is… uh, ‘Fred’ something?”
Caitlyn’s eyes lit up. “Fred again?!” she practically shouted, shifting closer to Vi.
Vi smiled, delighted by Cait’s enthusiasm. “Yeah, that’s the one. – Hey! – Thought you didn’t like the ‘autotune crap’ your cousin listens to?”
Cait rolled her eyes. “This isn’t autotune crap, Vi. This is… gorgeous bass and melodies that flow through your body until you’re just lost in the beat.”
Vi grinned at her expression. “So, I’ll take that as yes?”
Cait’s face fell momentarily. “yea—Wait, when is it?”
Vi winced. “This Friday. And it starts at sundown.” Her voice lowered. “I was thinking… Maybe you could sleep over? I don’t want you going home, y’know, if we end up having a few drinks.”
Caitlyn didn’t hesitate, momentarily forgetting just exactly who her parents were and what they would say if Caitlyn even mentioned the word ‘rave’. Instead, she flung her arms around Vi, excitement shimmering in her eyes. “Yes, absolutely! This is going to be amazing!”
Vi’s heart stuttered. That hug - just how close they were - sent her pulse into overdrive. She felt Cait’s warmth, her breath against Vi’s shoulder, and for a second the world narrowed to just the two of them.
Cait pulled back slightly but still close, thoughtful eyes grazing over Vi’s features. “What should I wear?”
Vi smirked, an idea forming. “Don’t worry about that, princess. Just bring pyjamas for the sleepover. I’ll take care of your outfit, the make-up and the drinks – But maybe you can bring the music so we can listen while we get ready?” Vi’s hands subconsciously roaming up and down Cait’s arms.
Caitlyn smiled wide, cheeks getting hotter by the second. “Oh okay, of course,” She pulled away from their close contact, tucking a stray hair behind her ear and flopped back onto the bed.
“Everywhere” began to fill the room, as Cait tapped her fingers on her stomach, humming along to the tune. Vi watched her lying there, carefree, and couldn’t stop smiling. This was really happening. Cait was coming to the rave, sleeping over at her house, and acting like everything that just happened was the most natural thing in the world. Vi’s heart felt like it might burst - and for once, she didn’t mind the feeling at all.
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That evening, Caitlyn slipped back into the quiet luxury of her estate, her heart still dancing from lunch with Vi. The corridors felt endless and silent as she made her way to the dining room, where the chef had left a perfectly plated meal under a warming cover. She took her dinner to the common room, choosing to sit in the dark among the plush armchairs and polished floors.
The excitement from the day lingered. Seeing Vi again, feeling her warmth, hearing her laugh - it was more than Caitlyn had dared hope for. And then the rave invitation. A grin touched her lips as she recalled Vi’s attempt at nonchalance when saying “Fred again.” Caitlyn almost laughed out loud at the memory.
She considered, just for a moment, asking Mel if she could go to the rave, She wouldn’t dare ask her parents – especially her mother. The logical part of her knew the answer would be no - Mel would spin a hundred reasons why it was too dangerous, too public, too uncontrolled. But some rebellious spark flickered inside Caitlyn. She wanted to push back. She wanted to live a life that wasn’t shadowed by titles and protocols. So, she said, “Fuck it” and planned her escape route for Friday.
As she ate, Caitlyn’s thoughts drifted from the rave to Vi, replaying their moments together that day. The way Vi’s cheeks had flushed pink when they hugged, the teasing banter, the subtle smiles they exchanged in class. She closed her eyes, remembering how her heart had quickened every time Vi glanced her way.
Realisation struck softly, like the hush of velvet curtains: she like liked Vi. There was no trembling fear in that thought, no shame or panic. Just a calm certainty that Vi made her feel something entirely new - safe, understood, alive. Sitting alone in the quiet opulence of her home, Caitlyn recognized that she preferred being crammed at a school desk beside Vi to being pampered and isolated here.
Finishing her meal, Caitlyn pulled out her secret phone. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard before she typed a message.
Cait: Soooooo about Friday’s rave plans… what should I bring to drink?
A few moments later, her phone buzzed.
Vi: I told you princess – I have everything covered, You just have to bring yourself and tunes.
Vi: We can talk about it at school, In person
Caitlyn’s heart dipped a little. She knew Vi hated using her phone – she was much more an “In-person” person, But Cait didn’t care she wanted to hear Vi’s voice now, to feel that connection again, even through text.
Cait: But I miss talking to you.
As she hit send, her cheeks warmed. But this time, the blush brought no discomfort - only a gentle warmth that reminded her of Vi’s presence. She settled back into the sofa cushions, the grand room feeling less lonely, knowing that tomorrow she’d see Vi’s face again and maybe learn more about what they could be.