Purple rain

Times are changing

Trixie had made sure her apartment was perfectly clean and tidy before Katya arrived. She knew her friend wouldn't care, but she was nervous, and tried to busy her mind until the doorbell rang. She jumped when it did, checked herself in the mirror, and unlocked the door. It had been months since she saw Katya, she didn't even see her in May for her birthday.

"Hi! How are you Trix" Katya greeted with a wide smile. She hugged Trixie tightly, and made sure to squeeze her as hard as she could, like she always did to bother her.
"Hey Kat. I love your hair" The girl managed to say once she was freed from Katya's grasp.
"Thank you. Did it myself" Katya replied shyly, running her hand through her bangs and short wavy bob. Trixie wasn't the type to make compliments, and she always felt bad because Katya would say something nice each time they met. She used to at least, this habit stopped after they both graduated and went to college. Trixie knew why, but preferred to tell herself that people change, when in fact Katya hadn't. It was her.

"I can't believe you managed to make this place more pink." Katya giggled while kicking off her shoes. She rolled her suitcase next to the couch and sat down on it.
"It's a work in progress. Wanna drink something?"
"Yes"

Katya didn't have to precise, Trixie already bought a pack of redbull in anticipation. She took two cans, some chips, and let out a sigh when she was alone in the kitchen. She was relieved it wasn't awkward. After all she knew Katya since the beginning of high school, this was her best-friend. It didn't prevent her from imagining that somehow their friendship would die slowly with time and distance. When Trixie came back in the living room, Katya was smoking on the balcony. She was still as pretty as she was seven years ago, even more maybe, she had a stronger body and she lost the baby face she had then.

It was the first day of ninth grade, and Trixie didn't know any of the teenagers in the classroom. At first, she sat alone in the back, but the teacher said that everyone should sit with a classmate and get to know one another. Trixie cursed him in her head, she'd rather start working right away. She looked around and everybody was already paired up, except for this girl wearing all black and looking out the window. She reluctantly approached her, and took a seat next to her.

"H- Hi" Trixie stuttered clumsily. She felt her cheeks flush from embarrassment and kept her eyes down on her skirt.
"Hey" The blonde replied with an almost reassuring voice. Trixie tilted her head to the side and met the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen.

The two girls chatted casually, and Katya took the lead asking the questions. She noticed that the blonde cutie by her side was a bit shy, and wanted to make her feel at ease.

"That's mine too!" Trixie beamed when Katya told her her favorite song was « Purple Rain ». It was not something representative of either of their styles, but they both loved and related to the Prince piece for different reasons. Trixie liked the melody, and the mere fact that it was a love song, whereas Katya appreciated how sad it sounded. Neither understood the lyrics back then, yet they still dubbed it "their song".

Trixie remembered how happy she had been that day. She had made a friend, so easily on top of that. Even if Katya caused some trouble in her life, she was more than glad to have met her.

"You said your new year's resolution was to stop smoking." Trixie said as she joined Katya.
"Nope. That's a goal. Doesn't mean I'll ever reach it"

Trixie rolled her eyes and put the snacks and beverages on the table. She told Katya about her exams, what she had planned for the holidays, and her friend asked if they could do something together during the summer. Trixie wanted to, but staying too long with Katya brought back painful memories. The real solution wasn't to push her away, however it was the easiest, and the one she always picked. Katya showed Trixie some pics of the new paintings she made, and bizarre objects she bought at an antique store.

"Have you finally made some friends here? Or am I still the only one in your life" Katya said in a joking tone. After moving out for college, Trixie hadn't been able to be social at all. She became a loner, until her third year of medical school when she finally started going out again.

"No, I have a small friend group here. They're nice, but a bit simple minded."
"That's so fucking mean!" Katya wheezed.
"Ugh you know what I mean. I can't talk about everything with them"
"I get it, no one's better than me"

Trixie halfheartedly smiled and took a sip of redbull.
"I met someone though."
"Ooooh. What's their name?" Katya whispered like they were sharing a secret, a sneaky smile appearing on her face.
"Jessica. She's in my internship department" Trixie replied, looking down at her can of soda.
"Cool. What's she like? Did you go on a date with her and didn't tell me?"
"We're going on one this Friday actually. You'll help me pick my outfit"
"Sure! Show me a picture of her" Katya cheerfully said.

Trixie pulled out her phone and went to the girl's instagram. She clicked on her most recent post and turned the screen towards the blonde.

"Pretty." Katya simply commented. Jessica looked like her, a lot, nevertheless she knew better than to tell Trixie that. Her friend hated to be in a position where she was laid bare.

Trixie hummed and looked back from the pic to Katya, noticing too how physically similar they were. « I just have a type » She told herself. But even that thought didn't appease her. Her and Katya never dated, so what "type" was this? A type of friend? She planned to be more than friends with Jessica, so it didn't make sense.

"Are you okay?" Katya asked seeing how unsettled Trixie looked.
"Yeah, yes. Sorry. I'm gonna cook something for us, you must be hungry"

Katya was left alone on the balcony, and it was bothering her that her best friend couldn't honestly say whatever was going on in her mind. She changed, Katya assumed.

They ate dinner quite late, and then both went to sleep. Katya slept on the couch and Trixie in her bedroom, as if they wouldn't be able to control themselves if they were in the same bed. Katya scoffed mentally at that idea, she knew her place in Trixie's life and wouldn't try to be something else anymore.