Admiring the Light

Ep 18

Your phone: kg?

Your phone: kate? D:

Natalie couldn't exactly do much other than spam Caitlyn with texts in the hopes that she would respond. Glancing out the window between texts, they both continued making awkward eye contact, and it just made her squirm a little.

caitlyn!!: sobs, stop bothering me right now

Stop bothering me. Even in text, that line made her just want to get up and forget this ever happened. Make sure Guinevere was safe too. But she persisted, she wouldn't act on her judgement.

Your phone: all gooood? >:I

caitlyn!!: i've just gotta think for a while.

What could Kate possibly have to think over? Was something happening that she didn't know about?

The plan already folding out in her own mind, Natalie didn't wait for the rejection she knew was coming.

Your phone: we'll think over bowling :D

Shoes on, actively going against everything her gut was saying.

caitlyn!!: nope.

Your phone: i'm coming!! >:3

If Caitlyn thought she had control over this, Natalie was going to break that down until they were on a friendly level. She doubted the other girl would actually start a fight, if she could just get through the barrier.

She'd done it in Undertale, compassion went a long way. So just, why not here?

caitlyn!!: stop

Your phone: i'm paying for you and you're going

Natalie could walk to their small alley in town, only a few lanes. The prices, outrageous, but she could get by.

caitlyn!!: omg fine

Your phone: yay!!

She assumed Caitlyn would only need to drop off the dog she was walking, get the cash that would probably treat her to an ice cream. Or to refresh her weed for another week.

Shamelessly screaming her way into Kate's ears seemed like the best option, an excitable "OH CAITLYN!!!" would grab her. But she didn't want to be annoying, just pushy enough to seem attentive but not enough to cross the threshold into irritating. "Wait for meeeee! Nerd!"

Caitlyn offered a faint scoff, but she refused to meet Natalie's curious green eyes. "Oh, stop being grumpy, you're happy to have me here!" She smiled.

"Mhm. Except for the fact that I need to go home before we do anything, and I'd really rather that you don't come."

"Girl, it can't be that bad. I've been through cramped houses." Natalie wouldn't take the excuse for an answer. "I have 3 fucking siblings that all get home at different times. And family dog right here, on top of the bunny cage that needs to be emptied."

"Hey... hey-" She wrapped her arms around the shorter girl. "I'll come be a zookeeper with you. Sound like a plan?"

"Hmph... you won't get any recognition from my parents. I think they assume that shit just- magically happens." Caitlyn let the hug happen, frozen as she spoke. "All better :D" Natalie would give her friend pats anyway. "You can't just make it all better."

"Yes, I can, and I will! We're gonna do this together now!"

No argument, Caitlyn just... walked away, her dog following with no glance back at Natalie. "You can't change my problems, Natalie."

"Nobody can go flip a switch in your brain, obviously." Every denial encouraged her, they wouldn't be leaving this until she agreed to let her come. "I'm saying I want to help you, and you're rejecting me. Why?"