𝐒𝐎 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐋 || 𝐂𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐋𝐈𝐍 𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐊

a lesser woman would've lost hope

As Victoria's figure faded into the distance, Caitlin felt a heavy weight settle in her chest, a mixture of regret and longing swirling within her. She wanted to reach out, to call out Victoria's name and beg her to stay, but the words remained trapped in her throat, suffocated.

With a heavy sigh, Caitlin turned away from the crowd, her heart heavy with the weight of their fractured relationship. She knew she had to find a way to distract herself, to escape the swirling whirlwind of emotions threatening to consume her. Heading to the gym, Caitlin sought solace in the familiar rhythm of shooting hoops, the sound of the ball echoing through the empty space. 

But try as she might, she couldn't shake the memories of Victoria, their laughter and shared moments haunting her every move. With each missed shot, Caitlin's frustration grew, her mind filled with thoughts of what could have been. She couldn't stop thinking about Victoria, about their love and the bond they shared. 

As She continued thinking about Vic, Caitlin sank to the ground, the weight of her emotions too strong for her to handle. Tears welled in her eyes as she clutched the basketball close to her chest, the ache of longing and regret consuming her heart.

As Caitlin sat there, lost in her thoughts, the sound of the gym door creaking open caught her attention. She looked up to see Coach Bluder entering the gym with a knowing expression on her face. 

"Hey, kid," Coach Bluder greeted, her voice warm and familiar. 

Caitlin managed a soft "hi," her voice tinged with uncertainty as she wiped away the tears that had begun to gather in her eyes. 

Coach Bluder approached Caitlin, her gaze steady and compassionate as she sat down beside her. "I heard about what happened at the barbecue," she said gently, her tone filled with understanding. 

Caitlin nodded, unable to meet Coach Bluder's eyes as the weight of her emotions threatened to overwhelm her. "It's okay to feel overwhelmed, Caitlin," Coach Bluder continued, her voice reassuring. 

"But you can't let this define you. You're stronger than you think." Caitlin's throat tightened at Coach Bluder's words, a surge of gratitude washing over her. She knew that she had to find a way to pick herself up and move forward, no matter how daunting the task seemed.

 "Thanks, Coach," Caitlin whispered, her voice barely above a whisper. Coach Bluder placed a comforting hand on Caitlin's shoulder, offering her a reassuring smile. "Anytime, kid," she said softly. 

 "Caitlin," she began, her voice gentle but firm, "you love her. And she loves you." Caitlin's breath caught in her throat at Coach Bluder's words. She knew deep down that she couldn't deny the depth of her feelings for Victoria, nor could she ignore the undeniable connection they shared.

 Tears welled in Caitlin's eyes as she nodded in silent agreement, her heart heavy with the weight of her emotions. "You have to fight for her, Caitlin," Coach Bluder continued, her voice filled with conviction. 

"Love is worth fighting for, no matter the obstacles in your path." With Coach Bluder's words echoing in her mind, Caitlin felt determined to get Vic back. She knew that she couldn't change the past, but she could control how she moved forward.

Caitlin gathered her belongings and made her way out of the gym, her mind buzzing with a newfound sense of purpose. As she reached for her phone, her fingers trembling with anticipation, she dialed Victoria's number, each ring echoing through the quiet hallway. 

After a few moments, Victoria's voice filled the line, soft and hesitant. "Yeah, Cait?" she answered, her tone tinged with weariness. Caitlin's heart clenched at the sound of Victoria's voice, the pain evident even through the phone line. 

She knew that she had to make things right, to mend the broken pieces of their relationship before it was too late. "Can I see you, Vic?" Caitlin asked, her voice barely above a whisper, her heart pounding in her chest.

 There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line, a weighty pause that seemed to stretch on for eternity. Caitlin held her breath, her pulse racing as she waited for Victoria's response. 

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Victoria spoke, her voice soft but steady. "Come over," she said simply, her words filled with a mixture of sadness and longing. Caitlin's heart skipped a beat at Victoria's invitation, a surge of hope flooding through her veins. S

She ended the call and made her way to Victoria's dorm, her mind racing with thoughts of reconciliation and second chances. As she approached the door, she took a deep breath, steeling herself for the difficult conversation that lay ahead. And with a trembling hand, she knocked, her heart pounding in her chest as she waited for Victoria to open the door and let her back into her life.