𝐒𝐎 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐋 || 𝐂𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐋𝐈𝐍 𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐊

no other sadness in the world would do

The morning light filtered softly through the curtains, casting a gentle glow on Victoria's room. She woke up, her eyes still puffy and sore from the previous night's tears. She lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, her thoughts consumed by Caitlin.

Every moment they had shared, every laugh, every kiss, played in her mind like a bittersweet movie. She loved Caitlin so much it hurt. The thought of losing her was unbearable, but the pain of betrayal was equally crushing. 

Victoria sighed, feeling the heaviness in her chest. She turned onto her side, pulling the blanket tighter around her. The pillow still smelled faintly of Caitlin's shampoo, a painful reminder of all the countless nights they spent together in her room.

She closed her eyes, trying to find some peace, but all she could think about was Caitlin's face, the way she looked when she said, "I love you."

She wanted to believe Caitlin, to trust that she had made a mistake and that their love could overcome it. But doubts lingered. Could she really forgive Caitlin? Could they move past this?

Victoria knew she needed time to sort through her emotions, but one thing was clear: she loved Caitlin deeply. She couldn't just turn off those feelings, no matter how much she tried. The thought of Caitlin not being a part of her life was more painful than the betrayal itself.

As the morning wore on, Victoria stayed in bed, wrestling with her thoughts and emotions. She knew she had a decision to make, but for now, she just needed to feel everything—to grieve, to remember, and to hope.

Victoria's hand trembled as she reached for her phone, her heart pounding in her chest. She hesitated for a moment, her thumb hovering over Caitlin's contact name. With a deep breath, she pressed the call button and brought the phone to her ear.

Caitlin's voice came through the line, filled with a mixture of hope and trepidation. "Vic?"

Victoria felt a lump form in her throat, her eyes welling up with tears again. "Hi," she managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper.

Caitlin's concern was evident as she replied, "Hey, are you okay?"

Victoria sniffled, trying to compose herself. "I don't know," she admitted, her voice shaky. "I just... I needed to hear your voice."

Caitlin's heart ached at the vulnerability in Victoria's tone. "I'm here, Vic. I'm always here for you," she said softly.

Tears spilled down Victoria's cheeks as she whispered, "I miss you, Caitlin."

Caitlin's breath caught in her throat, her own emotions threatening to overwhelm her. "I miss you too, more than you'll ever know," she confessed, her voice thick with emotion.

They were silent for a moment, the weight of their unspoken feelings hanging heavy in the air.

Finally, Caitlin spoke again, her voice gentle and reassuring. "Vic, can we talk? In person?"

Victoria hesitated, uncertainty gnawing at her. But deep down, she knew she needed to see Caitlin, to look into her eyes and search for the truth. "Okay," she whispered, her heart pounding in her chest.

Caitlin's relief was obvious as she replied, "Thank you, Vic. I'll be there soon."

As Victoria hung up the phone, a mix of emotions flooded her. She didn't know what would come of their conversation, but she knew she had to try. With a deep breath, she wiped away her tears and began to prepare herself for what lay ahead.

Victoria took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves as she stood in front of her closet. She reached for a pair of jeans and a simple shirt, her fingers lingering on the fabric for a moment before pulling them out.

As she dressed, she felt a sense of detachment, as if she were going through the motions without truly being present. Running a brush through her hair, Victoria tried to tame the tangled locks, smoothing out the knots with gentle strokes.

She didn't bother with makeup, knowing that her emotions would likely betray her anyway. Sitting on the edge of her bed, Victoria glanced at the clock, her heart pounding in anticipation.

She wondered what Caitlin would say, what excuses or apologies she might offer. But more than anything, she longed for clarity—for some semblance of understanding in the midst of the chaos.

When she heard the knock at the door, Victoria's breath caught in her throat. She hesitated for a moment, her hand hovering over the doorknob. Then, with a resolve born of necessity, she stood up and crossed the room.

Opening the door, Victoria was met with Caitlin's concerned gaze. The sight of her brought a rush of conflicting emotions—love, anger, longing—all swirling together in a tangled mess.

"Caitlin," Victoria said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.