about you | c.c & k.m

eleven

"What's your... favorite animal that's not domestic?" Kate asked, her voice casual but her eyes full of curiosity as she reclined back against her hotel bed. Her post-game ponytail was still perfectly intact, a few loose strands falling over her forehead.

Avery tilted her head slightly, considering the question. "Mmm... probably giraffes."

Kate’s brows furrowed, and she made a face. "Giraffes? Why? All they do is have long necks and eat leaves."

Avery grinned, enjoying the way Kate’s confusion made her look even cuter. "Don’t hate on giraffes. They’re unique, they stand out. I think they’re pretty cool."

Kate gave an exaggerated shrug. "I don’t get it. I mean, long necks and tree-snacking? Not thanks." Her tone was teasing, but her eyes stayed on Avery, like she was genuinely curious about her reasoning.

Avery rolled her eyes playfully, leaning a bit closer to the screen. "Well, what about you? Let me guess... something basic like a cow, right?" She couldn’t resist the dig, knowing Kate's country roots.

But Kate surprised her, raising an eyebrow. "Actually, I’m terrified of cows, so joke’s on you." She said it with a deadpan expression that made Avery burst out laughing.

"You? Afraid of cows?" Avery’s laughter rang through the room, and she covered her mouth, trying to catch her breath. "Wow, I didn’t see that one coming."

Kate gave a mock glare, crossing her arms. "Keep laughing, but one day, you’re going to meet a cow up close, and then we’ll see who’s laughing."

Avery’s grin grew wider, her cheeks hurting from the constant smiling. She could get used to this—talking to Kate, laughing with her, the easy back-and-forth banter. The connection between them had formed so naturally over the last few weeks, but even now, Avery couldn’t shake the feeling that she was falling too quickly. Too deeply. Even if it had started as something normal—FaceTime calls, late-night conversations—but now?

Now, Avery couldn’t deny that her feelings were getting more complicated.

The truth was, Kate was everything Avery, or anyone, would dream about —funny, down-to-earth, thoughtful. Their talks stretched late into the night, and sometimes they'd both fall asleep on the phone. It was a routine that had somehow become important to Avery.

But the more she thought about it, the more she tried to pull herself back. She knew Kate liked her; they had some kind of mutual understanding about their situation, but they weren’t official. Not yet. And it wasn’t like they had the kind of serious relationship that would justify how deeply Avery was starting to feel. Maybe Kate was just messing around, enjoying the long distance thing that's maybe would not work if they lived closer and Avery found herself wanting something more.

"So," Kate’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. "What’s on your agenda for tomorrow?"

Avery snapped back to the present, noticing the way Kate’s eyes were starting to droop from exhaustion. "I’ve got a morning shift at the gym, then class in the afternoon. After that, I’m free."

Kate nodded, her head resting against the pillow now. "Right! You got the job, How is it going? You liking it?"

Avery paused, watching Kate fight off another yawn. "I’ve only had one shift so far, but yeah, it’s been good. There’s this guy, Alfred, who works there. He’s not super fun, but at least I’m not totally alone."

Kate chuckled softly, her voice sounding even sleepier now. "Maybe you can get one of your friends to work out there during your shift. Spice things up a bit."

"Actually, Paige works out there sometimes," Avery mentioned casually, forgetting for a moment that Kate would probably know who she meant. "Wait, you know Paige, right?"