BUTTERFLIES | ✓

I

☆

victoria is starting her freshmen year in college. at NYU, of all places! she's made plans to stay in an apartment with a friend, rebecca smith. they met a few weeks ago while apartment hunting, both knowing they'd be drowning in rent prices. victoria's aunt lives in brooklyn, so that's where she's been staying. but today's the day she finally movies in with rebecca.

the door creaks open, leaving a dusty mist in the air. victoria and rebecca step into the apartment.

"our very own home, becky!" victoria screeches, gawking at the 1,050 sq. ft apartment.

"thank god." becca replies. she's lived in manhattan with her mother her entire life, but hasn't exactly had a great relationship with her.

"this is our first step into adulthood, beck. i mean, look at us. a nice apartment, in the city of dreams! we're on the path toward becoming the best versions of ourselves."

"maybe it's just easy to drink your kool-aid now that we're actually living together, but yeah, i agree."

they giggle, then sit down on the floor next to a large window overlooking the city.

"oh, i forgot to ask..," victoria begins, "how'd coming out to your mom as bisexual go?"

becca stiffens slightly, "it went... fine. i guess. it could've been worse, but whatever. it's not because she's not supportive, i don't think, it's mostly because we hardly even speak. what is there to say, ya'know?"

after a moment of silence, victoria says, "well if you're okay, then that's what matters."

they hug, then victoria stands up. "okay, let's go grab our things from the u-haul, then we can order some pizza."

becca stands up, "why don't we just cook something? that'd be way more fun."

victoria starts walking toward the door, but turns around once she reaches it. "i'm a horrible cook. plus, unless you count popcorn, we don't have anything to make."

"oh, come on! we can go grab something. my cooking is decent, so no worries."

"we would have absolutely no worries if we just ordered chinese food." victoria retorts.

"i thought you said wanted pizza." becca says, raising her brows sarcastically.

"whatever," victoria begins, smiling, "tell you what. let's order something tonight, and tomorrow i'll go shopping and we can cook something. pasta, perhaps?"

"so you're saying you're willing to learn how to cook?" becca asks.

"well... i'd rather not hear about not being able to cook as long as we live together, so yes."

☆

after a few hours of setting up the apartment, becca calls a nearby pizzeria and orders a large pepperoni pizza for pick-up.

"think we can finish a large all by ourselves?" victoria asks.

"you know we will."

they laugh.

victoria rips out her hair tie, "i can go grab the pizza if you want." she offers.

"no, you stay and keep unpacking, i'll go." becca replies, grabbing her phone off the counter, "i think i'm gonna walk, i could use some air."

"walk? are you nuts? it's 11 p.m.!"

becca rolls her eyes, "it's three blocks away, not fifty. plus, i could probably use the exercise."

she walks out the door. victoria finishes trying to get the kitchen together, tidying up, and she notices that one of the huge trash bags that they brought in is nearly overflowing.

she slips on a pair of flip flops, and grabs the bag, tying it in a knot. she heads outside to throw it in the garbage bin behind the complex.

she starts to walk down the stairs from the second floor, but before she can reach the bottom, she notices a boy sitting there. hearing her steps, he turns around and spots her.

"oh, my bad." he says, scooting over on the step, noticing he's in her way.

"no worries." victoria says, flashing a smile.

he smiles back, slightly.

she passes him, tosses the trash away, then begins walking back.

on her way back, she sees the guy again, but he's cradling his elbow. she notices it's bleeding all over his palm.

as she approaches, "are you... alright?" she asks tentatively, pointing at the blood.

he looks up, his eyes as dark as a black hole. "oh, yeah, i'm good." he says, pausing momentarily, looking her in the eyes, "thanks."

victoria nods, before going back up the stairs. as she descends up the stairs, he turns and calls out after her.

"what's your name, by the way?" he asks.

she turns down to look at him, "victoria." she pauses, "yours?"

"tj."

she felt butterflies. major butterflies. for a moment, they awkwardly stare at each other, before victoria goes back into her apartment.

shutting the door behind her, she walks over the kitchen sink and makes herself a glass of water. minutes later, the door swings open, startling her.

"i got a pepsi liter with the pizza cause it was only an extra dollar."

victoria turns to see becca, sure enough, holding a pizza and a pepsi.

she walks over and says, "wow, you made it back quick!," then grabs the pepsi from her, setting it down on the counter.

"i assume i didn't miss anything?" becca asks.

"nope. just took out the garbage." victoria says, before adding, "did you see the guy on the steps?"

becca looks up at her, confused. "what? ...no?"

"oh, just wondering. he must've left. there was some guy on the steps when i went out there."

"i must've just missed him."

as the night slips away, they abolish the pizza, and drink absolutely none of the pepsi.

"why'd you get the pepsi again, beck?" victoria asks, rubbing her belly.

"one dollar."

victoria laughs, as becca yawns. victoria thinks back to tj, wondering what caused the bloody arm. "i should've asked," she thought to herself. "but would that have been nosy? probably. don't be a freak."

butterflies again. damn.

☆

thank you so much for reading <3 !