Not Letting Go

Chapter 2

Kate stopped by the nearest place she could find and ordered the coffee for Max and a tea for herself. From what she heard, it was the most popular stop for Blackwell students. She preferred her tea at a more modest cafe a little farther away when she planned on staying. This would work for today.

As she waited, Kate noticed Victoria and the usual groupies, Courtney and Taylor, right across from her at a table. They were chatting away, sipping at their coffee. She turned from their direction, hoping not to be noticed. Kate felt she had to stay close to the counter so she could grab their drinks as soon as they were ready so the barista wouldn't shout out her name too loud or too many times and grab their attention. While she waited anxiously to be called, Kate could not help but hear the girls' conversation at her short distance from them.

Taylor spoke next, "Oh my god, I know right? She is snapping over anything. That poor weirdo hipster. I saw her drop an entire tray of food when she saw the new art display in the cafeteria."

"I don't think I saw her come out after that. Probably was grabbing all that food to hibernate. There was so much," Courtney added almost chuckling.

Kate's blood began to boil. Her hands became fists and she felt a fury, she didn't even know she could possess, begin to replace her usual sense of control. She was never this upset for herself, but for Max, she felt an instant need to act, to protect.

Taylor asked, "What was that new painting anyways? I forget."

Victoria seemed distracted even as she replied, "Something blue. The sky, maybe."

"So weird," Courtney added.

Kate looked back to the table, not sure what she was about to do, but was compelled to do something. Victoria noticed the movement and turned her attention that way. With obvious alarm, she saw Kate. They locked eyes for a moment which distracted Kate from her anger, before Chase snapped her head back. She then focused on her friends as she took charge of the conversation.

"Let's talk about something else. Actually, you two meet me in my room. I need to do something. I'll be right there," Victoria quickly inserted.

"What do you need to do?" Courtney questioned, giving her an odd look for the swift and vague conversation shift.

Victoria simply replied with a dark stare. Courtney tried for a moment to stand her ground, but quickly rolled her eyes and said, "Fine, we're going. Just hurry up."

Taylor silently followed Courtney out of the coffee shop. They looked back once with a flash of bewilderment as Courtney spoke something quietly to the other. Victoria paused a moment, watching the exit after they left, and then looked straight back to Kate. The blonde whipped her head back immediately and heard her name called at the same time. She gratefully got up and zipped over to the counter to grab her drinks. When she turned around, Victoria was right in front of her.

"Kate, um...hi," Victoria said neutrally with a barely noticeable twitch in her face.

"Oh, hi Victoria." Kate waited, warily for the other to continue.

"I...I was a total bitch to you. You never deserved any of it. I'm...I'm so sorry. I really am. It's okay if you..."

Kate took in a deep breath and sighed out her held in aggression while Victoria spoke. She interrupted during the taller girl's last hesitation in her speech to say evenly, "I forgive you."

Victoria seemed surprised how quickly Kate came to that response and while the rest of her face remained composed, her eyes did not hide it.

"Th-thank you, Kate." Her lip scrunched as she continued, "You're a better person than me." She frowned and then said more quietly, almost to herself, "I already knew that though."

Kate shook her head. "You're as good of a person as you choose to be...and I mean that in a good way."

Victoria looked downward. "Sometimes things get complicated," she mumbled.

"What was that?"

Victoria let out a frustrated sigh and looked back up. "You talk to Max, right?"

Kate responded hesitantly, "Yes..."

"Can you tell her something for me?"

"Sure..."

"Tell her...I'm sorry. Tell her, thank you. Tell her...fuck. Tell Max I owe her my life. I just feel like the last person she wants to see right now. Maybe you too...but here you are so who am I to argue with fucking fate?"

Kate blinked at the pair of F words, first staring blankly, but then responded, "Sure. I can do that."

Victoria forced a smiled and gave an apologetic look. "Thanks, Kate." Her mood fluidly changed in an instant. "My therapist thought resolving these issues should help, so um, yeah," Victoria said as if to explain away her motives. She returned to some sincerity before she left with her final words, "So, if you need anything, just, well...just let me know." Victoria spoke in a neutral tone, but the blonde knew she meant it. Chase was about to turn away, but Kate grabbed her shoulder. Victoria looked at her a little in surprise at the unexpected touch as Kate said, "You too." Victoria then dropped her shocked expression and struggled to fight back either a smile or frown to keep her indifferent demeanor. She gave an almost imperceptible nod and with that, she was gone.

Kate never thought she would see the day, but here was Victoria showing she did in fact have a soul. A delayed smile crept up on her face, then she remembered the drinks in her hands and swiftly made for the exit.