Hello? Goodbye. (A Catradora fic)

Watermelon Roads

Adora's new bedroom smelled like vanilla cupcakes. A string of fairy lights illuminated a wall of photos behind them, Adora and Glimmer, shots of Angella's flower-garden, all plastered onto walls painted a robin's egg blue.

It was nearly midnight. Catra lay on the air mattresses Micah and Adora had set out for her, taking in every detail of Adora's new family life.  It had only been a month if that since Adora had left. But to Catra, it had felt like a millennium. 

Catra squirmed and moved uncomfortably on the mattress as it moved and bent. Quietly, she poured her own blanket over a sleeping Adora and slept beside her until the sun rose again.

Catra woke to the sound of running water. She lay still until it stopped. After a moment, Adora strolled in, wearing a silky white bathrobe. Her hair was such a light brown it was nearly blonde, faded by bittersweet summer days when Shadow Weaver couldn't be bothered to let the children inside.

Prettier then Adora's appearance, however, was her voice. She took a seat on the edge of the bed,  singing a sweet rendition of "Put Your Records On" Her voice was light and clear as she ran a brush through her hair.  Catra sat up, eager to listen.

Adora finished her melody then caught Catra staring at her.

" Oh my God, Catra! How long have you been sitting here?!"

"Since I decided not to sleep on the air mattress." Catra shifted off the bed.

Adora blushed and gripped her bathrobe. "Don't look!"

 Catra laughed and turned to face the wall, blushing as well.

"You're a really good singer."

"Thanks."

Catra stood up to fold the bedsheets and felt her stomach dropped as she noticed Glimmer still sleeping in the yard. 

"So, you're moving to Africa?"

Adora sighed. "Michah and Angella run a charity organization to build schools. We get to help teach some of the younger children."

"Wow, sounds like a great opportunity for you."

After a moment of quiet, Adora finished getting dressed and sat down. She brushed Catra's hair gently, trying to pull out the tangles and occasional twig.

"What are you doing here?" Adora whispered.

"What are you talking ab-

" I'm not stupid Catra." Adora looked into Catra's eyes sternly. "Is it Miss Weaver? Did she hurt you?"

"No. But it was time for me to leave. I just need directions to Beast Island if that's okay." 

Adora sat the brush down. "Of course it's okay. I missed you so much."

Catra held Adora close to her. "I missed you too."

 Adora pouted. " But, Beast Island? It's a total wasteland."

"I can't stay here forever Adora. I'm gonna make something of myself." 

Adora threw a red jacket over her shoulder and smiled.

"I'm going with you."

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Adora and Catra were near experts at sneaking out of places. Problem was, they weren't experts at speaking out of places where people actually cared for their well-being.

"Girls!" Micah cheered, I made breakfast." He pointed to a stack of pancakes covered in fruit.  Not wanting to be rude, both girls sat side by side again to pick at their plates. Catra slid a few pancakes into Adora's jacket for later.

"Micah, is it alright if I take Catra home? "

"I don't see why not. Micah smiled at them both.- I have to head off to work anyway."

Adora stood, pulling Catra with her. "See you later."

The two ran into the yard. Catra tried not to squish the bunches of flowers as they snuck past Glimmer. However, she sprung from her hammock, determined.

"Where do you think you're going?" She put her hand on her hip.

"Just walking me home." Catra snarled.

"And who are you?" 

"Glimmer, this is Catra from my old foster home." Adora sighed.

Glimmer's smirked faded as she stared at the ground. "I- it was nice to meet you."

"You too, Sparkles."

 Catra pushed Adora upwards to help her climb the fence and ran as fast as she could on the other side. Adora caught up to her, puffing.

"I can't believe we just did that."

"You ain't seen nothing yet." Catra winked and dashed away.

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Soon, Adora and Catra had run out of the woods, past the Brightmoon shopping center and off to a felid of wheat in front of a lonely road. Up ahead, a rusted blue pick up truck was being filled with merchandise and giant watermelons. There were at least 7 young boys sitting on hay bails, one of them about Adora's age.

The blonde was shaking with fear. "I don't think I can do this."

"Seriously? You can't bail on me now that we lied to your sister."

Adora shrugged. "It just doesn't seem safe."

"Don't go Catra, it's not safe!  Catra mocked.-I'll do it." The brunette introduced herself to the boy, trying to distract him with small talk.

"So you need a ride?"

"Yep, to Beast Island, me and Ad- I mean, my friend."

The African American teen peeked at Adora. "Does she know how to sand?"

"Sand?"

"You can't sell the vases till you sand them, they're supposed to be exact replicas of the first one's vessels."

"Listen boy, I don't have all day. Can I get a ride or not?"

"Hop on. Names's Bow by the way."

Catra eased Adora onto the truck bed, and they drove farther and farther away. Catra and Bow had sanded all the vases, as Adora talked to Bow's father, Lance.

"Wait, Bow, Hammer, Blade? Why they all named after weapons?"

Bow's other father, Gorge laughed heartily. "It's a historian thing." 

The two men smiled as Bow handed Adora a small blade.

"Hey Blondie, wanna learn how to shell some fruit?"

Catra had never tasted fruit so fresh. She reached for a slice of  watermelon, biting it quickly and finishing her slice with ease. Adora split hers with Bow. 

"This reminds me of that song Scorpia was always humming."

Scorpia was the caretaker for the babies when Catra and Adora were little. She was a great hugger but left just before Adora's 7th birthday.

Adora smiled. "It does! Down by the Bay , right?"

Bow smiled." I love that song."

All of the children looked at each other and belted out in chaotic harmony.

🎵Down by the bay

Where the watermelons grow

Back to my home

I dare not go

For if I do

What my mother would say......🎵