Chapter Text
Adora Greyskull is an idiot.
And she’s at my house all the time. Like, I get it. Apparently, her foster mom is some crazy bitch, and I’m no stranger to the system. Makes sense she’d rather hang here. But still, if her mom is such a bitch how can she be out so much? And why does she have to be so…Adora all the time?
It’s not that she’s not nice, in fact it’s the opposite honestly. This fool practically radiates cheer and friendliness. It’s like an after school special come to life in my own living room. She’s always courteous; helping Glimmer with her chores, offering to dishes when she stays for dinner, even though Angella turns her down every single time. What is she trying to prove at this point? Like we get it, you’re little miss perfect/the all American princess or whatever.
Thank the Goddess she’s a fucking jock and has practice all the fucking time. I mean, I’ve got my own shit after school but blessedly they don’t seem to overlap super often. So, when I’m home right after school, typically she’s still there. Of course, on days like today that just means right as I settle in at the dining table to study, I’m interrupted by the general ruckus of my foster sister and her “best friend squad” getting home.
“Oh my gosh! And did you see that hit Kyle took? I though Rogelio was gonna cry when he didn’t get right back up again.” Glimmer laughs. I can hear her make her way to the kitchen and pray that they grab snacks and go to her room.
“Yeah…” Bow’s voice is hesitant, a surefire sign that he’s about to try and be the voice of reason. “That was actually pretty scary.” There we go.
“Please, he’s like a ragdoll. He might get tossed around a lot but he’s gotta be boneless or something. He never gets hurt for real!”
“Glimmer!” Ugh, Adora. “What are you talking about? Remember last year, that big bruise that covered like, half his body? I’m pretty sure he broke a couple ribs.”
“Okay…fine, yeah I forgot about that. That was bad. But he was fine today! And did you see how high up in the air he flew? Amazing.” I can hear Bow and Adora tutting at her a little more, but it’s muffled by sounds of dishes clanking together.
Making an effort to tune them out again I turn back to my text book. Pre calc. So, fucking dumb, as if I’m voluntarily gonna sign up for calculous when I get to college. Of course, Micah will probably make me. Having adults actually invested in your wellbeing and future is fucking wild, I hate it. Of course, just as I finally start getting what I’m reading the dum-dum squad piles into the dining room.
Glimmer stops short when she sees me, and I can’t help but laugh when it causes a pile up. Bow and Adora running into her back. “Oh.”
Begrudgingly I look up. “What do you want Sparkles?”
She rolls her eyes at me and I can’t deny the sense of satisfaction her annoyance gives me. “Whatever. We were just gonna study in here. Think you can manage to share for once?”
I scoff. “Think you hooligans can manage to not be an obnoxious distraction for once?”
“We’ll be quiet!” Adora pipes up, trying to diffuse the situation. Gods, why can’t she stay out of anything? She cuts her eyes to Glimmer with a sharp look. “Right?”
Glimmer grumbles but doesn’t argue and they drop their snacks unceremoniously onto the table. Glimmer and Bow set up on the side of the table to my left and Adora circles around to my right. Great. I’m surrounded, just lovely. I should have taken Scorpia up on her offer to study together. I just figured I’d get more work done this way, but clearly that’s out the window now.
They’re surprisingly quiet as they pull out their own materials and I actually manage to get back to work. A few problems in though, and I’m ready to tear out my own hair. Adora looks up at the groan that escapes me, and her eyes cut to my text book. She offers a sympathetic smile, fucking annoying. “You studying for Mr. Lashor’s test next week?” She asks, just above a whisper.
That earns her an eye roll. “Nah, just fucking around. You know, a little leisure time.”
She laughs like I just told a funny joke, rather than attempted to mock her. “Right, duh.” She peeks down at my paper and her eyes widen just slightly. It’s not cute. “Okay, how did you do the third problem? I was working on that last night and I was about ready to bang my head into the wall.”
I snort but she’s all up in my space now and I am not into it. “Fuckin here.” She accepts the paper gratefully and I take the excuse to lean back and take a break, stretching out my limbs. I look over at the ding dong twins and catch Bow watching us, his eyes cutting away when he sees me looking. Weirdo.
“Okay, see I don’t get how you did this part.” Adora is back to leaning in my space, pointing at the bit she’s not getting.
“Dude, personal bubble.” I lean back in my chair, trying to regain some space. She turns bright red and sits back in her own chair properly again.
“Right, sorry! That’s my bad. That class is kicking my ass though.”
She’s caught Glimmers attention now too and she’s looking on and smirking. What a bitch. I mean I’m sort of laughing at Adora now too, but she’s not my friend. “It’s fine, just like…stay on your side or whatever. Honestly, I don’t really get this shit either. I just make Entrapta help me.”
“Ohh, right. She’s taking classes at the community college this year, right?”
“Pfft, yeah. They wanted to graduate her early, but her parents insisted she needs the socialization.” I pause to consider this. “They’re not wrong.”
“Entrapta’s the best!” Great, now Crop Top is part of the conversation too. “She’s starting a robotics club this year. Principal Hordak just approved her proposal, I really didn’t think he was gonna go for it.”
I can’t help but flinch at the name. Luckily only Glimmer seems to notice, and she seems to have a little mercy for once, steering the conversation away from that fucking mine field. Hordak’s sort of fine, but his brother on the other hand… “Adora, I told you, you should just get a tutor.”
Adora narrows her eyes at Glimmer and grits out, “And I told you why I can’t do that. ”
I feel my eyebrows raise practically to my hairline as Glimmer’s mouth forms a silent ‘O’. “Right, sorry.” Adora looks visibly upset and I’m confused at the sudden souring of the mood in the room.
“Don’t sweat it Adora!” Bow chimes in. “We’ll take some time to study tonight.”
Adora’s head drops to her arms on the table. Muffled, she says, “You barely get it more than I do.”
I clear my throat awkwardly. “Uhh…Trap is gonna come over tomorrow to help me study. If it’s that big of a deal…”
Adora’s head snaps up. “Wait, really?”
I scoff to hide the discomfort growing in my gut. Grumbling I tell her, “Not like you aren’t gonna fucking be here anyway. We can just study here instead of in my room.”
“Thank you Catra! I can’t tell you how much this is gonna save me. If I bring home another B sh- “
“Wait, I’m sorry. You’re freaking out this much over a B?” I knew she was a fucking perfectionist, but I mean, come on.
Suddenly everyone in the room is doubly uncomfortable. Adora is bright red again and I’ve clearly stepped in something. “Uh…well, you know?” I just raise a questioning brow at her. Clearly I don’t know. She clears her throat, but she’s saved from answering further by the front door bursting open.
“Hey kiddos!” Micah calls from the hall. He comes ambling into the room, Angella right behind him. “How’s it hanging in here?” He leans down to drop a kiss on Glimmer’s head and then clasps my shoulder tightly, squeezing once.
“Fine.” Glimmer answers for everyone. “Just studying.”
“Wow, Angella, my love! Can you believe what perfect children we have been blessed with? Adora, Bow, are you kids staying for dinner?”
Bow shakes his head. “Not tonight sir-“ Micah cuts him off with a pointed look. “Uh, Micah. My dads are expecting me home tonight. George junior is home for a long weekend so it’s family bonding time. Actually,” He looks down at his phone. “I should probably get going. But it was good to see you both.” He smiles at our parents and starts packing his back pack.
“Alright, oh for two so far. Adora, what do you say? I’m making my famous chili…” He tells her like that ought to entice her.
“Oh, um, if you’re sure it’s okay.” Like she doesn’t stay for dinner practically every damn night.
“Please! The more the merrier.”
“That would be great then, thanks. Um, anything I can do to help?” I don’t even try to suppress the eye roll. What a fucking brown noser.
“Not a thing champ! I’ll go get started. Angella dear, you want to make the cornbread?”
She gives him a serene and indulgent smile. “If by ‘make the cornbread’, you mean keep you company while you cook, then absolutely darling.” Glimmer mimes retching next to me, what a child. Micah just laughs and they head to the kitchen with a final wink in our direction from Micah.
Glimmer slams her textbook shut and groans. “Ugh, whatever, I’m bored now. Adora, do you wanna watch TV before dinner or something?”
Adora bites her lip nervously. “Uh…”
“Hey, I’m gonna head out.” Bow interrupts, making Glimmer pout up at him. She couldn’t be more obvious if she tried. Lucky for her Bow couldn’t be more oblivious if he tried.
“I can give you a ride if you need Bow!” Adora offers.
“I can take the bus Adora.”
“Nonsense. Glim, you wanna ride along?” Glimmer pretends to think about it for half a second then nods. The tidy up their books while I get back to work, looking forward to the silence that is about to dawn. Then, with a word to our parents about where they’re going, they’re off. Thank fuck.
Of course, one distraction is replaced by another, as I hear my parent’s voices filter in from the kitchen. “…I worry for her.” I hear Angella say, her light English accent strengthening the way it does when she’s particularly emotional.
“I know dear, but there’s really not much else we can do.”
“We could take her in Micah, we have the space.” Who the fuck…?
“I know we do darling, but if Adora won’t report it they won’t do anything.” Of fucking course. Ugh, she already practically lives here and now they’re trying to move her in? My back stiffens as Micah continues. “You remember what it was like with Catra. And there was ah…physical evidence on our side that time.” I flinch at the implication.
“You’re right, I know that you’re right. I just wish…”
“I know you do Angella.” Ugh, they’re in really serious mode if he’s using her first name. “But the best thing we can do for her now is encourage her to come forward. And in the meantime, be a stable presence in her life until she’s ready to do so.”
“I could kill that woman.” I flinch again, Angella is rarely so harsh.
“Easily.” Micah agrees. She sighs deeply in response.
“She’s such a good girl, I’d hate to see Weaver break her.”
“Come on dear, you know Adora is stronger than that.”
“She’s only a child Micah! No child should have to endure- “
He cuts her off as her voice raises. “You’re absolutely right, they shouldn’t. That doesn’t mean Adora can’t. She’s a good kid, and she’ll still be a good kid when she escapes that house.”
It’s quiet after that, but I think I can hear mom sniffling over the clanking of pots and pans. It makes my gut and jaw clench in tandem. I fucking hate it when she cries. Even when it’s not my fault I can feel guilt claw at me from the inside out at the sound. It’s not my fault, I remind myself. Not this time.
“Why are you such a bitch?” Glimmer screams from her bedroom door.
I scoff, remaining cool despite the fire burning in my belly. “I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.”
“Oh yeah? Then how come Adora was practically running out the door when I got here, huh? I think I know what my best friend looks like when she’s upset.”
I roll my eyes art her. “And what makes you think Adora being an emotional wreck is my fault?”
She lets loose a derisive laugh. “Please, everything is your fucking fault.”
Oh, she did not just…. “Those are some mighty broad strokes you’re painting with there, Sparky.”
She stomps one foot, which just invites me to raise a mocking brow at her, and lets out a little scream of annoyance. Without unclenching her jaw, she grits out, “What did you do? ”
“For fuck’s sake Sparkles, I didn’t do anything. We studied, Entrapta left, she hung around waiting for you and then suddenly she was all worked up and said she had to go. Believe me, I’m just as confused as you are.”
“What did you say to her?”
“Nothing!” I laugh, incredulous at her complete inability to fucking get it. I’m not even lying. Entrapta had left, Adora acted all timid and shy and asked if it was okay if she stuck around until Glimmer got home, like I gave a shit. I told her to do what the fuck she wanted, but I had- well, have still- an essay to work on. She sat around on her phone for like, twenty minutes and then all the sudden, she bolts. She’s a fucking idiot and I really don’t see how that’s my fault.
“Catra!” She growls and suddenly starts toward me. It takes me no time at all to dart away and down the stairs. She chases after me and I make it to the kitchen, catching us in a stalemate. Each of us is standing on either side of the kitchen island. We both wait for the other to break right or left. “Why do you hate Adora so much? She’s always so fucking nice to you, as if you deserve it. She should be treating you like the scum of the earth you are!”
She makes me fucking scream! “You bitch, why do you hate me so much? You act like I came in and ruined you perfect fucking little life.”
“Because you did! ”
“Enough! ” Neither of us notices our parents in the doorway to the kitchen until Angella’s voice cuts through the room like a knife. Both of us break our aggressive posture to look at them. Angella is clearly livid, even worse is Micah standing behind her looking positively crestfallen. “This behavior is unacceptable. The both of you to your rooms, now. Your father and I will be up shortly.”
Her tone leaves no room for argument so we both shuffle to our rooms, slamming doors behind us. I curl up on my bed and I am not crying. I’m just…frustrated. I still feel the need to bury my face when my door creaks open fifteen minutes or so later. Based on how much the bed gives I can tell it’s Micha who’s come to talk to me. Good, that means Glimmer is in more trouble- Angella always plays bad cop. Micah only has the stomach for good cop. (If there even is such a thing. Cops are bastards.)
He pats my leg and I can’t fight the instinct to flinch away from the touch. I can practically see the regretful look he gets in his eye when shit like that happens. It’s less often now than when I first moved in, but it still makes my gut churn with nausea and guilt when it happens. Why can’t I be a fucking normal person for once? “Oh kiddo. I-I can’t tell you how disappointed I am with your sister right now. Your mom is talking to her now but…I’ll be having a word with her also.”
That makes me look up, grief weighs heavily in his expression. I sit up, tucking myself into the corner where my bed meets the wall. I stay curled up, but Micah has my full attention. It’s super rare one of us gets talked to by both parents. They usually trust each other to get the point across for the both of them. If they both feel the need to say something…well usually it means Micah is having a lot of feelings about whatever’s gone down.
He looks me right in the eye as he continues. The gaze burns right through me, but I can’t seem to break away. “You deserve kindness Catra.”
He speaks so low that for a moment Glimmer’s hollering cuts in from down the hall. I can’t hear much but I make out, “…used to cry every night after- “
Micah gets up and closes to door to drown out her voice. He sits back down with a sigh. “You deserve kindness and so much more. You’ve endured a lot that no one deserves, and you’re so strong kid.” His earnestness finally becomes too much. I look away, clutching a pillow to my chest and picking at a loose thread. “You didn’t deserve any of that. Your sister knows that, I know that she does. She’s also got your mother’s temper and…” He sighs wearily again. “she’s sheltered. We’ve always wanted to protect her-to protect both of you. But I think sometimes it means that Glimmer lacks the perspective to understand exactly what she’s saying. What her words truly mean. It’s no excuse, and I know my daughter is capable of empathy but…. your sister has a lot to learn.”
I laugh, and I’ll never admit to just how watery and broken up it sounds. “So, what? You’re saying I’m the smarter sibling?”
It works to break the tension a bit and Micah chuckles too. “Hmm, I think both of my children are geniuses. Perhaps you’re a bit more street smart though.” Suddenly more somber again he catches my eye and continues. “Just…know; what Glimmer said to you this evening? It’s not true. You certainly haven’t ruined anyone’s life. Our family is better for having you in it.” I try to ignore the way my bottom lip trembles, focusing on holding back tears.
“Whatever old man, I know I upped your cool factor by about two hundred percent.”
“Hmm…just two hundred? I’d say closer to a thousand.” It gets the laugh out of me I know he was hoping for. “I love ya kiddo.”
I turn my focus back to my loose thread. “Yeah, love you too
Pop.” It’s quiet for a moment, it feels like the conversation is over, but he makes no move to go. It’s like there’s something else he wants to say. “What?”
He huffs and gives me a wry grin. “You’re too sharp for my own good.”
“Whatever, is there something you wanna say or are you gonna get out of my room?”
“Ouch!” He puts a hand dramatically over his heart. “So eager to get rid of me?” I just raise an eyebrow at him, ready for him to spit it out. “Alright, alright, you got me. I did want to ask you about something else we heard.”
“Okay…”
“Well…we heard what Glimmer said about Adora.” So not what I expected him to say, just by the way. “Do you really hate her?”
I sort of grumble/sort of scoff back. “I don’t hate her. I just think she’s an insufferable goody two shoes sometimes. And she’s over here all the time. But I wasn’t being a bitch to her tonight, just by the way. I genuinely don’t know why she up and left, I was just working on homework.”
He considers me and what I’ve said, nodding slowly. “You know, if you two don’t gel that’s okay. Obviously, I expect you to continue to be kind and gracious to her, especially while she’s in our home. But…well, how much do you know about Adora’s home life?”
I scrunch my face up, unclear why he’s asking. “I don’t know, not that much, I guess. I’ve just heard Ms. Weaver can be a real bitch. And I uh…heard you and mom talking in the kitchen the other night. She’s not like…” I clear my throat when the words get stuck. “She’s not hitting her, is she?”
Micah keeps his eyes focused on me as he responds. “No but…there’s a lot of ways to abuse a person kiddo.”
“I know that!” What, he thinks I don’t fucking know that? As if “The Lord of the house” kept his bullshit to- whatever. Micah should know better.
His eyes get all misty at that. Ugh, he’s so fucking emotional. I can’t pretend like his boundless empathy hasn’t benefitted me at times. It can just really be, like…a lot sometimes. “I know you do kiddo, I know you do. I’m just saying if you wanted to reach out, well I’m sure you and Adora would be very well equipped to understand each other in a way many of your peers will never be capable of.”
His words make me feel small. “Oh.”
“Just think about what I said. It’s your call, I won’t bug you about it.”
“Yeah…okay. Can I uh, can I be alone now?”
“Of course, you can Cat.” He reaches over as if to pat me again and his hand hovers in the air awkwardly for a moment before he pulls it back. Wanting to knock the look out of his eye I offer him my pinky. He beams back at me and links it with his own, shaking it a couple times like we did when I was younger. He gets up and heads out, pausing at the door to say, “I’ll let you know when dinner’s ready.”
Then I’m alone. I definitely don’t cry. Just like…a little scream sesh into my pillow. My eyes might be, maybe, a little bit damp after. It’s whatever. Once I’ve chilled out a bit I scroll through my phone until Micah’s voice carries up the stairs. I trudge down and am about to head into the dining room when Angella calls me into the kitchen. She’s standing by the oven, waiting to pull out a tray of rolls.
I stand in front of her and it’s obvious she’s been crying. The smile she gives me is tinged with sadness. She reaches up to cup my cheeks and I close my eyes to block it out. “Oh, my darling, I love you very much.” Her arms cross around my body to pull me in close. I wrap my arms around her in kind, giving into the comfort of the maternal embrace. She turns her head to whisper in my ear, “I’m so very grateful that we found you. Our family would not be the same if we had not.”
“Love you Ma.” I murmur into her chest, knowing she’s heard me by the way she strokes her hand up and down my back.
“I fucking told you I had dibs on the TV today Catra!” Glimmer throws her hands on her hips, face smeared into a snarl. Our friends look on, obviously uncomfortable.
“Glimmer, you fucking idiot, I’ve been talking about this game for weeks. We’re watching it.”
“Great, fine. Watch it somewhere else.”
I scoff at her. “What, like a fucking sports bar? Newsflash numbskull, We’re eight-fucking-teen.”
“Whatever, I still have dibs!” She stomps her foot like the five-year-old she is.
I just scoff at her, like the teenager I actually am. “Gimme a break! You can watch your sappy straight people drivel any time; I’m watching this game.”
“It’s not ‘sappy straight people drivel’, quit being such a dick.”
I give her a look, highly doubtful. “It’s a Netflix romcom, right?”
“So?” She does that stupid thing where she juts her chin out, looking like a defiant kindergartener.
“Yeah, I stand by what I said.”
“I sti- “
Adora steps forward and cuts Glimmer off. Seriously, can she not manage to mind her own fucking business? “What um, what game are you guys watching?” Glimmer looks at her, affronted. “Or uh, trying to watch, or whatever.” She looks to Glimmer for approval and gets an eyeroll from both of us.
“It’s the Mexico versus Germany match soon.” She looks at me blankly. “The world cup?”
Her eyes light up. “Oh! I forgot that was today. It’s supposed to be a good one, right?”
“I mean, duh.” I gesture down to the jersey I’d cut into a crop top and worn for the occasion.
For some reason that makes her blush bright red. What a nerd. “Duh, right. That’s where you’re from isn’t it?” I raise an eyebrow at her, how does she even know that? “I mean, Glimmer I think mentioned on time you moved from Mexico when you were in...ah…grade school?”
“When did I even bring that up?” Glimmer asks, bewildered.
Adora blushes even harder at that. Interesting… “Oh, uhm, it was just like, in passing. Anyway, uh…” She turns to Glimmer with a guilty look. “I um…I sorta wanted to watch that.” She admits under her breath.
“Ha!” Fuck yeah, never mind; Adora can butt in whenever she fucking wants if she’s on my side.
“What? ” Glimmer shrieks, making Adora wince.
“Sorry.”
Finally Bow steps in, Scorpia and Entrapta remaining on the couch, looking on and whispering. He sets a hand on Glimmer’s shoulder. “It does kinda seem like we’re outnumbered here bud.” If Crop Top is on board, I know the deal is done, feeling free to smirk smugly.
“Ugh, this is fucking stupid.” She turns to point a finger in my face. “You’re still a bitch.” The finger swivels in Adora’s direction. “And you’re a traitor.”
Honestly Glimmer’s little show is almost as entertaining at the match. But not quite.
It’s like three AM on a Tuesday when Glimmer bursts into my room, shaking me awake. “Get up! Get up right now! I need you to drive me somewhere. Catra! Now!”
I groan and turn to face her. “What the fuck is going on? I’m asleep.”
“Catra! I don’t have my license yet and we really don’t have time.” She throws sweats and a hoodie at me. “Here, let’s go!”
She’s obviously worked up so, though I’m still trying to get out of this, I start to put the clothes on. “Where am I supposed to be driving you at,” I look at my phone, “three twenty-four in the morning?”
“Adora’s, hurry up.” I scowl, Micah’s words from a few weeks ago floating back to me. She shouldn’t be in any physical danger then, right? Unless something turned. There’s always a tipping point. The thought sobers me up enough to get my ass in gear. “Why didn’t you wake up Micah or Angella?”
“Ugh, because she said I could only come if I promised not to bring mom or dad.”
“Fine, whatever let’s go. You know how to get there?” I shove on my shoes and follow Glimmer out to Angella’s car.
“Yeah, It’s just on 55th and Frighton.”
I nod. “I can get there. Text Micah and Angella so they don’t freak out if they wake up and find us gone.”
“Fine, I’ll text mom and dad.” I roll my eyes as I pull out of the driveway. I’m not sure if she thinks I’m too obtuse to see what she’s doing or if she’s just that much of a priss but I’m fucking over it.
Adora’s neighborhood isn’t too far, but it’s definitely pushing the boundary of school zones. I’m not technically sure she should be going to our school. We pull up to a plain looking bungalow. Before I even turn off the car, we can hear the screaming. Glimmer’s face goes white and I’m sure I’m paler too.
She turns to me with wide eyes. “I’m gonna call her.” She dials the number and I can hear it ring until it gets voicemail. ‘Hi, you’ve reached Adora’s-‘. “Fuck, damnit Adora!” She dials again, just two rings this time and then, ‘Hi, you’ve reach-‘ “Fuck okay, I’m gonna go to the door.”
I put a hand on her arm to stall her. “Glim is that such a good idea? Do you even know what exactly is going on in there?” I look toward the house, feeling uncertain about letting Glimmer go in there.
She shakes her head. “It doesn’t matter. We have to get her out of there.”
She’s got that stupid, stubborn set to her jaw so I just huff. “Fine, do you want me to come with you?”
Now she’s the one who looks uncertain. “No, no I think you should wait here. We can get out of here faster that way.”
“Okay, be quick.”
She nods decisively once and marches to the door. She has to knock a couple times before Adora answers. Her eyes go wide when she sees it’s Glimmer at the door. She winces as a shrill voice rings out into the night, through the open door. “You ungrateful, spiteful child. Calling your little friends over her to rescue you! No one can save you from your failures Adora.” I wince right along with her as she steps out and closes the door behind her.
She and Glimmer argue animatedly for a few minutes. Adora clearly being stubborn, shaking her head emphatically and Glimmer gesturing periodically back at the car. Finally, I decide to intervein. Leaning out the open passenger door window I call over to them, “Hey Greyskull! We having a slumber party tonight or what?”
She looks up sharply and I smirk back. But I try and emote something to her, something that says like…’I get it but it’s time to go’ or like, ‘I get it and I’ll try and make sure Glimmer doesn’t make a big fucking deal about it if you need an out’. I dunno, I’m not sure anyone’s eyes are that expressive. But I try.
But either way she cracks a grin. “Well that depends Hernández, you gonna braid my hair?”
Alright, so the good goody can be funny. I’ll give her the laugh. “If you hurry your ass up. Otherwise you’re gonna be lucky if I don’t fall asleep at the wheel before we ever make it home.” She laughs and says something to Glimmer.
Glimmer nods and turns to give me a grateful look. She follows Adora inside and this time there’s no yelling. It’s probably because Glim went in too. Assholes like that are always cowards. Just a few minutes later they emerge, Adora now equipped with backpack. Glimmer takes the back seat and Adora falls in next to me.
“Ready? Glimmer put your fucking seatbelt on.” She rolls her eyes at me in the rearview mirror but does as she’s told. Adora turns to look at me, her grin wide and grateful, and nods. “Alright, let’s fucking blow this popsicle stand.”
Angella and Micah don’t make any of us go to school the next day. We spend most of it watching movies and kicking it. At some point Glimmer takes Adora into her room so they can talk, and I throw some sandwiches together.
She stays for a few more hours after that, through dinner, but insists on going home after. She tells everyone, “It was just one bad fight, really. I appreciate you letting me stay last night but it’s not a big deal. I still need to go home.” Glimmer puts up a fuss but after dinner she and Micah drive her home. I get the impression Micah plans to have words with Adora’s guardian. I wonder passively what it’s like to have someone like Micah be angry at you. The though makes me shiver.
Adora’s decision to stay with Ms. Weaver continues to be a bone of contention between her and Glimmer. I hear them sniping at each other about it constantly; at school and when Adora hangs out at the house. When Bow’s there he’s usually able to diffuse things but without him things tend to get heated. A few weeks after the initial incident Adora storms out thirty minutes after arriving, leaving a gob smacked Glimmer behind.
I’ve been sitting at the table, trying to gauge and opportunity to zip past them to my room since they stormed in. I’d been trying to get homework done but that clearly wasn’t in the cards. Not in this room at least. Now Glimmer turns to me. “Can you fucking believe her? She’s being so stupid.”
“Uh, yeah I can. You really need to butt out Glim.”
“Excuse me? We showed up to the same house that night, right?”
I roll my eyes at the theatrics. “Duh Glimmer, but just because you think you know best, doesn’t mean you can bully your friends into doing things your way.”
“What, so you think that she should just stay in that house? With that woman.” She looks at me, aghast.
I scoff at her. “Yeah, that’s exactly what I think. No, you fucking idiot. I’m just saying the decision isn’t yours to make. You offered her a place to go, it’s up to her to take it or not. And I may be an asshole but even I know a good friend is supposed to be supportive no matter what. You’re being fucking selfish.”
“What? I’m sorry but wouldn’t you say it’s more supportive to get her out of that hell hole?”
“Not if you’re being a bitch about it.”
“I am not!”
“Glimmer just think about it. Now instead of some bitch picking fights with her every time she goes home; she’s got that plus her best friend picking fights with her everywhere else! Dick move Sparkles.”
“That’s not fair! I want her to be safe. I just don’t understand how she can choose to stay there.”
“It’s not that simple Glimmer.”
“Why not? ”
With her shout I can feel the tension in the room reach a fever pitch and I thunder back at her. “Because that’s not how abuse works, you absolute imbecile!”
She blinks back at me, tears in her eyes. Her voice is shaky when she tells me, “You don’t have to be a bitch about it.”
I run my hands down my face with a sign and rub my eyes. It does little to relieve my tension, but hey, I tried. I continue at a normal volume. “I’m not being a bitch about it Glim, you’re being insensitive. You speak with authority on how an abused person ought to behave, but you have no idea. You won’t even fucking listen to the people in your life who know what it’s like.”
“So why don’t you fucking tell me then Catra, since you’re the expert.”
It makes me scoff. It’s just so like Glimmer to insult me and demand emotional labor in the same breath. “Fuck you Glimmer. I’m going to my room.” I pick up my book, having already stood up at some point in the argument. I leave the room, shoving past Glimmer and knocking into her shoulder as I go. What a fucking tool…
A couple weeks later Adora walks out of the house again. Much calmer but still earlier than she usually does. I don’t think much of it until Glimmer comes and knocks on my open door.
“What’s up Sparky?”
Her demeanor is…curious. She shuffles her feet and avoids eye contact. He eyes are a little red and I wonder if she’s been crying. “Can we talk?”
“Uh…sure. Scorpia’s picking me up in half hour, is that enough time?”
“Oh, uh yeah.” She doesn’t say anything after that, busying herself looking at the posters and photos on my wall. Her eyes linger on a picture of the two of us in front of the house before eight grade graduation. It’s a stupid picture, but we look happy.
“So?” I eventually prompt.
She blinks, like she’s fucking surprised I’m there or something. “Oh, right. Uh…Adora and I talked. Things are…better now. Between us. She said she’ll think about coming to stay here for a while. I mean, I’m not counting on it or anything but…I’m glad she’s gonna think about it at least.”
“Okay…thanks for the update, I guess.”
“She asked me why we fight so much.” That has me raising my eyebrows.
“What did you say?”
“I- well I…I want to be you sister Catra.”
I scrunch up my face, what the fuck? “Uh...yeah I don’t think Micah and Angella gave you much of a choice on that one.”
“See, that!” She points at me. “That right there! Why won’t…why won’t you just accept them?”
“What? What the actual fuck are you talking about?”
“It’s-I- ugh! You only call them Mom and Dad to their faces and it’s just-it’s weird. I don’t get it! And I dunno, I just resented you at first. Not just because I got less attention, but I mean, sure when I was younger that was a thing. But just…ugh, we were so young when everything happened, and Mom cried all the time. I always assumed it was your fault. Every time you would act out or yell at them about how you didn’t love them, and they aren’t your family,” The memories make me gulp down emotion that lodges in my throat. They aren’t memories I’m particularly proud of. “Mom would cry for what felt like hours.
“I…I get it a little more now. She and I talked about it and I guess I realized to a degree before then too. Anyway, I get that it was about what you’d gone through, not what you were saying or whatever. I mean, that’s what she said. So, that’s whatever and we’re older now and I understand what was happening a little better. But you still keep them at arm’s length, and they love you so much.”
“Are you finished?” I fight to keep my voice level as emotions wage war inside of me.
“I-yeah.” She gives a small nod.
“Glimmer, you’re a fucking idiot. That’s an awful lot of assumption to make based on what I call our parents. And I’m not sure if you’ve noticed but they don’t give a shit. We’ve talked about it, they understand, and they don’t care.”
Glimmer’s brow is furrowed. “You have?”
I roll my eyes. Of course, if Glimmer doesn’t witness something it means it hasn’t even happened. “Yeah, Sparky, we have. I didn’t meet them until I was nine, and they didn’t take me in until two years later. It doesn’t feel super natural to call them that all the time. Also…Glim, I have two moms.”
She scrunches her nose up. “What?”
“Come on ding dong, I know you can get there. You realize I didn’t come out of Angella’s cooch, right?”
“Ew! Oh, wait, so you mean your birth mom?”
“Yeah, don’t fucking call her that, thanks. She wasn’t some chick who got pregnant in high school and gave me up without ever meeting me or something. She’s my fucking mother.”
“O-oh, sorry.”
That gets her an eye roll. “Whatever. So yeah, I have two moms and Angella respects that. She’s met her and holds space for her. Damn sight more than any other foster parent has ever done for her…. Or for me.”
“Met her.” Fuck, she’s an idiot.
“We go to her grave on her birthday genius.”
“Oh…why don’t we go as a family?” Honestly it never occurred to me before that Glimmer would give a shit. So, I just shrug.
“You can meet her if you want.”
She reaches over and puts a hand on my arm. I’m surprised at the contact and look up to see a soft look I’ve never seen on her face before. She looks like Angella in that moment. “I’d really like that Catra.”
It’s Friday and I don’t have shit to do. Micah is at some business dinner and Angella and Glimmer are going to the outlet mall and won’t be home till after dinner. They left me pizza money so I’m about to pig out and melt my brain with video games all night. Someone knocks at the door and I get pumped for food, only to find Adora on the other side of the door.
“Oh, hey Greyskull.”
“Catra! Hi.” I gotta admit, the girl has a nice smile. Bright and cheery and sweet enough to make your tooth ache. But there’s also something entirely mischievous under the surface.
“Uh…what’s up?”
“Oh! Right. Is Glimmer here? She was gonna um, help me with something.”
“Yeah, no, you must have gotten your wires crossed. She’s out with Angella, up at the outlet mall.”
“Shoot, okay um, do you know when they were getting- “
She gets cut off by the Domino’s guy sneaking up behind her. We greet each other and exchange cash for pizza. I watch Adora watching him go, biting her lip nervously. What comes next is a snap decision, barely even a decision at all really. “Yeah, I dunno when they’re getting back but you can wait if you want.” A raise the boxes in my hands slightly. “I have garlic knots.”
She grins again, and yeah, I might like that a little more than I care to admit. “You sure?”
“For now, get in here before I change my mind Greyskull.” She smiles wider and follows after.
And that’s how we find ourselves several hours later, plopped on the chair and beanbag in my room, duking it out with an evil alien attempting to invade our planet. “Greyskull! You’re so fucking reckless. You can’t just run out into the open- “
“I’m winging it! Stop criticizing me woman!” She’s laughing and trying to elbow me while also trying to avoid getting slayed by the clones her little stunt attracted.
“Stop being such an idiot then!” I laugh at her, watching her stick her tongue between her teeth like she has every other time she’s dominated this game. And sure as shit she manages to kill off like, twenty clones in just a couple moves.
“You were saying?” She asks, smug as all get out.
I pause the game and give her a little shove. “Shut the fuck up. I need more water, you want?”
She looks at her own glass and chugs the last quarter. “I’ll come with you.”
We bustle down the stairs, just laughing. Who knew Adora Greyskull could be so fun? “I still can’t believe that first boss! That fucking move with your sword? What the fuck was that?”
“A girl’s got to have her secrets Catra.” I turn around to look at her and she winks. Totally chill, not a big deal, I have absolutely no feelings about that.
“Adora?” We look up to see Glimmer and Angella standing at the island, several bags spread out between them. When the fuck did they get home?
“Glimmer! Hi!” So, she’s definitely being weird…
“What are…you doing here?” Glimmer asks slowly, looking between us.
“Lovely to see you dear.” Angella interrupts, picking up several bags and walking out. She pauses in the doorway to hug Adora and kiss the top of my head.
“Adora?”
“Oh, yeah I thought we were gonna work on that, um the thing today. For bio?”
Glimmer’s face drops. “Oh shoot, sorry Adora. Did you not get my texts?” Adora flushes bright red at that. Interesting…
“Oh, uh, well not at first. So.”
“Not at first?” I clarify, ready to tease her but also wondering…what the fuck? How long did she know Glimmer had no intention of doing that project? Then again, how late had it gotten? Damn, nearly nine. So, they probably weren’t gonna end up working on it either way. At some point she wasn’t really waiting around for Glimmer anymore, was she?
“Well, when I went to the bathroom, um I saw.”
I resist the urge to tease and just smirk at her. “Got it.” Okay, maybe I’m teasing a little.
“So…what have you guys been doing?”
I shrug at Glimmer. “Eh, Dora got here the same time as the pizza. We ate and played some video games. Greyskull here is a fucking wild thing with a sword.”
“Psh, whatever.” Yeah, whatever yourself Adora. She’s clearly flattered by the compliment.
“Right…I’m gonna go put some stuff in my room. Adora, you want to see the dress I got for the spring formal?”
“Oh, uh su-sure. Um, I’ll see you later Catra?”
“Probably.” And with that Glimmer whisks her upstairs. Yeah, they’re definitely gonna talk about me.
I’m not really able to decide how I feel about that.