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The hallways of Bright Moon High buzzed with activity as usual. Some teenagers talked about graduating in the summer. Members of sports teams bantered by the lockers, joking and having a good time. Theater kids showed off their acting skills to each other. Walking through one hallway was a short girl in a sequin shirt and denim shorts - Glimmer.
Glimmer was carrying her books to her locker when Catra approached. The taller girl was leaning against the neighboring locker, smirking. Catra wore a leather jacket, red tank top, and ripped jeans. Her messy brown hair was in a ponytail.
"Hey, Sparkles," Catra said.
Glimmer opened her locker. "You couldn't resist, could you?" She rolled her eyes, feigning annoyance.
"No. You're too cute to resist. Anyway, history class was so boring. If I had to listen to the history teacher drone on and on for another hour, I'd fall asleep," Catra said, crossing her arms.
Glimmer cracked a grin. "Yeah, because you'd rather listen to your favorite music on your smartphone."
"Yep."
"And speaking of music, how's guitar practice going?"
Catra stepped closer, the movement subtle. "It's been good. If you want, I could play the guitar and you could listen."
Glimmer's heart fluttered at the proximity. Her gaze trailed over Catra's defined facial features. Catra seemed to notice, as the taller girl flashed a grin.
"See something you like, cutie?" Catra teased.
"I was, um, imagining you play the guitar," Glimmer lied.
The truth was that Glimmer couldn't take her eyes off of Catra's angular face, straight nose, and those lips. And she was committing those freckles to memory.
"Your expression says otherwise," Catra said. She then tucked a strand behind Glimmer's ear.
Glimmer's heart skipped a beat. Catra's fingertips moved along the shorter girl's jawline. The brunette leaned in, their faces inching closer. The bell rang just before their mouths met. As Glimmer opened her mouth to speak, Catra started walking to class. With a glance over the shoulder, Catra winked.
Glimmer's cheeks heated up. She hurried to the next class, her mind replaying the encounter. Once inside the classroom, she sat next to Adora and Bow. Hopefully, they didn't notice the blush. Besides, Catra could be flirting to get a rise out of her, not explore something serious. The brunette could choose someone like Scorpia or Adora.
"You're blushing," Adora pointed out.
"Let me guess. Catra was flirting with you," Bow said.
Glimmer huffed, opening her algebra textbook. She pretended to fixate on the words and confusing equations. A minute or two later, she peeked at Bow and Adora. They were smiling.
"I told you guys, Catra's not interested," Glimmer said.
"Oh, come on," Adora replied, chuckling. "She likes you."
The chatter faded to silence as the teacher began teaching algebra. Glimmer sometimes received looks from Adora and Bow. It wouldn't be surprising if they came up with an idea to set her up with Catra. The minutes dragged on until the bell rang. Time for physical education - her least favorite class. The only reason she tolerated it was because Catra happened to be in that one.
Glimmer went to the next class and changed in the locker room. Catra was wearing yet another tank top, this time with shorts. Glimmer couldn't help but notice how toned Catra's arms were. Glimmer and Catra followed the other girls into the gym. The teacher was talking about fitness as usual. Then, the students were told to run laps. Glimmer groaned as she began running. She was slower than the other girls. One of them giggled before tripping her.
Catra confronted the girl who tripped Glimmer. She told the girl to back off. Then, she helped Glimmer up. The brunette was strong.
"Are you okay?" Catra asked.
"Yeah. Thanks," Glimmer replied.
"That girl thinks it's funny to be mean to you." Catra glared at the girl, who was now talking to the teacher. "She's acting smug about it."
"Well, at least you have my back."
"I wasn't going to let her get away with hurting you, princess."
At the nickname, warmth bloomed within Glimmer's chest. There was something endearing about the way Catra said it. For the rest of the class, they stuck together in case the mean girl tried to bother Glimmer again.
The rest of the day whizzed by. Glimmer was now walking to the bus in the afternoon, dwelling on what Catra did. The brunette had been quick to defend her. Speaking of Catra, a brown blur sped past her. It was Catra again. Glimmer followed her and they sat together. While they were riding the bus, they stole glances at each other. Then, as the vehicle took a turn into a neighborhood where Glimmer lived, Catra spoke up.
"Want to go out together tonight?" Catra asked.
"You mean, a date?" Glimmer replied.
"Yes."
Evening came. Glimmer got ready for the date, wearing a blouse and a skirt. She brushed her hair to one side and curled it. Soon, the doorbell rang. She made her way downstairs and approached the door. Her mother, Angella, lingered by the archway that led to the living room.
"Are you going to dinner with a friend?" Angella asked.
"Yes. It's Catra," Glimmer replied.
"So, she's picking you up?"
"She is."
"Be back before curfew. And be safe."
Glimmer opened the door, revealing Catra. Catra was wearing a suit. The shirt underneath had an undone tie. The brunette looked so dashing in the suit.
"Hi," Glimmer said as she followed Catra to the car.
"Hey, princess." Catra opened the door for Glimmer.
Glimmer scooted inside the car and put on the seat belt. The car radio was playing rock music. Catra got in the driver seat and began driving. The city lights were a blur as they made their way to the downtown area. There were some historical buildings here and there.
The duo reached their destination. It was an elegant restaurant with beautiful furnishings and polite waitresses. One waitress led Glimmer and Catra to a table near the window. Outside, the streetlights illuminated the roads and passing cars. The restaurant's classical music was subtle.
"You look beautiful tonight," Catra said as she rested a hand on top of Glimmer's.
"Thanks," Glimmer replied, smiling. "Anyway, how long have you had feelings for me?"
"A while."
"So, what drew you to me?"
Catra took a sip of her water before answering. "Your smile, your kindness, and your fiery personality."
Glimmer grinned at the description of herself. "That got your attention, huh? I've had feelings for you, too. You're not afraid to stand up for those you care about. You're strong and attractive."
They were about to continue the conversation when a waitress walked up to them. Glimmer and Catra ordered the food, and then the waitress left. As the evening passed, the two girls bantered and flirted. Once they finished dinner and ate dessert, they stood. Catra took Glimmer's hands and drew her closer.
Their bodies were mere inches apart. Without a second thought, they kissed. Catra's arms encircled Glimmer's waist. Glimmer moved her hands to Catra's upper back. The spicy scent of Catra's cologne wafted in the air, mingling with Glimmer's floral scent. Within minutes, they parted, taking deep breaths.
"Wow," Catra said.
"Yeah, wow," Glimmer replied.
"You're a great kisser."
"And you're the only one I would kiss."
"Likewise." Catra took Glimmer's hand. "Ready, princess?"
"Of course." Glimmer and Catra walked outside.
Catra took out a guitar from the backseat of her car and led Glimmer to a nearby park. They sat on a bench, and Catra began strumming the guitar. Glimmer listened to the beautiful tune. Soon, Catra started singing. It was such a captivating sound. Several minutes later, the music and the singing faded.
"That was wonderful," Glimmer said.
"Thanks," Catra replied.
They chatted for an hour, and once it was thirty minutes past eight, they went to the car. Catra drove Glimmer home, and accompanied her to the front door. It had been an amazing evening with the girl Glimmer loved. They shared another kiss, and she walked inside the house.
Glimmer thought about Catra and the entire date. Her heart was aflutter. She imagined spending more time with her in the near future. There were more dates to look forward to.