Φ | PERFECTION.

she moves another step forward, looking up and him. henry was a mystery – a challenge, in a way. someone who would take time, effort even to win over. and then break the heart of. but, the build up to the payout would be nice, she had no doubt.

“like i said, she’s a bitch.” she falls silent, trying to recall how this worked, empathy, of course. she clears her throat, “my dad killed my mom. they said it was an accident, he did a few months and then got out. it wasn’t fair.” there is genuine feeling in her voice and she hates it, hates the weakness.

“i don’t like men because they’re all the same – they lie and take and they break and hurt people – people who don’t deserve it.” she grits her teeth together, turning away to wipe her eyes.  like hell she was going to admit to crying over this. it wasn’t something she enjoyed sharing, but if she was going to win his friendship, she had to make sacrifices, she supposed.

she’s silent for a few moments.  “do you have someplace warmer i can go?” she asked, frowning at him, “it’s cold and a long walk back to the train station.”

Φ | Henry stays quiet as she divulges her backstory, knowing a phrase along the lines of “I’m not like that” would just send her over the edge.  She does not look like one to internalize rage––but she is hurting, just like him, and his heart aches for them both.  He closes his eyes, lets the draft blow over them for a moment as she mentions the chill.

she scoffed, “no, i don’t, but you sure as hell make me curious about it.”

a beat, mulling over his words as he retreated. “is it because of a girl?” cat calls after him, “that’s what it usually is to guys isn’t it? a girl who hurt you? and i remind you of her.” she steps forward, her arms crossed, “I get it, you don’t like me because of that, boo fucking who.” a frown curling her red lips.

she huffs, looking at the ground, a sharp exhale, “she was probably a bitch, anyway. i’m a bitch. but at least i'm honest about it.” 

Φ | He stops walking, listening to her without wanting to.  She hits the damn nail on the head.  His fists clench as he remembers, and he pushes down tears.  His breathing hitches and his heart aches.  He turns and looks at her, sees her glowering at the ground.

it’s not the fact he got upset that keeps her up, it’s the curiosity over the why. she has theories, a bad relationship (very bad, apparently) as a much as she enjoys tormenting people, the guy’s kind of… sad. he’s smart, but sort of pathetic in his own way. she doesn’t feel guilt, just interest and curiosity.  it isn’t hard to find him – everyone’s housing was listed on the board, after all. it takes a couple of hours; the train went fast, but still drug on, and so she occupies her time with a book.

finding him in epsilon is not difficult and she makes her way to where she had been directed. her lips curl into a smirk, and she raises her hands, as if in mock surrender. “i come in peace.” she says to him, shoving her hands back in her coat pockets, “mostly, anyway. i’m wearing heels and i’d rather not run after you, so be a good man and just sit tight.  you can even have your space.” there’s a hint of amused smugness in her tone.

“what was that, anyway?  that little ‘freak out’ you had?  i just want to understand why you don’t like me.” the lips move into a pout, “people usually think i’m very pretty and nice – i just want to know why you don’t.”

Φ | He’s just calmed down from his panic attack and stepped outside for no more than ten minutes when he hears her voice again.  He immediately stiffens up again and moves away, half-glaring at her.  She sounds snarky and smug, and he already dislikes it.

cat stumbles back, landing on the ground with a noise of annoyance.  she watches him leave.  if one looked close, they might see concern flicker across her face.  but if they weren’t quick enough, there was nothing besides anger––and, perhaps, curiosity.

the reaction points towards a panic over her – specifically her, or perhaps who she reminded him of. he hadn’t been fond of her near him during the game either – or before that, he was uneasy. at first it was amusing, but now it is somewhat troubling as she watches him vanish. 

“interesting.” she mutters, before standing up and brushing the dirt (imaginary and real) off of her black sweater and pants.  she heads in the opposite direction to think. maybe an apology was in order.

Φ | He does not stop running until he’s ran a good three blocks, at which point his lungs finally scream in protest loud enough for him to hear through his blind and deaf panic.  He staggers to lean against a building’s wall, hand over his mouth to try and retain moisture so he’d stop coughing through the taste of iron.  It takes him a good few minutes, but he manages to regain his breath.  His hair sticks to his neck and temples, and his hands still shake.  He looks up at the sky almost pleadingly, begging for the gods of the world to stop laughing at his misery.

cat is just glaring at him, and gets uncomfortably into his bubble, wrapping her arms around his neck, holding him close, “I don’t take loss…kindly.” her voice is a hiss, eyes narrowed.

Φ | Usually, Henry considers himself a gentleman, but as she moves closer, closer, as his heart starts pounding in his chest––

     ( get away get away get awaygetawaygetawayGETAWAYGETAWAYGETAWAYGETOFF G E T O F F–– )