road between

“Yeah. I guess that’s why I went for one of the individual ones. That and I just don’t do well with living with other people. Because it’s not just outer space I’m a big fan of, it’s the personal kind too,” Kat explained, letting out a short laugh at her own bad joke. It was Annie’s next comment that made her feel like her stomach was tying itself in knots though. Had she overstepped when they were away. No, she wouldn’t have brought the flowers if that was the case. So did that mean she was interested? And if that was the case, Kat couldn’t tell if that made things better or worse. “Right. That. Look... I get that it was pretty unexpected. And I – ghosting on you was a pretty shitty thing to do, I get that and I’m sorry. But...” she trailed off again, needing to steady her thoughts. “Things with me are messy Annie. You don’t want to get caught up in it.”

Whatever, it wasn’t a first date with me so he must not have thought much of it other than wow how surprising this small girl is not ordering a salad. Mkay, it’s good that you love yourself because I don’t.

Listen, ok - just fuckin’ listen - whenever you go to a restaurant, an honest to god actual nice sit down restaurant, please don’t order chicken tenders and fries. Or like… mac and cheese. Don’t let anyone you’re eating with order that shit either. Like please love yourself.

K: i mean i kinda get that. idk normally with me i feel romantic potential first and then i kinda bury it down deep because i don’t want to let myself get attached. K: i’m gonna try and ignore the fact that you’re making jokes when i’m spilling my guts to you. K: someone already has wound up in one because of me. see my problem now.

Kat felt almost as awkward accepting the flowers as Anne-Marie seemed in presenting them. It wasn’t that she didn’t appreciate the gesture, that wasn’t it at all. It was just she’d never really been a flowers kind of girl. How was she supposed to tell the girl she didn’t even have a vase to keep them in? But that could wait she decided, taking the bouquet from her and stepping aside to let her in, setting the flowers on the counter as she returned. It took a few moments for Kat to notice the other smoothing herself over with Cash bouncing around her feet at the sight of a new person. “Leave her be, would ya. C’mere now.” What should have been an easy to answer question took Kat aback more than usual. “I’ve been...” pausing as she searched for the right word, trying to decide whether to be honest or play it off. “Kinda frazzled, I guess. Lost in my thoughts really. Like there’s a maze goin’ on inside my head and I’m trying to find my way out. How about you?”