matchlessmatlin

[matchlessmatlin]

text || devil

Becky: You have got to be kidding me. Your petty vengeance tirade needs to stop, Katie. By the way, I think you should rethink that; I highly doubt you of all people would ever be considered a protagonist. Twist things all you want, but you're not going to succeed in ruining my life.

Katie: It's not a matter of vengeance. The pedestal you hold yourself on is nothing more than hilarious. It's funny that you should say that, have you even you read the book in its entirety? Most have received your character to be-- self absorbed, selfish, and any other word containing "self". Highly befitting if you ask me. It's not a twist. We slept together recently, and it was vanilla at best.

[matchlessmatlin]

text || devil

Becky: /Seriously/? You wanted to make sure I got back safely? Look, nothing has changed. What happened -- didn't happen, and I still want that book off the shelves. Are we clear?

Katie: And here I thought you'd come to your senses. Whether you like it or not, this books is going to be sold. I hope you like the revised copy that will be making an appearance on book shelves within the year. I'm already working on a new chapter. The protagonist sleeps with the suburban housewife. You might like it.

[matchlessmatlin]

text || devil

Becky: Aren't you lucky. Yes, I got that from your derisive tone. What do you want? I went back home like you wanted.

Katie: I'm not even sure frankly. I just wanted to make sure you got back safely. Although, you can cut out the attitude.

[matchlessmatlin]

text || devil

Katie: I'm going out on a limb and assuming this is still your number. Considering you've never exactly been a fan of changes-- your sexuality aside, I have an inkling I'm right. Is there any chance you're going to speak to me. With the way things were left, I thought it would be mature of is. And in case you haven't realized by now, this is Katie. The crazy lesbian that corrupted you. The same one you fucked in your hotel shower. Hope I was clear enough.

[matchlessmatlin]

hang on to the reverie || broadwaybaker

Becky: wasn’t going to give in to Katie’s resentful stares and make eye contact, but she also wasn’t about to back down. Though she was still unsure as to why the other woman had shown up to her hotel room in the first place, she certainly wasn’t going to stand by and watch her glare at her with any reason why. Sure, maybe she had been a bit upfront and suffocating, but that was who Becky was; especially when she was infuriated with something. She was normally quite the vibrant person day to day, but when it came to something not going her way; well, that was a whole different story entirely. She could keep her temper for quite some time without breaking her composure at all because her way of dealing with problems was much more manipulative than what people would have assumed from her usual demeanour. However, that proved to be rather difficult when the woman in front of her was staring into her very soul with anger. Katie’s angry expression had never been one that Becky had enjoyed, and she was the only people who could actually intimidate her into backing down if she ever would do so. The only thing that was keeping her from shutting the door in Katie’s face was the hope that she may have come to talk about what retracting her book or something along those lines. Becky worked hard to get what she wanted and was a very determined person, and she knew that Katie was quite aware of the fact. Perhaps she was just looking like she wanted to kill Becky because she knew she had been worn down and lost the silent fight that they had been having with each other for quite some time. The reassurance of such accusations in her mind were pretty much lost when Becky finally made eye contact with the raven-haired girl. Right when their eyes met, it wasn’t long before a sarcastic movement of Katie’s eyes were made, and a scoff of disdain left Becky’s lips. She would’ve retaliated immediately but the water in the bathroom was currently being wasted and she didn’t want to let it run for much longer in fear that the hotel might bill her for it. Taking the top of her towel in her hand, she lifted it up to make it sturdier around her body and reached for the door handle to go and close it. Her action was disrupted as soon as Katie’s malignant words spit out of her mouth. The surprise from hearing her voice halted Becky in closing the door, but instead she let go of the handle and crossed her arms, almost mirroring Katie’s posture. Throughout their reconnection, although that wasn’t exactly the right word to describe their dynamic, Becky had usually been the one spurring out anything that could possibly get the other woman to stop writing about the pair. While Katie had thrown in her fair share of insults, she hadn’t seen the venom and the frustration that was usually just hidden behind the expression on her face as Becky went on about various reasons why she shouldn’t be doing what she was doing. She couldn’t say she wasn’t surprised by Katie’s words to go home, but at the same time they took her slightly aback, if only because she had assumed that Katie hadn’t cared at all. While in previous years she would have retorted or ended up in bed with the woman after a fight such as this one, Becky stood her ground as Katie continued to shoot out various hostile words. She wanted to close the door in her face, but that would mean that she would have won. While Katie had been the one person that she would do anything for even if it contrasted with her own control complex, that was in college when she was looking for anything that would differentiate her from her childhood full of sheltered and protective parents and beliefs. Katie was the enigma of everything she had wanted be in college; she had always been inevitable to Becky, if only because when she was with her in college, nothing else mattered except doing everything that she had never done with her. Katie was the escape from her privileged life and her way into one that was much more adventurous and carefree than she had ever known. The woman may have driven her crazy, but she also balanced her out in ways that she would probably never even begin to figure out herself. This was why although she would never voice it, Katie’s words did hurt. While her expression was usually graced with cheery smiles, in the current situation that normality was replaced with one that was of disbelief and frustration. Katie wasn’t going to get rid of her novel, she was just telling Becky to leave. While she wanted nothing more than to go back home and back to her husband, there was a hold that was keeping her in New York; a magnet that wouldn’t seem to let her pull away. As Katie continued, she didn’t say anything but simply kept her arms crossed and her expression steady. It was only when her full name was said that her expression slightly faltered, and her arms fell to either side of her. She wouldn’t normally give Katie such a rise, but Becky knew that Katie was aware of how much she loathed when people called her that, and that she was only doing to it make her angry in the first place. Shaking her head, she continued to say nothing. Becky always had something to say, but she was currently frozen in place and she wasn’t entirely sure why that was. Shifting her eyes, she noticed people walking down the hallway and so she hid behind the doorway just a little bit more. The last thing she needed was for people to find out that she was one of the main characters of Katie’s book and spread it around; that conversation was definitely not one she wanted to have with Rob or her parents. “Not until you--“she started to negotiate in a soft but aggressive whisper to keep the stares at bay. Her words her hastily interrupted when the other woman pushed her way into the room, and Becky stepped back; not to let her through, but simply because she didn’t want her towel to fall and it was something that she hadn’t expected from Katie. “What are you doing?” She asked absentmindedly, disoriented from her old flame standing in her hotel room. Her words came out in more confusion than she had anticipated, but she wasn’t about to retract them. Gulping, she turned around and took the free moment from Katie’s gaze to not only close the door, but also to find her bearings. “How about we talk about this rationa-“she started again before she was cut off. Though she had been nothing but rational ever since first reading Katie’s article in the newspaper, she had been living in such a high standard of living for so many years now that she had gone back to her ways of trying to be as cordial as she possibly could; though it would evidently be a lot more difficult with Katie. Becky didn’t appreciate being interrupted, and her expression turned back to one of irritation as soon as she was. Her nose crinkling as soon as Katie expressed demands once again, the tall blonde let out a small laugh; not trying to ease the tension that was so very evident, but to mock the words that Katie had just said. “What, you want me to walk out now while I have no clothes on?” She pondered, trying to look back at the other pair of blue eyes but failing as Katie’s orbs were a little too fixated on the bland carpet. “I think I’ll stick around for a while. I’m enjoying meeting such interesting people,” she continued, offering up a bright but fairly sarcastic smile as she tilted her head slightly. “Is that all?” she asked as she continued to stand her ground, but she cleared her throat as Katie stepped towards her and looked back up to her. She hadn’t actually locked gazes with her for so long that the other pair of blue eyes were unfamiliar, almost haunting even; yet she still could never fully forget them. Almost as if they were having a never-ending staring contest, Becky waited for her to answer the question, but it didn’t happen. The atmosphere of the room was one that was filled with resentment and yet, she couldn’t look away. Her gaze only fell when a hand grabbed her towel and pulled it off, and she immediately gasped out of disbelief that Katie had really just done that. The surprised expression only lasted a mere moment, however, and it was quickly replaced with one of anger once again. She didn’t even grab the towel back from Katie, but just stood there with an expression on her own face that was usually foreign to her. “Really? Are you really that immature?” She spat out, her gaze only meeting Katie’s again for a couple of seconds. While she should have been mortified at the thought of Katie seeing her exposed, she felt nowhere close to that because of how many times she had seen it before; it was nothing new. Because of this, she simply turned around and started heading towards the bathroom where it was probably fairly steamy from the length of time that the water had been running. “Fine, you can stand there in bitterness while I go take my shower. I’d rather not waste the hotel’s warm water,” she noted, running her hands through her long blonde locks as she headed back over to the bathroom door. Remembering about the fact that she had nothing over-top her, she turned back around and grabbed the towel from Katie’s hand. “And I’ll take that, thank you,” she sneered, taking the towel and draping it over her arm as she turned back around towards the direction of the bathroom.

Katie: wanted to leave, it would be better for the two of them if she had. A millions of reasons surrounded them in favor her simply making her exit. A loss of anger could be forgotten on cue. Katie could simply chalk it up to old habits. That's exactly what she and Becky were to one another now. Regardless of the extent of her feelings, they were tired mishaps. She wanted to think a part of herself cared about Becky in the present. Her adoration had always been at greatest esteem when concerning her. It was the sole reason that none of her later relationships worked out. Most of her time had been spent picking apart every minute detail. The raven-haired woman would find any and every reason why the girls weren't to her liking. “It's not you, it's me,” had been a phrase she'd used more often than not. While the truth remained in it every time, it was beyond cliché. The very word was one that Katie despised. Everything about her could identified by the six letters. Most women her age were engaged at the very least healthy relationships. The impending possibility of weddings were hanging in the horizon for them; yet, she had no prospects. Aside from one relationship, she hadn't been able to maintain anything longer than a few months. There was one woman, she reminded Katie of Becky in more ways than she'd have liked to admit. The same temperamental state was one they were constantly in, teetering between being grounded while losing all control. To anyone that didn't know the women they'd appear completely well-kept. Everything about them was in tiptop shape; however, Katie was excessively aware of her ability to push the balance. Watching the two lose their control was something she thrived on, it ultimately made bedroom encounters more intense. In the end, they both left her. Having found someone ideally like Becky hadn't worked for her in the end. She was still alone and lost. Never would she admit that. If others thought she was comfortable in herself, than she'd show them it. She'd learned the tricks of the chameleon, but none other than the woman before had ever fully known the real her. Undoubtedly, if the wide-eyed girl couldn't stick by her, no one could. Corrupting Becky had always been something in which she relished. The girl hadn't known what had hit her, but after the fact she'd grown to genuinely care about her; however, she cared more about everything else in the end. The partying wasn't something she could throw away. Don't even mention the drugs, they were what kept her going. Had she been a dreamer, much like the girl she'd first fallen in love with was, she'd have easily found refuge in their love. A feeling as strong as she'd possessed had the power to fix any and every problem. That's how the stories go, but Katie knew that wasn't the case. If she couldn't do things for herself, no love or person could. All her life she'd spent blaming Becky for leaving her. In reality a thank you would have sufficed. Their breakup would have been a wake up call to many. Instead it was a crutch for her. All her ailing relationships were blamed on it. Everything had been the fault of Becky. It was simply how it went. Maybe it was something she'd put too much stock in and pushed others away. She didn't know but the catalyst for her every breakup had mentally never been her own. She was internally knocked off her game by the familiarity of their circumstance. Many arguments had been had between them. Tantrums had been thrown in their younger days. All the while they'd always kept their grounding. Becky was the only person that could hold her own to Katie. Most simply fell to the wayside in fear. She never fully understood why, because she never came off as a scary individual. That'd never seemed to faze the other woman, at least she'd thought as much. In all sense of truth, she was the one that was often scared. Of what, she never actually knew. Possibly she was terrified of pushing her too far. A shove in the wrong direction left them at their end. All of her precautions were done so in vain. The result had always been the same. That was them standing toe to toe. They were so close yet so far. While they they were of physical proximity they were a million miles apart. She was still alone, and Becky had built a life that she'd been dead-set on destroying. Now, she was simply trying to keep herself afloat by any means necessary. On the bright-side, she'd delved deep into her writing. Hours un-end were spent at tapping on the keys of her keyboard. Backspace had been a word she'd known too well; although, it wasn't one of any use in her real-life. It was only in recreating and editing her past. Becky had been right once before. She'd called her out for being obsessed with her. In part that may held some truth. It was more or less the happy moments that she strove to get back. The moments that were had before everything else. No drugs were in their systems. The outside world didn't exist. It was those times she wanted to relive again on loop. In those seconds, she was genuinely happy, and that's what she wanted. Ultimately it was all associated with Becky, but she just wanted happiness. A book was something she'd always wanted for herself. Writing was a background hobby of her own. Growing up it had been everything, but the moment college happened it lost all precedence in her life. Why she'd thought it was wise to uncover the married woman, she couldn't answer. It wasn't a matter of her own maturity of lack of, she couldn't stop herself. It was like in a moment they were yet again college students. The banter that had lead them to engage in sensual activities had clouded her judgment. Much like every other moment in her life, she wasn't caught in the present. Even as Becky berated her she was still somewhere between. Nothing that resembled rationality had been present in her actions. That was a given considering she'd arrived before at the woman's hotel room. Her maturity may have been lost as well. “Oh, I've seen it all before anyway,” she quipped, though she still didn't chance a glance at her. She didn't trust herself to look. She almost felt like an adolescent boy who was torn between venturing on and back pedaling. When Becky took the towel from her, she couldn't help an involuntarily chuckle. The euphoria of it all amused her more than she'd thought possible, but it was her own actions that were the most intriguing. She'd managed to hold a certain respect for her even though she'd removed the towel. It wasn't until she'd was making a clearing that couldn't hold out any longer. Watching the blonde walk away, she finally took a chance to take in everything that she'd been avoiding. Swallowing hard, she tried to ignore just how beautiful she was. More to the point, it was impossible to not reminiscent about the many times she'd kissed every inch of the pale skin. Not even a smidgen of the surface had been left untouched. Once they were done, once more they had began again. It was an endless cycle with them, but that was the past. Now she was with another, a man named Rob. His name alone screamed of the mediocre that surrounded them. She wasn't egotistical enough to think that she was the best at what she did. Nevertheless, she knew that she had to be better than a man with such a simple name in a far simpler suburban life. Shaking her head, she tried to bury her thoughts. The last thing she needed was to fixate on that part of their lives. “Look, just get out of here before tomorrow. I would love to finish my weekend in peace. Is that too much to ask for?” Her voice was calm, giving nothing away. Not even a curse was needed to convey her point, she'd already began calming herself. “ I don't want to see again.” The lie was obvious to anyone other herself. Immediately she turned on her heels. The bland carpet was no longer enough to appease her. She couldn't concentrate on anything other than the backside of her ex-girlfriend. In dire of need of a break, she exited the room. She hadn't even concerned herself with closing the door properly. Clearing her head was much more of an issue for her. Her back pressed to the wall while she mentally berated herself. Mostly, she just felt a flourish of unadulterated anger. It all soared through her veins on account of the woman that undoubtedly was found under the shower head by now. She'd already disrupted her once before, but she couldn't contain her frustrations. How dare Becky try to pay her off or anything else. It was completely disrespectful. She didn't need or want her moment. Ends were met easily on her behalf. The insults were wearing thin before she threw caution to the wind. Preparing to bang on the door once more, she made her way back to her room. Luckily, she'd left the door cracked. For a second it dawned on her of the fright she could put Becky through. Even she didn't deserve that, but she didn't stop. Purposely she slammed the door loudly, letting her presence be known. “You're not just going to get rid of me that easily,” she shouted off the hum of the water. Pulling the curtain back, she immediately wished she'd decided otherwise despite the sight she found. The water perfectly cascading off the woman's body. The sputter of water hit her face and instantly began soaking her clothes. Slamming her against the cold tiles, she became overwhelming drenched. A better plan of action should have been made as she made her way into the shower. On spot she could have easily slapped her. She wanted to. Perhaps she should have been concerned with the abundantly warm water causing her clothes to slack. Right off the bat they began sticking to her body, but she didn't care. All of her focus was on the other woman. Every moment of heartache was rearing it's head with every contradiction of happiness. Each had been bestowed upon her by none other than the exposed blonde. Everything in her life had come down to her and this was the time she could give her even a faint piece of what she'd felt. “I fucking hate you,” she groaned, still having her pinned against the cold ceramics. One hand found her hip, settling on it just as she'd always done in the past. The other roughly rested on her shoulder, keeping her in place. “Everything about you.” Another complete lie so fluidly slipped from her. Though, the second she said it, she knew she didn't mean it. Unlike the other untruths she'd made herself believe, this was one that wasn't as easily done. It was impossible when she knowingly hated herself more than any and everything. Eying her sternly, she grabbed her face forcefully. Making Becky have no other choice than to see every emotion that she brought about from her. Hate, love, and anything in between radiated from her own eyes. Prominently hate made its presence known, but it was soon replaced with need. The need she'd tried to hard to bury, the same one that only she could have quenched with the other. “Fuck it,” she muttered before catching the air between them. Her lips crashed to Becky's angrily, remaining perfectly still until she felt any hint of aggression disappear. In its place nothing other than a deep desire she'd long since felt formed.

[matchlessmatlin]

hang on to the reverie || broadwaybaker

Becky: leaned over the hotel sink and glanced into the mirror, examining the small bags that had begun to form underneath her eyelids. It wasn’t because she was tired; in fact, she had gotten much better sleep since she’d arrived in New York and had a comfortable hotel room all to herself. The tired lines that had instead made way onto her face because of the reason she was in the city in the first place. On what she considered a normal day she would have been going to work and coming home at precisely 5:03 pm every night to have a quiet night with her husband Rob or go out with friends to the restaurant of their choosing. It was certainly an adjustment to go from what she partook in in college back to a quiet, humble life, but it wasn’t as if she hadn’t lived the sheltered life before. Rob was a Christian, and a good husband. Her parents adored him and looked at her with such admiration in their eyes; it was a look that she only started seeing again when the man she had been sharing her life with starting accompanying her to family dinners and other various occasions. She believed she loved him, if she even knew what the word meant. Despite her maturing age, the blonde still had a lot of growing up to do even if she didn’t know it herself. Perhaps that was why she had impulsively jumped on a plane as soon as she had heard about the launching of the book that she was certain was intent on ruining the life she had built for herself. As it currently stood, her parents had no idea of her many endeavours in college that they would have religiously frowned upon had they known anything about it. As far as they knew, Becky had simply become more independent during her years there. Rob wasn’t privy to much else, either. Becky believed that she had come to set the record straight with her old girlfriend and to get her to stop the madness once and for all. So far, her hasty decision hadn’t exactly ended up in her favour. Despite her unrelenting criticism and demands to the girl, nothing had seemed to work. Talking face to face seemed to be the only option to get through to Katie, but that hadn’t ended up positive either. No matter what she seemed to say or do, the other woman only seemed to get even more of a rise out of it. She had only pleaded once but she wouldn’t do it again; she was far above that. Despite her clear lack of control in the situation, she wouldn’t give up however much of it she had left. Instead, she’d simply shown up as a parasite of sorts and hoped that her presence would eventually scare Katie off from going through with the book. Becky hadn’t even bothered to open a copy of it, but she didn’t need to. She had already lived it all years ago, and she wasn’t interested in reliving it with all of Katie’s commentary attached. What made her the most frustrated, however, was the fact that she had to fly out in the first place. Nowadays she could simply fix everything with money or her charm, but this was a different case entirely. Had it been years ago and back in college, Becky would have followed Katie anywhere around the world, and that’s what frustrated her the most. Sighing in discontentment, she dropped her hand from its place on her cheek and went over to turn on the water for her shower. It would be another night by herself in the hotel room, but hopefully she would be able to go home soon. Well, she wouldn’t really call it home. It was more like the place where she lived with her husband. Shimmying out of her skirt, shirt, and undergarments, Becky folded them neatly and placed them on the countertop before grabbing a towel from the rack beside the sink. Normally by this time she would be humming as she jumped into the shower, but the atmosphere of just standing in the hotel room by herself was very different than her usual situation. Placing her big toe underneath the water to test the temperature and sensing it was still a bit cold, Becky went over to the countertop to check the phone. ‘I miss you. Come home soon’ the text from Rob read, but she couldn’t even bring herself to smile considering that he thought she was visiting family. After looking at the text for a couple more moments but not typing anything in reply, Becky placed it back on the counter and turned it over so the light wasn’t facing up. She was about to check the water again when she heard a loud noise coming from the outside from her room. Bending down and picking up the towel, she wrapped it around her and walked out of the bathroom to go and see what the noise was. As soon as she saw who was at the door through the peephole, a small smirk tugged at her lips. She only opened the door halfway so that any passersby wouldn’t see her lack of clothing. Crossing her arms and staring coyly at the woman in front of her, Becky took a moment to take in her current expression before speaking. She had seen that same face plenty of times through the duration of the weekend, and it hadn’t gotten any less intimidating seeing it now. Even now, Katie was still one of the only people that could take her off her game and challenge her own authority. Despite this, Becky stood her ground. She wasn’t sure she wanted to hear what Katie had to say, so she decided to speak first. “Finally come to your senses?” the vivacious woman chirped, her hope in the matter going through the roof in the last seconds in which she had come up with the idea. It quickly dissipated, however, because the anger on the girl’s face told her otherwise. She certainly couldn’t remember doing anything bothersome in the past couple of hours that would have evoked such an expression. “What do you want?” Becky spoke again, this time much less cordial than her previous words. She figured she no longer needed to keep up the façade considering she was far from falling for her act that she often put on to get her way. Tapping her foot, Becky waited for the woman standing in the doorway to answer her and heard the water run in the background, anxious to get underneath the water; it was a brisk New York day, after all.

Katie: was overtly aware of the catastrophe her book would bring about. It was precisely that reason that she'd written it in the first place. Just as things often did that slowly turned into something else. The novel had taken on a life of itself. In some cases it was an outlet for her. She was able to lay to rest any residual feelings she had while dealing with them in their entirety. Also, it was sure to bring Becky out of hiding. There was no question of that, she knew it far too well. The contradictions that stirred within here were infuriating. It only furthered as they stood face-to-face. No distractions were between them, it was just the two of them. She couldn't hide behind book signings or people. Her decision now seemed like one she should have thought through. Her impulsiveness had completely gone against her favor. The biting snark wasn't something she'd prepared herself for when she'd decided on her actions. It was slightly shocking, but she'd always known Becky to have a certain defensiveness to herself. When things were threatened she'd seen her go into attack mode. Her first question seemed to be rhetorical. Katie wasn't sure as to if it was or not, either way she treated it as such. Nothing short of a juvenile response was given. An eye-roll was thrown in Becky's direction. Like a petulant child her arms crossed against her chest. Her stance was sternly made. Even as the realization of becoming aware that she'd interrupted her shower. Her hidden form was barricaded behind the door. Only the upper corner of her towel was showing. It took everything in her to not make a comment on the matter. She had to keep her bearings. “I want you to leave, go back home.” Shaking her head, her voice raised with every word. Her frustration was boiling over. She hated that she had little control over her anger, but she needed things to go back to normal. Now that she'd gotten to the reaction she'd craved since writing her article, then book, she wanted nothing of it. The married woman shouldn't be standing before her. “Stop following me, just go.” Snarling, her disgust surfaced involuntarily, “I'm not taking your fucking money, and I don't care about your precious life. Leave, Rebecca.” A sardonic smirk tugged at her lips upon hearing the hated name slip from her. On purpose or otherwise, she didn't know. Merely knowing how it got under skin was enough for her. Completely lost in her words, she hadn't realized the minuscule audience they'd collected. Perhaps it was a bigger deal in her mind than in all actuality. A few onlookers had eyeballed them curiously on their way. Even as she was carried away with her words, she still noted the intrigued in their demeanor. It was impossible to not while they were in en route to their rooms or exiting the floor. She didn't know where they were headed nor did she actually care. Katie wasn't delusional enough to think she was held at such high esteem. The likely chance that any of the nosy people knew her was slim to none. Her book had only been out for a weekend. A book tour was lined up but hadn't begun. Essentially no one should know of her, yet, the daunting feeling of people catching wind of their bickering didn't set well. Atop everything else, the last thing she needed was her editor getting word of their minute altercation. Already enough controversy was surrounding her book. Nothing else needed to be added to it, especially when pertaining to the adversary of the story. Internally the blonde was anything but an antagonistic character, but she'd painted her such a way that it all amounted to the same to her readers. As much as she despised Becky a part would never see the character she'd written. To some extents she'd still be the wide-eyed girl looking for an adventure. That hadn't changed in her mind, even as she sternly stood before. Not wanting to draw more attention to them, she tossed all caution to the side. Ordinarily Katie would have thought twice before proving to be intrusive. With age she'd become more grounded and more softened; although, Becky Baker mattered none in the issue. Forcing the door wider, she pushed her way through the tunneled entry way. She didn't care whether she was welcome or not, the outcome had to be far less than a berating from her boss. Any hostility nearly dissipated on spot. An immediate familiarity rushed through her arm while she move inside the room. Upon brushing against the other woman's front,the feeling sent her into a faint tailspin. It had been years since they'd even seen one another let alone touch. Towel or none at all, it became increasingly impossible to formulate a train of thought let alone carry out her argument. The irrelevance of the graze was one that she found hard to ignore. Anxiously, she stuffed her hands in her pocket. Trying to focus on anything other than the woman, clad in only a sheer white garment, her eyes fixated on the carpet. It was apparent the hotel was in dire need of some renovating. She'd have advised a better color palette if it were up to her, but it wasn't. All of her thoughts were merely a way of distracting herself from the presence of the blonde in front of her. “Look,” she began, feebly trying to find her voice. One work was spoken to simply show that she was holding her ground. If she knew Becky, which she'd like to assume she still did better than anyone, the blonde was very aware of the affect she had on her. “I'm not backing down.” Her words contradicting her gaze. Her crystal blue hues still maintained on the poorly carpeted floors. It was nearly impossible to turn her eyes back to different shaded blue ones. Never had Katie one to take on such a meek role. She was hardly doing so currently, but given heaviness of her unexpected want it made everything else more challenging. “I meant it, leave.” As she said it her actions were hardly backing up her words. Each sound that plummeted from her was accented with a step near her. Her gaze then met the blonde's. Locking on to them, she wasn't giving any headway. She lacked in any for herself as her body went into autopilot. Standing directly before Becky, she wasn't sure what she was doing. In fact she knew she should have exited the room. Just as she abruptly entered she had to leave. It was in everyone's best interest, but she couldn't. She was completely frozen. Her eyes stayed on Becky's, never leaving them. Even as her hands shakily reached out and took hold of her towel. “I'm not fucking going anywhere,” she sternly stated. Her meaning now was completely lost on herself. Finding the top of the cloth, she undid it with her gaze still on the other woman's. Slowly, she undid it, letting it drop to the floor. Even as she'd left Becky exposed, she remained quiet and her eyes never wandered.

[matchlessmatlin]

Cannonball - Damien Rice

Still a little bit of your taste in my mouth Still a little bit of you laced with my doubt Still a little bit of your song in my ear Still a little bit of your words I long to hear

[matchlessmatlin]

Text || Cam

Cam: Whatever you want to do Katherine, I'll follow till the end. You know that. This is your decision.

Katie: Then I'll give this counseling a chance, but only if you want.

[matchlessmatlin]

[matchlessmatlin]

Text || Cam

Cam: You never said what you wanted to turn into either though. I don't want to force counseling on you. I know it's really not your thing. Yes I missed one, it was the day after you told me. I went the next day. I have two more games this week, and I'll be flying in next.... How's he adjusting to the new house?

Katie: Whatever you want to do works for me, Campbell. If you want counseling, that's fine. If you want a divorce, we can draw up the papers tomorrow. I simply want what's in your best interest at this point. We could even go as far as to sell the house. It might come in handy in the long run.

[matchlessmatlin]

text ✉Drew

Drew: I'm not going to get tired of waiting around. I don't know if I've said this before... I probably have now that I think about it, but you're someone worth waiting for, Katie. Take all the time you need, I'm not moving on anytime soon. I could've given up already by now, but I haven't, right? Please tell me that counts for something. I'm a big kid, I can take a little pain, I've been through far worse and I'm pretty sure I can handle a little bit of heartbreak. All I'm trying to do is get you to admit you want it just as bad as I do. I know somewhere-- even if it's way, way, deep down, you crave the same things I do. Any kind of acknowledgment whatsoever would make me feel ten times better about this. I've never had to try so hard to get what I wanted... but that's what I'm doing right now, with you. It's not something I'm really used to. Maybe not, but you /did/ lose it, remember? You know that just as much as me, I can tell you're not in denial about all of it anymore. I don't have the answers for what could've happened and I never will. I've always gotten you, haven't I? I mean, there was always some type of weird understanding between us, right?

Katie: I can't decide if this is the stupidest thing you've ever done, or dare I say sweetest. I know you think this whole thing is worth it, and perhaps it is, but there is a chance that we'll end up just as before. You've seen what happens before. We've been here before, and you saw how things panned out with Jake. I understand that you can handle heartbreak, but why would you set yourself up for it when the odds are against you in ever possible way. I don't see how me admitting anything would do you any favors. False hope is the last thing I want to give you Drew. I live by a code. That's one that contains much certainty and with us-- there is none. There wasn't before, and there is far less. I can't give you that morsel of hope, only to know I could take it back at any given time on a whim. You may be a big boy, but I feel the need to take care of you still. It's not even my responsibility but someone needs to me. It's clear that neither Bianca nor anyone else is. I just need more time, and I need to know you're earnestly not going anywhere. You can say you won't now, but those are just words. I will say that you're right though. There has always been this strange connection between us. One that I don't have with anyone else, and it's either the worst or best thing. I haven't decided which yet.

[matchlessmatlin]

Text || Cam

Cam: All I'm trying to say is that by what happened, it seems pretty clear what you want is all. Do you want to bring lawyers into this? I'm not sure if you want to try counseling or something? Okay... We can tell him, but we have to together.

Katie: I never said that I wanted this to turn legal. If that's what you think then you're clearly missing the cause for it all. We can try counseling if you'd like. Speaking of which, have you been going to your sessions? I got a call about you missing one of them, and considering your past it doesn't sound wise. That's fine, we can tell him together.

[matchlessmatlin]

Text || Cam

Cam: Should we talk to him about what's going on though? Like... I'm not sure what you want anymore? Well I do know what you want... I just need to know so I can contact my lawyer or not. No offense but our kid is smart, and he's already use to us living in two separate places.

Katie: I wasn't aware that what I wanted was relevant any longer. It's a matter of what you, Campbell. If you think it's best that we bring lawyers into this, then I'll be sure to call mine in the morning. I don't want to sway you one way or another, but it's up to you at this point. I have no bearing on any of it. I'm very much aware of our son's intelligence. He's already accustomed to it, but this is something else in itself.

[matchlessmatlin]

Text || Cam

Katie: I got your message. I don't know if we should be having a discussion like this over texts, but perhaps we need to talk to Simon about what's going on with us. Especially if we're going to be staying in two different places. I don't want him overwhelmed with confusion.

[matchlessmatlin]

Voicemail || matchlessmatlin

Campbell: -beep- Uhm, hey. Sorry I haven't been responding your calls and texts. I uh...-breaths in- It's been crazy up here for the last few games, especially with me being able to get the time off and all. -pauses- Anyways, -swallows loudly- I found a one bedroom loft in Toronto. I didn't give Louis (realtor) enough time to find me a two bedroom condo in our budget since the house and all was already purchased, but there's enough space for Simon to stay with me. I'll be back in Toronto in about a week. We should probably figure out a schedule for Simon since I have the year off. Anyways, call, text, or email me back.

I lov- Bye.

[matchlessmatlin]

Not to diminish your skill, or lack there in this case, but you hardly know the difference. Your talent is mediocre at best. Therefore, your argument holds no bearing. I’ll have to take my chances on trusting the one thing that’s never let me down— the dictionary. It’s rather refreshing to know that I can still get underneath your skin. I’m sure that’s something Rob lacks the ability to do so. If you think for a second that I am jealous of your stability, you must be without more braincells than I’d initially thought. My last desire is for a lackluster life filled with the same rituals, never ceasing. You clearly know nothing about me if that’s what you think I want, Rebecca, nor have you ever. This stress you continue to speak of could be put to an end, but you seem to still have to win every disagreement or even something hinting as such. Bitterness isn’t exactly a strong suit of mine, that would require me to care. How many times do we have to establish just how insignificant you are to me? As I’ve said, you were simply a play toy of mine. Regardless of whether you admit that I had any power over your said corruption or not, we both know it’s true. Before me, you were afraid of your own shadow. There’s no reason to dispute this, because I brought you out of your shell, and it’s as simple as that.

You’re probably right, but in that case, I guess you’ve built up quite the debt. We had sex nearly ever day for four years. I might just need that check you were talking about earlier after all with a lot more zeros. with my rates, you might go bankrupt. Don’t lie, I’ve never once lied to you and you could extend the same courtesy. I made your college life more enjoyable. I made it better. Have you completely lost your mind? I’m really beginning to think you have. Sarcasm aside, I don’t know how many times I’ve pointed out that I don’t want your money and I don’t have any intention of actually blackmailing  you. That in no way means that I am going to not write my book because as I’ve stated since the start of this pointless discussion, it is happening. There you go again, completely incapable of admitting to your faults. You still have no concern for anyone other than yourself. I may’ve never forgiven you for it, but this has nothing to do with my novel. Shall I point out once more how irrelevant you are to me? Once I complete this book, I’ll undoubtedly get another deal. Then I will be able to write things that matter to me— nothing pertaining you or the both of us in any context. You are a means to an end. I wish you would finally realize that and stop harping on me with all your preposterous accusations. As for Robert, I hope he takes note of the woman he’s with now before it’s entirely too late. I pity the fool. That man will never see it coming. I know more about you than anyone. You’re unchanging. Which is exactly why I hope he gets out before it’s too late. You will destroy him as it’s the only thing you know how to do. I don’t need your good wishes, but you on the other hand need plenty.

[matchlessmatlin]

Not to diminish your skill, or lack there in this case, but you hardly know the difference. Your talent is mediocre at best. Therefore, your argument holds no bearing. I'll have to take my chances on trusting the one thing that's never let me down-- the dictionary. It's rather refreshing to know that I can still get underneath your skin. I'm sure that's something Rob lacks the ability to do so. If you think for a second that I am jealous of your stability, you must be without more braincells than I'd initially thought. My last desire is for a lackluster life filled with the same rituals, never ceasing. You clearly know nothing about me if that's what you think I want, Rebecca, nor have you ever. This stress you continue to speak of could be put to an end, but you seem to still have to win every disagreement or even something hinting as such. Bitterness isn't exactly a strong suit of mine, that would require me to care. How many times do we have to establish just how insignificant you are to me? As I've said, you were simply a play toy of mine. Regardless of whether you admit that I had any power over your said corruption or not, we both know it's true. Before me, you were afraid of your own shadow. There's no reason to dispute this, because I brought you out of your shell, and it's as simple as that.

You're probably right, but in that case, I guess you've built up quite the debt. We had sex nearly ever day for four years. I might just need that check you were talking about earlier after all with a lot more zeros. with my rates, you might go bankrupt. Don't lie, I've never once lied to you and you could extend the same courtesy. I made your college life more enjoyable. I made it better. Have you completely lost your mind? I'm really beginning to think you have. Sarcasm aside, I don't know how many times I've pointed out that I don't want your money and I don't have any intention of actually blackmailing  you. That in no way means that I am going to not write my book because as I've stated since the start of this pointless discussion, it is happening. There you go again, completely incapable of admitting to your faults. You still have no concern for anyone other than yourself. I may've never forgiven you for it, but this has nothing to do with my novel. Shall I point out once more how irrelevant you are to me? Once I complete this book, I'll undoubtedly get another deal. Then I will be able to write things that matter to me-- nothing pertaining you or the both of us in any context. You are a means to an end. I wish you would finally realize that and stop harping on me with all your preposterous accusations. As for Robert, I hope he takes note of the woman he's with now before it's entirely too late. I pity the fool. That man will never see it coming. I know more about you than anyone. You're unchanging. Which is exactly why I hope he gets out before it's too late. You will destroy him as it's the only thing you know how to do. I don't need your good wishes, but you on the other hand need plenty.

Not really, there’s a difference. Although you know nothing about the arts, so I’d hardly expect you to understand. I’m not being overdramatic or anything of the sort, I’m trying to get through to you because you’re listening to nothing that I’m saying. Can you just listen to me for once in your life? Your hostile attitude is really bringing my mood down, and my yoga instructor said I was supposed to keep calm at all times. Stop acting like what I’m saying isn’t true, because I know somewhere deep inside that bitter brain of yours, you’re jealous that I actually got a better life and stability. I’ve got the picture, thanks. That doesn’t mean I accept it in any way, because I’ve already told you that I don’t feel comfortable about it. You know, you’re causing a lot of extra stress on me, I hope you know that. I have a wedding to plan and you’re just another bump in the road; a lumpy, bitter old bump. I have faith that I’ll be rid of you soon and I can go back to living my life the way it was meant to be. I’m not saying anything about that because I know it would just give you intense satisfaction if I agreed with you. Shut up… shut up! You’re vile. You’re just saying all of this to make me angry, but… but it’s not working. You didn’t corrupt me, I… everything was all on my own accord. I’m not convincing anyone of anything.

Yep, that’s exactly it. I can say whatever insults I want because all of them are true in your case. You ruined my life back in college and you’re ruining it again out of pure amusement, and it’s sick. I’m not losing control of anything; in fact I probably have more control than ever. Just because you have one thing over me does not mean anything… stop asking pointless questions. Oh yeah, sure. As soon as you got the chance you had to sneak in your little blackmailing… I will not be controlled by the likes of you under any circumstances. Will you stop acting like you know absolutely everything about me? We haven’t talked in years until now. I thought I was rid of you and your bad habits for good but here you are, hitting me in the face like a boomerang. Sure, I walked away from you, but there was a reason for it. You were bringing me down, and I thought I had gotten away from that. You never forgave me, and that’s why you’re doing this. Don’t… don’t say that to me… of course I care about Robert, he’s the love of my life; we’re building a life together. Just because I don’t give one care about you, that doesn’t mean it’s the same for everyone else. And you’re a lowlife piece of trash, so I guess we’re both in a certain predicament, Katherine. Again, you know absolutely nothing about me and I’m a bit offended that you think you do. I would wish you luck with your endeavours but we both know they won’t work out, as always. I won’t let you dig me into a hole again.