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Adora tilts her head at the letter. Her other hand holds her text books a little closer to her chest. The words make her heart beat a little fast. They remind her of-
“That’s really fucking creepy” Glimmer says, folding her arms over her chest. Adora quickly holds the paper out of view. She ducks her burning face behind Glimmer's locker door and leans against her own locker.
“I think it's kinda sweet,” she says, folding the letter back in the envelope. Glimmer looks at her like she’s eaten a frog.
“I would kill everyone here and then myself for you?” Glimmer slowly closes her locker, “you think that's sweet?”
“Well- i- i don’t know ok? Yeah! It’s a little sweet!” Adora can feel her face heating up. “It's the principle of it.”
“What’s sweet?” Bow asks, popping up from behind Adora. The girl jumps a little and glares at him.
“Nothing” she says, walking past him. The letter was sweet. Depending on how you look at it.
The letter sounded like Catra. That’s why Adora likes it. It reminds her of how Catra would talk when she was flustered. Stuttering and insulting. Harsh words that were really compliments.
Adora always called it ‘fright’. When Catra would freak out because she was nervous or uncomfortable. Sarcastic scathing words that would just come tumbling out.
Well its written in that or someone just really fucking hates Adora’s guts. ‘When I talk to you, I want to throw up?’ That’s kinda harsh.
If it was Catra saying it, Adora would think she was flustered. Like Adora just called her out on something, or called her pretty.
“Adora’s secret admirer is a fucking psychopath” Glimmer says, pulling Bow after them. Adora rolls her eyes. Fright is basically love confessions hidden behind insults. Adora is fluent.
Adora and Catra would talk in it all the time. It's how you knew Catra cared. The feline had the hardest time saying what she meant. So she would say the opposite.
Like, here’s an example. Catra would say, ‘I'd rather walk into speeding traffic than spend another minute with you.’ She would then proceed to spend the rest of the day with Adora and maybe cuddle with her in the back seat of Adora’s car.
Catra was actually really embarrassed about it. So they made a game out of it. Who could say the most gruesome thing to the other.
Adora would say, ‘if there was a school shooter, I would use you as a human shield.’
Catra would say, ‘if there was a zombie apocalypse. I would push you into a Horde of them just so I wouldn't have to be the last person alive with you.”
Catra always won. She had this sick sense of life. She would say something completely off the rails and then take Adora’s hand and buy her ice cream. But Catra is back in the Horde. And Adora is here, In Brightmoon.
And they haven't spoken in months.
The only thing strange about this letter to Adora is the ‘love romeo’. The word 'love' is rarely used in the fright zone, it's a word Adora only started using after she moved here. It still doesn't feel right saying it.
It's a word Catra would never use. Adora is pretty sure she’s never even heard Catra say she liked anything let alone love.
Adora shouldn't be comparing Romeo to Catra though. Catra isn't Romeo. Catra would never use the word love Or write a gushy letter. If Catra was a secret admirer she would probably leave a dead rat in Adora’s locker.
This ‘romeo’ either hates Adora’s guts, or has a very sick sense of romance. Adora has just decided to pretend it's Catra.
“Awww a secret admirer is sweet” Bow says, smiling at Glimmer. “You don't like secret admirers?” Glimmer rolls her eyes and gestures at Adora.
“Give him the card,” Adora sighs, handing over the letter. Red paper with beautiful black calligraphy.
“Oooh! It's pretty” he smiles at Adora and takes the letter from the envelope. “Ok… oh…. Oh”
Glimmer starts to laugh as Bow cringes. Adora swipes the letter from him and shoves it back in the envelope.
‘You guys wouldn't get it, ' she murmurs, ducking her head as she walks into class.
“Who do you think it is?” he asks, glancing around the English room. Adora doesn't care. Sure it's sweet someone else is willing to go through the trouble for her but there's only one person Adora wants it to be.
And the person Adora wants it to be? She doesnt go here.
Glimmer perks up at Bow’s question and gives the classroom a look of her own. “Oh my stars, it could be anyone”
“Guys? Shut it” Adora whispers, shrinking into her seat. They giggle at her and pull out a piece of paper. By the time lunch rolls around they have a semi cohesive list of suspects.
Adora sits down at the lunch table with her tray. She secretly slips her bright orange ‘free lunch’ card in her pocket. When she looks back up. She cringes at the two smiling hog monkeys staring at her “Please don't tell me-”
“This is a list of people it could be,” Glimmer says, sliding the piece of lined paper over to Adora. About a half page of names. She sighs but gives the list a fleeting glance.
“Half these people are way too nice to write anything like the letter I got.” Adora pushes it away and takes a big bite of the sloppy joe. Even in richie rich Brightmoon they still have the same disgusting food.
“What!?” Glimmer asks, looking down at her list. “But these are all the single gays in school!”
“Uh, why would it have to be a gay? It could be a guy” Adora says, a little offended, she could pull a guy if she wanted to.
She really doesn't want to.
“Because only a lesbian would write someone else a love letter” Glimmer says, shaking her list at Adora. “Guys are too stupid to do something that romantic.” Glimmer discreetly, eyes Bow next to her. He’s too focused on his arrows to notice.
“ Besides, It has to be someone from the fright zone” Adora says, tapping the letter she had stuck in the inside pocket of her letterman. “It's… written like someone from the Fright zone talks.” not because Catra is from the fright zone.
“Fright zone code?” Bow asks, “is that why its so fucking creepy?”
“It's not creepy” Adora murmurs, resting her hand over it and feeling it crinkle. “It's.. it’s like really romantic”
“Oh my god” Glimmer mutters, glaring behind Adora. “Look” adora glances behind her shoulder.
Catra. Catra is standing there, hands in her worn leather jacket. Looking absolutely gorgeous. Her hair has been pixie cut and her fur looks softer than ever. Almost fluffy. She laughs along with Scorpia and follows the big girl to a table.
Catra is here in Brightmoon. On the same day Adora got a letter from ‘Romeo’ who sounds just like her.
“How is the she-devil even allowed in here?” Glimmer asks, standing from the table with her fist clenched.
“Glimmer,” Adora says, ducking her head towards the table. “Sit back down”
“No, that furball ruined prom last year. I won't let her ruin anything this year” Adora groans as Glimmer stalks over to the table.
Adora bangs her head against the lunch table. “Please no”
Adora has only just gotten on semi good terms with Catra. And by semi good terms Adora means they haven't spoken in months. Its a small step up from the very real insults the feline would throw at her.
Adora struggles from her seat before Glimmer can get herself in trouble.
“What are you doing here?” the glittery girl plants her fists on her waist. She leans over the lunch table. Catra looks surprised.
“Sparkles! Long time no see” she leans forward on her elbow, her chin rested in her hand. “I've really missed our little talks.”
You're not allowed to be on campus. Outsiders are banned. Leave”
“That would make it a little hard to do my job, Glitter,” Catra says, holding up a lanyard that hangs around her neck.
Glimmer freezes and so does Adora behind her. It says Catra D’rulith on the front. ‘Receptionist’ written under that in blocky letters..
“You work here?” Adora asks, leaning forward to get a better look at the faculty badge. Catra looks really good in her photo. Pixie cut and fluffy fur. “How do you go to school if you’re here all day?”
“I graduated early,” Catra says, straightening at the sight of Adora. Her confident attitude dissipates and she fidgets with her hands in front of her.
“Yeah?” Adora asks, with a smile. Catra has always been smart. She could have graduated when she was a freshman but she stayed. At first for Adora. To help her through school. And then…
Well Adora doesn't know what Catra stayed for after that.
“Are you thinking about college?” Adora asks. Catra gives her a little smile. Her canine peeking out between her lips.
“I actually have a pretty good scholarship lined up at Brightmoon university next year.” Scorpia slaps Catra on the back and wraps an arm around her.
“Pretty good? It's a full ride!” Catra lets her smile widen as Scorpia rocks them both side to side.
“Catra that's amazing” Adora says, a bright smile splitting across her face. Catra’s tail thumps against the seat next to her as she smiles at Adora.
“Thanks, I probably wouldn't have applied if you hadn't said what you did” she says, her nails tapping against the table. She’s referring to the party. Last year's end of the year party.
The one Catra had crashed. The one where they got locked in Seahawks shed for four hours and talked. Talks about everything late into the night. Then they fell asleep. Leaning against each other.
Adora brightens, her smile feels like it's going to split her face in half. Catra does her own little version of a blush. Her ears drooping and her tail fwapping against the chair next to her.
Glimmer clears her throat from behind Adora and takes the blonde’s arm. “Ok, we have to get.. Away from you” she drags Adora away from Catra.
Adora waves and Catra raises a couple of fingers in return
“What was that!” Glimmer whispers, shaking Adora’s arm.
“What was what?” Adora asks, glancing back at Catra.
“That!” Glimmer shrieks making Adora sit down at the lunch table. “You! Swooning all over Catra! Catra! As in the devil!’
Adora whips towards Glimmer. “I was not swooning,” she whispers. Dragging Glimmer down on the bench next to her. “I'm just proud of Catra. She’s always been smart and I'm just happy for her.”
“Adora, sweet sweet Adora. You were blushing the whole time!” Adora’s face flames
“I was not i- i need to go!” Adora stands, swinging her back pack over her shoulder.
------
“This ones worse” Glimmer says, taking the letter from Adora.
“Hey!” the blond shrieks, swiping the paper from her. Glimmer looks at her wide eyed and Adora glances around at the bustling hall, the hall that’s now staring at her. Her face flames a brighter red then it already is.
This one was private. It wasn't anything dirty but Romeo spilt their soul on this paper. And if they are really from the fright zone like Adora thinks they are? This was hard for them. And it's probably something they only want Adora to see.
“Roadkill has nothing compared to your revolting face?” Glimmer asks, raising an eyebrow. “Are sure this is an admirer and not a bully? She would we tell-”
“No!” Adora whispers, sticking the letter into the inside pocket of her jacket. She’s honestly feeling a little hot and bothered. This writer is fluent in Fright. They really know what they’re doing.
They called her beautiful and smart and.. Adora doesn't want to repeat it. It makes her nostalgic for the Horde, For Catra.
It reminded her of after school in the Horde, when Catra would lay on Adora’s bed with her beat up phone and Adora would lay on the floor surrounded by homework. Catra would hang her head off the side of the bed and help her with her homework.
It was the only time Catra would try to be nice. Brightmoon’s kind of nice too. Adora’s confidence would be in the gutter, just staring at the math problems, or the english questions, or the chem-
Adora wouldn't be feeling good about herself and Catra would roll off the bed and plaster herself to Adora’s back so the blonde couldn't look at her as she struggled through a pep talk. And she would stutter something out that was so horrendous that Gordon Ramsey himself would cry. It was the only thing that could get Adora to smile.
“Adora” Glimmer says, a little concerned.
“You wouldn't get it” she says, placing her hand over the letter. Her face still hasn't calmed down. “ They basically called me the most beautiful thing they’ve ever seen, but in poetry”
Glimmer squints at Adora, trying to read her. Adora smiles and Glimmers shrugs. “If you say so.”
Adora swings her bag over her shoulder. “I have to pick up my football letter, i'll meet you in the car?”
“Do you want me to leave so you can talk to Catra alone?” Glimmer asks, a smile crawling on her face. Adora pushes her towards the exit.
“No! I'm just getting my letter, you know. For being good at football” she backs away from a laughing Glimmer, finger guns pointed, loaded and shooting.
It seems that seeing Catra at lunch last week broke the ice. Anytime Adora has passed the office since, Catra has said hey or stopped Adora to talk. Catra has even started texting Adora.
Adora can't really handle that. She can’t stop texting the feline. Late at night and during class.
“Hey, Adora” Catra purrs as Adora stumbles in. her feet are up resting on the table. She’s wrapped in her worn leather jacket and a gray hoodie. Adora’s gray hoodie? It is if the Grayskull printed across the front is anything to go by. “Long time no see”
Catra! Hey” Adora straightens her letterman jacket before folding her hands into her pockets. “How- uh, how is- you know” Adora gestures to the office.
“It's good Adora” Catra smiles, leaning her head into her hand. “I call people out of school all day”
Adora smiles, “yeah i heard you! I was in… math class” Catra tries to hold back a smile at Adora’s bumbling.
“Did you need anything Adora?” she asks, opening her drawer without looking. She pulls out a manilla envelope. “Other than calling people out of class, I also receive mail.
She flips the envelope around and written on it in beautiful calligraphy is Adora's name.
“Yeah i did… come for that” Adora reaches for it but Catra pulls it away.
“You should know that I put my heart and soul into protecting this letter,” she leans back in her chair and fidgets with the edges of it. “I think i deserve a little compensation”
Adora raises an eyebrow. “You want to be compensated for doing what you're paid to do?” she asks, leaning forward.
Catra looks down and inspects her nails. “Yeah, that about sums it up.”
Adora places a hand on the table to reach over and snatch the envelope from Catra’s hand. Catra pulls it back forcing Adora closer. Adora grips the envelope.
When the blonde looks down she realizes her face is close enough to Catra’s that if she wanted to, Adora could lean down and kiss her.
Catra stares her pupils wide, her eyes roam across Adora's upper body. Adora smirks.
“See something you like?” Adora asks, raising an eyebrow at the flustered cat. Catra growls and lets go of the envelope, sitting back in her chair, her arms folded,
“No! The only thing I see is the dirt for brains who hasn’t left yet.” her tail whips back and forth agitatedly. Adora chuckles and winks at Catra who all but melts in her chair.
“See ya later, Catra '' Adora she backs towards the door. “You can keep my hoodie” she says, watching as Catra’s eyes widen and she looks down at her clothes.
Catra groans as Adora pulls the office door closed behind her and leans against it, the envelope covering her burning face. She looks down at the lettering and her eyes widen. It's very similar to… the writing on…
She hurriedly pulls out Romeo’s letter from her locker and holds it up next to her manilla folder. The same? Adora can't tell. Does all calligraphy look the same?
She glances at Catra through the window. She’s holding her forehead in her hand and talking to herself. Could Catra…
Adora had been reading them like they were from Catra this whole time. Adora wanted it to be Catra but now it makes everything in the letters real.
A poem in Catra's own personal language. Her insults that are really compliments. The fuzzy feeling Adora got when Romeo had gone on about Adora's blue eyes and when Romeo had said she was smart.
Smart! In the funny and flustered way only Catra can.
Adora shoves both letters into her jacket and jogs to Glimmer's car. Pretending like a she didn't discover anything.
—-----
“Oh my dear stars” Adora quickly wipes the tears from her face. “Adora, you're crying! I've Never seen you cry. What did they say to you this time?”
Glimmer tries to take the letter but Adora rips it away and folds it back into the envelope.
“Glimmer it just you-”
“Don't you dare say ‘you wouldnt understand’, they made you cry! We should tell-”
“No! I just-” Adora wipes at her eyes and chuckles. She and looks around the emptying hallway and pulls Glimmer into a door well
Adora sniffs and folds the envelope in her lettermans jacket. “I think I know who it is,” Adora says, glancing down the hall. “I knew who i wanted it to be but now that i have some actual evidence the things in the letter just feel so real”
Glimmer places a comforting hand on Adora’s shoulder. “And they made you cry?” she asks, obviously confused.
“No, she just said the sweetest things and it's everything I've ever wanted”. More tears stream down Adora’s face and she quickly brushes them away. “I just really want it to be real. For it to be her.”
“Its Catra isn't it” Glimmer says, leaning against the wall with a wince. Adroa chuckles and pulls out the envelope she got from the office.
“Look at this envelope she gave me” she hands it over to Glimmer.
Glimmer eyebrows raise and she looks up at Adora. “This is the same handwriting.” she mumbles.
“It’s from the office, for my football letter. Catra gave it to me.”
“Anyone could have written this on the envelope though” Glimmer says, looking up at Adora. Adora chuckles and gestures for Glimmer to turn it around.
“Congratulations dummy” is written in the same cursive.
“ugh i hate her though” Glimmer all but wines looking back up at Adora. “Make it stop”
“I'm in love with her,” Adora whispers, taking the envelope back.
“Nooooooooo” Glimmer groans, sliding down the wall. Covering her face with her hands. “stooooop”
—----
Adora see’s them slip the letter in her locker. Romeo. Romeo who wears a worn leather jacket. Romeo who’s tail waves slowly back and forth, almost touching the floor. Romeo who has an adorable pixie cut and soft almost fluffy fur.
Romeo who is standing in the empty hallway after school slipping an envelope in the slot of Adora’s locker.
“Catra?” it slips out of Adora’s mouth without her permission. Catra freezes, her hand already receding from Adora’s locker. The letter already slipped between the slots. Hair puffed up like a scared cat. She runs.
Adora chases her like a madwoman. “Get back here!”
“Leave me alone!” Catra screeches back, her feet slapping against the floor. Adora puts her football skills to work, she wraps her arms around Catra’s waist and skids to a stop.
“You’re Romeo?” Adora asks, caging the skittish feline against the lockers. Said feline growls and shrinks against the lockers, her arms folded across her chest.
“I- you weren't supposed to find out” she kicks at the floor, her ears flat against her head.
“I knew it was you,” Adora says, watching as Catra shrinks a little more, “I was hoping it was you.” Catra perks a little, glancing up at Adora. “It sounded like you”
“I tried to write something sweet, or at least nice” Catra mumbles, leaning against the lockers. “But that is all that would come out. And you read what a hot mess that was. So I tried again, and again and…again.”
“I loved them,” Adora says, taking a step towards Catra, biting her lip. “I think it's cute that you like me.”
“Of course i dont like you, asshole” Catra pushes off from the locker and brushes past Adora’s arm. stalking towards the door.
“Well, I love you!” Adora shouts, freezing Catra in her step. She barely made it three feet away.
“Get hit by a car” Catra mutters, her tail flipping back and forth.
“I love you” Adora says again, taking a step forward.
“Trip on your way home from school” Catra says half-heartedly.
I love you” Adora says with a bright smile splitting her face, stepping into Catra space.
I love you too” Catra stutters, spinning around on her heel. She pulls Adora in by the lapels of her jacket and smashes their lips together. Adora can't seem to stop smiling and she wraps her arms around the feline's waist.
Catra purrs into the kiss, raising herself onto her tippy toes and wrapping her arms around Adora’s neck.