Rising Shards

It’s fine, I told myself. Just hanging out with a pop star who’s a former governor and fighting champion. Who is also my boss? And she’s fucked my girlfriend. Oof, girl, this could be a mess. But it could also be fun? I’m not saying I’d change my entire life style around, but as we waited for Kitty’s ride to pick us up, I felt a sudden sense of understanding for Stella not venturing outside of dating one person at a time.

Alix and I waited outside my place on the sidewalk. Alix’s nerves had gone down a bit since we talked through it (and fucked through it too, sometimes sex is an easier way to get emotions across than words), but Kitty’s ride was taking forever and it had me thinking. Alix sensed my anxiousness this time, and held my hand, giving me an adorably doofy smile as our fingers interlinked. That helped me get through the rest of the wait until a fancy looking car arrived. Kitty was in the back seat, and rolled the window down.

”What’s going on, bitches?” Kitty asked, clearly thinking that sounded cooler than it did. ”Hop in already!”

Alix got in first, there was enough room in the back seat for all three of us to go comfortably. I thought for a moment that Kitty had her own personal driver, but it was just a rideshare car. Kitty texted for a few minutes after we got in, not telling us where we were going yet.

”So, how are things?” Alix said.

”Done with work for the week, so not having to deal with that fucking bullshit is, uh, how do you say, heck-freaking awesome,” Kitty said, snorting. ”It’s the weekend girlies, we can do whatever we wanna!”

I tried to put my finger on what was different about her. She was in more casual wear, with denim shorts that looked way too short for the almost-done-with-winter weather and a camisole with ”KITTY’S GONNA KICK YOUR GUTS” written on it in sequins on the front, and had big sunglasses on. Her hairstyle was that kind of purposeful messiness I could never get to look good.

”Yeah! So, uh, what are we doing?” Alix said.

”Thought we’d get brunch, then I realized I wanted to hang at two, so either lunch or slrunch, that’s a combo of supper, lunch, and real dinner, then I dunno. I just kind of wanted to...” Kitty’s expression turned sour. ”Just a hang! Get fucking real, haha! Have fun, girlies!”

I noticed her hands were a little shaky as she put her phone away. I felt bad for considering that she’d be like...out of it from drinks or drugs or something. Maybe she was just putting her persona on a bit extra because...

”I don’t wanna pry too much, but are you nervous right now?” I asked.

”Me? Nervous? Get real,” Kitty said. She rubbed her hands together. ”Why would I be nervous hanging out with Alix of all people? And her new girlfriend...I wouldn’t be...that doesn’t even! Pfft.”

”Oh wow, she’s actually scared about this,” Alix said.

”Ugh, shut up,” Kitty said.

”It must be your coolness,” Alix said, nudging me with her elbow. ”I was intimidated by Pippi at first too, Kitty, don’t worry, she’s so nice.”

There was no way that was the case. I’d never describe myself as remotely intimidating. That’s what I thought at least, then Kitty turned away to look out the window, muttering.

”If you say so,” she said quietly.

The hell? Kitty Kilander, a former Haven fighter who was a famous pop singer on the side, was intimidated by me of all people? Kitty’s strange nervousness continued all the way to a breakfast themed restaurant. Was I missing something? Or was something else going on that I couldn’t comprehend yet?