Chapter Text
The campus looked like it had lost a bet with a holiday catalog. Strings of fairy lights drooped between the lampposts, struggling to shine under the bleak, early afternoon sky, while a sad inflatable snowman wobbled precariously in the wind by the library steps. Oversized candy canes stuck awkwardly out of the frozen flowerbeds, as if someone had just given up halfway through the decorating. Vi sighed, pulling her hoodie tighter as another icy gust hit her face. She shot a glance at the massive tree in the quad, covered in garish ornaments that looked like they’d been stolen from a discount bin. “Festive, huh?” she muttered to herself, stepping over a patch of slush as she trudged toward the cafeteria. If the decorations were supposed to inspire joy, they were failing miserably—kind of like the weather.
The cafeteria buzzed with the usual midday chaos: trays clattering, students laughing too loudly, and the faint hum of some pop song playing from the ancient speakers. Vi pushed open the heavy doors with a grunt, shaking her head like a dog to fling off the stubborn drops of rain clinging to her hoodie. Her boots squeaked against the linoleum as she spotted Jinx waving frantically from the back corner, Ekko sitting beside her with his signature smirk. Great, just what she needed—an audience for her bad mood.
“Finally! The Grinch has arrived,” Jinx teased as Vi slumped into the seat across from them. She was practically vibrating with energy, her electric-blue pigtails bouncing as she rummaged through a mountain of candy wrappers and fries on her tray.
Ekko leaned back in his chair, tipping it onto two legs like he owned the place. “Yo, Vi, you leave your holiday spirit out in the rain, or did it just up and die this year?”
Vi glared at both of them as she pulled her soggy sandwich from her bag, unwrapping it with the grace of a bear shredding a picnic basket. “Oh, I’m sorry,” she shot back, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “I didn’t realize I was supposed to burst into carols and sprinkle glitter everywhere just because someone slapped a fake wreath on the door.”
Jinx snorted, stealing one of Ekko’s fries. “Come on, Vi. It’s Christmas! Joy, cheer, goodwill toward men—any of that ringing a bell, or is it just static in there?
Vi took a massive bite of her sandwich, ignoring the squish of soggy bread. “Yeah, goodwill,” she mumbled around the food, “like how you two keep ragging on me instead of letting me eat in peace. Real festive of you.”
Ekko grinned, propping his elbow on the table. “Hey, we’re just spreading the love. You’re the one sulking like someone stole your presents.”
Vi swallowed hard, leveling a look at him. “You wanna know what’d actually put me in the holiday spirit? Watching you fall on your face when that chair tips over.”
Ekko chuckled, leaning forward just enough to stabilize himself. “You’re hilarious, you know that?”
The three of them settled into a more comfortable banter, the sarcasm and teasing turning warmer as they shared fries and stories. Despite her grumpy exterior, Vi couldn’t help the faint curve of her lips as Jinx launched into another ridiculous tale. Maybe the holidays weren’t completely awful—though she’d never admit it.
The cafeteria's noise faded into a dull hum as a crisp, clear voice cut through the clatter of trays and chatter.
"Violet Campbell?"
Vi froze mid-bite, her sandwich stalled halfway to her mouth. The lump of half-chewed food still pressed against her cheek as she blinked and turned her head. Her brows rose slightly as she took in the sight of the figure standing behind her chair.
Well, that explains the posh accent.
Caitlyn Kiramman stood there, tall and poised like she'd just stepped out of some glossy magazine. Her long, dark hair was pulled up in a low bun, a few strands of hair framing a face that was all sharp angles and deeply blue eyes. She radiated purpose, her posture so impeccable it practically screamed "discipline," while her chin was lifted just enough to give off that faint air of untouchable confidence.
Jinx and Ekko exchanged wide-eyed looks, clearly caught off guard by the unexpected visitor. But Vi, still chewing, refused to be rattled. Swallowing thickly, she leaned back in her chair and quirked an eyebrow.
"Can I help you?" she asked, her words slightly muffled by her lingering bite of sandwich. The confusion in her voice was clear, though there was a hint of challenge in her tone.
Caitlyn’s lips twitched as if fighting back a smile—or maybe a grimace. It was hard to tell with her composed expression. “I’m Caitlyn Kiramman,” she began, though it sounded like an unnecessary introduction. Vi obviously knew who she was. Everyone did. “We’re in Health Law and Public Health Policy together. Professor Hayward paired us for the final project.”
Vi blinked, staring at Caitlyn as if waiting for the punchline. When none came, she let out a dry laugh, wiping her hands on her hoodie. “Great,” she said, dragging the word out.
What a fucking joke.
Caitlyn’s brows furrowed slightly, a flicker of uncertainty breaking through her otherwise composed exterior. “I... thought it would be best to discuss the project before class tomorrow. Make sure we’re aligned.”
Behind her, Jinx leaned forward, whispering not-so-quietly to Ekko, mimicking the accent. “Aligned. Oh, she’s fancy-fancy.”
Vi shot Jinx a warning glare before returning her focus to Caitlyn. “Sure, fine. Want to sit down, or are you just here to loom over me?”
Caitlyn hesitated, glancing at the chaotic spread of food and crumpled wrappers covering the table. “I’ll stand,” she said politely, glancing at her tray with the cafeteria food. Vi glanced at it as well, a slight surprise coursing through her mind when she saw her with the food of common mortals for lunch, but she decided to not make a comment. “I’ll send you a message with my notes and a time to meet later this week.”
Vi smirked, leaning back in her chair. “Sounds like a plan, Princess.”
For a moment, Caitlyn’s perfect mask cracked, her lips parting as if she wasn’t sure how to respond. But she quickly recovered, giving Vi a sharp nod. “I’ll see you in class.”
A short silence settled over the table as Kiramman Junior strode away, her perfectly tailored coat swishing with every deliberate step. Vi stared at the spot where Caitlyn had just been, her sandwich forgotten in her hand.
Jinx, never one to let silence hang for too long, leaned back in her chair with a sly grin. Her voice was soft but dripping with sarcasm as she muttered, “Merry-fucking-Christmas.”
Jinx cackled, and Ekko chuckled along, the teasing melting back into their usual banter. Still, as they joked, Vi found her mind wandering back to Caitlyn’s sharp eyes and poised demeanor. “Merry-fucking-Christmas” indeed.
Jinx and Ekko didn’t let up for the rest of the day, their snarky comments trailing Vi like a pair of particularly annoying shadows. Every time they crossed paths in the hall or between classes, one of them was ready with a new jab about her "fancy new partner." By the time Vi and Jinx were walking back to their shared apartment, Vi was seriously considering investing in noise-canceling headphones.
The weather hadn’t improved by the time they reached their building, the wind biting at their faces and making Vi hunch deeper into her hoodie. Jinx, of course, didn’t seem to notice the cold, chattering all the way up the stairs about what Caitlyn was probably doing at that exact moment—“Bet she’s got her notes color-coded already. Oh, oh, maybe she’s writing you an email in cursive!”
“Shut up, Jinx,” Vi muttered, fumbling with her keys before finally shoving the door open.
The apartment wasn’t much, but it was theirs. A small two-bedroom with peeling wallpaper and perpetually squeaky floors, it still managed to feel cozy in its own way. Jinx had covered almost every surface in random knickknacks, while Vi’s contributions mostly amounted to scattered workout gear and a beaten-up punching bag shoved into the corner of the living room.
Jinx flopped onto the couch with a dramatic sigh, throwing her boots off in different directions. “You know, Sis,” she started, propping her chin in her hands, “I think you and Miss Blue Eyes are gonna be, like, a thing. You know? Star-crossed or whatever. Like in the books.”
Vi snorted, dropping her bag by the door and stomping off to the kitchen to rummage for something edible. “If by ‘a thing,’ you mean a disaster waiting to happen, then yeah, sure.”
Jinx leaned back, grinning like a cat with a mouse. “She’s totally your type.”
“Uh-huh,” Vi deadpanned, popping the lid off a can of soup. “Tall, rich, and probably thinks I’m a complete idiot. Perfect match.”
Jinx cackled. “Oh, come on! You both like justice or whatever. Isn’t that, like, super romantic? You could be her rebellious bad girl.”
Vi groaned, slamming the cabinet shut for emphasis. “You need a hobby.”
“Torturing you is my hobby.”
For once, Vi didn’t have a comeback. She just sighed, getting a soda out of the fridge and letting the quiet of the apartment settle around them. As much as Jinx’s endless teasing drove her up the wall, there was something comforting about it, too. At least here, in their little apartment, everything felt... normal.
The evening had passed in a haze of laughter, bickering, and the familiar hum of video games. Vi and Jinx spent hours arguing over which movie to watch, the tension growing as each suggested a new title. After much back-and-forth, they settled—somehow—on the latest Marvel action flick, despite Vi’s rolling eyes at Jinx’s insistence on watching "something explosive." Of course, by the halfway point of the film, Jinx had predictably passed out, her head lolling to the side, mouth slightly open as she snored softly on the couch.
Vi sighed softly, glancing over at her sister’s sleeping form. The room was quiet now, save for the soft hum of the apartment and the fading credits of the movie. Vi didn’t mind the silence. It was a rare, peaceful moment in the chaos of their lives, one she’d been longing for all evening.
She leaned back against the couch, her eyes drifting closed for a few seconds, but the stillness was quickly broken by Jinx’s gentle snoring. After a moment, Vi sat up with a small grumble, shaking her head as she glanced at the couch. It was one of those nights when she knew she had to play the responsible older sister, even if she’d rather stay in the silence.
With a huff, Vi stood up, stretching her back before moving over to scoop Jinx up in her arms. Jinx’s body was limp and warm, her weight familiar, like it always had been ever since they were kids. It wasn’t the first time Vi had carried her to bed, and it wouldn’t be the last. She grunted slightly as she adjusted Jinx in her arms, a small, resigned smile tugging at her lips as she made her way to the bedroom.
She gently placed Jinx on the bed, pulling the covers over her sister’s shoulders, making sure she was comfortable. The sight of Jinx, soft and vulnerable in sleep, always made Vi feel a pang in her chest. Every time Jinx was asleep, it was like looking at a younger version of herself—hopeful, awkward, and slightly naïve, wrapped up in a world where everything still felt like it could go right.
The younger version of Jinx was always right there, in the quiet moments like this, and Vi couldn’t help but feel a little protective of the girl who still believed in all the possibilities ahead. With one last, affectionate glance, she turned off the light, leaving the room in the same peaceful silence she’d been craving. The weight of the day finally seemed to lift as she closed the door behind her, content to let Jinx sleep, safe and sound.
Later that evening, Vi was lying in bed, the dim light from her cracked phone screen the only thing cutting through the darkness of her room. She scrolled aimlessly through social media, not really looking for anything but a distraction from the constant hum of her thoughts. The room was quiet, save for the occasional creak of the building settling and the distant sounds of traffic outside.
Then, a notification popped up from Instagram, catching her attention.
Caitlyn_Kiramman followed you.
Vi blinked at the screen, raising an eyebrow. She hadn’t expected that. A big formal email – yes, just a simple mark on the Goggle Calendar – yes, but most certainly not Instagram. She tapped on the notification, her thumb hesitating for a moment before opening the profile.
Caitlyn's account was everything Vi expected. The feed was filled with meticulously curated photos—some of her at fancy events, some with her mother, who was a major player in local politics. The captions were as polished as her wardrobe, always dry, formal, full of updates about her mother’s latest political contributions or the city council’s progress on whatever project was happening at the moment. It was all very... Caitlyn—the kind of perfect, prim image that Vi had grown to expect from someone with that last name.
With a smirk, Vi tapped the "Follow Back" button, her thumb lingering for a moment as she watched the action confirm on-screen. She tossed the phone onto her pillow and turned over to bury her face in the blankets, still amused by the odd turn of events.
Caitlyn Kiramman, city councilor’s daughter, political prodigy, and—now—her study buddy.
I am going to drop the fuck out.
Vi’s phone buzzed as she was pulling the blanket up around her shoulders. It was a message from Caitlyn Kiramman.
Good evening. Would 8 a.m. meeting at the library work for you?
Vi blinked at the message, her thumb hovering over the screen for a moment. The last thing she wanted to think about was that god-awful project with Miss Perfect, but it seemed Caitlyn had other plans.
8 am?
Vi typed back, her fingers moving quickly as she tried to hide the irritation in her words.
u know it’s a Saturday right?
She waited a beat, expecting Caitlyn to take her time in replying—because who the hell was that organized?—but the response came almost immediately.
I’m aware. I’m hoping we can finish the project outline before holidays and the exams and get a chance to enjoy the weekend. Moreover, I have an early training session and then a morning class. I’m busy in the evenings as well, so this is the only time I have.
Vi scoffed, tossing her phone onto the nightstand. "Enjoy the weekend, my ass," she muttered sarcastically. Caitlyn was clearly one of those people who took their academic reputation too seriously, and Vi wasn’t sure if that was going to be the most annoying part of this whole ordeal or just the beginning.
After a moment, she sat up, picked her phone back up, and with a resigned groan, Vi typed back:
fine. I’ll be there
Vi sent the message to Caitlyn and, with a resigned sigh, opened the Clock app on her phone. Five alarms. Five. That should give her at least a chance at waking up on time. Of course, knowing her luck, she'd probably sleep through at least three of them, but it was worth a shot. She thought for a second about setting seven, just so the relentless beeping would keep ringing while she showered and annoy the hell out of Jinx. She could practically hear her sister’s groans echoing through the walls, and honestly, the thought almost made her grin.
But then, Vi sighed and tossed the idea aside. She wasn’t that cruel. At least, not tonight. She set the five alarms, plugged in her phone to charge, and let herself fall back against the pillows. Closing her eyes, she hoped for a miracle—a peaceful, uninterrupted night’s sleep.