A few weeks had passed since the almost-kiss, and Victoria found herself in a strange position. Despite the  moment they had shared, Caitlin hadn't directly addressed it. Instead, their dynamic had shifted subtly but significantly. Caitlin had become even more touchy, her affections growing bolder and more frequent.

At parties, Caitlin would often wrap her arm around Victoria's waist, pulling her close and planting soft kisses on her neck. These gestures sent Victoria's heart racing, leaving her wondering if Caitlin was ever going to make a move or if they would continue like this.

FLASHBACK 

It was a crowded, lively evening at one of the off-campus houses. The music was loud, people were dancing and laughing,  Victoria had been standing near the kitchen, chatting with some friends, when she felt a familiar presence approach.

Caitlin slipped up behind her, her arms wrapping around Victoria's waist in a gentle, possessive embrace. Victoria's heart skipped a beat as Caitlin's breath brushed against her ear, sending a shiver down her spine.

"Hey, beautiful," Caitlin murmured, her voice low. "Having a good time?"

Victoria turned her head slightly, catching a glimpse of Caitlin's smirk "Yeah, it's fun," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady despite the fluttering in her chest.

Caitlin leaned in closer, pressing a soft kiss to the side of Victoria's neck. "You know," she whispered, her lips brushing against Victoria's skin, "I can't stop thinking about how amazing you are. You're always here for me, cheering me on, making me laugh."

Victoria's breath hitched, the sensation of Caitlin's lips on her neck sending a wave of warmth through her body.

"I mean it, Vic," Caitlin continued, her voice a soft, reassuring murmur. "You're incredible. And I don't know what I'd do without you."

Victoria felt her cheeks flush, a mix of embarrassment and happiness swirling within her. She turned slightly in Caitlin's embrace, meeting her friend's gaze. "You mean a lot to me too, Caitlin," she said, her voice barely audible over the music.

Caitlin's eyes sparkled with warmth and affection, her smile widening. "Good," she said simply, giving Victoria one last kiss on the neck before reluctantly letting go. "Now, let's go have some fun."

END OF FLASHBACK

Even outside of social gatherings, Caitlin made her feelings clear in subtle ways. She would constantly talk about Victoria, talking about  her support, her sense of humor, and how smart she was. It seemed like Caitlin couldn't help but bring her into every conversation, making it abundantly clear to everyone around them how much Victoria meant to her.

The rest of the team had taken notice too. Jada, Kate, and the others would exchange knowing glances whenever Caitlin and Victoria interacted, their teasing becoming a regular occurrence. It seemed like everyone saw what was going on between them—everyone except for Caitlin and Victoria themselves. 

One day, Coach Bluder pulled Vic aside at a family reunion. The older woman had a kind but curious look in her eyes. "Vic, can we talk?"

Victoria nodded, following her grandmother to a quieter corner of the gym. "Sure, Grandma. What's up?"

Coach Bluder smiled warmly. "I've noticed Caitlin has been talking about you a lot lately. She's been very affectionate. Has she finally asked you out?"

Victoria felt her cheeks flush, a mix of embarrassment and frustration bubbling up inside her. "No, Grandma. We're still just friends," she replied, the words tasting bitter on her tongue.

Coach Bluder raised an eyebrow, her expression a mix of surprise and amusement. "Just friends, huh? Well, from where I'm standing, it looks like there's a lot more going on. Sometimes, people need a little nudge to realize what's right in front of them."

Victoria nodded, appreciating her grandmother's insight but feeling the weight of her situation even more acutely. "Thanks, Grandma. I'll keep that in mind."

Winter break had settled over Des Moines, casting the city in a blanket of snow. Victoria was back home, curled up in her room with a thick blanket watching movie. As she relaxed on her bed, her phone buzzed beside her, lighting up with a new message. She glanced at the screen and saw Caitlin's name, her heart skipping a beat in anticipation.

CC <33

CC <33 

Hey pretty girl, wanna come over

for dinner?

                                                                                                                                                              pretty girl

                                                                                                                                   yeah sure, what time?     

CC<33

come around at like 7?

Victoria's face broke into a smile, warmth spreading through her at the thought of spending time with Caitlin and her family. She had stayed at Caitlin's house a few times during previous winter breaks, and her family had always welcomed her with open arms. Caitlin's mom and dad were like second parents to her, and her brothers, Colin and Blake were always so nice to her.

When It was time to get ready, Victoria headed to her closet to find something to wear. She settled on a pair of dark jeans and a long-sleeve black top that accentuated her figure. She took a moment to run a brush through her hair, leaving it loose around her shoulders, and added a touch of mascara and lip gloss to complete the look.

She looked pretty, she had to admit, and there was a spark of excitement in her eyes that she couldn't quite hide. Satisfied with her appearance, Victoria grabbed her warmest coat and a scarf before heading out into the crisp winter air.

Victoria stepped out into the crisp winter air, pulling her coat tighter around her to fend off the chill. The snow crunched under her boots as she made her way to her car, a wave of excitement bubbling up inside her. She couldn't wait to see Caitlin and her family again.

Sliding into the driver's seat, she turned the key in the ignition, the heater quickly warming up the interior. Victoria took a moment to adjust her scarf and gloves before pulling out of the driveway, the soft hum of the radio filling the car.

As she drove through the snow-covered streets of Des Moines, her excitement grew. The city was adorned with twinkling holiday lights, casting a warm glow over the snowy landscape. Victoria couldn't help but smile at the festive decorations, her anticipation for the evening ahead making her feel almost giddy.

Thoughts of Caitlin and the way she had been more touchy and affectionate lately filled her mind. Victoria's heart fluttered at the memory of their almost-kiss and the way Caitlin had held her at parties, whispering sweet things in her ear. She wondered if tonight might finally be the night they would've talked about it.

She turned onto Caitlin's street, her heart racing with anticipation. She could see the cozy glow of the house from a distance, the smoke curling up from the chimney, and the string of holiday lights twinkling around the windows. Victoria parked her car and took a deep breath, her excitement palpable as she made her way to the front door.

Victoria parked her car in front of Caitlin's house and stepped out into the crisp winter air, her breath visible in the cold. She walked up the familiar path, her boots crunching on the snow, and stopped in front of the door. Taking a deep breath, she knocked, her heart racing with anticipation.

The door swung open almost immediately, revealing Caitlin standing there in a pair of jeans and an Iowa basketball hoodie, her hair pulled up into a casual bun. Victoria's breath caught in her throat. Caitlin looked effortlessly beautiful, Victoria couldn't help but think, She looks so good, oh my god.

Caitlin's face lit up with a wide smile when she saw Victoria. "Hey, you made it!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine happiness.

Before Victoria could respond, Caitlin stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her in a warm, tight hug. "I missed you," Caitlin whispered into Victoria's ear, her breath warm against her skin.

Victoria's heart fluttered at the closeness, and she hugged Caitlin back just as tightly. "I missed you too," she whispered, feeling a rush of affection and warmth. 

They stood there in the warm embrace, the cold winter air forgotten for a moment, until a voice broke through their little bubble.

"Caitlin, stop keeping Vic to yourself! Let me say hi to her!" Colin shouted from inside the house.

Victoria laughed, pulling back slightly to see Caitlin's sheepish grin. "Sorry, Vic. Come on in."

Before she could step inside, Colin, just a year younger than them, came over with a grin. "Vic!" he said, his eyes lighting up.

"Colin!" Victoria responded, just as excited. She and Colin had always been close, they always sat together when Colin came to see Caitlin play and they always had the best tome.

"Hey, it's great to see you," Colin said, giving her a quick hug. "It's been too long."

"It really has," Victoria replied, smiling warmly. "How have you been?"

"Good, just busy with school Colin said, stepping back to let her fully enter the house. "We've all missed having you around."

Just then, footsteps echoed down the stairs, and Victoria turned to see Blake making his way down. Blake was older than both Caitlin and Victoria, but he and Victoria shared a deep interest in history and literature. Their dinner debates had become a family tradition.

"Hey, Vic," Blake said, ruffling her hair playfully as he reached the bottom of the stairs. "It's good to see you."

Victoria grinned up at him, smoothing her hair back into place. "Hey, Blake. Good to see you too. How's everything going?"

"Busy with work, but you know how it is," Blake replied with a shrug.

Before Victoria could respond, Colin chimed in with a mischievous grin. "Yeah, Cait won't shut up about you," he teased, nudging his sister.

Caitlin rolled her eyes, though a blush crept up her cheeks. "Oh, stop it, Colin," she said, giving him a light shove. "You're just jealous because Vic likes me more."

Colin chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender. Victoria laughed along with them, feeling a warm sense of belonging as she stood surrounded by Caitlin's family. 

As they bantered, the sound of footsteps approached, and Anne, Caitlin's mom, entered the room. Her face lit up with a warm smile at the sight of Victoria.

"Victoria, darling! It's so lovely to see you," Anne exclaimed, crossing the room to envelop Victoria in a warm hug. "How's school been treating you?"

Victoria returned the hug, feeling a surge of affection for Caitlin's mom. "It's been good, thank you," she replied with a smile. "Classes have been challenging, but I'm managing. How about you?"

Anne pulled back slightly, her hands resting on Victoria's shoulders as she studied her with a fond gaze. "You look absolutely radiant, dear," she said, a hint of pride in her voice. "I swear, you get more beautiful every time I see you."

Victoria felt her cheeks flush at the compliment, a warm feeling spreading through her chest. "Thank you, Anne. That's so sweet of you to say."

Just then, Brent, Caitlin's dad, appeared in the doorway, a smile spreading across his face at the sight of Victoria. "Well, well, if it isn't our favorite honorary daughter," he said with a grin, crossing the room to give Victoria a friendly pat on the back. "How's it going, Victoria?"

Victoria returned Brent's smile, feeling a sense of warmth and acceptance from Caitlin's family. "It's going great, Brent. It's always a pleasure to be here."

Brent clapped his hands together, a twinkle in his eye. "Well, then, let's not waste any more time. Dinner's almost ready, and I'm starving!" he exclaimed, ushering everyone towards the dining room.

As they gathered around the dinner table, the warm aroma of home-cooked food filled the air, and the sound of laughter and conversation echoed through the room. Plates were filled with delicious dishes, and glasses were raised in a toast.

As they ate, the conversation flowed effortlessly, filled with jokes and stories. Victoria found herself caught up in the conversation, laughing along with Caitlin's family as they shared tales of their day .

However, the conversation turned to literature. Their shared love of history and literature often led to spirited debates, and tonight was no exception.

"So, Victoria," Blake said, his eyes twinkling mischievously as he leaned back in his chair. "I heard you've been raving about Jane Austen again. I still don't understand what all the fuss is about."

Victoria's eyes lit up , and she leaned forward, ready to defend her favorite author. "Blake, how can you say that? Jane Austen is a literary genius"

Blake shook his head with a playful grin. "I don't know, Vic. I've tried reading her books, but they just don't do it for me. I prefer something with a bit more action."

Victoria rolled her eyes playfully, "Jane Austen is amazing"

The rest of the family chuckled at their friendly banter, amused by the intensity of their debate. Anne interjected with a smile, trying to lighten the mood. "Now, now, let's not start another Austen vs. non-Austen debate. We all know you both have strong opinions "

But Victoria and Blake were already deep in discussion, their voices rising as they argued their points. 

After the delicious dinner, as plates were cleared away and the kitchen bustled with activity, Victoria offered to help Anne with the cleanup.

"Let me give you a hand with the dishes, Anne," Victoria offered, stepping towards the sink.

But Anne waved her off with a warm smile. "Oh, no need, dear. You've been away for so long, go spend some time with Caitlin" she insisted, her eyes twinkling with affection. "You can help me next time."

Victoria nodded gratefully, touched by Anne's thoughtfulness. "Thank you, Anne. I really appreciate it," she replied.

With the dishes taken care of, Victoria joined Caitlin, Colin, and Blake in the living room, where they were gathered on the couch, chatting and laughing.

As Victoria settled in next to Caitlin, Colin piped up with a mischievous grin. "Since Vic is back, we must follow tradition and play Monopoly," he declared, his eyes shining with excitement.

Caitlin chuckled, rolling her eyes playfully. "Oh no, not Monopoly again. You know how competitive we get," she said, giving Victoria a knowing look.

Victoria laughed along with them, remembering their intense Monopoly games from past dinners "I'm down" she replied, a competitive gleam in her eye. "Count your days because I'm winning"

As the Monopoly game got underway, they formed the teams they always played with: Blake and Colin , Anne and Bart, Victoria and Caitlin. They were seated  on a chair with Victoria comfortably on Caitlin's lap.

During the end of the game, Victoria had played the winning move and Caitlin couldn't contain her excitement. With a triumphant laugh, she pulled Victoria closer, her arms wrapping around her in a tight embrace.

Victoria laughed along with her, feeling a rush of warmth and happiness. After the game they decided to watch a movie.

The movie played, casting flickering shadows across the room. Caitlin and Victoria found themselves nestled together on the couch, their bodies pressed close as they watched the screen.

In the dim light of the room, Caitlin leaned in close to Victoria, her breath warm against her ear as she whispered softly, "Hey, Vic, do you want to sleep over tonight?"

Victoria's heart skipped a beat at the suggestion, a rush of warmth spreading through her at the thought of spending the night with Caitlin. She turned to face her, meeting her gaze with a soft smile.

"Yeah, I'd love to," Victoria replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you for inviting me."

Caitlin returned her smile, her eyes sparkling with warmth and affection. "Of course, anytime," she murmured, her fingers intertwining with Victoria's.

"Cait, are you sure your parents would be okay with it?" Victoria asked, a trace of uncertainty coloring her tone.

Caitlin's expression softened with understanding as she met Victoria's gaze, her fingers tracing comforting circles on the back of Victoria's hand. "Don't worry, Vic. They adore you, remember?" she reassured, a reassuring smile gracing her lips.

Victoria nodded, a sense of relief washing over her at Caitlin's words. "Okay, then. I'd love to," she replied, a genuine smile spreading across her face.

With that settled, they returned their attention to the movie, their fingers still intertwined as they lost themselves in the comfort of each other's presence. 

As they made their way up to Caitlin's room, their laughter echoed through the hallway, a comforting sound that filled Victoria with warmth. Stepping into the room, Victoria couldn't help but take in the familiar sights—the soft glow of the bedside lamp, the comforting scent of Caitlin's favorite candle, the neatly arranged books on her nightstand.

Caitlin moved to her dresser  as she rummaged through it before emerging with a pair of soft sweatpants and a loose shirt. Holding them out to Victoria, she offered them with a warm smile.

"Here, you can borrow these to sleep in," Caitlin said, her eyes sparkling with affection. 

Victoria  accepted them with a grateful nod, feeling a sense of intimacy in the simple act of sharing clothes.

"Thank you, Cait," Victoria murmured, her voice filled with gratitude. 

Caitlin's smile widened at Victoria's words, her eyes softening with affection. "Anything for you, Vic," she replied, her tone gentle. "Now, let's get comfortable."

They settled into bed together, the soft rustle of sheets filling the room.Feeling a sudden surge of warmth, Caitlin reached out, her hand finding Victoria's as she pulled her closer. Their bodies pressed together, fitting perfectly.

With a soft sigh, Caitlin leaned in, her lips brushing against Victoria's neck in a series of delicate kisses. Each touch sent shivers of pleasure down Victoria's spine.

"I missed you," Caitlin whispered against Victoria's skin, her voice a gentle murmur that stirred something deep within Victoria's heart.

Victoria's breath caught in her throat at Caitlin's words, her chest swelling with a rush of emotion. There was a vulnerability in Caitlin's voice, a raw honesty that made Victoria's heart ache with longing.

"I missed you too," Victoria murmured in reply, her voice barely above a whisper. 

As Caitlin's lips trailed a path of gentle kisses up Victoria's neck, a soft sigh escaped Victoria's lips, her heartbeat quickening with every tender touch. Each kiss sent a wave of warmth cascading through her body, igniting a fire that burned with an intensity she couldn't ignore.

Feeling Caitlin's breath against her skin, Victoria's pulse quickened, anticipation coursing through her veins as she felt Caitlin draw closer, her lips hovering just inches from her own.

And then, in a moment  Caitlin's lips met Victoria's in a soft, sweet kiss.With a soft gasp of surprise, Victoria melted into the kiss, her lips moving in