Tea for Two

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Things had been different lately. She was torn in a way she wasn’t used to all her life. All her life she’d had Catherine by her side in one way or another. They were twins so that was expected and they had many similarities. But even with what they did have different they still had each other and supported each other. She didn’t feel that had changed any but something had changed between them and she wasn’t sure what.

Of course they still loved each other and still had each other's back. But something subtle in their dynamic had changed. That was partially why Stef had reached out to her sister. She wanted to talk with her and see how everything was. Not to mention get caught up on her life. She knew that Cathy had moved to be closer to the stage and make it easier for her to make auditions. It was a brilliant move on her part since traffic was always a nightmare. Even their old apartment where Stef still lived was within walking distance of her job at the restaurant. She understand the want of an easy commute. Still it would be nice just to see her sister, glad that they both had time for this lunch.

She had gotten a table for her and her sister at this small little tea house. The best part were the prices. Two blocks over and you would be paying an arm and a leg for similar food. For now she was sipping on water as she waited for Cathy to show up. Stef was absently flipping through the menu, her mind more on her sister then on the menu.

@catherine

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words: 350 @stefgreen notes: beep beep here comes the drama express

It had already been a busy day for Catherine. But when wasn't it? Part of it was the industry and the job balancing, part of it was simply Catherine's fault. She always put more on her plate than she could handle, and never admitted to it. Lately, Catherine had been more focused on her career than friends and family, but that was just how her hierarchy went, and that meant moving out of her apartment with Stef to one closer to her show with a couple other chorus members. They had an empty bed to fill, Catherine needed one, it was a perfect fit. Her departure had been a bit abrupt and even awkward, which was why Catherine figured Stef wanted to meet. To her, it seemed a bit stand-offish, but that could be the actress in her always looking for something more. After all, Stef hadn't acted too upset with the decision, had she? Catherine didn't think much about the choice to move out until she had actually done it, and that was when she became unsure. She was sure it was a good choice for herself, but maybe not the best for the two of them as a pair, and she could've thought more about it before making a solid decision. Approaching one of their favorite hole in the wall shops, Catherine took a deep breath before stepping inside. It was very easy to spot Stef, though not many people would be able to tell them apart. Each step Cathy took was taking her closer to the table, and she dreaded the moment she had to sit down. Finally she reached the chair opposite her sister, and she cleared her throat. "Hello." A simple greeting for a simple meeting, she told herself. She straightened out her plain black skirt and turquoise top that had been hidden under her beige jacket until this moment, which now rested on the back of her chair. Sitting down against everything her brain was telling her to do, Catherine picked up the menu in order to avoid eye contact. "Good to see you."

♫

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Stef looked up right as her sister entered. She could see her own doubts and worries mirrored in Cathy’s face though she doubted anyone else could see it. Catherine’s feet seemed to be weighted down as walked towards the table and took a seat. Like something was pulling against her. Her own mind maybe? Those same doubts and fears?

“Hey there sis, good to see you too.” That right there was one of the bigger differences between them. While Stefanie may be willing to chit chat for hours about anything. Catherine was almost laconic at times. There were moments where Stef would be rolling her eyes just wanting her sister to say even one more word. But it was Catherine’s way and in truth Stefanie wouldn’t change a thing. “How’s your new place?” That was after all why she had moved out of their shared apartment. Hopefully it was worth it and Catherine didn’t have roommate you wanted to murder. Of course it went without saying if she ever wanted to move back she would always have a place.

She looked at the menu once again for a moment though her eyes still weren’t absorbing the words. She wasn’t used to this odd nervous tension between her and her sister. What worried her more was she wasn’t sure why it was there. Hell it hadn’t even been there when they had discussed their own sexuality with each other. They shared everything and had always shared like that. But now whatever this was between them was strange and unnatural. She didn’t like it.

@catherine

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words: 310 @stefgreen notes: ---

The tension in the air was so thick that Catherine felt like she could barely breathe. Part of it was her fault, but it was Stef who took it so personally. Besides, it didn't have to be that big of a deal, Stef was just making it that way. Scanning the menu, Catherine took much longer to pick something than normal. Cathy was decisive, firm in her choices and quick to make them. But the decision to avoid eye contact in itself was firm. Cathy knew exactly what she wanted, but she solely kept reading, listening vaguely to her sister's small question. Not missing a beat and not dropping the menu, Catherine spoke: "It's great. Convenient. Always something going on." Short and to the point. Maybe that would stop her from asking any more questions. However, she truly was curious about her sister and the apartment that they used to share together. There was no way to ask without sounding curious, and Catherine bit the bullet: "How's the new roommate? And how's the apartment?" It had to be asked at some point. Catherine may be bitter, but she wasn't a monster. After all, it still came out plain, flat and as if she couldn't care, but in reality she really wanted to know. There was a new girl sleeping in her old room, and it really was her fault. But there was no turning back on her decision now. Stef would never let her live it down. She loved her new place anyway. Sure, sometimes it could be rowdy, but after a day with a matinee and night show, Catherine and her roommates always crashed the second they got home, and they all understood the struggles they faced since they all worked in the same place. It was nice. It didn't really feel like home yet, but it was nice.

♫

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Stef did take it personally even though she really shouldn’t. There was no reason for her to do so and part of her knew it was simply because she felt separated from her sister, separated from her other half.

In typical Catherine fashion, Stefanie’s sister answered in short clipped sentences. But even for her these were abrupt. Stef knew Catherine too well to not know something was bothering her. Most likely it was Stefanie’s fault. “But how are your flat mates? Do you get along? Any issues? How many are there really?”

It was still hard to think of the place as anything more than her and her sister’s place. But it wasn’t theirs anymore. Well Catherine would always have a place there honestly as long as Stef lived there. “She’s good, you would hate her.” She said that with a grin on her face even if her sister wouldn’t see it. “Very energetic, spur of the moment. Does this whole vlogging thing that she’s doing her best to get me wrapped up in.”

Her sister may think that she would never let her live down the decision to move out but that wasn’t true. She really did understand the reason behind it all. Giving a sigh she gave up and put the menu down.”Look can we talk, just talk? No more dancing around?”

@catherine

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words: 364 @stefgreen notes: ---

In truth, the apartment could be a bit busy for Catherine here and there, but it was worth it for the location and friendship. But it did feel like something was missing, and it was very clear to her what that was. She was just much too stubborn to admit that to her sister. "There's four of us total and we're all so busy that it's pretty nice. They're a bit rowdier though. There's never really any quiet unless we're sleeping." It wasn't a lie. It was just spoken so matter-of-factly, and yet solid. But she didn't feel so confident about it inside. Hopefully she was a good enough actress to fool her twin. There was a piece of her that wanted Stef to admit how horrible her new roommate was, how terrible she was to live with, she was going to kick her out and beg for Cathy to come back and live with her because she realized just how awful it was without her. But she didn't. Really, her response couldn't have been more of the opposite. "Oh. That's... um, nice I guess." There was so much that she wasn't saying, and it wasn't that she couldn't tell her sister these things, it was that she felt that she just shouldn't. It would be better for the both of them if Cathy kept them silent. When Stef set down her menu, it was instinct for Catherine to put hers down, and she hid her wince as she realized her reflex. She should have expected her to be this way. Catherine ran a hand through her hair as Stef demanded honesty. It was only fair, but part of Cathy felt like she was acting this way for her sister's own good. "Dancing's my thing," she tried to joke. It was awful, but she could only sheepishly grin at her own attempt. It was also her attempt to avoid the inevitable in what Stef had just asked. At this point, however, Catherine was dragging this on much longer than she needed to. "Yeah. Yeah, we can talk. I'm just - it's weird. And I'm trying new things. I never do that. I'm trying, Stef."

♫