Test It Out βΛβ°Λ έΛβ.α
katie b x readerββ friends to lovers slow burn Λβ‘Λββ§βΊΛ
syn: you think you have katie's situation all figured out, but when you learn the truth and how vanilla had a hand in it, everything shifts
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βYou're nervous arenβt you?β
Emily smirked at you from the driverβs seat and suddenly you were much more conscious of your slumped posture.
βI never said that,β you said with an intentional perk in your tone.
βYou didnβt have to.β
You never had to explain yourself with her. Vanilla met you when she was six, being one of the first people to welcome you into this world. She stood by your motherβs hospital bed, holding a bouquet that was unmanageably large for her little hands.Β
Sheβd never seen a baby up close. Your body, swaddled up tightly, and squished face was so foreign to her.Β
Her mom squealed as she picked you up, gushing over how excited she was to finally be an aunt.Β
βMy sister has been saying she doesnβt even want kids. Two years ago I decided Iβd never be an aunt at all,β she shook her head in disbelief, unwrapping your blanket to take a look at your little fingers.
Emily looked between the two women curiously. βDoes that mean Iβm an aunt now?β
Her mom laughed, but yours offered a sweet smile.
βNo Emily. Your mom is her aunt and Iβm yours because your mom is my best friend in the world. We love each other like sisters. Since you and this little baby right here are our kids, that means you two will be best friends, too.β
Emily looked back at you, cradled in her motherβs arms, and tried to fathom how she could possibly be friends with someone who didnβt seem to do much of anything.Β
You writhed for a moment before settling back down, catching Emilyβs attention again.Β
βI think sheβs upset,β she said. βSheβs going to cry.β
βNo, sweetie. I think sheβs alright now,β her mom waved her off.
Not a moment later, you began to cry. As much as the noise startled Emily, she felt rather proud that she inherently understood you. She grinned from ear to ear, and decided that she already knew you better than anyone else in the room.Β
Twenty-three years later and little had changed, except that Emily learned that babies eventually do talkβthatβs something she could work with. That was best friend material.
When her car lurched at a red light, she turned to you properly now.Β
βWhat is it? The idea of being on camera?β
You shook your head and kept your eyes trained on the bustling intersection ahead, wracking your mind for an explanation for the tight feeling in your chest and clammy palms.Β
βYouβve streamed with me a dozen times now, this will be no differentββ
βItβs not that,β you cut in. βI think itβs justβ¦β
Your mouth hung open, silence filling the car where your explanation should be.Β
βGreen,β you said, nodding towards the road and the cars in motion beside you.Β
She let out a clipped laugh at her inattentiveness and turned up the music up far too loud. You eyed the GPSβfive minutes till your arrival. You forced a deep breath, then another, and then turned the music back down.Β
βI think itβs meeting new people,β you admitted.Β
Her face twisted up. βYou love meeting new people.β
βYeah,β you pursed your lips, βbut these are LA people. That just feels different.β
βOh my god,β she groaned, not unkindly. βGirl, these arenβt LA people.β She paused for a moment, the corners of her lips pulling up. βWell, Larray is, but heβs not like that.β
You nodded, running through your mental rolodex of the few times youβve seen these people on social media, reframing each memory with this new information.Β
βYouβll love them, I swear. I wouldnβt bring you with me if I didnβt think that.β She barked out another laugh. βWell, I probably would anyway. I donβt get to see you enough, thatβs why. Iβd bring you to a gyno appointment if it meant spending more time together.β
That reminder, that she always had your best interest at heart, eased the tension in your shoulders. It turned the anxiety buzzing beneath your skin into anticipation and it helped you hold your head high and as you walked into Larrayβs house.Β
βHello,β Emily shouted as she walked in behind you, her voice cutting through the hum of the air conditioning and echoing off the kitchenβs stone walls.
βIn here,β a voice called back from somewhere deeper in the house.
She moved forward with confident strides, leading you into a spacious living room. Three people sat on the floor, hunched over a coffee table that was covered in loose lego pieces.
βYou started without us?β She cried as she dropped her bag and quickly found a spot to sit.Β
Larry moved to make space for her, checking the camera to ensure the frame fit all of them.Β
You lingered by the entrance for a moment, trying to get a read of the room. There was a girl with fiery red hair that you instantly recognized as Katieβone of Emilyβs closest friends. She swore the two of you would be fast friends, along with Riley. You remembered her from the early days of Tiktok, a beautiful girl who ended up in Katieβs orbit. She was sandwiched in between Katie and Larray, the latter now barking orders at Emily, insisting she make herself useful.Β
You rounded the couch, moving slow enough to scan for a space to sit.Β
βHi,β Riley beamed up at you. You faltered after realizing she was even more gorgeous in person, intimidatingly so. But the warmth of her voice, the way she aimed her full attention at you, turned her daunting beauty into something softer.Β
Katie offered a tight lipped smile and pressed herself closer to Riley to make space for you. You situated yourself so that you were in frame, yet keeping an intentional distance between you two.Β
βIβm Katie,β she offered quietly so as to not disturb the bickering at the other end of the table.Β
Riley peaked her head out from behind Katie, her smile even wider now. βIβm Riley! I like your headband.β
She eyed the black headband that sat at your hairline, pushing back the hair that framed your face.Β
βBig headband girl over here,β Katie smirked, slinging an arm around Riley.Β
She adjusted her shoulders under the weight of her arm and explained how rare it was that she wasnβt sporting one herself. You lost focus on her words and began recalling all the speculation around their relationship status. You noticed it upon your first stream with Emilyβsparse and yet persistent chatters begging for details. Asking Vanilla to confirm what they were already very certain of. And now, looking at the two of them, the way their bodies were smushed together in a way that suggested something beyond familiarity, you wondered why the chatters felt the need to ask at all.Β
βFocus up,β Larray interrupted. βWe have a lot of work to do, ladies.β
As the girls quickly got to work, you quietly analyzed each personβs task, trying to figure out how to join in. It didnβt take long for Katie to notice your idle hands. She reached across the table for an unopened plastic bag filled with small, monochromatic legos.Β
βWant to help me with this part?β She asked as she slid the manual between the two of you.Β
You blew out a breath but Katie jumped in before you could say anything.Β
βI promise itβs not as hard as it looks.β
You looked over at her, surprised by just how close your faces were. Her eyes were locked on yours, flashing a smile that made something inside you freeze up for a moment.Β
βYeah, okay,β you nodded, pulling your gaze away from hers after it began to feel too heavy.Β
βIf you need help just let me know,β she said, then turned her attention to the phone in her lap. You recognized it as the streamβs chat solely by the speed at which the text flew by her screen.Β
You tried to read the comments in your periphery, attempting to hide how you peered under her arm at her phone, but Katie noticed. It seemed like there wasnβt much that got past her.Β
She pressed her thigh against yours, much to your surprise, and laid the phone on top of where your legs met. She leaned in and dropped her voice to a whisper. βTheyβre happy to see you, it seems.β
You fiddled with a small lego brick as you watched the comments scroll by, catching multiple mentions of your name and how excited they were for you to be meeting Katie.
βYeah, really,β she said. You were far too close now to bring yourself to look at her, but you could hear the smile in her voice.Β
She looked away just in time to miss a few users discussing how they preferred you and Katie to you and Riley, insisting the two of you looked better together and how Katie couldnβt seem to keep her eyes off you.Β
You knew the latter wasnβt true. You were sitting right next to her and you havenβt felt her stare once outside of speaking to you. Although you did sneak a glance at the camera to make a judgement about the first part.
You saw Emily jut out beyond the row of people on screen, looking directly at you. You snapped your head over to find she was holding her phone up, the chat pulled up on her screen, too. She waved her hand in short, giddy motions and winked at you.Β
Your face twisted up in confusion and you looked back down to Katieβs phone, searching for something worth her excitement. All you could pick up on was a massive discussion on which girl they favored Katie with.Β
You felt yourself go stiff, heat rushing to your cheeks, prompting you to occupy yourself with the surprisingly complex instructions. You willed yourself to get lost in the chatter of the room, eventually managing to laughing along, adding comments here and there and praying Katie developed a sudden disinterest in chat.Β
What with the complicated structure the two of you were building, she did in fact seem too busy to care about anything else. She was doing most of the work, seeing as you were relatively inexperienced with legos. You served as a helping hand, organizing the pieces and supplying her with what she needed.Β
Only once it had been pointed out in chat did you realize Katie had been looking at you a little more than necessary. You chalked it up to friendliness, maybe even curiosity at the most. With her girlfriend right beside her, there was absolutely no way her attention on you was anything more than that.Β
But even with that in mind, you felt warmth spread up your arm every time your fingers brushed together. The guilt stemming from that feeling and how you looked forward to it every time you handed over a piece, sat heavy on your chest. It was innocuous enoughβnot something anyone would notice besides you, growing rather paranoid, and chat, more paranoid yet.Β
Riley, who was preoccupied with her own building and passing conversation with Katie, didnβt notice when Katieβs fingers stayed on yours a moment too long as she became distracted. Both the first and the second time went completely undetected. Of course it did, because it meant nothing.
By the third time, when your mind had waged a war on itself trying to determine whether or not it was intentional, you stood up and excused yourself to the kitchen.Β
Living room conversation faded into the distance, leaving only the sound of your bare feet padding against the tile floor. As soon as the counter was in reach, you steadied yourself on it. Now, in the silence, you noticed the stream of thoughts in the back of your mind cursing you for freaking out over nothing. You told yourself it was simply because you hadnβt been around a girl you were attracted to in years. You were mostly straight but you had your moments when it came to girls who were your type. Katie, apparently, was exactly thatβfunny, outgoing, and a fantastic smile among other things.Β
You couldnβt help it, right? Sure, she had a girlfriend. Sure she was sitting right next to the two of you, but itβs not as if you were planning on making any moves.Β
That logic was reassurance enough, assuaging any of the anger you felt (save for Emily taunting you with the chat. That would be dealt with later, you would make sure of that.)
You began to rummage through the numerous cabinets in search of cups, figuring a drink of water would help pull your focus away from everything. By the time youβd searched every one and found nothing even close to a cup, you abandoned the idea altogether and began riffling through the fridge for a drink.
βHere,β someone said from the other side of the room. You jumped, holding your hand over your racing heart, and turned to find Katie at the far end of the counter. She closed a cabinet underneath the island, a glass in hand. βWater?β
You let her walk towards you, taking the glass from her with a furrowed brow. βHow did you know?β
βI just do,β she winked and clicked her teeth, turning her back on you as she headed for one of the stools at the island. You took the brief moment while she wasnβt looking to take stock of the feeling that just bloomed in your chest.Β
She rested her elbows on the counter, clasped hands coming under her chin, and now you were sure she was watching you. You could feel her eyes boring into you from behind. You pressed the glass in the outcove of the fridge and began to fill it.Β
You were so caught up in your racing thoughts that you hadnβt noticed the stifling silenceβnot until Katie took care to fill it herself.Β
βWeird place to keep cups, right?βΒ
You considered this for the first time, squinting off at the cabinet that housed them.Β
βYeah,β you agreed. When you met her gaze you saw her mouth had taken on that shape that had become familiar to you over the last hour or so. A lazy smile, teeth just slightly visible between her lips. You felt smaller under her gazeβshe seemed amused by you.Β
You took a sip of your water and leaned your front on the counter across from her as she kept her eyes trained on you the entire time. In that brief moment while you were occupied, you worked up something to say that would ease the awkward energy you felt buzzing in the room.Β
βAre you cold,β she asked before you could put your glass down.Β
βUh,β you swallowed and looked down, noticing the goosebumps on your arm that must have prompted her to ask. You thought about lying, not wanting to impose when you were only a plus one, but the evidence was right in front of her. βYeah, a little.β
Without another word, she peeled off her hoodie and slid it across the island.
βNo, take it, Iβm hot anyway.β
Your eyes stayed locked on the black hoodie piled in front of you as your mind wandered to Riley in the other room. How would that look, you prancing around in her girlfriend's sweatshirt? Clearly Katie has some boundary issues that the two of them have to discuss in private, but you wouldnβt be caught in the middle of it.Β
βI canβt,β you shook your head, laughing sheepishly.Β
Her eyebrows shot up and her mouth twisted into a smirk. βIβm not putting it back on.β
βKatie,β you sighed.Β
Suddenly she was on her feet, sweeping up the sweatshirt in her hand and rounding the island in one swift motion. She worked her hands around the fabric to find the opening and bunched the rest up. You instinctively ducked as she angled it over your head.Β
βPut it on,β she laughed, aiming for your moving head. Either she was extremely stubborn or she was looking for a reason to be close to you.Β
You took a step back, ready to take another until her arm wrapped around you, hand flush against your back to keep you from moving. Your skin felt alive under the touch, especially where her pinky grazed the exposed skin below your tank top.
Not until the hoodie was around your neck did you realize youβd frozen up, standing completely still as the scent of laundry detergent and something fruity enveloped you. She pushed the hoodie out of your eyes and smoothed the fly aways that got mussed during the commotion.
For the first time, her expression was blank, refusing to give her thoughts away. Concern washed over you and didnβt let up, even when she perked back to life.Β
βDamn, girl, you can put up a fight,β she choked out a laugh and returned to her seat without another glance at you. You couldnβt help but stare as she eased her way back onto the stool, eyes flat but a smile playing at her lips.Β
Footsteps trailed down the hallway, catching both of your attention. Then, a hushed voice with a razor sharp tone. Riley stormed through the room, throwing open the door to the patio and slamming it behind her, rushing by as if neither of you were there.Β
Again, your thoughts began to run. Did she catch the two of you, now ranting on the phone to a friend or her mother? You ran through the entire interaction, trying to decide how much of it was your fault and how much was hers. Either way, nothing about it felt innocent. You were certain now thatβthe electricity between you wasnβt in your head.Β
You saw Riley pacing the patio through the glass door, gesturing wildly then running a hand through her hair. When you looked at Katie, you expected to see humiliation. Guilt. Frustration. Instead, a look of pity crossed her face, softening her features into something even more charming.Β
βSheβs been fighting with her boyfriend all week,β she pursed her lips.
You opened your mouth, fully intending to respond, but words evaded you. Your eyes flicked between the girl in front of you and the one on the porch. Fighting with her boyfriend.
It was as if everything came into focus. There you were, standing in Katieβs hoodie, speechless as she watched you with a soft smile. You had them all wrong. You had Katie all wrong, and now that you had the full picture, every piece made sense.Β
Your words surprised you because it still felt as if your voice was caught in your throat. When you finally looked back at Katie, her expression had changed, as if she had put some pieces together herself.Β
βYeah,β she smirked, βit is.β
βHello?β Emily poked her head into the kitchen, an air of urgency about her. βOh, there you guys are. You left us all alone in there.β
You and Katie offered a clipped apology, exchanging once last glance before she stood up.
βIβll be right in, Iβm just going to grab some more water.β
βSee you in there,β she sang as she left.Β
And now came the grilling from Emily which you expected from the second she arrived. You wanted to just brush past itβtalk about it later when you had more time to sit with it. But when your eyes betrayed you and landed on her, you knew it would have been no use anyway.Β
She wiggled her eyebrows and crept over to you, her eyes practically sparkling. βWas that a moment?β She wagged her finger between you and where Katie once sat. Before you could speak, she continued. βAnd donβt say no because I wonβt believe you.β
You pressed your lips together to keep from smiling and shrugged before turning back to the fridge to fill your glass.Β
βShe likes you, you know,β Emily said casually, but the way the words landed on your chest was far from it.
βYou donβt know that,β you murmured.
She let out a loud sigh, disappointed by how she couldnβt get away with a white lie around you.Β
βAlright,β her hand smacked the counter as she props herself up against it. βShe didnβt say it, per say.β
Your eyebrow cocked up and you nodded at her for more.Β
βI justβ¦β she shrugged, βtold her you were coming. And showed her a picture of you. And insinuated that you could use a woman in your life after the last few dead beat men youβve been with.β
βEmily!β You quickly clamped your hand over your mouth, feelingrelieved when you heard Larray carry on his conversation in the other room as if nothing happened. βWhat is the matter with you?β
βWhat,β she drawled and batted her lashes, βam I wrong?β
βYouβre wrong for not consulting me first!β You ran your hands over your face, the scent of Katie thick on your sleeves. For the first time, you let yourself appreciate it.
βYouβre right, Iβm sorry,β she said with only mild conviction. βBut look,β she gestured to the sweatshirt that hung loosely on your body, βit worked.β
That did nothing to ease your embarrassment. You looked around the kitchen, noting all the exits and wondering if it would be possible to just leave now. Your eyes found Riley as she collapsed into a nearby chair, kicking her feet up and rubbing her forehead.Β
βI thought they were together.β The words came out softer, guiltier, than you expected.Β
βYeah, everyone does at first. I think they tried it out for a minute but neither of them were really feeling it.β
Your eyes fixed in the distance as you became lost in thought.Β
βIβm mad at you,β you said, testing out the words because truthfully you werenβt sure your frustration outweighed your excitement.Β
βIβm sorry,β she said, more earnestly this time.Β
You looked back at her, βWhy didnβt you tell me?β
βWhat? That they werenβt together. That I tried to set you two up?β
You sighed, βThe second one. Both. I donβt know.β Your hands came to your head and you spun on your heels. You paced the kitchen and replayed every interaction you had with her today, searching for any pity or awkwardness on her part.Β
βDude,β Emily strode over to you and grabbed your shoulders, stopping you in your tracks. βI didnβt tell you before because I knew youβd freak out like this. Believe me, she likes you. Itβs very obvious.β
You brought your lip between your teeth and considered it. You did have your suspicions earlier, but it only caught your attention because you thought she was disrespecting Riley.
You pushed the thought aside, because the most pressing issue was that she embarrassed you before you even met Katie.Β
βItβs fine,β she cooed. βI swear, just go in there and test it out. If youβre not interested then we can pretend like nothing ever happened. I mean, weβre streaming for Godβs sake. Itβs not like sheβs going to start making out with you live on camera.β
βOh my god, Emily,β you breathed, wriggling free from her grasp and returning to the living room.Β
βFinally,β Larray shouted as you entered.Β
βOh, you missed me,β you asked with a grin.Β
You made your way back to your seat and this time, despite there being two less people, Katie didnβt move over a single inch. You hesitated, standing over her and trying to make sense of what she was doing. Only when she looked up at you with that big, charming smileβwhen your stomach came alive with butterfliesβdid you realize what she was doing.Β
You sat down, pulled your knees into your chest and let your arm be flush with hers. She looked down at the sweatshirt and gave it a quick, gentle tug where the fabric rested against your stomach. Her phone was no longer out, meaning you couldnβt read chat, but you didnβt have to see it to know what they were saying.Β You found it interesting that she had no cares about how this may have looked.
Emily came in moments after you, clearly trying to suppress a smile. When she was seated and back on camera, she made a show of leaning over to take a look at you.Β
βNice sweatshirt,β she announced. You felt Katie shift beside you.Β
βNice buzzcut,β you shot back, knowing how amused she was by how vehemently against her shaved head you were.
βThanks,β she chirped sarcastically and went back to her abandoned lego structure.
When Larray began to ramble loudly about how much he actually hated legos, Katie took the opportunity to lean in and whisper, βThis hoodie does look good on you.β
She pulled away and met your eyes, surely able to notice the blush spreading across your cheeks. You muttered a soft thanks and gave her your best doe eyesβthe flirtiest thing you could think to do while still on camera.Β
She grabbed the manual on the table as she kept her gaze on you, allowing herself one more second of attention on you before turning back to the task at hand.Β
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