"I'm sorry," is the first thing Karina walks into when she comes back from her jog. Winter is standing in the kitchen, already dresses for school, wearing dark skinny jeans and a plaid shirt. She's also holding a cup of something that vaguely smells like tea and, when she notices Karina's pointed look, she shrugs. "I tried brewing tea. As a thank you for, um, last night. Don't drink that."
"Okay." Karina nods and opens the fridge. It's avocado and whole wheat toast today. "I forgive you for your poor tea making skills." Yes, so she might be slightly unhappy with Winter at the moment. Partly because she has slept for a whooping three hours and partly because even though it's been a week, she still feels discontent with the way Winter has handled their conversation.
Her step sister sighs. "That's not what I was apologizing for," she mutters. Karina's eyebrows go up. Oh. As far as apologies go, this isn't the best one. Although Karina wouldn't know. She doesn't have much to compare it to.
"Oh," she says, and pours the tea Winter made into the sink, wincing at the bitter scent. The girl should definitely stick to coffee. Karina's become accustomed to the smell, anyway. It's been missing in the kitchen the last couple of days. Not that she missed it. She simply noticed the absence. Of the coffee smell. Okay, maybe Winter's, too. It's hard not to notice when someone is actively avoiding you.
Now, Winter's presence is overbearing.
"I mean it, you know," her step sister says quietly. "I'm sorry for... For pressuring you. It was a fucked up thing to do. If you want to stop our arrangement, I understand. Well, I don't. But you don't have to explain your decision to me. It's not like..." she isn't looking at Winter, but she imagines a frown marring her features during her brief pause. "Um. So, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have gone off on you like that."
"You didn't," Karina points out blankly. "You just told me to go fuck myself and left."
"Yeah, that was me going off, actually."
"Oh. I always imagine the going off process to take longer." she says. She's still not looking at her, instead busying herself with checking the expiration date on the milk carton.
"It's highly unlikely it's gone bad since yesterday," Winter points out. She's still holding the cup, Karina notes as she gives her a sideways glance.
"I know."
"But you still check to see if it's fresh," the girl clarifies.
Karina blinks. "Yes." She expects her to scoff in irritation. Instead, she finds Winter looking at her cup, contemplating something. "Huh," says the blonde.
The conversation is progressing nicely so far.
She puts everything on the counter and turns to face Winter who's fiddling with the cup. Karina gets a sudden urge to take it and – smash it, maybe, or pour it over Winter's head. She settles for a long sigh. "Thank you," she says. "I accept your apology." She's not sure she does, but the sooner they forget about this whole thing, the sooner everything will go back to normal. She's been too distracted lately. Cutting Winter out hasn't been as productive as she's originally thought. Seulgi has commented on her lack of concentration, and up to this morning, she was sure she'd do less than satisfactory on her upcoming test. But, with Winter willing to bury the hatchet that's been haunting Karina the past couple of days, maybe things will get back on track.
She should probably take part in burying, too. "I'm sorry, too. I've been too harsh with my words." There are words she shouldn't have said. Words she didn't even mean.
"Well," Winter gives her a wry grin. Their eyes meet, finally, and it's a jolt of shock through Karina's system. Electric orbs. "Truth is supposed to hurt, isn't it?"
Is it?
"You haven't really manipulated me. I wanted you, too."
Winter shrugs. "I know. It made things easier." She sighs, suddenly agitated, and places the cup on the table. Some of the liquid spills. Karina watches as droplets land on the surface, trickling down the side of the mug.
"Well, as I said. I accept your apology." She's wondering about Winter's change of heart, of course. But she doesn't have much time and she wanted to drive to school earlier today to discuss her essay with her lit teacher. "I don't wanna be late, so..." she gestures vaguely, indicating she has to go. Winter nods.
"Right. So, it's all good?"
"Sure." She isn't, not really. And she doesn't want to think of the possible reason, but, as she's about to leave, Winter brings it up herself.
"I'm not seeing Heejin, by the way." her back is facing Winter when the blonde utters the words, and she's not turning. "Never have. She's a good friend. We were always casual." She hears the girl clear her throat. "And we aren't even that right now." Karina thinks of the right now and possible implications of not yet, and her back stiffens.
They were casual as well, weren't they?
"Okay," she simply replies. "I'm... sorry to hear that?" She turns her head so she's looking at Winter over her shoulder. The girl is studying her carefully, and Karina doesn't know whether or not she finds the thing she was looking for. Then, Winter lets out a small sigh and shrugs, fingers playing with the hem of her shirt.
"You shouldn't be. It never meant anything."
Karina hates the way her stomach churns at Winter's last phrase. "I was wondering why didn't you ask her to pick you up yesterday," she says. "I guess now I have my answer."
Winter looks like she wants to say something, but Karina doesn't have to look at her watch to know she really is off schedule. "Sorry, I have to..."
"Right. Just, one more thing. I really am sorry and I really am grateful for last night."
Karina is so late, but she can't help the words that fall off her tongue next. "I'm never one to tell people what to do, Winter," she says. "But last night was a clear prodrome."
It's really hard to ignore the way Winter's nose scrunches up cutely. "Prodrome."
"A warning sign," Karina elaborates. "I know you're capable of taking care of yourself, but..." I was scared. You scared me. "It's always good to have your friends around. Look out for each other. Clearly Hyunjin isn't an ideal candidate." she can't help but sneer. Winter rolls her eyes, and it takes Karina a moment to realize she isn't rolling her eyes at her.
"I know." That's the most Winter appears to be willing to talk about him, and Karina accepts it with a nod. "You're right. People are assholes and it's better to have your own assholes with you. That... didn't come out right." The girl sighs, wrapping her arms around herself. "You did a good job taking care of me yesterday, though," she points out. Her voice is warm, and Karina isn't very used to it. She blinks. "Who knows, maybe we'll learn to actually be decent step-siblings," Winter laughs.
It feels forced.
"Yeah," Karina winced. "I think that ship has sailed."
Winter shrugs. "You never know." She glances at her watch. Her late father's watch, Karina's learned not so long ago. Much like with Hyunjin, Winter doesn't talk about it. "You're gonna have to move it if you want to make it to school early."
Shit. "Okay. See you later?" Winter nods, one side of her mouth quirked up, and Karina hurries up the stairs. She hates rushing but she really does need to talk to her teacher about the essay.
In her hurry, she doesn't have time to question how Winter figured out she wanted to be at school earlier