The dorm hallways were dead silent—exactly what you needed. You peeked around the corner like some kind of undercover agent, making sure no RA, no random student, no Leighton Murray was around.

…Especially not Leighton.

The last thing you needed was the campus’s prettiest, cockiest gossip girl catching you in pajama shorts, holding an empty mug like it was a weapon.

Your stomach growled again.

“Okay, okay,” you whispered to it. “I’m going.”

You tip-toed toward the dorm kitchen and pushed the door open slowwwly… wincing at the faint creak, praying no one heard.

You slipped inside, shut the door behind you—

And nearly screamed when a voice whispered right behind your ear:

“Well, well. Look who’s out past curfew.”

You spun so fast you nearly dropped your mug. Leighton leaned against the counter in the dim lighting like she owned the entire building—arms crossed, one eyebrow arched, wearing an oversized sleep shirt that somehow made her even more intimidating.

You clutched your chest dramatically. “Holy shit, are you trying to kill me?!”

She smirked. “If I wanted you dead, trust me… this isn’t how I’d do it.”

You rolled your eyes, trying to act chill even though your heartbeat was chaos. “I was just… hungry.”

Leighton stepped closer, eyes dragging over your pajamas with a teasing slowness.

“And you thought you’d sneak in alone? At two in the morning? Tragic.” She nudged your mug playfully. “What’s the plan? Mug of cereal? Midnight tea? Or were you going to eat cookie dough straight from the tub?”