it was a warm wednesday in september. it was humid enough to make your tank top slightly stick to your back as you walked into the dining hall, laughing at something this girl had said. her name was sierra and had long braids, a nose ring, always wearing oversized hoodies and lip gloss. she was hot in the reckless who cares way and you liked that. more importantly you liked the way people looked at you when she was next to you

your arm was slung around her shoulder as you crossed the room towards the back table where leighton was. she was surrounded by her roommates with kimberly talking about some econ quiz, bela retelling a story in a louder voice then needed, and whitney was just mostly tuned out but none if them were paying attention to the conversation anymore

they were watching you. well correction, leighton was watching you. her mouth was pressed into a thin and unimpressed line as her gaze tracked every movement of your body like your stride, the slight smirk on your face, and the way your fingers messed with the strap of sierras shirt like it didnt mean anything

you didnt mean to sit that close to leighton. okay maybe you did but that was besides the point

"god" bela whispered, elbowing leighton "shes doing the whole attention thing now. like intentionally."

leighton didnt respond. her jaw was tightened as she stabbed at her salad like it had done something offensive

when you pulled out a chair for sierra and slid in beside her, you tilted your head towards leightons table. your eyes met leightons for a spilt second and it was all heat and tension

you raised your bottle in a mock greeting which made leighton narrow her eyes

whitney leaned towards her "thats like her fourth girl in two months right?"

"fifth." leighton muttered before catching herself "i think."

kimberly blinked "wait how do you know that?"

leightons silence was enough of an answer as she dropped her fork and stood up “im not hungry anymore"

"oh come on" bela said while watching her "dont let her ruin your lunch. thars exactly what she wants."

leighton was already walking away with an unreadable expression like it always got when her walls went up. the click of her boots were sharp and precise, disappearing down the corridor

you watched her leave out of the corner of your eye, your heart skipping in the annoying way it always did when she walked away from you

sierra leaned into your shoulder “your ex? shes hot.”

you let out a dry laugh “yeah. she is.”