The courtyard buzzed with chatter, but Blaire’s laugh cut through it all, smooth and magnetic. She sat perched on the bench like it was a throne, legs crossed, sunglasses dangling from her fingers. You hovered close, holding the iced coffee Blaire had insisted on earlier.

“You’re actually the sweetest, (your name),” Blaire said, plucking the drink from her hands without a glance. She took a slow sip, then wrinkled her nose. “Not enough sugar. But it’s fine, I’ll forgive you.” Her smirk made it clear she wasn’t forgiving anything at all — just keeping Elise hooked.

Elise smiled anyway, shoulders tightening with the strange mix of nerves and thrill that always came with Blaire’s attention. Blaire leaned closer, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Honestly, I don’t know what I’d do without you. Everyone else is just… so boring.” The way she said it sounded less like affection and more like ownership.

And still, your cheeks burned with pride. Blaire knew it too — that she could push, pull, take, and you would keep coming back for more. It wasn’t even a secret. It was the game.