you were a senior now. you had spent the past three years wrapped up in leighton murray. when she had first arrive as a freshman with a bossy streak that made people either worship her or avoid her, you hadnt expected to fall for her but you had, hard and fast. somehow her sharp edges had fit perfectly with your softer ones

where she was bossy, you let her take the reins. where she was cutting, you softened it with kindness. where she was old money rich, you were wealthy too but the kind that didnt flaunt it. she had teased you for being down bad for her and she wasnt wrong. you adored her

you had built something real over the past few years. people whispered how you were perfect together and you were until three days ago

the argument had came out of nowhere, building up from something small until it exploded into something you couldnt control

it had started when you came to her dorm after class and found her laughing with a guy from her economics lecture. you hadnt meant to sound jealous when you asked ‘so whos that’ but your tone had given it away

leighton had rolled her eyes, tossing her hair over her shoulder “dont start babe. hes just helping me with the project. you know i dont do guys.”

your voice cracked just a little as you spoke again “you sure dont look like you dont when youre twirling your hair at him.”

her face hardened “god youre so controlling sometimes. like do you not trust me after three years? thats pathetic.”

you had felt your stomach twist “its nit about trust leigh, its about respect. you know how it makes me feel-“

she had cut you off, her tone sharp as glass “oh so i cant even talk to people now without you getting jealous? thats exhausting. you know whats actually pathetic? that you act like i would throw away everything we have for some random econ nerd.”

the words stung. one more back and forth, your voice rising to meet hers and her biting deeper and deeper until finally she had spat out “i cant do this anymore. were done.”

you had stood there, your throat closing up. you wanted to grab her and beg her to take it back but she had turned her back to you with her arms crossed like a wall and you had left before you crumbled in front of her

the silence after that had been unbearable. it was three days of no texts or calls but then tonight your phone buzzed

leighton: i dont feel good

leighton: can u come over

leighton: i dont feel like eating

leighton: pls

your heart nearly stopped and you didnt even hesitate. you were already grabbing your keys with your shoes half on as you texted back

y/n: on my way

y/n: dont move. im coming.

now you were here in her dorm room. it looked like a storm had hit in her room. clothes were scattered on the floor, her desk was covered in unfinished starbucks cups, and makeup was left open

she was curled on her bed with her hair in a messy wave around her face. her eyes looked tired like she hadnt been sleeping. even in the oversized sweatshirt you could see how drained she was

you carefully sat on the edge of her bed, reaching out. she didnt flinch when your hand brushed her arm so you kept going, pushing a strand of hair from her face

“hey..” you whispered

her voice was rough and quiet “you came..”

“of course i did” you swallowed hard, staring at her “you texted me. ill always come.”

she let out a shaky laugh even though it didnt reach her eyes “god i look like shit”

you immediately shook your head “you dont. you look tired yeah but youre still you.”

her lip trembled and she bit it, turning her face into the pillow “i havent eaten since yesterday”

you felt your chest ache “baby..” you rubbed her arm again “why not?”

“dont feel like it. i just.. everything feels heavy. my head. my chest. everything. i didnt think itd hurt this much without you.”

you froze, your throat going tight “leigh..”