leighton murray had always been a little hard to read. on the surface she was sharp tongued, sarcastic, effortlessly stylish, and the kind of girl who could roll her eyes and still make everyone around her want her approval but underneath you knew her better than most. you had been her girlfriend once back when things between you burned so bright it felt like nothing could ever touch you. it had officially ended but you had never really figured out how to stop caring. you still carried that part of her with you and in a way you always would

that morning your phone buzzed and when you saw leightons name light up on the screen you couldnt help but smile

leighton: ughhh my uterus hates me.

y/n: period stuff?

leighton: yeah. cramps are literally killing me. why does being a girl suck so much sometimes

y/n: that bad?

leighton: like curled up in bed wanna die bad

y/n: im sorry. wish i could do something.

leighton: i know. thanks tho. its fine. ill drag myself to class anyways

you stared at the text for a second, chewing your lips. of course she didnt ask for anything, she never did but you knew her tells. when she was really hurting she got softer in her messages and less sarcastic. it tugged at you the way it always did

y/n: what class?

leighton: econ. why?

y/n: no reason just go slow

she didnt reply to that one but you already knew what you were going to do. you stopped by the cafe you knew she liked, ordered her coffee exactly the way she liked, and hurried across campus. the fall air was brisk with students bustling around you, hurrying to their own lectures. you scanned the sidewalk until you spotted leighton walking little slower than usual with one arm clutching her books to her chest and the other one tugging her cardigan tighter

you jogged to catch up, you shows crunching against the sidewalk

"hey" you said, breath puffing a little as you caught her shoulder. she turned, surprise flashing across her face before it softened into that smile you hadnt seen in so long

"you didnt" she said, her voice caught somewhere between amused and touched

"i did" you held out the coffee, grinning like you couldnt help it "figured you could use it"

she blinked then laughed under her breath, shaking her head as she took it from you with both hands

"god youre ridiculous" she mumbled but the way her eyes lingered on you betrayed her

she lifted the cup, carefully sipping and let out a soft sigh "perfect. of course yoh remembered."

you matched her pace as she walked, easily falling into step "what kind of ex would i be if i let you suffer through econ and cramps without caffeine?"

"the normal kind?" she shot back while smirking but there wasnt any edge to it. she nudged you with her elbow, the contact sending a jolt of familiarity through you "seriously though.. thanks. i didnt even want to get out of bed today"

you glanced at her, noticing how her makeup was a little lighter than usual. she still looked beautiful but somehow softer and more vulnerable. it made something tighten in your chest

"i could tell. thats why i came"

she gave you a look "you always do this. you show up even when you dont have to"

"i like making sure youre okay" you admitted, your voice lower and more serious "i dont know how not to"

for a second she didnt say anything as her steps slightly slowed down. the crowd of students streamed past but the world felt narrowed down to the two of you. she sipped her coffee again, hiding behind it but not well enough to disguise the way her lips faintly curved upwards

"you make it really hard to pretend i dont still.." she trailed off, clearing her throat and shaking her head as if she hadnt meant to go there

instead she changed the subject "so whats your excuse for skipping whatever you were supposed to be doing right now?"

you softly laughed, watching the way the wind caught a strand of her hair "who says i had anything better to do?"

"please. you always have better things to do. you just.. chose me."