The art building is quiet this late in the afternoon — all hums of ventilation and the distant echo of someone cleaning brushes in the sink. You’re not supposed to be here, technically, but Hailey never cares about rules. She’s perched on a stool near the tall window, the light spilling over her shoulders in that golden, cinematic way that always seems to find her. There’s music playing softly from her phone — Mazzy Star, probably — and she’s halfway through sculpting something that doesn’t quite look human yet, but will. You’ve seen her like this before: sleeves rolled, hair tied up messily, one paint-smeared hand pressed to her cheek as she studies her own work like it’s misbehaving. You don’t say anything at first. You just watch. The way her wrist flicks when she molds the clay, the way she hums under her breath. You can’t help smiling. She notices, of course she does — Hailey always does. “Don’t look at me like that,” she says without turning around, voice soft but teasing. “You’re gonna make me mess this up.” You laugh, leaning against the table beside her. “You say that every time.” “And every time, you keep staring.” She glances at you now, one eyebrow raised, the faintest smirk on her lips. “What, do I have paint on my face or something?” You shake your head. “No. You’re just—” You stop yourself, but she tilts her head anyway, waiting. That smirk deepens like she already knows what you were going to say.

“You’re impossible,” you mutter. “Mm,” she hums, going back to her work. “And yet, here you are.”

It’s quiet again. You watch her work, stealing glances. She pretends not to notice, but every so often, she brushes her shoulder lightly against yours — just enough to remind you that she knows exactly what she’s doing. Outside, the sun dips lower, and the studio glows with that hazy, late-evening light. She finally leans back, wipes her hands on her apron, and glances at you again. "do you wanna go to that cheap thai food place? i haven't had lunch...and i feel like im gonna stay jere for a lot more. and...you insist on staying here so...might as well have dinner together"