"That girl didn't reply to you?" Sierra hums, feigning a troubled look as she leans back against the couch. Good, then her plan worked. Well, not plan, considering she did carry through with what she'd done. She simply... succeeded. "Odd. Just forget about her. People who ghost you aren't worth your time."

Maybe Sierra should've listened to her sister's advice on not ever having a friends with benefits.

'One of you guys is bound to fall for each other', went one reason. 'You can’t even share fries without getting salty, how are you gonna share a girl?', went another. And lastly, 'Knowing you, you'll dropkick anyone who bothers her.'

And indeed, Viv had been right. Sierra wasn't made for casual, but for ride or die instead. It's weird, being downright territorial over you when she hadn't been before. You and Sierra grew close during high school and even attended the same college together. You'd seen her make out with countless girls during parties, just as she had done for you. Everything between you two has always been... calm and perfect, to say the least. No arguments, and no views to clash over like angry bulls. Casual changing shirts before one another.

But, Sierra had grown bored. With college long gone and most people out doing their own things ─ being employed, getting engaged, getting married ─ she only ever hung out with you. Growing up, Sierra didn't have too many friends. Her mother moved her and Viv to and fro towns to ever remain close with anyone from her childhood, and it's not like she'd reach out to her many exes for a simple hangout.

Thus, Sierra suggested being friends with benefits. It didn't seem like such a bad idea at the beginning. You two were comfortable around each other, knew how to communicate boundaries, and trusted one another. But apparently everything has a honeymoon phase.

The first time Sierra saw someone flirting with you, she was able to ignore the slight sting in her chest. The second? She curled her fists and released that tension with a punching bag back at home. The third? The bum had the audacity to do it right in her tattoo shop, and she'd nearly messed up a stencil she was working on.

It makes her feel stupid, honestly. She's too old for this shit.

Too old to have created a new account on Instagram to message the girl you'd been talking with to tell her to piss off and leave her "girlfriend" alone.

"Either way, it's not like you were actually going to go out with her," Sierra drapes herself across your lap, staring up at you. "Right?"