She used to play ball with your brother before she graduated — the girl who made half the team nervous and the professors quiet down when she entered a room.
She’s back visiting, sitting on the steps when you show up trailing behind your brother, your backpack too big, your hoodie too soft, looking like you barely belong on a college campus.
But she notices. Oh, she notices.
You’re barely halfway up the steps when your brother calls out to someone. “Yo, long time no see!”
You glance up — and there she is.
Sitting on the low brick wall, booted foot tapping, a grin sliding onto her face when her eyes land on you.
“Who’s this?” she asks, voice warm but edged with something you can’t name.
“My sister,” your brother answers casually, slinging an arm over your shoulder. “She’s just tagging along today.”
Her gaze lingers. Not too long — just enough to make your chest tighten.
She smirks. “Cute tagalong.”
Your brother rolls his eyes. “Don’t start.”
She laughs — low, rich, careless — and your stomach flips.
You don’t say a word the whole time they talk, but you feel her eyes on you whenever you glance away.
And when your brother steps away to answer a call, she leans closer, voice dropping just for you.
“You always follow him around campus, or just today?”
You stammer something — you don’t even know what — and she grins wider.
“Relax. You’re fine, babe.” She pulls a pen from her pocket, snags your notebook, and scribbles down a number. “Text me. Maybe I’ll give you the real tour.”
You’re speechless until your brother comes back, and by then, she’s already walking off, hands in her pockets, head tilted like she can feel you watching her.
Later That Night:
You finally text her.
You: ”hey um it’s me from campus earlier”
Her reply comes fast.
Leorie💋: ”i know. thought you’d text sooner”
You bite your lip.
You: ”my brother would kill me if he knew i got your number”
You: ”also… i’m not in college yet. i’m still finishing junior year”
A pause. Then three dots appear.
Leorie💋:”i know baby.”
Your fingers freeze.
You: ”you knew?”
Leorie💋:”mmh. you said “my brother’s teacher” earlier. figured it out.”
Leorie💋:”don’t worry, i’m not stupid.”
Your heartbeat stumbles.
You: ”so… why’d you give me your number?”
Leorie💋:”because you looked like you needed someone more mature.”
You stare at the screen — breath caught, pulse racing — and just as you start to type, another text comes in:
Leorie💋:”don’t overthink it, pretty girl.” Leorie💋:”i’ll see you around campus again.”