Layers of Heat

Layer 2

"Oh, cute! Isn't that the Little Penguin?" Leila heard the two girls she just passed on the sidewalk giggle behind her.

It was past 8pm and she had just finished her shift at the library, making her way to the bus stop.

When people first started noticing her in her freshman year, she either received curious stares or mocking snickers. She was only human, so of course, the attention made her feel insecure, but when it came down to it, Leila concluded that she'd rather earn a few chuckles from strangers than suffer through the winter cold.

Though she still received the same reaction, her reputation now also sometimes earned innocent and fascinated laughs—like just now.

When she arrived at the bus stop, she was alone. Leila didn't usually have such a late shift, but she had permanently swapped due to a coworker who recently quit. Honestly, she didn't mind the switch, but it was really cold, especially since the sun had already set. Though she was bundled up in multiple layers, the cold still seeped through and chilled her skin.

"Leila?"

She turned and saw two men towering above her, but she wasn't intimidated, as she had recognized one of them.

"Ken!"

It had been two days since they'd last seen each other, and the sight of him immediately warmed her up.

"What're you doing here?" he asked.

"I work at the library and just finished my shift. What about you?"

"My friend and I were at the recreation center. They built a new indoor rock climbing wall and we were trying it out." He motioned with a nod to the guy standing beside him. "This is Miles. He's also my roomate."

"Nice to meet you," she replied.

"Same." Miles eyed her puffy clothes. "So you're the Little Penguin I hear so much about?"

For some reason, Ken sent him a sharp glance before hastily asking her, "Are you heading back to the dorms as well?"

"Yep," Leila answered. She waddled to his side and used his large figure to help block the wind. "You guys aren't freezing?"

Ken frowned. "You're bundled up today. Are you still cold?"

When she nodded, he took off his coat and placed it around her. It was strange. Even with all the layers of clothes, it was only Ken's coat that somehow made her feel as if the sun were shining directly onto her skin.

Leila sighed in bliss before snuggling into his side, sharing her warmth with him. Miles blinked at their interaction but made no comment as the bus had arrived. They boarded, and just like the other day, she and Ken sat beside each other while his friend sat in front of them.

As they conversed, Leila learned that Miles was a senior in the Culinary Arts major. When she mentioned that her roommate, Winnie, was also in the same program and year, he raised a sharp brow.

"Small world."

"Do you know her?"

"Of course." Though he was smiling, it was a little tight at the corners of his mouth. "She and I are very close."

The sarcasm was so palpable, Leila could practically taste it. It was then that she remembered the name Miles being mentioned often by Winnie. Apparently, the two of them had spent the last three years together doing nothing but competing and bickering with each other. Long story short, Winnie absolutely hated Miles's guts.

They eventually arrived at their bus stop and headed into the dorm building. Because tomorrow was a Saturday, more students than usual were around mingling and hanging out.

Leila took off Ken's coat and handed it to him with a grateful smile.

"Thanks again," she said.

"You're welcome." He hesitated for a split second. "Are you going to one of the dorm meetings tomorrow?"

"Of course. They get so pissy when you miss it, so I have no other choice."

Ken chuckled in agreement before he asked, "Which time slot did you sign up for?"

"2pm," Leila answered. There was another one at 10am, but she liked sleeping in on the weekends.

"Then I'll see you tomorrow," Ken replied.

She nodded and grinned. "See you tomorrow!"

—

As the two of them watched Leila walk away, Miles shoved Ken with his shoulder.

"What the hell was that?" Miles said with a grin. "You two are already cozying up to each other? She was practically in your lap on the bus!"

Ken frowned. "It's not like that. She just likes my body heat."

A dumbfounded look washed over his friend's face, and his eyes practically screamed at how Ken was the densest man alive.