after the death of her mother, leighton's father sends her to a boarding school halfway across the world to be taught a lesson. she knows no one and no one knows her.
but the cherry on top is who her roommate is.
#2 in ptsdawareness
#2 in anxiety
#...
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"i like shiny things, but i'd marry you with paper rings"
-paper rings by taylor swift
⎯⎯⎯
I sit on the edge of my bed, watching the steady rise and fall of Kai's chest as he sleeps. He's snoring and I want to smack him.
I hate snoring.
But that's not nice, so.
Pebbles is curled up on the windowsill, her purring a gentle hum in the background.
My gaze drifts from Kai's face to his hands, resting loosely on the covers.
I giggle internally.
Slipping off the bed, I tiptoe over to my desk and pull open the drawer where I keep my nail polish.
The collection is small but colorful—pale pinks, deep purples, a bright turquoise that I haven't worn in forever.
I sift through the bottles before settling on a soft lavender shade. It's subtle, not too bold, but noticeable enough that he'll catch it when he wakes up.
I want to laugh out loud but I can't. Kai is a very heavy sleeper so it'll be fine.
I return to the bed, sitting beside him with the polish in hand.
My heart races a little as I unscrew the cap, the tiny brush glistening with the pastel hue. I glance at his face one more time, ensuring he's still fast asleep.
His breathing remains even, lips slightly parted.
Slowly, I lift his hand, careful not to disturb him.
The first stroke of polish glides over his thumbnail, smooth and perfect.
A bubble of laughter threatens to escape, but I hold it in, focusing on my task.
One nail done. Nine more to go.
Mwehehehe.
I've never done anything like this before, not with him, and I can't help but wonder how he'll react when he wakes up.
Maybe he'll be annoyed, or maybe he'll just roll his eyes in that way he does when he's trying not to smile.
Or maybe he'll break up with me. God I hope not.
The last nail is finished, and I sit back to admire my handiwork.
Kai's fingers are now adorned with ten perfectly painted lavender nails. I carefully blow on them, making sure they dry before I set his hand back down on the bed.
I stifle a grin as I imagine him waking up and discovering what I've done. I return to my desk and do my own.
