Bench Buddies

xxiii.

Winter had not slept at all that night due to Leo, of course.

as she sat on the bench, drowsiness overcame her and her eyelids started to droop.

she struggled to keep her eyes open, trying to keep awake by pinching herself.

at that same moment, Leo appeared beside her.

"hey, bench buddy. why are you pinching yourself?" he chuckled.

she smiled.

"i'm trying to keep myself awake. i couldn't sleep last night."

he shuffled closer to her, their shoulders almost touching. she turned beet red and hoped that Leo did not notice.

"lean on me."

Winter swore that her heart skipped a beat.