Enough | ✔️

+ 32 +

By the time evening rolls around, my dismal attitude has withered away. Slater has managed to keep me preoccupied - in PG ways.

Obviously.

I've grown accustomed to a more open, laid-back Slater. Even though I first thought that side of him impossible, he's actually been... normal for the past few hours. Turns out, when he doesn't overthink every single sentence he speaks, he actually sounds like the generic 23 year old...

I blow a tuft of hair out of my face, glaring at Slater opposite me, "This is the most boringest game I've ever played. I'd rather do my work than this," I insult the board game sitting between us.

...except for the fact that he has the interests of a centenarian.

He laughs at my reaction, a low pleasing sound that I've memorised, "Quorra, we started ten minutes ago. And please avoid double negatives, they are a pet peeve of mine."

My eyes widen as I gape at him, disregarding his correction (besides, isn't everything a pet peeve of his?), "Ten minutes? Kill me now."

We're interrupted by a knock at the door.

Both of our heads turn to it.

Setting down his in-game money, Slater gets up and jogs to the door (giving me a shirt-clad yet dizzying view of his toned back), opening it to a particular ginger-haired, emerald-eyed girl.

"Ah, hello, Sir. I was looking around for you to submit my assignment but you weren't in your usual lecture hall," Hannah greets mannerly as I crane my neck to see past Slater's tall build.

When her gaze meets mine, her smile broadens. Slater notices our exchanged greetings and steps aside, "Come on in."

She nods in appreciation before walking in, handing him a presentable plastic wallet on the way. The door shuts behind her as Slater places her assignment on the desk and resumes his position on the floor.

Hannah sits on my bed, legs neatly draped over the side as always.

"No lectures today?" she asks as I shrug, my initial glee upon seeing her replaced by the dread of needing to tell her what happened.

When I don't reply, Hannah's attention switches to Slater, who sits with a straight spine, reverted back to a blank-faced drone. I deflate at the realisation, missing the playful side to him already.

"Are you not feeling well, Sir? Usually if our class doesn't have English lectures, you'll still be in your hall," Hannah asks, worry filling her eyes as her gaze flits between the two of us, confused as to why neither of us are answering.

"Did I interrupt at a bad time? I apologise, I can come back later," she gets up to leave.

Guilt consumes me as Slater looks at me pointedly.

Instantly, the magic of our shared moment disappears and I'm left, bare, staring straight in the face of vulnerability. My heart drops to my feet.

"N-no, Hannah, wait. It's fine, you can stay," I quickly stop her, dread overbrimming as she turns back around hesitantly, "Really."

She sits back down, cautiousness present in her stare as she flits her attention between the both of us, waiting for an explanation. Judging by the unreadable, quiet expression residing on Slater's features, he's not going to be the one to talk.

"Something just..." I decide to get it over with, feeling my ignorant happiness flicker and fade away like a candle flame, "happened."

I can see that even Hannah, born with an inherently polite and understanding personality, is struggling to lock away her curiosity. Her gaze fixates on me, like a scientist analysing a subject.