"So, is there a reason why you have currently taken up residency on my sofa?," Leaf asked as she entered her room, seeing Drew sprawled on her futon, channel surfing the TV opposite of him. From the single, large window in the room, one could see the sun was starting to set, casting an amber glow in the room.
Drew held up a hand as a greeting, "Waiting for May to get back from her class so we can go partying." Leaf hummed in response, setting her bag down. The first day back to class was relatively uneventful so far, and she planned to keep it that way by ending her night with a nice cup of tea and catching up on her favorite travel vloggers.
Drew sighed as she booted up her desktop, "You know, you could join us this once. When's the last time you went out? High school?"
"You know that's an exaggeration. I went to a party in… freshman year with you two," Leaf retaliated. Drew rolled his eyes, "Wow, you have literally been to one party during your college experience. You truly live an exciting, wild life."
Leaf sighed, "I don't need your sarcasm, mister. Also, don't forget that I bar hop with you guys occasionally… but I will join y'all tonight since I know May is gonna pester me about it." At that moment, the aforementioned brunette burst through the doors.
"Who's ready to PARTAYYY!"
Leaf watched as her breath materialized into a wisp of white in front of her nose. She was currently leaning against the wooden railing of Drew's frat house porch. An unknown drink with a fruity tang hung in between her fingertips. The only other people on the porch were a completely wasted couple, sitting on the outdoor loveseat. Drew's frat house was known for its back to school and holiday parties, often attracting large crowds. Leaf desperately needed air
Then, the glass door to the area slid open with a quiet 'scrrr'.
"Whatcha doing out here?"
Leaf turned to the new voice and new arrival. To her surprise, Gary Oak was approaching her with a Bud Light in hand. He wore a cheerful expression, but something seemed off. Almost fake.
"Just trying to enjoy the stars. Taurus should be out this time of year."
Gary grinned, "Parties not really your scene?"
"Uhh, yeah, I'm not really one to party," Leaf muttered, turning back to look over the porch.
"Your friends seem to be having a good time in there."
Leaf chuckled. The last she had seen of May and Drew, the two were grinding up on each other. "Yeah, they love going out and getting hammered. I'm mainly here to make sure May gets home okay."
"I don't know. Seems like she and Drew may just dance the night away. They together or something?"Leaf laughed out loud.
Gary smiled, raising an eyebrow, "Did I say something funny?"
"Oh no, not at all."
Although May and Drew seemed to hate each other half of the time, Leaf knew that the two have liked each other since high school. They doubted their feelings, and most people looked past it since the two were always arguing. Though, deep down they were afraid of making Leaf feel left out.
Gary and Leaf stood beside each other, occasionally taking sips from their respective drinks. Leaf had no idea why Gary was even standing next to her as he was known as quite the life of the party and socialite while she was just a nobody who preferred a night in relaxing alone.
A chilly gust blew through as the two tried to watch the stars through all of the light pollution. Leaf shivered slightly, hugging her arm around her a little tighter. Although she had two layers on, Leaf always found her fingers and toes freezing no matter the weather.
Gary gave Leaf the side eye before sliding off his jacket and holding it up, offering it to her.
Her eyes widened, "Oh, no, I'm fine really. Please put it back on, it's real cold o-out." Just as she spoke, another, stronger gust of wind blew by, causing her to shiver violently. Even though she was freezing, she did not wish for anyone else to suffer as she was.
Gary smirked slightly, raising an eyebrow.
"Come on, just take it. I definitely don't need it since I've been moving around all night," he insisted, "Besides, I'm hot anyway." His smirk widened a little, and Leaf gave him a look before giving in, moving to accept the jacket. Before she could even touch it, Gary had moved behind her, draping the coat over her shoulders while smiling one of his usual flirtatious smiles.
Leaf blinked, "Oh, thanks."
"No problem, I'll be heading back in. Have a nice night, Leaf." Gary picked his beer up from the porch railing, flashing another small, killer smile at her as he left. Leaf swore she saw actual sincerity in his little grin. She allowed herself to smile a little as she turned her attention back to the stars, taking a sip from her fruity concoction.
The coat over her shoulders really did help protect from the cold. Was that Italian leather lined with sherpa? Leaf surely didn't remember seeing Gary wearing it when she caught sight of him earlier at beer pong. She shrugged her suspicions off, but her eyebrows furrowed all of a sudden.
"Wait," she muttered, "how did he know my name?"
Suddenly, the door to the porch slid open with a bang. Leaf whirled her head around, spotting her two idiots of friends. (She'd be lying if she wasn't hoping for the surprise guest to be a certain spiky haired someone.)
"Leafy! What is up my dude? You-you-where have you been?," May slurred as she slung her arm over her friend's shoulders, sapphire eyes dulled.
Leaf scowled, "You'd think that she'd learn from every past outing that she has an alcohol tolerance almost as low as mine." Drew laughed as he came up beside them, putting an arm around May's waist to stabilize the hammered girl. Leaf giggled as well, removing the arm dragging her down.
Drew smirked, "And you know that she can't stop herself when she catches sight of a box of Franzia. I thought you were supposed to be on alcohol watch this time?"
"I needed to get some air. It was way too stuffy in there."
May frowned, "But Leaaaaf, it's so cold out here." She tried to snuggle closer to Drew who grumbled, trying to stabilize her. He then paused for a second, giving Leaf a once-over.
"Not that I care about your fashion sense, but were you wearing that jacket when we got here?"
Leaf's eyes widened for a quick second. She'd almost forgotten the leather jacket cloaked over her shoulders.
"Oh yeah, I just… borrowed it from someone," she smiled an innocent smile. Drew gave her another look before brushing it off.
"Well, let's get this one back to her bed. I don't know how much longer she can keep herself standing up somewhat straight."
Leaf rolled her eyes, "Oh please Drew, just sweep her off her feet bridal style. Be her knight in shining armor as you always are." May, although inebriated, laughed at her statement. Drew chimed in after her outburst.
"Ha ha, very funny, you should be a comedian. But seriously, let's go."
Leaf rolled her eyes, "Alright, alright. But you're right, I should be a comedian." She slipped her arms through the sleeves of her newly acquired outer layer, relishing in the warmth.