for the thousandth time since she'd woken up that morning, abby pinched the front of her tank top and pulled it away from her skin, hoping to let some air in between her and the cotton, but to no avail. she had no idea why she thought going on a run in this insufferable weather was a good decision.

she took one last sip of her water, trying to get as much of it out of the shitty plastic before she gave up and crumpled it up, tossing it into a trash can.

trying to smooth down her sweat-frizzy hair, she started to make her way back inside, sweat glistening on her tanned skin. her boots thumped along the concrete as she pushed open the door, audibly sighing as the cool(ish) air hit her hot skin. she rolled her shoulders back, taking in the ac's weak breeze blowing across her face before she started walking up to her room. she was already dreaming of the shower she'd take: freezing cold.

she didn't pass many people in the halls. most were gathered around lone-standing fans in common areas or clumped under the ac in their rooms, and a few odd stragglers were outside taking advantage of the weather not being wet and miserable for once.

she jogged up the stairs, a habit of hers she never seemed to break - walking was too slow, she always said. right as she reached the landing, the door opened, and her mouth went dry.

you knocked the door fully open with your hips, a large cardboard box in your hands.

"oh, hey, abby!" you said, leaning against the door for a moment.

abby had always had a not-so-secret crush on you. as much as she wanted to believe she was smooth, she was about as nonchalant as a glowing neon sign. as manny said, she couldn't be more obvious if she wrote "I LIKE Y/N" on her forehead.

she swallowed, nodding at you in greeting. "hey, y/n," she managed. "uh- hot day, right?"

she mentally cursed herself. obviously it was hot. it was sweltering outside, everyone and their mother knew that! but you just laughed softly and nodded.

"yeah, its boiling," you agreed, shifting the cardboard box in your hands.

as if on autopilot, she reached out to take it from you. "here, i can carry that." she easily lifted the heavy box into her muscular arms. a small peer inside told her it was just a few old binders and files, probably for the infirmary.

you smiled at her. "thanks, abby," you said sweetly, wiping your hands on your thighs. involuntarily, her gaze dipped down, and her brain short circuited.

the heat must have gotten to you too, because instead of the usual cargo pants that most everyone wore around the wlf, you were wearing a jean skirt. a tiny jean skirt that perfectly hugged your curves and revealed more of your legs than abby had ever seen in her life.

after a few seconds of silence thicker than the humidity outside, abby croaked out, "i like your skirt."

you beamed at her, looking down at it proudly. "thank you!"

you started explaining how you'd found it months ago while on patrol but hadnt had a chance to wear it, because of the weather or patrols or this that and the other, but abby was barely listening. the only thoughts she could muster were about how wholly incredible you looked. it also didnt help that you were in a low cut tank top, the straps thin enough that she could see the straps of your bra peeking out. she licked her lips unconsciously, her eyes drifting back down towards the smooth skin of your thighs.

"it looks sexy on you."

you paused, staring at her for a moment.

she blinked at you. she did not just say that out loud.

"thank you," you said, obviously fighting back a giggle.

she was mortified. "i didnt mean that- i mean, i did, because you do look sexy. i mean, great. i meant, i didnt mean to say that out lou-"

you took a step towards her, prying the box out of her hands and setting it on the floor. "abby."

her mouth snapped shut.

you looked up at her for a moment, long enough that abby's legs shook slightly from the nerves. you'd never been that close to her before. ever. you guys were friends yeah, but it was more like a "eat lunch together and say hi in the hallways" type of thing. not.... not a "stand alone in a stairwell and gaze longingly into each others eyes" thing. if that was even what was happening. she was still stuck on the fact that she had called you sexy to your face and you were now standing about an inch away from her.

carefully, slowly as if to give her time to stop you, you reached for her braid. you twirled the end of it around your finger before saying quietly, "my roommate is on patrol."

her mind blanked.

"wh-what?" she asked hoarsely. she'd never had such a pretty girl be so blatantly inviting. theres no way you were implying what she thought you were implying, right? no way.

"my room is empty," you said, glancing down at her lips.

you were implying what she thought you were. holy shit.

after a long, long moment of silence, you seemed to take it to heart. with an embarrassed, awkward grimace, you dropped her braid, stepping back. "sorry. i misread the si-"

"no!" she said loudly. too loudly. she winced. she stepped towards you. lowering her voice, she continued, "i want to. yes. yeah. i- yeah."

"really?" you asked, a small smile pulling at your lips.

she nodded vehemently. "yes." she grabbed your hand in her larger one. her palms were sweaty, though whether that was from the heat or her own nerves, she didn't know.

you grinned at her, tugging her towards the hallway.