Off Campus 1.02

"and how lucky i am that you did." leo replied, smirking as he leaned back. "what's a gorgeous girl like you doing here, huh? everybody back home keep fumbling you or what? what's the deal?"

" be so fucking for real right now ... how many girls have you used that on in here so far ? " the femme is quick to tease in response , amused grin etching it's way across her features , and yet still somewhat charmed by how ridiculous the attempt was , " has it worked on any of them yet ? "

LEAH HALTON via tiktok

it was quick , but she caught it , a triumphant smirk on her lips as she stepped a fraction closer so that she could drop her tone . " because you're a picture of control , you need it to feel like you have some importance in a room . trust me i've been there . you go for things you find convenient when you want them pretty boy . effort is only appreciated when it's genuine . "

it's amusing to him , the psychoanalysis that she attempts to make with a certain degree of smugness , as if it was some brilliant revelation . " i am important " freddie states plainly , and doesn't shift any as she inches just that little bit closer , gaze dropping to keep it's focus on the femme , " and i don't need any of these people to tell me i am , or look for their validation . i keep to myself . i don't talk unless i feel a need to . if you were as clever as you think you are you'd have clocked that , princess " he adds , only the slightest hint of a smirk tugging at his lips . " — and i don't go for things that are convenient when i want them . i go for what i want , when i want them . it's not always convenient for me ... " this time it's him that closes a bit of the distance that still lingers between them , " not when they've got an annoying little fucking bite on them . "

"you hiding too?" he asked quietly as he came to stand beside her at the railing. he leaned his forearms against the edge, staring out into the dark for a second before speaking again. "i feel like we should get some kind of support group discount at this point." his tone stayed light enough to breathe in, but there was heaviness sitting underneath it now. he knew, maybe not every detail, but enough. and judging by the look on her face lately, she knew too. his jaw shifted faintly before he glanced over at her. "you okay?"

sudden voice of another interrupts bronte from her thoughts , head turning to the source as she offered a half hearted smile by way of greeting , before gaze focuses ahead of her once more . " mhm ... was doing a good job at it too until you came long " she responds . though words are harmless , meant in jest . the male's presence was actually a welcomed one , someone she still found comfort in despite their connection being written off the in first week . " discount ? this fucking show should come with a therapist free of charge " the femme retorts , sardonic laugh falling from her lips . and although she could feel his hues upon her , her gaze remained out front . " been better , been worse " is the most she offers initially , an attempt to downplay the thoughts in her head , " — you okay ? "

"  oh,  you know  ?  "  a  teasing  edge  slipping  in,  as  her  gaze  lingers  on  him  for  a  moment.  she  shifts  closer,  given  a  faint  smirk  tugs  at  her  lips.  "  that's  bold,  "  fingers  idly  brushing  along  the  edge  of  his  bottle  before  her  eyes  flicker  back  up  to  his.  "  walking  around  this  confident  like  you've  already  got  it  all  figured  out  …  "  which  was  probably  true,  given  they  had  scored  four  out  of  eight  perfect  matches  this  go  around.  yet,  she  tilts  her  head  slightly,  playing  along.  "  but,  I'm  curious  ...  who  do  you  think  it  might  be  ?  "  her  gaze  remained  on  him,  as her  voice  lowers,  "  because  I  think  I  may  also  know  mine.  "

heavy gaze continues to linger on her . over her features , a fleeting glance down at slender frame . as the smirk that sits comfortably , yet subtly , on his lips threatens to grow as she edges closer . " i don't think you need me to tell you ... " he speaks with confidence , finding himself inching towards the femme until lips find her ear and tone drops to barely a whisper for words that are meant only for her , " — i think you already know you're mine , sienna . "

"  yeah  ?  "  amusement  lingers  in  his  tone,  "  good  to  know  i'm  still  gettin'  approval.  "  it's  hard  for  him  to  pull  himself  away  from  her,  those  chocolate  hues  drawing  him  in  the  same  way  they  had  the  moment  they  first  met.  rough  hands  glide  over  exposed  flesh  like  it's  already  become  familiar  territory.  this  ...  feeling  like  it  existed  long  before  all  the  tension  and  drama  tangled  its  way  through  the  house,  and  for  a  moment,  being  this  close  to  her  feels  painfully  simple  again.  but,  something  shifts.  the  smirk  that  rested  at  his  lips  slowly  fades,  guilt  settling  heavier  across  his  features  as  his  gaze  lingers  on  her.  instead  of  chasing  another  kiss,  his  lips  find  her  forehead  instead,  the  touch  lingering  longer  than  it  should  ...  like  he  already  knows  whatever  comes  next  might  ruin  the  moment  entirely.  "  bronte  …  "  her  name  leaves  him  weighed  down  by  something  almost  agonizing  as  his  forehead  rests  against  hers.  a  quiet  breath  escaping  him,  fingers  tightening  slightly  at  her  waist  before  he  finally  speaks  again.  "  i'm  trying,  y'know  ?  I  really  am.  "  his  eyes  close  briefly,  like  even  saying  it  feels  heavy,  "  but  I  can’t  keep lying  to  you  anymore.  "  a  pause  settles  between  them  before  he  exhales  softly,  "  something  happened  between  me  and  bella.  ”

she could sense it immediately . the sudden shift in demeanor , the change in his tone as her name falls from his lips in a way she's never heard him utter it before . sculpted brows furrow as hues remain locked with his , first out of confusion . equally unsure where this was going , and dreading where it might end . but the admittance comes with an unwelcome flush of heat that reaches her cheeks , an uncomfortable feeling that felt like several emotions in one . hurt , embarrassment . some that bronte didn't even feel entitled to be experiencing . only moments ago the brunette was insisting that he had to do what was necessary for him , allowing him to explore even if it left a bitter taste in her mouth . but hearing it , knowing something was happening that she'd been oblivious to , was a harder pill to swallow . it's almost instinctive , the way her frame pulls back to create a space between them though she allows his hands to remain on her waist , gaze scanning his features as expression on her own delicate features faltered . " right ... " a beat , as if to process , to think before she speaks . " so what are you telling me , brooks ? that this ... you and bella , this is a thing ? " composure is held , though little warmth is left in her tone , " — because just a minute ago you were telling me that being here with me ' felt right ' . "

bronte managed a laugh at the blonde's words , though the sad reality of it was that she was likely to find herself in a similar position to the pair . and while everyone was quick to judge for their seeming selfishness , the brunette admittedly as well to a degree , it wasn't something anyone could comment on until they found themselves in their shoes . " wow ... you really dislike kael that much , huh ? " the femme questioned with slight amusement before pondering a moment , " this whole thing is just ... wild . like , would half of these guys even act this way in the real world ? i mean , this place is just so fucking far removed from reality that there's no way we can compare what we're like out there to in here , you know ? so are these guys we're getting to know even gonna be the same when we leave ? "

" a ray of fucking sunshine huh ? " he didn't doubt that bronte could present a sunny disposition when she wanted that to be her face of the day . remy just also didn't doubt she could be a pain in the arse if she wanted to as well . " so what if i did ? "

" you heard me " bronte quips in response , the easy energy that falls between them something that the femme has come to enjoy . appreciate , even , given how heavy it could all feel with so much resting on something as simple as a conversation with someone . " wow ... someone's found their confidence , huh ? " she teases , " didn't think you had the fuck boy energy in you , rem . "

" you're literally only saying that to wind me up . if you thought we we're really a match you'd be playing your cards much closer to your chest . you're not slick "

" why the fuck would i do that ? " he questions in return , a slight falter in expression that says that the notion is ridiculous , though arrogant tone remains , " playing my cards closer to my chest would be fucking stupid . if i want something , i go for it " he states , " really thought you'd have appreciated the effort , nora . "

"  just  doing  what  I  gotta  do,  "  voice  low,  as  he  echoes  those  exact  words  to  himself.  it  sits  there,  resonating  in  every  fiber  of  his  being  ...  realizing  just  how  toxic  this  show  was  making  him  ...  them.  they  all  seemed  to  gravitate  to  their  person,  given  she  was  his.  yet,  something  deeper  told  him  otherwise,  or  planted  that  bad  seed  of  doubt.  still,  he  always  found  himself  back  in  her  arms.  a  warmth  he  welcomed  and  thoroughly  enjoyed  ...  but  lust  and  love  were  becoming  confusing.  "  wandering,  huh  ?  "  a  faint  smirk  tugging  at  his  lips  as  he  pulls  her  closer.  "  you  say  that  like  you  haven't  been  letting  me  get  away  with  it  this  whole  time,  "  gaze  softens  as  it  lingers  on  her.  "  but  yeah  …  if  we're  not,  "  his  voice  dropping  a  touch,  like  the  words  carry  a  little  more  weight  than  he  wants  them  to,  "  i'll  behave.  "  humor  found  as  he  raises  his  hands  in  jest,  "  and  promise  I  will  keep  these  boys  to  myself.  "  finding  her  waist  once  again,  as  he  pulls  her  closer,  "  but  what  about  this  ?  "  lips  pressing  against  hers  more  firmly.

bronte let the words settle , words that she put into his mouth . easier not to respond or focus on that matter of fact any longer . she knew this place was going to challenge her , to challenge the morals and views she'd always been proud of . not a possessive person , confident enough to never have to seek constant reassurance . but they were so far removed from what normality was that even she had found herself faltering on those aspects , doubting what was in front of her . jealous , even . but the thoughts are pushed aside . ignored for now , at least as she centered her focus back on the male wrapped in her embrace . " i have been , haven't i ? " she responds , expression that appeared as if she had to ponder for a moment before her coy smirk reappears , " maybe i've made things way too easy for you then . " smirk grows into a smile , amused by his boyish jests , the short amount of time that his hands leave her still enough for her to crave his touch again . but they're back on her , and lips meet hers in a way that has the brunette immediately melting into a kiss . slow in pace as they fall into sync , smaller frame flushed against his , yet deep enough that made it difficult when bronte had to pause to offer him barely a murmur in response , " this ... i'll allow . "

" you know we aren't paired anymore right ? i thought i was over you having to torment me . "

" not currently " he states plainly , only the hint of a smirk lifting the corner of his lips , " doesn't mean we're not still a match , though . "

" no he's not , but he acts like he is and that's on him not me . " remy was too soft at heart , to really hold a grudge over anyone . if alec decided he had wanted to be best mates tomorrow remy would have accepted it . " if i can bring out the worst in him that easily , then i still deserve thanks, you want to match with a guy and take him home only to realise he turns into a wanker the second he doesn't get his own way ? baby i love a red flag as much as the next girl but cmon ."

" see , that's where you're looking at it all wrong . i'm not gonna have that problem with him if he's my match because i'm a ray of fucking sunshine and bring out the absolute best in people " she corrected in sarcastic jest , impish grin on her lips , " — also , did you just ' baby ' me ? "

"  kinda  crazy  how  fast  things  flip  in  here,  "  glancing  over  at  them,  a  faint  smile  tugging  at  her  lips.  "  one  minute  you  think  you  have  got  it  figured  out  …  next  minute  everyone's  second  guessing  everything,  "  tapping  at  her  glass  lightly,  gaze  drifting  back  out  for  a  second  before  returning  to  them.  "  so,  "  tone  a  little  more  curious  now,  "  are  you  still  feeling  good  about  where  you're  at  …  or  are  you  starting  to  rethink  it  ?  "

freddie , quite clearly , lacked the same level of investment that everyone else had found on the show . and while the others were up in arms , unraveling at the pressure that came with it all , the male remained as he was when he'd first stepped foot here . unbothered . " yeah , wild ... " he responds sardonically in agreement , the boyish smirk telling enough of the playful nature of his response . " me ? i'm good " he states confidently and takes a swig from the bottle in hand , eyes shamelessly dancing over the femme " — i know who my match is . "

"oh yeah? you're used to people chasing you, huh?" leo teasingly asked.

" didn't say that . you're putting words in my mouth " the femme responds , the way chocolate hues narrow slightly in disapproval done with playful intentions , " if that was the case i wouldn't be starting up this conversation now , would i ? "