Unexpected Lines.

The Missing Piece.

Nobody's POV

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Kaia's head pounded like a drum, every beat vibrating against her skull. She groaned, burying her face into the pillow, only to inhale a perfume that tugged at something in her memory. Familiar. Warm. Comforting. But she couldn't place it.

"Mmm, you smell nice," she mumbled into the pillow, voice muffled and heavy with sleep.

Only when her body shifted did she feel it-another presence beside her. Her eyes shot open, panic ripping through her haze, and she recoiled instantly.

Leah Williamson was lying next to her, propped up on one elbow, a soft, amused smile curling her lips.

Kaia's mouth went dry. "Oh shit. Oh shit, I'm so sorry-what even happened? I can't remember shit."

Leah's smile faltered, just slightly, but she held Kaia's gaze. "You went to some bar," Leah explained gently. "I found you before the guy you were with could take you home and brought you back here. Figured Steph would give you hell if you stumbled back to your room in that state, so..." she gestured around her hotel room. "I thought this was better."

Kaia blinked at her, embarrassment crawling up her neck. "Thank you. Really. You didn't have to do that. Or put up with me. Fuck's sake, I'm so sorry."

Leah shook her head, genuine. "It's all good."

That was the thing about her-Kaia realised, squinting at the way Leah's tone didn't have even a flicker of judgment in it. No lecture. Just calm reassurance.

Kaia groaned again, pressing the heels of her hands to her eyes. "I went as low as about to go home with a guy?!"

Leah laughed, nodding her head.

Kaia dropped her hands and stared at her in horror. "I'm fucking gay-what the fuck?!"

Leah laughed harder, shaking her head as she reached for the bedside table, sliding over two paracetamol and a glass of water. Kaia took them gratefully, swallowing them down with a muttered thanks, feeling an odd sense of déjà vu she couldn't place.

Leah leaned back. "Do you want some breakfast?"

Kaia blinked at her, caught off guard by the question. "Uh-yeah, I mean... I don't mind. Whatever's easiest."

"I can see what I've got here to make," Leah said, glancing toward the kitchenette, "or we can pop out and get something."

Kaia nodded, still a little dazed, as Leah slid off the bed and rummaged for clothes. She handed Kaia a clean t-shirt and shorts without hesitation. Kaia changed without thinking, tugging them on, and when she looked back Leah was standing there with sunglasses in her hand, smirking.

"You'll probably need these."

Kaia groaned again, but this time it was softer, almost amused. She slipped them on and tried to hide the way it made her feel. Thoughtful. Too thoughtful.

Leah had found her when she was at her lowest, pulled her out of a situation that could have ended badly, spared her Steph's lecture, given her clothes, paracetamol, water, and now breakfast and sunglasses.

Kaia couldn't stop the question spinning in her head.

What was happening?

The café buzzed softly, the smell of coffee and fresh bread almost enough to make Kaia's stomach flip again. She sat at the little table across from Leah, sunglasses on, nursing her iced water like it was liquid gold.

She wasn't sure if it was the hangover or something else entirely, but every time Leah smiled at her-or teased her gently about the way she winced when the barista clattered plates-something warm unfurled in her chest.