this is the third plastic cup of punch that lyla has disrespectfully declined, eyes not even gracing the hulking football player who oafishly slouches in front of her with eye contact before she dismisses him. “not interested.” it’s to the point, at the very least and thankfully he doesn’t push his luck and manage to receive her signature unloading of insults. she’s in her usual bad mood, the one she wears like a favourite dress, only this time she’s pretending there’s no correlation between the fact that her sorority sister is giggling at rooney across the room as if he’s charming rather than nauseating. (it’s hard to see her actual reaction when all she can see is the back of her head). she recalled her words from the library, but she doesn’t actually expect to see him buddying up with stupid, unassuming, just spat out of the bible belt, fellow tri-delt becky. she’s not one of the sisters she’s close with and even then she detests the way her stomach sours at the interaction. it’s not jealousy. one stupid heat of the moment kiss doesn’t change the vile crap that comes out of his mouth, but she’s still brimming with irritation, standing up straighter where she leans against the wall. lyla doesn’t mean to slip, locking eyes with the object of her hostility from across the room, but instinct makes her look away for a brief second before she decides it’s better to not play it off. her tongue slides against her molars as she sucks in a breath through her nose, offering nothing with her glance before she makes the serendipitous decision to be interested in the drinks table. pushing off the wall, that’s where her feet carry her and maybe she’s half expecting him to meet her there, to make some excuse about getting his companion a drink. even so, she doesn’t turn and look when she feels the space between her becoming occupied as she pours herself a cup of punch, lifting it to her nose. “this smells like paint thinner.” she observes, almost casual, like she doesn’t feel like kneeing him in the groin (for some reason).
for @socialalchemy