She looks… in charge, and not because she’s almost a decade older than the others sitting with her. But because, as she speaks words Caroline can’t hear, she seems like she just gets something that the others with her don’t. She looks capable and knowledgeable and sexy.

That near-kiss on Thanksgiving set something off inside of Caroline.

She’s never wanted someone in her life more than she wants Hannah. And for the first few weeks after her birthday, it was somehow easy to put the physical desire she has aside. She thinks it’s mainly the absolute shock of Hannah being interested in her that helped subdue her.

But now, it’s beyond desiring Hannah from a distance or thinking about kissing her. She craves it.

She can feel the hunger now, even as they are surrounded by Hannah’s peers. Better than when they are with Abbie, she thinks, as she slowly approaches the table, seeing the small group start to dig around in their bags and pull out containers of food or grab their wallets, likely heading out to grab something quick to eat.

Everyone else sees her first, because Hannah doesn’t take a break from what she’s doing. And as she reaches the table, she feels somewhat like she’s back in school and approaching the popular blonde girl she’d had a crush on.

Only, unlike then, Hannah looks up and a brilliant smile takes over her expression. “Caroline!” The little line between her eyebrows appears as she tilts her head in confusion. “What are you doing here?”

“Hi Caroline,” the girl sitting next to Hannah, who has taken out a container of leftover pasta, says and leans back in her chair with a considering look. “I’m Karla.”

She knows that these are the people Hannah’s worked with in this course all semester so far and she’s heard stories about them, especially Karla, who has been Hannah’s go-to partner in two classes, but she’d had no idea it had been mutual.

“I’ve heard about you. Nice to meet you.” She gives them a slight smile, before turning back to Hannah. “I was also working a little late and stopped to grab some dinner on my way home. I knew you’ve been here all afternoon and have plans to be here for a while longer, so I figured I’d drop you off something, too.”

And because she knows Hannah rarely takes the time to think of feeding herself when she’s at work or, in this case, at school.

And because she just wanted to see her. That serotonin hit.

Hannah’s smile is still luminous even as her eyes grow wide and soft, watching as Caroline sets the bag of dinner on the table. “Thank you. I just figured I’d be eating leftovers after I pick up Abbie.”