Caleigh Lightbreeze

Habits...

“You ever think you drink too much?”

Caleigh sat at the edge of her bedroll, scratching her ear. It had been a habit she’d picked up since she’d started at the tavern. The scratching. It was never intentional, always a subconscious response to a stimulus. Typically a conversation that made her uncomfortable, or a statement that was off-putting. Or thinking about someone she liked...

His voice echoed in her mind as she looked around the room, “You just seem like you could have more fun, ya know?” 

How could she explain that she had fun with him. That it wasn’t that she was unhappy, or that she didn’t want to spend more time sober… it was that she’d felt herself falling for someone she was distinctly told not to. Several times over.

She and others had talked at length, knowing that it would have no plausible end- but still sat on the edge of hope every time he spoke with her. His words stuck in her mind, shaping her thoughts- reactions. He’d never know. She’d never say- saying anything had only ever historically blown up in her face. 

Rather, she’d sit on the edge of the bedroll, fingers scratching her ear as she looked over to the new security schedules. She was grateful for the opportunity. Another job would help. She’d have less time to screw this up. And less reason to drink. 

Maybe he’d notice...