The town was quiet again. Too quiet. Not a single person outside. Even the air felt heavy, like everyone was scared to breathe. You could feel it everywhere. Nobody trusted anyone anymore. People stared at each other like they were waiting for something bad to happen. When I got to school the feeling got worse. I saw Leon talking to another girl. They were standing close. Too close. I watched her grab his arm and pull him into a classroom. My chest tightened. Katie walked up to me talking about the whole science teacher thing and how crazy everything was, but I snapped and said not right now. I felt bad immediately, but I could not stop staring at that girl dragging my boyfriend away. I had never seen her before. Was I overreacting again like I did with his ex? Or was this different? I needed to know.
I walked over quietly and peeked through the small window on the classroom door. My stomach dropped. They were hugging. I felt my whole body go numb. I knew it. I knew he would never want a girl like me. I was stupid for believing anything he ever said. I wiped my tears and ran out of the school as fast as I could. Everything made sense now. The weird moments. The strange feelings every time he touched me. The way he acted after the dance. He was never into me. I ran all the way home and buried my face in my pillows. My phone dinged. It was him. Leon. He asked if everything was okay and said he did not see me at school. I typed yes I am fine. Deleted it. Typed yes. Deleted it again. Then I threw my phone across the room. I would ignore him. Who knew it would be me ignoring Leon James?
Hours passed. I woke up from a nap and it was dark outside. My phone had a bunch of messages from him. Iris? What is wrong? Are you ignoring me? Then I heard a knock. My heart jumped. I opened the door and before I could say anything he pushed his way inside, breathing hard like he ran the whole way. Iris why have you been ignoring me? Did I do something wrong? I stared at him with a straight face. Yes. You did. You are a liar and a cheater. I knew I should not have trusted you. He looked confused and kept saying I was the only girl he wanted. I told him I saw him hugging that girl. He shook his head fast. No no no it was not what it looked like. I asked what it was then? He said she came to him for advice about leaving her toxic abusive boyfriend. I stared at him. I did not know what to believe. Every time I saw him with a girl there was always some excuse. He kept saying Iris please. His eyes were watery. I took a deep breath. What if he was telling the truth? What if I ruined something I always wanted? I looked at him and said okay Leon. I am giving you another chance. He hugged me tight. He smelled weird. I told him to go shower.
He asked if my parents would mind if he showered here. I said my parents? My parents do not live here. He looked confused. You live here alone? It is not safe for a pretty girl like you to live by yourself. I laughed it off and told him to go shower. I washed his clothes while he was in there. When he opened the bathroom door halfway to grab them I saw a huge scar across his chest. He snatched the clothes fast like he did not want me to see. I walked back to my room thinking about it. What happened to him? Why did he hide it? He came into my room and I apologized for the mess. I never had people over. He asked if he could stay the night. My eyes widened. I had never had a boy stay over before. I got ready for bed and laid down. He got in next to me and wrapped his arm around me. His grip was warm and heavy. My eyes slowly closed as I fell asleep in his arms.
When I woke up the next morning he was gone. My heart dropped. I sat up fast and yelled his name. Leon? He answered from the hallway and walked in holding breakfast. I let out a sigh of relief. He smiled at me like nothing was wrong. Like yesterday never happened. I stared at him and all I could think was how did I ever get so lucky?