The perfect storm in a quiet room

Chapter 25

"Casy..." Leo says once he's close to us.

"Leo, what were you doing with Hannah?" She asks and I notice how every muscle in her body tenses and her tone goes from sweet to rough.

"We were walking, no big deal. In any case, it's none of your business what I do or don't do," his tone is stern. A mischievous expression accompanies his words.

I would like to interrupt him and tell him that we were walking just because he insisted until he practically forced me to let him walk me home. However, I prefer not to say anything. The thing between these two is complicated enough for me to add fuel to the fire.

"Yes, it is my business, and leave Hannah alone," Casy says, grabbing my hand and pulling me behind her. She knows a lot more than I do about what Leo is capable of and I think she wants to protect me.

"We weren't doing anything!" Leo shouts angrily.

Casy looks at him suspiciously and says:

"I don't believe you."

"Ask Hannah," he replies.

They both look at me. I look at Leo first, but I turn away immediately because his gaze terrifies me. Then I look at Casy, who is impatiently waiting for my answer.

"Em..." I stop looking her in the eyes. "It's... true Casy... we were just walking," I finally say.

I should have told her the truth. I should have said that he was pressuring me to let him walk me home, that he was pressuring me to go to the party. I should have told her he was... flirting? I don't know how to explain it, but the important thing is that Leo was saying things to make me uncomfortable and I couldn't take it anymore. If Casy hadn't shown up... I don't know what would have happened to me.

Casy looks at me suspiciously. I know I didn't sound convincing and I know she knows I'm lying, but I hope she doesn't insist. I don't want to tell the truth because I don't know how Leo might react.

"Okay," Casy says, matter-of-factly.

"I told you I was telling the truth," Leo says. His tone is no longer stern and he doesn't seem angry anymore.

"You can't blame me for not believing you," Casy says, crossing her arms as she frowns.

"You look beautiful today," Leo says as he approaches Casy.

Casy looks at him. There is clearly terror and surprise in her eyes and I think I know why.

Leo moves even closer to her, leaving only a few inches of distance between them. He grabs her by the waist and pulls her close to him.

"What are you doing?" asks Casy, pulling away from Leo.

He looks at her seriously, angry at her reaction. She scowls at him, furious, unafraid of his reaction. She seems to be much braver in front of him than she was... well, this morning.

I witness the scene, again, without doing anything. And, the truth is, I don't know what the fuck to do. I don't know what I'm supposed to do. I'm not brave, I'm not strong, I don't have any qualities that work in this kind of situation.

"You know what happens if..." Leo starts to say with a threatening tone.

"Let's not do this here," Casy says without looking him in the eyes, getting closer to him so I don't hear, but she fails.

Leo looks at her and it looks like... something bad is going to happen. I'm afraid of what might happen, afraid of everything. I must do something, I can't leave her alone. Not after what I witnessed this week. I can't just stand by and watch Leo disrespect her like this. She saved me from him and I have to do the same for her.

"I think I have to get going. My family is waiting for me to have dinner. Will you come with me, Casy?" I say, shyly, trying to get Leo to let us go and get away from us.

Casy looks at me a little surprised. She clearly didn't expect me to invite her to my house, and neither did I really. And I don't even know why I said that if I don't plan going back to my place, not after everything that happened. I don't really feel like doing anything with Casy either. I just want to be alone, think and reflect about what's going on in my family. I don't want any more problems.

"Yes, let's go," she says, looking at Leo in the eyes.

"Well, have fun," Leo says and walks away from us, but not before winking and blowing us a kiss.

We both sigh in relief, look at each other and smile. However, my smile fades the moment I recall this week's events.