I Choose All of You

Chapter Four

Leo found me walking towards homeroom the next day and ran up beside me. My thoughts were filled with questions and possible outcomes. Lately my life has been the most interesting it's ever been, but I was happy to see Leo was talking to me today. After lunch yesterday, I was scared he was mad at me or something.

"So what was up yesterday? I saw you eating alone at lunch. Did you not see me or something," I questioned him. There was no way he didn't see me. I sat in the same spot we always do. I didn't really peg him for the shy type either, so it was bugging me all night as to why he felt the need to avoid me and Mariah.

"Just wasn't in the mood, I guess," he said with his eyes to the ground. We walked some more in silence. I waited for him to say something else but the silence only grew.Awkward.

"Well if anything is wrong you can tell me. You know that. You're my best friend," I stated. We were coming up to my homeroom class and stopped along the lockers by the door.

We were facing each other now. His curls falling in front of his face and his glasses glinted down at me. I noticed he was staring down at my arm. Some of the bandages on my wrist were showing from under my sleeve, and I tugged my sleeve down to hide them. I didn't have to look up at him to know what he was thinking. Leo knew my family situation well enough to know what probably happened. He knows me better than anyone actually.

"Are you doing anything after school today," Leo asked, breaking the silence.

"Oh uhh well," my voice trailed off trying to think of an excuse. I had that meeting to go to tonight. I was done being a part of a family that didn't love me, and this was a perfect opportunity.

"I have some family thing tonight and I really don't want to go. So if I say I am hanging out with you or have a good excuse, I am sure they'll understand."

"I can't tonight Leo. I'm sorry. Maybe another time?"

"C'mon! There's that football game tonight! Let's go to that!"

"Since when do we go to football games," I laughed at the thought.

"Alright, how about we go to that park you really like? Get ice cream. My treat! Cookie dough flavored, your favorite," he exclaimed. I could tell by Leo's eyes he really didn't want to go to his family event, but it couldn't be that bad.

"Leo that sounds really nice, but I'm just busytonight, okay?"

His eyebrows furrowed down at me, "you aren't going home though, right?" His voice was a mix of questioning and concern.

"No, I'm not. I just... don't want to hang out tonight. Now stop asking," I snapped.

He took a step back when I raised my voice. Shit. I didn't mean to snap at him. He slowly nodded his head and started to walk off.

"Okay Sarah, see ya around then," Leo said quietly as he left. His voice was barely audible. I hope I didn't hurt his feelings. Why didn't I just tell him the truth? I suppose I could tell him at lunch. That is, if he doesn't sit alone again.

***

 At lunch, Mariah sat in Leo's chair like yesterday. I tried scanning the room, even peeked outside but he was nowhere to be seen. C'mon, is he going to act childish now? We can hang out any other day. Mariah and I chatted about random things. I asked her what she thinks the meeting for tonight was going to be about, but she slapped my mouth shut with her hand.

"SHHHH! What's wrong with you? We can't talk about stuff like that here. There could be spies," Mariah said all creepily.

I highly doubt there are spies anywhere at Cedars High, but I suppose you can't be too careful.