Can You Look My Way?

C-13

Far from the people that knew them, Leo finally lets go of Lisa when they were at the clinic door. He knows he promised himself not to drag her with him without her permission but what can he do? He just took steps towards her out of nowhere and extended his hand to her.

Lisa was still crying, her head down and sobbing. He knew she wasn't going to look at him and he doesn't even know what to say to comfort her. 

"Let's put some cold pack there so it doesn't swell. I'm sorry for what Yuri did." He wanted to say you deserve it but he knew she could have acted at the moment. "Come on, let's get you inside."

Leo took her hand again and opened the door for them. The nurse immediately asked them what happened but Lisa didn't speak.

"Cheerleading. She slipped and hit her head. It's not that bad but it sure will leave a bump," he told the nurse.

"I see. Let her rest on one of the beds and I'll check her after preparing the cold pack."

Leo nodded and led the way to the corner bed near the window. Lisa didn't want to lie down, instead, she sit up resting her back against the bed frame rail. He knew the nurse will come and check her up, she can't be still looking down then.

He transferred and seated on the corner of the bed. Then he cupped Lisa's face, raising it up. As he assumed, she was full of tears. She tried to look away but he forced her to stay still and wiped her tears away.

"Stop moving. You don't want the nurse to think I made you cry," he softly said and she stopped. She looked like a mess and he needed to tuck her hair against her ear which he noticed a lot of piercing. "Stop doing what Candice tells you. You're not a puppet."

"I had to do it," she whispers, sniffling softly.

"It's none of my business, but you know, you should be friends with Merida and Yuri. They'll forgive you and open up to you if you open up to them. You just have to mean it and stop acting--"

He could not say the other things when she slapped his hands away. She looked sideways, lips pressed into a thin line.

"I get it," she uttered. "Thank you for bringing me here. You should go to the afternoon class."

Leo inhaled deeply. Well, she looks fine now so he doesn't need to meddle with her and he said what he wanted. He should leave her to think about it. When the nurse came, Leo decided to leave.

The room quiets down from Lisa's soft sobs. She was still not fine and she kept thinking about Leo's words. How could he possibly think like that? Her? Friends with his cousin and the girl he likes? She just bullied them! Why is he so ridiculous? 

 Even if they forgive her, that would be too awkward to start anew with them. She would likely act nice and sweet to please them. That's just too much work.

"How are you feeling?" the nurse suddenly opened her curtain and peeked. "Still dizzy?"

"No," she answers as she sits up. "I think I am fine now. I'm sorry if I'm overstaying."

"It's no problem. You should really be careful with cheerleading, especially with the flips and all that scary stuff."

Lisa only nodded. Why was this nurse so interested all of a sudden? It makes her feel uneasy and she looks away. The nurse then moved her swivel chair closer to the bed frame.

"Ya' know, that guy you came here with. He seemed really concerned about you."

He was just being nice, Lisa thought in her head. He just maybe felt bad that it was Yuri who slammed her head against the wall. It was always his conscience that makes him feel like making up to somebody even if it was not his fault.

 "Leo is just nice."

"So that's his name." The corner of her mouth curved up slightly.  "He stays here often too but he never says his name or which class he is in. I just know he has some connection with the school directress."

"The school directress?"

"Uh-huh. None of our business but I'm just telling ya, that boy seems precious to this school."

No wonder he seems like he doesn't care about anything. He might have some kind of relationship with the directress. Maybe a secret marriage? Nah, that's probably too fictional and the directress is a little older. Plus, Leo is in love with Merida. Then maybe his mom?

Lisa clicks her tongue and dismisses the thoughts in her head. Why must she keep thinking about that guy? She should just take care of herself.

After resting in the clinic, Lisa felt much better now. While walking in the hallway, she came by the directress' office. There was a glass part in that door they have so she could see what was inside partly.

In front of the door, she didn't even notice that her feet stopped and she glanced through the glass. The directress, Claire, was reading some papers and she was so focused. She does have a resemblance to Leo but then they could just be relatives.

"Ahem!" Somebody coughed which made Lisa turn immediately. Her eyes widen when she saw the director of the school. She immediately lowered her head. "Shouldn't you be in class?"

"I am," she says honestly. "I was sent to the clinic but I'm on my way to class now. I'm sorry, sir."

"Well, run along now if you have no business in here."

"Yes, sir."

As quick as it takes, she strode away from their office, not looking back. Could it be that they're Leo's parents? That's possible. Suddenly she slaps herself. 

"Why the hell am I prying into his life while my life is definitely a mess? Ugh! Shut your thoughts, Lisa!" She slaps herself and sighs in frustration. What is happening to me? she asked herself. 

Leo was no one to her. He was just somebody who stole Jacob's lover. But now he always shows up like their path got tangled up and now he messes with her mind. Everything he says, it would run through her mind and it doesn't stop until she does it and validates his opinion. 

Befriending Merida and Yuri after what she did? Will they ever forgive her? She fooled Merida a couple of times now, there's no way she would believe her again. But Leo's words echoed in her mind, 'you just have to mean it'. 

*****

For you who are still reading this, thank you!