My Desolated Love

-'Cause I Like You-

Leonardo's POV

"Hey Leo... Do you like anyone?" Peter suddenly asked.

I hesitated, "Uh... Y-Yeah, I do. Do you?"

"Yeah, I do, actually!" Peter said, "Okay, who's your crush?"

"Y-You...'re not gonna know because I'm not gonna tell you." I hesitated again, "Who's your crush?" I felt a lump in my throat asking that.

"I'm not telling unless you tell me."

I pondered for a moment; I did really like him, but how was I supposed to flat-out say it? Honestly, I wasn't sure how he felt about me, but... no... I didn't want to tell him. Not just yet. When I do tell him, I want it to be... romantic, you know? Not just a trivial chat where I say out of nowhere, "Oh yeah, I like you, haha."

I sighed, glancing briefly into his shining hazel eyes- we didn't talk yesterday, but nonetheless, just looking into his eyes I knew he was going through something. Maybe he doesn't like me.. Wouldn't he have told me what was happening if he really trusted me?

I didn't know at all what was going through his mind; who he liked... who he didn't like... Or why he was crying in the bathroom the other day.

He didn't come clean with his 'lie'. So all I know is that he's lying... But I don't know what it's about. Whatever it is; I'll protect him- whether he likes it or not- whether he likes me or not.

I looked away from him, smiling.

"I think I'll wait to tell you that... another time," It was kind of curious how his eyes were still shining, even through those tears I know he's holding back. "Peter, please... Tell me what you're thinking..." I thought, watching him play with his ginger hair. He was so good at hiding it- almost like nothing was out of the ordinary at all... But... I could still tell. I could still tell he wasn't okay, because... because I like him.

"So? If you really want to know my crush, hurry up and tell me yours~"

I choked on the air- yes, the air- He seemed really eager for me to tell him... But... It would all end up being so awkward if he didn't like me back! "What the heck should I do..." I wondered, avoiding eye contact with him. After a few seconds, I sighed.

"Okay, I'll tell you..." I began, looking at him, His eyes lit up with anticipation, "I'll tell you another day~" I finished. I watched his face go from excited to angry.

"Seriously Leooo!? You're the meanest!" He exclaimed, looking away and crossing his arms; I laughed. No wonder no one else had ever noticed that he wasn't okay.

"Okay," I decided, "I'll tell you, if you tell me first... deal?" I thought about it more, and the weight on my shoulders turned into regret.

"What if he didn't like me, what if he says someone else? W-What do I say? But on the other hand what if he did like me... h-how do I respond?" I couldn't help but think about the worst possible situation.

"You know what?" Peter started, "Let's play a game; we'll just start describing our crush and then we guess who it is, okay?"

"Alright," I said, "I can play that game. You're starting."

"It's a guy," He paused to think, "he has black hair, 5'8", and-"

"Sky?" I stopped fiddling with my hands, "Wait, do you like Sky?"

"What? Who's Sky? I don't-" He paused again, "...Why would I like your roommate if I've never met him?"

"...Continue." I ran out of ideas of who his crush might be. I really only know one person that's 5 foot 8 with black hair.

"Same age, he has this weird obsession with ice cream and cats; no explanation to it either." I suddenly stopped and let out a long sigh, "...Anyway, your turn!"

I looked at Peter, "He's... ginger, 5'7", the same age, and..." I saw him look at his hair, "He's-"

"Okay, okay, okay, new rules; give me the initials."

"P.M." I said, not even realizing what I was saying.

"L.H." He replied and took a breath as if he was about to say something but he didn't.

"T-Those are my initials." I nervously laughed. I know it was probably just a... mere coincidence.

Peter took another breath, "Are we just gonna wait until one of us confesses to the other?"

I choked on the air again, "W-What do you mean? I-I don't... like you." I felt like an idiot saying those lines.

Peter looked at me like I was a moron, and if I'm being honest... I was.

"Leo-" A notification rang on his phone, "I gotta go, bye." He said, waving, "Meet me tomorrow at the park." Peter gave me a smile, opening the door to leave the apartment.

"Wait, why?" He closed the door before I could ask any more questions.

"What. Just. Happened." I thought before feeling my phone buzz; a text from Peter.

"'Cause I like you."