Leo/Luna

Chapter 2: An Uneasy Morning

(pictured above: Kyle)

Leo's alarm buzzed insistently, pulling him from a restless sleep. He groaned, his hand fumbling to silence the noise. Blinking blearily, he glanced at his reflection in the bedside mirror—everything seemed normal, yet an odd sense of disquiet lingered from the previous night's events.

Leo dragged himself out of bed, feeling unusually exhausted. The events of the previous night—his latest stream and the strange download—played over in his mind like a half-remembered dream. He splashed cold water on his face, hoping to jolt himself awake, but the unease persisted. As he brushed his teeth, he noticed a faint shimmer in his eyes and his skin felt unusually smooth. Dismissing it as a trick of the bathroom light, he chalked it up to fatigue.

"Just tired from last night," he muttered. "I need coffee like ten minutes ago."

As he got dressed, even his clothes felt different against his skin—rougher, almost abrasive. Every sensation seemed amplified, and the sounds of the house—his mother's cooking, the distant hum of traffic—were sharper than usual. He shrugged it off, grabbing his backpack and heading downstairs.

At school, Leo's heightened sensitivity followed him. The chatter in the hallways felt overwhelming, and the morning sunlight was too bright, making him squint painfully. His interactions with classmates felt more intense. He found himself flinching at casual remarks, casual remarks that always followed him. They were rarely positive.

"Hey, you okay?" his English teacher Mrs. Reynolds asked, holding Leo behind after class.

"Yeah, just didn't sleep well," Leo replied, trying to mask his discomfort. He forced himself to focus on the conversation, but his thoughts kept drifting back to the strange sensations he was experiencing.

In class, he caught glimpses of his reflection in the window, and each time, something seemed slightly off—but he couldn't quite place it.

Leo sat alone in a corner of the bustling cafeteria, his lunch untouched. His phone rested on the table, displaying clips from last night's stream.

Absorbed in the video, he didn't notice Kyle approaching until it was too late.

"Hey, what's this?" Kyle's voice cut through Leo's thoughts like a knife. Before Leo could react, Kyle snatched the phone from the table, holding it high above his head with a mischievous grin, ripping out Leo's corded headphones.

Kyle was, by all counts, beautiful. A water polo player with dirty blonde hair and ripped muscles. He was, also by all counts, a bully.

"Hey, give that back!" Leo protested, reaching out, but Kyle easily held him at bay, his eyes scanning the screen with growing amusement.

"What's this, Leo? Some anime chick you're obsessed with?" Kyle taunted, turning the phone towards the surrounding students. The cafeteria noise seemed to fade as Luna's animated voice and colorful image filled the air, drawing curious glances and stifled laughter from nearby tables.

Leo's face flushed with a mix of panic and embarrassment. He tried to grab his phone back, but Kyle kept it just out of reach, his smirk widening as he continued to mock him.

"Wow, look at you, all alone watching your virtual girlfriend," Kyle sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Didn't know you were into these cartoon girls. Tell me, are you in love?"

The laughter from their classmates felt like daggers. Leo's heart raced, his mind whirling with fear and anger. He stood frozen, unable to find the words to defend himself.

"Hey, everyone! Check this out!" Kyle shouted, holding the phone aloft. "Leo's in love! Can we all support him, make sure he's not alone at the homecoming dance? Help me out here"

Leo's stomach churned as he saw the bemused and pitying looks from those around him. The safety and joy he felt as Luna now felt like a liability, something to be ashamed of. He finally mustered the courage to snatch his phone back, clutching it tightly to his chest, his hands trembling.

"Give it back, Kyle!" Leo's voice cracked, a mix of fury and humiliation making his eyes sting with unshed tears. He turned away quickly, his face burning with shame.

Kyle, still chuckling, shrugged and tossed a parting jab over his shoulder. "Maybe you should get out more, Leo. Spend some time with real people instead of your imaginary girlfriends."

Leo slumped into his seat, his phone now back in his possession but his dignity in tatters. He quickly shut off the video, the once comforting and empowering sight of Luna now a source of acute embarrassment. The cafeteria seemed to close in around him, the noise and chatter growing louder, more oppressive.

He left, headed for anywhere but here.

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don't forget to leave a vote if you're enjoying ! cya on the next chapter <3 -lily