Leo/Luna

Chapter 5: Unwelcome Attention

Leo's alarm blared, pulling him from a fitful sleep. He groaned and sat up, his heart sinking as he remembered the previous day. The partnership with Kyle, the mocking remarks, and the strange changes to his body—it all felt like a bad dream. He took a deep breath and forced himself out of bed, determined to face whatever awaited him.

As he walked to the bathroom, Leo braced himself before looking in the mirror. The reflection that greeted him was both familiar and unnerving. His hair was noticeably longer, brushing against his shoulders in uneven waves. His features had softened further, his cheeks slightly fuller and lips more defined. The overall effect was startling; he looked more like a girl than he ever had before.

Leo ran his hands through his hair, trying to flatten it down. The feel of the silky strands against his fingers sent a shiver down his spine. He sighed, pulling on a hoodie that felt increasingly inadequate at hiding his changing body. The hoodie, once a refuge, now seemed to accentuate the very curves he was trying to conceal. He tugged at the drawstrings, tightening them around his neck, and pulled the hood up, hiding as much of his face and hair as he could.

He grabbed his backpack and slipped downstairs, avoiding his mother's gaze as he mumbled a quick goodbye. The walk to school felt like a gauntlet. Every step seemed to draw more stares than usual, though Leo couldn't tell if it was just his paranoia. He kept his head down, eyes fixed on the pavement, and hurried through the gates.

The first few classes passed in a blur of anxiety and distraction. Leo found it increasingly difficult to concentrate, his mind constantly drifting back to his altered appearance and the gnawing fear of being discovered. Each trip to the restroom to check his reflection only deepened his panic.

A voice he didn't recognize—soft yet firm—whispered in the corners of his mind. "Why do you care about them?"

When English class finally arrived, Leo slipped into his seat at the back, trying to make himself as invisible as possible. His heart sank as he saw Kyle enter the room, a smug expression on his face. Kyle sauntered over and dropped into the seat next to Leo, stretching out with an exaggerated yawn.

"Ready to work on our project, partner?" Kyle said, flashing a grin that made Leo's stomach churn.

Leo mumbled a noncommittal response, avoiding Kyle's gaze. He pulled out his notebook, pretending to be engrossed in doodling in the margins, but he could feel Kyle's eyes on him, scrutinizing every move.

"Looking a bit different today, aren't we?" Kyle's voice had a mocking lilt. "Something change overnight, Leo?"

Leo stiffened, his grip tightening on his pencil. He could feel his cheeks burning. "No, just tired," he muttered, keeping his eyes fixed on the page.

Kyle leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "You know, if you're trying a new look, you could at least own it. I mean, whatever floats your boat, right?"

Leo's stomach twisted. He swallowed hard, his mind racing for an excuse that wouldn't sound completely ridiculous. "Just... bad hair day," he said weakly, tugging his hood down further.

Kyle chuckled softly. "Sure, sure. Bad hair day. Well, don't worry too much. I'm not the anime chick, you don't have to stress about impressing me."

Leo's blood ran cold. "You said that yesterday." He clenched his fists under the desk, fighting the urge to lash out. The reminder of the humiliation stung, and Kyle's words felt like salt in the wound. He forced a strained smile, hoping it would be enough to end the conversation.

Mrs. Reynolds began the class, outlining the details of their year-long writing project. Leo tried to focus, jotting down notes and ideas, but Kyle's presence next to him was a constant source of discomfort. He couldn't shake the feeling that Kyle was watching him, waiting for any sign of weakness or another change to exploit.

After class, Kyle lingered, blocking Leo's escape route. "So, about this project," he said casually, leaning against the doorframe. "We should probably get started soon. Don't want to leave everything to the last minute, right?"

Leo nodded reluctantly, his mind screaming for a way out. "Yeah, I guess. Maybe after school?"

Kyle's grin widened. "Sounds good. I'll catch you later, partner."

Leo watched him saunter away, a sinking feeling in his gut. He couldn't avoid Kyle forever, and the thought of working closely with him, especially with his transformation accelerating, was almost too much to bear. He took a deep breath and headed for his next class, his mind already racing with plans to minimize contact with Kyle and keep his secret safe.

The rest of the day passed in a haze. Leo's anxiety continued to build, making each interaction feel like a potential disaster. He kept his hood up, his eyes down, and his responses to classmates terse and guarded. The changes to his body seemed to amplify his sense of alienation, making him feel more out of place with each passing hour.

When the final bell rang, Leo practically bolted from the classroom. He headed straight home, his mind a whirlwind of fear and confusion. He had to figure out what was happening to him, and fast. The thought of facing Kyle again, of being exposed, was too terrifying to contemplate.

As he entered his room and closed the door behind him, Leo finally allowed himself to breathe. He sank into his chair, staring at his reflection in the darkened computer screen. The day's anxiety washed over him in waves, leaving him exhausted and trembling. He knew he couldn't keep this up much longer, but for now, all he could do was hide and hope the changes would stop.

With a weary sigh, he reached for his VR gear, desperate to escape into Luna's world where he could be someone else, even if only for a little while.

~~~~~

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