SOUL

high school kiss

October 2th, 2014

Leo's hands tightened around the plate of cake as he walked toward the tree, his steps slowing as he caught sight of Mary sitting in her usual spot. He had expected it—he always found her here on nights like these, when the weight of everything in her life pressed down too hard for her to stay inside. She had always retreated to the branches, seeking solace among the stars.

Tonight was no different.

Her head was tilted back, her gaze fixed on the vast night sky above, and in her hands, she twirled a small stone. It caught the moonlight as it spun between her fingers, its smooth surface glinting softly. Leo climbed up the tree, his movements quiet but deliberate, until he reached the branch just beside her.

"Hey," he said softly, settling himself down next to her.

Mary turned her head, surprised but not startled. She blinked at him, her gaze flicking to the plate in his hands.

"Cake?" she asked, a small, surprised smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

"Yeah," Leo shrugged, trying to play it off casually. "Leftovers. Figured you might want some."

She stared at him for a moment, as if she wasn't sure what to say, then nodded, accepting the plate he offered. "Thanks," she whispered, her voice soft, but there was something in her eyes that made his heart twist.

"Happy birthday," Leo said, a bit awkwardly, but meaning every word.

She looked up at him, her smile more genuine this time. "Happy birthday to you too."

They sat in the quiet for a moment, the cool night air swirling around them as Mary ate the cake. The stars above seemed brighter, sharper tonight, as if they were trying to make up for the darkness below. Leo found himself staring at her more than he meant to, watching the way her fingers delicately held the fork, the way her eyes lingered on the stars like she was trying to find something in them.

"What'd you do today?" Leo asked after a long pause, his voice breaking through the silence.

Mary shrugged, her gaze still fixed upward. "School. Homework. Nothing exciting."

Leo's chest tightened with guilt. Of course she hadn't done anything for her birthday. He knew how things were in her house—knew how her father treated her, the constant anger and abuse. She didn't get birthdays. She didn't get the warmth, the laughter, the cake and celebrations like he did. And it killed him to know that while he'd spent the day with his friends, Mary had been here, alone.

He opened his mouth to say something, but she beat him to it, sensing the shift in his expression.

"Don't," she said quietly, glancing over at him with a sad, knowing smile. "Don't feel bad. It's just another day."

Leo bit the inside of his cheek, wanting to argue, to say something to make her feel better, but she was already moving the conversation along.

"What about you?" she asked. "Did you do anything fun?"

He hesitated, not wanting to tell her the truth—that he'd been out all night with friends, celebrating, laughing, feeling light in a way he knew she hadn't. "Just... had dinner with dad," he said, the lie falling out before he could stop it.

She gave him a small, almost imperceptible nod, and he knew immediately that she saw right through him. But she didn't push. She never did. She just appreciated that he wasn't rubbing his good day in her face. It was one of the things he admired about her, but it also made his heart ache.

"I know it's not the same, but I'm glad you're out here tonight," Leo said quietly, the weight of the words hanging between them.

Mary looked over at him, something soft and vulnerable flickering in her eyes, and for a moment, she seemed unsure of what to say. Then, she smiled—a real smile, one that lit up her face, and Leo couldn't help but smile back.