What Comes Next

Chapter 19: Leo

Chapter 19: Leo

Is carrying someone bridal-style into a building crossing the line of friendship? Or do I get an exception considering Anto-I mean Nellie, is unconscious after passing out in the snow. Draping her on the only couch in the main room I step back to dodge the hateful glares coming from a mixture of both kids and adults. Mave attends to her freezing body and making my way towards Patty's office, I knock on the door frame. Patty looks up from desk, her expression matching those of the kids in the next room. "Can I help you?"

"No. But, I think it's best if I leave." Her face softens a little as she nods her head in agreement. "Thank you, Leo."

~

My only comfort food. Or should I say drink. It keeps me warm, toasty, and happy inside. The sweet aroma penetrates the dark cloud of depress, but my happy world comes crashing down as I reach the bottom of my Starbucks latte. The humanity!

I guess it was naive to assume the answers to all of my problems could be found in a cup of coffee, but it certainly numbs the pain. Considering not too many people are #TeamLeo these days, I call one of the few people I know.

"Leo, I know you don't want pity so just tell me what happened." I never thought I would be so relieved to hear Cara's voice, even if she in an entirely different state. "Well I talked to Amber - and don't pretend Marty didn't tell you about her and Sam, I know him better than that - So, that didn't go well. We're cool now but Nellie was trying to help and then I called her needy, which I was all to aware was the reason her previous, and incredibly awful, ex-boyfriend broke up with her. So she obviously hates me and then she passed out and I quit volunteering at the youth center." Radio silence. "You there?"

"Yes...I'm just trying to figure out how a guy who doesn't like talking can manage to offend all of Charlestown." Annoyed I warn her, "If you don't have anything helpful to say I'll just call Brittany." "Ugh no, wait." She contemplates what to say, knowing she's on shaky ground and probably still in shock that I came to her for help. "Well you're obviously in the wrong and leaving the youth center only makes you look worse."

"Thank you for the recap, now what do I do?" I utter desperately. "Did you apologize?" "Yes." "No, I'm not talking about an insincere 'I didn't mean it.' Did you actually try talking to her, like a normal human, and telling her you're a giant bozo who is filled with insecurities that you may not be able to change but are willing to admit and work on because you would do anything if it meant she might even consider giving you a - What are we on now? - fourth chance?" That was my favorite thing about Cara. She tells you things the way they are, even if it hurts your ego. I still contemplate her murder sometimes, but she probably has my assasination in motion as we speak.

"Okay." I say, replaying her advice in my head. "And..." I can hear the smugness in her voice. "Thank you," I say, expecting a clever retort. But all she says is, "Anytime."

~

"You're back." she says. "I need you to help me." Raising an eyebrow, Amber looks at me with increased suspicion. It's 10am and she's still wearing what I assume are her pajamas: grey sweatpants and a t-shirt with the Icee logo on it. "Would you like to come in?" she says, seemingly amused. "Sure." I say, sliding in past her.

I take in the small dorm room, two beds on either side, a bathroom door off to the left. "So, what brings you back?"

"Um, well Nellie broke up with me and I sort of realized that I can be a real jerk sometimes." She laughs in confirmation. "I know we're "cool," whatever that means, but I still need to ask you to do me a favor." She crinkles her face in deep thought, "Ooo, I don't know. What kind of person would help their childhood best friend?" She always liked to make me suffer. "Of course, I'll help you. But that puts me at 74 points?"

"Wow. After all these years and you're still keeping track?"

"Not to be a heartless monster, but with Sam out of the running that puts me at the top of the leader board to be the Bestest Friend Ever." Her humor might seem callous to most people but our mutual dislike for ignoring the obvious, no matter how uncomfortable, is what brought us together in the first place. In a lot of ways, she reminds me of Cara. Or maybe Cara reminded me of her. "I need you to tell me everything I've ever done to annoy, anger, or hurt you."

She looks at me, clearly not expecting this specific request. "This seems like a terrible idea." She says. "And it probably is but I hurt someone really important to me and I need to fix things, only I'm not entirely sure of everything that needs to fixing. So, I was hoping you could help."

"I mean I've wanted to do this ever since you shoved me into that pond sophomore year, so yeah definately." I smiled and pulled a pencil and notepad out of my pocket. "So, let's start there."

After that moment, what could've been a bloody rehashing of old griefs turned into an afternoon of fond memories. It turns out time really can heal old wounds.

*********

I don't know what goes on in your little reader heads so I want to clarify something right now. Leo and Cara don't have romantic feelings towards each other. She is a close friend. I tried to emphasize that, but just don't want to give the wrong idea. For those who shipped them, I'm sorry. (You know what shipping is?! *gasp* Team Single Ladies. ~L)

Peace out, Girl Scout.

~J