just pretend

.24

I lay on the couch of Keanu and Leo's house, waiting for her to come back from showering.

She just tried out for the schools Volleyball team so she wanted to clean up.

She finally comes downstairs. "The house is a mess but just pretend it isn't," she laughs.

Anytime I ever hear just pretend, I think of every time Leo and I have said it. If this was a movie, this would be a flashback to me saying it at the cottage, me writing it in his sketch book and him whispering it to me not that long ago.

"Andrew?" She says while I stare off into time and space.

"Yeah? Sorry."

"What did you want to do?" She walks over to the couch and sits next to me.

"Whatever, I don't know."

"Oh actually," she says. "Last night I was listening to the parents chat about a vacation planned with your parents."

"What?"

"I don't know if it's just them or if we're going too but I can't imagine Leo is going so it'll be just us!"

"Why wouldn't Leo go?"

"Have you met the boy? Besides, you don't want him to go do you? It's just us for once."

"I— Yeah I guess it'll be fun. Do you know when?"

"Sometime in January I think. It might be past your birthday."

It's been over a month since I've seen Leo, Mia or any of them. Keanu and I have hashed things out since Mia stayed over. She's been staying at the garage.

"I'm excited. I hope we go," she says.

We both hear the door open and Leo walks past the living room before stopping, looking at us, and rolling his eyes. His curly hair is a bit longer and he looks tired.

"What a prick," Keanu mutters once he's gone. "He'll honestly never get a girlfriend. Well, I'm still certain he's screwing Stella."

"Why?"

"Cause. I don't know. He was sneaking out all summer, which wasn't anything new but it was different. He was always so happy to leave. Did you notice anything between them?"

"No. I really don't think you're right at all."

"Yeah and you're just covering his ass. Good god, if he gets the girl pregnant... my parents are going to literally kick him out."

"Kea... trust me," I say.

She sighs. "Okay, whatever."

We end up playing a board game for a while then watching Friends. Once her parents get home, her mom insists they have a family dinner and that everyone is to eat together for once.

Keanu helps her in the kitchen while I sit on the couch on my phone.

"Mind grabbing Leo?" Mr. Medero says to me. He doesn't wait for my answer, and walks away assuming I'm fine with it.

I slowly stand and walk as slow as I can to the garage. I open the door and he's sitting at his desk like always, doodling.

I try to grab his attention but he has headphones on.

For a moment I wait. I haven't seen him in a month. As ridiculous and dramatic as it is, I do miss him.

"Leo," I call out and he looks up and takes off the headset. "Dinner?"

"What?"

"We're all eating at the table."

He just stares. "Why?"