Obsession

Chapter 31

"Wow, you look so much better today," Anna says when Leo and I join her and Rue on the quad.

"Thanks. I feel a lot better too," I reply, smiling contently.

Rue looks between Leo and I suspiciously. "Hmm, I wonder why you feel so much better. Could it have something to do with-"

"Rue, shut it," Anna says, nudging Rue with her shoulder. But then she looks at me and smiles mischievously. "Seriously, though. Did you? Cause it looks like you did."

"It looks like I did?" I repeat, furrowing my brows. "How does it look like I did? What does that even mean?"

Rue smirks. "It means, you both look like you had sex. That's what it means."

"Well, it's more than that," Anna adds. "You both look happier, more relaxed, your auras are stronger than usual."

"Their auras?" Rue deadpans. "Don't start that crazy witch doctor shit again. They looked like they had sex. Let's just leave it at that."

Leo is blushing all the way down his neck. I'm used to this kind of thing from my friends, but he's probably about to die from embarrassment. I smile at him, even though he's looking down. "I told him I love him yesterday."

Both Anna and Rue gasps, but Leo just smiles. He looks over at me with that same warm, soft look in his eyes that he's had since the moment I said the words out loud. "Yeah, that's why we're so happy."

"Awww," Anna gushes, clasping her hands together. "That's the sweetest thing I've ever heard."

"I still say you had sex," Rue says, still smirking. "But I'm happy to hear that you guys finally admit that you love each other. The rest of us have been knowing that though."

"Well, about Leo at least," Anna adds. "We figured it would take Mara..." she trails off and furrows her brows at Leo. "What?"

"Do you have to? Really? Right now?" he asks, his blush returning.

"What? It's not like it wasn't obvious," Anna defends herself.

"Obvious to everyone but Mara, anyway," Rue chuckles.

I hook my arm around Leo's and smile up at him. I guess now, looking back, I can see what they're talking about. Leo has always taken care of me, even when I thought I was in love with Kai. The time I scraped my hands at the beach, the time I puked in the parking lot, and every time I've had a run in with Kai, Leo has been right there. He's been so patient with me through everything I've been through, especially since losing my mom. He's so sympathetic and kind, so completely perfect, I could cry.

"Mara?" Rue asks.

I look around at everyone and now it's my turn to blush. "What?"

"I guess we better get used to this lovey dovey stuff," Rue sighs. "You two have it so bad for each other, you completely block out the rest of the world when you're together."

"Did you say something?" I ask, making both Anna and Rue laugh.

"I asked if there was any updates on crazy Kai?" Rue asks.

Just the mention of his name sends chills all over my body. I clear my throat. "He's still awaiting sentencing. Daryl said something about additional charges being filed and he could possibly do at least three months. Unfortunately, he has no priors, so it just depends on what kind of mood the judge is in, I guess."

"So let me get this straight," Rue says, pointing her finger at me and narrowing her eyes like she's thinking really hard about something. "He not only violates his restraining order, but he tosses Leo through a window and he only gets three months in jail?"