Spotlight on Nobody

- 28 -

~ BITCH by Lennon Stella ~

Before I can even think about raising my hand to meet hers, Leo not-so-subtly grasps mine in his. He gives me a tight squeeze, and I can't tell if it's to reassure me, or if it's because he's in pain.

"Nell," I say with a breezy smile, leaning into Leo's shoulder and making no move to shake her hand. Don't get me wrong, my heart is pounding and I'm positive Leo can feel my cold sweat in his palms. Not only is this girl a beautiful member of the upper echelons of society, she just so happens to be the beautiful ex-girlfriend of my current boyfriend – oh, and from what I've heard, a complete psycho bitch! But that's not what makes me nervous. No, what's making my knees shake is my need for her to think I am so utterly bored with her.

Understand, I was a theater-kid in high school. For some reason, be it my height, voice or self-confidence that apparently 'is just not normal for a teenage girl,' I was always cast as the mean girl. Countless playwrights have taught me the exact formula for putting someone in their place. Granted, seeing as though that's not my actual personality, I've never felt the need to utilize this knowledge – until now. There's nothing I want more than to wipe that bitchy smile off this perfect barbie's face, and in order to do so, I'm going to have to employ some bitch tactics of my own. I've played more snarky, heartless, witty characters that I can count, but never has a performance had so much riding on it.

"And you are...?" She trails off, clearly unimpressed with my display. But I know better. A society girl like Ingrid Orchid would never go a day without reading the tabloids, and her need to be on top would have driven her to research me extensively after seeing the first photo of Leo and I at the Spring Concert. I'm willing to bet she has a manila envelope resting on the coffee table of her penthouse apartment that reads "Nell Greene" in some typewriter font – perhaps my name is even crossed out in red lipstick. Oh yes, she definitely has a flare for the dramatic, I think as I size her up.

Leo drops my hand and my confident façade flickers for an instant, until I feel his arm snake around my waist.

"My girlfriend," he says looking down at me, and I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. This whole act relied on Leo being on my side, on Leo picking me. Not to mention, the way he said, "my girlfriend" (for the first time!), looking at me, and only at me, as if no one else was there, really makes me feel something. Something like dragging him to the nearest broom closet and ripping his clothes off.

I see a flash of hurt pass through Ingrid's eyes, but it quickly fades to something else, something cold and calculating. I shiver at her facial expression.

"So lovely to finally meet you," she says with a sickeningly sweet voice laced with menace. Leo's grip tightens around my waist almost painfully, but I don't mind. As long as he's holding me and not her.

"How do you know Leo?" I ask with a smile, letting her believe she has the upper hand. Sure enough, her eyes light up and I swear I see her fangs extend.

"Oh, we dated for a few years," she says in an attempt to be nonchalant, watching my face, waiting for my look of utter devastation. Ha, nice try bitch.

"Funny, he's never mentioned you!" I jokingly punch Leo on the shoulder. Turning back to her, my face becomes hard and icy. "You must be quite forgettable."

The light in her eyes turns to fire and she practically growls with hatred. I see Alice shake from silent laughter while Leo looks down at me with a mix of awe and fear.

"I want to dance," I say, cupping his face and giving him an inconspicuous wink. I let him lead me on the dance floor, turning back to give Ingrid a sweet wave. It takes every ounce of restraint for me not to flip her the bird.

Thankfully, a slow song comes on as we reach the center of the dance floor, and I sag against Leo's hard chest. The adrenaline coursing through my system dissipates quickly and I'm left feeling exhausted. I want to feel triumphant, that I won my first round in the ring with Ingrid, but I know the fight is far from over. That calculating look in her eye assured me of it.

Leo lifts my chin and as if seeing I'm about to crumple and kisses me softly, gently.

"You scare me Nell," he whispers in my ear.

"Trust me, that was an attitude I reserve only for complete bitches."

He smiles, shaking his head, but the smile quickly slips away, and he cups my face in both hands.

"That's not what scares me," he admits. "I like you, too much."

"I don't think too much is possible," I say with a smile, but stomach plummets, because I feel the same way. I'm scared to death that instead of floating in his affection, I'm going to drown in his depths.

I bury my head in his chest as he holds me tight against him, and for a moment I can forget about the rest of this crazy world. Because that's what it is, completely, mindbogglingly insane, and I am most definitely not made for it. But I am made for Leo. Meeting Ingrid has assured me of that. Leo deserves more than a power-hungry ice queen. He deserves more than being used for his fame, for his good looks, for his talent. His heart is too pure, too kind, to be abused like that. And that's exactly why he gets taken advantage of; he's the kind of person who is too sweet to say no, who will give all of himself away just to help someone else, even if they don't deserve it.

I don't deserve it. I don't deserve him. I am much too mundane to be with someone so brilliantly fantastic. But he doesn't make me feel mundane. He makes me feel wanted. The way his hands are gripping my waist possessively as we sway against each other makes me feel like the sexiest girl in the room, which is saying something when you consider our present company. The way he looks at me, with a hunger than manages to thrill me and comfort me at the same time, makes me want to be the best person I can be. To him, I'm already enough, but he makes me want to be more, want to be someone worthy of loving him.

My heart stops beating. Loving him.

He feels my body freeze and lifts my chin up, so our eyes meet. His gaze is so tender, filled with concern for me. The forest green of his eyes manages to sparkle even in the dimly lit room. His hair has fought the grip of the gel and falls in curls on his forehead. He is achingly beautiful, and I'm in his arms. I'm the one he has chosen. And I've chosen him.

I love him, I realize. I love Leo Griffiths.