The state I'm in COMPLETED

The pier

I looked at Leo, curiosity sparking in my eyes. I hadn't expected that at all.

Why me?

I assumed he would ask Cathrine to join him for a walk, not me. And the fact that his face was serious only intrigued me more.

Harry turned his head toward us, clearly uncertain about what to do. Holding his helmet in one hand, he glanced at Cathrine, who also looked surprised. Then, with a small, easy smile, he extended his free hand to her. She hesitated only for a second before taking it, her expression softening.

That was odd.

He seemed calmer with her—less guarded. In that moment, he actually looked his age. At 22, there were times when the weight of his frown made him seem older.

Leo's voice broke my thoughts. "I want to talk to you."

I raised an eyebrow. "And I want to talk to you." I teased, trying to lighten the mood.

"I'm serious. And you know I'm never serious."

That caught my attention.

"Okay, okay. I'm serious too. What is this about?"

"You go first."

I crossed my arms. "No way. You dragged me over here. You wanted to talk, so spill the beans!"

He sighed, running a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated.

"Okay, I don't know how to do this shit you girls do all the time, but here it goes."

There was a pause, and then—

"Are you seeing anyone?"

I stared at him, confused. "Wouldn't you know if I was, you stupid boy?" I asked. "Where is this coming from? Are you seeing anyone?"

His reaction was immediate. "Fuck no!" he said, horrified. "You know me better than that."

I rolled my eyes. "Are you sleeping with anyone at the moment?"

Leo smirked. "Define 'at the moment.'"

I groaned. "I don't mean right now, obviously. I mean, these days."

His eyes gleamed with mischief. "What's it to you?"

I exhaled. "My friend kind of has a crush on you."

His gaze flickered toward Cathrine, who was laughing at something Harry had said. And Harry—Harry was laughing back at her.

It was so different from how he had been before. It was genuine, open. He looked carefree. And for some reason, that made me happy.

Leo turned back to me, his voice suddenly teasing. "Well, my friend has a crush on you."

I blinked. "What?"

He grinned. "Who, Johnny? I knew he was staring at me the other night at the club, but isn't he dating Nat?"

Leo groaned. "For a university chick, you're really stupid." He looked me straight in the eyes. "I meant my friend—Harry."

I froze.

Stopped walking. Stopped breathing. Stopped everything.

I stared at him like he had just told me the meaning of life itself.