Love is Beautiful (She's so Ugly)

Chapter Twenty Five

The next morning, Merida invited Yuri and Leo to a group study. Exams were around the corner, and she thought it was time to try one.

"Hmmm... I volunteer!" Yuri raised her hand like they were in class. "Let's do it at my house—it'll be fun! Oh, and we should invite more people."

Merida nodded, amused at Yuri's enthusiasm.

"Hey, you." Yuri glared at Leo.

Leo raised a brow at his cousin.

"Invite that guy, Brandon. I like him," Yuri declared.

Leo scoffed, and Merida couldn't help but giggle. Those two were always at odds, but in their own way, they worked.

"D-do you have a moment?"

The three turned. Lisa stood there awkwardly, hands clasped in front of her.

Yuri's eyes narrowed. "Aye, you looking for another fight?"

"No! I came to apologize," Lisa blurted, her eyes cast down. "I'm really sorry, Merida. About... everything."

Merida blinked, then smiled gently and pulled Lisa into a hug. "You should come to our group study."

Lisa froze, wide-eyed. She hadn't expected to be forgiven—certainly not this easily. What an idiot, she thought, though her lips curved into a smile anyway. If Merida wasn't so gullible, she wouldn't have accepted her apology.

Yuri, however, wasn't letting her off so easily. Lisa turned to her and gave a low bow. "I'm sorry to you too."

"Err..." Yuri grimaced, clearly uncomfortable. "Yeah, yeah! Get up already! Guess that bang on the wall knocked some sense into you, huh? Tch."

Merida laughed softly. Even if Yuri wasn't ready to accept Lisa fully, at least she wasn't starting another fight.

As the girls chattered, Leo tilted his head toward Jacob with an impish look.

Jacob frowned. "What the hell's with that face?"

"Oh, nothing. Just inviting your sorry ass to the study group," Leo said with a too-cute smile.

Jacob rolled his eyes. "That smile is annoying."

"The word you're looking for is charming. See you Saturday." Leo dropped his head onto the desk and promptly fell asleep.

—

By lunch, Merida found herself at a proper table—Leo on one side, Yuri and Lisa on the other. She couldn't help smiling at how Lisa and Yuri argued nonstop, though in a way that almost seemed... playful.

"Do you think Lisa means it this time?" Merida asked quietly.

Leo shrugged. "She seemed sincere. But tell me—why forgive her so fast, and not Jacob?"

The question caught Merida off guard. "I-I don't know. Maybe because Jacob hurt me more? And... why does it matter?" She gave an awkward laugh and poked at her food.

"Do you want to go sailing sometime?" Leo asked suddenly.

Merida brightened. "Yes!" She speared a slice of meat, held it up to his lips. "Open."

He obeyed, and she shoved it in.

"Well? Tastes good?" she teased.

He chewed thoughtfully. "Hmm... needs a—"

"Pinch of salt," she finished for him.

Leo chuckled, watching her grin as she turned to scold Yuri and Lisa for bickering too loudly.