Love is Beautiful (She's so Ugly)

Chapter Thirty Two

When Merida returned to the function hall, students were already swaying on the dance floor. The first person her eyes sought was Jacob—even though it should have been Leo. She spotted him across the room, but before she could move, Leo stepped into her path.

"L-Leo..." She gave him a small, sad smile.

"Do you mind if I ask you for a dance?" His smile was softer than usual, almost fragile. Merida hesitated, then placed her hand in his. They walked to the center of the floor, blending into the couples under the dim glow of chandeliers.

They slow danced, close enough to almost embrace. Merida tried not to search for Jacob, but Leo noticed anyway.

"Looking for someone?" he teased gently.

She froze, caught, then shook her head quickly. "Pfft! No, I am not! I just... feel nervous if I look at you," she said with a laugh too light to be real.

Leo twirled her once, letting her gown shimmer under the lights. "The gown looks perfect on you." He had wanted to say it earlier but kept holding his words back. Tonight, he couldn't keep them in.

"Thank you," she whispered. "I thought about you when I chose this. I know you love the night sky."

That confession tugged at his chest. He pulled her into a hug, memorizing the feel of her one last time. "Thank you for thinking about me."

"If I could," she murmured, her cheek brushing his shoulder, "I'd stay in your eyes forever. They're the closest thing to heaven."

Leo's breath caught. He forced himself to loosen his hold, even though every part of him wanted to stay. "But these eyes don't make you feel beautiful the way his do," he said softly. "Fight the hate, and give him a chance."

Her brows knitted. "You do make me feel beautiful. I don't understand why you're pushing me away."

Leo brushed a strand of hair from her face, his grin painted over sadness. "It won't be a mistake this time. Remember what I told you? There are the lucky ones—those saved from heartbreak. That doesn't mean they don't know pain."

Her eyes shimmered. Fear and tears welled up. "But Leo, I—"

"Trust me," he whispered.

"No!" Her voice broke, loud enough to turn heads. "I don't want to lose you! You're so good to me—I don't want to hurt you."

His mask slipped for just a moment, sorrow clouding his face. But then he smiled again, tender and brave. "It would hurt more if you weren't true to yourself." He swallowed, steadying himself. "I'm into you. I hope I made it obvious. But live without fear, Merida. Please... live for me."

Her tears spilled, and he wiped them away with his thumb one last time. "I'm glad I was your first dance," he said. "And I'm sorry I couldn't give you more of myself." He kissed her forehead, gentle as a goodbye. "Invite him for your last dance. Love again like you've never been hurt."

She followed his gaze and saw Jacob watching her, waiting. Her heart wavered—torn between the warmth of Leo's steadiness and the fire of Jacob's love. But she knew where her heart belonged.

"Thank you," she whispered, and stepped away toward Jacob.

Leo stood frozen, his smile still in place, even as a tear slid down his cheek. I wish you happiness, he thought, wiping it quickly before leaving the hall.

Yuri had been watching. She rushed after him, heart heavy. At the parking lot, she spotted him walking toward his car.

"Leo, wait!" she called.