Chapter 17

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I woke up the next morning in my bed, my blankets seem to have been pushed off onto the floor. I lazily slid out of bed, before opening my bedroom door. Leo was sitting at my counter, eating cereal when I spotted him. I jumped up in fright.
"Geez, you scared me." I mumbled. I totally forgot he was here. Suddenly the flashes of what happened last night, went through my mind. My eyes trailed awkwardly towards him and he was full cheeked with cereal, looking at me innocently.
"I hope you don't mind. I was hungry." He said putting his spoon down.
"No, not at all." I smiled, walking around the counter and grabbing a bowl for myself.
I grabbed my favorite cereal and I poured it in before smiling, my back facing Leo.
"By the way..." I mumbled.
He stopped eating.
"When is your flight?" I asked, putting a spoon in my bowl.
"Next week. I hope you don't mind." He smiled. I turned towards him and shook my head.
"No, I don't." I said. I dont understand though, there's a bunch of hotels here and its not like he can't afford it. He's a movie star!
That idea was still weird to me, Leo being a movie star.
"Marlie?" Leo waved a hand in my face. My eyes focused on him.
"Hmm?"
"What are you thinking so deeply about?" He laughed.
I looked away," Nothing."
"I've never really asked you. Do you go to school still? You should be a senior in college right?" He put his bowl in my sink.
I nodded. I take class every Thursday and Sunday. Which are really random days now that I think of it.
Leo sighed, before turning towards me.
"I'll get going now. But I'll be back tonight." He said while putting on his jacket. I didn't want to ask him where he was going. I shouldn't care. But I was curious.
"Yeah. I have to leave also." I mumbled, feeling a bit weird at this situation. Leo was basically living with me for a week. I'd come home to see him, go to sleep knowing he's in the other room, and see him again the next morning. The younger me would've loved this, but something about Leo always being around made me feel self conscious.
Leo smiled before walking out.
-
I sat down with a few of my friends from my university, drinking a smoothie.
They were both talking about what they've been doing these past few days when suddenly they realized I was spaced out.
"Marlie?" My friend, Ava, asked. I looked up.
"You haven't even spoken a word since we got here." Ava mumbled, looking towards my other friend Noah.
"Oh. Really?" I laughed nervously.
"Is there something you want to tell us?" Noah looked over at me.
I laughed," You guys act like it's a big deal." I looked between them.
"A friends staying over at my house for a week." I sipped my drink.
"A guy friend?" Ava raised an eyebrow. I nodded.
"Who is it?" She leaned forward.
I bit my lip. I didn't want to mention Leo's name just in case they knew him.
"Just a friend from high school." I stood up," Aren't we going to miss the movie?" I asked changing the subject.
After the movie, Ava had to leave early and I was left with Noah. He had offered to walk me home and I couldn't say no. We were friends.
"So..." he laughed nervously. I looked over at him and smiled.
"So..." I imitated him.
"I hope this doesn't sound too straightforward." He started. I looked over at him curiously.
"You're very pretty today." He said with a smile. I looked down at my outfit.
"Your face, I mean." He laughed.
I looked up at him," Are you flirting with me?" I said it more like a joke.
"Yes, actually. It took you long to notice." He raised his eyebrows. I tried to see his expression to judge on if he was joking or not. But it didn't look like it. He does compliment me a lot, but I thought it was a friend thing? Or he was super nice.
"Oh, sorry." I shook my head, trying to put the pieces together.
"No. No. Don't be sorry. I just never made myself clear." He stated. I looked down, not really knowing what to say.
"So..." He turned towards me while stopping. I stopped also.
"Will you g-"
I felt someone grab my arm and I looked to the left to see Leo.
Noah looked at him also.
"What's going on here?" Leo smiled, looking at the guy and still holding onto my arm.
Noah laughed, "Who are you?"
"A dear old friend of Marlie's. Who are you?" Leo raised his eyebrows. I tried to shrug him off but it didn't work.
"Noah. I was just asking your dear friend Marlie here if she'd like to go to dinner with me. Tomorrow night?" Noah looked over at me.
I looked back at him, not really saying anything. He was nice and cute. Maybe this is what I needed to finally get over Leo.
"Sure." I smiled. Leo looked between the two of us without me knowing.
"I'll see you tomorrow then." Noah nodded. I waved as he left.
Leo and I walked into my apartment and Leo trailed along behind me.
"Who was that?" Leo asked.
"A friend." I answered.
"Where do you know him from?" Leo was still following me by the time I walked into my room.
"School." I mumbled, taking off my shoes.
"Does he like you?" Leo took off his shoes also. I laid down on my bed and groaned in exhaustion.
"I'm guessing?" I mumbled, looking up at him from my bed.
Leo laid down on my bed also, propping himself by his elbow to look over at me.
"Do you like him?" He asked this softly. And I sighed.
"I don't know. Why does it matter?" I raised my eyebrows.
"It doesn't." Leo said quickly.
"Then why are you on my bed?" I pushed him away.
He grabbed onto my arms and pulled himself closer.
"Didn't I tell you your bed is comfy?" He laid down completely, putting my arm under his head.
"Hey! Your heads heavy. You'll cut off my circulation." I teased, trying to pull my arm out.
"Just stay here for a couple of minutes. I'm sleepy." He closed his eyes. I rolled my eyes, looking over his face.
I didn't notice that we were so close, until I looked at his face. I closed my eyes also, before falling asleep.
-
I woke up in the middle of the night to my phone ringing. I opened my eyes, seeing that Leo's hands were now wrapped around my waist, my head in his chest. I tried pushing him away slightly to go and get the phone, but then he groaned, wrapping his arms around my middle and pulling me so our bodies were pushed together, while he hid his face in my neck.
I couldn't help but laugh at his breath down my neck. I was extremely ticklish. I snapped myself out of it, before noticing my phone was still ringing. I slowly got out of Leo's grasp and I reached over, pushing the phone to my ear.
"Hello?" I whispered.
"Marlie? Are you home?" I heard Johnny on the other line.
"Johnny, it's four o'clock in the morning. Why are you awake?" I groaned.
"I couldn't sleep. Can I come over?" He sounded sad. I looked over at Leo, passed out.
"Want to go for a walk instead?"
-
I was walking with Johnny down my street with my hands in my hoodie pockets. Johnny hasn't really said anything in five minutes and it's honestly making me worried.
"What did you want to talk to me about?" I looked over at him. He sighed, looking up at the sky.
"My dads in town." He answered. I tilted my head. I've only heard a few things about his dad. Including the fact that he puts a lot of pressure on Johnny in his line of work, which I don't know what kind of work.
"Is that a bad thing?" I asked curiously.
Johnny nodded," I think he's here to take care of work."
I nodded as if I understood.
Johnny suddenly turned towards me and I looked over at him, the sun slowly coming up.
"I hope you know how much I appreciate you. You're a good friend." Johnny pat my head, and I couldn't help but feel like a dog.
"I'll protect you. Always." Johnny promised.
He looked genuine or desperate, i couldn't tell.
I nodded," Thank you, Johnny." I breathed.
"I should get back." I looked around. Johnny nodded," Right. I forgot you have school today." He laughed.
What exactly did Johnny mean when he said he'd protect me? Protect me from what?

AUTHORS NOTE:
sorry guys but I don't think I'll be posting as often after tomorrow cause I'm going on a little vacay. It's only a five day trip so don't be alarmed. But yeah. Also, I'm watching Titanic and the beginning song will always make me feel depressed. Also, Leo is so cute I can'ttttt

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