𝐋𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒

i'm just going to trust

Leo led her through the house, his footsteps echoing softly against the hardwood floors. Annie couldn't help but admire the neatness and organization of his home, from the carefully arranged furniture to the pristine surfaces devoid of clutter. Everything seemed to have its place, reflecting a sense of order and tranquillity that was both comforting and impressive.

"You have a nice house," she remarked softly as they made their way to his room.

"Thanks," Leo replied with a warm smile, guiding Annie to a comfortable seat in his meticulously organized room. With a sense of purpose, he retrieved his essay, the pages neatly stacked and awaiting Annie's critical eye.

Annie wasted no time immersing herself in Leo's writing, her gaze scanning the words with a mixture of concentration and admiration. She found herself pleasantly surprised by the depth of Leo's insights and the eloquence of his prose, each sentence carefully crafted to convey his thoughts with clarity and precision. 

Within minutes, Annie completed her review, her fingers tracing over the smooth surface of the pages as she handed them back to Leo. "You're done already?" His expression mirrored her surprise as he accepted the papers from her with a mix of astonishment and gratitude.

"I'm good at English," Annie confessed softly, a blush tinting her cheeks as she shrugged modestly.

Leo chuckled, the sound rich and melodic in the quiet confines of his room. "Thanks. You are good." His words were laced with genuine appreciation, his eyes sparkling with admiration as he regarded Annie with newfound respect.

As Annie prepared to leave, Leo's voice broke the comfortable silence. "Why leave so soon?" he protested, a playful grin tugging at the corners of his lips. "Let's order pizza and hang out."

Annie hesitated, her hand hovering uncertainly near the door handle. She glanced at Leo, surprised by his invitation but also intrigued by the prospect of spending more time with him. The warmth in his eyes and the genuine sincerity in his voice melted away her reservations, replacing them with a sense of anticipation.

"Are you sure?" she asked, a small smile tugging at her lips as she considered the offer.

Leo nodded enthusiastically, his expression eager and hopeful. "Absolutely. Besides, what's better than pizza and good company?"

Annie couldn't argue with that logic. With a shy nod, she acquiesced, her heart fluttering with excitement as she followed Leo back downstairs to enjoy an evening of pizza and conversation in the comfort of his home. 

Maybe Leo wasn't just being polite; maybe he genuinely enjoyed her company.

✉

As the credits rolled and the screen faded to black, Annie couldn't help but exhale a contented sigh, her lips curling into a smile. "All that trouble just to find their way back to each other?" she remarked, her eyes reflecting the warmth of the movie's resolution. "That was cute."

Leo chuckled, nudging her playfully. "See, I knew you'd like it," he teased, his own smile mirroring hers.

"Yeah, it was good," Annie admitted, shifting to get more comfortable on the couch. "I still think it's creepy though. Do you really think it would be possible to completely erase memories like that?"

Leo leaned back, contemplating her question. "Maybe," he mused, his gaze wandering to the ceiling as if pondering the possibilities. "I think mind manipulation is a real thing. Kinda cool though, wouldn't you want to erase certain things from your memory?"