“Are you really Leo?” I asked, trying not to make it obvious that I was checking him out.
I know he was kind of stalking me, but I couldn’t deny his hotness.
His skin was kind of a rosy colour, and he had brown curls all over his head. His eyes were green, and his face looked so... happy. He wasn’t smiling, but I could just get this happy vibe, and it made me feel better about a stranger being in my home.
It also helped that he looked my age, and something about him made him look full of life. He was tall, but not ridiculously like Darren, and looked built enough. He wasn’t the toughest thing out there, so I could definitely believe his ‘ I’m shy’ story even if it was a little weird.
“Yeah, it’s really me.”
“Why have you come out now?”
“You were ready to see me. I’m glad- for a while I thought you might never be.” He smiled genuinely and came over to me. He sat down and motioned for me to join him. When I did, he turn so he was facing me. “Do you want to tell me what happened?”
“I- I... I don’t know. I mean, I don’t know you.” I replied, biting my lip. I didn’t want to offend him, since he was being nice. He looked up at the ceiling.
“But I know you, Kiwi.” He didn’t say anything for a while, and neither did I as I waited for him to explain exactly what he meant by that. But eventually the silence was broken. “So, why don’t you tell me. I’m a good listener.”
He laughed, and I realised I must have missed whatever the joke was.
“Well, umm.. I really liked this guy, and my best friend kissed him.” I said, feeling ridiculous.
“Well, maybe it was just a mistake. You know how confusing emotions are, I bet. Maybe they just kissed out of curiosity.” He smiled at the end to reassure me.
“Actually, then my friend came over and informed me that he didn’t want me. That he ‘got bored of me’ and basically proved she actually doesn’t like me very much.” I replied, smiling a little at how different the reality was to his explanation. He grimaced.
“Well then they’re not very nice people and you shouldn’t waste your time with them.”
“I wish I had that outlook on life. I guess I see why you’re so shy; if you go out with that attitude they’ll rip you to shreds.”
“Yeah, I guess. I’m very... selective of my friends.” He said, smiling shyly at me. “Would you like to be friends?”
“I think we were from the moment you tried to make me feel better.” I replied, smiling as he beamed back at me. “But I gotta ask- how did you get in?”
His face fell.
“Oh... umm... the back door was unlocked.” He said looking away.
“Really?” Crap. If anyone other than him had found it...
Why was I trusting him? I hardly knew him.
But I honestly believed he wasn’t going to hurt me. I know that’s the sort of attitude that lands you on missing posters, but there as that trustworthy vibe coming from him. Plus, I really needed a friend right now.
“Would you like something to eat, or something to drink?” I asked politely, remembering just how hungry I was.
“Oh, no thanks. I ate... before.” He said, then smiled. “But don’t let that stop you.”
“Ok, well I’m gonna order Pizza. It seems like a Pizza kind of night. And how about we watch a movie? Or we can talk? Maybe you can tell me more about yourself.” I suggested, hoping he wouldn’t pick up on my burning curiosity. I wanted to know why he was in MY house- why not some other teenager’s?
“A movie sounds great.” He said, smiling. Damn. I shouldn’t have put that out there.
Then again, he seemed nice, and I really did want to be friends. Maybe I shouldn’t push him to explain. He’d tell me eventually.
I ordered the pizza and when I got back he was looking at all our DVDs.
“What do you wanna watch?” I asked, curious about his choice. It might shed some light on the sort of person he is. He turned, studying my face for a minute, then turned back to the stack. He pointed to one. My jaw dropped.
“That’s my favourite.” I said, surprised that he’d choose it. “No, it’ll make me cry. We don’t know each other well enough for you to see that.”
“I already saw you cry tonight, and I’m still here, right?” He argued. I smiled; he had a point.
“Ok, but are you sure about your choice? It’s a little girly.”
“I’ve never seen it, but I’m sure I’ll like it. If it’s your favourite, it can’t suck completely right?” HE aid smiling again. His smile was contagious, and always made me smile.
“Exactly. Well, do you mind if I go change? I’m a little cold.” I said, gesturing to my tank top and shorts.
“Of course not. I’ll wait here.” He replied, before sitting on the couch and gesturing for me to go ahead.
I ran up the stairs quickly, locating my favourite movie hoody and some jeans. I raced back downstairs just in time to get the door.
Once I’d paid the delivery guy I went back into the living room to see Leo still sitting on the couch, but the TV was on and the DVD menu was running.
“Oh, you put it on. Cool, are you ready? You don’t need the bathroom or anything? I gotta warn you, I love this film so much that I won’t pause it. At all.” I said seriously, and he laughed.
“Don’t worry, that won’t be necessary.”
*******************************************************************
The credits came on the screen and I hastily wiped the tears from my eyes and turned to look at Leo.
HE wasn’t crying but his mouth was open in awe, and his eyes were filled with longing. I laughed, and he rearranged his expression, then turned to look at me.
“So I’m guessing you liked the film?” I asked, teasing him a little.
“Yeah, I mean... wow. They were so in love, I can’t believe how good it was! I mean the ending was so good, and it was sad but... I mean, if it was sad, why do I feel all happy on the inside?” He asked, and the expression on his face was priceless. He looked like a five year old trying to understand quantum physics. I laughed, and he looked embarrassed.
“It’s because they were so in love, and even though she lost him, she got to see him one last time, so you get tricked into thinking it was a happy ending.” I replied and smiled as he got a wistful look on his face.
“I wish I could experience love.” He said, staring at nothing, and I could tell he was far away in the corners of his mind.
“You will be, one day.” I said, and my voice pulled him back to the present.
“I doubt it. I mean, to be truly in love, you have to love the person to the extremes, and that would be do-able, I guess, but I also meant I want someone to love me back just as much.” He said, looking really sad.
“Well, someone will. Why don’t you seem to agree?” I wondered if it was a case of extremely low self-esteem, which was strange to see in a boy. I liked him more by the second, because he wasn’t cocky and stupid. He was really nice. I knew I was really going to value his friendship.
“Because. I’m not the type who’s easy to love.” He said, smiling, but I could see the sadness.
“I disagree.” I said, then flung my hand over my mouth. He looked at me, surprised. I hurried to cover my tracks. “I mean, you don’t seem bad so, you know...”
He seemed satisfied with that and I breathed a sigh of relief.
“I guess... if it were that simple...”
“It is,” I said, and he looked at me. “If you make it that simple.”
He looked thoughtful, and we both retreated into our own thoughts for a while.
“Well, I don’t mean to be rude, but it’s kind of late. I’m gonna go to bed, and as much as I trust you, I’m not sure what the neighbours would say if you stayed over.” I said, and a yawn hit me.
Panic took over his face.
“Oh... umm... Ok, well I’ll show myself out. You just stay here. Like, stay right here... Don’t move.” He said, getting up.
“What? Leo, I’m going to show you out.” I said laughing,
“No, I just... You stay here. Please?” He said, and I saw the desperation. I was immediately suspicious, but I hid it.
“Alright, if you insist. Thanks for tonight. And come over tomorrow? You know, if you don’t have plans. Just come over anytime.”
He beamed and nodded enthusiastically. It was adorable.
“Okay! I’ll see you then. Bye Kiwi!” H said, and bowed his head, before turning and leaving.
As soon as he was out of the room, I was up and peering round the corner.
He was stood in front of the door, hands by his sides. The door opened, and I was on edge. Was it a burglar coming in? What if it was mom? I doubt she’d approve of a strange boy being in the house at midnight.
But there was no one behind the door, and it closed itself immediately. Then Leo began to fade.
Literally fade.
Like he went from being totally solid, to the point where I could see the door handle through his stomach.
I yelped in surprise, and he became solid and turned with shock and horror on his face.
I grabbed the remote control from the couch arm and waved it in front of me.
“Stay back!” I said, my voice shaking.
“Kiwi, please, don’t be afraid.” He said, before looking angry. “God, why couldn’t you just have stayed where I told you to?”
I was too shocked to respond.
“Kiwi?”
“You are a vampire aren’t you?” I said, my eyes in slits with the suspicion.
“No, I’m not a vampire, I swear.” He said, trying to calm me.
“But that’s exactly what a vampire would say.” I deduced perfectly, and a tiny part of me that wasn’t terrified was congratulating me on my awesome reasoning. “I mean, you told me the truth, and made it sound like a lie, which was the perfect cover for the truth.”
“I’m not a vampire!” He said, clearly frustrated.
“Sure. If you’re not a vampire then what are you, huh? I don’t care if you’re dead, just please don’t hurt me.” I said, still clutching the remote control, ready to defend myself.
“You don’t care that I’m dead?” He was clearly shocked, but he looked thrilled.
“You really are dead?!?” I shrieked, and he seemed to remember the rest of the conversation. “You are a vampire! Oh, God, do you have to kill me now that I know? Please don’t, please, you can drink my blood if you want just don’t kill-“
“Kiwi, shut up. I’m not a vampire.” He said.
“But you said you were dead...” I trailed.
He just looked at me sadly.
“I couldn’t see you. And you only left notes in the house. Can you leave...?” I asked in a small voice.
He shook his head.
“You used to live here didn’t you?”
He nodded.
“You died here, didn’t you?” I said, in the smallest whisper I could manage, my eyes wide. I wasn’t afraid now, just beyond the realms of shocked.
He just studied my face, and I took his silence for a yes.
“I think we should talk for a while.” He said, not looking away from my face.
“Yeah, I guess we should...” I said, and made my way back to the living room.
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P.s. The film they watched is The Time Traveller's Wife. It's one of my favourites, too, and if you haven't seen it, watch. But have tissues nearby.