Chapter 4: Chapter 4

“You need to at least find something to be doing while you’re there,” Leon said shaking his head in disapproval of my plans.

It was still early in the morning when Leon had called and at first, I wanted to ignore it so he’d stop calling but I knew he had special times for calls so I had mercy on him and picked up the call. He then said he wanted to FaceTime and I reluctantly agreed. That decision led to us arguing about my plans for the year at Brielle’s house.

“I’m not going to be working. I don’t need the money,” I said rolling my eyes.

“I know you don’t. I’m trying to help you protect your sanity. You can’t be there for a year without actually doing something. Also, a year? Don’t you think that’s too much for your love escapade? I’m getting tired of having to explain to everyone why my ‘boss’ isn’t around.”

I laughed. “We’re co-owners.”

He sighed. “I try to tell them that but everyone already thinks that you’re the boss of me so that’s that.”

“I’m also thinking a year is too much. I can’t stay away for that long. Maybe six months?” I asked and he shrugged. “You’re the one complaining. At least tell me what to do.”

“Figure it out yourself, dumbass,” he said laughing suddenly. “You’re the one in love not me.”

“Whatever. How’s Teagan?”

“Her name is banned in any future conversation we’re having,” he said, seriousness taking over his face.

I laughed again. This was why I liked talking to Leon. He always knew how to make me laugh. “What did she do this time?”

“I swear that girl is stalking me. I see her everywhere I go after work and it’s too often to count as a coincidence. It’s creepy and God, her smiles are become more passionate day by day. It’s a terrifying experience. Even Eve’s scared of her and Eve is scared of no one.” I laughed. “It’s not funny.”

“I’m sorry. Your situation is just too amusing,” I said sincerely. “Have you tried to tell her you aren’t interested?”

“That was the first thing I did when she came to my house. Did I tell you she found me? I swear that girl has a tracking device on me.” His face was so comical as he spoke that I couldn’t help but laugh as he spoke and he glared at me. “I swear I can kill her if she keeps this up.”

“Then we’ll be down one employee.”

His brows shot up. “She’s a stalker and you’re protecting her? You should be protecting me from that witch. What kind of friend are you?” I heard something ringing. “Ah, look at that.

She’s calling me. I blocked her and somehow, she got my second line. Do you still doubt that she’s a witch?”

I sighed. Leon clearly understood next to nothing about love and as his best friend, I had to help him out in that department. “Leon?”

“Yeah?”

“Can I ask you something?”

He squinted his eyes. “Is that a trick question? I’m pretty sure I’ve done nothing wrong so far except occasionally stealing from your chocolate stash when you aren’t around.”

“You do what?”

“Oh, you didn’t know that? My bad,” he said laughing and scratching the back of his neck nervously.

I shook my head. I had to focus and show him I was serious. I rolled my eyes and said, “Leon, I’m being serious here.”

That seemed to get him because he said, “Go ahead. Ask whatever it is you want to ask.” “Are you gay?” I blurted.

“What?”

“Gay? Homosexual?”

“I know what gay means, idiot. I’m just confused as to why you’ll be asking me that.”

I sighed. “Because you’re weird. You don’t date girls, hell you don’t even glance at them twice. It’s like girls bore you.”

He shrugged. “You’re a girl.”

“It’s different. We’re best friends and that’s that. It’s just similar to the relationship between you and Camila. She’s your best friend and that’s all it is. Considering how you hardly have male friends or even any friend in general, I think that’s another start. That and the fact you fangirl with me when we watch a movie or go to a concert.

“You also love pink which is creepy and you have to be one of the few men who doubles as a hair stylist and a fashion designer. You’re also working with a wedding planning company.

How masculine does that sound?”

He burst into laughter. I was being real and he found everything hilarious. That was the downside of talking with Leon. He could be so unserious at the worst times. It was like he didn’t know when to switch himself off.

“I’m not gay and you of all people should know I don’t lie about stuff like that,” he said once he was done with his laughing fit. “All the reasons you gave are stupid and I’ll tell you why.

“I don’t date because I’m not one of those guys who’s into trying a girl out and dumping her because she’s not right. Call me traditional and all but I want my first time to be with my wife

and not some random girl who’d probably never end up with me. I want to take my time and find the right girl before I start anything because when I do, I know it’s for real.

“I’m friends with more females because I relate with them on more levels than a normal guy would. I can flexibly gist about girl stuff and guy stuff. It just depends on who I’m with and when I’m with them.

“Pink is a beautiful color and I think it’s just sexist and ridiculous that people would actually think that liking the color makes you gay. You don’t hear me say because you love black or whatever, you’re suddenly lesbian. You’re also forgetting that I think pink is nice but dark blue has always been my favorite color.

“I think I told you this before but my mother was a fashion designer, and Stefanos was more interested in the family business. Tobias didn’t have any relationship whatsoever with her and Evelina was closer to my father. I was the closest to her and she taught me everything I knew. She’d even let me occasionally braid her hair. She said I was her personal stylist and after years of having fun with her, it stuck.

He finally took a breath. “I don’t know why you’d assume I’m gay when all the points you gave are pretty normal when you look at it the right way.”

We fell into the most uncomfortable silence I’d ever had since we became friends.

“I didn’t assume you were gay. It’s just everyone thinks so and I wanted to be sure,” I said quietly.

“That is…”

“Stupid,” I completed and sighed. “I know. Can we just talk about something else? I’m sorry for bringing this up.”

“No problem. It’s better than having you silently believe I’m gay and scare every potential Mrs. Right,” he said bursting into laughter that I joined in after a second.

And this, friends, was why Leon was my best friend. I couldn’t think of a time when Leon and I had ever had an actual fight. Like a kind of fight where we fought and we stopped talking to each other for days. It was impossible for both of us. He was just too understanding and forgiving. It made sense that we’d actually be friends.

“So, what do you have planned for today?” he asked and I shrugged. “You’re just going to sit there and do nothing all day? You’ll become even lazier than you are right now.”

I crossed my arms feigning annoyance. “What’s wrong with being a couch potato?”

“Everything,” he said shaking his head. “Look, just go out and explore Atham City. Remember it’s the best place to be so why not enjoy it while you’re there?”

“You’re right.”

“Of course, I’m right. I can’t remember a time I was actually wrong.” I rolled my eyes. “Oh, shut up.”

“Unfortunately, I don’t have all the time in the world to waste so go find new friends to bother,” he said and I pouted. “What is it?”

“But I don’t have any friend that I enjoy their company.” “Talk to Brielle.”

“She was called in to emergency work today. She’s going to be away for two days. Can you believe that?”

“Yes, I can. It happens to people who have actual jobs to do.” I glared at him. “What about lover boy?”

“I told you. He’s shooting a movie and apparently, he already had it stalled for a while so he can’t stall any longer.”

“I’m out of ideas.”

“Where do you even have to be on a Saturday?”

He shrugged. “Nowhere really. My dad just thought it’s been long since we had one of our famous dinners so he told us to visit, considering it’s his birthday, and I’m taking Eve shopping for it. She likes me to go with her every time.”

I groaned. “Can I go shopping with you too?”

“And how exactly are you going to come with me?”

“There’s a reason you have a phone and there’s this thing called FaceTime.”

“I’m not going to walk around the mall talking to you like I’ve suddenly gone bonkers.” I frowned. “You will.”

“Not a chance.” “Please.”

“No.”

“Pretty please with a cherry please on top?” “Goodbye.”

“Wait, please don’t leave me…” he’d already hung up on me.

I made a mental note to make him pay for his annoying attitude today but I actually understood. His life didn’t revolve around me as saddening as the thought was and as much as he was an introvert, I wanted him to have a more social life. I, on the other hand, had no idea what to do with myself.

After much deliberation and being inspired by Leon, I decided to go to the mall as I was already out of options. I decided to quickly have my bath and head to the mall right after that.

After I was done, I made sure to dress like a hobbit leaving her comfort zone with the baggiest pair of jeans ever pinned to my waist by a belt, and the largest hoodie I could find in

my box. Usually, I was a fashionista but I also loved to dress my mood and I was feeling lazy so that was that.

Besides, I thought I rocked the lazy look. I could have been a model if I wanted to but the laziness also extended to anything that had me leaving my bed. It was why I hated going for vacations.

Anyway, I was finally set to go to the mall and hopping into the car Emrys donated to my cause, I screamed, “TO THE MALL, IDIOTS.”

It took me a moment to realize that since I was the only one in the car, I was the idiot. How exciting was that?