4

Dear Annie,

I'm honestly a little confused as to why Leo has been talking to me. Maybe it was just because I was there so it would be rude to ignore me.

Then again, he didn't have to come sit on the bleachers with me.

I'm confused.

It's odd because we're from two different worlds.

Maybe it's not as big as I'm making it out to be.

I don't know.

- Annie

Leo sighed as he read the letter. He just wanted her to feel comfortable around him so he could be her shoulder to lean onto but every time he spoke to her, he was starting to realize that she would only get more conflicted.

Annie wasn't someone who had a lot of friends. She kept to herself and tried to hide away in the shadows so now that one of the school's popular boys was starting to notice her, she didn't know how to feel.

Annie pulled out a piece of paper as she was about to jot down some thoughts - write another letter. Before the pen even hit the paper, the chair beside her was pulled out and someone sat down beside her, joining her at her usual spot in the library.

She looked up to see Leo, a confused look taking place on her face. She wondered why he was coming up to her once again. What could someone like him possibly want from someone like her?

"Can I... help you?" Her voice was gentle and quiet, bringing a small smile to Leo's face.

He shrugged, "I saw an empty seat, thought I'd say hi again."

Annie blinked. She wanted to ask him so many questions, wanted to figure out why he was suddenly taking an interest in her but she stayed quiet. She nodded her head slowly as she placed her pen down, "Oh... okay. Hi."

Leo let out a small chuckle, finding her shyness cute. "Hi. What are you working on?" He glanced at the blank paper that was in front of her.

She licked her lips, staring at the paper for a moment. "Just studying," she excused although she hated lying. She just didn't want to embarrass herself by mentioning anything about her letters.

Leo nodded, although he knew more than Annie thought he did. "What's your favourite subject?"

Annie was taken aback by the question because she wasn't expecting him to actually carry out a conversation with her. She paused before softly saying, "English, I guess. There's so many different perspectives and ways to communicate your thoughts..." Annie trailed off, staring down at the table when she had realized she had started to unnecessarily ramble. She tried to hide her face away by draping her hair around her face like a curtain, trying to hide the embarrassed blush that had crept onto her cheeks.

Leo's lips twirled upwards in a grin as he didn't fail to notice the blush, but he thought it was cute. "I never thought about English like that but you're right."

She looked at him, her eyebrows raised a little. "You like it too?"

He shrugged nonchalantly, "I don't mind it. I'd say I'm more of a science junkie."

She blinked, surprised. "Really?" Her voice was so gentle and soft and quiet - so precious and innocent in a way that made Leo want to keep hearing her talk.

Annie was surprised because Leo was a popular jock. She hadn't pictured him as someone who would be interested in things like science.

He nodded, grinning. "Yeah. I think it's interesting to see how things work. There's so much more behind the naked eye." He gave her a knowing look, but she didn't notice it. In a way, he was also talking about Annie when he said that.

Annie gave him a soft smile, looking away from his gaze because she was just that shy. "I never thought about it like that, either." She repeated some of his words causing him to let out a small chuckle.

Annie fiddled with her fingers, a warm feeling in her chest because she was seeing that Leo was much kinder than she had imagined him to be. She was intimidated by him before she knew him, she still was now too but she was seeing a side to him she didn't expect to.

"Are you going to the game tonight?" He asked her, causing her to look at him again.

She shook her head softly, "No... I don't usually go to those things."

Leo held back a frown though he already figured she wouldn't be going. "You should come."

Annie blinked, unable to hide the fact that she was surprised by his words. She didn't understand why Leo would want her at one of the football games. For a brief moment she wondered if this was part of his game, something he did to charm girls.

"Why?" Her voice came out in a breath.

Leo shrugged his shoulders, "It'll be fun. Plus, everyone should see a high school football game to say they've had the ideal high school experience once they've graduated."

Annie sucked in her bottom lip as she thought. Nothing about her time at high school so far was ideal but she was getting through it. She couldn't wait to get leave this place.

Leo could see the gears turning in her head as she debated. He was only growing more intrigued by her.

"I'll think about it," she finally spoke.

Leo grinned as he stood up, "Cool. I guess I will see you around, Annie Halden."

Annie watched as he started to walk away, feeling nothing but confused.