i'm just going to trust

Dear Annie,

I've decided I don't care anymore. Leo just... warms my heart. He makes me feel seen in a way I've never experienced before, and maybe I'm being foolish for letting my guard down again, but I can't help it. There's something about him—he's so easy to trust.

So, I'm done overthinking it. I'm done analyzing every word and second-guessing every moment. I'm just going to let myself be... his friend, I suppose. Whatever this is between us, I'm going to embrace it without constantly questioning it.

No more fear. No more doubts. I'm just going to trust.

- Annie

Leo smiled softly as he read the note for the third time, feeling a warmth spread through his chest at Annie's words. Yet, intertwined with the warmth was a pang of guilt, knowing that his actions had caused her hesitation and uncertainty. Despite this guilt, he couldn't help but feel a sense of joy knowing that Annie was gradually opening up to him.

It was a small step, but Leo recognized it as progress nonetheless.

"Hi," Leo's voice broke through Annie's thoughts as he settled beside her in their shared English class.

Annie glanced up, surprised by his presence. She still found it somewhat surreal that he was making an effort to befriend her. "Hi," she replied softly, offering him a shy smile before focusing her attention back on her desk.

Leo smiled, finding her shyness endearing. "I was thinking, would you mind proofreading my essay? You're good at English, right?"

Annie's eyebrows furrowed in surprise. She hadn't expected Leo to seek her help. "Sure, you can email it to me."

Leo shook his head. "I actually have it at home. My computer's been acting up, so I handwrote it. Would you mind coming over to check it out? It's due tomorrow morning."

Annie's heart skipped a beat at the unexpected invitation. Leo Smith, one of the most popular guys in school, was inviting her to his house. She struggled to find her words. "Uh... sure, if you want."

Leo grinned at her reaction. "Great. Meet me in the parking lot after school."

Later that day, Annie found herself in the passenger seat of Leo's car, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt as she nervously glanced out the window, watching the familiar landmarks pass by. Each turn of the road seemed to bring her closer to an unfamiliar destination, amplifying her apprehension.

When they finally arrived at Leo's house, Annie hesitated before stepping out of the car. She took a moment to observe the exterior, noting the well-maintained lawn and the welcoming glow emanating from the windows. As they entered the house, a sense of awe washed over her at the sight of the spacious foyer and the tasteful decor adorning the walls.

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?"

Annie's fingers fidgeted nervously in her lap, a silent admission of the thoughts swirling in her mind. Yes, there were memories she wished she could erase, moments she longed to forget. But voicing those desires felt like exposing a vulnerability she wasn't ready to confront.

"I know I'd want to," Leo continued, his voice gentle as he glanced at her. He sensed the weight of her unspoken words, the burden of her hidden thoughts.

"Really?" Annie's surprise was evident in her voice, her eyes meeting Leo's with a mixture of uncertainty and curiosity.

Leo nodded, his expression softening with understanding. "Yeah, of course," he affirmed, reaching out to offer her a reassuring smile. "Shitty things happen to the best of us."

Annie returned his smile, a silent acknowledgment passing between them. There was comfort in Leo's empathy, in the shared recognition of life's hardships.

"I guess so," she murmured, her gaze lingering on Leo for a moment longer before turning away, a silent invitation for him to share his own thoughts if he wished.

Leo licked his lips, the words lingering on the tip of his tongue as he sought the courage to speak. "You know," he began, his voice soft yet resolute. "You can ask."

Annie blinked, her brows furrowing in confusion. "Ask what?"

A small chuckle escaped Leo's lips, a gentle warmth infusing his expression. "Questions," he clarified, his gaze meeting hers with unwavering sincerity. "I can tell you're curious. You don't have to be afraid to ask me anything, Annie. I trust you." He held his breath, silently hoping for her reciprocation of that trust.

Annie felt a flutter in her chest at his words, a tentative smile gracing her lips. "I... it's just not my spot to ask anything, you know." Her voice was hesitant, tinged with a hint of vulnerability.

Leo quirked an eyebrow, his gaze softening as he reached out to gently squeeze her hand. "Well, we're friends, right?" he reasoned, his tone gentle yet firm. "I think that means you can."

Annie pursed her lips, considering his words for a moment before finally nodding. "Okay, then what would you want to erase?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Leo's breath caught in his throat, his gaze drifting momentarily as he searched for the right words. "The bad memories of my dad," he admitted, his voice tinged with a mixture of sadness and resignation. "He was a... raging alcoholic - or at least he became one before he died a few years ago. I would erase the bad memories of him because although they showed his true colours, I much rather be left with the good memories of him."

Annie's heart ached at his confession, her sympathy for him swelling within her chest. She watched as he leaned back, his expression momentarily distant as he recollected the painful memories of his past. In that moment, she wished she could erase his pain, to shield him from the scars of his past.

Leo's voice wavered slightly as he continued, his eyes distant as he delved into the memories he wished he could erase. "I remember... the shouting, the broken promises," he confessed, his tone heavy with the burden of his recollections. "But there were also moments... moments of laughter, of love. I wish I could hold onto those memories without the shadow of his addiction looming over them."

Annie's chest tightened with sorrow as she watched Leo's vulnerability unfold before her. "I'm sorry," she murmured softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I can't imagine how difficult that must have been for you."

"Don't worry," he nudged her gently, a grin playing on his lips. "It's okay. I mean, it sucked, but... it is what it is. At least it's not still like that."

Annie gave him a warm smile, hoping it would convey her gratitude because she wasn't sure what else to say. "My mom... she left too." Annie glanced away, fixing her gaze on the TV screen in front of them.

Leo, acting on instinct, took her hand in his and began tracing imaginary circles on the back of her hand with his thumb. Annie felt a warmth spreading through her from the touch.

Leo couldn't help but feel a sense of relief that she was opening up to him. "Left how?" he asked softly, mindful not to push her too much, knowing how difficult it was for her to share.

Annie took a deep breath. "She had an affair with a guy ten years younger than her. She fell in love, divorced my dad, and then just walked out of all of our lives as if we didn't exist."

Leo's heart sank at Annie's revelation, his grip on her hand tightening instinctively as he processed her words. He couldn't fathom the pain she must have endured, the betrayal of a parent's love shattered by infidelity and abandonment.

"I'm so sorry, Annie," Leo whispered, his voice laced with genuine sympathy. "That's... that's really tough."

Annie offered him a sad smile, grateful for his comforting presence beside her. "Yeah," she replied softly, her voice tinged with resignation. "It's been hard, but... I guess we both have our scars, right?"

Leo nodded understandingly, his expression softening with empathy. "It's not easy losing a parent, no matter what the reason. Were you guys close?"

Annie's voice was quiet, carrying the weight of unresolved emotions. "When I was younger," she began, her gaze fixed on a distant point. "We were close. But as I got older, things changed. She met someone and... drifted away. She wasn't really there, even when she was physically present."

Leo listened attentively, his heart aching for Annie's pain. He reached out and gently squeezed her hand, offering silent support.

"I'm sorry," he murmured, his voice filled with sincerity.

Annie's eyes met his, and she offered him a small, grateful smile. "Don't be," she replied softly, echoing his earlier words. "It is what it is." Despite the sadness in her voice, there was a hint of acceptance, a quiet resilience that spoke of her strength.

As they sat in the quiet aftermath of their shared revelations, Leo's stomach growled loudly, breaking the solemn atmosphere. He flushed slightly, looking sheepishly at Annie.

Annie couldn't help but giggle at the unexpected interruption. "I guess someone's hungry."

Leo grinned, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, I didn't realize how hungry I was until now."

"Let's raid the kitchen," Annie suggested, a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

Leo laughed, feeling a sense of lightness return to the room. "Sounds like a plan."

Together, they made their way to the kitchen, joking and laughing along the way. As they rummaged through the pantry and fridge, Leo couldn't shake the feeling of gratitude for Annie's presence, even amidst the challenges they both faced. In that moment, with the warmth of friendship and the promise of food, the weight of their troubles seemed a little lighter.

✉