being on the sidelines is better

Annie sat in the booth, her fingers tracing idle patterns on the condensation-slick surface of her smoothie glass. Each sip felt like a chore, her throat tight with apprehension.

This was unfamiliar territory—foreign, unsettling. She wasn't used to this kind of attention, least of all from someone like Leo Smith.

Normally, she found solace in her solitude, comfortable with being the quiet observer in the background while Leo commanded the room without effort.

The contrast between them couldn't have been starker. Leo was magnetic, thriving under the spotlight with effortless charm, while Annie preferred to fade into the shadows, content to let the world pass her by unnoticed.

The idea that someone like him was not only noticing her but actively engaging her—it left her feeling like a puzzle piece trying to fit into the wrong place.

As Leo recounted tales of football victories and locker room antics, Annie couldn't shake the persistent feeling of being out of place. His laughter was infectious, his gestures grand and animated, while hers felt muted, small in comparison.

She couldn't quite understand why he would choose to spend time with her when he surely had more exciting company waiting at every corner.

Each compliment Leo gave her felt like a foreign language she didn't know how to interpret.

She overanalyzed every word, every glance, searching for hidden meanings that might not even exist.

And in the back of her mind, a creeping doubt lingered—What if this is all just a misunderstanding? What if he's only being polite, or worse, playing some kind of joke on me?

As Annie sat there, feeling like an outsider in her own skin, Leo noticed the subtle shift in her demeanor. The way her fingers fidgeted with the glass, how her shoulders seemed tense beneath the surface. He could sense the hesitation, the unspoken question hanging in the air.

He decided to break the silence with a grin and a playful glint in his eyes.

"You know," Leo leaned back, stirring his smoothie lazily, "I heard they put extra magic in these on game days."

Annie's lips twitched into a hesitant smile, her eyes briefly meeting his before darting away again. His attempt to lighten the mood didn't dispel all her discomfort, but she appreciated it. "Is that so?" she replied softly, a hint of skepticism in her tone.

Leo shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "That's what they say. I guess we'll just have to see if it works its charm on us."

Annie chuckled, the warmth of his easygoing attitude slowly blooming in her chest. It felt good, even if it was fleeting. How does he do that? she wondered.

"So," Leo raised an eyebrow, his smile softening, "how was your debut in the world of high school football?"

Annie emitted a small, nervous laugh. "It was... surprisingly enjoyable. A lot more action-packed than I expected."

Leo beamed, taking a sip of his smoothie. "Ah, so I've managed to convert a non-believer," he teased, his gaze locking on hers with playful intensity.

She mirrored his action, raising her eyebrows in mock seriousness as she took a sip. "Consider me a newly minted fan, thanks to your persuasive skills."

"Glad to see it," Leo said with a wink, a charming smile playing on his lips.

For a moment, the tension between them lightened, and Annie allowed herself to relax.

But just as quickly, the familiar weight of uncertainty settled back on her chest. She hesitated for a beat before asking the question that had been nagging at her since the moment he invited her to the game.

"Can I ask you something?" Her voice was barely above a whisper, laced with uncertainty.

Leo's curiosity piqued as he leaned in slightly, his tone softening. "Of course," he replied, his eyes searching hers with genuine interest. "Anything."

Annie's fingers traced the condensation on her glass, her gaze flickering nervously before settling on Leo's face. "Why did you... want me to come? To the game, and now here?" Her words hung in the air, fragile and vulnerable, reflecting the confusion swirling in her mind.

Leo's smile softened, a tenderness filling his gaze.

"Well," he began, his voice gentle, "I wanted you to experience something new. To share the excitement, and I figured you might enjoy it more than you thought." He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing, "And... maybe, I just wanted to spend time with you. Get to know you better."

Seeing the conflict in her expression, Leo felt the urge to speak again, to bridge the gap between them. "You're intriguing, Annie Halden," he said, his voice earnest. "There's a warmth about you. A kind of quiet charm. You may not realize it, but you have a beauty that goes far beyond what people see."

His words lingered in the air, filled with a sincerity that caught Annie off guard.

She had never been on the receiving end of such raw admiration. Leo wasn't just saying this to flatter her—there was something genuine behind his words. It was disarming, leaving her speechless for a moment.

"No one's ever... said anything like that to me," Annie confessed, her voice trembling with vulnerability. She glanced down, her fingers tracing the patterns on the glass once again. "Most people just see me as a nerd. Or a loser. Something in that realm."

Leo shook his head, a soft smile curving his lips. "You're neither," he said, his tone firm yet gentle. "If anything, you're more of a... wallflower."

Annie blinked in surprise, not expecting him to describe her that way. "Is that a bad thing?"

Leo chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Not at all. Sometimes, being on the sidelines gives you a perspective others don't have. You see things more clearly."

"Why do you say that?" she asked, tilting her head slightly, curiosity getting the best of her. Leo's popularity puzzled her—why would someone like him see value in standing on the sidelines when he thrived in the spotlight?

"Because when you're in the thick of it, surrounded by people all the time, you start to see through the masks," Leo explained, his voice quiet but firm. "A lot of people put on fronts, and when you're always in the middle of the action, it's harder to see who's real and who's not."

Annie nodded slowly, her expression thoughtful. It resonated with her—this idea of masks and façades. She had always observed from the outside, watching people shift and change depending on who they were around.

For a brief moment, there was a comfortable silence. Leo reached across the table, as if to grab his drink, but instead of pulling his hand away immediately, his fingers lightly brushed hers. It was so subtle Annie almost wondered if it was intentional or just an accident. The touch was fleeting, but it sent a spark of warmth through her, as though for the first time, she realized she was being seen, not just talked to.

She glanced at him briefly, her heart skipping a beat, and she found herself wondering if he had felt it too.

Leo cleared his throat softly, shifting gears to something lighter. "Tell me about yourself."

Annie blinked, caught off guard. "Like what?" she asked, uncertain where to begin.

"Anything," Leo said with a grin, leaning forward. "What's your favourite movie?"

A faint blush crept across Annie's cheeks. "I prefer books, honestly," she admitted shyly.

Leo chuckled, nodding. "Books are better than the movie versions anyway."

"What's yours?" Annie asked, starting to relax into the conversation.

"I'm a sucker for sci-fi," Leo said, his grin widening. "Planet of the Apes, E.T., even the original Frankenstein."

Annie laughed softly, her smile genuine for the first time since the conversation started. "Those movies give me chills. Mad scientists and strange creatures? Terrifying."

Leo's eyes lit up with enthusiasm. "That's what makes it fascinating! It's like a glimpse into a world where anything is possible."

Annie shrugged playfully. "I prefer to keep my nightmares at bay."

Leo smirked, his eyes glinting mischievously. "Guess I'll just have to change your mind by making you watch them all."

Annie laughed again, and this time, she didn't feel like she had to hide it. Spending more time with Leo didn't seem as daunting anymore.

Leo leaned in slightly, as if sharing a secret, his voice dropping to a soft murmur. "I'll let you in on something," he said, his gaze steady on hers. "I'm not usually this forward with people. I don't talk like this... I guess you just make it easy."

Annie's heart skipped again, her breath catching in her throat. She didn't know how to respond, so she just smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

Leo's grin softened into something more thoughtful. "You don't give yourself enough credit, you know that?"

"Maybe," she whispered, suddenly finding it hard to meet his eyes.

Before she could dwell on the moment, Leo straightened, taking another sip of his smoothie. "Okay, music then," he said, shifting the conversation again. "What do you listen to?"

"R&B mostly," Annie said after a brief pause. "Khalid, Billie, Post Malone..."

Leo's smile widened, his affection for her growing. "Looks like we've got some common ground. I saw Post Malone live with Justin last year."

"Really?" Annie's eyes lit up. "That must've been amazing."

"It was," Leo said, his voice softening as the conversation flowed naturally between them.

As the moments passed, Annie found herself more and more drawn to Leo—not just for his charisma, but for his surprising depth. She had come here uncertain, guarded, but now, she was beginning to see that maybe—just maybe—Leo was exactly where he wanted to be: with her.

Later that evening, after their time at the smoothie shop, Leo and Annie found themselves walking side by side under the fading glow of the streetlights. The air was cool, carrying a soft breeze that caused Annie to wrap her arms around herself, holding her sweater tighter.

They had left the cozy booth behind, the conversation between them flowing easier than before. Annie was still in disbelief that she had spent so much time with Leo, feeling an odd mix of comfort and nervous energy. The streets were quieter now, with only the occasional car passing by, and the sky above them was clear, dotted with stars.

"So," Leo began, his hands tucked into his jacket pockets as they strolled along the empty sidewalk. "What do you usually do when you're not at football games or... going out for smoothies with guys like me?"

Annie chuckled softly, glancing up at him. "Well, I'm usually at the library or... reading. It's not very exciting."

"I don't know," Leo said with a teasing smile. "Sounds like a pretty peaceful life to me. There's something about being lost in a good book, right?"

Annie smiled, nodding. "Yeah, there is. It's an escape."

As they walked, Leo noticed her shivering slightly from the breeze, though she was trying to play it off.

Without thinking, he slipped off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders, his fingers brushing against her collarbone lightly in the process. The warmth of the gesture, and the unexpected touch, sent a jolt through Annie's chest.

"Oh, you don't have to—" she started, flustered, her fingers instinctively grabbing the edges of the jacket.

"Nah, you're colder than me," Leo interrupted, his smile easy but genuine. "Plus, I have an image to maintain, you know? Can't have people thinking I'm letting a girl freeze while I stand here all warm and cozy."

Annie laughed softly, the sound like music to his ears.

She pulled the jacket a little tighter around herself, feeling the warmth it carried from Leo's body. It smelled faintly of him—clean, a hint of cologne mixed with something familiar and comforting.

Her cheeks flushed, and she hoped the dim light from the streetlamps would conceal her sudden embarrassment.

They continued walking in companionable silence, the night peaceful around them. The small gestures, the closeness of their walk, had created a quiet intimacy between them. Annie was no longer overanalyzing every word or action. She was simply enjoying the moment, which felt... safe.

After a few minutes, Leo slowed his pace, glancing over at her thoughtfully. "Can I show you something?"

Annie looked up at him curiously. "What is it?"

He motioned ahead with a slight nod of his head. "Come on, it's just a few blocks away."

Without hesitation, Annie followed him, her curiosity piqued.

As they walked, the streets around them became even quieter, and soon, they arrived at a small park tucked away from the main road. The park itself was simple—a few benches, a swing set, and an open field—but what stood out most was the old oak tree in the center, its branches sprawling out like a canopy, illuminated by the soft glow of the moonlight.

Leo led her to the tree, stopping beneath its expansive branches. He turned to her with a playful grin. "This is where I come to think. Not many people know about this place."

Annie looked around, taking in the serenity of the scene. "It's beautiful," she murmured, her voice soft.

Leo nodded, leaning against the tree. "Whenever I need to get away from everything—school, the team, all the noise—I come here. It's... calming."

Annie smiled, understanding the need for a quiet place to escape. "I can see why."

For a few moments, they stood there in silence, the sound of the breeze rustling through the leaves above them.

Annie's heart was beating a little faster now, not just because of the peacefulness of the night, but because of the quiet closeness she shared with Leo in this secluded place. It felt... intimate, in a way she hadn't expected.

Leo, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, stepped a little closer to her, the space between them shrinking ever so slightly.

He wasn't sure why, but something about this moment felt different—more real, more connected than anything he had experienced in a long time. He looked down at her, the gentle light of the moon casting a soft glow on her face, and he found himself captivated by the quiet beauty in her features.

"You know," Leo said softly, his voice barely more than a whisper, "I don't think I've ever met anyone like you before."

Annie's breath caught in her throat. She tilted her head slightly, meeting his gaze. "Like me?"

Leo nodded, his gaze lingering on hers. "Yeah... you're different, in a good way. There's something about you that makes everything else seem... less complicated."

Her heart skipped a beat, the weight of his words sinking in. She didn't know what to say, so instead, she just stood there, her cheeks flushing as she tried to process the moment.

Leo smiled softly at her silence, his hand slowly moving toward hers.

He hesitated for a second, giving her the chance to pull away if she wanted to. But when she didn't, he gently took her hand in his, his thumb lightly grazing her skin.

The gesture was simple, but it sent a wave of warmth through Annie's entire body. She looked down at their hands, the contact feeling like both a promise and a question. She didn't pull away.

Instead, she smiled.