Sara didn't expect Monday to start with a storm—literally or figuratively.
Rain poured relentlessly outside as she darted through the school gates, backpack soaked, hair clinging to her face. Of course, Leo was already there, casually leaning against the wall near the main entrance, umbrella in hand—looking like he had nothing better to do than annoy her.
"Well, if it isn't the drenched drama queen herself," he called out, smirking.
Sara groaned, tugging her hood over her head. "And I suppose you're here to mock me for being human?"
"Mocking is optional," he said smoothly. "Observing? Mandatory."
Sara rolled her eyes, wishing she could vanish. She hurried past him, but of course, Leo decided walking alongside her was far more entertaining.
"You know," he said casually, tilting his head under the umbrella, "we've spent an awful lot of time together lately. Don't you think it's… suspicious?"
"Suspicious?" Sara repeated, trying not to let him see her cheeks heat. "Of what?"
"Of… how little you hate me," he said, voice teasing but soft. "Sure, you argue, but… you don't actually avoid me, do you?"
Sara blinked. What was that supposed to mean? She opened her mouth to answer but closed it again. Her denial would be obvious, and somehow, she didn't want to admit it.
"Exactly," Leo said with a triumphant smirk. "You like having me around. Admit it."
"I do not," she said quickly, but her words lacked conviction.
Leo grinned knowingly. "Uh-huh. Keep telling yourself that, Sara."
---
Science class passed in a blur, thanks to their lab project and the remnants of the science fair chaos. Sara tried to focus on her work, but Leo kept stealing glances at her across the room. Every time their eyes met, she felt a heat creeping up her neck.
After class, she decided to leave early—detention wasn't scheduled today, and she needed a moment to calm down from all the accidental touches and tension.
Unfortunately, fate had other plans.
Sara stepped into the hall only to see Leo chatting with another girl from their grade—a girl she had never really noticed before. Her stomach twisted.
"Who's she?" Sara muttered under her breath.
Leo laughed lightly at something the girl said, his arm brushing hers casually. The casual intimacy sent a pang of jealousy through Sara—a feeling she did not want to admit she had.
She turned sharply, walking away without being noticed. But her mind was a whirlwind. Why am I even feeling this?
---
The next day, Sara couldn't focus on anything. She replayed the scene over and over in her mind—Leo laughing with another girl, leaning in just slightly closer than necessary.
During lunch, Leo found her sitting alone, poking at her sandwich, lost in thought.
"Hey," he said softly, sliding into the bench across from her. "Why the long face?"
Sara stiffened. "I… nothing. Go bother someone else."
Leo raised an eyebrow. "Uh-huh. Sure. Totally believable. You're obviously thinking about… her."
Sara froze. "I am not."
Leo leaned closer, lowering his voice just enough for her to notice. "Right. Of course not. But if you were… I'd understand. I mean, she is… friendly."
Sara glared. "Friendly or not, it's none of my business. And it's definitely not my problem."
Leo smirked, clearly enjoying her reaction. "Uh-huh. I can tell. That's why you look like you might explode."
Sara felt her face heat and looked down at her sandwich, pretending to eat. She hated that he could read her so easily.
---
Later, in the library, Sara tried to bury herself in her books, hoping to forget the scene from yesterday. Of course, Leo had decided that working nearby was a brilliant idea.
"Hey," he said softly, leaning across the table to show her something in his notebook. "Check this out—it's actually kind of cool."
Sara glanced up, and their hands brushed briefly over the notebook. Sparks shot up her arm, and she quickly pulled back.
"You're… really close," she muttered, trying to sound annoyed.
"Proximity helps concentration," he said lightly. "Or maybe it's just fun."
Sara huffed but couldn't stop the tiny smile tugging at her lips.
---
By mid-afternoon, the rain had stopped, leaving puddles along the schoolyard. Sara was walking to her next class when she noticed the same girl from yesterday standing near the lockers, waving at Leo.
Her chest tightened. The girl smiled at him, a bright, friendly smile, and Leo responded with that same easy grin.
Sara turned sharply, almost tripping in her own sneakers. She wanted to storm off, to avoid the scene—but something made her pause.
Leo noticed her and waved. "Sara! Come here for a second!"
Sara groaned internally but walked over.
"See her?" he asked, nodding toward the girl. "That's Mia—she's new in our grade. Friendly, yeah… but nothing to worry about."
Sara blinked. "Nothing to worry about?"
"Nothing," he said, his tone calm, almost reassuring. "I'm not… interested in her. You should know that."
Sara's heart skipped. She wanted to say something, but words failed her. She felt a little ridiculous for even caring—but she did.
Leo leaned closer, lowering his voice. "I like you, Sara. I don't care what you think, and I don't care about anyone else. Just… you. Got it?"
Sara froze. Her chest raced, and for a moment, the world seemed to stop.
"Y-You… what?" she stammered, heart thundering.
Leo smirked softly, giving her just a teasing wink before walking away.
Sara stood there, stunned. She didn't know whether to chase after him, cry, or laugh. Her chest was tight, her mind spinning—but she couldn't deny it: Leo had just shaken her world sideways.
---
By the time she reached her next class, Sara was secretly smiling. Despite the confusion, the jealousy, and the fluttering heart, one thought kept repeating in her mind:
He likes me. And… maybe I like him too.
The slow-burn enemies-to-lovers journey was heating up, and Sara knew—nothing would ever be simple with Leo Carmichael.