Chapter Nineteen: Lifetime

"I'm going to the library," I told them, finality in my tone. I made it obvious that I wasn't making any room for arguments.

Sasha looked like she was about to faint, but Mia just shrugged in response. Maybe because she saw how exasperated I was with Sasha's antics the whole day, she just agreed to what I said. She was even the reason how I managed to meet Leon during lunch.

When I told them that I didn't want to eat lunch in the cafeteria, also including a mention of how I wanted to be alone for a while, Mia stopped whatever protests that were about to come from Sasha. And then, everything built up to the scene that happened during math class where Mia full on scolded her.

After that, I finally had peace.

Of course, the mere mention of me not going to watch the soccer team practice sent a wave of horror towards Sasha.

It multiplied when Mia actually backed me up, "That's a nice idea, I need to get some studying down since we have a test coming up."

"B-but," Sasha stammered, but Mia quickly shot her a sharp glare to shut her up.

It was rare for Leon to actively ask me for something so when he told me not to watch their training, even though I didn't know the full reason yet, I agreed. He wasn't the type of guy who just says those things out of the blue just for the sake of it, so might as well go along with it. I'm sure he would give me an explanation soon.

"Sash, if you really want to watch them, then we're not forcing you to study with us in the library," I said to her because I was starting to feel bad. Especially since Mia was already the strict one, I might as well be the more relaxed one, "We'll just meet up when we're done."

Even though the only reason Mia was like this today was because of me.

It looked like a thousand thoughts rushed in her head, all the different options were running through her mind until her shoulders slumped in defeat, "I'll study with you guys."

"I'll treat you to iced coffee later, how about that?" I threw in, trying to make her feel better. She grunted in response, causing both Mia and I to share a laugh at her expense.

Now I wonder how I was going to break the news to them that it was Leon that will be the one to take us home, instead of Pat.

Sasha has been pushing me all day and I know it was because she wanted me with Pat. Though I was starting to get uncomfortable, I knew she had good intentions and that her heart was in the right place. Pat was a nice guy, he truly was, and that was the reason why it was so easy to fall in love with him.

However, I saw my future. I lived through the heartbreak and even though we liked each other, a happy ending wasn't meant for us.

But I still wanted him around as a friend, because Pat was one of the sweetest people you would ever meet and perhaps, if I went back in time without my memories, I would have jumped into his arms by now.

But my memories stayed and maybe it was for the better. While a relationship with Pat was no longer on the table, a friendship with Leon was far more than I could have ever hoped for.

Avery Barber: Hey we're at the library, just text when you're done with practice.

Leon Colten: Alright, but I'll go to you.

My eyes switched to my two best friends, watching as Sasha continuously scratched her head while Mia attempted to explain to her a math problem for the second time already. Arguments were something that was completely common with us. Sasha was preppy, full of energy, and the one who didn't hold back. Mia was calm, rational, and the mature one that we usually allow to become the decision-maker of the group.

And me? I just want to get through everyday scathe free. But between us three, I was more social and the one who was the most comfortable with new people. So the narrative of me befriending Leon wasn't completely out of the park.

Although I was still worried how they would react if I told them I agreed to Leon's offer to drive us home.

"So how's your inner monologue going?" Mia suddenly asked, an amused undertone in it.

"Huh?" I couldn't help but gape. Then again, she was far more perceptive than the two of us combined.

She set down her pen, causing Sasha to also look up from the paper and then to me, "What's on your mind, Avs?"

When I met them, we were in the sixth grade so it was a no-brainer that we always got ourselves into trouble because of how childish we were. Mia was the shy and quiet one who panicked every time we got into a sticky situation, eventually she dropped the shyness and became who she was right now – calm, collected, and normally unfazed.

"I kind of..." I trailed off, scratching the back of my head in nervousness. Their gaze didn't falter and I wasn't even sure if they blinked as they waited for me to continue. I lowered the volume of my voice until it became a whisper, "Said yes to Leon when he offered to drive us home."

"What?!" Sasha exclaimed, causing her to receive a nasty glare from the librarian. She was quick to apologize though, "Sorry, ma'am."

I knew she was going to react this way.

She turned back to me, both of her hands on the table just to show how serious she was, "Leon's driving us home? What about Pat?"

"Well..." I drawled out, not exactly thinking that part through. I just assumed that Leon would handle that conversation with Pat.

When it was very clear that I wasn't going to answer her question, she sighed and slumped back on her chair, "What's going on between you and Leon?"

I only blinked at her because I was waiting for her to continue. It was so obvious from the way she fidgeted that there was far more to her question than she had tried to imply.

"Somebody saw you giving the notes you worked on to him yesterday," she further said, "Then whenever you look at your phone and you're smiling, he's coincidentally holding his as well. Plus, someone said that you two were in this exact same spot earlier during lunch."

It was a given that at least one person would see Leon and I during lunch. I also predicted that this wouldn't be received favorably especially since it was public knowledge that Pat liked me. He drove us to school every day so it was a no brainer people would assume that we were on the path to dating.

While I did expect that someone might get the wrong idea, I just never knew that the news would travel this fast. Other than that, I was surprised that someone who saw me handing Leon the notes yesterday.

"We're friends," I replied and somehow, those words rolled out of my tongue so easily. It wasn't a lie and it felt so good to be this sincere about it. Even though I was acting stubborn and extremely weird, Leon didn't push me away and agreed to be friends.

And that brought a wave of calm within me. I felt so relaxed talking about him that even though Sasha was throwing these kinds of questions, I didn't feel high-strung.

"I've never seen you two talk, ever," Mia piped in, confused by my answer, "And I think everybody can admit that Leon's incredibly attractive, but he's not the friendliest person."

Leon Colten was definitely the guy every girl had a crush on at least once their life. Extremely good looking, amazing at sports, had decent grades, and from what I've heard, incredibly rich. What usually turns people off was his attitude. He was a very cold person and that was why I was thankful that he allowed me to get close.

If I remember correctly, he has never dated anyone. Well, at least I haven't seen him go out with anyone since we met. Now that was peculiar for someone like him.

"We bumped into each other when I was having breakfast with Zoey," I told them with a shrug, "We surprisingly got along pretty well."

Very surprising.

"You actively distance yourself from Pat but have no problems hanging out with Leon?" Sasha quipped, "I mean, I get that you two are friendly with each other but you're into befriending guys like Pat, preppy and nice."

But who said I wanted preppy and nice?

Leon was a breath of fresh air and the more you got to know him, the easier it was to get along with him. If they just knew what a good soul he was, they wouldn't be talking about him like this.

When I traveled back in time, all I hoped for was that he wouldn't hate me. That he will no longer look at me with disdain, but instead with that same gentleness that he had when he comforted me after Pat broke up with me.

And I got it. That, in itself, told me that whatever future I was running to, it was better than the one that I came from.

"Just try to get to know him," I said to them, my voice not wavering for a second even if I was under their scrutiny, "He's far kinder than what you think."

Although I was calm, it was a silent plea because he deserved to be liked by others. He shouldn't be judged by people's first impression of him. Once you get through all those glares and scowls, you would also want to hold on to him.

And even if he was a bit distant, it was one of those things that made him Leon. You would think that he would be difficult to like, but it was rather the opposite – it was so easy to like and be comfortable with him.

"Fine," Sasha sighed in defeat, resting her hand on her palm, "But one more thing, do you like Leon?"

I opened my mouth to reply instantly, but she quickly added in the end, "And you know what I mean by that."

More than a friend? Of course not. Right now, I wasn't interested in anything romantic from anyone, I just wanted to get through this weird reality that I've been living in. Relationships was far down my priority list.

"No," I answered. Besides, he was ex's best friend.

But I felt the smallest pinch in my chest when I said that. In fact, it felt like I was lying again.

Because I wouldn't be completely honest if I say that I never thought about it. I admit that I imagined if there was a lifetime that was waiting for Leon and I. Where I wasn't so messed up in the head, where I didn't form these feelings for his best friend, where I didn't travel through time out of the blue.

I did entertain the idea of a lifetime where I would fall for him and he would actually like me back.

But what good would I ever bring to the table? He was better off with someone else.

At least my straightforward answer satisfied them and with that, the conversation finally ended. Although I thought that we would fall back into silence, the universe had another plan.

Sasha picked up her phone and perked up, a large grin starting to overcome her face and judging from my experience this whole day, that didn't spell right for me.

She pushed her chair back and stood up, "Wait right there."

As Mia and I shared a confused look, she walked out of the library. Funnily enough, not even two minutes later, Leon came sprinting in. He appeared so disheveled, not even bothering to change out of his training clothes.

He puffing for air when he spoke, rushing to the table where we were sitting, "Let's go now."

Okay, then. Something was definitely up.

But like with the rest of this after class plans, I placed my trust on him and did what he said.

"We'll just wait for Sasha," I told him, starting to pack up my things. Mia did the same, even if uncertainty was written all over her face.

Before I could swing my bag on my shoulder, he grabbed it from me, shaking his head, "We'll wait for her in the car."

At this point, alarm bells were ringing loudly in my head. He was never the type to be this frazzled, he was always cool and collected. So this was the part that I just blindly followed, just like when he asked me not to watch the soccer team train.

He kept glancing towards the door and then everything clicked within me.

Pat was planning something. Judging from the way Sasha bolted out of here and then Leon wanted to extract me away from this place as fast as possible meant that it was something I definitely wouldn't like.

He has been trying to pull me out of a compromising situation this whole time.

"Okay," I agreed, reaching over to grab Sasha's bag, something that Leon also took from my grasp. I didn't bother to argue, it was obvious that were in a time crunch, "Mia let's go."

"You two go ahead, I'll wait for Sash since she might wonder where we are," she said to me, "I'll text you."

I nodded and followed Leon as he hastily went out of the library. From the farthest corner of the hallway, I saw it.

Pat was walking towards the library with some of his fellow teammates and a bunch of cheerleaders, a few even had their phones pointed towards him to record his every move. Sasha was in that group, laughing freely as well.

I was right, I wouldn't like what was supposed to happen.

"Come on," Leon urged and I quickly ran after him, taking a different hallway so we can go around them.

He knew that I would be uncomfortable, so even if he ruined his best friend's plans, he went on ahead and tried to help me. Again, it was Leon who saved me from the anxiety that Pat caused.

"Thanks, Leon," I murmured as we were going down the school steps and walking our way to his car.

He glanced over his shoulder and I couldn't help but think that he looked absolutely ridiculous. He was still sweaty, probably because he sprinted straight from the field to me, not even bothering to change into a fresh outfit. Aside from his own backpack and duffel, he also had mine and Sasha's bags all because he didn't want me to carry anything.

But I couldn't help but feel this fondness.

And I knew that he was prepared to get into an argument with Pat over this. Still, he went to me and took me away.

I truly didn't deserve him.

As I watched his back while following him, something made my heart fall from my chest. I remembered what Sasha asked me minutes earlier – if I liked him.

Then came my answer, my stupid answer.

Right now, as I felt this whole wave of affection towards his way because of everything that he has done, it made me think about my reply to Sasha's inquiry.

Now I was sure that it was a lie.

Because the universe wanted to fuck with me even more, I just had to go on and like Leon.

And this was going to end up in another heartbreak for me, wasn't it?

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You can best believe I was listening to Lifetime by Ben&Ben when I was writing this. And still up to this day, it's still one of my fav songs from them so if you haven't heard it yet, I highly suggest you do and get into the feels with me.

We're back with Round 2 of Avery's thoughts and hopefully, we get a happy ending this time but who knows.

Question: Do you think she should confess to Leon or it will be better if he makes the first move?

Thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Please leave me golden nuggets (aka comments), a vote, and follow. I love you guys and see you next chapter!