SOMETHING ABOUT LEON

If I could possibly evaporate someone with just a look, I would evaporate this person. "Sir, could you possibly move yourself from the pathway? And your other hundred belongings?"He gave me a look, didn't move a thing, and looked away again."Fine." I walked over one pricey looking luggage and flung my bag over carelessly, possibly knocking into his buttocks in the process."Hey!""Learn some manners!" I called out. And walked my irritated way out of gate B.Determined to make it home I walked quickly forward and to the glass gate, picking up the phone to make a call."Dad," I started. "I hate airports. I hate flying. Why are people so stupid, huh? What's with them?Okay, I'm going to drive back. My car's at the lot, hopefully in one piece.""Emilia?""Yeah?""Don't kill yourself, okay? Drive safely. I mean it."I laughed softly, rolling my eyes. "I know. I'll dump the anxiety soon as I sit in something that I own.Hi, by the way."With that our conversation was over. Once at the pa

The night was especially humid, but the air was so still that it felt heavy on my face after having left the cool interior of the bar and lounge. I had worked for three hours, singing a couple of tunes for the audience as they ate and drank and chatted. They all seemed so at ease.My legs felt nearly languid from having stood so long, but I was good. I was saturated from the singing, from the music, and the audience had been especially welcoming tonight. Even though it was only Thursday.The moment I was in the car my phone started to ring. It was Racheal, and she called to tell me the girls wanted to hang out over dinner and drinkstomorrow.It made me smile, and I drove through the beach strip, careful with pedestrians and trying, even as a native, not to look pointedly at the Art Deco lights.Something distracted me as I was driving, and I missed my ramp with a curse. I knew I would just have to keep driving until the next light and make a u-turn, and that would have been fine, bu

Laughing at myself I retrieved my clutch, walking out of the house within minutes. Once I arrived I parked my car in the employees section, and felt the fluttering of waves rooted deep inside my stomach as I saw the influx of cars, the people, felt the air. Saturdays were always the busiest as people came to relieve their weekdays with great food, a few drinks, and a good live performance.They came, and for once, they saw me sing. They saw me at my weakest, at my most vulnerable. It was terrifying and thrilling all at once, and I felt as if I were walking above air. It never quite lost feeling.I walked through the back doors and into the backstage area, quickly coming into contact with Justin who came to me and smiled."They're here for you, Emily. I hope you know that."I grinned and rolled my eyes. "I'm just background noise. They like it when they eat. "He gave me a look over, then settled straight into my eyes with those pretty blue ones. "You're the reason this club has lifted,

"You bet, be careful out there." My dad turned to me and spoke, "Emily, mind leaving your car and its keys here? Mine's been acting up lately and I need to buy food. Your mom is working later than usual tonight."Oh god."Yeah, why not. Here," I said, depositing them in his hand.Without another word I looked toward the door, and Leon was already there with the knob in hand, opening it for me.Once outside of the house he closed the door behind me. I took in a deliberate lungful of air, feeling the warmth fill my chest.Jesus Christ. I had no idea what to do. I was angered beyond myself at him showing up at my house and weaving around his wand as if he owned the city now that he was a hotshot CEO. My blood simply boiled at him for having ruined my night and my concentration even further, at having him come to me simply out of a sick sort of sadism.That was it. He was bored upon his return and he liked to see me suffer.In the moment I told myself to find composure, to not let him see

"You're going to focus, Emilia. No pair of green eyes are breaking your stride today. And you will not think of him." I dragged myself out of bed and into the bathroom, splashing some cold water onto my face before brushing my teeth.If yesterday Leon had tapped into my weaknesses and left me feeling a mess, it would be the last time he did so, because I was not going to let him do it again. It had been much too long since I had loved him, and now I was determined to feel nothing.Nothing but aggravation.Downstairs I poured and creamed a decently sized cup of coffee as much needed fuel, and I walked back up the stairs again carefully, knowing I was more susceptible to tripping when I had something fragile in my hands.Twenty minutes later I was ready and walking out of the house, when I realized, that it would be alright today. I turned the volume up louder so that the thoughts in my mind became a soothing blur.I would pay attention in my classes and I would study without breaking m