Four years ago
Leo hung his head as he slumped over on a shiny new park bench, tears burning the back of his throat. Lilah's rejection still echoed painfully in his ears, even though the horrifically mortifying event had occurred hours earlier. Just as he sniffled to hold back what would undoubtedly be yet another embarrassingly loud sob, he heard a throat being cleared just behind him. He swiftly wiped at his eyes, though as his sister took a seat beside him, the sympathetic look on her face screamed that she saw right through him.
She was a tall girl, his dear sister. Not only did she turn heads with her significant height, but her buoyant and loud personality commanded attention from everyone in any room. Like Leo, she had eyes the lightest blue you'd ever seen and an infectious smile. The full force of which was being directed at Leo. Still, he couldn't bring himself to smile back. Lacie tucked a lock of pale blonde hair behind her ear, the polar opposite of Leo's own raven mess of waves, and placed a gentle hand on his quivering shoulder.
"I take it she didn't say yes." Lacie said softly, taking a seat beside him. He nodded glumly, having told his big sister all about his plan of asking out a girl for the first time and sorely needing her advice. Advice that had clearly led him very, very astray. Very. Her smile softened, voice tender as she spoke. "One girl's rejection is certainly nothing to cry over. It was your first attempt at wooing a girl. I'm sure the next one will be properly wooed."
Leo's eyes watered again and he ducked his head in shame. "But Lilah is like the coolest girl in the entire class. And the most awesomely skilled at every lesson we ever learn. And she called me a talentless waste of space that no self respecting girl would ever think of going for." Leo couldn't help it when his lower lip trembled slightly near the end, even as he did his best to stop it. But like his father, he had a tendency to be overly emotional. As well as a having a penchant for dramatic outbursts pertaining to all aspects of life. The trivial and the life altering. His mother always liked to say the he and his father felt things big and lived bigger.
His sister smiled even wider, at which point Leo began to glower. "Yes, yes, my honor has been challenged, my ego shattered, and it's all fantastically hilarious." he grumbled. Lacie wrapped a slender arm around him, pulling him in close for an awkward side hug, releasing a mighty sigh. He breathed in her sugared vanilla scent and instantly felt just a tad bit better. Maybe just that tiny bit calmer. "Oh, Leo. You silly, silly boy. Lily probably turned you down because she knows very well that she could not possibly handle all that is the great and powerful Leo Winters. Don't allow one girl to determine your self worth." She soothed, patting his shoulder comfortingly.
"It's Lilah, not Lily, and I completely allow girls like her to determine the value of my self worth. Because who else does my worth matter to if not hot chicks?" he exclaimed. Lacie only shook her head, laughing lightly. But her tone was firm and insistent when she spoke. "Leon Cadenza Winters, you complete idiot, are an amazingly talented boy who is worth over a million yeses from over a million girls. You are special and the harsh words from one conceited girl are never going to be able to take that away from you."
Leo twisted in his seat to find sincerity shining in his sister's eyes like a thousand stars among the blue, blue sky of her irises. "Special?" he repeated hesitantly. Lacie nodded her head adamantly, blonde waves slapping him in the face. "Even if you refer to girls as 'hot chicks', yes." she teased. Leo stuck his tongue out at her and Lacie only grinned. "You are strong, Leo. So get right back on that horse and show Lizzie what she's missing." She announced proudly.
Leo laughed, shaking his head in exasperation. "It's Lilah!" And Lacie laughed too.
***
Present
Leo smiled as he walked, basking in the warmth of the waning sunlight. He whistled quietly as he went, taking in the bustling sidewalks of a homey town called Wrightsfield. He caught glimpses of kids scribbling away with thick pieces of chalk on the very ground he was traipsing, what he assumed to be their parents chatting while they supervised. As he passed by a quaint, slightly ramshackle diner, the scent of freshly baked bread permeated the air and caught the attention of more than a few passerby. From what Leo had witnessed of the town thus far, the reasons why his sister had ever been in Wrightsfield in the first place were abundantly clear. Yes, there wasn't much to see, but the town practically vibrated with life. For people like him, such a commodity was precious.
He made his way to a little park near the edge of a street that was lined with shops and restaurants, a tiny thing containing only a rusted pair of swings and a slide that had once been a deep emerald but was now a faded shade of gray. He plunked himself down on a swing, shifting so that he could stare up at the sky. White, fluffy clouds drifted overhead and Leo noticed that the shape of one in particular was that of a music note. The idea made him smile. Made him think about how much his sister would rejoice at the sight.
Then Leo swore he could hear actual music and thought momentarily that he'd finally gone and lost his mind. But when the sound never ceased, he pushed himself up from his perch and ambled his way over to a copse of trees that loomed to impressive heights. The breeze smelled of pine and something spicy as it wound its way through the maze between the thick trunks of evergreens. He entered, following the sound until he was close enough to realize that the melody was a lone violin broadcasting the notes of a haunting piece. It was loud and then it was quiet. It was excitement and then it was sadness. And it was utterly enthralling.
He peeked around the side of a tree, its sharp needles scratching at the exposed skin of his arms. His breath caught in his throat at the sight of what was, without a shadow of a doubt, the most beautiful girl Leo had ever the privilege of laying eyes on. Dark bronze hair flowed down to her hips, the sun catching it and turning some of the strands a soft gold and others a shimmery red. Her cheekbones were high and arched, followed by an aristocratic nose and full lips. Leo hardly noticed when the girl bent over to gently place her battered violin into a similarly tattered looking case as their eyes met, so captivated was he.
They were the most unique eyes. A bright shade of gray ringed her pupil. When she tilted her head, the sun shone on the color and it sparkled a pale blue. Vibrant green followed, streaks of gold flecking the place where the two colors met like the rays of sunlight that flared down from inbetween the trees. Her lashes were charcoal, framed by perfectly arched, onyx shaded brows. Leo's heart thundered in his chest as she neared, his body vibrating with a feeling he couldn't quite name. His fingers twitched at his sides as she passed, her violin case thudding against her left thigh as she walked.
Not even a glance backward as she parted. Leo had to fight the impulse to call out, to find out what her voice sounded like. To stay with her just a little while longer. But Leo was not in town for the attention of pretty girls. In fact, the distraction was one he should be going out of his way to avoid. Besides, the girl herself seemed to have no such inclinations.
The only evidence that proved she'd ever been there at all was the music still pounding at Leo's heart and the scent of lavender lingering in the air. For a long while, Leo would believe that he'd never really seen her at all. And then he'd wish that he hadn't.