Some time had passed after the incident at Drasney World. And Eva kept her vow of silence against Leo. One clear Summer's day, she was sitting on a swing, deep in thought. Kiersten and Lisa sought her out and found her at the park. "Eva!" Eva turned her head to see them walking towards her. "Oh, hey you guys!" "Eva, we need to talk." Lisa said as she sat on the swing beside her. "About-what?" "We think you know." Kiersten said rather crossly. "We don't think you're being fair to Leo." Lisa said. "I'm not being fair? Leo's a liar!" "Eva." Lisa said; a bit sympathetically. "We know you've been traumatized, but I'm sure Leo has been too. You should be supporting each other during this time instead of fighting. It won't solve anything, you know." "But- don't you guys realize that I should be dead? Leo sprouted wings and saved me! Sure, I'm grateful. But he's denying the whole thing and making me sound like an idiot!" "Maybe there's a reason he's denying it, Eva." Lisa replied. "Yeah…because it's all in your head…" Kiersten mumbled. "Kiersten!" Lisa said bumping her. "Until you make up with Leo, we won't be speaking to you anymore." Lisa said as they walked away. "What? Why?!" Eva yelled. "So that you see how it feels!" Kiersten yelled back. "Hmph, fine!" Eva uttered angrily. "I know what I saw…" She thought. Eva became so angry that she decided to shut everyone out; in retaliation for no one believing her—including the one person that she believed should have. She decided that she was going to spend her days at the library as an excuse not to be around anyone anymore.
The next day she took a stroll to the library. The doors opened and that nice, cool breeze that came out of the building felt so pleasant on such a hot day. She slowly walked in and realized that being on a computer was an alternative to reading a book. "Hmmm. Which should I do…?" Eva thought as she inched her way towards the computer. It was a rhetorical question; since she loved any opportunity that she could find to play a good computer game. As she was playing, a young man sat himself next to her. He peered over to her screen and was mystified. "Whatcha doin'?" He asked curiously. "Oh, just-playing." She replied; not realizing that she was being watched. "Looks like fun." He said, casually leaning back on his chair. "I would play games too, but…I have a homework assignment that I gotta do." "During Summer Vacation?" "Heh. I'm-uh, in Summer School." He said a bit embarrassed. "It happens." Eva said smiling sympathetically. "I'm Ed." "I'm Eva." "So, Eva. Why are you at the library when you could be out there having fun?" "I guess you could say I'm hiding." "From-what?" "From my problems." "Heh, trouble at home, huh?" "Sorta." "Well, I'm gonna be here all summer, if you wanna be library buddies." Ed smiled. Eva laughed. "Sure!"
Weeks went by and Eva was strangely absent from home. And her parents were becoming a bit concerned. Leo, having decided that he gave Eva enough space, decided to drop by. "Oh, hello Leo! Nice to see you! Do come in." Bertha said opening the door for him. "Bertha, I was wondering if- I could try speaking to Eva again." "Of course you may! But, she's not here at the moment." "Oh, where is she?" "At the library. She's been spending everyday there, so, we haven't been seeing much of her lately." She said; looking a bit concerned. "Thanks. I'll see if I can find her." Leo said as he headed out.
"To the movies?!" Eva exclaimed. "Yeah. I bought us tickets if you wanna go." Ed said as he handed her one. "Sure, I'd love to go!" Eva giggled. "Being at the library is getting kind of old, anyways." As Eva and Ed discussed their movie plans, Leo snuck around a book shelf and watched from afar. Never before did Leo's heart rage with such jealousy. For he knew that men tried to win Eva's heart from time to time; but never before did she begin to surrender to their charms.
It was the next day and Eva headed out the door. "Okay Mom, I'll be back later!" Eva said quite enthusiastically. Eva went to the library so often, that at this point Bertha didn't bother to ask where she was going. "Dear, are you alright?" She asked. "I'm fine! Why do you ask?" "It's just-you're never home anymore." "Don't worry, I'm just having fun." Eva smiled. "By yourself?" "I-uh…" "You know, your friends have been having to come to me lately just to find out where you are-even Leo." "Oh Mom, you worry too much!" Eva said laughing nervously as she closed the door behind her. Eva met Ed at the library and they drove off to the movies.
After the movie was over, it was getting rather dark outside. "So, what did you think?" Ed asked as he walked with his hands in his pocket. "Ugh- I can't believe the villain won! Such a dumb ending…" Eva ranted. Ed just laughed. After being side tracked with a conversation, Eva stopped. "Huh? W-where are we?" She said as she began to realize that they were in the middle of a dark alley way. "Where dreams come true, baby." Ed said menacingly as he took hold of her. "W-What are you doing?! Lemme go!" Eva couldn't move since his grip was so tight. "What am I doing? I'm going to make this the most memorable night of your life." He said as he attempted to kiss her. But as he tried, his grip loosened. So Eva broke free and slapped him. "Honestly! This is the second time something like this happened to me! You men are pigs, all of you!" Eva said as she stormed off. But what she didn't know is that this enraged him. "You….bitch!" Ed scowled as he pulled out a knife. Eva turned and saw the knife. She grew wide-eyed and began to tremble. "Die!" He yelled as he lunged at her with the knife raised in the air. Eva winced and braced herself.
Suddenly, a hand caught his arm and raised him up. When Eva opened her eyes, she could make out a familiar face. "L-Leo!" "How you humans like to degrade yourselves with senseless acts of violence." Leo said angrily, in a deep tone. As he said this, his eyes began to glow like fire. Wind began to swirl about them. "Wha-what are you?!" Ed cried out. Leo looked back without turning his face, as he sensed Eva's horror. "You." Leo said as he dropped him. "Leave now." When Leo said this, Ed ran for it—breathlessly. Leo turned to Eva and began to walk towards her. "Leo, thank goodness! Man, the nerve of that gu-" As she said this, Leo slapped her; causing her to fall to the ground. Eva held her cheek and began to cry. Leo slowly knelt down to her level—looking at her with stern eyes. "Eva. Do you think this is a game?" Leo asked; surprisingly calmly after such an act. "Is what a game?" Eva said angrily, looking down—refusing to look him in the eye. "This rebellion of yours. Is it amusing to you?" Eva couldn't seem to make out what he meant. "Heh. Is refusing to speak to you an act of "Rebellion?"" Eva mumbled as she kept her gaze on the floor. "Why is that such a big deal? What are you to me, anyways?" She added. "You tell me. What am I to you? Or what is anyone to you for that matter?" Leo paused, then said, "Have you decided to despise the entire world over one misunderstanding?" Leo said. Eva began to get really angry. "Misunder- you know you're not human! Even now, you were just glowing like a firework! Or is that supposed to be normal?!" Eva began to weep; mostly out of frustration. Leo's eyes softened. "Has it ever occurred to you that-perhaps, I can't say anything just yet?" "What is- that supposed to mean?" Eva asked between sobs. "You'll understand. Someday."
As Eva had some time to calm down, she finally looked at Leo. Though, she didn't say anything. She seemed rather emotionless. "Eva, I love you. Your family loves you. Don't you know that shutting people out is the worst thing that you could ever do to someone that actually cares for you? You may have been led to believe over time that you don't matter enough to affect anyone else, but you do! And it hurts-" Leo's voice broke and he began to shed tears. Eva was in shock. Because, for the very first time in her life Eva witnessed someone mourning over her. And she was moved. "Leo, please- don't cry. Not over me. I'm not worth it." Eva said delicately reaching her hand out to Leo. She was startled when he reached out and took it; and pulled her in for an embrace. "Leo…" Eva said softly as her eyes also began to well up with tears. "Don't ever say that again-Eva. You are the most precious thing in the world to me. And you do matter to others." "It's just-so many people have bullied me over the years. And, I'm beginning to think that they're right about me." "You just don't understand." Leo began as he pulled away to see her face. "People bully because they themselves feel bullied. And-I don't want to see you fall into the same trap." Leo said as he dried her tears. They sat silently for a while.
Then, breaking the silence, Leo asked, "Do you—love me?" Eva looked up at him. "If you don't, then why not? I need an answer, because I am tormented." Eva was overwhelmed with emotion. "It's-not that, I don't love you." Eva began as her voice trembled. She smiled. "In fact, the whole time, I've been thinking that this was all too good to be true. Like a dream that I would one day wake up from. And, I just didn't want to get my hopes up." Leo lifted her chin. "Then, don't let others convince you of your worth. Besides, even if you really were worthless to everyone else in the world; to me, you're more precious than life itself." "But-why?" "Does love need an explanation? Is it's very existence not such a mystery?" "Leo….I…." She said as she embraced him. "I do love you! I've never felt this way about anyone before!" Leo smiled softly, and asked, "Then, will you be mine?" "Of course I will, Leo." Being taken a back with such emotion, Leo gazed into Eva's eyes and then, gently kissed her. Eva kissed him back, and they then began to cry for joy.
Leo took Eva home; but Eva asked Leo not to escort her to the door. "Please, don't tell my parents about what happened. It would only worry them sick." Then she smiled. "Don't worry, I'll set things right!" Leo smiled in return and then gave her a goodbye kiss. And with that, Eva returned home as if nothing happened. Though, she did keep her word and apologized to everyone for her behavior.