Leonardo.
Or Leo.
I usually refer to him by his full name because, let's be honest, it sounds more attractive. I've always wondered why people with long names don't like using them.
Leo and I are in the same biology class. We sit at different tables—me, with Mary, and him, surrounded by a group of friends. A lot of friends, I should add.
From freshman year to junior year, he dated one girl, Blair. They seemed really into each other. I mean, he was way too physically close to her at school. Yeah, that hurt more than I'd like to admit; you can't even imagine.
But apparently, as Mary told me, Blair dumped him. She couldn't handle how "obsessive" he'd gotten—he wasn't okay with her talking to other guys. And, well, Blair had a lot of guy friends.
Anyway, now he's single. And depressed.
And still doesn't notice me.
In class, I can see it—he doesn't smile, doesn't make his usual weird jokes, just stares at the board; his thoughts are probably not at that moment. Meanwhile, Blair seems to be doing just fine, laughing and chatting with her friends like nothing happened.
And oh, got a new boyfriend.
"Girl, c'mon!" Mary nudges my shoulder, snapping me back to reality. "First of all, staring at him is creepy. And second, I was literally talking to you!"
"Sorry," I mumble, trying to shake off my thoughts. "I was thinking about—"
"I know what you're thinking about," she interrupts, rolling her eyes. "Him. You're always thinking about him."
"Well, that's not something to get mad about," I say calmly, too pensive to argue.
"Fine!" she huffs, turning to her Chromebook. "Think about him all you want! Like he cares about you even a little."
I sigh and try to redirect the conversation to her completely. "What were you saying? Is this something about Henry?"
"Gosh, no!" She snaps, shooting me a look. "I was saying we should meet again this weekend. I still don't understand anything in physics!" Her voice calmed down.
Ah, right. I'm her tutor. She never asked me to hang out, you know.
"Did you practice the ones we went over last week?" I ask, pursing my lips.
"Umm, not really," she admits with a sheepish grin.
"The new lesson builds on the last one. Go over it first, and then I'll help you," I reply firmly.
She just nods, and we both turn our attention back to the video playing on the board.
I looked at him again. I can't focus on the teacher anyway, so at least it makes me distracted.
And this time he's looking at me.