Breathe

Three days were not enough.

Well, not really in any case, but something in Leonardo's chest, some heavy weight, wouldn't let him comfortably sit in his apartment for another day.

So he found himself walking anxiously to school the next morning, scratching the insides of his coat pockets because he couldn't suppress his anxiety. And he had left his car near the campus too...

Leo made sure he wore one of his hooded coats and a sick mask to hide himself as much as possible. He knew it wouldn't work, though. He wouldn't blend in by putting on extra layers or hiding his face. People would still look at him. People would surely recognise him.

No one said hello to him. They noticed him, stared at him, and a couple of people offered tentative waves with concerned looks on their faces.

The news had spread, alright.

Can't trust anyone.

He didn't care how early he would arrive. Leo briskly walked to his classroom as though he had not a second to spare.

William tried to get his attention but to no avail.

Once he arrived at the classroom, Leonardo sought out his usual seat and set his stuff down. He took off his coat but left it draped around his shoulders. And the mask stayed.

So did the anxiety bubbling in his chest.

It stayed, and it travelled to the tips of his fingers which then began to tap vigorously against the desk's surface. There were several people in the classroom already.

Whispering.

Shut up, shut up, shut up—

"Leo—"

"Shut up."

He froze. So did Savannah.

"I-...I was gonna say 'good morning'," the girl said slowly, eyeing Leonardo with concern. "I'm...glad to see you're back. Even if you're not glad..."

"I can't afford to skip class forever," the other sighed, voice as shaky as his hands. "I can't avoid the public forever. I can't keep moving out. I can't. I have to stick it out this time. I promised."

It tugged at Savannah's heart to see Leo so acutely on edge, as though even now he sat upon a bed of nails, eyes plunged with needles. And she could see it—that presence of something that practically cried, Not again. It's happening again.

It her her, too.

Without saying another word, Savannah slid into the chair next to Leo's. Then she took out her phone, opened her Notes app, and typed out something before sliding it subtly over to Leo.

The boy nearly flinched. That's how on edge he was.

Puzzled and uneasy, he sifted a quick, demanding glance over at Savannah, who gestured at the phone.

So Leonardo gave the note a quick read.

BREATHE. I'M HERE IF YOU NEED ME.

JUST TEXT ME.

AND BREATHE, LEONARDO.

For a second, the message caused him to do the exact opposite—he lost his breath. But before too long his breathing fell into a more steady, relaxed pace that he could maintain without hurting his chest.

It was harder to maintain, though, as more people began to fill into the room. Leonardo strove to block out the voices, footsteps, everything.

He just needed class to start and finish.

"Leo, there you are."

He tensed at the sound of William's voice—being this close, and directly addressing him, Leo couldn't block out this one. With one hand, he clutched the sleeve of his shirt.

"You've been out for a couple of days now," William said, pulling out a chair to sit beside him. "Past three days, I've been without my seat partner on the left side. Are you..." He paused noticeably and Leo held his breath. "Are you alright? I heard...about what happened."

He didn't want to respond—didn't know how to. William and Leonardo weren't friends. They weren't friends. Only Noah. I can trust only Noah. Only...only Noah.

"Listen man, if-" William let out a quiet sigh. "If you're worried about what I think of you, don't be. I know some people have been acting and talking real suspicious 'bout it but I don't think you're weird. It's...different, obviously, but I don't think I'm in any danger being near you. You'd tell me if I were in any."

Breathe. Just...breathe, Leonardo.

"In other news, glad you're back, buddy!"

He could survive the day. That's what he told himself. That's all he needed to do. He just needed to get through his classes, then he could go to work and try to wind down a bit. His breathing gradually steadied. He looked down at Savannah's message on the phone again before sliding it carefully back to her.

Savannah watched him for a moment. To her relief, the boy seemed to be calming down. A bit. Which for her, given the circumstances, was perfectly fine right now. She could still sense that Leo was tense, but perhaps, she hoped, that the feeling would dissipate as the day went on.

The first two classes went by. Those were all Leonardo had for the day. And thankfully so, because he had never been so eager to get off his college campus before. All the while, he could sense the stares. Whispers and so on. To what extent the rumour had been exaggerated this time, there was no way of knowing just yet, because so far no one had confronted Leo directly about it. And if he were honest with himself, he wasn't sure if he wanted them to.

No one believed him before, why would they now?

Moreover, Leonardo had never truly been able to reassure people of anything concerning his condition‌—after all, he refused to go to the hospital, to get it checked out. Solely because of his paranoia, that acute-fear of finding out something he didn't want to.

A short way into the afternoon and Leo was climbing into his car, quickly as he could but at the same time trying not to seem as though he was running again. He didn't leave right away. He sat there for a long moment, inhaling and exhaling.

He felt his pockets for his phone. Good, I didn't forget it this time.

He took out the device, but along with it the sticky note from Savannah he'd forgotten was also there. Savannah's reassuring message. Her phone number.

He really didn't want to trust her. But, Leo though regrettably, he owed the girl at least some word of appreciation for helping him calm down earlier that day.

Sighing, Leonardo dialed the number into his phone and shot a message in Savannah's way.

+

###

it's leonardo. i'm not fully on board with having your number in my phone but i guess i just felt the need to thank you for this morning

you're still kinda sketchy to me but either way it was thoughtful so thanks

+

Save this contact as Savannah?

'Yes' No

Savannah saved your contact as Leonardo

+

Not_the_desert

omg you actually texted

and you really don't have to thank me leonardo

I mean it I just want to be your friend

so what are you doing rn?

+

Leo.nardo

i'm about to drive to work

+

Not_the_desert

oh? where do you work?

+

Leo.nardo

you don't need to know

+

Not_the_desert

why, it is a drug cartel or something lol

+

Leo.nardo

what?? no, it's just a cafe

+

Not_the_desert

which cafe

+

Leo.nardo

don't you also have a job??

+

Not_the_desert

I do, but we're closed for maintenance today

so can I know where you work?

I wanna pop in for a visit

and before you say anything leo i swear to you i'm not a stalker please believe me

+

Leo.nardo

i'm not telling you unless you promise to order something. don't be a loiterer.

+

Not_the_desert

oh, no, of course not. I'll gladly order something.

+

Leo.nardo

it's called The Fermata Pavilion

+

Not_the_desert

omg sounds cool

will I be able to afford it lol

+

Leo.nardo

it's not expensive...

+

Not_the_desert

awesome. i'll be there :)

+

Leo.nardo

you don't have to...

+

He had no will in him to keep Savannah from stopping by. After all, his boss always encouraged him to recommend the place to his friends and fellow college students, which Leo felt guilty for never having done, so maybe this would make up for it.

Taking one last deep breath, Leonardo started his car's engine and drove the short distance to his work place.

The Fermata Pavilion. A quaint little café on the corner of the street, known locally for its friendly working staff, but more so for the wonderful live music it provided on a daily basis for its costumers. Leonardo was a favourite here. And though he found it hard to smile on most days, he always felt at peace, performing at this quiet café.

Upon entering The Fermata Pavilion, Leonardo was straightaway greeted by the overenthusiastic gasp of his delightful co-worker Alex, who nearly came bounding up to him the second they made eye contact.

"Leo! You called out the past few days, what gives??"

Leo could only sigh. "Sick. I'm okay now. I guess."

"People have been asking about you," Alex told him, whistling as he combed his dark black bangs out of his face. "You know you're the customers' favourite here. Staff favourite too, honestly." He chuckled. "You're a real stress reliever, Leonardo."

"Mm." Leo's eyes drifted over to the piano on the small stage across the café. Aiden, another co-worker of his who often came in to play, had just finished a song. He had a nice voice, but he hardly sang—rather, he was much more a fan of merely playing the piano. Leo typically stepped in to take the mic whenever Aiden was here.

The boy in question lifted his head once he spotted Leo walking over to him out of his peripheral vision. He was a person of quiet nature, but had no issue with talking to his fellow musician. Leo didn't mind him, either. "It's good to see you back."

"Good to be back," Leo admitted. "You okay with accompanying me with the usual?"

"I'm sure the customers would love that."

And with that, Leo stepped up to the mic and waited for Aiden to start playing again.

Can't Help Falling in Love. A popular, relaxing favourite of everyone at the café.

As he began to sing, the door of The Fermata Pavilion opened again and Savannah walked in.

Alex greeted her upon arrival. "Welcome to The Fermata Pavilion! Are you here—wait Savannah what are you doing here?"

"...I just came here by myself? Anyways I didn't know you worked in here Alex," Savannah replied. Her ears picked up the faint sounds of singing and piano but at first she didn't see the stage across the café.

"Right this way then, lil sis!" Alex cheerfully started off towards one of the café's seating areas. "You're in luck, we have a few tables available with a clear view of our little star."

"...Alex we are twins, and I'm not your little sister."

It became clearer now indeed. With less distractions and a closer view, Savannah could see him. Leo wasn't a waiter like she had assumed. Not at all.

"Could I get you something to drink, Savannah?"

Mesmerised. By that voice, everything else faded out. That voice, deep and smooth and captivating, like thunder but of the gentlest nature imaginable. And the piano's accompaniment, like sweet rain that came with the storm. Savannah swore her breath escaped her longer than any human should go without breathing.

"It really must be your first time here. You're so whipped for him, it's obvious," Alex couldn't help but laugh. "He's here on most days, except these past few ones he's been sick. Come by more often and you might catch him on a day he's multitasking."

"Multi-...tasking?"

"He plays the piano, too. But if someone else is here then he usually sings. Beautiful, isn't it?"

"He is..."

Truly, Savannah couldn't tear her eyes away. For that reason, she caught Leonardo's attention the second the performer finished the song.

And a dreamy smile slipped itself onto Savannah's face.

"He's so beautiful..."