On the days I didn’t stay after to meet with Leto, I walked Birdie home. Leto had apparently signed up for some French club and couldn’t meet with me half of the week. Birdie, whose brother usually drove her home, was unable to get a ride on those exact days due to her brother’s tutoring sessions. She didn’t live too far away from my place, only a few streets down, and so I offered to walk her home on the days Almanzo was unable. I hadn’t expected her to be so thrilled.
“Oh, that’s a really great idea!” She had practically squealed when I’d caught her in the hall and proposed the plan. “I feel like I don’t get to see you too much, seeing as we only have lunch and English together. Besides, I need some big, strong guy to keep me safe down those scary alleyways!” She teasingly punched my arm.
“Big and strong?” I glanced down at my lanky limbs and awkwardly broad chest. “The best thing I could do is maybe use my chest to knock a criminal to the ground. There’s enough surface area that I could get in a good hit, you think?”
“Oh, most definitely. I’ll have to get you a shirt that says ‘Chest Man’ across the front. No one would mess with us then.”
“You should definitely feel good knowing that ‘Chest Man’ is here to protect you.” The bell signaling a minute left echoed painfully in my ears. “We ought to head to class. I’ll meet you by the large tree?”
She nodded, skipping off down the hall. “See you then, Caspian!”
I watched her go, waiting until she turned the corner to begin wandering to my own classroom. It was two halls down in the opposite direction, and I’d certainly be tardy, but for once, I wasn’t fretting. It’d be worth it.
I was standing beneath the tree only a few minutes after the bell rang. I didn’t know where Birdie was coming from, but I figured it would be impolite to get out there after her. I’d have to look gentlemanly, already prepared to escort her to her house when she arrived. Shuffling my feet awkwardly against the leaves, I couldn’t contain the excitement that was bubbling up inside. Would she invite me into her house? If so, should I take off my shoes or leave them on? What would I do if I saw her two hairless cats? Would they like me? Oh, goodness, what if they hated me? That would be terrible! I’d have to win them ov-
Crack.
The sound of a broken branch practically sent me flying out of my own skin as I whirled around. Was it Birdie? Why would she be coming up from behind me? Perhaps to scare me? If so, she was as bad a scarer as-
“Leto?”
The blonde was standing behind the tree trunk, his eyes wide as though he’d been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. After a long moment, he scooted into full view, running a hand through his fluffy locks as though he’d been waiting for me the whole time. Why was he here? Wasn’t he supposed to be in French club?
“Didn’t expect to meet you here,” He stuffed his hands into his pockets, leaning against the tree trunk in a terrible attempt to feign nonchalance.
“I didn’t expect to see you either. I thought you had your club today?”
“It was canceled.” He crossed one leg over the other. “I figured I’d come out here and hang out for a while. Considering I told you I wouldn’t be waiting today, I didn’t expect to see you in our spot.”
“Well, I was waiting on a friend. I promised I’d walk her home.” I don’t know why I suddenly felt so guilty. There wasn’t anything wrong with spending time with another friend, was there? Leto was still my best friend, though this was our spot. We’d made it official only a few days ago, when he’d proclaimed to the heavens this was the ‘Secret Meeting Place of C and L’. Now here I was, bringing someone else out here.
“A friend?” His eyes widened. “And a ‘her’ as well? What, walking home with your girlfriend?”
“She’s not my girlfriend.” My cheeks ran red defensively. “Keep your voice down. Someone will overhear you.”
“I don’t know, she must be pretty special if you’re bringing her to our special spot.” He kicked an acorn, watching as it hit my shoe and bounced off. “I thought this was just for us.”
“It is. I, well, I wasn’t thinking. Besides, I didn’t figure you’d be out here, and I didn’t think it would mean this much to you, Leto. I’m real sorry.” It was true. I was sorry for whatever sin I’d committed against him.
“It’s not that big of a deal.” He puffed out his cheeks, making it clear through his pout that it was exactly that.
“Oh, don’t be like that. You’re still my best friend, Leto. It’s not anything personal against you.” I could feel a bit of irritation bubbling in my stomach. Birdie would be here any minute. How terrible would she feel if she found that we were fighting over her? “I promised I’d walk her home and threw out a spot I knew to meet up at. I won’t do it again. Happy?”
“Of course I’m happy.” He glanced up, twisting the corners of his mouth into a smile. Though it seemed genuine, I couldn’t help but feel as though he were mocking me. “I’m happy that you’ve got good friends now, Caspian. You should be able to be happy with them without me getting in the way.”
What?
“What are you talking about? You’re acting like a child.” Why was he being so irrational? “We’ve been friends for years, Leto. You know I wouldn’t drop you, not for the world.”
He turned away, his hair flying out behind him. His footsteps, once heavy, were now extremely light, not even crunching the leaves. “I told you, it’s not that big of a deal. Have fun with Birdie, Caspian. Don’t let me dampen your afternoon.”
“Wait!” I tossed out my arm as he began to wander off, though he was just a few inches out of reach. He didn’t bother to turn around, continuing his solemn march off into the trees and toward the distant road. I was stuck looking after him, my mouth slightly agape and my arm still in the air.
What had gotten into him? I’d never seen him behave like that before. Leto was always so light-hearted, so carefree and open. What had changed? I stared after him with a mixture of guilt and irritation. Guilty for a crime I hadn’t meant to commit, and angry at the warden for treating me so harshly. I hadn’t meant to hurt him. He knew that. He had to know that. We’d been friends since childhood. I was slightly insulted he’d think I would pluck him off like a fly.
“Caspian?”
Birdie’s voice finally made me snap out of it. She was standing behind me, holding a book to her chest.
“Sorry for being so late; I had to run down to my math class and turn in some homework.” She glanced behind me, where I’d been staring out despairingly. “What’s wrong? You look like someone kicked your dog.”
I cast one last glance over my shoulder, seeing that Leto had long vanished. Shaking my head, I adjusted the bag on my shoulders, hoping that the movement would shake off the guilt. I could worry about Leto later. He’d told me not to let him dampen my afternoon, so that was exactly what I’d do. If he wanted to be irrational, he could be.
“It’s nothing. Come on, let’s get you home. Almanzo will beat me up if he hears we wasted any time stalling.”
