(Authors note: I’m so sorry this took so long. I hope to continue this series. Please enjoy!)

Israel

“So, where do you guys want to go first?,” I asked outside of the apartment doors. Leo, Stella and Amari glanced at each other.

“How about we go to eat?,” Leo suggested. I glanced down at my watch. 11:52. I shrugged.

“That works. What do you all want to eat?” All three Astelli’s smiled.

“Pizza,” they replied in unison. I smiled. I probably should have seen that coming, from their Italian origins and all.

“Sounds good with me,” I replied, then hailed a taxi. When one pulled over, all four of us piled in. Amari was seated on the left, Stella next to her, Leo in the middle, and me seated next to him.

“Where to?,” the driver asked gruffly.

“The nearest pizza place,” I replied. The driver rolled his eyes, then slammed the window dividing us.

Quickly, Amari and Stella jumped into the conversation of other attractions.

I glanced over to see Leo leaned against his head rest, staring out the window. His light brown was swept over his forehead and seemed to glow in the mid day light. Those beautiful green eyes of his seemed to drift away from reality.

After a little while, Leo seemed to catch on that I was staring at him. He turned his head, his eyes meeting mine. A half hearted smile spread across his face.

“Why are you staring at me like that?,” he asked. My face began to burn. I quickly turned away.

“I wasn’t staring at you an differently than I have been. Not that I was staring at you before, or nothing.” I started to laugh nervously, which wasn’t like me.

Leo softly laughed. My heart rate jumped. I fidgeted with my fingers

“Whatever you say Israel,” Leo said, giggling a little.

• • • • •

Note to self, never take Stella and Amari to Italian restaurants. I mean, unless I want to hear them complain (well, more like contradict, but both work) about the food.

Which, I guess that might be expected. My family is of Hispanic origins, so my family fixes those foods quite a lot. And naturally, I’m prone to contradict others cooking.

Leo didn’t complain at all, actually. In fact, he seemed to really enjoy the food, but he stayed quiet the majority of the time.

When we finally left the restaurant, it was about 1:30. I knew that we wouldn’t have much time to do anything else. I might be failing in the math department, but I knew that I probably could only show them one more attraction before we needed to be home.

“So, I think I only have enough time to show you all one more place, so where do you want to go?,” I asked in front of the restaurant. Unlike before, the Astelli siblings seemed divided on where to go next.

After a few minutes of silence, Stella spoke up.

“I kinda wanna see the boardwalk,” she whispered. I could barely hear her over the traffic, but I got the memo. I smiled, then nodded.

“Any objections?,” I asked, looking up at Amari and Leo. They glanced at each other. Amari sighed.

“No,” she muttered. I nodded then hailed another taxi.

• • • • •

It took us about 20 minutes to get to the boardwalk in downtown Chicago. Stella seemed to be pretty excited during the ride, while Amari and Leo quiet.

When we finally arrived, Stella practically jumped out of the car.

“Come on Amari!,” Stella exclaimed, grabbing her sister’s hand. Before Amari could give a response, Stella dragged her towards the crowd, leaving me and Leo alone. I turned towards Leo.

“So what do you want to do?,” I asked. Gave no response. I glanced over towards him to see his face was at an all time red, eyes wide as he stared at the crowd.

“Leo, are you okay?,” I asked, panic rising. Still no reply. I walked in front of him, placing my hands on his shoulders.

“Leo, please, answer me,” I demanded in desperation. Leo swallowed.

“I…I have social anxiety,” he whispered.

“Leo, why didn’t you tell me?,” I asked. He shook his head solemnly.

“Israel, I barely know you,” he whispered. My heart sank, then pressed my lips together. I removed my hands from his shoulder.

“Yeah, you don’t,” I muttered. It came out a little harsher then I intended, but it still hurt. Even though it was the truth, it hurt.

I was about to turn to go find Amari and Stella, but Leo grabbed my wrist.

“Israel, please don’t leave,” Leo begged. I turned back around. I didn’t see the Leo I kind of knew. I only saw his fear, his pain, every broken part of him. My anger left in and instant. I sighed.

“Okay, okay, just please sit down.” Leo nodded, then sat down on the nearest bench.

“Israel, about what I said…I’m sorry,” Leo whispered as I sat down next to him. I nodded.

“It’s fine, you just spoke the truth,” I replied.

“I might not know you very well, but I want to,” Leo said. “Israel, I want to be your friend. I really do. I want to know you. That’s why I asked you to show us your city. It’s because I trust you. And after that night on the roof, I want to be with you.” My heart fluttered. I didn’t even know how I could say anything else after that.

“Leo, thank you, for everything,” I replied. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Leo smile. Then, slowly, he lauded his head on my shoulder.

My heart rate went through the roof. I thought that I might just die right then and there. But I liked the feeling. I didn’t want it to end. I didn’t want that moment to end. I was at peace.