Chapter Four: Lily Meets Leo

I watched as Lily stared at Leo. If he qualified my sizing him up as checking him out, she was straight-up ogling. She sat next to me on my bed, criss-cross-applesauce with her hands on her knees. She came over ten minutes after we had gotten here and had been staring at Leo reading his book for the past five.

I love Lily. We'd been friends since I was eight and we sat next to each other in third grade. I had just moved to Ohio and didn't know anyone yet. When I went to go play foursquare, she talked to me while we waited in line. And boy could she talk. Next thing I knew, we were inseparable.

"So, why is he here?"

"Because I asked him to."

"You asked him?" Lily folded her arms and raised her eyebrows. I heard a muffled laugh and turned to see Leo smirking, his eyes still on his book.

"Oh, come on. I can… socialize." I watched both of them bite back their laughter and felt defensive.

"Hey, you should be on my side at least. You don't know me yet." Leo caught the pillow I threw at him and bookmarked his page.

"I've seen you wait outside enough doors and avoid enough people just today to know that your friend is right." Lily nodded approvingly and caught the pillow as Leo threw it back. I sighed and picked up the mini pillow Lily gave me for Christmas, moving the sequins around.

"I just wanted to. He's pretty chill. Although, he's kind of cocky." Wanted to, or a voice told me to? Honestly, I'm not sure I know the difference. And who's to say that the voice isn't just my subconscious. *Yeah, I'm a subconscious you grew after an incident you don't remember.* Fair point.

"I mean, I have reason to be. No?" He flexed and wiggled his eyebrows at me and Lily. Lily made gagging noises.

"Seriously. Who gave you this much confidence? I'd like to have a word with them." I teased.

"It's got to be the gym. How many times a week do you work out?" Lily started trying to flex herself and then poked her stomach grumpily. Lily had her mother's figure and her mother's baking skills. She had a curvy figure, but definitely wouldn't be seen at a gym.

"I don't, it's from my job." Lily and I looked at Leo surprised.

"Your job?"

"I build things." He said hesitantly.

"Like a construction worker?" Lily asked.

"Ah yes, exactly." He awkwardly laughed and I wondered if he was lying. *He is, but it's for a good reason.* Yeah, maybe he has a job he can't talk about. Wait, wouldn't that –

"You should train with Harmony sometime. She's ripped." Lily broke me from my thoughts just in time for me to hear Leo laughing.

"I am not ripped, I'm toned," I argued.

"I have no doubt that would be fun, but I'm not sure Harmony would be up for it." I couldn't tell if he meant it or if it was supposed to be an insult. Lily gave me a no-he-didn't look and I could tell she figured it was the latter.

"I couldn't if I wanted to." Leo looked surprised and Lily gave me a pitiful frown. "Oh stop, it's not forever."

"What do you mean you couldn't if you wanted to?"

"My mom. I had a," I sighed, "problem of sorts about a week ago and I promised I wouldn't do anything involving other people when it came to boxing until after my birthday."

"Why your birthday?"

"It's as long as I could skip practice without being kicked off the team. Competitions start in April."

"When's your birthday?"

"Next Thursday, February 2nd." I was actually looking forward to it this year, now even more so since I would be allowed to box again.

"Seventeen. She'll be officially allowed to use magic outside of Hogwarts."

"Who is Hogwarts, and why do they dictate when you get to use magic?" The seriousness in his tone sent me and Lily doubling over in laughter. "I'm serious."

"We know. 'Who is Hogwarts, and why do they dictate when you get to use magic'" Lily mimicked in a low voice before bursting into laughter again.

"Is this some kind of jest?" I took a deep breath, trying not to look at Leo's straight face.

"Hogwarts is from the Harry Potter series."

"So, this is a reference to a book?"

"And a movie." Lily pointed out.

"Ah." I walked over to Leo and patted his shoulder.

"It's okay, I guess even you need to have your humbling moments." I paused in my doorway. "You guys up for pizza rolls."

Leo threw me a questioning glance and I pitied him, realizing he probably had no idea what I was talking about. Meanwhile, Lily propelled herself off the bed and grabbed her bag.

"Only if they're followed by ice cream and my sick brownies!!" She ran past me into the kitchen while I waited for Leo.

"I don't think I've had anything you just mentioned." I pushed him towards the kitchen.

"Tonight's gonna be fun." I teased.