Ari had texted Leo the day before, asking to meet him in the studio late in the evening when he was done with all his routines and rehearsals and was about to go home. She needed to talk to him, to clear the air and understand where they stood.
As she arrived at the studio, the night had already fallen, casting a serene darkness around the area. The dim street lights created pools of light on the pavement, and the stars twinkled faintly above. She spotted Leo sitting on a wooden chair in front of the studio, his figure illuminated by the soft glow of the nearby streetlight. He was already clean, no trace of sweat on his skin, and he was dressed, seemingly prepared to go home.
Ari took a deep breath, steadying herself before walking over to him. Her heart pounded in her chest, the anticipation of the conversation ahead making her palms sweat.
"Hey," Leo greeted her with a warm smile as she approached. "How have you been? I haven't seen you at the studio in a while."