By Christmas holidays, Leon had become an integral part of Elizabeth’s social circle — now mainly a threesome. She and Holly had come to bond with Leon and, despite Elizabeth’s initial awkward sentiments in regards to her childhood dreams, she had come to open up and trusted Leon as a loyal friend in a short period of time. 638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8XDna6Zr6
The sense of familiarity helped her trust him, as she felt she had known him most of her life — though she had come to reject the notion that she had actually dreamed about him.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtLNzk6NIP
Because Leon’s family lived so far away, and he had to yet to find a part-time job, Leon confided in the girls that he would be spending his first Christmas away from home and his friends and family. Why his family had chosen this small town for an exchange program, Elizabeth would never know, but both girls felt their hearts bleed for their newfound comrade. Leon seemed hesitant to speak further on the subject when pressed, avoiding eye contact whenever Holly pried, until Holly offered to allow him to spend the holidays with her family.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmr4tucNDXs
“My family won’t mind,” Holly explained, “In fact, they would probably love to have more company since my brother doesn’t come home for the holidays anymore.” Holly’s elder brother was nineteen, and had moved in with his college girlfriend half a country away. It was the first holiday season that he wouldn’t be returning to visit his family, as he was spending the holidays with his girlfriend’s family instead. Everyone understood his sentiments, but that didn’t change his parents’ disappointed and realization that their babies were growing up fast.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JLcCIZMfE
“Are you certain? I wouldn’t want to impose,” Leon asked in a hesitant tone.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSsEhQkYR4
“Of course! They’ll treat you like family, right Elizabeth?” Holly turned the attention to Elizabeth who had remained silent all day up until this point. Elizabeth nearly choked on her coffee as she had been mid sip, and began to roll the cup between her palms in a nervous motion.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTn8zUT9rKc
“Honestly?” She looked up to meet Leon’s intense gaze. “Her family is, what I like to call, aggressively polite.” Leon looked puzzled, so Elizabeth elaborated: “if you do go to visit, they will insist non-stop on allowing them to wait hand and foot on you, until you feel like it is also your own home.” Leon’s eyes lit up in recognition and amusement.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTbbL7CERn
“I will have to be careful that I don’t become too comfortable, or I may never want to leave,” Leon chuckled, but Holly’s expression brightened.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSeyLUcdRA
“I’m okay with that,” Holly muttered under her breath, and only Elizabeth heard the inappropriate comment. She rolled her eyes when Leon was looking away, and a smirk tugged at the corner of Holly’s mouth.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQVEL1RdgO
Leon’s attention had been grabbed by a group of female students who were headed in their direction, giggling and waving. Holly waved back, though she knew most of the attention was directed towards the foreign boy.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJJ0UliRLi
“Holly, I hear you’re having an end-of-semester party?” one of the pretty girls asked as they approached their table.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemiNEXj5RN
“I didn’t know that,” Leon commented, looking over to Holly.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1eESEennx
“Neither did I.” Elizabeth’s eyes narrowed at her friend, suspiciously. Holly flushed.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cLDoXoI0v
“Well, I wanted it to be a surprised since you were so worried about exams,” Holly explained with a casual wave of her hand, as though dismissing the topic altogether.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxi7qhQDlSj
“Un-huh.” Elizabeth wasn’t impressed. “I think you’re trying to keep Leon’s attention to yourself,” she accused. Holly feigned mock hurt.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Exw8MNVo5
“I’m insulted you would think so low of me,” Holly gasped with a dramatic wave of her hands.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oybLiroCD
“I doubt that,” Elizabeth commented as she took a sip of her coffee.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwA5yCZWMj
“Why would she want that?” Leon asked, completely oblivious. The group of giggling girls all sighed in unison.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarr4im9DeX
“You really don’t know, do you?” one of them asked.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDRQ9cDkul
“Know what?” Leon asked again. Elizabeth had to muse that it was cute how oblivious he was to his own appeal. She herself often found herself marveling at his unique appearance, especially those entrancing blue eyes.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrTocMAJh9
“You’ll figure it out,” the third one chimed in a mysterious tone. The group of them giggled again, a sound which was beginning to annoy Elizabeth, and took their leave with a casual: “see you at the party!”638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthUyZfVFYD
“On that note,” Holly cleared her throat, “the party is this Friday, right after the last exam. Slumber party style. Make sure to let your mom know, Elizabeth.” Elizabeth nodded.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJsqjwodM6
“Sure,” she agreed easily.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKh2bvuVg53
“Since you’ll be staying with me, I’m sure you’ll be in attendance, Leon?” Holly’s question was rhetorical. As long as he was staying with her, he would have very little say in his own actions for the next couple weeks. Realization finally set in with Leon and he sighed to himself.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBl7bGNCKWP
“Sure,” he replied lamely.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQ67HAnaWP
“Excellent, then it’s settled,” Holly chimed and clapped her hands together. “I’ll see you both Friday after class!” With that, she rose to her feet, turned on her heels, and skipped away in a delighted mood.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFekrF6ikJ
“Good luck with her,” Elizabeth commented in monotone.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QnNV96eLZ
“I’ll need it, won’t I?” Leon realized his predicament. He would have very little say in his actions for the next two weeks. At least they’d get a chance to unwind come Friday night.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeCrUTVAW1
