for Aurora, because ONCE AGAIN she made me a magnificently beautiful cover ❤️❤️❤️

"Are you decent?" A voice, one that I immediately peg as Landon, calls from the other side of the door.

I smile to myself, pausing the chords on my phone, before calling out. "Yes!"

Landon pushes the door open then, entering wearing black jogging pants and a hoodie, before smiling at me and hopping onto my bed. "You look like the locness monster." He motions to my head of wet hair, laughing to himself as I glare at him.

"Maybe if you had told me that you were coming over than I would've looked a little less locness-y." I tell him, getting up off of my piano stool and going over to my dresser to do something with my hair. I was going to let it airdry on its own but since it's dripping down my plain tee shirt I decide to just tie it into a tight bun on top of my head. Sighing, I turn back to face Landon. "What are you doing here anyway?"

It's not often that Landon and I hang out alone, mostly because we're probably the two friends who have the least amount in common. I'm pretty passive and considerate while Landon is way more outspoken, and has an immensely small understanding of a filter. He's quiet promiscuous too, only ever sleeping with girls than actually developing a relationship while I'm obviously not about that life. We're obviously friends though, so it isn't that strange that he decided to hang out with me out of the blue, but it is a surprise on my part.

"I wanted to talk to you about something." Landon says, running a hand through his messy hair, before exhaling. "I think I ... I think I might want to ask Kendra out."

"Woah," I breath, blinking rapidly before reaching out to poke Landon in the cheek. "Is this Landon?"

Landon smacks my hand away. "Yes, God damn it." He mumbled, his cheeks a gentle pink hue as he looked anywhere but my eyes. "I'm serious."

"Well first, start from the top." I cross my legs together, smiling excitedly at Landon as I do so. "Where did this all begin?"

As Landon tells me the story of how he began to develop feelings for Kendra, I can't help but begin to feel guilty. My two best friends have been falling for each other all this time and I was too busy with my own life to realize and enjoy it. I've been so so selfish, always complaining about Ford and gushing about Brady while Kendra and Landon were deciding on whether to pursue a relationship, and probably needed my guidance.

"I don't want to get into details, but Kendra and I have been hanging out a lot. Alone." Landon begins, running a hand through his already disheveled brown locks. "And while you and Brady were on your date, she came over and we ... kissed."

"What kind of kiss?" I wonder.

Landon coughs, rather uncomfortably. "It started as just a kiss and then we just ... " Landon threw his hands up into the air, seemingly frustrated. "I don't know, Leah, we made out."

"Dude!" I squeal. "This is awesome!"

"How?" Landon mumbles.

"Because you actually like someone for once, and that someone just so happens to be the best girl ever."

Landon shrugs, but I can tell by the look in his eyes that he feels the exact same way that I do about this. He's excited, but scared. "I don't know." Landon sighs. "This all seems so ... so crazy. Like the world is spinning on it's axis and leaving me behind."

"You do like her, don't you?"

"Of course. But I don't know if I'm ready to take things to the next level. " Landon connects eyes with me. "I've never done this before, Leah. What if it turns out to be a complete disaster?"

"That's the risk you have to take." I tell him. "It all seems scary and surreal right now, but it should turn out okay in the end. You may have your ups and downs, because nothing is guaranteed, but it will all work out in the end."

Landon scrunches his eyebrows together, a sign that he's heavily pondering something. "Was the risk worth it with Ford?"

I smile tightly, trying to hold my composure. I'm getting a little sick of people comparing everything to Ford and I, just because we just so happened to not work out. "Yes." I reply curtly. "Because now I've found the right guy. I've found Brady."

Landon sighs. "Okay. Well, how should I ask her?"

I slide off of my bed then, walking over to the door to open it for Landon. "That's for you to figure out, my friend." I tell him as he joins me at the doorway. "Just make it special. Make it scream yes."

Landon nods, then smiles up at me. "Thanks Leah." And then he surprises me, he kisses me on the cheek before walking out of my door and down the hallway.

I touch my cheek, fingers rubbing the light amount of saliva that he left there. Kendra really is changing him. Landon would never do something so affectionate, so sweet, because Landon isn't that type of guy. He's nice and all, but he's sometimes inconsiderate and overall a goofball. Kissing my cheek is a classic Brady move.

Heading over to my window, I pull open the blinds and glance out on the street. Landon gets in his car and drives off, leaving only dust in his tracks as he completely exits my neighborhood. A few little kids are out and about, running around freely and completely enjoying themselves. And elderly woman is out watering her flowers, as is a younger looking mom. The neighborhood is adorably quiet, so much so, that I consider going on a run throughout it. Just as I turn around to throw on some exercising clothes, I see the Turner's front door open.

Ford falls out of it, landing on the grass with too much force to be considered accidental. From here I can make out details: his messy hair, his tattered clothing, and the blood dripping from his nose. My skin becomes cold to the touch as he weakly tries to stand, but ends up falling right back onto the ground. Out comes Mr. Turner, face a deep shade of crimson, his mouth stretching to make words that I can barely hear because of my closed window. Ford cowers back from him, scooting farther on the grass.

After Mr. Turner comes a wild faced Macy, tears streaming down her face as she attempts to run to Ford's side. Mr. Turner reaches out and grabs Macy by the hair, roughly yanking her back to his side as her small lips form the shape of a scream. Ford is finally able to stand, limping towards his car, before he glances up towards my house and eventually to my eyes. From them I can read his emotions: fear, pain, pity.

Old me would've jumped out of the window and swan dived to Ford's rescue. But this isn't old Leah anymore. So, ignoring the haunting pang of guilt in my stomach, I close my blinds.

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