Leo never returns and I'm not sure how I'm meant to interpret that. I would text him but I don't have his number, so, I go to sleep without much of an answer of what happened with him and his family. I don't have time to speak with him the next day either because I go out with Beckett and Misty. Most of the day I'm thinking about it, which means Beckett tries to ask what's bothering me, to which I always reply, "You are."

He eventually stops asking. I've trained him well, while Misty...

"Are you and Leo a thing yet?"

I stare at her like she's grown a second head. "What?"

"You two have been spending a lot of time together. Beckett said he even came over to your house yesterday!"

"We're neighbors."

"So? I don't even speak with my neighbors."

"Are you sure they just aren't speaking to you?"

Misty scowls. She walked into that and she knows it.

"Hey, what's wrong with telling us about your super hot neighbor that you're possibly dating?" Misty huffs, crossing her arms with a cute pout. Beckett practically turns into a pile of goo just from looking at her. I roll my eyes. He's ridiculous.

"We're not dating."

"So you agree that he's super hot?"

"I would have to be blind not to agree with that."

Misty giggles and Beckett returns to his natural solid state in order to return his attention to me.

"Tell me you at least have his number now," he says like he's lecturing a kid.

I take a sip from my drink, which gives Beckett his answer. Their jaws drop in unison, huh, that's interesting.

"You don't have his phone number?!" Misty cries in disbelief. She actually looks offended. "How? Why?"

"Never asked."

"Why?!"

I shrug. That's a good question. It never came up in conversation, I guess. Either way, I stop answering their inquiries, choosing to eat my food in silence. Eventually, the two stop asking upon realizing that, no, I am not playing their game anymore even if I do agree that it's stupid that I don't have his number yet. I wouldn't be wondering how things went with his parents if I had it but, whatever, it's too late now.

That night Beckett brings me home. I wave goodbye to the crazies while they pull out of the driveway and head off down the street. Once they're gone, I head for the nearest bus stop. It's been a while since I've gone out on my own. I've been a bit busy with Leo so I'm starting to feel restless.

It's official. I'm some sort of adrenaline junky.

My evening is pretty chaotic, actually. Upon reaching town, I find myself getting into all kinds of trouble, or rather, getting others out of said trouble. First, there's a lady that gets her purse nabbed like in those cheesy movies. I trip that fucker before he gets more than a block. It's fun watching him face plant.

Then some poor kid nearly gets mugged in the park. Four on one isn't exactly a fair fight, unless you're me. They run off screaming about ghosts after a few good punches to the face. The kid nearly pisses himself too. Why is ghost most people's first instincts? Ghosts are more the type to fling shit around, not punch you but whatever.

Next a store is almost robbed. A man and woman have broken in and are emptying out the cash register when I come around. The cops nab them when they are trying to escape from the "strange invisible force." Well, at least they didn't call me a ghost.

It's all the usual little things I happen to catch. Living in a fairly large city makes finding trouble rather easy, especially in the evenings. Certain areas are known to attract trouble so those are the places I tend to investigate. I'm not sure why I do it, it isn't because I'm nice. At least, I don't feel that's the reason. Maybe I'm just bored or maybe I'm another teen looking to rebel in my own way, who knows. It is what it is or, rather, I am what I am.

When mom messages me I know it's best to get home. I can only pull off my lie of being with Beckett for so long before she might suspect something. It's a little after 11pm when I get home, glancing to Leo's porch when I grow near. I'm a little shocked to see him sitting on the front steps with his phone in his hand. His head is down but there's a smile on his face.

I speak without even realizing it, "Hey."

Leo's head shoots up at the sound of my voice. Our eyes lock for a moment before his eyes visibly shake. "Micah, h-hey, what are you doing out so late?"

"Was out with Beckett and Misty." I gesture over my shoulder to the bus stop down the street. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing really, messing around on my phone."

I nod. A silence lingers between us. Leo is having a hard time looking at me. He keeps glancing at his phone then me then the road then back to me, you get the picture. I, on the other hand, keep my gaze directly on him. I'm not sure if that bothers him or not.

"How'd it go?" I end up asking causing Leo to hum. "With your parents."

His smile is instant and answer enough. However, it's relieving to hear him let out a chuckle. "So much better than I ever expected it to."

"Told you, they adore you."

Leo nods while rubbing the back of his neck. "I kinda feel bad for doubting them."

"It's understandable. No one ever really knows how their family will react."

Leo gets up from the stairs and takes a step towards me. I wait patiently for the boy to work up the nerve to move further than that. It takes a few minutes. It's fun to watch but I say nothing. Not sure if that makes it better or worse. Finally, Leo is in front of me, glancing at his phone again then back at me.

"Uh...listen, I would really-" Leo slips his thumb into the belt loop of his jeans, beginning to twist it between his finger from nerves. "I really want to thank you for helping and talking with me so much lately."

"You don't need to thank me. It's not like it was any trouble."

"I know but..." Leo appears to be really contemplating what to say or ask, I'm not really sure but, I know it's bothering him. He looks to the ground, giving me time to glance at his phone that he's gripping tightly. I'm sure I'm not meant to see it but, I can make out a few open tabs that he was probably flipping through earlier. There's something about a new restaurant nearby, movies and the zoo.

Ah, I get it.

I act like I didn't snoop on his phone and go on to make a "request" of my own. "Take me to the zoo."

Leo raises his head in shock. "Huh?"

"You can thank me by taking me to the zoo."

"Really?"

"Yeah, unless you have a better idea?"

Leo furiously shakes his head. His cheeks have heated up considerably, staining themselves a bright red. It suits him. "No, the zoo is a great idea! I love the zoo! You know they just put in a zipline?"

"Cool."

"I've never been ziplining but I think it'd be fun. I read that it goes over the new exhibit they just put in, which I haven't seen yet either!"

"Yeah? What's in it?"

It seems Leo has done his research because he gushes about the new animals. He even pulls it up on his phone, likely forgetting that he was searching it seconds ago in order to ask me about it. I'll let him think I don't know anything. It's cute watching him talk so animatedly about it. I find myself smirking while listening, which eventually garners his attention because his eyes suddenly go wide after about ten minutes of him talking and me quietly taking it all in.

"Sorry...am I talking too much?" I swear he has dog ears and they are drooping right now.

I shake my head. "Not at all. What makes you say that?"

"You're quiet."

"I'm always quiet, definitely doesn't mean I'm not interested."

Leo's blush reaches from his neck to the tip of his ears. I feel very accomplished. However, my mom ruins the moment by stepping out from the house before Leo can go on. She notices us talking (is probably thrilled by it too) then smiles when she says, "Boys, why don't you come inside? It's too late to be hanging out on the street!"

"Sorry, I was just about to head back in!" Leo calls in response before returning his attention to me. There's a soft smile on his face when he starts to back away from me ever so slowly. "So...we can go next weekend, if that's ok?"

"Sounds good."

"I'll text you the details later."

"Don't you need my number for that?" I ask causing Leo to stop mid step. He nearly stumbles over causing me to chuckle when he barely catches himself. Good thing he has those sportsman like reflexes or he probably would have fell right on his face. Yes, it would have been funny but that doesn't mean I want it to happen (maybe a little).

"R-Right! Um...can I have your number?"

"I don't know, can you?" I know my grin is evil but it's so worth seeing the pout on Leo's face. Snickering, I tell him my number, which he eagerly puts into his phone before sending me a text.

I got his number. Beckett would be proud but, I'm going to keep this to myself. The last thing I need is him and Misty pestering me.

"I should head back inside." Leo gestures behind him, waving goodbye to me, which I return. However, before he steps back inside, I call out to him. He glances over his shoulder with a curious gaze, waiting patiently for me to speak.

"Goodnight, Leo."

I think he's stopped breathing. His mouth is clamped shut but, even from here, I can see him swallowing the lump in his throat before he sputters, "G-Goodnight, M-Micah."

And with that, he swings open his door and runs inside. Damn, he's way cuter than I ever thought he could be. However, he's not the only one acting up. My heart's beating like crazy in my chest. I have to rub said chest like I think that will help my heart chill the fuck out. It doesn't.

I never thought Leo and I would do anything more than say hi when we passed each other by. Our interactions have always been short and to the point, usually forced until recently. That's mostly my own fault, actually, it is entirely my fault. I'm not one for communication. Leo balances that out well though. Hopefully, it remains that way or our excursion to the zoo will be boring as shit.

Shaking my head, I decide not to think about it. I'm sure it will be fine. We'll have fun. So, rather than stand out on the sidewalk all night with a heart ready to burst from my chest, I spin on my heel to head to my porch.

Sadly, I never make it there.

"Hey, Freak," a vaguely familiar voice calls before I feel it; a gun pressed into my side.