Chapter 4

I met Evan Salvatore

Someone touches my face. I opened my eyes and saw mom.

“Mom, why are you up here?” I said while trying to open my eyes.

“Leigh, I saw you sitting on the bench outside our house a while ago. I felt that you’re not okay. You sat there for 30 minutes. What happened?” She looked at me so worried.

“I’m okay mom. Can I ask you a question?”

“Go ahead, I’ll listen” She looks at me sincerely.

I am so lucky to have a mother that is willing to listen to my dramas and heartaches.

“Have you ever loved a man secretly?”

“Yes, I did hon. all of us experienced loving someone secretly.”

I started crying on her shoulder. She hugged me and made me feel that she is willing to listen without judging so I told her everything.

“I love Luke. I love him so much. From then until now it has not changed. For him I was just a friend. He doesn't notice me. Because I loved him so much and because I was afraid that he would be hurt, I helped him to woo Cara. Even though I didn’t want to, I did it for him. Cara said YES. When I heard that, my heart was very broken. It was as if a needle was piercing it.” I said while crying.

"Ssshh .. Stop crying. I'm proud of you because despite the pain you feel you still helped him to be happy. This is the true meaning of love. Love is not stingy. If we truly love, it becomes stupid we have learned to let go.”

“Thanks mom. Thanks for comforting me.”

Mommy left me after she comforted me. I got up and turned on the radio to listen to music. When I opened this was the song I heard;

“Jealous of the girl who caught your eye

One of my darker days

When you looked at her where I was?

Should been in her place, here I am

All alone imagining what might have been

If I had been there

Jealous of the one whose arms are around you

If she's keeping you satisfied

Jealous of the one who finally found you

Made your sun and your stars collide”

I was even more depressed. Does the music make me look like a loser? I just turned off the radio and went back to bed and forced myself to sleep.

You know it is really hard to accept the fact that he is happy with someone while I am here crying because of him. Well I’m not saying that it’s his fault. It’s my fault because in the first place I should have not loved him more than friends. I should not feel this way.

I woke up to the hit of sunlight on my face. I forgot to close the curtain last night. I don’t want to get up, the weight of how I feel. I feel like I'm going to get sick. I don’t want to go to school. Maybe I can't come in even just for today, right? I picked up my cellphone speculating that Luke might call. I see no text, no call. Why am I hoping? I'm just a friend. I told myself. I put down the cellphone and covered my face with a pillow. I’m talking to myself. What are they doing? Did Luke pick up Cara at their house? Will he wake up too early to cook for Cara?

I slapped my face lightly to wake me up to the truth. It’s not fair. Why is he the only one happy? I should too. I had to take action to find something to entertain.

I went down to kitchen and I saw lunch box with a note. It says;

“Hi Leigh! I know you’re tired yesterday. Here’s your food, I cooked that. See you later at school I have to go pick Cara. Take care” with a smiley face.

And I was right in my thinking. He is annoying. He didn't wake me up upstairs. I sat down and pushed the lunch box away. My forehead is furrowed. “I will not eat that.” I said it to myself. I was so annoyed that I went up to the bedroom again to think about where I could go alone.

(Phone Rings)

“Hello?”

“Hey Leigh! Where are you? You’re running out of time. You’ll be late.”

“Hi, I can’t come to school. I have plans for today. Bye”

“What?” Then I hang up. As much as possible I have to lessen the conversation with him, in that way I can easily move on.

I fixed myself. I choose clothes in the cabinet. I saw a gray turtle neck shirt and a skirt. I took it out and put it on. I also paired it with a high cut sneaker. I also applied pink lipgloss and tried to curl my hair slightly. Before leaving, I looked in the mirror and said to myself “From now on I will focus more on myself” while smiling.

I went out the gate and thought of going to the Theatre to watch a classical orchestra. Because I love music I can learn more from it.

When I came inside Theatre, I sat close to the stage to closely listen and watch the musicians. Just a few minutes later, a man stood beside me. I ignored him. He suddenly spoke and I looked at him.

“Hi! Is this your first time here?” He said.

“Hi! Yeah. It is.”

“I knew it; your face is not familiar. By the way, I am Evan Salvatore and you?” He held out his hand.

“I am Leigh Guzman, nice to meet you” I held his hand and we both shake it.

“Nice name. So what are you doing in life?”

“Thanks! I’m a student of Arts in Music that’s why I am here coz I’m looking for something to make myself busy and besides I love music.”

“I see.” He gave me a piece of paper, a calling card.

“What’s this?” while pointing my finger to the paper he gave me.

“You love music right? I have a studio. I am a professional drummer and guitarist. You can come to my studio so we can jam, only if you like.”

I smiled at him

“Sure! I’ll be glad to come to your studio if I have free time.” I said it full of joy.

The two of us looked at each other and smiled. I just noticed that he was handsome he has a beautiful blue eyes, he has a split chin. His jaw is perfect. Somehow I forgot about Luke. But for me Luke is even more handsome.

“Anyway Evan, I have to go.” I got up from my seat and walked away. Turn to him again and stop.

“See you.” He looked up and winked.