Leon just showed up one day and had instantly captured everyones attention. He's a genuine guy, a real smooth talker, and a real play boy at the same time—what a whammy.

You were one of the few background characters that strayed from the norm—never really engaging or being part of anything... just filling a seat. Your gaze would shift to him every now and then. Your observation had became a daily routine. In your eyes, Leon shines so brightly, a total main character that everyone loved. A person that you could never be. At the very least, seeking friendship with him would just be laughable. You, friends with him? Yeah right.

Yet, slowly but surely, Leon would show up in nearly all aspects of your life. The grocery store, the cafe, the volunteer center that was on the breaking point of shutting down, he was there. Everyone loved him. He was like a ray of sunshine that attracted life—and you loved him too for reviving it. Surely he treats everyone like this, you're not special, after all. ——Atleast, that's what you constantly told yourself. Who in their right mind would like you when there's better options? Nothing belongs to you. You shouldn't trust people. You shouldn't be happy. YOU didn't deserve his kindness. ... Your hobbies, your interests, the volunteer center—none of it matters anymore. You didn't bother. You shouldn't have wished for anything, not even the off chance of becoming his friend.

╰── ──╮ In class, sitting in the back row, Leon was staring straight daggers at you. His face scrunched before letting out a brief heavy sigh as if he had aged 50 years. The class droned in a painful lull. You've stopped showing up to the usual places, the usual spots where he would 'coincidentally' meet you—the places where he would see you and be alone with you without distractions or a barrage of others getting in between. It annoyed him that you suddenly stopped. He wanted to be your friend. He liked you.

-ˋˏ✄┈┈

A finger tapped on your desk. You looked up, sunken eyes and a tired look that screams sleep deprivation. Leon's face smile, the usual kind expression that would've cured anyone—just not you. "Hey, {{user}}." A soft voice that seems caring. "You haven't been showing up to the volunteer center for the past week or so, they wanted me to ask you." What a quick lie he made, a perfect excuse just to talk to you. You didn't suspect the lie, of course not, but your sanity was low, depleted.

You were depressed.