Chapter 4

Leon's POV

I wish I knew what made her so cheerful, so considerate, and warm, and kind. She is altogether the person who makes you feel completely accepted as you are. She won't try and change you, or tell you how to do things; she doesn't even notice she attracts people to her because of her warm personality. Sometimes it annoys me to no end, how she manages to be so passive. She is pushed around so much, and never seems to notice. I remember when I trained her, what I made her do was near impossible, and yet, she somehow was able to do it; maybe because of her stubborn refusal to finish things once they've been started, or maybe it was her determination to be recognized for her true talent.

All of these thoughts were rushing through my mind as I walked back to the bus stop with Sora lying in my arms. I did my best not to look at her; it was more than a little embarrassing, me doing this for anyone, especially her. I must've regretted it; pushing her to her limit when I was training her. Therefore now I was repaying for that by supporting her through whatever she does. I couldn't help but feel her breath on my neck, her purple hair falling over my shoulder, and the light shivering that had started just seconds ago. I lifted my hand up to her forehead and pressed down lightly.

"You don't have a fever, but you are shaking." I stated bluntly.

"It's just the rain, nothing big." She said nonchalantly. I knew she was getting colder and colder in the night air and I didn't have anything dry to give her. I saw the light of the bus stop just up ahead and I hurried to reach it.

We had just made the last bus to take us to the Kaleido Stage. I gently set Sora down on the damp sidewalk. It was only then that I realized she wasn't wearing any shoes.

"Sora, did you walk all the way here without shoes?" I asked.

"Yes, I left them on the beach when I fell asleep."

I was about to start yelling at her again when I heard the bus engine and saw the headlights through the rain. Sora and I were the only people at the stop and also the only people on the bus. This time I paid for the fee and we both got on. I guided Sora to the back of the bus where the heaters were. I filed in the seat first and she sat, shaking, beside me. I looked her over as her form shivered beside me, her eyes were alert but her form showed that she was exhausted. I looked at my watch: 12:49. The heat was coming out at our feet but it didn't help Sora whose teeth had started to chatter. I finally couldn't take it anymore.

I reached out and pulled my coat off of one of her shoulders. I wrapped my arm around her and pulled her to my chest, and then put my other hand on her head and gently tucked her into my chest. The shivering stopped immediately as she froze.

"L-Leon?" She whispered, teeth still chattering.

"You are freezing; I am merely trying to make sure you will not get hypothermia." I lied without blinking. I felt her nod. Suddenly she wrapped her arms around me and it was my turn to freeze. Finally I relaxed again and glanced out the window watching the shadows of trees fly by and the fog reflecting off the headlights. I started to get tired myself as I listened to the steady rhythm of the engine and Sora's gentle breathing. Sure enough the shivering had stopped. I gently tilted my head so that it rested on Sora's, she was warm now. It was only a couple minutes later that I saw the sign for the Kaleido Stage. I started to grab my jacket when I realized that Sora had fallen asleep. Her eyes were closed and she breathed easily. I remembered on the beach, how easily she had fallen asleep. She had seemed exhausted the past few days.

Trying not to rouse her, I pulled lightly on my coat and it was released easily. I draped it over my shoulder and looked down at Sora. Her arms were now drooped around my waste and her head was resting on my shoulder. I thought it would be better to let her sleep, seeing how exhausted she was earlier. I gently picked her up, supporting her knees and her shoulders with my hands. The bus driver raised an eyebrow as I carried her out. I threw an icy glare at him and he put his hands up in the air and turned away from the Stage. I walked Sora over to the girl's dorm. By now it was about 1:15 and all the lights were off in the windows.

I closed the sliding doors behind me and headed for the staircase. I knew May was on the second floor and she was frequently talking about dorming near Sora. Sure enough Sora's name was plastered to a metallic door and I gently turned the knob. Stupid girl. I thought as it opened. She forgot to lock it.

I entered her room. It was the same ordinary room we were all given, but she had decorated her walls with posters of Kaleido Star productions and had laid down brightly colored rugs on the floor. I walked over to her bed in the back room and gently laid her down on it. I knew she probably shouldn't go to sleep with wet clothes. I decided to wake her up.

"Sora." I said as I shook her shoulder lightly. I then tapped on her cheek and she opened her eyes drowsily.

"Leon?" She asked; her voice was rough.

"I have brought you back to your dorm room, I suggest changing into some dry clothes, I must go now, get some sleep." I finished and stood up. I was turning to leave when I felt a tugging on my shirt. I turned back to see Sora looking up at me. Her eyes were still half-closed from waking up but her voice was clearer when she spoke.

"Thank you Leon. I really enjoy spending time with you." She said as if it was nothing.

I stared as she got up and walked over to her closet and pulled out a pajama shirt and pants.

"Of course." I said and promptly walked out the door trying to close it quietly behind me. I stood outside for a moment staring at the ground. Had she lost it? Did she honestly say that she enjoyed my company? I shook my head and started walking back to the boy's dorm.

As it came into view I heard a rustling noise beside me and I whipped around. A light wind blew through the trees in the field, there was nothing there. I turned my head back unsurely and continued on my way. I heard another sound of movement and I whipped around and went into a fighting stance.

"Who's there?" I spoke loudly into the darkness. There was no answer, nor any sign of movement. It's probably just a small animal of some sort. I tried to reassure myself as I turned again and jogged over to the boy's dormitory. I walked into the dorms and, like the girl's dormitory; there was no sign of anyone awake. I trudged up the long stairway and up to the third floor where I stood out on the balcony overlooking the grounds. I paused a moment when I thought I saw something moving in the trees. I dismissed it a moment later as my imagination. I walked back into my room. After I changed into dry clothes I lay in bed watching the window as the stars finally appeared from behind the clouds. I thought of Sophie and her beautiful smile, her laugh, and her brilliant radiance that shined on stage. Somehow all of those traits reminded me of Sora. But Sora wasn't Sophie, she never was Sophie and she never could be. So why do I have Sora's sleeping face as the only image in my head right now?

I groaned and got out of bed walking over to the door. It was clear that I was not going to be able to sleep right now. Perhaps a walk would help. I opened the door as quietly as possible and stepped out onto the balcony. I walked over to the railing and let the cool breeze wash over me. I was only there for a couple of minutes when I heard a piercing scream. I jerked my head wondering where it came from, then I saw it, smoke rising from the girl's dorm. A faint orange glow illuminated from the back of the building. I froze when I realized where it was. Sora's room.