Bonus Side Story: "Let Me Do It Over"

I returned to my room briefly, where I got changed and fixed my hair before meeting up with Leo again.

"Leo!"

"There you are." Leo stared at me as I hurried towards him. "You look—different somehow." Leo reached out and gently touched my hair.

"Ahh—" (I tried a different hairstyle than usual— I wonder if it looks weird?) Leo gave me a smile, and then tilted his head to one side.

"Are you planning to seduce someone?"

"S-seduce?!" My cheeks flushed at Leo's words, and he gave a soft laugh at my reaction.

"Hey, I'm just kidding."

"Grrr!" I turned my face away, but I couldn't help but be relieve to see him smiling. (He's back to normal.) Leo shrugged and then spoke again.

"Anyway, I go the okay from Giles— are you ready to go?"

We made our way down into town, talking as we went. I was grateful to see Leo acting like his usual self again. At Leo's request we stopped at the florist, where he bought a bouquet of flowers. (Those are the same flowers. Leo bought the same bouquet last time too.)

"Sorry to keep you waiting Maya."

"That's okay." (So where are we going with these flowers?) Leo led me through town and out the other side again.

At last we reached an old cemetery sprawled across the top of a hill. Leo knelt down and placed the bouquet in front of a particular grave, and smiled wistfully.

"The day they died was a full moon, y'know. So I come see them every full moon." I stood quietly behind Leo, my head bowed respectfully. I stared down at the words written on the gravestone. (Crawford—so this must be his parents' grave, right?) Leo seemed to notice my gaze, and he spoke softly. "They were really kind parents." He stood up slowly and gazed down at the gravestone. His expression was distant somehow. There was so many things I wanted to ask, but I kept quiet. (Leo, what are you thinking?) I felt nervous, but I reached out and took his hand. "Maya?" (I don't feel like I can ask him anything right now, but I hope one day he'll feel like he can tell me about it.) Leo stood there in silence for a long moment. Then he squeezed my hand gently. "Your hand is so warm, Maya."

We left the cemetery behind us and headed home. It was a beautiful day, and a comfortable silence fell between us as we walked. But suddenly Leo stopped walking.

"Maya? I have a favor to ask."

"Oh?" (What sort of favor?) I turned back to look at him, and found him gazing directly at me.

"That time I kissed you—will you let me do it over—do it right?"

"Oh!" I stared at him him in surprise, my cheeks suddenly bright red. (He's talking about—) As I remembered his forceful, unexpected kiss, I turned my face away.

"Is that a no?" Leo gazed at me with gentle eyes.

"It's not that—I just—" (You scared me a little the last time.) I unconsciously took a small step back, and Leo tilted his head, and put his hands behind his back. "Please?" Everything about his attitude was entirely different to how he'd been when he'd kissed me before. I couldn't think of a single thing to say as I met his gaze. (When he looks at me like that, I feel—) My heart was racing at his request, and I licked my lips nervously. Leo's gaze dropped to my lips, and then he slowly reached out his hand and touched my cheek. Unconsciously I leaned into this touch, and his eyes lit up. I nodded my head just a little, closing my eyes as his face moved closer to mine. I felt his warm lips press gently against mine, and I let out a gasp that was half sigh. (Is this just another kiss that means nothing? Or—) Our lips parted for a moment before meeting again. As his tongue slipped between my lips, I moaned softly in my throat. His arm bumped gently against mine, and then he murmured something against my lips, his words a soft sigh.

"I'm so bad at this."

"Huh?"

"I've never kissed like this before." My heart was suddenly pounding like mad.

"Leo—?" (What does he mean by that?) Leo tilted his head to the side, his gaze intense.

"Can I try again?" My body quivered at his words and the promise in them. (He already knows the answer to that.) And it was obvious that he did. Before I could even finish nodding, he pressed another gentle kiss against my lips.

It'd be really nice if the main character said things other than "Oh!", "Ahh!", "Huh?", and Leo's name. But oh well. :/ Anyway, I'm about to start on Part Seven. If I'm not finished tonight, I'll finish and upload it tomorrow!