Chapter Thirteen: Violently Happy:

Wallace didn’t notice the effect that he had on another member in Julia’s circle. Her name was Leslie Devlin. She didn’t talk much. No one could guess what she was thinking. Right now, she smiled to herself. A girl next to her gave her a strange look. She reached forward to touch her on the shoulder. Leslie turned her head. The other girl drew back her hand. Julia cleared her throat.

“Moving on,” she said. “Does anyone have any questions?” Leslie raised her hand. All eyes fell on her. Julia blinked.

“Yes, Leslie?” she asked. She sat up straight with red cheeks.

“Who was that you were talking to?” she asked. Everyone turned to Julia. She dropped her shoulders.

“He went to my high school,” the president said. Leslie had a strange cat-like smile on her face.

“I see…” she said. The others in the group had odd looks on their faces. Leslie just folded her arms across her chest.

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Was he athletic? No. Was he handsome? Not really. Was he cute? Yeah. Was he smart? Probably. She would have to find when she got to know him better. Leslie put her arms behind her head and smiled.

“Is there something you want to share?” Julia asked in reality. The red-haired girl looked up.

“No,” she said in a dreamy tone. Her usually empty face came back. “Carry on.” Julia blinked before speaking up.

“Right,” she said. “As I was saying…” The whole time, Leslie let her mind go back to that boy she only got to see for a few seconds. Already, she wished that she could see more of him.

“Are there anymore questions?” Julia asked. Leslie raised her hand. Everyone gave her a shocked look. Usually, she wasn’t this chatty. The president raised her eyebrow.

“Yes, Leslie?” she asked. Leslie lifted her chin.

“When is that play again?” she asked. “December, right?”

“Yes,” Julia said. “Why do you ask?” Leslie put her hands behind her head.

“Are we working with the drama club on it?” she asked.

“Yes….” Julia said as she narrowed her eyes. The other girl shrugged her shoulders.

“That’s all I wanted to know,” she said. The president raised her eyebrow.

“Is there anything else?” she asked. Leslie rose to her feet.

“No,” she said. She could hear the chatter behind her back as she walked out of the library. That little smile Leslie shared to herself just had to pop up again. As for her wish to see that cute boy again, she was going to get it really soon.

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Meanwhile, Wallace walked up to the theater doors.