Chapter 10: Introduce

School days

Charmel brought Leo to meet her friend, who looked at Leo curiously "So, you've made a new friend, huh?" Chika asked, looking at Leo.

Charmel nodded eagerly.

"Yep, this is Leo," she said. "He's cool."

Leo smiled awkwardly, feeling a bit uncomfortable under her friend's scrutiny.

"Um, hi," he said, waving at her shyly.

"I'm Chika, Nice to meet you," Chika said eyeing him skeptically.

Kai walked up to the group, looking surprised to see Charmel and Leo together.

"Charmel? What's going on here?" he asked, looking at Leo suspiciously.

Charmel smiled at Kai "Hi, Kai. This is Leo," she said, gesturing towards him. "He's my new friend."

Kai looked sceptical "New friend, huh?" he said, looking at Leo. "Are you sure this guy is not trying to take advantage of you?" Leo looked at Kai uneasily.

Charmel looked at Kai, confused "What do you mean? Leo is just my friend," she said, feeling a little defensive.

Kai looked at Leo, his expression serious "Are you sure you just want to be friends with Charmel? You're not trying to use her or anything?" he asked, glaring at Leo.

Leo looked at him, trying to stay calm "No, of course not," he said firmly. "I'm just here to be a friend, that's all."

Charmel put her head on Chika's chest, hoping for some comfort.

"Chika, Kai is being mean to Leo," she said, looking up at her friend. "He's thinking the worst of him."

Chika looked at Kai, her expression stern "Kai, what's wrong with you?" she asked, sounding irritated.

Kai looked at Chika, then at Charmel, feeling confused and defensive "I'm just trying to keep her safe," he said, trying to justify himself. "I don't trust this guy."

"Leo is a great guy," Charmel said, feeling defensive.

Leo looked uncomfortable, feeling the tension in the room "I don't want any trouble," he said, trying to diffuse the situation. "We can all be friends."

Chika looked at Charmel and Kai, then at Leo "He's right, let's just chill," she said, trying to smooth things over.

Kai looked at them, still skeptical, but he finally relented "Fine," he said reluctantly. "But I'll be watching him."

Charmel and Leo looked at each other, thankful for Chika's intervention.

"Thanks, Chika," Charmel said, feeling grateful.

Leo smiled at her, feeling a little less tense.

Chika looked at Kai, still a bit irritated "Kai, you need to stop being so paranoid and judgmental," she said. "Just because someone is new doesn't mean they're out to get you."

Kai looked at her defensively "I'm just looking out for you guys," he said, trying to justify himself.