Since it was only a shadow server, Bella had thought it was easy practice—though the real server would demand more time and effort. She typed out a few more lines of code, biting her lip as the hydra began to coil into place on the screen.
"Bella?"
Her whole body stiffened. Her eyes widened in panic as she snapped her head up and there he was.
Leonardo.
He was standing right behind her, his tall frame was outlined by the warm light of the room. Heart hammering, she fumbled to close the browser tab before snapping the laptop shut.
"W-when did you come back?" she stammered, her wide eyes fixed on him. "And why don't you ever make a sound when you walk?!" Her voice rose an octave, too high, too defensive.
