When I Look At You

Mia's POV

I looked through the racks of clothes, grimacing when I saw some of the things considered fashionable.

"Your face is priceless." I heard a voice say from behind me.

I turned quickly and saw a familiar face.

Jimmy's girlfriend.

I racked my brain trying to remember her name but it wasn't coming to me.

She had been really nice to me too.

"Hey Mia. It's Leana." She reminded me, giving me a hug.

I laughed, totally embarrassed.

"I'm so sorry. I recognized you but I just couldn't remember your name. I can memorize a list of people on bond but not yours. I'm sorry." I told her.

She grinned widely and gave me another hug.

"Honey I met you almost a week ago. You met a lot of people so it's understandable. Honestly, if Jimmy hadn't been yapping about you the last couple days I wouldn't have remembered either." She laughed.

I chuckled.

"Wait, Jimmy's been talking about me? Is that good or bad?" I asked her nervously.

"Very, very good. He loves you already. That guy has so much love to give and he gives it so freely. He also happens to be an extremely good judge of character. If you've won him over, the rest will be a piece of cake." She grinned.

I sighed in relief and couldn't help but laugh.

"Is it stupid that I want you guys to like me so much?" I asked her.

"No. Definitely not. You care about Matt. And that's obvious to me. And to everyone else. You want to get along with the people that mean something to him. And I totally relate to that." She told me.

I nodded and smiled at her.

"Thank you. I really needed to hear that. More than I thought." I admitted.

"No problem. As selfish as it may sound, I want you to like us too cause you seem really cool." She said.

I grinned widely and wanted to jump for joy that I had made another friend.

Especially someone as awesome as Leana.

She stuck around with me and helped me look for some clothes.

She had really good taste so I got some pretty awesome stuff that I wouldn't have had the patience to find.

"So, uh, can I ask you something?" I asked her cautiously.

"Go ahead. I'm an open book." She said.

She led me over to the food court and after ordering some food, we sat down and I took in a deep breath.

"What's the deal with Matt's ex? Val?" I asked her.

She looked a little shocked.

"Did Matt tell you about her?" She asked me.

"No, Michelle did." I said.

Her eyes widened.

"Does Matt know she told you?" She asked.

"No I haven't told him yet." I said.

She looked a little nervous.

"Mia, I'm not sure if its my place. I'm positive Matt will want to be the one to tell you that stuff." Leana said.

"Please. I don't want to be blind sided. And I appreciate that Michelle told me when she did. I know me and Matt haven't been together that long, but I care about him. And this sounds like something serious." I said.

"It was, is, serious. Val and Matt were together for years. They met in junior high and were attached at the hip ever since. He proposed and she accepted. They were planning the wedding and Matt caught a rumor that was going around. That Val was cheating on him." Leana said.

I already didn't like where this was going and I'd already heard it from Michelle.

"He didn't believe it. Denied it to anyone who said it. Val wouldn't do that to him. She loved him. Or so he thought. He came home and found her in bed with an old friend of hers. Then she told him that it was just sex. That Matt was too busy for her and she needed attention. That the sex didn't mean anything, it was just that. Sex." She told me.

My eyes widened.

How anyone coukd have the nerve tig justify their actions after they'd hurt someone they're supposed to love is beyond me. And I don't understand it at all.

"Needless to say, he broke off the engagement. Broke off all connections to her. She started calling him nonstop. Sending him nasty messages and emails. He had to change his number a few times. She just wouldn't leave him alone. And it made it hard because Michelle was always around, and that's her sister. So Matt was in a tough spot." Leana said.

"Well, what happened?" I asked.

"She's been sabotaging any and all of Matt's future relationships. She wants him. And she's made it very clear, that if she can't have him, no one will. I really don't know what else to say. Matts probably trying to protect you from all of this shit. Its definitely a lot to tell a woman you've just started dating." Leana said.

I stayed wquiet and thought over everything she'd just told me.

That is a lot.

And I feel so bad that Matt had to go through all of that when he is such a great man.

"You're not gonna go running for the hills are you? Oh God I would feel like such a piece of shit for doing that to Matt. Please forget everything I just said. I'm sorry I shouldn't have opened my big mouth." Leana rambled on.

I reached across the table and squeezed her hand tightly.

"Leana, its okay. Really. I'm not gonna go running for the hills. Promise." I said, crossing my heart.

She laughed and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Oh thank you whoever is up there! You just saved my ass!" She exclaimed.

I couldn't help but laugh.

Her and Jimmy really are perfect for each other.

It was a couple of minutes before either of us spoke again.

"You're gonna tell Matt you know, aren't you?" She asked me.

"Yeah. I am. If we're going to be together, we're gonna have to work through this. I'm not letting this chick chase me off. She had her chance and she blew it. It's selfish of her to think that Matt shouldn't be happy because he doesn't want her anymore." I said firmly.

"You're good for him. And don't let anyone tell you otherwise." Leana said.

And I smiled at her words.

Having her support means a lot.

From everything I've heard, I'm most definitely gonna need it.