CHAPTER FOURTEEN: LEO

Shane and I walked into Rudy's Diner for lunch, I hoped my Principessa was walking today, I couldn't stop thinking about her, she looked cute whenever she blushed, I remember the day she ran into me, she looked so fucking adorable, then she walked into a door, I couldn't stop laughing, I knew it wasn't cool but I couldn't stop myself.

I could see my Principessa approaching to take our order from afar and a smile formed on my face. Shane noticed my smile and turned around to see what I was looking at. When he saw Athena, he started making kissing faces. I kicked his leg under the table, and when he tried to retaliate, Athena had already arrived at our table.

"Hi Athena "i greeted and she looked at me in shock

"You know my name", she asked, fuck she looked adorable with that confused expression on her face.

"Yes I know your name, we go to the same school, and we sit together in every class we have together since I arrived at Riverview," i said casually watching her reaction carefully.

"But why did you call me Principessa the last time we met?"

"Because you like the princess from Brave," he explained.

"Oh, hmm, okay, what would you like to eat, Leo and little Leo?" She asked and Shane smiled

"My name is Shane not little Leo" Shane signed and Athena smiled at him

"I kinda guessed little Leo will be kinda weird on your birth certificate,it's nice to meet you Shane" she said with a small smile, she has a nice smile I thought to myself.

"Nice to meet you, Athena," Shane said with a big grin on his face.

"We'd like two hamburgers and two large milkshakes," I said as I placed the menu on the table.

"Coming right up," she said as she walked into the kitchen to give the cook our orders. After our meal was ready in 20 minutes, she came over to serve us before returning to the other customers.

When we were done eating she walked up to our table, the plan was going well, I told Shane to ask her if she can go to the park with us, even if I don't know any park around here, we hoped she would know, so Shane slide a piece of paper towards her,

"Would you like to go to the park with us" written on it" She smiled looking at me, like she was asking for permission, I shrugged and she turned to give Shane an answer.

"You're in luck, buddy, because I just finished my shift, so I'd love to go to the park with you, Shane. Please wait outside while I finish up here"

We left the diner and made our way to the truck to wait for her. I was so fucking hapoy when she said yes because it meant I'd get a chance to know her better. Shane just made fun of me while we were waiting because he knew I liked Athena.

"How do you feel about Athena, Shane? Do you like her?"

"She seems cool, but I don't know her very well, but I believe she is a good person and it's cool that she knows sign language."

I was so happy Shane was interested in getting to know Athena because I believe my feelings for her are more than just a crush, and I don't fall for anyone that easily, so it both excites and scares me. She smiled and approached us a few minutes after she emerged from the dinner.

"Hello guys, so what park are we off to?" She asked

"We actually don't know any park around here since we just moved here, Shane and I just wanted to hang out with you, so we used the park as an excuse" i said, ruffling Shane's hair as we stared at her.

"Riverview park is just a few blocks away, let's start going if we want to get there on time" she offered pulling us along as we walked in the direction of Riverview park

"You know I haven't seen Shane get attached to anyone this quickly, you must be a special girl to get my brother to like you," I said as I leaned in and whispered into her ear, even though it was dark, I could see her cheeks turn a dark shade of red, she is so fucking cute and innocent.

"Kids just love me and I love them, I would pick a kid over an adult any day," she said, and I couldn't stop admiring her beauty, she was not only beautiful but also intelligent.

"Before I forget, thank you for repairing my book; where did you learn to do that?" I asked as we had arrived at the park, Shane left us and ran towards some kids playing ball, and Athena and I sat on one of the park's benches.

"I had a part-time job at the local library, so I picked up some things from the librarian who works there," she replied.

"Well, thanks anyway, you still fixed it even if it was that wanker who destroyed it," I said, as I felt my blood boil, I really despised his guts.

"Dylan is a jerk; you should avoid him; his friends kinda own the school, so they do whatever they want and no one says anything; it's not fair, but life isn't fair, so I've come to accept it." She said, tugging on her hood's sleeve which meant she was nervous or uncomfortable, I wonder why?.

"It sounds like you've been on the receiving end of their idiotic behavior," I asked, facing her, but I didn't get a response. She just shrugged and went to join Shane on the playground.

We played for a while before heading back to Rudy's to get our truck; Shane had fallen asleep, so I had to carry him on my back, but Athena assisted me in carrying my bag, making it easier to carry Shane.

"Thank you for hanging out with Shane and I today, he rarely warms up to people, but you are different," I said with a smile. "People walk on eggshells around him because he is mute, but you haven't even asked me about it. So, where did you learn to sign? "

"It's none of my business; if you wanted to tell me, you would have; I learned sign language because I thought it was cool; it was fun using it again with Shane; I know I sound corny."

"No, it's nice you feel that way, Principessa," I said, which earned me one of her beautiful smiles.

"Thank you guys for inviting me, tell Shane I had fun and I will go to the park with him any time he wants, this is my stop, goodbye Leo," she said, giving me a quick hug before walking towards her building.

"Bye, Principessa, see you on Monday," I yelled as I watched her enter her building.

Then I walked towards where we had packed the truck, I put Shane in the back seat and got in the car to drive us home.

When we got home, I put Shane to bed before going to my room. I had some homework to finish before Monday, so I did that. I finished by six o'clock and started preparing dinner.

Shane awoke around seven o'clock, and I served our dinner and told him what Athena had said to me, "She said she would love to go to the park with you whenever you want."

"That's very nice of her; she's not like most girls."

"I know she isn't, which is why I like her and hope you do as well."

"I already do, so you have my approval."

"Thank you, kiddo."

"No problem," he said, and we ate the rest of our dinner in silence after I helped him with his assignment and the stupid letter he was supposed to write.

After that, we watched some episodes of One Piece. I got a call from Rusty saying the shop would be closed so I didn't have to come in, which meant I could spend time with Shane and stock the fridge tomorrow Sunday. During the weekend, all I could think about was Athena, so I couldn't wait to see her on Monday.