CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX: ATHENA

After a brief pause following Austin's confession regarding his dyslexia, Leo broke the silence by asking, "Do any of the teachers know about your dyslexia?"

"Just Miss Anne, I was embarrassed about it so I never told anyone else, but now you guys know," Austin explained, and for the first time since he was hurt by his stepfather, I've seen him vulnerable, so he is human after all, even if he and Leo make me think they aren't.

"Having dyslexia is nothing to be ashamed of, Austin; you just need to work harder than everyone else, and if you need help, you can always ask us; that's what friends are for." I said, my eyes clouded with tears, but I did my best to hold them back because I didn't want him to think I was pitying him.

"Maybe I overreacted a little," Austin admitted, "and I'm sorry for making you guys worry about me."

"Nah bro, Olsen was being a jerk, and you have nothing to be sorry for, so don't apologize again or I will punch you in the face," Leo warned.

"Do you have to be violent all the time, Leo? It's not a good way to win people over." Austin responded, making Leo make good on his threat by punching Austin in the arm and saying, "Shut up, weirdo."

"So, what punishment did Jackass give you guys for coming after me?" Austin asked, a worried expression on his face.

"He gave us detention, but that's nothing we can't handle; since the three of us are having it together, it'll be quite fun making Mr Olsen's short time with us miserable." Austin and I laughed as Leo wiggled his brow.

"After all, he did pick the wrong guy to mess with, so let's make him pay for his wrongdoings," I said, pulling Austin in for a hug, and I felt his grip on me tighten before he pulled away, smiling down at me.

"Thanks for coming after me guys," Austin said before returning his gaze to me. "And thanks for the pep talk."

"Anytime," Leo and I said before the bell rang. We left the gym to get to our next class, but because the teacher wasn't around to teach the French class, Leo and I had a free period and decided to walk Austin to his next class before we went to the library.

Austin wanted to skip class and hang out with us at the library, but I talked him out of it because missing any more classes would result in a poor attendance record for him.

The only available table was at the back of the library, so Leo and I went there to take our seats. I opened my history book and flipped through it, hoping to find something related to the teacher's assignment from a few days ago.

Leo was reading his novel beside me, playing with my hair. For some reason, he enjoyed doing this whenever we were together, no matter where we were.

I took advantage of the opportunity while he was distracted with whatever he was reading to admire him from behind my history book, careful not to be caught staring by him again, and I felt the butterflies in my stomach do backflips; my feelings for him were growing every day, and I didn't think they were going away anytime soon; would asking him on a date ruin our friendship?

I should really stop thinking about things that will never happen. What if he doesn't feel the same way I do, and his emotions are just mixed up because he swore to protect me? I'd rather keep my feelings hidden than face humiliation when he finally realizes he doesn't love me like that.

But before I could turn away, his gaze met mine, and I couldn't take my gaze away from those beautiful emerald green eyes of his, which were so intense and full of secrets I wished he could tell me.

He cleared his throat, jolting me back to reality, and I felt my cheek heat up, wondering why I always have to make a fool of myself whenever he's around.

"Sorry, I was trying to see if the book behind you was useful," I said, trying to use my lie as an excuse to ignore his intense gaze, but I stood up too quickly, tripped on the table leg, and fell rather ungracefully onto his lap, but before I could fall any further, he held on to my waist and steadied me in his lap, now we were so close that if I leaned in a little forward our lips would meet.

"I'm sorry I fell on you, I'm so clumsy." I apologized as I tried to get off his lap, but his grip on my waist tightened, preventing him from moving. His right hand then left my waist and gently caressed my cheeks

"Princessa, what are you doing to me?" Leo murmured under his breath, and his voice was a little deeper than usual, which made my heart race and sent shivers up and down my spine.

His gaze never left mine while he was also watching my every move, and then a piece of hair fell out of my ponytail on my face, and he tucked it behind my ear with the hand he was using to caress my cheek.

"What are you doing to me, Princessa?" He repeated quietly, as if he were asking himself the question rather than me.

"I don't know, you make me feel so nervous when I'm around you that I manage to make a fool of myself every time," I mumbled quietly looking into his eyes, then my gaze went to his lips, which he obviously caught me staring at because he started moving closer and closer until his mint breathe on my skin was all I could feel, I immediately closed my eyes hoping no wishing he would do what I was thinking, then a few seconds later his lips met mine

His kiss was gentle and demanding at the same time; I felt his tongue brush against my lower lip seeking entrance, I moaned against his lips, parting my lips open from pleasure, and I felt him smirking against my lips as his tongue brushed over my upper lip. As he deepened the kiss, he placed his other hand on my neck, pulling me closer.

I slowly pulled away to catch my breath a few minutes later, his hands still on my cheek and neck, I smiled to myself and looked up at him to see him with a smirk, I blushed fiercely and looked down at my lap, before I felt him tuck a strand of hair behind my ear.

His hand went to my chin, gently tilting my head up to look into my eyes, and he stared at my lips, which were slightly red and swollen from the kiss.

"My beautiful Angelo," he whispered as he looked into my eyes, which made me smile before he leaned in, placing one last quick peck on my lips before letting me go.

I rose from his lap and returned to my chair, blushing because he was still staring at me with a huge grin. After the adrenaline wore off, my brain registered what had just happened: I had just kissed Leo, and I fucking loved it and would do it again.

I didn't know what else to do, so I sat there like an idiot, blushing if I may add, "You're so ficking cute, you look like a deer in headlights." Leo said as he took my hands in his, "It's okay princessa, just breathe for me, in and out,"

I followed his instructions, letting go of the breath I hadn't realized I was holding in, and after a while I calmed down before the lunch bell rang.

"I'm sorry," I said, feeling stupid for freaking out.

"It's okay, but I'm glad my kiss could leave you speechless," Leo joked, making me punch him in the arm.

"Don't tease me" I whined

"I'm sorry, but I can't help myself; the reactions you make when you're nervous are really cute." Leo explained, and I was certain I was as red as a tomato at this point.

"Leave me alone," I groaned as I went on to pack my books in my bags while Leo was resting on the bookcase, waiting for me to finish so we could both leave the library together and head to the cafeteria.

As we walked out of the library, I felt his hands slip into mine, and I felt butterflies in my stomach. What does that kiss now mean to us? On our way to lunch, that was all I could think about.

Austin met us at the cafeteria entrance, and memories of what happened the last time flashed through my mind as we stopped in front of the cafeteria doors. Leo noticed my hesitation and grabbed my hands, giving me some courage.

As we entered the cafeteria, all eyes were on us. I hated being the center of attention, so I walked behind Leo and Austin, still holding Leo's hand for support.

We took our seats at the table closest to the door after picking up our lunch. Diana and her friends came up to our table as Austin was telling us about some movie he loved.

We didn't even bother looking in their direction because they really weren't worth it; she cleared her throat in an attempt to get our attention, but we ignored her, and then when she didn't get the attention she wanted she pulled hard on my ponytail making me almost fall backwards.

"Why the fuck did you do that, Diana?" Leo growled at her, and after regaining my balance, I went to put my hands in his, hoping to calm him down. Thankfully, it helped, but he still looked like he wanted to rip her head off, and I don't blame him; she was really fucking annoying.

"Finally, I have your attention, so Leo, I've been meaning to ask, would you like to be my date to the Senior bash? It'll be really fun going with me" Diana said, leaning against the table with her cleavage on display. I swear sometimes I think she doesn't realize how desperate she acts for attention.

"Not interested, I already have a date," Leo said without hesitation, which made me wonder who he was referring to.

"Who would that be? I'm hoping it's not this freak." Diana investigated as she turned to glare at me.

"No she is not a freak and yes she will be my date, so please fuck off, your presence is starting to irritate me" Leo said causing Diana to blush in humiliation,

"No guy ever says no to me, how can you pick this freak over me?" Diana screeched, making her look really unhinged.

"Diana, please fuck off while we're still nice because touching her in the first place was a huge mistake, so walk away." Austin said his angry gaze was fixed on Diana, who looked really pissed off.

"You're going to pay for this freak," she said as she and her friends walked away.

"That girl needs a reality check; she thinks the world revolves around her," Austin said, his tone irritated.

To me she is just pathetic, but I couldn't tell her that because she would tell Dylan and his friends, giving them an excuse to hurt me.

After the drama with Diana was over, we returned to our meal and continued talking about the movie; along the line, I caught Leo smiling at our intertwined hands under the table, so I couldn't help but smile as well; I was madly in love with him, but I didn't want to get hurt if i acted on my feelings.

My thoughts returned to what he said to Diana. I wondered if he really wanted me to be his date or if he just said that to get her to leave.

The bell jolted me out of my inner conflict, and the three of us went to empty our trays into the cleaning bin before walking out of the cafeteria while everyone was watching us and headed to our next class.

I was walking in by Leo's side as we walked down the hallway, Austin was playing with my phone again while I was lost in thought, but then I felt Leo's hands snake around my waist from behind, drawing me back so my back was pressed against his front.

"Austin, keep seats for us, we'll be right in," Leo yelled to Austin, who turned back to smile at our current position, I'm sure he already figured out what happened between us.

"Okiedokie, but don't do what I wouldn't do," Austin yelled back, wiggling his eyebrows at us.

"Shut up and walk away, idiot," Leo yelled, as Austin bowed and walked away.

When it was just the two of us in the hallway, his lips brushed against my neck, and I had to stop myself from reacting. "Would you like to be my date to the senior bash?" he asked quietly.

I gulp and turn around, his hands still around my waist; I couldn't form a coherent sentence with the way he was looking at me right now, so I simply nodded, answering his question. He simply smiled and kissed my cheek before pulling away, holding my hand as we walked together to the next class. I couldn't contain my excitement because Leo, the guy I was in love with, asked me out on a date, which made me think, 'Maybe this was my time to be happy.'