CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR

CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR: ATHENA

The last few weeks have been eventful, Leo and I started dating, I went to my first party but ended up being thrown into a pond, I almost died, Austin's mother woke up, and I finally stood up to Diana for the first time even if there would be consequences, it felt so damn good, I won't let them treat me like trash any longer, I've had enough.

I was getting ready for school, so after getting out of the shower, I changed into a blue off-the-shoulder blouse, black leggings, and my black Converse.

When I was satisfied with my appearance, I left my room and headed to the kitchen.

Stephen was sitting in one of the dining chairs, while Sophia was cooking breakfast in front of the stove, giggling at something he said.

"Hey guys," I murmured as I took a seat next to Stephen, who was eating an apple. How ironic.

"How are you, Athena? It's been a while," Stephen said, smiling.

"Good and you?"

"I'm doing well, how is school?"

"Good, I guess. How is work?"

"Good, I guess," Stephen said, repeating my answer while smiling.

"touché," I said with a smile.

"Good morning, honey. You should eat something before Leo arrives. "You're already late," Sophia said, placing a plate of French toast, eggs, and two pieces of bacon in front of me before taking a seat next to Stephen after serving him and herself.

I ate as quickly as I could, and when I was finished, I put my plate in the dishwasher before going into the living room to pack my books for today.

Then I got a text from Leo a few minutes later saying he was already downstairs waiting for me.

"Bye guys, Leo is already downstairs. Have a nice day at work, both of you," I said, walking towards the front,

"Bye Athena," they said together, waving at me as I went out the door.

When I walked outside the building, Austin was standing in front of the truck, smiling, and I ran to him, wrapping my arms around him and pulling him in an embrace.

"Leo wasn't kidding when he said you missed me," he said, wrapping his arms around me and kissing my head.

"How is your mother doing?" I asked "I'm glad she's awake,".

"Because she just woke you up yesterday, the doctors said they'd have to keep you longer for observation," Austin explained, a wide smile on his face, I'm so happy to see him back to his old self again.

"I'm so glad she's okay and you're back; school wasn't the same without you, and I really missed you."

"I missed you, too, Red."

"What am I, chopped liver? Don't I get a hug as well?" Leo said as he approached us, wrapping my arms around him and kissing my temple.

"You know I love you," I said as I kissed his cheek.

"Come on love birds, we're going to be late, I'm not in the mood for Hunter's nagging this morning," Austin grumbled as the three of us climbed into the car.

"No school for Shane today?." I asked

"No, they had a one-day break today, so he stayed at home," Leo replied.

"Lucky kid, what I wouldn't give for a day off?"

"Red, a little bird told me, you had a very interesting time at the bash, you stood up to that bitch Diana, I'm so proud, my little red is growing up," Austin said, wiping a fake tear from his cheek and laughed.

"You're so weird. Yes, Austin, I did, the old me wouldn't even try doing those things, you guys are a bad influence on me," I laughed.

"You love us anyway," Leo said,

"That's not a lie." I grinned at my boyfriend and best friend. How did I get so lucky? To have people like them on my side.

We pulled into the school parking lot, and when we got out, Austin stole my phone while I was checking the time and ran, so I chased him all the way to the main school door, hoping to catch him.

"You guys act like five years old sometimes," Leo said, laughing at us, and we both turned and stuck our tongues out at him.

"And you act like an old man, I wonder what my little Red sees in you when she has all of this," Austin said, rubbing his hands over his body, and I laughed so hard that Leo smacked him across the head laughing also.

When we walked into the classroom, all eyes fell on us until I noticed the boys had returned and their angry stares were fixed on me. I felt Leo's hand slip around mine, leading me towards our seat, and Austin followed behind us, flipping off the guys.

"Mr Smith, Miss Marcos, and Mr Kendall, explain why you are thirty minutes late." Mr. Hunter inquired.

"Not really," Austin scoffs.

"Mr Kendall, you've been absent for a few weeks; if you want to graduate, you need to make up for all of the classes you've missed." Austin glared at Mr Hunter as he spoke condescendingly to him.

"Mr. Hunter," I know you don't care about me, so quit acting like you do." Austin snarled, earning a glare from Mr Hunter.

"Don't use that tone with me; we all know you're failing, and I'm only trying to help." Mr Hunter stated, and I turned to find Diana smirking; I lifted my brow at her, and the smile was erased from her face; good she should be afraid, because I won't hesitate to put her in her place again.

"Mr. Hunter, I kept quiet because I'm confident Austin can handle himself, but I won't stand by and watch you belittle him any longer so watch what you say next" Leo said as he took a step towards Mr Hunter, who backed away as a result of Leo's intimidating gaze.

"Y..ou g..guys have no re..spect," Mr Hunter stammered as he moved his gaze between the three of us.

"I think the one who lacks respect is you, Mr Hunter, you treat us as if we're nothing because of our failures while you treat the kids whose parents are wealthy as if they're a God-given gift on earth, it's pathetic really that you'll be nothing more than a hypocritical high-school teacher," I said, and his face immediately turned a bright red.

"How dare-"

"Shhh, I'm not done talking, if you really cared, you'd know Austin's mother was in the hospital, which is why he was absent from school," I continued.

"That doesn't–"

"You're talking about how Austin is failing but you didn't bother to check his grades, Austin's maintaining a B+ average now and will graduate because the principal gave him some extra credit work to complete so he can catch up, that's someone who gives a fuck about him unlike you," Leo explained, and Mr Hunter was speechless and embarrassed.

"So, Mr Hunter, I really don't care what you or these idiots think, so you can either continue with the announcement or leave, but stay out of my business," Austin remarked flatly. Before Mr Hunter could respond, the bell rang, and Austin left the class.

I was picking up his bag to follow him and Leo when I felt someone put their hands around mine.

When I turned around and saw Dylan, my heart started beating faster. "Hey, little mouse, you didn't even come over to say hi, didn't you miss us?" Dylan asked and I was frozen on that spot, I couldn't move, I couldn't talk, I just stood there staring at him."

"Let her go Dylan," Leo said, pulling me away from him,

"Can't we say hello to a friend?"

"You are not friends, Dylan, walk away or we will have a problem," Leo warned as I held on to him as if my life depended on it, trying to keep my breathing steady before I gave myself a heart attack.

"Okay, okay, I see I'm not wanted here, see you later little mouse when your guard dog isn't present," Dylan said, winking at me before walking away to join James and Tom, who were watching me with a smirk on their faces. When they were gone, I sagged against Leo, sighing.

"They won't hurt you, I promise," Leo whispered, kissing my head and tightening his arms around me. It took a few moments for me to get my bearings before we went looking for Austin, who we found again under the bleachers.

"You look like you've seen a ghost," Austin said,

"Dylan and his friends are back, and he got handsy with her, so she got spooked," Leo answered.

"Are you good, Red?" Austin asked, his worried gaze focused on me.

"Better than before, thanks for asking," I replied.

"That's good; they won't touch you as long as we're here."

"Thanks, guys."

"Let's get to class before the coach notices us sneaking around the gym," Leo said as we exited the gym, I handed Austin his backpack, and we went to our next class.

After lunch, the basketball coach informed the teachers that the basketball team would be unavailable for the rest of the day due to an upcoming game, so I had to wait in the car for Leo because he was my ride home; Austin had to leave early because he wanted to see his mother; he offered to stay with me, but I told him his mother was more important.

By 4:00pm, the guys were released, and I left the library to wait for Leo at the truck. I was walking past the history class when I was pulled in, then the door shut behind me, and all the blood drained from my face as I stared at the person standing in the room with me, Dylan.

"Hello, little mouse, I've really missed you these last two weeks, did you miss me?"