CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN

CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN: LEO

The semester was finally over, and I couldn't wait for the holidays, so I could spend time with Athena and the guys at her uncle's ski resort in Mount Everett, where we will be having the time of our lives.

But I think her uncle had ulterior motives when he invited us to spend the holiday there because Athena told us he wanted to meet with Austin, Shane, and me to find out who she has been hanging out with. I don't blame him; Athena was wonderfully kind and easy to take advantage of; she sees the good in everyone even if there isn't.

The year wasn't perfect, but it provided me with the opportunity to meet Athena,  Sophia, and Austin, the most important people in my life after Shane.

They have made my life more enjoyable than it was when we lived in New York. Shane is always cheerful when they are around, which makes me glad because he was a totally different kid when my parents were still alive, sad, and closed off from everyone but me.

With Athena and his overprotective elder brother Austin by his side, no one tried to make fun of him, and I didn't have to worry about how he was while I wasn't there since they would be there for him and give him whatever he needed.

So, in general, I was grateful for meeting them because I would not have met a brother, a gorgeous and loving girlfriend, or an overprotective aunt if we had stayed in New York.

Apart from the issue with Dylan, that motherfucker, nothing else has been bothering me, maybe except for that bizarre text I received a few days ago.

It could have been a prank because I haven't received another one since then, which scared me, so I was hoping it was just a prank because it was so strange.

I made sure no one knew where we were going once I left that life in New York, so it couldn't be someone from my past.

It was the last day of school and we had the final school basketball game tomorrow night, which was very important because a lot of scouts were coming; if I played well and we won, college was in the bag, and I wouldn't have to worry about paying my tuition and Shane's school fees if I had a basketball scholarship.

So a lot was riding on this game for me, and I'd been practicing with the team and Austin for days, so fingers crossed.

I was on my way to pick up Athena, while Austin said he'd meet us at school because he'd been busy moving his mother to their new flat after selling their previous one. I knew the threat to their lives was long gone, but it was better to be cautious than sorry, so I suggested they rent a new flat and sell their house, which Austin agreed with.

As I stopped in front of Athena's flat, she came rushing out with half a doughnut in her mouth after I texted her that I was downstairs waiting; she was so fucking adorable when she looked like a mess, my adorable little mess.

"Hey princessa," I replied, giving her a tiny smile, which she returned; with Austin's and my help, she was gradually getting over the trauma with Dylan; thankfully, she wasn't too traumatized by the event, or at least she doesn't act like she is, but one step at a time.

I still wanted to kill that jerk every time I remembered that day, but Athena always talked me out of it; she was too nice for her own good; people like Dylan never learn and need to be taught a lesson.

Austin and I haven't let her leave our side since that day because that motherfucker couldn't be trusted; it was as if he had a weird obsession in making her life miserable.

When I wasn't with her, Austin was there to guard her, and that's how we got through exam week, keeping Athena safe from Dylan and his thugs.

"Hello, Leo," she said, smiling broadly as she stepped into the car, before leaning in and kissing my cheek.

"Austin is going to meet us at school, his mum just got released yesterday so he is just making sure she is settled in the new apartment they got after selling their old house," I explained while I drove towards the school and she nodded

"What about Shane? Isn't he supposed to be at school today?" Athena asked after finishing her chocolate doughnut,

"No, the school gave them a week off so they could study for their upcoming exams," I answered as I drove inside the school building and parked the vehicle in the parking area. We both climbed out, and I pulled Athena in for a quick kiss, she smiled and asked, "What was that for?"

"Just because I wanted to," I explained as I pulled back and took her hand in mine as we walked towards the school building.

We were ready to enter the school building when we heard a familiar voice call out to us; we turned around to see Austin approaching us, waving and smiling like a crazy  person.

"Hey guys,Leo, my mum says hi and Athena would love to meet you, maybe you and Sophia can come at the end of the week?," Austin said as we walked into the school building together.

"I'd love to meet your mother; maybe after the basketball game I'll ask Sophia when she'll be available," Athena replied, smiling, which he returned before grabbing her phone and running away.

He has his own, but he enjoys aggravating her by stealing hers, and she always falls for it. I laughed as I watched her chase him trying to get her phone back.

"Austin, stop acting like a child and give her her phone back," I replied, laughing at Athena's lovely pout; she always makes me smile even when she doesn't do anything. She is a bundle of adorableness.

We walked into the homeroom and took our usual seats, Dylan and his friends were glaring at us, especially Athena, for the past few weeks they have stayed out of our radar for two reasons.

First, because scouts from major league teams were going to be present for the upcoming game, which was scheduled for tomorrow night, and coach said if anyone got in trouble within the last few days, he would be benched, and second, because Austin keeps saying he will break every bone in their bodies if they even look at her.

Mr. Hunter stepped into class and made the usual announcements; he didn't pick on our group this time, and I doubt he would ever pick on us again after our previous encounter.

He left class after the announcement, leaving us alone; since we had finished our exams, we didn't do much that day, so the coach decided that we should all come to the gym for practice.

Austin stayed with Athena until I finished practicing, and then we all left school together in my truck. For safety reasons, I dropped Austin off a few blocks away from his apartment, waving him off as I watched him walk home.

After we left Austin's apartment, I proceeded to drop off Athena at home, and before she got out of the car, I pulled her in for another kiss. This one lasted longer than the other because I like the feel of her lips on mine.

"Goodnight Princessa," I said against her ear as I pulled away.

"Goodnight Leo, see you tomorrow," she said, her cheeks slightly flushed; I kiss her all the time, but she still blushes every time, it's so cute.

I drove home, packing the car in its normal spot by the sidewalk. I texted Shane to let him know I was on my way up before taking the elevator to the second level; when I arrived, he opened the door for me with a smile on his face.

"Hey Leo, how was school?" Shane signed, and when I stepped in, he pulled me into a hug.

"Cool, we just practiced today, what did you do today?''

"I played COD on my Nintendo, talked with Summer, read a little, and ordered pizza a few minutes ago."

"Has it arrived yet?" I ask.

"No, he said a few minutes before he got here,"

"All right, then, let me go take a shower before he arrives so we can have dinner together."

"Okie dokie" Shane signed before returning to his game.

I left him in the living area and went to my room to shower and change into some clean clothing. While waiting for the delivery man, I sat on my bed to check my phone and discovered a text from an unknown number.

My heart skipped a beat as I realized the number was the same as the previous time, but this time the person simply texted one sentence.

"My prized trophy, we'll be meeting very soon."

That was all the text said, leaving me wondering who he was and what he meant by "prized trophy." I was sitting on my bed, lost in thought, when Shane strolled in and tapped me on the arm, jolting me out of it.

"Are you okay?" Shane signed, a troubled expression on his face.

"I'm fine, little man, just thinking about tomorrow's game," I responded, smiling, hoping he believed me. I didn't want him to worry about this.

"Oh okay, I can't wait to see you play, it's been a while," Shane said, smiling back.

"Me, too, Shane."

"I came to tell you that the pizza is ready for you to eat right now." Shane signed as he pulled on my arm to drag me out of my room,

"Okay, okay, slow down, I'm coming" I grinned as we both took our places at the table, and we dug into the pizza while talking about our day.

After dinner, we watched some Criminal Minds episodes before I went to put Shane to bed. After one last look at the unusual text, I headed to bed, wondering who this mysterious person might be as I slept off.

Game night…….

I couldn't believe he was so self-centered during the game that he refused to pass the ball, costing us the game.

He completely ruined everything. I won't be able to acquire the scholarship this year, and next year, I will be too busy with graduation and other activities for me to participate in basketball games.

I walked into the locker room to get my possessions because I just wanted to go home and drown myself in a tub of chocolate chip ice cream, but when I looked through my bag for my phone, it wasn't there. I swear I had it in my gym bag before the game.

I checked my locker also, but it wasn't there. Then I heard the door open, and a very familiar voice said, "Long time no see Leo,"

I turned around and looked into the eyes of the man who had murdered my best friend and brother Ripper.

"What the fuck are you doing here Mikey? How did you find me?" I asked, as the blood drained from my cheeks, the man I'd been running from was now standing in front of me,

"Your basketball teammates were extremely helpful in helping me locate you, but they wanted your new girlfriend in return, so we made a deal; I wonder what that pretty girl did to pissed them off?" Mikey explained, with a big grin on his face, that those motherfuckers have no idea what they've just done.

"She has nothing to do with this; where have they taken her? Mikey, if they hurt her, I'll kill you!" I yelled, anxiously hunting for my phone so I could contact Austin, so he could go look for Athena before it was too late.

"You won't find our phone in there if that's what you're looking for, boy." Mikey said, "Those boys used it to lure your little girlfriend to the roof,"

"Mikey, you don't want to mess with me when she's involved; if they hurt her, I'll find you and kill you, I swear!"

"Awn, I was wondering if you would consider returning with me to the void so that everything can return to normal."

"That will never happen, Mikey, so fuck off"

"Well, I tried everything I could to persuade you, but you're not going to change your mind, no hard feelings right?" Mikey said, removing a revolver from his suit pocket and pointing at me.

"Mikey, you don't want to do this?" I begged as I tried to move from his line of sight.

"I don't leave loose ends and you Leo are a loose end, it was nice knowing you boy," Mikey stated before pulling the trigger as I collapsed to the ground.

"Bye kid," Mikey muttered as he walked out the door, leaving me bleeding in the locker room.

I struggled to stay awake, but I was losing too much blood; was this it? Was this how I was destined to die?