CHAPTER EIGHT: LEO

Mr. Olsen, the English teacher, assigned us a poem as an assignment that we were to present in front of the class. I didn't like giving presentations; it wasn't that I was afraid of being on stage; I just don't like talking in front of people. Mr Olsen listened as everyone took turns reciting their poem aloud, Dylan and his friends didn't bother doing the assignment, I never liked guys like them because they think because they are rich, they can do whatever they want, it pisses me off.

Athena and I were the last to present, so she took the stage first. She stood up and walked to the front of the class, holding her poem. I noticed that her gaze never left the ground as she began reading her poem to the class.

I just stared at her when she was finished because I knew that poem meant a lot to her because I could see it in her eyes. She looked up and around the classroom, observing her classmates' expressions. Then that idiot fucker had to open his mouth and ruin her moment.

"Way to make everyone depressed with your sad shitty poem, nerd, do us a favor and take your seat, no one wants to hear your depressing poem," he said laughing with his friends at the back of the class, and she hurried back to her seat, trying to hide her embarrassment; she almost tripped on her way to her seat, but I steadied her with my hands and offered her a small smile to calm her nerves. Her poem was beautiful, without a doubt, and it meant something to her, unlike the others, so she doesn't need to be embarrassed about anything.

I stood up and walked to the front of the class as she took her seat, pulling a piece of paper from my pocket and starting to read.

"You once promised me infinity, you once promised me for eternity, you were meant to protect me, but all you gave me was pain, torture, troubles and worries, I'm happy you are gone but sometimes it hurts to think about the go old days, I hope you are somewhere better, than were I'm now, I hope you remember, when you think about the good old days".

I looked around the class, some girls looked like they wanted to cry, while others stared at me like I was some new toy on the shelf, that fucker and his friends were laughing as usual, but my eyes were focused on Athena, and she was staring at me with so much emotion in her eyes, I don't think she realizes her eyes are very expressive.

Mr Olsen praised everyone who finished the assignment and those who did not receive a reprimand from him. He continued teaching until he noticed someone staring at me.

"Miss Marco, when you're finished staring at Mr Smith, would you be so kind as to answer the question?" Mr Olsen asked, tapping on his table with his fingers. I watched her from the corner of my eye, she was blushing at being caught, and she stood up to ask Mr Olsen to repeat the question.

"I taught, so Miss Marco, pay attention next time and give me three different types of poems, you know," Mr Olsen said impatiently. "Sonnet, haiku, and ballad," she replied, tugging on the edge of her sleeve, something I noticed she did a lot, especially when she was nervous, she didn't like being the center of attention.

"Correct Miss Marco, you can take your seat and please refrain from staring at Mr Smith for the remainder of the class, now let's go back to what sonnet means," Mr Olsen said as he continued his teaching.

Mr. Olsen ended class, but I stayed and watched the rain fall through the window. I enjoyed watching the rain. There was something soothing about watching a drop of rain hit the ground. I turned to see Athena running out of class. She was clearly embarrassed, but I liked it. She was adorable when she was flustered.

"Is everything okay? Mr Smith," my English teacher, Mr Olsen, asked. I forced my gaze away from the window and forced myself to take in my surroundings; everyone had already left, leaving Mr Olsen and me alone in class.

"Everything is fine, sir," I replied as I walked out of class, picking up my bag. I was deep in thought when someone walked into me; I looked down and saw Athena on the floor.

"I'm so sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going." She stated that her cheeks were slightly flushed.

"Are you okay? That was a nasty fall, Principessa "I stretched my hands out to help her up, but when she got to her feet, she was still flustered and staring at me. "I know I'm handsome, but isn't staring considered rude, not that I'm complaining, having a beautiful girl stare is every guy's dream," I said softly, causing her to blush.

"Sorry, I'm not always like this," she apologized, her taze averted from mine.

"I see, but it's kinda cute seeing you all flustered," I commented, teasing her because her reactions are so amusing.

"I'm sorry for bumping into you again, but I have to go," she apologized once more before leaving, fuck she was so cute.

"Bye, Principessa, see you later," I said as I watched her small form run away, she wasn't looking where she was going again, which caused her to run into a door, I laughed quietly, I know it was rude of me to laugh but I couldn't help myself, she then turned and caught me laughing, which caused her to run down the hallway like her life depended on it.

I watched my cute waitress leave and went to my locker where Diana and her friends were waiting for me talking rather loudly, if I may say so. This girl needs to fuck off, for the love of all that is sane.

"How was class, Leo?" She asked, wrapping her arms around my arm, pressing her body against mine.

"Diana, please let go of my hand, I'm not interested in you, not even a little, so give up," I groaned, hoping she got the message, but ladies and gentlemen, Diana battered her eyelashes at me

"You shouldn't play hard to get, no guy can ever say no to me Leo," she whispered, drawing me closer so her boobs were pressed against my arm.

"Leave me the fuck alone, Diana, I'm trying to be a gentleman here and let you down easy, but it seems that thick skull of yours doesn't get the memo," I half-yelled, pulling my hand away from her grip and putting some space between us.

"You can't talk to me like that, do you know who my father is?" Diana glared at me.

"Oh, I can, and I don't really care who your father is."

"You're going to be sorry Leo Smith, no guy ever says no to me," she said.

"You don't scare me, Diana," I growled angrily as I walked away, towards the library. I despise girls like her who believe that if they flaunt their assets to every guy they meet, we will fall at their feet; if I were to date anyone at this school, it would definitely not be her.

I was on my way to my next class when my phone rang; it was Shane's school; I answered it, and a familiar voice answered, it was one of Shane's teachers.

"Hello, this is Mr Smith, Shane Smith's brother."

"Yes, this is him, how may I assist you?"

"We'd like you to come to our school, your brother was involved in a fight"

"What, Shane wouldn't hurt a fly, you must be mistaken"

"I'm sorry sir, but it's true, Shane was involved in a fight"

"I will be there," I said, and the line went dead. I skipped my next class and went straight to the principal's office.

I knocked on the door and heard a faint "come in," so I walked in, and Principal Thompson was seated at her desk, going over some papers.

"Hello, Mr. Smith, what brings you to my office?"

"Ma, I'd like to take the rest of the school day off because I have a problem with my younger brother at school."

"I see, I hope it's nothing serious."

"No, ma, but I promise I won't leave school again."

"It's fine; just let your homeroom teacher know before you leave."

"Yes, ma, thank you," I said before heading to the staffroom, but Mr Hunter wasn't there, so I asked the teacher seated next to him to help me pass the message and I left for Shane's school.

When I got to his school, I went to the principal's office and walked in. When I saw Shane, all of my self control was lost.

He was covered in bruises and had a black eye, and when his eyes landed on me, he ran towards me and embraced me.

Shane's teacher was watching us with sad eyes. I let go of Shane and held onto his hand as I walked to the seat in front of the principal's table to take my seat.

"Miss Sharon, please excuse my language, but what the fuck happened, and why does my brother look like he was beaten to a pulp? I thought you said he got into a fight? And why is he the only one in your office?" I asked his teacher, trying not to lose my cool because it was difficult to look at Shane right now.

"I'm sorry, Mr Smith, but your brother Shane got into an argument with a group of boys and got physical. Zack, one of the other kids, claims Shane simply attacked them because they wanted to be friends with him" Shane's principal stated.

My phone beeped, and there was a text from Shane, which I opened and read. "Leo, that's not true, they were calling me names because I'm mute," I was losing control over the fact that they were making Shane the villain when all he did was protect himself.

"Did you ask my brother for his side of the story or you just assumed what that boy told you was true" I asked calmly

"Mr Smith, the other boys confirmed Zack's story so we didn't bother, we don't tolerate bullying in our school, so Shane will be suspended for three days and will have to write a letter of apology to the boys he harassed," the principal stated sternly.

"Like hell he will, you're already suspending him, why does he have to apologize to those spoiled brats for something he didn't do, I know Shane and he wouldn't hurt a fly," I growled, as his principal scowled at me.

"If you want your brother to continue attending this school, you will do as we say Mr Smith, from what I've gathered, I see who Shane takes after with his personality," his principal said, glaring at me, I could see the judgment in her eyes, she had already come to her conclusion before calling me to over

"Leo, let's just go, she's not going to listen, it's not worth it, Miss Sharon already tried but she didn't listen" Shane signed.

"Are you sure little man?" I asked.

"Yes Leo, let's just go home, I don't want you to get in trouble because of me," my heart hurt because I couldn't help him get justice.

"Listen here little man, you can never get me in trouble I will do anything for you no matter the consequences, but if you want to leave, we can, but this isn't over yet, not by a long shot." I said in the text I sent him. He nodded and walked over to his bag.

"Miss Sharon, Shane says you tried to help him get justice, thank you for that, at least I know someone is looking out for him and Mrs Wendell have a nice day, you will get your letter after his suspension is over," I said as I picked up Shane to carry him into the car.

I left the office, and when I got outside, a young girl was waiting. Shane smiled when he saw her, and when I put him down, she spoke up, "Hello, you must be Leo, Shane brother, I'm Summer, nice to meet you."

"Hello, Summer. Are you friends with Shane?" I asked, and Shane glared at me for asking such a simple question, but then I noticed the expression on his face: he had a crush on Summer, which made me smile a little

"Kind of, how are you Shane? I'm sorry about Zack and his friends; they're jerks. I hope you didn't get into too much trouble"Summer inquired, her fingers twitching nervously.

"Leo, please tell her I'm fine," Shane texted.

"He said it's okay, summer, don't worry, your teacher must be looking for you, why don't you go back to class," I replied after he sent the text.

"Oh okay, that's fine, see you later Shane, take care of yourself," she said as she walked back to her classroom.

"Someone has a crush," I murmured, wiggling my brows teasing him.

"Jerk," Shane signed before punching me in the arm. I was laughing at his reaction till we got to the car and left his school grounds.

We stopped at Rudy's for ice cream before heading home, and I was hoping to see Athena again but she wasn't on duty so I went back home with Shane. Shane took a shower after we got home before joining me in the kitchen so we could eat our ice cream before dinner was ready.

"Do you want to tell me what happened?" I asked

"It's not a big deal, Leo, they were just saying mean things, but I snapped when they said something about you, I punched Zack, and his friends ganged up on me and beat me up"He said this in a text message to me.

"Whatever they said about me, we both know it's not true, so don't let them get to you, bullies aren't worth your time kid, just remember that," I told him, but I could tell by the look on his face that he wasn't completely convinced.

"They said you were going to die and leave me like mum and dad," he signed. 'Those fuckers how did they find out about our parents?' I thought as I immediately drew him into a hug to comfort him.

"Listen little man, I will never leave you, you are stuck with me until you are all grown up, and even then I will still be your big brother who will embarrass you, so get all those ideas of me dying out of your head," I said and he smiled

"You're so cheesy." Shane signed as we walked to the kitchen.

"You got jokes huh, come on brat, let's go check on dinner," i said ruffling his hair playfully, I don't know what the future holds, but nothing will stop me from protecting my younger brother.