Leo

We ate the pizza in silence, our chewing sounds echoing in the kitchen. The exact place where a kiss had been shared between me and Mr. Warren. I sat next to Annabelle, who was staring intently down her paper plate, chewing slowly. I nudged her with my foot and she glanced up, her sweet blue orbs focused on me. I grinned at her, kicking her lightly again. She nudged me back, with a slight furrow of her arched brows.

Meanwhile, the bane of my life–this man, her stepdad–ate one slice slowly, his eyes glued to his phone, his dexterous thumb sliding up his phone screen. He didn't pay much attention to us playing footsies under the table except when the table jumped slightly when Annabelle decided to kick harder than normal, her knee bumping up and against the underside of the table.

"Sorry," she mumbled automatically, flushing slightly, her cheeks blossoming into a pretty pink hue.

His brilliant eyes flashed up from his phone screen, his dark blonde brows raised at her. I cleared my throat loudly, catching his undivided attention. He looked at me expectantly and I could feel my face flushing as well–I wasn't expecting him to direct the full force of his intensity and I squirmed in the spotlight. Annabelle reached under the table and squeezed my hand tightly.

"I think I'm done eating, please excuse me," she stated, suddenly standing up, still clutching my hand.

I followed her, avoiding her stepdad's stare, up the stairs and straight into her room. She let go of my hand and flopped face-first in her bed, letting out a slight growl. I stood there, watching as she punched her fluffy pillow in frustration.

Hesitantly, I walked towards her bed and sat beside her, concerned.

"What's wrong, Annabear?" I asked, smoothing my hand down the slope of her back.

She turned on her side, squinting up on me through her lopsided glasses. Quickly, I readjusted them for her and she rewarded me with a brief smile.

"I'm irritated," she admitted softly, closing her eyes as I stroked her sloppy braid.

"Why?"

"He's just...so...ugh! I don't even have words for him. He's always watching me like I'm a criminal on house arrest and he acts so passive-aggressive sometimes. I know I'm not actually his daughter but he acts like he's my actual father. Like, I know that my mom wasn't exactly the best to him and after she had passed away, he took me in because he felt responsible, you know? But, I just feel so shitty and weird when he treats me a certain way. And then with everything that happened before–it just makes me so mad!" Her words came bursted out in a long, rushed stream of words and I sat still, registering the heavy emotion in her voice.

"I'm sorry, Annbear. This is all my fault. If that hadn't happened, then he wouldn't be acting this way towards you. You know I regret it," I confessed, stroking the side of her face.

"It's...I just don't understand, Leo. I thought I could just forget it and move on but seriously, what about him attracted you?"

"I'm not sure. I didn't even know I liked guys until I met you and he came along. I was still trying to figure things out. I think one thing led to another, and I got swept away in the process," I admitted, forcing down the sordid memory of the transaction that happened between me and Professor Warren.

She sighed, her anger deflating slightly as she stared at me thoughtfully.

"Did he try to make a move on you? I still can't understand," She muttered, her brows furrowing tightly.

"I...I don't know," I grumbled. "It all happened too fast, and I knew I messed up."

"Well, it did hurt me. And you know, I like having information. If you are attracted to guys as well, it's fine. This is a new day and age and I am open-minded. But, when I saw you guys–I don't know. It just felt like no one actually wanted me, not even you, like it was all just a lie."

I leaned over, grasping her chin in my hand. "Hey, don't say that. You know how much I want you. You know how much I need you with me. Otherwise, why would I make a fool out of myself, begging you to take me back?"

"You mean that?"' she whispered, leaning against me, her soft cheek resting against my palm.

"Of course." I pressed a kiss on her forehead and she sighed again.

She snuggled against me and I pulled her into my lap, hugging her tightly. We were silent for a moment, our breathing matching up perfectly.

"You stink," she muttered suddenly and I pulled back to see her wrinkling her nose at me in distaste.

"I had soccer practice but I forgot to shower because I was so excited to see you again," I admitted, offering her a wide grin.

"Maybe you should take a shower?" She suggested, playing with the hem of my shirt.

"Join me?" I joked in response, tugging on her pigtail.

She laughed, blushing a cute red.

"For what? So I can scrub your back?" She chuckled, shaking her head good-naturedly.

"Yes...and more," I waggled my brows suggestively but she didn't protest, letting me tug her towards the bathroom.

I smacked her bouncy ass as she followed me–and I wished things would always be easy like this with her.

But, life had different plans for me.