THREE WEEKS LATER

My alarm clock went off, startling me from my sleep. I groaned and sat up, drowsy. I rubbed my eyes and yawned, then slammed my hand on the clock. No school today. I thought, realizing I had forgotten to turn the clock off last night. I'm up now. I think, and move to my feet, stretching my arms up to the ceiling.

Once I'd washed and changed, I enter the living room. Ma is sitting at the table, a bowl of blueberries in hand, as she leans against the couch cushions, eating berry after berry.

I cringe my nose, I hate blueberries.

"Morning, dear!" she coos, and slurps another berry.

"Morning, Ma." I walk over and kiss her forehead, then grab my jacket from the end of the couch.

"Leaving so soon? Where to?" Ma furrows her eyebrows. It's true, I'm never home, but I don't ever want to be when my father awakes.

"I'm heading to Leo's." I explain.

She nods, mouthing an oh. I open the door, and straightened my jacket.

TIME SKIP

I take a deep breath, then knock exactly four times on Leo's home's door. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Every knock like my heartbeat--pounding.

Leo opens the door, and I notice the house is empty besides him.

"Hey, Nico! What's up?" he beams cheerfully.

"Hey, Leo." I reply. He let's me inside and I plop down on his couch. He sits next to me, playing with some wires from his pockets, his knee touching my leg. The simple contact made me blush.

"U-um, Leo, your-"

"Oh, sorry!" he moves his leg, still playing with wires.

"It's fine." I respond, letting my hair fall over my eyes as I look down. Am I still blushing?

"Nico, you're blushing! Am I really that amazing? Of course I am, why would I ask such a foolish question?! Hahaha!" he jokes.

"Whatever, Valdez." I huff, but secretly I was smiling, a tiny curve playing at the edges of my lips.

Yes, Valdez.

"Wanna watch a movie?" Leo asks. My cheeks drop, pain in my eyes.

"N-no." I reply, my head bending further downwards.

Leo must have noticed my change of demeanor and bent down, resting his elbows on his knees and his head in his palms.

"What's wrong?" he asks more softly.

I shake my head, "It's nothing."

"Liar," Leo prods. "It's okay, you can tell me."

Can I, Leo? After a moment of pondering...

"I said I was fine, Leo, now leave me alone!" I nearly scream, jumping up and running out of his house, leaving the door wide open. I run down the sidewalk, tears playing at my eyes.

I just couldn't tell him. It's not his burden to bare; besides, what would be his reaction? It's such a possibility that it wouldn't be good.

So this is how I live now, I think. In fear.

A/N Sorry if the chapter sucked, I'm setting something up for next chapter.
And sorry if it wasn't really sad, It's all a working progress.

Another A/N
I hate my writing. I just hate it. I used to play with the words like it's nobody's business, but now my writing is just so... so bland. I hate it, and I apologize. You shouldn't have to read garbage like this.
I'm sorry.
I wish I was the writer I once was :(
I'm trying to fix this though. PLEASE tell me if I'm doing well or not! #Writer'sBlock :(