Nothing happened.

In fact, the only thing I had to endure as I read was the raw bubbling excitement on Miss Lane's face. Once I had finished, she ran to hug me, screaming to high heaven about how she had made the right choice.

She ended up on the floor before she could get her arms around me.

Although I'm an opinionated person when it comes to speaking to teachers, that was a new experience for me. I'll admit, I was a bit worried about it (more because of Annie than the school). Luckily, she just flushed pink and apologized to me.

After that day, Aimee and I began practicing for fifteen minutes during our break.

I smiled. That's the first time a teacher ever apologized to me.

"Earth to Angelo, can you hear me?"

I blinked, focusing on Max's smiling face. "Uh, sorry."

"No big deal. Just keep your focus."

Nodding, I resumed throwing punches at the bag he held still. "So... what exactly is Machiavelli doing now?"

"Well-" Max winced as I threw a hard punch. "He's requesting to buy shares in the Blue Diamond."

Despite the sweat running down my face, I grinned. "Ah, so come crawling back to the people he sought to compete against. Some business 'rival' he's meant to be"

I landed one last blow on the bag, then straightened out of my stance. "Alright, that's enough for today."

Letting go of the bag, Max nodded as he peeled gloves off his hands. Sweat soaked his white tank top.

Perks of having an indoor gym - you get to work out in the privacy of your home.

"Here. Stop wetting your tanktop."

"Bit too late for that," I replied, but still wiped myself with the towel Max had tossed to me.

When I finished, Max walked to the gym doors and opened them. "Come on, let's forget about Machiavelli for now and go grab lunch."

"Of course, I'm famished!"

A quick whiff of the smell escaping from my pits dampened my eagerness. "Well, not before I grab a quick shower because right now, my smell could end up rotting the food."

Max chuckled. "Well, you're the boss."

After flipping off the lights switch, I closed the door and began heading towards the main house with Max. As I walked, a memory from one of Aimee and I's practice session popped on in my mind...

. . .

"Explain yourself."

That was the first thing I said when Aimee walked into Miss Delane's class late for our rehearsal.

"I was with my boyfriend. Turns out he was- wait-" Her eyes narrowed, "-why am I explaining myself to you? You come about five minutes late every other day!"

"Don't try to turn this against me! You and I both know that I don't particularly care about this play, so you're meant to keep me in check. So, you aren't entitled to take little breaks of your own!"

Aimee prowled towards me, her eyes darkening. "Oh, I'm not entitled to do that? Well, you're not entitled to give me orders! You're at least goddamn sixteen or seventeen, I'm not your fucking babysitter! I don't have to answer to you if I come to our sessions late or not, especially not when you do so constantly yourself!"

"Fine then, since we're choosing what time we come for rehearsals, let me set mine now." A savage grin spread across my face as I leaned towards her. "I choose never, 'cause I quit. Kiss your grade goodbye."

Her eyes widened a bit, but they remained defiant. Clenching my fists, I brushed past her as I marched towards the door.

"I'm sorry."

That simple pair of words froze me in my tracks. A smirk settled on my face as I turned back. "Apology accepted. Now, let's-"

"I am sorry, but let's get one thing straight." She stalked towards me until she was gazing into my eyes, close enough for me to smell her perfumed scent. "I'm not one of those mindless girls who fawn over you or one of the mindless drones you call your buddies. The next time you give me an order, I'll make you wish you hadn't."

Despite the surprise that sprang up, a spark of interest lit up in me. "Noted. Likewise, I'm not one of those guys who'll bow to you or those girls who find themselves either intimidated or in awe. I won't react to your threats as they will."

"We might end up having to test that."

Our eyes remained locked on each other even after we'd fallen silent. We both stared defiantly, daring the other to break eye contact first.

"Well, somebody gets me some goggles because chemistry is fizzing in this class!"

My eyes whipped towards Miss Lane's smirking face. "Chemistry? Between this-"

"Neanderthal and I? Not even in his wildest dreams-"

"Would I ever imagine myself ending up with a she-beast like her!"

Miss Delane's eyes flitted between our faces. "You're even completing each other's sentences now, how cute!"

Laughing, Aimee stepped past me. "Believe me, Miss, nothing is going on between us. Angelo and I were just agreeing that we should stop meeting during our break. Instead, we'll arrange a time for us to meet off school-"

"What? I agreed to no such thing!"

"Yes, you did! We have things we need to handle during our break time and people to attend to, remember?"

After a moment, I smirked. "Oh, so that's what you're doing. Fifteen minutes a day of alone time with me isn't enough for you, is it?"

She blushed. "W-what? This is for the benefit of the-"

"I know, I know, the play. Yet-" I wiggled my eyebrows, "-who says you can't mix business with pleasure?"

"I assure you, Angelo, try to make any moves and I'll--"

"Moves on you? Please, I only go for ladies!"

"How dare-"

Ring!

Miss Delane, who had been staring at Aimee and I like we were playing in her favorite sitcom, rushed to her desk. The flowery dress she wore whipped as she began gathering files. "Shit, I have a class now! You two, settle your issues somewhere else!"

"Don't worry, Miss, we've sorted them out!" To me, Aimee hissed, "We begin next week!"

My smirk grew. "Your pleasure! Try not to look forward to it too much!"

Aimee turned around and left the class, but not before she-

"Ow!"

. . .

Leaping back, Annie shrieked, "Watch where you're going!"

Hissing, I rubbed my nose. "No problem, I'll use my x-ray vision to check if you're behind a door before I try opening it next time!"

Annie grimaced. "Ugh, I hope you didn't get snot on my forehead!"

"Sure, let's worry about your forehead and how my nose somehow enlarged and doused it in snot!"

"Considering-"

"Before you fire your shots, let me go tell Pierre to make lunch for Angelo and me."

Looking at Max, Annie shook her head. "Pierre's unavailable, I sent him to get groceries with Tony."

"Oh. Then I'll make it myself.

Annie gave him a sweet smile. "You do that, dear. But, only make for yourself. I'm having lunch with Angelo."

Narrowing my eyes, I began rubbing my chin in a Sherlock Holmes-like manner. "Why would you want to take me to lunch? What's the occasion?"

Annie put a hand on her chest. "Angelo! Can't you just accept the fact I want to spend time with you-"

I snapped my fingers. "Ah, that's it! Your beloved Aiden is not in town!"

"Till Monday! Can you believe he left me for a whole weekend to see his parents?"

I let out a gasp. "My lord, how could he? Ann, I'm so sorry. I wish there's something I can do, but-"

"Oh shut up, Angelo, we both know I'll force you to come whether you want to or not!"

Sadly, that's true. I'm not going down without a fight, though!

I bowed. "Of course, my queen. Your wish is my command, but-"

Lunging upright, I caught Annie off guard. All her martial arts training couldn't save her from what followed.

Yanking her head forward, I rose up my arms, letting her face collide with my sweaty pits. "Sniff it!"

Beside me, Max snickered as Annie yanked her head backward, rubbing at her face.

Oh shit, maybe I went too-

"Angelo!"