Part 6/?
Malina settled in the seat next to Leo, her fingers tugging her backpack’s zipper. “Sorry I couldn’t make it last night. I got caught up with something.”
“It’s fine,” Leo put his pencil down. “You didn’t miss much.”
“Were they good to you? My friends? Jean smokes way too much, but she grows on you,”
“They were very friendly.” Leo smiled. “How long have you guys been together?” he turned towards her.
“Just the first half of the school year. We were put together for a group project. And the rest is history.” She huffed, finally finding her text book, and plopping it on the table.”
Leo nodded to himself, trying to conjure more words to say. But he couldn’t find any. He was stuck being casual with her, when all he wanted to do was ask her on a proper date. One that required just the two of them. Perhaps a dinner at one of those nice French restaurants. Then afterwards a trip to the museum. Gawking at old paintings, and discussing their true meanings.
This was something he’d planned all last night. But the question was, did he have the guts to do it.
“Let’s quiet down class, and get ready to start,” Malina flipped her book open.
“Maybe we could go out another time,” Leo murmured. “You know, just the two of us.”
A small smirk came across her mouth. “I’ll let you know when I’m available. I have a lot of club stuff going on this week.”
“Yeah. Okay.” He paused. “Should we at least pick a date?”
“Sure,” she smiled again.
He did it. Not the way he imagined to do it. But he did it. Leo Albert asked a girl out. His mother would surely be proud of him. His father on the other hand, would slap him on the back, with a frown. “You positive you want this?”. When it was clear that he was.
It didn’t matter what they thought. It wasn’t them going on a date with possibly the sweetest person in the school. Maybe even the world!
What would he wear? Casual or formal? Would she expect a goodnight kiss? Because if that was the case, Leo hadn’t kissed all but one person. Julie Parson. A bright student, with terribly good looks. Dark brown, tightly coiled hair. A beautiful round figure. The kiss, on the other hand, was out of dare. Just for pure enjoyment for the rest of his freshmen class. Now, come to think of it, Leo never had a choice.
“See you!” Leo jumped in his seat, as Malina rushed to the front of the class with her finished homework. Did he just blank out the entire lesson?
“Wait up,” Leo gulped, following right after.
“Ahem. Mr. Albert. You have failed to turn in your homework,” stopping in his tracks, Leo looked down at his teacher, who was shuffling the rest of the student’s papers, in his veiny hands. “Is there an issue with the course?”
“No, sir. I was actually going back to my room to get it for you,” it wasn’t a lie. He had no choice but to use it as an excuse. All he wanted was to ask Malina to pick a date.
“Is that so?” Leo nodded, turning towards the door. “I am leaving in ten, Mr. Albert!”
“Yes, sir,”
After moving past the entrance, Leo stood on his toes to see if he could spot Malina’s dark hair, moving through the halls.
She couldn’t have gone far.
Heading back up, to where the lockers were packed tightly together, Leo tripped over another student’s leg. “Sorry,” he cried, catching himself.
“American,” the girl spat.
He didn’t have time for it. Nor was he trying to catch up with her, but he was also on the race to get his homework in on time.
He turned his last sharp bend, towards the staircase, that lead out to the dormitories. And just when he was paltering down, when he thought he had to catch Malina later, on the six step, he saw her. But not alone. No. Trace was there. Kissing her neck, then her cheek, then her lips.
And in that very moment, Leo wanted time to stop for him. Just so he could get a better look. To make sure it was really them. Because once he was down, he wasn’t looking back. He wouldn’t stop. He’d run faster. And faster, and faster. Until he got back to that room, with a heated feeling inside. A feeling that he’d never felt so intensely.
Heartbreak.