It sounded so perfect. I wanted to jump, spin around, and say Yes, yes, but...
"Leo, I'm sorry. I just cannot. Bye." I hung up the phone and threw it on the bed. My heart squeezed painfully in my chest, and I started to cry. Leo was the first boy ever to ask me out, and I was rejecting him, refusing his affection, and denying his passion. I was saying no to the only person in the whole world who really liked me.
I laid down and hugged the pillow tightly and began to cry. Somehow crying for love reminded me of my parents and how much I was missing them.
And I cried myself to sleep.
~xXx~
CHAPTER 5
Thursday morning, I woke up with a headache and swollen eyes. I felt like all my energy was squeezed out of me. My whole body was exhausted—emotionally and physically. I was now in an awful mood. I felt that I was the worst person breaking Leo's heart, but it was better for both of us. I was trying to do the right thing, ultimately saving him from making a big mistake in his life. I had to keep him away from me, apart from my god-awful truth.
~*~
At school, part of me wanted to see Leo and see if he was okay, upset, sad, or angry. I was desperately scanning the corridor like I just lost my sight. Then suddenly spotting him as if I found my vision back.
There he was standing like a prince. No one could deny that he was a handsome man with chiseled looks and compelling blue eyes. I was admiring him from afar. Suddenly his head snapped in my direction, and I hid behind the wall.
'Phew, thank god he didn't see me.' I shut my eyes and rested my head on the wall, trying to slow my racing heart.
When I opened my eyes.
I froze right there. Leo was standing in front of me.
"Hello, Aries." His voice was cold, and his eyes displeased.
"Hi," I said softly.
"I need to talk to you. Do you have a moment?" Leo asked, but the question was just a courtesy as he caught my wrist and dragged me into an empty classroom. He scanned the room to make sure it was empty and closed the door behind him. I stayed in the corner of the room—scared, watching him pacing back and forth like a caged beast. He stopped, walked towards me, and stood in front of me.
"Why are you rejecting me?" He trapped me. His both hands placed on the wall behind me, his eyes bored into mine—intensely. My gaze dropped from his face.
"I'm afraid..." I told him and sneaked a peek at him.
"Afraid? Of me?" He knitted his eyebrows. I nodded.
He dropped both his hands. "Why?"
"When you come close. I-I get this nervous feeling in my stomach. M-my hands get sweaty. My heart beats faster." I rambled, barely making any eye contact with him.
His eyebrows were in his hair shot up in surprise.
“Aries…” His eyes went dark.
I gulped. Leo stared at me with a severe gaze, then slowly, his hand extended to remove my hoodie.
I didn't move.
Leo slowly slid his fingers into my hair, cautiously as if he was afraid that he would scare me away.
I didn't repulse.
His fingers gilded with such softness, it sent a tingle of goosebumps up my arms. Leo slowly drew me in and pressed me against his chest, wrapping his both arms around me.
I didn't shove him away.
"Now, tell me if this is scary at all?" He spoke. I was enjoying the quality of affection that had sent butterflies fluttering in my stomach.
"No, just butterflies," I said, honestly then I heard him chuckle.
"Now, that was adorable." He said with the compliment.
I too smiled at that.
"Don't be ever afraid of me, Aries. I'll never hurt you in any form. I'll always be there to protect you. Limitless to infinite."
"I know." The comment came naturally to me as I began to feel safe and secure around Leo. As my words fell on his ears, his grip on my waist slightly tightened. He gently nuzzled his nose on my neck and breathed deeply.
"Oh...Aries..." his voice was husky. "Your scent is absolutely alluring."
I folded both my hands, forming a circle around him. It felt great to hold him so close, close to my heart. My emotions were flowing naturally for Leo.
I think he moaned.
'Now, who was getting close to who?'
"You're overthinking," he interrupted my thoughts.
"I think we should go to attend our classes now."
He pushed himself far enough to look at me, "Fine. Too bad, we don't have any classes together today. Can I count on you after school, though?" He asked.
"Maybe?"
"Great, I'll see you then." I shook my head, but his response made me smile.
~*~
After school, while I was on my way out, I didn't notice Leo anywhere. So I just kept walking.
"Hey!" Leo startled me. He literally came from nowhere and started walking with me.
"There is this place nearby, a sort of small puddle of water, fish and ducks. Let's go." Before I could even answer him, he grabbed my hand and started gently pulling me.
"Leo, wait, I never agreed to go with you."
"Well, at least you're walking willingly with me." He showed me his cunning smile. I didn't bother putting any efforts to stop him, either.
~*~
He drove to a nearby woods and parked the car, and we talked and walked on foot for almost twenty minutes. Leo had not once let go of my hand. It was nice holding his hand too.
"What are we doing here?" I asked, catching my breath. "I'm thirsty," I complained.
"We are almost there." He said, and we still walked for another twelve minutes.
The breeze was getting colder. The trees were tall and large and lush green. The canopy of the branches thickly covered with leaves was so dense that you could hardly see the blue sky
