The Brightest Star

21. Leo/King

Leo's POV

I walked home from school with King by my side, as we had been doing all week. Today we had to run laps in gym class. It was pretty fun. King and I ended up running together and talked even more. I liked having him around. He may look big and mean, which he was, but he was also a big softy when he wanted to be.

I just didn't know what it is about him that made everything just disappear but after that day with Joey and even Charlie a week ago we had been getting a lot closer. He walked me home a lot and I wasn't going to tell him but it made me feel a lot safer.

Charlie hadn't tried anything else and knowing him he would have done something by now. Maybe he left town or something. That didn't sound like him either but to keep myself calm and focused, I needed to believe that's what happened.

"Leo," King called, startling me from my thoughts.

"Yes?"

He laughed. "Did you hear a word I just said?"

I could feel my face heat up. "Oh, no sorry. I was thinking about something. What did you say?"

"It's nothing important. Are you okay? You've been spacing out a lot lately."

"Yeah. I'm fine," I smiled. "Hey did you get the history lesson this morning?" I asked quickly, trying to change the subject.

"Uh, no. I was sleeping. My uncle and Kiki didn't let me sleep much last night because they kept talking about some stupid shit."

"I noticed you were having trouble but we have a quiz on it tomorrow. Do you want to, maybe, come by later then?"

He looked over at me for a moment before smiling. "Well I have to do some things for my uncle but... I could be there afterward. I'll try to get them done early."

We stopped in front of my house. "Okay, then I'll see you later?" I asked, trying to hide my excitement.

"Definitely. I'll see you later then," he said with the biggest smile that brightened his face. "Call me around... 8? I should be done by then. Or is that too late?"

"No, that's fine. I'll call you then."

We said our goodbyes and I walked into the house with a smile.

The rest of the day I cleaned the house and took care of my mom. I told her about King coming over later and she was happy to hear that.

It's been a long time since I've talked to her about my friends, mainly because outside of school I don't have them anymore. My dad didn't like people over after she was forced to stay in bed and after my phone got turned off they all just faded away but that just showed me who my true friends were and I made my peace with it.

I got my history book and notes out feeling a little too nervous as I wiped the sweat from my hands. It was just a tutor session with a friend but then again that friend was King and he was going to be inside my house. I had butterflies already just thinking about it.

As soon as 8 hit, I called King as he told me to but he didn't answer so I left a voicemail telling him it was okay to call me back whatever he got it. So I tried not to think much about it as I sat on the couch and waited for him to call. He said he would be busy doing something so I shouldn't bother him by calling over and over again like a crazy person.

9 o'clock came by slowly when the phone started ringing making me jump but it was just my dad calling with the normal 9 o'clock check-in on his break at work. I called King again after that because I was starting to get worried but this time it went straight to voicemail as I sighed in sadness.