My Bully, My Neighbour

Chapter 15 (Edited)

"Leo!" I gasped and my voice hitched. I couldn't help but take in his amazingly toned body. "Done checking me out?" Leo smirked and crossed his arms across his chest. I tore my gaze away from his abs and met his eyes. Leo burst out laughing. "I'm sorry. I should've knocked or called." I said apologetically. To my surprise, Leo began to laugh out loud. "Relax Aria. You look like a deer caught in headlights." He laughed. I felt my cheeks burn up and I stared at my feet till he was done laughing. "Are you done yet?" I asked, feeling a little annoyed. "Yeah, yeah. Just give me a minute. I'll get a shirt on." Leo said, still chuckling. I part of me wanted to tell him that there wasn't any need for him to put a shirt on, but I shut that side up.

A minute later, Leo came in with a grey t-shirt on. "You needed something?" Leo asked. "Um, yeah. I came to return your wallet." I said, handing it to him. "Thanks." Leo said. "So, what is this?" I asked gesturing to the box of albums. "Oh, those are old photos. The one on top is a yearbook I think." Leo said. "That's awesome! Can I see it?" I asked. "Yeah, go ahead." Leo said. I took the yearbook and saw that it was the last year I was in school. I sat on the bed and began to go through the book. I skipped to the part with class photographs. Each year in our school had two divisions. I found my class and spotted myself down on the first row. I was grinning at something my friend had said. Leo was all the way at the top, and was looking down at the first row. "In case you can't make out, I was looking for you when the idiot clicked the photo. He didn't give us any warning." Leo said, handing me a glass of water. I examined the photo and noticed that he was right. Almost no one was looking at the camera.

"You were looking for me?" I asked. "Yeah. I don't know why." Leo shrugged. "That's kinda cute." I smiled. I didn't want us to get awkward all of a sudden. Leo sat down next to me and gently pulled the book/ so that it rested on both our legs. I could feel his leg pressing against mine, and fought to keep the blush down. "Do you remember anyone?" Leo asked. "No, not really." I replied. Leo took my hand and pointed, "Okay, so this is Ronan. You should remember him, he was the prankster of the class." Leo said. "Oh yeah. Didn't he always spend two hours in detention every day?" I grinned. It felt perfect, the way Leo and I were extremely comfortable in each others company. We rarely had any awkward silences and I loved the way he always managed to make me smile.

We spent almost two hours going through our yearbook. By that time, the packers had gotten Prudence's luggage and had left. "So, let's go grab lunch and then we can go shopping." Leo said. "Sure." I said. I waited for Leo to collect his phone and wallet before we headed out. Leo drove, seeing that I didn't have a car and had no idea of how to drive. While we were driving out to the, papa called. "Hi papa. How are you?" I asked him. "I'm good. Are you busy?" Papa asked me. "I'm in the car with Leo. We're going out for lunch." I said. "Oh, good. He's good company, I presume?" Papa laughed. "Yes, you could say that." I said, discreetly glancing at Leo. "I just wanted to tell you that I will be in New York tomorrow, for a meeting. You should take me sightseeing!" Papa said. "Oh my god, really? That's amazing!" I exclaimed. We spoke for a couple of minutes and set up an itinerary. Then just before papa hung up, he said, "Aria, call Kaitlyn once you get home. There are some wedding details she wants to discuss with you. You might have to fly home soon." "I know that, papa. I'm the maid of honour." I said, before saying goodbye.

"Who's getting married?" Leo asked. I remembered that I never had the chance to tell him about Kaitlyn's wedding. "You remember my cousin, Kaitlyn?" I asked. "Yeah. She's a year older than us, right? I remember." Leo nodded. "Yeah, well, she's getting married soon. She's asked me to be her maid of honour." I said proudly. "That's awesome. When's the wedding?" Leo asked. "Two months time. Also, papa will be here tomorrow." I said. "That's cool! We can take him sightseeing!" Leo grinned and I smiled at him. We reached the restaurant and got a table by the window. The restaurant was cute with a sixty's vibe. The staff was dressed in cute retro clothes and a bubbly looking waitress came forward to take our orders.

Halfway through our wait for our food, a couple entered the restaurant. The girl was a little taller than me and had bright red hair. She was followed by a tall boy with brown hair and a striking face. They held hands as they spoke to the receptionist, and I smiled. "What are you smiling about?" Leo asked. I gestured to the couple and said, "Those couple with a short girl and tall boy are so cute." "Hey, I know that guy! Andrew!" Leo called out. Andrew looked around for Leo and grinned when he spotted him. He came to our table and Leo stood up to greet him with a man-hug. "Long time man!" Andrew exclaimed. The red-headed girl came up to them and Andrew put an arm around her. "This is Emma, my girlfriend." Andrew said proudly, and Emma shook hands with Leo. "Who's this?" Andrew asked. "I'm Aria. Leo's neighbour." I introduced myself and Leo looked a little embarrassed that he hadn't introduced me earlier.

"So, what brings you guys here?" Emma asked. "Just out for lunch and some shopping." I said. "Oh, nice. Hey, are you guys free tomorrow for lunch?" Andrew asked. "My dad will be here, why?" I asked. "My mother is hosting a charity lunch for the library tomorrow. We're benefactors, and Leo and I need to catch up. It's been months. Get your dad along. It'll be fun!" Andrew said. "Well, I don't think papa would mind." I said to Leo, who smiled. "We'll be there." Leo said. The couple went to their table and we settled to have our lunch. Tomorrow was going to be an awesome day.