Always

26| experiment and research

LUCA

Leo had been avoiding me. I know he was. He kept running away whenever I tried to approach him. I fiddled with my hands in anticipation. I was going to talk to Leo today.

When he walked out of the school building, he looked left and then right before sighing and moving ahead. Walking stealthily towards him, I quickly grabbed his arm and pulled him behind the school building.

"What are you do-" his words stopped in his throat as he saw my face.

"Hi." I said, nodding and sitting down on the small bench.

"Oh- hey." I snorted. "That's all you have to say to me? How about, I'm sorry for avoiding you."

He turned away and sat down. "Look, whatever you think happened between us? It wasn't real or anything, okay? It was all an act."

I squinted my eyes and pursed my lips.

"Can you close your eyes?" I questioned five minutes of awkward silence later.

"Wh-why?" I shrugged

"Just want to see how real this is and is not."

"What do you mean?" His tone seemed agitated.

"Just close your eyes, I'm not going to kill you." I rolled my eyes as he backed away.

Closing his eyes he held the bench for support. I leaned forward and ever so slowly pressed my lips to his. In the moment of the kiss we are our pure and vulnerable selves. I press harder, I reach forward to tug at his cloud-like hair, but all too soon he pulls away. Out of breath. Flustered. Cute.

I leaned forward to kiss him again but he pushed his hand onto my lips.

"I- I can't do this Luca. I'm not who you think I am."

With those parting words, he walked away.

It's been three days. Three days since the mysterious revelation. I had spent the last three days manically searching for clues. I even asked Ace to help with all the background checks and his history. Ace didn't question my intentions, he just smugly smirked my way and did what I asked. I guess in some way I am grateful for him not making remarks about my recent obsession.

I get a sense of Deja Vu from all this. When I was younger, Lucas used to read Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus to me. And I remember having the biggest crush on Leo Valdez. I remember seeing loads of fanart of him online, I even made an album. 'My Only Love." I snorted, shaking my head. At the time, I wasn't completely aware of the LGTBQ community, I just thought I could have a crush on anyone and it wouldn't matter.

Who would've thought, almost eight years later, I finally figured it out. I'm bi, of course. I don't want a big reveal since I'm sure most of my siblings already are aware about it, but I'm sure it would be better if I actually told some people. Maybe I would feel better knowing that the people I care about know. I tapped my phone aimlessly, waiting for some kind of response from Ace.

"Hey Baby Bro, Ace's calling you to the office? Said he found something you asked for but he's stuck in a meeting so he can't come back home, the file is on his desk." Liam finished looking confused.

"I just asked him to do a background check on someone." I told Liam, getting up and grabbing my keys.

"Alright, I think Al wanted to talk to Gen so you can take her with you." I nodded again and pushed past Liam.

"You could've said thankyou." He called out behind me.

"Hey Al, you wanna drive?" I asked her. She nodded and grabbed my keys out of my hand.

"Hey, wait up." I rushed forward and sat down.

"You know how to drive right?" I asked, clutching my seatbelt.

"Yes Luca, I'm not going to kill you." Giving her the side eye, I slumped forward.

Within minutes, we reached the building, not waiting for Alex to park, I got out and rushed towards the elevator. Sighing in relief when I got in, I pressed the button to the top floor. I looked around, only to see everyone else staring at me.

"Er. Hi?" I offered as they quietly gave me judgmental looks. Some people even asked who I was. I guess I just don't come around here often.

Three floors later, Genieve entered the elevator. I could feel everyone tense up, they were watching me with close eyes. Gen slung an arm around my shoulders and smiled.

"Hey Baby Bro." I swear I heard someone choke.

"Hey Gen." I leaned into her warmth as the rest of the people suddenly got out of the elevator.

Gen smirked and I rolled my eyes. "Your employees are terrified of you."

She shrugged, "They should be. I can fire them." Shaking my head, we reached the top floor, Gen pushed me slightly towards the direction of Ace's office. I looked around and my eyes settled on the red file on his desk.

It was taunting me. Come get me Luca. Come get me...

I took a deep breath and went over to pick up the file. For some reason, I was nervous to open it. What could possibly be in it? Screw it. I thought as I opened the file and started reading it.

Leo Palmer

Age: 16

Leo lived with his family till the age of thirteen. He was a girl before his transition. His family didn't approve of it, being homophobic as well as transphobic. Once Leo tried to reason with them, they kicked him out at the age of fourteen. He now lives with his aunt and uncle, who later found out that his parents were a part of the German Mafia.

I stood there, frozen in shock. I didn't want to read further anymore, at least not until I got home. Leo was a girl? His family was in the German Mafia? He was kicked out when he was fourteen? This was all too much to take in at the same time. Is that what he meant by, 'I'm not who you think I am'?

I had so many questions I wanted answers to. I took the file, went out of Ace's office and headed towards the elevator. It was empty this time, so I had time to collect my thoughts. I couldn't. The elevator door finally opened and rushed outside. Alex was already waiting near the car.

"Hey! Took you long enough."

I got into the passenger seat while she went in the driver's seat.

"Yeah, I had to get a file from Ace's office."

She looked and raised an eyebrow. "I asked him to do a background search on someone, nothing else."

"Whom?"

"Just this guy at school."

She smirked. "Leo Palmer?"

I almost choked. "How did you know?"

"I saw you drag him behind the school building the other day. Wonder what you guys were doing...?" My eyes widened and I punched her arm lightly while she laughed.

"Just kidding, but seriously what's up?"

I thought about it. "Long story."

I was glad she didn't push things and dropped the subject. Once we got home I ran straight to my room. I sat on my bed and opened the file again. I scanned through it, and this time, I found something that caught my attention. Leo's phone number. I contemplated calling him as I took my phone out of my pocket.

Half of my brain told me to call him and ask about everything, but the other half knew it was wrong. It is wrong. A voice in my head said. It sounded like my mom's voice. I sighed and tossed my phone aside. I laid down on my bed and stared at the ceiling, attempting to collect my thoughts.

This is messed up.