The perfect storm in a quiet room

Chapter 12

"Well, the thing is... well, what I'm trying to say...I mean, I..." she starts talking but then stops.

I'm getting more and more nervous per minute. Why is she doing this? Does she even have something to say? Gosh! Why can't she just say what she has to say? Is that too much to ask for? I need to know what is so important that she has to tell me. I need answers, an explanation at least. I'm so sick of being oblivious to what's happening around me. I can't do this anymore, I need to know, something, anything. And I hope she speaks soon because there's only four minutes left before the next period starts.

"For god's sake, just say it Casy! It can't be so difficult. Just say it," I finally say curtly, rolling my eyes. I know I may sound a bit boorish, but come on, my patience is wearing thin.

"Okay, Okay... well, the night I went to your place I was drunk, but I'm not a big fan of drinking, well... we'll talk about that later. Anyway, what happened is that I drank... a lot, because I've done something I totally regret. I've done something... disgusting. Well, I did it before, but this time it was disgusting."

I have no idea what she's talking about, but I'm about to find out.

"Well, this is hard for me to explain, very hard. And I don't expect you to understand because it's incomprehensible, but I'm going to explain this to you in a way you can somehow sympathize with me."

I nod, still not having a clue. What does she mean?

She stares at me fixedly and I rapidly look away. I can't wait anymore, just talk Casy, just talk. This can't be so hard as she says it is, we barely know each other.

"Well, the thing is that Leo... Leo and I...well, we slept together last night."

I stare at her unblinkingly, in shock. What the hell did I just hear? Of all the things I thought she could say to me, this certainly wasn't part of them. She slept with Leo? This can't be possible... I mean, he's with Dilara... and Valentina, but... I don't know. I'm so confused, even more confused than I was before Casy opened her mouth.

Gosh! I knew this "explanation" wasn't going to help me at all, but I never imagined it would arouse my curiosity.

Leo and Casy? Really? I can't even imagine those two together. I mean, I thought they hated each other, but maybe they actually... like each other?

God, the more I think about... that, the more unreal it seems. How could Casy sleep with someone so... horrible... so disgusting? I guess after all she was right—she's done something disgusting.

Casy didn't seem as the person who would sleep with someone like Leo, but maybe she is and, again, appearances are deceptive. Casy seemed to be this sweet, cute, kind girl, but I guess I was wrong. Yes, I don't know the whole story and I'm in no position to judge her. However, I don't think anyone who knows Leo as well as Casy does, would sleep with him. Yeah, he's damn hot, but Casy and him seem to be...close and I bet she knows him well enough. Though they don't seem to get along... so... what's happening here?

"Hannah, I know you must be very confused right now, but let me ex—" She says but is brutally interrupted by the ring of the bell announcing the end of the break.

I step on my feet and start walking back to the classroom, without even looking at Casy. I can't keep talking to her, not now... I need a moment to process what I've just heard. I mean, Casy... and... Leo... Leo and... Casy... gosh! This can't be possible, it just can't.

This is a lot to think about... Now my head is a mess, an absolute mess. I can't even think straight because there are too many questions invading my head that I... I need a break.

I keep walking towards the classroom, not looking back, thinking if this uncertainty will end one day. It doesn't look like that's going to happen, not any time soon at least.

For a moment I wonder whether Casy's following me or not. I hope she's not... well I don't care. I don't want to think about her, I need to clear my mind and... just breathe. Breathe a few times and take a break, that's all I need.

I finally make it to the classroom five minutes after the class starts, but luckily the teacher is not there yet. Yes!

I look around and find Leo... alone? Yeah, he clearly is alone. It seems the other three girls aren't here. Probably, we don't share this class, which is perfectly fine by me, since I can't stand those stupid girls and I don't want to see Casy.

Leo acknowledges my presence and his green gaze meets mine before my brain can catch up and make my eyes look away.

Sheepishly, my eyes shift from his to the floor. I take my seat at the back and get my notebook and pen out of my backpack. While doing so, a shadow of a male body covers my seat, making me look up. Of course, it's Leo. Great.

My gaze is steady, resting on his. I don't want him to notice how uncomfortable and nervous I am when he's around, but I can't seem to be able to look away from him. I'm even... scared. Being near him really scares me and makes me shiver, something I haven't noticed till now. It's just that after getting to know him a little bit better at lunch... my desire to be near him has vanished like fairy dust.

"Hi... Hannah, right?" Leo says with a smirk.

"Yes," I answer swallowing the bile that went up my throat.

"Do you mind if I join you?" he asks me, using a softer tone than I expected.

I try to hide my great surprise. What did he just say? He wants to... sit with me? He? With me? No, this can't be possible, I must have heard him wrong. I thought he hated me and I surely can't forget the way he looked at me at lunch. God, that lunch feels like years ago, but it just happened yesterday. When did I lose all sense of time?

I keep staring steadily at him. His beautiful green eyes are fixed on me and he's waiting for my answer.

I don't trust him and I don't really know him, but I feel he's the kind of guy who doesn't take a no for an answer, so I better agree to sit with him. Anyway, the teacher's going to be in here any minute now, so he can't do anything without her noticing, right?

I shake my head slightly. He isn't going to do anything to me, I'm overreacting. Yeah, he's not trustworthy and, honestly, I don't like how he behaves around girls. At least, how he behaves around Dilara, Valentina and Casy. However, that doesn't mean something bad it's going to happen to me... right?

"No, of course," I finally answer in a weak voice, unsure about his intentions.

He charmingly smiles at me and takes the seat right next to me, leaving his books and belongings on the desk in front of him.

I, on the other hand, try to avoid eye contact. We had enough in the past few minutes and I hate this feeling of uneasiness I have when my eyes meet his. I even started to sweat. Undoubtedly, he has a strong presence that makes me nervous and his gaze... clearly makes me uncomfortable.