Querencia

Chapter Eleven

"So, still going through your phase or are you ready to admit defeat?"

I slam my locker door at the sound of Scott's voice and turn to face him, unamused. "How stupid are you?"

He chuckles as if I had said a joke "Excuse me."

"You heard me. How stupid are you? 'Cause from where I'm standing you make a rock look like Einstein."

"Is this about what happened in the Cafeteria? Look I'm sorry but I had to teach you a lesson."

"And what is that lesson?"

"That you can't live without me." He says while reaching his hand out to touch my face.

I slap his hand away "Wow I thought you were just a self centered sexist but I'm truly amazed." I sarcastically smile.

"What are you talking about?"

"You're delusional too. You really thought I would take you humiliating me and jump out of the arms of an amazing woman and into the manipulative arms of someone who makes my skin crawl at their mere presence."

I start to giggle only to laugh so hard my sides clench and tense. I bend over slightly to support myself with a hand on my knee and try to catch my breath. I collect myself and stand up to see him looking at me as if I had told him foil works best in the microwave.

"I wouldn't go back to you if you were the last male on earth and we had to repopulate the world. I'd say good luck and walk off a cliff."

I secure my bag on my shoulder "Now if you'll excuse me I have to move on with my life."

. . .

"Okay times up." I feel a soft hand grip my wrist and pull me off the table I was sitting at and towards the wooded area by the school.

Ariella seems like a girl on a mission with the way she's marching me to a more private area.

We stop behind a big willow tree and away from pry eyes.

"You gonna kill me?" I joke.

She chuckles "Of course not, don't be silly."

She then pauses, staring at my face. Her calculating green eyes seem to be memorizing every curve, inch, dip, and crease on my face. In turn I do the same. She looked stunning as she usually did in her green sundress and white flats, her gleaming hair twisted into a low bun, tendrils falling to frame her face.

"Did you want to talk?" I ask gently, snapping her out of her gaze.

She shakes her head and takes a deep breath "Right. What I wanted to talk about. Look about what happened in the cafeteria-"

"You don't have to-"

"No I have to get this out cause if I don't I might chicken out."

I nod for her to go on.

"I'm sorry for what happened, I know it wasn't my fault but in a way it was and for that I'm so impossibly sorry. I know you're a private person and you like being behind the curtain and not under a spotlight and being with me means you are front and center. I originally wanted to give you another way out but the more I talk and feel the more I'm not willing to let go. I don't care how you were conceived, where you were found, or your parents' past mistakes. They have been more of a mom and dad to me than my own and they raised the most amazing girl I've ever known. A girl I don't want to let go. I don't care about the past because the present is so damn amazing." She pauses and multiple breaths as she chokes back emotional tears, as am I. It's clear her heart is racing and she is nervous and anxious for my response to her outburst.

"God damn it I want to be with you Leah Blair Posey. I want you in my life and-"

I cut off her rant by slanting my lips over hers. I pull back to look at her and breath heavily. We glance at each others eyes and lips before she suddenly grips her arms around my neck and pulling me forward. I melt into her embrace as her soft lips slide and press against mine. I wrap an arm around her waist and slide my other hand into the hair at the nape of her neck. We're pressed impossibly close together and can't seem to get enough as our mouths meet.

We pull away panting. I stare into her eyes before chuckling and leaning my head against hers, gently brushing her nose with mine. She takes a gulp of breathe "I know it may seem rushed, but I've been imagining being with you for years, and being with you feels better than I ever imagined. I know this won't be easy, but I feel like as long as we have each other we can get through together. At the very least I want you to know I'm here."

"I know Angel. Thank you for being your understanding and compassionate self. God these past couple of days have been hard without you but I just needed to get myself in order. You're becoming a part of my family, and I need your presence in my life. You will always have a place and family to call home. Somewhere to feel accepted. A place where a mom and dad will comfort you. A place where you're cared for. Especially by me."

"I know Lee." She says with a gently smile "And trust me the time apart was torture for me too. It's why I pulled you away. The second I saw you I knew I couldn't go another minute without talking to you. Without letting you know how I felt."

"I know Angel. I know."

. . .

The door creaks open as Ariella and I step into her house, our laughter echoing against her marble floors and walls.

"Ariella?" A female voice calls out from the house.

Ariella's giggle stops sharply and she glances to the living room opening to see her mother and father with their suitcases.

"Mom, Dad, I didn't know you guys were coming in."

"Turns out we're both heading to Beijing during the same time this week so we decided to meet up here to repack before heading out together. We should be back by the fundraiser." Her mother states formally.

"Who's this?" Her father asks, staring at me suspiciously.

"This is just my friend Leah." She says smoothly.

I sting of hurt pangs in my chest, though I keep my face blank.

"We're just going up to study for our upcoming chemistry test."

We don't have chemistry together.

"Where's Ryan and Bailey?"

"Ryan is getting extra practice. Bailey has family obligations."

They went out for ice cream with the team.

"Don't be loud." Her mother says blankly before picking up her suitcase handle and dragging it to the downstairs master bedroom, her husband follows her with the rest of their bags.

Ariella quickly pulls me up to her room and closes her door.

"What was all that about?"

"What do you mean?" She asks innocently.

I cock an eyebrow upward "Really Angel? I'm not dumb."

"Okay they don't know."

"About us?"

She nods grimly.

"You said they know about you right?"

"Kind of."

I decide to let that comment slide and instead ask "Well then why didn't you tell them about us?"

"I didn't want them to kick you out, they know but they don't really approve you know."

I just nod and again decide to let it go.

Though I trust her, and I know she wouldn't do anything to hurt me, it felt like a slight step back. We both know how family secrets in a relationship can become complicated, so I only hope she knows what she's doing and will figure out whatever she needs to before it blows up in both of our faces and we get hurt.

My phone rings and gets my attention.

Sarah : Meet me at the park, I got an idea.