Lake Aria

~ Chapter Four ~

- LEO -

Aria's quiet as I pull out of the parking lot, occasionally sipping her latte and stealing quick glances at me. She doesn't think I notice but I don't tell her I do because for some weird reason, I like having her eyes on me. I smirk to myself as she looks over again. She must have seen cause she quickly  turns away to look out her window. "Like what you see?" I question raising an eyebrow but keeping my eyes on the road. She chuckles...chuckles, like laughs. That's a new reaction. Usually when I casually drop a line like that, the girl blushes and uncomfortably squirms as if they're embarrassed. Not Aria though, she looks smug if anything.

"Mm, just checking out my potential kidnapper." there's a pause "or murderer." she grins staring straight ahead. "What about taxi driver?" I question with a smug smile. She turns to me and enthusiastically nods. "Yes, or that. One of those would be very helpful. You interested?" she  gives me an expectant look. Oh shit- she's serious. "Sorry to disappoint, as appealing as driving you around everywhere sounds-" because it does sound very tempting. "i  wouldn't be very popular with Dal. You see I'm his personal chauffeur." I shrug smiling to myself at her unexpected confidence. She laughs again and I'd be lying if I said it didn't spark something inside of me. The sound is gorgeous, angelic even, resulting in me laughing too. What's happening to me?!

She turns to me again, "So, other than the boring shit, what other stuff do you do here?" I shrug, "Not much. I'm studying business currently. Still haven't a clue what I'm gonna use my degree for but-" I shrug again emphasising the uncertainty I feel. She gives me a bored look. "I'm sorry. That's your definition of not boring. Dear lord, I bet you're fun." She grumbles turning away to face the road, once again. I chuckle, at her sass. This girl is something else. "Oh darling, you haven't seen anything yet." Shaking my head I grin at the slight pinkness appearing on her cheeks. Not so confident after all. Good to know.  

"Oh, please humour me, Lion." she drawls sounding and looking bored. Lion? Where'd that come from? I raise an eyebrow and turn to her, "Lion?" I question sounding as confused as I look. She grins smuggly. " Yes, Lion. Have you seen the sheer size of you?" she explains giving me a 'come on' look. I laugh, loudly. "No ones ever given me a nickname before." She shakes her head at me, "Nuh-uh, 'Asshole'." I roll my eyes, "Ah yes, oh how Dalton has a way with words." I try again. "Okay then, no one has given me a complimentary nickname before. There. How's that?"  She nods approvingly.

"Well let this be your first and last. One's enough. Now, answer my previous question." I stare ahead puzzled. "What question?" She groans with her head in her hands. "Are you kidding me?" I shake my head shyly. This girl can be scary when she wants to be, lord.. "What fun things do you do here other than your exhilarating Business classes?" she dramatically rolls her eyes again. I've come to realise she's very expressive. "Oh, that question. Believe it or not, I love basketball." She sniggers at my response. "I'm sorry, how in hell is that funny." I question, thoroughly confused. "Very dangerous, well done." she sniggers again. I stare ahead genuinely shocked and in slight adoration of her level of confidence. "Well if it helps, Dal plays rugby." 

She grins again. "Ah yes, I knew I liked him for a reason." My whole body tenses and my grip on the steering wheel tightens at her admission. I'm sure it was a joke but I can't help feeling agitated by it. She stares at me as if she's trying to work out my thoughts. I release my grip on the steering wheel and try to plaster on an unbothered face. That doesn't fool her though, of course it doesn't. She reaches over and places her right hand on my lower arm. "Hey, I'm only joking. I barely know Dal and if I'm being honest with you,  you see more grounded, but I won't deny, he does intrigue me, as to try and figure out what the hell goes on inside his head." she chuckles, and her hand on my arm combined with her laugh are enough to ground me again.