Love In The Shadows: Christian Romance

•Seven•

•Suspicious activity•

The next day at school, Naomi needed to talk to Leroy again. She was feeling really upset because of the problems at home. She knew that sharing her feelings with Leroy would make her feel better. Naomi explained everything that had occurred, beginning with the situation with her sister and the journal, and the Blackmail of a hundred dollars Keenly begged Naomi for. Leroy listened carefully, showing that he understood her.

Leroy chuckled, "Your sister's got a hence for drama, doesn't she? But, seriously, a hundred dollars? That's too much. Don't tell me you actually paid her!"

Naomi sighed, "I managed to bring it down to seventy, but it's still a lot. I don't know what to do, Leroy. I can't believe she's putting me in this position."

Leroy's voice filled with sympathy, "Listen, I've been thinking since this has been a pretty tough week for you that maybe after school today I can take you to the park and we can walk around. Get your mind off things!"

As much as Naomi wanted to say yes, she instead replied, "I can't I've got work tonight! But, what my parents don't know is; I took off of work Friday so I can spend actual time with you. The time I'm supposed to be 'at work' I'm going to be spending with you."

"You are so rebellious it's cute!" Leroy teased. Then they kissed and Leroy walked Naomi to class after lunch.

As they were walking Leroy still noticed the sad face on Naomi.

"Naomi, wait..."

They stopped walking and Leroy lifted Naomi's chin then said, "Please don't let that ruin the rest of your day. By the end of this class period I wanna see that frown turn into a smile okay? If you need to, I'll tell the teacher that I'm going to the nurse and I'll come meet you in the hallways just to cheer you up."

Naomi shook her head and replied, "No baby you don't have to do that I'll be okay!"

"Are you sure?" Leroy asked.

Naomi nodded, and then they kissed. She expressed her gratitude to Leroy for being there to listen and helping her feel better. After they kissed and hugged again, they parted ways, and Naomi headed to class in a much better mood. Instead of leaving her journal at home, risking that someone else might read it, she decided to keep it in her backpack. After settling in at her desk, she grabbed a pen and started journaling about Leroy.

After school, Naomi changed into her work clothes and went straight to her job, avoiding going home to her family. Her work shift at the skating rink started at six and ended at eleven.

At around ten-thirty, to Naomi's surprise, a guest approached her at the counter with a bouquet of orchids.

She turned around and saw Leroy, Naomi beamed as she looked at Leroy. Leroy grinned, holding out the bouquet of orchids.

Naomi exclaimed, "Leroy you scared me half to death! What are you doing here?"

Leroy laughed and replied, "Well, we're not going to pretend like you lied to me after school and told me you were 'okay'. Luckily, your boyfriend knows you better than that so I asked my mom if I could come visit you and she approved. I went to the store and bought your favorite flowers, hoping that we could spend a little more time together before you have to go home."