Love me like this (Supernatural Re-up)

Chapter 12: Deception at the park

The crisp autumn air hung gently around Pretoria High as leaves turned to shades of gold and crimson. Despite the ongoing tension surrounding Casper's threat, a rare sense of normalcy had returned to the school. Students went about their routines, their lives slightly disrupted but not entirely stopped. Among them was Leo, who was starting to appreciate the fragile calm that had settled over the campus.

One afternoon, as Leo was heading to the library to meet Carlos and Mia, he received an unexpected message on his phone. The message was from Cassian, the new student he had recently met: *"Hey, Leo. I was wondering if you'd like to hang out at the park this weekend? I'd like to get to know you better."*

Leo frowned, surprised by the message. Although he had met Cassian before, they hadn't spent much time together. The invitation seemed genuine enough, and Leo figured it could be a good opportunity to further understand the new student.

"Why not?" Leo muttered to himself, deciding to accept the invitation.

---

Saturday afternoon arrived with a cloudless sky and a gentle breeze. Leo made his way to the park, which was located just outside the school grounds. It was a popular spot for students who wanted to escape the confines of their dorms and enjoy a bit of nature. As he approached the park, he spotted Cassian waiting by a bench near a large oak tree.

Cassian was a striking figure, standing out with his confident posture and casual attire. As Leo approached, Cassian's smile was warm, though there was an underlying sharpness to his eyes that Leo couldn't quite place.

"Hey, Leo," Cassian greeted, extending his hand. "Glad you could make it."

Leo shook his hand, feeling the firm grip of Cassian's handshake. "Hey, Cassian. Nice to see you. What's up?"

Cassian's smile widened, and he motioned for Leo to sit on the bench. "Just wanted to chat and get to know you better. Things have been pretty intense lately, and I thought a bit of normal interaction might be refreshing."

Leo took a seat, his curiosity piqued. "Sure, sounds good. What do you want to talk about?"

Cassian sat down next to Leo, leaning back against the bench. "Well, I've heard a lot about you from the other students. They say you're quite skilled, especially with your combat abilities. I wanted to hear more about your experiences."

Leo chuckled, feeling slightly flattered. "I guess that's one way to put it. Training has been challenging, but I've been getting the hang of it."

Cassian nodded thoughtfully. "Training can be tough, especially with everything going on. I imagine it's even harder with the recent threats."

Leo stiffened slightly at the mention of the threats. "Yeah, it's been rough. Everyone's on edge, and the threat of Casper is always hanging over us."

Cassian's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, but he maintained his friendly demeanor. "Casper, right. I've heard he's quite a formidable opponent. How are you coping with all the stress?"

"It's a lot to deal with," Leo admitted. "But I have good friends and supportive people around me. It helps to have a solid support system."

Cassian's expression softened. "That's good to hear. Friends are important, especially during times like these."

Their conversation drifted between light topics and more personal reflections. Cassian asked about Leo's interests, his daily routine, and his thoughts on various aspects of life at Pretoria High. Leo found himself opening up more than he intended, sharing details about his fears, hopes, and the recent events at the school.