Not What I Expected

Chapter 8: Trying Something Different

3:06 pm, After School:

I spent a lot of the day trying to avoid Leo. I didn't want to see his face and be reminded of the deep feelings that I could have for him. I didn't want to challenge the 'what if'

It wasn't easy, things just got good between us.

I stood outside the school building waiting for Bella, tapping my foot on the pavement and checking the time on my phone consistently, anxiously awaiting her arrival.

"Hey bitch!" I heard from across the parking lot. I smile and hurry over to her. I didn't want to leave any room for the chance of being stopped by Leo.

I jump in her car and tell her to drive off quickly. She does as I say without hesitation, likely clicking on what could be going down.

"So did you wanna tell me why I sped off while being held at gunpoint?" she sarcastically questioned while expressing a wide smile.

"Bad things. VERY bad things." I responded, sinking in my seat and covering my face with my cold hands.

"What happened?" her voice became concerned, rightfully so. I had not given her much information on the lack of severity of the situation. I made it sound like someone had died.

"I think I might like Leo" I kick my legs in frustration, still covering my face whilst shaking it back and forth in disbelief.

Bella punches my arm, "You bitch, I thought someone died!" Told you.

A second of mutual silence flowed through the car.

"I'd love to know how this is a bad thing." Bella broke the silence. I could tell she was frustrated by how dramatic I was being, but she was ignorant to the fact that I had never had a proper boyfriend before, and falling in love was simply not something I was interested in, at least not at this point in my life. Aside from all of that, I had no clue if Leo was even feeling these same emotions himself.

"Lucia! This is great." she cheers, grabbing my shoulder with her right hand whilst still steering the car with her left.

"No Bella you don't get it." I swat her hand off of me politely and sit back up in my chair, "This wasn't supposed to happen. This year was supposed to be a focus on study and everything was supposed to happen naturally. I feel like I've got Stockholm syndrome." Bella laughs at the complete ridiculousness of my theory. "I don't have time to have my heart broken." I lean my head on the window pane, gazing at the passing flora on the other side of the glass.

"Lucia, if I've learned anything from being the schools-proclaimed beauty queen, and maneater." she manages to make me giggle, "It's that you are in control of what you take in and take out." I raised a brow at her, confused by what she even met. She must have sensed my lack of understanding as she continued to explain.

"Love is one of those things you can't control when, where, or how you feel it. But, you can decide whether you let it take over your life or not." I nodded in understanding. She was right. I couldn't control if I ended up falling for Leo but I could choose to either make it my life, or part of my life.

By the end of Bella well spoken motivational speech, we had made it to my house.

"You sure you don't want to come in?" I ask her genuinely, stepping out of her car

"Nah it's all good, mom has already started cooking at home," she responds.

"Alright, well drive safe, and go straight home!" I say as I get out of the car. I headed inside as she pulled out of my driveaway and drove off. I was going to be home alone for an hour or so because my mom always finished work later than I finished school. In the meantime, waiting for my mother, I decided to assume my comfortable position on the soft and cushiony couch.