Into the Storm

Chapter 3

Leo's P.O.V.

I finally finish my laps for the day, which was 10. I step out of the pool, and head for the showers, when I see Jean.

"Last time you came to a practice was when Max still did swim. What brings you here?" I ask taking my swim cap off.

"I'm still having some issues with Max, I don't know what to do."

I think this through, and get an idea. "How about this, I take a shower, and we talk about this at my place?"

"Okay, cool."

I rinse my hair in the shower, then change into my Nike shorts, and an oversized shirt, then lead Jean out of the pool area.

"So what exactly is the problem?" I ask walking around the corner, to walk into my neighborhood.

My mom and I live in a two story town home. It was small, yet cozy, and was covered in vines on the outside walls. The ocean was 5 minutes away by foot tops. and I could smell the saltiness from where we were walking. The breeze picked up and I took a deep breath.

I lived in Hawaii for three years, and I had a tree house near the beach, and my mom would sing in Hawaiian lullabies about the ocean. Yet despite all of that, my favorite part is having Cathy as my neighbor.

"Well, he just seems to be acting strange lately...I just don't know what to do." Jean had a confused look on her face.

I nod, taking this in. I decide to run up to Cathy's house, knowing what she would do.

I knock on the door, and wait. Jean was standing next to me.

When Cathy opened the door, her face lit up. "Mom! Can I go to Leo's house?"

I heard a muffled "yes" and she stepped out so we could walk over.

I grab the key out of my backpack, and opened the door. My mom's car wasn't our front, so she was still at work. I walked in, Jean and Cathy followed me up to my room. I put my stuff down and sit cris-cross on my bed, which had a map of Hawaii on it, and hug my stuffed bear, Lazy. Jean sat on my couch, while Cathy plopped down on my beanbag chair.

"Okay, details. Now." Cathy said to Jean.

"It's Max, I really don't know what to do."

"Maybe you should ask him in person, to see if he avoids eye contact and stuff like that." I suggest.

"Good idea." Cathy gives a thumb up, but she was upside down so it looked like a thumbs down.

Jean started to laugh, and soon I started laughing too. Then Cathy saw what she did and laughed too.

"Leo?" I heard my mom call me from downstairs.

"I'm up here, mom." I call out. She comes around the corner and smiled.

"Hello Jean and Cathy." My mom was really pretty, with long black hair that fell in pretty waves down her back, but it was in a bun for work. She had olive skin had sparkling hazel eyes, her name was even nicer, Leialoha.

"Hello Ms. Deculus." They said in unison.

"Hey, mom, We need your advice."

"Sure, what's the problem?" She comes in and sits on the floor.

"My boyfriend started acting strangely. What do I do?" Jean said.

"How long has this been happening?"

"About a week now."

"Has he stopped talking to you?"

"No."

"Well if he stops talking to you, you'll have a problem. But if this continues confront him." My mom said like it was obvious. She stood up, and adjusted her black suit. "I'm gonna order pizza, pepperoni and cheese okay for you girls?"

"Yes." We all say in unison. My mom smiled and walked downstairs.

"Your mom is the most laid back person I know." Cathy said sitting right side up.

"You should see her when I don't do my homework." I say pulling out my laptop. "Speaking of which, who did the science?"

"I did!" Cathy comes over and helps me out, and Jean starts texting.

"Max?" I ask.

"Yeah, he hasn't responded."

"He might be busy." Cathy shrugged.

"Yeah."

~•~

Jean went over to Cathy's house to sleepover, but I stayed home.

"Grandma called today, before you left." I say as mom sits next to me.

"What did she say?" She automatically had a defensive tone to her voice.

"She told me to be responsible this year." I knew why, and mom did too, but no one else could know.

Mom was silent for awhile, before turning on the tv.

"Spongebob?" She asked.

"Sure." We sit and watch the most stupid episode ever, but enjoyed it.