Room 7B

"Someone else?"

"Levi, what are you talking about?" I ask him, a bit scared of his reply.

"It's Nora. She just came on to me."

I breathe a sigh of relief, glad that Trey hadn't done anything to him. But I process what he says and bite my tongue.

"What did she do? Did you do anything back?" I look away from his gaze.

"She came over to my house and just, kinda, pushed me into the wall and kissed me. I pushed her off and I shouted at her. I was just so angry that she'd done that."

I interrupt him, "Angry? Why would you be angry"

"I thought I had made it clear to her that I wasn't interested in being more than friends. Besides, she knows I'm interested in someone else."

"Someone else?"

He ignores what I say, "And yeah, she started crying, just spouting out these insults at me. I don't blame her, I guess she's just heartbroken. I just feel so bad for shouting at her like that."

"Don't excuse her actions just because she's heartbroken. You did everything right, Levi. You shouldn't beat yourself up over it." I say looking up at him.

He smiles, "Thanks sweet cheeks. Who knew you were so wise?"

I smirk at him, "There's many things you don't know about me, Dos-Santos. Do you wanna come in?"

He nods, following me inside.

I hear him whisper, "Give me a chance to figure you out, then."

I ignore it. As much as I want to look back and tell him, yes, let me give you a chance, let me figure you out too, I can't. I need to keep him safe, and that might mean hurting him.

"Levi! How are you doing?" Mom says calling out to him.

"I'm doing great, Miss Santiago. What's that you're cooking? It smells amazing."

"Just some Portuguese chicken and rice. Stay for dinner, won't you?" she says sweetly.

I roll my eyes slightly. I swear she's in love with him. Can't say I blame her though.

"If that's alright with you guys. It really does smell good." Who is this boy? I thought he was a bad boy but in front of my mom it's like he transforms.

Mom asks Levi and I to set up the table for dinner when Toby comes down the stairs.

"Oh, hey Liam."

"It's Levi."

"My bad, Louis."

I push Toby a little. He just looks back at me and Levi questioningly. He looks at me as if to say,
"I thought I told you to stay away from him."

I just shrug at him. When I turn, I smile evilly, knowing he'll get annoyed at the thought of me with some guy.

"Sit, sit everyone." Mom says while holding the plates of food.

We all sit on the table, with Levi pulling out the chair next to mine.

"Hey, Leo. Let's swap seats. The light here hurts my eyes." Toby lies.

"Again, it's Levi, and sure." Levi replied annoyed.

They swap seats and I hit Toby's leg with my arm.

"What's your deal?" I scowl.

"My eyes hurt Zandra. Let me live." he barks sarcastically.

I roll my eyes so hard it feels like it's going to fall out of my head.

"So, Levi, how's school treating you?"

"It's been good Miss Santiago, I'm getting solid grades. Just a bit nervous for college and all but I think I'm holding up." Levi explains while digging into his food.

"What college were you thinking of getting into?" Mom inquires.

"Where Zandra's going, wherever that is."

I blush while Toby chokes on his food.

"I'm kidding, of course." Levi says quickly. "I was thinking of going to University of New Orleans. I've heard that their engineering course is pretty up there."

"Oooh, Toby's doing engineering there! Toby tell Levi what it's like." Mom looks to Toby excitedly.

"Don't get your hopes up kiddo. I doubt you'd even get in." Toby muttered.

Mom and I stare at him with the most disapproving look while he gets up to put his plate in the sink.

"I'm so sorry about that Levi, he doesn't mean it." Mom assures him.

"Don't worry about it Miss Santiago. I get it a lot actually. I guess I just don't come across as the academic type."

"Excuse me everyone, I'm just going to talk to Toby for a little bit." I say, getting up quickly to follow Toby out the door.

"Toby!" I growled when I was out of everyone's sight, "What's gotten into you? Whatever it is, you didn't need to take it out on Levi. Just talk to me. What's up?"

"I don't want you to talk to him anymore." Toby demands.

"What?" I ask, "Who are you to say who I can and can't talk to? If you haven't noticed Toby, I have my own life, you have yours. You don't see me telling you what to do."

"There's something off with him Zandra. I know it."

"What? Where's your proof? Tell me. If you have something to back you up, I'll listen and never speak to him again." I shouted.

"I-I don't know Zandra. He reminds me too much of Trey. The bad boy thing."

"God! They're not the same person Toby. Trey is a bad guy but Levi's is just a façade. You don't see Trey getting straight A's and B's at school. You don't see Levi shooting people in the head! They're completely different people. Stop judging Levi from past experiences. Give him a chance. This whole thing has turned you so paranoid that you forget that there are actually good people in the world. Levi is a good person, and I know you are too. So stop acting like a child and grow up."

There's a silence between us for a while when he breaks it, "You're right. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that."

I sigh, "Say sorry to Levi, not me."

Toby nods and heads inside. I watch from afar and see them hug it out in about a minute. Man, I wish girls made up this quickly.

I walk in as Toby leaves the room, and Levi gets ready to head out.

"Thank you for the amazing dinner Miss Santiago. Your Portuguese chicken is probably one of my favourite dishes now."

She laughs and hugs him before I walk him to the door.

"I take it your brother just had a bad night?" Levi asks.

"Yeah, I'm really sorry about that. You took it really well. If it makes you feel any better, I never doubted the fact that you were the academic type." I grin.

"Thanks Zandra. Have a good night." He smiles before turning.

"Good night Levi."

I grab the handle to close the door when Levi turns back to kiss my cheek.

"Okay, really, good night now." He laughs before walking to his house.

Why did he do that? And why am I squealing?

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A/N

Thanks for reading!! Sorry for the super late update. My egg child Aleggzander died.

Don't forget to rate, comment and add to your library!!

Thanks,

Z.