Love Takes Trust

3

Juliana Herz

Ig: juliherzz

Picture above is who I think Leona Santos looks like. Let's pretend she has green eyes though, okay? Okay.

Warning!

Mentions of death and drug abuse

---

I shut the front door, sighing in relief to find no one home. I was able to convince Rose, Romeo, and Alex to let me stay alone. The chaos was all to much for me. I appreciate their concern but I don't need it. I put my things down and start walking to my room.

I stop.

Not sure why, something me to the room. The room I dread going into.

Jayden and Christian's room :) NO GIRLS ALLOWED!! (Expect Leona and Mama and especially not Christian's girlfriends)

The sign hung on the door read. I walked up to the door, before even opening the door, sounds of loud honking and cars racing through the streets fill my mind. I slam my hands over my ears trying to silence the noises. It's not real, it's not real, it's not real, it's not real.

Then it stops.

My phone vibrates in my back pocket. I back away from the door then run to a random room before locking it behind me. Great, this is Marshall's room. I plop down onto his bed too tired to go to my own room.

Crap! I agreed to get lunch with him. I can't do that, he's gonna think I'm crazy or I- The sound of the door knob turning stops me of my thoughts. "Dang it did I lock my self out the room?" I sigh in relief, it's just Marshall. I get up to open the door, "What the- oh hey Leona, when did you get home?"

"Few minutes ago. I'll leave..." He places his things down next to the bed, "No need. You hungry?" I shake my head, "Just ate." Lies.

"Okay, how about Super Mario Bros?" He hands me a remote, I look down at it. The same remote I've always used to use. "Um okay."

---

"You suck!" He laughs.

"No fair they keep killing me."

Marshall bops me on the nose, "that's why you dodge them, Sweetie."

Marshall is my half brother, our dad was married to his mom before he divorced her and married my mom when he moved to Italy. My family moved here from Rome three years ago, along with Romeo's family who I've known since birth. Marshall moved here from Cuba two years ago. My brothers, Jayden and Christian...

Died last year.

I cling to Marshall and my parents like they're my last string of survival. Without them I'd die. But one of my biggest fears is losing Marshall to drugs. "Leona-"

"We're home! Leona? Marshall?"

"We're in here!" I yell.

My parents walked into the room holding Chinese take-out. "We brought food!" My mom announces. I sigh, What's up with everyone and food?

---

The next day...

Romeo and I stand in front of my locker, zoned out from the world behind us. A arm wraps around my should pressing into a side hug. I look up to see Romeo being given the same treatment by Hunter Smith. "Hey, Freckles." I roll my eyes, Romeo laughs either at me or something Hunter did. He might have a slight crush on Hunter but he's in denial of it. They're really close though it's probably why he refused to say Santiago was attractive.

"If you two aren't doing anything later, which I hope you're not," his gaze turns to Romeo when he he says it then turns back to me. I tap Santiago's arm as if asking him to move it, and he does so without questioning, "There's a party at our house! You can even bring that red head girl and the one who has that flower name."

Romeo raises his eyebrow, "Rose?" He laughs and so does Hunter, "Yeah Rose."

"So you two coming?"

"Uh I don't-"

"Sure." Why did I say that? "Really?" All three of them say at the same time. I nod, "so what time?"

"Seven. I'll text you the address. See you later, Freckles!" Santiago says before walking away. I groan in annoyance. "See you in first period, Romeo. Bye, Leona." How does he know my name? Santiago probably.

Rose and Alex joins us right before the bell rings. "Hey guys what's up?" Rose says, walking up to us. "We got invited to a party. You, Miss girl-with-the-flower-name and Red-head are invited too." Rose rolls her eyes, "Who called us that?"

"Hunter."

"If Hunter called me Red-head guess that's my new name," Rose hits Alex on the head, "Ow!"

"You mean the one you have a crush on?" Rose smirks. "I don't have a crush on him," Romeo says annoyed. "I mean that hug was a little too friendly." I say with a shrug. "Hunter is one hundred percent straight, besides what able your little hug with Santiago!?"

"I brushed him off me."

"Lasted longer than I expected it to."

I sigh, "I'm not interested in any relationships. If Santiago thinks I am then I'm sorry for leading him on." I shut my locker and walked off. "So much for trying. Santiago isn't gonna hurt her." Rose says as she watches me walk off.

"She's afraid to risk it," Romeo closes his locker, "I'll come pick you guys up at seven."