Stripped to the Heart

Chapter 16 - Club Mate

This is the car that they use ^ it is longer in real life

"Leave me alone, Leo" I was really getting annoyed with Leo now, he kept on throwing rocks at my window and I was about to throw the dresser down on him. There was just a tiny bit of kind-hearted girl left in my soulless bitchy persona that I usually use. Recently I started relying on it and now I just live my life using it.

I have my cast taken off in two days, the police take Principal Smith to court and I have to attend in four days and we are moving, two streets over in two days. A fresh start they keep talking about, I think they just want a better house. Of course though they still keep this one, so I will start living here part time.

I have been really insecure since he took us all hostage and I don't talk to anyone, living on chips and sherbet with Joy around or vice versa. Right now though Leo is standing by my window and I am contemplating what I should throw at him. I found Dot in the crack of my closet, this will do I thought to myself.

I wandered over to the window and dropped the stuffed toy, not because of my choice but because I was shocked. Leo was standing there with a single, pink rose. I had to drop the toy to keep my squeal of delight, I love pink roses and even better he was looking up at me with a pout on his face.

He didn't see the toy and it hit him in the face and I laughed as he spat fluff from his mouth, I just laughed and ran down the stairs in an attempt to save that poor little rose. I reached the steps before he ambushed me into a hug with the rose in his hand. "Are you single?" he asked and I stiffened, so this was what the rose and the rock throwing was about I mentally noted. "No" I said back warily.

It was true when Leo saved me that day every relationship that was ever 'in progress' was talked about and I used the same excuse, I don't think I want anything at the moment, sorry all the boys were annoyed and hated me but they can't. "I'm not dating anyone but I promised myself for the next few months I'd just give it a break." He looked a little shocked but slowly he seemed to respect the decision. "Well, I wasn't here to ask you out, only for a date but if you don't want to go..." "No, it's alright, come on lets go as friends and for the next month we can learn about each other more, how about that?" he seemed happy because his smile was back and he handed me the rose and pushed me back in the house.

I walked out into the cold breeze of a summer's afternoon in a aqua cocktail dress, matched with a black Chanel tote bag and 5" tiger heels. I left makeup with mascara and concealer but put on a long-chained owl necklace and bird shaped diamond earrings. I didn't know where we were going so I also brought a jacket, in case it wasn't  fancy.

"So, I was planning on going for Italian, but you are very dressed up" he said, a little wary "Oh, it's okay but I have an idea" I was going to take this immature boy clubbing, surely that would be easy. "Let's go in my hot pink maserati and we have to swing by somewhere."

We headed off and I drove straight to Jack's I.D.ea, which pretty much made fake I.D's for underage people. They have it located down a couple of smaller streets that you wouldn't even look down if you were just driving along. We dropped in and got one for him, then we headed off to the club.

Swingin' Low and High the sign hanging above my favourite club, located only 20 minutes from my home. It has reasonably good booze and no one is really that drunk. Their bouncers take people out once they pose any threat.

I glanced at Leo as we entered and he looked extremely nervous, I handed over my fake I.D and signaled for him to do the same. He looked fit to burst as the bouncer examined his card, thankfully he held it in until we reached the bar. "Gin and tonic" I told the bar-tender and he poured my drink for me, I paid and then ordered a vodka shot for Leo.

Once he finally downed the shot I could see he was happy to be here. We would be having fun for a couple of hours at least, then he would probably start getting a bit rough and tough.

*2 Hours Later*

It turns out I was right, but Leo wasn't extremely drunk. Just easily aroused, how charming. I dragged him out of there and into my car, turns out he only had the shot and a single can of beer, less than me but enough for a lightweight. I let it slip and drove us to the restaraunt he had planned for us, even though we were late they gave us a table up the back with no extra cost.

"What would you like?" It came out like a robot and I realised I knew that voice, so I kept my face behind the menu. "Uhh-maybe just the hand-breaded calimari, Italian wedge and lamb rosemary chicken" I ordered then noticed Leo staring at me. "What can't a girl eat? Or do I have to eat like an anorexic bitch?" I spoke it as it was, nothing more and nothing less.

He seemed surprised but shrugged it off and ordered the exact same, I challenged him to an eat-off and stupidly he accepted. I was known in the family as the biggest eater and fastest too, no one could beat me I was the best.

The food and we gave ourselves a grace period, where I pretended to be overwhelmed, suddenly nervous and wanting to back out. He refused and a grin of sheer pleasure took over his face, I smirked back and said "Begin" I was finished my Italian wedge before half of his calimari was in his mouth.

I smirked and started to eat my calimari, I caught up to him and had to hide the smile that wanted to invade my face. It would ruin my plan. The last meal on my plate was the largest, the lamb rosemary chicken. It would go down as a nice meal so I ate it, steadily clearing my plate whilst Leo was beginning to slow down.

I finished and he hadn't even bitten part of his meal and I was ready to order a dessert, I had already won but I needed something cold, so I ordered a gelato and he still wasn't finished when they brought it out to the table. It looked delicious but before I could spoon it out Leo had already spooned out one of the scoops and put it in his mouth. I took the other one and ate it, slurping the remaining ice cream that had melted from the bowl.

"So, how does it feel to lose to a girl, like this?" I bragged and smirked. "Yes, alright but I never knew you could eat" he said, defeated. I mocked hurt and then said "alright you've pushed me, as the winner I don't have to pay for the meal" I smiled triumphantly and beamed at him when he groaned.

I was smart, the bill came to $73.98 and he groaned yet again before decided not to make him pay and I pulled out my credit card and payed for the meal from my money, "It's okay, I know you probably don't have the money" I said, teasingly or not he looked hurt but I could see it was short-lived.

I wasn't going to let this go easily, he would pay. Maybe I'll make him my slave or something else, but I sure as hell wasn't going to just pay for a meal and then not expect something back. I just don't share.