Autumn Finch

Chapter 3

Leo's POV

"Drop me off here," I instructed Matt, my bodyguard.

We were just two blocks away from Maddington High, the public school I had been enrolled in after a lot of pleading, despite my parents' misgivings. It's not safe, you'll be attacked, etc.

"Are you sure about this, sir?" He asked, concern written on his face. 

"I'm sure. I told you already, please just call me Leo!" I glanced over at some children who were walking past, goggling at me. One of the girls whispered, perhaps a little too loudly, because a boy (probably her boyfriend) elbowed her in the ribs and walked off with hurt expression; "wow. He's hot!" Another girl pulled out her phone, fumbling with it for a moment before holding it up to her face. Matt stepped in front of me and started to ward them off, but not before one of the girls managed to take a photo.

I groaned inwardly. She was probably going to tell her friends. Great. Just great. I could already picture the scene in my head.

Hordes of supposed "fans" asking me for an autograph they would sell online later. "Friend" after supposed "friend" asking me if I had any spare lunch money. Teachers treating me like some kind of prodigy and insisting I relax for a bit, hoping to receive a pay rise for treating me specially.

I sighed. Why do I always feel like the world is out to get me? Like no matter how hard I try, I can't escape from-

A polite cough drew me out of my thoughts. "If you're ready, sir, I would suggest we leave now before more... uh... of them arrive." Matt railed off, but I knew what he meant. I refrained from rolling my eyes at the fact that he had called me 'sir' again. Instead, I gave him a grateful hug in which he patted my back awkwardly.

He stepped back, a serious look on his face. "Not a word to your father about this," he warned, attempting a half-hearted smile.

I bit my lip. We both knew what would happen if my father found out. He probably knew already, thanks to those kids. Pushing the guilt away, I thanked him, and walked off.

I didn't even get two steps before Matt called me back. "Sir, I think you left your belongings behind!" Oh shit. This was going to be a hectic day.

I didn't know just how right I was...