Drop.
Dodge.
Turn.
A few more steps. One step. Two steps. Three ste—wait, wait.
Shit.
Abort! I'm completely aborting this mission. I can't keep hiding from him.
But I m brave. Heaven, you can do it!
Oh, god, god, god. Leo is standing at the classroom door like a predator waiting for its prey—and, naturally, that cute prey is me. He still has sparkles dusting his face and hair, even though he's changed his clothes. It's still hilarious. I can practically see he's out for blood.
"Okay, Heaven, you can do this. Pull up your big-girl panties and face every challenge." I walked boldly towards him.
Don't say it, Heaven.Don't say it.For God's sake, don't—
"Hey, Tinker Bell!" Dammit, my stupid mouth.
And here we go. If looks could kill, I'd be seven feet under the ground, right alongside Dumbledore. What? A girl needs company.
"I will fucking kill you if you call me that again!" Leo roared, furious.
"The trail of pixie dust you're leaving behind is a perfectly justifiable reason for that name," I retorted coolly.
He angrily strode forward, caging me between the wall and him. I tried to duck beneath his arms, but my attempt was pathetic, and he expertly blocked me again.
"I dare you to say that again," he whispered dangerously, his voice a low growl. I desperately searched for help, but found none. Amber's class was clear across the school, and Seth was probably dead somewhere. I'd have to deploy Plan B.
"Leo, you're a good person. You're truly the best of us all. You wouldn't want to get blood on your hands, would you?" I pleaded with my eyes, trying to convey my deepest sincerity.
"Actually, no. Getting your blood on my hands would be profoundly enjoyable, and I'd be doing the world a favor by ending you," he countered, a chilling remark.
Alright, on to Plan C.
"Sorry for not being sorry, Tinker Bell," I said with an evil smirk, then lifted my leg, aiming to kick his baby-making system precisely where it counts. But he abruptly seized my leg with one hand. So, I resorted to the second-best method for inflicting pain on human beings. I gripped both of his nipples and twisted them as if my life depended on it—because, seriously, my life did depend on it. As he recoiled, clutching his bruised nipples and screeching like a hyena, I bolted, making a direct line for the safety of my classroom.
I somehow managed to evade Leo throughout the rest of school. The current score between us is 2-1, and I'm leading by one point. I'm clearly winning.
Ha. Ha. Ha.
Just you wait, Leo.
Afterschool
"Three days of laundry."
"No."
"Three days of laundry, plus half of my sweet stash."
"Hmm. No."
"Three days of laundry, plus half of my sweet stash, and letting you drive the car for one week."
"Let me think... no, not worth the risk," he said, a smug smirk spreading across his face. This little piece of shit.
"Three days of laundry, plus half of my sweets, letting you drive, and an invitation to our Friday detox." I laid out my final offer. I'm so sorry, Amber, but you've been sacrificed for the greater cause. Rest in peace.
"Now don't beg," Austin said, barely concealing a small smile. "I'll reluctantly accept your offer."
Meet Austin, my sweet, caring, docile little brother. At least, he was—until he grew older. Now, he's just a brooding little devil. He's nineteen months younger than me, a direct result of our parents' excessive affection for each other. You can rub anyone the wrong way, but never him, because he truly has no bottom line. Yet, this devil's heart secretly holds a soft corner for my one and only lovely Amber. You see, he's had the longest crush on her for as long as I can remember. Poor her. Only God can save her from this devil.
Well, now I just have to sit back and enjoy the show.