Chapter 24

"Well done Roger," I say while handing water bottles to everyone at as we make our way to the bus.

"T-thank you Miss Wallace." The blonde boy sounds strained as he struggles to hold the big trophy.

"Let me help you Roger." Oliver's soft voice speaks, approaching us.

"We didn't need you to win and we do not need your help carrying the weight of our accomplishments either, you Neanderthal." A boy ahead of the group boy calls out and turns his gaze to Roger, waving him forward.

"I'm okay, Oliver." Roger says shyly and walks faster to catch up with the rude boy.

I see Oliver sighing and watching after Roger as he enters the bus.

"That's not true, Oliver." I pat the perpetually pale looking boy, "You did great today."

"I gave 2 wrong answers." Oliver shrugs, ignoring my words, "I won't be surprised if they kick me off the team." He murmurs sadly.

"No, Oliver they won't do that. Don't think that way." I hold his tiny shoulder as a few students pass us by, "Everyone makes mistakes, okay?"

"I'm only on the team because Mr. Smith says I'm good at Science but none of them want me here because I'm on the football team." He admits and I bend my knees to be at his height.

"I'm on a sports scholarship but I really like science and I was really excited to get on the team because R-" He stops to take a breath and my chest tightens when I see his eyes water, "Please don't tell anyone I'm a scholarship kid, Miss Wallace." He begs and his tiny hands grip my shoulders.

I nod my head and open my mouth to speak but he runs off before I get the chance.

I exhale trying to release the sadness that swirls in my chest.

"You okay, honey?" Ella's asks as she holds a hand out for me.

I nod taking her hand and we walk to the bus together. Mato takes the open seat beside us.

"They were so great, weren't they?" He exclaims with a bright smile.

"So great. I can't believe kids are so smart. Have kids always been this smart?" Ella laughs.

"Yeah, I don't remember kids being this intelligent back in my day."

"Oh don't be coy, Miss Wallace," Mato says, "Your name is engraved on the steps of the school and just about every article written about you says you were on your way to NASA."

"Oh no." I facepalm, "Where in the world did you find those articles and why in the world does Dolton Elementary still have them?" I giggle a little embarrassed.

"I think the real question is why in the world are you not building space rockets, Miss Wallace?" Ella comments.

"I never really enjoyed any of those things." I confess, "I just kinda did them and was good enough to win but I wasn't ever passionate about it you know?" I say honestly.

Between themselves my moms could probably rule the world they're so smart and I guess for a second grader I was okay but after Neoma got taken away I didn't want to risk having my grades fall and letting them down so I applied myself really well.

"When did you realize you were passionate about teaching?" Mato asks.

"When I was in High School. I signed up to be a tutor and I realized I've never liked anything more in my life." I smile in remembrance.

"What about you two?"

"My mom and grandma were both teachers then principals so I guess my love for education is kinda hereditary." Ella says.

"Don't let Principal Khator year you say that." Mato teases.

"What about you, Mr. Smith?" I ask

"I always knew I wanted to teach. Nothing else fulfilled me the way it does." He smiles sweetly. He grunts clearing his throat and looks away a little embarrassed I think but there's nothing to be embarrassed about.

Teaching really is the most fulfilling work I've ever done.

I feel silly for having butterflies in my tummy at the sight of Leo's car. I'm practically bouncing when I hop out the bus but I remind myself to remain professional as we count the kids who exit.

Oliver exits the bus and I watch as he rushes to a burly man in a minivan waving him over.

"Oliver, is really beaten up about answering those two questions incorrectly." I tell Mato standing beside me.

"Really?"

"Yeah, he's afraid he's going to get kicked off the team." I feel a little guilty for speaking out about Oliver.

"God, sixth graders are a handful." He laughs, massaging his temples, "I'll talk to him. Thank you, Sunny."

I smile in response and look towards Leo's car and to my surprise the large handsome man leaning against the hood of his car is scowling at me from a far.

"Well... today was great Ella and I spoke about how cool it felt belonging to a winning team so don't hesitate to ask us again please, the kids are lovely." I say trying to pry my eyes from my crush, "I'll see you tomorrow, Mato." I wave him off and make my way to the black car.

Leo's scowl is still on his face as I approach him but his gaze switches from me to behind me.

"Hey what-"

I'm wonderfully interrupted by his soft lips pressed against mine as both his hands cradle my face possessively.

My knees buckle and I moan into the kiss giving his tongue entrance into my mouth and following his movements. Finally running out of air he releases me and places another kiss on my forehead before laying his arm around me and walking me to the passengers seat.

"Hey." I greet breathlessly.

"Hey." He smiles tight lipped and opens the car door. I watch him through the window as he scowls over his shoulder before moving around to the drivers seat.

"What did you do today?" I ask, hoping to remove the frown lines from his forehead.

Starting the car he looks in my direction and frowns in confusion.

"Luther had a few clients who kept me busy all day." He responds.

"Do you like working for Luther?"

Leo shrugs, "The money's consistent and Luther needs the help." He responds.

"I asked if you like it." I repeat and he gives me a quick glance before switching lanes.

"Yeah, I do."

"You wanted to do exactly this." I remind him, "Do you think one day you'll open up your own auto repairs shop?"

He scoffs at my question, ignoring it.

"The future should be painted with our dreams." I quote my grandfather.

He scoffs again this time smiling at me with a look of on his face I can't decipher.

He shakes his head, "How was your day, Sunny?"

"Oh it was great! We won and the kids were so happy... well not all of them." I frown remembering Oliver's slumped shoulders, "There's this really sweet boy on the team who's in my extra credit classes too and I think the kids in the group aren't being welcoming to him because he's on the football team."

Leo turns eyeing me suspiciously, "The mathletes are bullying the new kid for being on the football team?" He asks, sarcasm dripping from his words.

"Well its not technically bullying otherwise I'd have to report it but I do think they're giving him a bit of a hard time even though he's more than qualified to be on the team."

His still confused expression hangs on his beautiful face as he nods taking in my words.

"He's a really sweet kid, Oliver, and he's on a scholarship and doesn't want the other kids to find out. He practically begged me not to tell anyone when he split it to me."

"Guess things haven't changed that much." Leo huffs, entering my apartment lot.

He must feel my gaze because he looks at me before finding a parking spot.

"I can't tell which ones more scandalous, drug money paying your school tuition or being on a scholarship." He says, turning off the engine.

"You weren't on a scholarship at Dolton High." I state.

"I know." He says smiling, obviously enjoying my confusion.

I think for second then snap my fingers when it comes to me, "Your friend, Arshad, was on a scholarship." I remember.

"He was not my friend." Leo rolls his eyes.

"But you two sat together at lunch." I remember being too nervous to ask to join them even though at the time I was tutoring Leo. He made it clear we weren't friends.

"Not my choice." He sighs, "He was the only person not afraid or disgusted by me at the school."

"I wasn't either of those things."

"I know." He smiles, unbuckling my seat belt and pulling me into his lap.

I circle my arms around his headrest and kiss his cheek softly as his arms circle my waist.

"Do you know where he is now?" I ask.

"UPenn." He responds, running his hands along my lower back and butt.

"How do you know?" I ask breathlessly, my lips hovering over his.

He chuckles softly, "The annoying asshole sent me postcards all freshman year until I finally called him and threatened him into making new friends. He only sends once a year now." He smiles, running his hand down the top of my thighs and spreading them so my skirt hikes up.

"You're so sweet Leo." I respond, cupping his cheek.

He shakes his head as his thumbs strums along the lace of my panties.

"You are, Leo." I state, hoping my words stick.

He smirks and leans into kiss me teasingly.

His thumbs run higher up, "Not sweeter than you." He whispers against my lips, pulling my bottom lip between his teeth.

My hips grind against him through his jeans and I moan at the sensation.

His hands still my movements and I moan again, "Leo."

"I'm not letting someone walk by and see how beautiful you look coming for me, Sunniva." He says as his thumbs strum my inner thigh.

"Then stop touching me like that if you're not..." I stop my embarrassing words in their tracks.

"Oh." Leo lifts his hands from my thighs and wraps one around my neck securely, "Are you upset, Sunny?" He teases, running his lips over mine and I grind against him, mewling softly.

"You want me to touch you angel?" He whispers softly and it fuels my movements making me grind harder against him.

His eyebrows raise as he watches me grind against him and a small smirk appears on his face.

"You're look so fucking sexy right now," He kisses me roughly as his right arm wraps around my waist encouraging me.

I moan into his mouth as sensation builds in my lower stomach.

"Were you thinking about me all day, Sunny?" He whispers, running his tongue along my lip, "Because I was thinking about you."

I'm moving faster now trying to reach something so far yet so close.

"I was thinking about your beautiful fucking tits and how you came for me so quickly when I was playing with them." He whispers into my mouth as I moan into his, "I was also thinking about how angelic you look with my dick shoved down your pretty throat." He says, increasing the pressure around my neck and I dig my fingers into the headrest.

"I was thinking about that sweet, sweet pussy and how I can't wait to fill you up completely. Fuck, Sunny you'll scream all night." He says and his words end me, as I begin to see stars and grind against him uncontrollably.

"Oh god, Leo." I moan loudly, "Oh my god." I'm breathless as he pecks my lips telling me how good I am.

I look at him through hazy eyes and his are dark with lust.

"You want a cup tea?" I whisper still out of breath.

He kisses me again and it's so long when he releases my lips I'm even more breathless.

His hand caresses my face and he shakes his head slowly, "I can't tonight."

I try not to look at dejected as I feel, "Oh okay, that's fine."

"I'll see you in the morning, Sunniva." He whispers.

When he removes his arm from my waist I move back into my seat.

We sit silently for a few seconds until I reach for my bag and open the door.

"Goodbye Leo."

He nods in response and I close the door and walk away. I don't hear his car start until I'm inside and I look back to see him exiting the lot.