Chapter 38

"A day off?" Ella and I ask in unison.

It's been forever since I've done that.

"Shhh." Derek hushes us as he looks over his shoulder, "I'm not supposed to say anything because Mr. Rossi wrote it in fine print some place buried in the back of your contract but yes, a day off. Any day of your choosing. I wish someone would've told me this shit when I was a student teacher but they didn't so the 2 of you owe me everything."

"Of course." Ella wraps her arm around him and kisses his cheek softly.

"I'm doing a Monday so I can go on that boat trip with my family in a few weeks. You?" She asks.

"I don't know really it doesn't change that much for me. I see my family all the time and I live with my friend so." I shrug.

"Well maybe a day at the spa or the zoo or literally anywhere else than here for a whole freaking day." Ella giggles.

After Leo called me on my lunch break the day has gone by much faster. I think it's because I'm finding ways to keep busy so I don't obsesses about this afternoon. I was totally surprised when I saw him calling and I felt like a little bit of a stalker for leaving 4 missed calls on his phone but he didn't seem to mind it at all.

A second date? Wait is it a date? Maybe he wants to take me some place to end this... before it even started.

"No, Sunniva stop." I shake my head as I walk towards my car.

I look around at the busy parking lot when I hear someone calling my name. It's Mato and I see him walking towards me while shoving files into the bag hanging over his shoulder.

"So the mathletes have an evening tournament and even though I have 2 teachers already volunteering I was wondering if you still wanted to join?" He says, pushing his glasses up with his index finger. It's something he does a lot in class.

"Oh shoot. Evening as in today's evening?" I ask, hoping I'm wrong.

"Yeah, why is it a bad time? It's really okay if you can't make it. I just wanted to ask because you and Ella gave the kids so much energy the last time and no offense but the older teachers aren't that interested in cheering in a crowd."

"I thought we got in trouble for that?"

"Yeah, it's not permitted but the kids enjoyed it anyway." He says, making me laugh.

"Well..." I look away weighing my options.

Do I really want to go out with Leo if he's just going to tell me he doesn't want to see me anymore or should I avoid it by being a last minute chaperone to this evening tournament?

"I really would love to Mato but I made plans earlier." I bite my lip, hoping he's not upset.

"Ok, that's no problem, Miss Wallace. It was last minute anyway. I'll be sure you tell you the score." He offers.

"Please do."

"I'll see you in the morning, Sunny." He says.

"Bye Mr. Smith." I wave before continuing to my car.

The minute I get upstairs I rush into a shower and scrub off the day. Monday's are the busiest and meanest days.

My bedside clock says I have half and hour to get ready so I get started on my hair before I pick out an outfit. I'm usually not that fussy about what I wear because I've had the same style since I was nine but I want to try something different tonight.

I tie a small scarf around my head while I run around my room matching different pieces of clothing.

If I had an indication of where we'd be going it be easier to make a decision but I am clueless.

I slump down on my bed hopeless and exhausted. I decide to do my makeup in the hopes that an outfit idea will spring to mind. As I'm applying my mascara in the mirror the reflection of the clouds outside catch my eye. The soft pink and orange painted together in the sky hold my attention for a moment before I spring up in excitement.

"Yes!" I exclaim, ripping my closet open.

I reach for the orange jersey and light pink skirt and the sandals below.

"Perfect!" I yell out in joy, assessing the outfit in the mirror and pose on beat to the music playing through the speaker.

The music pauses when my phone rings.

"Hey." Lucy's face appears on my screen, she's in her cubicle.

"Hey yourself, you look great. Is it all that for me?" She whistles.

I laugh at her playful behavior and remove the small scarf.

"I know it's my turn to cook tonight but I've had a real shitty day and there's no way I'm exposing my hair to steam so I'm getting takeout. What do you in the mood for?" I want to remind her that it's been her turn to cook for the past few nights but she really does look beat by the day so I decide not to.

"Don't bother with anything tonight Luce... I kinda have plans." I say.

"Plans? What plans? Boy plans?" She shrieks and I hear someone shushing her.

"Leo says he's picking me up soon." I say and tap my phone to check the time, "Like right now-"

I hear a knock at the door and Lucy's eyes go wide in surprise.

"Better get that then." She squeaks.

"Yeah, I'll see you later." I say and she waves before ending the call.

I sprint to the door then take a moment to collect myself before opening it.

He looks as gorgeous as always in a white tee and dark blue jeans. I can almost see the ink on his skin through the T-shirt.

"Hi."

"Hi." He greets as his eyes travel down my body.

"Come in." I step back, "I'll be done in a second."

Leo

I watch her ass bounce as she skips away.

I don't know how I'm supposed to remain a 'gentleman' like Luther said if I can't focus on anything else but how fucking hot she looks in her tight skirt.

"Fuck." I groan, rubbing the back of my neck.

I wonder if she's still pissed about last night. I should apologize like Luther advised.

"Sunny-"

She hobbles back in, trying to tie the strap of her shoe.

"I don't know where we're going so I decided against heels." She announces.

I nod in response and she scoffs.

"Leo." She groans and I chuckle at the frown on her face, "Where are we going?"

I shrug and turn around to open the door, "Let's go." I say and hear her sigh.

We're awkwardly silent as we walk down the hall. I don't know how she feels about me after yesterday. My mind keeps replaying the image of her frightened eyes and I shake my head to get rid of it.

"You alright?" Her soft voice asks.

The elevator dings open and I step inside after her.

I'm drowning in my own personal hell of anxious thoughts until I feel her hand slip into mine and I finally take a full breath.

"You look real nice." She comments and taps her foot against mine, "I like your boots." She smiles up at me sheepishly and I want to run my fingers along her lips but I resist the urge.

The doors open and I squeeze her hand tighter when I see the full lobby. I shuffle through the people and flinch every time I see someone bump into her.

Maybe this evening's selected location isn't such a great idea if shit like this is bugging me already.

When we're finally outside I watch as she looks up at the sky and smiles adoringly.

"You look nice too." I say and her smile widens as she bites her lip.

I follow her around the to passenger side and open her door. She looks up at me curiously, "Why thank you Leo." She smirks, getting into the car.

My chest swells with pride at her reaction. Maybe Luther isn't a complete idiot.

I roll down the windows when I see her fanning herself and she smiles at me shyly again.

"Thanks." She says.

I watch her place her hand out the window and check herself out in the rear view mirror. She does this for a minute until she abruptly whirls around in her seat to face me.

"Can we talk?"

"Sure. What about?"

"Last night."

I shrug and take in a deep breath. I expected this.

"I didn't mean for that to happen." I begin and grip the wheel tightly, hoping it'll ease the tension in my body. "I thought... he was fucking with you and I lost it. I'm sorry you saw that shit."

"He was bothering me but I'm a big girl Leo, I can take care of myself." She says and my grip gets tighter on the wheel.

She probably only agreed to come tonight so she could tell you to leave her the fuck alone.

"And you just took off after." She continues, "I was so worried and I don't even know where you live..." She trails off.

"Worried?"

"Yeah," She frowns at me, "of course I was."

"Why?" I ask, utterly thrown by her statement.

When she doesn't respond I turn my gaze from the road to look at her and find her eyes dodging mine. Her fingers fidget with the small button of her jersey.

I pull her hand into mine and she finally looks up at me.

"It's okay." I repeat the words she always says to me.

"Is it a long drive? Can we listen to some music on the way?" She asks.

I nod and turn the dial on the radio.

She hums along to the slow song and the melodious sound feels like a veil of calmness falling around me.

This continues for the entire ride and I have the urge to take a wrong turn and get lost so it'll last longer.

"No way! Really?" She shrieks when she catches the bright lights of the Ferris wheel.

I chuckle lowly.

"Oh my gosh Leo I haven't been to a fair since I was a little girl." She's practically jumping in her seat.

So you aren't completely useless.

"I didn't even know they still happen this time of year."

"This one happens twice a year."

"Really?" She asks, looking at me with bright eyes.

"Yeah." I turn off the engine, "My mom loved this shit."

"Oh." Her eyes suddenly grow sad.

"I made you revisit your past so I thought I'd make it even." I reach for her hand.

She smiles up at me and to my surprise lifts her lips onto mine.

I lift my hand to the back of her neck and deepen the kiss. When she moans into my mouth I ball my hands that itch to grab her closer.

"Leo." She whines, pulling my lip between her teeth.

"Fuck, Sunny." I groan, my hand gripping her upper thigh, "There's people all over." I speak but the words are more for me than her.

I'm really fucking trying to be a gentleman here. I'm trying not to hike my hand up her thigh so I grab her flesh between my fingers instead.

"Later then." She whimpers, kissing me torturously slow.

"Its a date." I say and feel her smile.

She pulls away from me and sits back in her seat. When I open my door and climb out I see her still sitting there clutching her bag.

"Aren't you going to open the door for me again?"

I roll my eyes as I close my door and walk towards the passengers side.

"Thank you." She smiles wide, feigning surprise when I open up her door.

I chuckle at her silliness and she shrieks when slap her ass when I close the door behind her.

I'll keep working on the gentleman thing.