The jock's poem

Leo was walking toward them, his gaze fixed on Jack with an intensity that suggested he might strangle him.

"What are you guys talking about?" he asked, his tone sharp.

Jennie didn't respond.

"Nothing, just wishing Jennie a speedy recovery. Anything wrong with that?" Jack said, a hint of mischief in his voice.

"No, of course not," Leo replied, though his tone was tight.

Jennie noticed how uncomfortable Leo was, understanding that Jack was teasing him about being jealous. But what should she do? Explore her feelings or crush them? Instead, she remained frozen, staring at Leo as if he were an alien.

"Jennie, everything okay?" Leo asked, breaking the silence.

"Oh yeah, thanks, Leo. Come on, girls, we need to get lunch," she said, forcing a smile.

Leo sighed when she left.

"What the hell did you tell her?" Leo demanded, grabbing Jack by the collar of his shirt.

"I didn't say anything!" Jack protested.

"I'm serious."

"Okay, I did compliment her once, but that's it! I swear!" Jack defended himself.

Leo let go of his friend, still chuckling. "Okay, that was close," he thought, feeling a mix of relief and confusion.

After the confrontation with Leo and Jack, Jennie couldn't shake the memory of Leo's poem from her mind. As she walked to her next class, the words echoed in her thoughts: *"When I had you in my arms, I felt a sense of wanting to protect you, to love you for the first time."* The poem had taken her by surprise, revealing a side of Leo she never expected.

Sitting in her math class, Jennie felt restless. She glanced at her friends, who were deep in conversation, but her mind was elsewhere. The more she replayed the poem in her head, the more her heart raced. Could Leo actually have feelings for her? And if he did, what did that mean for their tumultuous history?

As the teacher droned on about equations, Jennie found herself doodling in the margins of her notebook. The lines of the poem transformed into intricate designs, each swirl reflecting the confusion swirling in her mind. She stole glances at Leo across the classroom, noticing how he laughed with his friends, a carefree expression on his face.

After class, as students filtered into the hallways, Jennie took a deep breath and approached Leo. He stood at his locker, talking to Jack, who was still grinning about their earlier conversation.

"Hey, Leo," Jennie called, her voice a mix of determination and uncertainty.

Leo turned, his expression shifting from casual to curious. "Hey, Jennie. What's up?"

"I… um, I found out about the poem," she said, her heart pounding.

Jack raised an eyebrow, sensing the tension. "I'll, uh, give you two a moment," he said, backing away with a knowing smile.

Jennie felt exposed, standing there in front of Leo. "I just wanted to know why you wrote it," she said, trying to sound casual.

Leo rubbed the back of his neck, clearly caught off guard. "I didn't think you'd find out," he admitted, his voice low.

"Why didn't you just tell me how you feel?" Jennie pressed, her curiosity overcoming her hesitation.

He sighed, looking away for a moment. "I didn't know how. I thought it would be easier to write it down," he said. "You know we've never really gotten along."

"That's putting it lightly," she replied, a small smile breaking through her seriousness.

"Yeah, but things changed, didn't they?" Leo said, his gaze meeting hers with a sincerity that made her heart skip a beat.

Jennie felt a rush of emotions. "They have," she admitted. "I didn't expect to like you this much. I mean, I thought you were just this arrogant jock."

Leo chuckled, the tension between them easing slightly. "I get that a lot. But there's more to me than just that, you know?"

"Yeah, I can see that now," she replied, surprised by her own honesty.

They stood in silence for a moment, the air thick with unspoken words. Jennie's heart raced as she realized she wanted to explore this new connection.

"Do you want to hang out sometime?" she finally asked, surprising herself.

Leo's eyes lit up. "I'd like that. Maybe we could go grab coffee or something?"

"Sure, sounds good," she said, her nerves tinged with excitement.

As they exchanged numbers, Jennie felt a spark of hope. Maybe their history of animosity was just the beginning of something new. As she walked away, she couldn't help but smile, feeling lighter than she had in weeks. Perhaps the future held more than just rivalry; it could hold something beautiful.

The next day, the cafeteria buzzed with the usual lunchtime chatter, but for Jennie and Leo, it felt like a world all its own. They had agreed to meet for lunch, both filled with a mix of excitement and nervousness. As Jennie walked into the cafeteria, she spotted Leo at their usual table, his presence somehow both calming and exhilarating.

"Hey," she said, a shy smile spreading across her face as she approached him.

"Hey! You made it," Leo replied, his eyes brightening as he gestured for her to sit down. The familiarity of their banter lingered in the air, but now it felt charged with a new energy.

They both started with casual topics—classes, teachers, and mutual friends—each shared laugh breaking down the barriers that had once defined their relationship. As they dug into their lunches, Leo leaned forward, genuinely interested. "So, what's something about you that I wouldn't expect?" he asked, curiosity dancing in his eyes.

Jennie smiled, her eyes sparkling. "I love dancing," she said, the words spilling out with enthusiasm. "It's my favorite way to express myself. There's just something freeing about it."

"Dancing? That's awesome! What kind of dance?" Leo asked, genuinely interested.

"Mostly contemporary and hip-hop," Jennie replied, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I've been doing it since I was a kid. It helps me escape everything else."

"That's really cool. I'd love to see you dance someday," Leo said, a playful glint in his eyes.

"Maybe I could teach you a few moves," Jennie suggested, her confidence growing.

"Only if you promise not to laugh at me," Leo replied, grinning.

"I can't make any promises," she shot back, her laughter mingling with his.

As they continued to share their passions, the atmosphere around them shifted. They were no longer enemies or mere acquaintances; they were two people discovering each other's layers, finding solace in their shared vulnerabilities.

The next day, the atmosphere at school was buzzing with whispers and glances. News of Jennie and Leo's unexpected friendship had spread like wildfire, and students couldn't help but speculate about the nature of their relationship. As they walked through the hallways, they could feel the weight of curious eyes on them.

"Did you see them at lunch yesterday?" one student whispered to another. "Who would've thought?"

"It's so weird! They used to hate each other!" another replied, shaking their head.

Jennie tried to brush off the comments, but a knot of discomfort twisted in her stomach. She glanced at Leo, who was doing his best to act nonchalant, though she could see the slight furrow in his brow.

"Let's get out of here," Jennie suggested, her voice low. "I know a place where we can be alone."

"Where?" Leo asked, raising an eyebrow.

"The dance studio. It's usually empty during lunch," she replied, her mind racing with both excitement and nerves.

They made their way to the studio, and as soon as they stepped inside, Jennie felt a wave of relief wash over her. The room was bright, with mirrors lining the walls and wooden floors gleaming under the sunlight.

"Wow, this is nice," Leo said, looking around with admiration. "I've never been in here before."

"Welcome to my second home," Jennie said, a smile forming on her lips. "Now, let's get you started with some basics."

Leo watched as she turned on the music, letting the rhythm fill the space. "What's first?" he asked, a mix of eagerness and apprehension in his voice.

Jennie stepped closer, demonstrating a simple step. "Just follow my lead," she instructed, moving gracefully across the floor. Leo mimicked her movements, but his steps were stiff and awkward.

"Not bad for a first-timer," she teased, trying to lighten the mood.

"Thanks, but I think I need more practice," Leo replied, chuckling at his own clumsiness.

Jennie guided him through some basic steps, her laughter echoing in the studio as he stumbled through each move. "Relax! Just feel the music," she encouraged, her voice warm.

As they danced, the earlier tension began to fade. They shared smiles, teasing each other about their mistakes, and gradually, Leo started to loosen up.

"You're actually a pretty good teacher," he admitted, a playful glint in his eyes.

"And you're not half bad as a student," Jennie shot back, feeling a sense of pride in his progress.

They spent the next hour dancing and laughing, the outside world melting away. For Jennie, it was a reminder of how freeing dancing could be, and for Leo, it was an opportunity to see Jennie in a new light—confident, passionate, and completely alive.

When they finally paused to catch their breath, Jennie leaned against the wall, her heart racing. "I'm glad we did this," she said, looking at Leo. "It feels nice to escape everything for a while."

"Yeah, it really does," Leo replied, his expression softening. "I'm starting to see why you love it so much."

As they stood there, the bond between them deepened, both aware that this new chapter in their lives was just beginning. The chatter outside the studio faded into the background, leaving only the sound of their laughter and the rhythm of their hearts.

The next day, as Jennie and Leo walked through the school hallway, they were still riding the high from their dance session. Laughter filled the air around them, a welcome contrast to the whispers from the day before.

"Hey, lovebirds!" Jack called out, striding toward them with a mischievous grin. "You two are officially the talk of the school. When's the wedding?"

Jennie burst out laughing, her cheeks turning a shade of pink. "Wedding? Who said anything about a wedding?" she replied, her eyes sparkling with humor.

"I don't know, but you should definitely invite me," Jack teased, leaning in with a mock-serious expression. "I'll bring the cake!"

Leo chuckled, shaking his head. "Sure, we'll make you the best man. Just make sure you don't eat all the cake before the guests arrive."

Their laughter echoed in the hallway, drawing a few curious looks from passing students. But as the playful banter continued, a sudden chill swept through the air when Jennie spotted her father walking down the corridor.

"Uh-oh," she murmured, her laughter fading.

Leo turned to see a tall, imposing figure approaching. Jennie's dad had a reputation for being cold and intimidating, especially when it came to matters concerning his daughter.

"Jennie," her father said in a low, authoritative tone. "I need to speak with you." His gaze shifted to Leo, and a sharpness entered his expression. "And you," he added, his voice firm. "You should join us."

"Dad, it's not what you think—" Jennie began, but her father raised a hand, cutting her off.

"Now," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Leo exchanged a worried glance with Jennie, but he steeled himself and followed her as they headed toward a quieter corner of the school. The tension was palpable, and Leo could feel the weight of her father's gaze on him.

Once they were away from prying eyes, Jennie's dad crossed his arms, towering over them. "I don't like the idea of you two getting close," he stated bluntly, his voice cold and unyielding. "Jennie, you need to focus on your studies, not on... distractions."

"Dad, Leo is not a distraction! He's—"

"He's a boy," her father interrupted, his tone firm. "Boys will always come with complications. You need to be careful."

Leo felt a surge of defensiveness rise within him. "Sir, I promise I'll respect Jennie and her goals. I have no intention of interfering with her studies," he said, trying to sound confident, though his heart raced under the pressure.

"Respect goes both ways," Jennie's father replied, his icy gaze unwavering. "I expect you to keep your distance. This is not a game."

"Dad, you don't even know him!" Jennie protested, frustration creeping into her voice. "Leo is different. He cares about me."

"Different how?" her father challenged, his expression hardening. "I want to see you focus on your future. That's what's important."

With that, Jennie's father turned on his heel and walked away, leaving a heavy silence in his wake.

Jennie sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I'm sorry about that," she said, her voice shaky. "He can be really... intense."

Leo took a deep breath, trying to shake off the tension. "It's okay. I get it. Parents can be protective," he replied, his voice steady. "But you don't have to listen to him if you don't want to."

"I know, but it's complicated," Jennie said, her eyes downcast. "He just wants what's best for me, even if he doesn't understand."

Leo reached for her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "We'll figure it out together, okay? Just remember, you have a choice in this."

Jennie nodded, a small smile breaking through her uncertainty. "Thanks, Leo. I really appreciate you standing up for us."

"Always," he said, a spark of determination igniting within him. As they walked away, they both knew they had a lot to navigate ahead, but together, they felt ready to face whatever challenges came their way.