Chapter 9

✨ L E O N A R D O✨

"Leo.. would you mind if I joined you and Keith for lunch? We can sit over there." Kara suggested while pointing to an empty table in the cafeteria.

"Kara," I paused and raised my eyes to meet her dark ones. "We've been in this school for long, when was the last time you saw me have lunch in the cafeteria?" I completed and she began fumbling with the Hem of her sleeves.

"Oh well I could jo-"

"How about next time? We really enjoy our guy time during lunch." Keith interrupted Kara.

Thank goodness.

Keith and I exchanged glances before we left  the cafeteria and made our way to the garden.

"Kara must really like you if she does this frequently." Keith commented as we settled on the wooden round table that was located in a part of the huge garden.

"I'm not interested in girls." I replied after taking a sip of my diet coke.

" Why do you even enjoy having lunch in the garden?" Keith curiously questioned.

"It's quiet and peaceful." I muttered.

And she sometimes have lunch in the garden.

"It's quite hot." Keith complained.

"I think I prefer the natural breeze to the air conditioning inside." I said back to him and he went quiet.

Although we sat on the bench in the middle of the garden, she was nowhere to be seen.

Did she have lunch somewhere else?

I used stretching as an excuse to stand up and look around but she still wasn't in sight.

I fell back on my wooden bench with a heavy sigh.

"Disappointed at something in general or?" Keith questioned.

"What?"

"You sighed like you were disappointed at something."

" Oh it's nothing. Just thinking about stuff." I answered while using my fork to stab my salad.

"Hey look! It's Riona the grumpy girl!" Keith announced and my head looked up Immediately.

My eyes catch a glimpse of a girl in a black hoodie walking towards an empty wooden bench at one end of the garden.

"How about we go bother her for a minute?" Keith suggested.

I'm always content watching her from afar but that wouldn't be a bad idea.

"I'm good. I have to eat this and lunch still soon be over." I declined the invitation.

"Well I'm off!" Keith excitedly skipped over to Riona's table.

She won't entertain him anyway.

My eyes followed Keith too he got to Riona's table and when five minutes passed without her chasing him away, my chest began to hurt a bit.

What could they be talking about? So she enjoys his company? I don't ever think I've ever felt this way, probably because Riona hasn't let any guy talk to her for more than two minutes, myself included of course.

I was interrupted from my thoughts when Riona moved a bit before standing to her feet.  I could see lips moving but couldn't make out anything from it.

Shortly after Riona grabbed her stuff and turned to leave but she noticed me then made a peace sign before heading towards the entrance of the main building.

Keith slowly walked back to the bench with an accomplished smile on his face causing me to think about what they must have talked about.

"Did I just see Riona give you a peace sign?" Keith eyed me suspiciously and I nod.

"Wasn't it just a couple of days ago she almost killed you for nearly bumping into her?" Keith asked, his eyes sparking interest.

"Aren't you a little bit too interested in Riona?" I countered the question.

He let out a smirk causing me to roll my eyes.

The school bell rang signifying end of lunch.

The rest classes flew by quickly but immediately the final bell went off, we were informed that the current set of final year students are to take part in an assignment and partners would be chosen randomly.

The groans from everyone was loud enough to push the informant away but he stood his ground and continued,

"The list has been pasted on the notice board so check it out before leaving in case you need to talk to your partner to make plans or anything. Remember this is worth half your final grade so take it seriously if you want to pass. Have a good day!" He cheerfully smiled before exiting the classroom.

An assignment? I also have to socialize? I hope it's someone good though.

I sluggishly took my bag and made my way to the hallway notice board and found only three students there checking names.

One would have thought it would be crowded as hell right now.

I looked through the list till I came across my name and my partner is Riona?!

"Fucking hell!" I yelled out loud and people turned around to the sound of my voice causing me to regain my composure.

"Is that a positive or negative fucking hell?" A softer voice said from behind me.

"A positive one," I answered before turning round to see who asked.

"I'm glad. So what's the plan for our assignment?" She asked causing me to freeze then slowly turn around.

"Riona?! I didn't know it was you." I confessed feeling embarrassed.

" Evidently! You didn't even turn to see who was talking to you! What if it was someone trying to attack you?" She joked causing me to smile.

"I don't think I've given anyone reason to attack me." I answered.

" I like to get my things done on time and I know we have three weeks for this but I'd to get it done as soon as possible."

" I love doing things at their appropriate time too. I don't know about plans right now though but I can tell it to you tomorrow?"

" There's no need to make unnecessary physical contact in school so how about you just give me your number and that way we can contact each other of plans?" She suggested.

" Okay, sure." I said and dialed my number on her phone.

"I'm off, we will discuss details later." She ran off.

I looked on as she disappeared from my sight.

That's crazy, I made major moves today! Not only did we have a conversation but she took my number as well.

"This is just one of our many encounters to come Riona." I said to myself with a smile on my face.

**