Chapter 6: Trust (Claire's POV)

"It was no big deal, you can go," he said, sitting up against the headboard. 

"What? You can't even accept a thank you now?" I lifted a brow at him. 

"That depends, are you thanking me?" 

"Of course, I am." 

"Well, you have a weird way of showing gratitude," he smirked. 

"Leo," I sang, "Thank you for saving me," I smiled fakely. 

"You're so not welcome, I wish I didn't do it," he scoffed. 

"Goodnight," I said, already on my way out. I stood in front of his door for a split second, contemplating getting ice cream again just to piss him off when I heard it. I heard it. I actually heard it. 

I heard Leo Jackson's laugh. 

I pushed his door back open and stumbled in from the force I used. "You just laughed," I chuckled. 

"No, I didn't," he rolled his eyes. 

"Yes, you did," I said. I stared at him while he looked at his phone. He pulled his lips into a thin line. "Your dimple's showing," I teased. 

"Claire, get out!" he huffed. 

"Okay," I sang before turning around and leaving. 

So the man can smile, and god forbid, even laugh. 

I smiled to myself like an idiot while going downstairs. No night without ice cream. I got my ice cream as per the new usual and turned around, once again seeing him there. "I thought I told you, twice, no sneaking in for food," he glared at me. 

Well, he's back. 

"But it's ice cream," I shrugged. 

"And you lost a game of Mario kart which means you have to do as I say. Put that back and go up to your room," he ordered. So bossy. 

"Okay," I sang, putting the bowl in the freezer and turning to him. He seemed rightfully surprised. I walked up to him, stopping right in front of him. "I trust you." I ran upstairs before he could turn to lights off and I fell on my face. 

I got to my room, shut the door, and went to bed feeling a little more normal here now. A little less trapped. 

I woke up the next morning to yelling from downstairs. I crawled out and tied my hair in a bun, before going downstairs, rubbing my eyes. There stood Flynn arguing with Aesha about why she couldn't be here. Leo was sitting on the barstool, enjoying the show, clearly amused. 

I walked over to him and rested my elbow on his shoulder, also watching the show. I turned to him and caught him glaring up at me before he looked down at my arm. I gave him a smile but he pulled his shoulder out from under me. I huffed before turning to the other two. 

Oh, my god, wait. AESHA! 

"Aesha!" I squealed. 

"Claire!" she yelled before squeezing me in a bone-crushing hug. 

Why do we always act like we're seeing each other after decades? 

"I missed you," she mumbled. 

"I missed you too," I laughed, "What are you doing here?" I asked, pulling away. 

"He won't listen to what I'm saying, so I'll just tell you," she glared at Flynn, "He brought me," she pointed at Leo. 

My eyes widened. "What?" Flynn and I asked in sync. 

"Yeah, and you would know that if you listened," she said to Flynn through gritted teeth. 

"He brought you?" I pointed at Leo and she nodded in response. Flynn and her fell back into an argument while I turned to Leo who, to no one's surprise, was still enjoying the show. 

He turned to me. "Stay away from me," he glared. I broke out into a smile before hugging him. "Get off," he threw me off of him. 

"You can't even accept a hug, I'll still give you one," I shrugged before hugging him again and then grabbing Aesha's hand and taking her upstairs with me. We sat down on my bed and immediately got to talking. 

"Okay so, Leo brought me here but I still know nothing. Now tell me, what the fuck are you doing living with Leo Jackson? Tell me everything!" And then I did. Tell her everything. 

✯¸.•'*¨'*•✿ ✿•*'¨*'•.¸✯

"That's fucked up. Your life is like a romance novel now though," she said, sitting beside me. 

"What? Where is the romance?" 

"Are you blind, woman? You're gonna fall in love with Leo Jackson, and he's gonna fall in love with you. It's obvious," she shrugged. 

"Bullshit," I scoffed, "He can't even accept a hug." 

"You'll teach him," she nodded. 

"I don't think I want to. He would murder me." 

"You'd let him." She turned to look at me. 

"No, I- yeah I probably would." I'd be too shocked to even try running. 

"You'd let him do a lot to you," she snickered. 

"Aesha-" 

"Especially because he looks like that." 

"Aesha, I-" 

"He's hot." 

"You can have him," I said. 

"Really?" she grinned. I shrugged. "No, he's not my type. Too mysterious. Always brooding in-" 

"Misery, I know," I finished the sentence for her. "What about Flynn?" I asked. 

"Rider?" 

I rolled my eyes. "He's cute, don't you think?" I asked. 

"Yeah, but he's an asshole." 

"Why?" I chuckled. 

"He wouldn't let me see you," she groaned. 

"Well, he didn't know Leo let you in," I shrugged. 

"Whatever," she rolled my eyes. 

"You'd look good with him," I said honestly. 

"Maybe someday," she shrugged. 

"You think he's cute. You think he's very attractive," I stated. 

"No," she waved her hand dismissively. 

"Yes, admit it." 

"Yes," she sighed in defeat, "Aw, he's really cute. I thought he was so hot when I walked in. Then he opened his mouth," she groaned. 

"He'll make up for it," I patted her hand. 

"So, when are you gonna kiss, Leo?" She wriggled her eyebrows at me. 

"Never," I chuckled, "Never gonna happen." 

"Oh, it'll happen. I'll bet you on it," she said. 

"Bet," I nodded. Then my door opened and we both shut up. 

It was Flynn. "Lunch is ready," he smiled. Even at Aesha. She stayed in her spot while I stood up. 

"Aren't you coming?" I chuckled at her. 

"I'll be there in a sec," she said, her eyes trained on Flynn, narrowed to slits. 

"She won't kill you," I said to him while walking over. "She might kiss you though," I whispered, running out of there before she killed me. I laughed while running downstairs while she yelled curses at me. I looked up at my room but before I could look to the front, I tripped. 

I thought I was gonna fall and break my nose or something, but apparently, Leo was there to catch me. I chuckled while grabbing onto his shoulders. "Hi," I breathed out. 

"Watch where you're going," he grumbled before letting go of me. I frowned at Mr. Grumpy and followed him into the kitchen. "Why were you running?" 

"Because Aesha's gonna kill me." 

"Why is she gonna kill you?" 

"Because I said she was gonna kiss, Flynn." 

"Why is gonna kiss Flynn?" 

"Because she- I can't tell you," I frowned. He shrugged before sliding my plate over to me. "Did you cook it?" 

"Yeah, I poisoned that for you," he nodded. 

"Ha. Ha," I said sarcastically. I rolled my eyes while the other two came down. Flynn went and sat with Leo on the other side while I sat with Aesha. I raised my eyebrows at her and she glared at me. I rolled my eyes and we all ate in silence. Which is weird because Aesha's never silent. 

What did they do? Did they actually kiss? Whoa. 

No way, it's too soon, she wouldn't kiss him just yet. 

Once we were all done, Aesha stood up. "I have to get home. I haven't even unpacked yet, I'll come over again," she said to me. 

"Bye," I smiled. 

She hugged me before Flynn walked her out. I turned to Leo who was texting someone so I walked over and did the dishes myself. He normally does them. He looked up at me and didn't even say thank you. He's on dish duty. Well, if I go like that I don't have any duty around here. 

He put his phone in his pocket and just stood there watching me do the dishes. I looked up at him, "What?" I chuckled. 

"Do it properly," he ordered. 

I rolled my eyes before flicking my hand at him, splashing his face. He closed his eyes and cursed under his breath. I snorted but suppressed a laugh. 

He ran his hand under the water before splashing me. "Now we're even," he said nonchalantly. I splashed him again but he didn't splash me back. "You are so annoying," he mumbled before lifting his shirt and using it to dry his face. 

My eyes widened and I quickly turned to the dishes, not wanting to get caught staring. I turned the water off and dried my hands, then the dishes, put them back where they were from. 

"I have a question," I turned to him. 

"Whatever it is, the answer is no." 

"Why does no one use the pool in the backyard?" No answer. "Can I use it?" 

"So you can drown in it?" 

"Very funny," I rolled my eyes, "So I can swim in it." 

"Fine." 

I haven't been swimming in a while. 

.

.

.

.

.

Chapter six

Does anyone else watch like murder-mystery stuff and then freaks themselves out for absolutely no reason?

Say, Aye

next chapter: Chills