Leo

I leaned against the shower wall and sighed.

"I'm so stupid"

I had the chance to ask her about everything and I threw it away. What's even worse is that I really cared more about her well being than learning what she knows.

I had fucked up big time.

No I don't care, I'm just earning her trust so she can tell me more about what she knows and open up to me on her own.

That's what I'd been trying to convince myself and it wasn't working.

I got out of the shower and dried myself off before putting clothes on. I had to meet Ares and Nate at our base.

I couldn't get her out of my head as I drove to the base. I should really tell Nate and Ares about her, but I don't want to. I don't want her to get in trouble. The fact that I was risking everything for her safety was concerning, but it was mostly because I knew I could handle it without putting her in danger. She was seventeen. I didn't want to ruin her life like I ruined mine.

The time I'd spent with her today was making me torn. She looked so carefree, not guarded and annoyed like she usually is around me and I enjoyed every second of it. I forgot about everything else and my goal switched from learning about what she knows about our world to learning more about her and just her.

"Where have you been all day?" Nate asked when I walked in. He was eating an apple.

"Out"

"With your other friends? Wow Leo I didn't think you would cheat on us"

"What other friends?" I heard Ares and looked up to see him walking down the stairs.

"I was just out taking a walk. Needed to clear my head" I said trying to hide my nervousness. I could handle Nate, barely, but with Ares in the room I had to work extra hard.

"Out taking a walk for like ten hours?" Nate asked before biting into his apple.

I won't lie, I felt bad for keeping it a secret from both of them, but I had to for her.

I can't believe I'm lying to my friends, the only family I had, for a girl.

But she's not just any girl. She's Tessa.

"Leo, my office. Now" Ares said and went back up the stairs.

I sighed. I felt like a kid who was about to get lectured. Ares wasn't much older than me, but he had more experience in almost everything and he had been through some tough situations. Nate too, but Nate didn't let that take away his playful,"happy" personality.

"Leo" Nate said before I could leave the room. I hummed in reply, "I get that it's probably something serious and that you need time, but I'm always here for you" He said and gave me a smile.

Seeing him actually smiling instead of smirking like he usually does made me feel even worse about keeping Tessa a secret from him.

"Thank you" I said trying to smile back and left to go see Ares.

When I went in he was sitting in his chair his head leaning back and his eyes closed. The guy was exhausted.

He opened his eyes and sighed, "At least tell me you're not in danger"

Could I really guarantee that? I didn't know what Tessa has gotten herself into and I wouldn't back out if I had to protect her.

"I think I am not. Look, it's nothing harmful to us. It's about my private life. I don't want to talk about it yet"

"Leo, I am your friend not just your boss"

"I know" I said looking down.

"Fine, but tell me if you're in trouble. I promise I won't get mad and won't lecture you"

"Of course" I said.

"You can go now" He said and leaned back on the chair closing his eyes.

"Ares" I called out regretting it right after.

I shouldn't tell him. I shouldn't even ask him, he'll get suspicious.

He opened one eye and hummed in reply.

"How is Serenity?" I asked. His eyes immediately opened wide before he narrowed them and stared at me.

"She's fine. Why do you care?" He asked.

"No reason. Just wanted to check up on you. You're moody when she's not fine" I chuckled.

He rolled his eyes, "It's not like I'm stalking her", I raised an eyebrow, "Okay, maybe a little. Only to make sure she's okay"

"Do you think you'll ever talk to her?" I asked.

"Well, I can't really do that. I am much older than her and it would seem weird even if I don't see her like that. I don't want to come off as a creep"

I nodded. I shouldn't be talking to Tessa either. Not for the same reason, but I shouldn't.

The fact that Ares didn't plan to talk to Serenity soon was relieving though. Serenity and Tessa were friends and I didn't want Ares to find out I'd been talking to Tessa.

"Are you okay with her never knowing your existence?" I asked.

The guy loved Serenity. Maybe not in a romantic way, but he still loved her.

"No, it's torture" He sighed, "Her father won't last long in this world and she will eventually move on with her life. I'd love to be there for her but I don't know if I should"

I nodded.

I should take it from him and stop talking to Tessa, but it was done now. Now, I had to protect her from herself and from me.

I can protect myself.

That's what she would say if she could hear me.

"Do you have a girl, Leo?" He asked.

I panicked but I didn't show it.

Why did I even panic? Tessa wasn't my girl. She wasn't mine. She could never be.

"No, what made you think that?" I asked.

"You're suddenly asking me all these questions about Serenity and you seem like you're in deep thought"

"I was just curious and worried about you"  I said standing up.

"Right" He chuckled, "Close the door and turn the lights off on your way out" He said closing his eyes once again and putting his arm over his face.

I smiled and did what he said before leaving the room and going to hang out with Nate.

The next day I texted Tessa again asking when if she wanted to hang out with me again. I promised myself that this time I would stay focused on my goal.

It's the best for both of us.

________

I was waiting for her to come meet me in a spot close to her house. I was really nervous about staying focused on what I had to do.

Or maybe it was just the fact that I would see her again.

I took out my phone to text her if she's coming and just then I saw her walking towards me.

"Hi" She said quietly standing in front of me. She wasn't looking at me, her head was down.

That's not like her.

"Hello" I greeted back giving her a smile. Her long curly hair was covering her face and I couldn't really see it, so I reached out and put her hair behind her ear but she turned her head to the side.

"Tessa" I warned.

"Let's just go" She said and started walking, but I caught her hand and stopped her.

"Not unless you tell me what's wrong"

I had done it again. I didn't care about getting information out of her now, I only cared about what was wrong and how I could fix it.

"Please just drop it"

I sighed. I tried to think of something to cheer her up. I really hated seeing her like this and was not used to it either, but I had no idea how to cheer someone up.

"Tessa" I called out and she hummed in reply turning to look at me, "You said there's no one at your house today, right?" I asked.

I remember when I texted her she told me she was bored because she was home alone.

"No, why?" She asked crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow.

I'm about to embarrass myself, but it's worth it.

"You know, I get that you're frustrated right now and I really want to cheer you up" I said awkwardly and shifted on my feet, "I was thinking maybe-"

"Just say it" She said rolling her eyes.

"When I'm frustrated or sad I try baking" I said quickly.

That's so embarrassing oh my God.

She stared at me before bursting out laughing. She was laughing uncontrollably clutching her stomach.

I felt my face heat up and let out a chuckle before I started laughing too. I was just happy she was laughing. She was laughing because of me too. I'd managed to cheer her up and I was beyond happy. The happiness overpowered the embarrassment and I couldn't even feel it anymore.

When our laughter died down she looked at me with a gorgeous smile and bright eyes, "Well, you definitely managed to cheer me up" She said.

She looked so happy and so beautiful. Her big lips were stretched into a breathtaking smile and her brown eyes were glossy from the tears from all that laughter. I'd never seen her like this and the fact that I made her feel like this was making it all even better.

"Stop looking at me like this" She said still smiling.

"How am I looking at you?" I asked.

"I don't know" She said, "So you like baking?" She asked and started walking.

"Yes, as weird as that seems" I said.

"You really don't seem like the type. You're all big and intimidating" She said.

"Well, once upon a time I was just a little kid who loved watching his mom bake" I smiled at the memory, but got sad when I remembered mt family.

"How about we go at my house and do that then?" she said taking my hand. I wasn't expecting it. All my sadness was forgotten and all I could think was how fun it would be doing that with her.

I smiled and nodded, "Yes, of course"

I was beyond happy that she trusted me enough to take me into her house. How could I betray her trust after? How could stay focused on my goal?

I couldn't.