INNOCENCE

• twelve

NELLIE

I walk beside Leo as we entered his home & I look around admiring the cozy & homey interior. I jump when he slams the door shut.

"You can be Dora the explorer in my house later, come on baby." He wrapped his arms around me & lifted me off the ground with ease. I squealed in response.

He headed upstairs with me in his arms. I stare at him in awe.

"Stop staring." He chuckled & I smile.

He walks down a long hallway before stopping at black double doors. He holds me up with one arm as he turned the door knob & my eyes widen, surprised he can hold me with one arm.

"You're strong." I whispered & he smiles.

"Hulk I know." He winked at me & I roll my eyes.

He enters a bedroom & he softly places me on the bed. He backs away & heads into the connected bathroom. I look around the massive bedroom.

It's decorated in white with grey curtains & rugs. My gaze falls on a framed picture on his nightstand, I furrow my eyebrows together in confusion.

I scoot a bit closer towards the nightstand & stare at it, a smile forming on my lips. It's him & another beautiful black woman along with 2 other guys.

"That's megamind." He spoke from behind & I turned around staring at him with a risen eyebrow, he had a few things in his hand.

"What?!" I laugh & he chuckles.

"Her real name is Vanessa but I call her megamind because you can clearly see her forehead is big as shit." He stated & I gasp.

"& these 2?" I pointed at the two men. They had a few shared features, green eyes, dark curls & dimples.

Leo looked a bit different but also similar. His freckles are more visible than the other men in the picture.

"Milo & Apollo. Both my cousins & my best friends. We took this picture when we were in Greece." He took a seat beside me & ran his thumb over the cut on my cheek bone.

I winced & looked up biting down on my lip. I'm met with a mirror. My eyes widen & my lips part in shock.

A certified slut.

"You're a slut!" I laugh & he snorts.

"Yeah yeah, whatever." He rolled his eyes & I smile.

He disinfected the cut & placed a small bandage on it. He threw the wrappers in the trash & smiled at me. He kicked off his shoes & laid beside me.

I remove my shoes & lay down on my back, I gazed up at the mirror above us. We laid in comfortable silence, Leo's fingers brushing up against my exposed thighs creating goosebumps on my skin.

I inhale sharply. I grab his hand & interlock our fingers, I catch his smile from the corner of my eye.

I bite down on my lip, my heart pounding against my chest. I sat up & Leo turned his head staring at me a bit confused.