The Pizza Girl | ✓

6: Bacon

Chapter Six: Bacon

I turned around to see a livid Leo, his eyebrows arched and his fists curled up to his sides. Jules was numb in her spot as a perplexed expression crossed her face.

She looked at me, I saw the anger in her eyes. "She will face consequences" , she spat out.

"You won't even touch her", he stated arms crossed over his chest. By now everyone in the cafeteria were staring at us, enjoying the little drama unfold.

Jules tried to let out an nonchalant laugh but her nervousness was clear. "Oh come on Leo! This girl?" she gestured her hand towards me. "You can do so much better", she sneered.

I wish the floor cracked up and swallowed me in. This is the second time in a week I was at the center of attention and I hated that. I stood up deciding to ignore all of them and get the hell out of this place. I started darting towards the exit but Leo grabbed my arms, stopping me mid track.

"Wait". It sounded more like a command.

Not willing to create anymore ruckus, I complied. "You don't need to worry about me Williams. Just stay the hell away from my girl", with that he ushered me out of the cafeteria leaving a glowering Jules behind. Her minions decided to approach her immediately after our retreat.

Hand in hand he dragged me to the corridors. I couldn't ignore the familiar buzz of electricity running through my arms and it was frustrating. After looking around to see the hallways empty I immediately jerked my hand off from his grip.

"What was all that about?" I whisper-shouted.

"Geez princess the least you can do is say thank you", he said curving his lips in a genuine smile.

I arched an eyebrow at him, uncrossing my arms from my chest. "You don't have any right to interrupt in my business. I-", before I could finish my sentence Leo grabbed my arms and pulled me towards him into an embrace, placing his head in the crook of my neck.

"Calm down" he cooed patting my back. I tried to back away but his grip was strong on me. "Relax princess I didn't want to hug you either. I just saw Jules passing by" .

I tried to stay calm despite my underlying urge to hit Leo. From my peripheral vision, I can make out Jules standing in front of the locker opposite us, her arms crossed over her chest and worst of all she was seething with anger. Getting enough of the show she sauntered away.

Leo immediately let go of me. "What are you insinuating?" I asked.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"The hug and pretending to defend me. I didn't ask for it".

"Oh princess I didn't ask you to kiss me either", he laughed airily.

"Leo I am serious. You don't need to stand up for me. I can handle my own mess".

"What mess?"

"You don't need to know".

He huffed out a sigh getting the indication that I wasn't about to make him my personal diary. "You know I have ears too. I have heard things- how Jules bullies you all the time. No one deserves this. So I was just trying to help", I can sense the concern laced in his voice. I hated it. If only he knew.

"I don't need your pity! Just stay the hell away from me Arsen", I said through gritted teeth, with that I turned on my heels and darted off to my next class before he even had the chance to say something.

.........................

Trigonometry is going to be the death of me. I tore yet another scribbled page from my notebook and tossed it into the trash. The crumpled paper landed close to the trashcan joining the mess of other crumpled paper lying nearby. Usually I am good at math but today I just can't put my mind into it, at all. Maybe I should switch to another subject or it would be best if I take a break. Abruptly I grab the copy of Eleanor and Park from my bag.