I was almost expecting the ride back home to be awkward, but surprisingly, it wasn't. Thank God. Seeing as it was after 10:30pm already the trafic was pretty smooth, so Leo and I held hands everytime we could. That was the first time we've done anything remotely sexual, so it was a big step in our relationship and I feel really good about it.

By the time we arrive at Leo's place it's already after 11:30pm, which probably wasn't the wisest choice, seeing as we have school tomorrow and have to get up in a few hours and I still have to get home so, we'll see how that goes.

We get out of the car and walk hand-in-hand to the front door, trying to be as silent as possible as to not wake anyone up. Just as we're about to start going up the stairs, the light turns on and we both squeel and look towards the figure standing at the entrance to the living room. Yeah, turns out, the person standing there is a very scary looking Olivia.

"Do you boys have any idea what time it is?" She asks, whisper-shouting.

I'm about to answer and apologize, feeling really guilty for leaving her alone with Chris this whole time, when Leo steps in and answers for us, "I'm really sorry, mom. It won't happen again, it's just...I took Matt to the beach and you know how far it is and I guess we just...ummm...lost track of time."

"We're both really sorry, Mrs. Bryant," I say, feeling like I should say something.

She seems to consider it for a while, but in the end her face just softens and she nods, accepting our apologies.

"Just go to sleep, we'll talk tomorrow. And next time, at least send a text. Even though we both know there won't be a next time," she says before giving us a stern look. "Am I right?"

We both look at each before nodding our heads eagerly.

"That's what I thought. Now go ahead, you have school tomorrow. I want to see how you're both gonna have the energy to get out of bed tomorrow."

We start going up the stairs, ready to go to bed, when Olivia's voice interrupts us one more time, "And no funny business!"

I blush, remembering what happened back at the beach just a few hours ago. Leo notices my discomfort, but only gives my hand a little squeeze while chuckling lowly.

We decide that it's probably better if we shower in the morning, so he just gives me some clothes to sleep in. He tells me I can use the bathroom first, so that's what I do and once I'm done with changing into the sweatpants, that I now consider mine, and the plain black t-shirt he gave me, I go to the sink, glad to see he still has my toothbrush from the first time I slept here. Well, the first known time.

When I go back to Leo's room he's already under the covers, shirtless obviously, checking something on his phone. He looks up when he hears me closing the door and pats the spot next to him on the bed.

As soon as I sit down next to him he gives me a kiss on the cheek, "I set the alarm for 7:00am seeing as we both have to shower and we still have to go to your house and drop Chris off and all that. That ok with you?"

"Sure, that sounds good," I answer, soon followed by a yawn.

"Ok, let's just go to sleep."

"Yeah, that sounds like a great idea."

The moment I lie down, he spoons me, nuzzling his face on my neck.

"Who knew? Leonardo Bryant is a cuddler." I whisper, not wanting to disturb the mood right now. And something about this mood requires whispering.

"Hell yeah, I am. Got a problem with that?" I can feel him breathing against my neck and it sends little shivers down my spine and even though I'm really tired, I really want to turn around and kiss him like there's no tomorrow. I don't do it though, I feel like we already had enough for one night...maybe.

"Not at all. I'm a fan of cuddly Leo."

And we that, we fall asleep.

-------------------------------------

The morning wasn't all that eventful. Seeing as neither Leo or I heard the alarm clock, we were late, so Olivia offered to drive Chris to school, even though I said it was ok. Just because I'm dating Leo now, I don't want Chris to think I don't care anymore or something, but taking in the fact that this is indeed an emergency, I decide that it's ok.

When we arrive at my place, I notice my mom's car in the driveway, and at that moment I really want to say 'the Hell with it', but I can't, because unfortunately I need the grades and the attendance, so I take a deep breath and go in, with Leo holding onto my hand for support, which I appreciate, but I almost don't want him to come inside with me. I don't want him to see the relationship I have with my mom, the way she treats me. I don't want him to trat me any differently.

Maybe she's still asleep, yeah let's hope that's true.

But obviously, being the freaking lucky guy that I am, she was not asleep, she was very awake, actually, with a mug of coffee in one hand and a newspaper in the other.

"Good to see you're home, there are a few dishes in the sink." Seriously? That's the first thing she says? She hasn't seen me in weeks and that's the first thing she says?

"Good to see you so worried about your children. When was the last time you even saw Chris? I'm not your personal maid, I'm your son."

"You stopped being my son the day you killed my husband."

"How dare you?! Was I the one driving drunk? No! The douchebag in the other car was. I was there too, in case you don't remember! I was in the car! I saw him there, still alive, not being able to do anything! I have lived with the blame for months, not having time to mourn because you abandoned me! I had to step up and assume responsibility, not only for Chris but for me too. I just wanted my mom! And what were doing? You were sleeping with your fucking boss! Yeah, I know about that too." By now I'm crying, but I admit it felt good to finally let it all out. My only concern is that Leo actually saw that. I don't want him to pity me or anything.

I don't wait for her to answer, I just turn around and go to my room. I wait for Leo to get in too and then close the door. I let myself slide down the door until I'm sitting on the floor.

As soon as I'm sitting, Leo is there in front of me, hugging me and whispering conforting words in my ear.

"Hey, look at me." Leo says. I shake my head, that is currently resting on my knees. I don't want him to see me crying any more than he already did. "Come on, babe, look at me."

He's already seen me crying, so really, what the heck.

I look up at him slowly, "Jesus, I'm sorry. You probably think I'm an idiot, right? The pathetic nerd who has a dead father and a careless mother who doesn't give shit." I let out a little humourless laugh.

"Don't ever say that again, you hear me? Stop putting yourself down all the time. You are by far the most selfless, kindest person I've ever met. You have such a big heart, you care so much, and I love that about you. Not to mention you are absolutely gorgeous!"

This time, the laugh is genuine, "Thank you, Leo. You know, for not turning your back and leaving me here."

"This doesn't change the way I feel about you, if anything, I admire you even more now. You're a teenager, you're working and taking care of your brother, without wanting anything in return. You're doing it out of the pure kindness that you have in your heart, and I lo-like you so much for it. And I want you to know that you can always count on me, no matter what, because I'm always gonna be there no matter what, even if for some unknown reason you're mad at me, I will always care about you, and not look at you any different. You hear me?"

He's looking at me with such intensity and admiration and maybe something else, that I can't quite put my finger on, that I don't think twice about throwing my arms around his neck, sending us both to the floor, even though we were already kneeling, now, Leo is sitting with me straddling his lap and just hugging each other in the middle of my bedroom.

After a while, I let go a little bit, only to be able to look at him in the eyes, and all those emotions were still there, so I did the first thing that came into my mind. I kissed him. With so much passion, putting all the emotions I felt for him into that kiss. All the unbearing passion I felt for him. He didn't hesitate in kissing me back and soon his hands were on my waist, pushing me closer to him, until there was no more space between us.

And soon enough we were having a full make out session on the floor of my room, not caring about anything else. No responsibilities. I don't care that we are very much late to school, I don't care that my mom is probably still downstairs, doing whatever it is she's doing.

All I care about is the guy I'm currently kissing with all I have, my hands in his hair and neck and his around me, keeping me close to him. Because he is here and he cares about me and I care about him, so much that sometimes I wonder how I was even able to breathe before I met him.

I just wanna kiss him right now and forget everything else. And I don't care that people think that teenagers don't know what love is, and that we're still too young to know what love is, because I don't give a single fuck.

I am in love with Leonardo Bryant. And I still don't know if that's gonna be the best thing that's gonna happen to me or the one that is going to destroy me.