fourteen
Aaliyah's POV
Class ends, and everyone starts packing up-loud, chaotic, bustling.
But Leo doesn't move.
He stands slowly.
Slides his notebook into his bag.
Then looks at me.
"Come on," he murmurs.
Like it's not a question.
Like he already knows I'm walking with him.
I pretend to be calm.
I am not calm.
We step out into the hallway.
It's busy, people everywhere, voices echoing.
But Leo stays close.
Not touching,
but close enough that his arm brushes mine every few steps.
"Where are we going?" I ask.
"Coffee," he mutters.
"For who?"
"For you."
My heart somersaults.
"You can't keep buying me things," I whisper.
"I can," he says. "And I will."
I absolutely malfunction.
?
The campus café smells like heaven and student debt.
I'm looking at the menu when Leo says, "Sit."
"I can order for myself," I tease.
"I know," he says with a tiny smirk. "But you won't."
I open my mouth to protest-
Then shut it.
Because he's absolutely right.
I sit.
He orders for me-the exact drink I like, down to the oat milk and two pumps of vanilla.
How did he-?
He sits across from me, long legs spread comfortably, hands wrapped around his cup.
We sit in this warm, quiet bubble.
His eyes lift to mine.
"You feeling better?" he asks.
"Yeah," I say softly. "Thanks to you."
He shakes his head. "I didn't do much."
"You walked me home. You brought me stuff. You checked on me."
His gaze drops to the table.
"I just..."
He exhales, voice dropping.
"You make it easy to care."
My breath catches.
"Leo..."
He looks up.
And the intensity in his eyes knocks the wind out of me.
We stare.
Too long.
Too close.
His voice goes low.
Dangerous.
Unfiltered.
"I haven't felt like this in a long time."
I swallow hard. "Like what?"
But before he can answer-
A voice behind me goes:
"Well damn... Aaliyah Hart?"
I freeze.
Leo's whole body shifts.
Slow.
Cold.
Predatory.
I turn.
And my stomach drops.
Because of course it's him.
Caleb and Leo's old teammate.
Previous basketball golden boy.
The guy I talked to freshman year.
The guy who told the entire men's locker room he "only wanted to hit."
The guy Caleb punched for disrespecting me.
He's standing there all confident and smirking.
"Aaliyah," he says. "It's been a minute."
I force a polite smile. "Hi, Malik."
Leo goes perfectly still.
A storm on a leash.
Malik leans his elbow on our table like he belongs there.
"You look good," he says. "Real good."
Leo's jaw tightens.
I feel it more than see it.
Malik grins. "We should catch up. You never hit me back sophomore ye-"
"Don't finish that sentence," Leo says quietly.
Malik blinks. "Huh?"
Leo stands.
Not rushed.
Not dramatic.
Not loud.
Slow.
Controlled.
Deadly calm.
He steps closer, towering easily over Malik.
"Back up," Leo says.
Malik scoffs. "Man, relax-"
Leo's head tilts.
His voice drops even lower.
"You had your chance to talk to her freshman year," he says.
"And you fucked it up."
Malik stiffens. "What are you-"
Leo takes one more step.
Close enough that Malik has to lean back.
"Don't act confused," Leo says. "You ran your mouth in that locker room. You disrespected her."
He pauses.
"And you know exactly why Caleb beat your ass."
Malik's face flushes with embarrassment.
I cover my mouth.
Leo keeps going, voice smooth like a blade:
"I don't care who you used to be to her."
He leans in slightly.
"But you're not going to talk to her now."
Malik bristles. "Man, you don't own her."
Leo's response is soft.
Too soft.
"I don't have to own her to protect her."
My chest explodes.
Malik steps back, tension slipping into something like fear.
Leo's eyes?
Dark.
Focused.
Unblinking.
"Say another word to her," he murmurs.
"Just one."
Silence.
Malik raises his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. Damn. My bad."
He backs away.
Leaves the café entirely.
Leo doesn't sit right away.
He breathes slow, steady-calming himself.
Then he turns to me.
"You okay?" he asks softly.
I nod. "Yeah."
He sits across from me again.
A little closer this time.
He watches me carefully.
Like he's afraid he scared me.
"You didn't have to do that," I whisper.
His voice gentles instantly.
"Yes, I did."
He shakes his head.
"I don't like when people treat you like you're disposable," he says.
"You deserve better than that."
My heart is a mess.
Tangled.
Warm.
Fluttering.
Ruined.
"You're really protective," I say quietly.
His eyes stay on mine.
"I'm trying not to be," he admits.
"But I can't help it with you."
My breath leaves me.
He looks down at his coffee.
Then up at me again.
And when he speaks...
It's almost a confession.
"Aaliyah..."
His voice is soft.
Careful.
Real.
"I don't want you getting hurt again."
I whisper, "I won't."
He shakes his head.
"You might."
Then he leans forward just slightly-
eyes locked on mine-
"And if you do... I want to be the one you call."
Oh.
Oh.
My whole body flushes hot.
I can't breathe.
I can't think.
I can only stare at him.
And he stares back...
Like he's already mine.