Chapter 19- part 3
Cleo
They say that life works in mysterious ways, but I had never believed it until now. After the scene with Deuce, I had stormed out of the school without a second thought. I was so bothered that I hadn't even taken the time to change out of my fearleading uniform. I was completely enveloped in my emotions when my father's gaudy limo pulled up. His personal chauffeur, Ptolemy scurried over to open my door. He didn't bother making small talk with me and that made me so thankful. I couldn't be bothered with such trivial things.
As I sat alone in the backseat, I thought about the conversation Deuce and I had had. All the things he'd pointed out were things I had noticed on my own. It was crazy how a guy I'd only known a day, could know me so well. It was scary, but intriguing. The thing that stood out the most was what he'd told me before I left the gym. "Don't be afraid to lose what wasn't meant to be." That quote has resonated with me and I couldn't let it go. The limo stopped and I thrust open the car door before Ptolemy could exit. I ran through the mansion doors and up to my bathroom.
I filled the golden claw foot tub with the hottest water I could stand and my favorite lavender bubble bath. I discarded the pieces of my fearleading uniform and climbed in. I hoped that by the time the water ran cold, I would have come to a conclusion.
I walked into school the next morning with my mind made up. I hadn't told anyone about my revelation- not even my diary and I knew Ghoulia would've been proud. I smiled to myself as I sped through the halls. My heart began to race as I saw Clawd in the distance. For a second I considered disregarding my plan, but I knew that postponing my intentions would only make matters worse. I took a deep breath as I noticed Clawd walking my way.
My heart felt as if it was going to beat out of my chest and I couldn't control my labored breathing. Clawd reached out to grasp my shoulder and I looked up into his eyes. "We need to talk," we both said in unison with surprised looks in our eyes. "You go first," I said. He looked down at me with his large topaz eyes. "Cleo, I've always thought you were an amazing person and I don't know how you're going to take this, but." He paused and grabbed my hands, holding them in his. "I don't think we're meant to be. I'll always love you Cleo, but not in that way."
I let out the most relieved sigh ever. Clawd would never know how much he'd helped me. I flung my bangle covered arms over his back and enveloped him in a bear-hug. "Thank you, Clawd. I was going to say the same thing!" I cried tears of relief. He couldn't decide if I was crazy or truly happy, but he went along with it. "So we're cool Miss de Nile?" he inquired unsurely. I nodded, "Yes Mr. Wolf" before running down the hall.
…
Deuce was sitting alone on the front steps of the school. I noticed that Heath was nowhere to be found so I took advantage of his absence. Deuce's huge over-the-ear headphones were on his head so I knew he wouldn't hear the clack of my heels. I walked up behind him and covered his eyes with my hands. Deuce removed his headphones. "Guess who," I sang. "Cleo?" he asked in disbelief and I removed my hands from his eyes. "What are you doing here?" he rubbed his eyes behind his glasses. I giggled, "I came to make amends."
He motioned for me to sit beside him on the stairs. "Why, Cleo? I should be the one apologizing for-" he tried to speak but I covered his mouth with my hand. "No Deuce. I was wrong for flipping out on you yesterday. You were just telling me the truth." I paused to look at him. "Where's Clawd?" Deuce questioned uneasily. I flipped a piece of hair out of my eyes before answering.
"I took your advice," I answered. He arched his eyebrows in astonishment. "You broke up with him? H-how'd he take it?" I grabbed his hand. "Well it turns out we both felt the same way. It was mutual." Deuce ran his hands through his snake-hawk and sighed, "I don't know if you're up for this right now- but Cleo, whenever you're ready I'd love for you to be my girlfriend."
I grabbed his face and leaned in close , "That's what I was hoping you'd say." Deuce wrapped his muscular arms around my waist and kissed me. "Then, I guess its official."