Romeo stared at his cup of coffee in silence, as Amaya sat in the copilot seat of his car, munching on her mcmuffin and sipping coffee. They were parked at an abandoned church just ahead of the McDonald's they had just gone to.
He couldn't help but feel that he was making a mistake. He was spending too much time with her, and in the long run he knew it wouldn't be good. Shifting in his seat he took notice of her, she was all too entranced drinking from her cup of hazelnut coffee, he looked ahead again and pressed his lips together, he knew that feeling all too well, he hated it. Attachment.
Amaya turned to look at Romeo and silently eyed him for a few moments, he had been awfully quiet for a while, after his inspiring speech about change, and honestly she didn't like it. He was holding his coffee cup just atop of the steering wheel simply staring at it with an angsty expression.
"Are you, ok?"
Romeo nodded without looking towards her but she didn't believe him. She placed her food in the paper bag and bit her lip.
"Are you sure?"
Romeo smiled as he kept his eyes on his cup and licked his lips. "Do you remember when, you were mad at, Whiskers, for scaring you at the museum?"
Amaya began giggling, how could she forget? Romeo had stolen a pterodactyl and used it to fly around trying to take over the world, that was besides the point; Conner had scared her in the museum without apologizing. They ended up, she blushed, holding hands, Conner and her. She remembered Romeo blantly showing his disgust when the two made up.
"Of course I remember." She was suddenly amused with his comment. "You made it so obvious you hated mushy friendliness." His gut churned inside himself, it's not what you're thinking little bird.
"I'm sure you two will make up now, just as you guys did back then." He smirked and looked to her. "Maybe you guys will explore those feelings you two internally share. There's obviously chemistry there, there always was." He finally looked to her but there was no smile.
She suddenly frowned at his comment but held his eyes, she could swear she saw but the slightest of hurt in them. "I'm past him, Romeo. I'm sure of it."
He knew exactly why he was hurting. It bothered him so much that after all these years he still had that little thorn etched in his skin. However, he knew his place. He was professional, and he would stick to his word even if it meant torture every single day of his work life. Without thinking he pulled out his phone; it was vibrating in his pocket. Without looking who was calling he answered, when the voice of Anna erupted through the speaker he went red with anger.
He closed his eyes fully ignoring the girl besides him and clicked his tongue. It was more than obvious that what the two were on about was not the best of conversation. "Yes there is actually someone here." He eyed Amaya and the girl looked down immediately. "No. Please don't call me anymore."
There was silence suddenly, awkward silence, and Amaya hated every single moment of it. She had no idea who this woman was, but she could tell she was getting on her mentors very last nerve. She fiddled with her bag of leftovers and bit her lip, her mind searching for something to lighten the mood.
"Does it bother you?" After a few minutes she decided it was ok to speak. He looked at her incredulously, what could she possibly mean by that?
"What?"
"Having to be my mentor... I was your nemesis after all, for such a long time."
The young man smirked it was obvious to him that she was oblivious about the way he treated her as they were kids. He would purposely try to be gentle with her, always making sure to pat her head after one of his robots held her captive. Would she never notice? He shook his head answering both himself and her, "of course it doesn't bother me at all. We grew up together, it's not like I could feel resentment towards you." There was a smile and he turned the switch of his car. "It's getting late we should head to school so-"
She suddenly interrupted, "what if we skip school today?"
Romeo looked to her with his brows furrowed, her soft brown eyes locked into his and she bit her lip softly. He shook his head and placed his hand on the gear, but as soon as he would shift the gear, her hand landed on his. The warm feeling of her on him made his throat go dry. He blinked a few times and turned to look to her. They were looking at eachother for a long time, until Romeo pulled away, he shook his head and placed his hand on the switch, only to turn it off.
"What's the matter, Amaya?" He was genuinely concerned, how could a star student such as herself want to dismiss school? She was so promising, and yet... he blinked with furrowed eyebrows and faced her. She was with her head down, her brown eyes on her fiddling fingers.
"I don't want to see my friends."
"You're going to let, kitty litter boy ruin your future?" He was dead serious about this. "You're telling me, the most promising student I have ever seen... is going to let some guy ruin her chances of success?"
Amaya bit her lip again as his scolding hit her right in her chest. "You don't understand... my situation is different than yours..." she was softly speaking, "I'm afraid, Romeo."
He couldn't believe what he was hearing, "he's Conner, Amaya! You've known him your whole life." He didn't understand, "what can you be afraid of, him liking you back?"
"It has nothing to do with, Conner... it has everything to do with this..." she finally build up the courage to look to him, "my future. How can you know that I'm... good enough?"
There was a sudden smile on his face. Now he understood, she was trying to avoid going to school, because she was afraid of disappointing everyone who believed in her.
"And maybe yes... it's a bit of, Conner too." She looked down again. "But I'm sure, a 100% sure, actually that I feel nothing for him anymore." She blushed, "or the idea of us being something more than friends."
"What are you so afraid of, Amaya?" He placed his hand on her shoulder, "I'll be here every step of the way to help you cope with all these feeling. I promise."
She smiled and grabbed at his hand, and he let her. Her pink lips curled into a soft smile. The two stayed like that for a few minutes until Amayas phone began to vibrate. She quickly let go of Romeo, fiddled for her phone, flicked the screen, entered her swipe code and finally answered the incoming call.
"Hello?" She closed her eyes as she heard her blonde friends angry voice, "you're with, Romeo again!?"
Amaya bit her lip as her friend scolded her through the phone. "So what if I'm with him!?"
"He's not good for you, Amaya. You've changed so much since you've been his 'protege'."
She shook her head as she heard, Greg complain. Rolling her eyes she pulled the phone away from her ear and hanged up. "He's not my dad..."
Romeo smirked at her comment. She was absolutely right.
Greg stared at his phone and turned to look towards Conner who had his arms crossed and his brows furrowed.
"She hanged up on me."
Conner clicked his tongue, and unfolded his arms. "We have to do something about, Romeo. He's the problem."
Greg tightened his fists and grunted. "He's trying to get back at us after all these years. I bet this is his way doing it. He's trying to take, Amaya away."
"We need to help her see that. He doesn't care for her, its vengeance."
Greg nodded and the two began walking into the school, "but what can we do?" The blond boy turned to the brunette. "It's not like we could get him fired or anything."
Conner suddenly smirked, "that's a great idea, Greg."
The blond rose a brow, "how would we do that?"
Conner deflated, so long as they had no proof against him trying anything funny, it would be their word against his. "Well right now... I cant think of anything but I promise you I will."
The day went by quickly and Amaya couldn't help but dread it. The clock ticked beyond control, and before she knew it, it was lunch time. The bell rang ceremoniously and lo and behold it was time for her to go to lunch. She was actually anticipating science, that way she would see, Mr. Mecano. And she also wanted desperately for the day to end, just so she could spend the evening with him too. It was just, he was the best distraction she could've asked for.
When the whole class sped through the door, she stood up. She hated being smushed together with all the kids. So she would always slow behind her classmates and walk slowly through the halls. Amaya picked up her backpack and hung it over her shoulder. She slowly walked out of her class and shoved herself through the hallway. Before she knew it, a pair of arms wrapped around her from behind and the familiar scent clogged her senses. Amaya blushed heavily at the firmness of her friends body and she quickly wriggled free.
"Conner," she fixed herself and lastly her glasses. "Please, dont do that." Her voice was firm and the boy scratched the back if his head. "How did you know it was me?"
She sighed and began walking, the boy followed behind her until they walked side by side. "It's your perfume." There was hardly any emotion in her voice and Conner didn't like that.
"Are you mad at me?" He twirled around and pressed her suddenly against the wall softly, trapping her between his arms. There was a charming smile on his face but the girl wasn't amused.
"No." She said nothing more and she also didn't move, she was slightly nervous but more irritated than anything else.
"Are you acting like this because of what happened last night?" She was finding the conversation obnoxious suddenly. She rolled her eyes and went on to try and escape but he held her back by her waist. "Please... let's talk about this, Amaya... we're not strangers." His voice was weak suddenly and the girl couldn't help but quiver, her arrogant bravado fading.
"Listen, Conner... I... it was an accident, I never meant to kiss you..."
His eyes were soft now, "but it happened, Amaya... and I... enjoyed it a lot..."
His hands began to become sweaty and his eyes kept going down towards her lips. "Maybe, we can be more than friends, Amaya?"
Her eyes went wide and her heart began to race so fast, it pounded hard against her chest, she could hear it. She was almost sure he could hear it too. She was at a loss of words until her memory came crashing back into her.
"You're going our with, Daisy..."
"That's dating, Amaya. I don't want to date you, I want you to be my girlfriend."
Her eyes went wide again and this time her heart almost stopped. "Your girlfriend?"
Conner smiled, his own heart was racing in his chest. It would be horrible if she said no to him, he had risked everything. Just to keep her away from, Romeo.
"I mean... if I say no it'll ruin our friendship."
His eyes went wide, "is that a yes?"
Her face went solemn suddenly and she pushed away from him. She took a step back and took in a deep breath. "It's a maybe."
Without another word she began walking away, so fast that the only trace of her was her long hair behind her. Conner stood there biting his lip. Suddenly Greg showed up. "So that was your big plan?"
"Well it's worth a shot. If she spends time with me, then she won't spend it with, Romeo."
There was silence for a few minutes until Greg spoke again. "Wait," he looked towards Conner confused, "what happened between you two last night?"
Conner suddenly blushed and stiffened. He chuckled and scratched the back of his head, "c'mon I'll tell you through lunch."
Greg shook his head, "wait, and what about, Daisy?"
Amaya was crying. She was crying hard in one of the bathroom stalls. She cried so much that she didn't care if anyone heard her. She had no idea what was happening, and why these things were happening. Why after she had forgotten about him did this have to happen. She didn't want to be his girlfriend, but she also didn't want their friendship to end. She reached for her phone and began dialing, she could tell that there was a few girls in the bathroom but she didn't care. All she wanted and needed was to talk to him. The only normal thing in her life was, Romeo.
She quickly picked up and dialed. It wasn't long before he picked up. At his end he could only hear crying and parts of her words. When she calmed down he told her to not go anywhere that he would go by and walk her to the office to sign her out. It had been a very bad idea to bring her to school. Maybe he should start filing her transfer. Maybe the whole building up "the idea" of her going away was taking its vengeful toll on her.
He decided he would talk to her about it over the next few hours, and if she agreed, he would start filing everything. She could do some away time down Knightsfairy, before she actually went to the university. Yes. He decided that in fact if she was ready, then so was he to take her with him. Too much pressure could bring her grades down. And he'd go down in history as a bad mentor.
Amaya stepped out of the stall and she stared at the two girls who quietly stared at her. It just had to be them, who heard her call, Romeo to sign her out of school. Daisy and Luna.
Amaya stared at them as the two stayed silent. When she stepped out of the bathroom she could hear them whispering, "do you think they're like... a thing?"
"Well I don't know, but Conner feels protective of her. So much in fact he told me he had a plan to get her to stop hanging out with that, old guy." Their whispers weren't so much as whispers and had they not just see her walk out? Amaya rolled her eyes, Romeo wasn't old... but suddenly... her heart began to beat faster. Conner had a plan...
Rage built up inside her and more tears threatened her eyes. Without warning she grabbed at her backpack and threw it across the empty hallway with a loud grunt.
"Amaya, what's wrong!?" The voice of Romeo echoed through the hallway and suddenly she felt relieved, she turned to him and quickly ran towards him, her arms embracing all of him, as her tears gushed down her eyes.
Two girls peeped from the bathroom and stared at the scene.
"Take me away! I don't want to go to this stupid school anymore! I want to leave!"
Romeo held at her shoulder at arms length taking into notice the two girls watching from the bathroom. "Please, Amaya calm down." He pushed back her hair and took a look at her. She was devastated, her makeup was running, and she didn't even care. Something terrible must've actually happened. Because as far as he knew girls didn't act like this and ruin their makeup for no reason.
"Let me go get your backpack and we'll go to the office... I'll have the councilor have a talk with you while I fill out some forms."
She pushed away from him and stomped her feet, her eyes were still wet with tears. "No I want to leave campus. I don't ever want to return to this god forsaken school! Just take me away!"
"Not without consent, Amaya." His brows were furrowed and his words were final. The two girls that hid behind the bathroom door stepped out after a moment of silence and walked away quietly until disappearing through the hallways.
"I don't want to be here... Romeo... please, this is too much. I want to go away. I want to go to Knightsfairy." She hugged herself as she cried again. Romeo shook his head as he exhaled through his throat. He went over to the grass and picked up her backpack, cleaning it off and walking back to her. He pulled it over his shoulder, and without a word walked through the hallway. His shoes clicked against the concrete and the girl soon followed.
The walk to the office felt eternal. Romeo was dead silent, and Amaya was sniffling through tears. He wanted to know what had happened, but he knew that the school ground was not the best place to get personal. He reminded himself to ask her calmly if she did want to go now, or if she was decided to wait it out until inscriptions were on.
She followed him but stayed behind outside of the office while he signed her out. He soon stepped out of the office with his jingling keys in hand. His fancy shoes clicked as he began towards the school gate. They reached the parking lot and Romeo unlocked his car and sat there in silence as Amaya seated herself in his copilot seat.
"Can you please tell me what has you so worked up?"
Her heart stung and she shook her head. "It's, Conner again."
Romeo took in a deep breath and exhaled, "what did he do?"
Amaya cleared her throat and began, "he's playing with me..."
"How could you know that?"
"I overheard his girlfriend... she said he had a plan to stop me from talking to..."
She looked to him, and it seemed that the genius wasn't following. "You."
Romeo furrowed his brows, "me?"
"Yes... the idiot asked me to be his girlfriend, he wants to be the protective "brother" to me... just because he thinks you and I are a thing..."
Romeo widened his eyes. "Why would he make such assumptions?" He looked to his steering wheel as if lost in thought.
"Because he's an idiot."
Romeo inserted the car keys into their port and started the engine. "He's just jealous that you're spending more time with me than with them now. Don't think too much on it."
She interrupted his talk, "I'm serious about wanting to leave now. I don't want to spend another day here, the pressure of being an excellent student is also getting to me. Please?" She looked at him sternly, she could tell that he doubted her. "If I don't transfer... my grades will drop."
"Are you completely sure?"
"100% sure." She closed her eyes and couldn't stop thinking of Conner. He had ruined every aspect of respect she had for him. He was just playing with her to keep her under his thumb.
"Listen, little bird. I suggest you take a few days off." He turned on his blinker as he headed towards the intersection. "From school, from friends, from me."
He took in a deep breath as he spoke, "our situations were different indeed. I had no friends, I always saw everyone as an acquaintance. My father is in the military, my mother is a nurse, who works the nightshift. There was really nothing that held me back, or made me doubt myself. And that's not your situation."
Amaya listened to his soft voice. When he stopped at a red light he turned to her, his blue eyes going soft. "I think that you should really rest for a few days. I'll talk to the principal and begin your process of transferring."
His eyes were worried, but his senses hadn't been affected. As soon as the light turned green he went ahead and drove far off and into a Wendy's restaurant. For such a smart guy, he made poor diet choices. They sat at the parking lot of the place and he stared at his steering wheel again.
"Do you know how dangerous the accusations that, Conner is declaring are?" He stared at the Nissan logo with lost eyes. He could lose everything he had worked so hard for. She was his student. She was underaged, even if he was only 1 year older than her. He was a professional. A scientist, a military scientist, an expert, he was even called a genius. If he of all people was accused of anything being related to well, Amaya... as a 17 year old girl... he would be finished.
He turned to look at her then began nodding his head. "I would like to meet up with your parents tomorrow. I need them to sign some papers, and obviously an approval. And we need to get you into Knightsfairy University, and start off as soon as possible."
Amaya blinked as he shoved all this information at her. "You know what?" He turned the switch of his car and began driving off. "I'll just order from uber eats. I'll just make a quick stop at my apartment to print out the documents that I need, so we won't be delayed while we wait for your parents at your house." He was talking mostly to himself, and the girl couldn't help but raise a brow.
"Are you ok?" She held her hand on the seatbelt holding onto the robo-baby as tightly as she could.
"Yes, it's just... this whole situation... it's slightly stressing." He looked to her as he turned on his blinker. She nodded and frowned. It truly was.
They spend through the highway. After a 40 minute drive he finally began to pull up into a building. Where his apartment was. It was more than obvious that he no longer lived with his parents. It was an elegant place with modern art and everything seemed to make her feel out of place. However, Romeo, he quickly sped through the place as if everything was normal. When he noticed her awkwardness he grabbed at her hand and began walking through the lobby and into the elevator.
She couldn't help noticing the stares that she recieved from the employee's. Romeo hadn't let go of her hand while in the elevator, yet she did nothing to pull away. Her eyes were to him and he seemed lost in thought. It was almost like she could see the gears in his head spinning to form his plans.
Soon the elevator dinged and he dragged her along through the hallway. She had never seen him this worked up.
"Have you told your parents you're leaving with me?" He suddenly broke his hand free as he jingled his keys in his hands and unlocked the door, of what she could think was his apartment.
She blushed slightly and bit her lip, her hand went to her hair and she played with it, twirling it in her fingers. "As in leaving to fulfill my education?"
Romeo pushed the door open and sighed. Of course she hadn't told them anything. As a matter of fact he was slightly considering abandoning this charitable project. He shook his head, "fine, I'll tell them this evening."
He walked in and Amaya followed him in. His apartment was modern everything was grey and white, and the occasional black. He had a small kitchen to the left, a living room at the entrance, and if she could tell right, a bathroom just ahead and a door to which she assumed was his bedroom. In the living room there was a section cut off by a desk, a computer, and office supplies. Behind that on his wall was a big collection of awards all proving his genius.
Amaya stared in awe at his accomplishments and suddenly felt self conscious. Meanwhile she was suffering for boys... he was trying to help her succeed in life. He went about behind that desk and quickly typed away at the computer. He was dead silent and his expression was of concentration.
"Amaya, I'm legally required to become your tutor..." he took in a deep breath and looked to her, "do you think your parents would be alright with that?"
She was frozen in place and her eyes were wide. "Your going to adopt me?" She was suddenly more nervous about this than anything. "Is that even legal?"
He rose a dark brow and smiled. "If I'm going to claim you as a dependent on my taxes, then I think it will be." He chuckled and shook his head.
"Don't be afraid, Mr. Romney did all of this for me too. As a matter of fact my mother signed all the papers he shoved in her face. Except that I was sent down there practically on my own. Since Mr.Romney has been a teacher since I can remember. He helped me with rent, clothes, food. As a matter of fact he provided me with everything." He smiled and looked to her, "it'll be the same for you except that I'll have you living in my house, so it won't be as tough on you. You will have me to help you out with all your needs."
He printed the papers and pushed back on the wheely chair with a soft smile. "I didn't feel out of place though, since it wasn't the first time I did things by myself."
Romeo stood, his hands holding onto the papers. Amaya stared at the wrinkles in his shirt. And the young man suddenly felt self conscious. "Are you ok with all of this?"
Amaya blinked and pulled her eyes from his abdomen and finally looked up to him. "I... am." She stuttered and she blushed. Realizing that this was the first time she had been at a guys house. She bit her lip and simply stood there. He walked over to her and invited her to his kitchen which was just a few feet from where they just were.
She looked around to appreciate the cleanliness, his kitchen was spotless, even though she knew that he hardly cooked. His sink was chromed and droplet free, there was not even traces of dishes in it. His dish rack was empty all but one single white mug. He was such an organized being.
Amaya stood in the middle of his kitchen as he went over to the fridge he pulled out a water bottle and some cheese, he walked over to a cupboard and she couldn't help but notice that most of it was empty, save for some bread and crackers.
Romeo turned back to her with a shy smile. "You know... I'm sorry, I don't usually eat here, so I don't have much to offer." He walked over to her with the water bottle, cheese, and crackers. "You can munch on this while we wait on the Uber."
She nodded and followed him as he lead them to his kitchen table. The two sat quietly, the awkwardness sitting still in the air. "So are you excited?"
Amaya nodded quickly and she bit her lip. "Will I get to meet, Anna?"
The young man closed his eyes as he placed his hands together. "I am almost 100% sure you will." He shook his head, "she refuses to accept the fact that I want nothing to do with her anymore." He looked to her with an irritated face. "It's like shes breathing down my neck... I just wish there was a way that I could get her to understand that there's no way of us getting together again."
Amaya suddenly giggled and Romeo looked at her with his brow high. "You seem to be amused."
"You silly goose, there is a way. And I think I can help."
He blinked a few times, she was sure he was not following. "Care to explain?"
She clicked her tongue amused at the fact that this boy was only book smart. He was too innocent even for her. It was like relationships were the very last thing he ever paid attention to.
"You know..." he went on, "it's so bad because well... she's the one that's always perused me." He crossed his arms and shook his head. "I never actually had any interest in her. When we became a thing, though, I began to think about settling down. Unfortunately I mentioned this to her."
He was ranting, and it felt good to vent. He had never been able to do it so freely.
Amaya listened to him and nodded, "so that's why she keeps calling back... I guess you made her fall in love with you."
Romeo shook his head, "no actually, I believe that I've been her only partner." He leaned forward to Amaya. "That's why she's being so creepy about the breakup."
The two laughed loudly and it quickly settled down. The ice was broken once again.
"You know it's strange. We never kissed." His eyes were locked with Amaya's. "It was like basically a friendship, where I set my boundaries and she did too..." he suddenly frowned. "It was so settled that she decided on not wanting children." Romeo shook his head, "that was the only condition I had proposed. I want children..."
Amaya blushed at his comment. "But you're so young, Romeo."
He leaned back into his chair and crossed his arms again. "I had a feeling you were going to say that."
There was a knock on the door and he made quick to stand up. He crossed the living room and quickly went about to open the door. He greeted the Uber Eats delivery guy, and recieved the food, with a tip in his hand, thanking the guy and closing the door with the lock. Amaya's eyes were all over him, until he sat ahead of her at the kitchen table.
"Panda?" He offered her food and quickly the table was set up with food and drinks.
"You say I'm too young for children." He poked at the food and shoved noodles into his mouth. "Yet I've succeeded, and I thank the lord, in what I've wanted in life." He chewed then spoke again. "I have accomplished my dreams. The only thing left to do... is have children and wait for the inevitable." He chuckled.
Amaya picked at the noodles and shook her head, "don't say that." Her eyes went to him. "We still have a lot to do before that... inevitable happens."
"Well, all I do know is that I want to be a young father, so I can play with my children. I don't want them to be raised as I was. Alone." He shook his head. "I cheer you on as my student, Amaya... but as a man who was raised almost by himself, I tell you the opposite, unless you don't want children. I speak for myself. I wish my mother would've been home."
Amaya rose her brow. "Maybe if she would've been home you wouldn't be as successful as you are now." She smiled almost triumphantly.
"I'd still manage though, to get by. Even if I didn't have my masters... even if I had dropped out of high school. I would've been a mechanic. Yet I'd love my mother, and not have empty memories of her." He looked saddened, but quickly covered it up with a smile.
"But don't take my word for it," he pointed at her with his fork, "if you decide you want kids during your career life, them by all means. Go for it." He chuckled.
Amaya suddenly sat in silence. Being a woman was indeed a tough task. Juggling work, the kids, everything. She had no idea how her mother had done it. It seemed to be so much work. In fact it was hard work. Responsiblity, and patience. It was no wonder this Anna wanted no children.
Romeo bit his lip suddenly as he caught her thinking on his comments. "Would you have done it?"
Amaya suddenly looked up to him, her brow high in question. "What?"
Romeo bit his lips and shook his head, "Nevermind."
"No, tell me."
He put down his food and furrowed his brows. Suddenly the droplets of water on his drink seemed interesting. "If your partner had asked you to-"
"To what?" Amaya wasn't following.
"If he asked you for children." he looked to her finally. "Would you have been willing to abandon your career to be a full time mother?"
Amaya was slightly taken aback, the question being foreign to her. However she crossed her arms and thought about it for a few moments. "If I was in love, yes."
"I thought so."