A.N I got so many reviews for the last chapter I was slightly shocked but thanks you guys, a lot. Enjoy and Review.

Chapter 4: Attraction

Leo

You would think the amount of times I've seen Lyric in a bathing suit would make not have an affect on me.

You'd be wrong.

"What?" She said. As she stood in the doorway. I'd forgotten how good of a body Lyric had. She stood in a pair of shorts and her swimsuit, which was the red with a white stripe going diagonally her body.

"You ok?" She asked.

"I—I'm fine." I said, clearing my throat. "Do you have a ride to your swim meet?"

"No, I was going to call Rach though—"

"That's unnecessary." I said, pulling her out the house. "Ta-da!"

She smiled. "Valdez, you got a car?!"

"I built a car."

"This is so cool!" Lyric said, jumping up and down. "Does it have a name?! Can I name it?!"

"Why do you feel the need to name things?"

"Everything needs a name!"

"Fine, what do you want to call it."

She debated for a second. "Zelda."

"Why?"

"Because it's your favorite video game."

I gasped. "You actually remembered something about me!"

"Ah, shut up." She said getting into the car.

XXX

I watched as Lyric strolled around the pool talking animatedly to Juniper. She already had her swim cap on with one rebellious curl that stuck out of the front of her swim cap. Her long, tan legs already shining from the lights and the reflection of the pool.

"Geez Valdez, stick your tongue back in your mouth." Piper laughed.

"Shut up." I said.

Jason and Piper were the only people, besides Jake, I told about my crush on Lyric. I was immediately regretting it.

I turned back to the pool and saw Lyric and Percy glare at each other as they walked passed. I immediately knew that it was on. Lyric and Percy have been competitive for as long as I can remember. Whether it was who can get the highest on the climbing rope or who can last the longest in the pacer test. Once we started high school. That competitiveness transferred into our swim team. But the school didn't say anything about it, it's what kept our school with the all-state record, which was currently held by Percy.

I watch as the gun sounded and Lyric dove into the water. And it was over shortly after it started. I looked over to the finish line and saw Lyric hopping out the pool with the biggest smile.

"Ladies and Gentlemen with the time of 6.8 seconds, Lyric Blofis, Has broken the all-state swim record."

Next thing I know, I'm on my feet running towards the pool. Lyric met me halfway and jumped into my arms, wrapping her legs around my waist. Everybody in the stands was cheering for her. I set her down and she smiled. "I did it!"

"I knew you could." I laughed. "Now, go take a shower, you smell like chlorine."

"Wow, thanks." She said, sarcastically.

XXX

"Hey, have you seen my dad?" Lyric said jogging towards me.

"Last time I saw him he was with his girlfriend. I think they're trying to get your house ready."

"So, you saw her before me?" She grumbled.

"Hey, don't be like that. I think your dad's actually serious about her. And she's nice, she gave me sour strings." I said, pulling it out of my pocket. Lyric snatched them out my hand.

"Ugh, I am so hungry. I forgot to eat before I swam and now I'm starving."

"Then you shouldn't eat something that's pure sugar." I said, taking it back. "So, where do you want to go?"

"I want to go to the tree." She said, smiling.

"Lyric, you need to eat something."

"I don't see why I can't eat at the tree." She pouted. "Please?"

"Who am I to say no to a cheap date?" I laughed.

Lyric stopped. "Date?"

"It was joke, Lyric." I laughed nervously. "No need to get your cocktail dress." She stuck her tongue out as she got into the car.

"Hey Valdez, wait up!" I heard someone yell. I turned and saw Jason and Percy waving me over. I looked over to Lyric to find I was already being ignored so I headed over to them.

"What's up?" I said.

"Well, I wanted to know if you and Percy wanted to come over my house but Percy's got a thing." Jason said.

"Yea, I have to meet my mom's new boyfriend." Percy sighed in the way that he clearly would rather be doing something else. I thought about how Lyric was meeting her dad's girlfriend today. it was probably just a coincidence.

At that moment, a horn honked behind us and I turned around to see Lyric grimacing in the front seat. "When you guys are done being girls, I'm hungry and if I had my license I would've been left you." She said, rolling her eyes.

"I don't think the world wants you behind the wheel." Jason laughed.

"Fuck you, Grace." Lyric said, holding her middle finger out the window.

Jason laughed. "I don't know how you deal with that."

"I've learned to just go with it." I shrugged. "I've got to go, she's never been the most patient."

I walked over to the car only to hear Jason behind me making a whipping sound. I dove into the car holding my middle finger up at him.
XXX

"I'm going to miss this." Lyric said as she sat back against me, laying her head on my chest.

I leaned back against the trunk of the tree as we sat on the highest branch that was stable enough for 2 people. "Miss what exactly?" I asked.

"This!" She said again. "Let's face it. We're already 16, and soon we're going to be looking at colleges. And the chances are slim that we're going to end up going to the same one considering what we both want to do. And if we do end up going to the same college. doesn't mean we'll end up on the same path and next thing you know, we'll be only seeing each until our high school reunion, where I'll be a big Broadway star and you'll be this great inventor with a wife that's so much younger than you and an IQ that's barely her shoe size." She rambled off and then sighed. "So, I'm going to miss this."

"I'm sure we'll keep in touch."

"Yea, but you can never be sure." She said. "You'll wake up one morning and realize I'm a crap friend and then hate me."

"I've already realized you were a crap friend." I laughed. "I'm still here, aren't I?"

She looked at me as if saying that really didn't make me feel better but she smiled.

"We should get you back." I said, pushing her off me as I sat up. "You have to go to that dinner."

"Or we could go back to your place." She said it in a way that seemed like she was implying more than she was saying.

"I, uh, I-" I looked over at her and she was looking at me with eyes I've never seen before. they were wide and dark with hazel just around the pitch black. She raised one eyebrow at me. I leaned forward and cupped the side of her face. "Nice try." I whispered, climbing down the tree.

Lyric groaned. "How could you have possibly known?"

"That you were using my anatomy to get out of a dinner that you're expected at." I laughed. "because I know you. And you've done it like 3 times before."

Lyric scaled down the tree. "Maybe, I was serious this time."

I hopped down then grabbed Lyric's waist to help her down. "No, you weren't."

"Well, how do you know?"

"Like I said, I know you." I replied, crowding into her space. "And if you were going to kiss me it wouldn't be here. Too sentimental, and you wouldn't want me to expect it. so it would probably be you breaking into my house and kissing me out of pure spontaneity."

Lyric hit me in the arm and backed up. "I like how you think I'd go through the trouble of breaking in your house."

"So, how would you do it?" I asked.

"I wouldn't."

"Wouldn't?"

"Please Valdez, we both know you'd kiss me first."

"What makes you think so?"

"Because I know you and it's only so long before you give in to my unbelievable wit and unobtainable attraction."

"Yeah ok, Miss America, let's go."

Lyric laughed loudly and punched me in the arm. I laughed with her but couldn't help but think about what we talked about.

Lyric

"You're late." My dad said looking at me from the top of the stairs.

"And you're pretty." I smirked. "Seriously, you're wearing clothes that aren't too teacher or too dad."

"Is that a compliment?"

"I'll let you know because I'm not so sure." I laughed. "Is the mystery woman here?"

"Yup, She's upstairs."

"What about the kid."

"He's in the bathroom."

"Alright." I shrugged pushing past him. "So, what is it? Do I have to cook or are we ordering take out. I could go for some Thai food right about now."

"Actually, Sally is cooking." Dad said, nodding his head toward the kitchen. Inside I saw a woman. She was average height and had long dark brown hair that was fashioned in a bun. She turned toward me and smiled. Her warm, brown eyes crinkled as she did. I could tell that it was a mother's smile. Not that I'd know what that looked like.

"Hi, I'm Sally." Her voice was soft like a therapist and trust me I know how therapist sound. It sounded too soft and too happy, she was either always like that or hiding something but she didn't look like the type of person that had stuff to hide. "It's very nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too." I replied, shaking her hand. "I'm Lyric. Wow, you must be really important if he's brought back to meet the crazy."

"Lyric..." Dad scolded.

"Woops, sorry, I've got no filter but I feel like your going to learn that before this night is over."

"Lyric!"

Sally laughed. "I like her."

"See dad, everyone likes me. According to the elderly woman at the nursing home you make me volunteer at, I'm a Hoot and a half."

"Go get ready for dinner." Dad laughed.

"Alright. Did you get my trophy? They said, you grabbed it."

"I did, it's in your room." He threw an arm around me. "I'm so proud of you for breaking the all-state record."

"I'm proud too." Sally said. "Though my son is a little upset you took his title." she laughed.

"Son?..." I said, as my mind began to put two and two together. As if on cue, I heard footsteps coming up the stairs and suddenly, I became face to face with Percy Jackson.

"Shit..." We both muttered under our breath.