Note: Just so there's no confusion; this fanfic isn't a new story! It's basically "When Summer Becomes Winter" except that it's told in Leonel's perspective instead of Clara's!

-end note-


Spring 6

I groaned slightly, opening my eyes, squinting in my room. It was 7 AM on a Friday. Thankfully, though, I knew I was going to have Ms. Mana's class today. I sighed, knowing I couldn't stay in bed any longer. Even though my class today was at 9 AM, I had to get up to help my dad with his afternoon class.

I didn't particularly like my dad's class, and I know thathe doesn't like me much either, considering he really favors my classmate, Orland, over me. I used to sometimes wonder if I was adopted. However, looking at the portraits of my great-grandmother, my grandpa, Byron's, mother, whom I looked a lot alike, it was obvious that I wasn't adopted, just unlucky with the genes.

It was embarrassing being a boy with such feminine features. Alicia even made a prediction when mom was pregnant with me, telling my parents that I was going to be a girl. My name was supposed to be Cadence, but my parents couldn't name their son Cadence, so…they chose Leonel. Which isn't a bad name, but I don't think it fits me very well. My name means young lion…a lion is brave and masculine…the things I am not. I'm more like my original name, musically rhythmic, than a young lion.

I grabbed my tote from next to the front door, dad and I bidding my mom and grandpa farewell as we made our way towards the academy.

Our walks were always awkwardly silent. We never had anything to talk about. I know dad wasn't much of the talkative type either, especially to me it seemed.

We reached the classroom as I began to help dad prepare for his lectures at a desk towards the middle of the room while he was at the teacher's desk filing some paperwork. He sighed.

"I've gotta go to the library." He said, "I shouldn't be too long."

"'Kay." I replied as I heard him walk towards the library down the hall. I sighed, looking down. My mind started to take a trip…that is, until I heard someone clear their throat from behind me. I felt my heart race. I knew exactly who that was!

"H-hey Clara!" I said, turning my attention towards her, I felt my face turn pink, "I uh...didn't hear you come in...what's up?" She shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly.

"Oh, you know, same old, same old! Worrisome mom, girly cousin, an uncle who hates being called uncle." I let out a small chuckle as Clara laughed back.

I have always had a huge crush on my best friend! But, who wouldn't? Clara was so beautiful, sweet, strong, and smart! Almost everything I was not. If only I could just tell her how I felt about her! However, I knew she would never return my feelings! I was too...me!

"Sounds troublesome! On the plus side, though, at least your mom, dad, and family love and accept you." I said, Clara placed her hands on her hips and began scolding me.

"Hey! Your family loves you too!" I sighed, if only she really knew.

"But I don't think dad really accepts me; I'm too much like my mom. Plus...well...I'm always mistaken for a girl! I think he'd rather have a masculine son than a wimpy loser like me."

"Hey! That wimpy loser you're talking about...is my best friend!" Clara scolded as I gave her a smile, chuckling.

"Thanks, Clara!" It was silent for a moment.

Just tell her how you feel. Go ahead, tell her!

"I'll see you again at nine...'kay?" She said as I smiled, nodding my head, watching her run out of the academy. I groaned and pounded the desk with my fist once in annoyance. Why couldn't I tell her?!

"What on earth did you two talk about that's got you so upset?" I jumped at the sound of my dad's voice.

"H-how much did you hear?" I asked in concern as he crossed his arms.

"I didn't hear any of it. I saw Clara leaving the school on my way back from the library. I noticed you were smiling from my position and as soon as I fully entered the classroom your whole mood changed." He said in concern as I blushed.

"I-it was nothing." I said depressed, dad shrugged it off before walking back to the teacher's desk. It was silent for a minute before he broke it.

"You still couldn't tell her, huh?" He asked as I blushed.

"Wh-wha-? T-tell her what?" I asked nervously.

"Don't play dumb with me, Leonel. I'm your father. I know and see everything! And I've known about your little crush on Clara for a long while." Dad admitted as my face turned redder.

"And you should definitely tell her before it's too late and someone else sweeps her off her feet." Dad said as I sighed, looking down.

"It's hard." I admitted.

"I know. It was difficult for me to tell your mother how I felt." Dad said as I felt my eyes widened.

"Wait, it was difficult for you to tell mom?" I asked in shock.

"I might have a tough exterior, but I am human. I tried to look and act cool, and I was kind of a jerk to your mother because I really wanted her to like me. I tried to be someone I wasn't to impress her." Dad smiled at me, "I made your mom cry one day and I felt awful about it. I never wanted to face her again after making her cry. Jack pressured me to admit to him why I was a jerk to her. Long story short, your mother was eavesdropping the whole time and heard that I was trying to impress her. But I didn't need to impress her, because she loved the real me."

"You made mom cry?" I asked in shock.

"I've made her cry twice and I've felt horrible both times."

"Wait, twice?!"

"The second time was when she was pregnant with you and I ate the last bit of salted salmon." Dad said in a slightly embarrassed tone. I laughed.

"What?" Dad began jokingly, "It was very good salted salmon! I would have cried, too!" I actually felt elated! This was the first time in a long time that I was actually able to talk to my dad without feeling the need to try and impress him!