High School-Verse

Leo | 17 | Junior | Quarterback | Football Captain

[katxmartin]

Katherine smiled at him. It was sweet that he liked her sister, really it was. Lydia thought that he hung the stars and that Katherine herself hung the moon and placed the planets into orbit. “From what I can see,” she replied softly. “They really like you too. I think it’s the height.” She placed her fingers on her chin, acting like she was thinking about it. “It’s definitely the height.” She glanced over at his notes. “Really? I bet that you were a great babysitter. Because you really are great with kids.”

[quarterbackleo-blog]

"Oh yeah, they think I'm a giant jungle gym," he said with another laugh. "Oh, thanks, I try." He looked up at her, a smile from his laugh still on his face. He watched her face and she looked over her notes and he found his eyes sliding over her jawbone then up to her lips.

[katxmartin]

“If you keep this up, you’re going to have to roll me out of here,” she teased. “Or else, you’ll never be rid of me.” She handed him a pen absent-mindedly before starting to outline her notes, chewing on the cap of her own pen every now and then. At his question about her sister, she looked up. “Lyds is doing just fine. I think she likes you more than she likes me. We ought to study at my place next time so that she can bug you more. But only if you don’t mind.” Katherine tacked that last part on rather hastily.

[quarterbackleo-blog]

"Of course I don't mind," he said with a smile. "She's adorable. I, uh...I really like kids," he added. He wouldn't admit that to any of his friends, but he felt comfortable telling Katherine. Leo circled a few things in his notes that he needed extra help on. "I used to babysit in junior high actually. But don't tell anyone that."

[katxmartin]

She reached out to poke him in the nose, smiling. “Look at it this way, biology is just English with a whole lot of logic and reasoning tossed in,” Katherine replied as she cracked open her biology book and notebook. “Did you need help with symbiosis and mytosis and all of that? Or do you need help with something else?” Humming lightly underneath her breath, she tied her hair into a neat ponytail. “Definitely chinese. I think I’m going to like this. You pay me in food,” she joked.

[quarterbackleo-blog]

He watched her tie her hair up, suddenly distracted by the movement. He snapped out of it and let what she said catch up to his brain. "Paid in food...that's always great," he said with a laugh. It had only taken him a few study sessions to discover that Katherine was actually quite funny and he....dare he say it.....enjoyed her company. "How's your sis doing, by the way?"

[katxmartin]

She smiled brightly. “Don’t worry, I won’t rat you out to the work out police,” she teased as she followed him up the stairs, eyebrows shooting up in surprise when she heard the light tones of a Disney song coming from his lips. “Chinese maybe?” she suggested. “What else do you have around here?” When they entered his room, she immediately took a seat on his bed, folding her legs underneath her. “What subject are you testing in?”

[quarterbackleo-blog]

"I love chinese," he said and sat beside her. "Biology...." He wrinkled his nose at her. He hated science, but he at least didn't get as frustrated with science as he did with math. "No math for the weekend...thanks god." He got up and went to his desk, collecting his book and notebook before returning the the bed. "Oh and as for the food...we also have a thai and mexican place nearby, but if you want chinese I have no objections."

[katxmartin]

Katherine smiled back at him as she entered his house, book bag slung over her shoulder. “How about your room?” she suggested, fingers collecting the condensation that had formed on the bottle. “How are you? I mean, how was practice and such? You don’t seem as tired as you normally do.” She said it without realizing how familiar the sentences made them seem. But she’d been spending a lot of time with him lately, so it was only usual that she should notice how he was looking and how he was feeling. “Are you prepared to study extra hard?” she teased

[quarterbackleo-blog]

"Yeah, it was cut short today actually and then I skipped my after practice workout." He put a finger to his lips and blew out a "shhh" then punctuated it with a wink. "Alright, let's get down to business." He hummed to defeat the huns from that song from Mulan, quietly without even thinking as he climbed the stairs. "Let me know later when you're ready to order some food. I'm down for whatever."

[quarterbackleo-blog]

Leo opened the door when the doorbell rang and gave Katherine a smile. "Hey, come in, My dad's on a business trip so we'll have the house to ourselves with no interruptions." He closed the door behind her and led her in. "My room or the living room?" he asked, glancing back at her. He went to the fridge and got her a bottle water. Leo handed it to her and offered her another smile.

[katxmartin]

Saturday, you said? — I’d like that very much, Leo. Thank you. 

[quarterbackleo-blog]

Yeah, sure. I'll give you the address Friday.

[quarterbackleo-blog]

What if I invite you?

[katxmartin]

— To a party? 

[quarterbackleo-blog]

Uhh...yeah.

[katxmartin]

{ She scoffed } You say that like I’ll be invited to one. 

[quarterbackleo-blog]

What if I invite you?

[katxmartin]

Don’t say it like that. You make me seem like I’m socially inept. 

[quarterbackleo-blog]

I'm sorry. You should go to one.

[katxmartin]

I’ve never been to one. Are they fun? 

[quarterbackleo-blog]

You've never been to a party before?

[katxmartin]

— Wait wait wait, does this mean that I’m going to be forced to help you practice your lines? 

[quarterbackleo-blog]

Yes. Yes it does. If you can tutor Mr. Popularity, you can study lines with me.

[katxmartin]

Yes, it is a yes. Surprisingly, I don’t mind your presence. 

[quarterbackleo-blog]

Thanks. Friday night? I have a party to go to Saturday night.

t

[katxmartin]

Also, another miracle. Don’t look so offended, Greyson, I’m thrilled. 

[quarterbackleo-blog]

Thanks, babe.

[katxmartin]

You don’t have to pay me, Leo. Not at all. I mean, I’m doing this for the hours and you’re already feeding me, right? 

[quarterbackleo-blog]

Up to you. Think about it.

So, what's a yes?

[quarterbackleo-blog]

Got the lead! KATHERINE, I got the lead!

[quarterbackleo-blog]

Hey, so listen....I have a huge test on Friday, so I was hoping maybe you'd want to come over this weekend to tutor me? I'll buy us some takeout and we could like...study for a bit then take a break for a movie or some video games or whatever then study some more. I'd be willing to pay you for the time.