Chapter 2 - Chapter 1

Lion cub part 2

Jean Rivers, an average looking brunette with, what most boys thought as the most beautiful green eyes and the weirdest freckles. Sat at the back of her class, the usual. She wasn't much, she was very aware of that. Unlike some girls within her class she didn't bring much attention to herself. Honestly Jean was just too exhausted to want attention. The class was filled with its usual noise, people sat and conversed within her usual groups. When she looked around it all felt the same. She sighed and walked out of the door. In hopes of something interesting, she turned her head one last time. Out the class window she saw a cat, black, probably owned and strangely blue eyed. It, with its cold eyes, looked at her. With a feeling of unease, she walked out of the class.

She made her way through the halls with her head down. She entertained herself with thoughts, her destination and the road to it were unknown to her. With her focus on the ground and her feet she didn't notice the approaching Leon and as a result they bumped into each other

"You keep bumping into me." Leon noted with a bit of an amused look, Jean got annoyed at it. How does he find this funny in the slightest? Jean thought. When it came to humor, and the understanding of it, Jean was clueless. Ironic how someone who prided themselves on knowing as much as possible knew nothing about humor. Maybe she didn't have time to understand it.

"Do you think I want to?" Jean asked, irritated and tired. Leon was quite surprised by how angry she was, he sighed. Whatever. Leon thought as he made his way to where he was going. She stood there for a while, a feeling of unease building up within her, she looked out the hall's window. There it was again, the same cat staring at her again. Feeling a bit creeped out she turned away and continued walking to her destination. 

The cat, who had been there for a bit longer than it wanted to, left with the wind.

Jean had a lot to think about. The cat just made her worry. Exams were around the corner, and her brother was still in hospital. All the stress was getting to her, she bit her lip in frustration. She didn't want to have to go home, she didn't want to have to face her noisy mother at all today. Everything was wrong, she felt as if it was all made to attack her. She brushed it off, as she usually did and pushed the feeling down. It's an unhealthy coping mechanism, Sheila would always say. I miss her 

Leon leaned against a street light. Where is he? He thought, with a bit of frustration. His phone was losing his attention by the second, and he was becoming impatient. This is the last time I let that old fart use my car. From the corner of the road, he could hear the faint sound of his car's engine. His Bmw m3 GTR. It was painted black, and was pretty old. He obtained it by winning a gamble with his manager. Luckily for him, he had quite good luck at the time. "How was school kiddo?" an old man asked as he rolled the car's window down.

The car reeked of alcohol and smoke. "Thanks for taking care of the car dad" Leon said tiredly as he and his father switched seats. 

"Oh, come on kiddo. Dont be like that. It's still in good shape, don't ya' think?" Leon, in the driver's seat, examined all the dirt he would have to clean out of his car by the end of the week and sighed defeated. His father continued to talk and ramble, but he couldn't care less. 

"Okay dad, whatever. Get in, I have shit to do" there was a hint of venom in his usually soft and welcoming voice. Fucking asshole. Leon thought as he brushed off beer caps off of his dashboard. 

With a twist of his key the car had started. Leon sighed, it was a sigh of relief at the fact that the engine was still intact. And like that they were off. As they drove through the neighborhood, which was one of the best, Leon remembered Luke's invite to his party. 

He had perfect attendance at work, he was one of the most productive and useful workers and most likely worked more than he should have. He deserved at least a day off, right. 

"So how was your day, big sis?" a frail short haired boy asked Jean who sat besides his hospital bed. With pain in her eyes, and a bit of hesitance, she responded.

"It was alright, Aiden. Are you getting any better?" she was scared to be there. It hurt. But she couldn't go home without seeing him. His eyes, his voice, they gave her comfort and reminded her of better times. She couldn't imagine a world without him, she needed him, more than anything.

"No, not at all," he said with his usual smile. He was trying to make her laugh, but she was in too much pain to notice. He came close to her, and whispered something into her ear. As he did, she giggled and felt a bit of joy in all of the pain she was in . She brushed them away. He pulled away and looked Jean in the eyes, even though it hurt to move, he gave her the hardest hug he had ever had since he had gotten in that state. "I have to go now, please be okay" she said as she stood from her seat and made her way out.

He waved at her as she left. "I'm sorry" he mumbled as she walked out the door.

"Come on Kode, please take my shift." Leon begged the girl in front of him who seemed quite irritated. "Leon, I have a life dude" Kode said as she cleared the dreads from her glasses.

"I know, but it's just one time!" he pleaded

"No" she persisted, for a second he had given up till an idea came to his head.

"I'll get you Luke's number, how about that?"

"Deal" she said as soon as he finished his sentence. In the staff room the three other employees had been listening in on the conversation.

"Leons actually taking a day off?" the short one asked nobody in particular.

"Where's my money?" the one besides him asked smugly as he stuck out his hand. He then turned to the other employee who had been with them and wiggled his eyebrows.

" You know what time it is" he said as he smugly opened his palm ready to receive the money.