Chapter 1 Leo

Amy's POV

"I'm sorr..." the remaining words stuck in my throat as an enraged voice filled my ears, coupled with eyes full of contempt directed straight at me.

"Watch it, Clumsy."

"I'm sorry. I was in a hurry. I didn't..."

"I don't care." Once again the guy standing in front of me cut me off in a harsh tone, his thick well-carved brows furrowing as his eyes sized me up.

"Watch where you're going next time," the guy rasped before sauntering away, not before leering at me like I had stolen something from him.

I took a deep breath trying to keep myself calm before I bent to the ground and started to pick up the contents of the box I had been holding, which were now scattered all over the place after I bumped into the rude guy.

My brother and I had just moved into our new house and were packing our belongings from the car. My brother had taken some of our stuff earlier and I was trailing behind him with the last box. As I walked hurriedly towards the house, I bumped into the guy.

It wasn't entirely my fault the way he put it made it sound like it was, but all of his attention had been on his phone. If he'd been looking where he was going, the whole thing could have been avoided.

"I'm sorry about that," a girl with blonde hair squatted in front of me and began to help me pick up some of the items from the floor.

"Hi, I'm Lia," she introduced herself with a smile when she stood up after we finished gathering everything.

She looked about my age.

"We're neighbours and I saw you and that guy moving in, so I thought I'd come say hi. Also, I saw how my cousin Leo acted with you, I'm sorry about that. He's not usually like that," she mumbled, giving me an apologetic look.

I had no interest in listening to her talk or apologise on her cousin's behalf, but I couldn't tell her that. She seemed nice, unlike him.

"I've been the one doing all the talking and you've barely said a word," she let out a small chortle.

"Thank you." I forced a smile as I stood to my feet.

I made to walk away but her words made me stop and turn back. "You didn't tell me your name?"

"Amy. Amy Grayson," I muttered, and with that I dashed away before she could say another word.

I sighed in relief when I walked into the living room and didn't find Mark there. I didn't want him scolding me for wasting so much time outside just to get the box. I placed it on the table in front of me before taking out a picture frame.

A tear rolled down my cheek as I stared at the photo.

"I love you, Mom and Dad," I whispered, gazing at the wide smiles on their faces.

"What the fuck are you doing?" Mark's snarl made me flinch. The picture slipped from my hands and clattered to the floor.

"Noth...ing," I stuttered, bending to pick it up and placing it back into the box.

His icy glare settled on me as he took steps in my direction.

"How many hours did it take you to get a box from the car?" His eyes narrowed, rigid cords forming in his neck as his gaze moved from me to the box on the table.

"I was just..." I started to explain, but seeing how his face twisted into a deeper frown, I stopped.

"Get the hell out of my sight before I lose it." His jaw clenched as he fixed his eyes on me.

I nodded sharply and ran upstairs as fast as my legs could carry me. I knew better than to push Mark to the point of losing his temper I would only end up regretting it.

I locked my door behind me before making my way to the bed, and dropping onto it.

Next Day...

The blaring sound of my alarm woke me up. My eyes wrenched open only to force themselves shut again because of the early morning sun peeking through the window. This always happens, I grumbled as I stretched my legs and placed my feet on the floor. After turning off the alarm, I headed to the bathroom to brush my teeth, then went downstairs.

Mark hadn't come home the night before. He left shortly after I ran up to my room. I'd gotten out once he was gone and made dinner, I knew he'd make a fuss if he came back to nothing to eat. After eating I went back to my room, and drifted off before I even realised it.

After finishing my chores I got ready for school. When I was done with breakfast I took the money Mark had left for my lunch and bus fare, then headed out. It didn't take long to catch a bus since I was out early, and thanks to the signs dotted around, I didn't lose my way.

I took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled as I stood in front of the school gates. Fieldman High was boldly inscribed at the top of the building. Students streamed in from all directions, some in their own cars, others being dropped off by parents, and a few on foot like me.

Mark and I had come here the day before to sort out my transfer. It was a good thing he had, otherwise I'd have been stuck at home since he never came back.

I stood rooted to the spot. My legs suddenly felt weak as a wave of thoughts crashed over me. What if this place turned out just like my last school? The urge to turn around and go home clawed at me, but that wasn't an option.

Taking one more deep breath, I braced myself and walked through the gates, just as I crashed into someone.

I expected to hit the ground hard, but it didn't happen. A pair of strong hands wrapped around my waist and stopped me from falling.

My eyes went wide the moment I looked up and saw who it was.

Leo. The guy from yesterday.

He towered over me. I was 5'1 and he was well over six feet, I had to crane my neck just to meet his eyes. Up close, I couldn't help but take him in properly. Shiny black hair with a few loose strands falling across his face. Hazel eyes, and a straight nose that led to a chiselled jaw and full pink lips.

"It's you again, Clumsy." His face twisted into a frown.

Gorgeous face, terrible personality, I thought as I stared up at him. The frown slowly melted into a smirk, and then before I could utter a single word, my back hit the ground hard.

I tilted my head to look at him. He stood over me with that smirk still plastered on his lips, taking in my position on the floor like it was the most entertaining thing he'd seen all day.

"That's where you belong," he said coldly, hatred flickering in his hazel eyes, before he turned and walked away.

Why had he caught me at all if he was just going to drop me anyway?

I was so stupid. Getting lost in those eyes for even a second had been a mistake. There was one thing I was now absolutely certain of I had to avoid Leo at all costs.