Leo"Hand over your camera," the bodyguard said, while holding the stranger's arm.The man, who I assumed now was a reporter, looked like a deer caught in headlights. I had just noticed the bag he was holding in his hand, a lens was peeking out of a gap in the side of the bag, pointed right at us.         I pushed a confused Irene out as the reporter stuttered excuses while trying to pull his arm out of the bodyguard's grasp. I looked at the bodyguard."I'll take care of it," the bodyguard nodded, "you can go ahead.""Alright, thank you.""Wait," the senseless reporter called, attracting unwanted attention from the nurses and other patients lingering in the hallways, "Mr. Brownings

There's something else,' he signed after I calmed down."What?" I asked.'The press,' he signed, 'it bothers you. I wish I can promise you that your identity won't be revealed, or that they will never bother you in the future. But I can't, I'm sorry,' he locked his jaw, 'I'll do my best to shield you from it all, I promise you that.'I realized then that Leo was scared. He was scared that the press and all the attention would drive me away. Silly, silly Leo. I beamed at him."If you think that some flashlight and a few news shows are going to make me leave you, you better think again." I said, "it makes me uncomfortable, sure. But not to the point where I'll even think about leaving." I loved him too much for that.3Yes, I loved him. So much that my heart almost burst at the seams with it. He was the one thing in life that I

Leo's eyes landed on Mrs. Braxton, he stopped beside me. I was now surrounded by three giant, over protective and angry men. I felt sorry for the hotel staff.8Two guards took a few steps back and stood behind the young employee. The poor guy spoke with a bobbing throat to Jayden, while Mrs. Braxton stood her ground. Her stubborn chin raised, but her features had gone from contemptuous to cordial when Leo and Jayden joined us.The only time I had seen Leo this mad was at Lydia's birthday party, when he punched that man, Matt. And just when I thought things had gotten blown way out of proportions, life proved me wrong. Nathaniel Braxton and his son, Vincent, walked up to us with matching frowns.Of course! Join the party! This is the most dramatic bathroom trip ever...I should've just held it in!47I fumbled with the lotus at my n

I had lunch with Julianna, then headed to the library. The coffee shop was only a ten minute walk from the center, so I walked there. It gave me time to think. What did I want to do with my life?The answer came immediately. I loved painting. If I could paint for the rest of my life, I would be the happiest person alive. But I also knew that it wasn't easy to make your name known enough in the art industry in order to make a living out of it. I did want to try, however.Which meant that I had to find a job to support myself, while at the same time working on getting my paintings out there.A job? Most well paying jobs require a college degree. With Julianna's payment for the mural and what Sophia paid me for the painting she commissioned, my bank account was no longer suffering.3When I reached the library, I went online, did some research, then some calc

LeoWe were having dinner in mom's house. Everyone was in attendance. The Allens, Julianna, her husband Ethan, and the twins, Nathaniel and Vincent.         The living room was buzzing with activity. Irene was sitting with the twins on a couch, engrossed in what seemed like a senseless conversation with the two toddlers. She was so good with them, it was no wonder Julianna worshipped the ground Irene walked on. Well, pretty much everyone did, really, not just Julianna.1Jayden, Grayson and I were standing by the french doors of the living room leading out to the garden. The weather was nice enough to keep them open."So, I heard Megan stopped by the exhibit," Jayden said. I made a face. Irene must have t