Heart Of Glass

Duh, Books Are Like, Food, Can't Live Without Em

Layla's POV

"Layla here wants to be a social worker also." Ethan says as everyone is dismissed.

After Aubry I was still a bit gloomy, but Luby was just a bit ball of sunshine which was the opposite of Ethan who sat in his grey black hoodie, matching skinny jeans and black Nike's.

"Really?" She glowed at me and my eyes widen.

"I-yes."

"Thats amazing. Not much young people want to help their own anymore. Its all about the singing, and the posing, and the acting. Whatever happened to selflessness Y'know?" She looks away with a Tsk and I just sit, awkwardly playing with my hands.

"Well mom, I think I'll bring this fine lady back to her dorm." Ethan stands and she smiles.

"Will you be back next time? Aubry has seemed to take a liking with you." A smile greets my face as I remember promising her.

"I will." I say honestly and she grins wider.

"Ethan honey, will you he home for dinner?"

"Probably not, you and dad can start without me." She nods, and the hug before we're out. We still had a bit of daylight so we walked slowly.

"You dont live at a dorm?"

"Nah." He replies.

"Why? Too expensive?" He chuckles.

"Money is at the very, very bottom of my worry list, it's probably not even there. My dad's an entrepreneur and my mom also has her business apart from this." My eyes widen as he informs me.

"So why choose this college?"

"I wasn't ready to leave home just yet, plus it's easy."

What did I tell you?

"Did you enjoy it?" He refers to the session and I nod.

"I love the atmosphere. . so calm." Somewhere I might just belong. "Thank you for bringing me along."

"You're welcome, it gets a bit lonely once the kids hog all your mom's attention."

"Oh so I'm a rebound?" I snort surprising myself and he gives me a lopsided grin.

"Never." He shakes his head goofily and I laugh as he crosses his eyes.

"You're ridiculous."

× × ×

"Ethan, ive been looking for you all day." Dray practically jumps him as we round the corner and I step aside to allow their affection. I can't say it doesn't bring a sting to my heart, knowing that I'll never be able to have that, but it is what it is.

"Hey Layla." Tristan smiles.

"Hey." I leave Ethan to wall up the steps.

"Have a good day?" Ashley tilts her head and a taunting way and just to he polite I nod. "That's good new girl, but don't kid yourself though. It will never happen." Her eyes darken and my breath hitches in my throat.

I know that.

"Ashley." Tristan says in a warning tone and I only shake my head ready to head inside.

"See you tomorrow Layla." Ethan sighs.

"Tomorrow." I nod, knowing that he'd be in the house in the morning and we both had class.

× × ×

Going to school with Ethan was something else. Everyone looked at you like you were suddenly an enemy and him like he was a picture from a magazine. I mean he kinda did look like one.

Apparently I had landed myself in the 'cool' circle, something that I didn't think would land in my favour very much.

Dray kept sneaking glares as Ethan walked beside me and Ashley was obviously annoyed. I didn't belong here.

"I'm just going to head over to the library." I tell Ethan, and whoever that wanted to listen. I had at least thirty minutes before class, best spend it reading than being suffocated by obvious dislike.

"I'll come with, I have about twenty minutes before class starts." Ethan pipes up and I dont miss the look of disbelief on Dray's face.

"You have got to be kidding me!" She screeches.

"Oh boy." Ethan's sighs rolling his eyes.

"Every since Ms. I always need attention arrived you've been ignoring me Ethan!" She started drawing attention that I didn't like. People were murmuring and inching closer.

"Draya, not now okay, go find Johnathan to dry hump or something." If my eyes weren't wide enough, I had to look away since my neck was flushing up.

"Let's go." He grabs my hand and I squeak, trying to pull it away quickly but he only tightens his grip.

"Relax." He whispers and I almost do, I let my hands stay in his, but my heart was bearing a little too fast as Draya huffs and stomps off as Ashley scowls at me following suite. Tristan just sighs, waving at us both before leaving.

We do go to the library, and when he let's go of my hand, sure I could breathe better but there was this little disappointment hole that I want to block with food.

"What do you like to read?"

"Romance." I admit, avoiding his gaze.

"Mm, so we have a romantic on our hands? What do we like? Bad boy, good girl romance? Arranged marriage? Fifty shades." He's closer, whispering the last part into my ear and I shiver. My body is expectedly on alert and my first instinct is to move away.

I laugh nervously before moving away to a next shelf.

"I-I haven't read that one." I lie and he snorts.

"Please Layla, who are you lying to?"

You?

"When's the next session?" I change the subject as he goes through some horror shelf's and I roll my eyes while he's not looking.

"Its everyday but I only go twice a week. Yesterday, and tomorrow."

"I c-cant make it. .tomorrow." I inform and his eyes snap to mine.

"Why not?" He tilts his head and I gulp.

"J-just going to uh. ."

"Yes?"

"I have classes. . late. . " I lie again and he stares at me for a few more moments before slowly nodding.

"Alright, I'll let mom know." He says and I breathe a sigh of relief.

"What's your family like?" I tense for a moment before shrugging it off.

"Like any other family." Wow, I'm just rolling with the lies today aren't I.

Don't do this at home kids.

"Bad topic?" He asks at my clipped tone and I shrug.

"Somewhat."

"Understood."

I pick out a book, fifteen more minutes to spare, sitting in the normal booth, Ethan slides in also and I spare a look at his face.

He looked awfully cute concentrating on the book. His eyes were focused, his face serious and his chin on his palm.

'The fourth floor.'

A horror book that I saw he took interest in.

"You can always just take a picture. It'll last longer." I look away quickly as he chuckles at me, my cheeks felt inflamed as I clear my throat.

"You have to get to class soon." I remind him and he shrugs.

"When you go, I'll go."

"But—"

"Its fine, the teachers always late anyway."

And that's how we spent our morning, almost getting detentions as we showed up to class one hour late.