Heart Of Glass

Don’t say that

Laylas POV

When I woke up, Tristan wasn't there and honestly I didn't mind.

I had to go grocery shopping soon because frozen pizza wasn't going to cut it. For breakfast I had some water and an orange that I thankfully found.

I got dressed in a baggy T-shirt and joggers, slipping on my flip-flops I pulled my hair into an untangled updo.

I didn't have a key to the dorm yet, so I had no choice than to leave it unlocked as I walked around campus.

I kept eye contact with anyone limited, I could feel the stares and it was making me anxious.

Have they never seen a student before?

They must never get new ones since everyone's looking at me like I'm fresh meat.

A huge library sign catches my attention and I breathe a sigh of relief as I enter the building and its almost empty.

Well duh, who wants to read on a Saturday?

Me.

I greet the librarian before walking over to the fiction books and I picking out a few romances.

I choose a corner booth far away from humanity before diving into a non existent universe where I was the main female character and the male my soulmate.

× × ×

By the time I was done, I had already signed up to be a member, and had three books in my hand.

I stopped by the vending machine to get a Sprite and when I stepped outside, warm air greeted me as the sun seemed to be going down.

Yeesh what time is it?

My butt still felt a bit numb as I began walking in the direction I remembered as my dorm.

I noticed four figures sitting outside and I immediately tense up. Should I turn back?

Where will I go?

The park.

I was about to go back when he called my name. I pretended not to hear when he called even louder.

Crap just shut up and keep talking to whoever it was!

"Layla!" Sighing deeply, my hands were sweating again as I turned to him. He was in a sleeveless workout shirt and basketball shorts, his hair messy as usual and a smile painted on his adorable face. "Where were you all day? I went to get some stuff at the store and you were gone."

All eyes were on me and I glance at them nervously, especially the blonde who looked like she could stab a stake through my heart.

There was another boy with pinkish hair, and piercings, he stared at me curiously. Then there was his companion, I suppose, jet black hair and obvious goth features.

"I-i just went to walk about." I move my eyes to the ground.

"And you didn't get lost? Wow. Here, let me introduce you to my friends." He started pulling me and I felt like his touch burned. I flinched harshly, once again pulling my hand away roughly.

"Stop." I murmur as he stops to look at me. "I-i forgot something." I turn to leave but I surely hear the blonde's words.

"Freak much?"

× × ×

"Do you know who did it?" I nod.

"So why won't you tell?" She asks but I shake my head.

"I can't." I croak and she sighs.

"I'm here to help Layla. ."

"You can do so without me telling you." I tell my therapist sharply and she backs off thankfully.

I lay staring up at the ceiling as I need to decide how I'll spend tomorrow. Tristan wasn't home, once again, I'm okay with that. To his words he did buy some groceries so I decided that I should distract myself with a little cooking.

I nearly jump out of my skin when I notice pink hair in the dorm. I could feel my nerves act up as his eyes land on me.

"What're y-you doing here?" I ask, my skin pricking at me.

"Tristan asked me to wait here for him. He went to the store again with Ash, something about alcohol." My heart dropped. He drank alcohol? Meaning he could get drunk and not be responsible for his actions?

"Why do you look so pale?"

"I—" I decide to stay quiet, moving into the kitchen to make dinner.

"I'm Ethan." He seems closer now, as the stools scrape against the floor and I feel like I'm suffocating.

"L-layla." I clear my throat. For some reason, I felt weird around him.

"Well Layla, are you making me dinner?" He asks and I bite the inside of my cheek turning to face him.

Up close he was really something. His skin wasn't pale, but he was sure white. He hand a nose ring and his eyebrows had those tiger marks cut in. His eyes were a normal brown colour and he had full pink lips. He had a tight black T-shirt in with sweatpants.

Okay Layla, enough.

"Sure." I spin back around, I could feel his gaze on me and it wasn't as uncomfortable. It just made me feel anxious.

I made something simple, for all of them, spaghetti and premade meatballs.

"Whats you future profession?" His voice is deep. Too deep.

"Social worker." I murmur, bringing out the plates. "Y-you?"

"Artist.".

So you can draw? I wanted to ask, but that would be too much talking when we can end the conversation.

At home, when I usually can't reach something I climb on the counters. However with his steady eye contact, I found that I might have to get the stool. Which is exactly what I did.

He chuckles as I step on it to get the plates and I try to hide my embarrassment.

"You could've just asked for help." He was closer now. Too close and I felt the panic seeping in. Gone was the slightly okay me and I was in full anxiety mode. "Layla?" He calls out and I stay quiet, silently trying to calm myself down. I let out a short sound quickly as he takes the fork from my hand. I didn't realize I was gripping it so tightly until my hands felt relaxed.

"Are you okay? Did I say somet—" the front door swings open and I don't look up as I simply take the smallest plate at retreat quickly to my room.

I'm just a huge ball of humiliation and uncertainty, ready to be tossed around until forgotten about.