Heart Of Glass

Something new

Layla's POV

Prayer should be an important part of your life if not the most important. Start you say with it, end your day with it and you'll see the difference.

Taking a deeo breath, I pull myself from the kneeling position. I was extremely thankful that Tristan seemed to stop coming home a lot. Maybe he understands.

The house was quiet as I stepped out in my oversized T-shirt reaching my thighs and spandex short. I roughly itched at my hair as I yawned.

What am I going today?

The three books still sat on my nightstand. . . maybe I could do some more exploring? Students would most likely be inside.

I ate cereal before walking back into my room to grab a shower. I wore a dress this time, nothing dressy. It had short sleeves and ended at the knee. It was loose but not baggy. Something to lounge in.

I returned to the living room but froze hearing laughter. Then his voice.

"Where's Layla?" From the corner I watched as Tristan shrugged at Ethan's question.

I went back to my room to grab the books, deciding that I'll go to the park. I walked quickly into the living room, avoiding eye contact with anyone.

"Good morning." I mumble, reaching for the handle.

I was almost there.

"Where are you going?"

Hmph.

"No where far. . just out to the park." I reply Tristan and he nods.

"Let me come with you." Ethan stands and I shake my head frantically.

"Ethan!" Goth squeaks, obviously staring at me in distain

"No! You guys are hanging out I—"

"I'm coming." He declares, walking towards me and I quickly walk back, getting out of his way. He closes the door behind him and my stomach turns a little.

Please stay down cereal..

× × ×

"What are you reading?" He leans over and I close the book abruptly, moving away to give us some space. He frowns, but doesn't say anything as we sit on the park bench.

Its been about an hour and I guess Ethan was bored.

"So you came to the park to read?" He eyes the book in disgust and I can't help but roll my eyes.

"Yes, I told you to stay."

"But I didn't want to." He leans in a bit and my heart rate speeds up, uneasy.

"T-then deal with the c-consequences." I shrugs trying to play off my feelings.

"Let's go on the swings." He suggests.

"Why do they even have swings in college?" I frown and he shrugs.

"We're kids at heart y'know." I stay quiet at that. I lost a rights to consider myself 'a kid' years ago. "So?" I look up to find him walking towards the swings already. "Are you coming?"

Reluctantly, I make my way towards the swing.

"Trust isn't easy, but not everyone is bad Layla."

"How do I know they're good?"

"You just know."

"We're gonna play 21 questions." He announces, motioning for me to sit on the swing which he stood behind.

"A-aren't you going on the other swing?"

"I'm going to push you."

"Trust. It isn't obtained overnight, it is shown by the smallest acts."

Letting myself adapt, I slowly get on the swing, feeling his heat from behind me. My mind was screaming at me to get off, go back and sit down on the bench but my heart kept cheering that I could do it.

I was nervous. I felt my palms getting all sweaty again, and I felt restless.

"Okay, first question is yours." He whispers, "each time you say an answer I'm not satisfied with, I'm going to push you higher, and if you're not satisfied with mine, you have to force me to slow down."

"That doesn't sound very fair." I mutter.

"Life's not fair sweetheart." Oh I know.

"How old are you?"

"18."

"Tristan's older than you." I pint out.

"Yes sweetheart. I'm aware." He says sarcastically and I take note that this is the second time he calls me sweetheart.

"But you look more. . mature?"

"What can I say? The gym could be my bedroom." He reeked out in arrogance. "What's your favourite colour?"

"I don't like colours."

"That. . is a very odd answer. You sound like Dray."

"Is that the goth girl?"

"Goth girl." He sniggers. "I'm going to start calling her that now."

"Favorite food?" I ask.

"Anything with meat in it." I actually laugh at that, and it sounds a bit raspy. I haven't laughed in a while, my nerves were still on edge, but everything else seemed to be going away as he slowly pushed me back and forth in the slightly dim sun.

"Why do you want to become a social worker?" My face drops, and I'm thankful he can't see it.

"So I can help those who have been abused."

"Do you have any relation with it? Being abused?"

"You're questions up. M-my turn." Thankfully he didn't repeat his question, probably realizing it was a touchy subject for me.

× × ×

"You guys have been out late." Dray says as we enter.

Its only 6:30.

Ethan walked in with my books in his hand, and I took them from him, ready to retreat to my room. He grabbed my arm, ignoring Dray and I flinch, ready to pull it from him but his hand tightens.

"Hey. ." he murmurs and I couldn't help but panic.

"Can you let me go?" I croak and he does so very gently, but not before slowly rubbing my palm.

"I had a good time." He confesses, his eyes boring into mine and I couldn't help but smile. It was small, but it was something.

"Me as well." He let me go shortly after that and I move towards my door, ignoring all the looks from everyone else, especially the blonde.

Thank you Ethan, for something a little bit new.