She grabs my hand and pulls me inside, into the light. "Oh my God."
I'm about to tell her it's not as bad as it looks, even though it is, but I know saying anything will only make it worse, so all I can do is stare back. "My baby," she whispers, pulling me into her arms. I can hear that she's crying as she holds me close, which scares me to death. She's never been much of a crier.
"It's okay," I say, to comfort her. "I'm okay."
"No," she says as she pulls back, her cheeks stained with mascara. "Who was it that did this to you? Was that the same boy who just dropped you off?"
"No," I exclaim, horrified. "Of course not," you say. Her bottom lip quivers as she reaches out and places a hand to my face. "What's the matter, Megan? Please tell me."
Layla chooses that exact moment to leave
