Notes: I'm happy people like to read my story, so here's chapter two. Not a lot new information, but I think this is essential for some coming chapters. In the end, I want this to have a happy ending with Nabu alive and Layla having accepted her past and live happy enough to enjoy her life again. Feel free to review/comment, I would like to know how to improve the whole thing. Thanks for reading!

Musa:

I was invited to perform in a very popular bar in Magix tonight, after I got the invitation I happily said yes. When I told Layla about it, she said she was happy for me and proposed to do my hair for my performance.

So here we were, in my room. Just Layla and I. It had been a few days I last spoke with her, but as always she hadn't forgotten and showed up in time. She told me to sit down on the comfortable chair in front of my big mirror. I was a little stressed for my performance, sure I had sung for many more people than I would tonight, but still I was stressed.

'Just relax, you're a great singer and you know that,' Layla said.

'Yes I know, I don't know why I feel this way about tonight. I have the feeling something is going to happen that I'm not prepared of.'

'Well you never know, hopefully it's something nice. But for now I want you to turn around your chair so that you can't look in the mirror anymore.' Layla sort of smiled. It was a smile to give me confidence, not a smile of happiness. It was a long time ago I'd seen her happy. I can't even say for sure when was the last time. I turned around my chair and not seeing myself every single second did make it easier to relax, but it also meant I couldn't see my friend. Though I had promised not to ask anymore about her weight problems I tried every time to find out if she was doing better or worse than the moment before, but that was likely impossible since she used magical illusions to make sure nobody could see what she really looked like. And that made me worry.

'Riven will come to see you, right? Any other VIP's this time?'

I wasn't exactly sure if she was really interested or if she was just trying to keep the conversation going.

'My father comes. He is off for a few days and when I told him about tonight he said he would come. I think it's good for him to not be working this few days, he sounds so tired every time I call him…'

Layla quickly brushed my hair and separated some locks from the rest of my hair. I wasn't sure what she was doing, but it felt professional and tight.

'You don't like my father much, do you?' I asked.

'Musa, I don't know him like you do. I only know him as the man who planned on taking away one of my best friends. My opinion is quite subjective.'

'What is your father like? You don't talk much about your parents.'

Layla remained silent for a moment while she gave my hair her final touches. 'I don't want to talk about it.'

'Anything you do want to talk about?' I asked nicely. I really hoped she would open up about some things. 'You know I'll always listen, right?'

'Yes, I do,' she answered distantly while she checked her creation from front view. 'Alright, you can look in the mirror now.'

I turned around again to admire her quick and simply but precisely done work. She had made two water fall braids, one left, one right, that came together on the back of my head.

'Wow, Layla, it's so beautiful! Thanks!'

'No big deal, your hair is easy to do anything with. I think you can do the make-up yourself.'

'Wait, don't leave! You just got here.' I looked at her in the mirror, she looked sad. 'Hey, what's up? Did I say something wrong?'

'No, you didn't. I just uhm…' Layla sounded uncomfortable, that was weird, because she never did. She was always quite sure about her words. 'I'm going to leave you. I'm going to leave the group, Alfea, everything here.'

'What? W.. When were you planning on telling me this? On telling us?!' I didn't want to sound angry but her message had overwhelmed me.

'I'm telling you now,' she said, still calm. 'I'm sorry for ruining your night, please don't think too much about this during your performance.'

'No, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that.' I walked over to her and gave her a hug. 'I don't want you leave,' I whispered.

I got the feeling she only hugged be back to comfort me, not to feel better from it herself. 'I have to make three more exams, I'm gone in five days.' I let out a sob. 'Don't cry, you can't show up with red eyes tonight. Besides, you can't change my decision. It's not worth your tears.'

I tried to keep my breathing under control. 'May I ask why? I won't tell the others if you don't want me to.'

We let go of each other. Layla looked away from me, hesitating. Or maybe looking for the right words. 'I can't stay here forever. In max two years my parents will hand over the throne to me, I've made some promises that I'll do anything for to keep. Nabu… Well, still no progress, but I have been working on a cure and I'm very close to a solution.'