Layla Get's Ready

Chapter 3

"My dad even signed the letter that I got!" Layla was extremely joyous now. "There is no doubt that he is alive now!

"Honey." Her mother had curiously looked into the envelope and had come out with another letter that was smaller than the first one she had read. "You should probably read this one too."

"OK." Layla took the letter away from her mother, and began to read it aloud;

"Honey,

Now that you are going to Mountios School of Advanced Powerzcraft and Powerladry, you must know about the world of Powers. There is a constant battle here. The evil are against the evil, and the good are against the evil. Many people have died fighting for their family, and I don't want that to happen to you. As long as you have your Bathlin (non-powers) parents, no one can hurt you. If you are with me, no one can hurt you either, because I am the Head of Association of Powers. You must also know where to go to get your supplies, and how to get there. First, take the airplane ticket to the Bahama's that I put in your envelope. Bring your parents with you (there are three tickets). Once you get there, take out the train ticket that I packed you (it will appear after you get to the Bahama's). Take the train ride to Train Station 9. There you will see a huge, bald guy with a tattered suit on. Go up to him, and ask him how to get to AOPS (Association of Powers Shop). He will tell you where to go, then, take the map out of the envelope, and go to all of the places that I marked for you and tell the shopkeepers all the supplies that you need. Once you begin school, I will try to go over there to meet you one time. Good luck!

Lots of love,

Dad

"Wow!" Layla was really excited. "I can't believe it! It sounds pretty complicated, though.

"Yes, but don't forget, you have to choose what extra classes you want to take." Her mother reminded her.

"Right. Which ones do you think I should take?" She asked her mother.

"I don't kow, but I think flying would be pretty cool." Her mother began. "It would also be cool if you could learn more about your dad's job, and maybe even work along side him some day!"

"So you think I should take Flying and Association of Powers Help?" She wanted to know.

"Yes." Her mother informed her. "Maybe you should take Use of Powers or Creating and Using New Powers, too."

"They all sound interesting to me." Her father butted in. "I wish I could go there."

"Honey, didn't you listen to what Layla's father said in his note? We are going with Layla!"

"We are?" He asked, dumbfounded.

"Yes!" Layla and her mother both cried.

"Oh." He was astounded, but happy.

"OK." Layla began. "So it's settled? I'm going to be taking Flying, Association of Powers Help, Using Your Powers, and Creating and Using New Powers?"

"If that's what you want." Layla's mother replied.

"Great!" Layla was extremely happy. "I just have one more question. When are we going to leave for the Bahama's?"

"Tonight." Her mother informed her solemly.

"Alright then, can I atleast call Cece and explain why I won't be seeing for a long time?" Layla was anxious.

"Of course, but don't take too long. You have to pack your things, but not too many. You're going to be buying more." Her mother told her. "I'm going to start packing my own things right now too. Hurry up."

"Yes mom!" Layla ran for the telephone, and dialed Cece's number. "Hey, is Cece there? It's Layla. I've got very important news that I have to talk to her about.

"I'll get her." Layla's mother replied. Then a muffled voice cried, "Ce! Layla's on the phone!"

"Thanks." Layla heard Cece scream back. Then, she heard Cece talking to her from the phone. "What's up? We're still on for tonight, right?"

"Cece, I gotta talk to you about something." Layla was very sad. "See, I just got this note, and my dad's alive, but he can't see me because he has this life long job that he has to work on, and now I have to go to this school." It all came rushing out, and before Layla knew it, she was crying like crazy.

"This world is so weird!" Cece thought Layla was joking!

"You don't get it Ce!" Now Layla was disappointed. Her own friend didn't believe her! What is wrong with the world! "I'm NOT joking! I'm leaving tonight to get my supplies! I can't go bowling with you today, and I won't be at school for the last two days of school, NOTHING!" Layla started crying again. "Why don't you believe me?" She cried, just before slamming the phone back on it's base.

"I take it that Cece didn't take the news that well." Her mother was concerned. "Maybe I should drive over there and talk to Cece."

"No mom, she's not worth it." Layla shoved her face into her mother's shoulder. "I can't believe she didn't believe me!"
"It is pretty shocking, Layla." Her mother told her. "When you first learned about it, did you believe it?"

"Well, not really, but if Cece told me that, I would belive her." Layla informed her mother. "We;re best friends!"

"Well, Cece probably doesn't want to believe that you're going to be leaving her. Her best friend." Things are bad if my mother understands things about my life that I don't. Layla thought.

"Maybe you're right mom. Should I call her back?"

"Yes." Her mother replied flatly.

"Could you start packing some of my things?" Layla asked, hoping the answer would be yes. "I think this might take a while.

"Yes, honey." Her mother began going upstairs.

"Rrrr-iiinnnnggg, rrr-iiiinnngggg."

The phone rang for about 5 times before a voice said, "Hello?"

Layla had never heard that voice before, but she still said, "Hi. Is Cece there? This is Layla. I know I just called, but-"

"I know." Cece's voice cut her off. "I'm sorry I didn't believe you, but I couldn't believe it. I thought you said you thought your parents were going to stay here for atleast three years. It hasn't even been one yet, and you're already leaving!"

"Ce, you don't understand!" Layla explained. "Me nor my parents have a choice! I have to go. Plus, aren't you happy that I'm going to get to see my dad?" Layla was amazed at how much Cece didn't understand.

"I'm happy for you Layla, but I don't want you to leave me! You are one of the best friens I've ever had!" Now it was Cece's turn to cry. "I don't want you to leave me, best friend."

"Ce, that is the most touching thing I have ever heard you say!" Both girls were crying now. "Do you want me to see if you can come with us?"

"Oh my gosh Layla! You could do that?" Cece gushed. "That would be totally awesome!"

"I'll ask my mom, OK?" Layla asked.

"Whatever you say. Just hurry." Cece exclaimed.

"Mom!" Layla cried as she put the phone to her chest.

"What honey?" Her mother yelled back

"Do you think that Cece could come with us?"

At first there was silence, then Layla's mother replied, "I don't see how it could hurt. If she can't stay with you, your father would probably find a place for her to stay."

"Ce?" Layla made sure Cece was still there.

"What did she say? Can I come? If I can't I do-"

"Chill." Layla cut her off. " My mom said it would probably be all right. You just have to see if your parents would let you stay with me for about a year."

"AH! I can't believe it! Seriously? I'll go ask my mom." Cece said, not letting Layla answer her question. "MOM!" Came Cece's muffled voice.

"Yes honey?" Her mother's voice rang out like a high pitched birds song.

"Can I go away for about a year with Layla?" Cece asked.

"Whate- what?" Her mother screeched. "A year! You are out of your mind."

"Aaahhh." Cece was back on the phone.

"Does that mean a no?" Layla's hopes went flopping down.

"Yeah." Cece said after taking a deep breath. "By-"

"Wait!" Layla screamed, right before Cece hung up. "Maybe my mom can talk to your mom about this, and convince her to let you come along!"

"Great idea! I'll put my mom on the phone." She quickly put in.

"I'll put mine on too." Layla told her. "Mom!"

"What now?" Now Layla's mom was annoyed.

"Can you talk to Cece's mom, and convince her to let Cece come along?"

"Will it take long?" She asked.

"Not too long."

"You sure?"

"Yes!" Now she was irritated. She had already said it wouldn't tke long! Geese. parents.

"OK." She walked over to Layla and took the phone from Layla. "Hello?"