It had been three years now since Jonathan and Layla came to Willowfalls. Layla was nearly twenty-one, and had finally managed to convince her father and stepmother that she was not coming back. Jonathan had given up on his fear experiments after about a month, not being able to invent an invisible hallucinogen, and felling again that it was all pointless.
They still secretly had feelings for each other, but they always convinced themselves that it was not the right time to tell the other how they felt. They barely saw each other anyway. Jonathan was always working at the asylum, and Layla was always at school or studying for the next day. She did work at the asylum part time, but she worked in a different part of the asylum than he did, and when she did see him she assumed he would be too busy to talk to her.
Three years of the same exact thing every day, Jonathan thought to himself, sitting at his boring desk in his ridiculously organized office. All his life he had a constant routine, and it had never bothered him, until now. Three years of non-stop working, practically no human contact, and pretending his heart didn't beat faster every time he saw Layla for the weekly split second. It was all ridiculous.
Layla was sitting at home in the living room floor with psychology books all around her, but she could not focus on school work. Even though she tried not to think about Jonathan, he was all she could think about tonight. She missed him, not just because of her feelings for him, but because even the most non-social psychos need friends, and he was her only friend.
She was lost in thought and pretending to study when Jonathan entered. "Who are you, and what are you doing in my house?" he asked sarcastically as he closed the door behind him. "I should ask you the same thing, stranger. Long time, no see" she replied smiling. "Yeah, I decided to get off work on time for a change. So how's school?" he asked sitting down beside her. "Great" she answered, organizing papers as if she had actually been working. " I should be ready for med school in about a month". For the first time in years they were both able to relax, and have an actual conversation.
Later that night Layla decided she was sick of hiding her feelings, so she got up the courage to tell Jonathan the truth. She realized it had been way too long, and no matter how he reacted it would still be better than keeping her secret any longer. Nervously, she walked into the living room. Her hands shook as she walked up behind the couch where he sat, reading a book. She debated on running back to her room.
He seamed unaware of her presence until he turned around, and asked "Do you need something?" "Uh...No...I just..." she stopped talking, hoping he would forget about her, and continue reading, but instead he waited for her to finish her sentence. "Never mind" she said, turning to go back down the hall. She was She was about halfway there when she realized Jonathan was following her. He stopped her just as she was about to go into her room.
"What's wrong?" he asked. "Nothing" she answered quickly. "Then what's going on?". She did not answer him. "Layla, please tell me what's bothering you" he persisted, knowing something was wrong, but she still did not answer him. "I'm not going anywhere until you tell me". She hesitated at first, but she knew there was no turning back now. "I'm in love with you" she whispered, her head hanging down so she could not see the look on his face. She started to walk off, but he grabbed her and pulled her close to him. For the first time neither of them hesitated, and they finally kissed.
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Finally! That only took them four years! What now, you may ask. Well, you will just have to wait for the next chapter. Please review.
