Disclaimer: I do not own American Horror Story. I only own my OC.
A/N: Whew, this is a pretty long chapter. But that's a good thing. Who hates long chapters? I actually had fun writing this chapter. Well, not all of it. There are some parts that caused me sadness, but for the most part I liked writing the interactions Layla had with the rest of the characters. I apologize that I had to split the chapter into two parts. The next chapter will include the rest of episode two with the huge scene in the morgue, along with Layla meeting Misty.
And for all you Michael Stans out there, enjoy the Michael Easter eggs I put in this chapter ;P
Also, did you guys see the Season Two teaser trailer for the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. It looks awesome! I am beyond excited and ready for when Season Two premieres on Netflix. Now if only they show a teaser trailer for Season Three of Stranger Things before the new year. Netflix don't fail me now xD. And that Avengers: End Game trailer...OMG...April needs to get here faster. Like seriously. After all the angst I got from Infinity War, I need to know what happens next. Things need to get better...and hopefully they will. My Marvel heart can only take so much after Infinity War. I am still recovering from that scene with Peter and Tony. Gah my heart just hurts thinking about it.
Also a few days ago on Tumblr, I found this amazing mix of Toto's song Africa with Phil Collins' song In the Air Tonight. You guys should listen to it. Sadly, there's isn't a full song that I could find just a short snippet. Look it up if you can. It's called, Africa In The Air Tonight - Toto ft. Phil Collins. When I hear it all I can think about is Kyle and Layla together sharing a romantic scene ^.^ Cause we all know how much of a Toto fan Kyle is. Honestly, anytime I hear a Toto song I just think of Kyle, acting goofy, feeling happy, and singing his heart out. Isn't that something we all want? For our sweet boy to happy :')
Rest assure for when Tessa comes into the story way later on (for those who already know who Tessa is to Kyle and Layla), she is going to be the same way xD That girl is going to love singing along to Toto. Like father, like daughter? Hmm. Also, since I imagine the song Africa by Toto would be one of Kyle and Layla's songs, what should Zoe and Layla's be? What would be a good song for all three of them?
A huge thanks to TheNymphOfTheCherryTree for giving me the idea of Florence Welch being a witch in this story. Because now that I think about it how is possible that she is not a witch? That woman is beyond amazing and ethereal. I listened nonstop to Florence and The Machine when I was finishing writing this chapter. I never get tired of her music...and neither does Layla xD She loves Florence and The Machine just as much as she loves PJ Harvey. Maybe she'll even start to love Florence more as the story goes on.(: I seriously think of creating a music playlist for this story. I know for sure Florence and The Machine is going to be on there. Here are some songs that I would want to add:
How Soon Is Now? by The Smiths (Obviously this songs needs to be on here)
You Make Loving Fun by Fleetwood Mac
Siren Song by Bat For Lashes (First heard it on The Vampire Diaries and I've liked it ever since)
Hold the Line by Toto
Cosmic Love by Florence and The Machine (I really love this song. Probably my fave out of all her songs)
This Is Love by PJ Harvey (But of course...how could I not include this song? Ya'll Zoe x Layla shippers haha)
Africa by Toto (Such a classic song)
Scary Love by The Neighbourhood
Blood In The Cut by K. Flay (This song is seriously playing over and over again in my head twenty four-seven)
She's A Rainbow by The Rolling Stones (Need I explain why I chose this song? Haha)
Devil Woman by Cliff Richard (Dedicated to Rosaline Bradshaw xD LOL I can imagine this song playing during one of her scenes. Maybe during her younger years. Which I do want to include later on in the story)
Shake It Out by Florence and The Machine (LOVE this song)
One Line by PJ Harvey ( Ugh another song that I love by her)
Rosanna by Toto (Duh? xD This song is a classic and the fact that we get a scene with Kyle singing it in the show is amazing)
Ooh Child by The Five Stairsteps (This one is for Tessa. I get teary eyed when hearing this song because I think of her and all the struggles she's going to go through. That girl needs all the love the world can give her. She's such a cinnamon roll that needs to be protected)
The Chain by Fleetwood Mac
Fresh pair of eyes by Brooke Waggoner
Any others I should add? This is by far nowhere near the amount of songs I want to have. Let me know any ideas you guys have. Listening to music is my favorite thing to do after all.
*Warning for this chapter*
I think it is only fair to let you guys know ahead that this chapter does contains mentions of suicide. I just thought I'd warn you guys because I don't want to trigger any of you. This story as it goes further will deal with heavy subjects. Like it hasn't already though? Still, sorry in advance. :/
"We are all mistaken sometimes; sometimes we do wrong things, things that have bad consequences. But it does not mean we are evil, or that we cannot be trusted ever afterward." ― Alison Croggon
Chapter 9: Trust in me
It was the sound of gentle knocking and Cordelia's voice coming from the other side of her bedroom door that woke Layla up the following morning. It was really unlike Layla to wake up late on Morning Gatherings. They didn't have one every morning but when they did she was always up and ready before Cordelia's last minute wake up call. However, with everything that had been going on lately it made total sense as to why she was acting a bit different than usual. Everything was still affecting her dearly, what with Kyle's unfair death and Madison's rape.
Layla doubted she would be going back to her normal (well, some what normal) routine anytime soon. Not to mention she had a weird dream last night. Not that she remembered the dream. Actually the only thing she remembered was a pair of unique colored blue eyes staring intently at her. That was it. There was no face for her to match the eyes to. At least, not that she could remember. It was definitely weird. But at this point in her life she was used to having weird dreams like that.
Not sparing a second thought about her weird dream, Layla got out of bed. She made sure not to disturb Orion as she got up. Her trusting animal companion was currently laying at the edge of her bed. He usually slept next to her but he must have moved at some point during the night, or maybe even during the early hours of the morning.
Orion lifted his head and let out a soft meow when he saw her get up. After doing that he resumed to his napping. What a cutie. Layla thought to herself, smiling slightly. Orion always seemed to lightened up her mood a little when she felt down in the dumps. She gently petted the cat from his head to his tail before she made her way to the bathroom.
It didn't take Layla long to get ready. Once finishing her bathroom business, Layla did her hair into her usual side braid and changed into a long sleeve lavender knee length dress, and her black flats for shoe wear. She then made her way to the Morning Gathering that was being held in the living room. On the way there though she felt something when she passed one of the bedrooms. Her walking came to a halt. After a few seconds of just staring at the bedroom door, she walked back towards it.
Layla stared intently at the bedroom door. There was severe uneasiness coming from the other side. She felt compelled to open it. Just as she reached for the knob the bedroom door opened slightly. With the small space that was there, Fiona swiftly came out. Her body hid whatever view Layla was able to see from the inside. The older witch stared at the teen with a stern expression.
"Yes?" Fiona pointedly asked her.
Layla stuttered and took a few steps back. "Uh...good morning." She hurriedly said and then scurried off.
Fiona narrowed her eyes at her retreating form. It seemed the charm to lock all emotions from inside the room needed more working on. She had done a mild one, thinking that would be enough to block Layla's power. However, it appeared that the young witch had more awareness with her Pathokinesis than Fiona had thought. That just proved how strong Layla was getting with her power. That vexed Fiona as much as it impressed her. Though the first thought was overlapping the second. For good reason as well.
If Layla was anything like her grandmother then Fiona would need to keep a close eye on her. Rosaline had been a complex person when she had known her during her short stay at the academy all those years ago. Rosaline had never been one for "joining," she preferred being the lone wolf. Although they did have their moments when they teamed up. Like the time they got revenge on those guys that had been harassing some of the girls at the academy during an outing. The guys ended up getting their just desserts with what she and Rosaline did to them. Even thinking about that memory made Fiona want to smile in amusement. Those were the days. She, however, kept her smile to herself.
Rosaline Bradshaw wasn't as innocent as she liked to think she was. She just had the facial features of someone who pulled off innocence easily, and her acting was spot on. Fiona often referred to her as a wolf in sheep's clothing when they had known each other. Something that Rosaline hated to hear. That woman was cruel when she wanted to be...and it happened a lot more than she would admit. It was mainly the reason why Fiona and her tolerated each other. Neither one ever considered the other as a friend. Except they weren't so different from each other. Rosaline just hid her cruelty, while Fiona had no problem showing it twenty-four seven. Despite losing contact with Rosaline once she left the academy, Fiona had a feeling Rosaline hadn't changed.
And now her granddaughter was at the academy. Layla reminded Fiona of Rosaline from the first moment she saw her. She had that whole innocent looking thing going on. Just like her grandmother. Yes...it seemed that Fiona would need to keep a close eye on Layla.
With one last look towards where the young witch had gone to, Fiona closed the bedroom door behind her. At the moment she had bigger things to deal with...like questioning an over one hundred year old immortal.
Layla ended up taking a seat on the chair that was across from Cordelia, left side to Zoe. She was in a spot where she was able to see all the other witches. She listened with complete intrigue as Queenie told the story on how she came to the academy.
This was something Layla's heard before along with Nan, Madison, and Cordelia, but Layla knew the older witch had asked Queenie to retell her story on account of Zoe. How Queenie had worked at a Chicken Fast Food Restaurant and had used her Voodoo powers when a customer had been hassling and insulting her over another piece of chicken. A piece he had eaten already, according to Queenie. Layla believed Queenie when she said this because she didn't take Queenie for a liar.
"Did they send you to jail?" Nan decided to ask Queenie once she finished telling her personal story. Although she pretty much knew the answer already thanks to being Clairvoyant. Still, she asked because this was a question that had not been asked by her. Plus, it was always polite to interact with others once they shared their personal stories. Queenie had done the same when Nan told her own backstory.
Queenie shook her head. "No." She dismissed. "There were witnesses, and none of them actually had seen me throw the oil." She explained to Nan and the others, but mainly to Zoe. "But it made the local newspaper, and that's how Miss Cordelia found me."
Cordelia gave her a small smile, recalling such events. "You didn't want to join us at first."
Queenie let out a huff. "I grew up on white girl shit like Charmed and Sabrina the Teenage Cracker. I didn't know that there were black witches." A small smile then graced her face. "But as it turns out, I'm an heir to Tituba. She was a house slave in Salem. She was the first to be accused of witchcraft." She looked around the group, making eye contact with each and everyone of them. "So, technically, I'm part of your tribe."
Layla looked at Queenie with a new sense of view. She'd never heard that part about Queenie being an heir to Tituba. That was indeed interesting to know. She felt the wonder-struck that was growing inside Queenie. Despite Layla not liking the fact that she was a witch herself, she was at least glad that Queenie had come to terms with her new life. Perhaps one day she would feel the same way...but she seriously doubted that.
However, the moment of peace was ruined with what Madison said next.
"Is this where we sing Kum-Bah-Ya?" Madison snidely said.
And just like that, Queenie's mood changed into full on anger. Layla let out a sigh as she felt her body start to warm up because of the anger that erupted within Queenie. She even saw Nan jump a little from where she was sitting next to Queenie on the couch.
"Bitch! I will eat you!" Queenie snapped getting up to her feet. Layla was seriously worrying that a physical confrontation like last time during dinner was going to happen. Cordelia, however, was quick to act. Layla let out a breath of relief when Cordelia came between the two girls.
"Hey! Hey!" Cordelia said gently placing a hand on Queenie's shoulder. That got the younger witch to somewhat calm down. "You guys have got to start taking care of each other." She said glancing at Queenie and Madison. "We have enough enemies on the outside."
It was then that Spalding came into the room. Except that wasn't what muddled Layla and the others. It was the fact that Spalding had come into the living room with two older men. Layla right away knew they were cops based on how they presented themselves and she instantly grew nervous. She also felt the nervousness coming from Madison and Zoe. However, Zoe's nerves were definitely more stronger and noticeable than Madison's. Layla knew this had to be about the frat party and the bus crash that happened. She discreetly inhaled and exhaled as she remained calm on the outside. She needed to remain cool, and she just hoped the others did that as well.
Between the two of them the older one spoke first. "Detective Sanchez, NOPD Homicide." He said showing them his badge. He gestured towards the other man that was standing next to him. "And my partner, Detective Stiles."
Cordelia got a worried look on her soft features. "What's this about?"
"We'd like to have a word with three of your girls." Detective Sanchez said gazing at Madison, Zoe, and then Layla. Cordelia followed his gaze and the worried expression she had on increased, as did the worry in her dark brown eyes.
The conversation then moved to Cordelia's office. Madison, Layla, and Zoe sat in the chairs that faced Cordelia's desk. The older blonde was sitting at her desk while Detective Sanchez stood next to Cordelia's desk, and Detective Stiles stood behind the girls.
"When a movie star like you shows up at a fraternity house, people are gonna pay attention to where you go with." Detective Sanchez told Madison. "Lots of people saw you go into the back room with some of the guys on the bus."
"What does this have to do with the bus flipping?" Zoe quietly asked.
Cordelia right away stepped in. "These are three teenage girls. How could they possibly do that? This all seems silly." She said coming to her girls defense.
Detective Sanchez shrugged his shoulders. "I'm just looking for someone who had a motive to hurt those guys, who could've screwed with the brakes or the steering column." He explained to her. "Maybe whatever happened in that room was upsetting."
"Shouldn't we have a lawyer here, or something?" Zoe asked, meekly.
"We're just talking." Detective Sanchez simply answered. "Did you know any of those boys? Had you met them before?"
Madison shook her head. "No, we barely met them that night." She said as she glanced at Layla and Zoe. Both girls shook their heads. Madison then looked at Detective Sanchez again. "They tried to take me to the back room to get me high but I said no."
"Drugs aren't our thing." Layla firmly stated.
"Yeah, she's sober." Zoe added looking at Madison, and Layla nodded her head.
Madison grinned. "Except Vodka."
"Uh, Madison has a wicked sense of humor." Cordelia quickly said as an attempt to smooth things over. "But, in fact, she's come a long way with her addiction issues. We're very proud of her."
Detective Sanchez narrowed his eyes at Zoe. "Can I ask why you visited one of the survivors in the hospital?" He question seriously as Detective Stiles pulled out a photo from the folder he had been carrying. Without saying anything he showed the photo that Layla knew must have been from a security camera. There in the photo was Zoe walking down a hospital hallway. She was wearing the black dress she had on yesterday when they had gone out for their 'field trip."
Layla sighed, briefly closing her eyes. I should have expected this.
Zoe looked at the photo, beyond nervous. She swallowed the lump in her throat. "I felt bad for him." She attempted to say with a smile, but she knew it probably looked more like a grimace. "We just met him the night before. He seemed nice."
Detective Sanchez didn't falter the intense gaze he was giving her. "He died right after you left."
Layla turned to stare at Zoe. Her green eyes were wide from hearing that. Now that I didn't expect. Even Madison looked at Zoe in shock but she was doing a better job at hiding it than Layla. Cordelia looked at her three girls and the distress she felt for their safety grew.
Detective Sanchez continued talking, taking notice how the more he kept talking the more the girl was reacting. "The doctors can't quite figure out how, but when we checked you out, we noticed that another boy you knew died in the exact same way right before you got here. A boy named Charles Taylor."
Layla felt Zoe's eruption of fear before she heard the panicked sob that escaped her.
"They gang raped her!" Zoe shouted as she jumped out of her seat. Layla looked at her with an expression that told her to calm down. However, she paid no mind to her as she continued her outburst. "They got what they deserved!"
"How did you flip the bus? Was it the wheels?" Detective Sanchez questioned. His voice took a firm tone now that he was getting closer to the truth.
"I don't know what she's talking about." Madison quickly said, throwing Zoe a side glare. A discreet way of telling her to shut up. "Nobody raped me. She's clearly lost her mind."
The darker blonde haired girl though didn't take the hint. "Madison did it. She can move things with her minds." Zoe continued to vehemently blurt out. She was unable to find the composure in order to stop. She had cracked under pressure.
Clearly Zoe wasn't going to calm down on her own. Layla knew she had to try to use her powers to get Zoe to stop her panicking before she blurted anything else. However, what Zoe said next faltered Layla enough to lose her concentration.
"Layla can feel peoples emotions and I killed that asshole in the hospital!" Zoe shouted. "I have powers too. We're witches."
That made Layla look at Zoe with a horrified expression. Cordelia was thrown back from hearing that. Even Madison was shocked. However, it was Layla that was the most affected by this. Not only did Zoe just out them as witches but she just confessed to killing someone. Zoe noticed the way Layla was looking at her and shame coursed through her. Zoe's shaking only increased as she looked at the Detective who was looking at her with an expression that said he thought she lost her damn mind.
Layla knew that she still should have tried to calm Zoe down with her powers, but she was too shocked to do so. Not so much on the outside, but more so on the inside. Just thinking about how she had killed the guy in the hospital by...God...she couldn't even finish that thought. It's not that she was sad about the guy dying because he after all had been one of guys who raped Madison. It had more to do with just hearing Zoe say she killed someone in general.
It was just too much to take in. Charlie's death as Zoe told her was an accident, but this one wasn't. Everything was just overwhelming her. Layla had to start counting backwards in her head to calm herself down. Zoe's own emotions weren't helping in calming her down though. Layla felt like having her own breakdown.
Cordelia could see how Layla was struggling inwardly based on how quiet she was being, along with the lost look she had going on. Layla wasn't going to be able to help by using her powers to calm Zoe down. It was all up to Cordelia now.
"I'm sorry, Detective." Cordelia announced, standing up from behind her desk. "Zoe has clearly suffered some kind of mental break."
"No! No, enough lying! It's over!" Zoe cried out. "Everyone here is a witch, please don't send us to jail." She begged, her breathing way out of control. Her face was flushed with fear and even slight embarrassment.
"Nobody's going to jail." Fiona's voice suddenly filled the room. Everyone looked towards the entrance where Fiona was standing. "Girls, will you leave us please?" She announced as she entered into the office.
Madison, Layla, and Zoe didn't need to be told twice. They quickly got up from their seats and made their way out of the office. The last thing Layla heard was Fiona talking to the Defectives. What she said left an unease feeling in her stomach.
"I'm Fiona Goode. I'm in charge everywhere."
Layla gulped as she went up the stairs now. They were totally screwed.
Layla found herself in Zoe and Madison's bedroom. The three of them came in here right away after being dismissed by Fiona.
"Do you think Fiona can fix it?" Zoe asked as she paced around the room. Nervousness can be seen and heard coming from her. Layla too was pacing back and forth, her own nerves, along with Zoe's, were getting the best of her. She was still counting in her head as she tried controlling her breathing.
Madison glared at Zoe. "You're such a Goddamn idiot." She told her beyond furious. "I can't believe you told them everything! I'm supposed to be cleaning up my act. When this gets out, I'm screwed."
Zoe stopped her pacing. She looked at Madison in disbelief. Her light brown eyes were wide. Layla's movements had also stopped as looked at the blonde with the the same expression. Was she really mainly focusing on her image right now? Unbelievable.
"Who cares? This is murder." Zoe told Madison, agitated and scared. "Like, multiple murders!"
"They're not gonna find any evidence that we messed with the bus because we didn't mess with the bus!" Madison intensely shouted at her. She somewhat calmed down and narrowed her eyes at her. "What did you do to that shit dick at the hospital, though?"
Zoe didn't say anything, she just looked at Layla. The Bradshaw girl, however, averted her gaze towards the floor when this happened. Zoe immediately felt her stomach drop when she realized that Layla was avoiding her gaze. This exchanged was noticed by Madison who frowned in return. All of their attention then went to the bedroom door, which was opened with a sudden strong force. Standing behind the door was Fiona. The older witch looked absolutely vexed. Her anger did not lessen even as she stepped into the bedroom. The anger she was feeling mad Layla's body warm up the warmest it had ever gotten. It left her feeling somewhat sick.
"Idiots." Fiona seethed before flinging them back with a single movement using her left hand. The three of them hit the bedroom walls at the same time.
Layla whimpered lowly as she landed on the floor. She placed one of her hands onto her back. It hurt but she managed to keep whatever other reactions she wanted to let out to herself. To lessen the pain she right away thought about her father. Layla had to inwardly tell herself this was really nothing compared to what he used to do to her. Even with the magic Fiona had used, she'd rather be thrown to the wall again than deal with her father's wrath any day.
"Have you any idea what's going on out there?" Fiona rhetorically asked. She pointed a finger at Madison as she stood onto her feet again. "Now, I forgave you for your ham-handed mass murder business with the bus―over exuberance of you and all that―" She then turned to focus her glare onto Zoe. "But if you haven't got the Goddamn brains to know that when strangers come asking questions, we close ranks, then I fear our line is truly at an end."
Zoe fidgeted with her fingers. "But they knew so much already."
"I couldn't toast a piece of bread with the heat they were putting on you." Fiona said causing Zoe to feel more shame. "You are soft. You're emotional. You care what people think and that's saying something considering you're not the empath here." She turned to look at Layla now. The anger still resided there in her eyes causing Layla to take a step back from where she was standing. "And you. Why didn't you do anything?"
Layla became a blabbering mess. "I-I-"
This just spiked Fiona's anger and annoyance. "How is it that you're even Rosaline's granddaughter?" She shook her head. Maybe she had been wrong in thinking Layla was half the witch Rosaline was. Which was something Fiona still had to determine if that was a good or bad thing.
During her time at the academy Fiona hadn't been the closest friend to Rosaline. Hell, they weren't even friends. If anything they were more like frenemies. Sure they had their moments, but they also had their arguments. Rosaline though had always been smart enough to know when to use to her powers on others. It was one of the many entertaining things Fiona enjoyed during her youth when enrolled in the academy. A skill Layla clearly needed to work on. At least Fiona had the comfort in knowing she wasn't a blabber mouth like the other young witch. There was nothing worse than a witch who couldn't keep their secret. "Now, if there's one thing you learn before leaving this place, it's that we, even the weakest among us." Fiona pointed at Zoe again causing the light brown eyed girl to look like a deer caught in headlights. "Are better than the best of them."
Zoe gulped. "Are we getting arrested?" She asked, worriedly.
Fiona let out a humorless filled laugh. "You are missing the point."
Madison crossed her arms over her chest. "Which is?" She flippantly asked.
"The point is." Fiona started saying. Her eyes caught Layla's gaze longer than the others, causing the younger girl to shrink back. "Is that in this whole wide wicked world, the only thing you have to be afraid of...is me." Fiona then began to walk out the room. She made sure to give all three of them a glare before finally leaving their peripheral view.
Layla felt like she could finally breathe once Fiona was gone. The thing she said about how she was even related to her grandmother left a sting. Layla actually felt like crying. And not just because of what Fiona said but also because of everything that happened. The Detectives, learning about what Zoe did, experiencing Fiona's fury for the first time. It was too much. She needed leave...or at least go to her bedroom.
"Layla." Zoe shakily called out. She saw how the dark haired girl looked and she was concerned. Not to mention, Zoe still remembered they way Layla had looked at her all horrified when she found out what she did to that guy in the hospital...but now she wouldn't even look at her.
"I need to be alone." Was all Layla said, not at all looking anywhere near Zoe. Without saying else, she hurried to her bedroom. The Bradshaw girl left behind a frazzled Madison and a dejected Zoe.
Layla felt the wave of concern with a strong dash of anxiousness before hearing the soft knocking on her bedroom door. She knew right away who was on the other side. Getting a hold of herself, Layla called out for Cordelia to come in.
Right away her bedroom door opened and Cordelia step foot inside. She gently closed the bedroom door behind her as she walked towards where Layla was now sitting on the edge of her bed.
Orion made an unhappy noise as she approached. The black cat was laying on Layla's lap. His unhappiness with Cordelia's closeness wasn't as bad as it seemed. Honestly compared to the ones he would give Madison this was really tame. He also didn't full on hiss when Cordelia took seat next to Layla on her bed. Instead the black cat gave her a low meow as if finally politely acknowledging her. He then rested his head back onto Layla's lap, relaxing once more as seconds prior.
Cordelia lips turned slightly upwards when looking at Orion. He had that whole grumpy thing down for being a cat, but he also had protectiveness down as well. At least when it came down to Layla. Cordelia had taken a notice with how the black cat was always keeping an eye out on the dark haired girl. Always hissing at others or standing closer to her whenever he was with her. Sort of like a guardian. However, Cordelia just thought it was cute and thought nothing more than them having a close bond. She once read that cats were loyal animals. At least when a close bond was made between them and their owners, and by the looks of it there was a close bond between Orion and Layla.
Cordelia shifted her gaze onto Layla. She offered her a soothing expression. "How are you feeling?"
Layla shrugged her shoulders. "Fine, why?" She answered, trying her hardest to put an a brave act.
Cordelia gave her a look a mother would give her daughter when caught in a lie. "You know why I'm asking you." She softened her dark brown eyes. "Now, tell me...how are you really feeling?"
"I should be asking you that question." Layla answered her. "I can sense you're anxious." The seven teen year old had been able to sense it even before she stepped foot into her bedroom. "Why?" She gently inquired.
Cordelia blinked a few times. She really shouldn't have been surprised by her knowing how she was really feeling on the inside. Not with the power Layla had. She gave the dark haired girl a small smile. Behind that smile though resided worry, and it was of course instantly picked up by Layla. "I have a doctor's appointment today." Cordelia truthfully told her. "Hank is going to go with me."
"Oh." Layla answered, softly. Her eyes lowered, distracting herself with looking and petting Orion. An act the black cat did not at all mind. Layla knew exactly what the doctor's appointment was about. She now felt bad for asking such an intrusive question with the answer she got. Though she also didn't like hearing the name Hank drop into their conversation.
To be completely honest, Layla did not like Cordelia's husband. There was just something off about him. He didn't seem genuine. Not with the few amount of times he had spoken and crossed paths with her at the academy. Not that he was there much. He was always gone because of his job. Therefore, he never stuck around long enough for her to get a good read on him. Except with the short time he has been around, Layla's opinion on him wasn't the best. Not that she wanted to tell Cordelia this because she knew how much she loved him.
Layla also knew how much Cordelia wanted a baby. In Layla's opinion if anyone deserved to be a mother it was Cordelia. She had all this love she wanted to give. Love she had been presenting to her and the other girls. But it was love Layla knew was aimed for the baby she had been dreaming about having. Layla could only hope the doctor's appointment would go well.
"Positive thoughts." Layla ended up saying with a tiny, hopeful smile. Her smile then fell as she asked her next question. Not only was it a way to move the conversation along but also because she was very curious. "What's going to happen to Zoe?" Layla quietly asked. She stop petting Orion causing the black cat to glance at her before he settled down again.
Cordelia seemed to appreciate that question more than she let on because she used it as a way to compose herself. Despite the question, the outcome wasn't as bad as it could have been. "Nothing, I can understand why she acted like that. She got scared and couldn't control herself. Thankfully, Fiona took care of it. Even though I didn't necessarily like the way she handled it." Cordelia admitted to her. "It's all under wraps now. Still, to hear what happened to Madison and that bus crash..."
Layla's eyes hardened a bit. "I'm not even mad that Zoe did that to the guy in the hospital. It's terrible to say this but he deserved it." She sternly said. "He and his friends were rapists."
"All of them?" Cordelia softly asked her. Her motherly side coming out to the surface when speaking with her.
Layla shook her head. The anger that sparked within her left. "No not all of them. Not Kyle." Her heart ached mentioning him. "He's the guy Zoe and I met. He really was a nice guy. He just got swept up into all this madness." She looked straight into Cordelia's dark brown eyes. "He was the one that put a stop to what they were doing to Madison."
Cordelia put a hand on her shoulder. A gentle touch that resembled motherly affection. "I'm sorry to hear about what happened to him." Cordelia then looked at her with great concern. "But are you sure you're alright?" She asked again.
Layla let out a sigh. "Honestly, Cordelia, the heartache isn't getting to me." Her voice then lowered. "Not really, anyway."
"I just worry." Cordelia honestly told her. "All of this is very overwhelming and it could cause you to―"
"You don't need to worry about me." Layla quickly interrupted. "I promise I won't try kill myself over this." She grew sheepish after saying this, apologetic as well. She felt awful for blurting that out. The topic of suicide had always been a sensitive one for her. Even before discovering she was a witch. The reason why was because she had almost gone through with killing herself once. She felt her eyes water thinking back to that depressing time. She quickly did her best to keep those tears in. Layla steadied her gaze on Cordelia, determined to remain strong. "That was brash, I'm sorry."
Cordelia didn't say anything for a few seconds there. She just gave her shoulder another squeeze. Her facial features softened even more taking in her words. "Well, like I always say, I'm here if you need to talk." She told the young witch.
Layla nodded her head. She truly appreciated Cordelia for her kindness. "I'm also here." She earnestly told her. "In case...well, you know."
"Positive thoughts, right?" Cordelia replied with a small smile.
"Positive thoughts." Layla repeated trying her best to sound certain.
It was then once Cordelia left that Layla finally let herself cry. All it took was her looking at her reflection from her bedroom mirror. Her woebegone expression made the teen break from the inside. Her own words she had said before left her. A few of her tears had fallen onto Orion causing him to move to her side instead. The black cat was not annoyed but he looked at her with what Layla could describe as worry. However, her current state of emotion made her think less of that. He did curl onto her right side. Layla right away started petting him but it did nothing to lessen how forlorn she was feeling now.
The conversation she had with Cordelia just made her think back to how her life used to be. There were moments in her life when her father was still around (before she came to the academy) that she contemplated suicide. Really contemplated it. She, however, never went through with it. Until that one time. One day after school, Layla went into a random store and bought a bottle of sleeping pills. Her plan was to down the whole bottle. This was something Layla had never told anyone. Not even Cordelia now that they were close with one another. Layla came close to doing that a couple months before her father finally left. She just wanted to sleep and to never wake up to endure her father's wrath. To find an escape from the cruel life she had been cursed with having. But Layla actually never went through with that plan. When she was about to swallow the first hand full of those sleeping pills she suddenly felt compelled not to. She started having severe seconds thoughts. In a weird way it was like a voice in the back of her head kept saying: No, don't do it. Please, don't do it.
So she didn't.
Layla would have liked to say that she stopped because she was strong. Or more importantly because she loved her mother too much to leave her on her own with that monster of a man she married. But those weren't the real reasons why she stopped. It was because of that so called voice she thought she heard. Layla didn't even like thinking back to that moment of her life because not only did it bring her sadness, but also fear.
Many people in her shoes would probably say that the voice that got them to stop killing themselves was a Godsend.
However, that wasn't the case for Layla. The unusual thing was that voice, that feeling, she got before swallowing the sleeping pills brought her no comfort. None whatsoever. Layla never really gave that experience much thought, throwing it off as maybe guilt or even regret for not going through with her plan in ending her life. Whatever the reason, Layla never tried killing herself again. She had even flushed the sleeping pills down the toilet the following day.
It wouldn't be until later when her life was getting in order, and she found true happiness, that Layla would realize who that voice in her head really belonged to.
Not long after Cordelia left there was another knock on her bedroom door. This once much harder than the gentle knocks Cordelia would give.
This time Layla did get up to answer it. Orion made a noise of protest as she got up and Layla quickly apologized as she made her way to her bedroom door. She was quite surprised to find out it had been Madison who was knocking. The blonde right away offered her a smile once she came into view.
"Layla, just the witch I wanted to see."
"You knocked on my bedroom door. Of course it's me. Just who did you expect to see?" Layla asked with furrowed eyebrows. Truth be told she just wanted to be alone, lying in her bed with Orion as her company. However, she couldn't deny she was curious to know why Madison knocked on her bedroom door. "What's up?" She decided to ask her.
"You're really into anatomy right?" Madison suddenly asked her. "Specifically Human Anatomy?"
Layla shrugged her shoulders. "I'm into Forensics but I know my Human Anatomy pretty well." She answered, narrowing her eyes a bit. She had no idea why Madison was asking this question of all questions. "Why you asking?" She asked, suspicious but unsure why.
Madison's lips curled upwards. "You up for an adventure?" There was a twinkle of mischievousness in her dark green eyes when she asked her this.
Layla right away frowned. "What adventure?" Honestly, she wasn't up for anything after everything that had happened.
"Well, come with us and find out." Madison simply replied to her.
"Us?" Layla repeated, puzzled.
Madison stepped aside revealing a somewhat sad looking Zoe. She somewhat looked the part but all she was feeling on the inside was sadness. It made Layla feel terrible because she knew it was her doing based on how she had acted with her earlier. She really needed to fix things.
"Hi." The darker blonde haired girl shyly said.
Layla's gaze on her softened. "Hey."
Madison rolled her eyes at the scene in front of her. "Right, well, I'm going to be waiting in my car. Hurry this mushy shit up, alright?" The blonde actress then sauntered off.
They both watched her go before looking at each other again. Zoe opened her mouth, ready to say anything but Layla beat her to it.
"I'm sorry for how I acted earlier." Layla right away said once they were alone.
Zoe's expression was one of confusion. "Acted?"
"Well, I guess I should say how I reacted about the whole hospital thing..." Layla sheepishly clarified.
"I killed him, Layla." Zoe stated quietly. She didn't fault Layla for not wanting to do anything with her now. What person would want to be her friend after finding out they killed someone? And this time on purpose. Unlike the first time which had been an accident.
Layla looked at her, really looked at her. She was not at all fazed this time. "Yeah."
Her lack of a shock bemused Zoe to a great extent. "On purpose." She stressed out. "It wasn't an accident this time."
"No, it wasn't." Layla nodded her head, understanding.
Zoe felt tears start to form in her eyes. "And you still want to talk to me? Do you still trust me?" She asked, her voice a bit shaky.
"Of course I still trust you, Zoe." Layla answered with no ounce of hesitation . "Besides, that guy was a rapist." She fiercely told her. "He raped Madison. He never should have survived the bus crash. Not him...it should have been..." She was unable to finish that sentence because her own emotions were close to getting the best of her. She closed her eyes and breathed in and out again before opening eyes once more.
Zoe couldn't feel her emotions but she could clearly see how Kyle's death was still affecting her. Just like it was still affecting herself as well. Life was unfair to take someone as kind as Kyle Spencer. "I know." She said pushing back her tears.
"Anyways..." Layla cleared her throat. She spoke more strongly this time. "I'm not going to stop being your friend because of that. It's going to take a lot for that to happen. I only ask for one thing."
"Yeah?" Zoe inquired.
Layla kept a steady gaze on her. "Let's try to be honest with one another." She earnestly told her.
Zoe nodded her head. "Okay." She answered.
"And since I know more about you now, I want you to know more about me." Layla seriously told her."When it's just the two of us I'll tell you..."
"Tell me about what?" Zoe asked, curious. What exactly did Layla want to tell her?
Layla inhaled and then exhaled. Her stomach did twists and turns but she knew doing this would be the right thing. If she wanted to have a stronger friendship with Zoe she would need to be more open about her personal life. Mainly telling her about the abuse she went through. "My life before I came here regarding my father...and what he used to do to my mother and I." She finished saying, her voice wavering.
Zoe now knew that whatever she wanted to say about her home life would be a big deal. And whatever she would tell her, Zoe would do her best to not judge and instead listen and offer support in anyway that she could. "Okay." She answered softly. "And when you do, I'll give you my undivided attention." Zoe said before looking at her, hopeful. "So...friends?"
Layla smiled, a real genuine smile. "But of course." She wholeheartedly answered. Then she did something unexpected...she hugged Zoe. She actually hugged her. The hug didn't last long but it was still a hug. Zoe was surprised but she did her best to return the hug before Layla ended it. Both girls were flushed in their own way but neither of them had time to think about their reactions.
"Now let's go." Layla said as she closed her bedroom door. She began walking down the hall with Zoe following. She was now much content than before. "Madison's probably already having a fit waiting for us."
Zoe didn't say anything in return. She instead felt her lips curl upwards.
Neither of them knew where Madison was going to take them, but they didn't seem to think much about that at the moment. After the conversation they just had with each other they were more focused on the feeling of a weight being taken off their chests. The two of them felt much better now that they had talked things out. Layla still had to tell Zoe about her home life and the abuse she went through. Strangely enough there was no anxiety within her. Well, not at the moment. She knew it would come with a vengeance when the time came. However, not even that would stop Layla from telling her personal story to Zoe.