A/N: I am on Christmas vacation, therefore I don't have many excuses for not updating (other than my natural and ever-present laziness). Here is an update for you guys, and for my good friend who keeps nagging me. I owe her this much! As implied in the previous chapter, there is going to be a lot of heart to heart. BRACE YOURSELF FOR THEM FEELS!

You have been warned.

I apologize for any grammar mistakes I made/make! I try to avoid them but I can't double check it all!

Disclaimer: I do not own Sky High or it's characters! Nor do I own the music, flavors, movies or actors mentioned in this story.

Enjoy.

Layla blindly found her way to Magenta's house in an hours time. She didn't bother calling to announce her arrival, and now that she stands before Magenta's house, she regrets that she didn't.

She awkwardly waits as Magenta is on her porch, sitting on a wooden bench, happily making out with her best friend. Oh, this was something else to talk about.

"Hey, guys." Layla called, clearly feeling somewhat disturbed.

Magenta's neck snapped to look over her make-out partner's shoulder, "Layla!" She squealed and jumped out of her seat, sending him flying to the ground. Magenta run down her walkway and into Layla for a tight hug.

"Hey, Punk." Layla giggled. She looked around Magenta, "Hey, Zach." She called, waving as the white-haired boy stood and dusted himself off. He scowled and waved back, a little angry that he was pushed to the ground.

Magenta chuckled nervously, already knowing she would have to explain. "I have a perfectly good explanation as to why I didn't call to tell you." She mumbled.

Layla giggled, "No, it's fine. I never called you either." She said.

"Oh," Magenta nodded, "right. See, now I'm angry with you." She pouted, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Ladies," Zach addressed as he approached them. "Layla." He bowed his head, smiling, before he pulled her in for a tight hug. "Long time no see, chica." He said, squeezing her.

"Yeah, I know, and I'm sorry. I've been kinda busy." She explained sheepishly.

"Ha, I can imagine." Magenta teased. Layla sent her a glare. "So, um, Zach, you were leaving?" She reminded him, shooing him with her hand.

"Oh, no, you don't-" Layla began to protest but Magenta silenced her with a finger to her lips.

"He was leaving!" She barked, shoving Zach out of her property.

"Are we still on for tonight?" Zach asked as he walked backwards onto the sidewalk.

"Until further notice." Magenta nodded. She suddenly grinned, "You should come with us, Mother Nature!" She gushed, something she rarely did.

Layla scoffed, "Third wheel alert." She grumbled.

"Take Warren." Magenta said. Her tone didn't offer much space to decline the 'suggestion'.

"Yeah, I hear you guys are pretty close now." Zach added.

"I guess you could say that." Layla mumbled, a blush crawling onto her face. "I don't think he'd agree to go..."

"You haven't even heard where we're going." Magenta countered.

"He wouldn't go regardless." Layla replied.

"He'd go for you." Magenta whispered, winking at Layla discreetly.

"Woman, no." Layla snapped. Magenta frowned. "I'm sorry." She sighed. "I just don't think it's a great idea."

"Come on, you owe us that." Zach called out. Layla turned and sent him a glare. He paled and looked away, "I'll stay out of it." He mumbled.

"No, he's right." Magenta said sternly. "Do it for me." She pouted.

Layla sighed, "I'll ask him. I won't insist though, so no is no." She warned. She was certain that Warren wouldn't agree to double date with her friends. She was his only exception, her friends not included.

"Great!" Magenta clapped her hands. "It's settled, you may go." She called toward Zach, who nodded.

"See you girls later." He called before heading his way out.

"So, there's a lot to catch up on." Magenta grinned. "Tell me everything."

"Can we maybe go inside?" Layla whispered, looking around as if someone would be trying to eavesdrop.

"Oh, right. My room." Magenta said, quickly leading the way into the house and up to her messy and dark room. "Spill." She said, once again grinning.

"Where should I start?" Layla sighed.

"You like him?" Magenta asked excitedly.

"Whoa, okay, we're going fast." Layla said, stepping back, feeling slightly intimidated by Magenta's question and the look on her face.

"Well," Magenta shrugged, "it's a good place to start." She giggled. "Okay, okay. How's it been like living with Warren Peace?" She asked.

"A mess." Layla sighed, falling into Magenta's bed.

"Details."

"Well, he's Warren, what do you expect?" Layla said to the ceiling.

"Can't be that bad since you haven't made an effort to get into your house or come stay with me." Magenta pointed out.

Layla laughed, not being able to deny her that. "It's not so bad. He's just a little hard to keep up with. Sometimes he could be Warren Peace, and then other times he could be my best friend."

"Excuse me?" Magenta barked.

"Guy best friend." Layla corrected, giggling at her friend's jealousy.

Magenta nodded, "Proceed."

"Well, see, sometimes he can be cold and stoic." Layla started. Magenta nodded. "Then an hour later he can be all chuckles and smiles."

"He smiles?" Magenta asked, faking disbelief.

"Don't make me kick you." Layla rolled her eyes.

"Whoa, he has changed you!" She gasped mockingly.

"Actually..." Layla said, closing her eyes. She thought about it for a moment. In all her time with Warren, having to defend herself and answer back, she's realized a few things about herself. "He hasn't. I can actually be myself around him." She said.

"Wha..." Magenta tilted her head, not quite understanding.

"I mean, I don't pretend to be something I'm not, never." She sat up and crossed her legs. "But he brings out a side of me that no one else really can." She explained.

"Oh." Magenta said, somehow understanding exactly what she meant.

"And," She said suddenly, as if she'd just realized something, "I don't know how but he can make me feel like an insecure mess and totally confident at the same time!" She explained.

"How does that work?" Magenta laughed.

"Well, I don't know. He can look at me, and I suddenly wonder if my hair looks okay, or if I have something in my teeth or if I don't have a stupid look on my face, but at the same time I feel..." She paused for a moment as she wondered exactly how she felt. She had no better way to describe it than, "Like a Middlemist Red in spring." She finished. Magenta scowled, not understanding her mother nature anecdote. She could assume it was a nice flower. "And, you know, we've gotten closer in the past month-"

"You've been there a month already?!" Magenta exclaimed.

"Well, almost." Layla shrugged. "Though it feels like we've been together for the longest."

"Aw, that's so cute, I might gag." Magenta teased.

"Oh, shush you, you're in position to be mocking me." Layla barked, annoyed. Magenta shut her mouth and nodded for her to continue. "Anyway, Warren has been really good to me, as far as good and nice goes when it comes down to him." She mumbled. "I can't really complain." She said.

"He doesn't mind you staying?" Magenta asked.

"Doubt it. Either of us could have easily unlocked the door to my house." Layla said, trying to force back the smile on her face.

"Oh, that's interesting. So, he wants you around?" Magenta asked curiously.

"I can assume he enjoys the company. He's always alone." She reminds her best friend.

"True. Poor guy." Magenta mumbles. "I wonder how he deals with everything. Being alone while he's still so young, having to fend for himself and all that."

Layla frowns, her eyes glazing over with sadness. It's something she doesn't like to think about, but she is well aware of how hard it has to be for him. She sometimes thought it's the reason he is the way he is. He's practically forced to grow up and be an 'adult'. His parents aren't the best either, which explains why he's so cold. Besides, wouldn't anyone start to turn into what everyone claims they are? A bad guy.

"He's a good guy." Layla says moments later, mostly trying to assure herself. "I don't know how he does it, but makes it work." She adds, now looking at Magenta.

"I gotta respect the guy for that. I'd be lost without mom." Magenta said.

"Yeah, same here." Layla sighs.

"Where is your mom anyway?" Magenta asked curiously.

"Africa." Layla replied simply.

"What the heck is she doing in Africa?!" Magenta gasped.

"Working, of course." Layla said, a bit spooked by her outburst.

"So Gwen didn't kidnap her?" Magenta asked, her eyes narrowed.

"Apparently not." Layla shrugged.

"I still think there's something off about her." Magenta hissed.

Layla frowned angrily, clutching the bed sheets tightly, "She stole Will from me, that's what." Layla growled.

"You're still mad about that?" Magenta asked curiously, almost surprised.

Layla's mouth hung open, gaping at her best friend like she had just said the unholiest of things. "Am I still mad? The girl stole my boyfriend-"

"Ex-boyfriend." Magenta corrected.

"Whatever!" Layla snapped. "I don't care who it is, Gwen, Will, Santa Claus or Superman; the girl took what was already taken." She spat. She wasn't exactly mad that Gwen had taken Will from her. It was more like someone took what was hers. To be honest, Layla is more angry at Will for leaving her. "Ahhh!" Layla screamed angrily, causing Magenta to jump in her seat at the cluttered desk. "I can't believe that Stronghold!" She growled. "How could he just leave me like that? It's like he was with me just until he found the next best thing!" She seethed. "He was my best friend!" Layla gasped, choking on a sob. Tears slipped from her eyes, but she was truly furious.

Magenta reeled back a little, never having seen Layla like this before. "Well, now you know he was never a good friend-"

"NO!" Layla screeched. "You don't get it! He was my everything!" She hissed, not being able to scream through her crying. She felt like she would crumble. For so long she's had to hold it in, her feelings, fearing that Warren would look down on her and tell her just how pathetic she is. "He was my e-everything and then he left. He l-left me with nothing but a broken heart! No explanation, n-no reason why." She sobbed. "What did I do wrong?"

Magenta tried to reach out to her but she shuddered with sobs she tried to suppress. "I'm sure you did nothing wrong-"

"Was I not good enough?" Layla interrupted. "I loved him with all my heart! What more could he ask for?" She cried hysterically. "A-Am I not pretty enough for him? Was it because I'm a damn sidekick?" She ranted bitterly.

"Layla!" Magenta gasped.

"Oh, d-don't tell me you were ev-ever fooled by his little 'sidekicks are equals' thing." She sobbed. "He had a superiority complex a-and you know it!" Layla spat, not caring about what Magenta would think. Layla had realized his superiority complex while they were dating, but she hadn't told anyone until now. "He would always make snide remarks about us s-sidekicks. How we would be lost without a h-hero."

Magenta gaped at Layla for a long moment, not believing what she was hearing, "Layla, that can't be true..."

"It is! I wouldn't be surprised if he left me because he'd prefer a hero." She sobbed.

"He's an idiot, Layla." Magenta offered.

"He's an asshole!" Layla screamed angrily, punching the mattress beneath her. "And Gwen. I never liked her." She hissed.

"None of us did." Magenta nodded.

"Will did!" Layla hissed through a clenched jaw. "Maybe I wasn't enough. He needs that little weed-witch to be happy."

"Well,-"

"And I never even saw it coming! How could I be so stupid?!" She cried.

"You're not stupid." Magenta scolded.

"No, I loved him too much to see it." She hissed. "And then he has the nerve to try and settle back in as my best friend!" She screeched, her fury rising once again. "He has the fucking nerve to tell me that Warren is a bad guy! When Warren was the one to hold me together when I thought I would fall apart!" She cried, fresh tears streaming down her face.

Magenta swallowed the lump in her throat. Not only did it break her heart to see her best friend like this, but it also terrified her. She glanced at the window nervously where the light was beginning to dim. She paled at the sight of clinging vines coming up and over her window.

"Layla, calm down before you break something." Magenta warned carefully, staring at the vines that continued to rise over her window, preventing any sunlight from coming in.

"How can I calm down when everything has been falling apart?!" Layla cried, agony apparent in her voice.

Magenta sighs, almost regretting she had forced Layla to talk to her. She wondered how long Layla has been keeping these emotions locked up. "Okay, alright..." She whispered, knowing that Layla needed to vent and let it all out. "Look, you may have lost Will, but now you have Warren, don't you?" She offered, trying to calm her wreck of a friend.

Layla tried to control her sobs to be able to hear Magenta. She knew that all of this led to Warren, and for that she was grateful, but what Will did still hurt. Suddenly she understood why Warren had been so cold about this, and never let her cry. He didn't want to see her like this, suffering over Stronghold. He used his own way to keep her together, even if in her eyes it seemed mean and evil. He wanted her to forget, and during every day she spent with him, she sure as hell did forget.

With Magenta, it was entirely the opposite. As Magenta asked what was wrong, it would only fuel her sadness and anger. When she looked at her, she remembers all of the times they had spent together as an inseparable group. Magenta, Zach, Will, Ethan. No Warren. Warren Peace was the enemy, always alone and angry. Layla felt terrible. Warren never deserved that.

More tears escaped, this time from sadness. They always avoided him and talked smack about him, and for good reason at the time because Warren was a jerk and well, rumors of him were never nice. But despite this, Warren accepted her, although not with open arms at first but he did accept her nonetheless. How could that ever make him a bad guy?

Magenta watched as Layla cried and stared at the ground. She knew she must have been deep in thought, or maybe her brain just shut down completely. She glanced back out the window, or at least at the window because she couldn't see past the vines. Layla is capable of scary things when she's upset.

"Layla,"

"Mm," Layla moaned, choking on sobs. She shook her head weakly, falling back into the bed and curling up into a ball.

"You did a lot of venting." Magenta started carefully, hoping not to trigger her more. "Are you okay? Do you need anything?" She asked, taking a few steps toward Layla.

There was no response from Layla as she closed her eyes. She immediately thought of Warren, and was almost surprised that her memory of him was so accurate. She went back to the last time she'd been with him, just a few hours ago, and she'd kissed him on the cheek, bringing out one of his rare smiles. She loved that smile so much, she'd decided she'd do anything to see it. She wanted nothing more than for him to be here with her, in bed, so she could fall asleep against his extremely warm body.

Magenta sat in the bed next to Layla and placed a hand on her back, rubbing her softly. She had no idea Layla was capable of such rage. "You must have been dying to let that out." She whispered.

Layla simply nodded, whimpering. She felt so fragile right now. She began to wonder and worry about what Warren would think if he saw her like this. Would he tell her she's pathetic? Or would he comfort her? She could never tell with Warren. She gasped when she felt herself move. She realized it was Magenta pulling her head into her lap. She gave a shaky sigh when she stroked her hair, and tried to soothe her. Magenta was truly a great friend. She didn't have the best advice but she showed that she cared, and that was enough for Layla.

"Everything is going to be okay, Mother Nature." Magenta whispered. "You're a tough girl, and I'll be here whenever you need me, though I'm sure Warren has that covered." She joked lightly. "Speaking of which... You never answered my question."

"Hm?" Layla groaned.

"Do you like him? I know it's not the best question now but I'm curious." Magenta whined.

Layla sighed, "I'm not really in my right mind right now."

"Okay, alright. I'm going to get you some water. If you wanna sleep, go right ahead." Magenta said as she carefully stood. "Do you want me to stay with you tonight? I can call Zach-"

"No, no." Layla said, her voice raspy.

"I don't want to leave you like this." Magenta protested.

"I'll be fine." Layla assured. "When is he coming by to get you?" She asked, now sitting up and wiping her face from the tears.

"In about an hour." Magenta replied, now standing by the door.

"You should be getting ready." Layla croaked, standing carefully. Her head was pounding and she couldn't breathe right.

"Please let me cancel. We can watch movies and eat ice cream and chocolate bars." Magenta pouted. "Zach won't mind, I promise."

Layla sighed. The offer was very appealing. "I want cookies and cream." She mumbled.

"Yay!" Magenta jumped excitedly and ran out of the room to call Zach and find the movies and ice cream.

Layla took a heavy breath through her mouth, and then released it steadily. She tied her hair up into a messy bun, tying it with a strand of her own hair since she didn't have a hair tie. She sat on the bed and pulled out her cellphone. It was still dead, and she knew Magenta had a charger somewhere.

After finding the charger and turning her phone on, she dialed a number she had somehow memorized. They answer came after a few long rings.

"Hey."

"Hi, Warren."

"What's wrong?" He became suddenly alert. He noticed she had been crying, no matter how hard she tried to mask it.

"Nothing. I think I'm staying over at Magenta's tonight. Is that okay?" She asked hopefully. She suddenly wondered since when she had to ask for Warren's permission for anything.

"Tell me what's wrong." He demanded, though concern was apparent in his voice.

"I'll tell you tomorrow, okay?" Layla said, sighing.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, I promise. I'm just gonna watch some movies with Magenta. It's been a while since we'd hung out." She said, sniffling. She found herself fighting back more tears. She's just an emotional wreck right now.

"Fine. Just," He paused for a moment, sighing heavily. "Call me... if you need me."

Layla bit her lip to stop herself from crying. Just hearing his voice made her heart flutter. Hearing those words made her want to run all the way back to his house and cuddle into bed with him until she fell asleep. She didn't know exactly why, but it's what she wanted right now.

"Layla?" He called through the phone, his voice a low rumble.

Layla gasped to fill her lungs with the needed oxygen, "I will." She finally answered.

"Alright. Night, Hippie." He said.

Layla could just imagine his small smile on the other side, which caused her to smile. "Night, Hothead." She giggled, hoping that would set him at ease. She heard him chuckle, and then the line went dead.

"Alright! I have Cookies'n'Cream, Pistachio and Edward Scissorhands." Magenta announced as she walked into the room.

"Oh, you are wonderful." Layla sighed, this time with relief as she took her bowl of ice cream and laid against the headboard.

"I know, girl, I know." Magenta chuckled and sat next to Layla with her own bowl of ice cream. She grabbed her laptop, placed the DVD in the tray and slid it in.

Once the movie started, Layla began to hum the introduction song and followed the figures that fell across the screen of the opening titles. This movie is one of her all-time favorites, which is why Magenta owns a copy.

"Thank you for letting me stay." Layla said, smiling at Magenta.

"You need this, it's no problem at all." Magenta said, taking a spoonful of ice cream into her mouth.

"Was Zach upset about you canceling?" Layla asked worriedly.

Magenta shrugged, "Nah. By the way, my house is covered in clinging vines thanks to you." She said casually.

"Seriously?" Layla asked. She wasn't surprised. Sometimes her she lost her grip of her powers.

"Seriously. They look nice but I'm not taking care of them." Magenta joked.

Layla laughed, "I'm sorry. I'll take care of it tomorrow."

"Sure." Magenta chuckled.

And with that, the two girls ate ice cream and watched Johnny Depp portray a man with scissors for hands, all real life problems forgotten.

Warren tossed his phone up into the air, catching it when it came back down. He continued to do this as he sat on the couch in the empty living room. The TV was off, the neighbors were quiet, not a sound surrounded him. It allowed him to wonder what could have been wrong with Layla. She was fine before she left.

He sighed, resting on the fact that Layla promised she would tell him tomorrow. Tomorrow. He had to wait until tomorrow. It finally dawned on him that he would be alone tonight after almost a month of having Layla around. It didn't bother him that he would be alone, he knew that. It bothered him that Layla wouldn't be there.

"Damn, I miss the hippie."

A/N: This chapter was spur of the moment, and I hope you enjoyed it! I can't wait to write the next chapter to reunite Warren and Layla but you know, gotta wait for those reviews!

Need more build up or are you crazy desperate for them to get together?! Invalid question because there is still building up to do! I know Warren is OOC but it's my story, he is my Warren and you all love him when he's bipolar :D Don't worry though, you'll all get what you want very soon! Finally!

Let me know what you thought of this chapter in a review and I'll try to update as soon as I can!

Until next time,

Mutinous Pirate ;)