Chapter 6

She arrived at her destination quicker than she planned, but that was probably due to the million thoughts swirling around in her head, causing her to walk in some sort of daze. She hated all the unanswered questions, the doubt and the insecurity. She'd never experienced these kinds of feelings and they were oddly unsettling. She was always so carefree before, but nowadays it seemed like she was always plagued with negativity. Why were things so complicated? She seemed to be asking herself that question a lot these days.

Layla shifted her shopping bag to her other arm and opened up the door to the restaurant, stepping inside.

The scented air of cooked food hit her and her stomach growled quietly. She waited patiently while the hostess helped the group in front of her, taking the opportunity to scan the large room.

"Just one?"

"Yes," answered Layla, following the woman to a booth. A menu was placed in front of her, but she chose to ignore it, already knowing what she would order when the time came, and continued to look around the room with a curious gaze. She saw movement toward the back corner of the room and smiled when she found the person she was looking for.

"What can I get you to drink?" asked her server, snapping Layla out of her daze. After ordering an iced tea, she mentally played out the future conversation in her head while studying the young man.

He was cleaning off a table on the other side of the room. He was oblivious to his audience as she watched him.

It was minutes later when the subject in question finally spotted her, looking indifferent as always. Not that she expected any other kind of reaction. He slowly made his way over to clean the table that the couple sitting behind her had just vacated, the unconcerned expression still on his face.

"Stalking me again?" he asked, his lips turned up in a mocking half-smile.

Layla smiled in greeting and answered, "Something like that. How are you doing?"

He shrugged and watched her for a few seconds, regarding her somewhat nervous demeanor with interest. With a sigh he slid into the opposite side of the booth, throwing his cleaning towel over his shoulder.

"You've got five minutes. Spill."

"What makes you think there's something wrong?"

He stared blankly at her, and Layla decided to just be honest.

"I was worried about you, I guess."

Whatever Warren was expecting, that certainly wasn't it. His surprised expression vanished almost as suddenly as it appeared and he narrowed his eyes in suspicion? Annoyance? She couldn't be sure.

"Why would you be worried?"

She made a face at him, "Because something made you angry enough to get into a fight yesterday."

"So?"

"So do you want to talk about it?"

He suddenly scowled, tapping his fingers against the table in thought.

"You're fishing for information." Warren stated, rather than asked.

"Not exactly. I just wanted to let you know that if you needed to talk, I'm a good listener."

"And why do you care?" he asked, sounding slightly confused.

"Because we're friends!"

"If you want to call us that." Warren stated.

Layla was a bit taken back by his comment.

"I-I just thought," She fumbled on her words. Why did she even come here?

"I thought that maybe Gwen had said something about your dad and that's why..." She never finished her sentence because suddenly he leaned forward and glared, and Layla suddenly realized why so many people were afraid of him.

Warren Peace could be very scary when he wanted to. His hands started to smoke lightly and Layla gasped, shoving her menu on top of them. She looked around wildly to see if anyone had noticed, but nobody seemed to be paying attention to the two teenagers.

"Warren, what do you think you're doing? What is wrong with you?" she hissed, looking at him as if he were crazy.

He took a deep breath, but it was more like he was trying to not blow up at her rather than to calm himself down.

"I don't want to be your friend."

"Excuse me?" Layla exclaimed, insulted.

"Why do you think I agreed to take you to the stupid dance in the first place?"

Layla shook her head in confusion, her eyes wide.

"Because you wanted to make Will angry?" she replied in an unsure voice.

Warren stood up. Layla thought for a moment that he was going to strangle her, but he simply ran one hand through his hair, whether it was a weary gesture or nervousness, she couldn't be sure. After a few moments of looking anywhere but at the girl in front of him, he decided to speak.

"Gwen wasn't talking about my dad, she was insulting you."

Layla starred at him, flabbergasted at his words. Warren looked incredibly uncomfortable, his eyes darting around as if looking for an excuse to slip away. Was he… embarrassed?

"So you stuck up for me?"

"What would you say if I did?"

"I would say thank you, and then ask why you would do that when you don't even want to be friends."

Layla waited patiently for his answer, feeling oddly tense all of a sudden.

He had a small, wistful smile on his face. It was confusing.

"When I agreed to take you to Homecoming, Stronghold was the last thought on my mind. Ok, so maybe not at the time but definitely later on."

Layla stared at him in surprise, not knowing what to say. The older teen was visibly uncomfortable with her incredulous stare, but Layla couldn't find the words to reply to give him a reply.

Sensing his escape, Warren muttered "Enjoy your meal", and disappeared from view.

She released a breath she didn't realize she had been holding, watching the candle flame dance around while pondering his words.