A/N Okay. So I'm gonna be quite harsh and say what I think.

I don't like Mick! He's a nice person, but he's not really someone I warm to very well. Because of this, I think I'm gonna stop the Mick/Layla thing at the kiss, just to create tension between her and the Carter family. If someone persuades me I might have a small fling between them.

I decided that the kiss is gonna create alot of drama with the Carter's. Johnny and Layla are good friends so I thought that Mick/Layla could cause problems in Johnny/Layla's friendship.

I don't think Layla would go for someone like Mick, he's a bit too old for her.

Layla is a strong willed girl, but sweet all the same. She sticks to her guns and never let's anyone put her down. I thought that this was never something she would do. I might have the awkward moment between them, but I'm not sure.

I would think of Layla as more of Dexter/Peter/Jay/Even Fatboy's type, ya know. But please feel free to review with ideas.

Layla told Linda, Johnny and Nancy about it, so they all know what happened. Linda and Mick are going through a hard time, whereas Layla doesn't speak to any of them anymore as she feels like it's Mick's fault... In a way, it kinda is.

For all those people who were getting feels for Mick and Layla, don't worry cuz I will have the occasional romantic moment, and maybe one or two small flings later on in the story.

This next chapter is based one week after

"Shit!" Layla jumped out of bed and rushed over to her wardrobe. She had slept through her alarm! By the time she had put on her leggings and short cut top, Aaron was only just waking up.

"Babe!" He groaned sleepily "Get back in bed!"

"I'm late for work!"

Aaron rolled over with sigh "Why do you have to even do this...? It's not like you even work for her."

"I promised Sharon I'd take her shifts for a whilst she and Phil go away!" Layla defended. Aaron glared at her with dagger eyes. She gave off a small laugh. He rolled over again as she kissed him on the cheek, she grabbed her studded jacket, slipped on her black high heels, and strolled out of the flat.

"Layla! You okay?" Johnny shouted as him and Whitney saw her walk out of the flat. She ignored him and carried on walking "Layla... Are you coming to mine later on with me and Whit? Mum said to ask you!" Layla still carried on walking, she didn't stop, she didn't speak. Whitney grabbed her gently by the arm, but she pulled away. "You've got to speak to me sooner or later!"

Layla really didn't want to talk right now.

She unlocked the door to the Albert and strolled in. The room was dark and dull. Suddenly, the lights swung on and Sharon, Phil and Lucy appeared behind the bar.

"Suprise!" They all shouted.

It was Layla's birthday...

"Happy birthday sweetheart!" Sharon laughed, but then her smile dropped when she saw the look on Layla's face. At first Sharon thought it was the fact that her and Phil had lied to Layla, but then she wasn't so sure! "Lay?"

"Babe..." Lucy started "Are you okay?"

"Just... No. Not right now!" Layla dropped her keys on the bar surface and ran out of the door. She started to walk back to the flat. She ran through the doors and flung herself on the bed. Aaron came out of the bathroom and sat down beside her. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

"This thing with the Carter family...It'll wash over, don't worry!" he said gently. She looked up at him.

"It's not that..." She looked down at the bed sheets. Her mascara had smudged all over the red silk. "I can't keep lying to them Aaron... All my friends!" She placed her head on Aaron's shoulder. He put his lips to her forehead

"We have to babe... Rich put alot of money on this deal. If we blow it... Well, my brother'll ditch us."

"I know but..."

Aaron cut Layla off. "We need the money Layla... If we fall out with Rich, we lose everything...The flat; the job; the farm, everything!"

Layla stared at her feet. When you put it like that... There was a knock on the door.

Aaron looked through the window "It's Mick... Shall I tell him to go?"

"No... Let him in..."

Aaron opened the door and Mick walked through, he went and stood in front of Layla.

"Lay..." he started "Stop avoiding us... We don't hate you!" Layla jumped up and walked to the window. She stood watching the cars go by, nibbling on the end of her nail "Layla please... You're our friend!"

"Mate you've said enough! Time for you to go!" Aaron warned, walking to the door.

"No!" Mick walked up to Layla and placed his hand gently on her shoulder. She flinched and moved to the side in Suprise, pulling her top slightly off her shoulder. In plain sight, was now a large cut. It was red raw and went from the top of her shoulder blade, to her waist. Mick stood there in suprise "Who the hell didn't that to you?!"

"It doesn't matter mate... Just go..." Aaron opened the door. Mick turned towards him

"Was it you? Oh my god. Have you been abusing her!"

"No. I'd never lay a finger on her, I swear!" Aaron was raising his voice.

Layla spoke up... She knew what her boyfriend was capable of if he was angry "It wasn't him..." She took a deep breath and turned around "I fell down the stairs and grazed my shoulder!"

Mick sighed and shook his head. He didn't know what to say...

"Layla... If anything happens... You know you can tell me right?"

"Mick! You're not my dad! Please... Just go, I'm not in the mood..."

Mick nodded. "Happy birthday!" he said quietly, before walking out the door.

"I thought you weren't lying anymore!" Aaron said when Mick was out of earshot. He closed the door and walked over to Layla. Layla felt him move her top so that the cut was covered by the fabric. "Why didn't you tell him the truth?"

"Like you said... If we make a wrong move... We lose everything!" Layla fixed her make up "Right... You up for a drink for my birthday?"

"I'm up for a drink anytime! Where we going? Albert? Vic?"

"No. We're going down town a bit... How does the West End sound?!"Layla smirked...Aaron smiled and gave her a short kiss in the lips. Layla ran into the bathroom, and minutes later, she can,etc back out with her hair in a bun and a short black and white dress on. She slipped on her heels and grabbed her clutch... Aaron grabbed Layla's hand and they strutted out the flat.