The first half of Layla's first day of school was spent doing different tests to see which grade she should be placed into as she had been homeschooled with no standard curriculum. In most areas, except for math, Layla was above average in. Because of the deficit in beyond basic math, the school decided to start her in 11th grade with a focus on catching up at grade level in algebra and geometry. By the time Layla finished testing, the lunch bell had rang. She was shown the lunchroom and given a map and her class schedule. Before anxiety had a chance to crawl over Layla, Emmett ran up beside her and picked her up in a bear hug. Layla smiled happily.
"I'm so glad to see you!" Layla said.
"Okay now start talking about how hot I am." Emmett said, grinning.
"I'm just not sure how, at this point, my clothes are still on! Oh, Emmett, I'm super in love with you and I just worship the ground you walk on!" Layla said, batting her eyes at him.
Emmett wrapped his arm around Layla and walked through the lunch line with her before going to find Rosalie and the others. Layla was excited to see all the food on her tray and dug in quickly. Emmett would distract Layla while Alice and Rosalie secretly added their food to her plate.
"Let's see your schedule." Rosalie said.
Layla handed her paper to Rosalie and Alice glanced at it as well.
"The only class we share is same lunch period as well as gym and study hall." Alice pouted. "You're so smart, I figured they'd have put you in our senior classes."
"I'm not very good in advanced maths." Layla said.
Emmett frowned.
"I'm gonna fail this year so me and my BFF can graduate together." Emmett said.
Rosalie and Alice and Jasper chuckled as Layla shaking her head. She berated Emmett for even suggesting it. Emmett did the whole lower lip quiver and lowered his head and pouted. Layla smiled and rolled her eyes.
"Are you doing any extra curriculars?" Bella asked.
"I don't know. They gave me a list but...I don't know what you do in them?" Layla said.
"I think she should do Poetry and Storytelling." Alice said. "She'll excel in it."
Layla smiled and the bell rang. Emmett walked her to her classes and eventually talked her into meeting with the teacher who sponsored Poetry and Storytelling after school to get a feel for it.
She. Loved. It.
…
The days passed in a whirlwind for Layla and before she knew it, it was Friday. She let Charlie know she had to stay after school to do rewrites and practice for the Poetry and Storytelling club and that she would catch a ride with somebody so he didn't have to leave early to pick her up. Layla walked into school, running up to Emmett and Rosalie and Alice with a bright smile, knowing that soon she would see Paul and maybe get to take Jake's advice and tell him she liked him. And maybe kiss him again. Edward chuckled quietly when he read Layla's thoughts. He was just glad she was happy and that her thoughts were changing from fear and anxiety to crushes and kisses.
Layla went to the school library during study hall to work on her math assignments with Jasper's help. She was slowly getting the hang of the different formulas and procedures and steps but it was hard. She didn't know how anyone could keep all this inside their head and use it.
"Do you have to do the research project for Mr. Frederick?" Jasper asked.
"Yeah, but I was given a deadline extension. What did you do yours on last year?" Layla asked.
"The Civil War." Jasper said, smiling. "The life of a soldier during the Civil War, to be more precise."
"That sounds interesting. Maybe I'll take a page out of your book, so to speak. I can't think of a topic." Layla said. "Maybe see if there were any kids our age and if they fought in the war. I don't know."
"I'm sure you'll figure something out. You pick stuff up quite easily and I'm pleased with your progress in math." Jasper said.
"Why thank you, Mr. Hale." Layla said, grinning.
"Do you have your club meeting after school?" Jasper asked.
"Yeah. I really like it. I'm very glad Alice convinced me to try it out. It feels very…cathartic."
"I'll let her know of your appreciation. I'll see you later." Jasper said.
Layla checked out a few books from the library about the Civil War and shoved them into her backpack along with her math homework and headed for the English room for Poetry and Storytelling. It was so interesting, for her, hearing all the words and thoughts and feelings that filled the room and gave her so much inspiration. By the time 5 o'clock rolled around and the club session ended, Layla found herself heading through the parking lot and walking back to Charlie's house. She hadn't even made it half a mile before a rambling Jeep pulled alongside her. Layla recognized Sam's Wrangler and smiled brightly. He opened the passenger door and Layla climbed in.
"Why didn't anyone come to pick you up?" Sam asked.
"I didn't want to bother anyone. They have their own things to do. I was fine with walking." Layla said.
"It's getting colder and there are some real creeps around here. I want you to call me or of one the guys from now on when you have to stay late so one of us can come get you." Sam said.
"Will it make that wrinkle between your eyebrows smooth back out?" Layla asked, gently touching the furrow.
Sam smiled and laughed softly.
"Maybe. You hungry?" Sam asked.
"Starving. But I don't have any money so I'm stuck with whatever is in the fridge." Layla said.
"Nah. My treat." Sam said.
"I can't be letting everyone buy my food." Layla frowned.
"Olay. Just me, then. Tell everyone else no but I'm the exception." Sam said, grinning.
Layla smiled and rolled her eyes, sighing loudly with exasperation. Sam stopped at a red light and turned to her, pouting and giving her sad eyes.
"Aww, no. Don't even, that's not fair. Big, sad, brown puppy dog eyes and the lip…" Layla whined. "Fiiiiiine. Put that face away before I break."
Sam smiled and headed for a little diner that he knew for a fact served both grilled cheese and tater tots (thanks to Jake). Layla was so excited to see the menu and ordered her favorite.
"I'll clean your house for this. I love grilled cheese and tater tots so much!" Layla said happily.
"The only thing you need to do is enjoy it." Sam said.
"Before I enjoy it, I'm gonna go wash my hands. I'll be back." Layla said.
Layla stood up and walked to the bathroom. All the doorknobs and chairs made her hands feel gross. Leah walked into the diner a few seconds after Layla disappeared into the bathroom and ordered food for the pack for dinner. She spotted Sam and walked over and hip checked his arm. Sam scooted over and Leah sat next to him, snatching a fry.
"I see food but no Layla. Don't tell me you already scared her off?" Leah teased.
"Nah, she saw you outside and ran away." Sam said, smirking.
Layla finished washing and drying her hands and exited the bathroom, pausing. She saw Leah and Sam next to each other, smiling and laughing, leaning on the outer in a way that suggested an intimate comfortable-ness. Layla shook off the tiny pang of jealousy and headed back for the table, knowing the crush she had on Sam was useless. Leah stood when her number was called and leaned down to whisper to Sam before going to get the food.
Butt from Layla's point of view?
It looked much different.
A kiss between lovers.
'I wonder if Jake knows…' Layla thought to herself before reaching the table.
"Hey there, shortcake!" Leah said. "Gotta feed the wild animals that masquerade as boys before they pillage the village." Leah said. "See you this weekend?"
"Hey, rack attack!" Layla giggled. "My weekends for the next month belong to Paul."
"Oh yeah...I forgot that the wicked bitch of the West is coming over tonight and staying until next weekend." Leah said, shuddering.
"I get to be my sweet, demented self." Layla said sweetly, making Sam and Leah giggle.
"Sam, can we keep her?" Leah asked, grinning. "I've gotta get dinner back. See you all later!"
"I plan on it. Bye, Leah." Sam said.
"Bye, gorgeous!" Layla said.
Layla and Sam ate in comfortable silence which gave Layla plenty of time to think. She decided that pursuing a crush on Sam was useless as it was quite obvious he had a thing for Leah. Layla also decided to tell Paul she liked him… eventually.
She just needed to get rid of the crush she had on Sam. He needed to stop being all affectionate and sweet and definitely needed to stop wearing the cologne he insisted on dousing himself with that made her just weak in the knees.
"So Jake told me that someone has already caught your eye…" Sam said, smiling.
Layla was startled out of her thoughts and choked on her drink. Sam was out of his seat in a flash and over beside of Layla, patting her back.
"Uh… yeah. Yeah. I actually do." Layla said shyly. "Well, I had 2 actually. But I kinda found out one of them is in love with someone else."
Sam smiled.
Looks like Jake was right.
"I have to go home before heading to meet and freak out Paul's mother. Alice convinced me to let her pick out my outfit and shoes saying that if I'm going to do this, that I'm going to do it right." Layla said, grinning.
"Can I stay and see? I'll drive you over afterward." Sam asked.
"Only if you agree that you won't let her talk me into dressing like some street walker." Layla giggled.
"I'd throw my hoodie on you so fast it'd make her head spin." Sam said.
Layla smiled.
Fuck, she envied Leah.
And she was so confused.
..
so i was going to post am update yesterday but like i had the most disgusting day at work. It involved cleaning up blood and liquefied fat. 2 week old blood and fat that leaked from the hazardous waste bin. I inhaled so much bleach and alcohol and cleaner... I've been throwing up all evening and night. This is kind of a filler chapter to build up future events. Most people wanted just Sam n and Layla only. A coupe wanted the trio and its so so tempting. Maybe ill do a alternate ending when this is finished.
So I'm absolutely loving all the comments! They make me so so so happy! Hint hint lol