Layla's Pov
It was raining again by the time we headed out. Dusk had made itself hazy on the horizon.
EJ and I waded behind the other students.
"You okay?" I asked him. EJ wasn't known to be this quiet. He'd always been chatty.
"Um, yes. I was just thinking." He shrugged. "About what?"
"I think I have to show Rose the reading list. I hope they approve." He stared at his feet as we walked then noticed my limp again.
"I see." He did come from a strict homeschool environment. Maybe they're picky about what he consumes.
My stomach growled loudly making EJ laugh. Speaking of consumption.
"Want to come over for dinner? My godfather can take a look at your injury too." He offered perking up from his mood.
"Sure, I'll call Syd to let him know." That would beat my attempt at making dinner for myself. EJ smiled and ran up to a deeply tinted vehicle that screeched to a halt.
The window rolled down exposing the beauty that was with EJ in Port Angeles when I first met him.
"Of course." The blond waved me over. I hung up leaving a voicemail for my grandfather.
Inside the car, it smelled as sweet as roses. I wish I could get my car to smell this good. Mine still smelled of stale french fries from my road trip.
"Any requests?" Her melodic voice chimed happily. "For dinner." EJ leaned over whispering to me. "Anything without meat."
"Ah, a vegetarian. So am I," Rose smirked to herself humorously. Her ember eyes sparkled mischievously over to EJ who giggled.
It sounded like some sort of inside joke but could be wrong.
"EJ says you live near us?" "Yes, but I stay with my grandfather often," I answered his Aunt Rose who couldn't be more than nineteen.
"She's fixing up the house on Pine Hill," EJ interjected leaning forward, "Ah, I think Emmett told me."
EJ sat back and frowned that his Uncle beat him to the news.
"You should speak with Esme. She renovates houses all the time professionally and for fun." Rose offered.
I noticed that we were now crawling through a tunnel of pine wood. When we pull out into the openness the old white house with iron fixtures greeted us.
Built into the foundation of their house embedded a modern five-car garage. One of the doors lifted on its own as we exited the rain.
"Why don't you give her the grand tour EJ? I'll get supper prepared." Rose decided. "Yes ma'am." EJ leaned forward and kissed her cheek.
"Come on Layla!" EJ got out. "What do we do when we travel with a lady?" Emmet peeked in the side door.
"Oh yeah." EJ ran around my side and opened the car door for me. I thanked him and he linked arms to assist me inside.
"Is Carlisle home? Layla needs some help." EJ gestured to my left ankle.
Emmet moved his broad frame out of the way for the rest of us to enter. He was big burly and intimidating, but the smile on his face was welcoming.
"Not yet. Perhaps in the hour." Esme's soft voice echoed from deeper inside the house.
"Maybe just stick to the first floor for now." Emmet followed Rose who practically skipped into the kitchen while Esme met us.
"Do you need to rest?" She asked in a concerned and motherly way. A pang of loneliness hit my heart.
Esme made me miss my mother. Although Lily had never been a traditional housewife or mother figure.
"I'm okay." I cleared the lump out of my throat.
"EJ go drop your books off please." She insisted. "Yeah, yeah." EJ hurried up the stairs stomping on the way.
Esme patted the loveseat next to her. "Can I get you a beverage?" She asked being a good host. "I'm alright, thank you."
We spoke about my dad's house and what need to be done with it. She kindly offered her services like Rose said. I told her I'd have to ask my dad and accepted any landscaping tips in the meantime.
"You don't mean in your condition?" Esme inquired earnestly. "Who else is going to do it?" I shrugged.
The front door opened to a male in his mid-thirties, ghostly pale and platinum blond. I assumed this was Carlisle by how Esme got up to greet him.
Her pale pink lips kissed his cheek then hovered over his ear in a whisper.
His dark eyes flickered over to me and a charming smile flooded his face. He was so handsome that he could be on television.
"Layla Moon? You must be EJ's companion." As he spoke Esme removed his coat for him placing it on the hanger by the door.
"Yes, nice to meet you." I went to stand to greet him but I winced getting up. The pressure of swelling was back from walking around all day.
He moved fluidly over. "Please sit. Mind if I take a look?" He had already begun assessing my ankle when I fell back into the chair.
"Sorry to ask after you're off the clock." I gave my sincere apology.
"It's no problem. I love what I do." His cold fingers like ice felt good against my bruised skin.
"I believe it there's a minor fracture. I have a scanner upstairs, and I can form a lightweight brace before you leave tonight."
I felt the blood drain from my face. "I won't need surgery will I?"
"We'll see." He stood up reaching out a hand. I took it wordlessly.
"Excuse us, I'll have her right down for dinner."
Music from the 1940's drifted up from the kitchen and Rose's voice rang wonderfully in it. Emmet sat up on the counter and she twirled a hand towel and snapped it at him to get off her work space.
EJ met us upstairs fascinated by the x-ray machine the doctor used. "You have quite the setup," I noted aloud. He had a fully functioning doctor's office on the third floor adjacent to his office.
"I tend to take my work with me where ever we go," Carlisle answered conversationally. He held a slight undertone of an English accent.
"When did you move here from England?" I asked. He stood rigid for a fraction of a second making adjustments on the screen as I kept my leg very still.
"Many years ago. Now tell me about your incident."
"Supper's ready!" Emmet called out for EJ and me in his booming voice. EJ bounded down the stairs while Esme helped me down.
I hardly notice her standing quietly in the corner while Carlisle worked.
"Carlisle and I are stepping out for a date. Don't worry about making us anything." Esme let go of my arm when we reached the table.
"No worries." Rose set out a beautiful bounty of food. Hot rolls, a vegetable casserole, steak, and mashed potatoes.
The steaks looked extra rare and bloody, but everything else made my mouth water.
Rose started fixing EJ's plate, cutting his steak, before moving on to hers while Emmet slowly built a barren plate and clicked on the tv in the corner of the modern kitchen.
"This is wonderful." I complimented Rose's cooking. EJ chomped on his steak ripping corners off with his teeth aggressively.
Emmet cleared his throat and EJ slowed down chewing more carefully. "Thank you. Everything is from my mother's recipe cards."
"You can have as many leftovers as you like. EJ told us you don't like to cook?" Rose questioned.
"I'm working on it." I blushed sheepishly focusing on my plate. "I'm teaching myself since no one's ever taught me."
The tv amplified in volume as the news channel appeared on the screen.
"Five bodies have been found scattered under the bridge ways. The majority of the victims were homeless, and strangely dismembered. One local college student Samantha O'Donnell is still currently missing after walking through the park late at night. Many are fearful that the gang activity is back more than..." Emmet turned off the television before anything graphic could reveal itself.
My food fell off my fork and plopped back onto my plate. "Layla?" EJ questioned. I snapped out of my daze noticing my bad table manners.
"Sorry, it's just my dad works in Seattle. I plan to visit soon." "Are you sure you have to visit him this weekend? I hoped we could hang out." EJ sounded disappointed.
"Yes, that and I need to pick up some winter clothes." Rose and Emmet exchanged a wary yet knowing glance.
"I could lend you a few things." Rose offered getting up from the table.
"That's okay-" She was already out of the room and Emmet stood up collecting their picked-at plates.
EJ raised a brow at Emmet who ignored the questioning glance. Rose came back down with a shopping bag full of items.
"We're roughly the same size up top, but I'm sure Alice won't mind sparing a few pairs of pants." Rosalie mused passing through the living room for the garage.
Carlisle joined us now dressed in athletic attire holding the thin fiberglass splint. "Let me see if this fits."
I removed my shoe so he could size the frame around my foot. It looked very solid but he bent it perfectly to the shape of my ankle.
"Perfect. That should suit you. Please keep this on for the next six weeks until your next visit," He got up.
"How much do I owe you?" I asked ready and willing to hand over my insurance card or pay out of pocket if I needed to.
"You don't. You enabled me to test out my latest X-ray machine. I will add you to the client list tomorrow." He headed for the door with Esme.
"Did you want to check your head too?" EJ spoke with a mouth full of food. "No." I narrowed my eyes at him.
Carlisle raised his brow and turned to Esme as if she said something.
"I think should get back," I concluded feeling awkward. I made my way to the garage while EJ hopped up.
"I'll get your leftovers." EJ gathered the bag Emmet prepared.
"Thanks for having me." Rose helped me into her car. "Anytime dear, just give us a call." Esme waved us off.
Thirty minutes later I was in my own car again waving Rose and EJ off before I pulled off the FHS lot.
Who knew the Cullens, or Masons, could be so hospitable?
It was nice being around a real family. I've only experienced something like that over the holidays.
I hoped EJ knew how lucky he was to have such a large loving family.
Syd made it home before me and had fallen asleep on the couch.
After stuffing the goods in the fridge I took it easy upstairs in my new brace.
One long shower later I curled up on my bed and tried to call my mom. Still, no answer, and straight to voicemail.
It's almost been three weeks now. The longest I've ever been apart from her. I've made it a point to call once a day and I've left voicemails.
By now her voice mailbox had to be full.
Maybe I would have to cave and call Bethany this weekend. I did notice several texts from a concerned Ashely and an apologetic Brianna from the other night.
I did let them know I wasn't upset with them in a quick group message.
Flopping back on my bed I stared up at the ceiling waiting for sleep. The rain trickled in a soft rhythm outside.
A sound that I was becoming reliant on for sleep. Out of nowhere, Jacob's words briefly ran through my head. 'I wish you would bother me.'
I thought about calling him for no good reason. My finger hovered over the dial. Surprised by my strong desire to hear his voice I hesitated until the screen faded to black.
It was too late for a house call. I wouldn't want to wake his dad or sister up. I reasoned with myself, swallowing the swell of disappointment I had within myself.
"I'll see him tomorrow," I whispered reassuringly shutting off my bedside desk lamp.
Thursday
I was called to the main office for a schedule change. Apparently, Dr. Cullen had phoned the office and faxed over my recent medical records.
It was frustrating. Having almost an entirely new schedule when I had just memorized the last one. Luckily the workload and teachers were the same.
I still had English with Seth and Joseph, and Biology with Jacob and Embry to look forward to. My day would now start with history and end in a study hall to complete physical fitness quizzes on sports regulations and rules. That was the compromise along with another physical final exam to perform when I had recovered.
I peeked my head into the hall looking both ways. I discretely collected a collapsible crutch from Ms. McKenzie. She had gushed over the fact Dr. Cullen was my new primary care doctor. I kindly and subtly told her about his wife Esme which took some of the wind out of her sails.
"Of course, he's married. Oh well. He's still nice to look at." She sighed longingly.
Ms. McKenzie handed me a stack of breakable ice packs before shooing me out the door. Late to class, I found Jacob wandering back towards the lockers.
"There you are! I saw your car earlier but I didn't see you." Jacob walked alongside me holding out his arm for support.
"The office called for a new schedule. No gym for me for the next six to eight weeks." I announced half-heartedly. "How'd you manage that?"
"I finally took your advice. I saw a doctor." I wrapped my arm into his.
"Good, where to now?" He asked slipping my hand in his and then intertwining our fingers. I liked the feeling of his large hand encompassing mine, but I pretended not to notice.
"Economics with Patterson." "That makes it easy. You're with me." Jacob smiled in response.
Jacob passed off my office note to Mr. Patterson's desk so I could take a seat near the front row.
The class was already in session.
While pulling out my notebook I caught Jacob staring again. He was looking at me in a way, I wasn't used to. In a way, I couldn't quite place it either.
I smiled back at him with gratitude. I swear his copper skin heat a shade darker on his cheeks.
"Mr. Black I would like your attention up here, please. I know the lesson may not be as lovely as your girlfriend, but I'd appreciate an effort."
My face flushed at the comment. "Yes sir." Jacob tore his eyes from mine leaving me flustered and contemplating the teacher's statement.
Is that what we looked like? A couple? And he just agreed, or was he sparing the explanation from disrupting the class?
I felt unsettled panicking internally.
I couldn't date anyone right now. Not so soon... Sure, I was free to do whatever I wanted, and Liam held no importance or place in my life.
But I still felt raw from the consistent betrayal he put me through. He left me feeling weaker, picked over, and not so pretty.
Who's to say I'm still not just as naïve as I was in the spring? More importantly, why am I arrogantly assuming Jacob could like me in that way?
I frowned tapping my pen on my desk, spacing out at the worksheet in front of me. I've skimmed over it with my eyes several times now and seemed to have managed to ingest none of its contents.
"Ms. Moon. Do you have a question? You look puzzled." Mr. Patterson interjected my thoughts.
"I don't seem to understand number...3." I picked a random point on the page.
"I see how you could have trouble with that. You see here..." He began to explain, but I hardly listened. Chin in my hand I took a sidelong glance at Jacob.
He looked too large for the desk he wedged himself in. His long legs stretched out whenever possible, and the pink utensil I gave him the first week had almost whittled down to a nub.
I giggled to myself. Jacob reminded me of a giant cramped in a dollhouse. Not that it was a bad thing. Not many of the other boys could fit in these metal contraptions.
His inky black hair looked glossy in the fluorescent lighting and I admired his handsome face. Trailing my gaze from brow bone to his jawline, I studied the profile of his face longer than I should have. He must have felt my eyes because Jake turned his head to look at me. I turned away immediately and let out a deep sigh.
"Still not getting an answer?" The teacher asked me. "No," I responded.
I fumbled my crutch trying to adjust it to my height when the bell rang. "Let me." Jacob took it clicking the necessary parts in place.
"How did you know?" Escaped my lips. What a stupid question. Billie was crippled so Jake must have helped him dozens of times.
"I, ugh, had this dirt bike accident a while back. Shattered the right side of my body by being an idiot. So I'm familiar with the struggle." He adjusted the crutch in a fluid motion.
"Oh my gosh. That sounds horrible. I'm sure that took a while to recover. Are you alright now?" I reached out touching the right side of his core.
"It took a while to heal. Surprisingly, not a scar on me." His eyes softened, taking my bag without asking. I flushed and took the crutch under my arm.
"I got it. You're not my personal pack mule or anything." I slipped the bag back on my shoulder. Jacob rolled his eyes at me.
"You've got enough going on. I'll let you know when you can be handi-capable." He argued.
I didn't answer him and made my way into the hall and through the crowd.
"I've been meaning to ask..." Jacob frowned his nostrils flaring a bit. "What's that?"
"Where did you get that shirt? It looks amazing on you!" Tiffany, Embry's sister, hugged my shoulders.
"It kind of smells like sickly sweet roses. You might want to check to see if your perfume has spoiled." Her nose twisted up.
She pulled back so I could sniff my collar myself. It smelled fine to me, but I supposed the scent was kind of strong.
"I'm not wearing perfume. It must be the shirt." "Where'd you get it?" Tiffany took to my side forcing Jacob to trail behind us.
"Um, it was thrifted." No need to throw Rosalie under the bus for her taste in perfume.
"Ah, yes. Sometimes there is some good stuff on the thrift way." Tiffany continued talking until Paige snatched her for class.
"Are you coming?" Paige asked linking arms with her friend.
"I had a schedule change. I'll see you guys later." I lifted my crutch. "Bummer, later Moon."
The overuse of the crutch was rubbing my armpit raw.
Jacob wanted me to sit with him at lunch so I waited at the speculative table.
The guys greeted me like I had never flocked around to other lunch tables, and Joseph was kind enough to pull out a chair for me.
It was so cold in the cafeteria today. As I pulled out my packed lunch I glanced at April with envy. Her boyfriend, Collins, tugged off his sweatshirt and pulled it over his girlfriend's head to keep her warm.
I shivered disdainfully.
"What?" Joseph asked observing me pouting. "Forgot my jacket." I stabbed my salad with my fork. I should've packed a hot lunch too. I thought to myself.
"Well if that's all..." He slid his chair closer to me and draped an arm behind my chair. I rolled my eyes and smirked as he wiggled his eyebrows playfully.
I thought he was just trying to be funny when Quil shot him a look that only could be interpreted as a warning. Joseph ignored the gesture.
"Come on, we're a toasty bunch." He leaned toward me while I leaned away, forward into the table.
I had to admit he had body heat similar to Jacob's. So when he scooted closer once more I didn't move this time.
"Jo," Seth called for his attention. Seeing happy-go-lucky Seth serious caught my attention.
We both looked over to an unhappy Jacob stalking over with his tray, and Embry struggling to keep stride.
"Phew, you reek." Joseph scoffed leaning away. "I didn't ask you to smell me." I defended.
I heard someone whisper something harsh and incoherent across the table.
In passing, Embry kicked Jo's chair so hard that it separated us and nearly knocked him to the floor.
Jacob stood behind me hovering for a moment. "Was that necessary?" Kim hearing the commotion lifted her face from smooching Jared.
"Really?!" Joseph's temper flared at Embry who glowered at him. "Need to take it outside?" Embry questioned deepening his voice.
Jacob sat down next to me and abruptly pulled my chair closer to him.
"Jake!" I complained. The movement toppled my glass container off the table, to the ground, and shattered. "Shit," Jacob hissed.
I bent down to pick up the pieces collecting them in a napkin. "Let me-" His hand reached over, but he was getting in the way.
"Please stop," I spoke annoyed. He pulled back. The look on his face made me feel guilty for snapping.
"I'm sorry Jake." I sat up clutching the pieces. "I'm just cold and hangry..." "And hurt." Seth pointed out to the napkin turning red.
"Shoot." I set the pieces on the table. "It's not bad. Can I have another napkin?" Seth handed me one. It was a small cut, I just bled a lot.
Jacob took my palm and dabbed it until it stopped bleeding. "You're so breakable." He mumbled.
I had no retort for him. These days I was feeling more vulnerable by the moment.
Jacob's black eyes met mine we held contact longer than necessary as if searching for an unspoken answer.
Someone cleared their throat and the table carried on into their own conversations.
"It feels that way lately." I finally tugged my hand from his grip and held my own hand in my own lap.
Jacob looked thoughtful for a moment. Then he stroked the back of my hair as he stood up.
"I'll get you something to eat."
After school, I ditched my crutch leaving it in my locker. No need to drag it around.
Tryouts for the play were tedious yet entertaining as Mr. Thompson paired us all up for several read-throughs and exercises.
Maybe t was my imagination but I think I had more readings than Paige or Tiffany. I trudged my way across the lot to find all six-foot-seven Jacob leaning up against my car. I'm sure he could topple it if he wanted to.
"What's up?" I asked. Was he waiting for me?
"Nothing much. Can I get a ride?" Syd's place was in the furthest back corner of the reservation, so no doubt, I'd pass his house.
I agreed without much hesitation. I didn't get why he didn't ride with Embry, but at the moment I didn't care. I wasn't excited to get back just to be alone.
"So what are you up to?" Jacob asked as we rode off. I shrugged, wishing I could will myself to heal so I could do the activities I enjoyed.
"Resting up I suppose." "That's probably a good idea." He noted.
We road in companionable silence for a bit.
"I think you still have a carton of ice cream at my place," I noted absentmindedly.
"Is that your way of inviting me over?" He mused. "Um, I was just saying-"
"I'm just teasing. I have Auto shop tonight so I can't hang too long." Jacob informed me.
"Okay," I guess we were hanging out now. My palms began to sweat on the wheel.
I claimed a carton of ice cream for us each and stuck a spoon in the top. We migrated to the back porch to enjoy the rainless twilight hour.
"Can I ask my question?" Jacob scraped the bottom of his container. I don't think I'd ever get over how fast he ate.
"Sure," I spoke through a mouth full of chocolate fudge brownie.
"What was your last relationship like?" His question made me gag on my spoon. "Why that one?"
"I'm curious." He mumbled looking shy now. I guess I owed him an honest answer.
"Liam Hemmingway." I started out thinking about how to word things and how much I should share.
I bit my lip. Why was this so hard to talk about? I'd already written about it in my journal.
Jacob waited patiently. "Promise not to judge me too hard, okay?" He nodded.
"He was my first 'official' boyfriend. We started dating in May. My friends set us up. I don't know why I agreed to it. I guess... I liked the attention of an older guy. Since I've never dated anyone before, and all my friends had, I felt like I had to or something."
I jabbed my ice cream until the remaining bits pooled into a milky mess.
"That doesn't sound too bad." He allowed. "I was fifteen, Liam was nineteen turning twenty," I confessed deliberately not looking at him.
"How-" "He was in my brother's friend group. Zach was left in charge of me frequently. I had to tag along with him wherever he went if Mom was still at work. Of course, I could have just stayed home alone, but that was boring. My friends enjoyed access to Liam's house and the parties he would invite us to..." I twisted my napkin not sure if I could continue.
"How serious was it?" Jacob's throat sounded rough and dry at the same time. "Did you love him?" He gripped the end of the porch under him.
"Hardly. I don't think I was ever enough for him." My voice wavered unnecessarily. I could feel Jacob's eyes on me.
"I wasn't willing to do much or go so far, so Liam sought out what he demanded in other girls. He'd always blame me for his actions and told me he'd stop if I'd just let him... but it never felt right to me." I leaned back on my hands. Finished I was able to look at Jacob, and wanting to gauge his reaction.
"How could you stay with a guy like that?" He looked and sounded appalled.
"Couples are supposed to be... romantic. I thought it was my fault for refusing and I thought he was generous for giving me time."
"You know what's wrong. You shouldn't have forced yourself to be with someone who-" "I know it's wrong, now."
"You're too stubborn for peer pressure. I'm just surprised." His observation surprised me. I gave what he said some thought.
"Perhaps, I also stayed because he didn't make me feel invisible, or undesirable," I whispered.
Jacob's scoff almost sounded like a snarl.
"What?! You wanted an answer and I was more than generous with the details." I defended myself.
"You're not undesirable or invisible." Jacob sounded sincere but I was suspicious. My eyes narrowed.
"I'm not just saying that." He spoke as if reading my mind. "Sure." I laughed without humor.
"Then tell me why Elu and Ahote are falling all over you? I might have to start worrying about Joseph too, the little punk."
"It's just new kid syndrome. They'll get over it," I explained. "What?" He asked.
"A shiny new toy will dull after a while." I stood up giving my back a good stretch. "And I bet Joseph was just kidding around."
Jacob grasped my hand gently pulling me back down towards him. "Layla, I-" He stopped midsentence brushing my right cheek.
"Your eye is red again." He noticed my contact drying out. "It's nothing. What is it, Jacob?" I asked impatiently.
"Are you sure you didn't, you know, love him?" Jacob probed again. "No, Jake. I never loved Liam. Now why are you-" The front door slammed.
Syd was home, and he wouldn't be happy to know I was alone with a boy.
"It's just good to know." Jacob's smiled making my heart flip in my chest.
His hot hand was still on mine. He gave a brief squeeze before letting go.
"I'll get going." He winked jumping off the porch. "See you later, Jake." I collected the cartons to toss in the trash.
"Thanks, Layla." Jake took off for the woods.