Journey to Love

Chapter 4

Layla walked through the door of her classroom for the second time in two weeks.

Her nerves were on an all time high since the moment she came to consciousness.

She'd woken up extra early to get herself ready so she would be downstairs earlier then usual to make sure she had breakfast ready on time. She had made them scrambled eggs on toast with an overload of avocado, just to get onto their good side. She had also brewed two coffees and had even replaced the flowers on the dining room table with fresh ones out of the garden.

This seemed to have made an impression on her foster parents, as they gave her two pieces of bread for breakfast, for being very well behaved. She had quickly placed one piece of bread in a snap lock bag and put it into her bag for lunch. This would be the first time she had lunch at school since her year two Christmas party. She had missed the year three party because her foster father didn't end up getting his Christmas bonus. Hopefully this year she could attend it, it was the most food she had eaten in a long time. It was one of her best memories.

With a little hop in her step, she had walked to school. This little achievement had caused a smile to grip Layla's face. It was only last night that she had thought about the ability to being a good girl, and here she was already being rewarded for it.

The warmth in her heart and the smile on her face lasted the entire journey to school, through the school halls and even when she entered the classroom.

It wasn't till her teacher knelt in front of her did she even realise that she had actually sat down in her seat.

"Good morning Layla, how are you going?" Mrs Williams asked the girl.

"G-good morning Mrs Williams, i-im ok" Layla whispered back. She quickly ducked her head so she was staring at the wooden desk, making sure her hair had falling in front of her eyes, obstructing not only Mrs William's view of her face but also her ability to fully see. Layla had looked in the mirror this morning, and while the bruises had faded since last week, she didn't want to take any chances.

"That's great to hear. I do hope your grandfather is alright after that fall. Your mother had seemed very distressed over the phone."

"H-he is going a lot better. Thank you Mrs Williams" Layla's voice wavered over the lie.

"Well i'm glad to hear that. Its okay if you feel upset over this. If you need a break or anything, just come and tell me ok?" Layla nodded her head. "I have some of the worksheets you missed out on whilst you were away" She placed them on the desk in front of her student.

"It's nothing big or scary. It is just some more explanations and activities on nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs and some multiplication. I can go through and explain it with you if you like, or would you like to give it a shot?"

"I c-can try i-it first"

"Okay, thats fine sweetie. if you do need any help, just come and see me. That's what im here for, ok?" Layla nodded her head, at the question. Although it was a lie. She wasn't supposed to draw any attention to herself. And talking to the teacher was definitely drawing attention, and she didn't want to know what Mrs Williams dark side was like. She had enough bruises from her parents, that she didn't want to anger this teacher too. No matter how kind and soft her voice was, no matter how much she was drawn to her, she couldn't trust her.

Mrs Williams glanced at Layla once more before standing to her full height and walking back over to her desk. Layla sat there staring daggers at her new work, not understanding much of it.

Her heart sank. It was only going to be a matter of time before she angered Mrs Williams.

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Lunch time rolled around too quickly for Layla to appreciate it. In just a couple of hours she'd be back home. And she'll probably screw something up, allowing her foster parents to punish her over it.

Her train of thoughts caused her spine to shiver. God she'd do anything to keep her parents happy. She'd do anything to not feel any pain again. She'd give them anything they wanted to just prevent being hurt.

Trying to concentrate on something less hurting, Layla looked towards her classmates playing four square next to the building. She couldn't quite understand what the game was about, or why they got so worked up playing it, that they would yell at each other. It wasn't like they had forgotten to make breakfast or dropped a plate. They were just playing with a ball, yet they elicited similar responses to that of her foster parents.

It confused her, a lot. Some were smiling as well, were they taking joy out of the game or the yelling? Turning her head a bit more, her eyes caught the playground near the fence.

Layla took another bite of the piece of bread she was given this morning, whilst sitting on the little brick wall near the grass with her bag. Layla's new friend, Nikola, was so excited to see her during class, it almost looked like she would burst into tears. She hadn't ever experienced someone who was so happy to see her. It caused her heart to melt at the thought that someone liked her. But Nikola was now currently at a dentist appointment, and wouldn't be back till tomorrow. So Layla sat by herself watching the kids in the playground.

The playground was solely for year 3's and 4's. It seemed to have everything from monkey bars, to slides, swings and even a little telescope at the top of the platform. She could imagine herself at the top of that platform, pretending that she was sailing on the rough waters of the ocean. Something she hoped to see one day. She was being chased by the evil pirates with their swords, stick legs and metal hooks. But they would never be any match for her, they would never catch her, not when she could teleport her entire ship anywhere she wanted. She would be the queen of the ocean. No one could harm her.

Suddenly, something pressed down onto her shoulder causing her to flinch abruptly back from the person's grasp. Her day dream long gone as she turned around as quickly as she could. The last person she thought would be here was smiling at Layla. Causing Layla to smile as well.

Nikola was standing in front of her.

"Surprise Surprise! Bet you didn't expect me" She laughed out, waving her hands.

"no, no I didn't" Layla was still smiling, shaking her head, feeling foolish for flinching. Her foster parents weren't at school. "I thought you weren't coming till tomorrow"

"I was, but the dentist went quicker then expected, my teeth are sparkling white see?" She opened her mouth wide, "so I begged my mum to come back, I wanted to see you again" she finished.

Layla caught onto her words, 'I wanted to'...she wanted to see her.

Someone wanted her.

Even if it was a lie, or a prank. Tears pricked Layla's eyes, as she stood up from the wall, putting her bag on it before slowly stepping into her friends embrace, hoping she was hugging right. Nikola immediately placed her arms around Layla's back.

"Thank you" Layla whispered out.

"For what?" confusion lacing Nikola's words.

"For being my friend"

"Well that means I need to thank you too" she pulled back slightly, smiling with her clear white teeth.

"Why?"

"For being my friend too"

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Published: 22nd March 2022

Words: 1336

Thanks for reading!