in reverse-adam banks(1)

chapter 21 - good change and good fortune

Layla's POV

"What is going on with you Layla?" A hands touched down on. my shoulder stopping my progress. Great. Riley was the very last person that I wanted to talk to now.

"And by that you mean?" I replied turning to face him.

"When was the last time we had a proper conversation? Or spent time together? We're supposed to be best friends Layla. What happened to that? Did I do something? Feels like I did. Probably. No definitely I"

Sighing, I reached up to cover his mouth and cut off his rambling. "Please stop talking for 5 seconds and let me speak. Thank you. At first I though you didn't want me around as much anymore with Mindy and being varsity captain. I didn't want to take up your time so I just kinda kept my distance. And then I was going to figure it out with you and then Adam and I got scared."

"Wait," he raised his eyes to meet mine, "what happened with Adam that made you scared to talk to me?" I couldn't quite meet his eyes and 3 years of friendship gave him the ability to read me like a book. "I know. You"

"Stop right there." My hand flew up to his mouth again trying to keep him from saying what we both knew he was going to out loud. The only worse thing than admitting it to myself would be to finally say it out loud. Something I hoped to put off as long as possible. Riley sighed but nodded his head in understanding.

"I'll leave it alone. For now. You can't live in this denial your whole life Layla. You're still my best friend and I can't have you like this. And for the record Banksie isn't my favorite person but he's a good guy. I wouldn't say he's good enough for you but then again nobody is." Riley leaned down and gave me a hug before turning and going back towards the locker room.

Completely taken by surprise of his words, I stood frozen trying to understand why Riley wasn't mad. Closest explanation I could come to was that he really did want me to be happy and he wouldn't put his personal grudges in the way. Something I never thought could be used in description of Rick Riley despite how dearly I loved him. He just wasn't a huge 'other people' person.

But that's high school for you.

People change. Whether it's day to day, from one school year to the next, anyone can change.

For better or for worse.

I think I got lucky though. Riley seemed to be changing for the better. Opening himself up and trying to let go of the huge ego encouraged by his father. Subconsciously I probably knew that would be really hard for him, breaking free from his father. But I also knew that both Scooter and I wanted this for him and we were going to be by his side as he tried to figure it all out.

And of course, Adam right at the center of all of it. I hoped he could change too. In a way eerily similar to Riley, I had noticed that a lot of what Adam did was similar to some of the things he had told me about his father. Their same win or nothing personality and hockey over everything. In moderation of course those two attitudes would get him far.

But he needed to become his own person.

I just hoped I was around to help him and watch him become Adam, not just the last name.

Honestly, I needed to change too. Everything I did felt so affected by the events of freshman year or worrying about Riley and Scooter's opinions. Who I was didn't need to change, more like why I was who I was. Why I do the things I do. Why I believe what I believe. Why my actions are always my own.

Leading me to realize that as much as I cared for the blonde number 99 of Adam Banks, those feelings had to take a backseat until I could figure out myself. Hopefully it could help me sort out said feelings but until then, me and Adam were just friends.

"Layla!"

Blinking myself out of my thoughts I saw Adam coming up to me.

"Are you alright?" he asked seeming concerned.

I gave him a weird look before answering, "Um, yeah. Why do you ask?"

"Oh I don't know you looked kinda funny standing there."

"Well thanks for that compliment."

"C'mon Layla you know that's not what I meant."

"Adam," I managed to choke out through my laughter, "I'm kidding. And I zoned out for a second I'm fine though."

"Don't have to be so mean about it," he mumbled just loud enough for me to pick up.

"Oh I'm sorry. Did I hurt poor Banksie's little feelings?"

"That's offensive. And no. I was just concerned about you. Guess I won't care anymore."

He pretended to glare at me but I knew immediately he was messing around. It was near impossible tying to contain my laughs but I wanted to play along for now so I stayed silent and he turned and took a few steps away.

"Okay I'm sorry," I called giving up to act. "You aren't really mad at me right?"

He gave me a look that said no. "And what if I am? Nope," he said a smile coming to his face. "You make it hard to be mad at you."

"My specialty Banksie."

"Don't call me that."

"Banksie."

"Alright then I'm going to call you... Harps."

"Harps. That's really the best you can do?"

"Don't judge me I came up with that right now in this instant."

"Hey Banks you coming with us?" Charlie called to him.

I looked up to him a silent question of where they were going.

"Probably to his moms diner place," he whispered before shouting back at Charlie that he was indeed coming. "I'll see you later," he whispered again before turning and leaving.

A smile sat on my face for a few minutes before I shook myself out of it and went off to try and find Riley and Scooter.

Making my way back into the locker room, I found both the boys sitting side by side on the bench almost as if they were waiting for me.

"Hi boys," I called out making my way over to my locker so I could finally change. Somehow in all the after game chaos I hadn't made it back into the locker room yet.

"Hi Layla," Scooter called back and then resumed his conversation with Riley.

Interested now I tried to listen to part of it but I could only make out their voices and not what they were actually saying.

Done changing I rounded to lockers to where they were sitting. Before I could say anything to either of them I was being picked up by Riley and carried out of the locker room.

"Is this a kidnapping?" I asked both boys. "Cause if so it's not a very good one."

"No Layla," Scooter laughed, "we aren't kidnapping you. Just carrying you out for let's say 'dramatic effect'. Sound good?"

"Sounds great. Why do you have to carry me Riley? Lose a bet?"

He sighed and shook his head slightly. "Something like that."

Scooter smirked like he had something to do with it but neither of them offered any information. I decided to drop it as we had finally made it outside and Riley not so gracefully set me down in front of his car. More like dropped me.

"Shotgun!" Scooter yelled sprinting to get the front seat.

"Jerk," I whispered making my way to the backseat and getting in. "Alrighty boys, where we going?"

They both shared a looked but didn't answer my question and Riley pulled to car out of the spot.

"Guess this one is a surprise," I numbered. I sighed, silently resigning myself to whatever these two had come up with.

hi hi all so sorry for the late update i kept forgetting about this tbh. also this chapter is longer and i don't know why. i didn't proofread cause i wanted to publish but anyway enjoy. also i love seeing your comments so keep em coming
have good day!