Trials of the Moon (book 3) Peter Pevensie Romance

A Dilemma

Layla's POV

The gentle afternoon breeze brushed past me and played with my brown locks seemingly in an effort to brighten the darkened clouds hanging over my head. I swung my legs as I sat on a tree branch tossing pebbles into the lake I often visited. Father's lectures were never good especially the previous one. I threw another rock, harder than the last.

"Hey, there you are," a voice I really didn't want to hear right now said. "Thought I'd find you here."

I glanced down at him, the sun lighting up his adolescent face.

"Leave me alone," I snapped.

Asher chuckled lightly, "I know you too well to do that."

I felt the tree shake slightly as he shimmied up it.

"Are you still mad that I'm leaving for school in America?" He asked, settling down on the branch next to me.

I studied the full moon necklace hanging in my hand. I wondered when it would tell me I've met the kings and queens and who would unlock it.

"Layla, please, we're friends, you can tell me anything," he pointed out gently.

I flung another rock at the lake, "First you tell me you're leaving, then father tells me I have to leave for the countryside. I don't understand! I'm fourteen years old! I can make my own decisions!"

Asher gripped my wrist, stopping me. "Look, I know you're upset, but please, you must understand. It won't be forever. You'll be there and back before you know it, besides, I'm just one call away. You know that."

I looked at the pebbles in my hands, "but what if everything changes? What if things all go wrong and I never see you again?"

He turned my face towards him. "I'll never change, Layla, trust me. I just ask you one thing from you."

"Of course, Asher," I smiled, leaning against him.

"Don't- don't hide anything from me. You can tell me anything and I'd like to keep it that way. Promise?"

I looked down at the necklace in my hands, I knew I couldn't tell him about Narnia, but anything else? I suppose.

I smiled at him. "Of course."

"Layla?" Asher questioned. "Something wrong? You've been quiet for a while now."

I looked down at the half moon necklace still glowing happily.

"Remember the last time we ever saw of each other?" I looked at him.

"Yeah, it was the day I wanted to secure our relationship."

I fiddled with the necklace.

Asher sighed. "Look, Layla. This- 'deal' with your father isn't just an arrangement. Ever since we separated, I couldn't stop thinking about you and the things we did together here in Cambridge. I didn't realize what I missed until you were gone. Getting to see you again means more to me then you know. I contacted your father the day I returned from America."

"Asher..." I muttered. Boy, life really does have a way of rolling up all your emotions into one tight ball and playing with it.

Asher took my hands, "Layla, I know this is hard for you to grasp but understand that this a huge opportunity for you to do something new for a change."

I stepped out of the taxi we road in and out into the busy streets of Cambridge. "I'm afraid I can't."

Asher hopped out and stepped in front of me. "Cone on Layla, please accept some advice from someone who cares."