Journey to Love

Chapter 16

When the school day came to an end, Layla follow Nikola out of the classroom, around the school hallways, and down towards the year one area. As soon as they stood in front of the classroom, a small girl came running out towards them. The brown-haired girl jumped onto Nikola, who picked the girl up, causing both of them to laugh. 

When Nikola placed a smaller carbon copy of her onto the floor, Nikola took both the girl's and Layla's hands. 

"Layla this is my little sister Dakota. Dakota this is my best friend Layla. Layla's going to be spending the night with us for a sleepover"

The little girl stood behind Nikola's leg, hiding away from Layla. Though, after a second, the girl peered out and waved toward Layla who shyly waved back at the smiling girl. 

"Okay, let's start going to the front gate, that's where our mum meets us after school", Nikola declared. Layla nodded her head at the information and went out with Nikola and Dakota. 

Along the way, Layla heard Nikola speaking to her little sister. Asking about how her day was and what she got up to. To which Dakota responded back with the same energy Nikola always seemed to have around Layla. 

This was the first time that Layla had ever really gotten to see how siblings interacted. Yes, she had heard her classmates complain about their younger or older siblings, but she hadn't ever really thought about how good they might be. But as Layla watched Nikola and Dakota interact with such love and compassion for each other, a part of her wished that she could have the opportunity to experience that. 

Though reality was quick to kick in, causing her to be glad that she didn't have a sibling. Otherwise, they might have to experience the same things she did. They would get hurt and she didn't want that. Either that or they would have been separated. 

Before Layla realised it, they had walked all the way to the front gate, where Nikola's and Dakota's mother was waiting patiently. 

"Good afternoon Kota and Lola,"Their mother smiled pulling Nikola and Dakota into a hug. "Oh, and hello there Layla, are you coming over for a sleepover?" 

Layla nodded her head at Nikola's mother's question. "That's great news my dear. Are you allergic to anything?" Layla shook her head. 

"That's great to hear, Layla. Why don't we all start our walk home, huh?" Nikola's mother took Dakota's hand and began walking her down the road. Nikola grabbed Layla's hand and they both started following after them, going in the opposite direction of Layla's house. 

"I cannot wait to show you my room. Or my toys" Nikola jumped over the cracks on the footpath. Though she suddenly turned around facing Layla with a scrutinising gaze, "You've never really told me, what kind of toys do you like to play with?" 

Layla shrugged her shoulders. She wasn't too sure what toys she liked to play with, or would like to play with, "Um, anything I guess" 

"Okay then, that's awesome, I'll show you my car collection," Nikola smiled at her, jumping over another crack. 

They ended up walking down a couple more streets until they ended up at a white double-story house. It seemed to be in pristine condition. 

They walked up the porch behind Nikola's mum and Dakota and began making their way into the house. Layla's heart began beating a little faster, unsure as to what she should expect when she entered. 

But as she came inside the house, she was absolutely enthralled with how the house looked. There were photos. Photos after photos of Nikola and her family hanging up on the walls. 

Though as Layla began looking around the house, she noticed clothes were strewn about, and plates and cups sat along the countertops. She grasped her hands together, silently fearing that Dakota or Nikola might get yelled at by their mother.