A Spark of Hope

Chapter 15- I Love My Siblings Too Much

Layla sighed, laying over to where she was flat on her back. She hadn't really done much aside from laying around. She just didn't feel like doing anything without Hope. There was no point anymore.

Her door creaked open and in walked her three brothers. She groaned, turning away from them.

Oliver bounced over, very excited to where he couldn't keep still. "Hey Layla, guess what?"

Layla turned towards him, knowing that it would be rude to just ignore him. "Hmmm?"

"I finally convinced them to play with us! We can finally have our epic game of Hide and Seek!" he exclaimed, a wide grin painted across his face.

Layla remained silent, unsure of what to say.

"Come on Layla! Stop moping around!" Kylo rolled his eyes.

"You've been like this for weeks now! Come on!" Cameron added.

"What's the point? Hope won't be there..."

The older boys glanced at each other uneasily, uncertain of how to respond. Oliver jumped on the bed, "Then we'll make hope!" 

Layla rolled her eyes. "Olives, you can't just make Hope."

"How hard can it be?" Oliver asked, his innocence too pure for this world.

"Besides, it's better than laying in bed all day." Kylo pointed out.

Layla rolled over, but Cameron was quick. He grabbed her blanket, successfully pulling off her. She tried to grab it, but missed in the process.

"We aren't taking no for an answer." Cameron smirked.

"Well you're going to have to." she muttered under her breath, trying once again to grab the blanket.

Kylo grabbed her leg, pulling her from the bed. Now she was laying flat on the floor, a scowl evident on her face.

"Laylaaaaa, you promised!" Oliver whined.

Layla was silent, knowing that she wouldn't last long with saying no to Oliver. She never could.

"Come on Layla. I know you can't say no to him." Kylo snickered. "Look into his eyessss."

Layla groaned, "Fine!"

Oliver jumped up, "Yes!"

"Finally!" Cameron muttered.

"Mission accomplished!" Kylo exclaimed.

"Layla, you seek while we hide." Oliver grinned, dragging the other two out of the room.

Layla sighed, "Whatever."

She made her way out of her room, thinking to herself as she went. Why was she doing this? She could just go back... but she can't. No matter how much she wanted to... she couldn't leave her brothers like that. She just couldn't.

Once she was finished counting, she shouted, "Ready or not, here I come!" She just hoped this game would be over quickly so she could go back to being hidden in her room.

Oliver immediately started giggling, causing Layla to smile a little. She couldn't help it, his laugh was contagious.

Whispers came from the living room.

"You'll never find me!"

"Shhh! You'll give us away!" Cameron scowled playfully.

"Why did we decide to hide together, again?" Kylo groaned.

Layla came closer and closer, her smile widening.

"Wait, where'd she go?" Cameron asked suddenly.

"Got you!" Layla jumped behind the couch where all three of them had been hiding. How they managed to fit in there was a mystery. It was just so small.

"Run!"

They began running with Layla right on their heels. The four of them ran until they were out of breath, falling to the ground laughing.

"Again!" Oliver giggled.

The three brothers ran to hide again, separate this time so that they wouldn't be found out by Oliver's giggling.

Layla had never realized how much she had missed this... how could she forget? She may not have Hope, but she still had them.

Her brothers.

The four of them ran around laughing for hours before finally relaxing in Layla's room. They all laid on the bed, still trying to catch their breath.

"That was so much fun!" Oliver giggled.

"It actually was." Layla admitted, smiling a small smile.

"Aren't you glad we dragged you out of bed for it?" Kylo chuckled, glad to see his sister smile even just a little bit.

Layla shrugged, nodding slightly.

Oliver glanced at the easel, staring at it for a moment. "Hey Layla, how come you don't paint for me anymore?"

Layla remained silent, not really wanting to think about the reason.

"Yeah, why'd you stop?" Cameron questioned, curious.

"I-" Layla began.

"Well she finally grew up obviously." Kylo cut in, making Layla shrink a bit.

"Kylo." Cameron warned, not wanting to see her upset again. Especially when she had been so happy an hour before.

Layla's voice came out as barely a whisper. "That's what you think?"

"Why else-"

Layla stood up, leaving abruptly. Kylo exchanged a glance with Cameron before going after her.

"Layla!" he called.

"What?" she turned to him, clearly irritated.

"Look, I'm sorry about Hope. Trust me, I am. But you can't go on living like this!"

Layla glared at him. "And what gives you the right to tell me what I can do?"

"You're miserable! You don't paint. You don't even look into the stars anymore!" he exclaimed.

"I thought that's what you wanted! Shouldn't you be happy now?" 

"I did... but I didn't realize how much you would change." Kylo shouted. "Look, I'm sorry!" 

"Sorry won't change anything!" she turned away from him.

"It won't bring her back."

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Hope you liked it!

Hope you have an amazing day!

-Snowy