limerence | COMPLETED

22

SAVANNAH'S BLACK BOOK LIES OPEN ON THE TABLE AS LAYLA WATCHES STAND BY ME. It's one of Layla's favourite films and laughter bubbles in her chest when the boys scream like little children after realising they have leeches all over them.

She made pasta for lunch not long ago and while she shovels forkfuls into her mouth, starving from not eating anything substantial over the past few days, she closes her eyes in delight as the melted cheese hits her taste buds. Now all she needs is chocolate and she can stay like this for the rest of the day.

It's been a quiet few days after her parents left for the week. Layla had spent most of her time doing the same thing she was doing even when they were around: sleeping, watching TV or going out for a run.

On the wooden side table next to her, Layla's phone lights up with a call and after briefly glancing at the caller ID, she accepts the facetime.

"Hey, girlie!" Mercy exclaims, her cheery face springing up on the screen. "I'm glad to see you alive and well. How's it going?"

"Hey, Mere," Layla says, turning the camera so her friend can see the TV. "I'm watching Stand by Me again." She switches the camera back onto selfie mode again. "How's Miami? I can see you've been tanning."

Mercy smiles smugly. "I have. My grandparents' place is so boring I'm starting to get a little fed up but it is close to the beach and they gave me some money for shopping, so I've been working on my wardrobe. I actually saw this really cute slip dress for you so I may or may not have gotten it for you..."

"Mercy, you didn't have to," Layla says, shaking her head.

"No, like, you'll understand why I had no choice but to buy it for you when I give it to you!" Mercy gushes enthusiastically. "It's this gorgeous emerald green colour and it...ugh. It'll look amazing on you. You have to wear it to the New Year's Eve party!"

"Thank you, Mere. Really."

"What else are friends for? Anyway, so I was at the beach yesterday right, and oh my god this Greek Goddess comes out of nowhere," Mercy starts and Layla lays herself down on the sofa, knowing that this will probably take a while.

"I'm tanning, of course, and there's this group of people playing volleyball, and when the ball comes flying my way, she comes over to grab it. We made eye contact and holy Christ, Layla, I think my heart stopped."

"Well, did you get her number?"

"Not right then, no. But every time I go to the beach she and her friends are there, so eventually we get to talking and I finally got a hold of her social media. We've been talking here and there, but I'm going to make sure I get her number before I leave. I can't let her pass by without at least getting something out of it."

"Hmm, I wonder what that something is," Layla laughs, not needing to even look at her friend to know that the girl's brown eyes are glinting with mischief.

The two of them stay talking like that for a good hour, with Mercy excitedly rambling on about her plan to make the Greek Goddess swoon over her and then complaining about how her dad is being a complete asshole to her just because she left her room a little messy. Layla just listens and laughs along with her friend, allowing herself to be distracted from things she would rather not think about.

That's until her phone dings with a message from Kai.

What are you doing right now?

Layla sits up the second she sees his name on her screen and quickly replies. Nothing much. Why?

I have an idea I think you'll like. Meet me outside yours in five.

Layla frowns at his message and glances down at her wrinkled cami and loose black shorts. Mercy is still raving about some other things she bought at the mall but Layla is too distracted to pay much attention.