limerence | COMPLETED

26

ON THE FIRST DAY BACK TO SCHOOL, LAYLA WAKES UP LATE.

For a while, she lies in bed and frowns up at the time on the bright screen of her phone, trying to remember why seven-thirty am feels like such an important time. But the moment she realizes that it means she should be halfway to school already, she's out of her cozy duvet and blankets in a flash.

"Shit."

Sprinting to the bathroom, Layla quickly brushes her teeth, splashes water onto her face and applies some moisturizing cream before dashing back to her bedroom to get changed. After she's thrown on a dark green sweater and black pants, and yanked a brush through her tangled hair, she rushes down the stairs, tugs on her Dr Martens and heads for the door.

By the time she makes it to the school gates, the bell is ringing out to signal everyone to go to homeroom. She releases a sigh of relief. At least she won't be given a late slip. Just as long as she gets to the classroom within the next minute and a half.

Half-jogging through the school halls, she brushes her fingers through her hair in an attempt to straighten out the mess, wincing when she catches a couple of knots. She's somehow managed to make herself appear somewhat presentable in the space of ten minutes, which is nothing short of a miracle for her.

However, just as she makes it to the door of their homeroom, she draws to a sharp halt, her breath stilling at the thought of something. Or rather, someone.

Kai.

She hasn't seen or spoken to him since the party and it's only now that it hits her. And now she's nervous all of a sudden and she's not sure why. Actually, that's a lie. She does know why. It's because she isn't sure if anything has changed between them. Or rather, she knows that something has changed, but it's just what has changed that she isn't sure about.

She inhales a deep breath. Well, here goes nothing.

Bravely, she forces herself through the doorway. Her attention is first captured by Mercy and Savannah, who smile and wave when they see her coming in.

However, as she walks over to them, she glances over at Kai's usual seat and is surprised to find it empty. James, Callum and Kyle are already here but none of them seem confused by the empty seat next to them.

"Hey, girlie!" Mercy greets cheerily once she sits down. "No eyeliner today? I think we saw a few shocked faces as you came in."

"Woke up late," she supplies.

Next to Mercy, Savannah's pale blue eyes shine excitedly. "Can you believe that it's our final first day back at school after a new year?"

"Yeah, I guess," she says distractedly again, glancing over at Kai's empty seat once more.

"Is something wrong?" Savannah asks, now frowning.

"No," she says. But. "Um, is Kai not here yet?"

Her friends share meaningful looks.

"Funny, he asked us the same thing about you," Mercy says, narrowing her eyes suspiciously. "He had to speak to our Maths teacher about something, so you just missed him. He left a few minutes ago."

"Oh. Right."

Savannah gives her a curious look. "Why do you want to know- Wait. Did something happen between you two at the party? Something did, didn't it?" Layla awkwardly glances away from their intense gazes.

"Ah, Layla, you're here," someone interrupts and for the first time in her life, Layla is glad to see Ms Sanders coming to a pause by her desk. "Well done on your performance last term, it was nice to see an improvement. Let's try to keep it up, okay?"