Staircase

Chapter one

Everyone starts their morning different. Some have an alarm with a whole morning routine. Than there's shit heads like me; who get up after the fifth alarm and a pillow slap from your annoying little brother.

"Uhhh what time is it?" I roll over and wipe my drool with my wrist. I look around and the sun shining from the window. Once I get all my courage to stand up I realize the time.

"OH FUCK! FUCK! My presentation!" I shoot out the door and run across to the laundry room. Where I left Jack in charge of clothes last night. Only to find my one good pair of white button up shirt pink with bleach marks out the dryer.

Run back in my room to find whatever decent of clothes I have left for this presentation that I'm potentially not making it.

"There you go again staying up late huh?" Jack walks in with a bowl of corn flakes.
"Fuck off your lucky I'm in a hurry right now or else I would've kicked your ass.

I hear him chuckle and place the bowl down on my desk. Closing my bedroom door behind him.
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——

"Now you know this presentation was important for the semester. I'm afraid, but I'm going to have to give you a zero. No exceptions."
My legs were shaking and all could think of was how my professor was so inconsiderate.

"But Mr. just this once you know-
"Come on now I've given you many chances to retake exams, turn assignments late. Now I understand your situation is hard, but its unfair to your classmates that showed up on time. While you didn't show up until towards the end of class."

Walked out disappointed and tired.. if it wasn't for me taking extra night shifts. I would've slept well and woken up on time.
As I get near my car I noticed a parking patrol writing me a ticket. I run up close to the man, but he was heading out. Was in such a rush that I forgot to put money on the parking pass. Fuck.

Can this day get any worse...
——
"Come on Layla I have an extra ticket just for you!!" Dave yells at me from the phone line. My best friend ask me to go with him and his boyfriend to the aquarium. A date were the looser third wheels now that's sad. But fuck it I need some sort of light in my day.

We ended up taking his man's car which was more busted than mine. I have no clue what they do in this car because it doesn't smell pleasant. And I rather not ask.
The aquarium is something I always adore one because sea animals are my passion. Two the main reason to love this place because it reminds me of my parents. They use to take Jack and I when we we're kids. I think the last time we came here before their accident. Mom was pregnant with Jayce..

"Stop stairing at the big whale and walk." We start scrolling through the first exhibits that carry most of the colorful fish that glow in the dark.
——
Something about this place makes me feel like home. Even when crowded by a bunch of people. I wave at the little Nemo fishes and gaze to dori. "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming swimming." I whisper just enough for dori and I to hear.

We eventually made our way to the out door place full of sting rays they fascinate me and their thick yet smooth skin.
As I kid mom would hold my hand and we both touch it's wide arms with two finger, but I think mom was trying to prevent me from touching the tail.

We walk into another part of the exhibit which completely cheers me up. "OTTERS!" I yelled and Dave cracked up following me to the huge tank. I believe I spend enough time staring at those cute little cheeks way to long that Dave starts pushing me forward probably from the crowd moving.

I felt something hard stop my ankle half way from taking another step. When turning I realized I'm crashing down from missing the staircase. The thing was literally three steps. How on earth am I tripping over it.
I fell face first, but my cheek doesn't necessarily meet the ground, but a old converse shoe. I feel my face turn really hot and all I can think of was to close my eyes shut and didn't want to face the owner of this shoe.

"Excuse me... could you?" I quickly get up and face the man staring at me in "wtf" face. I swear I'm probably brought red. All I can see is Dave mouthing sorry from behind the guy.

The guy was wearing all black and a beanie. His hair looked wavy from peaking out the beanie. I tried so hard and avoid facing him because of embarrassment. Come on who stands at the end of a staircase. When I finally meet his eye they are hazel green. His jawline almost looked as sharp as how he was staring at me and he had a lip piercing.

I think I starred to long because the guy shook his head and started walking away.
"I'm so sorry! My friend pushed me and I tripped. Have a good day!" I yelled enough for everyone to hear. I wanted to get out of that exhibit as fast as we could.

We hit towards the end of the whole aquarium but I didn't enjoy the last portion. While Dave held hands with his guy. Taking pictures and forcing me into multiple selfies. I thought of how my day became shit and I embarrassed myself in front of a cute guy.

When taking the exit I see the guy holding hands with a little girl. He kneels down to tie her shoe I can tell he a sweetheart. The way he smiled at the girl and then picked her up over his shoulders.
Something in me sparked as Dave was pulling up the parking pass I just took off.

"Where are you going?"
I didn't answer I kept going and catching up to him before my feet beld out.

"Hey converse boy!" He turned and so did the little girl. I got closer to them.
"Look you probably think I'm a weirdo especially about earlier incident. But I think it's now fair to introduce myself. My name is Layla Kein I live around the area and I'm pretty chill once you get to know me."

He took a step back and chuckled. Pulled the little girl off of him and placed her down.
"Uh okay...My name is Adam James I also live in the area. This is my little sister and today is our bonding day. Not to be rude, but excuse me and... good day Layla."

My mouth dropped and I just watched as he started to walk past me. I did the most dumbest thing a girl can do. If a guy is blowing you off NEVER chase after them yet here I am.
I quickly take out a napkin and write my phone number. Start to run behind him and didn't even ask. Tuck the napkin in his jackets pocket and started walking away. He turns back looking upset.

"What the -"
"My number! Call me!" I've never done something like this before, but I swear something about him made me reckless. It cause me not to think one second. Eventually I caught up with Dave and David they shook their heads at me and I already knew they witness the whole thing.

Thank god for that staircase....