We'll Be Like A Dream

~ The Truth ( part 1 ) ~

Chapter 13

Layla's jacket seemed familiar although it didn't seem to phase everyone else. Only one person was particularly curious as Ethan scanned Layla's outfit.

As usual, it was her usual outfit. She a white T-shirt and jeans but her jacket wasn't the usual sort of jacket she'd wear, moreover, it was something Ethan didn't even know she had.

As Ethan continued to wonder about her jacket, Layla hung her arm around his shoulders.

"Hey, you okay?"

Layla asked with a brief expression of worry, noticing the absence of Ethan's mind.

Ethan looked at her with a blank expression, not wanting to show any true feelings or his true curiosity.

"I'm fine..." He said with a reassuring tone.

He slowly removed her arm around him and made his way beside Phelium.

Layla no doubt was worried about the way he was acting towards her but chose to not push any questions.

She decided to join the group too. Listening in on their conversation.

Athena squinted her eyes at the two boys with suspicion.

"Why did you guys follow us yesterday?"

The boys looked away, avoiding the intimidating eye contact from Athena. With courage, Phelium spoke up.

"We just wanted to hang out too you know." Phelium had no confidence what he said would get out of any future consequence and so covered his stomach, wanting to avoid being punched again.

Before Athena could respond, Brooklyn intercepted.

"You could have just asked us if you wanted to hang out. Following us was weird." Brooklyn said with a motherly tone.

Phelium seemed to back down with Brooklyn's remark. Ethan looked sorry too beside him despite not having said anything in that entire moment.

Layla observed everyone, no one paying attention to her presence. Everyone was normal but she couldn't help but wonder why Ethan was acting unusual, he would have spoken up by now to lighten up the mood.

She liked taking the time to observe everyone whenever they got comfortable with her presence, it was her way of understanding each person.
And this no doubt bothered her a lot.

Brooklyn turned to Layla, noticing her silence.

"Hey Layla, are you hungry? You haven't said anything."

Layla looked at her with a small smile.

"I'm hungry. Can we go to the cafeteria?"

Brooklyn gave her a small nod before telling the others they should go with them. Hastily catching up with Layla and Brooklyn, making their way to the cafeteria before class.

However, no one seemed to notice the strange distance between the usual bickering friends Ethan and Layla.

Hours later after school had ended

After the group of friends split up, each going home one by one. Layla chose to divert from her route back home to an empty playground.
Although Layla knew she was too old for playgrounds, she felt as if it was an escape from reality and back to being a kid again.
She couldn't help but think of how Ethan was acting this morning. As she sat on the swings, her feet seemed to scrape against the dirt in frustration not knowing how to address the situation at hand.

Could it be something she did? Or was it something personal? Does anyone know what's wrong with him? It was hard to read his mind.

As chaotic thoughts filled her mind, she suddenly thought of one person who might have an idea.
She brought up her phone and rang the number.
Hearing the constant ringing, a concerned voice responded

"Hello?"

"Phelium. Meet me at the playground." She said with a stern voice

"Um...a little more explanation would be nice. Am I about to get murdered?" He asked with a teasing but also concerned tone.

"Just come otherwise I'll go there myself and drag you."

"Okay! Okay! I'm coming. You're scarier than Athena."

He abruptly hung up, leaving Layla trapped in her mind.

15 minutes later

Phelium finally arrived looking exhausted as he ran to Layla. He pants as he stands in front of her, Layla just staring with judgment.

"Took you long enough," Layla says with annoyance.

"Well excuse me, you didn't specify which playground. You only told me once I found one closest to my house."

Layla rolled her eyes and coughed to demand attention. She grabbed Pheliums shoulders and forced him to sit while she stood up.

Layla's facial expression switched from a frown to a soft expression.

"Can you please tell me what's going on with Ethan?"

Phelium looked at her, surprised but his face softened realising the worry that Layla was presenting. Phelium hasn't known Layla for too long but this was his first time seeing her soft side.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, Ethan's been distant and I'm worried. He hasn't asked me to play with him at all or even go to the arcade for a rematch. And I know you were with him yesterday. He wouldn't change like this unless something happened."

Tears began to fill her eyes but she wouldn't let it out. The group of friends sometimes forget that Layla is the youngest out of all of them, although it isn't a big difference. Layla is slightly more sensitive than all of them combined.

Pheliums face softened for the younger one.

"Ethan's just going through something, don't worry about it. If you want to know, I think you should talk to him."

"Is it because of me?"

Phelium shrugged, not giving a proper answer.

"I'll talk to him tomorrow. Thanks Phelium..."

Layla waved at Phelium before walking away, still frustrated and worried about the current situation.

Tuesday morning

Once again the group of friends have arrived at school, all except for one person.

"Where's Layla? She's not here yet." Athena asked everyone with a hint of worry.

"I don't know, she didn't text me this morning. I don't even know if she's on her way." Brooklyn answered, looking at the boys with a curious expression.

Phelium and Ethan were preoccupied with playing with their basketball, not paying attention to the worried two.

Athena decided to sit and watch the boys while Brooklyn continued to peer over the school gates, waiting for the person they were looking for. Layla turned up minutes later, looking determined.

"Layla! You're finally here!" Brooklyn shouted.

Layla waved at her before walking completely past and grabbing Ethan by the wrist.

"Come with me, right now."

Layla dragged Ethan, leaving the others behind. They were heading towards the rooftop of the school where they would usually hang out.  Ethan accepted the situation, waiting till they got to a moment where they could stop.

"Did I do something wrong?"  Layla asked Ethan as she fidgeted nervously.

"You didn't do anything wrong," Ethan replied with a quiet voice.

"Then why are you acting so distant, you're one of my best friends. I would notice if you're acting different"

Ethan looked at her, seeing the determination but extreme anxiety Layla was feeling.

"There's really nothing wrong, Layla."

"Don't lie to me, Ethan. Please"

Ethan hesitated for a moment. Sorting his thoughts through.
His mind filled with questions. Whose jacket is that? Is there something you're hiding?

Ethan decided to ask one particular question that bothered him the most.

"What is Dylan to you?"