Tick Tock

IV. Whoops

"Her eyes are going again."

My eyes shoot open at the sound of Khalil's laughter. I scowl around the table, my friends laughing at me falling asleep for what feels like the hundredth time today.

"So," Layla smirks, raising a dark and perfectly shaped brow, "When are you going to admit the real reason behind why you couldn't keep your head up doing the first 4 periods?"

Since I arrived this morning both Khalil and Layla haven't given me a break. According to the two of them, the reason I didn't get any sleep tonight is because of the same thing Ava accused me of getting up to. Except, the two of them believe it was Jordan I was getting it on with, not his insanely attractive and strange older brother.

Khalil sat back with a cheeky grin, running a hand through his chestnut curls, "We always knew you had a thing for him Elle, we're honestly happy that you two are finally a thing."

I huff, retying my black mess of a pony tail. "Firstly, I don't have a 'thing' for anyone – certainly not my best friend." I give Khalil a pointed look and he flushes slightly looking down, adjusting his glasses.

Our little exchange goes straight over Layla's head and she rolls her eyes with a nod.

"Of course not, sweetie," she pats my hand, "And I'm going to marry Chris Hemsworth and birth his offspring."

Khalil snorts, "Elle, we've observed your adorable and pathetic crush, and frankly we thought it would never ha- ow!"

Layla pinched him, interrupting his little speech right before I gave into my urge to jump across the table and strangle his stupid ass.

"Ignore him, he's male," she flicked her hijab over her shoulder, whilst Khalil rubbed his arm and pouted angrily in her direction. "What he meant to say was, we're your best friends Elle. You should be able to tell us something like this."

I stared at the both of them blankly, before yawning loudly. What could I really tell them? 'I met my soulmate yesterday, and he's a supernatural creature with commitment issues'? Doesn't really roll off the tongue.

"Listen to me," I reiterated, sticking to my lie of choice, "I did not spend my night doing the horizontal things people our age do. Honest."

My friends stared at me in equal disbelief before Layla's gaze drifted over my shoulder.

"Really, Elle?" She smirked, her gaze wandering back to me. "So you wont mind if we ask him ourselves, will you?"

I rolled my eyes, running my hands through my hair in annoyance when a hand landed heavily on my shoulder.

"Sleep well, did you?" Jordan said, with a squeeze of my shoulder.

He had to open with that line, didn't he? Eyeing my friends I could see the triumph in their eyes.

"We didn't have sex okay?!" I exclaimed, tired of their smug faces.

Jordans gaze darted between the three of us, as confused as ever.

"Yeah, don't worry about it. We believe you!" Layla patted my hand, a fat grin plastered on her face.

The bell rang.

***

"Any questions?" Mr Cavil had just wrapped up another torturous round of Chemistry. The only time people paid any attention was when we saw the hands of the clock reaching the last minute of his 'lesson'- if you could even call it that.

I'm sure his droning tone alone could make a room full of insomniacs comatose.

"Nobody?" He clarified, his beady eyes scanning the room as he wiped his consistently sweaty brow.

"5..4...3..2-" my biology partner, Milena counted under her breath as Mr Cavil reminded us of the work due next week.

"Thank God!" she exclaimed as the bell went, the room erupting as everyone gathered their books and began to leave.

The curly haired Latina turned to me before she left, "You're still set to come to mine on the weekend right?"

I nodded, throwing my backpack over my shoulder. "For sure. Unfortunately that project won't complete itself. Lazy bastard."

She let out a chuckle, bidding me goodbye over her shoulder as she left.

I liked Milena. Me and her weren't neccesarily best buds, but since sitting next to her she's become a friend of mine. To be honest, she makes this horrendous class bearable. It feels ridicoulous to be thinking about things like school projects when I just found out about other species wandering the earth. Not to mention the eternal bond I apparently have with one of them. But life doesn't just stop because you found out the pre-determined love of your life is a werewolf.

I was just walking through the school gate when I heard my name.

I spun around to see Layla jogging toward me, hijab flying behind her.

"You weren't gonna wait for me?"

"Sorry, I was in a world of my own, you know how tired I've been today." I said as she fell into step with me.

"Yes, yes I do." The pointed look she threw my way was clear from the corner of my eye but I paid her no mind.

"Layla. Not again. Please. You and Khalil already grilled me today. Take a day off."

She laughed.

"All I'm saying is, as your bestest friend in the world, and especially now we have no male company, feel free to tell me everything."

I tried to interrupt but she cut me off.

"I do not and never will buy the fact that nothing happened with you and Jordan! Elle you've been in love with him forever, and him you."

I side-eyed her as we crossed the road at the traffic light. "Well look at you, a modern day Cupid with a vagina! Very observant when it comes to other peoples romantic life aren't you?"

As oblivious as ever, Layla just rolled her eyes.

"And for the record, nothing is going on with Jordan. He's my friend like you're my friend. Nothing more, nothing less. Tr-"

"Wow," Layla grabbed my arm as we stopped in front of her house. "That might be the first time I've ever see you say that boy's name without a dreamy look on your face. What the hell happened to you Elle?"

I looked into her dark eyes, the confusion clear. It's not that I didn't want to tell her about Mika- she's not just my best friend, she's my best person- period. Even a smidge above Jordan. This is a given, because girls are always better than boys (even the ones you were once hopelessly in love with), but I digress. I am dying to tell Layla everything. But I need to talk to Mika first. Only God knows what kind of danger I could be putting her in.

Also, there's a 99.99999% chance she will think I've had a psychotic break. Naturally. This would also be less than productive, to say the least. But since I'm a terrible liar I had to say something.

"Elle?" Her tone was worried now.

Deep breath. "Chlamydia. Jordan. Jordan gave me it."

***

HEY.

Really hoped you guys enjoyed that! If you liked it, tapping that vote would make my day! Thanks.

M.