𝐀 𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐋 ✔︎

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐢𝐧𝐞

The next day, Layla had so much attention from everyone. They were all surrounding her like she was some sort of celebrity and giving her gifts. I spent so much time that day looking for a gift to give her, frantically running around my room, messing through my drawers and searching through my wardrobe. I finally came across the perfect gift while looking through my jewellery box. I spotted a white gold, expensive bracelet that Mum used to wear. I decided that Layla deserved it. I put it in a small, black box and tied it with a pink ribbon before knocking on her door to give it to her.

"Come in, the door's unlocked," she said.

I slowly opened the door and came inside, shutting it behind me. The whole room looked empty apart from a bed, a wardrobe, a chest of drawers, about four small suitcases and Layla.

She was sitting on her bed looking downwards on her phone, looked up and smiled. "Zoe!" she gasped.

I walked over to her bed. "Hi. I want to give you something," I said, the box behind my back.

She stood up. "So do I."

"I'll go first," I said. I handed it over.

She untied the ribbon, put it gently in her pocket and opened the box. Her mouth opened in amazement.

"Oh my God!" she gasped. "I simply cannot accept this. Why would you spend so much money just for me?"

"I didn't buy it," I said. "It was my mum's. I found it in my jewellery box and I know you deserve it."

Her eyes filled up with tears but then she shut them tightly to stop them from pouring down.

"I will have this all my life," she said. Her voice was thick and cracked in every syllable.

"Don't be sad, Layla," I said.

"I'm afraid my gift isn't as lovely as yours," she told me.

"I'm sure it is. After all, it's from you."

She took a stainless steel rose-gold chain with a butterfly charm necklace out of her pocket and gave it to me.

"It's beautiful!" I exclaimed.

"Is it really? I took hours searching online for sentimental necklaces and this one seemed more Zoe-style. I'm so happy you like it."

Layla watched as I put it on. She then put her bracelet on.

"I'll miss you more than anyone here. Even though you're the last one to join," she said.

"I'll miss you too," I said, tearing up.

Suddenly, Nina rang the bell for lunch.

"Come on," she said.

"I'll wait here until everyone goes down," I whispered.

As soon as I heard all the footsteps fade away, I left the room, shut the door behind me and went down too.

Saying goodbye to Layla brought a severe ache to my heart. This was definitely the fifth affliction. I barley even knew her, she was just a girl I recently met at the foster home. But I felt this strange serene atmosphere everytime I was around her. I felt as if I knew her all my life- like she was my sister.

Her goodbye was so quick. Layla just entered the dining room with two of her suitcases. I assumed her adoptive parents had the other two. It was when we were all having our dinner before seven and said goodbye to everyone. I couldn't eat. I just looked at her, desperate for her to look at me but she didn't lay her eyes on me once and when she turned to leave she didn't even turn back. As soon as I heard the door shut, I ran to my room to look out of the window and opened it.

"Layla!" I yelled.

She looked up with a teardrop on her cheek.

"I'll meet you Zoe," she said. "Call me when you want to," she said, and walked away with her new parents without turning back.