𝐑𝐔𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐒, 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐨

𝟎𝟓𝟕. 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭, 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭?!

"𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐱𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐬
𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠?
𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨?"

♫ renegade - taylor swift, big machine

———

CHAPTER 57
"WAIT, WHAT?!"

[real life]

flashback

chris had taken layla out of the tattoo shop but he didn't really think through his plan on what to do after that; because now they were stood in front of a closed book store. "chris, let's just go back." layla sighs while looking around. the emptiness of the dark streets was freaking her out. chris frowns, "the stupid sign says they close at 10:30!" he checks his phone and furrows his brows, "it's literally 10:24!" he exclaims, "who the fuck closes shop six minutes early?!"

"book shop owners, that aren't expecting two teenagers to be exploring this late at night." layla replies in a sassy tone with her arms crossed. chris looks over at her and gives her mocking smile, "and yet you agreed to go with said teenager." he jokes as she stares at him with a blank look. chris gives her a nod and points at her, "i know i'll get you smile at least once tonight."

layla hadn't meant to be rude but she couldn't help but feel frustrated over their argument, and at her parents for raising her the way they did. she hadn't had a real conversation with him in days. layla knew that chris wanted to help but she wanted to try and work this out on her own and do what's better for herself in the future. she knows she'll get there eventually but for now she had to use baby steps.

of course step one would be to finally admit to chris how she felt about him.

"give me your hand." chris says, stepping closer to layla who was standing farther away from him. layla furrows her brow, "why?" she asks hesitant to his demand. they were stood under a street light but chris was sort of hidden from view and the light shined down mostly onto layla. her silhouette making it look like she was the only one on the block.

chris peaks behind layla's shoulder and extends his arm out, "because there's two guys walking towards us and i don't want them to think you're alone." he whispers in a serious tone as he waits for her to place her hand on his. "oh." layla replies instantly accepting his offer, now standing by his side.

chris loops his arm around layla's and holds her hand, interlocks their fingers. now they were both be in view, walking together. soon enough, the two guys walk past them loudly laughing and walking into a daiso store.