Under the Stars

Chapter 18

~CHAPTER EIGHTEEN~

   Lyla stumbled out of the house, her mind clouded with frustration and sadness. She found herself at the park, seeking solace in the empty benches and dimly lit paths. Pulling out her phone, she scrolled through her contacts until she found Carl's name.

“Heyyy Carllll,” Lyla slurred into the phone, her words a jumble of emotions and alcohol.

Carl, who had been awake, worrying about Lyla after noticing her abrupt departure earlier that evening, picked up on the first ring. “Lyla? Are you okay?” he asked urgently, concern evident in his voice.

“I'm finee,” Lyla insisted, her words slurring together. “Just needed air. And... and wanted to talk to you.”

Carl sighed softly, recognizing the signs of intoxication. “Lyla, are you drunk?”

“Maybe a little,” Lyla admitted, her voice tinged with embarrassment.

“I'm coming,” Carl declared firmly, grabbing his jacket and keys as he headed out the door.

Lyla giggled, the sound breaking the tension in her chest. “You're always so... so responsible, Carl. Always saving me.”

Carl's heart squeezed at her words. “I just care about you, I want to make sure you're safe.”

As he neared the park, Carl spotted Lyla sitting on a bench, her head tilted back as she stared up at the stars. She looked small and fragile in the moonlight, a stark contrast to her usual confident demeanor.

“Lyla,” Carl called softly, approaching her cautiously.

Lyla looked up, a wide grin spreading across her face. “Carrrlll,” she exclaimed, holding her arms wide open as if to embrace the night itself.

Carl chuckled softly, sitting down beside her. “Hey there, starlight. What's on your mind tonight?”

Lyla leaned against him, her warmth seeping into his side. “Just... everything. You know?”

Carl nodded, understanding more than she probably realized. “Yeah, I get it. Sometimes everything feels like too much.”

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, the only sounds the rustling of leaves and the occasional passing car. Lyla leaned her head on Carl's shoulder, her breath warm against his neck.

“You know,” Lyla murmured, “I always thought you were annoyingly perfect.”

Carl chuckled again. “Just trying my best.”

Lyla lifted her head, staring at him with a mixture of admiration and something deeper. “You're more than just 'trying,' Carl. You're... you're here. You always show up.”

Carl smiled softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “I'll always show up for you, Lyla. No matter what.”

Lyla's eyes glistened with unshed tears, her heart heavy with gratitude and something she couldn't quite name. “Thank you, Carl. For being... you.”

Carl's heart swelled with emotion as he looked at her, his own eyes reflecting the depth of his feelings. “Anytime, Lyla. Anytime.”