dark paradise

chapter three: school

Biology had always been Layla's favourite class. Even before Poseidon and the falling apart of her family, biology had been a safe space for her. She excelled in it, loving learning about the different plants and animals that were distributed across the earth. The one thing she didn't like about biology was that she shared the class with Paul Lahote and Jared Cameron. Jacob and his goons were one year below, with her bogus brother being one year below them.

"Hey, Clearwater, what're you up to tonight?" The owner of the voice is Trevor Moss, an all round asshole. Since Paul's departure from the top spot as he was now busy licking Sam's arse, Trevor had easily filled the spot. The Clearwater house had one rule: don't go out with Trevor Moss. But since Leah was being a moody bitch, and Sue was too busy pretending that Layla wasn't her daughter, why not break the rules?

"Hmmm, not much. Are you free?" She twirled a piece of hair around her finger, batting her eyelashes at him. Trevor fell right into her trap. God, it was too easy.

"I'm throwing a party, there's a hot tub so bring a swimsuit. Preferably a sexy one," he winked at her, before turning back to his work. It was on. Sue would be raging.

Sadly everything wasn't smooth sailing, as Layla found out when Paul and Jared cornered her after class.

"Why the fuck are you going to Trevor's party?" Paul growls, "Sam and Sue will kill you." Layla rolls her eyes before continuing to put her books in her locker. There is basically steam rolling off both the boys, just amplified when Jacob and his goons walk over.

"Hey, Paul man, what's going on?" Embry questioned, placing his hand on Paul's bicep in an obvious way to try to calm him down.

"She's going to Trevor Moss's party, that's what," Paul spits out, "Leah will be furious." Jacob turns to Layla sharply, eyes wide.

"Are you out of your mind?" he hisses, "You know what happens at those parties."

"Yeah well you don't control me," Layla smiles sweetly, "And Leah or Sue have no say in what I do either. If I want to go to a party I will do. Come along if you want to see someone sexy." She winks at Paul before turning and strutting down the hall, leaving five boys wondering when she started calling her mom 'Sue'.

Red or Pink.

That was the question that fluttered through Layla's mind as she walked from school, trying to decide which bikini to wear. Pink was definitely Layla's favourite colour, but her red bikini was extremely skimpy and was bought without the permission of one Sue Clearwater. She was 100% wearing the red, there was no doubt about it.

"Layla!"

She internally groaned, what was it with people calling her name today? To her surprise, Sam Uley walks over, smiling at her like she held the sun. What a weirdo. Well, a hot weirdo. She could definitely see what Leah saw in him.

"Well, what a pleasure," she smiled at him before scowling, "Now what do you want?"

He seems a bit taken aback by her coldness but quickly smooths out his features, "Do you want a lift home? I'm taking Seth too."

Layla leans around him to see her brother leaning against his car, and he seemed to brighten up when he saw his sister looking at him, giving her an excited wave. Layla softly waves back, she would always love her brother more than any other member of her family.