Layers of Heat

Layer 19

Leila's afternoon class was canceled and she was in her room, finishing her homework for the rest of the week when Winnie noisily made her way in. There was a blank expression on her face which Leila knew was the look she made when she was overwhelmed. Immediately she asked if there was something wrong, but the answer was unexpected.

"Miles wants to be friends."

As Winnie sat down at her desk, Leila stared at her with wide eyes. "Miles?"

"Weird, right?"

At first, she was about to reply, but she closed her mouth and took a moment to recall the times when she witnessed them interacting with each other. Sure, there was tension, and Leila knew Winnie absolutely despised the man, but that never seemed to be the case for Miles. Yes, he teased her, but it reminded her of elementary boys who made fun of the girls they liked.

"What did you say back to him?" she asked.

Winnie's face scrunched up. "I said okay."

Leila blinked in surprise. "Really?"

"I shouldn't have."

"You can always change your mind."

And yet, Winnie didn't immediately jump at the affirmation. Leila was shocked, to say the least. Did her friend not hate Miles as much as she seemed to? Then again, it was really special the way she treated him. Winnie was indeed a little cold when it came to others, but her feelings towards Miles were the total opposite.

Hot, burning, raging.

"I think it's really brave of him to try and rectify your relationship," Leila said casually.

From the way Winnie didn't immediately make a retort, it seemed she held similar sentiments. Which meant there really was a chance the two could become friends and get over whatever happened in their past.

To this day, Leila still didn't know what occurred between the two of them, but she would never force her friend to confess anything she didn't want to of her own volition. However, no matter what, she knew Winnie would never do anything cruel on purpose, so Leila would always be on her side.

"Maybe I'll set up another hang out with all of us. You, me, Ken, and Miles. What do you think?"

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," she mumbled in response.

Leila laughed and accepted the temporary defeat before turning back to her homework.

It really would be nice if Winnie and Miles could get along. Not just for everyone's sake, but because she knew with Miles' bright personality, he would make a wonderful friend for Winnie.