LEGACY | OBX NEXT GENERATION

4 | Layla Carrera

     I walked into the gym, just before meeting up with my friends about the map. Not sure what there is to talk about other than the fact that we need to turn it into the police but nonetheless I had my earbuds in and my game face on. I scanned the room, my eyes landing on Ryker at the weight rack. I rolled my eyes and shook my head, remembering the mishap at the party. But I wasn't going to let him ruin my workout. I headed straight for the treadmills.

I noticed Ryker finally put down the weights and glance over at me. Our eyes locked for a moment, and I rolled my eyes.

To my surprise, Ryker walked over to the treadmill next to mine and hopped on.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

Ryker grinned, his eyes stuck on the screen in front of him. "I'm running on a treadmill, obviously."

I raised an eyebrow. "You hate cardio."

Ryker ignored me, and continued running. I shrugged and continued my own workout. Just as I stepped onto the treadmill, I had forgotten that I had already started it. My feet flew out from under me, and I stumbled, my arms flailing wildly.

Ryker reacted fast, jumping off his treadmill and catching me just as I was about to face-plant onto the belt. My laughter burst out of me and my eyes watered with embarrassment. "Oh my god!"

Ryker held me steady, his hands grasping my waist. "That's why," he said, a smirk playing on his lips.

I looked up at him, "That's why what?"

Ryker chuckled. "That's why I came to work out with you. You're so clumsy." My laughter surprised me, bursting out of me again. But as I looked up at Ryker, my amusement faded.

I gently pushed his hands off me, "Okay, that's enough." I turned back to my treadmill, and began running. Ryker watched me for a moment, then shrugged and went back to his own workout, with a grin still plastered on his face.

After doing some other things in the gym I headed out to meet up with the crew at our little spot on the beach. I stood in front of JJ eyeing the map he held in his hands. I grew up in a loving but strict household with my mother, Kiara. My father, JJ, passed away a few months before I was born. After my fathers death, my mom raised me on her own, with the help of her friends of course, instilling in me the values of hard work, discipline, and responsibility.

Despite the strictness, I had a happy childhood just kicking it with my friends. I always felt like I was mommy's little girl, and my moms overprotectiveness stemmed from the fear of losing me like she lost her father. Which meant finding treasure was off limits.

I plant my feet firmly on the ground, my hands on my hips. "No way, guys. Absolutely not. We're not going treasure hunting. Our parents would lose their minds if they found out!"

JJ holds up the worn, yellowed transcript. "Come on Layla. This thing basically fell into our greedy little hands. It's like the universe is begging us to take the challenge and plus, me and Cayd found a key."

Cayden chimes in, "Destiny, guys! This is meant to be. We've been searching for something like this for years, and now it's finally within our grasp."

I shake my head, trying to reason with them. "You're both being ridiculous. We're not treasure hunters, and we're definitely not going to start now. It's too dangerous, too illegal, and too... too... impractical."

But Saylor's voice of reason cuts through the excitement, "Guys, I think Layla's right. We'd get in so much trouble if we actually did this. I mean, think about it - we're talking about breaking into who-knows-what, digging up who-knows-what, and then trying to sell it on the black market or something? It's not worth the risk."