Impossible

•7•

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Their fingers touch as Tyler handed the notes back to Layla. She lingered never wanting to draw her hand away him. "Um thanks again." Tyler spoke sounding uncomfortable. "Ya..." Layla said hesitate of weather he was upset. Finding her way to the back of the room and to her usual seat in class Layla sighed. Class officially started along with Layla's daily tradition of gazing off into the distance.
•••
Layla awkwardly stood grasping a plastic tray in both hands. Her eyes scoured the lunch room for Alice. Realizing she was not in vicinity Layla pushed her way to the first available table, hoping no one would would chose to sit near her. With a grim look she nibbled at one of the three baby carrots on her plate. The clink on a tray hitting the table drew her eyes away from her food.   To her surprise Tyler was pulling out the chair closest to her. Layla quickly looked down pulling her food closer to her body.

"Am I not welcome?" Tyler questioned in a sarcastic tone.

Of course he was welcome, Layla just couldn't manage to tell him that so she nodded her head swiftly and continued looking toward her feet. "Hey I was wondering can um you help me with English after school I am really struggling and your notes..." Jolting her head Layla jumped at the opportunity.

"Yes of course I can help you." she blurted out quickly realizing her response she moved her hand to to her mouth. She felt heat coming to her face. The bell pierced through their ears before she could redeem herself from the embarrassment. Pushing his chair back and standing up Tyler swiftly spoke the words "See you in the library at 3:00." before rushing off to a group of muscular boys. Twisting a piece of hair around her index finger Layla grinned happily. Was that a glimpse of light in the dark hole that is the friend zone?

After a week of being suffocated Layla finally could breath as she practically skipped down the chilled hallway. She was prepared to let Tyler see the real and genuine Layla and pray he would fall her instead of introverted, bashful Layla. When she reached the double doors of the library Layla took a minute to smooth out the wrinkles in her vintage shirt and tuck her straggling hairs behind her left ear. Opening the door she found the first available table and began her wait for Tyler as she laid her notes out on the surface in front of her.

Minutes later a creak broke the silence of the library. Tyler entered the room a, text book tucked beneath his right arm.

"I was beginning to think you stood me up." She said jokingly

"On our first study date? Never!" Tyler wittily remarked.

Layla giggled gripping her pencil tighter.
Tyler pulled out the chair closest to Layla.