The Neighbor's Son

Chapter 18

Chapter 18;

I stood impatiently waiting for Layne to get his words out. He kept putting it off or pausing whenever he would try to get the words out. It was getting really old and annoying. I raised my eye brow at him, my impatience growing stronger with every minute that passed.

"Layne, I'm not going to wait all day for you to say this,"

Laynes face saddened and I felt kinda bad for saying it. I didn't mean to give him an attitude, but I was growing tired of his games.

"I... It's nothing. Forget this moment even fucking happened," He muttered, grabbing the door knob and twisting it open. I placed my hand lightly on his shoulder. He glared at it, then shook it off, as he left me alone in the bathroom.

I was so angry with myself more than I was at Layne. He could've had something important to say. Like about the demons, or the dead girls, or Austin, or maybe, just maybe, he could've expressed his feelings for me. I know it may not have been possible, but it was a factor.

I started heading towards my room, and slammed my door shut. I sat down on the edge of my bed, and started playing with a strand of my hair. Why am I so stupid? I blew it. I blew my only chance of ever knowing anything.

I heard a knock on my door, but I didn't want to be bothered. I didn't say anything but the knock grew louder and harder. Finally it stopped, but the person walked in a few moments later. It was Labiba. What the hell did she want?

Labiba came over, and sat in the chair in front of me. She crossed her legs, flipped her long, wavy black hair back, and looked at me.

"What do you want?" I asked.

She looked towards the door, then back at me. "Why is Layne so upset? I know I didn't cause that one,"

"I didn't do anything," I grumbled, grabbing my pillow and hugging it.

Labiba raised an eyebrow at me. "Then why is he pissed off at everyone, sweet cheeks? You must've said something to him,"

"Look, I didn't do a damn thing to him, alright? Get off my back about it,"

"Don't get mouthy with me. I'm not going to tolerate Laynes behavior if you're the one who fucking caused it," she hissed.

I didn't say anything to her. I didn't want to speak with anyone. Everyone just annoyed the shit out of me right now. Labiba kept on talking but I didn't really listen. She could yap her trap all she wanted, and I wouldn't care.

How was I supposed to know that Layne was going to act like this? I didn't do a damn thing wrong. Labiba finally stood up, and left the room. Good riddance. I looked over at the window and went over to it. I looked outside of it, to see Layne throwing tree branches into the fire pit he created. I also saw Adrian standing with him, trying to talk to him, but Layne was completely ignoring him.

I grunted, backing away from the window. I balled my fists up, and stomped my foot. I knew I had to apologize for the way I acted, but it wasn't my fault! Layne wouldn't say what he needed to say. How is any of this my fault? I sighed, and decided to be the bigger person.

I trudged down the stairs, and saw no one in the living room. I slowly made my way to the kitchen and then to the backdoor. I saw Adrian and Layne standing side by side, but Layne had his arms crossed. I opened the back door, stepping out onto the pavement. Adrian glanced back at me, and gave me a soft smile. He nodded, then disappeared.

I walked up beside Layne, staring at the fire. It was dark out, and the light that was coming off the fire, made Laynes features seem that much more perfect. It highlighted every ounce of him. He didn't even look at me though. It was like I wasn't even there.

"I'm sorry," I said, quietly. "I'm sorry, okay? I don't know what else you want me to do,"

Layne didn't say a word. He ignored me.

"Layne, please. I'm sorry,"

Still no word.

I was beginning to get angry again, but I tried not to take it out on him. "Layne... Please.... I didn't mean to upset you... Just tell me what I did wrong, and I'll leave you alone,"

He sighed. "I don't know why I waste my time on you. You're just another stupid, pathetic, human,"

I was baffled by what he said. Those words really hurt coming from him. I felt the tears well up in my eyes. I balked my fists up by my side, and stomped my foot, facing him.

"Just another human, huh?" I scoffed. "If I'm just another human, then why don't you fucking kill me already? I'm tired of being held hostage here. I want to go home! Are you holding me here just because? I miss my family, Layne. If you're going to kill me, then do it now while you have your fire pit going on!" I just let it all out.

"I don't think you understand, princess. I can't kill you,"

"Why not?"

Laynes eyes darted from me to the fire pit. He sighed again, and faced me. "I can't kill you because... I care for you too much. If I wanted you dead, I would've already killed you,"

"I don't understand,"

"What part is hard for you to understand? I fucking care for you, a lot... and you don't even give a damn. I'm tired of wasting my time on you. You don't seem interested in me at all, but damn, Cadence. I can't keep playing this game with you. I just need to know...."

"Need to know what?" I murmured, quietly.

Layne was growing angry with me. "Do I need to fucking say it out loud?"

I nodded. "I'm listening,"

Layne chuckled to himself in a sarcastic way. "No. I'll let you figure it out by yourself. But for now, I'm not going to give you the time of day anymore. Go home, Cadence. It's what you want, and you don't seem to realize that you're not safe anymore,"

I stayed put. I didn't want to go home anymore. Just the thought of leaving Layne like this wasn't what I wanted. Layne stared at the fire pit, and continued to ignore me. I tried to put all the puzzle pieces together, and it was all coming together. I looked up at Layne with wide eyes.

"Y-You... Like me, don't you?" I asked.

Layne didn't say anything.

"It all makes sense now. When you told me that I could love anyone back in my house, when you called me beautiful, when you kissed me, when we made out, when you went out of your way to save me from Austin... It all makes sense..."

Layne didn't say anything.

"Layne... I like you too..."

He looked down on me, with those piercing ice green eyes. He sighed, and opened his arms for me to embraced in. I went into his arms, and started sobbing. He rubbed my back gently, and kissed my head.

"I could never ignore you... But what I don't understand is that why did it ale you so long to realize? Why did I have to be rude and nasty to you, and to ignore you, just to get it through your head?" he mumbled, hugging me tighter.

I didn't know why I was crying. I rarely ever cry, but the tears just came pouring out, one by one. I couldn't say anything without it cracking my voice. I hugged Layne as tight as I could.

"Please don't cry, princess. Everything is okay. I'm fine now," he lifted my chin up to meet his gaze. His eyes were soft and inviting. The fire illuminated them, making them seem more perfect. "I can't stand to see a beautiful girl like you cry,"

I stood on my tip toes to reach Laynes lips, and kiss them softly. He kissed back, and it seemed like the kiss was a lot longer than it really was.

"Layne, I really do like you... I have from the day were in detention together," I laughed slightly, and Layne smirked.

"I was an ass to you. How could you go for a douchebag like me?"

"I like them bad boys," I joked. He laughed softly, and pulled me in for another hug.

"God damn, you're beautiful," he whispered.

"I'm not the most beautiful girl out there,"

"Maybe not, but in my eyes, you are. I thought you were beautiful since the time I met you,"

I chuckled. I snuggled my face into his chest, and he smelt so amazing. He laid his chin on top of my head, and rested there for a while. I wish I could've listened to his heartbeat, but since he didn't have one, I would just listen to him breathing.

It was getting cold out and the fire was dimming down. Layne and I stood, hugging each other for almost an hour. My legs were stiff and numb from not moving, but Layne didn't seem affected at all. He didn't even seem to notice the time change. I nudged him, and he looked down to meet my eyes.

"Yes, princess?"

"We should go inside. I'm cold,"

Layne laughed. "Alright," he grabbed my hand and laced it with his. We went inside and headed to the couch. We sat down as close together as possible. We cuddled for the longest time, and just when I thought everything was going to be perfect, I was wrong.

Again.