A Chill In The Air (Book 1)

A Chill In The Air - Chapter 16

A Chill In The Air

Chapter Sixteen

Taking no time at all to get to the breakfast hall, Tyler and Layla appeared through the arched doorway stepping inside the room. It was always more crowded at breakfast as come lunch and dinner time the enthusiasm and energy levels had depleted. The room was awash with colour as students dressed in every colour from Apricot to Zucchini; everywhere Layla looked someone caught her eye with their bold colour and wild fashion choice. She felt glad that she was one of the normal or ‘neutral’ ones as with Tyler they looked less university student and more back in the day Hollywood movie stars.  

Cassie was already seated down in the usual spot she had chosen to eat breakfast in, Layla was taken by surprise as she had gotten ready before her and Cassie to her still didn’t look the type to suit an early start. Tyler noticed Layla was clearly looking at someone and as he leaned in and looked at what she was, his voice made her jump slightly as he broke her line of thought. “Your friend?” “Y-yes, sorry you surprised me. Yeah that’s Cassie she’s my roommate.” Nodding Tyler stood back up and put his arm around Layla’s shoulders. “Well why don’t we go get something to eat and go join her hm?” Layla nodded and she gently nudged his arm off her and walked up to the counter handing over a food slip and getting the day’s only breakfast option, bran flakes.

Upon returning to the table it was evident to Layla that Cassie though only knowing her a day, didn’t seem her usual self. She was less loud and attention seeking and more quiet and resolved. Tyler sat down beside Layla as he kept his wits about him knowing that something was bound to happen as he could feel it deep within his bones, something wasn’t right. “Cass? Hello? Earth to Cassie!” Layla said softly as she waved her hand in front of Cassie’s face causing her to blink out of her daydream and smile widely. “Hey Lay sorry I just spaced out there, what’s up w…” she blinked when she saw Tyler sitting next to Layla. “Cass this is Tyler Dickens, and Tyler this is my roommate Cassie Fiske.” They shook hands and exchanged a mutual mutter of ‘hello’, neither one meeting the other’s eye which got Layla thinking, did they already know one another? Or did either just didn’t like the look of the other? Either way it left Layla physically scratching her head.

As the food on their plates diminished ever so quickly the talk between Layla, Tyler and Cassie got a tad interesting as Cassie had brought up the hot topic of troops fighting in foreign countries. Layla however was reserved on this subject as her mother fought and died in Iraq 10 years ago when the war first broke out, on the other hand Tyler was getting into good conversation with Cassie about how British troops shouldn’t have to fight a cause that they’re not a part of. As much as it did sound interesting to Layla it was too painful for her to discuss, even after 10 years. Then as he spoke midway through what he was saying Tyler paused, he turned his head and out of the corner of his eye he could see Tanner standing in the entrance to the breakfast hall, he turned his head back around and stood up slowly. “If you ladies will excuse me I have something I must be doing, see you in languages Lay Lay.” He smiled and walked down the central aisle not giving Tanner a passing glance as he moved around him, leaving the breakfast hall.

Cassie looked up when Tyler had left the hall and she caught a glance of Tanner as he resumed his walking, heading down to the counter to get this morning’s breakfast. “Well that was odd, what’s even odder is tall dark and handsome is heading our way, and when I say that I mean Tanner.” Layla rolled her eyes softly and she nodded. “Even if you didn’t I wouldn’t be interested in even looking at the man.” Shrugging Cassie stood up. “As much as I would love to stay and talk with you I have to go, my class is on the other side of campus so I’ll catch you later okay?” she gave a smile and a wave met by Layla’s as Tanner took a seat next to her where Tyler sat prior to him. “So, what did tall, dark and handsome miss?” said Tanner smiling as he set his food down on the table top. “Nothing, I’ve got to get to class.” Layla said without taking a look once at him as she rose to her feet leaving her food and tray where she sat at the table, leaving the breakfast hall with as much grace and dignity with what she had entered with.

It pained Layla to be rude to someone even if that someone was a certain someone that annoyed her and sent shivers down her spine, she still had to do what was right in her own mind. Tanner had crossed the line to her when he took matters that were nothing to do with him into his own hands when she knew she could handle it. Men who did that to her drove her mad to the point where she would result to some radicle feminist ideal to put them straight again, but Tanner she thought didn’t even deserve that despite his bothersome meddling. As with Cassie, Layla’s now again main focus was to get to her day long language class and hopefully find some reprieve there. Her wish soon was granted as upon arrival she spotted Tyler, remembering that he said he would see her there she walked over to him with a hint of a bounce in her step, and sat down looking at him and smiled softly. “Hello.” Turning his head Tyler looked at her and he chuckled and smiled. “Hey.”