How the Star Fell for the Moon | Layla

Five

With so many thoughts running through her head the only thing Lily can think of to say is, "A, it's me."

Ayla slowly turns around, unsure if she actually heard who she thought she heard, or if her mind is playing tricks on her. "Lily," Ayla smiles, taking a moment to fully process that the girl is actually in front of her. "What are you doing?"

"What am I doing here?" Lily repeats, as she starts to question that herself. "I-uh-I," she stutters, diverting her eyes away from Ayla's until they land on the food and drinks in her hand. "Food and a drink. I brought you food and a drink, both of which I do not know the name of. I also got a drink for myself, which is why I have two cups and not one, because well- I don't really know where I was going with that thought, so I'm going to shut up now and hope you say something."

Ayla bites her lip, as she tries not to laugh or smile at the obviously nervous girl. "Okay, then my next question would have to be, why did you bring me 'food and a drink'?" Ayla questions, emphasizing what Lily had just previously said, as she begins to walk towards the other girl.

"Well I noticed that you haven't been at school for the last few days, so I wanted to make sure you were okay," Lily explains, before quickly adding, "not that I pay attention to how often you miss school or anything, you know. I-uh-I just happened to notice, so here I am..."

As Ayla watched Lily fail at not embarrassing herself while explaining why she came to visit her, she grabbed one of the cups Lily had brought and took a drink. "Hot chocolate. Not what I would have ordered myself, but I'll take it."

"Actually that one is for me. This is yours," Lily says, handing her the other cup.

The two girls switch drinks, and Ayla takes the top off of hers to see what Lily had gotten her. "How did you know what to order me?"

"Your uncle helped me."

Ayla extends her arm, gesturing for Lily to take her latte. "Here, since I took the first drink of yours it would only be far if you had the first drink of mine."

Lily shakes her head with a smile. "It's no big deal. I really didn't mind."

"I insist. Plus the first sip is always the best. Take it," Ayla argues, taking the hot chocolate from Lily's hand and replacing it with her latte. Before Lily has any time to react Ayla walks over the the edge of the roof and leans up against the half wall, looking out at the city like she had been before Lily arrived.

Lily follows Ayla, and stands by her side, setting the bag with the pastry next to her. "You never answered my question. Are you okay?"

Ayla smiles, as she continues to gaze out at the city. "Well I've been a lot worse, so yes I would say I'm doing okay. I just haven't gotten much sleep is all."

Lily slightly nods to show her understanding, and there is a slight pause of conversation. "You used to come up here when you needed to get away from reality. My guess is that you still do, and that's why you're here now. What's so bad that you feel the need to get away?"

Ayla looks over at Lily for a moment. "I come up here when I feel like I've lost control. I stand right here and look out at the city. I may not get to see much, just a few corners of Greenwich. Village, but still I see enough. Up here I get to watch all of the people, who also call this place their home, live their lives. I see them spill their coffee on the ground, trip over their shoe laces, run to the subway as they try to make it to their important meeting on time. I also get to see them laugh to the point they start crying, run into an old friend they haven't seen since high school, slowly fall in love. Up here I get to take a step back and realize that maybe we aren't suppose to have control over every single thing that happens to us. This little corner, of this giant city that I get to call home, may be crazy, but that's also what makes it so great. Coming up here makes my seemingly uncontrollable life just a little less crazy."