The Romance of Michael and Layla

chapter one

CHAPTER 1

He held her in his tone arms like he would lose her forever if he let go. He dreaded the next few weeks, while he would be in New York, without her. How could he do it? He ran his finger through his curly, dirty blonde, not quite brown, hair. It would be the hardest thing they’ve gone through yet. He knew she would never leave his mind, not once.

            “Layla?” he asked.

            “Yes, Michael?” she answered.

            “I can’t do it.”

            “Yes you can. I know it’s going to be hard, but you need to go. It’ll be good for you.”

            “How? I’m happy here with you. There’s no possible way I could ever be happy in New York without you there with me.”

            She leaned up and kissed his cheek. He hugged her tighter where they sat on Layla’s purple and black floral patterned bed comforter. “I know you’ll be fine,” she looked deep into his light green eyes as she said it. As if she was working some type of spell on him, he felt himself relax.

            “I’m scared” he started saying, “I know that sounds wimpy, but I really am and you’re the only one that knows it.”

            “You don’t need to be scared, Michael. It’s not like you’re in any type of danger,” she responded reassuringly.

            “I know, but still. Why can’t you come with me?” he pleaded with her, running his hand through her thick but soft brown hair.

            “I have my family here. They need me, especially since my mom…” she couldn’t finish. Four months ago Layla’s mother, Sherri, had died in a plane crash. Ever since her father had been working double time to keep their house, and food on the table. Any time he wasn’t working he was locked up in his room mourning.

            “Oh, I’m sorry I forgot for a second,” Michael said sheepishly, feeling extremely guilty for forgetting.

            “I did too,” she said with a hint of hope in her sweet, gentle voice.

Taken aback by her answer, Michael smiled as he leaned in to kiss her. He planted a sweet soft kiss on her lips before pulling away saying, “I wish we could stay exactly like this forever.”

“So do I,” Layla replied in almost a whisper.  “When I’m with you all my worries dissolve and I’m truly happy. Michael, what am I going to do while you’re gone?”

“We’re both just going to have to be patient and faithful,” he answered. Michael wasn’t worried in the least about the faithful part, he knew that he could never love any girl besides Layla, she was his world. Being only sixteen many people laughed at them when it came to their feeling for each other, but both Michael and Layla knew that they were meant for each other. Layla felt the exact same way, every time he and her were apart she felt as if a part of her was gone, she felt broken. Being in his arms was the only place she felt safe anymore. Ever since her mom died he was her only comfort. The patience was going to be the difficult part for both of them, even if it was for only a month. They were used to seeing each other every day, if not every day then every other day at the least.

“It’s only a month,” said Layla, as if trying to convince herself it would be okay as much as she was him.

“Yeah, a whole month,” was Michael’s response.

“Then we’ll have the last month and a half of summer to ourselves,” she replied with a mysterious, playful look in her eyes, still staring deep into his.

Michael smiled a real, genuine smile, “Oh yeah, I wasn’t thinking that far ahead yet.” He stared back into her eyes, they were electrifying. The perfect mixture of green and hazel, some days more green than others. He picked her up and turned her around on his lap so she was facing him, and this time she was the one to lean in and kiss him. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her even closer to him. He could feel her breath, warm across his lips. He loved when she kissed him like this. He kissed her back harder, as they let themselves fall back so they were laying on her bed. When they were out of breath Layla gently pulled back, staring intently into his playful green eyes. “This is going to be much more difficult than I originally thought, going an entire month without you,” she sighed.

“Told you!” Michael gloated with a satisfied grin on his face. “I’ll call you everyday if you want me to.”

“Of course I do! Is that even a question, you idiot?!” Layla exclaimed, lightly smacking his arm. “I don’t think I could ever go a day without hearing your voice.”

“Same for me, honey,” Michael whispered as he kissed her soft forehead. “You’re my everything, Layla. I love you.”

“I love you, Michael,” Layla whispered back. He pulled her into his arms once again, as they laid together on her bed.

“I wish either I didn’t have to go or you could come with me.”

“I can’t leave now, my sisters and brother need me. All my dad does anymore is sleep and work. Some days we don’t see him once. I’m just happy I got my license before the accident, that way I can get everyone where they need to be.”

Michael sat up silently, thinking deeply. How was this going to work? He had to find a way to see Layla. He had to.

“I’m going to take you somewhere very special on your last night here. And don’t try asking because it’s a secret and I’m not telling you. It’s a surprise,” Layla smiled up at him.

He smiled her favorite smile down at her. A smile that lit up her entire world. It was a smile that he saved only for her, that was one of the things she loved about it. “Really?” Michael asked, his mood suddenly lifted.

“Really,” she stated.

“Can you at least give me a hint?” he begged her. Giving her a pouty lip.

“Nope!” she smiled.

“Fine. But I’m onto you, Miller!” Michael started laughing once Layla did. She always laughed when he called her by her last name. He kissed her shoulder as she smiled contently, leaning into him. After more kissing they fell asleep in each other’s arms.

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hey guys!! okay, so i'm open to any type of criticism, just be nice about it.i want to know what you guys think about this! too gushy?? comment, vote. i'll try to upload as much as i can. let me know how you think it is.

till next time, laura