Family Styles - Sequel to the Baby Styles series

17

Layla's point of view

I walked nervously up to the door and rang the doorbell. It was almost immediately opened by Ben. He gave me a smile, but for some reason, it didn't look real.

"Come in." He said and stepped aside. "We're home alone, by the way. Mom, dad, and Sofia are at the park." He said as I took of my shoes. I nodded and then we sat down on the couch.

"So what did you wanna talk about?" I asked. He breathed deeply and looked down at his hands.

"Well, I've been thinking a lot I don't feel comfortable about us sneaking around behind your parents back. They already don't seem to like me anymore and I don't wanna make them dislike me anymore." He said without looking at me.

"But there's nothing I can do about it. The said the decision is final. No matter what I do, they're not gonna change their mind." I said.

"I know that." He said and finally looked up at me. "And I think we should respect your parents's decision."

"So... what are you saying?" I asked.

"I... I-I think we should stop seeing each other. For real." He said. I noticed a tear falling down his cheek as his words hit me.

"Ben, you can't mean that! We just got back together and now we're just supposed to give it all up?!" I said, trying my best not to cry.

"Do you think I want this? I would walk the world to be with you, Layla, but I'm just doing what's right." He said. "But we'll still be friends, right?"

"No, Ben, we can't! That's the thing! I can't be just friends with someone after a relationship like this! We've been together for almost four years... Do you think I can just forget that?" I said. By now, I was crying.

"I don't even expect you to forget it! I'm just saying that we shouldn't be sneaking around! It's not fair to your parents!" He said. We were both starting to raise our voices.

"I can't believe I actually thought you were willing to fight for this relationship. Turns out I was wrong." I said.

"Don't say I haven't fought for this relationship! I spent weeks fighting for you and now you're trying to accuse me of 'just giving up'?!" He said, almost yelling now.

I got so irritated in the moment that the next thing I said came out unexpected, making me immediately regret it.

"Gosh, I wish I never even met you!" I yelled.

After I realized what I said, I wasn't gonna spend a second more in that house. I walked straight of it, got into my car and quickly drove away. I parked the car in a parking lot outside the grocery store and stayed inside the car as I called Erica, whom I knew was at Sarah's house.

She quickly picked up and said 'hey' in a cheerful voice.

"Hey, you're with Sarah, right?" I asked and she said 'yeah'. "Put it on speaker, please."

"Is something wrong, Layla? You sound upset." Erica said after putting the phone on speaker.

"Ben and I broke up again..." I said.

"What?!" Sarah shouted. "Why?"

I then explained the situation to them, and I of course ended up crying.

"Oh my god... Where are you?" Sarah asked.

"In a parking lot." I replied.

"Come over. We can watch movies and eat lots of ice cream. Mum bought a lot of ice cream today. We can all have a sleepover!" Sarah said.

"But it's school tomorrow." I said.

"So? When one of my best friends is going through a heartbreak, I couldn't care less about it being a school night. We'll make an early alarm." She said.

"Fine. I just gotta text my parents first. See you soon. Bye." I said and hung up. I then sent dad a quick message.

To dad: staying at Sarah's house with Erica tonight. I'll be home after school tomorrow

I also sent Ed a text.

To Ed: i'm staying at Sarah's house tonight. Give Nicky loads of kisses from me!!!

After I had gotten replies from both of them, I started the car and drove to Sarah's house. I didn't even bother to knock when I arrived. I just walked in, greeted her parents and then ran up to Sarah's room. I let out a small smile when I saw they had made a huge blanket fort.

I crawled into the fort and saw Sarah and Erica watching netflix on Sarah's laptop. It was actually really cozy in there. There were tons of blankets and pillows which made it really comfortable to sit.

"You okay?" Erica asked.

"Not really." I replied. Erica patted the seat between her and Sarah. I crawled over there and they both hugged me. "I thought I was finally gonna be happy again. Everything in my life was going so well, but now my stupid parents ruined everything."

"They're just looking out for you. But, I don't really see why they wouldn't let you see him. It's Ed they should be worried about. I mean, he hit Ben and sent him straight to the hospital." Sarah said. I nodded in agreement.

"I don't think that what my parents are doing is right. I'm the one being punished when I never did anything wrong while I haven't heard anything about Ed getting a punishment. I'm never going home."

"Well, you're welcome to stay here for a while, but you will have to go home, Layla. Your parents are just doing what they think is the best thing, and so is Ben. He just wants to respect your parents." Sarah said. "But hey, wanna eat ice cream now?"

"You don't even have to ask."

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hope you enjoy this!!

- m i a h xx