As one. Always. (A Loki fan fiction)

Chapter 18

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My mom invited everyone to the living room to chat and wait for dinner to finish cooking. My mom and Christi sat on the love seat together, while Loki, Layla and I were stuck with sitting on the couch. Layla sat herself right in the middle of the couch, while Loki and I sat on either side of her. As soon as we all sat down, she immediately started up a conversation with Loki, turning towards him, leaving me out of the conversation. My mom and Christi tried to include me in their conversation, but I was still fuming.

“So, where are you staying?” Layla asked Loki, flipping her hair. I wanted to pull it. Calm down Noelle.

“I am currently staying here, with Noelle, until we return home.” Loki said neutrally. He didn’t look my way while he spoke to her, nor did he try to include me in his conversation, which bugged me more.

“Oh…so you guys are a couple?” She knit her brows together, pursed her lips unhappily.

“No.” We both replied at the same time, though Loki said it faster and sounded more alarmed than I did. Did he react that way because he likes me or because he doesn’t? And why am I becoming so worried about this? It wasn’t like Loki was openly flirting or showing interest in Layla. He was just being polite. And who was I to get angry when Loki was just being polite?

“Oh, so you’re friends. Well, Noelle and I are great friends too. We’ve known each other a long time.” I resisted the urge to roll my eye. Layla may have sounded sincere to everyone else, but she was fake to me. “So how long are you going to be here Loki?”

“Perhaps four days at the most.” Loki eyed me then, and I knew we wouldn’t be staying a day longer. “We only just arrived yesterday though. Not much time I’m afraid but there is work to be done back home.”

“Maybe we could get together before you leave. I could show you around town, maybe we could get dinner?” Layla offered, sliding a little closer to Loki.

“I’m sure I can show Loki around just fine.” I put in. Loki nodded, sensing the tension building in the air every minute Layla and I sat next to each other.

“But you’ll probably want to spend more time with you mom, and Loki doesn’t have family here, so maybe it’d be better for him to experience some one on one attention.” Layla argued with me. I opened my mouth to reply when my mom and Christie cut into our conversation.

“So Layla, Christie tells me you’re working?” My mom asked.

“I’m working at the Lounge downtown, but I’m thinking of quitting.” Layla said indifferently. I saw Christie’s face drop a bit.

“Why? I thought you liked that job?” Christie asked, a little embarrassed. I didn’t blame her; she finally had something positive to tell us about her niece and she blew it.

“I don’t know. It just really isn’t me.” She said, bored. “I mean, waitressing isn’t that great.”

“Are you still thinking of going for that secretary of law program at the community college?” My mom asked, trying to smooth things over. “I know waitressing doesn’t pay well, but college can be pricey.”

“I think I might go, but I haven’t applied yet. Again, the job won’t pay well.” Layla crossed her legs, looking at Loki. “I just can’t seem to find the right program for me that pays a lot. I mean, come on, we all can’t get by on 15$ an hour. I have a lot of expenses.” No one said anything.

“Christie, would you mind helping me serve dinner?” My mom changed the subject.

“Yes, of course Beth.” Christie got up, her face slightly flushed. I couldn’t her blame her. They left to the kitchen, leaving us three to sit quietly and awkwardly in the living room.