Me and my Shadow | ✓

Chapter 7

We pulled up to the big, two-story home and my mom could hardly contain her comments.

"Well, aren't they fancy?"

"Mom, please. They're people just like we are. Who cares how big their house is?"

"I suppose you're right. You've got such a good sense of character. I'm happy you've got a friend. Keep her close, you'll need her for the rest of high school." She smiled at me and leaned over, giving me a kiss on the cheek.

"Love you sweetie, text me before you go to bed and text me when you get to school in the morning. And you better go!!" She gave me a stern look so I gave her a salute in return, grinning as I got out of the car.

"Smart-ass." My mom said under her breath.

"Love you too! See ya!" I yelled back sarcastically.

My mom pulled away as I made my way to the porch. I stood in front of the door for about ten seconds. My nerves were playing with me and I knew I had to knock before someone caught me just standing here like a freak in front of someone's house.

I slowly lifted my arm and gently knocked on the door. I waited about two minutes and when no one answered, I texted Layla letting her know I was here.

After a couple minutes, the front door swung open and Layla was standing there with a big smile on her face.

"Listen, this is a big house, you gotta knock a little louder if you ever want to be heard." She laughed and my face instantly turned red. I tried to laugh it off as best as I could as I walked inside behind her.

"Let's go put your bag in my room and then we can come back down and make some movie snacks!"

You could tell she was just as excited to have me over, as I was to be here.

"Sweet. I'm starving!" I said, looking down at my stomach that was now yelling at me to feed it.

"Oh yeah, you said you hadn't had dinner. Let me make you a plate of what we had! My mom made her famous chicken and yellow rice. It's one of my favorites."

We went into the kitchen and I sat at one of the stools while Layla fixed me a plate.

Suddenly, a tall man walked into the kitchen. He had a light grey suit and matching tie on with car keys in his right hand. He looked over at Layla and then over at me.

"You must be Cecilia. It's very nice to meet you! I'm Larry, Layla's step-father." He reached out and shook my hand. I nodded with a smile.

"It's very nice to meet you as well. Layla has told me wonderful things about you." He looked over at Layla and smiled. She shot him a grin right back and you could tell that the bond they shared was beautiful. Despite her heartache about her father, she opened herself up to him because she knew that he made her mom happy. You could tell that they have grown close over the years.

"Oh has she? Well, that's so great to hear!" He laughed and I chuckled myself.

"Going to the office?" Layla asked him.

"Yes mam. I told them I didn't like working this late, but they insist that it's urgent. I'll be back in a couple hours." He gave us both a goodbye and left.

Larry works at a top-dollar lawyer's firm from what Layla told me. He only has a few people above him. Layla said he's really important and that's how they have such a big house. She even said her mom technically didn't even need to work, but she kept her job anyway because she claims she can't sit at home all day with nothing to do. I, for one, would love to be a stay-at-home wife. I guess I have my social anxiety to blame for that.