How the Star Fell for the Moon | Layla

Eight

Though they stood by each other's side for most of the way, as Lily led the way to their destination. Every so often their arms would brush against each other when the sidewalk became narrow or they passed other groups of people. Lily made a point to separate from Ayla each time they touched, yet for some reason they continued to bump into each other more often than they likely should have.

Maybe the light touches weren't accidents. Perhaps something was pulling them towards one another. Maybe it was the feeling that Lily got when she felt Ayla's skin against her own - her heart began to beat fast and her skin began to flush - but that was only because she embarrassed for bumping into her, right? What if she secretly liked that feeling - one she had never felt before. Maybe she liked being close to Ayla. But she couldn't like that feeling, she wasn't supposed to, was she? The were friends, and maybe not even that.

The two were quiet most of the way, letting the city's noise fill the air around them. A few blocks away from their destination, they were about to pass drunk man slurring some kind of nonsense. Lily was on Ayla's left, making her closest to the drunk sitting against the building. With a short glance down at the man, Ayla made the decision to pull Lily closer to her, doing so by holding her hand and grasping against her bicep with her other hand. Once they reached the end of the block Ayla had let go. Lily could have sworn that the girl's hand lingered in her's for an extra second, as if she didn't want to let go, but maybe she was just hoping it had.

"You gotta love New Yorkers, huh?" Ayla said with a short laugh. Her smile shined bright even in the dark night. Somehow her eyes seemed to even have a twinkle - there were stars in her deep drown, galaxy eyes.

Lily had stared far too long at Ayla and the other girl had noticed. "Yeah," Lily forcibly laughed. Knowing she had been caught, she quickly diverted her eyes towards the ground.

Ayla wasn't as shy. She continued to stare at the side of Lily's face and wasn't afraid to show her smile.

"Wow, you must of read my mind," Ayla said as the two walked into the lobby of Minkus International. "I'm being serious. The whole time we spent walking here I was thinking to myself, 'I really hope she brings me to her father's business.' I mean where else would two high schoolers go to have fun on a Friday night?" Ayla said with a joking smile, in an attempt to get a reaction from Lily. Although she did get a reaction, it wasn't the one she was hoping for.

With a roll of her eyes, Lily responded, "I have to check in with Marvin. Wait here." However as she walked away, Ayla noticed her bite her lip to hide a smile. Small, but still a success.

Lily quickly returned to where she left Ayla. "Okay we can go up now," Lily stated, as she began walking towards the elevators.

"So what did you tell Marvin?"

"That I was in the building and you were with me," Lily replied.

"So is he like the security guy?"

"Yeah."

"That's cool," Ayla nodded awkwardly, as they waited for the elevator doors to open.

When the elevator finally finally arrived, the two stepped in and Lily pushed the button for the floor she was going to take Ayla to.

"We're going to the very top?" Ayla asked.

"Yep."

"That's a long way up."

"Yeah, it is," Lily responded, as the doors closed and they began going up.