Ian's Curvy Princess

Chapter Nineteen

{Note: Yes, I'm a girl. I push doors that clearly say PULL. I laugh harder when I try to explain why I'm laughing. I walk into a room and forget why I was there. I count on my fingers in math. I hide the pain from my loved ones. I say it is a long story when it's really not. I cry a lot more than you think I do. I care about people who don't care about me. A broken nail is painful. I will forgive you even after you stab me in the back. I listen to you even when you don't listen to me. And a hug will always help. Yes, I'm a girl!!!!! 
Comment if you're proud to be one !!!}

*Layla*

  I was leaning against the wall with Gunner and Tyson and I leaned down slipping my shoes off rubbing my toes to get rid of tingling when I heard someone clear their throat.

  "Can I help you?" I asked confused staring up at the terrifying man.

  "Your Layla, right?" he asked and I swallowed nodded not liking the feeling I was getting from him. "I'm Marcos, Vanessa's step-brother."

  "Oh, um...Nice to meet you," I mumbled shifting my feet nervously. 

  "Marcos," Ian snapped stepping between me and Marcos. "Did you need something?"

  "No," Marcos said coldly and I kept thinking I'd heard his tone of voice somewhere but was broke out of my thoughts when Ian wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me onto the dance floor setting me on his feet as we slowly started dancing.

  "Are you okay, Layla?" he asked softly.

  "Fine," I mumbled. "That man is scary."

  "I didn't think he would go anywhere near you tonight," Ian grumbled.

  "Who is he exactly?" I asked resting my head on his chest.

  "He's Vanessa's step-brother who Vanessa's father and Princess Talia have been trying to get Nessa to marry him for years," Ian grumbled and I tilted my head back. 

 "That why Nessa stays around you or one of the other princes most of the time," I said.

  "Yes," Ian laughed. "He creeps Nessa out and he doesn't exactly follow the law. He also wants the crown and marrying Nessa would give it to him since the rightful heir is missing."

  "Rightful heir?" I asked confused.

   "I'll explain it to you later," Ian mumbled resting his chin on top of my head. "You seem distracted tonight, is everything alright?"

  "I'm fine," I mumbled into his chest. "Just something my dad said earlier and the way the boys have been acting just as me on edge."

 "You can tell me," he said and I sighed stepping away from him.

  "I'm fine Ian. I think I'm done for tonight so I'll see you tomorrow," I said rushing out of the ballroom and made my way quickly to Ian room and changing into some sleep shorts and a big t-shirt before climbing onto the bed and burying myself under the blankets.

*Ian*

  After Layla left the ballroom I went to follow her but got stopped by Diana and spent the next two hours with her clinging to my arm and when I finally lost her I ran to my rooms hoping Layla was there and I let out a sigh of relief when I saw her asleep on the bed hugging my pillow.

  "You can tell me what's bothering you," I whispered gently push the hair off her face before I changed into some track pants and a t-shirt and climbing in bed and cuddling into Layla breathing in her scent of strawberries and apples as I fell asleep.