Heart Trouble (EDITING)

It Happens To All Of Us.

~ Layla's POV ~

“I'm sorry.” Quin mumbled weakly.

“It's okay.” I quickly replied even as the lingering disappointment tugged my mind.

“So you are not going back right?”

“It's for Ryder. I'm still mad by the way.”

“I know... But! As an apology, Hale is accompanying you to ballet and back!” Quin chirped with a new found spirit.

Hale looked wide-eyed. “How did I get involved in this?”

“Off you two go! Good luck little birdie!” She shoved us out the door and before she slammed it close, I swore I spotted her wink.

Hale massaged his temples and blew out a breath. “I have no idea where to go so you will lead.”

I nodded and walked out the building with him following my tail. My heart squirmed against my chest knowing that he was looking at my back.

“Wait.” Hale commanded.

I gaped as his hand moved toward mine and took it into his hand. I was not ready for this sort of development. I gulped.

As he dragged me through the streets of London, sweat accumulated in the lines of my palms. Please don't notice. Please don't notice.

Staring in a daze at the back of his head, the forest of black enticed me to ruffle it and release it from it's perfection. It bounced up and down with each step its owner took. It shone in the morning light of the sun.

“Do you want coffee?” He asked without looking at me.

“Sure.” I replied with my mind not exactly awake.

With that, we stopped by at a cafe nearby and ordered two steaming cups of liquid goodness and a bagel. I waited for Hale to pay but he had turned into a fumbling state during the couple seconds he used searching for his wallet. Even though I was not the one having trouble, I unwilling began to feel the sweat forming on my forehead.

“Did you find it?” I said at last after giving to  the pressure of the glares of the people waiting in line. 

“No,” he replied with a frustrated sigh, “I think I left in the jeans I wore yesterday.”

Those “jeans” cost more than I could I afford on my monthly allowance. I sighed out my nose and began my search for my wallet in the jungle of my bag. Relief never had better timing when I found it beneath my leotard, makeup bag, scarf, pens, receipts, and candy wrappers.

I scoured out a ten dollar bill and handed it to the lady on the brink of exploding in anger. With a strong feeling I suspected she was only able to last that long because of the undeniably handsome man in front her and my companion who currently was penniless.

The drinks looked much more precious when they arrived into our hands. All the anguish and work we spent on getting them were paid back in full the second the hot temperature warmed our bodies as we walked through the chilly streets of London.

We stopped two blocks short from the dance studio because Hale's stomach started growling like a beast. I sipped my coffee as Hale put cream cheese on his bagel. I tried looking the other way but couldn't help but watch him struggle to getting the smear out of the small plastic container and on his bagel.

At one point the bread almost feel out of his hands and by then I giggled out loud.

“Here. Let me help.” I suggested, handing him my coffee cup.