Youtube University

Alone Once Again

Layla stepped out of the car and held onto the car door, standing on her tiptoes to see through the foliage at the buildings in front of her. The wind blew her auburn brown hair back, allowing her to see her friend Caiden exit from the driver's side of the vehicle and glance at her. He shut the door and moved to the back seat to grab Layla's luggage, while she continued to examine the buildings and the few people exploring the campus.

She finally shut the door she was holding onto and turned to face her friend, gripping the strap of her book bag in one hand. She smiled softly at him, attempting to soften the sadness of the movement. Caiden forced a smile in return, though neither of them felt very happy. He handed Layla her suitcase, and she gripped the handle with her free hand. After an excruciatingly silent minute, Caiden pulled Layla in for one of his rare hugs.

"See you in 8 months," he said quietly, the statement muffled by Layla's jacket.

Layla pulled away after a moment, smiling weakly at him. "It won't be that bad. We'll keep in contact." She knew Caiden wasn't looking forward to living the next 8 months by himself in their shared apartment. He didn't really agree with her leaving for two reasons; he doesn't like being alone - which works well for them, because she doesn't either - and because he doesn't really understand YouTube or her attachment to it. "Good luck with your nursing. Text me when you get home?"

Caiden pouted for a moment, then smiled gently and gave her a small nod. "I know, I know," he said with a small eye roll and a lopsided smirk. "I will. Thanks."

Layla nodded, and the two stood in comfortable silence, not yet ready to leave each other. Layla grabbed her suitcase with one hand and the strap of her bookbag with the other, and took a deep inhale of breath, as if gathering courage, before starting down the sidewalk toward the main building. Layla chuckled when she heard Caiden shout, "Good luck!" and turned to wave goodbye as he started the car and began the drive back to Los Angeles.

Layla lifted her shoulders, not used to the wind being this cold. She turned and continued a little quicker to the building, sighing in relief when the warm air washed over her. Layla observed the room people were lounging in before dragging her suitcase over to the desk and smiling softly at the lady sat there. She spoke softly to her for a moment, then received a red folder with a few papers inside, and a card with a number on it. Layla smiled and turned away, focused on her bookbag while she attempted to put the folder inside without tripping or dropping anything.

"Layla Owna?" a voice spoke, sounding shocked and unsure.

"Wow. I didn't think I'd be recognized this early," she joked, chuckling softly at herself. She finally got the folder in her bag and looked up for the person the voice belonged to. In front of her was a girl about her height, with white-blonde shoulder-length curly hair, and hazel eyes surrounded by winged eyeliner. Layla was in the same state as her friend just moments ago. "Everleigh Emerson?!" she asked, saying the name slowly in an attempt to sound serious, but the hint of curiosity overlayed that. "My god, it's been forever!" Ever and Layla smiled wide and leaned forward to hug each other.

Ever pulled away from the hug and looked her old friend over. "I know! Senior year. We were so young," she spoke in a fake-sad voice, putting a hand over her heart as if the thought made her sad.

Layla wiped away an invisible tear and frowned to hold back a laugh. "Yeah. Look at you now!" Ever hit her lightly on the arm, and the two erupted into laughter, the act fading away for the moment.

"You sure haven't changed," Ever remarked, the joking tone less present in her voice.

"Thanks, I know. Still amazing as ever, right?" Layla joked, flipping her hair back in an exaggerated motion. "Don't worry, I'm sure you're still just as awesome as I remember you."