65
~Oliver~
Rose’s eyes followed after Layla as Fred was talking to her excitedly, telling her how much he had missed her. Her eyebrows furrowed as she bowed her head, excusing herself from him, his small smile faltering as he nodded and waved at her, rubbing at his neck nervously. “Something wrong, Fred?”
He glanced at me as he laughed nervously. “Not really. Just Rose felt like something was gonna happen with Layla and wanted to make sure she was okay.”
I blinked as I saw that George was nowhere to be seen. “Jensen.” I grabbed his arm, disgust filling up inside my stomach. Everyone looked at me, as I looked at him. “What did you tell George?”
“It’s a secret.” Jensen put his finger on his puckered lips as a disgusted chill ran down my spine.
“Tell me. I don’t know what’s going on, but I want to help.” Jensen eyed me suspiciously as his lips straightened out.
“Um, you were Oliver, right?” Caity spoke up slowly, making her way towards me. “Um, the short haired blonde went on the porch, and the other red-headed twin followed after her after Jensen shoved him towards her.”
I recalled George’s shocked and slightly disgusted facial expression when he had seen Layla’s new haircut. The way he spoke to her had completely changed, the way he looked at her… “Bloody hell.” I pushed Jensen out of the way, as I heard him fall. “I’m sorry.” I ran down the stairs, skipping a stair with each leap, jumping off of the stairs quickly. “Bloody hell, bloody hell!” I shouted as I booked it towards the front door, only to hear the muffled sound of crying.
George stood near Layla, his fists clenched as she cried in her hands, Rose rubbing her shoulders. “What the hell is wrong with you?!” Rose shouted angrily, as I saw Layla holding onto Rose’s arms. Layla’s eyes were puffy as my chest clenched. Rose’s eyes were glazed over as George held his hands up in defence. “Just because my Layla cut her bloody hair, you don’t want to be with her anymore!?”
“That’s not what I said, Rose and you know it!” He shouted as Rose’s fists were clenched. “I just don’t feel the same about her anymore!”
“Yeah and you felt just fine when you walked in, before you saw she had cut her hair, so obviously it was the hair!”
“Rose, please stop.” Layla’s voice was quiet, and pleading, but that fueled Rose even more. I stood in the door way, as Layla held Rose’s arms even tighter.
“Over my dead body will I let you leave here unscathed!” Rose shouted, her cheeks bright red with anger. She went to lunge at him as he took a step back, Rose’s hands being held tightly by Layla’s. Fred came down behind me as he blinked.
“What happened?” His voice was quiet, unheard by the 3 on the front porch.
“You think you can do any bloody thing?” George shouted, his face starting to get red. “You’re just a fat stupid little wench, and you think you can do anything to me?”
Rose’s face never changed a beat, but before I knew it, I had stepped out the opened front door, striding towards him. My fist collided hard with his throat, only to swing again at his chest, knocking him back on the ground. My teeth clenched as my chest tightened, narrowing my eyes at him even more. His shocked brown eyes were wide when he looked over at me, his breathing labored and strained, coughing slightly. “You wanna say shit about them again?” I spoke calmly, sneering down at him. “Come near my little sister Layla again, it won’t just end with a couple of punches.” I turned to look at Layla who was rubbing at her eyes. “If you do that, they’ll become swollen.” I grabbed at her hands as she sobbed softly, Rose rubbing her back a little more. “Let’s take her home.” I saw Malfoy and his little sister in the doorway, Fred now by George’s side. “Can we borrow your phone, so I can call for a ride?”
“Not a problem, I already called Goyle’s house. Her mother is on the way.”
“Thank you Malfoy.” Glancing at Layla, I nodded slowly. “May I?” She blinked and nodded, as I picked Layla up, holding her close as Rose followed behind. “Can I get a cool rag, Malfoy?”
“Yeah.” He walked away, Caity watching us cautiously.
“Don’t worry.” Layla forced a smile on her face, as I set her on the couch, brushing her bangs out of her face. Rose immediately sat down next to her, petting her head softly. “I’ll be okay.” She smiled at Caity, who nodded a little awkwardly. Jensen threw himself at Layla, rubbing his cheek against her’s.
“My poor Layla.”
“She’s my Layla.” Rose snapped out as she leaned over Layla, pushing at Jensen. “Get your fat butt off of her!”
“Layla is her own person.” I spoke out as I nodded my head in thanks to Malfoy who handed me the wet cool rag. Patting it at her eyes slowly, she whined. “It’ll help to make sure the swelling goes down.”
“Oliver.” I glanced at the door as Fred stood there. “I’m sorry about my brother. We’re gonna head home now.” Nodding slowly in recognition, Fred smiled sadly. “And Layla, I’m sorry.” He bowed his head before leaving.
“It’s not his fault…” Layla mumbled as I took the cool rag to her nose. “Hey, I can do it myself!” She snatched the rag from me as I smiled. “What?”
“There’s the normal Layla.” I said calmly. “You’re definitely so much better when you’re smiling.”
“Isn’t that right?” Jensen smiled and hugged her close, burying his face in her nose.
“Stop touching her so carelessly, womanizer!” Caity pulled on Jensen, trying to pull him off.
She smiled softly as Jensen grabbed her wrist, pulling her forward and across the three of their laps as Rose hugged on Layla. “Thank you guys.” Malfoy stood nearby a little more awkwardly as she glanced at him, nodding slowly. “Thank you, Mal… Draco.” His cheeks brightened as he nodded, heading up the stairs quickly.
