My Orphan

Chapter 11: I Love You

Layla's P.O.V. :

I can't believe I will meet Ash's parents tomorrow. I want to make a good impression in front of them because if they don't like me, I'm afraid I will loose Ashley. And that's the last thing I need in my life. She was the only one that had the power to save me from the darkness that surrounded me for years now.

But I'm scared of meeting them in case they will start to ask questions about my life and my parents. What would they think if they knew I was an orphan, would they hate me? And more importantly, would Ash hate me?

All these thoughts were interrupted when I felt arms wrap around my waist and I jumped slightly from the sudden contact.

I turned around to see the only girl that's been occupying my mind since I first met her. Ash gave me a hug and I buried my face in her somewhat red hair while she kissed my cheek.

"Hey beautiful." She greeted after we pulled apart. "Are you excited for tomorrow?"

"Yeah, kind of." I replied while playing with the tips of my black hair. It was a habit of mine whenever I felt uneasy.

"You're nervous." It was more of a statement then a question.

I nodded. "A little, I'm just scared they would hate me?"

"Why would they? You're just perfect." A huge smile was on her face and her beautiful green eyes showed nothing but sincerity.

"I'm so far from perfect Ash." I look down not wanting to meet her eyes.

She held my chin gently, and made me look into her eyes.

"Baby, you're everything to me, don't forget that, you're beautiful, smart, and flawless. you're just... perfect, there's no other word." Her words made me want to cry so badly, but I didn't want to cry, not here, not in school. So instead I leaned in and kissed her soft lips that I crave to taste everyday.

We were interrupted by the bell that signaled the beginning of the first hour. we pulled apart, and headed to class quickly so we wouldn't get in trouble.

The whole first four periods passed by with me zoning out, thinking about a way to tell Ashley about my life. She deserves to know before I go to meet her parents. It's not going to be easy to tell her, but I feel like I have to. Plus we've been together for a month now so I think I owe it to her.

My thoughts were interrupted by the bell signaling the start of lunch break. Ash immediately took my hand and we made our way to our tree together.

We sat down in a comfortable silence at first, but then I finally had the courage to say what's been on my mind since she asked me to meet her parents.

"Ash, I-I need to tell something." My voice was so hesitant. I'm so scared she's going to leave me.

"By the tone of your voice, I'm guessing it's serious?" I just nodded at her words, trying to find a way to tell her. "You know you can tell me anything. I would never judge you." She said that with a soft voice that made me calm down.

"You know how you always ask me about my life and everything that I've been through?" She carefully nodded, knowing where this was going. "I think I'm ready to tell you."

"You don't have to if you don't want to, I'm okay waiting for you as long as you need."

"No it's okay, I feel like I need to tell you this, it's like I owe it to you, for everything you did for me."

"You don't owe me anything, I did all this just because I wanted to. I didn't want anything in return. I just want to see you smile." And at that I smiled widely. Her words boosted my confidence.

"I still want you to know everything, because I feel like I can really trust you. Like I'm not afraid to be myself with you." She nodded for me to continue, with a big smile on her face.

"So please when I tell you this, promise... Promise that you will never leave me, I don't think I can handle anyone else leaving my life." The last part I said it quietly, hoping she would not hear, but I think she did.

"Oh baby, I promise I would never leave you, you are everything to me. Whatever you want to say to me, won't make me leave you. I love you too much too much to ever think that."

I froze when I heard what she said. She loves me? Oh my god. How could she love me? I'm too broken to be loved.

But do I love her? That's a question that I've been thinking about for a while. I think I do, but I'm still not ready to say it. Because I'm scared she would leave me after she knows the truth about me.

It took her a second to figure out what she said to make me shocked, and as soon as she realized, her eyes grew wide.

"I didn't mean to say it. But-but I really meant it. I do love you Lili. And you don't need to say it back, like I said, I'll wait for you as long as you need to." I was relieved she said that. But I wanted to show her how much I care for her, so I took her face in my hands and kissed her lips gently but putting all of my emotions into this kiss, and I think she did the same.

We were interrupted by the bell signaling the end of lunch. Oh no, I didn't have the time to tell her anything.

I think she knew what I was thinking about, so she came and hugged me.

"It's okay, you can still tell me after school, okay. Don't worry I will always be here. I love you." I kissed her one last time and got up to go to class.

I wish I could say it back to her, I wish I was not such a caward. But so many people have left me in my life that I'm too scared she would too.