𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓 ( 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 )

𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓

EMBERLY JUMPED TO HER FEET IN THE STANDS, cheering enthusiastically as she witnessed Spencer make a touchdown. Layla, Olivia, and Evelyn were right beside her, all rooting for the Eagles in their match against the opposing team. Spencer stood up from the ground, taking his helmet off and looking in her direction. She sent him a wave, shaking her side to side.

Layla watched the exchange between the two before looking to Emberly. "What's that about?" She asked.

"Our friend Coop was suppose to be here. But she didn't show." Emberly answered.

Spencer had recently talked to her about Coop's behavior and that she seemed to be distant more nowadays. The reason behind that was because she was hanging out with Shawn. From what Spencer told her Shawn was not a good influence which made him concerned about Coop.

"Oh. Well that's too bad she missed it. He looks good today." Layla says nudging Emberly.

"Don't." Emberly voice is serious as she looks at Layla. She was not in the mood to recived any "help" from Layla. She appreciated it but no thank you.

"What?" Layla asks as if she did nothing. She was only trying to help her friend out.

"The last time we tried to play matchmaker, she ended up in a hot tub with Olivia's almost brother." Evelyn tells her. 

"He's not Olivia's brother though." Layla states.

"You and I both know that you trying to set me up with Spencer is more about you than it is me." Emberly replies and Layla didn't speak.

Layla kept insisting, "I don't like Spencer, I have Asher," but Emberly remained unconvinced. It was obvious to anyone that Layla had feelings for Spencer and it was likely that Spencer felt the same about her. Emberly was confused as to how Asher hadn't noticed it yet. Maybe he had and was playing ignorant about it.

"Hey, Princess." Layla's dad says as he approached the four girls. JP Keating, a big time producer. It was a rare sight to see him since he was out of town all the time year long. 

"Hey, dad. You made it." Layla stands up giving her Dad a hug. The father and daughter exchange a few words before they pulled back from their hug and JP looked over at her three other friends.

"Hey." JP spoke to the girls.

"Hi." The three said in unison.

"How you doing?" A woman standing beside JP asked.

"Hi. How's it going?" Layla said as she gave the woman a hug. "This is Olivi- " Layla started to introduce but stopped when she saw the woman taking a seat between her dad and her. "Oh! You're gonna sit here. Cool."

Emberly found it amusing as she observed the interaction, a smile hidden behind her lips. Layla had never been fond of those women, and Emberly could empathize with her completely. It was difficult to open up to someone new after losing a parent. It would take some time before Layla could truly feel at ease with this new person in her life.

"It's the publicist. I got to take this." JP says standing up walking away. "I'm gonna- I'm gonna go, too." The woman said following behind JP.

"How long is in town?" Olivia asks.

"The usual a couple days. He's in town promoting China's new album." Layla says.

"You don't like her?" Emberly asks taking notice of Layla's behavior.  "No. It's She's- she's fine." Layla replies.

"You almost choked on that 'fine'." Evelyn points out.

"I don't know. It's weird. She's not even his type. She's nothing like.." Layla pauses trailing her sentence off at the end. "Your mom?" Emberly questions finishing her words for her.