You All Along

Chapter 41

SONGS FOR THIS CHAPTER

Clouds (One Direction)

Illusion (One Direction)

Where do broken hearts go (One Direction)

Spaces (One Direction)

Fireproof (One Direction)

Let Me Go (Haim)

Fall For You (Secondhand Serenade)

Layla’s P.O.V

I was not in the mood to talk to anyone really. Christmas is like 1 week away, and I certainly did not feel Christmassy. It had started snowing a long time ago here, and the only thing that keeps me breathing is the magnificent heater in my room. “Hey?” Adam asked as he sat down beside me on my bed. “We don’t have to go back for Christmas. I just spoke to your mom and mine. I told we have assignments to complete and we needed the equipment from here. Your mom wanted to speak to you later, okay?” he continued, and I nodded. He has been such a sweetheart ever since we started college and Jeff used him as a reason to cheat on me? Like how pathetic can he get? Jeff is my best friend who became my boyfriend and we have been together for quite some time. Sure, we shared some amazing memories together growing up. But using Adam as an excuse to cheat wasn’t one of them. Adam quietly sat beside me and played with my fingers as I silently debated if I should end things with Jeff or not. “Adam?” I called out. “Yeah?” he leaned forward and I leaned back to rest my head on his chest. He wrapped his arms around me waist, and pulled me closer. I took a deep breath before saying, “Do you think…do you think I should…break up..?” and the words hurt me as bad as it would hurt Jeff. Adam stayed quiet, still rubbing circles on the back of my palm. He sighed loudly and started speaking. “Layla, I know that you’ve been best friends with him for years, and you both have finally come together as a couple. Though I might not have a pleasant history with you, I still care about you, now. And what I’m saying might come out as a bit weird or sound like I’m trying to separate you both, but he cheated on you. And yes, he did call you the next morning and admitted it but that doesn’t alter the fact that he did something he should have done with you, with someone else. And if I were you, I’d break up because honestly, there isn’t an excuse for cheating on someone. Whether he was drunk or if Elsa had manipulated him, because he could have stopped it at any time he wanted, but he didn’t because even for that one second, you wasn’t on his mind when he made the mistake. If you were on his mind, I bet you he wouldn’t have continued. But this is just my say, you might have a completely different opinion about cheating and break up so the choice is entirely yours,” he finished and I nestled my head further into his chest. I could feel his heartbeat increasing and his chest rising and falling with every breath he took. “Okay,” I said, my eyes still closed.

After staying snuggled on Adam for a few more minutes I reach for my phone on the table beside me. I dialed his number, and waited for him to answer.

“Layla? I’m so sorry bab-“ he started not even letting me speak.

“Jeff. Stop. Listen, I don’t think we should continue this. No, we definitely shouldn’t. There can never be an explanation of you cheat on someone, because the choice to do or not, was completely yours, and I guess it’s over now,” I spoke, running my fingers through my messy hair.

“Adam told you to break up didn’t he?”

“JEFF! This isn’t about Adam. It’s about you cheating on me, and now you’re behaving as though the fault is entirely ours, and not yours. Cut the crap, Jeff!”

“Then how come, you aren’t denying that Adam didn’t tell you to break up,”

“Oh, so you’re turning the tables? Okay well, Jeff. Adam and I are now together. You can keep your ass of my business now,” I said and I felt Adam tense beneath me and I mouthed a sorry which he waved off.

“YOU’RE WHAT WITH WHOM? HOW COULD YOU TRUST HIM WHEN HE BULLIED YOU LAYLA? ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?”

“With the same trust that I had on you. You destroyed it, so it will be okay, to give the same trust on someone else, because right now, you don’t deserve any right on that,”

“I said, I’m sorry. Do you not understand?”

“Oh crap, Jeff! You cheat on me and say sorry like nothing ever happened. Here’s the deal, I sleep with Adam and tell you sorry? Would you like that?”

By now Adam was used to the body tensing and eyes widening when I mentioned something inappropriate with him. Jeff stayed silent, and to be honest, I felt a little guilty, but the fault is on him.

“Okay, I’ll leave you alone. But please come for Christmas, okay?” he said, and I scoffed.

“I’m celebrating Christmas with Adam here, in our room,” knowing very well that saying ‘our’ would kill him inside and I don’t care.

I hung up before he could reply and looked up at Adam. How strong I may appear, a drop of tear still managed to drop down on my cheek and Adam wiped it off. “It’s okay. You’ll be okay,” he said and wrapped his arms tighter around me. With that, I let all the accumulated tears stream down as Adam rocked us both.

                                                   

***

“We can get a smaller one, right? We don’t have much space in our room. Wait wait, do you want the white one or the green one? The blue one looks way too fake. We can decorate it ourselves instead of buying the already decorated one right,” he said, while we were looking through isles of Christmas trees.  “Yeah, I don’t like the blue ones. The white one is clear that its plastic. Why not stick with the classic green one?” I said, and adjusted my bag on my shoulders. He nodded and talked to a salesman nearby. Meanwhile I was looking at the huge shelf of Christmas decoration. “What is our theme?” he asked coming behind me. “Um, I don’t know. Can I choose?” I asked him, hoping he will let me. “Rock, Paper, Scissors okay?” and I groaned but finally agreed.

Adam : Rock

Layla : Scissors

Adam : Scissors

Layla: Rock

Adam :Paper

Layla: Paper

Adam: Rock

Layla: Scissors

“I WINN!!!” he cheered and I crossed my arms and pouted. “Hmmm, I choose, gold, and silver and purple,” he said and smirked at me. “Really??” I asked and he nodded. He pulled me into a hug and kissed my forehead and said, “Go on, choose the decorations,” he said and pushed me a little and with that I scurried and began filling the basket I brought with our theme decorations and Christmas lights.

 Are we done yet? NOPE WE ARE NOT! THIS BOOK IS COMING TO AN END SOON, SO TELL ME WHO DO YOU SHIP? ADYLA or JAYLA?? idk, lol. VOTE, COMMENT, SHARE BC ILY lol.