Come Running [Season 1 Completed]

Chapter 18

"I'm leaving." Chloe picked her purse and stormed out.
"I'll talk to her." Jayla uttered as she rushed after her.
She caught up with Chloe right in front of the elevator.
"Chloe! Chloe!! Wait up."
"I don't want to talk."
"Fine. I'll do the talking. Chloe... sweetheart, look at me. Hey, it isn't a real competition. It's ok if Carrie doesn't want to pick sides. I don't even want her to."
"It's not that Jayla. Can't you two see? Those people are dangerous. You shouldn't be associating with people like them."
"Chloe, you don't know them besides what you've heard from others back in high school or from gossip magazines."
"And you do?"
"I know I haven't known them for long but I feel their good people."
"You're gonna base all of this on mere feelings?"
"I've prayed about it and the Holy Spirit didn't wave any red flags."
The elevator stopped. Chloe sighed.
"You don't understand."
"Then explain Chloe."
"He raped a good friend of mine okay!? And Kevin covered up for him. I'll never get over that even if he turned into a priest today. I'm repulsed by their very existence."
Jayla's blood almost immediately run cold as she stood rooted to her spot. Chloe made her way to the Convertible.

After standing there for close to 20minutes completely horrified. Kaiden and Carrie met up with her at the entrance.
"You okay?" Kaiden asked
Worry was written all over Carrie's face.
Jayla attempted to walk away. Kaiden noticed her gloominess and grabbed her arm
"Hey. What's wrong?" He stopped her.
She avoided eye contact and just walked to her car. She steered the Convertible off the Kingston premises. Carrie rode shotgun.

*. *. *.
Kaiden stood completely at sea. Why did Jayla switch moods so suddenly? She won't even look at him.
Did Chloe manage to cajole her? He realized from the very moment Chloe stepped foot into his apartment, that he wasn't in her good books.
Jayla had become the closest thing he's had to a true friend, after Kevin of course, since Whitney died.
He silently breathed a prayer to God. He didn't plan on ruining his friendship with Jayla now.

**********
The next Sunday was as blissful as always. Bryson had become a close friend of the girls. They spent most Sunday afternoons together with the youth group delving deeper into God's Word and evangelizing.

Evangelism had become a core element in her life and in the lives of her inner circle and Jayla was grateful to God for surrounding her with people that have the equivalent thirst and hunger for God's righteousness- it only builds her faith.

*.          *.         *.          *.          *.           *.          *.      
Monday morning, as usual, was bustling with activities. Jayla clad knee length dungarees over a white tee.

She hadn't spoken to Chloe since the revelation last night. She was trying hard not to believe that Kaiden could do such a thing, but why would Chloe lie?
'Ugh. Today's ride will be so awkward.' She mused.

The drive was hushed till Jayla steered the Convertible into the students parking lot. Chloe spoke up.
" Jayla, I'm only looking out for you. You're a sister to me and I'll give anything to see you happy but Kaiden's not the one." Chloe got out and they walked to class.

She tried her best to stick to Chloe's advice and avoided eye contact with Kaiden throughout all their lectures.

Immediately the Anatomy Professor exited the class, Jayla packed her stuff and hurried out. She knew Kaiden would ask questions and honestly, she didn't have the answers. She still didn't know what to think.

Chloe stayed back at the library to finish up some research. Carrie would go pick her up later.
On her way out she received a message. It was from Kaiden.

K; We need to talk
J; What about?
K; You're looking for answers that only I can give.
J; .......
K; My place at 7

As she approached the parking lot, she looked up from her phone and she was dismayed.
Clutching a bat, Britney smashed her Convertible.

"Crazy or not, Cruella's so gonna get it from me!"