My Orphan

Chapter 14: Not What I Imagined

Layla's P.O.V. :

"Ash, honey, you're here. We've been waiting for you." Her mom was the first one to speak.

Ashley took my hand and led me inside.

"Mom, dad, meet my girlfriend, Layla."

Her mom stood up, so I stretched out my hand for her to shake, but she ignore it and pulled me for a hug instead. I was so shocked I couldn't say a word.

"Nice to meet you Layla. Welcome to the family." Her mom was so nice.

"Nice to meet you too." I awkwardly said. After that she broke the hug and stepped back.

"Hello young lady, I am Ashley's father. Welcome to our home." I noticed her dad stood next to her mom with his hand stretched out.

I shook his hand, saying thank you.

It wasn't turning out as awkward as I thought it would be. Her parents were nice to me, the food was great, everything was going well, until the dreaded question was asked.

"So Layla, tell us a bit about you're family." Mss. Taylor said.

I didn't know what to say. Do i tell them the truth? But what if they don't except me? What if they break us apart. i don't want to leave Ashley, i would be heartbroken. I don't want to go through that again.

I looked at Ash for help.

"Mom, dad, Layla doesn't like to talk about her family much, so can we move on to another topic, please?"

Her parents gave both of us a questioning look but then dropped the subject and decided to talk about school and other stuff, which I was very grateful for.

After that the evening went by quickly, our conversation went to a lot of different topics, but they never approached my family's topic the rest the night.

Now I was in the car with Ashley, after I thanked her parents and said goodbye.

"I'm sorry you had to keep the truth from your parents, it's just..." Knowing exactly what I was talking about, Ash cut me off.

"You're not ready, I know. Don't worry your pretty little head over this. I don't mind keeping it from them as long as you're happy."

"Thank you so much Ash. How did I deserve someone like you?"

"I ask myself the same thing about you, every day."

"What, why? What is so special about me?"

"Everything." That was her answer. I still don't understand. But she left it at that.

The rest of the ride back home was silent, but not awkward, with the music playing in the background, each of us lost in their own thoughts.

"Lili, we're here." I was woken up from my thoughts by a gentle hand on my cheek. I turn to the side to look at Ash.

I give her a kiss and we say our goodbyes before she drove back home.

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Sunday passed by really quick, I spent it with my family like I always do, we played some games and just chatted. And then I ended up talking with Ash all night. Our conversations never seem to end, yet I enjoy them more than anything. She just makes me happy.

But today was Monday, which means back to the nightmare that is school. Having Ashley with me is the only thing that makes me tolerate it a bit more.

Ash came to pick me up, like usual, and we drove to school in silence just enjoying the music that was playing. I was singing the lyrics in my head because I loved that  song. Or so I thought.

"Your voice is beautiful. I didn't know you could sing like that." Ash said, so i realised i was singing out loud.

"Cassie used to tell me the same thing, but i don't think my voice is that good."

"You have a pretty voice, I like it. Can you sing more, please?"

I looked at her and I knew she was saying the truth. But i was still a bit insecure about my voice, so I just shook my head.

"Oh come on, please, just one song." She was pouting, and she looked so cute. Everything she does makes me fall in love with her more. But I'm still not ready to tell her that.

"Maybe some day, but right now no." She looked at me with sad eyes, but agreed to what i said. She understood why I didn't want to sing, she always understands.

We arrived at school, and like every other day, everyone was looking at us, but no one approached me or tried anything with me. Not even Karla. And it's all thanks to Ash. She was the one that saved me from all the bullying, without her i would have probably dropped out of school by now.

The rest of the day was filled with classes and hanging out with Ashley, it passed pretty quick, and soon I was back home, with my family, so was Ash, and even though we see each other pretty much every day, we were always texting or talking on the phone, and i loved that.

The same thing happened the rest of the week, and Ash was persistent with wanting to hear me sing, but i didn't give it to her. I was way to scared to sing in front of anyone, even though i knew she had already heard my voice, and i knew she wouldn't judge me, but i just couldn't, ever since I lost my sister, i just couldn't sing. It reminds me too much about her. We used to always sing together, and it would hurt me so much singing without her.

This is what i told Ash Thursday, when she asked me why I didn't want to sing, and she wouldn't let me go unless I told her, so i had to. And anyway, I trust her with my life, so why would I lie to her, or even hide it from her.

Pretty soon it was Friday afternoon, and Ash and I decided to go out tomorrow on a date. But I have a bad feeling about it. I don't know why, or what it is, but my gut is telling me it's not going to be a normal day.

Unknown P.O.V.:

I'm sitting in my dark cell, just staring at the grey walls.

I didn't have any source of light in here, yet I could see. I got used to it all.

The dark, the horrid smells, the screams, the beatings, everything. It's all I have known for the past year, I think. I've lost track of time.

Being imprisoned is not a good feeling at all. And the worst is, i was not the only one here, they had kidnapped kids way younger than me, and they were so cruel to all of us. they treat us like slaves in here, I wish we could just all run away, get back to our families, I miss them, so much.

A bang on my cell door woke me up from my thoughts. It's my turn now.

"Get up, number 9, you got work to do. We don't have all day." And that's how my days went by.

I can't wait to get out of here and back to my family. I need to find her. I need to get back to her.