Chapter Thirty-Three
Layla
My sister thrusts a note into my palm during the switch between Sixth and Seventh periods. I stare at the paper as if it’s offending me. “What’s this?”
“I don’t know. I was just told to deliver it.”
Students pass us on both sides of the busy hallway. Some seem to glance our way but mostly they just keep walking. I glare at her. “Who told you to give this to me?”
She is closed-lipped on the matter and shoulders into me as she pushes down the hall. I sigh and head to my class and unfold the note. It takes me a full fifteen minutes to read the words. When I finally figure it out I’m beyond mad at him. He was in the hall with Selena. He was flirting with Selena. He freaking kissed her.
Thinking about his lips pressed to hers makes me nauseated. I shouldn’t even care. It’s just Tyler. So what if his facial stubble is a little sexier than I thought it was before. Who cares if I like his deep rumbling chuckle. Big deal if I really like his help with my math problems. He’s still Tyler Richardson. The same guy who poured orange juice under my chair to make it look like I peed my pants in the fourth grade. The same guy who taunted me throughout elementary school and most of junior high. The same guy who gave Adam a ton of shit for dating me from day one. He’s an ass.
There’s no other word for it. What kind of guy says, “Hey, we need to talk,” to a girl after kissing another one earlier that day? A true jackass, is who. Of course, if he’s a jackass so am I, because what kind of ding gets worked up over someone who’s been mean to her most of her life? An idiot, that’s who.
“Layla?”
I look over and notice Rachel sitting beside me. “Hey,” she says. “Are you okay?”
I nod even though I don’t feel fine at all. I also just realize our teacher, Mr. Vander, isn’t here today. We have some old lady who’s wearing what looks to be someone’s curtains as a jacket and rug as her pants. She also doesn’t seem to give one rat’s butt if we’re not sitting in our seats or learning anything. The TV in the corner that broadcasts our daily school announcements is currently on a local channel. On the TV is some soap opera I’ve caught my mom watching when I was home sick a few times last year.
I sneer at the TV as a couple fake-passionately kiss and another man walks into the room and yells at them. The woman turns and pretends to be shocked by being caught. The two men act like they’re going to throw down over this woman.
Rachel snaps her fingers in front of my face. “Layla, come on, it’s me. I can see you’re upset. What’s wrong? Please talk to me.”
“I think I’m insane.” I must be. I’m snarling at a fake relationship on TV. I’m upset that a guy who basically has been the bane of my existence since the beginning of time is possibly in love with a girl trying to ruin my life. Yes. I’m officially insane.
She shakes her head. “No, you aren’t. Why would you think that?”
I shouldn’t be talking to her, for starters, but it feels good. I missed talking to her. “I think I like two people. One of them I’ve never met. The other, well, he’s taken by someone who just wants him to boost her popularity status.”
“Okay. Well, how about you start from the beginning with the one you’ve never met and work your way to the other.”
Before I even realize it, I’m telling her everything. From the texts between “R” and I and down to Tyler popping into my life. And me liking him there instead of hating it like I should. By the time I’m all finished, Rachel and I stare at each other.
“Layla, I really want to give you a hug right now, but I feel like you haven’t totally forgiven me yet.”
I nod as tears stream down my face.
“I get it. My advice about the two boys, I think you should hear Tyler out. Then you need to text this other person and meet him. If it’s real, you’ll know. If what you feel with Tyler is stronger, then you’ll know who to fight for. You know?”
“You don’t think it’s silly?” I ask.
“What?”
“Falling for someone you’ve never met and getting emotional over a guy like Tyler?”
She shakes her head. “I think things happen for a reason.”
“So, what are you going to do?” she asks.
“I don’t know. I’m worried if I open up to either, I’ll lose both. Or worse, what if they both want to give this a try? What do I do then?”
“You’re not marrying them. You’re not even dating them. Just go hang out with Tyler one day and mystery man on another. Find out who you like more.”
I chew on my lower lip. “I guess.”
“Layla, you need to quit worrying so much. Just relax and have fun, live in the moment.”
That’s her lifestyle motto. Maybe that motto is to blame for her crappy decisions, which lead to her hooking up with my ex. I frown at the thought.
“Stop, Layla. I told you a million and one times, I’m sorry. I can’t take that night back, but if I could you know I would.”
“I know. It just stings still, you know? I see now what a real jackass he is, but he also was my first long term boyfriend. He had his sweet moments. We made some good memories. But his betrayal and how he treated me, how he continues to treat me, really hurts. I know I didn’t give him my V-card. He shouldn’t be a total tool to me. He shouldn’t have cheated on me. He should have done the right thing and broke up with me if his sexual needs were so overwhelming. You know?”
“I do. I’m sorry I hurt you too. Really.”
I sniffle a little but manage to smile at her.
As I’m walking outside with Rachel, Tyler pushes off his Jeep and stalks over toward us. “Layla, you got a second?”
Rachel nudges me and I sigh. “I’ll wait for you, okay?” she says, then she yells, “Jenna, wait up!”
She runs after Jenna, our head cheerleader. Tyler smiles at me and I look down at the ground. “Hey.” His fingers skim the bottom of my chin and he tilts my head so I can see him.
“What do you want?” I sound defeated which I truly hate. But damn those blue eyes boring into my soul.
“What you saw in the hall, it was—”
I cut him off. “I don’t care. Do what you want, Tyler. We’re just … I don’t know what we are other than acquaintances, because we’re not friends. We’re not dating. Heck, a few weeks ago I disliked everything about you. No worries. I gotta get to practice. You don’t have to wait for me, I’ve got a ride and, um … you don’t have to come over to my house after.” My heart squeezes as I push out every word. Keeping him at a distance for now is the best solution.
His eyes narrow a bit. “Yeah. Okay. Glad that’s all straight. Later.” He pivots and marches off to his Jeep.
My entire body aches all over. It’s for the best though. Selena will leave Juliet alone, which means Juliet won’t be mad at me anymore. I won’t be confused about liking two boys. And we can just move on like nothing ever happened.