HER LAST WISH �️

�(Moremi)

She had three wishes;

�️Being free of the hate charged towards her by standing up for herself.

�️Getting to kiss the hottest guy in school whom almost every girl had a crush on.

And her last wish☄️

�️Dating him,the hottest guy in school just like every other girl wanted but what happens when her last wish took a twist.

Of course she isn’t someone to have three wishes in which two of them centers around a ‘guy’ but as they say ‘there’s a reason behind every action’

Layla Moremi Williams is an African American who resides in Las Vegas, her father Michael Ajagun Williams is African,a Nigerian to be precise. While her mother Celine Marton Williams is an American.

Obvious to this fact,she was mocked by almost everyone who knew of it,she was always taunted and avoided in school for having a black father.

The mockery got so deep into her that it left her weak and timid.

“What happened?” Was the question on everyone’s lips when the weak-hearted Layla suddenly turned fierce and dauntless,ready to crush bones and rip hairs.

There’s more to the new Layla than everyone knows.

The reason behind those wishes is more than the eyes could even tell.

This is not just about her last wish,it is much moreeeeeee�

Story setting: Nigeria/Las Vegas.

This will be the first African American novel i’ve written and even though a night with him almost sucked out all my juices�, i made sure to put in great effort in this novel to make it worthy of reading.

Trust my novels to always have lessons to learn at the end and this won’t be an exception.

And i know some of us are already excited to be having an African setting�

Let’s go on this journey guys,let’s explore� �

Are you as ready as i am?��

Yes!!!!!!!!

HER LAST WISH�️

�(Moremi)

❄️Chapter 1

Zeemah Writes �
�_____

“Snip-snip”…. Goes the sound of the scissors.

Layla’s hair fall to the floor chunk by chunk.

Her eyes were glued to the mirror,focused on her hair that’s been cut off by herself.

~Yeah,i got tired of my long hair.

~I think short hair is the trend now.

~I just want to know how short hair feels like for a while.

~It’s gonna grow back soon.

Those are the words she’s gonna say to the people who asks right?

Who’s even going to?

Does anyone even care about her?

They are going to mock her instead,but she doesn’t care anymore.

Gone are those days she cries whenever she was been mocked.

Gone are the days she hides by her desk to avoid been seen and taunted.

And gone are the days…

“Layla! What are you doing” She heard her aunt’s shrill voice.

“Cutting off my hair” She replied drily, knowing Philia,her late mother’s younger sister doesn’t even care what she does to herself.

Philia hates her like she hated her father.

And if it hadn’t been for the death of her mother and brother, Philia would never have taken her in.

Philia hated her like everyone else just because her father is black.

“Why are you cutting it?” Phila asked as she walked closer to Layla.

“Do you even care?” Layla asked slowly.

“Of course i do, i won’t allow you scare my customers away with your looks, you are ugly enough..and now cutting your hair.. Darn it! you should just say you’re tired of helping me in my coffee shop!” Philia said,with a raised voice, she actually wished Layla was indeed ugly.

Who would even believe Layla was the daughter of that ugly black man! Of course Layla had taken after her mother in looks,no one would ever know she has a black father until they are told.

Her fair skin,flawless even more than those whose both parents were whites, she was born with hazel eyes which were rare and her lips,pink and plump,her nose isn’t left out in the perfectness of her looks and her brown-golden hair that was long enough to her back was now being reduced to a bob which still stood fine on her head,it changed her look a bit.

Her height is perfect for her age and she only took after her father in body shape, she isn’t as skinny as most American teens, Layla has a great and admirable body and her b00bs were even bigger than Philia’s which always made Philia mad all the time.

“I’m not going to scare your customers away and I’m not tired of helping you in your cafe” Layla said, already used to Philia’s hurtful words.

“You wouldn’t even dare stop helping me in my cafe except you’re ready to go meet your father poor relations in Africa to fend for you!” Philia said.

“And why always speaking of Africa like it’s the worst place in the world! Why always speaking of my father like he’s less human, why do you hate me so much just because my father is black! You were on bad terms with my Mum till she died just because she married an African,a Nigerian. Philia,do you always have to be this way? You always claim most Africans are inhumane..If there’s anything..you’re the one acting inhumane here” Layla said,with a look Philia has never seen before.

She stood there, shocked at Layla’s outburst.

Layla has always been mute and even cry at times, whenever her father or his relations was spoken ill of.

“So great to see you’re finally acting like the black! you are!” Philia said,not sounding as shocked as she felt.

“Ohh..really? If that’s truly how blacks speak up,then I’m so proud to be one” Layla smiled,now trimming the Bob she had made for herself.

She ignored Philia’s stabbing glare.

“I musn’t get to the shop before you!” Philia yelled before slamming Layla’s door.

Layla laughed,it felt so surprisingly good to have spoken up for the first time and seeing Philia look so upset was so satisfying…she really made the right decision but she wondered sadly if she would ever have made the decision to stand up for herself if it hadn’t been for what happened yesterday.

She shrugged sadly, having promised herself never to think about it.

She carefully and slowly trimmed the uneven edges of the Bob, she knew Philia isn’t gonna get to the shop before her because one of the men who do shag her is waiting in her room and they do spend hours at it.

*
“Oh..well” Layla shook her head slowly, making her neatly cut Bob bounce.

She was a bit surprised to have done a good job, although she had always helped Bryan, her late younger brother trim his hair but she never thought she’d do so great at her own.

She rose to her feet and winced at the pain she felt in her leg.

“Gosh, that motherfvcker” She swore angrily.

A guy who had come to get coffee had spilled a cup of hot coffee on her leg and had left without even turning to look at her or apologize.

The hot coffee had bruised her skin and it hurts so much that she now limps.

“I’m so gonna kill him whenever i see him” She said as she packed the chunks of hair on the floor.

She hadn’t even seen his face,just his hair which was brown and then a scar at the back of his neck.

She lit the fireplace in her room and then started burning the chunks of hair.

��
She stood in front of her mirror after freshening up and getting into fresh wears.

Her short w€t hair clung to her cheeks and she felt a bit sad to have cut her hair.

She’s missing her long wavy hair already but then it’s for the better.

Of course she wouldn’t have reduced her hair to a bob for no reason but for now, things are better left unsaid and even unthought.

She dried her hair with the dryer and then comb through it.

Anyone would think a professional had helped her with her hair.

Perhaps,she should go for a hair course in the future..she thought and laughed.
☕☕
Layla limped-walked into Philia’s coffee shop and headed to the counter.

She said hi to Aria, Philia’s only worker before dropping her bag.

Aria gasped…”You’ve cut your hair”

Layla nodded.

“Why?” Aria asked, she’s one of the few people who remained nice to Layla even after knowing her father is black.

“I..just wanted it” Layla shrugged.

“Ohh..it looks nice on you by the way” Aria said and Layla said ‘thank you’ with a smile.

She washed her hands to start helping, when she saw Philia walk out of her small office.

Darn it.

No dinner for her tonight.

“Phil, I’m sorry..i was..”

“I warned you Layla” Philia said, cutting her short.

Layla nodded and Philia walked away, smiling at customers and touring her shop like she normally do.

Layla groaned, blaming the man for not fvcking Philia long enough or had Philia requested for a quickie?..

“Layla! Customers are waiting!!” Philia shouted and Layla set to work immediately.

⛅⛅
Her rumbling stomach woke her up the next morning.

She sat up on the bed and clutched her knees to her chest, staring at nothing in particular.

Her eyes were laced with tears,she missed her mum so much.

Her Mum would never have starved her to punish her.

Of course Philia hadn’t given her dinner yesternight.

And if she doesn’t get up quick enough to make breakfast before Philia wakes up,then there’ll be no breakfast for her before she leaves for school.

She threw her blanket roughly to a side like it was the cause of her problems and then carefully slid her feet into her footwear.

Her leg is still hurting,she hadn’t even applied anything to make it heal faster.

She walked to the kitchen and started making sandwich,she prepared her sandwich while the coffee was brewing.

And by the time she was done,the coffee was ready.

She doused it with cream and sugar, stirred it and then placed it in a tray beside her sandwich.

She quickly cleaned the kitchen and then picked up the tray and left to her room.

She sighed in relief when she got to her room safely without seeing Philia.

She gently dropped the tray on her bedside table and then grabbed a towel before heading into the bathroom.

Her heart do beat fast anytime she prepares for school because she knows she can’t escape being mocked through out a day but not anymore, she’s not going to allow that anymore.
~
She smiled as she stood under the shower, the tiny slash of water hitting her skin.

She had even wanted to stop going to school at some point but what kept her going was…

Dylan.

Her crush or rather,every female’s crush.

She always look forward to seeing him everyday, his handsome face had this way of making her heart flutter,she always wish he would just look at her with those striking eyes of his for once, sadly..he doesn’t even spare her a glance,it’s just like she doesn’t exist, even if they were not sitting too far from each other.

She wants him to notice her and she’s gonna make sure that happens today.

Of course he knows her, who doesn’t know Layla Moremi Williams, the only girl in Ocean high school who has a black father.

And almost everyone knew she had a crush on him and he knows too just like he knows other girls are crushing on him,yet he doesn’t glance her way.

Perhaps she’s the last girl he would ever consider having as a girlfriend.

Having as girlfriend?..Lol.

He wouldn’t even think of that, perhaps she’s the last girl he would ever consider glancing at.

And she has seen Dylan laugh severally whenever she’s being mocked, although he has never mocked her directly but she doesn’t even care if he laughs whenever she’s being mocked,she loves him and would do anything to make him look directly into her eyes,she would do anything to make him see she’s in love with him.

She isn’t gonna hide anymore, not when…

She sigh as she stepped out of the shower, she grabbed her pink towel,wrapped it around her body,removed the shower cap from her hair and walked back to her room.

She dried her body and started dressing up for school.

*✨
Her coffee was almost cold by the time she was done dressing up but she took it anyway.

She sat on her neatly spread bed, smartly dressed for school and started having her breakfast.

~�

She picked her backpack when she was done and walked out of her room with the tray in hand.

She dropped it in the kitchen sink and planned to sort it after she’s back from school.

She needs to get going now because she’s gonna be walking to school and she always like to cover a reasonable distance before time runs out.

Her school is damn far from the house.

Philia do give her transport fare of course but she saves the money and uses her legs instead.

And now…she now has a huge amount in her piggy bank.

She met Philia in the living room sorting dollar notes like she does every morning.

“Good morning Phil” Layla said.

“Morning Layla” Phil looked tired and Layla knew she was probably shagged all night.

Of course Phil isn’t doing it for money,she only enjoys doing it like she had told Layla.

“What?” Layla asked as Philia’s eyes scrutinized her.

“You look so ugly!” She scoffed before handing Layla some dollar notes.

“Thanks Phil” Layla said, ready to leave.

“Come” Phil stopped her and she turned to her.

“Have this” Phil handed her more dollar notes.

“You want me to get something for you?” Layla asked.

“No,just have it, use it to do whatever you want” Phil said and Layla stared at her, stunned.

“Take it and leave,your ugly face is scaring me” Philia groaned.

“Thank you so much Phil” Layla said,touched.

She took the money and then left for school after saying bye to Philia.

She thought about Phil’s sudden kind act as sh e ran to school, ignoring the sharp pain in her leg.

Zeemah

�����

Phew!

How was the start?�

Thanks for reading �

Interesting. A good way to start. Keep it up and I suggest that you mention my fellow ardent readers here

Following..... Please update soon

Following

❄️Chapter 2.

�_____

Layla walked into her classroom, panting.

She was glad class hasn’t started yet.

She headed to her seat and the students started their mockery as usual, laughing and pointing at her, whispering in one another’s ear.

She noticed it was quite much today and then realised it’s because she had reduced her hair to a Bob.

Did it made her ugly like Philia had said..

She hadn’t even looked at her reflection in the mirror before leaving for school.

Even at that, she knows she isn’t ugly! And even if she is,why should they mock her for it!

She was pissed as she sat on her seat and this time,she sat fully, raising her head high and her look shows she was daring any one of them to approach her and say mockery words to her face.

They looked a bit surprised to see her look this fearless, Layla had always placed her head on the desk crying as they mock her,she only raises her head whenever they’re having a class.

Layla’s gaze shifted to Dylan who was flirting with close to five girls at the same time.

She felt her heart ache, wishing he would at least flirt with her too.

He always light up her inside with merely staring at him.

He is one of the most good looking teen she has ever seen and if they were to rate his looks by ten, he’d score nine with no doubt.

His beautiful face looks like it was carved by a creative genius.

He has soft brown eyes that’d melt the strongest of ice,his eyelashes inky black and even longer and curlier than most girl’s, one’s breath would almost seize whenever Dylan winks.

He has exotic high cheekbones and a narrow straight nose that perfected his looks.

His shiny black curls, always swept to one side giving him a touch of a bad guy look.

He has friends that flocks around him and they are good looking too but not as good looking as he is.

A loud bang diverted Layla’s thought and gaze.

She saw Chloe standing in front of her with her three friends behind her, Chloe,the mastermind behind Layla’s mockery was considered the hottest girl in Ocean high school.

She had the looks and body, her brown hair had been dyed pink and she happily flaunts it,she has a proud nose that suits her ‘not-so-nice’ character and her lips..always in different colors of lipgloss,her face was always covered in this ‘bitchy make up’

Just like Dylan, Chloe was wanted by so many guys too, it was all over the school when she was dating Dylan but their relationship only lasted for two weeks.

Though they still kiss randomly during truth or dare game.

Chloe is the leader of the cheerleading team and she had refused to allow Layla join the team just because Layla’s father is black.

Layla is now on the swimming team and the others on the team even refuse to swim race with her, none of them wants to be in the water with her or even get in the water after she’s out..just because of Chloe’s slandering.

Everyone wants to be in Chloe’s good book.

“You’ve reduced your hair to Bob huh?” Chloe laughed.

She’s here to taunt her as usual and everyone watched eagerly like they always do.

Little do they know they’re in for a surprise this time.

Layla is done tolerating shit.

“You think it’ll make you look better huh?” Chloe asked.

“No..it only made you look uglier,you look worse than a scary witch ” Chloe snorted and there was laughter.

She was surprised Layla hadn’t placed her head on the desk to start crying.

“Okay..i reduced my hair to a Bob, so what? I look like a scary witch,and so? Why do you have to be so concerned about that?” Layla asked, looking Chloe in the eyes.

There was silence and everyone looked on in surprise.

This would be the first time Layla would speak back at Chloe fearlessly.

Chloe hid her surprise with a forced chuckle.

“Did you just..like, did you.. you? talked back at me? How dare you? You lowly African!” Chloe yelled.

Layla smiled. “You’re calling them lowly because they are blacks, c’mon that’s not fair”

Chloe’s breath has gotten uneven then, she was at loss for words.

She had planned to taunt Layla as usual and return to her seat, she hadn’t expected this come back.

“They are lowly! Your father is an ugly lowly Africa!” Chloe said, trying to gain more ground.

“I dare you to say that once more and i’ll rip your hair off your scalp” Layla yelled banging her desk as she rose to her feet.

Everyone was shocked and even Dylan turned to look at her this time but Layla was blinded with fury to see him.

Chloe shifted back in fear…

“Finally! You’re behaving like the monster Africans like you are. Violent set of people.” Chloe said,almost breathlessly as she fled to her seat with her friends.

“Really? You’re fleeing?” Layla laughed and Chloe felt so embarrassed.

She was known to be the school’s queen.

How dare this thing ridicule her.

“Don’t ever bring up my dad’s name with such disrespect again, he’s dead and you know it,yet you bring up his name as you wish and even refer to him like he’s some sort of trash, just because he’s African! Would you allow anyone do the same to your own father?” Layla asked.

“My father is white! Not some.. African!” Chloe said.

“You feel your father doesn’t deserve to be referred to as thrash but my own father does just because he’s a black?! Wow, you’re making it seem like it’s a crime to be black, this is terrible, why do you hate us so much” Layla sighed.

“Whatever!” Chloe rolled her eyes.

“And..if you keep bringing up my father with such disrespect, i’ll not hesitate to drag the hell out of your dad too, you have my words on that” Layla said.

“Wh..what did you just say?” Chloe asked.

“I said what i said Chloe” Layla said.

“How dare you speak to my father that way!” Chloe fumed where she stood with her friends.

“Ohh..you care about what others say to your dad but you don’t care about what you say to others Dad!..that’s pretty unbelievable of you” Layla raised her brows.

Chloe sighed, Layla is having the upper hand and it’s so embarrassing to her.

“Everyone knows your father married your Mum just to get papers!” Chloe said and Layla laughed.

“Just so you know, my parents love story is still the best I’ve ever heard. My Mum actually made my Dad marry her just so he can have the papers to stay behind, she doesn’t want him out of her sight not even for one hour…” Layla paused, a bit surprised to see almost everyone interested in the story.

“Huh..seems everyone is so interested in the love story of a black and white. I’m sorry i’ll have to stop there” She smiled.

“That doesn’t change the fact that he is African!” Chloe said.

“And, what is wrong with being an African?” Layla asked with all seriousness.

“Maybe if you tell me,i would at least understand why you hate them this much” She added.

Chloe went speechless for some time,she also couldn’t understand why she hates blacks and maybe she doesn’t hate blacks, maybe she hates Layla personally.

“I do not hate Africans, i hate you!” Chloe said bluntly.

“Why?” Layla asked.

Everyone waited for Chloe’s answer but none came.

“Okay..i get it that you hate me,do you have to extend it to my parents,my father in particular?” Layla asked.

“Because they gave birth to you! They fvcking gave birth to you. And to think a black! is in the same class that i am…damn!” Chloe growled.

Layla laughed..”I’m not even a full black,my Mum is American so i don’t think that’s enough reason to hate me. That’s just your excuse to,you obviously have other reasons but i don’t even care, just do not speak ill of my father or your father! would bear the brunt” Layla said.

“Do not mention my father with that black father of yours!” Chloe said through gritted teeth.

Layla laughed loud and hard.

“You should actually be glad i mentioned your father alongside mine.. My father, Michael Ajagun Williams..” Layla paused and if there had been a ‘Yoruba’ in the class,they would have laughed at the way she had pronounced ‘Ajagun’

“He is a three star general who fought across the thirty six states of Nigeria during World War II,he fought till his last breath and he died while protecting thousands of people” Layla said and her classmates exclaimed, looking touched by the story.

Chloe was touched also but she was too headstrong to show it.

“He’s not just any African, he’s a hero! The most selfless man I’ve ever known. None of you should dare bring up my father again and even if you do, please accord him some respect” Layla said and the whole class went silent.

Most of them already feeling bad to have treated Layla like thrash.

Chloe could see what was happening and she knew she had to speak up real fast.

“You all shouldn’t fall for her words! She’s telling lies!” Chloe said.

“Lies? Why would i do that? I didn’t say that for anyone to change their ways towards me,i didn’t say that to earn y’all pity nor anyone’s friendship. As a matter of fact,i don’t want anyone’s friendship. I said that to make you see how lucky your father is to be mentioned alongside mine” Layla smiled at Chloe.

“Your father fought across thirty six states in his poor country! That means nothing!” Chloe said.

“Yeah,it means nothing to you but it means a lot to the people he saved and they’ll forever be grateful to him” Layla said.

“And i think i should be blamed here because i gave you the chance to disrespect my father. Starting now..never speak ill of my father again,i won’t take it lightly..i promise you that. You hate me,then direct your hate to me, Do not extend it to my father. Don’t bring him up ever again!” Layla warned clearly.

“And that doesn’t go to Chloe alone but everyone in here, never disrespect my parents again. This is a warning!” Layla stated before sitting.

Her eyes landed on Dylan and surprisingly found his gaze on her,her stomach lit up immediately in excitement.

His gaze lingered before he finally looked away.

Dylan looks like he has finally noticed her and maybe he would start flirting with her too.

She almost grinned at the thought,her gaze was still fixed on him even after he had looked away.

Everyone was astounded Layla could turn that bold and fearless,they stared at her, different questions written all over their faces.

Chloe fumed on her seat, tapping her fingers on the desk repeatedly.

Her friends knew better than to say anything to her at the moment.

“What’s with the weird silence?” Miss Moore asked as she walked into the classroom.

She got no answer and then shrugged before proceeding to teach.

Walking into the cafeteria for lunch break, Layla had the same demeanor she had when she sat in class in the morning.

For the first time in years,she wasn’t mocked. She was only being stared at.

Realising it was this easy to have brought an end to the mockery that went on for years almost brought tears to her eyes.

She had allowed it go on and on,she had allowed it break her,it almost marred her and then with just few words and action..she was free.

She had thought it was going to take more than that,she never thought being free of the mockery and hatred only required standing up for herself.

If it hadn’t been for…what happened, would she have made the decision to stand up for herself or would she have even thought of it..?

She knew the answer and it sadden her.

Perhaps,she was being punished for not standing up for herself all these years.

Maybe God knew what happened would make her stand up for herself and then..

Stop Layla..she scolded herself.

She walked to the counter to get her lunch and then walked to a table with a tray of meal in hand.

She sat and expected the girls to stand up and move to another table like they’ve always done but she was surprised when they remained seated, eating their meal.

She was stunned for a while, knowing the students never ate with her,they do move to another table.

Except a girl who always sat with her.

Only the girl did not avoid her.

She eats with her all the time, though the girl is in a junior class.

Layla looked around and wondered where the girl was,she couldn’t find her.

“You should eat up,lunch break will be over soon” One of the girls said to Layla, stunning her yet again.

“Hu..h? Okay” She said and started eating.

Chloe saw what was happening and knew Layla is starting to win over the students heart.

“I can’t believe those girls sat with her!” Christy,one of Chloe’s friend said.

“What am i gonna do?” Chloe sighed worriedly.

Lunch break was over and everyone started moving to their classes.

“I think…your hair looks nice on you” Layla heard.

The voice sounds familiar but it can’t possibly be the person she’s thinking right?

No…or she’s going to faint.

She turned slowly, earnestly hoping he was the one.

It was Dylan.

He smiled at her before walking away.

She managed to stop herself from screaming but she couldn’t stop herself from dancing.

She broke into a dance, shaking each part of her body, humming incoherent rhythm to compliment her dance.

She cared less about the students who laughed at her funny steps.

She looked like the happiest person on Earth at the moment.

“No one told me Michael Jackson’s daughter attends this school..” One of the students said as they walked past her and the rest laughed.

“Wow, great dancing skills.. wouldn’t you like to showcase it to the class? Come with me” Miss Moore said and Layla stopped dancing.

“Miss Moore, no..i i”

“C’mon, great steps you have there, you’ll need to come show it to the class” Miss Moore smiled.

“No..i..i was only dancing because I’m excited, i know my dance skills is worst than a jelly’s, please don’t make me showcase it in front of the class” Layla said and Miss Moore held her laughter.

“You only think so, you’re still the best dancer I’ve ever seen. The world needs to know of your talent but let’s start from your class” Miss Moore said, laughing hard as she dragged Layla along.

“Miss Moore..nooo,i dance like a crab, pleaseeeeee” Layla pleaded as she was being pulled to her class.

Zeemah

�����

I hope I’m not the only one that has bad dancing skills like Layla ��

Nice, keep it coming

Thanks for the update OP

Toriperisc:
❄️Chapter 2.

�_____

Layla walked into her classroom, panting.

She was glad class hasn’t started yet.

She headed to her seat and the students started their mockery as usual, laughing and pointing at her, whispering in one another’s ear.

She noticed it was quite much today and then realised it’s because she had reduced her hair to a Bob.

Did it made her ugly like Philia had said..

She hadn’t even looked at her reflection in the mirror before leaving for school.

Even at that, she knows she isn’t ugly! And even if she is,why should they mock her for it!

She was pissed as she sat on her seat and this time,she sat fully, raising her head high and her look shows she was daring any one of them to approach her and say mockery words to her face.

They looked a bit surprised to see her look this fearless, Layla had always placed her head on the desk crying as they mock her,she only raises her head whenever they’re having a class.

Layla’s gaze shifted to Dylan who was flirting with close to five girls at the same time.

She felt her heart ache, wishing he would at least flirt with her too.

He always light up her inside with merely staring at him.

He is one of the most good looking teen she has ever seen and if they were to rate his looks by ten, he’d score nine with no doubt.

His beautiful face looks like it was carved by a creative genius.

He has soft brown eyes that’d melt the strongest of ice,his eyelashes inky black and even longer and curlier than most girl’s, one’s breath would almost seize whenever Dylan winks.

He has exotic high cheekbones and a narrow straight nose that perfected his looks.

His shiny black curls, always swept to one side giving him a touch of a bad guy look.

He has friends that flocks around him and they are good looking too but not as good looking as he is.

A loud bang diverted Layla’s thought and gaze.

She saw Chloe standing in front of her with her three friends behind her, Chloe,the mastermind behind Layla’s mockery was considered the hottest girl in Ocean high school.

She had the looks and body, her brown hair had been dyed pink and she happily flaunts it,she has a proud nose that suits her ‘not-so-nice’ character and her lips..always in different colors of lipgloss,her face was always covered in this ‘bitchy make up’

Just like Dylan, Chloe was wanted by so many guys too, it was all over the school when she was dating Dylan but their relationship only lasted for two weeks.

Though they still kiss randomly during truth or dare game.

Chloe is the leader of the cheerleading team and she had refused to allow Layla join the team just because Layla’s father is black.

Layla is now on the swimming team and the others on the team even refuse to swim race with her, none of them wants to be in the water with her or even get in the water after she’s out..just because of Chloe’s slandering.

Everyone wants to be in Chloe’s good book.

“You’ve reduced your hair to Bob huh?” Chloe laughed.

She’s here to taunt her as usual and everyone watched eagerly like they always do.

Little do they know they’re in for a surprise this time.

Layla is done tolerating shit.

“You think it’ll make you look better huh?” Chloe asked.

“No..it only made you look uglier,you look worse than a scary witch ” Chloe snorted and there was laughter.

She was surprised Layla hadn’t placed her head on the desk to start crying.

“Okay..i reduced my hair to a Bob, so what? I look like a scary witch,and so? Why do you have to be so concerned about that?” Layla asked, looking Chloe in the eyes.

There was silence and everyone looked on in surprise.

This would be the first time Layla would speak back at Chloe fearlessly.

Chloe hid her surprise with a forced chuckle.

“Did you just..like, did you.. you? talked back at me? How dare you? You lowly African!” Chloe yelled.

Layla smiled. “You’re calling them lowly because they are blacks, c’mon that’s not fair”

Chloe’s breath has gotten uneven then, she was at loss for words.

She had planned to taunt Layla as usual and return to her seat, she hadn’t expected this come back.

“They are lowly! Your father is an ugly lowly Africa!” Chloe said, trying to gain more ground.

“I dare you to say that once more and i’ll rip your hair off your scalp” Layla yelled banging her desk as she rose to her feet.

Everyone was shocked and even Dylan turned to look at her this time but Layla was blinded with fury to see him.

Chloe shifted back in fear…

“Finally! You’re behaving like the monster Africans like you are. Violent set of people.” Chloe said,almost breathlessly as she fled to her seat with her friends.

“Really? You’re fleeing?” Layla laughed and Chloe felt so embarrassed.

She was known to be the school’s queen.

How dare this thing ridicule her.

“Don’t ever bring up my dad’s name with such disrespect again, he’s dead and you know it,yet you bring up his name as you wish and even refer to him like he’s some sort of trash, just because he’s African! Would you allow anyone do the same to your own father?” Layla asked.

“My father is white! Not some.. African!” Chloe said.

“You feel your father doesn’t deserve to be referred to as thrash but my own father does just because he’s a black?! Wow, you’re making it seem like it’s a crime to be black, this is terrible, why do you hate us so much” Layla sighed.

“Whatever!” Chloe rolled her eyes.

“And..if you keep bringing up my father with such disrespect, i’ll not hesitate to drag the hell out of your dad too, you have my words on that” Layla said.

“Wh..what did you just say?” Chloe asked.

“I said what i said Chloe” Layla said.

“How dare you speak to my father that way!” Chloe fumed where she stood with her friends.

“Ohh..you care about what others say to your dad but you don’t care about what you say to others Dad!..that’s pretty unbelievable of you” Layla raised her brows.

Chloe sighed, Layla is having the upper hand and it’s so embarrassing to her.

“Everyone knows your father married your Mum just to get papers!” Chloe said and Layla laughed.

“Just so you know, my parents love story is still the best I’ve ever heard. My Mum actually made my Dad marry her just so he can have the papers to stay behind, she doesn’t want him out of her sight not even for one hour…” Layla paused, a bit surprised to see almost everyone interested in the story.

“Huh..seems everyone is so interested in the love story of a black and white. I’m sorry i’ll have to stop there” She smiled.

“That doesn’t change the fact that he is African!” Chloe said.

“And, what is wrong with being an African?” Layla asked with all seriousness.

“Maybe if you tell me,i would at least understand why you hate them this much” She added.

Chloe went speechless for some time,she also couldn’t understand why she hates blacks and maybe she doesn’t hate blacks, maybe she hates Layla personally.

“I do not hate Africans, i hate you!” Chloe said bluntly.

“Why?” Layla asked.

Everyone waited for Chloe’s answer but none came.

“Okay..i get it that you hate me,do you have to extend it to my parents,my father in particular?” Layla asked.

“Because they gave birth to you! They fvcking gave birth to you. And to think a black! is in the same class that i am…damn!” Chloe growled.

Layla laughed..”I’m not even a full black,my Mum is American so i don’t think that’s enough reason to hate me. That’s just your excuse to,you obviously have other reasons but i don’t even care, just do not speak ill of my father or your father! would bear the brunt” Layla said.

“Do not mention my father with that black father of yours!” Chloe said through gritted teeth.

Layla laughed loud and hard.

“You should actually be glad i mentioned your father alongside mine.. My father, Michael Ajagun Williams..” Layla paused and if there had been a ‘Yoruba’ in the class,they would have laughed at the way she had pronounced ‘Ajagun’

“He is a three star general who fought across the thirty six states of Nigeria during World War II,he fought till his last breath and he died while protecting thousands of people” Layla said and her classmates exclaimed, looking touched by the story.

Chloe was touched also but she was too headstrong to show it.

“He’s not just any African, he’s a hero! The most selfless man I’ve ever known. None of you should dare bring up my father again and even if you do, please accord him some respect” Layla said and the whole class went silent.

Most of them already feeling bad to have treated Layla like thrash.

Chloe could see what was happening and she knew she had to speak up real fast.

“You all shouldn’t fall for her words! She’s telling lies!” Chloe said.

“Lies? Why would i do that? I didn’t say that for anyone to change their ways towards me,i didn’t say that to earn y’all pity nor anyone’s friendship. As a matter of fact,i don’t want anyone’s friendship. I said that to make you see how lucky your father is to be mentioned alongside mine” Layla smiled at Chloe.

“Your father fought across thirty six states in his poor country! That means nothing!” Chloe said.

“Yeah,it means nothing to you but it means a lot to the people he saved and they’ll forever be grateful to him” Layla said.

“And i think i should be blamed here because i gave you the chance to disrespect my father. Starting now..never speak ill of my father again,i won’t take it lightly..i promise you that. You hate me,then direct your hate to me, Do not extend it to my father. Don’t bring him up ever again!” Layla warned clearly.

“And that doesn’t go to Chloe alone but everyone in here, never disrespect my parents again. This is a warning!” Layla stated before sitting.

Her eyes landed on Dylan and surprisingly found his gaze on her,her stomach lit up immediately in excitement.

His gaze lingered before he finally looked away.

Dylan looks like he has finally noticed her and maybe he would start flirting with her too.

She almost grinned at the thought,her gaze was still fixed on him even after he had looked away.

Everyone was astounded Layla could turn that bold and fearless,they stared at her, different questions written all over their faces.

Chloe fumed on her seat, tapping her fingers on the desk repeatedly.

Her friends knew better than to say anything to her at the moment.

“What’s with the weird silence?” Miss Moore asked as she walked into the classroom.

She got no answer and then shrugged before proceeding to teach.

Walking into the cafeteria for lunch break, Layla had the same demeanor she had when she sat in class in the morning.

For the first time in years,she wasn’t mocked. She was only being stared at.

Realising it was this easy to have brought an end to the mockery that went on for years almost brought tears to her eyes.

She had allowed it go on and on,she had allowed it break her,it almost marred her and then with just few words and action..she was free.

She had thought it was going to take more than that,she never thought being free of the mockery and hatred only required standing up for herself.

If it hadn’t been for…what happened, would she have made the decision to stand up for herself or would she have even thought of it..?

She knew the answer and it sadden her.

Perhaps,she was being punished for not standing up for herself all these years.

Maybe God knew what happened would make her stand up for herself and then..

Stop Layla..she scolded herself.

She walked to the counter to get her lunch and then walked to a table with a tray of meal in hand.

She sat and expected the girls to stand up and move to another table like they’ve always done but she was surprised when they remained seated, eating their meal.

She was stunned for a while, knowing the students never ate with her,they do move to another table.

Except a girl who always sat with her.

Only the girl did not avoid her.

She eats with her all the time, though the girl is in a junior class.

Layla looked around and wondered where the girl was,she couldn’t find her.

“You should eat up,lunch break will be over soon” One of the girls said to Layla, stunning her yet again.

“Hu..h? Okay” She said and started eating.

Chloe saw what was happening and knew Layla is starting to win over the students heart.

“I can’t believe those girls sat with her!” Christy,one of Chloe’s friend said.

“What am i gonna do?” Chloe sighed worriedly.

Lunch break was over and everyone started moving to their classes.

“I think…your hair looks nice on you” Layla heard.

The voice sounds familiar but it can’t possibly be the person she’s thinking right?

No…or she’s going to faint.

She turned slowly, earnestly hoping he was the one.

It was Dylan.

He smiled at her before walking away.

She managed to stop herself from screaming but she couldn’t stop herself from dancing.

She broke into a dance, shaking each part of her body, humming incoherent rhythm to compliment her dance.

She cared less about the students who laughed at her funny steps.

She looked like the happiest person on Earth at the moment.

“No one told me Michael Jackson’s daughter attends this school..” One of the students said as they walked past her and the rest laughed.

“Wow, great dancing skills.. wouldn’t you like to showcase it to the class? Come with me” Miss Moore said and Layla stopped dancing.

“Miss Moore, no..i i”

“C’mon, great steps you have there, you’ll need to come show it to the class” Miss Moore smiled.

“No..i..i was only dancing because I’m excited, i know my dance skills is worst than a jelly’s, please don’t make me showcase it in front of the class” Layla said and Miss Moore held her laughter.

“You only think so, you’re still the best dancer I’ve ever seen. The world needs to know of your talent but let’s start from your class” Miss Moore said, laughing hard as she dragged Layla along.

“Miss Moore..nooo,i dance like a crab, pleaseeeeee” Layla pleaded as she was being pulled to her class.

Zeemah

�����

I hope I’m not the only one that has bad dancing skills like Layla ��

Lovely story.

I work for a publishing company.

Have you published this story on any platform before?

If not, I'll be glad to help you get it published on my companies platform and you get paid.

Weldon op

Chapter 3.

Zeemah Writes

_____
“You look so happy, what’s up?” Aria asked Layla who wouldn’t stop smiling.

“Is it that obvious?” Layla asked.

“Of course, you won’t stop grinning” Aria said.

“Well, someone complimented my hair” Layla said, and if not for the hair cover she has on,she would have touched her hair but she patted it through the hair cover anyway.

“Woah…really? I also complimented your hair yesterday but it didn’t made you look this happy” Aria said, giving Layla a suspicious look.

“Oh..yeah but this is someone i never expected to..” Layla said.

“A guy?” Aria asked in a whisper and Layla nodded, smiling.

“Oh” Aria smiled.

“Is he your boyfriend?” She asked.

“Soon” Layla said confidently like Dylan asked her to be his girlfriend already.

“Woah..I’m so glad he made you this happy. It’s been so long you looked this happy” Aria said and Layla nodded.

“I do not appreciate chit-chat during business hours, you both should get to work and stop spilling your foul spit over people’s coffee!” Philia shouted.

Layla and Philia walked home after they were done for the day.

“Why do you keep smiling like that! I hope you’re not planning to kill me overnight!” Philia said to Layla.

“No, i wouldn’t do that. I’m just happy” Layla smiled.

“You’re happy? Even after… what happened? How can you be happy Layla?” Philia asked, astonished.

“Oh my God! I hope it’s not starting to affect your mental health” Philia added, starting to panic.

“Stop Phil, I’m perfectly fine. I shouldn’t be happy after what happened,i should cry non-stop,i should refuse to eat..i know but i’ve decided to be happy, at least for the meantime” Layla said and Phil gave her a pity look.

“Don’t give me that look Phil, you’re making me feel pathetic and i would appreciate if you do not mention it again” Layla said and Phil nodded.

“Why are you not yelling at me? Are you trying to treat me nicely because of..that.. Wait,was that the reason you gave me more money this morning?” Layla asked.

Philia nodded and Layla groaned.

“How can you start treating me nicely all of a sudden because of that? If that hadn’t happened..i would still be the niece you hate right?” Layla asked.

“Of course” Philia shrugged.

“You’re so unbelievable! And cruel!” Layla yelled.

They had reached home by then,they walked in and Layla stomped to her room.

“Come back here Layla! Who’s gonna make dinner?” Phil shouted after her but she turned deaf ears and then slammed the door to her room.

Philia flinched at the sound.

“Don’t you dare spoil my door or you’re gonna get your poor aunt from Nigeria to fix it!” Philia yelled.

She dropped her bag and sat down on the couch, picked the remote control and switched on the TV.

When it dawned on her that Layla wasn’t going to make dinner,she searched for her phone in her bag and then ordered pizza.

Layla move from one part of the bed to another, unable to get a sleep.

Her stomach was rumbling with hunger.

She only had coffee in the afternoon.

Geez..she should have just put her pride aside and just made dinner when Philia told her to.

It’ll be pointless to go to the kitchen now.

Philia rarely makes meals and she might have locked the kitchen door just to punish her.

Well..she might have not, since she’s more subtle to her now.

Layla got up from the bed and slid her feet into her slippers,she adjusted her pajamas and then made her way out of her room,to the kitchen.

~

Her heart ached when she found it locked.

Damn!

She was near tears as she made her way to the living room,this hunger isn’t one of those that can be endured,it’s almost ripping her stomach apart.

She planned to go beg Philia for the kitchen key when she saw a covered box of pizza with a glass cup of water on the table.

There’s probably nothing left in the pizza box, Philia would never have left any for her.

The glass of water would help though.

‘Atleast, she won’t collapse before she gets to Phil room’ She thought as she gulped the water.

She dropped the cup and sighed loudly.

The water did just little to quench her hunger,she knows her stomach would start rampaging soon again.

She stared at the box of pizza and then flipped it open with a finger.

“Yeah,go ahead and disappoint me,i know there’s nothing left in yo..What!” She exclaimed, seeing half of the pizza sitting prettily and invitingly in the box.

“What!” She exclaimed again.

Did Phil left some for her?

It seems Phil was pretty serious about starting to be nice to her..

But..what if the left over pizza isn’t for her?

Well..whatever, she has to feed her stomach,she’s ready for whatever punishment that may come later.

This is too hard to resist,not in her hungry state.

She sat down and started eating as fast as she could.

Phil might come out of her room any moment.

She ate with smiles and satisfaction.

She was almost done with the pizza when she saw a sticky note on the table.

Huh..How couldn’t she have noticed it earlier.

She picked it up and read what was written on it.

Food monger.

I know you’ll be almost done with the pizza before noticing this note. Just so you know,your allowance for tomorrow will be deducted.

What the…

“Gosh!” Layla dropped the last slice of pizza she was about devouring.

“I had known this would definitely come with a price” She groaned.

“You’re such an annoying bee” She snorted at Phil’s photo frame that was hung on the wall.

She ate the last slice of pizza before thrashing the box.

She smiled, looking well fed.

She’s so full now,but she needs to drink water.

The kitchen is locked so she’s just gonna do that tomorrow.

She’s glad she had something to eat at least.

She turned off the lights and walked to her room, grinning to herself..

Now she’s going to have a good sleep and probably dream about Dylan.

She just can’t get that scene out of her head.

Dylan talked to her for the first time.

He complimented the hair she had thought was ugly.

If she had known her ‘Bob’ would be the reason he would talk to her,she would have made it long ago.

Thank goodness Mrs Moore had listen to her pleas or she’ll rather faint than dance in front of the whole class.

Her father and brother had always teased her about her terrible dance steps.

She also knew herself to be a terrible dancer.

Her brother once said she dances like a hawk that’s trying to be stable on a barb wire.

She misses him so much.

She sighed as she jumped on her bed, pulled her blanket over her body and stared at the ceiling, imagining different love scenarios with Dylan.

“Good morning Phil” Layla said, walking into the living room.

She was fully dressed for school,only came to bid Phil bye.

She couldn’t wait to see Dylan.

“Good morning” Phil seeped her coffee, wondering why Layla was smiling to herself.

Oh..is she thinking she isn’t gonna deduct her allowance like she said she would.

Haha..she’s in for a surprise.

She handed Layla’s allowance fee to her and Layla counted it.

She stared at Philia after realising the money was incomplete.

“You’re really gonna deduct the pizza fee from my allowance?” Layla asked.

“Of course, you thought i was joking? You know i don’t joke with things like that” Phil said, picking her cup of coffee to sip once again.

Dollar notes were spread on the table like playing cards.

“Of course i..i know you don’t joke with things like that but i..thought you were starting to be nice to me” Layla said.

“Well..i was starting to but i thought you didn’t liked that, seeing the way you had stomped to your room yesternight”

“You do not care about things i like or not,you do what you want regardless of my choice, why the sudden care?” Layla asked.

“Do not ask me questions Layla,you got pissed after knowing the reason i was been nice to you,you walked out on me and refused to make dinner,yet you want me to remain nice to you? You’re a joker” Philia snarled.

“Must you like me for any reason, can’t you just like me.. without any reason attached to it, can’t you just like me like most aunts like their nieces,must there be a reason?” Layla asked, hurt.

“I can’t like you! because i do not like your father! Get the hell out before you make me seize your allowance”

Layla sighed.

“Okay, bye” She said, glancing at the wall clock before walking out of the house.

She’s not so hurt by Phil’s words, she’s used to it.

°

She decided to take the bus today,she isn’t late but she just couldn’t wait to see Dylan.

She’ll be taking bus to school for the first time in months just because of Dylan.

And also,for the first time in months,she wouldn’t get to save some money.

The amount with her today wouldn’t be enough.

If she hadn’t planned to take bus, there’ll be few dollars left to save but..anything for Dylan.

She’s willing to do anything for him.

She walked into the class and there was no bickering and murmurs like always.

The students only stared at her..

Wow,who would have thought a day like this would come.

She headed to her seat after dropping her bag in the locker.

Her eyes were on Dylan who was chattering with his friends,he was yet to see her but she fixed her eyes on him anyway.

Her heart fluttered when he suddenly glanced up,his eyes met hers and he looked away almost immediately like she wasn’t there.

Wh..at.

Her walking steps slowed immediately.

Did he not see her?

Maybe he didn’t..but,he had looked directly into her eyes.

God, could he have forgotten about yesterday.

He flirts with so many girls,he could have forgotten.

She finally got to her seat,she sat down looking sad.

Minutes passed and she was surprised Chloe didn’t approach her,she wasn’t the only surprised one,the students were surprised also.

For months,there hadn’t been a day Chloe did not slander Layla and they always look forward to it.

Chloe pretended to be busy with her phone, meanwhile she was trying to avoid approaching Layla,she was scared after Layla threatened to rip her hair off her scalp yesterday.

She knows Layla is capable of it.. Africans are fierce!

But she isn’t letting Layla go off easily,she’s gonna attack her in ways that won’t require approaching her.

She so much hate her!

Layla stared at her desk, musing over Dylan’s inattentiveness to her.

Should she say hi to him?

Perhaps he hadn’t even seen her, his eyes might have been on another thing entirely.

He might have not notice her walk in because there wasn’t bickerings today.

Maybe…

“Hey” She heard a voice that sent shivers down her spine,she gazed up almost immediately to see Dylan waving at he r with a smile.

“God” She muttered almost breathless.

Zeemah

Thanks for reading

I’m wondering why Layla is yet to faint o

xaviercasmir:
Interesting. A good way to start. Keep it up and I suggest that you mention my fellow ardent readers here

Pls can you help me do that. Not good in it

Thanks for the update

❄️Chapter 4

Zeemah Writes�

�_____

“Are you sure you are fine with it Daniel?” Mr Keyes asked.

“Of course dad,I’m cool with it. Anything for Anne” Daniel said.

“I’m so sorry we’re making you move from your school to Anne’s school” Mrs Keyes said solemnly.

“C’mon Mum, Anne is my sister, i should be able to sacrifice anything for her” Daniel said.

“I know it’ll be hard leaving your friends behind, you can choose not to,we can make Anne move to your school instead” Mr Keyes said.

“No, Anne would not be able to cope in my school,its absolutely fine dad, Mum. I’ll move to Anne’s school instead,I’m gonna miss my friends surely but anything for Anne,besides my friends can always come visit me at home” Daniel said.

“You’ll be fine right?” Mrs Keyes asked.

“Of course,stop being this way Dad, Mum. You’re making it seem like Anne is not my sister”

“I’m sorry Dan,so we should start processing your admission into Anne’s school right?” Mr asked.

“Shoot!” Daniel smiled.

His parents hugged him, taking turns to kiss him on the forehead.

Annette Keyes is asthmatic,her condition grew worse recently when she couldn’t find her inhaler soon enough during her asthma attack.

She was admitted in the hospital and the doctor prognosis stated that if such occurs again,she might not survive it.

It was advised that she has someone around her always, someone to always look out for her.

She was always been looked after at home but they were worried about school, she attends a different school with her brother and then it was decided that her brother should be in the same school as her so they would be rest assured.

Anne is fourteen and of course she can take care of herself but they can’t risk her life,she’s too precious to them to lose.

“She’s in her room right?” Daniel asked.

“Yeah”

“Your father and i will be attending the Summers house party in few minutes”

“Okay Mum,say hi to Felia for me” Daniel said before walking to Anne’s room.

“Alright Dan.”

~

“Sis!” Dan said, walking in on his sis who was focused on her laptop.

She glanced up at him and smiled.

“Bro, what’s up?” She adjusted her glasses, turning away from her laptop to face him.

Anne is a very pretty girl with a gentle look,her face is as calm as her heart.

She has natural brown hair with curly bangs,her eyes were deep black just like her father’s and her smooth fair skin was like her mother’s,her nose and lips were perfect and Anne even looked more matured than her age which always made Dan want to protect her from bad guys, his friends knew better than to try anything silly with his sister.

She deals with everything with this gentleness that melts hearts.

Everyone loves and admire her.

Her meek behavior is so adorable and cute,her smile is so enticing that you’ll end up smiling too without knowing it.

She’s not only kind,she loves lifting people’s spirit, seeing people sad almost tears her apart so she always does her best to make people happy,she goes out of her way to do that.

She puts others first before herself and Daniel always pray her kindness won’t be taken advantage of.

“I’m cool, what are you up to?” He asked, peering into her laptop.

She was watching animation.

“Oh…I see” He said, landing on her bed with a thud.

“Hey,i just made that bed” She complained in her cool tiny voice.

“I know right,I’m gonna make it for you before i leave” He scowled playfully.

She laughed. “C’mon”

“I’ll be resuming your school soon” He said to her and she nodded.

“Are you really fine with it?” She asked and he groaned.

“Why is everyone asking if I’m fine with it! Even you Anne,gosh” He rolled his eyes.

“I’m sorry,i just feel bad for taking you from the school and friends you’ve known for long” Anne said.

“I would leave the school anyway,it’s not like i was gonna stay there forever,besides i would love to experience another high school before i finally graduate” Dan smiled.

“What of Jennie?” Anne asked.

Jennie was Daniel’s girlfriend,they attend the same high school.

“We broke up” Dan sighed.

“Huh? Why?” Anne looked startled.

She knows how much Dan loves Jennie.

“It wasn’t working out” Daniel lied..

Jennie had broken up with him because he’ll be moving to Anne’s school,but he can’t tell Anne that or she’ll feel responsible for the break up and she might cry for causing it.

“I’m sorry about that D.” She got up from the one-seater couch to comfort him.

“It’s fine,I’m totally cool with it” He smiled.

He wasn’t cool with it and Anne knows,he was hurting inside,he so much liked Jennie but she had insisted she can’t continue the relationship if he’s away in another school.

She can’t deal with not seeing him for days.

“Besides,you once told me there are pretty girls in your school” Daniel grinned, trying to stop himself from thinking about Jen.

“A lot of them, ah..you just made me remember the African girl i told you about..i wonder who’s gonna sit with her in the cafeteria now that I’m absent from school” Anne said sadly, sitting beside Dan.

Anne was just discharged from the hospital yesterday.

“Is she that shunned?” Dan asked pitifully and Anne nodded.

“Mostly by her classmates, no one wants to sit with her in the cafeteria and she’s always looking gloomy so i make sure i sit with her everytime but now… she’ll be lonely” Anne sighed.

“Just because she’s African?” Dan asked and Anne nodded.

“What’s wrong with being an African?” Dan wondered aloud.

“I think they just have this special hatred for her”

“Poor girl” Dan shook his head sadly.

He so much hate bullies.

“We’re off to the Summers house party kids,

Do you both want anything?” Their parents asked through the door.

“Do you?” Dan asked Anne who shook her head.

“You?” She asked him.

“No”

“We don’t want anything” Dan said.

“Just be back early enough” Anne said.

“Okay,Bye”

“Bye”

The sound of their parents footsteps disappeared slowly before they finally heard the front door close.

They are gone.

“Let’s go swim” Dan said excitedly.

“No” Anne said.

“Why? Are you not feeling well enough?” He asked.

“I don’t feel like” She said.

“Oh..you’ll just sit by the pool and watch me then” He said.

“Okay”

“Get your laptop,so you won’t get bored,not like the animation isn’t more boring though” Dan rolled his eyes and Anne casted him a look.

He laughed.

�
“Hey” She heard a voice that sent shivers down her spine,she gazed up immediately to see Dylan waving at her with a smile.

“God” She muttered, almost breathless.

“Hi” She said,her voice in a whisper.

Her palms turned sweaty as she maintained eye contact with Dylan,her chest was rising and falling.

He was still smiling at her, making her almost go crazy.

She blinked and was glad it wasn’t one of her silly imaginations.

Dylan had indeed said hi to her!

He was about to say something when a teacher walked in and Layla felt like jumping on the teacher’s back to strangle him.

“Good morning class” The teacher smiled.

“Good morning asshole” Layla muttered under her breath and Dylan suddenly bursted into laughter.

Layla and others looked at him in surprise.

“I heard that” He whispered to her,still laughing but not as loud as earlier.

“Really?” Layla asked and he nodded.

‘Oh..my..God, i made him laugh? Should i start saying more of the word asshole?’

She felt so excited that she prayed if this was a dream,she should never wake up.

Dylan has finally noticed her! After years.

God.

“Hey! Dylan stop that laughter of yours”

“I’m sorry Mr Blaine” Dylan smiled.

The class started,the students went silent as the teacher started teaching.

Layla suddenly caught Chloe glaring at her.

Well..that’s not new.

She glared back at Chloe before concentrating on the teacher,her stomach still bubbling with excitement.

�
Layla wondered where the girl was as she ate at the cafeteria.

Although there were three girls sitting with her,she wasn’t been avoided anymore but she was really worried about the nice girl who always sat with her,she was the only person who did not avoid her when others did.

The girl doesn’t really say anything to her,she only sit with her to eat and then leave once lunch break is over.

Layla did not even know her name until recently.

She really hopes the girl is fine,she wasn’t in school yesterday and even today.

She sighed as she continued munching her burger.

The girls chattered at the table as they ate.

They look like they would want Layla to chat with them but she doesn’t want to.

She’s not willing to talk or make friends with any of her classmates,they are all hyprocrites except Dylan though.

She smiled as she sighted him in a far away table, chatting and laughing with his friends.

Damn..he takes her breath away every single time.

“Let’s finish up fast so we can join in the truth or dare” One of the girls said.

“Yes! I sure don’t want to miss that” Another girl said.

“Dylan will be joining also right?” The third girl asked.

“Of course, or no one would play”

Layla rushed her burger, she’s gonna be joining in today’s game,she has always watched but has never participated because of how badly she was treated then.

Chloe would have never allowed her participate but today,she’s not missing out.

Besides..Dylan would be participating.
�

“What the hell is this? What are you doing in our midst? We’re about playing a game, would you fvcking excuse us?” Chloe barked at Layla.

Layla has never stand so close to them when they are about to play the game,she was always on her seat, watching like a beggar.

They were now in the class,most of the students gathered to play the game but Chloe left out the people she claimed were ugly.

“I’ll be joining in today’s game for the first time” Layla smiled, taking a seat.

“You’re not allowed to join! Get up!” Chloe shouted,horrified.

Everyone watched earnestly.

“Chloe, this is a general game,i don’t think you have the right to choose who would participate in it or not” Layla said.

“You’re just a black witch that always want to ruin everything! I don’t want you in this game! You disgust me!”

“Then quit the game,go sit and watch” Layla said.

“You must be sick! Are you fvcking kidding me? Get up, you’re not participating in this game!” Chloe insisted firmly.

“Oh,you feel it’s okay to drive people out of a game just because they don’t oppose you. Well,i am telling you right now Chloe that you don’t have the right to drive me out of this game! I’m going nowhere,if you’re so uncomfortable with having me around you,then you should leave instead. I’m done being the one to leave everytime!” Layla said unflinchingly to Chloe’s face.

Some students cleared their throat, whispering into one another’s ear.

Dylan was on his phone, biting his lower lip.

Chloe glared at Layla in silence,she was feeling so angry that she felt like hitting her.

“I insist,you’re not gonna participate in this game” Chloe seethe.

“It seems you really took my threat of pulling your hair off your scalp as a joke? Dare me Chloe” Layla said and Chloe’s breath quickened in fear.

“Are you guys really gonna allow her participate!” Chloe yelled and no one said a word.

“Wow” She smiled,a smile filled with fury.

“Let’s start, before a teacher comes in” one of the students said.

Chloe sat down reluctantly.

She was fuming but felt better when a plan crossed her mind.

Whether Layla chooses truth or dare, Chloe is gonna make sure she makes Layla choose a guy who must kiss her or she’s gonna pay a fine!

She’s pretty sure no guy would want to kiss a black witch!

She couldn’t wait to see how embarrassed Layla is gonna be plus she’s gonna make her pay the fine if the guy refuses.

Layla must pay for partaking in the game and even embarrassing her.

Chloe whispered her plan to her friends in case the bottle faces Layla and any of them.

They started the game,the bottle was rolled.

Questions were asked and people were dared.

It was real fun and Layla was happy to be participating.

Chloe waited patiently and hopefully, Layla must pay!

Luckily for Chloe,the bottle pointed to Layla and her on the sixth roll.

She couldn’t be more excited.

“So, Layla..truth or dare?” Chloe asked mockingly.

“Dare” blurted out of Layla’s mouth,she hadn’t even expected the bottle to point to her,she felt nervous,this was her first time.

If only she had known the ways of the game,she would have chosen ‘truth’ .

“Cool” Chloe smiled and everyone knew she was up to something.

“I hope you know you’re going to pay a fine if you refuse to do what you’re dared to?” Chloe said and it was then Layla suspected she might be in trouble.

“Go ahead” Layla said, trying to hide her nervousness.

“I dare you…” Chloe paused with a taunting grin.

“Would you please stop joking around” Dylan said.

Chloe rolled her eyes at him before turning back to Layla.

“I dare you to pick a guy and kiss him on the lips” Chloe said and Layla blinked.

“What..” She was saying.

“There’s no much time left please,hurry” Chloe interrupted her.

“What if i don’t want to do it?” Layla asked.

“You would pay a fine of fifty dollars..right away” Chloe said.

“Huh..” Layla said,she was left with just six dollars and she can’t even raise the fifty dollars by tomorrow, except she breaks her piggy bank.

“Get up,get up” Chloe chuckled.

“You have just two minutes to complete your dare or you would pay your fine,I’m sure you saw how everyone else was fast with theirs” Miranda,one of Chloe’s friend said.

Layla rose to her feet and there was a tensed silence.

The only guy on her mind right now is Dylan,well..he has always been the only guy on her mind.

He has been nice to her recently but would he want to kiss her?

He might have been nice to her because he wants to be just friends.

What if he refuses to allow her kiss him.

She didn’t regret to have participated in this game,she only regretted to have fallen into Chloe’s trap.

“Your two minut..” Chloe was saying.

“Dylan” Layla blurted with her eyes tightly closed.

There was a sigh from everyone.

‘Even guys who are not as cute as Dylan would never kiss her,she must really have high expectations’ Chloe laughed inwardly…

Everyone watched with keen interest.

Layla opened her eyes slowly and this wave of sadness hit her when she saw Dylan was yet to get up.

He only stared at her.

Why’s she hurt?

She shouldn’t be surprised, no one would want to kiss her.

She was about to offer to pay the fine tomorrow when Dylan slowly got to his feet.

Her heart started beating crazily as he approached her.

Everyone watched expectantly, waiting for the drama that’s about to unfold.

‘No, he can’t possibly want to go kiss her. Not Dylan,he might be going to his seat because he can’t stand her” Chloe chuckled to herself but got the shock of her life when Dylan pulled Layla close and placed a kiss on her lips.

Everyone gasped.

Layla felt like she was in a fantasy.

She felt like it was her imagination but clearly it wasn’t.

Dylan was kissing her..

Dylan,her longtime crush she had always dreamt of was kissing her and she was too shaken to kiss him back.

She felt like crying..this was so hard to believe.

She couldn’t move in his arms,she felt like butter..

She was enchanted by his charm and the feel of his lips on hers almost made her melt.

Knowing this might be the only chance she’ll get to kiss him,she kissed him back eagerly and Chloe watched in horror.

Layla knew Chloe had wanted to embarrass her but sometimes, people unfairness to us leads to our own good.

Thanks Chloe.

More ink to your pen

❄️Chapter 5

Zeemah Writes�

�_____

“Did he complimented your hair again today?” Aria asked Layla who was grinning and blushing hard as she worked.

“No” She shook her head shyly.

“He did more than that” She added.

“Really? What did he do?” Aria asked curiously.

Layla smiled and looked lost for a while.

Dylan had kissed her..and she had kissed him back.

The feeling was just something she hasn’t felt before.

She had always dream of Dylan being her first kiss and it happened..it had felt like it was a dream at first but it went on and on and when they finally stopped kissing,the peering eyes of everyone and the horror look on Chloe’s face told her it was no dream.

That had been the end of the truth or dear because a teacher had walked in.

She doubt they would have continued even if a teacher hadn’t walked in.

Everyone had moved to their seat in silence but their eyes were screaming.

She couldn’t even hold Dylan’s gaze after that, she felt damn shy and nervous.

Maybe he had kissed her because he did not want to embarrass her or make her pay the fine.

She had wondered what he was thinking and when she stole a quick glance at him,she caught him looking at her,he smiled and she had smiled back,her heart dancing in excitement.

Could it be that he hadn’t kissed her out of pity but because he had really wanted to.

Maybe he likes her..God,the thought alone made her feel butterflies in her stomach.

She couldn’t believe one of her wishes has been fulfilled that easily.

Wow.

“Layla” Aria called, jolting her out of her thoughts.

“I’m so sorry,i was lost for a while” Layla said.

“Obviously,you’re yet to tell me what he did” Aria smiled.

“I’ll be right back,i should attend to the customers that just walked in” Layla said, quickly going to take their orders.

“Okay Layla” Aria said and glanced at the wall clock.

Time to go pick her kid is drawing near and she’ll still have to go to the store to get some groceries.

Layla returned and quickly refilled two cups with coffee,she doused it with cream and sugar,placed it in a tray and then walked to the table it was requested for.

Aria smiled as she watched her, Layla is a lovely girl,she doesn’t deserve the treatment she’s getting from Phil.

“Okay,I’m done” Layla breathed, taking her space beside Aria.

“So, what did he do?” Aria asked.

“He kissed me” Layla whispered to Aria who widened her eyes.

“Wow, are you serious?”

“Yeah” Layla grinned.

“Oh my…” Aria smiled “you must have been so excited, little wonder you were blushing so hard that your cheeks were almost the same color with your apron”

Layla chuckled.

“So,has he asked you out yet?” Aria asked.

“Not yet, but soon” Layla said, looking certain.

“I’m so glad he makes you this happy, seeing you smile frequently is a good thing” Aria said.

“Thanks Aria” Layla smiled.

“I know you prefer gossipping with Layla than to go pick up your kid but would you at least pity the poor kid” Phil said, startling Aria and Layla.

“Witch” Layla muttered under her breath.

“I’ll get going now” Aria said, pulling off her apron and hair cover.

She adjusted her dress and hair and then picked up her bag.

Phil walked away, touring the shop and making sure the customers were okay.

“Bye,see you tomorrow” Aria said.

“Bye, say hi to Jane for me” Layla smiled.

“Alright” Aria said, before walking away.

Aria works in the shop while Layla is away at school and she’s to leave when Layla is back but she spends more time with Layla.

“I just hope you’re not up to something with the way you keep smiling like a dunce” Phil said to Layla as she walked past her to her office.

Layla laughed and shook her head slightly.

Phil can be so funny.

She was all smiles as she continued working.
�
A single lamp was sitting in the heart of the living room, casting a bronze glow that did not quite reached the corners of the room.

There was power black out and Layla sat close to the lamp as she did her homework.

Philia was seated on a couch,busy with her phone with her legs spread out on a table.

They just finished having dinner and Philia would have done her homework in her room if there wasn’t power black out.

This is one of the rare times it happens.

“I’m going to bed” Philia said to Layla.

“Okay Phil, goodnight” Layla said.

She stretched and gave a loud yawn when she heard the door to Philia’s room close.

She can’t wait to be done with her homework so she can go to bed herself,she’s feeling sleepy.

Mr Blaine doesn’t leave the class without giving assignments,sometimes,she hates him for that.

If only she has a phone to check out most of these things,she won’t take this long in doing her homeworks.

She isn’t even able to talk to Aunt Esther frequently anymore because she doesn’t have a phone.

Aunt Esther is her father’s younger sister who stays in Nigeria.

They do talk regularly on her Mum’s phone before Philia got hold of it and that’s what she’s using presently.

Aunt Esther doesn’t call regularly anymore after she discovered Philia now uses the phone.

Layla do steal the phone to call Aunt Esther once in a while,not until Philia changed the lock.

She really misses talking to her seven year old nephew David,aunt Esther’s son.

He’s so smart and bright,a happy soul to the core,she’s sure he must have missed her also.

They talk almost everyday when the phone was in her possession.

She smiled, remembering the way he talks on and on, telling her about so many things at the same time.

They’ve been to Las Vegas once to pay them a visit when her parents and brother were still alive and it had been so much fun.

Layla wished Philia wasn’t this unfair to her,she would have invited them over again,to at least see David…

Maybe she should get herself a smartphone with the money in her piggy bank.

Well..it’ll be of no use anyway,she wouldn’t use it for long.

Sadness clouded her mind at the dreadful thought.

She had promised herself not to think of it,but her mind keeps going there every single time.

Who wouldn’t think of such?

The news is enough to make anyone have a mental breakdown but she’s only trying to stay strong.

She noticed she wasn’t even feeling sleepy anymore,she glanced down at her notebook only to see drops of tears on it…

“God” She sighed, touching her cheeks. It was w€t.

She wiped her notebook with her palm and then continued her homework, sadly.
�

“So you’re gonna be resuming a day after tomorrow, we’re done with the processing” Mr Keyes said to Daniel.

They were having a late dinner…

“Wow,so fast. I thought i’ll be resuming next week” Daniel said with a mouth full.

“So we’re gonna be leaving house together now” Anne smiled and Daniel nodded.

“I’m gonna spank you if you make me late for school” He teased and they all laughed.

Mr and Mrs Keyes stared at the children adorably,they were so glad to be blessed with such kids.

Their family has been a happy one for years and they all cherish one another.

None of them could have asked for a better family.

“Felia said to tell you she’ll be coming over after school tomorrow” Mrs Keyes said to Dan.

“Oh okay” Dan said.

Felia Summers is a very close friend of his,his special friend. They attend prestige high school and they are practically neighbors because her house is just some blocks away.

“How did the house party go?” Anne asked her parents.

“Fun,you know how lavishly the Summers spends on parties” Mr Keyes said.

“Moreover Mrs Summers is a very competent host, she’ll be assisting me to host our Thanksgiving party” Mrs Keyes said.

“When is it?” Daniel asked.

“Next two weeks Sunday” Mrs Keyes said.

“I’ll be inviting my friends over then” He said.

“They are always welcome” Mr Keyes said.

“Of course” Mrs Keyes said.

“I hope there’ll be friends from Ocean high school also” Anne pressed her lips together.

“Hopefully” Daniel shrugged. “You know how well and fast i get along with people”

“Yeah i do..hmm” Anne sighed, peering at Daniel closely.

“Geez..what?” Dan asked raising his brow.

“I’m still trying to figure out who’s more good looking between you and Dylan” Anne said looking confused,she gazed at Daniel more closely.

“Who’s Dylan?” Dan asked.

“The most good looking guy in our school, he’s a senior to me,two classes above me..the same class you are” Anne said.

“Oh,so who’s more good looking?” Dan said, licking his lips and striking a pose.

They laughed.

Daniel is so carefree and jovial,he gets along with almost everyone and he doesn’t even allow his looks get into his head,he deals with every of his friends equally,one of the people who had received a special treatment from him in school was Jennie,his ex girlfriend and his special friends also.

“I think once i see the both of you together,I’ll be able to figure out who’s more good looking” Anne said.

“You should better judge fairly” Daniel joked.

He doesn’t even care if anyone is more good looking than he is or not,he only wants to always have good times.

They were all done with their dinner.

Anne and Dan sorted the dishes while their parents went to bed.

They bid each other goodnight after they were done with the dishes and then walked into their respective rooms.

~
Daniel jumped on his bed after he was done freshening up for the night.

He picked up his phone and replied to his messages before turning off the light.
��
Layla walked into the class,the next morning after dropping her backpack in the locker.

She noticed the students began murmuring and some even laughed.

She thought this has stopped.

Has Chloe told them something again?

Well..she doesn’t care,as long as none of them dare approach her to mock her to her face.

Chloe’s laughter was so loud as Layla walked past her seat but Layla ignored her.

She noticed Dylan wasn’t on his seat but his notebooks were there,he might went to get something.

She felt so nervous to have to face him today.

The kiss kept replaying in her mind and she wouldn’t stop smiling.

She sat down, waiting anxiously for Dylan to walk into the class,maybe he’ll finally talked to her properly today since they shared a special moment yesterday.

God..she can’t believe she’ll finally be close with Dylan.

She’ll be the happiest on Earth when she finally becomes his girlfriend which she knows is gonna happen soon.

She was grinning to herself when she heard someone knock at her desk gently.

She raised up her head to see Chloe who wore a mockery look.

Her friends stood behind her, having the same look on.

“What do you want?” Layla asked.

“Well..I’m not here to say anything about your father” Chloe said.

“Of course you wouldn’t dare,you love your hair more than that” Layla said and Chloe rolled her eyes.

“I’m sure you must have been so happy to get to kiss Dylan yesterday” Chloe said.

“Yeah,all thanks to you” Layla smiled.

“You look so happy, i just hope you don’t cry yourself to death after hearing what I’m about to tell you” Chloe laughed.

“Well..you did not succeed in getting me agitated,say whatever you want to and leave” Layla said.

“Dylan told everyone that your lips felt like a dead log of wood that wouldn’t even lit up if ignited by a wide burning fire” Chloe said mockingly.

Layla stared at her, trying to process what she just heard.

“That’s not all,he further added that he hasn’t felt so sick after kissing someone Wow.” Chloe laughed.

“You must be so hurt” She added, faking a sorry look that was so obvious it was fake.

Layla stared at Chloe without moving.

She finally processed what she had just heard but it sounded unbelievable to her.

“I think we should head to our seats,she looks like she would pounce on you and start ripping your hair” Miranda whispered to Chloe and they quickly headed to their seats.

Chloe was satisfied with the look on Layla’s face..

If only Layla had obeyed her and stayed out of the game, Dylan wouldn’t have discredited her this way.

Good for her! haha.

Layla licked her lips that had gone dry..Chloe must be so stupid to think she’ll believe her.

Dylan wouldn’t say such..

Chloe is probably still pained by the kiss she and Dylan had shared and then decided to make her feel stupid.

Could that be the reason the students laughed and mocked her the moment she had walked into the class?

Had Dylan really said that?

No.. Chloe might have planned it out with the students.

Knowing Chloe would go any length to see her sad,she shrugged it off and continued waiting anxiously for Dylan.

She smiled as he walked into the class.

He headed to his seat without sparing her a glance.

Oh..he probably doesn’t know she’s in class already.

She waited till he was seated before saying hi to him.

He didn’t respond and she thought he didn’t hear her but then her voice was loud enough.

Well..his mind might be preoccupied with other things.

She touched him gently on the shoulder and he turned not wearing his normal smile.

“Hi” Layla said again.

“Yeah..Hi” Dylan said, turning away almost immediately.

Layla’s smile faded and she blinked rapidly.

Could it be that he’s in a bad mood.

She noticed the students were still staring mockingly at her even if they were trying to hide it,she still noticed it.

Could Chloe be right?

No,she wouldn’t believe Chloe, Dylan wouldn’t say such.

Chloe had made that up but then again,she needs clarity,she needs to confront Chloe for lying to her and the only way she can boldly do that is for Dylan to confirm that he said nothing of such.

She knows he didn’t say such but she just needs his confirmation.

Yeah.

“Dylan” She called before she could stop herself.

He turned to look at her like he was in a hurry,he was still not smiling or acting like he would want to talk to her but Layla put it that he was in a bad mood.

“I’m sorry to bother you but Chloe said something, although i didn’t believe her,i just need to confirm from you before approaching her for telling lies. She said you told everyone my lips tasted like a dead log of wood that wouldn’t even lit up if ignited by a wide burning fire and that you’ve never felt so sick after…”

“I said that” Dylan cut her short and she stared numbly at him.

“And it was true,that was how i felt. I’m sorry if it made you feel bad but i didn’t actually told everyone,i only told my friends,we share stuff like that with one another. I don’t know how the whole school got to hear of it,i was also pissed when i realized my friends had told everyone. They are assholes..gosh” He confirmed,shattering her the more.

Tbc

Well..she needed a confirmation and she got one�

Too harsh

Thanks for the update

(Moremi)

Chapter 6
Zeemah Writes
_____

"Layla, what's wrong?" Aria asked worriedly.

Layla sat numbly on the floor hugging her knees to her chest. Her eyes were wet and red,even a blind could tell she had been crying.

This would be the first time she would sit without attending to customers, leaving only Aria to do it but Aria didn't mind,she was only worried about Layla who ignored her and everyone else,if it was left to Layla,she wouldn't have come to the coffee shop today,she would have stayed home and cried her eyes out but she had reluctantly come here knowing Philia wouldn't take it lightly.

Aria quickly went to take customers order,she served them and returned to Layla who still remained on the floor, staring at nothing in particular.

Aria sighed..just yesterday and a day before, Layla's happy mood was unbeatable and now seeing how sad she looked made Aria worried.

She doesn't even look this sad whenever Philia scolds her.

Aria was unable to concentrate on her because customers kept pouring in and she had to attend to them.

She would go to Layla when she had served the customers and then quickly run back to the counter whenever another customer walks in.

It was almost time to go pick her kid and Layla doesn't look like she was ready to get up.

She looked lost and so sad.

What could be wrong?..Aria wondered worriedly.

Should she call Philia's attention to it?

Aria returned to the counter after serving the last customer who walked in.

She picked her phone and placed a call across her husband.

"Hey Dave"

"Ariana,how are you?" Her husband's voice broke in.

"I'm fine, you're back from work right?"

"Yeah,I'm clearing the garden"

"Could you help me go pick Jane, i'll be working late today"

"Oh fine,I'll go now"

"I love you"

"Kisses"

She dropped her phone and sighed as she walked back to Layla.

She crouched in front of her and stroked her hair.

That didn't even made Layla look up,the horrible words kept replaying in her mind -Dylan told everyone that your lips felt like a dead log of wood that wouldn't even lit up if ignited by a wide burning fire- the words made her dumb and weak.

Her hopes were shattered, Dylan doesn't have the tiniest feeling for her,he had been nice to her maybe because he just wanted to be her friend.

He doesn't even see her as a potential lover.

Maybe she's the last person he would ever consider dating.

Okay..agreed that he doesn't have feelings for her,she also knows feelings can't be forced.

But how dare he called her lips a dead log of wood,how dare he embarrass her that much.

She was starting to gain people's respect only for him to shatter it again.

She bursted into fresh tears, recalling how everyone had mocked her.

Dylan hadn't even looked like he was sorry.

"Layla c'mon, whatever it is,tell me. please" Aria said.

"Is my lips that dead that even a burning fire won't ignite it?" Layla asked absentmindedly.

She was talking to herself and not to Aria.

She was wondering out aloud,tears dropping out like a waterfall.

Aria was about to respond to her when she saw Philia approaching.

"Get up get up, Philia is coming" Aria said to her but she didn't get up,she didn't even act like she heard what Aria had said.

"She's gonna scold you! Get up Layla" Aria said, trying to pull her up but Philia already caught up on them.

"What's going on here?" Philia asked casting the both of them a questioning gaze.

"Well..." Aria stuttered, glancing at Layla whose head was still down.

"I..well..Layla has been seated here crying and she refused to tell me what's wrong" Aria said.

"Oh" Phil sighed, thinking Layla finally let out her emotions,the news she had received is enough to make her cry. She had been wondering why Layla had been so strong about the news,it's something even an adult won't stop crying about.

Poor girl,she had been trying to keep it all in but she's not been able to any longer.

"Leave her to cry Aria,it's worth it" Phil said.

"Do you know what's wrong with her?" Aria asked.

"Yeah,i do. You're set to leave right?" Phil asked.

"No,I'll be taking up Layla's shift. I already called my husband to go pick Jane" Aria said.

It was then Layla glanced up at her,she thanked Aria with her eyes and Aria nodded with a smile.

She had been wondering how she was gonna cope,serving customers when she was feeling so weak to the bones.

"That's so sweet of you Aria" Philia smiled.

Aria rushed off to attend to another set of customers.

"Come with me to my office,come sit your ass on the chair" Philia said to Layla who ignored her.

"I bet your ass is gonna hurt by the time you finally get up from the floor,come with me" Philia persuaded gently and Layla shook her head.

Philia is being nice to her again because of a reason and that hurt her.

"Okay come with me and get a chance to talk to Aunt Esther or whatever her name is" Philia rolled her eyes and Layla's face lit up.

She got to her feet and truly,her butt hurts.

"I can't believe that black Aunt of yours made you get up" Philia groaned and Layla walked after her to her office.

Aunt Esther is definitely gonna light up her mood and David also.

Layla sat on the armchair in the small neat office while Philia dialled Aunt Esther's number.

She handed the phone to Layla with a frown after Esther had picked.

Layla placed the phone on her ear happily.

"Moremi Ajansoro" Aunt Esther called happily into the phone and Layla felt better instantly.

Aunt Esther and David calls her by her native name 'Moremi' and she so much loves to hear it.

Her parents do call her that also once in a while.

She had fallen in love with the name after her father told her the story behind it.

Queen Moremi of ile Ife kingdom, Nigeria. Was a courageous woman and is believed to have contributed to the Yoruba tribe's liberation from oppression,she willingly surrendered to the Invaders,got married to the enemy king and seized the opportunity to discover the secrets of the group's military strategy,she revealed that secret to Ile Ife people after she had managed to escape.

She subsequently helped to devise a plan that led to Ile Ife's responding victory over the invaders.

"Moremi was a brave lady" Her father would tell her.

"She practically sacrificed herself for her people's liberation, she achieved something most males couldn't even attempt. I found her admirable and i made a promise to myself to name my first daughter Moremi,in our culture,it is believed that one's child's name do have an impact in the child's life, i also want you to be the best of yourself" Her father would smile and kiss her and she'll giggle in his arms.

"Moremi,are you there?" Aunt Esther's voice jolted her from her thoughts.

"Aunt Esther,i missed you" Layla whined on the phone like a baby and she laughed when she saw the look Philia sent her.

"Where's that dude?" Felia asked, walking into the living room of the Keyes.

"Felia" Anne pulled her into a hug.

"Anne,how are you?" Felia asked.

"I'm good, you're coming straight from school" Anne said, seeing Felia still clad in her school wears and backpack.

"Yap, i miss that dude so much" She groaned and Anne laughed.

Felia is this pretty strong girl that acts all bitchy but she's actually so soft and kind on the inside.

At first glance,one would think she's an irresponsible kid,only those closer to her knows what she's like and she doesn't even try to change others perspective of her,she doesn't care how anyone sees her,she just wants to do her thing and move forward.

"He's not in at the moment" Anne said, sitting back on the couch.

"Oh,that crook with chicken legs" She growled and Anne laughed again.

"Where the Bleep did he go?" She asked, dropping her backpack.

"He went to apologise to a girl.."

"For?" Felia asked.

"He accidentally spilled hot coffee on her leg while rushing to get my inhaler to me"

"Oh..wow,he really needs to apologise" Felia said.

"Yeah,i hope he sees her today, he has been going for days now without seeing her" Anne said.

"Maybe she doesn't work there anymore" Felia said.

"Or maybe she's still healing from the burn" Anne said sadly, it had happened because of her.

She really hope the girl is okay,the pain might have been unbearable,she knows how it feels whenever a drop of hot liquid touches her skin not to talk of a whole cup of hot coffee.

"C'mon Anne, it's not your fault. It was destined to happen" Felia said.

"I caused it" Anne insisted.

"You know what? It was an accident,no one would have loved for it to happen. If Dan gets to see her today and apologises to her, maybe you should too so you would feel better"

Anne nodded.

"Mr and Mrs Keyes are not back from work yet right?" Felia asked, pulling her shoes and socks and walking barefooted to the kitchen.

"Yeah" Anne said and resumed watching her animation while Felia looked for what to eat in the kitchen.
~
"Did you get to see her?" Anne asked hopefully as Dan walked into the living room.

He shook his head and she sighed.

"Are you sure she's working there? She might just be a customer" Anne said.

"I'm sure she's working there, though i didn't get to see her face clearly that day but she was on the shop's apron" Dan said, sounding exhausted and Anne knew he was hungry.

"If she's really working there,how come you've not seen her since you've been toiling that place"

"I also dunno,I'll keep going" Dan said.

"But you didn't get to see the girl's face clearly,how would you recognize her when you see her,you might have seen her without knowing she's the one" Anne said.

"Nah,i would know her by her hair,she has a long brown-golden hair because i remembered it almost flipped in my face when i accidentally spilled the coffee on her feet"

"Oh and so far,you haven't seen anyone with that hair?" Anne said.

"No" Dan sighed.

"Maybe you should ask the other worker,the lady you said you do see at the counter whenever you go"

"Sure i will, after we're back from school tomorrow" Dan said.

"Felia is around,she's in the kitchen" Anne said.

"Really" Dan smiled.

He got to his feet the same time Felia was walking back into the living room.

"Bitch" He laughed as she jumped on his back.

"How you?" Felia asked.

"I'm good except that your weight is almost killing me" Dan sighed.

"Endure it,I'll be here for some time" Felia said and Dan groaned.

Anne laughed.

"Did you see the girl?" Fel asked.

"Oh, Anne told you. I didn't see her,I'll go back tomorrow after school" Dan said.

"You should ask other workers there about her" Felia suggested.

"I'll do that tomorrow. Bleep! Fel get off my back!!" Dan said.

"I'm going to, i know you're a lazy ass" She said, slapping his head as she got off.

Dan sighed and shook his head knowing Fel is a bag of trouble.

"Why are you still in your school wears?" He asked her.

"I came here straight from school because i was missing some asshole" She deadpanned.

"I miss you more bush baby" Dan teased.

"Bleep you" She casted him a look and he laughed.

"Anne,come eat,i made pasta" Fel said, deliberately leaving Dan out.

"What the hell...you didn't make mine?" Dan asked,his stomach rumbling at the pasta Fel just mentioned.

Fel's pasta is second to none.

"You weren't home when i started making it so i didn't include yours" Fel teased.

"You're joking right?" Dan asked,he looked so serious that Fel bursted out laughing.

"Are you that hungry?" She asked.

"I am and i also know you are teasing me about not making mine. I'm off to the kitchen to dish out mine" He stuck out his tongue at Fel who shook her head.

"I really wish i didn't made his" She scoffed and Anne chuckled.

"Let's go dish out ours too,or i won't be surprised if there's nothing left in the pot anymore" Fel said and they both laughed as they rushed to the kitchen.

"Thanks so much Aria and I'm sorry to have made you work late" Layla said as they walked out of the coffee shop.

They were done for the day and she had felt better after talking to Aunt Esther and her nephew.

She really missed them, talking to them again after a long time made her happy,they made her forgot her worries during the time she was on the phone with them.

"It's nothing,I'm glad you feel better now" Aria said.

Layla nodded,the sadness in her eyes was still obvious but at least she was feeling better.

"Seems Philia knows what's wrong with you" Aria prodded.

"She doesn't, she's thinking about something else entirely" Layla said.

"Oh. I hope by tomorrow you will be able to tell me what went wrong" Aria said.

"Definitely" Layla said.

"Whatever it is,do not allow it weigh you down okay? it's normal to face challenges,you just have to brace up,nothing should worth making a strong girl like you sad" Aria rubbed her shoulder affectionately.

Layla smiled "Thanks Aria"

"Yeah! Good to see that beautiful smile of yours" Aria cheered and Layla found herself laughing.

God..she felt so much better.

"I hope you both know I'm standing here" Philia yelled.

"Bye Aria,say hi to Jane for me" Layla waved.

"Okay Bye" Aria waved and they went their separate ways.

"Good to see you finally let out your emotions,i knew you wouldn't be able to keep it in for long. Poor girl" Philia said pitifully to Layla as they walked home.

Layla wanted to tell her that wasn't the reason she was down but she decided to let it go.

"So,do you want me to keep being nice to you?" Phil asked blowing out a pink bubble.

"You can clearly see how well i pampered you today,if you want that to keep going on,just say it but mind you..it's because of your pathetic situation..." Phil was saying.

"If you won't be nice to me without a reason,then keep your niceness to yourself" Layla cut her short.

"You're just so unbelievable for someone in this your pathetic situation" Phil groaned.

"And you're so unbelievable for an aunt who knows about her niece's pathetic condition but doesn't even feel an iota of pity for her" Layla said, walking away fast.

She doesn't want Philia to see her cry.

She wants to keep being strong but no one is helping.

She's yet to heal from Dylan's poor words and now this!

"Does your black Aunt knows about it?" Philia shouted after her but Layla was done discussing her predicament.

"Don't fucking tell me you won't be making dinner again tonight,i swear I'm gonna throw you out of my house!" Philia yelled and passer bys turned to look at her.

She rolled her eyes and huffed at them before running after Layla.

Layla arrived to school late the next day and if the teachers hadn't been having a meeting,class would have started.

She had trekked like she normally does but this time,she didn't hurry,she had walked so slowly like she had all day.

She didn't have the strength to hurry like she normally does.

She had felt cranky when she woke up this morning.

Walking into the classroom,she was prepared for the mockery but she was of course surprised to see the students attention on something else, they hadn't even noticed she had walked in.

She wondered what could have their keen attention as she slowly walked to her seat.

She peered at Dylan's seat and she could see he wasn't there.

Even with what he had said about her,her feelings for him didn't waver a bit.

She would gladly forgive him if he asks her to..No,she forgave him already.

Everyone makes mistakes and anything or anyone shouldn't make her sad like Aria had said.

She got closer to her seat and saw it was a new student,he was backing her, going through the pasted timetable on the wall.

She was wondering why a new student would get everyone's attention this keenly when something caught her attention also.

She had noticed his hair looked familiar at first but a lot of people has brown hair but then she saw the scar on his neck.

She peered closer to see she wasn't mistaken..

Fu..c..k

"Hot coffee!" She screamed and everyone turned to her except the guy whose attention was still fixed on the wall.

"I can't believe she's starting to hit on the new guy" Miranda said irritably.

"I'm sure he's gonna embarrass her more than Dylan had" Chloe said and laughed.

They all thought the 'Hot coffee' she had called him meant a sweet name not until Layla pounced on him, biting his back.

"Helpppp" Daniel screamed in pain and everyone rushed to them.

Thanks for reading

Wahala for who they call hot coffee oo

I'm very sorry for the delay, the road was kinda busy - traffic.

Nice one OP

Chapter 7
____

"Helpppp" Daniel screamed in pain and everyone rushed to them.

"OMG! You're a maniac!" The girls screamed at Layla, Chloe's voice was the loudest and most piercing.

They succeeded in pulling Layla away from Daniel who was still shocked at the incidence.

He nursed the teeth wound on his back as he turned to see who had bit him so hard.

He blinked as he stared at the girl who was looking so furious, he doesn't even recognize her.

God...is this school full of maniacs?

How could someone just bite him out of the blue!

And it looks like she was ready to hit him more if the girls hadn't stopped her.

What the Bleep.

How could a pretty girl go crazy?

Perhaps she had mistaken him for another person but she wasn't even looking remorseful..

Was he dreaming?

How can he get bitten that hard,he was still so surprised that he couldn't say anything.

He had only heard someone scream 'hot coffee' and the next thing he knew was getting bitten.

"That's exactly how Africans like her behave! She's a black! You shouldn't have anything to do with her,avoid her by all means" Chloe said and the rest of the girls nodded in agreement.

Huh..could this be the African Anne had told him about.

Wow..she doesn't even look like one.

He wasn't even able to detect she was African until he was told.

Her skin was even fairer than most girls here and she's way more beautiful.

But Anne had told him how gentle she was,what could have prompted her to bite him!

Gosh,till now,she isn't even looking remorseful.

"What did i do to you?" Daniel finally asked.

"Motherfucker!" Layla yelled before sitting on her seat,still fuming.

Daniel blinked rapidly in confusion, unaware he was setting most of the girls heart on fire.

He was trying hard to understand what was going on,the 'motherfucker' sounded familiar to hi..

"Oh my God!" He shouted, widening his eyes.

"The coffee girl!" He exclaimed.

"But your hair.." He trailed off,he hadn't seen her face clearly but he remembered the way her long hair had flipped.

Did she..trim her hair?

Seems so.

"You're the coffee girl" He said to Layla who rolled her eyes at him.

Deep down,she was starting to feel bad to have bitten him,she just couldn't control herself, rushing off after spilling hot coffee on someone's leg without apologising is not a forgivable offense.

She nursed the pain for days, limped everywhere like an old granny and there's even this scar there,the scar looks like it would be permanent.

"She's a maniac! Don't talk to her" Chloe said to Daniel.

"No, she's not." Daniel defended and they stared at him like he was the maniac here.

"I understand why she reacted that way,i offended her greatly. Thanks everyone for caring" Daniel said,indirectly dismissing everyone.

They all gave both Layla and Daniel questioning gazes as they slowly walked back to their seats.

Some started murmuring, whispering into one another's ear.

Their gazes didn't leave Layla and Daniel,they waited eagerly to see what's next.

"I can spare you some balm for your back,it must be hurting so much. Africans teeth sometimes are like axe" Chloe said, sending Layla an irritable look.

"Thank God you know and if you're not careful,that axe will be used to hack you" Layla said, looking so mean and serious that Chloe stepped back in fear..

"Beast" Chloe muttered under her breath as she hurried to her seat.

Daniel looked surprised...was this the same African Anne had told him about?

Or were they two Africans in the school?

This one looks far from gentle like Anne had said.

It can't possibly be this African Anne was talking about.

Besides Anne hadn't mentioned if she was in his class,so he was sure this wasn't the African.

All that aside,he really needs to apologise to her.

He's glad he finally met the coffee girl even if the first meeting wasn't pleasant at all.

Whatever she wants to do to him,he would take it,he deserves it.

He thought of how best to approach her,the look on her face was something else.

Why would someone look this mean? and well..pretty at the same time.

Bleep, his seat was even close to hers and she glared at him as he sat down.

"Look, I'm so sorry about the coffee thing but there's really an explanation behind it" He said gently to her.

"I don't want to talk to you, whatever it is,forget it" She said bluntly.

"I know i was so wrong to have gone off without apologising after spilling hot coffee on your leg. I'm so sorry about that..."

"Fine" Layla cut him short and he noticed her attention wasn't even on him.

She was staring at a guy,who Daniel knew was Dylan.

The guy had walked out of the class right after he had walked in and he had heard the students say Dylan was probably pissed to finally have a competitor.

The guy is good looking and he could see the reason Anne had said it was hard to choose who was more good looking between him and Dylan.

But as far as Daniel was concerned,they were not competitors.

He likes to compete with people in knowledge and not in looks.

Looks absolutely means nothing to him.

He noticed Layla was yet to take her eyes off Dylan,who was busy with another thing entirely.

Oh..seems she's an admirer.

She looked so mild while staring at him,the sudden softness in her eyes was unbelievable,she didn't look a bit like the crazy girl who had bit him.

Wow.

He stared at her while she stared at Dylan.

She's very pretty and simple and doesn't look skinny like most teen girls here.

She's attractively thick and curvy..she doesn't look like she knows how attractive she is,many people with a body like hers would flaunt it.

He wondered why she had trimmed her hair, that was the reason he hadn't recognized her at first, his mind had been on a girl with a long hair.

He shouldn't keep on staring, Anne would be so disappointed to know he was staring at the girl he was supposed to apologise to.

"Coffee girl" He called slowly and Layla tried hard to hold her laughter.

Seems he doesn't know her name.

"Would you please allow me explain" He said and Layla switched her gaze to him.

He looked so sorry that her anger melted immediately.

She stared at him, feeling so bad and ashamed to have bit him.

"I'm sorry to have bit you" She said, finally looking remorseful.

Daniel looked surprised, maybe the girl wasn't so mean like she had looked earlier.

She might have only been triggered, which was expected.

"No, don't be. I deserve it,coffee girl" Daniel said.

"Maybe" Layla shrugged.

"And,my name is Layla" She added and Daniel smiled.

"I'm Daniel" He stretched his hand for a handshake.

"Well..i hadn't mean to do introduction,i only told you my name so you won't keep calling me coffee girl" Layla said.

"Oh" Daniel said, embarrassed as he started withdrawing his hand.

Layla quickly took his hand before he could withdraw it completely.

He smiled,she's full of surprises..isn't she?

Layla's handshake has been rejected severally by people and she knows how it had made her feel..she wouldn't want to make anyone feel that way.

Not this nice looking guy beside her who had admitted his offense openly and defended her.

The handshake took longer than intended and the fact that they were staring at each other while at it made their classmates question them with gazes.

"I can't believe this" Chloe said, glaring at them from her seat.

"It's just a handshake Chloe, and it looks like they have a history before now" Sabrina said.

"Looks like they were friends" Christy said.

"Who would bite her friend that hard! They are no friends and whatever history they had was a bad one" Miranda scoffed.

"Looks like they are ready to turn the bad history into a good one" Rina noted.

"You all should just shut up,lemme think" Chloe said.
•°
"So,i really would want to know the reason behind you running off" Layla said.

"I'm equally ready to tell you but it seems that will be later" Daniel said, motioning to the front of the class.

Miss Moore just walked in.

"Good morning students"

"Good morning Miss Moore"

"We're so sorry for the delay, the meeting was for the betterment of everyone and yeah before we start today's class, i would love the new student in our midst to come out and introduce himself" Miss Moore said.

Daniel stood up and walked to the front of the class.

He stood before everyone and smiled before clearing his throat.

Layla found herself almost smiling,his smile seems contagious.

Most people were smiling already,females to be precise.

The females looked smitten by him just like they do with Dylan...looks like they even look more smitten with Daniel.

Layla hadn't noticed how good looking he was until few moments ago,she had been clouded with anger earlier to care about his look.

He's a good looking fella with striking violet eyes that gleam with delight,his glossy brown curls looked well permed and full,his caramel skin was so smooth that it glowed, he's tall and attractively built with dashing chiseled features. If his looks were to be rated by ten, he'd score nine and half with no doubt.

And he doesn't even look obsessed with his looks.

She doubts he knows how good looking he is.

"Hi everyone,I'm Daniel Keyes,im excited to be here and i hope we all get along, nice to meet you all" He said and there was an applause.

"Welcome to Ocean high school Daniel" Everyone chorused as the applause gradually died down.

"Thank you" He smiled.

He returned to his seat and Miss Moore started teaching.

"I can't believe you are going to the cafeteria with someone who had bit you that hard,what if she empties hot pasta on you" Chloe said to Daniel.

"She won't do that" Daniel said.

"You would never know" Layla deadpanned.

"Gosh! She's so scary" Chloe hurried away after glaring at Layla.

Daniel had insisted on coming with Layla into the cafeteria so they would discuss over their meal and he also wants Anne to meet the girl he had spilled coffee on.

"Would you really pour hot pasta on me?" Daniel asked and Layla laughed.

"I wouldn't do that, not in my right senses" Layla said.

"I knew you wouldn't" Daniel smiled,he liked that he had made her laugh.

He said hi and shook hands with the students who greeted him as he walked by.

Everyone seems to love Daniel.

"Are you this friendly or you're just trying to be?" Layla asked,amused at the way he was relating with people.

Like he had known them all his life.

He had even delayed her a bit by asking her to wait for him while he quickly explained some maths equation to some group of students.

The smartness in which he had used in answering questions in class was adorable, he won everyone's heart more,even the guys were starting to move closer to him.

What Layla found most amazing about him was this humble act of his to quickly get along with people.

She's so sure every student in Ocean high school heard about him already.

His name would be on everyone's lips.

"Nah,naturally,i love making friends,i love getting along with everyone" Daniel shrugged.

"Except bullies and people i feel strangely about" He said.

"Cool" Layla said.

They walked into the cafeteria and Daniel saw how Layla was crooking her neck, looked like she was searching for someone.

Maybe Dylan..he thought.

He had caught her steal glances at Dylan severally in class.

Looks like she's crushing hugely on the guy.

"Oh my! She's here" Layla said, smiling as she walked towards a table.

She?..Dan wondered as he followed her.

He was oblivious of the admirable stares he was getting.

He looked surprised to see Layla stop at a table Anne was seated.

"You're here" Layla repeated with smiles.

She looked so happy to see Anne.

"Hi" Anne smiled back at her.

She glanced at Dan and back at Layla.

Did she just ignored him?

Cool..perfectly cool.

"You weren't in school for days,i hope everything is fine?" Layla asked.

"Everything is fine,thank you" Anne said,she was so touched to see Layla care about her.

One of her classmates had told her Layla asked after her.

They do not really talk to each other,they only say hi and Anne never even thought Layla would worry about her that much.

"I'm glad you are fine" Layla smiled.

"Thanks to have worried about me. And i heard how..changed you are now,I'm glad you finally stood up for yourself" Anne said.

"I'm glad i did too, i would have done that long ago if i had known being free of bullying takes nothing more than to just stand up for oneself" Layla said,she was now sitting opposite Anne,they both almost forgot Daniel was there and he stared at them in disbelief.

Even if Layla forgets his existence, should Anne too?

They didn't even ask him to sit.

Chapter 7 continues


Great!

"Yeah, standing up for oneself really saves one from a lot of shit,it's so cool to see people don't mock you anymore.." Anne said looking around, everyone was going about their business, the only person that was being stared at was Dan and it was a look of admiration.

She wished she was there during Layla's change.

Her friends really filled her in on the things she missed.

She was even told students now sit on the same table with Layla for lunch.

And she could see herself that Layla wasn't being avoided nor mocked anymore.

Though she heard about Dylan calling her lips a dead log of wood after a truth or dare game and she felt really sorry for Layla.

"You got a trim,it looks really good on you" Anne complimented Layla's hair.

"Thank you" Layla smiled.

"I missed eating with you,even though we rarely talk then" Layla said and Anne smiled.

"I'm glad you didn't feel lonely,i was told people don't mind eating on the same table with you anymore"

"Well..yeah,but none of their presence felt like yours. It's different eating with someone who accepted you when every other person rejected you than eating with people who accepted you just because every other person did" Layla said.

"Wow" Anne smiled.

"I think i should ask this guy to sit down before his eyes fall off" Anne said, referring to Dan who already sat before she completed her statement.

"Daniel,I'm so sorry but Anne has been an angel to me,she was absent for days and i was so worried, seeing her now made me excited that i almost forgot you were here and that you have something to tell me" Layla said.

"Dan,this is the African i told you about" Anne said.

"Uh..the African? Really?" Dan asked in surprise.

Layla looked confused..she wondered if they knew each other?

Of course..it's so obvious they do.

"Yeah,the African" Anne nodded.

"You told me she was so gentle" Dan whispered to Anne, glancing at Layla with the corners of his eyes.

She almost laughed.

"She is,the only different thing now is she's ready to face her bullies squarely"

"Obviously" Dan agreed.

"Oh" Anne said, seeing the confused look on Layla's face.

"Daniel Keyes is my older brother" Anne said.

"Oh..really?"

Daniel and Anne nodded with a smile.

"Wow" Layla exclaimed, looking from Daniel to Anne.

They are both good looking and they have this 'nice' behavior in common.

Just like Anne, Daniel hadn't avoided her even after knowing she was African.

Well..he might just want her forgiveness and then go off but he doesn't look such.

"I don't know what to say, honestly" Layla said.

"Pretty normal" Dan shrugged.

"I think now that it's obvious you and Anne have a good relationship,that should make you forgive me easily" Dan said and Layla laughed.

"Forgive you?" Anne asked.

"Layla bit me in class today..." Dan was saying.

"Wha.t, Why? Why did you bite him?" Anne asked, looking pretty upset.

"He's not a bully so i know he would never have bullied you" She added.

"Anne wait..Layla is the coffee girl" Daniel said.

"Coffee girl?" Anne asked, looking puzzled.

"The girl i accidentally spilled hot coffee on.."

"Oh my God!" Anne covered her mouth with her palm.

There was silence among them for seconds.

"Layla,I'm so sorry" Anne apologized, looking so sorry as she held Layla's hand tenderly.

"Why? You weren't the one who did it and i forgive Dan already,it was a mistake..I was only pissed he ran off without apologising" Layla said.

"I'm the cause of it,i made my brother run off..." Anne paused and sighed.

She wasn't used to telling people about her health condition, only her close friends knew about it but right now she has no choice but to tell Layla,she wouldn't want her to think of her brother as a mischievous being.

"Anne,you don't have to say anything" Dan said, knowing how she feels about disclosing her health issue.

"I have to." Anne said, facing Layla.

"I'm asthmatic" She said.

"Oh..I'm so sorry about that Anne" Layla rubbed Anne's hand affectionately.

"It's fine" Anne smiled.

"And the reason my brother had ran off without apologising was because i was having my attack and he was rushing to get my inhaler to me,my inhaler was with him at that moment" Anne said.

"We came to get coffee and Anne was waiting in the car with the driver,she had been careless enough to drop her inhaler at home,she thought we would just get the coffee and leave for home immediately but unfortunately her attack started, the driver called me immediately knowing i was always with a spare inhaler and i was rushing back to the car when i hit you,there was no time to stop and apologize, i didn't want the attack to escalate but when i got to her, it was too late,the inhaler didn't really helped this time and she was rushed to the hospital,that explains her absence from school for days" Daniel narrated.

"Oh my God.." Layla almost teared up.

She felt so bad instantly.

She never knew the reason behind Dan's act was this touching.

She wished she could change things, she would never have bitten him.

That had been so unfair of her.

God...She should really learn not to act until she hears someone's side of story.

"Dan, Anne..I'm so sorry, please" Layla said.

"You should forgive us" Anne said.

"I'm the wrong one here,i acted without thinking. I'm so sorry" Layla pleaded.

"No, it's normal for anyone in your shoes to react the same way,i know the pain you must have felt for days,you reacted out of pain..it's normal" Daniel said.

"Nevertheless,you both should please forgive me" Layla said.

"C'mon" Anne said.

"How's your leg fairing now?" Anne asked worriedly, she and Dan peered at Layla's feet under the table but it was covered in socks and shoes.

"C'mon guys, it wasn't so serious,just a burn..it's fine now,the pain was just for a short while" Layla lied.

"Are you sure?" Dan asked.

"Of course" Layla nodded.

"Anne, please apply some balm on Dan's back when you get home" Layla said, looking ashamed,she blinked remorsefully.

"I'm not even feeling pain there anymore" Dan lied, Layla's teeth was truly like an axe.

"Are you sure?" Layla asked.

"Sure" Dan smiled, he waved at some set of students who waved at him from their table.

"So, we're all cool now right?" Daniel asked.

"Absolutely" Layla said.

"Let's go get our lunch, break will be over soon" Anne said.

~
They were about walking to their table with their burger when the bell rang.

"Goddamn it!" Layla groaned.

Students were starting to walk back to their classes.

"Well..I'm gonna sneak mine into the class" Daniel said.

"What!" Anne and Layla stared at him.

"Daniel,this isn't Prestige high school!" Anne cleared.

"Meals aren't allowed in the class" Layla added.

"Rules are made to be broken" Daniel grinned.

"You both are free to leave your burgers at the counter and then starve for the rest of the day" He said, picking a paper bag,he dropped his burger in it and then hid it in his shirt.

Anne and Layla swallowed hard,the thought of leaving the delicious looking burger at the counter didn't sit well with them but then again they were afraid to break the school rule.

"Dan, you're a bad influence" Anne said, seeing Layla already picked a paper bag too.

He laughed.

"God" He said laughing harder as Anne shamefully picked a paper bag too,placed her burger in it and hid it in her skirt just like Layla had done.

"Well..im just keeping it in there,im not gonna eat it in class" Anne said, pouting and blinking through her eyeglasses like a baby.

Layla joined Dan in laughing this time.

Dan and Layla were stealthily eating their burger while a teacher was teaching.

No one suspected a thing while they enjoyed their burger.

Layla wondered if the burger was more delicious because it was been hidden and eaten in the class.

The ones she eats openly and comfortably in the cafeteria do not taste this delicious.

She was taking another stealthy bite when her eyes met Dan's who was taking a bite too.

They both laughed.

Thanks for reading

Someone play me Bad Influence by Omah Lay

Thanks for the update.

U are welcome

Episode 8

Ouch!" Daniel groaned as Anne applied soothing balm on his back.

"I thought you told Layla it didn't hurt at all" Anne said.

They were in Dan's room, minutes after they were back from school.

Dan laid flat on his chest,shirtless as Anne applied the balm on his back,he was doing his homework in the process.

"I can't possibly tell her it hurts, didn't you see how bad she already felt,she would feel more bad if i tell her otherwise" Dan said and Anne nodded in agreement.

"And we'd both be lieing if we really believed that her leg is healed and that the pain was just for a short while"

"Yeah! Burns do not really heal quickly and they hurt so much" Anne said.

"She only said that to make us feel better, i had to make her feel better too" Dan said.

"You did the right thing. I'm so glad we finally got to meet the coffee girl and to think it turned out to be Layla..wow" Anne laughed sitting on the edge of Dan's bed.

She was done applying the balm.

Dan smiled. "She seems like a nice girl but when triggered,she's one crazy girl"

Anne laughed.

Dan dropped his pen and faced Anne.

"You won't believe i just heard 'Hot Coffee' while i was checking out the timetable on the wall and the next thing i knew was someone biting me so hard" He narrated.

"Oh my God" Anne laughed hard .

Dan was tempted to join in the laughter and he did.

"I bet people had to pull her away from you" Anne said,still laughing.

"Exactly! and a girl with a pink hair said she's African and Africans teeth are like axe. Layla told her to be careful or she's gonna get hacked by her axe" Dan said and they both continued laughing.

"You must not have believed she was the African i do tell you about" Anne chuckled.

"I doubted it and i told myself there must be another African in the school, that this surely couldn't be the gentle one my sister tells me about" Dan said and Anne laughed harder.

"I'm glad she's free of the bullies and all" She said.

Dan nodded.."No one seems to taunt her anymore,looks like they are scared of her instead"

"Serves them right,you needed to see how badly she was being treated before, standing up for oneself really goes a long way" Anne said.

"Of course, the bullies were so lucky to have stopped taunting her before i resumed,you know how much i hate bullies" Dan frowned.

"Yeah i do,there are a lot of them in Ocean high school and the only person they mostly bother is Layla, thank God she's free now" Anne said.

"Left to me,i don't think they were hating on her because she is African,if most of her bullies were females,then they were probably jealous of her. Layla is still without doubt one of the most good looking females in that school and she has this great body none of them has" Dan said.

"You're right, being African is just an excuse to hate on her"

"Yeah,they should just be called jealous assholes" Dan said and Anne chuckled.

"Yeah, because why would you hate on someone and even hurt them just because they are more good looking and better than you are,that's wack as hell" Dan said.

"I think people like that should be called petty assholes instead" Anne said and they laughed.

"What's the deal about the Dylan guy, seems Layla has the hots for him" Dan said.

"Yeah she does,i feel so bad for her,you won't believe he embarrassed her after they shared a kiss during a truth or dare game"

"Really?" Dan asked, sitting up.

"Yeah,he said her lips tasted like a dead log of wood that wouldn't even lit up if ignited by a wide burning fire" Anne said.

"Oh my God!" Dan exclaimed.

"He also added that he has never felt so sick after kissing someone"

"Wow" Dan furrowed his brows.

"And that coming from Dylan would have hurt her so much, Dylan is known to be a big flirt,he kisses almost every girl who wants to be kissed and i don't think he has ever embarrassed any of them that way"

"That's so bad of Dylan, even if he had felt that way,he shouldn't have embarrassed her by telling everyone about it. That's immature" Dan said, irritated with Dylan's behavior.

"Perhaps he had treated her that way because of how Layla is viewed, he might have felt an African is not up to his taste" Anne said.

"Then Dylan is another petty asshole" Dan said.

"Sure he is" Anne toyed with his bedside lamp.

"When did it happen?" Dan asked.

"Just yesterday" Anne said.

"Woah..I just hope she's over the embarrassment" Dan said.

"Looks like she was,she doesn't look bothered with anything while she was with us"

"Yeah and i hope you weren't caught eating in class" Dan grinned.

"No, bad influence" Anne said and they laughed.

"Oh my, I'm so sorry about that Layla" Aria said after Layla narrated the ordeal to her,the reason she was so down yesterday.

"It's fine,I'm over it now" Layla smiled.

"Im glad you are but you're so strong,those terrible words are so hard to get over so soon" Aria said.

"I didn't do that on my own,my new friends lit my mood" Layla grinned.

"Your new friends?" Aria asked in surprise,she smiled as she faced Layla.

Layla has never mentioned the word 'friend' to her and she knew it was because she had none, she knew Layla wasn't treated well in school and she has always feel so sad about that and now..did Layla just mentioned 'friends'

They had even helped her get out of the depressing mood that silly thing almost threw her into.

Who are those angels?

"Yeah,they are my friends even though they didn't say that to me but they are. I already take them as mine. What we shared today might not be enough for them to take me as a friend but it is enough for me. They are the only ones in school who accepted me for who i am,even when others tried to make them abjure me. They are just so kind" Layla said, almost laughing as she remembered the burger escapade.

It was fun.

She didn't knew breaking a school rule would be that great..

She doubt if she has ever broken any school rule and well she didn't regret breaking one today.

The teacher had almost caught them when they laughed but they had been lucky.

"I'm so glad you finally have people to call friends after a long time" Aria said, hugging Layla.

Layla is the first kid she's ever met that has such a difficult life at her age, no friends,no parents,no siblings, only an aunt who made her life more unbearable.

Most time,she wishes Layla would come stay with her but of course that's not possible.

Seeing the joy on her face now when she mentioned her new friends almost made Aria tear up.

Layla is so excited over what most teens have dozens of and even discard as they wish.

She's so excited because she never had one.

She knows how much Layla would appreciate her new friends,they would be the first friends she had had in years and she's really gonna go all the way for them, they are really lucky to have her as a friend.

"Uhm..Aria,i need to go attend to customers" Layla said.

"Oh,my bad" Aria said, disengaging from the hug.

Aria smiled as she watched Layla take orders diligently.

She wondered with a frown why Dylan would treat her that way.

He had even made her cry, that was so wicked of him.

He dashed the hopes he had given her.

So bad most times good things aren't appreciated, having someone like Layla in one's life is a blessing.

She's one of the few people with a heart of gold, Layla is so selfless,she's always ready to help.

She doesn't deserve the sort of life she has but then again,life and it's ways.

Aria is glad things are starting to turn out better for her though.

But how could that asshole call her lips a dead log of wood!

Layla returned from serving the customers.

"How could that guy call your lips a dead log of wood!" Aria said and Layla smiled.

"I'm sure it had been a mistake,he told me he didn't mean for it to spread all over the school" Layla said.

"Wh..what are you saying?" Aria asked,arching a brow in disbelief.

"Don't tell me you've not gotten over him" She added.

"Get over him?" Layla laughed.

"I love Dylan so much than you can imagine,i love him enough to forgive him for every mistake he makes. Mistakes happen almost all the time,we all make them" Layla shrugged.

"Oh my God, what has come over you? Isn't it so obvious this guy doesn't respect you,he doesn't even love you or he would never have embarrassed you that way"

"It was a mistake Aria" Layla said.

"Did he told you it was?" Aria asked and Layla drummed her fingers on the table, giving no answer.

Dylan hadn't said it was a mistake,he admitted saying it,he admitted feeling that way,he only apologized for the words spreading all over the school.

"He compared your lips to a dead log of wood and you call that a mistake? C'mon Layla"

"Just let it go, besides we were starting to get close before that happened,i really hope he starts talking to me again" Layla said hopefully.

"What! you mean he didn't even talked to you after that? He didn't apologise? Wow, fantastic" Aria clapped dramatically.

"He's gonna come around soon" Layla said as she walked away to attend to another set of customers.

"If i hadn't experienced love, Layla would have almost made me believe love is a bastard" Ariana said as she prepared to go pick her kid.

"You're getting real better in preparing meals nowadays" Philia smiled as they ate dinner.

"Thanks Phil" Layla said.

They continued their meal in silence and when they were done, Layla sorted the dishes.

She joined Phil in the living room when she was done and they watched a movie together..
~
Layla remembered she has homework to do as they were set to watch another movie.

"I'm going to bed" She said to Philia as she got to her feet.

"Goodnight" Philia smiled and Layla knew one of the men who do shag Phil is coming around tonight.

Whenever Phil stays up this late,it means she's expecting someone. Phil is an early sleeper.

Layla walked to her room,she fetched her school bag,sat on the bed and started her homework.
*
She went to freshen up for the night after she was done with her homework.

She wore her soft nightwear after drying her body.

She made her bed,about to get some real sleep when she realised she had to drink some water,she's thirsty and if she refuses to quench it now,it would wake her up in the midnight and she won't be able to continue her sleep.

She slid her feet into her footwear and walked out of her room.

Walking past Philia's room,she shook her head as she heard moans.

She got to the kitchen,downed a glass of water,rinsed the cup and returned it to it's place.

As she walked out of the kitchen to return to her room, she realised Philia hadn't even turned off the TV and lights in the living room.

The shagging must really mean a lot to her.

Layla turned off the TV, switched off the lights and then run back to her room, covering her ears as she passed Philia's room.

Philia was moaning like cow that's being slaughtered and it's so disturbing to her ears.

She locked her door as she got to her room,switched off the light and got under her blanket.

She switched on her bedside lamp and stared dreamily at the dim light, reminiscing how her day had went.

She smiled.

"Did you switched off the lights and TV?" Philia asked Layla the next morning.

"Of course i did" Layla said.

"I went to get water and saw you forgot to put off the lights and TV" She added.

"Well thanks" Phil said, preparing Layla's allowance.

Layla was fully dressed for school, standing in front of Phil as she waited for money.

"Here" Phil handed some dollar notes to her.

She said thanks as she collected it.

She quickly counted it and discovered it was more than what Phil do give her,far more than.

"Phil..." She was saying.

"Yunno the pizza fee i deducted from your allowance the last time,well..it has been returned to you" Phil said.

"Thanks but even at that,the money is still more" Layla said.

"For preparing a good meal yesternight and also turning off the TV and lights" Philia winked.

"Wow" Layla smiled, Philia can be unbelievable at times.

She does unexpected things that makes one either love or dislike her.

Things that makes one happy or sad.

She's glad Philia unexpected act this morning had made her happy.

"You should run along" Philia said, getting busy with her phone.

"Thanks Phil, Bye" Layla said.

"Bye"

She took the bus today, having more than enough money,her legs should at least rest from trekking even if it's just for today.

Layla drew in a breath before walking into the class.

She was glad no one mocked her anymore,they seem to have forgotten about it.

Gracias!

They only stare at her for some seconds when she walked in and then faced their businesses.

She walked past Chloe's seat who deliberately muttered 'dead log of wood' to her hearing.

Layla ignored her as much as she could,she glanced at Dylan's seat and saw him seated, chatting with his group of friends.

His eyes met hers and it lingered for few seconds before he looked away.

Perhaps he felt sorry and maybe would talk to her soon.

She smiled at the thought as she finally got to her seat.

Her smile grew wider when she saw Daniel whose eyes has been on her since she walked in,he saw how she had smiled when she looked at Dylan and then knew she's yet to get over him. She looked so in love with him with the way her face had brightened up,just so bad her love was one sided.

Dylan doesn't look like someone who would want to have anything to do with her.

"Hey" He smiled back at her.

She was already seated.

"How you?" she asked.

"I'm good,your smile tells me you're good too" He said.

"Yeah,my aunt gave me extra allowance this morning" She said.

"Wow, really?" Daniel smiled.

"Yap" Layla said, realising she didn't needed to tell him, the way it had skidded out of her mouth is yet to be understood.

Perhaps she's overexcited to finally have someone to tell things.

Daniel and Anne would be her first friends since she resumed Ocean high school.

"Did i...sounded childish?" She asked, pressing her lips together.

"Childish? No, you didn't,you were only excited and you decided to share it with your friend,there's nothing childish about that" Dan said.

"My...friend?" Layla asked.

"Ye..ah, aren't we friends?" Daniel asked with a raised brow.

"Do you consider me as your friend?" Layla asked, blinking hopefully.

She took Dan and Anne as her friends already but she wasn't sure they took her as theirs,she wasn't sure what they shared yesterday was enough to make her their friend but she was really hoping it would.

"Of course we're friends Layla" Daniel said.

"Really?" Layla's face lit up.

Daniel nodded.

"Thank you" Layla said happily, surprising Daniel by hugging him.

He was so surprised she could hug him just because he took her as a friend but then he shouldn't be,he knows her story,he knows he was probably the first person to call her a friend since she resumed Ocean high school.

She must be so excited to finally have a friend after a long time.

He had dozens of friends that he couldn't even count, friends he doesn't even care enough about and here's someone who's so happy to have just one.

He felt emotional as he hugged her back.

He can't imagine how she must have felt for years without having anyone her age to talk to,to confide in,to cry to, laugh with and share silly things with.

He would make sure to fill that vacuum,he would make her happy and make her feel the joy of having a good friend.

He would make up for all the years she's missed without a friend.

Yeah,he would do that.

She deserves it.

He smiled "C'mon Layla"

"I won't let you go" She said and he laughed.

"You're the first person,since i got to Ocean high school to ever make me your friend,thank you" She added.

He was still smiling when he caught Dylan's gaze,it looked like he had been staring at them for long,he didn't really looked pleased at the sight with the glare he was sending towards Dan.

Perhaps,it wasn't one sided like he had thought.

Zeemah

Episode 9

"Why do the students stare so much?" Dan asked Layla after they disengaged from the hug.

"That's because it's me,I've always been stared at" Layla said.

"Oh, i'm so honored to be sitting with a celebrity" Dan teased and she laughed loudly.

"This is a class yunno!" Chloe screamed from her seat, startling them.

She has been burning with rage since she saw them hugging.

"I'm sorry for disturbing, everyone" Layla said.

"It's fine Layla" Most of the students said.

Chloe faced her table with a huff.

She was so mad right now.

She wants him to herself, she's the school queen and she should date the best.

Perhaps she should find a way to move her seat closer to his.

Then she would get to talk to him more often and he would see she's far better than that fat African!

She's so sure Layla might be using jazz on him,why else would a good looking guy get close with an ugly person who had once bit him.

Perhaps,the jazz was in her teeth!..Chloe widened her eyes at the thought.

She turned back to look at Daniel who was smiling as he talked to Layla.

'And now,the cutie is trapped' she thought sadly.

She wouldn't mind using a jazz to trap him too though.

"I told ya,they are ready to change their bad history into a good one" Sabrina said.

"Just shut up!" Chloe yelled.

•°
"And..how's your back?..i mean the teeth bite" Layla asked, pressing her lips together shyly.

Dan smiled. "Better, how's your leg?"

"Healed long ago" Layla said.

It only showed a scar now,a raw one and it's still quite painful.

"Seems,the pinkie doesn't like you" Dan said to Layla.

"She doesn't and i don't like her either" Layla said.

"Obviously" Daniel smiled,he turned to the guy who wanted his attention.

He chatted with him for few minutes before turning back to Layla whom he caught staring at Dylan.

Wow.

She rubbed her cheek, embarrassed when she realised Dan caught her.

"He wanted me to help him with a topic" Daniel said to Layla, referring to the boy he had chatted with for some minutes.

"Oh" Layla smiled.

She feels so excited Dan had told her,it really confirmed they were friends now.

"Do friends tell one another everything?" She asked.

"Of course,close friends tells one another almost everything" Dan said and Layla nodded thoughtfully.

Perhaps, Dylan shouldn't be blamed.

He had told his friends about how he felt when he had kissed her just because that's what friends should do but his friends had gone ahead to spread it all over the school.

Dylan shouldn't be blamed,she felt so bad to have blamed him..

He might be feeling guilty to approach her,she should say hi to him later and make him know it's fine, it's no big deal.

"The teacher is here" Dan said.

"Hey guys, my friends wants me to eat with them today" Anne said to Dan and Layla.

Her friends do get pissed with her during the times she eat with Layla instead of eating with them and now she's glad there's Daniel to keep Layla's company while she's with her friends.

"Go ahead" Layla smiled.

"Okay" Anne walked to her friends, they went to get their lunch and then sat round the table to start eating.

She looked over at Layla and Daniel,they were eating already, chatting in the process.

Anne smiled.

"Your brother is so good looking" Jessie smiled admiringly.

"And i heard he's intelligent also" Kate said.

"Of course Dan is just perfect" Sarah added,chewing her fries,she's the closest to Anne and she has been to her house severally,she had known Daniel even before he resumed Ocean high School.

"He's so friendly too,i said hi to him and he replied with a smile. God,i almost melted" Jessie grinned.

"He replies every other person the same way, don't feel too special" Kate rolled her eyes, she's the sauciest of them.

"I know right,you don't have to point it out to me. At least I'm one of those he smiled at" Jessie hissed.

"Anne,you should tell him to eat with us some other time. I want everyone to see how lucky we are to be your friend,they should get jealous when they see we're closer to your brother than they are. I bet everyone would want to join our group of friends" Kate smiled.

Sarah sighed and shook her head at Kate's thought.

Kate uses her flat mouth to spill unreasonable talks most times.

"If you want him to join us sometime,i hope you know Layla would be coming with him" Anne said, knowing Kate is among the people who doesn't like Layla.

She gets most pissed at Anne whenever she eats with Layla and would refuse to speak to Anne and Anne being the cool girl she is would go ahead to talk to her anyway.

Kate hissed. "Does she have to come with him?"

"If you don't want her to,then i won't be joining you guys to eat because there'll be no one to eat with Layla" Anne said.

"Why are you so obsessed with this girl?" Jessie wondered aloud.

"She really needs to be asked that question!" Kate said, raising her voice.

"Hey! Do you have to make your foul spit spill out of your mouth to my food just because you're talking!" Sarah said crossly at Kate.

"That was a stupid thing to say! My saliva is not foul and i don't spill it when i talk!" Kate said.

"Oh,my sight wasn't clear right?"

"Probably" Kate raised her brow.

Sarah pushed her fries away angrily.

Kate drew it close and continued eating from where Sarah had stopped.

As serene as Anne is,one wouldn't know she has crazy friends.

"I won't be surprised if you had intentionally done that just so you could eat my fries. Stupid foodie!" Sarah said.

"I'm not cut for you at the moment. Anne,you really need to answer that question" Kate said, chewing the fries and making delicious sighs just so to piss Sarah off.

Sarah huffed.

Anne passed her remaining fries to Sarah.

"No,I'm good,you don't have to do that" Kate said.

"I'm done eating already, you can have the rest" Anne said, gulping water.

"Thanks Anne" Sarah smiled, giving Kate a 'i-won' look.

Kate ignored her and turned to Anne.

"Anne, you're yet to answer our question,why are you so obsessed with that girl?" She asked again.

"Maybe because everyone else avoids her, perhaps if she wasn't been avoided by everyone,i wouldn't have felt the need to always move close to her" Anne said.

"I don't know her offense exactly,why do people hate on her so much" Sarah shook her head.

"Stop talking like you didn't once hated on her too!" Kate rolled her eyes.

"I did because i was so dumb to have believed Chloe's slandering" Sarah said.

"But now..it's clear to everyone Chloe tarnished Layla's image just to make everyone hate her" Anne added.

"Yeah and any reasonable person should have stopped hating on the poor girl having realised that" Sarah said and Kate glared at her.

"Whatever..just make your brother eat with us some other time" Kate said.

"But how come your brother is so close to her just a day after resuming? Is obsessiveness in your blood? Or could the girl be using jazz! Oh my God! Yunno she's African" Kate said and Anne laughed.

"Layla is using no jazz, she and Dan met before now" Anne said.

"Oh, no wonder they are so close" Jessie said.

"Yah" Anne said.

They chatted about other things as they ate.

•°
"We're officially friends now,i want you to tell me more about yourself" Dan said.

Layla smiled. "Okay"

They were done with their lunch, and then decided to wait and chat before the bell rings.

"I am Layla Moremi Williams, partly African. My father Michael Ajagun Williams is Nigerian, from the Yoruba tribe which automatically makes me a Yoruba too. My mother Celine Marton Williams is American which makes me partly American too, I'm sixteen,I'll be seventeen in two weeks time..."

"Wow, Moremi" Daniel smiled, interrupting her and there was this feeling inside of her when he mentioned Moremi.

He'll be the first person,the first friend of hers to call her by her native name.

It stirred a feeling in her that she didn't even knew existed.

"Did i get the pronunciation?" He asked hopefully.

"I can't say,you pronounced it the way i did and I'm not so sure i got the pronunciation correctly myself, if you're so determined to get the pronunciation correctly, you'll have to listen to my aunt pronounce it over and over"

"I don't mind,i love the name" Daniel said.

"So much" He smiled.

"Thanks" Layla smiled "Should i tell you the history behind it?" Layla asked.

"Yes please" Daniel said eagerly.

"Okay..Moremi was the queen of ile Ife Kingdom,Osun state. Nigeria.." Layla started with smiles.

•°
"Wow" Daniel said, intrigued by the story.

"That's one hell of an intriguing story,it captivated me" He added, it made him love the name more.

"Yeah,there are so many intriguing histories in Africa. My father named me Moremi because he also loved the name and wanted me to be the best of myself" Layla said.

"I would love to start calling you by your native name, Moremi" Dan announced and Layla's eyes widened.

"Really?"

"Yeah,i had thought Layla was a beautiful name not until i heard Moremi. I love it,maybe because it's uncommon. I'ma gonna stick to that name" He said.

"Do you have..to do that? People are gonna.." Layla was saying.

"I don't have to care about what people would say,as long as I'm happy doing what i want" Daniel said.

"Wait.. don't you love your native name?" He asked.

"Of course i do,so much" Layla said.

"Are you probably bothered that calling you by your native name would remind people that you're African and they'll start hating on you and avoiding you again?"

"No,i don't care if anyone avoids me. I have you and Anne now"

"Good, okay i get it that we're in an environment where they are not used to the name"

"Exactly" Layla said.

"How about i just stick to Layla then and call you Moremi whenever i feel like."

"Fine" Layla smiled.

"Okay,so Moremi..continue please" Dan smiled.

"I lost my parents and only younger sibling, and now I'm staying with my aunt, Philia who owns the coffee shop we first met" Layla said.

Dan stared at her,struck by what she must have gone through losing both parents and only sibling!

Coupled with how she had been treated in school and yet she's still standing firmly on her feet.

God! She's so strong.

He doesn't think he can survive loosing his parents and Anne, he can't even imagine his life without them.

Her pathetic life at this young age almost brought tears to his eyes and he's more determined to protect her.

"I'm so sorry about that Moremi" He rubbed her hand affectionately, staring at her with pity.

"Com'on it's fine, I'm over it. It happened long ago" She smiled and he knows no matter how long ago it was,the pain will always be there.

"I'm so sorry once again, starting now..you have me and Anne okay? We'll always be there for you" He said reassuringly and she nodded.

"Thanks Dan,thanks so much" Layla said.

"Okay..i should continue" She smiled.

He likes that she smiles often,it makes her more endearing.

"I have relatives in Nigeria,Lagos State.."

"Really?" Daniel smiled.

"Yeah, Aunt Esther,she's my father sibling and her son David,asides my parents,they are the only ones who calls me by my native name and well you too" Layla smiled and he smiled too.

"They are my father's only relatives that i know of and i love them so much,they are still one of the best people i know,I'm so happy to have them in my life or i would have broken down completely. I do call them frequently when i still have my mum's phone with me" Layla said.

"And you don't anymore?" Dan asked.

"I do but not as frequently as I'd love to"

"Why?" Daniel asked.

"The phone is not in my possession anymore,it's in Philia's"

"You don't have a phone of your own?" Dan asked and Layla shook her head.

He sighed "I was thinking of getting your contact so we could chat over the weekend"

"Ah,I'm sorry to have disappointed you" Layla laughed.

"It's fine,but the phone in Philia's possession shouldn't stop you from not calling them regularly, Philia should give it to you whenever you need it,it's your mum's phone and...she's not supposed to take it from you in the first place" Dan said.

Layla shrugged.." I guess it's because she's always busy with the phone, doing business and all"

"Oh" Daniel sighed.

"Yeah,so that's all you should know about me,at least for now"

"My turn" Daniel sat up properly, clearing his throat.

Layla laughed.."You look like you want to deliver a very important speech,all you're missing is a well ironed suit and a microphone"

Dan laughed too.

"I'm Daniel Keyes,a full American, seventeen years of age,i love getting along with people,i love making friends,i hate bullies and backstabbers. My parents and Anne are the people i love most in the world,i have a lot of friends but there are two special ones and now they are three. I don't make someone my special friend that quickly because being 'special' to me means i really like you and to really like you,i would have studied you,it took years for me to have those two special friends but there's this particular particular person that i feel it doesn't have to take years to make her one,i don't know what she did to me" Daniel said and Layla blinked profusely.

Dan smiled. "Do you mind knowing their names?" Daniel asked.

"Of course i don't" Layla said.

"Felia Summers,Rylan Whitney and..Layla Moremi Williams" Daniel said and the bell rang.

Layla stared at him numbly,not getting up.

"C'mon,let's go to the class" Daniel smiled, pulling her up. He knew she was surprised,if not shocked.

"Get into the car,we will give you a lift" Anne said to Layla who was about leaving after bidding them bye.

"Yeah, we'll give you a lift" Dan said.

"Don't bother" Layla said.

"We want to" Dan said.

"My house is a bit far" Layla said.

"Isn't your house around the coffee shop?" Dan asked.

"Yeah" Layla nodded.

"Our house is farther, miles after your coffee shop,so get in" Dan said.

"Hm,i insist don't bother, i'll take the bus. Bye" Layla waved running off before they could stop her.

"Coffee girl, see you on Monday" Dan shouted after her and she laughed.

He was about turning with Anne,to head towards the car when Dylan stopped him.

"Anne,go into the car,I'll come join you" Dan said.

"Okay" Anne said, walking away.

"Hi" Daniel said.

"Hey" Dylan said, giving him a piercing look.

"You want anything?" Dan asked after few minutes, getting uncomfortable with the silence.

"What's with you and Layla?" Dylan asked.

"Oh" Daniel smiled and then laughed.

Dylan stared at him with furrowed brows.

"You like her?" Dan asked.

He knew with the way Dylan had glared at him in class that he probably likes Layla.

"It's rude to answer a question with a question" Dylan said, irritated with Dan's behavior.

Seeing Dan resume Ocean high pissed him off badly, he hates having someone to compete with,he was the king of the school not until this guy came along, stealing every attention from him and even Layla who can't do without staring at him is now so occupied with the new guy that she now rarely spares him a glance.

The girl who was so obviously in love with him,the girl who had almost collapsed when he complimented her hair,she had danced happily and he laughed from where he watched.

The most annoying part is the new guy even turned out to be more intelligent! the girls do not care about him any longer,they are all focused on Dan now.

It irks him so much,he wishes Dan would disappear.

He's taking everything from him!

"Well..Layla is my special friend, there's nothing going on with us,you're free to go ahead with her" Dan said.

"Go ahead with her?" Dylan laughed.

"Ye..ah, don't you like her?" Dan asked.

"Like her?" Dylan snorted.

"It's rude to reply a question with a question" Dan stated Dylan's words to him and Dylan bit the inside of his mouth angrily.

He hates the fact that this guy here unnerves him without even trying to.

"And why did you say 'like her' with such a disgusting look, like..she's not human or not worthy to like" Dan said.

"Thats because you really need to know i do not like her,i don't even have a tiny bit of feeling for her. She's cool for a friend though" Dylan shrugged like he was considering it.

"Not liking someone romantically shouldn't warrant that look, of course everyone is free to turn down whomever they don't want to be romantically involved with,it doesn't have to be such a big deal. I heard you embarrassed her after a kiss. C'mon that's bad of you. It's petty for real" Dan said, resting his back on a car.

Dylan hated that Dan maintained a normal look, his emotions wasn't visible on his face and that annoys him so much.

He had planned to unnerve Dan but he's the one being unnerved instead.

"Are you trying to force your own opinion on my decision? I have the right to make whatever decision i want" Dylan said.

"Of course you do, everyone does but there are some decisions that lacks sanity,for example, why would a sane person compare a human lips to a dead log of wood and you even added it wouldn't lit up if ignited by a wide burning fire. I'm not questioning why you felt that way but going around to tell everyone..that is lame,even if you hadn't felt anything while kissing her,even if that moment wasn't special to you,even if your own lips was too dumb to feel anything, you should have at least cared about her feelings. You don't even know if she held on to that moment like gold,you don't know how much the kiss meant to her. You knew those words would hurt her and you still went ahead to say it! Is that how much of a petty asshole you are?" Dan asked, expecting an answer like it was any normal question.

Dylan glared hard at him, wishing he never approached him in the first place.

He would never have believed Dan would render him speechless,he had approached Dan so prepared and now there's nothing left to say.

Everything he had planned to say,the words he had planned to unnerve Dan with erased completely from his head.

"Well..i wasn't expecting an answer for that anyway but you really need to answer this question..You claim not to like her,why then did you approach me asking what relationship we have together?" Dan asked and Dylan determined not to let Dan have the last words braced up for an answer.

"Because she needs to be protected from assholes like you! You're a fake! You're faking that friendly behavior of yours just so to be loved"

Daniel laughed. "I was right,you're so petty, who fakes a friendly behavior... do you do that? that's bad,you should change your ways if you're guilty of that. Anyway, you're so lucky i've not resumed Ocean high when you hurt Layla but now you're not so lucky anymore,hurt her and get to face me. I just hope you're well trained in taekwondo,that was my specialty in Prestige high school" Daniel grinned wickedly and Dylan wouldn't lie he got shivers.

"Layla is my special friend and i go all the way for my special friends so Dylan,be careful" Dan said.

"Please" He added, before walking away.

He was keeping Anne waiting,he would have loved to speak more sense into Dylan.

Dylan stared at Dan as he got into the car,the car drove off almost immediately and he released the breath he didn't know he was holding.

"What the Bleep!" He screamed angrily.

Thanks for reading

Wahala for who no be special friend o

Please who's selling the special friend form..i want to buy o

Her last wish episode 10 & 11

https://toriperi.com/her-last-wish-episode-1011

This Dan guy get mouth see the way he rendered that boy useless with his word....thanks for the update

Episode 10.
�_____

"I'm not just a friend to him but a special friend" Layla grinned happily as she told Aria.
"Wow, isn't that so great" Aria smiled, so happy there's someone who had made Layla happy after going through that heartbreak.
"I can't believe i finally earned myself a good friend since i resumed Ocean high, i was mute when he told me i wasn't just a friend but a special friend" Layla said, glowing with smiles.
"I'm so sure everyone who had avoided you then is not even up to Dan in intelligence and looks, according to how you had described him to me"

"Yeah, Dan turned out to be the most intelligent in our class and he doesn't even hesitate to put others through. So humble to the core,I'm so lucky to get such a friend" Layla said and Aria smiled.
"Likewise him so lucky to get you as a friend" Aria said.
"Really?" Layla asked.
"Of course,you don't seem to know yourself,do you?"
"Well..but I'm more lucky to have him" Layla said and quickly rushed to take customers order before Aria could reply.

Aria started preparing the coffee while Layla went ahead to serve it.

They returned to talking after they were done.
"Now,there's another reason i look forward to going to school" Layla said.
"Was there a reason before?" Aria asked.
"Of course, Dylan. He kept me going to school,the thought of seeing his face everyday appeals me"
"And is he still a reason you look forward to going to school?" Aria asked, earnestly hoping Layla would say no.
"Yes" Layla said and Aria's heart fell.
"Dylan is still a reason i look forward to going to school and he'll forever be one because i don't think i'll ever stop loving him" Layla said.
"You can stop loving him if you want to, Layla" Aria said,so pained that ungrateful pig has Layla's heart at the tip of his finger.

"I don't want to,i don't want to stop loving him. Sooner or later,the feeling's gonna be mutual and then we'll date" Layla said.
"My last wish completed! and then..." She added inwardly.

"Layla, Dylan doesn't have feelings for you and might never get to, don't give yourself false hope so you won't end up getting hurt in the end. Please" Aria said.
"Not like it would be for long anyway" Layla said, looking gloomy.
"What do you mean?" Aria asked.
"Nevermind" Layla said, wearing a smile.
"I hope everything is fine?" Aria asked worriedly.
"Of course. Now go pick Jane, she'll be waiting" Layla said, she saw a customer walk in and quickly went to take her order.

'Why do i feel something is wrong?' Aria wondered.
And Layla asking her to go pick Jane in the middle of their conversation is rare,it means she doesn't want the conversation to go on and that signifies there's something.
Or could Layla just didn't want her to dissuade her from going on with her feelings for Dylan?
Well..whatever it is, she hopes Layla is fine.

She started pulling off her apron and hair cover,ready to go pick her kid.

��

"Uh..how could he approach you for such" Anne said with a frown after Daniel narrated the incidence between him and Dylan.
"He was been a fool but i made sure to set him straight" Daniel said.
"That's good but is your speciality really taekwondo?" Anne teased, holding her laughter.
Felia do tell her how Daniel started avoiding taekwondo training in school after he was punched once on the jaw.

"Go ahead and laugh" Daniel rolled his eyes at her and she bursted into laughter.
He pinched her cheek hard as she laugh.
"Ouch" She said and continued laughing.

"Get out of my room" He said, snuggling into his blanket.
"I'm sorry" Anne said,still laughing.
"I've stopped laughing already" She grinned, holding herself from laughing more.
Daniel emerged only his head from the blanket looking so funny that Anne bursted into laughter again.
"God, Dan you're gonna kill me. I'm leaving" She said in between laughter as she stood up from his bed.
She picked the balm,still laughing as she walked out of his door.
•°
"I had thought he approached me for something serious,i even had to laugh when he asked what was up with Layla and i" Dan said as they continued their discussion in Anne's room.
He had joined her in her room after she left his.

"Layla is very okay to be honest,i don't know why he would have to look disgusted when asked if he likes her, she's one of the best females in her class as far as I'm concerned,if not even the best female" Anne said.
"Yeah, Layla is a cool girl,she doesn't deserve that reaction from Dylan and she's really into him,she stares at him all the time" Dan shook his head.
"Dylan might consider her..with what you had said to him earlier" Anne said.

"No,i don't even want him to consider her any more" Dan said.
"Why?" Anne asked.
"She deserves better,far better than that petty asshole"
"But if he decides to date her, there's nothing you can do about it" Anne stated.
"Yeah, it would mean depriving Layla of her happiness because she would be so happy if he decides to consider her. I can't stop him if he wants to date her but i hope he won't. He doesn't respect her enough"
"I think Layla doesn't mind though, she's still so into him even after he embarrassed her. That should tell you she's so much in love with him and wouldn't even mind anything he does to her"
"It's just so unfair Dylan seems to be taking advantage of that" Dan said.

"All i hope is for Layla to be free of the obsession soon or it might hurt her"
"I don't think it's obsession" Dan said.
"Whatever feeling it is Dan" Anne laid her back on the bed,waving her legs in the air.
"I think Layla is someone that loves too hard" Dan said.
"Obviously" Anne said, smiling as she clapped her legs together.
"Loving too hard is not so bad but loving the wrong person is worse"
"I'm thinking Layla was probably obsessed with him because she had no one to talk to,now that she has you,the attention she gives him would reduce even if it's by a bit and that would help her in getting herself back and unclogging herself from the web of the unreciprocated love she has for him,the process might be slow but it'll happen eventually. She can't love him forever,not when he's not even reciprocating the love" Anne said.
"I hope so, you talk so wisely for your age" Dan said.
"Hey, I'm fourteen.. i'll be fifteen in three months time. I'm not a kid" Anne said with an air of pride and Dan laughed.

He couldn't ask for more in a sister.
Anne is everything and he's so glad to have her.

"My friends said they would love to eat with you some time" Anne said.
"Oh, whenever they are ready" Daniel said.
"Speaking of food, let's go make some,I'm hungry" Anne said and they both got up.
"Same here" Dan said.

Anne picked her inhaler and they both walked out of the room to the kitchen.
Their parents were yet to be back from work.
Their father owns two companies and their mother manages one of them, they leave for work the same time and arrive home together.
•
"What are we making?" Dan asked, opening the refrigerator.
"Hm..What should we make?" Anne said, thoughtfully.
She finally decided what they were gonna make and Dan started bringing out the ingredients.

"I'm thinking of introducing Layla to Felia and Rylan"
"That's cool,your special friends should know one another" Anne said, rinsing her hand before setting out the veggies.
"Your hair cover Dan" She reminded him.
"Oops" He said, picking one.
He wore it over his hair and closed the refrigerator gently.
Anne wore her apron and didn't bother suggesting one to Dan because he hates wearing it,he rather mess his wears with stains than wear an apron.

"So when are you planning to do that?" Anne asked, slicing carrot after washing it properly.
"Tomorrow" Dan said, helping with another thing.
"Tomorrow? Layla doesn't even know our house..oh, you'll text the address to her" Anne said.
"No, Layla doesn't have a phone yet" Dan said.
"Really?" Anne asked in surprise.
"Yeah, so the meeting is gonna be in the coffee shop her aunt owns"
"Perfect! You'll sip coffee while you guys talk" Anne smiled and Dan smiled too.

"I'm gonna text Felia and Rylan tonight and explain to them"
"I'm sure they're gonna like Layla" Anne said.
"Layla is gonna like them too. Felia would be excited to now have a female partner, she's gonna ignore Rylan and i completely" Dan laughed.
"Yeah, she's gonna pay you guys back in your coins" Anne laughed too.

���

They chat as they ate in the dining room.

"Make sure to fill me in on how the meeting goes tomorrow" Anne said.
"Sure" Dan nodded.

They heard the sound of the door and knew their parents were home.
"We're home kids!" Their parents called out.
"We're at the dining Mum,Dad"

���

"I'm be going on a date with my husband tomorrow" Aria smiled as she told Layla.

It was Saturday and they tend to get more busy.

"You should go have fun, Sunday is the only free day you get to have during the week" Layla said.
"You too" Aria said.
"Well..i don't have anyone to go on a date with" Layla laughed.
"I'm just gonna go to church, return home and rest for the rest of the day" She added.
"That's cool too, you don't have to go on a date to have a nice day" Aria said.
"You're right" Layla said.
"Thankfully you have a friend now,i know he's gonna invite you out sooner or later" Aria said.
"Oh, Daniel" Layla smiled.

They got busy attending to customers for minutes before they finally got to sit again.

"You look good in this wear" Aria complimented Layla's flowery dress.
It was a short flay dress that her Mum had gotten for her and this would be the second time she'll be putting it on.
"Oh, thanks" Layla smiled.
"My mum had gotten it for me" She added.
"She did a good job in selecting it" Aria said.
"Funny enough,i didn't liked this dress then because it had looked so big on me but now..dresses are so unbelievable yunno"
"Of course" Aria chuckled.

"Look,we have new customers" Aria said, getting up. Layla,also got up.
She was yet to look at the customers who just walked in and when she did, there was a look of surprise on her face.

Daniel with a guy and a girl.
He smiled at her and waved.
She waved back at him, returning his smile.
Aria noticed the exchange and wondered who he was,his face looks familiar though but she couldn't really place a finger.
Could he be one of their regular customers..

He went to grab a table with his friends, waiting for Layla to join them.
"That's Daniel" Layla said to Aria.
"Oh" Her eyes widened.
"He's here with his friends to see you" Aria smiled.
She's so impressed with Daniel's look and nice smile.
"He might be here to have coffee with his friends" Layla said,she looked flushed.
"Should i go ahead to take their orders if you won't feel comfortable doing so?" Aria offered and Layla shook her head.
"I will do it" She said.

Layla walked to their table and she couldn't even understand why she felt so shy.

"Hey" She said to Daniel.
"Layla,how are you doing?" He asked.
"I'm good. Hi" She said to his friends.
"Hi Layla" They smiled.

Woah..they know her name already.

"What type of coffee do you want?" She asked, pressing her lips together.
Daniel smiled.."we're here to see you"
"Really?"
"Yeah and of course we will have coffee while at it too" Felia Said.
"Oh,fine" Layla said and sighed.
She knew Philia wouldn't take it lightly, seeing her sitting with Daniel and his friends instead of working.
They came here to see her, turning them down won't be so fair.

"Okay,i should take your orders first" Layla smiled.
They told her what they wanted and she marked it on the list.
"And Daniel, would you like to meet Aria,my colleague, i told her about you" Layla said.
"Of course" Daniel smiled, getting up.
They both walked to the counter and Aria smiled on seeing them.

"Hi Aria" Daniel said.
"Hello Daniel,how are you?" Aria smiled.
"I'm fine, thanks"
"I keep thinking your face looks familiar,do you think we've seen somewhere?" Aria asked.
"Probably, in this coffee shop. Although i don't really come in but our eyes do meet" Daniel said.
"Oh..yeah! You're the guy always peering in, were you looking for Layla then?" Aria asked.
"Yeah,but fortunately we finally met at school,a very formal meeting" He smiled and Layla laughed.

Aria smiled,glad to see how easily Dan make Layla laugh.
She likes Dan,he has this cool aura.

"Nice meeting you Aria" Dan said.
"Same here Dan" Aria said.

"Don't work too hard" He said to the both of them before walking back to his table.

"Wow, you really earned yourself a good friend" Aria said to Layla,who was preparing their order.
"I told ya" Layla smiled.
"He seems nice,cool and carefree"
"Yeah and he said they are here for me" Layla said, looking a bit worried.
"What's wrong with that?" Aria asked.
"Philia is definitely not gonna take it lightly when she sees me chatting with them instead of working, i don't want her embarrassing them" Layla sighed.
"Don't bother over that,if Philia gets to come out of her office,I'm gonna persuade her to let you be"
"And leaving you to attend to customers alone doesn't sit well with me,I'm gonna feel bad seeing you run around while I'm seated" Layla said.
"I'm not complaining Layla,i do it all alone when you're away at school so.. it's definately nothing doing it for just few hours your friend would be spending here" Aria said.
Layla sighed.
"Layla,this would be the first time people would take out of their time to come see you and you're gonna be refusing to see them just because of some silly reasons, c'mon" Aria said and Layla smiled at her.

Aria is just one of the best things that has ever happened to her.
She made life easier and more soothing for her.

"Thank you Aria" Layla said.
"Now go join them, they're waiting" Aria said and Layla picked up the tray containing their order.
"Hey, pull off your apron and hair cover,you don't need the coffee shop look while sitting for the first time with your friends" Aria said and Layla smiled.
She dropped the tray and pulled off her apron with hair cover,she adjusted her hair properly and Aria handed the tray back to her.
She smiled and quickly walked to Dan's table.

"I'm sorry for keeping you guys waiting" She said, gently placing the tray on the table before sitting on the chair beside Dan.
"Wow,you look much more pretty without that hair cover and apron" Felia said.
"Thanks" Layla smiled.
"She had looked pretty even on the apron and hair cover too" Dan said.
"Shut up, i said she looked much more pretty without it. Get another ears Dan" Felia rolled her eyes at him while Rylan smiled as he sipped his coffee.
"I think you need new mouth instead, a big fat mouth for a change won't be bad" Dan scoffed at Felia and Rylan and Layla laughed.

"Fool" Felia slapped his hand that was placed on the table.
"Ouch! You're pained" Dan laughed.
"Who told you i am. Fool" Felia scoffed playfully.

Layla smiled at them.

"Here's your own coffee Layla" Aria said, placing a cup of rich coffee in front of Layla who looked at her stunned.
Philia is gonna have her head for this.
"I..i " Layla was saying.
"On my bills" Aria whispered to her with a wink before turning to leave but she collided into Philia who looked surprised to see what was going on.

"Damn" Layla exclaimed inwardly.

"Philia,they are Layla's friends,they came to say hi to her. You don't have to worry about work, i'll do everything while she's with them. You can go back to your office" Aria said, swallowing hard.
"And who are you to send me back to my office. Would you leave my sight!" Philia yelled at Aria, pushing her out of the way.
Aria sighed, she walked away to attend to new customers, feeling so bad..
She had assured Layla she would stop Philia from embarrassing her friends but she wasn't able to do that.

"What's going on here?" Philia asked,her eyes so wide that it might fall off.
"Answer me Layla! Who are they?!" Philia yelled.
"They..are my friends Phil, please" Layla said, giving her a pleading look.
"Fine!" Phil said after a long silence,before walking away.
Layla sighed in relief.

"Her eyes looked so wide like a monster's while she yelled. That was so terrifying" Felia groaned, rolling her eyes.
"Who's she?" Felia asked.
"My aunt" Layla said.
"Oh my God..that slipped out of my mouth,i didn't mean to refer to her eyes as a monster's,I'm so sorry"
"No,it's fine. Her eyes indeed looked like a monster's, the biggest monster to ever live" Layla said, surprising them all.
"Oh well,I'm glad you reason the same way" Felia laughed.
"Does that makes us partners in crime?" Layla asked with a smile.
"OMG! I love this girl" Felia said hugging Layla happily.
They were both laughing while they hugged and Rylan and Dan knew they were in for it.

Zeemah

❄Episode 11
�_____

"Is there a need to say what we're here for again?" Daniel teased, seeing Felia and Layla getting along with each other even without proper introduction.
"Of course we should" Felia said.
"Okay so Layla,these are my special friends. Felia Summers and Rylan Whitney, they came with me to be introduced to you. Guys,meet Layla Moremi Williams,my third special friend" Daniel said and sipped his coffee.

"Oh, it's so nice to meet you guys" Layla smiled, shaking hands with Rylan.
"Great to meet you too though i must admit i felt a bit jealous when Dan told us about you. We all know he makes lots of friends within a short period of time.. but it takes so long for him to make someone his special friend,like..he would literally study the hell out of the person for months but it's not even up to two days and..wow,he made you one. I wondered what it was about you that influenced his decision but on meeting you,i was impressed as well" Felia concluded.
"Thanks Felia, I'm quite struck by your friendliness also. I never knew Dan special friends would be as nice as he is"
"Even nicer" Felia grinned and Dan rolled his eyes at her.
She laughed.

"Okay, Layla. I'm Rylan and it's very nice to meet you. I'm glad there's now someone to keep Felia from bugging us all the time" Rylan said and earned a knock from Felia.
Layla laughed.

"You won't believe these guys would leave me all to myself and play games, forgetting I'm even there and if I'm finally remembered, i'll be teased all through" Felia groaned.
"You guys are so dead now" She added.
"C'mon, we do ask you to join us. You always refuse" Dan asked.
"How am i supposed to join you to play that stupid and hard game!" Felia yelled and Dan laughed.
"Hey, we're in a cafe. When we get home,yell all you want, you can even jump while at it" Rylan said,still rubbing his forehead.
"Fool"

"So Layla, i heard you are African. I wouldn't have known you are if Daniel hadn't told me" Felia said.
"Same here, you look so beautiful and..." Rylan was saying.
"Thick" Felia completed his words.
"Gosh, that was not what i was about to say!" Rylan said.
"It doesn't matter, i completed it for you. It doesn't have to be what you wanted to say dunderhead" Felia grinned.
"You're so...ahhh" Rylan groaned.

"So your African name is Moremi, did i get the pronunciation?" Felia asked sheepishly.
"No" Layla laughed.
"Though i'm not also very good at the pronunciation but I'm good enough to know you pronounced it wrongly." Layla said.
"Aw! Pronounce it,I'm gonna repeat after you" Felia said.
"It's More-ray-me" Layla said.
"More-ray-me" Felia pronounced after Layla.
"Yes!" Layla smiled.
"Wow, i got it. It's such a beautiful name" Felia smiled.
"Yes, i personally think African things are beautiful, from their histories to cultures,to names and so many other things" Dan said.

"Yeah, more-ray-me would you tell us more about your father,he was the African right?" Rylan asked.
"Yes. My late father is named Michael Ajagun Williams, he's African,a Nigerian to be precise,a three star general who lost his life at war" Layla said.
" I'm so sorry about that Layla" Rylan said.
"No,it's fine" Layla smiled.

Dan stared at her,he also didn't know her father was killed.

"He was a hero" Felia sighed sadly.
"Yes he was" Layla smiled.
"I'm so sorry about his death Layla" Felia said.
"C'mon it's fine,it happened years back and I'm over it already" Layla said.
"Let's not dwell in this, let's discuss another thing. Would y'all like to know the history behind the name more-ray-me?" Layla asked.
"Yes!"
~
"Wow" Felia and Rylan smiled after Layla finished narrating the story.

"That was one hell of a history" Rylan said.
"It's so beautiful,I'm gonna tell it to my parents when i get home" Felia said, filled with enthusiasm.
Layla smiled.
"I would love to really dig more info Africa history, cultures, everything" Rylan said.
"Exactly! I would love to do the same" Daniel said.
"Same here" Felia said.

"I still have some of my father's Africa history books and some novels, i can lend it to you guys if you want" Layla said.
"We definitely do!" They said.
"Alright,I'm gonna give them to Dan in school and you can get it from him" Layla said.
"Thanks Layla"

"Okay, enough about 'Africa' . I should know what's up with you guys too" Layla said.
"Well,me..I'm a boring nerd" Rylan said.
"Yes you are" Felia agreed with a straight face.
"What! I am?!" Rylan asked.
Dan laughed.
"Guys, didn't he admit it himself?" Felia asked.
"He did" Layla and Dan said.
"Gosh, well..I'm not a boring nerd!" Rylan yelled.
"Stop yelling man,you look like a bull while at it" Dan sipped his coffee.
"Exactly!" Felia agreed and Rylan bit his lips.
"Bleep you both" He said.

"You said it with your bull mouth that you were a boring nerd" Dan said.
"I said that so you guys could disagree with me and tell Layla how fun i am,i didn't want to brag that I'm the most playful person she would ever meet" Rylan said.
"Asshole" Dan shook his head.
"Fool" Felia said.
Layla laughed.

"Guys,I'm getting a tattoo soon" Felia said.
"Cool,I've always known you'll get one someday" Rylan said.
"Mr and Mrs Summers gave you the permission to?" Dan asked.
"Of course no,they disagreed" Felia frowned.
"Ouch" Rylan said.
"But I'm gonna get it anyway,i really want it." Felia said.
"How are you gonna do that without them knowing?" Dan asked.
"I'm gonna get it on..."
"Your boobs" Rylan concluded for her,with a naughty grin.
"That was not what i was about to say!" Felia slapped his hand.

"It doesn't matter, i completed it for you. It doesn't have to be what you wanted to say dunderhead" Rylan repeated her words to her and Dan laughed.
"Bleep you!" Felia said.

"I don't think you should get it if your parents doesn't want you to yet" Layla said.
"You think so?" Felia asked.
"Yeah, if you go ahead with it,they're definitely gonna find out one day and they won't be happy you disobeyed them" Layla said.
Felia blinked fast as she reconsidered.
She felt so bad to have wanted to go against her parents in the first place.

"Thanks Layla,i would do what you said. I'm gonna wait till I'm given the permission" Felia said and Rylan and Dan stared at her in disbelief.

"Good and then you'll be free to get it in any part of your body you want" Layla said.
"Fel,did you just..changed your mind?" Rylan asked.
"Of course,Layla is right" Felia said.
"Wow" Dan smiled.
"You wouldn't have changed your mind if i had told you the same thing Layla said"
"That's because you're a fool dear" Felia smiled.

Layla laughed. "How do you say mean words with such a cool smile?"
"They made me turn that way" Felia said and Layla chuckled.
"You turned Rylan into a bull too" Dan said.
"And you turned Dan into a chicken" Rylan said.
Layla laughed out loud.
•
"Dan, how's Anne?" Layla said.
"She's fine, she sent her greetings" Dan said.
"Oh,say hi to her for me." Layla smiled.

"Gosh,your aunt eyes scares me" Felia said and they all turned to Philia who was touring round the shop but her eyes were fix on them.
"I'm scared too" Rylan said and Layla laughed.

**

Layla walked back into the shop, smiling after they left.

"You look so happy" Aria smiled as Layla approached her.
"I am. It was fun to have them around" Layla said.
"Obviously" Aria said.
"Is Philia still pissed?" Layla asked as she washed her hands by the sink.
"I don't think so,she said something about leaving you to do whatever you want because she feels so sorry for you" Aria said.
"Oh" Layla sighed, wearing back her apron and hair cover.

She knew the reason Philia had let it go.

�*�

It was Sunday.

Layla walked into the house and closed the door behind her.

She dropped on the couch and started pulling off her shoes,she was starving.

"How was church?" She heard Philia ask behind her.
"It was great,i enjoyed the sermon more today but I'm so hungry right now, i have to go prepare something immediately" Layla said.
"Here. I left some pizza for you,have it before going to prepare something for yourself" Philia said stretching the pizza box to Layla.

Layla stared at her in disbelief as she collected the box . Perhaps Phil was fooling her..she thought but she was wrong as she opened the box.
There were slices of pizza staring at her.
Her stomach danced in excitement.
She stared back at Philia, blinking like a puppy.

"What?" Philia asked, sitting on the couch.
"Are you going to deduct it from my allowance tomorrow?"
Philia chuckled.."No"
"For real?"
"Yeah, i gave it to you" Philia said.
"Thank you Phil" Layla smiled.
Phil nodded and switched on the TV.
"Just make sure to prepare a good lunch once you're done" Philia said.
"Okay Phil" Layla said with a mouthful.

�� Monday**

Layla counted the dollar notes Philia gave her for allowance and it was complete.
She truly didn't deduct anything.

"You didn't believe i wasn't going to deduct your fee until you counted it right?" Philia asked and Layla nodded.
"Just go before i change my mind" Philia said.
"Bye" Layla smiled, hurrying out of the house.

She got outside and was so startled to see Dan,dressed in his school wears, waiting with Anne in front of their car.
"Layla" Anne called happily.
She slowly walked to them,still surprised to see them in front of her house.
They look like they were waiting for her.
"Anne" Layla said, wondering if she gave Dan her home address.
She was sure she didn't.
Could he have figured it out because her house wasn't so far from the shop.

"Well i know you're surprised to see us here but don't be, because starting now, you'll be going to school with us and returning in our car" Dan said.
"Please Layla, don't refuse. Remember we are all friends and we shouldn't refuse one another. We felt so bad after knowing you trek to school and back home when we have a car that can convey us all. I you're someone who would do the same if we were in your shoes and i know you wouldn't like for us to refuse your help so please, don't refuse us" Anne said.
"Moreover, having another person in the car would be fun!!" Dan smiled.

"Don't even think of refusing or I'm gonna carry you into the car" Dan said.
"Get in Layla, we're running late" Anne said pulling her hand.
Layla was still speechless as she got into the car,she stared from Dan to Anne.
The driver stared the car and they drove off.

Philia sighed, watching from her window as the car drove off.

"Good job Dan. Thank you"

Zeemah
�����

Thanks for reading �

Please do not hesitate to like comment and share �

Episode 12

(Moremi)

Zeemah Writes
_____

Dan and Layla walked into the classroom together and that earned them questioning gazes from the students.

Layla got to her seat first, Dan was still replying to greetings from different corners.

His eyes met with Dylan's who looked away almost immediately.

Daniel would have actually liked to say hi to him.

He finally got to his seat which was beside Layla's.

"Hey" He said to her as he sat down.

She was still not looking her normal self.

He wondered why..

Had she felt so uncomfortable in their car?

She hadn't even talk throughout the journey to school.

"Did you dislike getting into our car that much?" He finally asked and Layla glanced at him.

She shook her head.."No, i enjoyed being in your car. It was so refreshing and cool. I felt so comfortable and it made me remember the days my brother and i ride in my parents car"

"Oh.." Dan paused, looking so sorry.

"I'm so sorry" He said.

He hadn't known her being in their car had brought back memories.

"No..Don't say that,it's fine. Totally" Layla smiled but he could see the pain beneath her smile.

He gently held her hand in his in a comforting manner.

She smiled genuinely this time.

"It's been so long i got into a beautiful car as that and how did you get to know my home address,was it just a guess?" She asked.

"Be sincere" She quickly added and Dan smiled.

He would really loved to tell her the truth but her aunt, Philia had told him not to.

He was so surprised when she approached him yesterday after Layla had walked away after seeing them off.

Philia had told him she doesn't like how Layla treks to school,she gives her transport fare but Layla would rather trek and sooner or later,it might start telling on her health because her school is so far from the house.

Dan had replied her that he offered her a ride in the car but she declined,he would love to help her too,to stop her from trekking to school everyday. It must be so exhausting.

Philia had said Layla is always like that, she wouldn't accept help from people even if it's gonna make her living easier. She then pleaded with Dan to know a way to get her to be riding with him and of course Dan promised to. He has the ability to make Layla's life less exhausting and he wouldn't hesitate to help.

Philia gave him their home address and made him promise not to tell Layla a thing.

"It wasn't a guess, i just happened to know your house" Dan shrugged and Layla gave him a look.

"Yunno your house isn't so far from the coffee shop" He added and she sighed.

"That doesn't mean it's so easy to know the address without anyone helping,are you probably a..wizard?" Layla teased with a raised brow and Dan laughed.

"C'mon"

"Well, thanks for being so kind enough to want me to start riding with you guys" Layla smiled.

"Will you be fine to continue to?" Dan asked.

"Of course,i wouldn't miss being in that beautiful car for anything" She said and Dan smiled.

He's a bit glad she accepted to continue riding with them,that means she's getting comfortable with him.

"Oh look, the teacher is here" Layla said.

"Bye Dan,Anne. Thanks for the ride" Layla said, alighting from the car parked in front of her house.

"Bye Layla" They waved.

She stood and waved at them as the car moved away.

She turned to walk into the gate when she collided into Philia.

"Gosh! you scared me" Layla sighed heavily.

"You scared yourself" Philia said, adjusting her dress.

She looks like she was ready to leave for shop.

"How long have you been standing here?"

"Since forever. Don't take long before coming to the cafe or i won't hesitate to give you a good punishment" Philia said as she walked away.

Layla stood staring at her back, wondering why Philia hadn't asked her about riding in Dan's car because obviously she had seen her alight.

She shrugged as she walked inside...Philia is just being Philia.

"Gosh! Fel, you're going to tear my backpack" Dan groaned as Fel tug at his backpack for the books Layla had said she was gonna give them.

She had been waiting in their living room even before they arrived.

"Where's Rylan?" Dan asked.

"He has an appointment in the hospital,so he told me to bring his own copy to his house" Felia said, unzipping Dan's backpack.

"You didn't even confirm if she actually gave the books to me before ransacking my bag" Dan said, shaking his head.

"Layla doesn't look like someone who would go back on her wor..Yeah! I found it" Felia said excitedly.

"Good for you" Dan rolled his eyes.

"And yeah, i forgot to ask for Layla's contact on Saturday. You should have it right?"

"Yeah,i should but Layla doesn't have a phone yet"

"Oh really?"

"Yeah"

"Is it some moral role or..."

"If it's for some moral role,we wouldn't own phones either" Dan said.

"Yeah, right"

"But! She's gonna get a phone soon" Dan said.

"She told you that?" Felia asked.

"Nah, i just know that" Dan said.

"Anyway,i really enjoyed our meeting with her, would you schedule another? I miss her already. She's one of the few people i find myself vibing with without having to try so hard" Felia said and Dan smiled.

"I can relate to that. And about scheduling another meeting,i would be inviting her over for my parents Thanksgiving party on Sunday,we would all be meeting here if she honors my invite" Dan said.

"And what if she doesn't?" Felia asked.

"Well..we can always go to the coffee shop if we want to meet her" Dan said.

"Right. I should get going" Felia said, stretching as she got up from the couch.

"Why so soon?" Dan asked.

"I can't wait to immerse myself into these books" She said.

"And who said you can't do that here?"

"You know i cherish reading in the comfort of my room than anywhere,not even paradise. I'll be back to spend time with you if i get to complete it soon enough"

"Okay, see you" Dan said.

"Bye, and go freshen up. You smell like..ughhh" Felia groaned as she walked out of the door and Dan laughed.

He stood up to walk to his room when Anne appeared in the living room, looking freshened up.

"Fel left already?" She asked looking around.

"Yeah, she left to read in the comfort of her room" Dan said.

"Oh,she wouldn't trade that for anything" Anne smiled, adjusting her glasses.

"I'll go freshen up" Dan said.

"Alright, what you gonna have for lunch,I'm about performing some wonders in the kitchen" Anne winked.

"Ah, you're making me salivate already. Just cook anything good. I'll come join you soon" Dan said, running to his room..

"Pasta is it then" Anne said, turning towards the kitchen.

"I rode in my friends car today and it's gonna continue that way" Layla said to Phil as they had their dinner.

"Oh cool" Philia said and resumed her meal.

"Really?" Layla who had expected Phil's lash back asked in surprise.

"What?" Philia asked.

"You are going to allow me do that without saying anything?" She asked.

"I said something. 'oh cool' " Philia said.

"That's so unusual of you...you yell at every decision i make before finally giving in" Layla said.

"People change, don't they?" Philia smiled.

"Gosh, please stop smiling. You look scary" Layla swallowed.

"What!" Philia yelled, stabbing the peas on her plate with her fork.

'there we go again' Layla muttered under her breath.

"I mean,you don't smile at me often,i can't even remember the last time you did. Seeing you smile now seems...creepy,I'm really trying my best not to run off, screaming. I'm sorry if that hurt though" Layla smiled, secretly glad to be getting on Philia's nerves.

"You sure have a bad mouth for someone in your condition!" Philia said.

"Oh please,when would you stop mentioning my condition at every conversation. Are you bent on making me continuously sad?"

"You need to be reminded of it because you seem to have forgotten..."

"Seeing me happy almost all the time doesn't mean I've forgotten about my condition" Layla cut in.. "it's buried in my mind,i think about it every second. You sure don't expect me to be in tears all the time,do you?"

Philia stared at her, before continuing her meal.

"So many people are facing one difficulty or the other,it isn't obvious on their faces does not mean they are not worried about it" Layla said.

"Enough, continue your dinner" Phil said.

"Or miss your allowance to school tomorrow" Phil quickly added.

Layla continued her dinner in silence and sadness.

"You're looking so bright this morning" Phil said to Layla who stood in front of her,fully dressed for school,smiling brightly and beautifully.

She's determined not to allow anything bring her down or make her feel sad,she should be responsible for her own happiness.

"Yeah" Layla acknowledged.

"Could it be because you now have someone to pick you up?" Philia asked, handing Philia's allowance to her.

"Partly" Layla smiled as she counted the dollar notes.

"Or could it be because the person picking you up is Daniel?" Philia asked and Layla stopped halfway through counting the money.

Only her eyes moved and they were filled with questions..

Philia bit the inside of her lip, knowing she just blabbered..gosh.

"How did you know Daniel is the one picking me up?" Layla asked.

"Of course i saw him when you alighted from his car" Philia said, having quickly regained her momentum.

"How? Because i wasn't even sitting beside Daniel,he was at the far end of the car,i was sitting right beside Anne and there's no way you would mistake Anne for Daniel" Layla said.

"I just happened to see him! He's a tall guy yunno" Phil said.

"He is but.."

"Just let it go,i happened to see him! That's surely not a crime" Philia raised her voice.

"Of course it isn't,but how did you even get to know his name?" Layla asked.

She also couldn't place a finger on why she was being curious.

"You guys were so loud at my cafe on Saturday,so i happened to grab everyone's name, Layla the questionnaire!" Phil snorted and Layla folded in her lips.

"I would leave now" She said,not bothering to count the rest of the money.

Phil was glad she didn't because she had actually added to it and Layla being the questionnaire she is would question her on why the money was more and she being the 'answernnaire' is not ready to answer her questions. She already decided to increase Layla's allowance and it's gonna continue that way.

"Bye" Layla said.

"Bye" Philia said.

•
Layla stood by her gate, waiting.

She finally decided to count the dollar notes and when she was done,she discovered it was more than the amount Philia do give her.

Philia might have miscounted the money before handing it to her.

She was about heading back inside when she heard a car horn.

She smiled, seeing it was Daniel's car.

Well...she's gonna sort the money issue when she's back from school,she can't afford to make them run late because of her.

"Hey guys" Layla smiled, approaching the car.

Daniel and Anne smiled at each other, noticing how bright Layla's mood is.

"What's going on!?" Chloe lamented as Daniel and Layla walked into the class together again today and they were even smiling!

"Isn't it so obvious that they come to school together now and i even saw them leaving together yesterday in Daniel's car" Miranda said.

"What! Ho..w?" Chloe asked, hoping what she just heard is false.

"Well..the point of all this is Layla now ride with Daniel and Anne. They've gotten closer,Lucky her" Christy said and Sabrina shrugged.

"Noooo!" Chloe suddenly screamed, mounting to her feet.

She was so sure Daniel has been enchanted with Africa Voo Doo.

"I'm so going to show her hell!" Chloe said,ready to march to Layla's seat,who was oblivious of what was happening to Chloe at the moment, though everyone had turned to her worriedly when she screamed but they all faced their businesses, seeing it was nothing serious. She was just being her crazy self.

"Chloe,i won't advise you to approach her. Your hair.." Christy paused and swallowed.

"Is at stake" Sabrina completed the statement and Miranda and Christy nodded.

Chloe's strength that seemed to have overcomed her dropped and she quietly sat down, glaring hard at Layla from her seat.

She was more pained Layla wasn't even looking in her direction and even Daniel too!

"Riding in the same car doesn't necessarily means something is going on between them" Christy said.

"Yeah! Yunno Layla is so poor,she treks to school all the time and Daniel probably felt pity for her and decided to help her" Miranda said.

"That shows how much of a good guy he is" Sabrina added.

"You guys are right" Chloe said, starting to get the angry look off her face.

"I didn't even think in that direction..wow. So, Daniel is making her ride with him to help her poor ass" Chloe laughed and her friends laughed with her even though they didn't find it funny.

"I'm so lucky to have such a good guy as my boyfriend,he's so nice" Chloe beamed and her friends stared at one another in astonishment before turning to her.

"Your boyfriend?" They asked, almost at the same time.

"Yeah" Chloe nodded, looking so sure.

"He's going to officially be my boyfriend soon,you all know i always get what i want right?" Chloe smiled and they nodded.

They weren't sure Chloe was going to get what she wanted this time because Daniel had not even shown the tiniest bit of attraction for her like other guy does but of course they were not ready to tell Chloe that.

None of them is ready to stop being Chloe's friend.

"What if i tell Dan that I'm a poor thing that trek to school too" Chloe said.

"Chloe,your pink Ferrari is always standing out in the school parking lot" Miranda said.

"Then i would tell him it's under repair then" Chloe concluded

"Everyone knows your father is rich enough to get another car for you even if your car is under repair" Sab said.

"I don't think Daniel knows how wealthy my father is,or he would have moved closer to me" Chloe pouted.

"Daniel might not know because he's a new student but his sister does and she's gonna tell him. I'm sure you do not want to Daniel to see you as a liar at the fresh start of your relationship" Christy said.

"You're so sensible" Chloe smiled at Christy and Miranda rolled her eyes.

She always want to remain Chloe's favorite.

"Daniel doesn't look like someone who would tolerate liars so i better make a better decision" Chloe said and seemed to be thinking for a while.

Her eyes suddenly lit up and they knew she had come up with something.

"Why don't i just tell him every single car in my father's garage got burnt to ashes"

"Chloe!!!" They all screamed.