Layla was outside the parking lot before the school bell rang to mark the end of lectures for the day. After using the excuse being unwell inorder to get out of her last class because she didn't study for the new make up test.
Layla was sure without a doubt that she didn't pass the 1st test. Theo had advice to read and prepare for the second test but Layla didn't listen. She knew that her teachers still treated her gently, like a egg that could easily break any moment. So Layla use that to her advantage and easily got out of class. Theo was going to give her an earful for this. But the good thing was that now she had a third chance to write her test again.
It was beautiful day, the warm sun grace Layla skin. It made her stress her head more towards it and smile as I eyes skim through her environment, somehow the place that felt suffocated most of the times felt tolerable when it was filled with less vipers that could be called student. Layla could almost confess to herself that it was beautiful.
As Layla saw the rush of students around her who wanted nothing more but to either go home or go to their place of comfort. Layla realized that Theo might probably be looking for her at her locker. That was were they normally meet after school hours.
Quickly she pulled out her phone and texted Theo her location. While she was texting she overhead some girls who were intentionally speaking of her and her dad, no doubt it was to irk her. Layla gave a little smile and move some distance away from them. She wasn't the hottest topic in school anymore, still they were some who still hated her for reasons Layla couldn't not understand. Sometimes she wondered if was because of Theo, he was getting more popular now that he was about to leave. If the insult Layla got was because of him, Layla wasn't going to back down. No one could ever take Theo away from her.
As Layla watch the girls that were talking about her through her peripheral vision, she could see that they were a bit confused with her actions. Layla wonder if it was possible to tell them that their words didn't matter to her anymore. She no longer cares about what they say about her. Like Theo had told her, "people will always have something to say regardless of who you are and what you all. They don't cared. So do your own thing and let them do what ever they want, if they can't see how beautiful you are." Layla remember as Theo place his hands on her waist. "In and out," he said softly, "then that means I can have more of you to myself without sharing with anyone."
Those words pierce through Layla heart. She thought that Theo made her felt more beautiful than she actually is. Layla blush at the memory of it.
"Babe are you okay?"
"Theo?!" Layla practically almost scream, causing the attention of other students around her. she didn't notice when he came in front of her, she was too busy lost in her thought about him.
"You look kind of red, i heard from others that you left your classes early because you were ill, are you alright."
He stood in front her and places his right palm on her temple, checking her temperature. Her temperature seems normal, but her face was still red as she look at him.
"I'm fine." Layla stated.
Theo look at her with doubtful eyes but still went ahead her reply and follow her to the car. These days, Layla was happy and cheerful, obviously she was growing. This was the kind of person Liam had always wanted her to be. Someone who could face every challenges that was in front of her with a brave face. Someone who didn't let the words of others shape her into who she should be.
Theo felt joy as he gaze at happy Layla. He haven't seen her this happy and free when she was still living with her dad. He was glad everything was okay now. Everyone was happy now, as long as Layla was happy he was also happy.
In as most as Theo would like to give himself credit for this. He knew that he wasn't the only one who was responsible for the making of this new Layla.
A lot of people were involved, and one of those who did the most even after his death was Liam. Most importantly, regardless of all those involved, the strongest one of them all who did it was Layla herself.
In all her weakness there was strength, in all her sadness, happiness was there along with her. In all those times she felt alone, she never was, because we were there. Theo could imagine Liam standing alongside with him in agreement as he thought of the 'we.'
"Aren't you getting in?" Layla ask. She had been sitting inside the car for over a minute trying to calm herself and stop her face from being red because of Theo.
But Theo had been standing daze, completely lost in his own thoughts.
"Sorry, I was little a bit lost in thought there." Theo replied as he got into the car.
"What were you thinking about?"
"You." He kiss her cheek. His hands move towards the steering wheel of the car.
Layla was a little worried before that Theo was going to scold her for using a dirty trick to get out of writing her test but for now, Theo hadn't realized the truth. Layla knew that Theo would soon find out that she lied, it was Theo after all.
"Instead of going home, how about we go to the restaurant that you promise we will go to today." Layla look at the window, hiding her face away. She had always wanted to try the food there with Theo.
"You mean the one I promise to take you to only after you wrote well in your test today."
Layla took note of how Theo emphasize on the word 'test.'
"You are not well," he said, "you need to rest at home."
"I'm..." Layla hesitated, "I'm strong enough to go."
Yup, there was absolutely no way Theo didn't know the truth. Layla thought.