Chapter 017
1508 Words
LAYLA'S POV
Whoever invented the word asshole must have known Edward was going to be born, because that is the only way I can describe him and I’m not taking any corrections.
[He was only looking out for us] Oakie says.
No. You don’t yell at people and call them dumb when you care. That’s not how it works. It twisted something in my chest last night, maybe because I grew up with my dad and everyone yelling at me. Words like stupid and boring thrown at me like they were facts. Maybe that’s why I couldn’t say anything or defend myself. I just swallowed it whole and locked myself in my room.
And then he left and didn’t come back until late at night, like the very thought of breathing the same air as dumb me was too much to bear.
And that’s exactly why, between last night and this morning, I made a decision not to talk to him unless it’s absolutely necessary like our tutoring sessions.
“Good morning, Miss Layla.”
I flinch, my hand flying to my chest as Nicholas appears out of nowhere. I swear, one second he’s not here, and the next he’s in front of you. I don’t know where he disappears to the rest of the day, but he’s always around in the mornings.
“Good morning, Nicholas.”
Despite myself, my gaze flicks to Edward in his usual spot, nursing his usual cup of asshole liquid while reading his newspaper.
“What would you like for breakfast?” Nicholas asks, pulling my attention back to him. “There’s a lot of varieties this morning, with—”
“I’m already late,” I cut in, pressing my lips together. “No breakfast for me.”
I try to step around him, but he blocks my path, tilting his head as he looks down at me.
He steps closer, lowering his voice to a whisper. “He specifically asked the cook to make you herbal tea.” He points a finger at Edward, who’s still buried in his newspaper. “You know he has a temper.”
Yes, I’m very much aware of his temper and that only makes me more determined not to touch his herbal tea.
My fingers tighten around my purse, and I clear my throat, making sure my voice is loud. “I hate herbal tea. All of it. Turmeric, ginger, chamomile… every single one.”
Edward doesn’t even look up.
Nicholas sighs as if he’s already tired of the both of us. “I think you should—”
“If she wants to starve, let her starve,” Edward cuts in. “Discard whatever’s left.”
My jaw clenches, and I’m this close to flipping him off or cussing him out for being such a jerk but no. I’m not giving him the satisfaction of getting under my skin.
I square my shoulders, tilt my chin up, and walk off without a word.
The moment the door shuts behind me, my stomach growls. Why? Why is everything working against me? Even my own stomach?
[I could smell some chicken] Oakie says. [Shame on you for missing out on that]
“Shut up,” I snap at her.
I take a deep breath and start toward the exit, every nerve in my body on alert in case Colt jumps out from somewhere. I’m painfully aware he was interrupted before he could finish whatever sadistic plan he had yesterday and knowing him, he’ll be back.
This time, I won’t let him back me into a corner before I’ve slashed across his face.
The moon goddess must be on my side, because the lot is empty. I exhale slowly, my shoulders loosening just a little.
But the moment I cross the pedestrian gate, the familiar rev of Edward’s bike cuts through the air before he pulls up right in front of me. Our eyes lock.
“Get in,” he says.
Does he somehow not know the word please exists?
“I’ll walk,” I reply, fixing him with a blank stare. “Or take the bus.”
“I’m offering you a ride, so you’re taking the ride,” he retorts.
“I’m sure there are plenty of girls who would appreciate your kindness,” I blurt, “girls who aren’t dumb, so I suggest you go offer it to them. After all, I’m not special.”
He stares at me for a moment, then scoffs. The expression on his face is almost amused, like he just watched a toddler throw a tantrum.
“What’s with the attitude?” he asks.
“Attitude?” I shake my head. “You really think I’ve got an attitude?”
“I think you’re angry and yeah, you should be,” he shrugs. “But you’re directing it at the wrong person.”
My eye twitches. “You called me dumb last night.”
His eyebrows lift. “I did?” Oh, Goddess. I really dislike him. “I remember asking if you’re dumb, not saying you’re dumb. Two different things, glasses.”
[He has a point]
“Oakie,” I say through clenched teeth, “I swear to the goddess, don’t say another word.”
She purrs and retreats into silence immediately.
I point at Edward. “I didn’t ask for your help last night, and then you proceeded to make me feel even worse after I already had a very shitty day. My ex tried to… tried to hurt me. He did hurt me, actually, and I just needed to get over it but you made me feel like I was—”
“I’m sorry.” His words cut through mine and I freeze, my lips still parted. For a few seconds, I just stare at him, trying to figure out if I actually heard him right.
“I apologize for yelling at you,” he adds.
Did Edward Strout actually just apologize to me?
He doesn’t look like someone who’s ever said the word sorry in his life and he’s just done it twice.
Every word I want to say to him disappears in my throat. Something loosens in my chest, and I hate it. I hate how quickly he can do that.
“We’re getting late,” he says, pulling me back. “So are you hopping on or not?”
I hesitate for a moment, before pressing my lips together and nod, moving to hop on his bike. Like yesterday, he pulls my hands around him and kicks the engine to life, driving off.
The entire ride, I try not to think about it but I do think about the apology. I know the bar is in hell, or somewhere even lower than that, but we are talking about Edward here, the same guy that walks around with a permanent frown like it’s stitched onto his face.
Finally, he stops in front of engineering block, and I hop off, adjusting my shirt as he watches me.
“Colt won’t be anywhere near you anymore,” he says. “You can do your thing.”
I open my mouth to ask what he means, but he’s already zooming off.
My eyes narrow as I swat away the dust he leaves behind, trying to figure out what he meant and how he’s so sure about it. Did something happen with Colt?
The thoughts keep spiraling in my head as I make my way to class. I’m still thinking about it even as my first lecture passes and the second professor walks in.
Halfway through the class, the Dean of Student Affairs’ secretary, someone I know personally from my frequent visits to her office back when the library was still struggling with internet access walks in. She leans closer and whispers something to our professor.
He turns to the class. “Layla Foster.”
He announces it, and my heart skips, all eyes turning to me slowly. I lift my head, unsure why I’m being called.
“Mrs. Robert would like to see you.”
I swallow, grab my phone, and rise to my feet. The class watches as I make my way to the front and follow Mrs. Robert out.
“The dean would like to see you,” she says, her expression pitying in a way that makes my stomach drop.
I follow her in silence, trying to figure out why I’ve been summoned like this. The closer we get to the office, the heavier my chest feels.
As soon as we get to the admin building and she opens the door, I step into the waiting room and stiffen. A shiver runs down my spine.
I already know who’s inside the dean’s office. I can feel it, Oakie can feel it too and my heart starts pounding so loudly it drowns out everything else.
My legs feel like jelly as I drag myself to the door and knock. I open it and step aside.
And there they are. Ginny and my father.
- Writer
