She's my mystery

...Picnic with a view...

Layla's P.O.V.

The food Ethan's sister had made for our picnic was so good that I slightly over ate, but oh my god, there were so many things I had to taste.. When I couldn't cram any more down I laid down on the blanket, admitting defeat to the food it sadly won..

Ethan told me more about his family. His grandmother had died a few years before his grandfather, and his family had been closer when they were still alive, but after they passed away it was like some piece of their family puzzle was lost, for god and they had slowly drifted further apart, but still saw each other on the big occasions, like round birthdays, weddings or baptism, but they never just made plans like they had done in the past..

It was sad to hear because my family was still close and to think about drifting apart like his family would be the worst thing that could happen to any family..

"Tell me about you and where you grew up..?" Ethan asked, now I had finished eating..

"Okay.. Well, I grew up in Weatherwood suburbs where nothing really happened.. School was boring being on top of my class and was always done with the school work for the term within the first 4 months.. So in 5th grade they moved me up in 6th, but then all the kids just picked on me and called me nerdy.." I said, pausing for a moment..

"Highschool was over before I knew it and I just kept my head down so no one knew how smart I was.. College was better because the classes I took there were people on the same wavelength as me.." I said with a smile..

"So how did you find it here..?" Ethan asked and shifted so his whole body faced me..

"Well Anastasia is just a 'peach', haha.." I laughed, making Ethan laugh too, "Greentown is great and Mille and I became fast friends, most likely thanks to the fact that we have all the same classes, and she then introduced me to Jackie and a few others.. But Mille and Jackie are my closest friends for sure.." I told him with a bright smile..

"Well, I knew you and Mille were close, since she demanded yesterday to know exactly where I was taking you, haha.." Ethan said, laughing..

"Haha, yeah she's a bit over protective.." I confessed..

"Is there a reason for her to be..?" he asked, a little hesitant..

I swallowed hard, not knowing if I should tell him.. If I could trust him.. But he opened up to me about how his ex cheated on him with his cousin, so he had already chosen to trust me with such a big thing that happened to him..

"You dont have to.." He started, but I held up my hand to cut him off..

"..I-um.. the last guy I was in a relationship with, he... h-he took my virginity by force..." I finally managed to say, but I couldnt look at Ethan so I kept my head facing towards the ground infront of me..

"....He did what..!?" Ethan growled in a low voice to keep himself from yelling..

"It's not something alot of people know, and thats why Mille's so overprotective. She just wants to protect me from guys like him.." I said and tried to keep the tears back that were about to escape in my eyes..

"..I'm sorry something like that happened to you, Layla.. Not even knowing the guy, I still want to kill him for doing such a cruel thing..!" Ethan said and I could tell by his shuffling he wanted to move closer, but didn't want to overstep after hearing what my ex did to me..

"He's in prison luckily, so don't worry about killing him.." I said, trying to lighten up the mood again..

I looked up at him and it caught him a little of guard, but his surprise quickly turned into a sweet smile..

My ex had gotten his punishment for what he did to me, so I moved on because I couldnt live in constant fear, and think that all guys are like that because they are not, and I would say Ethan is a fine example in that matter..

He is so kind and considerate, but not to mention so damn good looking..! Just being in his arms when he caught me mid fall, I wanted him to hold me like that forever and I felt so cold after he let go of me..

My body was almost itching to get closer to him, I tried to shake it off but it caught Ethan's attention..

"Are you getting cold..?" he asked and grabbed the other blanket from the basket..

Being a little chilly on my legs, I covered them with it and he smiled satisfied as I did..

"Thank you.. Dont you want some too..?" I asked and picked up the other side of the big blanket for him to get under it as well..

"Um.. Sure.." he said with an almost faint blush in his cheeks as he got under the blanket and moved closer to me in the procces..

I thought it would satisfy my body a little, but it only made the itching feeling worse.. Urg.!

Trying to just enjoy the beautiful view overlooking the ocean, it kept my mind off Ethan's closeness until he asked me another question..

"So what are your plans after graduation..?" he asked, looking down at me as I thought about it..

"I don't really have anything specific planned.. Maybe I will do some traveling or just go ahead and find some work.." I said with a shrug.. "What about you..?" I asked..

"I would love to travel for some time, but... My family want me to join the family business as soon as I graduate.." he said with a clenched jaw..

"What do you want to do for work then..?" I asked, as I could tell the family business wasn't in his plans..

"I would love to start my own home security company, installing them in homes and having a team of security guys for anyone to use if needed.. We sometimes have celebrities performing here or in cities near by.." he confessed as he scratched the back of his neck..

"That sounds awsome.." I said with a bright smile, and I could actually picture him being great as a bodysguard with his tall and muscular body, because there had to be a lot of strength in those biceps..

......

Ethan's P.O.V.

As we were sitting talking about what to do after graduation, Layla's phone was going crazy in her bag and had buzzed a few times before it started ringing..

"Sorry, I'll be quick.." Layla apologized and answered the call.. "Mille, please stop calling so much... Sorry but we are just talking.. huh.. I'll ask..?" she said and put the phone down and looked at me..

"She wants to talk to you if that's okay..?" she said and I just shook my head as I took the phone and put it up to my ear..

"Hi Mille.." I said to let her know I was on the line with her..

"Look if you try something, I'll... I'll mess you up, OKAY..! So keep your hands to yourself.." Mille stated and I got a bit annoyed but politely responded..

"O-okay, I will.." I said and handed the phone back to Layla..

Layla took it and talked a bit more with Mille before hanging up.. We sat in silence just listening to the waves for sometime before I finally spoke..

"Lets go home, its beginning to get colder and I wouldnt want you to be getting sick.." I said and packed up the basket, but Layla kept the blanket around her to keep her warm as we walked back to the car..

The drive back to Mille's house was quiet.. I didn't feel like talking after Mille's outburst at me over the phone.. It really got to me for some reason and I would rather end our date on a good note and then I could go home and mope about it..

When I pulled up to Mille's house, I went out to open the door for Layla and said goodbye..

"Thank you for taking me to your family's house by the beach today, and the lovely picnic.." Layla said and handed me the blanket she had been wrapped up in on the drive back..

"I'm glad you wanted to spend a second day with me... I was sure you thought it was too much too soon after yesterday.." I confessed..

"Someone might look at it like that, be we are just getting to know each other, so what's the harm.." she responded with a chuckle, and she was right.. There is no pressure on any of us we are just getting to know each other better..

"Yeah.. Well, I better go so Mille doesnt attack me to get you to herself.. Bye Layla.." I said and turned back to my car..

"Ethan.." Layla said and as I turned back to face her, she suprisingly engulfed me in a hug, "Drive safely, and remember to thank your sister for me.." she said as we parted slightly but still having our arms around each other..

"Um.. yeah I will..." I said, still baffled by the sudden hug..

Her arms slipped down from my back as she stepped away and began to walk inside and I stood watching still in shock.. As she reached the front door she turned around and gave me a smile and waved before going fully inside..

I got in my car and, not able to process what happened, I drove home..

When I got home, I headed straight up to my room and fell flat onto my bed with a thump..

Mille really had to ruin the date for me.. I didn't want my mood to affect it so that's why I chose to end it and drive Layla back to her crazy overprotective friend.. I can understand why Mille's scared for her friend but that behavior is crazy..!

I really wanted to text Layla and tell her how it made me feel what Mille had said, but I chose not to..

'Pling'.. I got a text..

Layla - Hey.. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.. You got so quiet after Mille called..?

Urgh.. Of course she had noticed.. I just had to tell her, so I responded..

Me - Sorry, but what she said over the phone really affected me, because thats not who I am.. Overprotective or not, I think she jumped straight to a conclusion on who I am, when she told me to keep my hands to myself..

Layla - Oh my god I'm so sorry Ethan.. She had no right.. I'll talk to her..

Me - You dont have to do that..

Layla - No.. she has to calm down, I'm a big girl and I can handle myself.. Plus, it's not her job to scare guys off in order to keep me 'safe'..

Me - I'm sorry I didnt tell you how it affected me, but I didn't want my sudden change in mood to reflect on our date..

Layla - It's okay.. We can always have another picnic on another day..

Me - I would like that, a lot..!

Layla - Me too.. Again, thanks for today, we'll talk tomorrow..

Me - My pleasure.. I cant wait, sleep tight..

Layla - You too, bye..

......

Layla's P.O.V.

"MILLE...!" I yelled throughout the house as I put my phone back in my bag and locked the front door behind me...

........