She's my mystery

Chapter 18.

Layla's P.O.V.

'Ding'

I grabbed my phone as I got a text, thinking it probably was from either Jackie or Milly.. But my heart almost jumped out of my chest when I saw Ethan's name on my screen..

Ethan - Hey.. I dont exactly know why, but as I was driving home, and I suddenly found myself outside your house..

I was stunned reading it and thought about looking out my window to see if he was still there.. but I just texted him back instead..

Me - Um.. are you still outside.?

I waited and just stared at my phone to see if he read it, but he read it instantly so he couldn't be driving..

Ethan - Yeah.. Sorry it's weird, I'll go now. Sorry if I bothered you in anyway..

I felt bad reading his text and knew he probably just wanted to see if I was okay..

Me - Wait.!

Me - How about a coffee before you head home..?

Ethan - Are you sure.?

Me - Yeah, come around the house to the back terrace and I'll be right down..

Ethan - Okay, see ya in a minute..

I made sure I looked somewhat okay in the mirror before going downstairs to the door leading out to the terrese.. I stopped for a second when I saw him standing outside with his back facing the door.. My heart pumped like crazy with excitement..

I slowly opened the door so I wouldn't scare him..

"Hi.." I said softly, almost sounding like a whisper..

When he turned around, we locked eyes and my heart pumped even faster than before, and he then gave me the handsomest smile..

"Hi Layla.." he said and carefully took a few steps towards me, "You look good." he added..

"No, I look dreadfull.." I joked and laughed but he looked so serious and apologetic.. "Ethan, I'm joking, sorry if you thought I was serious.. Thank you.." I quickly said and he looked relieved..

"You scared me there for a second.." he admitted..

"Sorry, but I dont really feel like I look good in my pyjamas, haha.." I laughed..

He gave me a smile and then sat down by the lounge set, "What coffee can I get you.?" I asked, still standing in the doorway..

"Whatever you are having is fine.." he said, and with that I went into the kitchen and made two lattes for us and made a bag of popcorn we could snack on..

I put it all on a tray with a few other treats so I could carry it all outside.. When I came back out to Ethan, he laughed a little when he saw me with a tray and placed it infront of him..

"I thought we might want some snacks so I just picked out a few different things.." I said and sat down next to him but still kept a bit of space between us..

"You always think of everything in adwans, don't you..?" he snickered and took one of the lattes and took a sip.

"So how are classes.?" I asked. I was beginning to feel ready to go back and with finals coming up I didn't want to miss anything crusial..

"Good, I think.. Max has helped me to stay focused a lot of the time, to be honest.." he said and rubbed his neck, a little embarrassed for some reason..

"How come.?" I asked, curious as to why, because he always seemed to be doing well, so I was surprised to hear him admit that..

"Well... My mind has been on you most of the time.. And even more, since you have gotten back home, all I wanted was to see you and when Mille and Jackie told me they spent the night last night, I wanted to see you even more.. And I guess that is why I was suddenly parked out in front of your house.." he admitted, looking straight into my eyes..

I didn't know what to say or do.. My body wanted to crumble into a ball because of pure shyness from hearing his concern and how badly he wanted to see me.. I bet anyone would be able to see the wheels turning in my head. Ethan for sure did because he chuckled when I had just starred at him for a few minutes..

"How have you been.?" Ethan asked, and then got more serious..

I bit my tongue as I thought about what to tell him, but just like Mille and Jackie, I wanted to be able to talk about it, so it never got to control me in day to day life.. So I took a deep breath before telling him..

"The first few days back home was hard and the first night mom and dad fell asleep with me in my room.. Mom and I have talked about everything, but my dad can't bare to hear any of it so he doesn't know much.." I started and Ethan had his full attention on me and what I was saying..

"Having Mille and Jackie come by helped a lot to feel a little bit normal again, and just answering their questions, crying a lot together, and then they stayed the night as you know.." I paused and took a sip of my coffee as I looked at him..

He seemed to be taking it in and wanted to ask me something, but didn't.. "Just like I told the girls, please ask me any questions, because I don't want it to have a weight on any of us.." I told him and he thought a bit longer about what to ask..

"I'm not sure if I want to know, but what happened while he had you captured.?" Ethan asked, and I could tell it was what he had been thinking about the most..

"The first day or two nothing happened because I slept whenever I felt safe to get some rest, and when he came to check up on me I pretended to still be asleep.. And at first he tried to be nice, but after some time he threatened to do stuff to me and then that day the FBI found me..." I told him but he cut me off without saying anything..

He had his fits clenched so hard that they were almost turning white, as he just stared at the ground..

"Ethan..?" I questioned.

"Sorry, but I.." he started..

"Nothing happened, okay.." I said and made sure he looked at me, "He got a feel, but the FBI got to me before anything happened and then dragged him away from me.." his eyes stayed locked with mine for a few minutes..

"I'm happy that they did.. And still it's weird to see you doing so well, considering everything that happened only days ago.." He said, looking defeated..

"I know it might be weird for everyone, but worse happened to me when Alex and I were together all those years ago.. Personally, I would say I'm still far from okay, and I still try to shake the feeling that he will get to me again.." I confessed some of my thoughts I have had running through my mind ever since being back home..

"Understandable, why your mind would go there.. That guy really doesn't deserve to be on this earth..." Ethan said a bit angry..

"What do you want to send him to the moon then.? haha.!" I laughed.

"Haha, no.." Ethan snickered..

We talked for a few hours before Ethan then headed home.. It was nice to see him and it was so sweet that he wanted to see me so badly, that he drove here not thinking about it before he was already here..

It scares me to think about how much Ethan means to me, also because I'm not sure with everything that has happened, that I can see myself in a relationship.. And Ethan might not even like me the same way..

My head was spinning and I felt like throwing up, so I quickly got some water and then just went to bed..