Looking for the Eclipse

Chapter 3

Nefeli's P.O.V.:

" I know you are going to say no, but i am hoping for a different answer this time...." Layla says, with a look of mischief all over her face.

" I do not like the look on your face, so do not be too hopeful, Layla!" I answer her warily.

"Clubbing.Tonight.Me and you.Pleaaase!!!" She pleads.

" Absolutely not. My plan is do nothing and thoroughly enjoy it." I tell her determined to have my downtime.

" Nefeli, pleease! I am stuck in a kitchen all day and you are stuck in a classroom all day! Let' s just get dressed up, have fun and meet people for a change! Just once!" Layla is looking not willing to back down this time.

"I meet people all day, Layla!" I answer try to get out of it but she is quick to snap back at me

"Adults. How about you interact a bit with someone else other that the kids in your classroom, huh?! I need it and you need it to and you know it!"

I guess she is right... it' s been a hot minute since we had some fun.

" Layla brace yourself..." I tell her after a minute of silence ".. ok, lets go out" I finally agree.

"YEEES!!! You are not gonna regret this! It' s gonna be epic!!" She says with a smile and already starts planning our night out.

I love seeing her happy. She has been the only person to be able to see through my securities and push my boundaries a bit. I influence her as well but the opposite way, as I am able to calm her wildness a bit. She tends to act without thinking and is very confrontational. We are ying and yang in a way. We have been leaving with each other for the last 5 years, since we were both 18. We met when I went as waitress, in the restaurant she is still working in, and became besties from day 1! Our house feels more of a home even compared to my parental house.

I have always felt out of place, and still do get that feeling, but it is less intense since we started living together.

After lots of convincing, I said goodbye to my jeans and top and go for a purple fitted dress and black heels that Layla chose for me. I do look good I must admit! My brown, long hair curled in loose waves and subtle make up, as well as the outfit, really do me justice. Layla was so excited to dress me up that she left only half an hour for herself to get ready. Not that she needed more time of course. She did magic with food and magic with hair and make up, as well. She went into the bathroom with her pyjamas and came out half an hour later with her blond hair up in sleek ponytail, perfect smokey eye make up and already dressed with her black dress and silver heels.

" Layla, I knew you were fast but not THAT fast!" I tell her impressed.

" Well, I am so desperate to get out and have fun that I do not want to waste another moment in here! Lets go!" She rushes me out.

It was a great night out! We had been dancing and drinking and laughing for hours and I did not want the night to finish!

Until he comes over... David.. again!

" Nefeli! How great to see you here!" He tells me and I already want to get out of here. Layla has gone to the bar to gets us refills and must have not seen him coming otherwise she would already be here.

" Hi, David. If you excuse me, I have to get to Layla" I say and try to leave but he stops me.

"No you dont." he says and blocks my way sending shivers down my spine.

" What you have to do is to listen and give me chance" he says and grabs me by my waist.

I start hyperventilating as I was not ready for something like that. As I am trying to get free from his hold, he hugs me tighter and I cannot move! I shout at him to let me go but he doesn't! And that is when I catch a sent that is intoxicating! It engulfs me and relaxes my nerves a bit. It reminds me of wood and cinnamon. It lasts for a second and then it is gone but it manages to help me get a grip of the situation.

I push David with force and slap him, as I see Layla approaching furious.

" Go away and do not even look her way again you creep!!" She shouts at him and pulls my hand to get me out of there.

David does not make a move to follow us but I can feel his gaze.

As soon as we are out, Layla puts me in the car and starts speeding home.

" Nefeli, are you ok?? Talk to me !" She asks scared for me.

" I' m fine now. I am sure he would not hurt me but I freaked out when he grabbed me " I reply and she stops the car instantly.

" No ! We are not doing that! You are not sure and noone should be sure Nefeli!

Force is force and he used it to hold you against your will! It doesn' t have to escalate to become bad! That is bad, already!" She shouts at me with tears in her eyes.

I start tearing up as well and we both hug each other.

When we reached home we both went straight to bed physically and emotionally exhausted. The next day is my day off and Layla has the night shift, so we are having breakfast together for a change. It is great to have some time to relax and sit around.

There is a knock on the door and I start to get up to open but Layla stops me.

" I am opening the door" she says and we look at each other with understanding, fearing it may be David.

To our suprise it is not. It is a driver from a moving company who tells us that the tenant above us had move out, in the night, and he is instructed by the landlord to leave the keys with us.

After the mover left we both look at each other with shock but mostly relief. He is gone! Thank god he is gone! I was scared to think, until now, how I could go about my everyday life running into him day after day!

" The bastard left! Best news we could get!" Layla chimes with a smile in her face " I was scared to leave you alone tonight to go to work but what just happened really made my day!"

" I feel like a weight has been lifted Layla, honestly" I say and drop on the couch truly relaxed, for the first time today.

" Well, we do not have to bother with him anymore, Nefeli. I will go take a nap and get ready for work." Layla says and leaves the room.

With David gone there is only one thing left from last night bothering me... what was that damn smell from last night.?! It was unique yet familiar and for the split second that it lasted I had a feeling that I had never had before.... It felt like home.