After Us

Seven Years Ago- A step at a time

When she finally re-entered the apartment, her mom stood there, arms crossed, a knowing smile on her face.

“A new friend, huh?” Megan teased, leaning against the doorway.

Layla froze, mid-step. “Oh no,” she groaned, dropping her heels to the floor. “You’ve been waiting for me, haven’t you?”

“Obviously”, Megan replied with a grin. “I even made tea. Figured you’d need someone to spill all the juicy details to.” She turned back toward the living room, her voice floating over her shoulder. “Unless, of course, this ‘new friend’ is really just some random guy you happened to kiss tonight?”

“Mom!” Layla whined, her face instantly heating up.

“Am I wrong?” Megan called out playfully.

Layla rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide her smile as she followed her mom into the living room and flopped onto the couch. “You’re impossible.”

“And you’re avoiding the question,” Megan shot back, settling into the corner of the couch with her tea in hand. “So… Evan, huh?”

Layla hesitated, chewing her bottom lip for a moment. Then, as if the floodgates had opened, she blurted, “Okay, fine. Yes, Evan. And… he asked me to be his girlfriend tonight.”

Megan’s eyes widened. “Whoa. That’s not just ‘new friend’ territory, Layla. That’s full-on relationship status.”

“I know,” Layla replied, her voice barely above a whisper. “And I said yes.”

For a moment, Megan just blinked, as if processing the words. Then her expression softened into something between curiosity and quiet approval. “Well,” she finally said, setting her mug down on the coffee table, “I guess congratulations are in order. My daughter’s officially off the market.”

Layla laughed, half in relief, half in embarrassment. “Don’t make it weird, Mom.”

“I’m not,” Megan grinned. “But seriously, that’s a big step. And pretty fast, too. Are you sure you’re okay with it?”

Layla sighed, pulling her legs up under her and hugging a cushion to her chest. “That’s the thing… I don’t know. I mean, yes, I like him—a lot. But it’s confusing, because I didn’t see this coming. We weren’t even that close a few weeks ago. And now, suddenly, it’s like he’s everywhere. In my head, in my texts, showing up at my work, asking me out to dinner…”

“And introducing you to his friends,” Megan added knowingly

Layla’s eyes snapped up. “How did you—?”

“Please”, Megan chuckled. “I’ve been nineteen before. Guys don’t just go around proudly showing off ‘friends’. So, how was that? Meeting the inner circle?”

“Honestly?” Layla exhaled slowly. “Kind of intimidating. They were nice, but you could tell they were sizing me up. Especially his friend Leo – he kept asking questions like he was interviewing me for a job.”

Megan nodded, sipping her tea. “That’s typical. Friends are protective, especially if Evan’s the type who doesn’t usually bring girls around.”

“That’s what he said,” Layla murmured, almost to herself. “Afterward, he told me they’d never seen him act like this with anyone before.”

Megan’s gaze softened. “Sounds like someone’s got it bad for you.”

Layla blushed, burying her face in the cushion. “Stop. It’s already overwhelming enough without you making it sound like some rom-com.”

“Hey,” Megan said, nudging her gently. “Overwhelming isn’t always a bad thing. But I get it. When things move fast, it’s easy to feel like you’re on a rollercoaster with no brakes.”

“Exactly,” Layla said, lifting her head. “And the weirdest part? It doesn’t feel wrong. It’s like… like everything clicked into place without me even realising it. And the kiss…” She trailed off, cheeks heating again.

Megan leaned in, eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Ah, yes. The infamous kiss. Was it as earth-shattering as the movies make it out to be?”

Layla smiled, shaking her head. “No, not earth-shattering. Just… right. Like I didn’t have to think about it. It just happened, and for a moment, everything else kind of faded away.”

Megan’s expression grew thoughtful. “That’s the good stuff, Lay. The real stuff. Not fireworks and dramatic music, but peace. Like you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.”

“Yeah,” Layla whispered. “That’s how it felt.”

There was a pause, filled only by the soft ticking of the wall clock and the distant hum of traffic outside. Then Megan gave her daughter a look—the kind that balanced affection with a dash of motherly concern.

“Okay,” she said slowly. “I like that you’re happy. Really, I do. But you know I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t say this—take your time. Enjoy the moment, but don’t lose yourself in it. You’re still you, Layla, whether you’re someone’s girlfriend or not.”

Layla nodded, her heart warming at the gentle reminder. “I know, Mom. I’m not planning to throw my whole life into this. I just… I didn’t expect to care this much, this fast.”

“That’s how it usually happens,” Megan said with a wry smile. “Love doesn’t exactly send a calendar invite. It just shows up, unannounced, and messes with your plans.”

Layla chuckled, relaxing against the couch. “Well, it definitely messed with mine.”

Megan reached over and squeezed her hand. “As long as it’s the good kind of mess, I’m here for it. Just promise me one thing?”

“Anything”, Layla said without hesitation.

“Keep talking to me. About the good stuff, the weird stuff, and the ‘I’m not sure how I feel about this’ stuff. Deal?”

Layla smiled, squeezing her mom’s hand back. “Deal.”

As she stood up, stretching after the long day, her phone buzzed. A text from Evan lit up the screen:

Can’t stop thinking about tonight. Sweet dreams, Layla.

Her heart fluttered as she read the words. Megan, ever observant, caught the look on her face.

“Let me guess,” her mom teased, “Mr Boyfriend checking in?”

Layla grinned, typing back quickly. Me too. Goodnight, Evan.

“Yup,” she said, holding up her phone. “And somehow, it doesn’t feel overwhelming anymore. It just feels… nice.”

Megan smiled, standing up and ruffling her daughter’s hair as she passed by. “That’s how you know it’s worth it. Now go to bed, lovebird. Tomorrow’s another day.”

As Layla headed to her room, she glanced at her phone one last time, her heart light and her mind a little clearer. Maybe this was fast. Maybe it was unexpected. But for the first time in a while, it felt like she was exactly where she was supposed to be.

And that? That was enough.