After Us

Seven Years Ago- Unexpected Spark

Layla’s heart jogged as she hurried through the evening. The bookshop’s symbol came into sight, its soft lamp displaying and flashing into the streets. She hastened her steps, hoping she wasn’t too late.

And when she got there, what she was scared of had already happened; she suddenly let out a sigh in frustration.

The familiar small bookshop stood before her, dark and quiet. Its usual warm, amber glow from inside was missing, replaced by a locked door.

She jerked at the handle one last time in vain, peeping into the dark windows as disappointment settled in her chest.

Has she come all this way for nothing?

“Layla!”

She turned around immediately, startled by the voice that called her name. Her eyes landed on Evan, but he wasn't alone. He stood paces away with 2 guys of his age, his hands shoved into the pockets of his jacket, his expression somewhere between surprised and amused.

“I didn’t think you’d come anymore,” he admitted as he stepped closer.

“I almost didn’t,” Layla confessed, crossing her arms over her chest. “But I did, and now the little bookshop decided to close up on me.”

Evan chuckled softly, “It’s 6 pm already. They closed up not long ago.

“And I didn't know you’d be here too,” he added.

Her lips curved into a faint smile, but her voice held a teasing rim. “What? You think I don’t keep my promises?”

“Not at all, I just… wasn’t sure if you’d bother. You seemed in a hurry last time.” His gaze softened. “I’ve been waiting, though.”

“Well, since you’re here…I'll walk you home. It's not safe out here anyway“.

Layla put up an eyebrow. “What about them? They are waiting?”

“Nahh…“ he paused, rubbing his hair. “They’re taking a different direction. I’ll go talk to them.”

Evan rushed off to his friends and returned in a jiffy.

“Shall we?”

“Sure. Why not?”

They fell into step together, their feet echoing lightly on the walkway. The streetlights cast long shadows, spreading out the sidewalk in a pale orange glow.

“So,” Evan began, his hands gliding into his jacket bags, “are you still trying to make peace with Hemingway?”

Layla laughed softly, rolling her eyes. “You’re not going to let me leave that down, are you?”

“Never,” Evan answered, his grin widening.

“Well,” she started, “I haven’t finished it yet. But I did keep your note. It made me laugh when I really needed it.”

Evan glanced at her with high curiosity. “Rough week?”

Layla shrugged. “It’s always something. Work, home, my mom trying to hold everything together… Sometimes it just feels like too much, you know?”

“Yeah,” Evan said after a moment. “I do. But, Layla, you’ve got this spark… this fire. You always seem to figure it out.”

His words caught her off guard, and she turned to look at him. “Thanks,” she said quietly. “You sound like you've known me for ages. How quickly your assumption”

“It's no assumption; that's a fact.”

Layla smiled, too shy to look up for a while.

“Hey, are you doing anything tomorrow evening?”

Layla glanced up, one brow arched. “That depends. Is this an invitation?”

“Could be,” Evan replied, his tone deliberately casual.

“A friend of mine is having a birthday party. It’s nothing fancy—just a set of good people, a few drinks, and probably embarrassing karaoke. Thought you might want to come along.” He pulled out an invite card towards her.

She hung back for a while before taking the card, her teeth grazing her lower lip. “A bookish guy at a karaoke party? Why do I find that hard to imagine?”

“Because you don’t know me as well as you think,” Evan retorted, his lips tugging upward in a playful smirk.

“Oh? And what exactly should I know about you, Mr. Evan? Layla asked, inclining her head as she matched his teasing tone.

“Well,” Evan began dramatically, “To start, I make a mean lasagna. My taste in music is outstanding, and yes, I do sing at karaoke parties—though whether you’d call it ‘good singing’ is debatable.”

Layla laughed hard, the sound spilling out like a melody against the quiet street. “Alright, I’ll bite. What’s your go-to karaoke song?”

“Sweet Caroline. Guaranteed crowd-pleaser.”

She groaned jokingly, rolling her eyes. “Of course, it’s ‘Sweet Caroline.’ That’s such a cop-out.”

“Hey, I’ll have you know it’s a classic.”

“Lazy,” she teased, bumping his shoulder lightly with hers.

“Okay, fine,” Evan admitted, a naughty gleam in his eye. “What about you? What would your karaoke song be, Miss Judgemental?”

Layla pretended to think, tapping her chin. “Probably something fun and dramatic. Maybe ‘Rolling in the Deep.’”

Evan stopped mid-step, facing her with a look of mock awe. “Dramatic and ambitious? That… actually makes total sense.”

“Thanks,” Layla let out with a grin, turning back toward the street as she continued walking. “Glad to know I’m predictable.”

“Not predictable,” Evan countered as he caught up to her. “Just… confident. And maybe a little too cool to hang out with.”

Her cheek softened, and she glanced sideways at him. “You’re fun to be with too, Evan.”

His smile was slight but genuine as they fell into silence again. The air between them was easy, filled with unspoken words that didn’t need to be said just yet.

After a few more blocks, Evan spoke again. “So, tomorrow then? You’ll be there?”

Layla hesitated, biting back a smile. “I’ll think about it. Do I get an embarrassing karaoke performance as part of the deal?”

“For you?” He smiled. “Anything.”

They stopped in front of Layla’s apartment building, its dimly lit facade suddenly feeling like a avoided barrier. Evan shifted slightly, his hands once again tucked into his jacket bags as he studied her.

“I’m really glad you came tonight, Layla.”

“Me too, Evan.” She met his gaze, her heart hitting her chest. “Well, goodnight,” Layla added softly.

“Goodnight,” Evan echoed, but neither of them made any move to leave.

The pause stretched between them, filled with a tension that sparked like electricity in the air.

Before Layla could think of something to say, Evan closed the gap between them, his hand stretched out to gently cup her cheek.

A kiss came suddenly, soft yet full of unspoken emotions. It was sudden, breathtaking, and left no room for doubt about what he’d wanted to do all evening.

When he leaned back, Layla’s lips parted in surprise, her heart battering in her chest. She blinked up at him, her thoughts struggling to catch up with her racing pulse.

“See you tomorrow?” he asked, his tone barely above his breath; it came out warm against her skin.

Layla could only nod, shy and still reeling from the moment, as Evan stepped back with a sheepish smile.

“Goodnight, Layla,” he added, turning and walking away before she could respond.

Layla stood adamant as she watched Evan’s figure disappear down the street; she raised a hand to her lips, a small smile forming.

Tomorrow suddenly felt much more interesting.