M. Thompson
LAYLA
I wake up with a pounding headache. I’m sprawled out on someone’s chest, which isn’t exactly the best remedy for a headache. I glance up and realize I’m lying on Brandon’s bare chest, and I’m stark naked.
“OMG OMG OMG,” I blurt out, panic setting in. This wakes him up. He looks at me, eyes wide open.
“Oh, shit,” he mutters, propping himself up on his elbows. I quickly cover my naked body before he gets a good look.
“What happened last night?” I ask him, my voice trembling.
“I can’t remember,” he admits, rubbing his face.
“Shit, I just slept with my friend’s little sister.”
“Don’t make it sound like I’m still in high school,” I retort.
“Oh, believe me, the images in my head right now are far from you in high school,” he replies, smirking.
“Now you need to leave and pretend this never happened,” he says, rolling his eyes.
“I can’t even remember what happened,” I lie.
I remember every detail of what happened in bed, I just can’t recall how we ended up there. I remember his passionate kisses all over my body. I remember the way he rubbed against me and how his tongue explored me.
I can’t bring myself to look at him. He leans in closer and I can feel his breath on my neck.
“Then why can’t you look at me, baby,” he whispers.
Why did he have to call me baby? Now I can’t get it out of my head.
“Because you have a really ugly face,” I retort, still avoiding his gaze.
He grabs my wrists and pins me down on the bed. “Say that again, Layla, I dare you.”
“What are you gonna do if I did, Brandon?” I tease.
He smirks and licks my neck, sending shivers down my spine.
“I’m gonna make you wish you didn’t have to leave this room,” he whispers in my ear.
Suddenly, there’s a knock on his bedroom door.
“Brandon, it’s Eric. I’m here to drop off some stuff for you,” my brother’s voice echoes through the door.
My face drains of color. If my brother catches us like this, Brandon’s done for. And it would be all my fault. Why didn’t I just leave when I had the chance?
Brandon quickly gets up and tells me to hide.
“Shit, you need to hide,” he whispers urgently.
“Hide where?” I ask, confused.
“Here,” he says, shoving me into his closet.
I notice handcuffs in there and bite my lip, wondering why he has them. He wraps a towel around his waist and opens the door.
“Here’s the stuff you needed,” my brother says.
“Thanks,” Brandon replies.
“I heard my little sister’s going to the same college as you,” Eric mentions.
“Yeah, but classes haven’t started yet so I haven’t seen her,” Brandon replies, sounding nervous.
“Good. Just remember, even if I’m not around, she’s still off limits,” my brother warns before leaving.
Once we hear the front door close, we both let out a sigh of relief. Brandon opens the closet, and I quickly cover myself.
“Forget this happened,” he says, handing me my clothes and ushering me out of his room.
I storm back into my room, fuming. He took my innocence and this is how he treats me afterward. I can’t stand him. But now I need to get ready for my first day of college.
I take a shower and tie my hair up in a messy ponytail.
***
I drive to school, unsure of what to expect on my first day. I don’t know where my classes are, and I don’t know anyone here.
I get out of my car and head into the campus. I’m walking down the hallway when I bump into Lance again.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” I apologize.
“You’re that girl from the other night,” he says. “Layla, right?”
“Yeah, and you’re Lance, right?” I ask.
“Yeah,” he confirms. “You look a bit lost,” he chuckles.
“Yeah, I am,” I admit, biting my lip.
“Well, you’re in luck. I’ve been here for a while, so I can show you around,” he offers, rubbing the back of his neck.
“That would be great,” I say, relieved.
He guides me to each of my classes and shows me around the campus before they start.
“Well, here we are, back at your first class,” he says.
“Thank you for showing me around,” I say, tucking my hair behind my ear.
“You’re welcome.” He smiles. “I better get going,” he adds.
“Okay,” I say, feeling a bit nervous.
I watch him walk away and then notice Brandon leaning against the wall, glaring at me. I roll my eyes at him. I’m still mad about how he kicked me out of his room.
Suddenly, a girl walks up to him. He wraps his arms around her, and she gives him a quick peck on the lips.
I walk into my classroom, ignoring them. The class hasn’t started yet, so most of the seats are empty.
I choose an empty seat and look around the room. There are about six people here and ten empty seats. I take out all my stuff and arrange them neatly in front of me.
As more students trickle in, the class starts to fill up. A girl with reddish-orange hair takes the seat next to me.
“Hello,” I greet her.
“Hi,” she replies. “Are you a new student for Professor Dorthy?” she asks.
“Yes, I just moved here for college,” I tell her.
“Oh, that’s nice. Maybe I could show you around after school,” she suggests.
“That would be great,” I say, smiling.
“Alright, settle down, class. Today we’re going to cover…”
***
Once my classes wrap up for the day, I find myself meeting up with the redhead, who I’ve since learned is named Kelsey. We’re joined by her friend Jenna.
“Layla, meet Jenna, my best friend. Jenna, this is Layla, the new girl in our class,” Kelsey introduces us.
“Hey, welcome to Howard University,” Jenna greets me, shaking my hand.
“Thanks, I’m excited to hang out with you guys,” I reply.
“You’re going to absolutely love the college parties,” Kelsey promises, and we all burst into giggles.
“So, are we taking your car or mine?” Kelsey asks.
“We can take mine,” I offer.
“Great, let’s get going,” Jenna says, leading the way out of the building.
We pile into my car and I head towards a café they’ve recommended. I have to rely on my GPS because I have no clue where I’m going.
Eventually, we reach the café and slide into a booth.
“So, what are you studying?” Jenna asks me.
“I want to be a vet,” I tell her. “So, I’m studying animals.”
“Oh, that makes sense,” Jenna nods.
“I’m studying to be a zoologist,” Kelsey chimes in. “That’s why we’re in the same classes.”
We chat for what feels like an hour before our food and drinks arrive. As we eat, I get to know the girls better. They’re both the same age as me.
They started their courses two months before I did. Kelsey is engaged to a guy named Trevor. Jenna has a boyfriend named Connor.
After lunch, I drop Kelsey off at school to pick up her car and take Jenna home. Then, I head home myself.