The Monday morning sun was unapologetically bright, filtering through the blinds of Layla's new room. For the first time in her life, she didn't hit the snooze button. Instead, she stood before her closet, her fingers hovering over a floral sundress before she pulled back. Don't be obvious, she scolded herself.
She settled on high waisted jeans, a soft cream sweater, and her favorite worn-in sneakers. It was casual. It was safe. It was "Invisible Layla." But as she caught her reflection in the mirror, she noticed the slight glow in her eyes that hadn't been there a week ago. She wasn't just going to school to study covalent bonds today; she was going on the off chance she might catch a glimpse of a certain third-year Computer Science major.
As she stepped out of the front door, the crisp Montreal air hit her lungs. Her neighbor, Jade a friendly older man who always seemed to be watering his lawn or tinkering with his car was just climbing into his driver's seat.
"Morning, Layla! Heading to campus?" he called out with a wave. "I'm heading that way if you want a lift."
Layla offered a polite, practiced smile the one she used for neighbors and professors. "No, thank you, Jade . I'm going to catch the bus. Have a good day!"
He nodded, the engine of his sedan turning over as he pulled out of the driveway. Layla watched him go, enjoying the brief walk to the bus stop. She liked the anonymity of the bus the way she could put her headphones in and disappear into her own head, dreaming of dark hair and doe eyes.
The bus ride was twenty minutes of pure daydreaming, but reality came crashing back the moment she stepped off at the university gates. As she walked toward the main hall, a familiar black car roared into the parking lot, taking a corner with a bit too much speed.
It was Jade.
He pulled into a spot near the science building, and Layla froze for a split second. She watched him climb out all six-foot-four of him looking like he belonged on a billboard rather than a chemistry lecture. He slammed the door, his dark curls messy in a way that looked intentional, his smoky eyes scanning the crowd.
He goes here? she wondered, her heart sinking slightly. She had hoped her home life and school life would stay separate, especially when it came to someone as distracting as him. Even worse, she noticed the textbook tucked under his arm. It was the same one she had: Advanced Organic Chemistry. She shook the thought away and hurried to her morning classes. Chemistry was usually her sanctuary, a place where everything followed a set of rules. But today, her mind kept drifting. Every time the door to the lecture hall opened, she looked up, hoping it was Sarah or better yet, Liam.
By noon, Layla was desperate for a distraction. She found Sarah sitting at a corner table in the crowded cafeteria, picking at a salad.
"There's my favorite genius!" Sarah cheered, her usual bubbly self. But as Layla sat down, she noticed a flicker of something else in Sarah's expression.
"Hey," Layla said, her voice small as she tried to navigate the noise of the lunchroom. "I was hoping… I mean, I thought Liam might be around?"
Sarah's face fell, and she reached out to squeeze Layla's hand. "Actually, that's what I wanted to tell you. I'm going away for a bit, Layla. Family stuff. I have to head out this afternoon, and I'm not sure exactly when I'll be back on campus."
Layla felt like the floor had dropped out from under her. Sarah was her only bridge to Liam. If Sarah was gone, the chances of her, the shy, timid girl from the back of the class, ever talking to a popular third-year student were zero.
"Oh," Layla managed, her throat tightening. "I... I understand. I'll miss you."
"I'll text you every day!" Sarah promised, but then her phone buzzed. She looked at it with a frown. "I have to go. Right now. I'm so sorry, Layla!"
Before Layla could even process the news, Sarah was gone, disappearing into the sea of students. Layla sat alone at the table, the noise of the cafeteria suddenly feeling deafening. She felt that old, familiar cloak of invisibility settling over her shoulders. Without Sarah, she was just another face in the crowd.
She didn't feel like eating anymore. Layla gathered her things and started toward the exit, her head down, lost in a cloud of disappointment. She was so deep in her thoughts that she didn't notice the shadow looming over her until a deep voice broke through her trance.
"Why so blue, neighbor? You look like someone just deleted your entire hard drive."
Layla jumped, looking up to see Jade walking alongside her. He was matching her stride effortlessly, his hands shoved into his pockets.
"I'm not blue," Layla said, picking up her pace. "And I'm not alone."
"Really?" Jade let out a short, dry laugh. "Because your friend just ran out of here like the building was on fire, and you've been staring at a wall for ten minutes."
He stepped ahead of her, pivoting on his heel to stand directly in her path. Layla stopped in her tracks, nearly colliding with his broad chest. He was a wall of muscle and dark denim, and up close, his smoky eyes were even more intense.
"I want to be your friend, Layla," he said, a slow, confident smile spreading across his face. He extended a large, calloused hand toward her.
Layla stared at his hand as if it were a lab specimen. "Why?"
"Why not?" Jade shrugged, his smirk widening. "You seem pretty cool, despite the whole 'hiding from the world' thing. Plus, we're neighbors. If I offer to drop you home, you might actually accept the ride if you consider me a friend. Beats the bus, doesn't it?"
Layla felt a surge of that "extroverted" energy she usually reserved for people she trusted, sparked by his sheer arrogance. "I didn't agree to be your friend yet."
Jade didn't look offended. If anything, he looked amused. He tucked his hands back into his pockets and leaned down slightly, bringing his face closer to hers. "But you didn't say no, either."
Layla bit her lip, her nerves fluttering. He was too loud, too big, and far too handsome for her comfort zone.
"4:30," Jade said, his voice dropping an octave as he backed away. "In the parking lot. By my car. If you show up, I'll take that as my response. If not... well, enjoy the bus ride, neighbor."
Without waiting for her to answer, he turned and ran off, waving a hand dismissively as he joined a group of guys by the fountain.
Layla stood frozen, her heart hammering against her ribs. She looked at the clock on the wall. It was 1:15. She had three hours to decide if she was going to stay in her safe, quiet bubble, or if she was going to step into the chaotic world of Jade a man who, unbeknownst to her, held the keys to the very past Liam was trying to forget.