Stray

by Solveig Yrsa

  Layla gasped as she held her hand to her mouth. She had seen many people over the years in her nest, die from cancer. “Is… Is Catherine going to…” she couldn’t finish her question, she felt tears welling up in her eyes.

  Spencer rubbed her back softly. “She’s doing okay, she has her good days and her not so good. But right now, she’s here, and she’s happy, and that’s what we strive for. But that’s why I live here. I came back home to help her. My father ran away to China, so he didn’t have to deal with all of her symptoms, so I left college and came back to the city to be close to her. I used to have my penthouse in the city but, I came over one day to find my mom not being taken care of the way I felt she should’ve been, so I moved in here to make sure she is getting the best treatment possible.”

  Layla smiled. “That’s very kind of you to do all that for her.”

  He shrugged. “She’s my mom, I would do anything for her.”

  “Yeah, for your mom I could understand.” She shook her head, pushing the thoughts of her own mother, away.

  “Listen, Layla, you can’t tell anyone about Mom, not even Rachel knows. The only one outside of family that knows is Jensen, so please, promise me?”

  “Don’t worry, Spencer, you can trust me, I promise I won’t say anything.”

  He smiled and nodded before lying down in the bed. “So, you like that silly European football crap, huh?”

  “Yeah, it’s fun!” She said in defense.

  Spencer chuckled, “I’ll have to show you real football sometime.”

  She smiled as she got on the floor and laid down. “Well, as long as you’re with me this time. It’s more fun when you’re there.”

  Spencer’s closed eyes shot open and blood rushed to his cheeks. He glanced over at Layla and saw her small body curled up on the floor. “What are you doing?”

  Layla looked up at him, “C… can I sleep with you again?” She asked softly. “I know it might seem weird it’s just, the rooms are so big and everything is so quiet. I feel like I can’t breathe.” He smiled and inwardly cheered, feeling like the victor between himself and Landon.

  “Sure, but sleep in the bed, I’ll take the floor.”

  He was about to get up, when Layla held her hand up to stop him. “Please, Spencer, I’m already down here, and I honestly don’t mind laying on the floor, it’s very soft. You stay in the bed.”

  He was reluctant, but she wasn’t going to budge; so he handed her a blanket and a pillow.

  “If you want to change spots at any time, just let me know.”

  She nodded as she snuggled into the pillow before mumbling a soft, “Goodnight, Spencer.”

  He smiled and turned off his light. “Goodnight, Layla.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  Spencer groaned as an alert went off. He looked at the phone and saw it was a text message from Liam.

  Get your lazy ass up. The girls are getting ready to leave.

  He looked around, confused and still half asleep. He looked down at the spot that Layla had been sleeping in, and found it empty. The cover was neatly folded and placed next to his bed with the pillow on top. He sat up and stretched before heading down to the kitchen. Once there, he saw everyone sitting at the breakfast bar, laughing.

  “Oh, look who finally got up!” Catherine smiled, and Layla gave him a small wave while playing with the cup that sat in front of her.

  “What’s up?” his voice was still hoarse, and he looked groggy as he walked over to the counter and grabbed the orange juice.

  “Oh, we are just laughing at Layla, the poor dear hates the protein shakes that I bought,” Catherine chuckled as Layla forced a smile.

  “No, really! It’s wonderful!” She took a big gulp and nearly choked trying to keep it down.

  He grabbed the cup from her and drank a sip. “That is disgusting.” He set it back down and grabbed his orange juice and downed it. “I’ll buy some stuff to add to the shake to try to help with the taste.”

  “Okay ladies, are we ready to go?” Samantha grinned while clapping her hands together. There was a knock on the door.

  A moment later, Jensen came through the entryway of the kitchen and smiled. “Morning everyone.” He looked and saw Liam sitting next to his sister at the breakfast bar and smiled awkwardly.

  The ladies got up and Catherine looked at Spencer, Liam, Jensen, and Landon. “You boys best behave yourselves.”

  Spencer rolled his eyes. “Mom, we aren’t teenagers.”

  “Exactly, which means you all will be tried as adults,” Catherine warned them. She never really worried about Liam, Jensen, and Spencer, but somehow, whenever Landon was thrown into the mix, things always ended up going bad.

  Spencer kissed his mother’s forehead. “Don’t worry, we will behave. Go have fun.”

  The guys walked the girls outside where a black stretch limo sat waiting for them. “This is going to be so much fun!” Samantha squealed. Layla shifted awkwardly, not really understanding what was going to happen today. “So are you going to be my waxing buddy?” Samantha grinned at Layla while wrapping an arm around her.

  “Ummm… Okay? What’s waxing?” Catherine and Samantha shared a chuckle before ushering her into the limo.

  “It might be best that we don’t tell you.” Catherine smiled as she got in after the girls, waving at the boys as the driver closed the door.

  Once they left, the guys walked back inside. Spencer grabbed his phone off of the counter and decided he had to send Rachel a text.

  Can’t go to movies today, need to help Landon.

  Sorry <3

  Sure, it was a lie, but there was no way he was going to sit through another movie he didn’t want to see, with a woman that spent the entire time on her phone. “You guys want to go see a movie?” he asked, they all nodded. Spencer ran upstairs to get dressed.

  “So, Landon,” Liam said while hopping onto the counter. “Are you coming too?”

  Landon shrugged. “I’ve got nothing else to do today. May as well hang out, at least until Layla gets done with her day of beauty. Lord, I cannot wait to see her all glamorous.”

  Jensen shifted uncomfortably, knowing that this would not end well.

  Spencer came down the stairs wearing a pair of jeans and a plain black shirt. “Alright, let’s go.”

  ***

  After the boys ended up seeing two movies, Liam received a text from his sister telling them to meet the girls at the downtown shopping center.

  Spencer rolled his eyes at Landon, who was looking around almost frantically. “What in the hell are you doing?” he asked, almost embarrassed.

  “I’m looking for Layla! I cannot wait to see her!”

  Spencer was about to punch his cousin when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He spun around, and his breath caught in his throat. “No freaking way,” he whispered.

  Layla smiled softly at the dumbfounded boys.

  She wore black skinny jeans, an olive green v neck fitted tee, and nude flats. They had cut her hair to about chest level with lots of edgy layers. Her eyebrows were perfectly shaped and her usually uneven, dried pale skin was now smooth and dewy due to the body scrub. She tucked a lock of chocolate hair behind her ear and looked up at Spencer. Her eyes were done flawlessly with a nude smoky look that made her already wide, crystal eyes, pop. Spencer took note that the artist did an amazing job covering the bruise that was on her cheek from her attack the other day.

  “Do I… look okay?” she asked nervously.

  Spencer had been silent for too long. All he could do was stare in disbelief. He couldn’t believe that this was still Layla. He went to answer her but was beat to it by Landon.

  “Layla, you are absolutely breath-taking, I cannot believe that is you. You are gorgeous.”

  Samantha came up behind Layla. Her auburn hair had some dark violet streaks going through it and it was styled with large bouncy curls. “Doesn’t she look amazing!” she smiled. “As soon as we got here, I had to take her into Macys and buy her a
n outfit that actually fit her. Like Aunt Cat made me promise I would. Also, I hope you boys brought the rover because guest services are holding all of our bags.”

  “Where’s Mom?” Spencer asked, suddenly realizing they were one person short.

  “She wasn’t feeling well, so she went on home,” Samantha said as they started walking to the coffee shop.

  Spencer grabbed his phone. “Is she alright?”

  Samantha placed a hand on his shoulder. “She’s fine. She’s just tired. She told us to tell you not to worry. Now, you boys going to buy us some coffee, or what?”

  Layla looked around the busy café as they stood in line waiting to order. She listened to others ordering very difficult sounding drinks and suddenly became nervous. There was no way she could remember to say all of that. She looked at the menu and became frustrated because there were no pictures. She felt her face heat up and she bit the inside of her cheek to keep her from crying.

  Spencer looked behind him and noticed Layla glaring hard at the ground. Her face was red and her lips were pursed together. He raised a brow and told the others to go ahead of him. He walked back to her and touched her hand, snapping her out of her trance.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked. She gave him an uncomfortable smile and shrugged while still trying to fight back the tears. Spencer thought for a moment, and then it hit him. “You want something hot or cold?”

  Layla blinked. “Uhhh… c… cold would be nice.”

  They walked up to the counter together and Spencer gave the young barista a smile. “Hi, can I get a large Americano and a small Iced Latte for my friend, thank you.” Spencer swiped his card and then took Layla’s hand, ushering her over to where their group was waiting for the drinks.

  “Thank you,” she whispered.

  Once their drinks arrived, they headed to customer service to get their bags and then headed to the car.

  “Layla, would you like to sit in the back with me?” Landon smirked as they loaded the Land Rover up.

  Samantha, seeing that her cousin’s head was about to explode, stepped between Landon and Layla. “Actually, Layla was going to sit with me, I wanted to show her a few things about accessories.”

  Layla raised a brow but got into the back with Samantha and they drove off.

  It wasn’t too long after they started their drive that Spencer sighed. “Sorry guys, I need gas,” he said apologetically as he pulled into a station.

  Landon looked around nervously. “Spence, are you sure this is the best place to stop for gas?”

  Spencer rolled his eyes and got out of the car.

  Layla looked out her window, and her eyes fell to a man sitting by himself. She saw a Styrofoam cup next to him and she knew what it was. Her heart ached as she watched people avoid walking near him. She sighed, remembering the two dollars that she had saved to give to Spencer, and that she had left them in her dresser at the house. She looked at the group she was with, I wonder if I could borrow some from Landon and pay him back?

  “L… Landon,” she said softly.

  Landon looked back at her. “Yes, darling?”

  “Do you have money? I’m, um, hungry and wanted to get some food inside, and I forgot the money I have at the house.”

  Jensen raised a brow at her statement. He knew that she didn’t eat, and if Landon was paying any attention, he would too.

  “Oh yes, I have money, but darling lets not get anything here. This place is littered with the scum of the earth, as you can see.” Layla took a sharp inhale as Landon gestured to the homeless man. She glared at the young man in the front seat before climbing over the second row, climbing across Liam and getting out. She walked around the car and marched right up to Spencer, who was minding his own business, pumping the gas.

  “Spencer,” she said more forcefully than she meant to. “I need money to go inside and get food. I have two dollars at the house, I will pay you back when we get there…”

  Spencer raised a brow and looked over at the building. He saw the old man sitting there and sighed. “Layla, look, I’m not trying to be a dick, but I can’t save everyone.”

  Layla opened her mouth, shocked that he would say that. She thought for a moment and then opened his back hatch and started digging through the bags.

  “Layla, what are you doing?” he asked, Landon had gotten out of the car to join in seeing what she was doing.

  “Samantha picked out a bra for me today, it was fifty dollars, where is it…? AH HA!” She pulled out the maroon-colored push-up bra and waved it over her head. She hopped out of the trunk of the Rover and shoved the bra into Spencer’s chest. “That’s fifty dollars, give me fifty dollars and you can take this back.”

  Spencer, stunned and now blushing while holding her bra, looked at the group and then back at her. “Layla, this is not how that works.”

  Layla glared at him. “Then take all of this back. I want none of it.” She started taking off her shoes and then began to take off her shirt before Spencer grabbed her arms. “Alright!” he hissed and handed her his wallet. “Go do what you want, just stop causing a damn scene!”

  She took his wallet, brushed passed Landon, and marched into the convenience store. She walked over to the water and grabbed several bottles, then went down the aisles and grabbed beef jerky sticks, peanuts, pop tarts, and a couple bags of chips before going up to the cash register. She looked and saw some pizza sitting in there under a heating light and grabbed two slices as well.

  She juggled the bags and the pizza as she headed back outside and walked over to the man. Once she got closer, she noticed the milky film over his eyes. He was obviously blind. Layla cleared her throat. “Excuse me, sir?”

  The man jumped and looked around. “W… who is there?”

  “My name is Layla, I wanted to give you some food and water,” she said while sitting the bags in front of him.

  ***

  “What on earth is she doing?” Landon asked Spencer, almost disgusted when he watched Layla sit next to the dirty old man.

  “Feeding that old man more than two dollars worth of food, what does it look like?” Spencer leaned against his rover and crossed his arms over his chest as he watched her. She sat there and was talking to the man. She opened a bottle of water and guided his hands to it. Spencer guessed the old guy couldn’t see. He watched as she smiled and laughed at something the guy said. She seemed so comfortable in that moment with that man, it almost made Spencer jealous. He watched as an equally dirty, old woman limped over to Layla and the man.

  “See,” Landon said, pointing. “They are like damned stray cats, you feed one and more will show up.”

  ***

  Layla smiled and helped Marge, the old woman, sit down next to her husband Ronald. “I’m glad I grabbed two slices of pizza,” she said as she handed them to the woman who was trying not to cry.

  “You have no idea what this means to us,” she choked.

  “Actually, I do. I need to get going now, but here, take this.”

  ***

  “Hey,” Spencer said, pushing off the car. “Is she giving them my money too?!” Spencer watched as both the man and woman screamed and leaped up to hug Layla. After a couple moments, Layla jogged back over to them with a huge smile on her face. She handed Spencer his wallet back.

  “I had five hundred dollars in here,” he said in shock while he heard everyone in the car burst out laughing.

  “I promise you I’ll repay you,” Layla said calmly. “They needed it far more than you do right now.”

  Spencer stood there, still shocked. He wanted to yell at her, but he couldn’t. Everything she did was right. He didn’t need that money. He honestly wouldn’t miss it. But to that old couple, it was the world. And giving it to Layla so she could give it to them, that was obviously the world to her.

  “I can’t believe you let them hug you,” Landon said, wrinkling his nose. “You just spent all day in the salon and getting new clothes, and then you get them covered in that street filt
h.”

  Liam gasped, and Samantha covered her mouth. Layla’s giant smile was instantly replaced with a dark scowl. “Really? Street Filth? Is that what I am?”

  Landon looked confused. “Of course not, love, look at you, you’re stunning!”

  “But a couple days ago I was eating food out of a dumpster.”

  Landon’s mouth dropped. “I… I thought when Spencer said homeless, he meant you were kicked out of your parent’s house or something. I didn’t mean to offend you.”

  “But it’s okay to offend them? That old man was in the war, he fought for his country and look where he ended up. While you, someone who wouldn’t know hard times if it bit you in the face, feels like it’s okay to look down your nose at him and his wife. You are truly a sad excuse for a man and a human being. I’m so disappointed.” She didn’t wait for him to respond, instead she climbed into the back of the rover with Samantha.

  Spencer looked at Landon with a big grin. “Good job, dumb ass. Looks like you lost this one.” And with that, Spencer and Landon got back into the car and they drove off.

  The car ride back to the mansion was a quiet one for the most part. Liam, Spencer, and Jensen were going back and forth about a video game, Landon was staring out the window, and Layla and Sam had fallen asleep in the back.

  Once they got to the house, everyone said their goodbyes and parted ways. Layla heaved her bags up the stairs and threw them onto her bed with a sigh. “Okay,” she breathed. “Sam said I’m supposed to take all the tags off and then wash them. This seems a bit odd, but okay.” She started ripping the tags off the clothes when she heard a tap on the door. “Yes?” she looked and saw Landon enter the room. “Oh, it’s you. What can I do for you, Landon?” she asked coldly as she continued her task.

  “Layla, I wanted to apologize again. I truly didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. I also wanted to apologize for my actions regarding the… elderly couple that you so generously helped. I should’ve never spoken so ill about them.”