Stray

by Solveig Yrsa

  Samantha gasped. “Shut up! What did you say?”

  “Well, nothing, he told me to not answer him yet, to think about it.”

  “Ohhh… so these donuts are to sweeten the deal.” Samantha looked at the donuts and shrugged. “I’ll still eat them. So. Do you want to go out with him?”

  Layla shrugged. “He’s nice but also a little pushy, which makes me uncomfortable, he also kind of has that ‘I’m better than you’ personality. Plus, there is Spencer’s feelings towards him. Catherine said I should go out with him just as a friend, but then when Spencer dropped me off last night before you got here, we kissed, and I don’t know what that means.”

  Samantha spit out her coffee and looked at Layla with wide eyes. “YOU WHAT!? Oh my God! Tell me everything! Did you kiss him or did he kiss you!?”

  Layla blushed again. “He kissed me, it was… amazing, not that I have anything to compare it to. But I don’t know what it means.”

  “Well, I would say it means he has feelings for you.”

  “But nothing was said. And what if he didn’t like the kiss? Or what if he was doing it because he knew Landon asked me out, you know he hates that Landon hangs out with me?”

  Samantha was quiet for a moment. “Well, I guess that could be… I mean I would just ask him.”

  “I’m afraid to know the answer,” Layla mumbled.

  “Hmm… then screw it. Just wing it, let whatever happens, happen.” Layla smiled at her friend as she sipped her coffee, she wished she knew how to just ‘wing it’.

  ***

  Jensen sighed as he sat by Liam’s old blue Corolla, waiting for him to come out from taking his test. He listened to the thunder roll and opened his umbrella while he waited. His stomach was in knots, he didn’t want to tell Liam the news; he didn’t want to see the hurt in his eyes. Looking up, he saw the auburn-haired man walking up to the parking lot. His heart sank as he saw his exhausted and stressed expression. “Hey, Lee.” He smiled as he put his umbrella over him.

  Liam was so caught up in his thoughts he didn’t notice Jensen sitting by his car. He kept going over the finals in his head. There were a couple questions that confused him and he was regretting the answers he put. He looked up when he saw Jensen walk over to him.

  “Jensen? What are you doing here?” he asked, feeling a little self-conscious. He hadn’t showered, shaved, or slept in two days. He noticed how Jensen shifted uncomfortably. “What’s wrong?” he asked, looking around. “Is Sam hurt?” Liam panicked as he started fumbling for his phone.

  “No, Liam, Sammy is fine, she’s with Layla. But listen, umm… there’s is no easy way to tell you this…”

  Liam raised a brow. “He finally did it, didn’t he? David is dead.”

  Jensen looked at Liam and nodded. “I’m sorry, Lee.”

  Liam leaned against his corolla and stared at the rain hitting the ground. “How is Sammy?” he asked after several quiet moments.

  “I haven’t seen her, but Spencer said when she showed up last night at his house she was really broken up.”

  Liam blinked. “Wait, last night? Why am I just hearing about this now? It’s the afternoon!”

  Jensen sighed. “Spencer was afraid it would affect your final exam, so he wanted to wait.”

  Liam nodded as he continued to scowl. “And what? You agreed with him? Everyone wants to treat Liam like he’s the damn sensitive baby? What the hell, Jensen!” Liam shoved at Jensen’s chest and started walking away before he remembered that he was already at his car. He glared at Jensen. “I’m only walking back here because I need my car,” he growled while fumbling with his keys.

  “Liam, look, I wasn’t wanting to keep it from you, but there was nothing you could’ve done. You needed to take your final and you’ve worked so hard, everyone was trying to help you.” Dropping his umbrella, he blocked Liam from getting in the car.

  “Jensen, don’t think for a second I won’t hit you, move the hell out of my way.”

  Jensen stood firm. “Everyone cares about you, Liam, please, don’t go in there pissed off.”

  “Everyone cares, huh? That’s why they hid the fact that my FATHER is dead, and that my sister was mourning by herself all night while I was studying for an exam that I probably failed anyway? But everyone cares.”

  “Liam, Layla was with Sam all night. There was nothing you could’ve done.” Jensen went to put his hand on Liam’s shoulder, but he swatted it away.

  “Don’t touch me, Jensen! You live two miles away from here, you knew I was here all night! You could’ve come here and told me! I’m a grown fucking man!”

  Jensen heard his voice cracking, he looked in his hazel eyes and saw the hurt, he watched as the rain ran down his face. “Liam, I’m sorry, I wanted to tell you, but…”

  “But you sided with Spencer and Samantha…” Liam shook his head and gave a short laugh. “I really thought you were on my side, Jensen.”

  “I am on your side! You don’t see it now and that’s fine, you want to be mad at me? Go ahead, I’ve sat here for six god damn hours trying to decide if I should go in and tell you or wait for you to come out. I wanted to tell you, but damn it, you worked hard for this, this tragedy is still here regardless, I just wanted you to have something positive before I was going to have to be the one to ruin everything. You think I wanted to do this? You think I want to be standing here in the fucking rain while you scream at me?”

  “Then why are you here?”

  “Because I fucking love you!” Jensen looked at him with wide eyes and he instantly wished he could run away.

  Liam stared back at him before looking away and blushing. “I need to go see my sister,” he muttered.

  Jensen felt every ounce of his fear of rejection dump on his chest all at once. Moving to the side, he let Liam through. Without another word, Liam got in his car and backed out, leaving Jensen standing there in the rain.

  ***

  “Mom, you should not be out of the hospital,” Spencer growled as he helped his mother up the steps to the house while John held an umbrella over her.

  “Yes Spencer, you made that abundantly clear when you tried to bribe the doctor to keep me there,” she snapped. “My niece and nephew need me here, they are going to need help with arrangements, and finally I can get them to move out of that dreadful apartment and into our home where they belong.”

  John was about to open the door when a car peeled in. Spencer recognized the black Volvo XC60 as Jensen’s. “Shit, John, get Mom inside.” Spencer handed his mother off and got halfway down the steps. He knew this was about to be bad. Jensen got out of his car and ran up the steps as he glared at his friend. “Jensen, listen,” was all Spencer got out before Jensen cocked his fist back and hit Spencer in the gut.

  “Fuck you, Spencer.” Jensen looked up at Catherine and John standing there. Catherine had her hand over her mouth. “I’m sorry, Cat,” he said before he ran back down the steps, got back into his car, and sped off.

  “Spencer, what on earth happened?” Catherine asked as her son slowly climbed the steps.

  “It’s alright, Mom,” Spencer winced. “I deserved it.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  Layla sighed as she clipped the thin black buckle on her dress. She wore a high neck, short-sleeved black dress that stopped just above the knee, and a pair of black high heels. She ran her fingers through her long, wavy hair before putting on her dark nude lipstick and calling it good.

  The last two weeks had been tense and hectic. Jensen wasn’t speaking to Spencer, Spencer was avoiding Layla, and Liam wasn’t speaking to anyone. They’d decided to have David cremated and were waiting for Spencer’s father to come back from China to have the ceremony. Layla spent her time divided between reading lessons, Samantha, and Catherine. She figured since Spencer was avoiding her, it would be best to avoid him as well. Layla walked down the hall and tapped on Samantha’s door.

  “Come in.”

  Layla walked in and saw Samantha sitting on her bed i
n her black bra and underwear, staring at her dress that was hanging on her mirror. “Hey Sammy, do you need help to get ready?” she asked, looking at the V Neck dress.

  Samantha shook her head. “I’m not going,” she whispered, and laid down on her pillow.

  Layla walked over to sit down on her bed and patted her back. “Sammy, I don’t know what’s supposed to happen here, I’m not really experienced in talking to people, so listen, I feel like you should do whatever you feel is right, but I will not let you do it alone. So, if you feel like going to the ceremony, I will help you get that dress on and we will go. But if you want to stay here, I’ll strip down to my underwear too and we will eat cookie dough and watch one of those movies you like where the guy likes the girl, but the girl doesn’t know it until the guy is leaving and then she likes him too.”

  Samantha chuckled and looked at her. “I love you, Layla, you have helped me more than you will ever know, thank you.” Samantha sat up and hugged her brunette friend. “Okay, help me pack myself into that dress, and then we can do that other thing when we get back.”

  ***

  “So, your father is meeting us at the reception hall, and then he is flying straight back to China. Spencer, I am begging you, please, do not fight with him. I haven’t seen him in eight months.”

  Spencer rolled his eyes but nodded. “Still don’t know why he couldn’t come here to see you first.”

  “Spencer,” Catherine warned as they walked to the black limo. “Now, do you think I look okay?” Spencer looked at his mother. She had on a swoop neckline, sleeveless black dress that went down to her ankles and a black shawl that was wrapped around her arms. Her long black hair flowed in soft waves down her back. Smiling, he gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Mom, you are as breathtaking as ever.” Catherine smiled and patted her son’s cheek before getting in the limo. He watched as Layla and Samantha walked out of the house and he sighed. He hadn’t spoken to Layla since the kiss. He didn’t mean for it to happen that way. Things just got crazy, and the more time that went by since they kissed, the more awkward it got.

  He gave the girls a small smile and let them in the limo. “Did you see Liam?” he asked.

  “I’m right here,” Liam muttered while walking down the stairs and brushing passed him to get into the limo.

  Once everyone was in, John began to drive. The ride was awkward and quiet, and it only got more awkward when they stopped to pick up Jensen. Catherine sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Alright, I will not sit here in this awkwardness for another forty-five bloody minutes. Everyone better start laying their issues out so we can resolve them. We are all family here, this is not how we act when there is a problem.” She stared at the silent group. “Well come on, out with it, I’m not getting any younger.”

  Liam sighed. “Fine, I have a problem with Spencer, Samantha, and Jensen for treating me like a child and not telling me that David died until after my test.”

  Spencer went to talk, but Catherine stopped him. “No, you had two weeks to talk to him, now you get to sit there and be quiet. Now continue, Liam.”

  “I understand what you all were doing, I really do, but you have to understand that I’m not a child, I wanted to be there with my sister to help her through this and even though Layla, you did amazing and I will love you forever for all you’ve done, I am her brother, I am her twin, and I should’ve been allowed to help her.”

  Catherine nodded. “Okay, next.”

  Jensen shifted uncomfortably as he felt Catherine’s stare. “I knew I should’ve driven separate,” he grumbled. “I’m pissed off at Spencer because he pulled me into hiding this from Liam, and then asked me to deliver the news to him, which caused us to get in a huge fight, which also made me go and punch Spencer.”

  Layla looked at Spencer as he glared out the window while everyone basically took a turn saying why they were pissed off at him. She watched as he winced each time his name was mentioned. Layla raised her hand slowly, Catherine looked at her and raised a brow. “Layla, are you mad as well?”

  When Spencer heard his mother say Layla’s name, he whipped his head around, God if she says something about the kiss now, his mother would kill him.

  “Yeah, sort of.” Layla cleared her throat. “I’m mad at all of you guys,” she said weakly. “I’ve watched Spencer bend over backwards to do everything for everyone, and he doesn’t think much about himself. Liam, I understand why you were mad, but instead of thinking that Spencer was trying to treat you like a kid, think that maybe he was proud of everything you’ve accomplished and didn’t want that to be thrown away. Jensen, yes Spencer asked you to do him a favor and talk to Liam, but you know Spencer didn’t mean for it to go as bad as it did. Spencer is literally running around for all of us, he takes care of Catherine, he took care of all the funeral arrangements, which I don’t really know much about, but he seemed to be on the phone most of the time over the last two weeks, I just feel like, you’re all upset and you’re looking for someone to blame, and because Spencer is running around trying to clean up messes, he’s an easy target.”

  The limo was silent. Layla rubbed her arm awkwardly and looked at the ground. Had she spoken out of place? Spencer stared at her, mouth agape. Had she really just defended him like that?

  “Lay is right,” Jensen sighed and looked at Spencer. “I was mad because of how Liam and I argued and I took it out on you. I’m sorry, man.” Jensen pulled Spencer in for a hug, and Spencer patted his back.

  “It’s cool, man, you hit like a girl anyway,” Spencer joked.

  Liam sighed. “I’m still not happy about how things happened, but I understand why you did it.” Liam gave his sister a hug, shook Spencer’s hand and gave Jensen a small nod.

  The rest of the ride was as pleasant as it could be. Once they got to the reception hall, John opened the door and helped everyone out. Spencer walked up to Layla and grabbed her arm. “Can I talk to you for a second?”

  “Now? I think I should be with Sam?” Layla said nervously. She wasn’t ready for the awkward conversation yet. Spencer sighed and reluctantly released her wrist. It was then that he saw a large male figure with salt and pepper hair and an expensive black suit walking into the building. Well, let the fun begin.

  Liam ran over to Jensen before he went inside the hall and pulled him to the side. “Hey, Jen, listen, I just wanted to apologize, for what happened.”

  Jensen flashed Liam a forced smile. “Don’t worry about it. It’s over with.”

  “Yeah but, I didn’t realize how much I hurt you, I mean for you to hit Spencer.”

  Jensen shrugged and looked away. “I was tired already, and then the fight and the stress. Don’t worry about it. What’s done is done.” Jensen patted Liam’s shoulder and brushed past him. He couldn’t look at him. After being rejected, he felt like his life for the last twelve years was a waste. It’s your own fault, you idiot. You should’ve told him when you weren’t delivering him such horrible news.

  Liam stood there rubbing the back of his head as he watched Jensen walk off. “I blew it,” he muttered, feeling heartbroken. He watched everyone walk into the reception hall and cursed himself as he walked in.

  ***

  Spencer sighed and walked his mother over to the large man. Catherine smiled as they met up. “Matthew,” she said softly, and hugged her husband.

  The man gently hugged Catherine and kissed the top of her head. “Catherine, you look, well.” Spencer glared at his father. He was acting awkward and it was making Spencer suspicious. Matthew looked over at his son. “Spencer.” He nodded.

  “Matthew,” Spencer said back in the same tone.

  “Father, would be better to hear.”

  “Yeah, I’m sure it would be.”

  Catherine elbowed her son in the side to shut him up. “Spencer, why don’t you go take your seat.” Rolling his eyes, he walked off. “Matthew, I wanted to introduce you to Layla, I think you will really like her.” Catherine pulled her reluctant husband tow
ards the small brunette who was sitting by herself in the corner of the hall.

  Layla took a seat alone while Samantha and Liam went to talk to some people. She didn’t really know any of the people, and the ones she did know were otherwise engaged or she was trying to avoid. Looking up, she saw Catherine coming over with Spencer’s father. She couldn’t help but feel instantly intimidated. Catherine and Spencer had this warmth about them, while Matthew looked serious and cold.

  “Layla, this is my husband, Matthew. Matthew this is Layla.”

  Matthew stuck out his large hand and Layla timidly shook it. “You got to work on that handshake, girl,” Matthew said sternly.

  “Yes, sir,” Layla said softly.

  “So, what are your plans?”

  “Matthew, this isn’t the time to be asking that.” Catherine sighed while her husband crossed his arms over his chest.

  “Well, if I’m paying her bills, I should be able to ask that whenever I want.”

  Layla blushed, instantly feeling unwelcomed. “Well, I honestly don’t know what my plans are right now, Mr. Williams. I was homeless since I was five and without parents since I was ten, so I’m not educated, and things that normal people take for granted like driving, reading, or even brushing your teeth, are all new to me. I hope to one day be able to help other people that are like me. There are many people out there who would love to be able to get a job, but can’t due to being homeless.”

  Matthew nodded and Catherine smiled nervously as she awaited her husband’s response. Matthew was not known for his charity work. He was very much a “you should’ve worked harder” type of person.

  “You know, my board members have been on my ass about trying to find some type of charity work to fund. It’s a bunch of bullshit that I have little interest in honestly, but with the way people are nowadays, if you aren’t shelling out money to those who don’t have it, you’re a monster. So I’ve really got to come up with some sort of plan to get them off my back. You keep up with the studies and learn basic reading and communications skills, and there might be a place for you in that project next year.”