"So what were you and Warren Peace talking about?" Layla nudged me, giving me a look.
"Just work. I told you I work at the Paper Lantern now, right?"
"Erm, no! Do you not think I'd have been in there every night abusing your staff discount if you had?" Layla asked incredulously.
"That's an excellent point... well I work at the Paper Lantern now. I just cover a couple of shifts every week for Mrs Lee while someone's off sick, I just also happen to be on the exact same shifts as Warren when he doesn't take extra ones."
"So you wouldn't want to go there tonight?" Layla asked, and I could tell she really did want to.
"I don't mind- Layla you're talking to right Stronghold twin if you're after Chinese food. That, and it'll be kind of fun to annoy Warren while he's working," I chuckled.
"You've got pretty close to him, Rose," Layla mused.
"Yeah, I guess. Who'd have thought, right? Given how much I hated him a couple of weeks ago."
"You wouldn't ditch me for him though, right?" she asked in a small voice.
I grabbed her arm bringing her to a stop.
"Layla I would never ditch you for anyone. You're one of my best friends. The only reason Will's spending so much time with Gwen and co. right now is because he's never being popular- he doesn't know how to handle it. But I am going to have a talk to him and tell him how it isn't right to just ditch his friends for cheerleaders and homecoming committee members. Don't worry Layla... you're stuck with me," I chuckled as I reached out to wipe the stray tear streaking down her cheek.
"Good," she laughed, linking her arm through mine as we continued towards the school bus.
"You'll have to tell me all about Warren Peace though! This is such a weird progression! Like how did this even happen?" she continued.
"I don't know," I mused, "And I don't really know how much there is to tell. Like we talk and we joke around and he is actually a really nice guy to be around-"
"And he was SO caring and apologetic after your Save the Citizen accident," Layla added.
"Yeah, that too, and Will's always going on about how I wouldn't be able to change Warren Peace. I mean personally, I don't think he really needs changing- he never acts how he does with everyone else when he's with me."
"I know- Will said he actually talks to you in class, and makes you laugh. He was genuinely baffled when he told me," she laughed.
"Yeah he does..." I trailed off, "He is just really... well, nice when you get to know him properly."
A small silence fell on us.
"So..." Layla continued, "Do you like him?"
"Layla I just said I did."
"No! Like do you like him like him?" she nudged me, giggling.
"Oh, erm, I don't know. Can you honestly say you'd be down for me dating Warren Peace though?" I asked, eyebrow raised.
"Rosie! Of course I wouldn't mind! As long as he treats you right and you have a good time together, that's all that matters! So?" she probed.
"Well he is great and he's not at all bad looking either-"
"Uh-huh," Layla followed, grin getting wider the more I said.
"But I think he likes someone else," I finished.
Her shoulders slumped.
"What makes you say that?" she asked quietly.
"Well we were talking the other night at work, and he sort of let on that he liked someone, but he wouldn't tell me who. I think it's just that we weren't close enough at the time. I don't think Warren's ever going to feel like anyone's a good enough friend to tell his secrets to," I chuckled.
Layla frowned.
"Leave it with me," she said.
"Layla," I warned.
"I said leave it with me. I'll just do a bit of digging. Not enough to make it seem like you're interested, but enough that I can just come off as incredibly nosy."
I shook my head at her, smile on my face as we made our way to the bus.
"Anyway, we'll both go home, get changed, and then we can meet on the corner to walk over to the Paper Lantern, right?" Layla asked.
"Sounds good to me," I smiled.
"Will said he'd be coming as well, as like an apology for not really being around for a while. I'm so excited, Rosie! Things will be like they were before."
I smiled at her enthusiasm. I really hoped Will wouldn't mess this up.
As soon as we got home, I shouted a quick hello to my parents before racing up the stairs to get changed. I couldn't help but think about what Layla had said to me... did I like Warren? We got along, and he was hot, there was no denying it, but did I like him as more than a friend?
I shook off the thought, unwilling to get involved in some inner battle with myself, but I did make the decision to make a bit more effort than my typical jeans, leafing through my clothes to find something a bit dressier.
I came upon a nice leather skirt and threw on a crop top too, buckling up some small heeled sandals as well, spurred on by the sun glinting through the window. A tiny spritz of perfume, a quick top up of makeup and I was ready to go. I text Layla I'd be there in 5 and headed downstairs to find Will.
As I made my way down the stairs, I heard voices. There was Mum's, Dad's, Will's and another? I swore I recognised it, but I just couldn't place it.
I headed down the rest of the stairs, brow still furrowed, and wandered through into the dining room. To find her there.
She'd finally done it. She'd brought her pinkness into my house. I stood in the threshold in awe, absolutely baffled at how she managed to weasel her way into my home life.
"Oh honey," Mum cooed, "You know Gwen, right?"
"Yeah, hi," I nodded towards her, ignoring her beam.
"Gwen will be joining us for dinner," Dad announced proudly, "And she's helping will with his science. Isn't that nice?"
"Yeah, really nice," I said in monotone; "Mum I'm going out for dinner with a friend," I said, directing the last word at Will to see if he'd catch on.
Nope. Just gazing himself stupid looking at Gwen. I ground my teeth, annoyed.
"That's fine, sweetie... you okay?" Mum asked, looking concerned.
"Yeah," I pulled myself together, "I'll be back by 10, maybe half past."
"You just ring us if it's dark when you want picking up, do you hear me?" protective-Dad mode kicked in as he addressed me.
"Yes, Dad," I promised, leaning in to hug both him and my Mum; "You guys have a good night... nice to see you Gwen," I added, completely devoid of any sincerity.
"And you!" I rolled my eyes as her voice chimed after me, heading out and shutting the door as quickly as possible to block it out.
I looked down the street and saw Layla standing on the corner, looking at her watch. Two strands of her hair were pulled back while the rest was down, a style she'd clearly gone for because Will absently mentioned it looked nice once.
I sighed. I really didn't want to have to be the one to break it to her...
I took a deep breath and walked down the path and onto the street, heading in her direction.
As soon as she heard the sound of feet on the pavement, she whirled round, her trademark smile on her face. But when she saw it was just me, and the disappointed look I was wearing, her face fell.
"Is he not coming?" she whispered once I got to her.
I shook my head sadly; "I'm really sorry Layla. Gwen Grayson's round- she's tutoring him tonight, apparently. God I'm so sorry," I pulled her in for a tight hug.
Pulling away, I could see the tears brimming in her eyes.
"Hey hey now, listen. You and I are still gonna have an amazing time! When's the last time we went out just us two? Will's literally always tagging along- it's time we had a girls night, yeah?" I grasped her hands tightly in my own.
She smiled, nodding, trying her best not to let the tears slip down her face.
"So come on," I said, hooking my arm through her own; "Let's go have some fun and eat our weight in Chinese food."
Layla laughed and nodded, holding onto my arm tight as we walked.
"Oh and Rosie?" she asked.
"Yeah?"
"You look really nice," she said, smiling.
I grinned; "Thanks Layla; so do you."