The Silent Request

----

"Snip-snip".... Goes the sound of the scissors.

Layla's hair fell to the floor chunk by chunk.

Her eyes were glued to the mirror, focused on her hair that's been cut off by herself.

Yeah, I got tired of my long hair.

I think short hair is the trend now.

I just want to know what short hair feels like for a while.

It's gonna grow back soon.

Those are the words she's gonna say to the people who ask right?

Who's even going to?

Does anyone even care about her?

They are going to mock her instead, but she doesn't care anymore.

Gone are those days she cries whenever she was been mocked.

Gone are the days she hides by her desk to avoid being seen and taunted.

And gone are the days...

"Layla! What are you doing" She heard her aunt's shrill voice.

"Cutting off my hair" She replied drily, knowing Philia, her late mother's younger sister doesn't even care what she does to herself.

Philia hates her like she hated her father.

And if it hadn't been for the death of her mother and brother, Philia would never have taken her in.

Philia hated her like everyone else just because her father is black.

"Why are you cutting it?" Phila asked as she walked closer to Layla.

"Do you even care?" Layla asked slowly.

"Of course I do, I won't allow you to scare my customers away with your looks, you are ugly enough..and now cutting your hair. Darn, it! you should just say you're tired of helping me in my coffee shop!" Philia said, with a raised voice, she wished Layla was indeed ugly.

Who would even believe Layla was the daughter of that ugly black man? Of course, Layla had taken after her mother in looks, no one would ever know she has a black father until they are told.

Her fair skin, flawless even more than those whose both parents were whites, she was born with rare hazel eyes, and her lips, were pink and plump, her nose isn't left out in the perfectness of her looks, and her brown-golden hair that was long enough to her back was now being reduced to a bob which still stood fine on her head, it changed her look a bit.

Her height is perfect for her age and she only took after her father in body shape, she isn't as skinny as most American teens, Layla has a great and admirable body and her boobs were even bigger than Philia's which always made Philia mad all the time.

"I'm not going to scare your customers away and I'm not tired of helping you in your cafe," Layla said, already used to Philia's hurtful words.

"You wouldn't even dare stop helping me in my cafe except you're ready to go meet your father's poor relations in Africa to fend for you!" Philia said.

"And why always speaking of Africa like it's the worst place in the world! Why always speaking of my father like he's less human, why do you hate me so much just because my father is black? You were on bad terms with my Mum till she died just because she married an African, a Nigerian. Philia, do you always have to be this way? You always claim most Africans are inhumane. If there's anything..you're the one acting inhumanely here" Layla said, with a look, Philia has never seen before.

She stood there, shocked at Layla's outburst.

Layla has always been mute and even cry at times, whenever her father or his relations was spoken ill of.

"So great to see you're finally acting like the black! you are!" Philia said, not sounding as shocked as she felt.

"Ohh? I truly how blacks speak up, then I'm so proud to be one" Layla smiled, now trimming the Bob she had made for herself.

She ignored Philia's stabbing glare.

"I mustn't get to the shop before you!" Philia yelled before slamming Layla's door.

Layla laughed, it felt so surprisingly good to have spoken up for the first time, and seeing Philia look so upset was so satisfying...she made the right decision but she wondered sadly if she would ever have decided to stand up for herself if it hadn't been for what happened yesterday.

She shrugged sadly, having promised herself never to think about it.

She carefully and slowly trimmed the uneven edges of the Bob, she knew Philia isn't gonna get to the shop before her because one of the men who do shag her is waiting in her room and they do spend hours at it.

***

"Oh..well" Layla shook her head slowly, making her neatly cut Bob bounce.

She was a bit surprised to have done a good job, although she had always helped Bryan, her late younger brother trim his hair, she ever thought she'd do so great on her own.

She rose to her feet and winced at the pain she felt in her leg.

"Gosh, that motherfucker" She swore angrily.

A guy who had come to get coffee had spilled a cup of hot coffee on her leg and had left without even turning to look at her or apologize.

The hot coffee had bruised her skin and it hurts so much that she now limps.

"I'm so gonna kill him whenever I see him," She said as she packed the chunks of hair on the floor.

She hadn't even seen his face, just his brown hair, and then a scar on the back of his neck.

She lit the fireplace in her room and then started burning the chunks of hair.

She stood in front of her mirror after freshening up and getting into fresh wear.

Her short wet hair clung to her cheeks and she felt a bit sad to have cut her hair.

She's missing her long wavy hair already but then it's for the better.

Of course, she wouldn't have reduced her hair to a bob for no reason but for now, things are better left unsaid and even unthought.

She dried her hair with the dryer and then comb through it.

Anyone would think a professional had helped her with her hair.

Perhaps, she should go for a hair course in the future..she thought and laughed.

***

Layla limped-walked into Philia's coffee shop and headed to the counter.

She said hi to Aria, Philia's only worker before dropping her bag.

Aria gasped..."You've cut your hair"

Layla nodded.

"Why?" Aria asked she's one of the few people who remained nice to Layla even after knowing her father is black.

"I..just wanted it" Layla shrugged.

"Ohh..it looks nice on you by the way," Aria said and Layla said 'thank you' with a smile.

She washed her hands to start helping when she saw Philia walk out of her small office.

Darn it.

No dinner for her tonight.

"Phil, I'm sorry. I was.."

"I warned you, Layla," Philia said, cutting her short.

Layla nodded and Philia walked away, smiling at customers and touring her shop like she normally does.

Layla groaned, blaming the man for not fucking Philia long enough, or had Philia requested for a quick...

"Layla! Customers are waiting!!" Philia shouted and Layla set to work immediately.

***

Her rumbling stomach woke her up the next morning.

She sat up on the bed and clutched her knees to her chest, staring at nothing in particular.

Her eyes were laced with tears, she missed her mum so much.

Her Mum would never have starved her to punish her.

Of course, Philia hadn't given her dinner yesternight.

And if she doesn't get up quick enough to make breakfast before Philia wakes up, then there'll be no breakfast for her before she leaves for school.

She threw her blanket roughly to a side like it was the cause of her problems and then carefully slid her feet into her footwear.

Her leg is still hurting, she hadn't even applied anything to make it heal faster.

She walked to the kitchen and started making a sandwich, she prepared her sandwich while the coffee was brewing.

And by the time she was done, the coffee was ready.

She doused it with cream and sugar, stirred it, and then placed it on a tray beside her sandwich.

She quickly cleaned the kitchen and then picked up the tray and left for her room.

She sighed in relief when she got to her room safely without seeing Philia.

She gently dropped the tray on her bedside table and then grabbed a towel before heading into the bathroom.

Her heart does beat fast anytime she prepares for school because she knows she can't escape being mocked throughout the day but not anymore, she's not going to allow that anymore.

***

She smiled as she stood under the shower, the tiny slash of water hitting her skin.

She had even wanted to stop going to school at some point but what kept her going was...

Dylan.

Her crush or rather, every female's crush.

She always looked forward to seeing him every day, his handsome face had this way of making her heart flutter, she always wish he would just look at her with those striking eyes of his for once, sadly..he doesn't even spare her a glance, it's just like she doesn't exist, even if they were not sitting too far from each other.

She wants him to notice her and she's gonna make sure that happens today.

Of course, he knows her, who doesn't know Layla Moremi Williams, the only girl in Ocean high school who has a black father?

And almost everyone knew she had a crush on him and he knows too just like he knows other girls are crushing on him, yet he doesn't glance her way.

Perhaps she's the last girl he would ever consider having as a girlfriend.

Having a girlfriend?..Lol.

He wouldn't even think of that, perhaps she's the last girl he would ever consider glancing at.

And she has seen Dylan laugh several whenever she's being mocked, although he has never mocked her directly she doesn't even care if he laughs whenever she's being mocked, she loves him and would do anything to make him look directly into her eyes, she would do anything to make him see she's in love with him.

She isn't gonna hide anymore, not when...

She sigh as she stepped out of the shower, she grabbed her pink towel, wrapped it around her body, removed the shower cap from her hair, and walked back to her room.

She dried her body and started dressing up for school.

***

Her coffee was almost cold by the time she was done dressing up but she took it anyway.

She sat on her neatly spread bed, smartly dressed for school, and started having her breakfast.

She picked up her backpack when she was done and left her room with the tray in hand.

She dropped it in the kitchen sink and planned to sort it out after she's back from school.

She needs to get going now because she's gonna be walking to school and she always like to cover a reasonable distance before time runs out.

Her school is damn far from the house.

Philia does give her transport fare of course but she saves the money and uses her legs instead.

And now...she now has a huge amount in her piggy bank.

She met Philia in the living room sorting dollar notes like she does every morning.

"Good morning Phil," Layla said.

"Morning Layla" Phil looked tired and Layla knew she was probably shagged all night.

Of course, Phil isn't doing it for money, she only enjoys doing it like she had told Layla.

"What?" Layla asked as Philia's eyes scrutinized her.

"You look so ugly!" She scoffed before handing Layla some dollar notes.

"Thanks, Phil," Layla said, ready to leave.

"Come" Phil stopped her and she turned to her.

"Have this" Phil handed her more dollar notes.

"You want me to get something for you?" Layla asked.

"No, just have it, use it to do whatever you want," Phil said and Layla stared at her, stunned.

"Take it and leave, your ugly face is scaring me" Philia groaned.

"Thank you so much Phil" Layla said, touched.

She took the money and then left for school after saying bye to Philia.

She thought about Phil's sudden kind act as she ran to school, ignoring the sharp pain in her leg.

----

Layla walked into her classroom, panting.

She was glad class hadn't started yet.

She headed to her seat, and the students started their mockery as usual, laughing and pointing at her, whispering in one another's ears.

She noticed it was quite much today and then realized it was because she had reduced her hair to a Bob.

Did it make her ugly, as Philia had said?

She hadn't even looked at her reflection in the mirror before leaving for school.

Even at that, she knows she isn't ugly! And even if she is, why should they mock her for it?

She was pissed as she sat on her seat, and this time, she sat fully, raising her head high, and her look shows she was daring any one of them to approach her and say mockery words to her face.

They looked a bit surprised to see her look this fearless, Layla had always placed her head on the desk, crying as they mock her, she only raises her head whenever they're having a class.

Layla's gaze shifted to Dylan, who was flirting with close to five girls at the same time.

She felt her heartache, wishing he would at least flirt with her too.

He always lights up her insides when she is merely staring at him.

He is one of the most good-looking teens she has ever seen and if they were to rate his looks by ten, he'd score nine with no doubt.

His beautiful face looks like it was carved by a creative genius.

He has soft brown eyes that'd melt the strongest of ice, his eyelashes inky black and even longer and curlier than most girls, and one's breath would almost seize whenever Dylan winks.

He has exotic high cheekbones and a narrow straight nose that perfected his looks.

His shiny black curls, always swept to one side gave him a touch of a bad guy look.

He has friends that flock around him and they are good-looking too but not as good-looking as he is.

A loud bang diverted Layla's thoughts and gaze.

She saw Chloe standing in front of her with her three friends behind her, Chloe, the mastermind behind Layla's mockery was considered the hottest girl in Ocean high school.

She had the looks and body, her brown hair had been dyed pink and she happily flaunts it, she has a proud nose that suits her 'not-so-nice' character, and her lips..always in different colors of lipgloss, her face was covered in this 'bitchy makeup'

Just like Dylan, Chloe was wanted by so many guys too, it was all over the school when she was dating Dylan, but their relationship only lasted for two weeks.

Though they still kiss randomly during the truth-or-dare game.

Chloe is the leader of the cheerleading team, and she refused to allow Layla to join the team just because Layla's father is black.

Layla is now on the swimming team, and the others on the team even refuse to swim races with her, none of them wants to be in the water with her or even get in the water after she's out, just because of Chloe's slandering.

Everyone wants to be in Chloe's good book.

"You've reduced your hair to Bob, huh?" Chloe laughed.

She was here to taunt her as usual, and everyone watched eagerly like they always do.

Little do they know they're in for a surprise this time.

Layla is done tolerating sh*t.

"You think it'll make you look better, huh?" Chloe asked.

"No..it only made you look uglier, you look worse than a scary witch " Chloe snorted and there was laughter.

She was surprised Layla hadn't placed her head on the desk to start crying.

"Okay. I reduced my hair to a Bob, so what? I look like a scary witch, and so? Why do you have to be so concerned about that?" Layla asked, looking Chloe in the eyes.

There was silence and everyone looked on in surprise.

This would be the first time Layla would speak back at Chloe fearlessly.

Chloe hid her surprise with a forced chuckle.

"Did you just, like, did you? talked back at me? How dare you? You lowly African!" Chloe yelled.

Layla smiled. "You're calling them lowly because they are blacks, c'mon, that's not fair."

Chloe's breath had gotten uneven, and she was at a loss for words.

She had planned to taunt Layla as usual and return to her seat, she hadn't expected this to come back.

"They are lowly! Your father is an ugly, lowly African!" Chloe said, trying to gain more ground.

"I dare you to say that once more, and I'll rip your hair off your scalp," Layla yelled, banging her desk as she rose to her feet.

Everyone was shocked and even Dylan turned to look at her this time but Layla was blinded with fury to see him.

Chloe shifted back in fear...

"Finally! You're behaving like the monster Africans are. violent set of people." Chloe said, almost breathlessly as she fled to her seat with her friends.

"Really? You're fleeing?" Layla laughed and Chloe felt so embarrassed.

She was known to be the school's queen.

How dare this thing ridicule her.

"Don't ever bring up my dad's name with such disrespect again, he's dead and you know it, yet you bring up his name as you wish and even refer to him like he's some sort of trash, just because he's African! Would you allow anyone to do the same to your family?" Layla asked.

"My father is white! Not some. African!" Chloe said.

"You feel your father doesn't deserve to be referred to as trash, but my father does just because he's black?! Wow, you're making it seem like it's a crime to be black, this is terrible, Why do you hate us so much?" Layla sighed.

"Whatever!" Chloe rolled her eyes.

"And...if you keep bringing up my father with such disrespect, I'll not hesitate to drag the hell out of your dad too, you have my word on that," Layla said.

"Wh..what did you just say?" Chloe asked.

"I said what I said, Chloe," Layla said.

"How dare you speak to my father that way!" Chloe fumed where she stood with her friends.

"Ohh..you care about what others say to your dad but you don't care about what you say to others, Dad! That's pretty unbelievable of you" Layla raised her brows.

Chloe sighed, Layla is having the upper hand, and it's so embarrassing to her.

"Everyone knows your father married your mom just to get papers!" Chloe said, and Layla laughed.

"Just so you know, my parent's love story is still the best I've ever heard. My mom made my Dad marry her just so he can have the papers to stay behind, she doesn't want him out of her sight, not even for one hour..." Layla paused, a bit surprised to see almost everyone interested in the story.

"Huh..seems everyone is so interested in the love story of a black and white. I'm sorry, I'll have to stop there." She smiled.

"That doesn't change the fact that he is African!" Chloe said.

"And, what is wrong with being an African?" Layla asked with all seriousness.

"Maybe if you tell me, I would at least understand why you hate them this much" She added.

Chloe went speechless for some time, she also couldn't understand why she hates blacks and maybe she doesn't hate blacks, maybe she hates Layla personally.

"I do not hate Africans, I hate you!" Chloe said bluntly.

"Why?" Layla asked.

Everyone waited for Chloe's answer, but none came.

"Okay. I get it that you hate me, do you have to extend it to my parents, my father in particular?" Layla asked.

"Because they gave birth to you! They fucking gave birth to you. And to think a black! is in the same class that I am...damn!" Chloe growled.

Layla laughed.."I'm not even a full black, my Mum is American so I don't think that's enough reason to hate me. That's just your excuse, you obviously have other reasons but I don't even care, just do not speak ill of my father or your father! would bear the brunt" Layla said.

"Do not mention my father with that black father of yours!" Chloe said through gritted teeth.

Layla laughed loud and hard.

"You should be glad I mentioned your father alongside mine. My father, Michael Ajagun Williams.." Layla paused and if there had been a 'Yoruba' in the class, they would have laughed at the way she had pronounced 'Ajagun'

"He is a three-star general who fought across the thirty-six states of Nigeria during World War II, he fought till his last breath and he died while protecting thousands of people," Layla said and her classmates exclaimed, looking touched by the story.

Chloe was touched also but she was too headstrong to show it.

"He's not just any African, he's a hero! The most selfless man I've ever known. None of you should dare bring up my father again and even if you do, please accord him some respect" Layla said and the whole class went silent.

Most of them already feel bad to have treated Layla like thrash.

Chloe could see what was happening and she knew she had to speak up real fast.

"You all shouldn't fall for her words! She's telling lies!" Chloe said.

"Lies? Why would I do that? I didn't say that for anyone to change their ways towards me, I didn't say that to earn y'all pity or anyone's friendship. I don't want anyone's friendship. I said that to make you see how lucky your father is to be mentioned alongside mine" Layla smiled at Chloe.

"Your father fought across thirty-six states in his poor country! That means nothing!" Chloe said.

"Yeah, it means nothing to you but it means a lot to the people he saved and they'll forever be grateful to him," Layla said.

"And I think I should be blamed here because I gave you the chance to disrespect my father. Starting now..never speak ill of my father again, I won't take it lightly...I promise you that. If you hate me, then direct your hate to me, Do not extend it to my father. Don't bring him up ever again!" Layla warned clearly.

"And that doesn't go to Chloe alone but everyone in here, never disrespect my parents again. This is a warning!" Layla stated before sitting.

Her eyes landed on Dylan and surprisingly found his gaze on her, her stomach lit up immediately in excitement.

His gaze lingered before he finally looked away.

Dylan looks like he has finally noticed her and maybe he would start flirting with her too.

She almost grinned at the thought, her gaze was still fixed on him even after he had looked away.

Everyone was astounded Layla could turn that bold and fearless, they stared at her, different questions written all over their faces.

Chloe fumed in her seat, tapping her fingers on the desk repeatedly.

Her friends knew better than to say anything to her at the moment.

"What's with the weird silence?" Miss Moore asked as she walked into the classroom.

She got no answer and then shrugged before proceeding to teach.

***

Walking into the cafeteria for her lunch break, Layla had the same demeanor she had when she sat in class in the morning.

For the first time in years, she wasn't mocked. She was only being stared at.

Realizing it was this easy to have brought an end to the mockery that went on for years almost brought tears to her eyes.

She had allowed it go on and on, she had allowed it to break her, it almost marred her, and then with just a few words and action..she was free.

She had thought it was going to take more than that, she never thought being free of the mockery and hatred only required standing up for herself.

If it hadn't been for...what happened, would she have decided to stand up for herself or would she have even thought of it..?

She knew the answer and it sadden her.

Perhaps, she was being punished for not standing up for herself all these years.

Maybe God knew what happened would make her stand up for herself and then.

Stop Layla..she scolded herself.

She walked to the counter to get her lunch and then walked to a table with a tray of meals in hand.

She sat and expected the girls to stand up and move to another table like they've always done but she was surprised when they remained seated, eating their meal.

She was stunned for a while, knowing the students never ate with her, they do move to another table.

Except for a girl who always sat with her.

Only the girl did not avoid her.

She eats with her all the time, though the girl is in a junior class.

Layla looked around and wondered where the girl was, she couldn't find her.

"You should eat up, lunch break will be over soon" One of the girls said to Layla, stunning her yet again.

"Hu..h? Okay," She said and started eating.

Chloe saw what was happening and knew Layla is starting to win over the student's heart.

"I can't believe those girls sat with her!" Christy, one of Chloe's friends said.

"What am I going to do?" Chloe sighed worriedly.

***

Lunch break was over and everyone started moving to their classes.

"I think...your hair looks nice on you" Layla heard.

The voice sounds familiar but it can't possibly be the person she's thinking right?

No...or she's going to faint.

She turned slowly, earnestly hoping he was the one.

It was Dylan.

He smiled at her before walking away.

She managed to stop herself from screaming but she couldn't stop herself from dancing.

She broke into a dance, shaking each part of her body, humming an incoherent rhythm to compliment her dance.

She cared less about the students who laughed at her funny steps.

She looked like the happiest person on Earth at the moment.

"No one told me Michael Jackson's daughter attends this school.." One of the students said as they walked past her and the rest laughed.

"Wow, great dancing skills.. wouldn't you like to showcase them to the class? Come with me" Miss Moore said and Layla stopped dancing.

"Miss Moore, no...I I"

"C'mon, great steps you have there, you'll need to come show it to the class" Miss Moore smiled.

"No..I.I was only dancing because I'm excited, I know my dance skills are worst than a jelly's, please don't make me showcase it in front of the class" Layla said and Miss Moore held her laughter.

"You only think so, you're still the best dancer I've ever seen. The world needs to know of your talent, but let's start from your class" Miss Moore said, laughing hard as she dragged Layla along.

"Miss Moore...nooo, I dance like a crab, please," Layla pleaded as she was being pulled to her class.

----

"You look so happy, what's up?" Aria asked Layla who wouldn't stop smiling.

"Is it that obvious?" Layla asked.

"Of course, you won't stop grinning," Aria said.

"Well, someone complimented my hair," Layla said, and if not for the hair cover she has on, she would have touched her hair but she patted it through the hair cover anyway.

"Woah...really? I also complimented your hair yesterday but it didn't make you look this happy" Aria said, giving Layla a suspicious look.

"Oh..yeah but this is someone I never expected to.." Layla said.

"A guy?" Aria asked in a whisper and Layla nodded, smiling.

"Oh," Aria smiled.

"Is he your boyfriend?" She asked.

"Soon," Layla said confidently like Dylan asked her to be his girlfriend already.

"Woah...I'm so glad he made you this happy. It's been so long since you looked this happy" Aria said and Layla nodded.

"I do not appreciate chit-chat during business hours, you both should get to work and stop spilling your foul spit over people's coffee!" Philia shouted.

***

Layla and Philia walked home after they were done for the day.

"Why do you keep smiling like that? I hope you're not planning to kill me overnight!" Philia said to Layla.

"No, I wouldn't do that. I'm just happy" Layla smiled.

"You're happy? Even after... what happened? How can you be happy Layla?" Philia asked, astonished.

"Oh, my God! I hope it's not starting to affect your mental health" Philia added, starting to panic.

"Stop Phil, I'm perfectly fine. I shouldn't be happy after what happened, I should cry non-stop, I should refuse to eat.. I know but I've decided to be happy, at least for the meantime" Layla said and Phil gave her a pity look.

"Don't give me that look, Phil, you're making me feel pathetic and I would appreciate it if you do not mention it again" Layla said and Phil nodded.

"Why are you not yelling at me? Are you trying to treat me nicely because of..that... Wait, was that the reason you gave me more money this morning?" Layla asked.

Philia nodded and Layla groaned.

"How can you start treating me nicely all of a sudden because of that? If that hadn't happened...I would still be the niece you hate right?" Layla asked.

"Of course" Philia shrugged.

"You're so unbelievable! And cruel!" Layla yelled.

They had reached home by then, they walked in and Layla stomped to her room.

"Come back here Layla! Who's gonna make dinner?" Phil shouted after her but she turned deaf ears and then slammed the door to her room.

Philia flinched at the sound.

"Don't you dare spoil my door or you're gonna get your poor aunt from Nigeria to fix it!" Philia yelled.

She dropped her bag and sat down on the couch, picked up the remote control, and switched on the TV.

When it dawned on her that Layla wasn't going to make dinner, she searched for her phone in her bag and then ordered pizza.

***

Layla moves from one part of the bed to another, unable to fall asleep.

Her stomach was rumbling with hunger.

She only had coffee in the afternoon.

Geez..she should have just put her pride aside and just made dinner when Philia told her to.

It'll be pointless to go to the kitchen now.

Philia rarely makes meals and she might have locked the kitchen door just to punish her.

Well..she might have not, since she's more subtle now.

Layla got up from the bed and slid her feet into her slippers, she adjusted her pajamas and then made her way out of her room, to the kitchen.

***

Her heart ached when she found it locked.

Damn!

She was near tears as she made her way to the living room, this hunger isn't one of those that can be endured, it's almost ripping her stomach apart.

She planned to go beg Philia for the kitchen key when she saw a covered box of pizza with a glass cup of water on the table.

There's probably nothing left in the pizza box, Philia would never have left any for her.

The glass of water would help though.

Atleast, she won't collapse before she gets to Phil's room' She thought as she gulped the water.

She dropped the cup and sighed loudly.

The water did just little to quench her hunger, she knows her stomach would start rampaging soon again.

She stared at the box of pizza and then flipped it open with a finger.

"Yeah, go ahead and disappoint me, I know there's nothing left in you...What!" She exclaimed, seeing half of the pizza sitting prettily and invitingly in the box.

"What!" She exclaimed again.

Did Phil leave some for her?

It seems Phil was pretty serious about starting to be nice to her.

But..what if the leftover pizza isn't for her?

Well..whatever, she has to feed her stomach, she's ready for whatever punishment that may come later.

This is too hard to resist, not in her hungry state.

She sat down and started eating as fast as she could.

Phil might come out of her room at any moment.

She ate with smiles and satisfaction.

She was almost done with the pizza when she saw a sticky note on the table.

Huh...How couldn't she have noticed it earlier?

She picked it up and read what was written on it.

Food monger.

I know you'll be almost done with the pizza before noticing this note. Just so you know, your allowance for tomorrow will be deducted.

***

What the...

"Gosh!" Layla dropped the last slice of pizza she was about to devour.

"I had known this would come with a price" She groaned.

"You're such an annoying bee" She snorted at Phil's photo frame that was hung on the wall.

She ate the last slice of pizza before thrashing the box.

She smiled, looking well-fed.

She's so full now, but she needs to drink water.

The kitchen is locked so she's just gonna do that tomorrow.

She's glad she had something to eat at least.

She turned off the lights and walked to her room, grinning to herself...

Now she's going to have a good sleep and probably dreams about Dylan.

She just can't get that scene out of her head.

Dylan talked to her for the first time.

He complimented the hair she had thought was ugly.

If she had known her 'Bob' would be the reason he would talk to her, she would have made it long ago.

Thank goodness Mrs Moore had listened to her pleas or she'll rather faint than dance in front of the whole class.

Her father and brother had always teased her about her terrible dance steps.

She also knew herself to be a terrible dancer.

Her brother once said she dances like a hawk that's trying to be stable on a barbed wire.

She misses him so much.

She sighed as she jumped on her bed, pulled her blanket over her body, and stared at the ceiling, imagining different love scenarios with Dylan.

***

"Good morning Phil," Layla said, walking into the living room.

She was fully dressed for school and only came to bid Phil bye.

She couldn't wait to see Dylan.

"Good morning" Phil seeped her coffee, wondering why Layla was smiling to herself.

Oh..is she thinking she isn't gonna deduct her allowance like she said she would.

Haha..she's in for a surprise.

She handed Layla's allowance fee to her and Layla counted it.

She stared at Philia after realizing the money was incomplete.

"You're gonna deduct the pizza fee from my allowance?" Layla asked.

"Of course, you thought I was joking? You know I don't joke with things like that" Phil said, picking her cup of coffee to sip once again.

Dollar notes were spread on the table like playing cards.

"Of course I...I know you don't joke with things like that but I..thought you were starting to be nice to me" Layla said.

"Well...I was starting to but I thought you didn't like that, seeing the way you had stomped to your room yesternight"

"You do not care about things I like or not, you do what you want regardless of my choice, why the sudden care?" Layla asked.

"Do not ask me questions Layla, you got pissed after knowing the reason I was been nice to you, you walked out on me and refused to make dinner, yet you want me to remain nice to you? You're a joker" Philia snarled.

"Must you like me for any reason, can't you just like me.. without any reason attached to it, can't you just like me like most aunts like their nieces, must there be a reason?" Layla asked, hurt.

"I can't like you! because I do not like your father! Get the hell out before you make me seize your allowance"

Layla sighed.

"Okay, bye," She said, glancing at the wall clock before walking out of the house.

She's not so hurt by Phil's words, she's used to it.

***

She decided to take the bus today, she isn't late but she just couldn't wait to see Dylan.

She'll be taking the bus to school for the first time in months just because of Dylan.

And also, for the first time in months, she wouldn't get to save some money.

The amount with her today wouldn't be enough.

If she hadn't planned to take the bus, there'll be a few dollars left to save but..anything for Dylan.

She's willing to do anything for him.

***

She walked into the class and there was no bickering and murmurs like always.

The students only stared at her.

Wow, who would have thought a day like this would come?

She headed to her seat after dropping her bag in the locker.

Her eyes were on Dylan who was chattering with his friends, he was yet to see her but she fixed her eyes on him anyway.

Her heart fluttered when he suddenly glanced up, his eyes met hers and he looked away almost immediately like she wasn't there.

Wh..at.

Her walking steps slowed immediately.

Did he not see her?

Maybe he didn't..but, he had looked directly into her eyes.

God, could he have forgotten about yesterday?

He flirts with so many girls, he could have forgotten.

She finally got to her seat, she sat down looking sad.

Minutes passed and she was surprised Chloe didn't approach her, she wasn't the only surprised one, the students were surprised also.

For months, there hadn't been a day Chloe did not slander Layla and they always look forward to it.

Chloe pretended to be busy with her phone, meanwhile, she was trying to avoid approaching Layla, she was scared after Layla threatened to rip her hair off her scalp yesterday.

She knows Layla is capable of it... Africans are fierce!

But she isn't letting Layla go off easily, she's gonna attack her in ways that won't require approaching her.

She so much hates her!

Layla stared at her desk, musing over Dylan's inattentiveness to her.

Should she say hi to him?

Perhaps he hadn't even seen her, his eyes might have been on another thing entirely.

He might have not noticed her walk-in because there weren't bickerings today.

Maybe...

"Hey" She heard a voice that sent shivers down her spine, she gazed up almost immediately to see Dylan waving at her with a smile.

"God" She muttered almost breathless.