Beauty From Ashes

Natasha's POV

Layla was already waiting outside for me by the time I was done having breakfast with my family.

“Huh?, Why didn't you come in?” I asked as a frown worked way onto my features.

She sighed and pulled my arm, as she started to walk away.

“Ugh, how can you even eat? I'm so nervous. That's why I didn't go in.” She paused to give me a look.

“But seriously though, how can you still eat so much?” She asked, doing a full body sweep on me with her eyes.

I rolled my eyes and gave her a pointed look. I was used to Layla's side comments and suggestive statements about my size.

And I knew she didn't say it to hurt me but it was still so damn annoying, because well…it always reminded me of what a perfect figure she had.

I stared dreamily at her right now, eyeing the crop top that showed off her belly that she was rocking.

My stomach would bulge out in that outfit.

I pulled my gaze away from her body and focused on her face.

“You should have come in. Did you have anything to eat yet?” I asked her.

She gave me a look and a soft smile.

“You and your stupid heart. You're going to get eaten alive at Delengade. I still don't get why you want to go.” She said with a shake of her head.

I scoffed as I finally fell into step beside her and she let go of my hand.

Taxis were hard to come by on our side of town. So, we had to walk a while before we could get one.

Delengade was far from my place. There was no way we could cover the distance on foot.

I looked back hoping a taxi would pull up soon. It would be disastrous if we were late on our first day.

“Why do you want to go?” I asked, using her words on her.

She turned to give me a pointed look.

“You can't seriously be asking me that. Some friend you are.” She mumbled and turned away from me.

Shit. Stupid question. I just got caught up and wanted to give her the same attitude she gave me.

But my question was insensitive. Layla was an orphan. Her parents attended Delengade and disappeared without a trace.

Ever since she heard the story from her aunt, she made it her life mission to get into Delengade and find out what happened to her parents.

Her dreams were totally different from mine. She never stopped talking about why she wanted to get into Delengade.

I grabbed hold of her hand and dragged her slightly to a halt.

“Hey, I'm sorry. That was very stupid of me. I know you don't like to remember your parents like that.”

She said nothing and gave me an annoyed look, only briefly before a smile broke out across her face.

She pulled her hand away and kept on walking and I followed her.

“Yes, you're stupid. But I still love you.” She cooed and pinched me on the cheeks.

When I glared at her, she laughed and I rubbed my cheek which was stinging a little from her pinch.

I smiled to myself. That was the wonderful thing about Layla. She always smiled and she never let the fact that she was an orphan affect her.

Her aunt did her very best too. Aunt Camille was a lovely soul and Layla is lucky to have her.

We kept on walking to school, as we talked about anything and everything, but it was obvious how we both had something on our minds.

What I was bothered about was probably different from what she was thinking, but there was some thinking going on.

“Ugh, I'm glad we left quite early. We really have to find a taxi tomorrow.” I complained.

I felt like we had been walking for decades and my soles were aching already.

Layla laughed and shook her head.

“You're such a softie, Nat. This walk is good for you. It'll help you lose some weight.”

I frowned, my heart twisting as she reminded me of the part of myself I hated and was insecure about.

Layla wasn't being mean of course, she meant well, but it didn't stop the words from hitting me the wrong way.

I was chubby and I had always had things hard. I had been laughed at_ not directly to my face_ in highschool, and it made me self conscious.

God, how would I cope at Delengade where all the girls were perfect twenty twos with insane figures like the one Layla also had.

I was like a solid thirty five or so. I shook my head to shake off the thoughts.

The last thing I would was going to do was think so much at this point. I wouldn't.

“You're right, but we certainly can't walk like this to school everyday!” I yelled with my hands in the air.

She shrugged and strung her handbag tighter on her shoulder.

“Well, I guess you right. Um…my aunt has this old beat up car that's been parked in the garage for a while.”

My eyes widened and I pulled excitedly on her hand.

“Yes! That would do nicely.” I squealed.

She laughed.

“Supposing we can get it to work, that is.” She said.

“We'll get it to work. My brother has been playing around with stuff. I'm sure he could fix it.” I replied.

If anyone could make it work, it would be Bart.

It took forever but we finally arrived at the gates of Delengade. At the gate, we halted intimidated by the massive gates of the school.

Different thoughts ran through our head as we stood staring up at the gates, each of us knowing our lives were about to change drastically.

With a deep breath, we exchanged glances and took each other's hands and walked in to the school.