CHAPTER 3: Reflection

The air is cool and tranquil, as I sit in my dimly lit room watching the darkness get softened by the faint streaks of light peaking through the window curtains. Silver threads of moonlight cut through the shadows of my room, shining onto my face and plush bedding. I wish I could shine so brightly... doing what I’ve always wanted to do.

 I’m always forced to hide behind the wishes of my mother, almost like I don’t have a mind of my own. With every waking moment, and every decision I must make, she’s always at the back of my mind disapproving whatever I do. I know it’s logical to pick law... I know art won’t get me the paycheck that mum wants... but is it so bad to do what I want? Always trapped in these woeful thoughts, I’m ready to give up on the idea of ever making something for myself. Just four more months to choose my course before the January intake, yet it seems I’m at a standstill.

“Sometimes I wish I could just fall asleep and dream forever... maybe then I’ll finally – “

– buzz buzz –

“Now what!” Layla’s deep thoughts were rudely interrupted by a buzzing from her phone.

She picked it up of the bedside table greatly irritated, only for her expression to immediately soften. It was Aria. Almost as though it was meant to be, the wind blew her curtains open shining light into her dark room, showing the life seep back into her gloomy eyes. She quickly opened the chat to reply to her text.

“Hey, I just wanted to text you because we didn’t talk that much today.” Aria’s text seemed to almost emanate her positivity through the screen.

“Hi! It’s okay I know you were busy with your ‘girlfriend’ today. How was it?” forgetting all her previous worries, it felt like a wave of fresh air swept the negativity and worry away.

“The ice cream shop was closed; we just went to hang out by the beach. Also, I told you that she’s just a nobody, no one is as important as you...”

“As important as... me...?” Layla whispered to herself.

 My heartbeat spread across the room and rang through my ears; I can feel the heat build up from my stomach up towards my face and ears. Time seemed to stand still... am I really that important to Aria? If I told her to let go of all her petty little ‘girlfriends’ and only focus on me, would she, do it? Would she only think of me how I do with her? Or want to spend every living moment with me? I snapped myself back into reality and continued to read the rest of the text.

“... if you’re not busy, can I facetime you in the next few minutes?” Aria asked hesitantly.

“Yeah of course you can! It’s not like I’m not doing anything anyway.”

“Okay, just give me a second, I’ll call you right back.”

“Cool. I’ll be waiting.”

 It's not like this is the first time she’s calling me, why am I so panicked? I opened my phone’s camera to catch a quick glimpse of my face and immediately sprung out of bed. I can’t facetime her with my face looking like this! I hurriedly ran to my mirror table and put on just enough make up. Not too glam, not too boring, just right.

 – buzz buzz –

 I ran back towards my bed upon hearing her call. Turned on the LED lights to set the right mood, sat at a flattering angle and picked up.

“Hey Lay.”

 Just the sound of her velvety voice was enough to satiate me for the night. Looking at her through the screen, it was almost like she got ready to talk to me too, nothing about her appearance gave ‘ready for bed’. Her hair was opened not in its usual messy bun. Her beautiful curls sat on her shoulders and slightly fell onto the bed. She laid on her side, wearing a noodle strapped top showing some cleavage from her breasts, where one of her moles peaked through. She had a dash of lip gloss on, and her face seemed to glow more than usual.  I could see the photos of our friend group still hung up on the wall behind her, and her room had a pinkish glow from her bedside lamp.

“Lay... can you hear me?” asked Aria.

“O-oh, sorry, y-yeah I can hear you.” Said Layla as she fumbled her words.

 Crap how could I let myself be distracted by her, I look so dumb right now. Since when have I cared so much about any of this? Since when did my heart leap out my chest at the mere mention of her name? We’ve been friends basically our whole lives and yet I only became like this after turning fifteen.