CHAPTER 6: Discovery

Two weeks later

-Music plays –

 Music resonates throughout my room, barely loud enough to drown out my thoughts. Every aching chord stung, and the comfort of my blanket wasn’t enough to replace her warmth on my skin. Each time I open my phone, I find myself aimlessly scrolling through our old messages and looking at her posts. Like a ghost unable to move on, I see hints of her everywhere I look. On my walls, in my gallery, in my sketchbooks, even the ballad playing now sounds eerily like her guitar. I hate how everything reminds me of her. Finding myself stuck in delusions, dreams and daydreams, that she’ll come to my window as usual and apologise. It’s been two weeks, and she hasn’t bothered to reach out at all. This isn’t just a heartbreak because I like her, she was my best friend first, then my crush second.

 Tears began leak from her eyes, Layla felt the kind of hurt that couldn’t even be expressed in her art – no – it was dull, quiet, empty, like something was missing, a part of her that only existed through Aria. She turned up the volume trying to suffocate the hurt, though it only hit harder.

*knock knock*

-

*BANG BANG BANG*

“Layla! Turn down that volume and open this door right now!” shouted Linda.

Layla paused her music, wiped the tears off her face and opened the door.

“Yes, mum.” Layla soberly replied.

“What’s wrong with you? Are you trying to get us reported for disrupting the neighbourhood? I could hear that music from the front door!” Linda angrily shouted as she repeatedly pointed her finger onto Layla’s shoulder.

“I’m sorry. It won’t happen again. Can I go now?” I don’t have the energy to argue with her right now, she doesn’t even care enough to ask if I’m okay. I wish the earth could just open and swallow me right now.

“Layla! What is this disrespectful tone! And why is your room so stuffy?” Linda walked in, drew the curtains and opened the window. She scanned the room and saw how much of a mess it was, dirty laundry all over the floor, clean laundry unfolded and sticking out from her closet. She observed Layla up and down, clicked her tongue and let out a frustrated and disappointed sigh.

“Can you fix up this room and take a shower, you reek. After you’re done with everything go down and do some grocery shopping, you’ll cook s dinner tonight.”

“But mum I – “

“Did I say you could talk back? Just do what you’re told!” Linda walked out the room and slammed the door behind her. “I’m giving you two hours to finish everything!” she yelled from downstairs.

Can’t she just let me be for once! Everyday its “Layla do this! Layla do that!” Doesn’t she have any other kids in this house apart from me!

Layla annoyedly took her blanket off her shoulders and began to clean her room.

Three hours later

 I finished cleaning my room and quickly began getting ready to go out and buy some groceries. I ran down the stairs and saw some money on the counter for me to use. There was a note attached to it “Gone out with Sam, make sure to bring change.”. Who the fuck is Sam? I thought she was with George last week? Anyway, that’s none of my business. I slipped on some shoes, grabbed my coat and walked out the door.

 As she walked to the supermarket, the wind tugged at her coat almost pushing her back into the house. The sharp, thick scent of seaweed and distant rain struck her nose, as her hair whipped across her face. The sky heavy with clouds, as mist and grey stretched across the oceans’ horizon and waves crashed into each other. Layla didn’t mind the weather all too much, she felt like the world was resonating with her, it understood how she felt.

 She gazed towards the empty beach and saw a shadowy figure with their arms raised up in circular movements, they’re.... chanting? Layla stopped in her tracks, the wind howled louder and louder, thunder began to rumble as the wires on the powerlines rattled above her and the roofs shook.

 “Who the hell is on the beach at a time like this? Wait isn’t that...?” Layla squinted as hard as she could, trying to match the vaguely similar silhouette, however she gave up soon after and continued to shelter.

She blinked.

The shape that once stood in the distance disappeared, almost like they were swallowed by the waves.

Her heart began to pace, as her eyes darted searching for the mysterious figure.

She looked forward – there she was.

She stumbled back as a loud gasp fled her lips, and her heart climbed up to her throat.

It was Nelle.

“What the fu- Nelle! You scared the shit out of me!” Layla caught her breath, trapped between fear and confusion.

“What were you doing out at the beach in this weather?” Layla asked.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. I was just... thinking.” Said Nelle suspiciously.

“Right... well I hope you’re okay.” Layla held Nelle’s hands. “Your hands are freezing! I need to run to the supermarket, but you should really make sure to get some warm clothes on.” Said Layla as she slowly walked away.

“Wait! How’s... Aria doing?” Nelle asked hesitantly.

“You haven’t talked to her? I honestly don’t know either.” Layla began to recall why she was trapped in bed in the first place.

“No, after we left your place, she ghosted me. I tried texting to ask if she’s okay, but I think she blocked me. I can’t believe I let myself get led on so badly by her, she kept saying how much she likes me and that I’d be such a good girlfriend....” Nelle began to tear up.

“Oh. I’m so sorry that happened to you Nelle... you honestly seem like such a genuine person. You deserve better honestly. I haven’t talked to her in two weeks either so...”

“What happened?”

“We had a disagreement, and she decided to not text me again I guess.” Layla said disappointedly.

“Don’t worry, I’ll get revenge for the both of us.” Nelle said firmly.

“Revenge...? How are you going to get revenge? Don’t do anything rash, just keep calm. It’s not worth your energy.” Layla said worriedly.

“Don’t worry, it’s a family secret. Thanks for today.” Nelle hugged Layla as she walked away, disappearing into the mist behind her.

 Layla watched Nelle walk away as she started to ask herself, what could the family secret be? As much as she was upset with Aria, she didn’t want anything bad to happen to her. With her mind full of worries and questions, she continued to walk towards the supermarket.

 – Somewhere in a dark secluded cave, the sound of waves crashing against the rock echoed, making it sound like a monster’s bellows. The faint sound of bubbling and whispers, resonated with the chaotic weather outside.  –

“Soon it will be done, and no one will be able to stand in my way.”