2-Morning Walks

Layla's POV:

By the time I'm finished getting dressed and ready it's time to wake Lorie. I wake her and quickly head down stairs to start making breakfast. I am almost done when I feel Lorie hugging both my legs. I look down at her with a smile and she beams up at me brightly. Her long brunette curls shape her cute little round face and her skin is pale like porcelain. Her big dark brown eyes almost look black making her skin look even paler.

"Whatcha making us today?" Lorie asks innocently.

"Well, I thought I would make us happy jacks!" I replied enthusiastically as I handed her a plate that had a pancake with two strawberries for eyes and a piece of bacon for a mouth.

Lorie giggles and bobs happily to the table with her plate. I bring her some orange juice and syrup then return to the kitchen for my plate and drink. When I return Lorie is eagerly waiting for me to join her.

"You know you don't have to wait on me to eat Lorie." I say as I sit down next to her.

"It's better to eat with someone than alone." She replies happily.

I smile at the thought of her enjoying our time together.

"That is true." I reply as I pour syrup onto our plates.

It's been so long since I really spent any amount of time with anyone that I had forgotten what it was like. I began to realize just how much I really enjoy our time together.

We immediately dig into our breakfast and talk about our expectations for the day when Lorie begins to talk happily about her brother's.

"Nicolae will be coming home today!" She says enthusiastically.

"Really. And what about Victor?" I ask as I bring my glass to my lips.

"He is usually always a few days behind NIcolae. I just know you and NIcolae will get along great though!" She bounces happily in her seat.

"So you don't think Victor will get along with me?" I ask Lorie.

"It's not that. Victor's different. He doesn't give me as much attention as Nicolae does. He's more of the party boy type and is constantly chasing women." She says with a regretful look in her eyes.

I'm momentarily stunned by her words. Lorie is very smart and wise beyond her years. I decide to change the subject and ask about Nicolae instead.

"What is Nicolae like?" I ask.

"He usually has to work a lot but when he's not working he takes care of me and plays with me no matter what it is. We play hide and seek a lot in the garden." She exclaims.

"Are you coming to get me from school today too?" She asks.

"Yes. I will be there at the same time I was yesterday." I reply as I gather our dishes and take them to the kitchen.

"Will you come get me everyday?" She asks as she follows close behind me.

"As long as you want me to, I will pick you up from school everyday!" I reply as we head to the door and grab our things.

Lorie gives me a faint smile before we walk out the door. I can tell immediately something's bothering her.

"What's wrong Lorie? I ask as she gently takes my hand.

Lorie hesitated before speaking.

"Today at school the children are allowed to invite a relative to come eat lunch with them." She starts to explain.

"And I'll be the only kid there who won't have anyone." She continues as she looks down at her feet.

I quickly realize where she is going with this.

"If you want me to Lorie I can come and eat lunch with you." I reply and squeeze her hand.

"Oh would you?!" She replies as she jumps up and down happily.

"I would be happy to!" I reply with a smile.

"What time does your lunch start?" I ask.

"At 12:30! Don't be late!!" She says with pleading eyes.

She gives me a reluctant look like she's skeptical I'll really show up and her eyes show past disappointment. I wonder if her father and brother's ever do these types of things with her.

"I'll be there early!" I reply happily as we reach the front gate of Draphend Elementary, Lories school.

Lorie gives me a tight hug before running off through the gate and up the steps. She turns back just before entering the school and waves. I wave back and give her a reassuring smile. Once she's out of sight I turn and start walking towards the University. Neither school is far from the manor and as far as I can tell Lorie enjoys our walk as much as I do.

I walk briskly towards the university after dropping off Lorie. There are several souls that linger around the town of Draphend and on my walks to the university they smile politely at me and give me a knowing nod. Although I can see souls most other people or creatures can't unless the soul wants to be seen and that is usually under rare circumstances. There will be the occasional dark soul that lingers but the light souls usually help disperse the darkness and they either move on to their next life peacefully or linger here helping to keep the balance.

I'm lost in my thought when I find myself in front of the university. I make my way inside to my first class and find a good seat close to the front and begin reading my textbook highlighting things here and there.Slowly the lecture hall fills up with students and I have to drown out all the background noise to concentrate on the words I am reading. Soon after the room is full Professor Hawthorne enters the room and begins placing his materials for the day across his large podium. I suddenly hear the person next to me sigh loudly.

"Look at all these girls drooling over the teacher." The boy says with annoyance in his voice.

I quickly glance around and notice all the girls in the class are gawking at the Professor.

"To each their own." I say, shrugging my shoulders as I look back at my text book.

The boy beside me starts to speak again but is cut short when our Professor begins the lecture.