5
Layla
Ten years ago
Back at the cabin later that afternoon, I tore my suitcase apart, complaining that I had nothing to wear. It wasn’t exactly true—I always packed way more than I needed—but I was nervous and wanted to look good. I ended up in a lot of layers, since it would be freezing come nightfall and he’d said we’d be outside. Under my coat and scarf, I wore a cute scoop-necked red top, just in case. Mom watched, entertained by my freak-out, offering advice only when asked, but never more. She was always like that, and I loved her for it.
Liam hadn’t specified a time for the gathering, so, not wanting to seem too eager, I ate dinner with my family first, then waited around a little longer until it was pitch dark out. Only then did I decide I was finally safe to go. Dad and grandma were busy arguing with my mom about letting me walk several hundred yards in the dark alone, but Mom insisted I’d be fine with a cell phone and pepper spray. I was starting to worry Dad wouldn’t let it go and would walk me there himself when a knock came at the door. We all paused, looking around at each other, shrugging. No one was expecting anyone.
“Did he say he was picking you up?” Mom asked as she moved to the door.
“No…” I replied, then jumped up in front of her, shooing her back to the kitchen. If it was him, I didn’t want any of them to answer.
I opened the door, and there was Liam, looking possibly even better than earlier. His dark hair was tousled like he’d tried to make it look that way, and his cheeks were touched with rosy color from the cold. He wore a thick, plaid flannel that was lined with something fluffy and soft-looking, blue jeans, and dark boots. He looked freezing, standing there with his hands jammed in his pockets, his body stiff.
“Hey…” I said quietly. “I didn’t know you were coming to pick me up.” Or that he knew where I lived. He must have watched me walk all the way home, which really wasn’t far at all from where we met. Still, the thought filled me with warmth.
“Well, it was getting late, and I realized I didn’t tell you a time or anything. And then I figured you’d probably be walking alone in the dark, so I thought I’d come by and keep you company. Plus, there are black bears around here.” He explained confidently, a tight-lipped grin on his face.
“That’s very thoughtful of you,” Mom chimed in from behind me. I turned to see her standing at the edge of the kitchen, listening.
Liam gave a polite smile and a curt nod.
“Alright, let’s go then.” I said quickly, before any of my family tried to invite him in. It wasn’t that I was embarrassed by my parents. I loved spending time with them. But I wanted Liam to myself that night, so I could get to know him without their looming presence.
He gave a wave to them as I grabbed his arm to turn him around, nudging him away while I shut the door behind us. I was sure my entire family was watching from the window.
It had gotten incredibly dark outside, and I realized I couldn’t see the way to Liam’s place. But he started strolling casually into the darkness, so I followed his lead, falling in step beside him. With the night so dark and cold, I was thankful he’d come to walk with me. I felt safer with him. It also meant I got a few moments alone with him before meeting however many friends he had over.
“It’s just up here. My parents are inside probably sleeping already, so we’re hanging out in the back,” he pointed, and I saw the large cabin about fifty yards ahead. Lights strung across the yard and a firepit glowing beneath them made the scene look like an idyllic cabin getaway ad.
We climbed the last hill, heading toward the side yard of his house. As we neared, I heard voices and then saw faces—only one guy and one girl, both around our age.
Both of Liam’s friends looked over as we approached the fire. They sat snuggled under a blanket in a double-seated swing, looking very much like a couple. A thrill shot through me. I’d been worried it might be a big party with other girls vying for Liam’s attention, but clearly, that wasn’t the case.
Several more chairs were arranged around the fire, and Liam gestured for me to pick a spot. I picked a seat a few spaces away from the couple, feeling it might be awkward to sit too close. I settled in and found myself almost directly across from them, and they both watched me with smiles plastered on their faces.
“Can I get you anything to drink? Hot chocolate, water, Something stronger?” Liam asked, towering over me.
“Umm…how about coffee?”
“How do you take it?” His attentiveness surprised me.
“Just black, please.” He made an adorable scrunchy face, and I laughed.
He disappeared into the house, leaving me with his friends, still without introductions.
“Hi,” I said, breaking the ice.
“Hey,” they replied in unison.
The guy got up, walked over, and shook my hand. “Sorry, where are my manners? I’m Dex, and this is the old ball and chain, Marny,” he gestured to the girl who was laughing.
“Hi,” she called from across the blazing fire, smiling warmly. Judging by her body language, it seemed like she may have simply been too cold to get out of the blankets that she had pulled up to her chin.
“Nice to meet you guys. I’m Layla.”
Dex returned to their swing, put his arm around Marny, and kissed her head. They were one of those mushy couples that made you want to barf a little, but they were also endearing.
“Sorry we’re such duds over here,” Dex said. “We hadn’t planned on spending the night in this freezing cold until Liam called last minute.”
I saw a quick movement under their blanket that looked a lot like Marny tapping him in reprimand. The scolding look that flashed across her face as she turned to him confirmed my suspicion. Did Liam make up the story earlier about having friends over tonight? I wondered why he would do such a thing.
Before I could respond to Dex, Liam returned holding two steaming mugs.
“Here you go,” he said, carefully handing me the hot coffee.
“Thank you,” I responded, smiling as I took it.
He sat down next to me, holding an identical drink.
“Judging by your face earlier, I assumed you didn’t drink your coffee black,” I teased.
“There’s no time like the present to try something new. Something scary,” he smirked.
“Black coffee scares you?” I arched an eyebrow.
“Yes,” he said, nodding seriously. “And the people who drink it.”
We both laughed, his bright smile warming my whole body.
Dex leaned in. “See? He’s doing it again—smiling at some secret none of us are in on. So pompous.”
“Dex, do you even know what pompous means?” Liam shot back.
“See, he’s doing it right now!” Dex yelled, feigning offense.
“Dex is full of it, Layla. Don’t listen to him,” Marny said with a laugh. “These two are constantly at each other’s throats. But I’ll let you in on a little secret: Liam has the kindest heart of anyone you’ll meet.”
I glanced over at Liam, who was already looking at me, shaking his head. “Don’t believe a word they say,” he warned, grinning. “They’ve both known me far too long to be unbiased.”
The stories started flowing then. They talked about how Liam, Dex, and Marny had been inseparable since elementary school. They were all raised in the mountainside paradise, where everyone knew everyone. Liam and Dex always planned on staying, but Marny dreamed of traveling beyond the peaks and valleys of their hometown.
We talked for hours around the fire, which had started to feel surprisingly warm. They asked me about my life in Sacramento, and in return, I learned bits about Liam. Apparently, he was a total brainiac, a wizard with computers, which I thought was a surprising fact for a small-town guy who seemed so at home in the mountains and the outdoors.
Every now and then, Dex and Marny would get all gooey-eyed with each other and start kissing heavily. Liam would shift his attention to me, and we’d slip into our own private conversation. I got lost in his dark, piercing gaze as he listened intently to my dreams for the future, and then I felt a stirring—a glimpse of that all-consuming, teenage kind of romance that people always talked about.
After several more hours of laughter, stories, and the boys occasionally jumping up and chasing each other around the fire, Dex and Marny fell asleep cuddled together on their swing. I was still wide awake, exhilarated by the night and this foreign, wonderful feeling. Liam looked just as awake, just as alive, and maybe even just as captivated.
“Can I tell you something, Layla?” Liam asked quietly, his gaze focused solely on me.
My stomach dropped from the intensity of his look. “Yeah.”
“You’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.”
Chills ran though my entire body. That beautiful, perfect boy was saying that to me . I was momentarily speechless. Then I cleared my throat, looked away, and muttered a thank you, trying to hide the blush I knew was coloring my cheeks.
“You’re welcome,” he said.
I risked a glance back at him, and he was still looking at me with a shy grin. I returned it.
After a few moments of silence, Liam murmured something about me looking cold, and before I knew it, I was sitting sideways across his lap, covered in a blanket. The large chair was deep and roomy enough for both of us, and despite the nervous flutter deep in my belly, I felt completely comfortable. His woodsy scent mixed with a hint of citrus—which I could barely make out over the campfire smell—was intoxicating. I snuggled into him even closer.
We sat in silence for a while, looking up at the stars and taking in the moment. Then, eventually, he pulled his head back and looked deep into my eyes. My stomach did a turn once again, knowing what was coming and wanting it so badly. He glanced at my lips and leaned in slowly. It was like time froze, leaving only us, the chilly night air, and the crackling of the fire. His perfect lips met mine, and I felt like I was suddenly floating among those stars with him. I instinctively lifted my hands and ran my fingers through his dark, messy hair, needing to feel every bit of him as his tongue moved in a slow, gentle rhythm with mine.
We remained locked together like that for who knew how long, pausing to talk in soft whispers only to resume kissing again. Eventually, the first hints of daylight began to creep into the sky. I finally pulled back from him, and we both watched the soft light breaking over the horizon. Realizing our night was coming to an end, he leaned his forehead against mine, holding me close and stroking my hair in slow, gentle motions.
I never wanted the night to end, but I knew I’d likely get a lecture from my parents at that point. They knew where I was and only sent me a few messages checking in throughout the night, but I knew they didn’t expect me to stay out that late. They’d probably been able to see the campfire blazing from their windows, and I was certain they probably peeked over a time or two. Not that they could see that many details from so far away, thankfully.
Liam walked me home, holding my hand the entire way. I felt like I was floating through the clouds.
When we reached my door, I was sad that the night had finally come to an end. Liam faced me, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. We smiled at each other, and then he turned to leave. I watched him walk away, taking in all six feet or more of him. He looked back one last time, still grinning, but it was his piercing stare that struck me straight to the heart.