Page 22 of Under His Protection
“Oh, crap!” she says. “I have homework tonight.”
“No problem. I’ll talk to you tomorrow, okay?”
She sighs. “Okay. I miss you.”
Hearing her say that makes me smile. “We’ll do something later this week.”
“Promise?”
I smile. “Wild horses couldn’t keep me away, babe.”
After we end our call, I glance at the bag of Jane Austen books sitting on my coffee table. I plan to give them to her the next time I see her. They’re sort of a housewarming gift, only for a dorm room. Adormwarminggift? Is that even a thing?
It doesn’t matter. I had to get them for her.
Chapter 8 – Haley
Wednesday morning, when I meet up with Layla and Jasmine for our history class, we sit together like we did before, with Layla in the aisle seat so Jason can keep an eye on her. Like before, I’m sitting between Layla and Jasmine.
Halfway through the class, I realize something’s wrong with Layla when she pulls her earbuds out of her hoodie pocket with shaking fingers and shoves them into her ears. She fiddles with her phone, presumably starting her playlist.
She abruptly shoves her tablet and digital pencil into her book bag. Then she clutches the armrests of her seat, holding on so tightly her knuckles are turning white. She closes her eyes as if she’s concentrating on the music and trying to shut everything else out. Her posture is stiff as a board.
My heart breaks for Layla. No one should suffer like this. I nudge Jasmine, who automatically looks over at Layla and frowns.
Before we even attempt to get Jason’s attention, he’s there at Layla’s side, crouching in the aisle beside her. As he peels her fingers from their death grips on the armrests, she opens her eyes and meets his concerned gaze. Jason hands me Layla’s audio recorder and nods toward the lecturer.
I nod, realizing he’s asking me to record the rest of the lecture for her. Then he stands, takes Layla’s hand, and walks her out of the lecture hall.
I glance at Jasmine, but she doesn’t seem overly concerned. I imagine this has happened before.
“She’ll be okay,” Jasmine whispers. “They’ll wait for us out in the hall.”
For the rest of the class, I balance Layla’s audio recorder on the arm of my seat, while I take notes on my tablet. Poor Layla. I had no idea her hallucinations interfered so much in her daily life. It’s no wonder she needs Jason with her. It can happen anywhere, and when it does, she’s so vulnerable.
When class ends, Jasmine and I shuffle out the door amidst a throng of students. We spot Jason almost immediately as he waves at us from a bench where he and Layla are sitting. He’s got his arm around Layla, and she’s leaning against him. She looks exhausted.
“Here’s your recorder,” I say as I hand her the small device.
Jason takes the recorder from Layla and tucks it into his jacket pocket. “I’m afraid we’d better pass on lunch today, ladies. I want to take Layla home.”
“Sorry about skipping out on you,” Layla says. “It just got to be too much.”
I sit beside her on the bench, and when Jason releases her, I put my arm across her shoulders. “You don’t ever have to apologize, Layla.”
“Is it better now?” Jasmine asks her.
Layla nods, but she doesn’t say anything. She really does look wiped out.
We stay with her a few more minutes, just to make sure she’s okay. Before we part ways, she asks, “Are you guys free Friday night? We’d like to invite you over for dinner. Philip and Liam, too, of course.”
“I think we’d love to,” I say.
Layla smiles. “Thanks. Jason and I have something special we want to discuss with you guys.”
After we part ways, I make my way across campus to the cafeteria to get something for lunch. I grab a burger, fries, and a soft drink. Not long after I find an available table and sit to eat, Mark Hoffman sits down across the table from me.
He pulls out his laptop and makes himself at home. “How’s it going?”
