Ever After Awaits (Layla) novel Chapter 11

hapter 11: Layla POV

Saxonsea University’s campus is a mix of lush green lawns, face–brick buildings that house the lecture halls, strategically placed maple trees that provide sufficient shade should students want to take a breather underneath them, and stone benches along the cobbled pathways.

I’m standing in front of the administrative building, turning in a 360–degree circle, taking in all the colors and sounds. My artist’s eye can’t help but pick up on the different shades of the maple tree leaves, and how each cobblestone is a different shade of rust, but they all blend to create the perfect mixture of light

and dark.

Seeing as classes only start tomorrow, only a few students are loitering around. So, the sound of birds. chirping can be heard from the tree branches, I can hear someone’s phone ringing in the distance, and even the campus security car’s rumble is noticeable.

Finding my way into the building, I notice the signage that directs me to the admin office. Behind the desk sits an older lady with a helpful smile.

I introduce myself and she immediately knows who I am, pulling my file up on her computer. She helps me select my courses for the semester with patience and kindheartedness. I’m not choosing a major just yet, but I’m looking forward to Art 101 and English Lit 101 the most.

Class schedule and student ID in hand, I thank Velma and head off to explore the campus before

tomorrow’s chaos ensues.

I seek out all my relevant buildings, the library, and the student center. Here I find various food vendors, two coffee carts, a stationary shop, a small salon, a stationary/book/technology shop, and a vast amount of seating right in the middle of it all.

I order a takeaway latte at the closest coffee cart and make small talk with the redheaded barista behind the counter. As I’m paying, my phone chimes from my backpack’s mesh side panel.

I saunter over to one of the smaller tables and fish my phone out. Sipping on the warm liquid gold, I unlock it, and a smile lights up my face when I recognize the name.

* Hunter: Hello Beautiful smiley face emoji*

Layla: Well, hello there! *

Hunter: How are you today? I hope your legs are not too sore after your hike the other day. *

* Layla: Nothing an Epsom salt bath couldn’t fix. My day is going great so far. How about yours? Are you working today?”

* Hunter: Not today, I am busy moving into my accommodation before the semester starts tomorrow.*

1/4

Chapter 11: Layla POV

Layla: That sounds exciting. How many roommates will you have? *

* Hunter: It is me and two of my best friends and then there is a new transfer student that is only arriving

tomorrow.”

* Layla: Hopefully he isn’t a total slob or a serial killer in disguise winky face

* Hunter: LOL – please don’t jinx it. We already are nervous. Hopefully, the guy is not a complete tool fingers crossed emoji*

* Hunter: What are you up to right now?

* Layla: I am sitting in the student center, enjoying some coffee. I just finished exploring my campus.

*Hunter: Which University are you enrolled at? *

I don’t find it weird that he asked – we only re–connected two days ago. And that wasn’t the most ideal time to ask each other the dreaded 20 questions.

Layla: I officially start at Saxonsea University tomorrow. Not to sound like a complete dork, but I’m very excited!

He doesn’t reply immediately but it doesn’t bother me I assume he is in the middle of lugging around boxes or maybe unpacking.

I have some spare time, so I pull out my notebook, pen, and syllabi. I start jotting down key elements that will be discussed in some of the classes and make a list of supplementary textbooks I might need but are not mandatory. I’ll check out their prices online a little bit later – I have no intention of shooting myself in the financial foot just to read a couple of extra chapters that we may or may not be tested on.

I am startled when someone suddenly plops down in the seat across from me. Mischievous forest–green eyes stare back at me.

“Hello Beautiful,” Hunter greets me enthusiastically.

I’m dumbfounded for a second, my jaw falling slack and I must gulp twice before my voice decides to

reappear.

“What? How are you here?” As soon as the question is out of my mouth, I realize how dumb I sound.

Hunter doesn’t call me out on it, only leans closer over the table and says, “I’ve been attending Saxonsea U for the last two years.”

I’m still a bit stunned but excitement starts creeping up on me and a smile plays at the corners of my

mouth.

“That’s awesome. What are you majoring in?”

2/4

Chapter 11: Layla POV

“Finance. I plan on joining my dad’s investment firm after I graduate.”

“Handsome and clever, that’s a lethal combination,” the compliment is out before I can overthink it, and by Hunter’s reaction, I didn’t make a complete fool of myself.

“Flattery will get you everywhere,” he gives me a sultry smile and I blush instantly. This man is a fiend. But I’m here for it.

“Aren’t you supposed to be unpacking? Won’t your roommates complain about you not doing your share? I wouldn’t want you to get in trouble because of me.”

“For you, I would get in trouble any day of the week,” he smirks at me. Charmer. “And besides, I started early this morning, before the others were even out of bed, so I am basically done. The last few touches can

wait till later.”

There is a beat of silence between us where we just look at each other. And just like the day in the meadow, I feel strangely at ease with him. Even if the air around us crackles with intimacy.

“Would you consider having lunch with me?” he asks, and I don’t have to think twice about my answer.

“I’d like that. What did you have in mind?”

“Want to get off campus, I know a quaint little sushi place on the other side of town.” He looks at me expectantly, and even if I didn’t like sushi – which would be a sin and of itself – I would gladly sit across from him and watch him eat. In a non–psycho way of course.

“Sounds like a plan. My car is parked in the north parking lot. Let me just get it, and then I can meet you at the main entrance so I can follow you there?”

“Or you can drive with me and afterward I’ll just drop you off at your car?”

“Sure, thank you.”

He stands and holds out his hand to help me up from my seat. Just like the first time, I feel a tingling sensation as I slip my hand into his. He doesn’t step back when I rise, causing us to be mere inches from

each other.

We just stare at each other for the next few moments, neither of us in a rush to sever this palpable connection. Someone on the other side of the student center laughs abruptly and we come to our senses.

“Let’s get out of here,” he says softly.

As he leads me away, he does not drop my hand, and I can’t help the small smile that blooms on my face.