Free Discovered by E. D. Brady Page A

class, he barely said good-bye
before walking away without looking at her.
    ‘What was
the point of that?’ she thought
bitterly. He offers to walk her to her next class then barely says a word.
Maybe he was reluctant to say whatever it was that was on his mind. She felt a
bout of nervous anticipation. She bit on her lip, stared after him, then
squared her shoulders and walked into her next class, knowing that she was too
distracted to pay much attention.
    Running Jay’s
strange behavior over and over in her mind, Layla was relieved when it was time
for lunch, so that she could confide her fears in Julie.
    She entered
the cafeteria and looked around for her friend. Seeing Julie wasn’t there yet,
Layla picked a deserted table to the side of the room and sat down with her
tray. She pulled out her phone and was responding to a text from her mother
when she heard the chair in front of her screech. Looking up to smile at Julie,
she felt instant agitation. It was not Julie in front of her; it was Kevin
Hartley. She put her phone away and tried to smile as sincerely as she could,
but her heart just wasn’t in it. She needed Julie there fast.
    “How was your
weekend?” Kevin asked. “Did you miss me?”
    “I was too
busy to miss anyone,” Layla said, wishing to all that was holy that he’d just
go away. She really didn’t have the patience at the moment.
    “So do you
know if you’re going to New York for Thanksgiving yet?” he asked.
    “We haven’t
really decided yet,” Layla answered truthfully. “My mom was going to decide
this morning after she talked to her sister and tell me later today.”
    “Well, in
that case, I was thinking…” Hartley trailed off and squared his shoulders
slightly. “If you don’t go to New York, why don’t you go to the Thanksgiving
dance with me?”
    “Because
she’ll be going with me,” a voice said from behind Layla. She turned to see Jay
towering over the table, glaring at Kevin.
    “I will?”
Layla asked, looking at Jay with confusion. That was counterintuitive to what
she had worried about for the last two classes.
    Jay must have
misjudged her expression because he suddenly looked awkward and regretful.
“Well, assuming I asked you very, very politely, and that you graciously agreed,”
he said ruefully.
    Layla giggled
at his response.
    Kevin looked
back and forth between Jay and Layla, scowling. “I’ll just mosey along then,”
he said with utter disgust, standing up from the table. “Later, Layla,” he
added before walking away.
     “That was
incredibly rude of me,” Jay said apologetically. “Not to mention,
presumptuous.”  He walked to the far side of the table and sat in the seat that
Hartley had just vacated.
    “Yes, it
was,” Layla said firmly, but then a smile broke on her lips. “But under the
circumstances, you’re forgiven.”
    “Circumstances?”
    “Hartley was
acting like his typical conceited self, as though I should have been thrilled
that he asked.” She didn’t bother telling him that the rest of the
circumstances were due to her misunderstanding his previous demeanor and
assuming that he wanted to end their relationship so soon.
    “Sorry,” Jay
said again.
    “No, that’s
okay, but did you have something you’d like to ask me?”
    “No…” Jay
said, looking confused.
    “Really?” she
replied, widening her eyes.
    “Ah!” Jay
blurted out, the penny dropping. “Would you do me the honor of accompanying me
to the Thanksgiving dance?”
    “What a
gentlemanly proposal,” Layla said. “I’m impressed.”
    “So is that a yes then?” Jay questioned.
    “While I was
impressed by your delivery, I still need to weigh up my options,” Layla said
light-heartedly.
    “Of course,”
Jay replied, nodding as seriously as he could manage through his playful smirk.
“A lady can’t appear too eager.”
    “No, she
can’t,” Layla agreed, playing along. “And a gentleman should be left to wonder
the nature of the lady’s