A scowl is almost permanently imprinted on my face as I walk into school on Monday morning. I haven't been this angry at the world for a while. But today I can literally feel the anger surging through my veins. I think everyone can see it as well, because it seems like people are purposefully staying out of my way as I walk down the hall.

I try not to glare at anyone specifically, but I can feel that my eyes are narrowed. I half-hope that no one thinks that I'm aiming my clear annoyance at them. Thanks to Layla I have learned that I don't really like being mean to everyone. She's always so nice to everyone and I like her, so if I like her so much, of course I'll want to try and be a little more like her.

My phone pings in my pocket just as I reach my locker and I stop, reaching down to grab it. It's a text notification from Sunshine. A small smile pulls at my lips for the first time that morning. I open it up and my heart aches. It's a meme saying that she misses me. She's the most adorable fúcking person in the world.

I pull up the meme I already have saved to send to her and sent it before slipping my phone back into my pocket and opening my locker.

We've been sending each other memes like that ever since I left and each time it makes my heart ache more. I can't tell if it's aching in the good way because I'm falling for her or in the bad way because I miss her so much. Probably both.

At this point I don't care too much if I'm pushing the best friends limit. I know that some of the things we do and say aren't just 'friendly'. But I can never tell if that's just how our friendship is or if maybe she likes me in that way. Either way, I have decided to just continue how we are and if I ever go too far and she tells me, I'll stop. I mean, I'll never do anything as stupid as kiss her. That's just asking for disaster. I just hope I don't slip up and tell her I like her by accident.

I start swapping a few of my books out for the day, my chest a little lighter now that I've spoken to Layla again. Suddenly, I hear my name being called from across the hall. With a frown, I turn only for my eyes to widen when someone launches themselves at me.

Stumbling slightly, I immediately tense, not wrapping my arms around the person as they hug me. They're blonde, I can see that. But I definitely do not recognise them. For a split second the blonde hair reminds me of Layla. But I quickly realise it isn't her based off of the girl's perfume and the way she hugs me. I feel at peace in Layla's presence. Whoever this is only makes me uncomfortable.

I quickly grab the person's arms and unwrap them from around my neck, taking a few steps back. I try not to be too rough and not come across too rude but I hate when people touch me. The only people that I allow to touch me like that are my family and my friends.

When the girl finally stops touching me, I let out a breath of relief and look to see who it is. My eyes narrow when I see her. Ella. When the fúck did she decide that it's okay to just hug me? I barely know her. I don't even like her that much.

"Hi, Reece! How were your holidays? I missed seeing you!" She bats her eyelashes at me, her lips turning down into a small pout. I guess she's trying to be cute, but I only find her annoying.

"Uh, they were good." I reply, turning back around and closing my locker. I start walking down the hall, not sparing her another glance. I huff in annoyance when she catches up, falling into step beside me.

"Did you do anything over Christmas and New Year's?" She persists and I hold back a groan. This girl clearly isn't taking the hint.

"I visited New York." I tell her honestly. I don't know why I tell her, but I enjoy talking about Layla. I don't mind talking to Ella if I can just talk about Layla.

"Oh," She replies, "Isn't that where your friend moved to? Lilah or something?"

I turn to her with a glare, "Layla. And yes, I stayed with her for a couple weeks."

"Oh," She repeated and I rolled my eyes, "That's nice. Was it just you that went?"

"Two of my siblings and my friends came as well. The rest of my family wanted to go but they went to visit my grandparents like we always do instead." I reply, my heart swelling with the thought of Layla. My whole family really loves her. "Layla's basically like family."

Ella grins at this, turning to look up at me, "Like a sister?"

My eyes narrow on her once again, "No."

I don't elaborate, turning to walk into my English classroom without another word to her. I walk to the back of the class and slump into my seat, my happiness from Layla's text now completely gone. I miss her way too much. Life without her will definitely be the death of me.

~

The second I step out of my Spanish class, I take out my phone and call the one person I've been desperately wanting to see all day. The phone only rings once before it stops and the call connects, her addicting voice floating through the speaker.

"Hey, Reece." Two simple words and my heart is already pumping like crazy. I won't be surprised if you can literally see how it's jumping through my shirt.

"I've missed you, Sunshine." I tell her immediately, ignoring Liam who has fallen into step beside me. He was the last to leave our Spanish class and now we're heading towards the cafeteria.

Her angelic laugh reaches me through the phone and a smile automatically lifts my lips. "I've missed you too. School dragged on forever today."

"I know what you mean. It already feels like the holidays were weeks ago."

"It does. I miss you guys so much, you have no idea. The apartment feels so lonely without you all in it."

"I'm sorry, Sunshine. We can do the distance again, though. Besides, your birthday is coming up in a couple of months, so maybe you and Bella can make a trip here to visit your dad." I try to be optimistic, but my heart still aches. Even if she does come for her birthday, that's still two months away.

"You're right, we need to stop thinking about the bad stuff and focus on the positive side of things. How has your day been so far, Reecey?" She sounds happier now, but I can tell it's slightly forced.

"It's been alright. Some people have been really pissing me off though." I mutter as Liam and I walk into the cafeteria. We head straight to our usual table where everyone is sitting. I'll get my lunch after. My face falls slightly when I see Ella there sitting in Sunshine's seat. That girl is so dámn annoying.

"Anyone specifically?" Layla asks softly, sounding genuinely concerned.

I smile a little to myself, shaking my head even though she can't see me. "Nothing for you to worry your pretty little head about, Sunshine. How was your day?"

Sitting down in my usual seat, I don't pay attention to anyone else as I listen to Layla ramble about her day. I fold my arms on the table in front of me and rest my forehead against them while holding my phone up to my ear. I listen intently as she speaks, closing my eyes and just listening to the sound of her voice while occasionally giving my input to the conversation.

"Reece, are you even listening to me?" Layla sighs exasperatedly all of a sudden.

"Of course I am, Sunshine." I reply immediately, furrowing my eyebrows.

"What have I been talking about then?"

Does she really think I haven't been paying attention? My attention is always on her.

"You were telling me about your day. You had a call with your dad this morning and you saw Mack. You told me he went to the vet yesterday and everything's fine. In your art class, your teacher complimented your work and told you it was one of her favourite interpretations of the brief. That doesn't surprise me, by the way. You got an A on your English paper and you read out your teacher's comment to me. He told you it was incredible which, again, doesn't surprise me. Oh! And you forgot your lunch at home this morning so you bought pizza from the cafeteria that tasted really bad."

By the end of my recount, Layla's quiet, seemingly surprised. "You remember all that?"

"Of course. I remember everything you say to me, Sunshine." I tell her honestly. The school bell rings, the sharp sound piercing the air and signalling the end of lunch time and the end of any further conversation with Layla. I sigh softly, "I've gotta go to class now, Sunshine."

Layla sighs as well, "Alright. Call later?"

I smile, "Most definitely."

"Okay," She makes an over-exaggerated kiss sound before laughing, "Bye, Reece."

I lift my hand up into the air and pretend to catch the kiss, pressing my hand over my heart. I always do that even if she can't see me. "I caught it. Bye, Sunshine."