by Evelyn Dar
Maddox snorted. “Try twenty buses. Daddy Teddy has more money than God.”
Laylah regarded the impeccably dressed, heavy-set man who was invading her mother’s personal space. If a used car salesman and a televangelist had a baby, it would be that guy.
Laylah glanced at Avery, careful to avoid her eyes this time. “She doesn’t look anything like him.”
“She’s adopted,” Maddox whispered.
“How do you know?”
Maddox shushed her as they stepped within earshot of Gale, Teddy, and Avery.
Gale held her arm out. “Come here, honey, I want you to meet someone.”
Laylah ran a quick hand through her unruly curls and stepped forward.
“Laylah, this is Mr. Brad–”
“Now you stop right there, love.”
Teddy winked, and Gale smiled. It was the first time Laylah had seen her mother smile in over a week.
“This is Teddy,” Gale said, still smiling.
Before Laylah could extend her hand, Teddy scooped her up in a bear hug, lifting her an inch off the ground.
He stage-whispered in her ear, “Darling, if you need anything, let me know. Your father and I were good friends, and I promise to take care of you and your mother.”
Teddy’s embrace was as suffocating as his cologne, and Laylah took a deep breath when he let go.
Gale introduced Maddox next, but Teddy offered him only a hasty handshake before thrusting Avery forward.
Avery smiled at Laylah with perfectly straight, bone-white teeth.
“Hi,” she said, with just the right amount of solemnness for the occasion.
“Hey,” Laylah mumbled, annoyed by how pretty Avery was up close, and even more annoyed that “pretty” didn’t come close to describing Avery.
The girl standing in front of her was the walking embodiment of every drop-dead gorgeous, perfectly proportioned cheerleader in every movie and television show ever made.
“So…” Teddy nudged Gale. “Think they’ll be roomies at Harvard?”
Laylah’s head snapped up.
The Pretty Little Liar was going to Harvard?
Gale chuckled politely. “We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves.” She squeezed Laylah’s hand. “And that’s only if Laylah chooses Harvard.”
Laylah’s neck burned. “You mean if Harvard chooses me.”
“Darling, they’d be crazy not to,” Teddy said. “According to your mother, you’re brilliant.” He winked at Gale. “And who would know better than your own principal?”
Laylah smiled politely, but Teddy’s attention felt weird and excessive. Not to mention, if his own daughter was on the Harvard track, why not brag about her too? Laylah snuck a glance at Avery, but her pearly white smile showed no sign of envy. Then again, she doubted a girl like Avery would be jealous of anyone.
Teddy turned to Gale. “Darling, I know today is a heavy day and feel free to tell me no but, well, me and a couple of fellas from the bar are working on a memorial plaque for the downtown courthouse in Winston’s honor.”
Gale gasped.
“I have the preliminary sketches in the car, and I’d love your input,” Teddy said. “But only if you’re up to it.”
“Oh, my goodness, um yes, of course.”
“Wonderful.” Teddy wrapped an arm around her. “It’ll give the girls a chance to get to know one another.” He winked at Laylah and Avery as he ushered Gale away.
Once they were out of earshot, Maddox snorted. “The girls? What am I? Chopped liver?”
Avery cringed. “I’m sorry about my dad. I’d tell you he’s normally not like that, but well, he is.”
Her words were directed at Maddox, but her eyes were fixed on Laylah.
Feeling suddenly vulnerable, Laylah crossed her arms and stepped closer to Maddox.
Avery lowered her voice. “Laylah, I’m really sorry about your–”
“Avery!”
They all turned as a woman sporting a bob sharp enough to draw blood, stumbled toward them. Her four-strand pearl necklace stood in stark contrast to the traditional, if not three inches too short, black pencil dress that should have hugged her frame, but hung limply on her like a garment on a hanger.
“Excuse me,” Avery said and rushed to intercept the woman.
“Giggity,” Maddox whispered. “That girl makes my lil bisexual heart go pitter-patter.” He sighed dramatically. “She’s perfect, and it’s not fair.”
Laylah ignored the pitter-patter of her own heart. “I guess.”
Maddox raised a contoured eyebrow.
“What?” Laylah tried to feign ignorance, but her burning cheeks outed her.
Maddox gave her a knowing look. “Girl, she’s breathtaking and you know it.”
“She’s not bad,” Laylah muttered, wishing Maddox would drop it. She hated when he tried to force her into admitting sexual attraction.
Laylah’s sexuality was something she’d always held close to her chest. Not out of fear – her parents were staunch LGBTQ supporters – but rather out of…ambivalence.
Laylah considered boys to be handsome and thought girls were pretty, but neither gender stoked ‘a flame of desire in the pit of her stomach’ which, according to YA romance novels, was how you knew. In fact, this past year Laylah had flirted with the idea she was perhaps asexual. She glanced at Avery and frowned. This didn’t feel very asexual.
“Did you have the audacity to call her not bad?” Maddox took a dramatic shuddering breath. “Okay fine, that Targaryen hair color definitely comes from a bottle, but those big brown eyes would make Bambi jealous, and trust me – little Ms. Parton Jr. will definitely grow into those bee stings.”
Laylah’s stomach clenched, and not in a terrible way. “Oh my God Mads, do you want to marry her or be her?”
Maddox abruptly shut his mouth, and Laylah instantly felt bad. “Mads, I’m–”
“Sorry,” Avery said, as she rejoined them.
“No worries,” Maddox said, his voice suddenly two octaves lower.
Laylah held her tongue even though she hated when Maddox, in his own words, ‘butched it up.’
“Was that your mom?” he asked.
“Mmhm,” Avery said.
If they were waiting for further explanation, none was forthcoming.
“Cool,” Maddox said. “She has this ‘classy, Audrey Hepburn’ vibe going on…so that’s dope.”
Laylah rolled her eyes and Avery looked like she wanted to.
“She’s skinny and wears pearl necklaces,” Avery said. “That’s where the similarities end.”
“Ahh,” Maddox said. “Gotcha.” He cleared his throat twice, and the three descended into an awkward silence.
Laylah would have been happy to bow gracefully out of the conversation, but she knew Maddox better than she knew herself and if there was one thing he hated; it was an awkward silence.
“I have all your dad’s campaign ads on my bedroom walls,” Maddox said. “But like, only the ones with you in them.”
“Oh, Maddox, no,” Laylah whispered.
“Oh?” Avery said, her smile unwavering. “That’s…something.”
Laylah had to admit, Avery’s emotional regulation skills were impressive. Maddox had practically confessed to wanting to wear the poor girl’s skin, and Avery’s smile never faltered.
To his credit, Maddox looked like he wanted to crawl under the nearest rock. He cringed. “And yes, I am single, if you were wondering.”
“Good to know,” Avery said. She turned to Laylah and softened her tone. “I wanted to give you my condolences. I’m so sorry about your father. I know he was an amazing man.”
Laylah swallowed, her lurking grief threatening to make an appearance. She opened her mouth and instantly choked up.
Avery touched her hand. “Obviously I wish it were under different circumstances, but I really am glad to have met you.”
Laylah looked down at their hands and Avery chuckled nervously, pulling hers away.
“Sorry. I get a little touchy-feely when I’m emotional.” Her cheeks glowed. “Anyway, I don’t know if you’ve heard but I’m transferring to Lovett Academy in the fall.”
Maddox’s jaw dropped, and his voice returned to its preferred octave. “Whaaat? You’re leaving Kingston Prep?”
Avery looked away, but not before Laylah caught the pained expression that flashed across her face.
“I swear, I’m the last to know everything,” Maddox said. “Anyway, girl, what’s the tea on Kingston Prep?” He lowered his voice. “I heard they have like, this creepy Eyes Wide Shut sex club thing. They do, don’t they?”
Avery laughed. “Sorry, but I don’t have any tea. And there’s no sex club that I know of. I’m just ready for something new, you know?” She eyed Laylah. “But being the new girl can be scary, and it’d be nice to have a friend of two at Lovett.”
Maddox beamed. “Oh my God, this is cray. I cannot wait to introduce you to– aaah!”
One second Maddox was standing upright and the next he was lying flat on his back with Laylah’s cousin, Kendrick, leaning over him laughing.
Avery gasped. “Oh my God.” She grabbed Laylah’s upper arm with both hands.
Kendrick raised his arms in the air. “He’s down at the ten-yard line! Falcons ball, bitch.”
Maddox struggled to his feet and shoved Kendrick, who barely moved an inch.
“What is freaking wrong with you?” Maddox asked. “We’re at a funeral.”
“Just checking those reflexes, little homie.” Kendrick thumped Maddox on the back harder than necessary. “And calm down with that ‘we’re at a funeral’ mess. Funerals are for the living and I know wherever Uncle Winston is, he doesn’t give a damn about this fake bullshit.”
Kendrick smiled, revealing a gold-plated grill he didn’t have the last time Laylah saw him. Laylah’s cousin was taller than most grown men and could have easily passed for her father’s doppelgänger, which made his new set of golds even more tragic.
Maddox wiped the dirt from his tailored Armani suit and pouted at the large grass stain covering his butt. “Thank you, so much Kendrick.” He rolled his eyes. “Ruthie at Prestige Cleaners is going to kill me.”
Kendrick groaned. “Man, how many times do I have to tell you? You got to stop hanging around these girls all the time. You’re starting to act like one.”
Maddox’s eyes went wide. “What did you say to me?”
“Walk it off, Mads,” Laylah said.
“Yeah,” Kendrick mimicked. “Walk it off, Mads.”
Maddox growled and lunged at Kendrick, pulling him into a headlock.
Laylah considered breaking up the harmless fight, but Avery still had a death grip on her upper arm and the feeling of Avery’s bare skin pressed against Laylah’s was doing crazy things to her heart rate…and her stomach.
Laylah swallowed and wondered if she should feel guilty about getting a lady boner at her father’s funeral. She supposed she could always feel bad about it later. All she knew was touching Avery felt good and after a week of feeling like someone had stabbed her repeatedly in the heart, she wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth.
Avery eyed the fighting boys. “Should we get someone?”
“No.” Laylah sighed. “It’s just my cousin.” She reluctantly stepped forward, and Avery let go of her arm.
Kendrick had escaped Maddox’s headlock and now he had Maddox pinned, face down on the ground. Poor Maddox was literally eating dirt.
Laylah crossed her arms. “Kendrick, get off him!”
Kendrick ignored her.
“Do you want me to get Aunt Brenda?” Laylah threatened.
Kendrick laughed and wrapped his legs around Maddox’s waist. “If you find her, let me know.”
“She isn’t here?” Laylah asked.
“Now cuz, you know my mama stays high 24-7.” Kendrick glanced at Avery. “You must be trying to impress your little girlfriend or something.”
Laylah’s face, neck, and ears caught on fire, and she was grateful she’d spent all summer reading on the back deck, under the full rays of the sun. Her summer tan wasn’t dark enough to conceal the entirety of her blush, but it sure helped.
Laylah looked at Avery – well, at her feet. “Sorry. Um, they’re”–she glanced at Kendrick and Maddox rolling in the dirt and shrugged–“boys?”
Avery smiled in a way that made Laylah’s mouth go dry and then, without a word, reached up and plucked a speck of lint from Laylah’s collar and flicked it away. Laylah trembled at the insignificant gesture, her emotions a jumble of a mess. Her grief mingled with her fear, but both cowed to this strange, new feeling Avery elicited.
Laylah may have been inexperienced, but this didn’t feel like an innocent gesture between potential new friends. This felt purposeful. Just like the rest of Avery’s touches and lingering gazes. And Laylah was terrified.
Avery leaned forward, licked her lips and murmured in Laylah’s ear, “Boys…how gross. I don’t know about you but”–she ran her fingers along the sleeve of Laylah’s shirt–“personally, I’ve always been more partial to girls.” She searched Laylah’s eyes. “If you know what I mean.”
Laylah’s body hummed, and she jumped back. “I-I have to go.”
Avery frowned. “Oh, uh…”
Before Avery could reply, Laylah was already backing away. She spun around and kicked the cloud of dust that was Kendrick and Maddox until her foot connected with something solid.
“Ow!” Kendrick let go of Maddox and cradled his head. “You kicked me in the head.”
“Ha!” Maddox stood and brushed off his ruined suit. “Your cousin loves me more than she loves you.”
Laylah ignored them and raced toward the cemetery’s parking lot, dodging throngs of people as she went. She’d made it to the edge of the lot when someone grabbed her arm.
Laylah didn’t turn around, nor did the hand let go of her arm.
“I’m sorry for what I said back there. I didn’t mean anything by it.”
Laylah shrugged off Avery’s hand and turned around. “It’s whatever.”
“Okay, I did mean something by it, but I shouldn’t have said it.” Avery chewed her bottom lip. “At least, not like that.” She clenched her fists and sighed. “God, I’m so messed up about sex.”
Laylah took pity on her. “Hey, you’re not the only one.”
Avery gave her a half-smile and took a step forward, but Laylah crossed her arms and
stepped back.
“If I offended you, I’m really sorry.” Avery furrowed her brow and looked as confused as
Laylah felt. “I don’t know why I said that. I’m not even sure I’m…you know, that way.”
“You didn’t offend me,” Laylah said in a tone that wasn’t even convincing to her. “I uh,
don’t even know you so, like I said it’s whatever.”
Avery sighed. “I was hoping to get to know you. But like, just as friends. It doesn’t have to be more. And I promise I won’t be weird or anything.”
“If she says no, I volunteer as tribute.”
Avery and Laylah jumped at the sound of Maddox’s voice. He was leaning against a large tombstone openly eavesdropping a few feet away. “Hey, y’all.” He waved at them with his tattered bowtie.
“It’s cool,” Laylah said, ignoring him. “We don’t have to be friends. I know you want to get your dad off your back by getting in good with the principal’s kid so…”
“That’s not true,” Avery said. “I mean, yeah my dad wants us to be friends because of your mom but–”
“I’m a mathlete,” Laylah blurted out.
Avery paused. “A what?”
“A mathlete,” Laylah repeated. “I do math competitions. For fun. On the weekends. When I don’t have to.”
Avery nodded slowly. “That sounds…cool?”
“It’s not,” Maddox said. “It’s the opposite of cool, actually.”
Laylah narrowed her eyes.
&nbs
p; “Sorry,” he whispered and made a zipping motion over his mouth.
Laylah continued, “I read – all the time. I usually wear glasses, but Maddox hid them after he spent all morning doing my eye makeup.”
Maddox clapped. “Annnd there goes my butch card. Thanks for that, babes.”
“As for makeup?” Laylah gestured to her face. “Reserved only for weddings, bat mitzvahs, and”–her voice faltered–“funerals.”
“Laylah,” Avery whispered.
“I don’t have an Instagram account, my favorite week of the year is finals week, and I’ve never seen an episode of Riverdale.” Laylah shrugged. “I’m the living personification of Kara Zor-El.”
Avery stared blankly.
“You don’t know who that is, do you?” Laylah asked.
Avery crossed her arms. “I’m not an idiot.”
“Are you a cheerleader?” Laylah asked.
“She’s captain of the junior squad,” Maddox answered.
“Maddox!” Laylah and Avery yelled.
Maddox raised his hands. “I’ll shut up now.”
“How many Instagram followers do you have?” Laylah asked.
Avery squinted. “Um…”
“Over ten thousand?”
Avery shrugged. “Maybe? Who even cares? Look–”
“Has your dad made his generous donation to Harvard or is he waiting until after you take the SATs?”
Avery’s eyes widened, and Maddox gasped.
Laylah winced. “Don’t answer that. It’s just –” She sighed. “It’s been a hard week, and I didn’t mean to take it out on you. I’m sorry.” Her eyes filled with tears.
Avery stepped forward and opened her arms and for a terrifying moment, Laylah thought Avery was about to hug her but at the last moment, Avery dropped her arms and instead wrapped them around herself.
“I wasn’t trying to be mean,” Laylah explained. “But–”
“But what?” Avery’s challenging stare burned through Laylah.
“Girls like us don’t become best friends,” Laylah replied. “Or Harvard roommates.”
“Right,” Avery said skeptically. “That’s why you don’t want to be friends? Because of some stupid outdated stereotypes about popularity and intelligence?”
Laylah shrugged, unable to look Avery in the eyes.
“Yeah, I didn’t think so,” Avery said softly. “Well…if we never see each other again”–she extended her hand–“I hope you have a good life, Laylah Carter.” She smiled sadly. “Filled with lots of mathlete friends and”–her cheeks flushed–“someone who will appreciate those pretty green eyes of yours.”
