Two days later, Layla's dorm room finally came alive. All four of her roommates had arrived, each bringing her own energy and personality.
There was Madeline, a confident tomboy with a soft spot for anything cute.
Anna, the small but fierce one — a pretty girl with a sharp tongue and a quick wit.
Zoey, the quiet observer who rarely spoke but noticed everything.
And finally, Zara, the chatterbox whose laughter could fill the entire hall.
Despite their differences, the girls clicked almost instantly.
That evening, they decided to go shopping. Anna had forgotten her favorite snacks at home, and Layla — a self-proclaimed foodie — was craving fried chicken from KFC. They spent hours exploring the nearby plaza, laughing, teasing one another, and bonding over shared tastes in movies and music.
By 9:30 p.m., they were back on campus — just in time to beat the 10 p.m. curfew.
Layla took a warm shower, laid out her books for the next day, and crawled into bed, smiling softly.
Tomorrow would be her first real day of class.
---
A Busy Schedule
The next morning, Layla's schedule was packed — History, Statistics, English, and Anatomy.
Elite Academy wasn't just any school; it was part of the renowned Elite Group of Schools, which included both the Academy and the University. Students there began specialized courses early, preparing them for careers as doctors, lawyers, engineers, and more.
The pace was intense, but Layla loved it. She threw herself into her studies, eager to prove her worth.
At night, after finishing her assignments, she always took a few minutes to call Saphira and check on her family back home.
Life, for once, felt peaceful.
---
A Familiar Face
A week into the semester, something unexpected happened. While walking down the hall between classes, Layla heard someone call her name.
"Layla? Layla Martins?"
She turned — and froze.
Standing there was Clark, her childhood friend from kindergarten — the one who had moved away years ago. He had grown taller, broader, and, to her surprise, incredibly handsome.
"Clark?" she said, eyes wide.
He grinned. "Took you long enough to recognize me."
Layla laughed, shaking her head in disbelief. They talked for a while, catching up on lost years, and by the end of the day, Clark had joined her circle of friends.
---
The Pool Party
A few days later, after an exhausting week of classes and assignments, Clark invited Layla and her friends to a pool party hosted by his friend James.
The evening started off fun — music, food, laughter — until things took an ugly turn. A group of boys began bullying a student with delicate, feminine features, mocking him cruelly before shoving him into the pool.
Layla's group was chatting about a movie when Anna noticed the commotion. Her sharp eyes caught Clark's expression — tense, worried, frozen.
Without a word, Anna stood up, drawing everyone's attention.
Clark followed immediately, diving into the pool when he realized the boy was struggling to stay afloat. He managed to pull him out, while Anna, furious, called the police.
The officers arrived quickly, causing a temporary disruption before the party resumed — but for Layla's group, the night had already changed.
Later, at the hospital, Clark made sure the boy — whose name was Raymond — was stable before returning to school with the girls.
The car ride was quiet until Zara, unable to hold back her curiosity, blurted out,
"So… Clark, are you… gay?"
Layla shot her a sharp glare, but Clark simply gave a small, calm smile.
"Yes," he said softly.
For a moment, silence filled the car — then, slowly, the tension eased. They talked about other things, laughing again before arriving back at school. Clark returned to Maple Grove Hall, while the girls headed to Orchid Hall.
---
Late Night Reflections
That night, Layla called Saphira before bed. They talked about school, her friends, and how different things were now.
The days ahead were growing more demanding — tests, assignments, and endless studying — but Layla had learned to take care of herself. She made sure to rest, to eat, and to laugh.
And for the first time in years, she felt something close to normal.
Or so she thought.