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7.89% Secrets That We Keep / Chapter 3: Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Chapter 3

After Layla got home, she sighed in relief because she got home in time therefore nothing will happen to her skin while she stays outside in the dark when the moon barely lights up the sky. She took off her shoes and she sighed again, her light brown eyes roamed around the space. Even if there's enough things and decorations in there that occupy all the vacant tables and walls perfectly, she still felt empty every time she took time to look at the house because it reminded her that she has no one.

She walked deeper into the house, recalling the night when she ended up being an orphan.

She was 8 years old when that happened, her parents died in a plane crash because of the massive storm that was unexpected. Not even the weather forecasts knew and they deeply felt like it's all their fault because they weren't prepared and they didn't warn people but it's true and they had evidence that the storm was unexpected. Layla never once thought that it was their fault because she knew things like that could happen and they couldn't do anything about it. She heard it from her principal when she called her into her office in the middle of their exam day. They told her all about it and Layla didn't know how to react, she just stared at them as if they were crazy and they were telling a joke until her history teacher, Sir Arthur, lead her out of the principal's office and told her that he'll be the one who will be her guardian and he promised to care for her as if she was his granddaughter, that's when she felt the tears streaming down her face. Sir Arthur just hugged the girl and looked at her with concerned and sad eyes while she screamed and repeatedly punched his chest with her small hands, tears kept streaming down her face, not planning to stop.

Layla didn't want to continue her exam but she wanted her parents to be proud of her so she tried and pushed herself to answer all of her exams despite the fact that her classmates and teachers were telling her to go home because they were worried about her. She finished her exams and when they got the result she was the top student again even if she got a lot of answers wrong but her classmates purposely let their scores lower than hers so they could help Layla to feel better in the best way that they could.

Layla knew it, she cried and cried even after she got home with the help of Sir Arthur who never left her side. She got through it all with the help of her classmates and Sir Arthur and she was very grateful for all they've done for her. Until then, Layla felt a lot better but she couldn't forget what happened and every time she walked into her house, she felt like the house was so empty although she liked being alone, she wanted to have a family again.

Sir Arthur even helped her to keep the house and signed it with Layla's name so just in case something happens to him, the house will be all hers. Sir Arthur even now, sends her groceries, pays for the house bills, looks out for her every now and then, and takes care of her. Layla didn't want Sir Arthur to be the only one providing for her so she also works part-time jobs to save money and to help pay the bills because sometimes even if he doesn't admit it, she knew money can be a big problem for him. Layla also didn't want anyone to stay in her house because she wants to be alone and no one can really replace her family.

She has gotten over it all and is now a happy confident lady but it still affects her life, deeply.

She just shakes her head and remembers how she spent the day today. Today, for her, is a very exciting day but a very exhausting one. She changes her clothes and cooked a meal for herself. Sir Arthur told her earlier that he'll be visiting her again tonight because he wanted to see how she's doing and he bought groceries again.

A little while later after she finished eating, Sir Arthur rang the doorbell and Layla left the kitchen to answer the door. Sir Arthur greeted her with a wide smile while he's holding paper bags in both of his arms.

"Let me help you there, sir." Layla said while grabbing the paper bags and letting her teacher in.

"Oh, uh, there's still a lot of bags left in the car." Layla nodded and put the paper bags on a table before proceeding outside to take the other bags. They helped each other and after that, they have a chat while drinking tea in the living room.

Layla watched as the old man drank from his cup because she can sense something is wrong with him or at least something is bothering him but she didn't talk, she waited for him to be the first one to speak so she just copies him by drinking the green tea slowly.

"You didn't attend the orientation earlier right? Have you made some friends?" He asked with a lovely smile as he scratches his cheek and he squints his eyes as if the itchiness isn't going away and it annoys him.

"Yes, I didn't attend the same old boring orientation but no, I didn't make any friends. I just made a new student more comfortable with us by spending some time with him." She explained while softly laughing because of her teacher's face while he scratches the itchy spot.

"Well, if you made them comfortable then that counts as them treating you like a friend and seeing you as one but that still doesn't count as you seeing them as your friends. That's great, I guess. Just as long as your schoolmates treat you nicely and with respect. That's a big step for making friends now." He finishes scratching while chuckling along with Layla and he drinks again on his cup.

"You look like Bob Ross and now you even almost sound like him too. No wonder people adore you very much, Sir, you deserve all the respect that you got because you earned it by doing the right things."

Her teacher laughs while shaking his head. "Why thank you for the compliment but I'm much more handsome than him."

The two of them spend the night like how a student would speak to their teacher but they treat each other as if Sir Arthur is Layla's grandfather.

"Are you okay?" Layla couldn't help but ask that after all the laughter because she wanted to make sure that the old man is fine and if not, she'll do anything to help him because he has always been there for her.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be? But I admit I'm a little emotional right because I am so glad to be able to be your guardian."

Layla smiled and hugged the old man while he caresses her hair delicately and filled with love like he is truly related to her. The old man knew he isn't going to be around much longer and his time is almost up but he didn't want to tell her because he didn't want her to worry or to overwork herself to help him and he couldn't tell her because the poor girl has no one left after he is gone too. She has no longer have a family after his time is up. He hugged the girl tightly and smiled, almost tearing up but he just smiled widely to not let a drop of a tear fall.

"Always take care of yourself okay? Try to have friends this school year." He whispered at her and Layla nodded, promising her teacher that although she isn't sure if she'll have friends.


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