Ever After Awaits Chapter 18 : Layla POV I pull away from AJ but don't release him completely , our fingers still clasping each other's . My eyes flick over his face , down to his chest and even take in his long muscular legs . A smile grows on my face the more of him I take in . " Well look at you : AJ Rhodes , all grown up . " He blushes slightly before dipping his head . He always was a bit shy around me , but I always found that endearing about him . He never was as brash and boisterous as all the other boys at school . " Layla Kincaid , as charming as ever , I see . Still beating up boys who look at you in the wrong way ? " he smirks , and I chuckle at him . " Maybe . " I wink at him . I'm still trying to comprehend how he's here - in my town , on my campus , standing in front of me . For eight years we were glued to the hip and then he up and disappeared on me . I know why and I don't blame him for it . But it didn't make it hurt any less . He was dealt a bad hand , first with his mom basically working all day long , then with her alcohol dependency after she lost her job , and then with that creep Stephen that traipsed into their life . From thereon , everything completely went downhill . At the time , I was too young to understand what was re happening over at his house . But after he was taken by the social worker , I asked my parents what was going on . Thinking he might be coming back . But it was then that they started to explain to me what his mother became and how she let Stephen , alcohol , and drugs take over her life . It broke my heart , and I mourned the loss of my best friend for months , shutting out the world . I stopped hanging out with other kids , and buried myself in the ache of missing him . After my grades started to slip , Dad tried contacting social services to see if he could find AJ , not necessarily to take him in , but to at least get some contact details of where he was . Even if I couldn't speak to him over the phone , maybe I could write to him and tell him how sorry I was and that I'd always be there for him . Unfortunately , because we were not family , they were not allowed to provide us with those details . And so , I had to give up and move on , no matter how difficult . Now , standing here , staring at the boy , I feel like I've been given a second chance . My heart thuds with the possibility of getting my best friend back . " What brings you to Saxonsea University ? " I asked , stepping back and clasping my hands around my backpack straps . The campus around us hums with students heading to class , but all I can focus on is AJ , 1/3 Chapter 18 : Layla POV standing here , real and solid , after all these years . Al kicks at a pebble but then answers , " I got a scholarship and started classes this week . " " What ? That's amazing ! I always knew you were a brainiac . " I smirk at him , remembering the times he tried his best to make maths and science make sense to me . I was hopeless , but he never gave up on me . He gives a self - deprecating laugh but doesn't respond . He always struggled to accept compliments , and it seems nothing much has changed . I decide to put us both out of our misery and hold out my hand . " Give me your phone ? " He looks at me skeptically but slowly pulls it from his back pocket , unlocks it , and slides it into my hand . The moment our skin touches , warmth spreads to certain areas that shall not be named in respectable company . I dip my head to try and hide the blush that I can feel creeping up my neck . Darn hormones ! A few taps on the screen later my phone chimes in my backpack . I go to hand his phone back , but don't let it go immediately when he takes it , " Now you have my number , but don't go stalking me , you hear . " He smirks at me and a sly smirk tips the corner of his mouth , " You would be so lucky . " " Ha ! I need to go , but I'd love to catch up sometime . Call me , if you have time , and we'll set something up . " I lean in for another hug and I swear he hugs me just a bit longer than would seem appropriate - but you won't hear me complain . " It was good to see you , Layla , " he whispers in my ear , his voice soft and familiar , stirring up a rush of memories . He pulls away , offering a small smile before strolling past me , heading wherever he was bound before our unexpected reunion . His figure grows smaller as he moves through the crowd of students , and I stand rooted to the spot , watching him go , lost in a wave of nostalgia that feels like a warm ache in my chest . It's been nearly seven years since I last saw him , and I know we've both changed in countless ways - time and life have a way of reshaping people . And I realize we've both changed in so many ways , but I truly hope we can recapture even a semblance of the friendship that we had shared . But I slam the door shut on any foolish thoughts of us being more than friends . Back then , just before he was taken away , I'd started to feel something deeper for him , a quiet crush that made my heart race when he'd smile at me . I never said a word , though , because I knew he didn't see me that way . And I would never risk our friendship by alluding to those feelings . Besides , he deserves a girl who would give him her undivided attention and unfortunately due to two very handsome young men , that won't be me . Chapter 18: Layla POV So , I'll settle for being his friend again , cheering him on like I always did , ready to smile and support him when he finds the girl who'll hold his heart . Even if that stings , even if I have to swallow the ache of watching him love someone else , I'll do it . Because that's what you do for someone you care about . With a heavy sigh , I turn and walk to my car , shrugging my moment of melancholy off , and imagining what might be in store for me tonight . Even if Cade is mostly occupied with entertaining his roommates and most likely some of his football buddies , I get to spend some time with him , and maybe , just maybe , we will be able to get some time alone . Be in each other's company without any people around or distractions like at the coffee shop - a nice , quiet , drama - free evening . But as we have established before , the universe is a vindictive bitch and likes to turn my life into a dogsh