Theodore Pov
It was morning, the day was as bright as my mood. I still couldn't get over the fact that I have a chance with Layla. I'm so happy. I roll around my bed, still too tired to get up. And I didn't want to stop thinking about Layla, I didn't want to do anything that would take her off my mind.
I met Layla in 5th grade. At that time I just started using these ridiculous huge glasses. My parents had noticed that I couldn't see clearly from afar. I got scared when I started using those glasses, I was already a social outcast because I didn't know how to talk to people, so them thinking I'm a nerd wasn't helping. Most of the kids at that time thought I was a poor orphan because of my bizarre way of dressing. It was worst when my maths teacher treated me as a charity case. I was so angry that I call my mom. I had called just my mom at that time because I know my mom loves bragging. My parents were good, they were not particularly harsh in any way. But they weren't exactly the most responsible parents. They were always off to one business trip or the other. Leaving a little child with an old lazy nanny. They gave me way too much freedom, not that I'm bothered about it. I love the freedom but sometimes I got tired of it. It didn't bother me that they weren't always around though. I guess I was understanding and also they bribe me with whatever I wanted.
I don't know what my Mom told my maths teacher at that time, but ever since the day my mom spoke to her, she started avoiding me. I sometimes wonder if mom had reported her or something. Or maybe Mom had mocked her and rubbed her achievement in her face. But then again was that enough to cause weird, awkward moments.
The first time I met Layla was in the school hallways. I was awkwardly trying to avoid my maths teacher who was also awkwardly trying to avoid me then I ended up bumping into someone. We both landed on the floor. Although I took my time on the floor, waiting for whosoever I bump into to get up and walk away while glaring at me as usual. But instead, Layla had to kneel in front of me asking me if I was alright while I dumbly stare at her while lying down on the floor. She helps me up and even apologizes for being clumsy.
The second time I saw her was in the school cafeteria. She was eating and laughing with her friends, while I just creepily stare at her. I tried to see what kind of a person she was. The third time I saw her again was in the classroom, that time I had intentionally walk into the wrong classroom because I just wanted to see her. This time around, she saw me. I thought that maybe she was going to ignore me. But she didn't. She kindly talk to me and ask me for my name, as she told me hers. It felt like she had always been there in my life, but it was the first time we saw each other. It felt like it was the first time we met.
Ever since then, coming to school was exciting. Because I couldn't wait to see her. Most times I intentionally cross her part, just so that she could strike up a conversation with me. And she always did. She didn't mind my huge glasses or my bizarre dress Sense even though she was with her friends. I was happy because for the first time someone could see me. She didn't treat me like I was invisible, even though I was slightly weird. Okay maybe really weird. but I don't think it is that bad. For the first time, someone saw me and I was glad that it was her eyes. Although she thought that I was a nerd. But if only she knew that I couldn't love reading even if my life depended on it. I still did well at school because my parents always took me out whenever my grades were good. It was their only motivation to special family time and it also gave my mom something else in her life to brag about. I love my mom, I do, but sometimes she always overdid it.
I sometimes wonder if the reason why my parents love Liam so much after meeting him was because he was good at everything. And he wasn't even ugly for my mom to condemn his look. But Liam was always strange, his eyes and his thoughts always seem so far away. I guess that's one of the things I found intriguing about him.
The first time I saw Layla with Liam was after her Mom's death, I was worried that I was going to lose her. At first, I notice that they weren't close but still they were always together, they went to school and went home together. When I noticed how close they had become, all of sudden, I got really worried. I felt like I was losing her. she was distancing herself from all her old friends. I was afraid, worried, and angry at myself that I couldn't tell her how I feel. She didn't smile like she always did when her mother died. I felt like I couldn't approach her anymore like I normally did even though I started stalking her and Liam. Whenever she caught me she always say hi without realizing the fact that I was stalking her. But Liam knew though, his eyes always caught me, and then he would pretend like he didn't see me. I hated that. I hated the way he first treated me like others would, as if I was invisible. And I hated how Layla was so calm and happy whenever she was with him. I use to wonder why she was always hanging out with someone like that. Those were my thoughts of Liam, whenever I saw him with Layla. until the day I finally met him. It was like he was just waiting all this time for me to approach him just the way I had always waited for Layla to strike up a conversation with me. The day I met him for real, the day I finally got to know him, then I realized how my thoughts about him were unfair. I noticed how he made me think of myself. Lonely. But the only difference was that he was comfortable with it. While pretending to be his best friend around his parents and Layla, I couldn't understand why he was so supportive of my feelings towards Layla. Liam didn't trust people. I started observing him as I hang out with him in his room and even at school. We even went out together during the weekend like actual friends. Liam to me became fun to hang out with, not because of Layla but because for the first time it felt like I finally meant someone I could be free with. Someone who understands me and was supportive of my feelings for Layla.
Liam wasn't one to ever trust anyone, still, I don't understand why he trusted me enough to not only be with Layla. but also be his best friend. A friendship made out of lies, of false reality, brought me joy as it help me meet the one that was more than a brother to me. It was the first lie in my life that became true. Whenever I thought of it I was always happy that I approach him on that day, the day we became best friends out of nowhere. I mark out the date of the first day I approve Liam in my life, to celebrate it even though Liam found it silly and annoying as I call him the best fake best friend ever throughout that day. It was one of those rare moments I get to see Liam smile and be happy. I was really glad I meant Liam. That nerdy boy helps me to change a lot of things in my life, including my weird sense of dressing.
Liam made it his responsibility to chase boys that weren't me away from Layla's life. But he still wasn't always successful. Still, I don't know how he did it but whenever she had the idea of dating someone or had already started dating someone, Liam always made sure he broke it off, whenever I looked at him as I notice how he was manipulating Layla relationship, he always said that the guys she was with reminded him of his stepdad 'Richard.' and he hated it. He said that he could only trust me with Layla. The first time he said that was the first time I realized he hated his stepdad. I had always known he never like the man but I never knew he hated him like that. At every little opportunity, Liam made sure that Layla and I were together. At first, I wanted to run because I wasn't used to just me and her alone but gradually with Liam's encouragement I got used to it.
Hearing a notification of a text on my phone I snapped out of my daydream. Picking up my phone I noticed got a miss call from Liam and he send me a text message.
"He has got to be kidding me," I said as I read Liam's text.
I rush out of my bed as I thought, I got to stop him.
"He's going to get himself killed," I said, hoping that all this was a terrible joke.