Driven To You

The day of the big exam arrived, bringing with it a familiar cocktail of nerves and focus that always gripped Layla before a test. She sat at her usual desk, her fingers drumming lightly on the edge. Around her, the room buzzed with tension as students reviewed last-minute notes or whispered hurriedly to each other.

"Good luck," Aaron whispered as he passed her desk, his voice just loud enough for her to hear.

Layla glanced up, her eyebrows arching slightly. It was unusual for him to acknowledge her like this in public, even in such a low-key way. "I don't need luck," she shot back, her tone sharp but playful.

Aaron smirked, his trademark confidence on full display. "We'll see," he said, settling into his seat.

The exam itself was grueling, the kind that demanded full concentration and a clear head. Layla's pencil moved swiftly across the paper as she tackled each question, her mind flicking back to the late-night study session with Aaron. Despite herself, she had to admit it had been useful.

By the time she handed in her paper, she felt a rare sense of accomplishment. She walked out of the classroom with her head held high, her steps lighter than they'd been in weeks.

As she rode her motorcycle home that afternoon, the crisp autumn air stung her cheeks, but it couldn't dampen her mood. She parked in the driveway, the familiar sound of the engine fading into the quiet of the neighborhood.

Inside, the house was still and slightly cold. Layla set her bag down near the door and headed to the kitchen, pulling out a bottle of water from the fridge. Her phone buzzed on the counter, the screen lighting up with her mom's name.

Layla stared at it for a moment, debating whether to answer. She knew what this call was about—Thanksgiving. Her parents had been divorced for years, and every holiday seemed to turn into a tug-of-war.

Reluctantly, she swiped to answer. "Hi, Mom."

"Hi, sweetheart!" her mom's voice chirped, overly cheerful. "How was your exam?"

"It was fine," Layla replied, keeping her tone neutral.

"That's wonderful! Listen, I was calling to see what your plans are for Thanksgiving. I'd love for you to come stay with me this year. We could make it a girls' weekend—movies, shopping, all your favorites."

Layla clenched her jaw. It always started like this, with promises and platitudes that only made the inevitable guilt trip hit harder.

"I don't know yet, Mom," she said, her voice tight. "I haven't decided."

There was a pause on the other end before her mom's tone softened. "Honey, I just want to make sure you're taken care of. You know your dad can be...distracted."

And there it was—the subtle jab at her father, wrapped in concern. Layla felt the frustration bubbling up inside her.

"Mom, can you stop? This isn't about Dad. It's about you wanting to feel better about yourself by dragging me into your drama."

"Layla, that's not fair—"

"Fair? You want to talk about fair?" Layla's voice rose, the anger spilling out before she could stop it. "How about you stop using me as a pawn in whatever grudge you're still holding? I'm not some prize for you to win, okay?"

"Layla, please, I'm just trying to—"

"I can't do this right now," Layla snapped, ending the call and tossing her phone onto the counter. She gripped the edge of the countertop, her breaths coming fast and shallow.

The silence in the house felt suffocating. She tried to shake it off, but the familiar weight of loneliness settled over her shoulders like a heavy blanket.

A knock at the door startled her. Wiping at her eyes, she walked over and opened it to find Annie standing there, a paper bag in one hand and a concerned look in her eyes.

"Hey," Annie said softly, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. "Thought you might need some company."

Layla blinked, surprised but grateful. "What are you doing here?"

"Call it a best friend's intuition," Annie said, setting the bag on the counter. She pulled out two steaming cups of hot chocolate and handed one to Layla.

"Thanks," Layla muttered, wrapping her hands around the warm cup. She took a sip, letting the rich sweetness soothe her frayed nerves.

Annie leaned against the counter, watching her carefully. "You wanna talk about it?"

Layla shook her head. "It's just my mom. She called about Thanksgiving, and...I don't know. I just lost it."

Annie nodded, her expression understanding but patient. She didn't push, waiting for Layla to continue.

"It's always the same," Layla said after a moment, her voice quieter now. "She and my dad act like I'm some trophy they have to fight over, but neither of them actually cares what I want. I hate it."

Annie reached out, placing a comforting hand on Layla's arm. "That's rough, Lay. I'm sorry you have to deal with that."

Layla shrugged, trying to play it off, but the crack in her voice betrayed her. "I'm just so tired of being in the middle."

"Then don't be," Annie said simply.

Layla frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, come stay with me for Thanksgiving," Annie said, her tone matter-of-fact. "My family loves you, and you won't have to deal with any of this crap. We'll eat too much pie, binge-watch holiday movies, and laugh at my brother's terrible jokes. What do you say?"

Layla hesitated, the offer catching her off guard. Annie's family had always been warm and welcoming, but she didn't want to impose.

"Are you sure?" Layla asked, her voice tentative.

"Of course I'm sure," Annie said firmly. "You're like family, Lay. Besides, my mom already asked if you were coming. She's making your favorite stuffing."

Layla's lips twitched into a small smile. "She is?"

"Yup. So, it's settled. You're coming home with me."

Layla nodded slowly, the weight in her chest lifting just a little. "Thanks, Annie. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Annie grinned. "Probably something reckless and stupid. But that's why you've got me—to keep you in line."

Layla laughed, the sound warm and genuine for the first time that day. She reached out and hugged Annie tightly, the warmth of her best friend's presence grounding her in a way nothing else could.

"Alright," Annie said, pulling back. "Now, let's raid your chocolate stash and complain about boys. Sound good?"

"Perfect," Layla said with a chuckle, following Annie to the couch. For the first time in weeks, she felt like everything might actually be okay.