Kaleb's POV

After Layla ran away from me in that hallway, I texted Whitney letting her know what happened and asked her to check on Layla since I'm not allowed in the girls' bathroom. I hadn't heard back from Whitney, but I wasn't too worried at first.  I'm sure it would take her a little bit to calm Layla down.

 It was raining outside which meant we would be in the gym with the cheerleaders today. Our school has two gyms. The first one is a huge gym that is section off into three parts by bleachers. It's used for practice and gym class. The other gym is strictly used for home games for basketball and volley ball.

On days that it rains, and we have to be inside we get to take the first sections of the gym and basically just hang out while the cheerleaders practice in the third section. The guys and I walked over to the third section where the cheerleaders were working on their routines. Normally we wouldn't bother them because Whitney says the girls get to distracted when they see the guys, but I needed to know what happened with Layla.

"Whitney isn't here yet." Daniel says.

I sigh. "She's probably still with Layla."

Connor pats me on the back. "It will be fine. Stop worrying so much."

We walk to the back wall of the third section in hopes of not distracting the cheerleaders to much. After about thirty minutes Jake points to the gym doors and in walks Whitney. Behind Whitney is Summer and Winter with their arms linked with Layla's practically dragging her into the gym. She wasn't kidding about not wanting to be a cheerleader. I smile at her and Connor waves, but she quickly turns her head away from us.

All the cheerleaders' attention seems to be on Layla. Most just seem curious at why she is there but there are a few that are looking at her like she is yesterday trash. Whitney, Summer, Winter and Layla now are all standing with their backs to us. Whitney starts telling the cheerleaders something, but I don't pay any attention to what she is saying because all my attention is on Layla.

The guys and I decide to move closer to Whitney and Layla, but neither of them hasn't notices us standing behind them. One of the cheerleaders ask Whitney a question about lunch and their off period and this catches my attention.

Whitney tells everyone, "Today everyone can take an extra-long lunch. Being that it's only the second day of school. I doubt any big assignment have been given out yet." She looks at Layla and smiles. "Oh, and Layla, you will be joining us for lunch today. We're going out." A huge grin takes over my face with the thought of Layla spending the next couple of hours with us.

Layla frowns and it is as if I can see the wheels turning in her head. I know she's trying to think of some excuse on why she can't join us. We all know she wants to be as far as possible from us. "I-I'm sorry, but I-I can't g-go. I brought my lunch and didn't bring any money." She's lying. Or at least she's lying about bringing her lunch. She only had her backpack with her this morning. It was open when I was talking to her in the library and the only thing in it was her school books. From the looks of her house she probably telling the truth about not having any money with her, but I'm not going to let that stop her from going to lunch with us. I'll pay for her if means she will go with us.

Whitney is facing Layla, so she knows I'm here, but Layla still has no clue that I am standing right behind her. "That's okay. I'll pay." I say causing Layla to jump out of her skin. She turns around and I can tell she is immediately uncomfortable.

"Great! Kaleb's paying." Whitney says smirking at me. Had I not offered to pay I know Whitney would have offered to pay for Layla.  She wasn't going to let Layla get away from us that easily either.

Layla rapidly shake my head. "N-No that's okay. I'm good with what I brought with me."

My friends and I are all on the same page already. None of us are going to let her get out of going to lunch with us. "He's already said he was paying. It would be rude to decline." Connor smirks.

"Come on, it will be fun Layla." Summer says cheerfully.

Jake leans down and whisper to her. "You do realize that none of us are going to take no for an answer."

She swallows hard. I'm worried that she might try running from us again. Her eyes are glossy, and she whispers in defeat, "I guess I don't have choice."

"That's the spirit." Daniel jokes. I wanted to talk more with her, but coach calls us over to talk with all of us. Just twenty more minutes until lunch and I can't wait.

~~~~~

I'm outside standing next to my car with they guys. We are waiting for the girls to show up and with how long it's taking them I'm betting Layla is trying to figure a way out of going to lunch with us.

"She really doesn't want to go with us, does she?" Jake asks.

I shake my head. "No, but I also know that she didn't bring a lunch with her."

"Why would she lie about it though?" Daniel questions

I comb my fingers through my hair. "If where she lives is a clue into her life her family probably doesn't have much money." I sigh.

"So, what? She just goes without eating lunch at school? Where does she go during lunch then? And can't she qualify for free or reduce lunch?" Conner ask curiously.

"She probably goes to the library." Jake says answering Connor. "Her parents would have to fill out the paperwork, but maybe she's embarrassed by it. She shouldn't be though. It's not her fault that her family doesn't make a lot of money."

I think back to what Eve, Layla's neighbor said. "Unless her parents just don't care or want to fill it out. Her neighbor made it sound liker her dad is a deadbeat and she never mentioned her mother."

We all just stand there in silence until we hear the clicking of heals. "Sorry we're late." Whitney apologizes. I glance behind her to see Winter and Summer still dragging Layla along with them. "So where do you guys want to go for lunch?"

"Fast food or restaurant?" Winter asks.

"I'm good with anywhere." I make eye contact with Layla. "Where would you like to go?"

"Away from y'all." She silently mumbles. Connor and I laugh because we're pretty sure we were supposed to hear that.

"Can you repeat that a little louder?" Connor chuckles.

Layla blushes realizing that the two of us heard her. "I-I uh I don't know."

"How about Honeycutt's Diner? They shouldn't be to busy and they have amazing shakes." Daniel offers up.

Everyone is happy with going to Honeycutt's Diner except for Layla. She seems far to worry about having to spend time with us. Layla and Connor ride with me, while the rest rides in Daniel's jeep.

Connor rides in the front with me and Layla is seated behind me. He offered her the front seat, but she just shook her head. None of us say a word on the way to the dinner, but Connor does hum to most of the songs that play on the radio.

As we pull up to the diner, Layla becomes even more nervous. She gets out of my car and her hood falls as she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and I observe that her.   I can no longer see her bruise. I silently get Whitney's attention. I point to Layla, then my check and give her a questioning look. She rolls her eyes at me before mouthing the word 'make up.' I should have known that my cousin would help her hide the bruise.

Summer had called the restaurant on the drive here to let them know a party of 8 was on the way. We are immediately seated in the backroom when we walk through the door. Hopefully it will help with Layla's nerves since it will only be us in the room.

Layla trails behind us at we walk into the room looking like a lost child. Everyone sits down before her, leaving the only seat open for her in between me and Connor. Of course, this wasn't done by accident. Everyone knew I wanted to sit beside her.

The waitress comes hands us our menus and takes our drink orders. We all order soda besides Layla who ask for water.  I lightly nudge her with my arm. "What sounds good to you?"

She shakes her head. "I'm not hungry." She whispers.

"You have to eat something, Layla." Summer says from across the table.

Again, she shakes her head, "N-No Thank you." She places the menu down and look at her hands in her lap.  This makes everyone at the table feel uncomfortable.

I look over at my cousin asking her with my eyes what I should do. She shrugs at me while looking worriedly as Layla. Layla keeps her eyes on her hands in her lap ignoring the stares from me and my friends.

The waitress comes back and hands everyone their drinks. She starts to take everyone's order but when she comes to Connor, he as a mischievous smile on his face. "I'll take the double cheese burger with onion rings." The waitress starts to ask Layla what she wants but Connor cuts her off. "I'm ordering for her. She will have the cheeseburger and fries. Oh, and also a vanilla shake too." The waitress writes the order down before moving on the next person.

Layla looks at Connor in disbelief. "I'm not hungry."

"You're lying." He states. Connor has never been one to beat around the bush. "And even if you're not hungry now, once you see everyone else with food you will be. Plus, they do make amazing shakes here."

When our food finally arrives, everyone starts eating immediately except for Layla. She is hesitant at first but finally start to eat. She only finished half of her burger and ate had a handful of fries but I was happy that she at least ate something.  To her surprise and ours, she completely finishes her milk shake.  

"Told you they had amazing shakes." Connor says quietly to her before smirking at me. A small smile finds its way to her face for a few second but doesn't last sadly.

As the checks are placed on the table I grab all of them and put enough cash down to cover everyone's and the tip. I walk by Layla as we walk back to the car. "I'm sorry." She whispers.

"For what?" I ask confuse.

"For wasting so much of my food after you paid for it. I'll pay you back for it," She nervously says.

I stop her from walking to the car and we make eye contact. "Did you like your meal?"

She nods. "I'm just not-" She pauses for a second. She just not, what? "I mean I wasn't very hungry. Um thank you, but I will pay you back."

"No. You're not. I offered to pay for you. Plus, I paid for everyone. I just wanted to make sure you liked it." She gives me a small smile, but I could tell it was forced.

On the drive back to school she falls asleep and looks so peaceful. Since we still have forty-five minutes until fifth period starts, I tell everyone that I'm going to let her sleep a little longer. Once everyone is gone, I stare at the girl who is fast asleep in my back seat. She looks so peaceful for once. I wish she could feel peaceful during the day. She is always so on edge. I'm staring at her like a creep, but I can't will myself to look away. She turns her head a little and I see a mark on her neck. Curiosity flows through me and I want to get a better look, but I would have to wake her up and I know she would try to hide it from me.

When there is about ten minutes until class starts, I gently wake her up. We walk to class and as we walk into the classroom she turns to me and whisper, "Thank you." I can't help the smile that makes its way across my face. It might have just been a small thank you, but I feel like there was a bigger meaning to it.