Layton's p.o.v

Soon our break was over and school resumed. There was still no word from Jamie, I had been itching to text him but hadn't- no it wasn't because of some egotistical complex I had, it was because of fear, fear of rejection, fear that he was living a life of normality, fear that things would never be the same again and if any of those were to come true, how would I pick myself up? In this case ignorance was truly bliss.

Kiandre and I managed to get over our first clash as a couple, barely wounded. The next couple of weeks went by in a flash, my birthday had come and gone, I narrowed down my law school choices and Kiandre looked into universities nearby, he didn't want to be far away from his family in case they needed him.

The honest truth that we would be 1000's of miles away from each other had put a damper on things- of course I wanted to be selfish and have him by myside but the reality of the situation meant that I would be asking him to choose me over his family and that would tear him apart, how could I do that to the man I loved? I had searched on the internet 'how often do long distance relationships work' - 58%, that's promising.

End of p.o.v

It was Wednesday morning, Layton was arguing with Freddy about what song they should perform at the end of year senior dance. The school bell rang and classes were about to begin, Kiandre was nowhere in sight. The day went by and still no word from him, it was late in the evening when Layton really began to worry, she picked up her keys and was about to drive to South Heights when Joyce alerted her she had a visitor.

It was Kiandre, eyes bloodshot, the vein on his temple clearly swollen and his jaw clenched. He stroked the side of his chin and let out a huge 'sigh'.

Layton had approached him for a hug, she knew better than to swarm him with a million questions. He just needed to be held, she felt his muscles relax at her touch.

"I hate her so much" Kiandre exclaimed

He saw the confused look on Layton's face and knew she would need more details before responding

"My mother, this morning she was too wasted to get Leo ready for school and she hadn't done grocery shopping in a week. I'm sorry amore mio that I didn't reply or call you back but my day went from bad to worse. I had returned from the store to find that my mother had sold my bike to one of her merry men, oh did I mention she had been fired, that was her reasoning behind the sale. I was fuming and didn't want you to get the brunt of it, so I went to the bar and had a couple of beers but that didn't help, I needed you"

"I'm sorry Kia, hey we can go buy your bike back, let's go."

"No that certainly isn't your responsibility, I don't need my girlfriend to bail me out every time my life goes to shit, I am the man here it's my job to take care of you."

"This is a partnership, we are equals don't come here with your patriarchal crap" Layton roared at him

Kiandre went silent for a moment and stared at her

"I know what you can do to help"

"Name it"

"I want to file for guardianship of my siblings and remove that women from our lives, your dad can help, he holds weight in society, I'm of legal age and have been taking care of the household all this time anyway"

"Kiandre are you sure, you're still in school and what about your future? You're basically becoming a dad"

"I can work around that, Tyler has an afterschool job as well, between the two of us and Elle seeing to Leo we will be fine. Look I know its unorthodox, but I know my mother and its not long before she starts 'escorting' I don't want Elle and Leo to be in that environment, I don't want what almost happened to you happen to them"

During the three weeks that proceeded, Mr. Cruz had met with Kiandre and advised him on what steps to take (although he was apprehensive about the ordeal), he had set up a meeting with legal counsel that would take on Kiandre's case for gratis. Kiandre would spend any free time he had with his attorney building a case against his mother, between that, work and school he was spread thin.

He had become distant and even when he was around, his mind wasn't, he begun missing days of school at a time and ignoring Layton's calls, he was on a mission and saw all these things as distractions.

Kiandre was losing himself in trying to rescue his family.

Layton was hurting but knew Kiandre was doing what he thought was right, she wasn't going to be a nagging girlfriend and decided to give him some space. First Jamie now Kiandre, 'are those who love me cursed', she thought to herself before the vibration of her phone brought her back to reality. It was her father.

"Sweetheart, get to St. Maria's ASAP, its Joyce"

Layton wasted no time and made her way to the hospital, unfortunately it was too late, Joyce had passed away and that was her final straw, she broke down, uncontrollable sobs, her father tried consoling her but to no effect.

"Come here babe"

Layton heard a familiar voice, she prayed it was Kiandre and a piece of her hoped it was Jamie, through blurry eyes she sees Rose and Cassidy. The two friends she knew she could count on.

She knew Rose would have tried to get through to Kiandre but as usual he wouldn't have picked up, she had just lost someone that meant more to her than a mother but sadness turned into anger 'what if I was in the hospital or needed him, he is so wrapped up in his own world he forgot that I existed in it'

Joyce's funeral went by swiftly and Layton decided to take a few days off school, she wanted to be alone. Rose and Cass worried that she would slip into a dark place and didn't know how to get her back into the light.

Kiandre had shown up at school and Rose let him have it

"Glad to see your limbs are still intact, so you can pick up a damn phone" she shoved him. Cass pulled her away

"What's going on Rose you're feistier than usual, where is Layton" Kiandre asked

"Now you bother, you had big words to say when she didn't turn to you for comfort yet when she does you are nowhere to be found" Cass replies

"Joyce passed on, Layton needed you, we all tried to get a hold of you but nothing, what the hell man you are throwing away all the good things in your life in pursuit of what? To be more tied to the things that are weighing you down?" barks Rose

"They are my family Rose what do you want me to do? Sit by and watch their lives get ruined. I don't have time for this, I'm going to see my angelo."

At the Cruz residence

Mr. Cruz opens the door to see an out of breath Kiandre awaiting in front of it

"I know" Kiandre utters with a pleading face and guilt in his eyes

"You need to think son, a man can't juggle the world while holding someone's hand because eventually both will be dropped" says Mr. C whilst he steps aside so Kiandre can enter

Kiandre stops for a moment before heading upstairs where he meets Layton halfway, she stares at him emotionless before turning around and heading back into her room, she leaves the door open, an indication that he may enter.

"I'm so sorry Bellissma, I know I should've done better, been better for you" Kiandre gets on his knees in front of her and hugs her waist. "Everything is such a mess and I let that cloud my love for you, I'm so conflicted I don't know what to do, this, us has been the best thing that has ever happened to me but I'm failing you and I don't know how to fix things"

Layton drops down on her knees, been much shorter than Kiandre, her head facing his chest, she looks up to him.

"You know what you need to do, it's just not something we both want to hear. Sometimes love, no matter how wonderful and consuming it is, isn't enough. Sacrifices have to be made once in a while" Tears stream down her face

Her grabs her chin and brings his lips to meet hers, this kiss was tender and filled with words unspoken. It indeed felt like goodbye, he was the first to break away from the kiss

"You are going to do such great things and I'll always be proud of you. Having your love with me will give me strength to fight and find my way back to you I promise you this Layton Cruz, this isn't a full stop it's simply a comma, there's more to come, we just have to wait on time. When I saw you, your smile was the first thing that captivated my soul, so please don't let someone like me be the reason it goes away."

"Promise me, we will have our someday" cried Layton

"You are it for me, my future you're that once in a lifetime dream come true, I just wish time had better timing for me and you. Prometto che avremo il nostro un giorno" (I promise we will have our someday)

He gives her once last kiss before getting up and leaving

"Arrivederci per ora, amore mio. (Goodbye for now my love) I love you Bellissma."

Kiandre's p.o.v

Layton was simply the tranquility in my world of chaos, unfortunately I had become accustomed to the pain and felt comfort in it. I knew my love for her would not falter, I would do anything in my power to ensure her happiness and success, right now that power may not be much but I'm going to work my ass off to change that for our future.

Walking away from the person that brought me peace felt like needles been shoved through my brain but it had to be done,I needed to make my life a better one before sharing it with her again. A part of me says things aren't going to be the same ever again but that same part knows things are going to be so much better than before, all things are possible through faith right?

End of p.o.v