Chapter 7: Night Out

"Hey!" Mia called from across the food court where Layla was grabbing a cup of coffee and a muffin.

"Hey you, how was your first night back?" Layla asked, still feeling fatigued from her restless sleep.

"Girl, I slept like a d*mn baby," Mia bragged, as she took a sip of her coffee.

"Lucky you," Layla droned.

"How could you not sleep? I was straight exhausted," Mia said.

The two of them started to walk through the food court and toward the elevator that would take them to the fifth floor and their first class of the day. The only class they shared together this semester was their math course.

"I hardly got any sleep," Layla groaned, taking a long drink of her coffee.

"It's probably the jet lag," Mia commented, waving to someone across the room.

"Yeah, probably," Layla murmured, thinking about the dream she had the night before.

"So, what are you up to today?" Mia asked. "You doing anything fun tonight?"

"No, I'm all funned out," Layla said with a laugh. "I'm going to stay home and catch up on some homework."

"Yeah, I probably should too. Finals are coming up fast," Mia said, scrunching her face with distaste.

"How are you feeling about your classes?" Layla asked, approaching the elevator and hitting the call button.

"Pretty good," Mia said with a shrug. "I'm going to have to copy off of you in math, I'm still not getting some of it."

Layla laughed. "No way, I'm going to be sitting on the opposite side of the room."

"You're no fun," Mia pouted as the doors of the elevator opened and they stepped inside.

***

After their math class was over, Mia and Layla went their separate ways and Layla started the trip across campus to her next class. It was a beautiful, sunny Florida day and Layla was glad that she had chosen shorts and a light shirt to wear as she hefted her bag over her shoulder and made her way across the quad. Students were scattered across the green grass and seated at picnic tables; some were studying quietly by themselves while others were in groups chatting with one another.

As Layla walked, her thoughts were her only company. Unfortunately, they wanted to think about none other than Atreus. The dreams she kept having of him were so vivid and realistic that they surprised her. She had never had such detailed dreams before, they always faded and were blurry once she woke.

But not the dreams with her and Atreus, those were colorful and heady with scents and sounds that still echoed in her mind. Layla sighed as she walked. When was she going to be able to shake these thoughts? At this point, it was on the brink of obsession. Besides, Atreus was halfway across the world. She was never going to see him again.

The thought was like a punch in the gut.

Layla made it to the building that held her anthropology class and stepped inside the air-conditioned halls. Just like the other buildings, it was bustling with students and professors. She made her way through the lobby and found the stairway that led to the second floor. Just as she was about to venture into the stairwell, she heard her name.

"Layla!"

She turned toward the voice and saw Ryan running up to her. His brilliant blue eyes always filled her with warmth, but right now she felt a little put off. She wasn't really in the mood for socializing.

"Hey Ryan," Layla gave him a genuine smile. It wasn't his fault that she was moody today. It was Atreus' fault. "How's it been going?"

"I'm good," he said, stopping in front of her. "How was Rome? Was it awesome?"

"Yea, it was really great," Layla said enthusiastically. "We got to see so much stuff. It was an awesome experience."

Ryan nodded as he watched her for a moment. "Listen," he said, shuffling his feet. "I've been thinking about something since you left and it's been driving me nuts."

"What's up?" Layla asked, tilting her head in curiosity.

"I was actually wondering if I could take you out tonight… or whenever. I just… do you wanna go out on a date with me? I was thinking dinner and then maybe go grab a few drinks?" he managed to get out nervously.

Layla was shocked as she stood there staring at him for a moment. There was a sparkle of excitement in her stomach as she watched his face warm. This is something that she had wanted for some time.

And why shouldn't she? Ryan was gorgeous, smart, and the sweetest guy she knew, and at that moment in complete agony waiting for her to answer. Layla cleared her throat and smiled.

"That sounds like fun," she said, readjusting her bag on her shoulders. "Let's go out tonight."

"Awesome," Ryan said with a smile. "I'll pick you up from your apartment tonight at seven, ok?"

"Sounds good," she said.

"All right, well I gotta get to class." He gave her a wave and jogged off. Layla waved back and watched him leave.

'This is a good thing,' she thought to herself as she turned around to go into the stairwell.

But a lingering feeling kept nagging at her, telling her that it wasn't.

***

Around six forty-five that evening Layla was bustling around her apartment getting ready. She chose a semi-casual outfit but still flashy enough to be date-worthy.

She picked some curve-hugging black pants with matching heels and a loose strappy white top that hung low on the curves of her breasts, revealing just the right amount of cleavage. To top off the outfit she picked a delicate silver chain with a single sapphire gem and silver hoop earrings.

Just as she had spritzed on some perfume, there was a knock at her door. Layla made her way over and opened it. Ryan stood there looking extremely handsome in a pair of fitted jeans and a grey jacket. His hair was ruffled with gel letting his bangs fringe his eyebrows. The smell of his cologne was enticing, smelling of musky spice and honey.

Layla thought for a fleeting moment about the scent of Atreus and how intoxicating it was. She shoved those thoughts aside and gave Ryan a smile.

Ryan's eyes scanned her body appreciatively.

"Wow, Layla, you look beautiful," he said with an affectionate smile.

"Thanks, so do you… I mean you look really nice," Layla stuttered out and then blushed.

It was hard not to blush around Ryan with his stunning blue eyes and chiseled face. He had boxed all through high school and college, so his body was built like a Greek God. But that wasn't all that was so attractive about him. Ryan was one of the nicest guys she knew ever since she met him.

"Thanks for inviting me out, Ryan. I'm really excited," she said, grabbing her purse by the door and stepping out into the hallway, locking it behind her.

"Me too," Ryan said, running his hand through his dark brown hair.

It was clear that he was just as nervous as Layla was.

"So, where are we going?" Layla asked as they both started down the hallway to the exit.

"There is this restaurant that is right next to the beach. It's got lobster rolls and crab boils. I remember you saying that you loved lobster rolls, so I thought of you when I found it," he said proudly.

Layla was flattered that he had remembered that. She couldn't even recall when she had mentioned that tidbit about herself.

"That sounds amazing. I am starving right now," Layla said with a laugh.

The two of them made their way out into the warm humid evening and to Ryan's royal blue Chevy Malibu. Ryan opened the passenger door for Layla and she slipped inside.

After a short drive towards the coast, they pulled up to a restaurant right on the beach called Paulie's Seafood: World Famous Lobster Rolls. Stepping out of the car, they made their way up the plank walk towards the building that was bordered by a wood plank patio. The patio was lit up with strings of garden lights and soft music sounded from the speakers.

"Do you want to eat inside or outside?" Ryan asked as they stepped up to the host.

"Outside, for sure," Layla said with a smile.

Soon they were seated at a table on the large patio that faced the ocean. They both scanned their menus quietly for a moment.

"Wow, you were right. This lobster roll looks amazing. I think I'm going to get two," Layla said with a laugh.

"I think I'll do the same," Ryan said, folding his menu and placing it on the table. "So, what was your favorite part about Rome?"

Layla's mind immediately saw Atreus' face. Clearing her throat, she put her menu down and gave Ryan a smile.

"I don't think anything can beat the Colosseum," Layla said. "But it was all so amazing. It's definitely worth seeing once in your life."

Ryan nodded and was about to say something when a waitress approached to take their orders.

"What can I get y'all today?" she asked in a southern accent.

"Can we get two lobster rolls for each of us, please? Layla, do you want a drink?" Ryan asked turning his attention to her.

"Yeah, go ahead and grab me a blonde ale please," she said, handing her menu to the waitress.

"I'll take the same," Ryan said giving the waitress a charming smile.

She blinked at him before returning his smile, clearly stunned by his handsome face.

"You got it," she said, a coy smile on her face as she walked away.

It was quiet for a few moments as they enjoyed the soft breeze that refreshed the stifling air.

"So," Layla started, "how have you been? How are your studies going?"

Ryan sighed and sat back in his chair. "They are rough this semester. I'm going to have to put my head down and study for a week straight before I'll feel confident enough to walk into finals."

"I get it," Layla said with a nod. "This has been a tough semester."

Another moment of silence spread between them.

"So, what do you think about going out dancing tonight? Some of the crew are going to a new club not far from here. You feeling up to it?" Ryan asked casually, but Layla noticed the anticipation in his voice.

"Yeah, I think that would be really fun," Layla said with a smile.

After the two received their meals, they ate as they chatted about school and their plans for the summer. As soon as they finished their food Ryan paid the check and they made their way back to the car.

"So, what's this club called?" Layla asked, slipping into the front seat of Ryan's Chevy.

"Night Beat… or something pretentious like that," Ryan said with a laugh.

"Of course," Layla said with a snort.

The two cruised through the city which was lit up with glowing lights and bustling with people from all walks of life on the sidewalks. It wasn't long before they were pulling up to the valet outside of the club.

The valet opened Layla's door and she waited on the sidewalk for Ryan who handed his keys to the valet before joining her. The music could be heard from outside as the two walked through the blacked-out glass doors together.

Music enveloped them as soon as they stepped inside. The club was already packed with people dancing on the dance floor which was lit with led lights that flashed different colors. Overhang lights flashed to the beat, making it slightly disorienting to navigate through the bodies of people.

"Do you want to get a drink first?" Ryan said loudly over the music.

Layla nodded and Ryan guided her to the bar that was on the opposite side of the club and away from the booming music. After they were seated, they ordered a couple of drinks and watched the partying of those around them.

"Wow, this place is really bumpin'," Layla said, taking a sip of her amaretto sour.

"Yeah, I wasn't expecting it to be so crazy," Ryan said ruefully.

"That's ok! I'm having fun," Layla said, nudging his shoulder.

Ryan looked at her with his charming smile and their eyes locked for a moment. A glitter of excitement filled Layla's tummy as she gazed into his eyes. He really was a handsome guy.

But the excitement in her stomach flipped to suspense when she felt a familiar electric shock send shivers up her spine.