Bound Together Read online

“Need a hand down there?” He asked.

  I held out my own hand and he pulled me to my feet. Now that I was face to face with this guy I could see how dazzlingly good looking he was. His hair was black and rested just above his chin. It was straight but he wore it a bit tousled underneath his gray beanie. He had an eyebrow ring in his right brow and a ring piercing on the left side of his mouth. I quickly found myself staring at his lips. They were plump and the lip ring pinched and pressed against the corner of his mouth when he smiled. I wondered what it would be like to kiss a guy with a lip ring.

  “You looking for your dorm?” he asked, pulling me away from my inappropriate thoughts.

  I glanced up to discover the deepest brown eyes I had ever seen. “Yeah. Sorry, I was miles away. I didn’t see you there.”

  He shook his head and held up his hands. “No need to apologize. This place is a lot to take in. So, which room are you in?”

  I surveyed the hallway only to discover that my dorm was opposite to his. “Um. This one. Actually.”

  Bending, he grabbed my key which was sitting on the floor next to his foot and opened my door.

  The room was a comfortable size, lit by a large window on the far wall. Pushed against the corner of the room was a single bed which separated the room almost completely in half. A small, modest, en suite bathroom with a shower was visible in the other corner. The whole space appeared so bare compared to my old bedroom, but I told myself that with a few pictures and some keepsakes, it would feel just like home. I turned around with a satisfied smile on my face. He was leaning in my doorway with his hands in his pockets.

  “It’s not the Ritz, but it’ll do right?” he said before I took my key from him and gave him my friendliest smile.

  He was right. It definitely was not the Ritz. But yes, it would do.

  “So I guess we’re going to be neighbors.” I tried to sound like it was no big deal but this guy was hot and I was desperately trying to control myself from letting my eyes and hands wander all over him. Knowing that he would be living just across the hall from me gave me sinful ideas. I mean, our beds would be literally a few yards apart. Yeah, I know there are walls and doors too, but it was still pretty close.

  He shrugged impassively and smiled. “Guess so.”

  He walked across the hall to his room and I followed, thinking that I must have seemed to be the biggest, clumsiest idiot in the place. I mentally chastised myself for my stupidity in the hallway and also for my lustful inspection of him. I had just started heading down the hallway when he yelled after me, “Oliver Green by the way!”

  I turned and nodded at him. “Layla Jennings.”

  The corner of his mouth turned up almost as if he were amused by this. Then he walked into his room and shut the door.

  Well that went well. The first person I meet at college and not only do I crash into him, I land flat on my back with my legs in the air. Great start Lay.

  When I finally returned to the car, dad was already unloading the boxes. Generally, unloading the trunk took him seconds but today he seemed to take his time. I supposed he did this just to be with me a little bit longer. Or maybe he was still trying to accept that I really wasn’t going back home with him. Even though I was tremendously excited about starting my new life at college, I had always known that this day was going to be challenging for both of us. I never imagined I would feel so guilty about leaving him. Dad's pained expression reminded me that while I was making new friends, going out and having fun, he would be having meals for one in an empty house.

  I strolled over and began to help him unload. Dad shook his head at me, “I got this honey. Did you find your room?” The smile he gave me was not his usual bright and cheery one. It was forced and I could see that he was trying hard to conceal his emotions but I decided to play along for both our sakes. “Yeah I found it. Think I made a great first impression on the guy living across from me though.” I rolled my eyes at myself. What a klutz.

  Dad's eyebrows shot up and his eyes narrowed as he stared down at me with a dubious look on his face. “Guy? There’s a guy living across from you?” I prepared myself for his overprotective and highly anti boy speech. I’d heard it hundreds of times before but something told me that I was about to hear it again.

  “Layla. You’re a young woman now. I know you’re intelligent enough to recognize who you should and shouldn’t associate with. But, I also realize that this is college. Hell, I remember college. Which is why I’m concerned. Don’t get too caught up with the guys here. They’re young, reckless and only looking for one thing. I don’t have to give you the other talk, do I? You don’t want to flunk out because you’re knocked up by some frat boy.”

  I rolled my eyes and instantly regretted it as I caught a glimpse of the stern look he was directing at me. I shook my head and ran to him, flinging my arms around his neck. He squeezed me tightly, lifting me off the ground and burying his face in my hair. I could feel the sting of tears in my eyes but I couldn’t let dad see me so upset. He kissed my forehead and set me back on my feet. I could see the tears beginning to form in his eyes too.

  Staring down at me with a serious expression, he held my hands firmly in his. “If at any point you want to come home, just call. I’ll come straight here to get you. Any time. Night or day. You can always change your mind.”

  I placed my index finger over his lips to silence him. “Dad it’s going to be fine. I’m going to be fine. You’re going to be ok without me. It’s not forever. I’ll be home this weekend and we’ll have dinner. It’ll be good.” I beamed at him, hoping that he wouldn't notice the tears which were fighting to be let out. The dam was sure to burst soon.

  I hated long goodbyes. Needing the separation to be short and sweet, I picked up one of the large boxes and looked up at him. “Well, I better go unpack. I’ll see you this weekend. I love you daddy.”

  He nodded and focused his eyes at the ground. I turned on my heel and headed to the dorm building, glancing back to see him in the car with his forehead on the steering wheel. His hand came up and I knew he was wiping away a tear. My own warm, salty tears began to flow freely down my cheeks. It was going to be ok.

  I kept repeating that to myself as I walked to my room. It was going to be fine and all I had to do was believe it.

  Chapter 2

  Amy

  I stood for a few minutes scrutinizing my side of the room. Everything was unpacked and I simply couldn’t believe my whole life had been in just four large cardboard boxes. Everything had its place. Books were on the desk in alphabetical order, my clothes all hung neatly, color coded in my closet and the bed was made with military precision. Mom had always called my need for order and organization kind of nit-picky. Dad called it quirky. I called it necessary. My grandmother had always told me, “a tidy home, a tidy mind.” I could never get anything done if my living space was cluttered with junk, it was distracting and unproductive. My mind was almost instantly swamped with thoughts of my roommate. There was a good chance she would not be as “quirky” as I was.

  Just as I had begun to wonder what hell I was in for, the door flew open. Standing in the doorway holding a Louis Vuitton purse, was the most striking girl I had ever seen. Her long dark hair flowed down to her shoulders and a few locks hung just around her face, highlighting her huge green eyes. She was slender and had an impressive athletic figure. She was almost the complete opposite to me.

  She sauntered in and placed her purse on the empty bed across the room. As she turned around, the beaming smile on her face indicated that she had finally realized that there was actually someone else in the room. Her eyes lit up. “You must be L. Jennings. I’m Amy Brookes! Oh this is wonderful. I’ve never had a sister or even a best friend and now I have a roommate! I just know were going to be BFF’s. I’m so excited!”

  She was crazy. Jumping up and down on the spot and giggling with delight. I regarded her with and arched brow. Two more people entered the room, but they were guys. Both appeared to be aroun
d my age and were very well built. I assumed that they were also students at the college. They carried two large Louis Vuitton suitcases. Of course she would have a matching set.

  “Thanks guys, just put them on the bed there.” She smiled at them and they waved as they left. I was dumbstruck. This girl was waltzing straight into this room with her designer luggage, manic and energetic persona and two random guys in tow. What planet was she from? This was going to be difficult. I could tell.

  Amy began unpacking while I sat on my bed reading the latest issue of Cosmo. I glanced up every now and then to watch her. Everything she took from her suitcase was greeted with enthusiasm and awe. She was exhausting. The next thing to emerge was a pair of red and white pom-poms. I was clearly right about the pom-pom waving cheerleader bit.

  Amy caught me looking and shook them at me. I smiled, but in my mind I was imaging that she was probably one of those girls in high school. She walked over and sat next to me on the bed. Tilting her head to one side she appeared to be studying me. “So, L.Jennings, where are you from?”

  I glanced up from my magazine. She was staring at me with that goofy grin on her face again.

  “Pasadena. And it’s Layla.”

  She seemed to contemplate this for a while. Why? I have no idea. We sat in awkward silence for several seconds before I realized what she was waiting for.

  “So where are you from Amy? You from around here?”

  Bingo.

  Her eyes danced as she told me all about her life in Beverly Hills.

  Amy’s dad was a judge and her stepmom an interior designer for the rich and famous. Her mom had died while giving birth to her. She’d chosen California State after her father told her that it had an impeccable record and reputation in the field of human science. He wanted her to be a doctor but Amy had always wanted to be a fashion designer. They compromised and she agreed to take some human science classes while he agreed that she should take some art classes. He was paying for it after all.

  After listening to Amy talk about her life at home, I began to think about my mom and dad. I missed dad already. Mom knew that today was moving day and she’d sent a text that morning, telling me that she’d call later after work. But I wasn’t going to hold my breath.

  Amy let out a long sigh, bringing me out of my day dream. “I’m starving and I could use some caffeine. There’s a cute little coffee shop just off campus. They make a latte that’s been brewed in heaven! Wanna get some?”

  I shrugged and swung my feet off the bed, placing them into my black pumps. I nodded and she beamed at me then darted, grabbing her purse before we headed out the door.

  What did I have to lose?

  * * *

  Amy was right, the coffee shop was cute. It was a small place with large windows and dim lighting, which gave it a warm glow. There were several sets of tables and chairs around the edges of the room and in the center were two couches and a coffee table. The walls were magnolia with bold colorful paintings of coffee cups hanging on them. They were retro and I loved them. The whole place had a cozy and intimate feel to it. The atmosphere was relaxed and casual with an air of camaraderie. The aromatic scents of roasted coffee beans and vanilla filled the air and I was suddenly hankering for something sweet and creamy. This place was a far cry from those large stores that are part of a global chain.

  Amy put her hands on my shoulders and steered me to the counter. She ordered two caramel lattes and refused to let me pay. We sat at a corner table next to one of the large windows and I gazed out the window at all the people going about their day. I liked people watching and I could have spent hours doing it. I guess that’s why most of my classes mainly consisted of human behavior and psychology. But I got the feeling Amy would keep me engaged in conversation rather than let me sit in peace watching the world go by.

  “So Layla did you get a scholarship to come here? Or are you paying your way through school? Or your parents?” She sat back and blew at the coffee in her cup.

  A little foam dripped down the side and she quickly scooped it up with her finger before snorting a laugh and licking it off. This girl was something else. “Actually my parents are paying but I guess I should really get a job to help out. I mean books and food don’t come cheap.” I sat back and stared out the window. I really was going to have to get out there soon and find some work.

  Amy jolted forward, nearly spilling her coffee. She bounced up and down animatedly on her chair. “Oh Layla how lucky! They have a position here! I was passing through the other day with daddy. We were looking at the campus and we stopped for coffee. Anyway, while we were here I overheard one of the waitresses talking about needing to hire someone to work a few hours a week. You should totally apply! It’s right near the campus and you’ll never have to drink bad coffee again!”

  She was grinning and looking at me as if I was her new favorite doll. At that moment, I kind of felt like her new project.

  I winced a little and shrugged, creasing my eyebrows together. “I don’t know. Maybe. I don’t even have my class schedule worked out yet.”

  Amy rolled her eyes at me and tutted. “Oh Layla. It wouldn’t hurt to ask. I’m sure they could work your hours around classes. Plus, once you’re in you can pretty much make your own hours. You said you needed a job. Well here’s your chance. Stop rolling your eyes at me, get off your ass and get up there.”

  She pointed at the counter and glared at me. I bit the corner of my lip and begrudgingly stood up, grabbing my coffee as I headed over to the counter.

  An older woman was at the register looking at receipts. She seemed a little upset and every now and then she would shake her head while studying the small pieces of paper in her hand. It was now or never.

  I approached the counter and she peered over her glasses at me. “Hi, can I get you another?” She pointed at my cup and I shook my head with a small smile.

  “Um no thanks. I’m good here. I was actually wondering if you had any open positions. I’m a student over at Cali State and I was looking for some part time work.”

  She angled her head to one side and looked me up and down, almost inspecting me. “Well I do have a few shifts available. Have you ever worked in a shop before?”

  I shook my head, biting on my lip again. “But I’m a really hard worker, I learn fast and I’m always willing to cover shifts. I’m dedicated, focused and I swear you wouldn’t regret it.”

  She sighed and rubbed her forehead with her hand. “Well, considering you’re the only applicant I’ve had who isn’t covered in tattoos, piercings or black nail polish; I don’t have many other options. Ok, we’ll give you a trial and see how you do. It’s simple enough to learn. Can you start tomorrow for training? Say 9 a.m.?” I nodded and grinned at her. “I’ll be here. 9 a.m. sharp. Thank you so much…” I leaned in to read her name badge. “Lorraine. Really. Thank you.”

  She sighed again, shaking her head as she rummaged under the counter for something. She handed me some forms to fill out for tax and emergency contacts. I filled them out on the spot and gave them back to her. She studied them and gave me a sympathetic smile “One of your parents an Eric Clapton fan? That’s a great song Layla.” She said the last few words in a bit of a singsong and I knew exactly what she was talking about. Dad loved that song. He used to sing it to me when I was little. He said I used to giggle and laugh so much, it just made him want to sing it more. I’d heard the song many times but people rarely connected my name to it. I mean, not many people my age knew about it.

  Mel had always known. But she had grown up with me. Dad had played it in the house so often that Mel would fall about laughing and playing air guitar. I missed her. I would have to call her later as promised. I couldn’t wait to tell her about Amy.

  I finished making arrangements for the next day with Lorraine and went back to the table. Amy had been watching me the whole time. I sat back down and she raised her eyebrows at me. “So?”

  I gave her a brief smile and shrugged as I sat down. �
�I start training tomorrow at 9 a.m.”

  She let out a small squeak and grinned. “See Layla Jennings. You’re at college now. It’s time to take chances, maybe some risks too. Who knows, it could open up a whole new world for you. And now you have me, I’ll be making sure you take lots of both!”