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"Thank you," I whispered, a wobble in my words.
"You're welcome, dear," Mrs. Anderson replied with a soft smile, as she ignored the pain in my voice. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. I’ll send someone to give you a tour in a little while. Dinner will be at six in the main room."
I nodded, still struggling to find my words. She left me alone in the room, closing the door behind her. As I sat on the edge of the bed, my teddy bear clutched to my chest, a sense of loneliness washed over me. The tears I had held back earlier now streamed uncontrollably down my cheeks.
The more minutes that ticked by, the more my emotions swirled like a tempest, a violent storm I couldn't control. The pain of loss, the raw loneliness, it all crashed over me like a relentless wave, tearing through the fragile dam of my composure. I felt like I was drowning in an ocean of tears, each sob an echo of the ache buried deep within me. Panic clawed at my chest, a vicious beast threatening to break free.
The room, this alien space, seemed to constrict around me, a straightjacket of unfamiliarity that I couldn't escape. My heart raced, breaths came in shallow gasps. I was teetering on the edge of an abyss. The world spun, a dizzying dance that left me disoriented and struggling to find my footing.
Enough. I couldn't stay here. With a desperate gasp, I lurched off the bed, my vision a blur of saltwater, my teddy bear falling from my hands. I sprinted down the corridor, a mad dash to outrun the encroaching panic. I burst from the building and into the field behind the orphanage, the cool breeze on my face a sharp contrast to the turmoil inside.
I collapsed onto the grass, panic tightening its grip. It was as if the world had shattered, and I was lost in the debris. Then, from out of the chaos, a voice sliced through.
"Hey, hey, it's okay. Just focus on your breath. I’m right here."
I blinked through tear-soaked lashes and saw a boy standing there, concern shining from his eyes. He looked at me as though he really saw me. There was no pity like there had been in the eyes of the officers…of everyone. His deep green gaze was absent of the resignation that Ms. Thompson and Mrs. Anderson directed my way. No, all I saw in the depths of his stare was that he cared. His presence was like a lifeline in the storm, grounding me in the midst of my panic. His eyes were gentle, his voice soothing as he spoke.
"Deep breath, angel, and then exhale slowly. You're doing great."
The panic began to ebb away, replaced by a sense of calm that I hadn't thought possible.
For a minute, the frenzy was gone. The world around me disappeared until nothing but silence was left.
As the panic receded, I wiped away the remnants of my tears and peered up at him, a mix of gratitude and curiosity in my gaze.
The boy looked a little older than me, his hair a storm of wild black waves that seemed to have a mind of its own. His vibrant green eyes sparkled with mischief, and something about them made my heart race.
There was a smudge of dirt on his cheek and his grin was wide, like he knew a million secrets and couldn't wait to share all of them. His lips curved up with a natural feeling of confidence that I’d never seen in someone.
He stood there like he owned the world, his posture relaxed and ready for anything.
"Thank you," I finally managed to rasp out when I realized I was just staring at him.
His smile grew broader, like there was sunshine inside him he couldn’t contain. "It’s no biggie.” His gaze darted over my face and I wiped at the tears still dripping down my cheeks. “I'm Ari, by the way."
My voice wavered as I replied, "Layla."
“Layla,” he repeated, holding out his hand to help me off the ground.
I stared at it for a long minute, not understanding why taking it seemed like such a big decision.
When I finally reached out and grabbed it, my fate was sealed.
I just didn’t know it yet.
CHAPTER1
“You got the fucking job!” Kelsey screamed into the phone, making me wince as I pulled it away from my ear so I didn’t lose all my hearing. Waldo growled at the sound, lifting his head from the floor where he’d been napping in the sun streaming in from the window.
It took a second for what she’d said to sink in.
“I got it,” I whispered, my fingers trembling as I touched my mouth in disbelief. Waldo’s front paws landed on my leg, and he started whimpering, obviously sensing the tension suddenly coursing across my skin.
“L.A., baby!” She was screaming again, but this time, the noise didn’t even touch me.
Because the longshot, life-changing thing I’d been trying not to think about, trying not to hope for…was finally coming true.
Clark’s face flashed through my mind.
