Driven To You

Layla stared at her laptop screen, her heart racing as she reread the email for the tenth time. She had done it. Not only had she aced the test, but the scholarship committee had invited her to a screening test in two weeks. This was it—the break she had been working toward for years. The excitement bubbled up inside her, but then a strange feeling crept in. Who should she tell?

Her first instinct wasn't her family. It wasn't even Annie. It was Aaron.

Before she could overthink it, she grabbed her phone and sent him a quick text:

Come over? Got something to tell you.

His reply was almost immediate:

Be there in 20.

Layla set her phone down and exhaled. A grin tugged at her lips as she glanced around her apartment. It was a little messy—not dirty, just cluttered with sketchbooks, motorcycle parts, and stray coffee mugs. Shrugging it off, she headed to the kitchen. If she was going to celebrate, she might as well do it right.

She pulled out butter, sugar, and cocoa powder, quickly losing herself in the rhythm of baking. The scent of chocolate filled the apartment, calming her nerves as she prepared a batch of her favorite cookies.

By the time Aaron arrived, the cookies were cooling on the counter, and Layla was arranging them neatly in a box. He walked in without knocking—typical Aaron—and raised an eyebrow at the sight of her in an apron.

"You're baking?" he asked, leaning against the counter with a smirk.

"Don't act so surprised," she shot back, rolling her eyes. "I'm full of talents, you know."

Aaron chuckled, watching her carefully place the last cookie in the box. "I'll believe it when I taste one."

She handed him the box along with a folded piece of paper. "Here. This is for you."

Aaron accepted it, his brow furrowing as he unfolded the note. His eyes scanned the words:

Thanks for convincing your dad to let me off the hook. I aced the test. Screening test in two weeks. Couldn't have done it without you.

When he looked up, his smile was genuine. "Layla, that's amazing. Congratulations."

"Thanks," she said, her cheeks warming under his gaze. "You're the first person I told, so…keep it a secret, okay?"

"First person, huh?" Aaron teased, his tone light but curious.

Layla shrugged, suddenly feeling self-conscious. "Don't make it a thing. I just thought you should know."

Aaron stepped closer, his voice softening. "I'm honored. Really."

She looked up at him, her usual sarcasm faltering. For a moment, there was a strange, quiet understanding between them, but Layla quickly broke the spell.

"Anyway," she said, brushing past him to grab her phone, "I won't be around this Friday."

Aaron raised an eyebrow. "Skipping out on our routine? You're breaking my heart."

"Thanksgiving weekend," Layla explained, smirking.

"You going home to celebrate with family?"

Layla hesitated, her smirk fading slightly. "Yeah…something like that."

Aaron caught the shift in her tone but didn't press further. Instead, he reached out and ruffled her hair. "Alright. Guess I'll survive one Friday without you."

"Barely," she quipped, swatting his hand away.

Aaron chuckled as he grabbed his jacket and cookies. "Good luck with the screening test. And save me some cookies next time."

"Don't get your hopes up," she called after him, but the smile lingered on her face long after the door closed.

The Next Evening

Layla was sprawled on the couch, flipping through channels on the TV, when a knock at the door startled her. She opened it to find Annie standing there, her hands on her hips.

"Let's go," Annie said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Layla blinked. "Go where?"

Annie rolled her eyes. "You promised to come with me this weekend, remember?"

"Oh, right," Layla said, grabbing her keys. She was still dressed in her usual attire: ripped jeans, a leather jacket, and her signature boots.

Annie gave her a once-over and sighed. "Seriously? You're coming to a family dinner dressed like that?"

"What's wrong with it?" Layla asked, genuinely confused.

Annie crossed her arms. "Layla, it's the holidays. You'll be around people who love you and know the real you. You don't have to put up this 'rebel without a cause' act the whole time."

Layla frowned. "It's not an act."

"I know that," Annie said gently. "But it wouldn't kill you to let your guard down for a weekend. Give people a chance to see the softer side of you. You might surprise yourself."

Layla opened her mouth to argue but stopped. Annie wasn't wrong. She did tend to hide behind her tough exterior, even with people who cared about her.

"Fine," she said, throwing up her hands. "I'll change."

Annie grinned. "Good. And make it cute."

Grumbling under her breath, Layla headed upstairs. She swapped her leather jacket for a cream sweater and her ripped jeans for a brown skirt. When she came back down, Annie gave her an approving nod.

"Better," Annie said with a smile.

"Don't get used to it," Layla muttered, grabbing her bag.

Annie laughed as she led the way to her car. They climbed in, and as they pulled out of the driveway, Layla couldn't help but feel a little lighter.

Maybe Annie was right. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to let her walls down, just for a little while.