Chapter 2

The last two weeks flew by for Layla. Between the lack of work in her classes, teaching at the gym, and her late-night adventures to avoid her mother, Layla didn't have much time to concern herself with her upcoming graduation. She tried to avoid thinking about it. While her classmates were pumped about the ceremony and finally getting out of high school, Layla was apathetic towards it. She was looking forward to getting out of high school and spending the summer with Maya, but she wasn't thrilled by the thought of the ceremony.

She wasn't sure if she had the patience to feign a smile at her mother and listen to her false praises or hear her family members talk about her achievements or look around the small crowds and realizing the one face she wanted to see wasn't among them. She wasn't prepared for the roll of her stomach or the emptiness in her chest when her eyes glanced around the room in search for the familiar smile and booming voice only to come up empty. She'd thought after all these years, maybe it would've stopped hurting by now. Perhaps grieving wasn't always as easy as some people made it out to me. Or maybe she was just too stubborn to truly let go.

The night before graduation, as she was coming in late from a rendezvous with a friend, Bonnie called Layla's name from the living room. The teen gritted her teeth. She reluctantly walked into the living room to see her mother and Terrence sprawled out on the couch. The light was off, and the television screen glowed against their faces. Wine glasses filled with the ruby liquor sat in their hands. They frowned at Layla.

"What," Layla asked. She leaned her shoulder against the doorway.

"Do you know what time it is," Bonnie asked.

Layla glanced at the digital clock beneath the television. "Now I do."

Bonnie sighed. "What were you doing out at nearly one o' clock in the morning?"

Layla crossed her arms. "What are you doing drinking another glass of wine at nearly one o' clock in the morning?"

"This is not about me, Layla. What were you doing out?"

Layla shrugged. "Nothing you wouldn't do. Or I should say, nothing you haven't done already."

Bonnie shook her head. She sat up from her spot on Terrence's chest. "Were you out with another boy?"

"Aren't you up with another glass of wine?"

"Stop bringing me into this. We are talking about you and your behavior."

"Why are we talking about it? Why now? How long have I been doing this? Since middle school?" Layla tapped her cheek. "Oh wait, I forgot, you were never home before to talk to me about it. You were always at your boyfriend's house getting your back blown out."

Terrence sat up. "Listen here, young lady, you will not keep disrespecting your mother like this. Not under my watch."

Layla tilted her head. "I'm sorry, and who the fuck are you? Why are you talking? Stay in your lane."

Terrence fumed.

"Layla, we will not continue to tolerate this disrespect. You're coming home at absurd hours, running around with boys you barely know, and you don't give one ounce of respect to me or Terrence."

"I'm not doing anything less than you were not too long ago. Therefore, I don't see the problem."

"The problem is I am your mother and you are my daughter. You should not be treating me like this."

Layla raised her eyebrows. "Who told you that? Your little boy toy?"

Bonnie almost got up from her seat, but Terrence put his hand on her thigh. "Say one more word, Layla, and I swear to God…"

"What are you going to do? Cancel my stupid graduation party? Go ahead. I didn't want one in the first place. Give me a curfew? Let's see how well that works. Kick me out? I'll go live with Uncle Gabriel. I'll be out of your hair in a few months anyway." Layla's arms tightened around herself. "There's nothing you can do that can hurt me anymore." She turned on her heel. "I'm going to sleep. The two of you can have a nice night." She wandered back into the hallway. She ascended the steps and locked herself in her room.

With a sigh, she stripped off the tee shirt and jeans she'd been wearing. She slipped into her pajamas and ran a comb through her hair. After she'd wrapped her hair up into her bonnet, she lay down in her bed. It wasn't long before sleep took over her body. She eagerly fell into the darkness and forgot about the conversation with her mother.

In the morning, she was awakened by the sound of her alarm. Groggily, she reached over to tap the button on her digital clock. Her brows came together as the mouthwatering smell of bacon and eggs wafted through her room. She sat up and took a deeper whiff of the scent. It definitely wasn't her imagination. Someone was cooking downstairs.

Layla got out of bed and padded downstairs to the kitchen. She hid in the shadows near the doorway.

In the kitchen, Bonnie stood above the stove in a simple pair of plaid pants and a tee shirt. The pots on the fire sizzled and popped with eggs, bacon and grits. Terrence sat the table with his iPad in hand and his glasses perched on his nose. Her mother was humming to the tune on the radio. A soft smile graced her plump lips.

Layla frowned at the sight. She remembered a time when she was younger and she was routinely awakened to the smell of bacon and eggs in the morning. She'd hop out of her bed and into her pink bunny slippers. She bounced down the steps to the kitchen where her father would be standing over the stove. He'd flash her a wide smile. "Good morning, sweet pea," he'd say as he picked her up in his arms. Layla would wrap her small arms around her father's neck and lay her head on his shoulder. Her brown eyes would glance around the kitchen as her dad rocked her in his arms.

"Where's mommy," she'd ask. "She said she'd walk me to school today."

Her father would sigh. "Mommy had to go to work early today, sweet pea." He kissed her cheek. "But it's alright. I'll walk you to school."

Layla's little arms used to tighten around his neck and she'd press her watery eyes into his shoulder.

The teen blinked away the tears in her eyes. She refocused her vision to the scene in front of her.

Terrence had gotten up from his chair and walked to Bonnie's side. He'd wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. His lips were whispering sweet nothings into her ear. Bonnie giggled at his words. She leaned her petite body against his larger one.

Layla cleared her throat as she walked into the room.

The two adults pulled away from each other at the sound of her entrance. Bonnie feigned a smile at her daughter. "Good morning," she said.

"Hi," Layla replied. She made a beeline for the refrigerator.

"I'm making breakfast."

Layla pulled out the carton of milk. "I can see that."

"I hope you're hungry than. I think I'm making more than enough for the three of us."

Layla glided past her mother to the cabinet. She retrieved a box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch. "I'll just have cereal."

"You're going to need more than a bowl of cereal on a big day like this," Terrence chimed in. He tried to take the box away from Layla.

She held the box over her head. "Don't come near me. I'll smack you with this box if I have to."

Bonnie sighed. "Layla, enough with the defensive front. You've been so aggressive lately. Calm down. We're all family here. Now put the cereal away and sit down. Breakfast will be finished soon."

"He's not family," Layla bitterly spat. She retrieved a bowl from a different cabinet. "But if that's what you want to keep telling yourself, that's fine too."

Bonnie clasped her hands together. "Layla, I promised myself today was going to be a good day. You're graduating high school. We should be celebrating rather than fighting. Please, for one day, can you talk to me like you have some damn sense?"

Layla poured the cereal into the bowl. "Or I don't have to talk to you at all."

Bonnie frowned. "You're right. You don't."

Layla shrugged. "I won't." She poured milk into her cereal.

Terrence shook his head. "I don't understand why you let her do this," he said to Bonnie. "If she were my child –"

"But I'm not your child," Layla snapped. She narrowed her eyes. "Speaking of your children, how are they doing? Have you seen them lately?"

Terrence was at a loss for words.

Layla continued. "I see Mikayla in the halls all the time. We smile and wave when we're too busy to talk. Sometimes she stops at my locker or I'll stop at her locker, and we'll talk for a little bit. She's a good kid. Did you know she's top of her class now, and she's going to be the managing editor of the school newspaper next year?" She paused. "Oh, wait, you didn't because you've barely paid any mind to the poor girl or Matthew since they six and four. You were too busy wrecking other people's marriages."

"Layla Rose Chadwick," Bonnie snapped.

Layla looked at her mother. "What? I'm just telling the truth." She popped a spoon into her mouth. "It's not my fault neither of you are mature enough to take it." She grabbed her bowl of cereal and began to walk out of the kitchen. She stopped at the doorway and turned to look at Terrence. "Oh and by the way, even if I was your child, and you tried to lay a hand on me: I'd break your fucking face. I'm disappointed my father never got the chance to." She turned back on her heel and continued out of the way.

Terrence waited until he heard the slam of her room door to speak. "What the hell, Bonnie," he yelled at his fiancé. "Are you going to let her keep disrespecting us like that? When are you going to put your foot down?"

"She wouldn't listen even if I did, Terrence. She's her father's child; she's going to do whatever the hell she wants." She frowned. "Like she said last night: she'll be out of our hair in a few months. After that, we'll only have to deal with her for holidays and months at a time. I'm sure she'll make herself disappear while she's home. Within four or five years, she'll be moving out and she won't be a problem anymore."

"I don't like the way she talks to us."

Bonnie shrugged. "I don't like it either." She looked to the floor. "But I can't say I don't deserve it," she murmured almost inaudibly. She shook her head and raised her eyes. She feigned a smile at her fiancé. "Let's not worry about her right now." She wrapped her arms around him. "Let's just try to have a good day. She's graduating high school. We should be happy about that." She pecked a kiss at his lips. "Please, let's just be happy."

Terrence nodded. "Alright," he sighed. "We'll be happy."

Bonnie smiled. "Thank you."

The remainder of the morning went by quietly. Layla didn't come out of her room until it was time to leave. She descended the steps in her white graduation cap and gown. Beneath her gown was a gold dress and a pair of black high heels. Her black curls had been straightened; the locks lay over her shoulders with bouncy curls at the end. Bronze eyeshadow and sharp winged eyeliner decorated her eyes, and a gloss coated her plump lips.

She feigned a smile at the small group of family members in her living room; her grandparents from both sides of the family had joined Bonnie and Terrence. All of them cooed over her appearance. "Look at you," her grandmother on her father's side exclaimed. She grabbed the teen into a hug. "You look so beautiful!"

"Thanks, Grandma Tabitha," Layla replied.

"Your father would be so proud of you."

Layla's smile dimmed. She hugged her grandmother tighter. When she let go, her mother approached her.

Bonnie offered her daughter a smile. "You look gorgeous," she commented. She reached out to touch her straightened hair. "It's been so long since you've worn your hair like this. It looks good."

"Yeah." Layla looked away. "Thanks."

Tabitha's husband clapped his hands. "Well, we ought to get going. We've got to make sure we get good seats." He kissed his granddaughter's cheek. "I have to make sure I can see my little princess walk across the stage."

Layla smiled as he threw his arm over her shoulders. Her Grandpa James was an older image of her father. He was a tall man with burly muscles from hard labor and chocolate skin. His eyes crinkled at the ends when he smiled just like her father's used to. She used to adore the man when she was younger. Her father, and his parents, all spoke with a heavy Southern accent. James and Tabitha had lived in Franklin, Tennessee all their lives. Her father had grown up in the small town. The three of them moved to the city when her father was fourteen after a terrorist bombing and raid went off in their town. Layla used to love hearing stories about the farm and the simple life they used to live. She'd always wanted to visit their old house and their farm, but her father refused.

"It's not the same, baby girl," he'd tell her as he tucked her in for bed.

"How," she'd ask.

Her father would hesitate. "Well, sweetheart, after something bad happens – especially when you're directly affected by it, the place where it happened can be hard to go back to."

"Why's that, daddy?"

Her father sighed. "Because the bad memories have a tendency to overpower the good ones." He smiled at her and kissed her forehead. "I pray you'll never have to understand what I mean, but I know one day you will."

Layla blinked out of her thoughts as her grandfather squeezed her shoulder. She looked up to the older man and his crinkle eyed smile. She gave him a genuine smile despite the tears forming in her eyes.

Her graduation was a clean cut and quick event. Layla zoned out of her principal's and fellow peers speeches. She sat on the stage with the other members of the National Honor Society and award winners. She tried to keep a small smile on her face and look interested, but her eyes kept drifting to the crowded bleachers. She searched desperately for her father's wide smile and nod of approval. Each time she came up empty, tears welled in her eyes. She wrung her fingers as she forced the tears away. Her father may not have been there, but she knew he was happy for her. He was perched on a cloud looking down on her with a smile and nudging the other angels. "Look," he'd say. "That's my little girl. She did it. She graduated high school. She's going to do great things. I'm so proud of her." The image caused more tears to form behind Layla's eyes.

After Layla collected her awards and her diploma, and the ceremony ended, she found Maya in the crowd of graduates. The two girls laced their hands together as they searched for their family members.

Gabriel was sitting with Layla's family. He was sitting next to James. The two were conversing quietly before the girls approached them.

Maya skipped up to her father and launched herself in his arms. Gabriel caught her in a tight embrace and swung her. "Estoy tan orgullosa de ti," he told her.

"Thanks daddy," Maya said.

Gabriel held out a hand to Layla. "Come on. There's room for one more."

Layla wordlessly went into Gabriel's arms. She giggled as he squeezed the two of them.

"Felicidades, chicas." He kissed both of their heads.

Layla looked to her grandfather after Gabriel let her go. He offered her his crinkle eyed smile and pulled her into a tight embrace. Her grandmother's slender arms followed. "We are so proud of you," James whispered.

Bonnie's smile dimmed as she watched her daughter be embraced by her late husband's parents. She couldn't remember the last time her daughter let her hug her like that. She took baby steps towards Layla and set her hand on her arm. "Congratulations, sweetie," she said.

Layla feigned a smile. "Thanks, mom."

James slapped Gabriel on the back. "Are you two coming over for lunch? Tabitha brought over more than enough food for everyone."

Gabriel grinned. "Well, I definitely can't say no to Mrs. Chadwick's cooking."

James patted the man's back. "Good."

Maya escaped from her father's embrace. She approached her friend and held her hand. Without a word, she began towing her off the bleachers. Layla didn't protest. She gave her friend's hand a soft squeeze.

Once they were all back at Layla's house, the girls discarded their graduation gowns. They sat in the living room with their food while most of the adults sat in the dining room; only James and Gabriel joined them. The two men didn't question the girl's silence or reluctance to speak. Instead, they sat with them and endured whatever reality television show they'd flipped on for a few hours.

Around five o' clock, a knock rapped at the front door. Layla got up with a sigh and announced she would answer it. She padded to the door and opened it.

Standing behind the wooden door was a tall man dressed in a navy blue jacket, dress pants and shoes, and multiple badges above his heart. He wore a black hat and carried a black suitcase in his hands. The expression on his face was plain; he wasn't smiling or frowning. He was waiting for the right time to speak. "Hello," he said. "Are you Ms. Layla Chadwick?"

Layla was frozen in her spot. She recalled opening the door to a man like this not too long ago. She was watching television, and her mother was in the dining room getting work done. She'd bounced to the door thinking it was Maya. Instead, she was met with a man with a stern face and cold eyes. "Hello," the stranger had said. "Is Mrs. Chadwick home?"

Layla remembered squinting her eyes at him. She recognized the uniform her wore. However, she didn't recognize him.

Bonnie had heard the door open from the living room. She'd gotten up from her seat at the sound of a stranger's voice at the door. "Layla, who is it," she asked as she walked down the hallway. She stopped in her tracks when she saw the uniformed man in the doorway. She stared at him for a long moment. "May I help you," she asked the man. She slowly approached him. She set her hands on her daughter's shoulders.

"May I have a moment to speak to you," he asked. He glanced down at Layla. "Alone."

Layla didn't watch television like her mother told her to. She sat by the dining room doorway and listened to the adults' conversation. The stranger's words froze her in her spot. She wasn't sure what to think or what to do or what to feel. All she knew was that her father was gone – and he wasn't coming back.

Layla blinked out of the memory as the stranger repeated his question. "Um, yes. Yes, I'm Layla Chadwick."

"Layla, who's at the door," Bonnie yelled. She appeared in the hallway behind her daughter. Her brown eyes flicked from her daughter's mane of black hair to the man in uniform. Her eyebrows crinkled together. "What's going on?" She asked as she walked towards him.

"Hello, are you Mrs. Bonnie Chadwick," the man asked.

Bonnie crossed her arms. "Yes I am. What can I do for you?"

He held out his hand. "My name is Sergeant Miller; I'm one of the recruiters for the Political Defense Academy. I'm here to talk about your daughter's enrollment in the program. Do you have a couple of minutes so the three of us can talk or should I come back another time?"

"Excuse me, did you just say the Political Defense Academy," Bonnie asked.

"Yes, ma'am. Your daughter has been accepted into the program starting in the fall. Our admissions board was very impressed with the skills she exhibited. We think she'd be a great addition to the military forces. We've already received her acceptance of this offer. I'm just here to talk with the two of you about the program in more depth and answer any questions you may have."

Bonnie glared at her daughter. "What did you do?"

Layla feigned a smile at the sergeant. "Come in. Come in. Now is a fine time. We have plenty of food if you're hungry."

Bonnie held her hand up. "No, do not come in this house! She is not going! So, you can give her spot away to someone else!"

The sergeant frowned. "I apologize ma'am, but that's not quite how this works. Our students are hand-picked out of the best of the best in their specialized fields. Your daughter has already committed to this career. I thought you knew. Your signature was on the parental consent form."

"You forged my signature," Bonnie exclaimed.

Layla shrugged. "You weren't home to sign it."

The sergeant looked between the two women. "Were you unaware of this acceptance, Mrs. Chadwick?"

"Yes! Can you kick her off the list now? She forged my signature! Isn't that a crime?"

Sergeant Miller shrugged. "The paperwork has already been processed."

Bonnie seethed.

"Hey, are you girls alright," Gabriel asked. He walked into the hallway. His brows came together at the sight of the sergeant. "What's going on? Has something happened?"

Bonnie gritted her teeth. "Apparently."

Gabriel put his hand on Layla's shoulder. "What's the problem?"

"There is no problem, sir. I'm here to talk to Ms. Chadwick about her acceptance to the Political Defense Academy."

Gabriel looked down at his goddaughter. "You didn't," he said.

"She did," Bonnie said. "Without my permission! She didn't even talk to me about it."

Layla scoffed. "Oh because we talk about things?"

"Layla," Gabriel scolded. He moved aside. "Come in," he told the sergeant.

"Gabriel, what the hell are you doing," Bonnie yelled.

"Handling the situation like a responsible adult," he shot back at her. "Take notes."

Layla snickered.

Gabriel's hand tightened on her shoulder. "You're still in trouble, missy."

Layla's smile fell. She followed her fictive uncle and sergeant into the dining room. Her grandparents, Maya, and Terrence looked to the man with raised brows.

"What's he doing here? Has something happened?" James asked.

Gabriel looked down at Layla. "Do you want to tell them or should I?"

Layla clasped her hands together. "Well, guys, I'll be attending the Political Defense Academy in the fall."

"You'll be doing what," Maya exclaimed. "Why?"

Tabitha clutched her hand to her chest. "Oh dear," she whispered. She set her other hand on James' shoulder. "Oh dear."

Terrence glanced around at their ill expressions. "What's the problem," he asked. "Her father was in the military, wasn't he? She's following in his footsteps." He smiled at her. "Good for you kiddo."

Gabriel glared at him. "Get out," he growled.

Terrence returned the glare. "You can't tell me what to do. This isn't your house; it's mine!"

"Last time I checked, you didn't pay for this house; my best friend did. Now get the fuck out."

"Make me."

Bonnie held her hands up. "Please, Terrence, just go." She glanced around the room. "Can all of you please just go?"

Her parents nodded. They wordlessly got up and exited the room. They gave Layla soft pats on the shoulder as they passed. James and Tabitha followed after them. Both of them pecked a soft kiss on Layla's head and cheeks as they passed.

Gabriel raised an eyebrow at Terrence. The man hadn't moved from his seat. "You've got three seconds to get the fuck up before I bash your face in."

Bonnie walked over to her fiancé. "Please," she whispered. "Go upstairs or take a walk. We'll be finished in an hour or so."

Terrence stared into her warm brown eyes for a moment before he finally got up. He bumped shoulders with Gabriel as he passed.

"Maya, go watch television in Layla's room for a bit. You can talk to her when you're finished," Gabriel said.

With a frown, his daughter got up from her seat. She walked past her friend without a word.

Gabriel sighed. He motioned to the table. "Take a seat," he told the sergeant. "Anywhere you'd like."

"Can I get you something to drink," Bonnie offered.

"No, thank you," Sergeant Miller said. He sat down. "I apologize for the disruption."

Gabriel waved his hand. "No need to apologize." He sat down beside Layla. "Now, what are you here to discuss?"

Sergeant Miller opened his briefcase. He pulled out a packet of papers. "I'm here to discuss Ms. Chadwick's acceptance to the PDA. She will be entering our program with a specialty in hand-to-hand combat. Are either of you familiar with the programs at PDA?"

Gabriel nodded. "I was in the program alongside Layla's father. We were also in the hand-to-hand combat sector for school."

"So, you understand our program can be very…intense. She'll have five classes three days a week with two rest days and the weekend. We expect this free time to be used for training and completion of school work. The program is approximately two years; we train our soldiers to be the very best they can be as quickly as we can. She'll be allowed three home visits per semester, and she will return home for breaks in December and over the summer. There is also one Parents weekend per semester where family and friends can come to see her. She will have full access to her phone and internet privileges during her time at the Academy; it is to be used responsibly or else it will be taken away. After the completion of her program, she will be placed in a position within our military forces. If she excels, she may enter into the special forces. The decision lies in her hard work and dedication exhibited during her time at the Academy. Is that clear to all of you?"

"Yes," they replied in unison.

"We have staff who will begin moving in her belongings a week before move-in day. I have the specific dates in the packet here along with some other bits and pieces of information about the residence halls and necessities that you can review. Ms. Chadwick must come alone to the Academy. If she has a car, she can drive down and we will have personnel follow behind. If not, we will supply transportation for her. Are there any questions about that?"

The three shook their heads.

"Last, but not least, we want our future students to be aware of various activity going on around campus. Sir, as you probably remember from your experience, we do have simulations where students may be attacked or kidnapped in order to test their progress and loyalty to this country. However, in recent years, with terrorist forces becoming stronger, we've had incidents where members of organizations such as The Fallen have infiltrated our program and harmed some of our students. It is important that you respond with caution to any suspicious activity you come across. We cannot afford to lose any of our beloved students, and the Fallen is aware of that. We ask you to be careful and report any suspicious activities or events you may see when you are on campus. Is that understood, Ms. Chadwick?"

Layla nodded. "Sure."

Sergeant Miller looked to Bonnie. "Mrs. Chadwick, by signing the parental consent form, you are acknowledging the fact that your daughter will be responsible for her own actions and responses to situations. You may not physically intervene at any time during the program and her career. Is this understood?"

Bonnie nodded. "Yes."

"Good. Do any of you have any questions?"

Layla shook her head.

"Alright." The sergeant stood. "Thank you for your time."

Layla feigned a smile at him. She watched Gabriel escort him back to the front door.

Bonnie sighed. She rubbed her fingers on her temples. "What the hell is wrong with you," she asked. "Why would you go behind all of our backs and sign up for the PDA? Especially after what happened to your father. Are you doing this for attention? Is that what you want?"

Layla crossed her arms. "I don't owe you or anyone else an explanation. This is my life. I can do whatever I want with it."

Gabriel appeared in the doorway. "Bonnie, give Layla and I a minute. We need to talk."

Bonnie glared at him. "Do you see me talking to her right now?"

"I do, and I don't see you doing it correctly."

Bonnie scoffed. "Do you think you could do this any better?"

"Considering I've raised a daughter myself, I think I can."

"I have raised my daughter. I know what I'm doing."

"Don't get me started right now, Bonnie. Give me and Layla a few minutes to talk. Then you and I can have a conversation."

"Why? You're not her father, and you're not my husband! You have no place talking to her about any of this."

"Sterling asked me to look after her," Gabriel snapped. "The last thing he said to me before he left was to take care of Layla, and I'm keeping my promise. Now get out."

Bonnie gritted her teeth. She stood up from her chair and stormed out of the room.

Gabriel released the breath he was holding. He walked to the table and sat next to Layla. "What is this about," he asked.

The teen shrugged. "It's not about anything. I want to be a soldier. It's what I want to do."

"Layla, you don't have to lie to me. What is this about? Why are you doing this?"

"I'm not lying. I want to be a solider. I want to follow in daddy's footsteps. I want to continue his legacy."

"By joining the military?"

"Why is this such a surprise to everyone – especially you? I love combat. I'm good at it. So, why not make a career out of it?"

"I'd understand a professional MMA career, Layla, but not the military. You've never expressed this interest to me or anyone else before. So, what's really going on? Why are you doing this?"

"I want to be like daddy. I want to fight for this country. I want to take back what they stole from him – what they stole from me."

"So, this is about revenge then? They killed your father, so now you want to kill them? Is that where this is going?"

Layla averted her eyes.

Gabriel sighed. "Layla, listen to me. I know you're upset. I know you're hurt. I know you're angry. I know you have been since your father died." He grasped her chin and brought her eyes to meet his. "But understand, chica, your father wouldn't want this life for you. He wouldn't want you carrying around all this hate and anger on your shoulders. He'd want you to happy. He'd want you to be safe. He wouldn't want you out at that school or on those battlefields fighting for your life. He wanted better for you." He caressed her cheek. "So, if you're going to do this: make sure you're doing it for the right reasons. Revenge may seem sweet, but it isn't. One day that anger is going to consume you, and it's going to destroy you. College is a new world in itself, but the military is a whole different ballpark. You've got to be smart about this; you can't be drastic out there. We can't lose you too."

Layla grasped onto his hands. "You won't," she said.

He shook his head as his eyes drifted to the floor. "Don't do that," he whispered. "Don't make promises you can't keep. Your father did that…before he left for that last mission. He told me everything was going to be fine, and he was going to be okay. He said he'll be home before we knew it. Then he never came back." He squeezed her hands. "I know there's no turning back on this. You've made your decision, and the rest of us are going to have to live with it. But, if you can promise me one thing, Layla: promise me you'll be careful?"

Layla nodded. "I promise, Uncle Gabe. I promise I'll be careful." She wrapped her arms around him. "I'll be careful," she whispered.

Gabriel patted her back. "Go talk to Maya. I'll deal with your mother."

"Thank you."

"Sure."

Layla rose from her seat. She walked past her mother in the living room. She rushed up the steps to find her room empty. She descended the steps and exited the front door.

Bonnie watched her go. She glanced at Gabriel when he walked into the room. "So, that's just it," she said. "We let her go?"

Gabriel sat down next to her on the couch. "There's nothing else we can do."

"What if something happens to her? What if she dies thinking I'm the villain in her life?"

"Why don't you talk to her? Clear the air?"

"I can't talk to her. Whenever I try, she gets so aggressive and defensive."

Gabriel shrugged. "She has a right to."

Bonnie sighed. "I don't want anything to happen to her, Gabriel. I know I haven't been the greatest mother, but I still love her; she's still my little girl."

"I know."

Bonnie glanced at him. "I never wanted anything to happen to Sterling either. I loved him too. He was still my husband."

"I know."

"If you know, then why won't you give me some hope that there's some redemption here?"

"Because I've seen the hell you put the two of them through," Gabriel said firmly. "Some of that pain was unforgivable, Bonnie. That doesn't mean you shouldn't try to mend things with Layla. I believe you should. But I'd understand if she didn't accept your apologies."

"Have you?"

Gabriel's voice lowered. "No. I don't think I ever will. But even if I hated you, I'd never turn my back on that little girl of yours. She may not be mine, but she was Sterling's, and that might as well be the same damn thing."

"I guess I should thank you…for looking out for here all these years."

"No." Gabriel stood up. "After all, I wasn't doing it for your sake." He turned to the kitchen. "I'm gonna start cleaning up. If Maya comes looking for me, let her know where I am."

Bonnie watched him walk into the kitchen. With a sigh, she dropped her head in her hands and fought against the tears welling behind her eyes.

Outside on the porch, the two teens were sitting under the warm sun. When Layla had walked outside, she'd sat down beside her friend. The two were silent for a moment. They watched the cars pass by with screaming graduates and listened to the music of nearby graduation parties. Layla kept opening her mouth to say something, but she wasn't quite sure what. She didn't think anything would heal the hurt her friend was feeling. She wished she could promise nothing was going to happen to her. She wished she could hold Maya's hand and tell her she was going to be present at her wedding, be the godmother of her kids, and be the cool moms on the block. She wanted to tell her the two were still going to have a bright, healthy future. But she couldn't. Like her Uncle Gabriel said: she couldn't make promises anymore; she wasn't sure if she'd be able to keep them.

"Military school," Maya finally said.

Layla nodded. "Yeah."

"Sounds hot."

Layla smiled. "You think?"

"Totally."

"Are you talking about me or the boys?"

Maya smirked. "Maybe a little bit of both."

Layla laughed. She reached for her friend's hand. "I'm sorry. I know I should've told you. But I knew you were going to tell your dad, and he was going to try to talk me out of it."

"I get it. You don't have to apologize." She squeezed her friend's hand. "I support your decision. It's a stupid decision, but you already know that."

Layla shook her head. "Don't worry too much. I will be careful. Besides, at the end of the day, it's still like a regular college. Remember all the crazy stories your dad tells us about his and my dad's days at the PDA?"

Maya nodded. "They were complete idiots, and they literally made the school their bitch."

"Exactly."

Maya giggled.

Layla threw her arm over her shoulders. "So, you don't have to worry. I'll go up there, make some friends, make a few bad decisions, and maybe I'll even get into a legit relationship."

Maya scoffed. "You in a relationship? In college? Don't make me laugh."

Layla grimaced. "I know. I think I have too many commitment and trust issues to make that happen."

"No, no, you'll probably find a guy who's willing to work through those commitment and trust issues. I'm down for Layla's Boyfriend 2k19."

Layla rolled her eyes.

Maya looked over at her friend. "Are you sure you'll be okay up there by yourself?"

Layla squeezed her shoulder. "I will be fine."

Maya lay her head on Layla's shoulder. "Do you promise you won't forget about me?"

"How could I? You're my best friend, Maya; you're practically my sister. I'd never forget about you." Layla paused. "Do you promise you won't forget about me…if something does happen; maybe not now, but at any point in time?"

Maya held up her pinky. "I promise."

Layla wrapped her own finger around her friend's. Their promise lingered in the soft breeze that blew through their hair.

Maya smiled. "If you do get a boyfriend, make sure he has a hot best friend. I'd like a taste of those military boys too. I'll make sure to show him a good ol' time."

Layla giggled. "You're such a freak," she exclaimed.

"But you love me."

Layla's arms tightened around her friend. "That I do."

Maya checked the time on her phone. She sighed as she picked her head up. "Alright, mi amiga, let's start getting ready for this graduation party Ricky invited us to."

Layla raised an eyebrow. "You mean the party he invited you to."

Maya rolled her eyes. She grabbed her friend's arm and hoisted her up. "Shut up and come on. After you dropping a bomb like this, I need some alcohol – and some good dick."

Layla smirked. "And I'm assuming Ricky will supply both of those."

Blush covered Maya's cheeks. She shoved her friend. "Shut up!"

"Maya and Ricky sitting in a tree, F-U-C-K-I-N-G," Layla sang.

Maya put her hands over Layla's mouth. "Bitch, shut the fuck up, my dad is inside," Maya said. "Now come on before Ricky starts blowing my phone up."

Layla giggled as Maya tugged her into the house. Her smile fell the moment Maya turned her back. Her hand tightened around her friend's, and she wondered if she'd done a good thing or if she'd made the biggest mistake of her life.

Please review!