Chapter Nine

Ayla.

Waking up was hard, I only had a minimal amount of sleep because I was watching Suits. Its like when the episode ends with a cliffhanger my mind says 'I don't need sleep, I need answers!' That's my downfall because right now, getting out of bed was torture. Going downstairs I put the heaters on because it was seven degrees. My hate for the cold will never diminish, my nose and ears keep going red and my eyes always water when I'm out. I made myself hot chocolate and quickly made breakfast me and my parents. I loved making them breakfast, mum always told me she could do it but I liked doing things for my parents. They always take care of me and I love returning that care back.

They come downstairs and mum looks unwell. "Mum are you okay?" I ask in worry, she was pale and looked weak.

"Yes baby just a stomach bug." She says and I rush to the medicine cabinet to get lemsip and paracetamol. "Mama take them." I say and dad rubs her back. She nods while opening the lemsip and drinking the required amount. Swallowing the pills she continues to eat her breakfast but before I go up to get ready I make sure she's okay. Considering it was cold I wore a knitted co-ord and layered with a fleece lined trench coat. I finish getting ready and check my timetable. Thankfully I only had two lessons- Child development (CD) and Business. After lessons I would come home and take care of mum, I had CD first lesson and Business second. I mentally squealed knowing I could come home and claim those hours of sleep I missed. Fortunately I had CD with Bri so I was going to see her after 3 days, it felt like a lifetime. I missed her so much.

I moisturise my hands before putting my ankle socks and shoes on. Grabbing my bag and phone I head downstairs to hear gagging. Running to the hallway where the toilet was I see my mum bent over vomiting into the toilet, Dad holding her hair and caressing her back.

"Mummy." I say, she hadn't been sick like this. Mum was always healthy, she only got sick once a year and that was usually because I caught something and passed it on. I look up at dad and raise my brows in distress. "Dad should I stay home?" I asked and quickly got a glass of water from the kitchen. Mum lifted her head and sat up. Passing her the water she sips slowly. "No princess its fine I will. I have a meeting in the afternoon but I'll cancel it." He answers and I shake my head. "I have lesson one and two, leave the house around eleven and I'll be home by eleven- forty five latest." I say and he nods slowly. We help mum up and dad takes her into the lounge.

I go to the fridge and take out the sandwiches I made to put into my bag. I already had some chocolate and candy in there leftover from yesterday. I guess you could say I'm a mum to my friends, I make sure James and Bri have some form of sugar throughout the day to keep them energised. "Mama, I'm leaving! See you soon." I say and rush out to make my way to Bri's. I stop at a small cafe and buy a warm croissant and coffee. It was amazing so I reminded myself to get mum some when I came back. I pick up Bri not long after and we travel to campus.

I make small talk with Bri and mention James. "He told me my smile was beautiful." I say to which she smiled. "I may be wrong but I think James likes you." She says and my eyes widen. I never really had guys like me, I don't think there was anything wrong with me but I wasn't social enough to get along with guys for them to have a thing for me.

"That's impossible." I said, she scoffed rolling her eyes in the process. "Ayla, you're stunning, fucking hot as hell and you've got an amazing personality why the hell would he not like you." She says and I blush, shrugging. Bri's words made me think, although it would be nice for James to like me, I didn't want to ruin the friendship we had.

Signing in we go to our willow tree but it starts to rain. Although I loved the rain it was icy cold and my nose was as red as Rudolph's. So we got up and went inside to the dining hall, it was the warmest room in the building and always smelt like bread.

"Has Ryder bothered you lately?" She asks whilst rubbing her hands together to create heat. "Other than yesterday nope." I answer. She takes out some readymade chocolate crepes from her bag and we share it. The bell rings and we go to our forms. Sitting down I get my book out and start reading. Not that many people were here, they must've had lessons in the afternoon. Times like this make me wish Bri was in my form.

Ryder didn't come in and I was kinda bored. In a twisted type of way he was entertaining, even if he hurt me. There had to be some sort of trauma bond there, or maybe I'm just reading too many psychology textbooks.

Morning registration finished and we went to lesson. I rush to lesson so I could be with Bri, I really was attached to her.

"I forgot to ask, did you finish the assignment?" She says as we sat down. I nodded and gave mine to her, she skims it and looks at me. "Its great, you went into good detail and linked back to your points." She praises and passes it back to me. I read hers and commend her, this was her favourite lesson, she always wanted to work with kids so I wasn't at all surprised at how amazing her assignment was. She told me she wants to own a daycare and I know she can do it. Bri has lots of potential and I will always make sure she knows it.

Today we focused on toys and how it affected the ways children act. It was quite fun because Miss got toys, call me childish but I still loved to play with baby dolls. Bri and I secretly ate the sandwiches I made and finished the chocolate and candy. We almost got caught a few times but made it. The lesson ended and Bri dropped me off to my Business class. Sadly she had English third lesson so we wouldn't be able to go home together.

I sit down in my seat and take out my notebook and pen. I wrote the date and put my pen down. Looking at the door I watch as Ryder comes in. I smiled slightly as he walked up.

'God I hated him, but why was I so attached to him.' I thought, knowing this was the last year of college and I'd be off to university soon, I guess I felt a little sad that I wouldn't see Ryder anymore. As usual he sat behind me and I turned around to face him. "Hi." I say and his face turns sour, I frown and take a couple seconds to analyse him. He looked rough.

"Keep quiet your making my hangover worse." He said groggily. Why did he drink the night before if he knew he had class early in the morning? I breathe in his strong scent of tobacco and stifle a sneeze. He usually smelled like the most perfect cologne.

"Why were you drinking on a school night? Ryder that's not good." I say and he rolled his eyes. "I have my damn reasons." He answered and I sighed turning back, I wont argue with him if he's in this state.

Miss Morgan comes in with a trolley, James followed behind pushing the trolley, he must've helped Miss.

What a gentleman.

"Alright, get into your pairs because we are going to create a website for your business. You will be using that website to present to the investors." She and James open the trolley and start handing our the laptops. Ryder comes and sits next to me with a grunt. He looked like he was in pain so I grabbed my bag and took my water out. Digging through one of the pockets I find two paracetamol's. "Here." I say reaching out my hand. He takes the water and chugs it. I give him a side-eye as I realise how good he looked.

'Ayla!' My subconscious screamed. What the hell was I thinking, this is not okay.

"Thanks." He says, genuinely looking grateful. I've never been drunk, let alone hungover but what I've see so far I would be relieved to have water and medicine. "You're welcome." I reply. James comes over with a laptop and I thank him. "Hey want to go out to eat after this lesson?" He asks, I'm about to agree until I remember Mum. "I can't my mum is sick so I'm going home to look after her. How about Saturday, Bri can come as well." I say and open up my laptop. He scratches the back of his neck and clears his throat. "I was hoping it could just be the two of us." I nodded slowly and smiled. "Okay I'll text you later." I say and he grins before leaving.

Feeling Ryder tense up I look at him to see his face firm, adorning a glare. Yep, not my problem. I logged on to the laptop and began to search for a website design app. All is well until I hear Ryder speak out of the blue. "You're not going with him." I roll my eyes and stare at him with creased brows trying to figure out who he thought he was to again, control my comings and goings.

"And why is that?" I ask. "You'll be at my place, working on this project." I stiffen as I remember what happened the last time I didn't go to his place. I did not need that drama again and considering that we did have to do more work for the project I decided to go.

"Fine." I gave in and sulked. I guess me and James would have to go out another day. Together we started to create the website, it was looking good. The layout and colours meshed well. I was proud of me and Ryder being able to work so well together. Eventually the lesson ended and I hurried out of class without saying bye to Ryder or James so I could get home as soon as possible. Once I'm in my area I revisit the quaint little cafe and secure some goods. With the goodies in hand I walk home briskly.

"Mum, I'm home!" I say and take my shoes off.

"Over here baby." I hear her shout. Going to the living room I see her lay on the sofa bed and give her the pastries and hot chocolate

"Did you go to the doctors or at least book an appointment?" I asked, she sipped on the hot chocolate before replying. "No but that's fine. Be ready for five, we're going to the Mayfair branch for dinner." I looked at her dumbfounded, "Mum... you're sick, why on earth would you want to go out?" I ask and feel her forehead to see if she was okay. "I'm fine warda, trust me we need to go out." I nod and leave her be to change. Once in my pajamas I go back down and snuggle up next to her unknowingly falling asleep.

-

"Baby wake up its four." I hear my mothers voice and felt my body being gently shaken. I open my eyes to see that I was still on the sofa bed.

Sitting up I rub my eyes and look to see mum in her bathrobe, shit I needed to get ready. I couldn't help that I fell asleep but man I needed that.

"Go and get ready princess." She says and I nod. Going upstairs and into my bedroom. I wash my face in the adjoined bathroom. Walking into my closet I take out knitted bodycon dress to wear and brush out my hair. I embellish my face with some makeup and I'm satisficed at how presentable I look. Since we were going to Mayfair I wore some heels, they were low but still classy enough, just because it was my dad's restaurant didn't mean I could slack. I take my phone off charge and put it in my clutch. Going downstairs I sit in the lounge and wait for mum. Eventually she walks in wearing a figure hugging black dress with a brown trench and Louboutin's. She was dressed to impress!

"Mum you look stunning!" I said and she turned red, "Thankyou baby, I just want to look good before well..." She trails off and I follow her. We close all the windows except in the kitchen and left the living room light on. That way burglars would think there was someone in the house. I mean it's worked for years so I guess it's a good tactic. I volunteered to drive as although I had passed in the summer I had too much anxiety to actually use my car to get anywhere. But I've been quite brave recently so I thought to keep the streak up.

There wasn't much traffic so it was a nice drive, mum looked quite uneasy and I thought it was because she must've still felt sick. I park up near the restaurant and see that it was empty. Dad most likely closed t for the day when mum told him we were coming. We all sat down and whilst I was happy to be out and knowing that their was amazing food on the way I felt so uncomfortable. Dad couldn't stop looking at mum. Like I know she looked good but their child is here so I would rather not see my dad look like he was about to pounce on her.

As the food came I devoured it, I could never get over my dad's food, it was truly something else. I knew he sent the chefs home so it just made the meal ten times better coming from his hands. The dessert ruined me, I was bloated, blessed and ready to go into a food coma. Finally after we had eaten my mum took mine and my dads hands. "What's going on Alaia?"Dad asks. Mum smiles and squeezes our hands. "Well, you know how I have been sick... I went to my room and to my cabinets for some meds. I saw some pads and realised I was late so I took three pregnancy tests and they all came back positive!" My jaw dropped and dads eyes widened.

"Im going to be a sister!" I screamed. "Alaia- I" Dad was speechless, so instead he used his actions and kissed her making me look away feeling like I was interrupting their intimate moment. Dad and I gush over the news and already make plans for the names and the nursery. I decide to drive home alone so they can go in dad's car. I was beyond happy and still in shock that my mum was pregnant. I knew she always wanted another baby but had fertility issues. It pained me to see the look of sadness in her face as elders would ask mum at family gatherings when she would have another baby. People don't realise it's not the easiest to get pregnant.

I came home before my parents and took my clothes and makeup off. Putting a fluffy set of pajamas on I slip into bed. Checking my phone I see two messages from James and one from Ryder. I opened Ryder's first, I don't know why but I did.

'You and me at my place , Saturday at three.' It read and for some weird reason I smiled. Like I said, I want to figure him out and being alone with him meant that I could achieve my task quicker. My eyes went droopy and before letting them fully closed I quickly typed an 'Okay'.

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hiiii hope you enjoyed! let me know what you think!!Warda= my flower.pls vote if you haven't.stay safe and drink lots of water!!!lots of love,amara<3