Exiled (AmBw)

Chapter 34

Things got quiet. Layla seemed to have gotten lost in wondering why the parents she loved didn't adopt me as well. I could see it was bothering her, so I decided to brainstorm some possible explanations as to why they didn't. I hoped it would help her find some peace of mind.

Crystal: "Hey, um. Did your parents make your adoption day, your birthday?" I said after thinking of a few possible reasons.

Layla: "Yeah, they did. Why?" She asked.

Crystal: "I don't know. Maybe one of us was adopted before the other. My birthday is April 5th, yours?" I asked.

Layla: "My birthday is on June 9th. She answered. Oh my goodness, that's it!" She exclaimed. "It makes sense now. They couldn't adopt you because you weren't there."

Crystal: "See, case closed." I smiled, hoping this gave her assurance in the kind of people her parents were.

I could tell Layla was satisfied by our discovery because her happiness return, and so did her fidgeting.

Although I was in foster care many times, and I never found parents to call my own, I was happy to know at least Layla had parents who she knew deep down were good people. It partially restored hope for humanity in my eyes, but that was short-lived when I remembered the creep that I almost floored in the store was in the cafe with us. Even though he was Layla's friend, it was strange that he kept his identity unknown, and his staring was bothering me. Unable to take the constant staring, I brought it up to Layla.

Crystal: "I was trying to play it cool, but I can't take it anymore. What is the deal with your friend? Why is he just staring? He is freaking me out now," I said, straightforward.

Layla: "Oh, he's harmless. Trust me." She said before gesturing him over to us.

He took her invitation and walked over.

Layla: "Hey, um, you are freaking my sister out. Maybe you could tone it down a bit?" She asked.

Takanori: "I guess." He said, taking off his hat.

Layla: "Woah, wait, I meant your staring. You don't have to take off your things?" She said, trying to stop him.

Takanori: "It's ok. I've thought about it. She's your sibling, after all. I'm sure she can keep a secret. Plus, there is barely anyone in here." He said, taking off his disguise. "I'm sorry if I creeped you out, it's hard to move around the city without this on." He said, looking directly at me. "Hi, I'm Takanori, it's nice to meet you," he said, introducing himself.

Like a kick to the chest, the oxygen escaped my lungs, leaving me breathless. Mentally trying to grasp reality while simultaneously attempting to reign in all the emotions that threatened me in this situation, I paused for a while before it all clicked. I scoffed to myself before shaking my head in disbelief. I continued to chuckle to myself as I played with the ceramic handle of my cup of hot coffee.

Crystal: "Wow, I feel so stupid right now." I paused, feeling slow. "I should have known this was a dream. As if I could ever have a twin in real life." I said, feeling duped.

Layla: "Crystal, this isn't a dream." Layla said, trying to convince me.

Crystal: "Sure. If this isn't a dream, then why is HE here?" I said, gesturing to Takanori, who was standing next to me. "Why are you here?" I asked him directly. "God, what a weird dream?" I said, annoyed.

Running his hand through his hair, he took a deep breath before turning all of his attention to me.

Takanori: "What do I have to do to convince you this isn't a dream?" Takanori asked, smiling.

Crystal: "There is absolutely nothing you could ever say that would ever convince me that this isn't a dream." I said, brushing off the notion.

'Great! Another stress dream. Why is it that whenever I'm having a stressful week, you flood my subconscious? Just when I think I'm over it, you show up to confuse me. Every time Takanori? Can't you just let me breathe for once?' I thought, looking at the bane of my existence. 'Why do you have to be so handsome. You make it hard for me to kick you out of my mind,' I thought, frustrated. 'Now that I'm thinking about it, what's the rush? It's just a dream, after all. Why not have some fun?' I thought, weighing my options.

Crystal: "Well. I guess since this is a dream, I see no harm." I said, making up my mind.

Layla: "No harm in what?" Layla questioned.

Not giving it a second thought, I yanked Takanori's shirt, pulling him down to me before kissing him. I passionately kissed the lips that fooled me years ago. I was shocked by my mind's accuracy. His lips felt exactly how I remembered them. Soft and unforgettable. Bringing our kissing to an end, I releasing Takanori from my grip and refocused on stirring my coffee, cooling it down.

Layla stared at me, speechless like I just shot someone in front of her, and Takanori stood with his hands on his hip, slightly panting and also speechless. They stayed like this a bit before Takanori broke the silence.

Takanori: "Can we keep her?" He asked, looking to Layla, sounding rather cheerful.

I chuckled to myself.

Crystal: "If only." I scoffed, before picking up my mug by the base instead of the handle. "Ouch," I exclaimed, putting the cup down, saving the remains of my singed fingertips. "Oh, that hurt," I said, then paused. "That hurt me," I said, coming to an upsetting realization. "Oh shit, I'm not dreaming, am I?" I said, mortified.

Layla: "Nope, you're not," Layla said, wearing a horrified expression.

Takanori: "Oh, come on, Layla. Let her keep dreaming. I was enjoying myself." Takanori smiled.

Like karma had my number on speed dial, conveniently Layla's phone rang, prompting her to excuse herself from the table, leaving me and my living nightmare alone together.

Crystal: "Damn it." I cussed under my breath.

Just my luck.