Chapter 2: The Glass-like Bow

Layla stared, confused at what she just witnessed. She was about to scream when the words reappeared. This time, Layla read as fast as she could:

YOU RUINED-

It got cut off.

She panicked. She closed the journal shut and threw it across her room.

"Layla? What is this?" Her stepfather asked as he came in and stumbled upon the journal. "You know writing is useless. Cleaning, dancing, and cooking are what men like." He picked it up and was about to flip the pages when Layla sprinted to grab it.

"It's nothing Father." she hid beneath her dark hair and put the journal on her bed. "Anyways, I must be off. I have to get the bouquet for Lady Lauren. She wants them for her kitchen." she said.

Her stepfather left, satisfied with Layla's answer. Her stepfather wanted the girls to marry rich, they could own property and have beautiful children. Layla never like that, she wanted to go out and explore.

Layla put away the journal, securly, and drifted to the garden. The garden had wonderful marble statues everywhere, and a sea of colors. Arrays of flowers were laid out, in color order.

She picked up the teal blue flowers, around 10, and made her way to the white flowers. She picked the white flowers and sprinkled them in the bouquet.

After 2 minutes, Layla gave up. She sat down, hopelessly, on the bench. Layla sighed and walked off to Lady Lauren's house. She had a lavender house, quite odd in the area they lived in.

Layla knocked on door and patiently waited. The flowers were in the basket, tied together. Lady Lauren opened the door with her dazzling smile.

"How lovely Layla! Here is the necklace I owe you." Lady Lauren said and presented the beautiful necklace which sparkled in the sunlight.

"No, it's fine! Really!" Layla said, feeling bad getting the necklace for just a bouquet she spent 2 minutes on.

"Well, you need something. Hold on! Let me get something really quick." Lady Lauren shut the door and ran inside. Layla smiled. Lady Lauren always found something, always made everyone happy. "Here."

Lady Lauren was panting. She opened her palm to reveal a beautiful bow. Layla gasped. It was clear with pearls all around it. It gave the glass-like effect when she held it up to the light.

"It's sooooo pretty!" Layla told her. Lady Lauren smiled and put it in her hair. Lady Lauren grabbed the bouquet and quickly shut the door before Layla gave it back.

Layla skipped home, something so childish, but fun. When she reached her house her shoulders drooped down and her smile was wiped from her face.

"I wish I can just LEAVE THIS PLACE!" Layla shouted, very unlike her, and kicked the ground her new heels. The heels looked like a disaster from all the skipping. "These dumb heels!"

WOOF WOOF!

A dog? Layla thought. Mother and Father would never accept such a request.

In reality, Layla always wanted a dog. She and Kayla begged their mother and father to get one, but her father was deathly allergic to one.

A fluffy white dog emerged from the bushess, covered in leaves.

"Darling! No! Sit! Stay!" Kayla, Ruby, and Charlotte's voices all called.

Layla knelt down and grabbed the dog, put in the basket, and pet it. It was frightened from all the yelling her sisters caused.

"Layla?" Kayla said as she saw us. She looked frightened, almost as if she was embarrassed she cared for such a creature.

"It's fine. What's her name?" Layla said excitedly.

"Oh. It's Darling." Kayla said cautiously. It was clear she was embarrassed. Ruby ran in and broke the trance Kayla was in.

"DARLING!" Ruby shrieked in her high-pitched voice. Layla beamed at Darling. Who knew such an animal can look so sweet and cute and small.