When I woke up, I found myself resting on a neatly folded towel. I could guess what had happened—being perched on someone's lap might seem cute, but the weight of even a small cat can cut off circulation. Layla had probably moved me to save herself from numb legs. I couldn't exactly blame her.
Layla sat a short distance away, engrossed in her studies. Her profile caught my eye, sharp and focused. Seeing her so dedicated to her books was a side of her I'd never witnessed before. Normally, her presence radiated an icy elegance, but there was warmth in her diligence that made her seem... almost approachable. Even charming, in its rarity.
I didn't want to disturb her, so I stretched, yawned, and quietly left the little sanctuary she'd created. As I passed through the magically crafted secret door, I marveled at how much effort she had put into the hidden space. Layla really was trying to find her own path in this chaotic world.
