"Billy… is that you?" Desmond asked in shock.
"It's me indeed," Billy replied, pulling down his hood with a smirk on his face.
"It's really you. We thought you left town after the incident," Phillip said, trying to create some distance between Billy and himself.
"Why would I leave?" Billy asked with a smug smile.
"We visited your house a f-few times and our usual spots, but you were nowhere to be found, so we thought y-you left town," Jack stammered as he explained.
"Guys, calm down. I'm not here to eat you," Billy said, laughing. "I just wanted to catch up. Are you in?"
The trio looked at each other and nodded at the same time.
"Good! How about we meet this evening at our usual spot? How does that sound?" Billy asked, pulling his hood back over his head.
Again, the three of them nodded in unison.
"Be there by six o'clock," Billy said as he walked past them.
"You'll still be my friends," Billy muttered to himself with a sly smile, "but this time as vampires."
Meanwhile…
Layla stood in front of her mirror, studying her reflection with a mix of excitement and nerves. She had chosen a simple, elegant gown for her date with Ryan—a light blue dress that flowed just past her knees, accentuating her slender frame without being too flashy. Her dark hair cascaded loosely over her shoulders, framing her face, and a pair of silver earrings completed the look. She wanted tonight to be perfect, but not too over the top.
"Simple is good," she murmured to herself, smoothing out a small crease on the dress. This was her first date with Ryan, and although she had tried to act calm, there was no denying the flurry of butterflies in her stomach.
Being around him felt… natural. It was a strange feeling, considering the secrets she carried, but tonight, she was determined to enjoy this rare moment of simplicity, she thought, clenching her small fists.
Taking a deep breath, she grabbed her purse and walked out of her room. Her home was empty—only her and her compelled mother stayed here. It was the kind of place that often made her feel more isolated than comforted. But as she stepped outside into the cool evening air, those thoughts faded. Ryan was waiting for her at the door, and the sight of him brought an instant smile to her face.
He was dressed casually—dark jeans, a white t-shirt, and a jacket that looked effortlessly cool. When he saw her, his eyes widened slightly, and a grin spread across his face.
"You look amazing," Ryan said, his voice full of genuine admiration.
Layla blushed lightly, offering a shy smile in return. "Thank you. You don't look too bad yourself."
He laughed, scratching the back of his neck nervously, and they stood there for a moment before he gestured down the street. "Ready?"
"Ready," Layla nodded, and they began walking side by side.
Their destination was a cozy spot that Blake had recommended to Ryan the other night, where they bought their ice cream and burgers.
As they walked, the conversation flowed easily. Ryan talked about the drama at school, joking about some of their classmates, while Layla found herself laughing more than she had in a long time. His carefree attitude was contagious, and soon, her nerves started to melt away.
When they arrived at the diner, the signboard that read **WELCOME TO MR. CREAM** welcomed them.
The place was just as they had found it the other night after completing Bassam's daily tasks: simple, with the smell of burgers sizzling on the grill and the sweet scent of ice cream wafting through the air. Ryan held the door open for her, and they found a booth near the window.
"So, this is the spot," Layla said, glancing around with a smile.
"Yep, Blake recommended it," Ryan replied, sitting across from her. "He said the ice cream is a must, but I'm all about the burgers."
They browsed the menu, and after a few playful arguments about what to order, they settled on two burgers and a sundae to share. While they waited for the food, the conversation grew deeper. Ryan decided to start.
"So, what brought you to Beacon Hills?" Ryan asked, leaning forward, genuinely curious.
Layla paused, her fingers playing with the edge of her napkin. "It's a long story," she said slowly. "My mother and I moved here for a fresh start. Things were… complicated before, and I guess we needed a change." She offered just enough to keep things light but avoided the parts of her life she wasn't ready to reveal.
Ryan nodded, sensing there was more to the story, but didn't push. "Well, I'm glad you came here. I think it's safe to say the school is more interesting with you around."
Layla smiled, feeling warmth spread through her. "Thanks. I'm glad I met you too."
Their food arrived, and the next few minutes were spent enjoying the meal. Ryan, as predicted, was thrilled with his burger, biting into it hungrily, while Layla took smaller bites, savoring the flavors. After finishing their burgers, they split the sundae, laughing as they fought over the last bite of ice cream.
The afternoon felt easy, almost too perfect. Layla could feel herself lowering her guard more with every passing minute, and it scared her just a little. Ryan was so open, so honest, and being around him made her forget—if only for a short while—the secrets she kept hidden, which made her shudder a little.
As they finished the sundae, Ryan leaned back in the booth, looking at her with a thoughtful expression. "You know, I wasn't sure how tonight would go. First dates can be awkward, but this… this feels nice."
Layla looked up, her heart skipping a beat at his words. "It does. I'm glad we did this."
Ryan smiled. "Maybe we could do it again sometime?"
"I'd like that," she replied sincerely.
As the night began to wind down, they decided to take one last walk before heading home. The streets were quieter, the cool air wrapping around them as they strolled side by side. Ryan offered her his jacket, which she gratefully accepted, finding comfort in the warmth of the fabric.
When they finally reached her house, Layla turned to face him. For a moment, there was a brief silence between them.
"Thanks for today," Layla said softly. "It was perfect."
Ryan smiled, his eyes meeting hers. "No need to thank me. I'm glad you had a good time. I did too."
There was a pause, the kind that held the weight of something unspoken. Layla felt her heart racing and, for a brief second, wondered if he was going to kiss her.
Instead, Ryan gently took both of her hands. "Layla, I want to always stand by your side no matter what. I want to be the one you share your problems and secrets with. Would you let me?" he asked, his eyes searching hers, wondering where he had found the courage to say that.
At that moment, Layla's heart was pounding faster and faster. She didn't know what to say, so she just continued to stare into Ryan's eyes.
"You can think about it, but I'll await your reply," Ryan said, breaking the awkwardness.
"Okay," Layla managed to force out.
"Goodnight, Layla," he said softly.
"Goodnight, Ryan," she replied as she hurriedly opened the door and closed it behind her, her heart still racing.
She peeked through the door and saw Ryan's figure disappearing down the street.
Her thoughts were consumed by the boy who made her feel like a normal human again, if only for a few hours.
Smiling to herself, Layla turned and walked inside her house, her heart still fluttering from the moments she would never forget.