The small living room in Layla's apartment was lit by the warm glow of a single table lamp, casting soft shadows on the walls. She sat cross-legged on the couch, a stack of books on the coffee table in front of her, but she wasn't reading. Aaron sat at the other end, leaning back comfortably, though his gaze lingered on her longer than usual.
It had been an hour of half-hearted studying, though the tension in the air was impossible to ignore. Layla fidgeted with the hem of her sleeve, her pencil idly spinning between her fingers. Aaron finally set his book down with a thud and turned to her.
"Okay, Layla," he said, his voice cutting through the silence. "What's going on?"
She blinked at him, startled. "What do you mean? We're studying."
Aaron raised an eyebrow, the look on his face both skeptical and amused. "No, you're pretending to study. You've been off since the weekend. I already apologized about the market, so what's the deal?"
Layla dropped her pencil onto the table and leaned back, her arms crossing defensively. "There's no deal. I'm fine."
"You're not fine," he countered, his tone patient but insistent. "If I did something, just tell me. I'd rather know than keep guessing."
Her lips pressed into a thin line as she avoided his gaze. After a long moment, she let out a sigh and reached for the notebook on the table. Flipping to a blank page, she picked up a pen and started to draw.
Aaron watched in silence as two circles took shape. She pointed to the larger one first.
"This," she said, her voice quieter now, "is the outer circle. It's where most people are. If they ask about my family or try to get personal, I just… avoid them."
He nodded, his expression softening as he followed her explanation.
Layla drew a smaller circle inside the first. "This is the inner circle. Only a few people are here—people who know everything." She paused for a beat before drawing a third, much smaller circle in between the two. Her pen hovered over it for a moment.
"And this," she continued, "is the middle circle. You're here now. I don't know what to do about that."
Aaron studied the sketch for a long moment before looking back at her. "Is being in the middle a bad thing?"
Layla shook her head quickly. "It's not bad. It's just… complicated."
The word hung in the air, and Aaron leaned forward slightly, his elbows resting on his knees. "Complicated how?"
She hesitated, chewing on her bottom lip. Finally, she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "My family is complicated. I don't want to talk about it. You know…"
Her voice trailed off, and she dropped her gaze to her hands, which were now twisting the edge of her sleeve.
Aaron didn't press her further. Instead, he reached out, his hand gently covering hers. His touch was warm and steady, a quiet reassurance that settled her nerves.
"You don't have to talk about it if you're not ready," he said softly. "I'm not here to push you."
Her eyes lifted to meet his, and the sincerity in his gaze made her chest tighten. "Thanks," she murmured.
They sat in silence for a moment, the air between them calm and unhurried. Aaron gave her hand a gentle squeeze before leaning back again, giving her space.
"Layla," he said with a small smile, "you don't have to overthink this. Just be you. Circles and all."
A soft laugh escaped her, the tension in her shoulders easing. "You make it sound so simple."
"Maybe it is," he said, picking up the book again. "Now, are we studying or what?"
She rolled her eyes but picked up her pencil, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
Later that evening, after Aaron had left, Layla lay sprawled on her bed, the conversation replaying in her mind. Her phone buzzed, and she reached for it, seeing a message from Annie.
Annie: So, what's the deal with you and Aaron? You guys still hookup partners?
Layla stared at the screen, her stomach flipping. She hadn't really thought about what they were—beyond their usual arrangement—but tonight had felt different. Aaron wasn't just some casual fling anymore.
After a moment, she switched to her chat with Aaron.
Layla: Hey. Are we… friends with benefits?
She set the phone down, her heart racing as she waited for a reply. The screen lit up a few moments later.
Aaron: Umm, yeah. Why?
Layla hesitated, then typed out her response.
Layla: Does that mean we're friends now?
Aaron: It sure does.
Her lips twitched into a smile, and she switched back to Annie's chat.
Layla: We're friends with benefits.
Annie: Yeah… sure.
Layla: I'm serious.
Annie: Oh, I'm sure you are.
Layla let out a laugh, shaking her head at Annie's sarcasm. She dropped the phone onto her nightstand and stared at the ceiling.
The next day, the weight on Layla's chest felt lighter as she thought about Aaron's words. She went about her routine with more ease, and for once, she didn't overthink their strange dynamic. Maybe it wasn't as complicated as she made it out to be.
The evening came, and she found herself back on the couch, a cup of tea in hand. Her phone buzzed again, and she saw another message from Aaron.
Aaron: So, what's the plan for Friday?
She smirked, shaking her head. He always managed to bring things back to their arrangement.
Layla: You're predictable, you know that?
Aaron: And yet, you keep replying.
She laughed, her fingers flying across the screen.
Layla: You're impossible.
Aaron: Well I did see you eye-fuck me when I was getting back from practice.
Layla: Sure... keep dreaming.
As their banter continued, Layla realized that, despite everything, she felt a sense of calm she hadn't felt in a long time. Aaron might be in the middle circle now, but maybe that wasn't such a bad thing after all.