In my heart you're here to stay

Laila

After witnessing such a scene, I can’t take it—I have to get out of here… “How did we get to this point? Just a month ago, I was the person who mattered most to him… But ever since she appeared, everything has started to change…” I collapse to the ground, my mind replaying the night of the gala. “How stupid I was—I should never have pushed him into her arms…” «Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!» I scream, slamming my fists into the dirt. My eyes lift, catching sight of the light in our room still glowing. “Nadia…”

I pull myself to my feet, wiping the tears away with my arm. I slip into the room, passing through the wall by the window. Nadia’s face lights up with relief the moment she sees me. «How did it go?» she asks, sitting on the bed.

«I’m sorry, but I couldn’t find him.» I answer with a trembling smile. I don’t want her to worry about me, I don’t want her to see me like this.

She stands and slaps me, the crack echoing through the room. «Stop lying!» she shouts, her eyes blazing with anger. «Don’t be the old crybaby Søren! Where’s Laila?!» Her words cut deeper than the slap. “She’s right… What would my human self think if she saw me like this?” I sit on the bed, hiding my face in my hands. I feel stupid. Pathetic. Nadia sits down beside me, resting her hand on my shoulder. «Let’s sleep,» she says softly. «Tomorrow morning we’ll fix everything.»

I nod, too tired to argue. I change quickly and slip under the covers with her. That night, I fall asleep in silence, with tears soaking my pillow.

°°°

The next morning, I walk into the dining hall. Dawn’s light floods the room, but my mood remains heavy. Søren is at the table, finishing eggs, beans, and a couple of sausages. He looks up at me, joyful, though I sense a trace of tension. He rises and steps toward me. «Laila, there’s something important I want to tell you.»

“I know what he’s about to say—he probably just wants to boast about last night.” Crossing my arms, I look away. «Go on.»

He takes a deep breath, then another, eyes closing for a moment. His fists clench, and he looks at me. «Laila, I… I’ve always loved you!»

«Eh?» I stare at him, confused. «If this is a joke, it’s not funny.»

«N-no, it’s not.» he insists, refusing to back down. «I know there’ve been moments of tension that tried to push us apart, but we’ve always stayed together… I can’t imagine a future without you.»

«You bastard!» I shout, my hand flying on its own, slapping him so hard it leaves the imprint of my palm.

Søren holds his cheek, visibly bewildered. «What’s wrong with you, Laila?»

«You…» my voice breaks with sobs, «You can’t tell me that after kissing Liliane with that same mouth!» Tears stream down my face. «I saw you two last night!»

«Wait, you don’t know the whole story, let me explain.» he says, stepping forward.

I flinch. «Stay away from me! There’s nothing to explain!» Turning sharply, I fly off.

«Laila! Stop!» His voice echoes behind me, but I can’t—I won’t—not after what he did.

The wind lashes against my face, drying my tears. I land on a small farming island overlooking the archipelago. Hours pass as I sit, staring out at the horizon. The sun dips low, the air grows cold.

Then I hear footsteps approaching. «Thank goodness, there you are.»

«What are you doing here?»

«We were all worried about you.» Liliane says gently.

«Well, you found me. Now leave.» My tone is harsh, dismissive, and I don’t even look at her. But she doesn’t budge.

«Not without you.» With quiet composure, she sits beside me, smiling softly.

«Are you here to rub it in?»

«What do you mean?» she asks, genuinely confused.

«I saw you two last night—kissing…»

Her face softens. «Laila, it’s not what you think. There’s nothing between me and Renren.»

«How can you say that when you call him with a pet name?»

«You’re right. I’m sorry.» she says, her voice calm and kind. «But listen, I’d really like to tell you what happened last night. I know I’m asking a lot of you right now, but it would mean so much if you’d hear me out.»

Pouting, I glance at her from the corner of my eye. «Mh…» I grumble, reluctantly agreeing.

«Thank you,» she says, gazing out at the horizon. «You see, during our walk, Søren and I talked a lot about our relationship…»

«So you admit there was something!»

«Hold on, just be patient a little longer.» She smiles gently. «The truth is, I was the one more in love; I already knew I could never have his whole heart, but I still wanted to try a more intimate bond with him.»

Her words fill me with sadness. Turning toward her, I see her eyes growing watery. «Liliane…» I whisper.

«Our love was never going to last long. It was just a crush, and it would never have been a truly sincere relationship.» She faces me, offering a bittersweet smile. «But to mark that fleeting infatuation, I wanted to create an indelible memory to carry with me, along with Renren. We gave each other our first kisses, and sealed the budding romance into a friendship…»

I sit in silence for a moment, her words weighing on me. «You mean that?»

«Yes… I’m sorry I stole his first kiss.»

«What do you mean?»

«What? Didn’t you run away because he confessed his love to you?» she asks, covering her laugh with her hand.

«W-wait… so he…» My face burns.

She smiles and nods. «Go to him…»

I throw my arms around her, tears soaking her dress. Euphoria floods me. «Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!» Suddenly, I feel Søren’s thoughts and intentions clearly again. I sense him. I know exactly where he is.

I fly straight for the castle. I find him in the garden, and dive toward him, arms wide. «SØREEEEEEN!»

He turns to me, startled. «Laila?!» He starts running.

«DON’T RUN AWAY!»

«AND YOU SLOW DOWN!» But instead I speed up, crashing into him. My bracelets sting from the impact, but I don’t care—all that matters now is holding him tight. «Ow—ugh,» he groans. «Laila, what—»

«Shut up…» I whisper, pressing my lips against his. I feel his hands steady, then gently tighten around my waist.