The Unexpected Healer

When Layla opened her eyes for good Adam sensed it. Unfortunately it was in the middle of the school day, so he was forced to wait out a few more hours before he could see her. He felt like he was about to jump out of his skin the rest of the day as well as the entire bus ride home. How had he not noticed before what a long ride it was from the middle school to his home? And where was Evan? He hadn't seen him in school all day. He could barely concentrate when Calla tried to talk to him on the ride home.

"And then I was thinking of creating a huge earthquake to open up the ground and swallow up all of Nyack." Finally her words caught his attention.

He took her hands in his own. "I am so sorry. It's just, Layla, she's back for good. Finally. It feels like it's been forever. I've missed her. I have so many questions."

She twirled the end of her braid, "I get it. I missed her too. She's been like a sister to me, in a drill sergeant sadistic kind of way." They both laugh.

Hand in hand they run from the bus stop to the village medical center that had been Layla's home ever since the accident. Hopefully soon she could return back to Allan and Calla's house. Both of them stop short when they see Evan leaning against the outside of the building. His emerald eyes look right through them. Something is troubling him yet Adam can't quite sense what it is.

Calla puts her free hand on Evan's arm, "Is everything okay?"

Evan nods. "This was my first time seeing her since everything happened."

"And?" Adam questioned.

Evan smirks, "And she grilled me about if we've been keeping up with our training. She said this is no time to get lazy. It's almost as if nothing has changed."

Adam broke into a wide smile, "Well that's good. Do you think they'll let us see her?" Evan gestures for them to go right in.

"I'm gonna go for a walk. I'll catch up with you guys in a bit."

Adam and Calla walk down the long white corridor to Layla's room. Sarah and Allan are already in the room by her side. They hardly ever leave to begin with unless its for the occasional change of clothes. Evan was right, Layla does seem like her old self. There is still some pinkness on her face and arms where the new skin is healing, but other than that she has that same take no prisoners way about her. She was even arguing with Sarah right where they had left off.

Sarah reasoned, "All I'm saying is that maybe a more relaxed approach to training would be better. A less stressful environment for everyone involved."

Layla grunted, "Are you serious old woman! The fact that Evan was able to do what he did only proves my methods are working. And now that they have hit their second wave you better believe I'm going to kick things up a notch. Rest is for the weak."

Adam approaches the side of her bed, "Evan could have killed you."

She shakes her head, "Like I'd let that happen. Don't let the hospital setting fool you. I just needed a break from you brats, that's all this was. I am good to go again. If the warden's would let me I'd whip you guys right now."

Adam's eyes scan the rest of the room, "Can I have a minute alone with her please?"

Everyone looks confused, Calla looks concerned. Layla scoffs, "Don't worry sweetheart, you can trust me alone with your boyfriend. He's not my type." They all shuffle out of the room.

Calla kisses Adam on the cheek before saying to Layla, "Glad to have you back."

When the door shuts Adam explains all that he found out while she was unconscious. About her family, Cole, and Joey. He wanted her to understand that she could trust him with this information. More importantly he needed her to know she could stop with the tough girl act and just be real with all of them. They are a family and family looks out for one another.

Layla appears annoyed more than anything, "Listen I'm doing just fine on my own and have been ever since I walked away from them. You should stop worrying about me and start focusing on yourself. New romance and new powers? Sounds like you have your hands full to me. As for family, I don't have one any more and I have learned to accept that."

It's true that Calla may not always be around to help him when things get out on control. He would need to learn to stand on his own. He sits down in the chair next to her bed. "I think I know what my weakness is. I rely too much on others."

Layla shakes her head. "That is NOT a weakness. Did anyone tell you how I finally woke up?" Adam shrugs. She continues, "It was Evan. He took his inner water to absorb my pain. Both emotional and physical. He was here for hours. I always knew people of water had the ability to do something like that just not to the capacity that Evan did. He may have almost killed me, but he saved me too."

"I had no idea. That's pretty incredible."

"Yeah, so I guess that makes me and him even...for now at least. It doesn't mean I'm going to be any easier on him in training or any of you for that matter. But maybe you shouldn't be so tough on him." Adam began to argue when Layla held her hand up to silence him,"Don't think I didn't sense the things that were going on around me. You can go now. Write love sonnets and run into Calla's arms through a field of daisies or whatever love sick teenagers do. Clearly not my thing."

Adam gets up and begins to lean in, "Will it hurt if I hug you?"

"Yes, I'll hurt you. Get out of here already, seriously. See you tomorrow when they release me from this prison."