I'm nervous. I don't have a single fúcking clue why, but I am. It's just Homecoming. It's not even like I'm going with anyone. What the hell is wrong with me?

I'm standing with Liam and Mark in the entrance way of Layla's house. The two of them are making small talk with Layla's mom, Laura while we wait for the girls to come downstairs.

We're all dresses in our suits, ready for the dance. I have to say, I'm damn glad that Layla suggested I didn't wear a tie, because Liam and Mark look fúcking uncomfortable. The three of us did clean up pretty well though.

Mark:

Liam:

Reece:

The sound of heels on the hardwood floors immediately drew my eyes to the stairs. Amanda was the first of the three girls to walk down the stairs wearing the red dress she bought at the mall on our day out.

"Oh fúck," Mark mutters when he sees her, and a small smile slips onto my face. He is so whipped.

Anna is next down the steps and I have to hold back a sigh. She looks all grown up in that dress. I don't like it. But she looks pretty, and I know that she loves getting dressed up like this.

When Layla walks down the stairs last, the first thing I notice is her smile. It's wide and beautiful, showcasing her straight teeth between her lips pink and glossy lips. Next, I notice her eyes. How the green of her irises is so unbelievably bright, and her eyelashes are long and dark.

Then my eyes trail down and I have to clench my jaw to stop it from hitting the floor. She is so fúcking gorgeous and that dress hugs her body like a second skin. Her hair is pulled back, exposing her neck and I realize at that moment how good she looks with her hair up like that.

Her perfectly straight, white teeth sink into her pink-painted bottom lip lightly to hold back a grin. As she walks towards me, it feels like everything is going in slow motion. Suddenly, I forget every word in the English language. I just can't comprehend it. I love it when she wears my hoodie, but I certainly am not complaining about getting to see her in that dress. Dámn.

"Don't you look handsome," Layla croons when she stops in front of me, still having to look up at me despite the heels she's wearing.

I swallow roughly as I let my gaze drop over her body quickly once more before snapping my eyes back up to her. "Sunshine, you uh-" I clear my throat when my voice comes out hoarse, shoving my hands into the pockets of my suit pants, "You look beautiful."

She grins, "You've seen me in this dress before, Reece."

I nod, forcing my eyes to stay locked on hers instead of dropping them down once more. "I know, it's just- the hair, your- uh eyes are- yeah, it's different."

Fúcking hell, I don't think I've ever stammered so much in my life.

A chuckle bubbles through her, "Thank you, Reece." Her gaze then switches to the collar of my shirt as she reaches a hand up to fix it. "I'm glad you went without the tie."

"So am I. Those two look fúcking uncomfortable." I smile, nodding towards Liam and Mark.

Another giggle slips past her lips and I watch her nose crinkle adorably. "I can only imagine. You all look great though."

"Alright, alright! I need some pictures!" Laura, rushes into the room, phone in hand.

Layla groans quietly and turns to face her, "Really, do we have to?"

"Yes, now come on. In front of that wall... yup, perfect." We all shuffle into place. "Smile!"

After about a million pictures in different arrangements and groups and pairs, she finally let us go. We all make sure we're ready to go then walk outside, towards my car.

"I call shotgun!" Layla exclaims happily and no one seems to have any complaints. Honestly, it hadn't really crossed my mind for anyone else to sit up front with me. Since I first met her, every car ride with her has consisted of me in the driver's seat and her right next to me. It would be weird to have it any other way.

Before Layla could reach the car, I reach out and open her door for her. She smiles up at me gratefully, "Thanks, Reece."

Everyone piled into my car and soon enough we're pulling up to the school. We climb out of the car again and head towards the gym. When we walk in, it's filled with our peers all dressed up as well, music playing loudly throughout the room. It's all decorated for the dance in our school colors, blue, white, and silver.

"You want something to drink, Sunshine?" I ask her once we've found a little spot away from the main dancing area to stand.

She nods, "Yeah, just water, please."

I flash her a quick smile and head away from her in search of the drinks table. My face sets into a scowl as I push past all the people. God, they are so annoying. I quickly get Layla and I each a bottle of water before making my way back over to where I'd left her in the crowd.

When I get there though, she is talking to one person I really don't want to see. Arden. When I reach them, I completely ignore my ex and rest a hand on Layla's side. I hand her the bottle of water as she looks over her shoulder at me. She smiles up at me and I smiled back.

"Thanks," She murmurs, taking the bottle of water with one hand while resting the other over my hand that's on her waist. My smile widens as I stare down at her and I physically feel her relax as she leans back against me. Talking to Arden has clearly made her tense.

My eyes move to Arden and my stare narrows. "What do you want?"

She smiles at me innocently, "Me and your little girlfriend were just having some girl talk, weren't we?"

Layla raises an eyebrow at her, "I already told you, I'm not his girlfriend."

"And she has a name," I add, keeping my hand on her waist protectively.

Arden rolls her eyes, "Yeah, Lara or something."

"It's Layla," She says flatly. My eyes move to look over Arden's shoulder as another person approaches us. I almost groan out loud. It just has to be him.

"Hey, babe," Tyler says, coming up behind Arden. She turns and instantly begins kissing him sloppily.

That's disgusting.

I roll my eyes, about to walk away when they pull apart again. Tyler's eyes move to Layla and me. He winks at Layla and says, "Hey, Sugar."

I really want to punch him.

My hand on Layla's waist tightens. She pats my hand softly, her fingers brushing over mine reassuringly. She always knows how to calm me. Just her presence relaxes me.

"What do you two want?" She asks, her tone sharp.

"We just wanted to say hello, that's all," Arden replies.

"Well, now we're saying bye," Layla states before taking a step to move away.

Tyler speaks up again before we get the chance to walk away, "Leaving so soon?"

"I'm afraid so," I say sarcastically before turning to Layla and holding out my hand, "Would you like to dance, Sunshine?"

She smiles and takes my hand in hers, "I'd love to."

I lead her into the crowd of dancing people, and she sticks close to me. We place our drinks on a nearby table, knowing we'll probably never see them again. We stop when we find a little clearing and I turn. I Won't Give Up by Jason Mraz starts playing. I reach my arms out towards her but suddenly stop, mouth falling open into a small 'o' shape as I realize what is actually happening. Layla only grins.

When I look into your eyes

It's like watching the night sky

Or a beautiful sunrise

So much they hold

She gently takes my hands in hers, pulling me closer to her. I stumble a couple steps forward as she moves my hands to rest on her waist. She then moves her own up to wrap around my neck. I slide mine upwards to settle in the middle of her back, interlocking them behind her. We slowly start swaying to the beat.

And just like them old stars

I see that you've come so far

To be right where you are

How old is your soul?

She steps a little closer to me and I suck in a sharp breath.

I won't give up on us

Even if the skies get rough

I'm giving you all my love

I'm still looking up

I let out a small sigh as her nose gently nuzzles against my neck. Her familiar vanilla scent completely encases me, overflowing my senses.

And when you're needing your space

To do some navigating

I'll be here patiently waiting

To see what you find

One of her hands winds its way through my hair while the other stays at the base of my neck.

Cos even the stars they burn

Some even fall to the earth

We got a lot to learn

God knows we're worth it

No I won't give up

My hands press into her lower back gently, pushing her closer to me.

I don't wanna be someone who walks away so easily

I'm here to stay and make the difference that I can make

Our differences they do a lot to teach us how to use

The tools and gifts we've got yeah we got a lot at stake

I take in a little breath when she moves her head to rest on my chest. I have no doubt that she can hear my pounding heart. My grip on her tightens slightly.

And in the end, you're still my friend at least we did intend

For us to work we didn't break, we didn't burn

We had to learn how to bend without the world caving in

I had to learn what I got, and what I'm not and who I am

Leaning down, I tuck my head into the crook of her neck, and I can tell she's smiling. She starts humming in tune to the song as we continue to sway. One of her hands comes up and runs through the top of my hair before I speak quietly in her ear.

"Sing, Sunshine."

She does as I request, singing the rest of the song softly in my ear. Her voice is gentle and beautiful, and swear I could listen to her sing to me forever.

"I won't give up on us

Even if the skies get rough

I'm giving you all my love

I'm still looking up

I won't give up on us

God knows I'm tough enough

We got a lot to learn

God knows we're worthy

I won't give up on us

Even if the skies get rough

I'm giving you all my love

I'm still looking up"

The song finishes but neither Layla nor I pull away from one another. A slightly faster song begins to play that I don't recognize. Instead of breaking away from her, my feet adapt to the new beat and we continue to sway. I'm guessing Layla doesn't know the lyrics as she just hums instead.

When that song finishes, another begins playing. This one I do know. Again, it's a relatively fast song, but Layla and I don't break apart. The song is Alone Together by Dan + Shay. She quietly sings the lyrics, running her hands through my hair soothingly.

That song eventually finishes as well, and this time we do pull away. I smile down at her and watch her face morph into a beautiful smile of her own.

"How 'bout we go get something to eat?" I murmur, leaning a little closer so that she can hear me over the music.

She nods and once again takes my hand in hers. I lead her through the mass of dancing bodies, and I try to keep her close to me. At some point, I lose my grip on her hand and then I can no longer see her.