"How about the guitar? I always loved the sound of a guitar."

"Okie doke." She walked over to the wall and grabbed the acoustic guitar as Nick took a seat on the small love seat. "Now, try not to laugh too hard." He smiled and nodded, wanting her to begin. She started strumming with passion, a fast beat being mapped out right away.
“Every time you go away
It actually kinda makes my day
Every time you leave you slam the door
You pick your words so carefully
You hate to think you're hurting me
You leave me laughing on the floor cause
I don't give it up, I don't give a damn
What you say about that
You know I don't give it up, I don't give a damn
What you say about that
You know I'm not gonna cry about some stupid guy
A guy who thinks he's all that
I thought we were just hanging out
So why'd ya kiss me on the mouth
You thought the way you taste would get me high
You went to all your friends to brag
Guys are always such a drag
Don't you know the reason that I kissed ya
Was to say good-bye cause
I don't give it up, I don't give a damn
What you say about that
You know I don't give it up, I don't give a damn
What you say about that
You know I'm not gonna cry about some stupid guy
A guy who thinks he's all that."

Nick stared in awe, amazed by what he was hearing. He was so stunned that he found himself unable to speak.

Layla stopped playing, biting her lower lip as his eyes seemed to be focused on her soul. "Is something wrong?"

"Did...did you write that?" he finally stuttered.

"Yeah, I wrote that after I ended a friendship with someone."

"He sounds like a jerk."

"He was, but he's a wealthy jerk." Nick eyed her suspiciously. She thought for a moment and then figured she might as well spill the rest of it. "Leonardo used to be a good friend of mine."

"Leonardo? As in DiCaprio?" He watched as she shook her head timidly. "You dated Leonardo DiCaprio?"

"I didn't date him. He viewed me as one of his entourage. Unfortunately he thought just because he was who he was; I'd want to sleep with him. He used our friendship as a springboard for the whole thing. Makes me sick each time I think about it."

Nick flinched internally, feeling completely guilty about every sexual thought he had about her that night. Right now, he was no better than him. "That's horrible," he managed out.

"Eh, I got over it. His ego was bruised though. That's why I'm enjoying getting to know you," she smiled. "You seem so genuine."

"That's me," he confirmed quietly. "Do you have anything else you wrote?"

She sat for a moment, thinking of another tune.
“Your eyes they look so bright
A funky flair in my appetite
But there's no room for you
My feet are on the ground
And my head is in the clouds
But you still can't break through
Whatcha gonna do
I'm not just gonna stand around
Waiting for my lips to be read
Falling through the cracks in the ground
My feelings need to be said
Flowing like water in a crimson melody
The orange plastic sun is shining
And the truth so hard to see
The rain of your existence
Is falling down on me
And the soap suds spread like a disease
From my washing machine
I'm not just gonna stand around
Waiting for my lips to be read
Falling through the cracks in the ground
My feelings need to be said
I'm not just gonna stand around
Waiting for you
Falling through the cracks in the ground
And I'm hoping that you'll make your next move
That you'll make your next move
I'm not just gonna stand around
Waiting for my lips to be read
Falling through the cracks in the ground
My feelings need to be said.”

"Have you ever thought about going pro?"

"Are you kidding? This is just for fun. I don't want any career out of this."

"You can't be serious," he scoffed. "Do you realize what talent you have?"

"I'll leave the record making up to you. I'm content just the way things are. Maybe, someday if I'm bored with myself, I'd consider doing something with the music. Until then, I just wanna goof around with it."

"Well, when you finally come to your senses let me know. But, I hope you realize I plan on hearing more," he smiled.

"Maybe you'll get lucky," she laughed.

"Oh, a challenge, I'm always up for that. Bring it on, girly!"

"What about you? You said you just started to play the guitar."

"I've been messing around with it recently," he admitted shyly.

"Can I hear something? After all, it's only fair."

"Um, okay." He nervously took the instrument from her, his palms sweating already. "This is just something I've been working on. I'm thinking it'll sound better with piano backing, but I don't know how to play that." He found the right starting chords and began strumming lightly.
"Don't wanna close the door
Don't wanna give up on it
Don't wanna fight no more
We'll find a way around it
Where's the love that we had
We can make it last
Tell me what I gotta be
Tell me what you wanna do
Cause I can't live my life
The way you want me to
You know I can't go on
Living like we do
Do I have to cry for you
Do I have to cry for you"

"My God," Layla breathed. "Who inspired that song?"

He looked down, knowing that question was coming. "My ex, Mandy. She always complained how I never cried enough when we were together. It was one of her biggest pet peeves while we were going out. She thought something was wrong with me because I didn't cry every time we got into a fight."

"Wow, she sounds very selfish."

"She was. She was the one I was talking about earlier. The one that physically and emotionally drained me."

"Let me at her for ten minutes; show her what some men with real emotional instabilities look like." Her voice held a tint of anger. "She had no clue how good she had it."

"She was far from the only one to blame, but she was no saint."

"It seems like she caused you a lot of pain."

He looked fondly into her eyes, not wanting to talk about the hurt anymore. "I want to hear something else from you," he smiled.

"Damn, I can't resist that grin. Okay, one more." She cleared her throat and began to play.
"There was a time when I was
In a hurry as you are
I was like you
There was a day when I just
Had to tell my point of view
I was like you
Now I don't mean to make you frown
No, I just want you to slow down
Have you never been mellow
Have you never tried
Yo find a comfort from inside you
Have you never been happy
Just to hear your song
Have you never let someone else be strong
Running around as you do
With your head up in the clouds
I was like you
Never had time to lay back
Kick your shoes off, close your eyes
I was like you
Now you're not hard to understand
You need someone to hold your hand"

"Wow, who did you write that for?"

"Actually, my brother wrote it for me. Before Jasper, Casey is my best friend. I guess my relationship with him is how you described Aaron and yourself. There's a special bond there."

"It's great to have, isn't it?"

"Yes, but I miss him. Like you, I don't get to see my bro much either. He lives in Newark, New Jersey. He's a promising author that's been locking himself in seclusion."

"Gee, a talented family. It has to be absolute fate that we met," he giggled.

"I just wish I saw him more. You understand." She looked at the clock and had to yawn. "We should get some sleep. I'm just worried that Alex hasn't called yet."

"Eh, no need to worry. Knowing him, he zonked out as soon as they made it back. He'll call tomorrow, I'm sure of it."

They made their way back up the stairs. After washing their faces, they both picked a couch and made themselves comfortable. "Do you wanna hang out more tomorrow?" Layla asked quietly.

"I'd like that." He smiled big since the darkness enveloped them. "Night, Layla."

"Nighty night, Nick."