All American Senior Year: Volume One

Out with the Old, in with the New: (Part One)

Sitting in the parking lot, she stared at the cafe, her mind had been filled with sadness and anger from the past week. It was too soon to come back to the place her and Olivia broke off their friendship. But Layla couldn't be alone right now. She had felt this heaviness in her heart. An ache she couldn't get rid of. Being alone in her thoughts would take her to places she'd fought so hard to not go back to. Taking a deep breath, Layla wiped the tear from her eye, shaking her head. Clearing her throat she patted under her eyes, reapplying her makeup in the rearview mirror. 

Layla turned back to look outside when the cafe had seemed busier today. It was a Wednesday afternoon and she knew that Spencer had been off today. Not wanting to run into him, she planned to come on days where he wasn't working. Hoping to not have awkward run-ins, she wanted to avoid him as much as possible. Her eyes darted to the outside of the cafe when her own words echoed in her head. "Words of advice for next time you go around stealing your best friend's boyfriend again. Spare her the heartache, because you are really only hurting yourself in the end". "I hope you and Spencer are happy. You both deserve it. Maybe I was in the way of the two of you. But we all know how this is going to end". Fighting back her tears, Layla's eyes were fixated at the spot glaring back to the girl that broke her heart.  

Consistent banging on her window, abruptly kicked her out of her thoughts when her eyes darted at Coop with a big smile on her face. Lowering the window, Layla cleared her throat breaking her gaze, looking down to her lap. "Thought we were meeting at six," Layla said. Her voice was low as it cracked in between words.  Trying to block her emotions, all Layla saw was Spencer and Olivia flooding her mind. "Girl, you know how long the bus takes to get to bougie Beverly Hills? I had to take three buses to get here. We need to find a better solution for this. Or at least meet halfway. I mean...unless you want to pick me up. Is this new?" Coop asked looking at her new car. "Yeah...needed a change," Layla said. "You know for normal people, we buy a tub of ice cream, self-care day, etc. But Beverly? You guys are a different breed" Coop said checking out her new car. "Damn, Layla you've definitely upgraded. Spencer missed a good one". Layla's eyes darted at Coop's when she stopped immediately nodding.

"Okay, too soon. How about we go inside? By the way, we definitely need to find a new place. This cafe ain't it anymore" Coop said opening Layla's door. "I like the coffee" Layla said lowering her eyes. "Yeah, coffee. Okay. Not like Beverly Hills has so many other places to get coffee" Coop let out a laugh, shaking her head. "Coop if you're going to be smart with me, I'm leaving. We don't have to do this today" Layla snapped. "Okay, I was just making light of the situation. But you got me, Layla. Like I told you, we both going over this breakup together. Now get your head right and let's focus on what is going to get us the hell out of this town" Coop said opening the door to the cafe, when Layla froze. 

The restaurant got quiet, looking back to the both of them. Coop looked at everyone confused. "Ew, why are they staring? I swear I can never get used to being in this town" Coop said walking inside. Layla tightened her grip holding her laptop in front of her. Her eyes darted to the spot where she and Olivia argued. "He told you, he loved you, then turned around and told me he loved me back. How do you expect me to feel? I was the rebound, not ever knowing it. I was betrayed, I was blindsided, gullible, and stupid for not trusting my gut".

"Layla, you coming? I got the freshest spot by the window" Coop said. Layla shook her head lowering her eyes making her way to the table. "He doesn't work today. We're fine" Coop said meeting Layla's eyes. "I know" Layla snapped. "Let's just work okay? You said you got news for me". "Yeah, I do. A few, actually. I've had more time to write some music and I'm ready to get back into the studio". "Besides we gotta start working on getting into the studio since we are leaving back on tour in a few months" Coop continued. Sliding her phone over to Layla. "You gotta check out these songs I've made. It's a rough draft, but I think once I get into the studio, with Coop troop behind me, it's game over". 

"Man I'm hype. It's like I can finally breathe again" Cooped said Loudly. Layla shook her head smiling. "You're crazy. But before you do all of that let me listen" Layla said. Placing her earbud in, she pressed play. Layla nodded meeting Coops eyes. She was filled with excitement. After a few minutes of silence, Layla took out her earbud and placed it back in the case. Layla stayed silent, opening her computer, she typed at the keyboard. "So, you going to sit there typing at your computer and not tell me if the songs are good or bad? Layla, you really are going to have me wait. Alright, I see how it is" Coop slumped in her chair annoyed. Tapping the table, Coop groaned. 

"There, it's set. In two days we have a studio booked" Layla smiled meeting her eyes. Coop jumped up in excitement. You hear that bougie Beverly, your girl Coop is about to be a star. check it out" Coop said playing a few seconds of her music. Layla reached over snatching the phone from her hand. "Coop sit down! You're going to get us kicked out" Layla gritted her teeth embarrassed. "It wouldn't be the first time" Coop let out a laugh. Layla shot Coop a glare when she nodded. "Okay, okay whatever you say, boss lady," Coop said. Raising her arms in defense she sat back down on the chair. "Wouldn't want to spoil my single when it comes out, anyways" she continued. 

"For the next two days, I need you to get focused and start writing as many songs and verses as you can. We are booked for only a few hours and we need to squeeze every last bit of it into this session. Let's just say you make a few good tracks in the studio. We can start thinking of an EP to release before you go on tour. That way you can play the songs and get double the exposure" Layla said typing at the keyboard. Meeting Coop's eyes, she nodded. 

"Not a problem. I quit school, so I should have nothing holding me back"Coop said writing notes on her phone. "Wait, you quit school?" Layla stopped typing as if she heard that by mistake. "Yeah, I quit school. Why do I need a diploma if this is what I want to do? Besides, I would never use that useless paper anyways. So many billionaires, quit school to focus on their craft and they're doing just fine" Coop said. 

"That's like the one percent of the world. What happens if this doesn't work out?" Layla asked in shock. "Ain't nobody worried about that because I know we will make it," Coop said. She grinned from ear to ear, when Layla grunted. "Coop this is such a bad idea" Layla muttered covering her eyes. She tried to process her artist and friend quitting school. Running through the percentages in her head of Coop's chances. Layla knew the odds weren't good. Putting more pressure on Layla, she shook her head taking a deep sigh. 

"Hey, you ain't gotta worry about me. All we gotta focus on is the studio session. I already got it in the bag. Watch after this session the both of us wouldn't even be worrying about school. Maybe you'll even join me. We can leave on tour earlier and catch more cities, on the way" Coop said. Layla shook her head. "I'm not agreeing to this Coop. But it's your life and as your producer, I can't tell you much. But as a friend, your about to get an ear full. I just don't have the energy to deal with this". 

"Well, the counselor told me to think it over. Giving me until Monday". Annoyed putting air quotations around the words "think it over". "Yeah I thought about it alright" Coop continued. "And..." Layla trailed off hoping Coop had changed her decision. "Already made up my mind. I'll be meeting with her Monday to sign the paperwork," Coop said. Layla groaned loudly annoyed. "Fine, fine, but you have to make me a deal. If in two days at our studio session, we don't make progress. You have to promise me you won't quit school," Layla said. Coop thought for a moment. "Fine, but if it does then we won't speak about this ever again," Coop said extending her hand. Layla smiled relieved shaking her hand. "Deal".