Endless Love

As expected, when Alex and Lyla headed downstairs, they were met with an assembly of their friends. Lyla pretended she didn't see them and continued to the kitchen to start her morning. Serena cleared her throat, demanding her attention.

"What happened last night?"

"We slept in the same bed, that's all," Lyla defended herself.

"Are you sure that's all, because the waterpark makes me want to think differently," Serena asked intently. Remembering how she had caught them rearranging themselves in the inner tube. She crossed her arms and looked at Lyla disapprovingly.

With only two days left of their week with Lyla, she didn't want any issues between Alex and Lyla. She was upset that they had actually ended up in the bed together whether or not anything occurred. Her best friend, her sister, who had never paid attention to boys a day in her life, was letting a stranger sleep in her bed - she needed to know what was happening to her. And how to get her back.

--

Lyla walked into her Capstone class, her solo studies class before her final year in college. She walked up to the professor, and they chatted about daily news in the science and medicine community.

"Lyla, have you done anything fun this semester," he asked, concerned.

"Well, of course, I hang out with my roommates at least every weekend," she beamed.

Her professor's face fell. He clasped his hand onto her shoulder, "Lyla I'm going to challenge you to step out of this comfort zone you've built for yourself. I want you to meet people, and by people, I mean guys. I want you to find a relationship, or a fling, or a few flings. It can even be a girl if that's what you're into, but I need you to come back next semester having learned how to build relationships whether they're good or not," he said with such ferocity. She could tell he had been serious about this.

She went to her seat and spent the rest of her class thinking about this task that she had just been given. She thought about all the boys she had passed up in her life, and how she could maybe use them; maybe she could pay them off to avoid going through the whole process or ask one of them to be the subject of this challenge.

She looked across the room at one of the basketball players and she began to get warm around her body, the warmth traveled between her thighs. 'Had he always been that attractive?'

She could tell this was going to be a daunting task, but a thrilling one. She figured she would begin this adventure tomorrow, on her last day, maybe in statistics.

-

Lyla knew that everyone saw her as the girl who didn't date, but after being given this task almost a week ago, she knew she wasn't that girl anymore. She didn't want to be. She, of course, was fine with this development; it came with its challenges, but she was enjoying herself and the person she was becoming. She was loved getting to know Alex, and building a relationship with him, even if they didn't get to stay in contact after this week.

"Look, you're not my mom, so I can make my own choices. They're not going to hurt anyone, I promise, so please let me do this," she begged. Serena's face softened, she couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she knew Lyla needed this. Whatever, THIS, was, and whether or not she liked it, she knew she had to let Lyla do this.

The rest of the day, the whole household had decided on going bowling, and Alex had no objections. It was one of the girls' weekly 'Girl's Night Out', but they didn't mind bringing a guy along. When they showed up to 'Lanes', the local bowling alley, the cashier greeted them, "is it already bowling night again, and who is this?" They were regulars at the bowling alley, so everyone would have things set up for them, the same lane, the same shoes, and the same snacks. They even got a discount, because of how often they went - not like they needed it.

This time they didn't ask for the discounts since they brought Alex. "This is Alex, he's the lost puppy we took in," Carly joked. They laughed and headed to their lucky lane number seven, then switched into the bowling shoes; making sure to wait for Alex since he had to get a pair at the counter. They added Alex to the roster on the screen and sent him to get the snacks. When he returned the girls had already started and he learned they were actually quite good.

He hadn't played since joining college, but he knew he was there to have fun instead of competing with the girls. He found that he wasn't really half bad at playing either. They enjoyed their game while joking and snacking, then they left to pick up dinner for everyone.

Alex was savoring in the fun he had been making with these girls and knew when the week ended for him that he would be back in Florida. With his roommate, but not with the girls. It saddened him a tad, but then one of the ladies had cracked a joke, so it brought him back to the moment. He was going to miss this.

Lyla pulled into the driveway, gathering her stuff and heading to the back of her vehicle, she began unpacking the food from the car. She handed each of the girls, and Alex, their containers of food, then reached for hers and went inside. They gathered around the couch for a movie with their food and got comfortable. Lyla, naturally, sat next to Alex, and he softly put his hand on top of hers, so she leaned into his side with hers.

After the movie ended, they all reminisced, reliving their day, then headed to their rooms. This time, without worry Lyla asked Alex to stay in her room again, and he did not hesitate. He stopped at his room to change into comfortable clothes, then headed to Lyla's room, shutting the door behind him. Lyla had been waiting for him to return so she could change into her night shorts and tank top.

Alex blushed and felt he had seen something not meant for his eyes. He was absolutely mesmerized by her body and the softness it seemed to have, but it was then covered by her clothes. He was hungry for more; he crossed the room in only a few steps and pulled Lyla onto the bed with him.

He covered Lyla in kisses, starting at her forehead. Their breaths quickening, Alex then locked lips with her until they became tired. The adrenaline leaving their bodies. They wrapped themselves into each other, not wanting to let go.

Alex lightly kissed the crown of her head throughout the night, keeping his arms wrapped around her body, feeling the smoothness of her skin. He adored the warmth of it, it felt like warm silk beneath his rough fingers, and every once and a while it would send chills up Lyla's body. In the night, they felt like a perfect match. A puzzle that found the missing piece.

Lyla never wanted to let him go, but the end of the week and her departure home loomed over her head with every passing minute. Day six was her last chance to leave a lasting impression on Alex, and to begin her adventurous task from her professor.

At least her mother would have fun with helping her with this challenge. Granted, she wouldn't be helping her with Alex, but with Clark instead. She squeezed Alex tighter and went off to dreamland.