The short way through the city.

(chapter originally by newfavorite at writing.com)

"I saw a group of people on the beach, we better go the short way!" Isabel thought quickly.

Layla was glad to have the decision made for her and sprinted quickly towards the area of the city both women lived, they both lived about two blocks away. Layla was running faster than Isabel at this point. Isabel ran as fast as she could be Layla was a good twenty five feet away from Isabel. Suddenly Layla stopped dead in her tracks and hid behind a tree planted near the sidewalk. Isabel looked at Layla's face, her mouth was agape, clearly she saw someone coming. Isabel stopped and hid behind a bush. Isabel watched as Layla skillfully climbed the tree she was hiding behind.

Isabel could hear skateboard wheels rolling in the distance. A group of skaters was coming down the street. The group was about five strong, the skaters had tattoos much like Layla's. "Oh god, I wonder if Layla knows these guys." Isabel thought.

"Hey bro-ski, know of any parties tonight?"

"Can't say I do." Isabel could hear the skaters chatting as they approached very near.

Four of the skater's passed both Isabel and Layla but the fifth one stopped.

"Hey bro, I heard something in the tree."

"Who cares dude, lets go to Brodie's place, always chicks over there, hot ones."

The fourth skater didn't pay heed and got off his skateboard and went under the tree. Isabel winced as she knew Layla was about to be seen.

"Whoa! Holy crap! Guys you got to see this!" One of the skater's said to his group.

"You see a bird or something, who cares." One of the skater's replied unimpressed.

"No bro, this ain’t no bird!"

"What is it then bro?"

"Zach, You know that chick Layla?"

"That stupid flat chested punk chick!" The skater named Zach replied.

"Yeah that one."

"She's in the tree dude and she's naked! I can see her cooter."

The skater's all quickly ran back under the tree.

They all looked up and saw Layla high in the tree hugging the top of the tree with her legs, holding onto one branch. This position unfortunately for Layla did indeed expose part of her lower privates.

The skaters all started laughing, "What the hell, why the hell you up there, Lay?"

"She's probably drunk, probably went streaking or some crap, truth or dare, girls love that game." One of the skater's said.

"Cody's right I can see your cooter." Zach said.

Layla at this point was so mortified she broke her silence and screamed a loud guttural scream while she flipped off the skaters. They could all see a wild and deranged look in her eyes. The skater's were actually scared, they all took a step back. Unfortunately for Layla she lost her balance and fell down onto a branch about two feet below her. Then that branch broke.

"She's falling dude!" One of the skaters said. While making no attempt to break her fall.

Layla grasped desperately for branches as she fell, breaking smaller branches on the way down. Finally Layla grasped a branch solidly. The branch slowly bent down Layla was now crying, her face was crimson red. She opened her eyes, to see that she was hanging merely about a foot off the ground. All the skater's mouth's were open wide. Layla now completely overcome with humiliation began screaming. "Get away." repeatedly as she kicked her naked legs at the skaters.

"Dude this chick's psycho, someone's got to take her to the psych ward!" One of the skaters said.

Layla's legs looked like she was riding a bike in midair. Isabel felt much empathy for Layla. When the day started Layla was confident and cool now she was a total mess of hysterics.

Zach kept on circling Layla taking pictures with his cell phone, while chuckling. “What till everyone see's these!” Zach said to himself.

"OH NO, NOT PICTURES, NOT LIKE THIS." Layla screamed.

Some of the skaters laughed as Layla dropped down and tucked herself into a fetal position.

Layla kept on repeating, "Get away from me!" over and over again, until finally the skater's shrugged their shoulders and skated off.

“Psycho!” and “What the hell was going on there!” Were heard by Isabel as the skaters left Layla naked and humiliated.

When the skaters disappeared into the distance Isabel ran over and crouched down next to Layla.

"Are you okay?"

Layla was silent, her eyes seemed to have a thousand yard stare.

"Layla I'm sorry." Isabel said with empathy.

"Zach, that guy...I...I...I...went on a date...with him....two weeks....ago....he...never...called....back...I called....him....he...never....picked......up."

Layla started sobbing.

"Oh, god you must be so embarrassed." Isabel said with great empathy.

"Embarrassed...doesn't even....describe.....one.....one....millionth....of what....I....feel." Layla started rocking back and forth in the fetal position.

"We have to keep going, we're close to my apartment."Isabel said.

"I can't move. I am literally too embarrassed to move." Layla replied.

"Okay I'll take you behind that bush, its a great hiding place, I'll go home and come back with something to cover you with."

Isabel helped the sobbing and distraught Layla up and walked her over to the bush. Layla was shaking her head bowed.

"He said I was stupid and had a flat chest!" Layla sobbed.

"He's an ass, clearly you could find way better guys than that douche." Isabel said trying to comfort Layla.

Layla hid in the bush and Isabel started sprinting off to her apartment.