TAYLOR

The closer we got to the bus station, the more I could feel my heart sink and my stomach lurch. All I could think about were the tremendous amounts of terrible possibilities that I would have no control over. What if Jack didn't come back? What if he couldn't? I tried so hard to reject these thoughts but it was no use.
"You okay?" Alex turned around and asked.
I noticably unsurely nodded my head, "yeah," I swallowed, "I'm fine."
He gave a soft reassuring smile. I would still have Alex, I thought to myself. You'll still have Alex and May and Sydney.
Sydney...
How was I ever going to explain this to her? How would she ever be able to come by and have to see Alex and not become so over dramatic that she'd just have to leave? I guess I was going to slowly lose her, too.
"We're here," Jack said, cooly.
"Yay," I replied sarcastically.
"Look, Tay, I know you don't like this and I know you don't want this, but I've gotta do this, okay?" Jack said, shifting around from the front seat to caress my face gently.
I gave a halfassed grin and then exited the car.
It was pretty quiet for about thirty to forty five minutes. No one knew what to say to each other. It's funny, In the times we should be talking, laughing and cherishing what may very well be the last time we ever see Jack again, everyone decides to stay to themselves. I knew I would regret it after he had taken his leave.
The bus to Parris Island finally arrived and then I lost it. I didn't want to see him go. I broke down and grabbed onto Jack, begging him to take me with him... Alex had to pull me back and hold me. I had realized that once Jack had got on the bus that I had taken Alex's chance to say a proper goodbye to Jack away. I felt absolutely terrible.
Jack had taken a window seat in the back of the bus. Through the window he mouthed the words "I love you" to the both of us and made a heart with his hands. I couldn't take it. I ran back to the car and cried.
The drive back home was silent as well. I couldn't find the words to say, I was to numb. I only wanted to talk to one person and he wasn't around.
I walked through the door of the house, slamming my bedroom door behind me as I entered it. I didn't want Alex to hear who I was calling. I didn't even know why I was doing it. I should've gone to Alex for comfort, but being this mad at Jack... there was only one person who could comfort me and that person was Styder.


ALEX
I felt so broken inside. My best friend was gone and I didn't know when he'd come back. My girlfriend was angrily distraught and it scared the shit out of me to the point that I couldn't go near her right now. I wanted to comfort her, but I didn't even know where to begin. I felt worthless. What good am I to Taylor if I can't even comfort her. Congratulations, Lex, you're off to a great fucking start.
I couldn't not do anything to help. I just can't. I went to her bedroom and knocked on the door.
"Taylor," I spoke softly, "Let me in, you need to talk to me, I know you do. I'm here for you babygirl, I love you."
No answer.
"Please open the door, Tay," I said again.
"Huh?" Oh, It's Alex," She whispered, "Hold on."
I heard her footsteps and then the door opened, "Yes?" she asked softly, phone still pressed to her ear.
"Who is that?" I asked defensively, wondering why the first person she decided to even speak to wasn't me.
"It's just a friend," She said, "What's up?"
"Nothing really, I just wanted to talk to you. I mean, you're my..." I stopped myself, unsure of if that was Sydney on the other line or not. "..best friend, dude. I wanted to just know whether or not you were okay about this whole situation."
"I'm fine," she went to close the door, but I stopped her.
"Hang up." I said.
"What?"
"Hang up the phone, Taylor."
"What? Why?"
"Just please, listen to me and hang up the phone for a bit."
She obliged, she didn't even say goodbye to the person on the line. "What?"
I pushed her into her bedroom and down onto her bed and kissed her. "I'm gonna try to fix this the only way I know how."
"You know," Taylor began as she traced the bends on my chest, "You just saved me from making an awful mistake."
"And what's that?" I asked.
"The person I was talking to was Stryder."
"Stryder? You mean that douche cowboy that doesn't leave you alone? Why? Why would you welcome that?"
"I don't know," she said, still calm, "I guess that I was just so mad it was driving me to insanity," she laughed, "Without you coming in, I'm not sure where I would've gone with that conversation... I"m glad that I have you baby. I love you."
I stroked her hair gently, "I love you, too. Just promise me that you'll never talk to him again, unless you absolutely have to, okay? You don't really know what he's capable of anymore love. He seems dangerous."`
"Scouts honor," she held up her palm.
I put my palm up to hers, intertwining our fingers. This felt so right, but I knew it wouldn't be like this forever. I couldn't keep her stable and happy. She needed Jack and if something happens to him... I don't know what she'll do, I don't know where she'll go. I looked down at her fast asleep. I just hope she knows that I'll do whatever it takes to keep her safe.

Notes