by J. Benson
"I thought you might like it if you gave it a chance." He leaned down and very gently placed a lengthy kiss on my bare shoulder. His warm fingers moved tortuously slowly down my spine. I shivered and flinched closer to him, a small gasp escaping my lips.
He chuckled. "Sorry. I'm trying to behave myself..." His chin dipped to my throat, brushing another soft kiss there.
My arms tensed around his neck. "Stop that," I chided. "You're driving me crazy."
Taylor chuckled dryly. "Oh, I'm driving you crazy? I think you may have that reversed."
I grinned, leaning back and straining against his arms. "Maybe we shouldn't dance at all then..."
"No!" He protested, "I'll be good. I can behave, I promise." He insisted.
The slow song ended and a much faster song began. He released my waist and took my hands. He proceeded to swing my arms from side to side, swaying his hips to the music.
"Oh no!" I gasped in horror. "I told you I can't dance!" I protested.
He grinned, "But we were just dancing, you did fine!"
I wanted to argue that what we had just been doing was definitely not classified as dancing. It was more like an extended embrace, with very little foot movement. There was no co-ordination required on my part, and I had very little co-ordination to spare.
"It's easy. Just move your hips a little..." He grinned, his hands moving to my hips and rocking them a little.
I laughed loudly and playfully pushed his hands away. I threw my arms around his neck, and he immediately lifted me from my feet, twirling me in a circle. I giggled.
He finally set me on my feet, but made no attempt to release me. I smiled up at him, as we started to dance slowly, completely off the beat of the song.
"Let's just dance like this all night." I smiled up at him.
"Fine by me." He laughed. "I'm definitely okay with holding the prettiest girl in the room all night long."
I blushed, glancing around at the other people, who were surrounding us. There were skirts fluttering everywhere, and I could easily see that it was not true. There was absolutely no way I could even be in the running for the prettiest girl in the room.
My eyes scanned the crowd, and fell on someone I definitely had not one to see. Paige was standing on the perimeter of the people dancing with her arms crossed over her chest. She was scowling at me, sending dagger glares directly in my direction with her eyes.
Perched at her side was Matt; the man who had asked me out when I had first arrived in town. He looked just as angry as Paige did. Admittedly they were perfect together. She wanted Taylor for herself, and he was angry that I had chosen Taylor over him.
Taylor followed my gaze and I felt him sigh heavily.
His lips were at my ear, "Come on, let’s go for a walk."
I started to protest, but his hand locked around mine. He quickly pulled me from the cafeteria.
I had to practically jog to keep up with him. We were soon in the side hallway in which someone had stacked the chairs and folded up the tables. I found a chair and sat down quickly, slipping my feet from my shoes.
He smiled, and sat next to me. "Your feet hurt?"
I shrugged, "It's not so bad. I can live with it."
"Emma, listen, about Paige and her friends... just ignore them, okay? They're not worth all the trouble they cause." He said gently, picking up my hand and squeezing it warmly.
"I know. I'm not worrying about them. I just don't see what their problem is. We were just dancing; I don't understand why she's glaring at me like I kicked her puppy or something."
Taylor frowned at my choice of words, then smiled slightly. "She's jealous and petty. She's used to ruling the roost around here and getting her way at this school. It looks good on her that someone gets under her skin."
"I'm not trying to get under her skin. I'm just trying to get through high school." I sighed.
Taylor smiled. "Sorry, that's mostly my fault. I'm the one who insists on being with you. I kind of brought you into all of this unnecessary drama. I can fix it. Maybe I can talk to her. I mean, I talked to her before and it didn't do any good, but maybe if I keep talking to her, she might finally take a hint. I think all of the bleach in her hair and the mustard-gas perfume she wears has destroyed her brain."
I laughed softly. "I think you're right about that. But really, I don't need you fighting my battles for me."
"It's not a battle. It's a... minor inconvenience." He mused.
I sighed. "She has rotten timing. I have enough on my plate to contend with as it is." I mused darkly.
"I know," He squeezed my hand gently again, "Have you heard back from your mother yet?" He asked curiously.
I sighed softly. "I don't know if this is the best time to discuss that... we're supposed to be having a good time." I moved closer to him and rested my head on his shoulder lightly.
His arms moved around me, "You're right. I'm sorry. I know it's a touchy subject." He placed a gentle kiss on the top of my head; nestling his lips into my hair.
I nibbled my lower lip. "I did hear back from my mother. She's going to send me a plane ticket for next weekend."
He nodded slowly.
I looked up slowly, my eyes studying his carefully. "You really want to come with me, don't you?" I asked.
"Yes."
"Why?" I asked. "Are you just curious to know what kind of a freak show my family is like? You've never seen a real-live drunk before, so you want to see for yourself? Is that it?" I demanded, pushing myself out of his arms. I was getting defensive and grasping at straws to intentionally pick a fight.
"No! That's not it at all!" he cried defensively. "I just... I just want to be there for you, isn't that enough? I want to help if I can... if it's as traumatic as you think it's going to be, don't you want a friend there to help you out?"
I shook my head. "You're unbelievable!"
"Emma, I want to help you! I want to be there for you..." He sighed. "You can rely on other people, you know. You don't have to push through all of life's tough obstacles on your own. I'm trying to help and you're pushing me away!"
I sighed, looking away from him. A handful of girls were giggling and hugging down the hall from us. I felt like crying suddenly. This conversation was ruining our perfect, magical evening. And somehow, from halfway across the country my mother was coming between Taylor and me. She was ruining our evening and she wasn't even here.When I moved to Tulsa, I had vowed that I wouldn't let my mother ruin things for me anymore. And here she was ruining my relationship with one of the only good and decent people in my life. And I had so few friends.
"We were having such a good time, Emma. You were right; I should never have brought it up." Taylor said softly.
My chest was starting to hurt. It felt heavy, like I was suffocating under the weight of my own emotions. "If... if you really want to go..." I whispered, struggling to breathe with the weight on my chest. "I'll ask her to send a ticket for you too..."
"I won't go if you don't want me to." He insisted.
I sighed. "I do want you to go with me... I don't want this to come between us any more than it has... and I could probably use a friend there to help me through this... I'm just... I'm ashamed of what you might see. That's all." I admitted quietly.
He leaned over and lightly brushed his lips to mine. It wasn't like his normal kisses; this one was soft and reassuring. "Emma," He breathed; his breath warm against mine. "There is nothing I could ever witness about your past or with your family that could ever change the way I feel about you. All this stuff that is going on with your family doesn't change who you are as a person. I don't care about anything else."
I smiled. I knew that he might not actually mean it, but I nodded anyway.
"I'll pay for my own ticket and everything. And if things get rough, you can always lock me in a closet... or your bedroom." He grinned.
I laughed dryly. "Can we go back to the dance? Please? Can we go back to being normal, reasonably well-adjusted teenagers?"
/> Taylor smiled. "I know this is tough for you... It’s not that I'm curious, it's just that I want to be with you, and I want to help you, if I can."
"It's fine." I nodded. "Please can we go back to the dance?"
"Of course." He stood and helped me to my feet. I dropped my shoes to the floor and slid my feet back into them.
Taylor held my bare arm to keep me upright. I stood upright and stamped my feet to be sure my shoes were on properly.
"Okay?" Taylor smiled.
"Yeah."
His hand brushed slowly down my arm and found mine. "Let's go back to the dance."
We walked hand-in-hand back into the cafeteria. This time, Paige was standing with her two best friends, and all three were glaring at us. He pulled me close to dance with him.
"They're looking at us." I spoke just loud enough for him to hear.
"Who are?" He lowered his lips to my ear.
"The three stooges." I replied, lifting my chin in their general direction.
He laughed, much harder than necessary.
"So let's give them something to really look at." He smirked, leaning toward me.
I tightened my arms around him. "Taylor... about going to New York..." I continued before he could interrupt. "I do want you to be there... if it were going to be anyone there with me, I would want it to be you."
He leaned forward to kiss me. Once the kiss broke, he pulled me closer. I rested my chin lightly on his shoulder, smiling to myself. I closed my eyes and blocked out every single pair of eyes looking at us. I concentrated on the fact that my body was pressed tightly against his, and yet I felt safe and sheltered again. Like I had in New York. Like I had before my dad got sick and my family crumbled down around me.
Taylor's hand flattened against the small of my back. His palm was warm against my bare skin; his fingers pointed down toward my backside. He squeezed my other hand in his and I sighed softly. I was blissfully happy, even if I was the center of a big shit-storm that I wanted absolutely no part of.
Taylor lightly brushed his lips across my bare shoulder, sending a shiver down my spine. My body rippled with goose bumps. I lifted my head and smiled at Taylor.
He chuckled. "Sorry, but you have the cutest little cluster of freckles on your shoulder... I just had to kiss them." He smirked sheepishly.
I smiled, sinking my teeth into my lower lip to hide my smile.
He shrugged. "What? I say cute things like that sometimes. Sue me." He chuckled.
"Never. And you are very, very cute." I smiled. I rested my chin on his shoulder and let him lead me around the dance floor for a little longer.
Chapter 40:
Take Me Home
Taylor and I stayed until the end of the dance. The DJ had announced that he was playing one last song, and Taylor and I stayed to dance to it. I'd never danced so much in my life. By the time we went to get our coats, most of the other students had left.
Taylor surrendered the tickets to the teacher running the coat check. He held open my coat for me to slip my arms into and as I shifted my hair out of the way and zipped up my jacket, he put on his own. I looped my arm through his and with my free hand held up the skirts of my dress as we walked through the frigid night to his car. It was cold enough I could see my breath.
He unlocked the passenger's side door for me and helped me inside. He closed the door and I sat inside shivering until he climbed into the driver's seat. I fastened my seatbelt, while he started the car and cranked up the heat. "Don't worry; it'll warm up in a minute." He promised with a small smile.
"That's okay." I said, casually. I was trying to keep my teeth from chattering. I tucked my hands into the folds of my skirt and tried to keep them warm. I honestly didn't remember it ever feeling this cold in New York City, especially before any real snow had fallen.
"So how was your first high school dance?" He asked with a smile.
"Good." I smiled. "I feel so blissfully and wonderfully normal."
"Do you want to stop for a coffee?" Taylor asked. He shifted his car out of park and backed out of the parking space. Getting out of the school parking lot was easy, there were few cars leaving and even fewer left in the school parking lot.
"Hmm... it's a little late for coffee, but I could go for a tea." I offered. "That would be wonderful." I mused.
"Great. I know a coffee shop not too far from here." He replied.
I made a mental note to remember where this coffee shop was so I could stop before school for some caffeine encouragement.
"Do you have to be home for a certain time?" Taylor asked.
"I don't know. We never talked about it. Grandma never really gave me a curfew when I moved in with her. I think she trusts me enough to make wise decisions. And it is a Friday night..." I mused. "I think as long as I go home at a reasonable hour, Grandma won't be too upset with me."
Taylor nodded.
"What about you?" I asked. "Do you still need to be home by eleven?"
He sighed. "My parents are not quite so lenient. I can stay out until twelve-thirty, and in order to stay out that late, I have to baby sit tomorrow." He grumbled unhappily.
"Oh my gosh! All of your siblings? Because I'm not sure that looking after five kids is worth an extra hour and a half on your curfew." I mused.
Taylor chuckled. "No, it's not all five kids. Just the three girls and Stephen." He responded. "It's not nearly as bad. Seth is mostly the troublemaker because he thinks he's too old for a babysitter."
I smiled faintly.
"Hey, do you want to come over and give me a hand?" He asked suddenly.
"Oh, I don't know." I mused. "I'm really terrible with kids. I have no experience babysitting and I'm sure they'll just end up screaming and crying..." I mused.
Taylor chuckled. "No way, they love you. Besides, it isn't for long. I mostly just have to feed them and put them to bed. Then after they're all asleep, we can hang out." He shrugged.
I pursed my lips. "Yeah, okay. You know, it could be fun." I mused. "What time do you want me to come over?"
"I don't know... whenever you're ready. My parents are leaving around four. Any time after that?" He asked.
"Will they be alright with me coming over?" I asked, tucking my hair behind my ear anxiously.
"Yeah, of course. They really like you. Besides, they'll probably be happy that I'll have an extra hand." He chuckled.
"I don't know how much help I'll be, but I'll come over and give it a shot." I mused.
Taylor turned down a side street and drove half a mile before pulling into a coffee shop parking lot. "Do you want to go in or go through the drive thru?" He asked.
"Umm..." I paused, glancing down at my dress. "Perhaps going in dressed like we are isn't a good idea. We'll look kind of strange walking into a coffee shop dressed like we're going to a prom or a wedding or something." I replied.
"Of course." He quickly circled the building and drove into the drive thru lane. "Green tea? Nothing in it, right?" He asked.
I smiled. "Yeah, thanks." I couldn't believe he actually remembered the kind of tea I drank and how I drank it. It was a simple thing, but I felt touched by the fact that he had remembered. I sank my teeth into my lower lip to hide my smile.
Taylor ordered our drinks and drove up to the window.
"I have money, I'll get it." I insisted, reaching for my grandmother's clutch.
"No, it's alright. I've got it." He insisted.
I laughed softly. "You don't have to pay for everything, you know." I smiled. "I have my own money."
"I know. I'm being cute and gentlemanly. You know, chivalrous." He teased.
I laughed. "Alright, but maybe you should let me pick up the tab once in a while. It'll make me feel useful and slightly less guilty." I mused.
Taylor grinned at me. "Duly noted."
The window opened and the cashier surrendered our drinks. Taylor immediately handed mine over to me immediately. "Careful, it's hot." He warned gently.
"I hope so." I mused
.
Taylor placed his coffee in the cup holder and drove around the building again. "Are you still cold?" He worried. He pressed his hand against the heaters on the dashboard. "The heat is on, but there's a blanket in the back..."
I smiled. "I'm fine. The tea will help me warm up."
"Alright... where do you want to go?" He asked.
"You pick." I smiled. "I don't know the city very well."
"Hmm... okay. I think I know a place." He said, grinning.
I held my cup of tea in my palms, feeling the warm liquid warm my hands through the cup. I took a small sip, feeling the tea warm my entire system. The warmth quickly flooded through my extremities.
Taylor turned down a side street and pulled into a small park. He parked his car, but left it running for warmth. He took a sip of his coffee. He leaned back in his seat, peering across the car at me through his thick eyelashes.
"Did you have a good time?" He asked suddenly.
I smiled. "Absolutely. I had an amazing time." I responded honestly.
"Was it worth all of the hassle and stress of finding a dress and dealing with me for an evening?" He teased.
I laughed. "Of course. I'm actually really glad that you talked me into going. For my first dance, it'll be something I'll always remember." I mused. "I know that sounds kind of silly and mushy, but it's true."
"Well, I know I'll always remember it. It was an amazing night, and I got to spend it with you." He smirked.
"Aw," I laughed. "That was such a line."
"No, honestly it wasn't." He said earnestly. He reached across the front seat and took my hand in his.
I couldn't hide the smile that spread across my face.
The car fell silent for a moment. I was the first to break the silence.
"Why did you ask me out?" I asked suddenly. I knew as soon as the words were out of my mouth that I probably shouldn't have asked. I knew that the question could possibly end in a huge fight.
Instead, Taylor smiled. "Why wouldn't I?"
I laughed softly. "Seriously."
He drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly, choosing his words carefully. "Because you're different, Emma. Every other girl at this school is the exact same. They're shallow and vain and conceited. It's all about popularity and who is friends with whom... and none of that matters to me. You are the complete opposite of all those other girls. You don't care about who is dating who or who is the most popular person in school. None of the lame high school politics matter to you."