Taylor sighed and folded the paper in front of her and put it down. It was a beautiful, sunny day..but it didn't feel like it to her. She was depressed and didn't have a clue why. Well..first of all, her job was no more, the company had downsized and she was one of the unlucky ones that was given a pink slip. Maybe she was depressed because she had no one to talk to besides her cat. JC and the rest of N'Sync were in the studio, working on their new album, so she was stuck home aone. She groaned again and pulled her knees up under her, what she would give to be one of those people who are naturally perky and happy 24/7..or at least be in a good mood. She had snapped at JC that morning for leaving the front window open all night..how stupid that was. She apologized profusely and he had accepted..least she had one friend still.
The phone inside rang, she got up to get it. "Hello?"
"Taylor? Its Nick.."
"Hey Little Man..whats up?"
He sounded really worried, "Well..its AJ."
"What about him?," She said feeling her pulse increase.
"I just got a call from Howie..he was drunk last night and apparently got in a wreck..it sounds pretty bad.."
"Ohmygod...where is he?"
"Orlando General Hospital..I'm heading there right now..want me to pick you up?"
"Umm..no..I'll meet you there.."
"Okay..see you there.."
"Alright.," Taylor said and hung up.
She had no idea why she cared so much or why in the world she was going..but she felt she had to. She wrote a quick note to JC and then grabbed her purse and car keys and ran out the door. Once in her car, she started it up and drove out of the complex as quick as she could. The radio was blaring a song that she couldn't stand, not that she was listening, and she flipped it off. 'I always knew drinking would get that guy in trouble one day..I always tld him that from the minute I saw him pick up a beer..but does he listen..nooo..,' She thought as she pulled into the Orlando General parking lot.
A 17 year old AJ, and a 16 year old Taylor were at a party at some guy's house they knew from school. She saw from across the room that he had picked up another beer. Groaning, she made her way over to him. "AJ..you don't need to drink anymore..your mom will kill you.," She said taking the drink from him.
AJ looked at her strangely, "No she won't Taylor.."
"Then I'm driving home..," She stated.
"You don't have your license!," He said.
"So? I can drive pretty good.."
"You ain't touchin' my car Taylor.."
"Then you're not drinking anymore."
"Fine.."
That was about the only time AJ ever listened to Taylor about the whole drinking thing. Sure, she drank but not all the time like he did sometimes...she had been drunk before and it wasn't fun so she quit that...but not AJ.
Taylor walked up to the receptionist desk. "Can I help you?," The receptionist asked.
"Yes..I'm looking for AJ McLean.."
She nodded and typed something in the computer in front of her. "It says here he's in in the ER..the waiting room is up on the 5th floor.."
"Thank you.."
Taylor hurried to the elevator and pressed the button for the fifth floor. Once it got there, she followed the signs to the waiting room. She opened the door and walked in. Kevin looked up first and looked at Taylor questionably before getting up and hugging her. "What are you doing here?," He asked.
"Nicky called me from his car phone..any news?"
"No..he went into surgery about a half an hour ago.."
"Oh..what happened?"
"I dunno..no one does 'cept AJ.."
Taylor nodded and hugged the other guys. A bouncy blonde was sitting next to Howie. "Oh..I'm so stupid..Taylor this is Maria. Maria, this is Taylor.," Howie said.
Taylor shook the girls hand, coldly, and then sat down next to Kevin. Maria kept glaring across at Taylor, who wasn't doing anything but talking to Kevin. Maria knew who Taylor was...and thought she was wrong for even coming..she had NO right to see AJ..not now. Maria had seen pictures from when AJ and Taylor were together, they looked way too happy together. AJ was her's now and not Taylor's.
Nick appeared a few minutes later and took the seat next to Taylor. "Glad you decided to join us Nicky..," Maria said coolly.
"Well Maria, I live about an hour from Orlando so its not like it takes me five minutes to get here. And I had to call Taylor along the way.," Nick said glaring back at her.
Maria folded her arms in front of her and scoffed, "Of course! How could we forget Taylor?! She's like the most important person in the world!"
"Excuse me?," Taylor said, getting a little annoyed.
"You think you're like some kind of royalty, don't you?"
"Umm..lemme think..NO."
"Then why are you here? Why do you care so much about AJ's well-being when I'm his girlfriend..you left him.."
That was a low blow for Taylor. Taylor's eyes clouded over and she stood up and left the room before she said something she'd really regret. "Damn you're a bitch Maria.," Nick said before following after Taylor.
Taylor walked fast to get away from that room. She hated hospitals, always had. She found a stair-well and sat down. For the first time since she left AJ, she cried.
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