The next day, AJ went out to meet with the other guys to play basketball at a local park, then they were all coming back to AJ's to swim. Taylor stayed at the house and was on the phone most of the day. "But mom..you don't understand..He wrote slut all over my car! No, I'm staying with AJ. I'm scared to go back there. WHY? MOM! The guy tried to rape me, HELLOOO! Fine..whatever..whatever mom..okay..bye.," She said before hanging up the phone.
'God! She is soo impossible!,' She thought as she walked into the kitchen to find something to eat.
Pretty soon, the front door opened and five LOUD guys came in. "Yo Taylor! We're back!," AJ yelled.
Taylor appeared at the top of the stairs with her bathing suit on and a towel wrapped around her waist. "No AJ, really. I had NO clue you all were back..," She said sarcastically.
"Are you coming swimming with us?"
"No, I normally prance around in my bathing suit AJ..," She said walking down the stairs.
'Not that I mind or anything.,' AJ thought.
They all walked out back to the pool. Taylor laid down on one of the lounge chairs and sighed. Brian sat down next to her. "How are you?," He asked.
"I'm alright I guess..you?"
"Pretty good..AJ told us what happened.."
"He did?"
"Yeah..I'm sorry.."
"Me too. I called my mom earlier.."
"What'd she say?"
"That I should go back to the dorm and not stay with AJ. That nothing will happen to me..Brian, I'm scared to go back there.."
"How come?"
"I'm afraid he'll come back to finish what he started. I'm afraid of what people think of me now.."
"I'd stay here.."
"Thats what I wanna do..and I want to quit school for awhile..but my mom doesn't want me to do that.."
Brian sighed and brushed a fly away. "Its up to you Taylor..not her."
"I know..I think I'm gonna transfer..take some time off or something.."
"Sounds like a plan."
She smiled, "I guess..who won the basketball game?"
"Me and Nick.."
"Cool."
"Yep..I'm gonna go swim..you coming?"
"In a minute."
Brian nodded and ran to join the others in the pool.
Taylor watched as AJ pulled himself out of the pool. 'Damn..the boy is fine..,' Taylor thought.
AJ grabbed a towel and walked over to Taylor. "So..what'd your mom say?"
"That I should go back and shouldn't quit.."
"I don't want you going back there.."
"I don't wanna go back there.."
"You know you can stay here..I have more than enough room.."
"I know..my mom said that this is my opprutunity and I shouldn't throw it away..she doesn't understand that I'm scared that Ryan will come and try to finish what he started.."
"You do what you want Taylor..but you know I'm here for you.."
She smiled, "I know AJ..thats why I love ya."
He grinned, "Who can't help but love me??"
"All the girls who love Nick.."
He laughed, "Whatever!"
"You know it.."
AJ leaned over and threw Taylor over his shoulder. "AJ! NO! DON'T!!," She exclaimed pounding on his back.
"Ya know, you give good massages.."
"AJ! You're gonna pay for this!!"
He just laughed and walked over to the pool's edge. He tossed Taylor into the pool. She came up sputtering and coughing water. "You suck AJ!"
"Suck what?"
"You are such a pervert sometimes!!"
"I know, but ya love me!"
She pulled herself out of the pool and walked over to him. "Well..actually..I do.."
He grinned and crossed his arms over his chest. Taylor smiled sweetly and then shoved AJ into the pool.
All the guys laughed as AJ went flying into the pool. Taylor laughed too and then walked over to a chair to sit down.
The rest of the afternoon was spent playing around in the pool. It was around 8 p.m. and was getting dark, Taylor and NIck were sitting outside on the patio talking.
"So..you're not going back?," He asked.
"Nope..I don't feel safe or comfortable there anymore..," She replied pulling her knees up to her.
"I don't blame ya..so you staying here?"
She nodded, "Yeah..I don't know what I'd do without AJ.."
He smiled, "AJ loves you, you know that, right?"
"He's my best friend.."
"Would you ever date AJ?"
"I don't know..where'd that come from?"
"My head.."
She smiled, "I dunno if I would. I think I would though.."
"So why don't ya?"
"Because..he doesn't like me like that Nicky.."
Nick smiled inwardly. 'If only you knew..,' He thought.
What Taylor didn't know, or did subconciously, was that AJ was majorly wanting to ask her out. He had told the guys while playing basketball. They all said he should but for some weird reason, AJ couldn't gather the courage to do it. He was sitting inside watching Taylor and Nick outside. Kevin, Howie and Brian were all changing into regular clothes. 'Why can't I do it? I'm the kind of guy that usually just walks up to a girl and asks her out..why am I so afraid to ask Taylor out?' He wondered.
'Because you're afraid of rejection.,' A voice in the back of his head said.
'No, I'm not..this is crazy..I should just do it after everyone leaves..,' He thought trying to end the 'conversation' with himself.
Taylor and Nick came in then and Nick went to change. Then Nick, Brian, Kevin, and Howie had to leave. Taylor was sitting on the top of the stairs watching the AJ show the guys out. 'AJ is such a good friend..and fine without a shirt on..,' She thought smiling to herself.
AJ shut the door and locked it. He walked up the stairs and sat down next to Taylor. She rested her head on his shoulder. "Tired little mouse?," He asked using her nickname from when they were little.
"Yes scarecrow..," She said.
"Scarecrow?"
She smiled,"From the Wizard Of Oz. When they're in the poppie field."
"Oohhh.."
He brushed her hair out of her face. "Your bruise is gone..," He said softly.
"I know.."
"You planning on transferring?"
"I'm gonna quit for a year I think.."
"Ohh.."
"Do you care if I stay here? I mean, I'll get a job and help out with stuff.."
"Of course! I want you stay here Taylor!," He exclaimed.
"Okay.."
"Taylor?"
"Hmm?"
"Would you..umm..uhh..would you..umm..gooutwithmeonFriday?," He said quickly.
She raised her head up off his shoulder and raised her eyebrows. "Me? Go out with you? On Friday?"
"Yeah.."
"Like as in a date?"
"It doesn't have to be--"
"No! I mean, thats fine..I'd be glad to go out with you on Friday.."
"Really?"
"Don't act so surprised AJ..you're supposed to be the 'bad boy' of the group and have all this experience..," She said grinning.
He looked down at the floor, "I know..its just that..well..I was sorta scared to ask you out.."
"How come?"
"Ya know..I have no clue.."
She laughed and stood up. "I'm going to bed..see you in the morning AJ.."
"Night Little Mouse.."
"You're the only one I allow to call me that..," She replied before disappearing down the hall.
AJ grinned before heading to his bedroom.
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