Chapter Twenty
Taylor
Kyle and I had ventured into the kitchen while Destiny and Katelyn talked.
"Do you think she'll forgive her?" I asked, grabbing a soda from the refridgerator.
Kyle shrugged. "Who knows. I hope so, though. They've been through too much to let their friendship come to waist."
I nodded. "Yeah, I know."
I sat down at the table beside my friend, neither of us spoke. I tried to listen to the conversation that was going on in the living room, but unfortunately I was out of ear range. "What do you think they're doing in there?" I asked, taking a long sip of my soda.
"Hopefully not killing each other." Kyle said, only half joking.
We heard the front door shut quietly. It wasn't slammed. Good sign.
Katelyn walked into the kitchen, her face pale and flushed, and her eyes were red from crying.
I looked at her saddly. Seeing her look so sad tore me apart. But suddenly, she smiled at me. I frowned with confusion. "So what happened?" I asked, my voice shaking from shock. That had been the first time i had seen her smile a genuine smile.
She sat down between Kyle and I and laid her chin on her arms, which were resting on the table. "Well, she explained what happened, and she gave me proof that she was actually telling the truth."
"What kind of proof?" Kyle asked, looking as confused as I was.
She pulled a peice of paper out of her pocket. "It was a letter from Scott, threatening her that if she ever told me what had happened that he would kill her. She didn't know that we were going out at the tine."
"So..." I started. "are you two cool now?"
She sighed, her half smile returning. "Yeah. We're cool. I mean, its going to take me a while to actually get over it, but I think I'm going to be okay."
Kyle stood up. "I'm going to go catch Destiny before she leaves. I have to ask her something." and with that he walked out of the room, leaving Katelyn and i alone.
*****
"Destiny!"
Destiny stopped and turned around. She looked surprised. "Kyle? What are you doing here?"
He stopped running in front of her, placing his hands on his knees to catch his breath. "I..."
Destiny laughed. "Don't try to talk until you catch your breath or you'll end up hyperventilating."
About a minute and a half later, he finally caught his breath. He smiled. "Okay, I think I can talk now."
She smiled. "Good. Now what are you doing here? Why'd you come running after me?"
He blushed. "Well...I have something I want to ask you."
*****
Taylor
Katelyn and I sat in silence for a while. We had talked for an hour. But I still couldn't get the smile she had given me out of my mind.
Finally, she stood. "Well, I have some pictures to burn. I'll talk to you later."
I nodded mutely as I stood.
She started to walk away then stopped. "Oh, and Taylor?"
I turned my head to look at her. "Yeah?"
She walked back up to me and kissed me lightly on the lips and smiled at me again. "Thank you."
I felt light headed. And confused. "F-for what?"
"Thank you for listenig to me." She smiled and turned, making her way up the stairs.
*****
"Ask me what?" Destiny watched him figit. She knew what he was about to ask, but she was enjoying watching him squirm.
"Well, I was just wondering if you would go out with me." he whispered.
Destiny smiled to herself. "What did you say? I couldn't hear you."
"I said...will you go out with me?" He said again, his voice cracking with nervousness.
He watched her expression. She had a weird look on her face. "But of course if you don't want to I'll completely understand..."
She laughed. "Kyle..."
He stopped talking as she stepped closer to him and pressed her mouth to his gently.
*****
Taylor
After Katelyn finished burning her pictures, she came downstairs to watch TV with me. It felt so right, having her sit so close to me. I turned around as the door opened and Mr. Jackson walked in, looking tired, carrying papers in his hands.
"Hi, Mr. Jackson." I said politely.
"Hi, Taylor." his voice racked with tiredness. "Katelyn, I need to talk to you."
She glanced at me. "Okay..."
"I think I better go..." I stood up, not wanting to be in the middle of this.
"No its okay, just sit down. This won't take long." Mr. Jackson said evenly.
I sat back down slowly, feeling completely uncomfortable.
"Well, Katelyn, I've grown tired of your attitude since you've been home. And the way you've been treating everyone, and the drugs and tattoos...I just can't put up with it anymore."
I looked over at Katelyn. She looked like a small child being punished for getting caught with their hand in the cookie jar before dinner. So helpless and vulnerable.
"So, I've consulted a couple of counsulers, and they've suggested boot camp."
Katelyn's face paled even more. "Boot camp?"
"Yes, Katelyn. I've decided to send you to boot camp. I think it will be the best for you."
She was shaking now. "How long do I have to stay?"
"You'll come back a week before school starts. I've already talked to your mother." He explained.
She started to cry again, tears slowly sliding down her cheek. "When do I leave?"
Mr. Jackson sighed. "Tomorrow. I know its sudden, but I feel this is the best for you."
She looked over at me with a scared expression. She stood up and ran to her room.
Mr. Jackson looked at me. "I'm sorry you had to see that, Taylor."
I stood slowly and headed for the door, feeling numb. "So am I."
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