Neverending Peace

Thread of Gold

The first day went smoothly. As did the second, and the third. Joe continuously tried to get Taylor to eat more with each meal, to which she would push the plate away and tell Joe to calm down.

"I'm fine, Joe," she would repeat. "Stop pestering! You're worse than my mom!"

"I'm just worried."

"And I can take care of myself."

The manager and artist arguing didn't sit well with the team. That, on top of the multiple lost practices, the strain of her secret between all the workers, and the heat, really wasn't good. By day four everyone was antsy.

It didn't help when, towards the end of the day, Taylor fell to her knees in the middle of a practice show.

"Taylor!"

To everyone else it just seemed that the singer was on her knees, hands over her mouth. But, she was definitely greener than usual. Selena was the first to jump into action.

"Give her some space!" She barked at the crowding teammates. They reluctantly moved aside.

Selena kneeled down beside Taylor. "Are you okay, Tay?"

Taylor looked conflicted, but in the end she shook her head.

"Alright. Let's get you outside, okay? We'll go straight to the hospital. I'll drive you. Joe, call hir parents. If someone could please gather Taylor's things and leave them in the room. We'll grab them when we get back."

"You heard her!" Joe barked. "Lauryn, grab her things. I'll meet you in the room"

Joe handed Taylor a bottle of water. She took it but didn't drink any. Selena led him out of the gymnasium and towards the parking lot. It was the last anyone saw of her that day.

Two messed up dance practices later, the day was over. Joe carried out their management with their usual dignity.

Before going home Joe checked in with Lauryn wanting to take Taylor's things back to her cubby himself. He walked in with his head down dragging his feet behind him.

"Hey my man." She chirped happily. He didn't even make an effort to look up at her as he paced around the small room. "So, I got these two new dresses." She held up a blue strappy cocktail dress, and a puffy green over the shoulder silhouette. "Which would be best for the show."

"What?" Joe said confused." You're seriously asking me to choose a dress when Taylor is in the hospital going through god knows what." He exclaimed slightly raising his tone.

"Geez Joe. I'm just trying to look nice." She chuckled. "Sorry I thought you'd care about me." She looked up at him with a slight pout.

And with that slight look from his most trusted friend he went back to old habits immediately." No, no you're right. I'm sorry." He whispered.

Lauryn continued on with her narrative as Joe fought back tears. " It just doesn't even feel like you want to hang out with me anymore. All you ever worry about is her. Its all Taylor all the time. It's annoying I don't know what you see in that girl." She scoffed and turned closer to him. Slowly backing him into the corner.

" I didn't mean to. She's just sick and I-."

Quickly grabbing him by the arm she squeezing her nails tightly into his skin. Marking her dominance. "Oh, here you go again with another excuse. You've been saying that for the past month. You're not even fun anymore. Don't you see she's changing you. I want the old Joe back." She didn't drop her gaze for a second.

" I'm Sorry." He said slightly avoiding her eyes. He whimpered as her nails sunk deeper into his arm.

" So, like I asked which dress." She was not gritting her teeth together instilling complete and total fear.

" The blue is nice. Um It'll look great on you." He answered with a slight crack to his voice.

" Awesome! Then we can match I can't wait." She exclaimed retracting her claws and making her way towards the door. With one final glance, smile, and blow of a kiss she shut the door behind her and left Joe all alone.

Dinner was a silent affair. No one felt like practicing after the events that had transpired. New dancers went to their separate areas and worked harder than before, until Joe scolded them for over exerting themselves and sent them off to bed.

It was later, during the overview meeting, that Taylor's condition was finally brought up. She hadn't returned from the hospital yet. No one had gotten any updates on how he was doing either.

Joe was obviously tense, having spaced out multiple times during the meeting. Despite not being one hundred percent there as manager, Selena was quick to fill in the spot. She took down notes dutifully and spoke when Joe wasn't.

"So what's up with Taylor?" Jack asked Joe as they all settled down to play cards. "Is she sick? I overheard the trainers saying she'll be in the hospital for the rest of the week."

Joe didn't reply, so Selena did for him.

"Cancer."

Everyone was silent, giving Joe and Selena sympathetic looks.

"I'm sorry," One of his friends said quietly, patting Joe's hand. Joe nodded in acknowledgement.

"He's getting better though, right?" asked Jack.

Jack expected the usual 'Of course!' from Joe. It never came. He turned to see their manager staring down at his lap with a tight jaw.

"Joe?" he asked.

It seemed to snap the him out of it. He blinked slowly and looked up.

"About that... Taylor didn't want me telling anyone, but I think I should be honest with you..."