Mad Woman✓

25. Late night show

"That's what happened, you. You who charmed my dad with self-effacing jokes, sipping coffee like you're on a late-night show"

   TAYLOR

"Is everything clear?" John asks.

I stare at the notebook lying in front of me on the dinner table. John wrote down a whole plan for tonight in the past few weeks. Everything has been planned. For everything that could go wrong tonight, we have a solution. Or, at least, they have a solution.

The worst part of everything is that they won't let me do anything. I have to drive to the airport. I have to wait.

"Yes", Dad nods and so does Selena.

When John came here, in a 'borrowed' car, I was surprised that not only he got out of the car. With him came my father and my best friend. Apparently Grace had wanted to come too, and Mom. But John said they needed to stay home. To take care of us when we get home. To take care of Joe when he comes home.

They had not trained the way Dad, Selena and John had.

"Taylor, is everything clear?" John asks, looking at me.

"'I'll be in my bedroom, making no noise and pretending that I don't exist'", I quote Harry Potter, not happy with this. Not at all.

"Don't act like a five-year-old, Taylor", Dad says. "It's a plan. It's safe."

"Not for you. Or for you or you." I look them all in the eye.

"John taught me how to work a knife, a gun. I know how to fight with a freaking branch, Tay. I'm just as good as you are. Yes, I have less experience. But I probably won't even have to fight. I want to help you", Selena says. "I understand that you want to be there. But what if you see him and he looks- And he looks the way you don't want him to look? What if you start screaming, panicking?"

"I am stronger than that."

"Taylor", John says, "We know you are strong. You are incredibly strong. But let us do this. We have been training for this. For weeks. We know what we have to do. Selena can shoot bullets like I have never seen before. Your father is very strong. And you know me. I taught you all. I might not be better than you, but I sure as hell know their weaknesses. I promise that every single one of us is going to come out alive. Including Joe."

"And look how cool this outfit is", Selena points out her clothing. She is covered in all black leather. So are Dad and John. Underneath they wear bulletproof vests. "Besides, I really want point a gun at that dickhead while I look right into his eyes."

She does look amazing. Her long, dark hair is in two thick braids. The outfit hugs her body perfectly.

"Fine", I sigh. "If you borrow me that lipstick." "Here you go", Selena smiles, getting it out of her purse and handing it to me.

They are right. I am too emotionally close to Joe. To all of these people. All they feel is hate towards the Crows and protectiveness over me. Which will lead to them saving Joe. And getting rid of the Crows.

"What time is it?" I ask nervously.

"It is ten-thirty. You should get in the car and drive to the airport. Your plane is already waiting on you." I nod and grab my handbag, "Don't you dare die."

Selena gets up and hugs me closely, "We'll see you in less than two hours again, okay?" "Please, be safe." "I will. I love you." "I love you." "After all this", she says, letting me go, "We seriously need to talk. Because I want to know all about this Joe." "We will", I promise.