Top Priority

57

Colby’s pov

Seeing Taylor’s lips on Angelina’s last night when I was out with Alex was something I was not expecting.

She knew I was there, surely, based on her actions.  She was dancing all over multiple different people, Gray and Angelina being a few of them.

Taylor got alcohol but didn’t drink it.  I would know, I kept an eye on her.

She would fake taking sips, or she’d take a drink of whatever she had and spit it out in the nearby trash can.

She was beautiful.  The way the dress fit her body.  Other people noticed too, mainly guys.  I wanted to punch them for looking at her in such a way, but I had to keep my distance.

I was here with Alex.  Against my will, in a way.

I was here for Taylor, but with Alex.

Or else she dies.  And I can’t have that.  I couldn’t live with myself.

I remember the night when I was by myself up in my room, pissed that I almost let Taylor get hurt, though she couldn’t see the danger she was in.  My phone rang, and without thinking I answered the phone.

“Hey Taylor, look I’m so sorry about-”

“Save it you piece of shit,” I checked the caller ID, seeing it wasn’t Taylor but an unsaved number in my phone.

“Alex?”

“Yeah.  We have a problem, you and I,” She began, letting out an impatient sigh.

I had only met Alex all about maybe three times, all with Taylor being around.  I never really had an interaction with Alex, only being introduced to her and a couple polite conversations.

“See, there’s this girl, also my roommate. Taylor, you know her,” She sang, as if I didn’t know they’ve lived together for over a year.

Her voice dropped to something close to a whisper, “If you don’t want anything happening to her you will do exactly what I say.  Nothing more, nothing less.  And if you fuck up, then she dies.  You got it?”

“What are you talking about?” I scoffed, “Alex, are you alright?  Should I call someone?”

“The only person you’ll need to call is someone from the Witness Protection program by the time I’m done with you,” She growled, and I could feel her anger the whole way over where I was.

“We’re going out.  Wear something nice, something you’d wear around Taylor.  To impress her, you know? Pretend I’m her.  Just for a little while,” 

The call disconnected, and I sat there on my bed, baffled.

Alex was supposed to be the sweet, innocent girl that was the best friend of the girl I wanted to get to know.

So that night, and many nights after, I went out with Alex at her request.

I would do as she says, like I was her little puppet.  I didn’t even try to go against what she wanted, scared of what she could possibly do to Taylor.