Tardy | Tara Carpenter x Female Reader

chapter 2

You've learned so much about Tara in the last 20 minutes that your head starts to hurt.

You hold up a hand, "Wait wait wait, so you guys are telling me you were involved in a massacre back in whatever town, and the killer turned out to be one of your best friends who tried to kill you because of a movie?"

The group in front of you nods almost in unison. You realize that they're all strangers to you, having never talked to a single one of them in your life.

Well, that was a lie; you had talked to Anika before. You've seen Mindy a couple of times because of that, but you were nowhere near close enough to be considered 'friend' material.

When you and Tara had arrived in the living room, they had all but jumped out of their seats, eyeing you with the same hard glare Sam did.

Tara glances at you, afraid to see that all the information might've scarred you and ruined your friendship forever, but the only thing she sees is frustration in your eyes.

One hand on your hip, the other playing with your bottom lip; a habit you did when you were frustrated Tara had learned.

"And this killer guy is back? He wants to...get you again?" You ask no one in particular, but get a firm nod in confirmation from Sam.

You suddenly feel a little winded.

"Okay. Okaayy...I'm just going to sit down for a while. Tara, would you show me where your room is?"

Cries of protest are already sounding from Sam and Chad, but Tara silences them with a hard look before they can utter a word.

Tara takes you by the hand and leads you to her room. Under different circumstances, the feel of her hand against yours would make you elated.

You lay down across her bed, wiping at your face with your hands, hoping it'll relieve some of the stress you're feeling.

You feel Tara lay down next to you but doesn't make a move to get any closer.

"So do you hate me now?" She asks, voice quiet and unsure.

Your eyes shoot open, and you quickly tilt your head to her.

"No of course not Tara," You begin, speaking slowly as to gather your thoughts. "I just..I can't believe that all happened to you. Why didn't you tell me? I would've helped, I would've tried."

Your tone isn't pressing, more gentle. You're not mad at her for hiding this part of her life from you, just devastated to know she'd been struggling with it all along.

She looks as though she might cry, nose scrunched and breathing heavy.

"And you got stabbed like what, seven times?" You ask, voice quiet. All she does is nod solemnly, and it makes your heart sink in despair.

You immediately pull her towards you, hands wrapping around her waist, and she buries her face in the crook of your neck.

"I'm sorry." You mummer against her hair, holding tight.

You think you hear a sniff before she answers again, "It's not your fault, you have nothing to be sorry about."

You hum, and you know she's right.

It's unusual to see Tara so vulnerable. In the time you've known each other, she was all cocky smiles and quick comebacks. It's such an out-of-body experience to realize she struggles with things too. It's a weird thing to think about, but it only makes her more human.

You think back to the beginning of the night.

Tara had said something about 'him' seeing you walk up the stairs, and a shiver sends up your spine.