Nothing in Between

14

As sunlight creeps in through the window, appearing in small slivers of yellow light, Clyde wakes from rest. She instantly rubs the sleep away from her eyes, blinking to get them to open farther. Clyde glances around, recognizing that she isn't in her bedroom.

A quiet groan leaves Clyde's mouth as she tries to dissolve her confusion. Clyde attempts to sit up, but the feeling of a body lying on top of hers finally sets in. Sheer panic instantly rushes into Clyde's mind, before glancing down at the person on top of her.

Immediately, all of that panic washes away, seeing Taylor peacefully asleep. A faint smile takes over Clyde's face, and she literally has to stop herself from just pressing a kiss onto Taylor's forehead. She lets out a contented sigh, listening to Taylor's even breaths.

Even while sleeping, Taylor looks so beautiful. Though, Clyde believes that Taylor always looks so effortlessly pretty, no matter the situation and circumstance, so it isn't like there is anything even remotely special today. It is definitely just like any other day.

Except, this time, Clyde is actually next to Taylor as she sleeps, and it's the morning after she confessed to Taylor about her feelings. Not much difference, but it is certainly a huge change. A difference so insane, that Clyde wonders if she is even truly awake.

But Clyde smiles again, keeping her adoring gaze on Taylor. She finds that her heartbeat doesn't exactly race or quicken, but her body is speedily flooded with comforting warmth instead. It's the type of warmth that makes Clyde want to scream from happiness.

"Hi."

And Clyde suddenly jumps, almost throwing Taylor off her body. She stares at Taylor with wide eyes, her mind blanked from complete surprise. Clyde gently places a hand over her heaving chest to feel her racing heart, taking calming, steadying breaths.

"You're awake?"

"How long have you been watching me sleep?" Taylor replies, ignoring the question.

With a tilt of her head, Clyde hums softly. There is no need for her to glance into a mirror, because the feeling of warm blood rushing into her cheeks is enough to let her know that her face is tinted red. Clyde rubs the back of her neck to offset that feeling.

Taylor remains silent as Clyde attempts to count the amount of time she has been staring at her sleeping figure. Clyde can feel Taylor move on top of her, speedily shifting her body into a more comfortable position. Though, to Clyde, it seems like a distraction.

"Um, I don't know," is Clyde's honest answer.

And Taylor instantly bursts into a fit of melodic laughter, "You're cute."

More heat rushes into Clyde's face as she replies, "You're cuter."

A chuckle leaves Taylor's lips. She doesn't say any more before snuggling into Clyde and burying her face into the crook of her neck. Clyde's hands find their way to Taylor's waist, and Clyde holds her sides as she presses a kiss onto the side of her head.

Taylor hums in content, allowing a pleased sigh to escape her chest. A shiver briefly goes down Clyde's spine from the warm breath, and her body shudders. Taylor chuckles at her reaction, her hand gently patting Clyde's chest in amusement and reassurance.

"I'm going back to sleep, CJ."

Clyde briefly arches an eyebrow in question, but before she can even think of a response, the door to Taylor's bedroom is unexpectedly pushed open. A slight sound leaves Clyde's mouth in sheer surprise, but Taylor doesn't even flinch or lift her head up.

"Taylor—who are you? Get out of my daughter's bed!"

Being in her undershirt and dress pants, Clyde doesn't take a moment to hesitate before practically throwing Taylor onto the bed and frantically jumping onto her feet. She loudly gulps, desperately trying to avoid eye contact with, presumably, Taylor's mother.