Nothing in Between

24

For Clyde, there has never been anything better than the last few weeks.

Her and Taylor's relationship has been going so well, and Clyde actually can't believe it. Her friends have mostly stopped teasing them whenever they are all together, and there is absolutely nothing better than not hearing constant teasing statements.

And while walking home has been an essential part of their routine for a while, Clyde has recently started to wait for Taylor outside her classroom on Mondays. It is just something Clyde does to pass the time, since her last class is dismissed earlier than Taylor's.

Since Clyde doesn't have a phone, it definitely is awkward to just be standing around the hallway sometimes. She manages, though, literally ignoring any person who even tries to shoot her a brief glance. Clyde doesn't even know why they care enough to look.

She doesn't even know why after weeks of doing so, people still look at her. And time and time again, the same group of nosy people keep trying to get into her business. It is really starting to anger Clyde, but she keeps herself perfectly calm and collected.

Today, her last class is dismissed an entire forty-five minutes earlier, which allows her to visit the library before waiting for Taylor. Clyde willingly wastes her time lounging around and quietly browsing the shelves, though she doesn't actually read anything.

Usually, Clyde's best friends will come along and bother her, which is something they've actually been doing for years, but Clyde has told them the day prior that she has a date with Taylor. After that serious conversation, they know not to bother any of them.

And when Clyde looks at her watch and notices that it is finally time for her to rapidly run to Taylor's classroom, she immediately rushes out of the library. She literally speeds past people in the dim stairwells and empty hallways, feeling incredibly excited.

It takes her two minutes to arrive outside Taylor's classroom from the library, which Clyde feels like is a new personal record. Her chest speedily heaves and her lungs beg for some air, but all Clyde can think about is mentioning her record to Taylor later on.

Clyde is just in time, it seems to be, as her eyes capture Taylor briefly stepping out of the classroom. She suddenly runs towards Taylor without seeming too obsessive, though the other people in the hallway probably think different, and Clyde can clearly tell.

"Hey," Clyde mumbles.

Taylor's eyes immediately avoid Clyde's, her gaze bouncing all over the hallway. Clyde tries to carefully follow Taylor's line of vision as she glances over her shoulder, but she finds absolutely nothing. She turns back to face Taylor, obviously confused.

"Are you okay?" Clyde asks.

"Yeah, I just... I haven't been feeling well."

And a wave of concern floods Clyde's mind, her face briefly softening as she and Taylor begin to walk. Her hand finds Taylor's, and she leads her to a less-crowded area, where they don't have to worry about nosy people and their intrusive, prying gazes.

"Is it period cramps? I can get you anything—"

"No, but thanks for offering," Taylor said, her voice slightly strained.

The formality of Taylor's answer almost makes Clyde freeze from shock, though she tries to brush it off as her brain truly acting weird again. There is obviously nothing wrong with anything that Taylor has said, but Clyde can't help but feel slightly worried.

But, maybe Taylor is the one acting weird.

If Clyde can remember properly, Taylor's actions have been really odd since something happened at the diner. Clyde has noticed that Taylor has been slightly more quiet when they are together, and she hides whenever there are other people around.