The Story Of Us

Chapter 17.

[Taylor]

Just breathe, just relax, it'll be okay. Everything will be fine. I kept repeating these words to myself trying my best to make myself believe it. I put on a blue shirt with four cats on it tucking it into my grey jeans. I was looking for my socks around the house but I couldn't find it. I ran down the steps almost tripping over Olivia. I ran into the kitchen to check if the food was alright then immediately ran into the living room where Leland was on the floor playing his video games.

Sheet music was scattered all over the floor behind him and my guitar was out in the open.
This is what I need a dirty living room. Meredith and Benjamin, we're lying on the couch acting like nothing was going on at the moment. I was internally screaming on the inside. I started picking up the sheet music off the floor, it was my fault they got there in the first place, I was trying to write a new song last night, and I forgot to put these away.

I looked over at Leland who acted like nothing was going on, he was wearing huge headphones on his ears so I know he couldn't hear a word I was saying to him. I place the sheet music carefully in the box around the couch.

I ran back into the kitchen to make sure nothing was burning, the dishes were still not washed even after Leland said he was going to wash them. I heard loud gun shoots coming from the TV which startled me. I stomped my way into the living room where he was still sitting on the floor with his legs crossed over each other.

I woke up late and he's been here since ten in the morning, it's going on seven in the afternoon. I tried calling his name but he couldn't hear me. I started waving my hand in front of his face but he just pushed it down.

I went behind the TV and unplug his gaming
system from the wall. "What was that for?"He said taking off his headphones.

I handed him the cord. "You said you were going to help me with the house,"

He got up from the ground. God damn, I forgot he was taller than me. "I did help, I fed the cats and then I played Call Of Duty," He said plugging his gaming system back into the wall.

"You didn't wake me up until six in the afternoon, you said you have been here since ten in the morning and then I had to run down here get dinner started, get dressed and this place is still a mess,"

"And that's my fault how?" I could have killed him at the moment.

I walked into the kitchen and started washing the dishes. This is a mess. Leland placed both of his hands on the counter. I turned to face him, I was trapped between the counter and him.

"Is this what you're wearing?" He was wearing a regular white T-shirt and light blue jeans with a black beanie on his head.

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?"

"Nothing simplistic is the best if you wanna look boring!" I tried pushing past him but he grabbed my arm.

"Look, your overreacting, everything will be alright,"

I let out a huff and crossed my arms. "I just want them to like you,"

He placed both of his hands on my shoulders and stared me dead in the eye. "C'mon, everything will be fine, I promise, and besides parents love me," He said moving his eyebrows up and down. "I have this irresistible charm on parents,"