Switching sides

24

Camila

After the session ended Alice gave me her card if I wanted to schedule anything else, she mentioned she offers Zoom calls and texting if needed. We didn't talk much but I think she's okay. She doesn't seem that bad. I still had the jitters from the past hour and I was ready to go.
   I quickly made my way down the stairs and out the front door to see Taylor's car gone.

What

I frantically looked around the parking lot and couldn't see her car. My heart sped up, did she leave me?

Shit.

HONK

My eyes flew to the sound to see Taylor's car a few spaces down. Taking a deep breath I jogged over to the car and pulled the door open.

"Hey sorry I had to move cause this va-"

She stopped talking when I got in and launched over the center console, wrapping my arms around her and pulling her close. I shoved my face into her neck and breathed in.

The car door was still wide open and with one foot dangling out she wrapped her arms around me.

"What's wrong" she whispered

I kept my eyes closed. Why did I feel this way? Why did I feel the need to be near her so she could calm me?

"Shut the door cam," she said nudging me with her shoulder.

Quickly pulling my foot in I reached back and pulled the door shut. Turning back to Taylor I wanted to pull her back in but she placed a hand on me stopping me. I looked up to see her staring at me.

"Did it go okay?" she asked

Did it?

"I don't know" I mumbled

She instantly pulled me back in, placing a hand on the back of my head.

He messed me up, I now see that. These stupid habits I've built up. I take a deep breath to calm myself.

"We're ok" Taylor whispered

Later that day we ended up coming back to the house and Taylor insisted on baking her chai cookies. So she was in the kitchen baking while I sat in the hammock on the back porch, this is where I liked spending my time. It's calm here and I felt safe.

"Cam it's for you," Taylor said stepping onto the back porch with the house phone.

Huh? I wasn't expecting a call.

"Thanks" I mumbled and grabbed the phone from her.

She turned to go back inside and I put the phone up to my ear.

"Hello," I spoke into the phone.

"Hello Ms. Cabello this is Caleb with Hastings attorney"

"Oh hi, I didn't expect to hear from you so soon," I said

"Yes unfortunately it's not with good news"

"What's going on," I asked sitting up

There was a pause before he took a deep breath and spoke.

"Mr. Mendez has attained a lawyer, they contacted me today, he is suing you for defamation and false accusations"

Wait what

Suing me?

"No that's not possible, he's in jail, "I Shakly said

"It is, his lawyers got him out of jail on the bond, and they are coming at you full force, the court date is in two weeks"

His voice faded out, I couldn't hear anything, it was all a buzz. I felt my chest tighten. Standing up I dropped the phone and it slammed to the ground with a shatter.

He's out

He's free

Glancing around at the backyard- he could be here now. Trying to get to me. Taking a step back toward the door. He's going to hurt me for what I did. I knew better than to do this this wouldn't happen.

SHIT

I'm an idiot

My breaths are choppy. I heard someone screaming, but who? I glanced around to see nobody outside with me. Hands grabbed my arms and spun me around.

I was the one screaming, the noise coming from my mouth.

"CAMILA" Taylor yelled over me

"He- he's out "I gasped

I felt my legs give out and Taylor went down with me. Pain blossomed across my knees when I hit the floorboard.

"Camila calm down, it's okay. Your safe. You safe " she kept saying

Yet I didn't feel safe. She pulled me into her lap and wrapped her arms around me.

" copy my breathing, " Taylor said

She made sure I could see her breathing and I tried to copy her, I couldn't think, he was going to hurt her. I need to protect her. I grabbed her and pulled her closer. I can't lose her, even if we're just friends. I needed her.

I breathed in when she did and exhaled when she did. What am I going to do?

I clenched my eyes shut, I need to not think. I focused on Taylor and her breathing and keeping my eyes shut. 

Once I was able to calm myself down that's when the tears started. I couldn't stop them, I was exhausted after today's events.

"I'm s-sorry Tay" I cried into her shirt

"No, don't apologize, " she said into my hair

"No- you didn't ask for this, I-I'm sorry " I mumbled

"Look at me, " she said

I shook my head keeping it on her chest.

"Camila look at me," she said louder.

Pulling back I looked into her eyes, she also had tears streaming down her face.

"I chose you for you, and whatever may come with that, WE will deal with together," she said softly.

Her hand now caressing my cheek, wiping a few tears away.

" no that's not fair," I said hiccuping

"Camila- don't you get it, that's what love is about, " Taylor said

Love?

Does she have love for me?

Me?

After everything she still wants me.

"I chose you, all the good and bad included. " she whispered

Tears streaming down my face. I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her back in, resting my chin on her shoulder. I'm either very stupid or the luckiest girl alive.

I held her tightly for so long. Pulling back I quickly brought her lips to mine. The action created butterflies in my stomach and up to my chest. Taylor quickly reciprocated the kiss and moved along with me. Her hand slid into my hair as we pulled apart, a line of snot connecting from her lip to mine.

"Gross" I groaned out laughing

Taylor wiped it away with her sleeve with a smile.

"It's you and me cam" she whispered

"You and me"