Chasing Her

Chapter 7: Mystery Girl

Taylor's POV

I wake up the morning after tryouts to multiple missed calls and texts from Erin.  I rub away the tiredness from my eyes and realize I never texted her when I got home.

"Hey just making sure you made it home and didn't get kidnapped lol please text me."

"Taylor this isn't funny, I was worried about you before and now I'm more worried than before."

"Taylor Nash I am going to kill you the next time I see you. I am never letting you jog home ever again. Answer your damn phone." 

Yeah, I'm dead, at this point, I've accepted my fate and get up to get ready for school. I'll deal with Erin when I get to school.  Once dressed and having all my stuff gathered for football I head to the living room to get ready to leave. My aunt and uncle are in the kitchen attempting to feed their tribe while also making sure they get ready on time. It's always a flurry of backpacks, food, and arms everywhere in that kitchen before school. I sneak in and out, grabbing an apple and a bottle of water to tie me over until lunch. My uncle notices me as I'm leaving the kitchen area and smiles.

"Hey Taylor how was tryouts yesterday? I'm assuming good enough for you to go back for day two?" He asks pointing at my football gear near me on the floor. I nod and smile towards him, and now my aunt, who has clued into the conversation. 

"Yeah, it went really well actually. Turns out Erin's dad is the coach and he's a super cool guy. Me and this kid Brody worked really well together and everyone on the team seems chill." I saw my aunt look on smiling, happy, and proud of me for even trying. My uncle nods in approval.

"Good, if you ever have any problems don't hesitate to tell us and we'll sort it out for you." I thank him and grab my stuff to get ready to head out the door. 

"Honey, we can drive you to school, aren't you tired from yesterday?" My aunt asks as I attempt to leave.

"I'm okay, I like the fresh air and it'll be good for my legs." Before waiting for a response I head out the door and start walking to school. I wasn't lying about the fresh air and walk being good for me. It would be nice to have some alone time before having to deal with Erin's fury and be able to clear my mind from the thoughts of yesterday that are still swimming around waiting to be acknowledged. I'll have to update my friends back home and my mom, maybe then these feelings of guilt will wash away. 

I finally reach the school and navigate the hallways to my locker. I put my backpack in my locker and head to the locker room to put my gear away before class. As I am closing the locker with my gear inside I feel a tap on my shoulder. Confused, I turn around, only for my cheek to be met by a hand, and not very gently. I wince and grab my now throbbing cheek. I look up and see a furious Erin standing in front of me, a scowl on her face and hands on her hips. 

"Ow, Erin what the hell was that for?" I ask still reeling in pain. She shakes her head at me.

"No, you don't get to pretend like that wasn't warranted. You left here in a hurry yesterday after tryouts acting weird telling me you were walking home and would text me when you got there. You don't text me when you get home and on top of that you don't answer your phone last night or respond this morning with an explanation. So start explaining." 

"It's really simple actually Miss Hanks, I got home and after showering I passed out. I did see that you blew up my phone but I figured since I was seeing you at school I would talk to you when I got here." She seems to get angrier by my response and lifts her hand again. Luckily, I see it coming and I am able to stop it before I get hit again.

"What the fuck Erin I just told you what happened. Why are you trying to slap me again? I'm not into that shit so stop." I say with a smirk as I let go of her arm. She drops it and shakes her head at me. She quickly looks away and starts to sniffle. Was she crying? Why would she be crying? I make her look at me and sure enough she has tears going down her cheeks. I quickly pull her into a hug and wait for her to explain. She pulls away after a minute and is calmed down.