A New Dawn

Chapter 8

Guys, I'm sorry I took so long to write this. I was so busy frolicking around Europe I forgot about the study part of studying abroad and now I'm swamped studying for finals. Help. I took a day off from trying to learn about planes and rockets to write this, so enjoy.

The second half of the chapter might be NSFW. You've been warned. Don't blame me, I'm ovulating.

Midnight by Toby Sebastian and Florence Pugh

xx Ash

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Taylor's POV

With a fresh cup of coffee, I take a seat at the kitchen table next to Lizzie.  Across from us, Gracie and Ashley are avoiding eye contact with every living thing. I don't know how to start this conversation. Lizzie and I agreed to tell the girls already, that's the real reason we were upstairs when we caught them. Now it just feels awkward. I let out a small sigh and set down my mug before reaching over and taking Lizzies hand in mine. Joy washes over me as a gaze down at our conjoined hands resting on my lap. I tear my eyes away when I hear Ashley clear her throat from across the table.

"Being the most mature of the group, I'll start the conversation. What y'all saw upstairs is new like straight outta the box new so I'm sorry but I would like Gracie and I to have a private conversation before talking about it with you guys."

There's a nervous look as she quickly glances at Gracie before looking down. Gracie takes Ashley's hand and kisses her knuckles before saying, "I agree. I'd like to talk to Ash in private first." She doesn't let go of her hand. What's with the obsession with hands in this house?

"That's okay girls, and there's no need to apologize Ash. That's your private business and once you are ready to share I'm all ears. I'm sorry we interrupted earlier, but it was kind of unavoidable considering the door was wide open and you were halfway into the hall."

"Hey! It was spontaneous!"

Lizzie snickers and covers her mouth with her free hand. I reach over and take her hand away from her face. She raises an eyebrow at me. I freeze realizing how random that was.

"I just wanted to see your smile."

"GAG!" I whip my head around and narrow my eyes at Ashley who just raises her hands in defense. "Okay, okay! Y'all are actually so good together it makes me want to cry all the time."

"What do you mean 'all the time'?"

Ashley and Gracie share a look. "Short story, you both are so obvious and oblivious at the same time. We've known you guys have been pining after each other for weeks."

Gracie's statement makes my jaw drop. I thought I was being obvious towards Lizzie, but I was not aware it was noticeable to everyone. I drag my hand down my face.

"You're kidding."

The two girls start laughing. I turn to Lizzie to make sure she's okay. We're not exactly "out" to the world, so the fact that people might have noticed...The look on her face isn't revealing much.

I turn back to face the two younger girls. "What do you mean by obvious? Do you mean other people know?" I ask to clarify.

There's a small tremor in my voice that I can tell Ashley noticed based on how her tone shifts from playful to serious.

"No. No, no one else has any clue. We only know because you both talk to us about each other all the time. Scarlett knows about your feelings, but she doesn't know that anything has come of it."

I let out a breath of relief. Honestly I'm only worried that something will scare Lizzie away. A sour feeling fills my stomach just at the thought.

...