PERFECT PIECES {18+}

♡Taylor♡

Life was a steaming pile of shit. Every time I thought I could deal with it and find some tiny ounce of happiness, it was stolen from me. I took an extra shift, trying to be nice, trying to make some fucking money and that bitch Brooke had made sure I didn't make a cent, the boss taking those broken dishes out of my paycheck. And then I had gone to school, refreshed like maybe the day would be okay and then I get lumped with Niko for my assignment. How could life be that ruthless?

I took a shuddering breath as I sat in the backseat of my brother's car, glaring at the back of Pierce's head sitting in the passenger seat. I was used to him coming around, he was like a fly to shit and I got it, he was lonely, his aunt was kind of clueless from what I could tell but it still drove me insane because it meant I couldn't relax when I got home.

I leaned my head back against the seat rest, music thumping in my ear as I tried to put up all the defense mechanisms I had inside me before I had to face off with Pierce and have a study date with Niko. Why those two of all people in the world or even just the school?

Hayden pulled us into the drive and we climbed out. I went straight for the door, unlocking it and heading inside, the pinch of hurt in my chest already there as it was every time I went through the threshold. I shoved it away, not able to be vulnerable for even a second while Pierce was hovering. I went straight to the kitchen, frowning at the emptiness. There was a note from Gram.

"I've taken Tori shopping for the dance, be back after dinner. Lasagna is in the fridge, just heat it up and don't burn the house down. Love you." The message said and I pursed my lips. Damn. I was hoping I'd have Gram or even Tori as a buffer. Nope. With a huff, I went to turn out of the kitchen, gasping as I ran straight into Pierce. I stumbled back and he caught me. His hands steadied me and I shrugged his searing touch off. I pulled my ear piece out and he smirked.

"Falling for me already, Babe?"

"In your dreams, Larson." I side stepped him and moved into the dining.

"Only every damn night, O'Brien." He winked then turned to the fridge to raid it just like Hayden usually did. I shook my head as those words went through me like molten lava in my veins.

"Aw cute, I dream about you too, dude." Hayden teased as he pushed Pierce out of the way with a grin. Pierce barked out a laugh.

"Shut up, you've got nothing on Tay. Her tits are twice as big, her ass too." I heard Pierce saying and I grimaced. Yeah, because I was just a piece of meat with tits and an ass. And that was exactly why Pierce was staying firmly in the friend zone.

"Yeah but my cock's bigger." Hayden laughed back as they rumbled in the tiny kitchen. If they broke anything, Gram was so gonna lose her shit.

"Doubt it. Bet Tay's got at least three inches on you." Pierce taunted, running from Hayden before getting tackled to the ground.

"Yeah but my winning personality makes up for it." I heard Hayden bite back before there was more laughing and fighting. I shook my head and pushed into my room, closing it firmly and letting out a deep breath. I threw my bag on my bed then looked around my space. It was weird not having Tori in there when I got home and also terrifying. Niko was coming over and I had no idea how to have him in my room again.

My eyes went to my single bed, remembering how he used to sneak in and sleep in there with me, my leg over his waist, his arm as my pillow, sneaking back out before my sister woke up. I remembered losing my virginity on that bed to him.

Tears sprung to my eyes and I swallowed back the pain that tried to break me. I had fucking loved him, that fucking asshole. He had destroyed everything I had to give, not just my heart but my trust. He had said all the right things, had me believing everything. My fists clenched as the hurt riled inside me, burning everything until I felt like I was going to scream. How could I have been one of those idiots? One of the ones who got played so damn easily? How had he hid who he was so well? I thought about my own mask at that and realized it wasn't that hard. Nobody saw the real me, only the fake version I gave them because the real me was a broken mess and nobody wanted that. I didn't even want that.