3rd person POV
April 25, 2023
"I'll take an Italian. Add cheddar, bacon, and could you throw in some extra pepperoni please?" Rose said after Taylor reassured her at least 30 times that she could get whatever she wanted. Rose tried explaining that she didn't want Taylor to feel like she was using her, but Taylor scoffed it off. The worker smiled, made the sandwich, and then went back for Taylor's order.
"I'll just take what she's having, minus the back and extra ham, please," Taylor said, and she slide down too. "Colin! Get in here, my treat!" Colin looked around, then shook his head. "Rose? Could you go take his order? And don't take no for an answer." Rose smiled and nodded, quickly making her way to the door. That's when she realized why Colin didn't move.
"Hey, Miss Taylor said that I can't take no for an answer. You want me to get you something random?" Colin shook his head. It seemed like was about to say something before he turned Rose around, and did a small gesture to a camera in the bushes. "Oh. That's why."
"Get me the spicy one. Extra jalapeños, put ranch on there. I'll make sure nobody takes your picture, alright kiddo?" he said, smiling reassuringly. He seemed tough, but Rose quickly realized it was just a front. He was sweet to the people that he knew.
"Alright! Thank Mister Colin."
"Drop the Mister, you can call me Colin."
"Okay, I guess," Rose said. She had taught herself to say sit or ma'am, miss or mister when it came to her elders, so that would be tricky. She walked in and relayed Colin's order, as well as finishing hers by topping it with vegetables and dressings. She got herself a cookie with Taylor's extra approval, paid, and they sat down to eat. "Colin said he saw a camera."
"Oh, that's okay. Do you want me to hide you when we go out?" Taylor asked, looking outside for it.
"No, it's okay. I'll figure it out," Rose said, swallowing a bite of her sandwich. "Miss Taylor, can I ask you a question?" Taylor swallowed her bite.
"Yes, of course! What can I answer for you?" she said, sitting up and paying attention to Rose.
"Do you ever regret not being able to go to places like this and get a sandwich?" she said, looking down at her hands.
"Hm," Taylor said, thinking. "I guess so. I never really liked eating out even before I got this big."
"Oh."
"Doesn't mean you have to stop," Taylor reassured as Rose took the last bite of the sandwich for now. "In fact, I'll let you eat out whenever you want."
"You don't have to do that," Rose said quickly. She felt weird. Was this what spoiled kids went through? She never really knew what that felt like.
"Rose, sweetie. Can I you a question?" Rose nodded slowly. "I know bits about your past. Is the reason you're so hesitant to accept what I give you?" Rose didn't like the question. Taylor noticed, and noticed. "Kid, if it's too much, you can tell me to stop. I just... I've been so anxious and excited for this."
"I understand," Rose said, sipping on her drink. "I think that it will take a bit for me to actually start asking you for things. After all, I rarely got things... before, and the group home wasn't the best on giving what we wanted. Or needed."
"Alright." Rose saw Taylor pull out her phone, type something, then put her phone down. "Are you ready to go? I can block your face so the paparazzi doesn't bother you?" Taylor offered again. This time, Rose nodded. Taylor packed the remains food up, went to tip the sandwich makers, and even took a picture with them. Taylor grabbed her jacket and covered her face. Colin escorted Rose to the car alone, then guided Taylor to the car. He made sure the coast was clear before getting in the car and leaving the parking lot.
"Where to next, ma'am? The plane is scheduled to leave in about an hour," Colin said, waiting at a light.
"We can head to the airport. With traffic, it might take an hour to get there in the first place." Rose chuckled and Taylor smiled. "Hey, kid, do you have a phone? I just remembered you should probably have my phone number." Rose nodded, but then remembered.
"In my bag. Sorry."
"Hey, no need to apologize. We'll exchange numbers on the plane then! Are you up for meeting some people, or straight on the plane?" Taylor asked, typing in her phone really quickly.
"Depends," Rose admitted, fiddling with her fingers as she watched building pass her.
"Couple of my dancers. You would've probably met them in Atlanta, but this way you can talk to them."
"Oh, yeah sure? Who's gonna be there?" Rose said, smiling.
"Kam, Jan, and Natalie. If at any time you wanna get away, you let me know right away!" Rose nodded.
Fast forward about 25 minutes later, the car pulled into the airport. Taylor walked out after Colin cleared the fences for cameras. Kam, Jan, Natalie made their way to hug Taylor. Colin just fixed his shirt. After the three released the hug, Kam pointed Rose out, who just waved shyly. She grabbed her bag, right before Colin got to the trunk. Everyone laughed as Colin pouted.
"Taylor, girl, who's this?" Kam asked, walking over to Rose. Rose smiled, staying where she was.
"Oh, this is Rose! She's my... uh.."
"Foster daughter. For now," Rose said, extending her hand. Kam scooped her into a hug instead.
"Welcome to the family, kid. It's amazing, you'll see," Jan said, shaking Rose's hand once Kam let go. Natalie waved. "Hope you'll join us in bothering Taylor here into telling us who her songs are about." Rose raised and eyebrow at that. Taylor laughed as she grabbed her bags from Colin.
"Guys, let's go! I want to get to the hotel before 6. And we have practice tomorrow," Taylor said. With that, the plane departed from NYC and travelled towards Atlanta.
A/N- I KNOW Kam gives the best hugs bro trust
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