false god

chapter 13

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In the days following his return from his hometown, Taylor could tell he was greatly bothered by whatever had happened with his family there, though he was all too reticent to say anything at all. He wasn't talking to Patrick about it either, who was his usual go-to, and Taylor had weirdly mixed feelings. She wasn't sure whether she should be glad that he was talking to no one, because it meant he didn't specifically not want to tell her, or if she should wish he was talking to anyone, even if it wasn't her.

Either way, she just wanted to help him, but god she didn't know how.

Valentine's Day came and went with little fanfare between the pair of roommates. Taylor bought a bag of conversation hearts and put them in a bowl in the kitchen, Travis ate nearly all of them before noon. That was about the extent of their acknowledgment of said holiday, and neither got each other a gift, though some part of Taylor itched to.

She found her fingers running along the length of her necklace chain far more often than she'd anticipated she would. Within a few months, it had become a staple in her daily wardrobe. She wore it because it was given to her by Travis. If he noticed her increased wearing of it, he didn't mention it at all.

Taylor knew that she felt as though something had changed over that phone call, though she couldn't pinpoint what. She'd spent many hours with her mind wandering, trying to figure out what exactly it was, though she always came up unsatisfied with the meager things she found.

Her other biggest concern? Gigi , who now knew the 'secret'. Or, the 'non-secret'.

"You won't tell Zayn or Patrick, right? If Travis wants to tell them...he should."

Gigi had pouted, "It's going to kill me to keep this to myself, B! This is grade-A news!"

"I'm sure you'll live," Taylor had said, not quite liking Gigi's gossip habit, especially when she was the subject.

"Fine. I won't mention it to Zayn. If he notices something..." Gigi shrugged, "You know I have a shit poker face."

"Do you two talk about us often?" Taylor said, a bell of laughter rising in her throat at the absurdity of the idea.

"Oh, here and there," Gigi responded, completely serious.

"Wait, what? Like about what sort of stuff?"

"Nothing terrible," Gigi was quick to assure her in a gentle tone, "Probably the same way you and Travis talk about the two of us."

Taylor, who realized she had the passing comment about Gigi and Zayn with Travis, had to concede that she was probably talked about. It was probably good things, or maybe minor annoyances. She doubted her best friend was conspiring or saying nasty things behind her back.

"Oh. Well, just don't tell him!"

"On my best honor," Gigi swore, "But Tay... two people can keep a secret if one of them is dead. Three people now know."

"That's reassuring."

"I'm just stating," Gigi said in a very matter-of-fact tone, "The truth always comes out. It's inevitable. Perhaps you should encourage your boy wonder to tell our favorite All-American before he's blindsided." 'Like I was' were the words being left out, and Taylor was glad she didn't say them.

"I'll consider it," Taylor said, a part of her scared that the more people they told, the closer it would bring them to something...and she was confused about what that something was or what it would mean for her.