So High School

Overwhelmed (pt2)

The day after the charity gala Taylor felt tired and drained. She woke early, curled under the covers with Travis's arms wrapped round her securely. Even then, from that little cocoon of warmth, she could feel the weight of the previous night weighing down on her shoulders, the emotional toll it was going to take.

She snuggled further into Travis's arms, craving the warmth and feeling of safeness he harboured.
"Tay?" Travis mumbled sleepily.
"Mm" Taylor yawned, her face buried in Travis's chest. Travis squinted his eyes open, peering down at his girlfriend.
"Are you okay? Feeling any better?" He asked, running a hand through her hair.
"Mm" Taylor mumbled again, not wanting to speak just yet.
"Okay baby, thats okay" Travis murmured, stroking her hair gently.

A couple of minutes later Travis sat up, carefully easing Taylor's body off his.
"I'm going to the toilet, you'll be okay here?" He asked, running a hand over her back lightly. Taylor shook her head quickly, gripping into Travis's tshirt.
"Okay baby, you can come with me then, yeah?" He picked her up carefully as she wrapped her legs around his waist. He took her into the bathroom and set her down on the counter.

She sat faced away as Travis did his business, and as he came to wash his hands he could see her staring into space, lost in her own world. His heart tugged at the exhausted expression on her face, at the tiredness in her eyes. He knew that what had happened the night before would have drained her, physically and emotionally, and he was going to do whatever he could to make her feel better.

"Come on sweetheart, let's go get some breakfast" he spoke softly, not wanting to startle his girlfriend. With her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist he picked her up, holding her tightly as he made his way downstairs. She buried her face in his neck, not wanting to face the outside world just yet.

"Lets get you some food, you must be hungry" he set her down on the counter, only then realising that she hadn't eaten anything the night before. As Travis set off to gather the things needed for their breakfast Taylor sat on the counter, her arms wrapped around herself. She was shivering in just shorts and a tshirt, but couldn't bring herself to go and get a hoodie or a blanket.

Travis returned a minute later with two bowls of cornflakes; Taylor's comfort food. He knew that if he wanted to get her to eat, he had to give her something she actually wanted and something that would make her feel better.

"Oh, are you cold?" He asked gently, rubbing his hands over her goosebumps. Taylor nodded, resting her head forward on Travis's shoulder.
"I'm going to go and get you a blanket, okay sweetie?" He left the bowls next to Taylor as he quickly went to grab her weighted blanket, not wanting to leave her alone for too long.

When he returned Taylor was where he left her, and she had a spoon in one of her hands. She was swirling the cereal round the bowl, but it didn't look like she was making any move to eat it.

"Here you go sweetheart" he smiled softly, laying the blanket around her shoulders. She smiled back, a tired smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Are you going to eat some?" Taylor's smile fell and she shrugged, not meeting his eyes.
"Just a little bit, come on Tay, then we can go and watch a film and relax" he urged her gently. She eventually gave in, scooping a tiny bit onto the end of the spoon and slipping it into her mouth.

Ten minutes and give spoonfuls later she was done. Travis quickly ate his then set the bowls to a side, lifting Taylor down from the side. He sat on the sofa with her in his lap and switched on the television.

As soon as he had sat Taylor down she curled up against him, the weighted blanket still wrapped tightly around her body. She rested her head on his chest and as Travis pressed play he wrapped both his arms around her, holding her close.

It was the evening now, and after getting Taylor to eat half a sandwich and an apple Travis was getting ready for bed. He was in the bathroom brushing his teeth, thinking back to what had happened during the day.

Taylor still hadn't spoken, but Travis knew she just probably felt drained and she would speak when she was ready. He wasn't sure if he should call Andrea, he was getting slightly nervous that he was out of his depth. Taylor wouldn't leave his side all day, wanting to just cuddle up to him and he carried everywhere. Of course Travis didn't mind, he wanted to help her, but he was getting slightly worried that maybe this wasn't normal behaviour? Maybe there was something actually wrong?

He rinsed out his mouth then made his way back into the bedroom, climbing into bed beside Taylor. She was curled up on her side with her eyes closed, but Travis could tell she wasn't asleep. He wrapped his arms around her, cradling her against his body.

After a couple of minutes Taylor opened her eyes, ready to break the silence.
"Travis?" She whispered, chewing her lip worriedly.
"Yeah baby?" Travis replied, thankful she was speaking again.
" I'm sorry" Taylor mumbled, still not facing him.
"You're sorry? Why, what for?" Travis ran a hand down her back gently, trying to offer her comfort as he could feel how nervous she was.
"Um, I've been a bit annoying today, and I'm sorry"
"Baby, can you face me please?" Travis asked, and Taylor turned over.

Travis put his hands on either side of her face, making sure she was looking at him.
"I love you, okay? You had an overwhelming day yesterday, and you are feeling tired today. And that's okay, that's fine. I'm your boyfriend Taylor, we're a team. When you have difficult days I am here, and I will do anything you need to help you feel better. I love you, and I just want to help you" he pressed a kiss to Taylor's forehead, wiping away some tears from her cheeks.

"Thank you, I love you too" she whispered.
"Do you need anything else?" Travis asked, his arms wrapped around her body.
"Um, could you braid my hair? Please?" She asked quietly.
"Of course baby" Travis smiled, sitting up. Taylor loved him braiding her hair, especially when she was anxious or worried. It made her feel better, and Travis knew this.

Taylor sat in between his legs as he ran his fingers through her hair, gently detangling any knots.
"There we go baby" Travis smiled once he was done, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
"Thank you" she mumbled sleepily.

They laid back down and Taylor cuddled into Travis's chest, his arms wrapped tightly around her. They both knew that they were in this together, and whatever happened they'd get through it together.

A/N it won't let me attach a picture of my cat to show you guys 😭😭 now I think we're deciding between Luna and willow for names

I'm on my half term rn and I feel like I'm wasting it, like I'm not appreciating that I have no school enough