The Way We Once Were

fourteen

Travis's POV

I was at the gym, lifting weights, trying to push through my workout, but something felt off. My mind kept drifting, and it wasn't because of the reps or the physical strain. I couldn't shake the thought of Taylor. Suddenly, my phone lit up with a message.

Taylor: Are you free tonight? Joe left and I don't know where he's gone. I need you.

It was short, but it was enough to make my heart rate spike, pulling me away from everything else. Taylor never reached out unless something was seriously on her mind. And when it came to her, I'd drop everything.

I quickly wrapped up, wiped the sweat off my forehead, and grabbed my stuff. It didn't take long for me to get to her place—there was a sense of urgency in my chest, as though I could feel the weight of her pain even before I walked through the door.

When I knocked, there was no immediate answer. Finally, the door cracked open a little, and I saw her standing there. Her face was pale, her eyes distant. She wasn't smiling. There was no sparkle in her gaze like usual. Instead, her expression was clouded with something I couldn't name at first, but I didn't need to ask. I already knew something was wrong.

I stepped inside, and she didn't say much at first. Just took a few steps toward me and wrapped her arms around me like she needed to feel grounded, like she was afraid if she let go, she might just disappear. I didn't hesitate to pull her in, wrapping my arms around her, holding her close. Her body was trembling against me, and I could feel how tight her chest was, like she was holding something back.

"Hey, what's going on?" I murmured into her hair, trying to keep my voice calm, trying not to show how much her state was rattling me. I had no idea what had happened, but I could tell it wasn't good.

She pulled away slightly, just enough to look up at me, but still, she couldn't meet my eyes. There was a vulnerability there that made my stomach twist. "I—I don't know where to start, Trav," she said quietly, voice barely above a whisper. "I just... I'm so tired of pretending everything's okay."

"Taylor..." I said softly, cupping her face in my hands. I wanted to tell her she didn't have to explain everything right now. But I knew better. She needed to speak, even if it hurt. "You don't have to pretend with me. Just tell me."

She took a shaky breath, her fingers gripping my shirt like it was the only thing holding her up. "It's Joe," she said, her voice cracking as the words came out. "He... he proposed, and I said no, then he hit me."

I felt the air leave my lungs. She said no. In front of everyone. I wasn't sure whether I should be relieved or terrified, but what mattered most was how hard this had hit her. I could tell from the look on her face that it wasn't just the rejection that hurt. It was what came after. What happened after she said no.

"What do you mean he hit you?" I managed to whisper. I wasn't sure if I could hear those words again. They didn't belong with her. Not Taylor. Not someone as kind and loving as she was.

Her eyes welled with tears again, and she turned her face away, wiping her cheek with the back of her hand. "I—he was just so angry. He just lost control, and I couldn't stop him." I could feel my blood starting to boil, clenching my fists. The idea of Joe, of anyone, laying a hand on her, made my chest tighten. I stepped closer, trying to focus on her, trying to give her what she needed in this moment, which wasn't anger or fury, it was something softer, something steady.

I touched her arm, and she flinched slightly, but she didn't pull away. She needed comfort, not to be told she should've done something differently or that it was her fault. It wasn't her fault. She pulled back slightly to look at me, her eyes still wide with fear, her lips trembling. "I just... I didn't know what to do. I'm not even sure I know how to get out of this anymore. I didn't want to hurt him, but I... I was thinking about you when he asked. I didn't know what else to do. And then he..."

I pulled her back into me, holding her tight, pressing my lips to her forehead. "Hey, stop. You don't owe him anything. You don't have to explain yourself to anyone, especially not him. I'm just glad you're okay."

She nodded against my chest, but I could feel her body still tense with anxiety. She was struggling, torn between what she knew she should do and the fear that was holding her back. And I could see it in her eyes—this wasn't just about Joe. This was about all the years of walking on eggshells, all the uncertainty that had built up over time.

"You don't have to do anything tonight, Taylor," I whispered softly. "Just be with me. I'm not going anywhere. You can take all the time you need." Her body softened against mine as the tears continued to fall, but she didn't pull away.

"You're not alone in this, okay? I'm not leaving. I've got you," I whispered again, kissing the top of her head.

Her sobs quieted after a while, but she didn't let go of me. We stayed like that for what felt like hours, just letting the silence settle between us. But I could feel her slowly starting to relax, her breathing evening out. It wasn't fixed. It wasn't easy. But at least for tonight, she wasn't alone.

Eventually, I helped her onto the couch, sitting beside her. She curled up against me, and I just held her, letting her rest against me. The quiet in the room was a strange comfort. I didn't need her to say anything more. I didn't need to ask her questions. I just needed to be there.

"I'm sorry," she whispered after a long silence, her voice hoarse from crying. "I didn't want to drag you into this." I cupped her face, turning it so she could look me in the eyes. "You don't need to apologize, Taylor. You've never had to apologize for needing someone. I'm here for you, always."

After a while, Taylor drifted off to sleep in my arms, and I felt a strange surge of protection.

I wouldn't let Joe hurt her again. Not when I was here. Not when she had me.