Sunsets and Second chances (a short Tayvis Story)

Chapter 8 : Cracks in the Armor

The days that followed felt like a slow, painful unraveling of everything Taylor had hoped for. It was as if the world around her had tilted off balance. Every time she saw a text notification from Travis, her heart skipped a beat—half-expecting something that might make things better, half-afraid of what she might read. She couldn't help but feel the sting of that "break" hanging in the air between them like a fog she couldn't escape.

School was no better. The once comfortable routine of their connection now felt like an echo of something that was fading fast. Even in the halls of her high school, the distance between them seemed to stretch out, as if their two worlds had diverged permanently. Every glance at her phone brought a dull ache. Her friends could tell something was off—her quietness, her distracted energy—but Taylor didn't want to talk about it. Not yet.

Travis, on the other hand, seemed to be doing better. Or at least, he appeared to be. Taylor had seen the posts: him hanging out with friends, laughing, his usual charismatic self. One picture, in particular, made her stomach tighten. He had posted another picture with Jenna, this time with a caption that felt too casual: *"Good times with good friends. Cheers to unforgettable moments."*

It was like salt on an already open wound. She hadn't expected to be this affected, but something about it—the ease with which he seemed to move on—made her feel small and insignificant. The worst part? He hadn't reached out to her since their last text exchange. Not once.

In a fit of frustration, Taylor pulled up his profile on her phone, staring at the photo, the one where he was standing so close to Jenna. She could feel the anger building, the jealousy clawing at her chest. She should have been the one in those pictures, laughing with him, sharing those moments. Instead, she felt completely out of place, like a forgotten chapter in his story.

That night, as she sat in her room, her phone buzzed with a new message from Travis. Her heart leapt into her throat. For a moment, she didn't know whether to open it or not. She was still angry, still confused, and she wasn't sure she was ready to face him. But curiosity won out.

**Travis:** *"We need to talk."*

Taylor's stomach dropped. She knew that tone. It wasn't an apology. It wasn't an explanation. It was... serious. She hesitated for a moment before typing a reply.

**Taylor:** *"About what? It's been a few days, Travis. What's there to talk about?"*

She wasn't trying to be cruel, but she couldn't help the edge in her voice. The resentment was there, lurking beneath her words.

**Travis:** *"Look, I know things have been off. I just... I don't want us to keep going in circles. Can we meet tomorrow? I'll make it right, I promise."*

Taylor stared at the screen, her mind racing. She wanted to believe him. She really did. But after everything, after the jealousy, the silence, and the growing doubts, she wasn't sure what to expect from him anymore. Still, something in her—something deep down—longed for closure. For a resolution. And so, despite the walls she had started to build, she agreed.

**Taylor:** *"Fine. Tomorrow. After school."*

The next day dragged by, each minute feeling like an eternity. When the final bell rang, Taylor's feet felt heavy as she made her way outside to the parking lot. The bright spring sun did little to ease the storm brewing inside her chest. She kept telling herself she was ready, that she could handle whatever Travis had to say. But the truth was, she wasn't sure. She wasn't sure of anything anymore.

She spotted him waiting by his truck, his hands in his pockets, staring off into the distance. His posture was rigid, like he was just as nervous as she was. As she approached, he looked up, and for the briefest moment, their eyes met. There was a flicker of something—maybe regret, maybe guilt—but it was gone as quickly as it appeared.