𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐘𝐎𝐔 || 𝐭𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐰𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐬

chapter 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐘-𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑 - long road to ruin

"You all ready? Got everything?" Amanda was around early that morning, checking through everything and making sure Taylor had a reasonable plan.

Emmalyn and Taylor had their flight booked for 11am a week after he had gone shopping. Emmalyn was rather unsuspecting at this point, which Taylor liked. However, her mind was much more preoccupied with the worries of home.

It would be the first time Emmalyn had seen Kurt in over a year, and the first time he'd taken Taylor there.

"Yeah, yeah," Taylor rolled his eyes, shoving in another couple of random items into his bag, ignoring the fact that Amanda wasn't appreciating his focus, even if it was wasn't great.

"Dude," Amanda lowered her voice, leaning closer to him from her spot on the counter, "I mean have you got everything."

Amanda's last word was much quieter than the rest of the sentence but Taylor understood it just fine. Tapping his backpack, the pocket which he'd checked several times earlier in the morning to make sure it secured that little velvet box. "Anyways," Taylor set his backpack by the porch before sitting on the counter beside Amanda, "Shouldn't you be checking on her instead of me?"

Taylor nudged to the living room where Emmalyn was sat, with a clouded mind as she fiddled with the strap on her carryon, trying to take the edge off. "She's been awfully quiet this morning," Amanda popped up and grabbed her coffee, "Did you two fight or something?"

"No, nothin' like that, she's just worried about Kurt," Taylor explained whilst slipping on his jacket, "I don't think she's slept much all week. I'm not sure if seeing him again will help or... make it worse."

Amanda frowned, setting down her mug. "You really think this trip is a good idea?"

"I think it needs to happen. I mean- she's worried about it so much, but I want to make Seattle a better memory for her," Taylor stuttered, rubbing the sweat off of the back of his neck, "I want to understand her even more. Where she's from, who she is... even the difficult parts."

Amanda sighed, studying him for a moment before stringing a reply, "You're a good guy, Taylor. Really. But you're not just going back for her to talk you through it. You're the tour guide here."

Taylor took a deep breath and nodded, "Yeah, I know."

In the living room, Emmalyn shifted on their couch cushions, anxiously watching the clock slowly but surely approach their departure time. But Taylor stepped in and she offered up a soft but strained smile.

Taylor noticed her grey eyebags, like he had done every day for the past week or so now. "You ready to go now, dolly?" Taylor offered up his arm, which she took, slowly.

"Your nails are beautiful," Taylor took Emmalyn's fingers into his and admired the fresh set she had on. They were a pretty light purple colour, just like the gemstone that was in Taylor's box.

"Somebody made me go out for a girly day so I thought, might as well," Emmalyn rolled her eyes and grinned playfully at Amanda who stood in the doorway, cradling her mug full of lukewarm tea.

"Hey, hey, hey! You love having nails," Amanda shoved her best friend lightly, falling into a hug afterwards, "Now, you're sure you don't mind me staying here, 'cause Nate said I can-?"

"Shut it," Emmalyn warned, moving away and placing her hands on Amanda's shoulders, "I promise you, you're fine here. And for a few nights, if you fancy having Nate round..."