Dancing in the Rain

Chapter Eleven: Goodbye to Sweet Sixteen

Chapter Eleven: Goodbye to Sweet Sixteen

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Taylor’s Point of View

Weeks pass by, the days of school drag on with more and more insults and teasing, but before I know it, it’s already October. The air around Topsail has gotten colder, and the leaves on the trees are shedding and turning browner. I’ve never liked the fall much, and I’m sad to see summer go. But on a lighter note, guess who’s birthday is coming up?

“I’ll be seventeen in two weeks. Can you believe it?” Rob says, a grin on his face. All of us--me, Rob, Heather, and Hunter are sitting around our table outside under the trees, eating lunch.

“Nope,” I say quietly, tracing my finger along the metal of my thermos.

“Hey, Taylor, don’t be jealous. You still get to enjoy your sweet sixteen for another year.” He says, patting me on the shoulder.

“Yeah, you should hold on to sixteen.” Hunter says. I look up and meet his eyes, which seem to be brimming with some sort of unrecognizable emotion. We hold each other's gaze for a moment before I look away, my face hot.

Things between me and Hunter haven’t gotten any better. We haven’t said anything to each other, and things have just been tense and awkward. I feel like he tries to go out of his way to avoid me, but maybe I do the same.

Ugh. Romance.

“I’ll be seventeen without even having my first kiss.” Rob sighs, interrupting my thoughts.

I look up, staring at him. Maybe he can read my mind.

Heather grins, leaning in to peck him on the cheek, and they both start laughing. “That doesn’t count, Heather.” Rob snorts, and she smiles again. “I know. Don’t worry about it though. I haven’t had mine either.”

“We’re all kind of losers, aren’t we?”

She laughs. “Yup.”

“Well, I wasn’t, until I met you guys.” Hunter says, a grin splitting his face. I feel like I haven’t seen that grin in a while.

“Hmm, I don’t know about that. Your brother may have been a hotshot, but you're not much of a prince charming yourself.”

Hunter makes an indignant noise, reaching out to lightly punch her in the arm, and she bursts into giggles again. “I’m kidding, I’m kidding. You’re not too hard to look at, I guess.”

He just shakes his head, a playful smile on his face.

Rob sighs again from across the table. “Speaking of prince charmings...”

I follow his gaze across the courtyard where Nick’s walking. Er, stomping? I watch, alarmed as he opens his mouth, appearing to be yelling at someone. Holy shit. I’ve barely even heard that guy talk, much less yell.  

A little ways away from him is Rose, and she looks upset. With a pang I remember what happened a few weeks ago, and still wonder if she’s doing alright.

She opens her mouth and appears to be yelling back at him. Why would they of all people be fighting?

“Holy crap. The hottie is mad.” Heather says, walking around and squatting next to me to get a better view. “What do you think they’re fighting about?”

“Beats me. Maybe they’re breaking up.” Rob says flatly, which triggers a shocked look from Hunter.

“What?”