i can see you - tsitp

sixteen.

NATE WAKES UP the next morning to the sound of yelling. He shifts slightly from where he is on the ground, his head resting on some inflatable couch that Conrad had bought at the party store the day prior.

The entire night comes back to him then— the fight, the talk, the kiss.

It actually makes a pit form in his stomach when he realizes he doesn't remember leaving Taylor the night before, which means she left him. He sits up, rubbing his eyes with a small sigh.

He hears rapid footsteps, and he sees Belly leave in a flash. And then he doesn't see her anymore. He stands, heading upstairs, grabbing his bag, and getting changed. He still has that deep-rooted pit in his stomach— until he opens the bathroom door and sees Taylor standing on the other side.

"Jesus Christ." he puts a hand over his chest. "Why are you lingering outside a room I'm actively getting changed in?"

"I feel like maybe you answered your own question," Taylor teases, tilting her head and leaning into the doorway. She's got this shy smile on her face, but it still makes Nate's stomach churn nervously.

"Oh, that's how this is now, huh?" Nate questions, crossing his arms over his chest. Taylor's eyes flicker downwards before meeting his again, and she's quick to roll her eyes, grab the front of his shirt, and tug him down into a kiss.

Nate grins into it— this is something he could get very used to. One of his hands palms Taylor's hip, pulling her closer so their bodies collide together. Her hands are still wrapped tightly in Nate's shirt, like she's afraid letting go will mean losing him (or his lips) forever.

"Goddann," Nate grins when she finally backs off, dropping down to her regular height (as she'd been on her tiptoes to reach him), "don't mind that."

"No?"

"No." Nate confirms, rolling his eyes at her teasing grin. "You're fucking annoying, bro."

"Oh, is that how you feel?" Taylor snaps, although it lacks any real heat. "Fine." she turns to walk away, but Nate seizes her wrist, tugs her back, and slams his lips right back onto hers.

"I'm sorry, TayTay," Nate mutters against her lips, "forgive me?"

Taylor hums before she kisses him again, arms wrapped around his neck casually, like they've done this a hundred times before. Nate wants to do it a hundred times more.

Up until someone clears their throat behind them. Taylor doesn't break away as fast as she has been whenever they've been caught in a semi-awkward situation. Instead, her lips linger, and she just groans.

It's Conrad. His lips are tilted in a half-smirk, his hands shoved into his pockets as he looks between the two teenagers with a casually unimpressed look.

"Yes?" Taylor hisses, looking extremely bitter. Nate knows she isn't the biggest fan of Conrad, so he slings an arm around her shoulders and clears his throat awkwardly.

"Uh, Carlee is looking for both of you." he says, pointing a thumb downstairs. "I figured you guys wouldn't want her to see you like this... yet."

Taylor and Nate exchange looks. Taylor pats Nate on the stomach, pushing herself off of him (albeit a little hesitantly).

She smiles (falsely) at Conrad. "Thanks. Guess I'll go help clean up."

"Yeah, same." Nate stammers out, immediately trailing after his... well, after Taylor. She looks back at him over her shoulder with a cocky grin, and he feels himself go weak in the knees.

The rest of the group is already downstairs, lingering in the kitchen and cleaning up some cans, bottles, and plastic cups. Notably missing is Belly.

"Laurel's here," Carlee informs everyone, looking tense. "Belly called her last night."