Guarded By Fate

Chapter One

Karlie watched intently as the situation in front of her intensified. She knew she would have to make a decision quickly on whether or not to intervene. There were very strict guidelines on when she could and couldn't, so she continued to watch for signs that would give her an indication of where this situation was heading.

Taylor had started off pacing back and forth in her room and now the pacing had progressed to full-blown stomping.

Earlier downstairs, Taylor and her mother had engaged in yet another heated debate about how Taylor should be spending her time. Taylor wanted to go camping with her friends for the weekend, but had already agreed to perform at the local county fair. She was extra invested in camping upon learning that her crush Drew would be going. Playing the part of both mother and manager, Andrea had insisted that Taylor fulfil her commitment. She had tried to remind the aspiring singer that there would be other opportunities to have fun. Focusing on the positive, Andrea had reminisced about just how excited they both had been when the gig was booked. Just because she'd been invited to go camping was no reason to let down the people that were counting on her.

Karlie had witnessed Taylor acting out this way before and often felt a pang of sadness. Karlie knew though how important this county fair performance was so when Taylor, against her mother's orders, stomped upstairs and begun to pack a bag full of jeans, flannels and hiking boots, Karlie started to slightly panic. As Taylor's guardian it was Karlie's responsibility to ensure that Taylor stood on that stage Saturday afternoon and sung her heart out for the talent scout that would be in the crowd.

Having finished packing her bag, Taylor flopped backwards on her bed then dialed a familiar number, putting it on speaker phone.

"Hey, it's me. Ughhhhh. I'm SOOO ANNOYED. My mom is being totally heinous and is telling me I can't go."

Karlie overheard Abigail let out a sigh and tell Taylor, "That's dumb, you always do what you're supposed to. I get it Tay, sometimes a girl just needs to live a little."

"I know right; I don't care what she says. I'm going. I miss out all the time and not this time. This could be it; this could be the weekend Drew finally notices me."

"Tay, you know I've been rooting for you and Drew to happen for awhile now and I'd love, love, love for you to come. Sooo, if you're totally sure, consider me five minutes away to come nab you"

"Hell yes I'm sure, pick me up like nowish plllllease. I need to get out of here!"

Karlie knew this was the moment. She sat softly on the edge of the bed and reached out to place a hand on Taylor's shoulder. With a gentle squeeze, an instant calm rippled through Taylor's body. Suddenly, Taylor's hyper emotional state simmerred down to a level of mild annoyance. Not removing her hand from Taylor's shoulder, Karlie stretched out her long right leg just far enough to hook her foot around the neck of Taylor's guitar leaning against the wall. She brought her foot forward, causing the guitar to face plant and make a loud noise as it vibrated against the hardwood floor.

Taylor let out a shriek, "Ackkk! Shit!" and Abigail screeched back into the phone, "Tay, what was that?"

"Uh, sorry. My guitar just fell over and the thud nearly gave me a heart attack."

Taylor sat up and walked over to pick her guitar up off the floor. Karlie's breath hitched slightly as she watched Taylor, hoping the small distraction served its purpose. Taylor continued to hold her phone in one hand and held up her guitar with her other hand. Several times she ran her thumb over the words her mom had inscribed into the guitar before giving it to Taylor on her 18th birthday: "Dream Big".

A few seconds later, Taylor pulled the phone closer to her ear. "Sorry bout that. Ummm. Can't believe I'm saying this. Put the getaway car back in park, I'm not gonna go."

Abigail whined, "Erm, okay. But uh, what happened to "fuck it, I do what I want"? Where'd that girl go? I'd even put one shoe on already to come pick that girl up! She sounded saucy and ready to party!"

"I know, I know. It's just I think ..."

Abigail interjected, "it's fine Tay. Seriously. They'll be other campouts. What do I always tell you?"

Taylor's lips lifted up into a smirk. "To stop dancing in public?"

"That too! But what else...?"

"Oh, that?"

"Yes, thattt!"

Taylor grumbled out in imitation, "I'm far too talented to only sing for the four walls of my bedroom."

"Exactly! And I promise, I'll text you the whole time and spill the tea on everything that's happening. It'll be like you're there but even better, you won't be sleeping on the cold hard ground."

After hanging up with Abigail, Taylor decided to head back downstairs and try to make peace with her mom. A sincere apology from both sides and they eventually found themselves baking cookies and having a movie night.

Satisfied that any potential crisis had been averted and not really being in the mood to watch "Grease" for the 50th time, Karlie closed her eyes. When she reopened them she was sitting at her favorite beach three states away. The sun was setting and one seagull had posted itself a few feet away from Karlie on the log next to her. She watched the waves come in and out and as she does, she remembered. She thought about the day, at this very spot, she and her sisters had built the largest sand castle they possibly could. They'd buried their dad in a mound of sand and had taken polaroid's as they all giggled while he pretended to be stuck.

Darkness began to fill the sky as the moon began to shine brighter. Karlie wasn't sure how long she'd been sitting on the beach when she felt that familiar feeling. She shut her eyes tightly and when she opened them she was back in Taylor's room.

Taylor had her guitar in her lap as if she'd perhaps been practicing for the fair tomorrow. Karlie heard small sniffles coming from Taylor. Taylor's hair was covering her face but Karlie suspected that if she could see past the blonde curls, she'd see tears rolling down Taylor's cheeks. While Taylor's right arm was still embracing her guitar, her left hand was loosely holding on to her phone. Karlie careened her neck around to try and catch a glimpse of what was glowing on the screen. When she finally saw the text conversation, she felt a tightness in her chest and the tingling sensation on her neck that after all these years she'd still not grown accustomed to.

Taylor: Drew was? Making out with Katie.....gross... :(

Abigail: so sorry. hate texting u this but wanted u to hear it from me 1st. u want 2 talk? I can sneak away from the campfire.

Taylor: Nah. TY. I'm just going to go to sleep. Call me tmrw.

Abigail: Ok. Sure u're ok?

Taylor: I'm fine, seriously. Should have known.

Abigail: :( Sending hugs. I love you. Good luck tomorrow.

Karlie leaned against Taylor's desk, supporting herself on her palms and watching from a close range in wait for the moment she would be needed. She watched as Taylor's shoulders shuddered and heard the sounds of sobs begin. Eventually, the sobs slowed and reverted back to sniffles. Taylor let out a deep breath and as she exhaled her hair flew to the side. Karlie watched a lone tear hang onto Taylor's jawbone before slowly falling and joining the tiny puddle already resting in the curve of Taylor's guitar. Karlie lifted up off the desk and moved to sit down next to Taylor. She knew that since this wasn't a moment of guiding Taylor's destiny, Taylor wouldn't be able to physically feel Karlie's touch. Still, she felt compelled to offer her comfort in whatever way she could. Karlie stretched out her arm and wrapped it around Taylor's waist. In sync, as her arm stretched out, her wings began to sprawl out and envelop the small space of Taylor's room. With one hard squeeze of her shoulder blades, Karlie's wings wrapped around her and Taylor forming a cocoon of wings and blonde hair. Karlie held that position until Taylor let out a sigh and wiped at her eyes before standing up and walking over to grab her notebook. As Taylor lifted herself up off the bed, Karlie swore she heard in the faintest of whispers a quiet, "Thank you."