What If

Chapter 23 - Old and Forgotten

Taylor's P.O.V.
Never have I been so against going back to work in all my life. Usually, first days for me are quite exciting - I get to buckle down with new projects, I get to write more articles, and I just generally get back into a routine. Normally, with any holidays that I have off of work I end up feeling really bored, and actually look forward to going back to work. But this year it was different. Grumbling with the effort of pulling my coat around my shoulders, I hurriedly brushed my wavy hair and pulled on my boots. I quickly grabbed an apple from the fruit basket and ran for the door. I was late. George was stood waiting at my desk when I arrived.

"Sorry I'm late," I sighed, jogging the rest of the way to meet him, "I got held up in traffic!"

"No worries Taylor," He smiled, "You're only like, five minutes late!"

"Oh okay then," I collapsed into my chair and tucked my bag under the desk before turning back to him, "So what's up?"

"Not much, just wanted to give you your next assignment that you'll be working on," He handed me a brown folder, which I took from him and began flicking through the pages, "Thomas is out in the field today, so I'm afraid you'll be on your own today!" I laughed at his comment and returned my attention to my work.

"So what's the deal with you two now?" I snapped my head up to see George smirking at me as he sat on the edge of Thomas' desk.

"What do you mean?"

"Oh come on Taylor!" He laughed and threw his hands up, "It's obvious you two like each other!"

"Thomas and I are just friends!" I smiled, trying my best to hide the blush that I could feel rising in my cheeks, "And now if you'll excuse me, I have some work to be getting on with."

"Okay then don't tell me," George sighed as he stood up from the desk, "But I know that you like him!"

"Just friends," I shouted over my shoulder as George walked away from my desk. I grinned as I heard him laugh from the corridor, and then it was just me left on my own.

Later during lunch...

"Thank you," I smiled kindly at the waitress who served me my coffee. Taking it gingerly in my gloved hands, I pulled it close to my chest and let the hot steam rise to my face as I headed to an empty table outside. Despite the cold English winter, I still preferred to sit outside. Pulling up a chair and placing my coffee on the table, I took out my book from the depths of my bag and started reading. I had been reading for what felt like hours and hours, when the conversations of a large cluster of girls caught my attention. They were heading towards me, their heads all thrown back as they cackled loudly. The tallest of them all, with long blonde hair and legs that seemed to go on forever, wore the shortest skirt I've ever seen (even though it's freaking January) and a bright pink coat. It took all my effort not to gag when I saw it. As they got closer to me, the girl with the pink coat lifted her head up so that I could fully see her face. When she saw me, something flickered in her eyes and she stopped in her tracks. Oh God.

"Taylor Brooks," She breathed, causing the attention of the other girls to switch to me. Each one began snickering and giggling quietly as the girl in front came forward.

"Wow, what's it been eh?" She smirked as she looked down at me, "I haven't seen you since we were sixteen!"

"Florence," I growled, not breaking the eye contact I had with her, "What do you want?"

"Oh honey," She giggled, "I didn't plan on meeting you! Believe me, I don't think anyone would!" A burst of laughter erupted amongst the girls.

"Look, you have no business talking to me," I said through gritted teeth, "And I'd rather keep my lunch down if it's all the same to you!" Florence glared at me for a moment, and then turned to her friends.

"Oh look, it looks like little Taylor has been taking her confidence pills!" Another fit of giggles.

"Ah well," Florence's eyes squinted slightly when they bore their gaze down on me, "At least you've got something going for you now!" That was it.

"Well, it's been lovely to talk to you," I gave her a sly smile as I hoisted my bag over my shoulder and collected my book from the table, "But I best be off!"

"Oh never mind," Florence stepped out of my way as I stood to my full height, "Not like anyone ever missed your company anyway."

"Aw, so there's no competition between us then," I smirked, and then made my way past them. As I walked, I couldn't help but smile to myself. For once, I'd actually stood up to that wretched witch. And for once, she didn't make me feel like an ant under a boot.

"I see you still have those glasses of yours," I froze in my tracks. Shrieks of laughter broke out from behind me, and I could distinctively hear Florence over them all. They knew that that had hit me hard. Laughter began to deafen me; their high pitched shrieks drumming in my ears. My confidence guard shattered, and I suddenly felt weak at the knees. And Florence knew it.

"I guess that's why there's no boyfriend here with you!" Florence again. Tears stung in my eyes as I listened to them head into the coffee shop, still giggling and laughing at the joke. Lifting a gloved hand up to my face, I went to rub my eyes dry when my fingers hit the lens of my glasses. Through foggy eyes, I took my glasses from my face and held them in front of me. And something inside me broke.

After work, I hurried home without saying a word to anybody. Thomas texted to say that he was running late and wouldn't be home until later that evening, so when I arrived home, the house was empty. A loud and empty echo filled the living room as I shut the front door behind me. Pressing my back to its wooden frame, I lowered my head and brought my hands up to my face. My shoulders shook violently as I cried my heart out. I felt the tears stream down my cheeks, soaking my fingers and palms. A large lump grew in my throat and although I tried to swallow it down, it stayed as a permanent reminder. Swallowing hard again, I rubbed my eyes till they felt raw and then lowered my hands.

Dropping my bag on the sofa, I slowly made my way to the bathroom and gently tugged at the light switch. Blinding white light burst before my eyes, and I stumbled towards the cabinet. I rummaged through the contents of the cupboard until I found what I wanted. Shutting the mirrored door, I averted my gaze from the broken girl in the mirror and looked down at what lay in my hands. I looked shyly over my shoulder, half expecting Thomas to come in any second. When he didn't, and the only thing I could hear was my gentle sobbing, I lifted my hands to my glasses, took them away from my face and placed them on the sink. It's now or never. ​