So do you love me? Taylor York Fanfic

• Chapter 35 •

I'm startled awake by an inhuman scream from besides me, the sound piercing my ear, making me begin to panic. I immediately wrap my arm round Wednesday's waist as I sit up, pulling her flush against my chest, looking round the room for what made the sound. I then realise that it was her - Wednesday screamed. I come to this conclusion as I feel Wednesday's tears against my bare shoulder, her shoulders shaking with sobs as she clings to me.

"It's okay, Dimples. I'm here."

"It's was horrible, the nightmare was awful! I was reliving it!" She sobs, her breaths ragged as she tries to calm her tears. I run the palm of my hand up and down her back, shushing her softly, in the attempt to calm what I think is a panic attack.

It may seem unlikely that she's having one but, in all honesty, I would be surprised if she wasn't. Such a traumatic experience would scar any individual. Her heart rate, breathing rate and temperature is all I need to know she's experiencing a panic attack. I and Hayley have both had them, something that I don't like to say.

"Wednesday, close your eyes. I'm not going to let go of you, okay? Just close your eyes." I whisper. She shakes her head, another sob escaping her chapped lips, and I feel my heart clench. Pressing a kiss to her forehead, I lean against the headboard and place her against me so that her head is on my chest and her legs tangled with my own.

"Taylor, I'm going to see it again. They're going to do it again, I can feel it." She cries, gripping my biceps tightly. I feel her nails dig into my pale skin but I don't flinch, the stinging pain not my main priority. She lets out another sob as she says, "They're going to rape me, touch me, kiss me!"

"No. They're. Not." I enunciate the words sharply and with no hesitation. Taking a deep breath to calm my emotions, I move a hand from her waist to her hair, stroking softly.

"I'm here, Dimples. Focus on your breathing, okay? That's all."

She nods weakly, shifting a little until she's comfortable. I wrap my free arm round her waist and stroke her hip bone lightly. Eventually, her breathing slows, her tears ceasing, and I know she's asleep. Carefully, I move the two of us so that I'm laying down on the bed with her on top of me, her head against my chest, arms tucked under her head. I kiss the top of her hair before closing my eyes to fall asleep.

•••

"Dimples, are you ready?"

"Mmm, are you?" She calls from her room. I roll my eyes at her response, continuing to twirl my car keys round my finger to curb my boredom. I glance upwards at the sound of her door closing and footsteps nearing the stairs.

"I am. It's been..." I tease, glancing down at my watch to check the time. Smirking, I look up but instead of continuing, my mouth opens, my heart picking up its beating. My eyes rake over her long, bare legs to the silhouette of her body through the dress.

I know I shouldn't be doing this but I can't help it. I guess you could says it's in a boy's nature, if you wanted to be stereotypical. Her soft curves can be seen through the slightly sheer dress I had bought her for her birthday. I suck my bottom lip and feel my chest constrict in an odd way.

"Okay, Tay, you've had you're time to look. You've wasted another minute." She tuts, smiling playfully at me. Rolling my eyes, I turn away and wait by the door for her, avoiding any eye contact as I know I'll check her out again. After a couple minutes, she walks out of the house, passing me by, her perfume engulfing my sense of smell, so I lock up and join her in the car - my new car, the PT Cruiser.