Race To Taylar

2. What About Friends?

***Julian POV***

I awakened to my mother and father arguing late that night.

"Alice, would you just listen," he hollered.

My mother screamed back, "I have listened! You could've come home at a decent hour! You said this promotion meant more time with us! Not less! It's nearly midnight! What the hell kind of office you working at?!"

I groaned as I got out of bed and slammed my door shut. I grabbed my cell phone to see I had a text from Taylar. It was from an hour ago. I wonder if she was still awake?

**Text convo**

Me: Hey. Are you awake?

Taylar: Yeah. Came out to the stables for a bit.

Me: You have a horse?

Taylar: Yeah. I have one. But my parents own a bunch. Why you up?

Me: Parents arguing. I was wondering since you said you pass my street on your way to and from school can you scoop me? My car hasn't arrived from back home yet.

Taylar: Sure. Sorry about your rents. I'm gone get some rest. I'll text you when I'm on my way in the morning. Goodnight Jul.

Me: Goodnight Tay.

**End of convo**

I put my phone on the nightstand and buried my face in my pillow.

***Taylar POV***

I turned and walked into the house and fell asleep as soon as I lay in bed.

The next day I hopped in the shower, brushed my teeth, then pinned my hair in as neat a bun as I could with it being so curly. I threw on a yellow dress, jean jacket and brown boots. I grabbed my bookbag and cellphone and walked downstairs. My mama stood at the stove with my siblings and Lily sitting around the table.

"Your daughter was crying last night and I couldn't find you," Mama said over her shoulder.

I looked to Lily as I said, "I was checking on Whippet. He was upset last night. Sorry."

She didn't respond. She handed me a container of oatmeal and chopped fruit. I picked up Lily and headed to my car. I had to drop her off at PawPaw James house down the road before heading to school.

After dropping her off I texted Julian that I was coming.

A couple minutes later I arrived at his street and he was standing at the stop sign. He hopped in and threw his bag in the backseat. I smiled to him and cruise toward school.

***Julian POV***

Taylar looked great today. With her hair up I could see a small music note tattoo just behind her ear. She pulled into the school parking lot as she said, "I like music."

Guess I was caught. She hopped out of the Jeep as she waved to Heather who looked nervous. I hopped out and grabbed my bag from the backseat.

"Taylar what the hell!!"

I turned to the direction of the hollering to see a big guy charging at me. He speared me to the ground and stood over me. He kicked me in my stomach and I felt like my soul had stepped out to watch the attack. I went to stand but four other guys rushed to pin my arms and legs down. Big guy stomped on my chest and I heard Taylar hollering at him.

"WILLIAM STOP IT," she screamed at him as she pull on his jacket.

He glared at her and even though he stood a good foot and a half over her she glared back at him.

"What you think you doing with this white boy," he shouted at her. "You forgot what white men did to you for hanging with a white boy? Stay away from him or I'll kick his ass until its black!"

She looked at me then back at him. She walked over to me and said, "Y'all let him up. I gotta show him to class."

The other guys eased off of me and she helped me stand.

"Who's that," I whispered as she helped me into school.

"A friend of the family," she said with annoyance in her voice.

"What did he mean about the white men," I asked as she led me to the nurse.

She helped me sit down on one of the beds and touched my scraped cheek lightly, staring into my eyes. She looked like it hurt her to see me. She looked away and stood up straight. She turned to walk out.

"Some other time," she whispered. "Sorry about William."

She walked out and shut the door after her. I couldn't help but wonder though. What happened to her that would make him attack me for simply riding with her? Why did she look so sad all of a sudden? Her normally bright soul pools called eyes were now dark and seemed desolate. When will she tell me? Does she not trust me to keep it to myself?

***Taylar POV***

After leaving Julian in the nurse's room I walked out to my car. I couldn't be at school right now. I needed to get to Lily. I texted Heather to go get my school work and homework for me. Then rushed PawPaw house to get my baby girl.

I arrived and PawPaw was sitting on the steps with Lily on his lap. He toyed with the roses on the bush next to the step as he said, "Your mama was a mean baby. But she had a soft spot for me. Some nights your grandma would call me saying 'she won't stop crying, Daddy'. Then she'd put the phone to your mama's ear and I'd sing 'Hush my little Flower. Stop your crying Flower. PaPa's here. It's okay. Make your tears go away. Hush my little Flower. PaPa's here to stay. Go to sleep Flower. I'll see you another day."

Lily giggled and I stepped out of my Jeep. PawPaw looked up and smiled. But it quickly faded when he saw my tears. He placed Lily back on her blanket near the door and rushed out to me. He pulled me into his arms and I fell apart. He took me inside and went to grab Lily as my phone vibrated.

**Text convo**

Julian: Are you alright?

Me: Yeah. But I can't hang with you anymore.

Julian: What? Why? What about friends? You said you'd be my first friend. What happened to change that?

Me: Just leave it alone. I gotta go. Take care Jul.

**End of convo**

I looked to PawPaw holding Lily. Soon Julian would know I was looking out for him. I mean I wanted to be his friend. He was sweet and funny and he didn't look at me like an outcast. But I was tryna save his life. He had to understand that. What about friends? We couldn't be friends.

Dylan Sprouse as Julian.

Comment & Vote please!