What I Would Give

The Dragon Head

Recap:

"Nat, can you open up, it's me, Taylor?" Taylor softly spoke through my door.

"I need to be alone right now, please just go away," I barely managed to get out through each sobbing hiccup.

"Natalie, open the door or I'll jump through your window if I have to, either way, I'm coming in," Taylor said stubbornly. I knew Taylor, and I knew she was definitely not kidding. I turned and opened the door softly, so Taylor could walk in, but not enough to see my face. My body lazily shuffled to my bed, then slammed against the cushy mattress. Taylor followed my grandma like movements and sat at the edge of my bed. She took her hand and gently brushed my back, "Doesn't this remind you of the time you patted my head because you didn't how to comfort me? That was really awkward, but hey look at us now, we're best friends," Taylor smiled softly.

I let out a slight laugh and turned my face away from suffocating myself with my mattress, "You know I'm awkward around crying people in general. So I pat people like they're a whiny dog, sue me." My voice was back to its usual sarcastic self. Tears continued to flow out of my eyes, and I was still upset. But something about having someone there with me felt unlike anything I've ever felt before. The both of us sat in a comfortable silence and stared at the ceiling. We watched the hypnotizing blades of my fan move around and around.

"Thanks for being here for even though I acted like I didn't want you here," I turned and faced Taylor.

"No problem, plus what are friends for?" Taylor looked back at me warmly.

"Do you think Josh is still mad at me?" I turned back towards my blank ceiling.

"What if he is? He a guy, he'll mope, eat some rocky road, build a bridge, and get over it. I just think he's having trouble coping with the fact that you're growing up. He might feel left behind or something, I don't know, I've never been in this particular situation. Running through burning buildings, saving a little girl, running through burning buildings some more,  saving a dog, confronting an abusive criminal, creeping into your room with a katana, knocking a guy out at the beach, and let's not forget being totally bomb awesome at lacrosse and the cello. Honestly your life is the makings of a good reality show or a book, I haven't decided yet," Taylor said nonchalantly.

"I forgot most of that even happened. Besides, it was just one burning structure, and it was an apartment, not a building," I corrected her.

"Wait, did you ever find out how the "apartment" caught fire?" Taylor seemed curious.

"I guess there was something to do with an electrical failure that sparked on some books while the little girls mom went across the street for milk, or something. One thing led to another, smoke everyone, raging fire, you know the rest," I recalled.

"Doesn't that seem odd, though? I don't know Nat, it feels like something isn't adding up. I just get a really creepy-"Taylor was cut off when Josh walked through the door.

"Taylor are you staying for dinner? Nat do you want to eat?" Josh scanned both of our faces. Taylor just shrugged, but bitter words came out of my mouth, "Only if you chew my food up for me, I don't think my weak jaws can handle it. I'm sorry that was uncalled for," I tried to quickly apologize, but Josh answered, "I deserve that, but if the offer still stands I might need for it to sit in my stomach for a bit. Just so it can break down some more, then I'll regurgitate it for you like a mother bird."

"Ewww," Taylor and me called out in unison. Taylor playfully elbowed me, and gestured for me to go to the dinner table. When we both walked out Grey and Scott were waiting at the dinner table fiddling with their thumbs. The dark mahogany dinner table was neatly organized with plates and napkins. Bowls of mashed potatoes, asparagus, and turkey and gravy placed in a triangular order on the table.