Silent Night

Chapter 5

Ruby

I knew I should keep my distance from Taylor because something told me she was in a bad place. My instincts told me to stay away and never look back and she had given me the perfect chance to cut myself off. But I didn't want to; I didn't want to leave her. I know it's stupid to say that you are in love with someone you have just met and know anything about but I honestly feel as though I have known her forever. She makes me feel different, she makes me feel like I fit in and that she actually cares. I'm a fool and I know it but I don't care.

As I walked through the empty halls I scanned everywhere for her, all I wanted was to see her beautiful grey eyes staring up at me. I just wanted to apologise and for once in my life not fuck up with someone. The corridor was totally silent except for the sound of sobbing and whimpers; I immediately started searching for the cause and found Taylor leaning up against the locker with her arms hugging her knees. Her shoulders shook as sobs racked her body; I was frozen for a few seconds having an internal debate. Eventually my emotional side won over my rational side, I quickly walked over to her and at that moment I wasn't curious as to what was upsetting her. No I just wanted to make sure she was ok. I sat down beside her and wrapped my arms around her shoulders just holding her. She leaned into me and the sobs died down slightly, Taylor sniffed and then looked up at me. She didn't question why I was comforting her and she didn't push me away she just smiled slightly

"Thankyou"

I smile back at her and held her tighter. After a while she stopped crying and just closed her eyes and leaned into my arms. I noticed a bandage around her left arm and guessed what she had done; I waited for a little while longer before I questioned her.

"Taylor, what happened?"

She looked down at her arm and shook her head

"It doesn't matter does it; we are all so insignificant in this world"

I decided I would try and lighten up the situation a little

"Jee thanks"

Taylor smirked and then sighed

"I have been struggling with depression and anxiety for quite a few years now, it has been a while since I have hurt myself but I am just so tired, so tired of trying to be strong."

My curiosity peeked and I raised an eyebrow

"Why do you hurt yourself? You are beautiful, intelligent and a definite badass from what I have seen"

She grinned and then kinda spaced out

"I have never told anyone why I am like this, hell I have never told anyone that I hurt myself, you are the first person that I have ever told anything. But I am not ready to open up that far"

I nod and put my chin on the top of her head

"When you are ready I will be right here ok?"

"Ok"

She suddenly looked confused and pulled away slightly

"Why are you here?"

"Honestly, because you are the first person in a long time to accept me and care. You are the first person who has looked past my looks and not question me on them"

Taylor smiles and then closes her eyes again. I just sit there and hold her till the bell goes. When it does I stand and help her up, I couldn't let her go back to class in the state she is in so I take her to the nurses office. The nurse is a very kind lady who believes the excuse that Taylor is feeling like she is gonna throw up. Nurse Peck signs a couple of forms and send Taylor home. We go to collect her bag and I get mine as well, when I do Taylor questions me

"What are you doing?"

"You need a day where you don't think about anything at all, you need some fun and carelessness. And I am not going to miss out on that"

Taylor smiles and we walk out of the school together, she takes lead and I follow her to a small little coffee shop next to a nature reserve park. We sit outside on the coffee shop deck, Taylor gets a hot chocolate and I get a latte. When she ordered I was almost offended

"Don't tell me you don't like coffee"

"No not really"

I gasp and fake offense. She laughs and sips on her hot chocolate. We sit and banter a while, I learn a lot about her and I tell her a fair amount about me. When I tell her why I moved she just shakes her head screws her face up in anger

"The stupid stereotypes are all people think about, not someone's personality."

I nod in agreement not so angry anymore

"I am used to it, people can think what they want but nobody but me knows who I am and what I am like. Then again I don't think anyone cares"

Taylor reaches across the table and puts her hand on mine; she looks into my eyes and smiles

"I care"

She pulls away and looks almost awkward but all I can think about is how where she touched me is now tingling. I look at her and smirk

"What about you huh Tay Tay? What should I know about you?"

Taylor slaps me on the arm gently

"Shut up I hate that nickname"

I grin and then banter a little

"Ok then what can I call you??"

"What about my whole name considering that is what it is there for"

"Yeah buts that's no fun, what about Tay? Is that alright with you your highness?"

"Shut up!"

She pauses for a second and smiles widely

"Ok then Ruby the booby"

I chuckle and then shake my head

"Go ahead that name has been overused to death"

She pouts

"Ok then, I will find something one day"

"Good luck Tay"

We finish our drinks and then head for a walk in the park, we walk close and every now and again our hands touch and our shoulders rub together. Taylor points out some weird looking leaves and begins laughing uncontrollably. They did kinda look like boobs but seriously

"Did someone spike your drink or something?"

Taylor doesn't stop laughing but she does shrug. We continue until Taylor sees a playground, the second I saw her face light up I knew we would be in trouble. She turns to me and grins,

"Race ya"

I chase her all the way to the swings where she leaps on to one and starts swinging. She giggles and squeals.

"And people say I am immature"

I just shake my head

"Come on party pooper, push me"

I smile and run to push her, as she swings higher her squeals get louder and she seems to be really enjoying herself. Her pure happiness is infectious and after a while I can't help but laugh and chuckle at her stupidness. We stay in the park for about an hour just talking and laughing, but before long it starts getting dark and I offer to walk Taylor home. The cloud cover starts getting thicker and darker, then it starts raining. Not just a little bit of rain but tons of it comes bucketing down on us. Taylor shivers so I offer her my hoodie which she gladly accepts, the walk took about 15 minutes and we were soaked by the time we reached her house. We stood under the little alcove at her door and I bid her goodnight, I decided to do something stupid and way too fast, I kissed her on the cheek and said goodnight before walking back out in the rain. When I turn she is staring at me as well, I wave and she walks inside giving me a little wave in return. This evening could not be more perfect.