It had been about a week since Taylor had visited the orphanage. The excursions ban that had been placed on the two girls had vanished, and Liza had approved another trip to the beach with Maisie, as long as the girls promised to be back on time this time around. Unknown to Dr.Collins, Taylor had invited the two girls to come "hang out" any time they were in the area, and Liza didn't know if the invitation was something she would act on.
The trip would take place directly after school, so Liza sat in her 5th period math class gazing at clock as if to will the time to pass faster. As she solved problem after problem and listened to her teacher drone on about logarithms, she wondered if she should go visit Taylor. The singer had been nothing but nice when she visited the orphanage, and that seemed like reason enough to go visit but still...
"Liza, if I had x to the second and I multiplied it by x to the third, what would I get?"
Her teachers voice snapped her out of her thoughts, and the fourteen year old had to only pause a moment before giving her response
"You would get x to the sixth Mrs. Meecham".
Her teacher smiled at her response before giving her a light reminder to pay attention; something she immediately disregarded.
How on earth could she pay attention when she was going to possibly visit Taylor this afternoon? What would the singer say when she and Maisie appeared at her door? Would she remember them?
Three hours later, she watched Maisie skip joyfully along the pavement as they neared Taylor's house. She hoped she had made the right choice by bringing them here. An elegant gate stood in the midst of a canopy of trees and a security guard stood just outside eyeing the two sisters as they walked towards him.
To her absolute surprise, the security guard recognized them. Suspiciously, Liza asked how? And the security guard -who introduced himself as James- was more than happy to give her an answer.
"Taylor mentioned that you two might be stopping by. It's Maisie and Elizabeth right?" He asked pointing at the two girls.
Liza was quick to correct him, and after that the gates opened and all of them walked down the never ending driveway.
The house looked more like a fortress than a house, with the amount of gates and walls. Gorgeous green grass stretched out as far as the eye could see, but in every direction you looked, there were security personnel. Subconsciously Liza pulled Maisie closer to her as they walked hand in hand behind the security guard.
5 year old Maisie on the other hand was completely carefree as she giggled and looked around in amazement. She tried to break free of Liza's tight grip on her hand but every attempt was shut down by her older sister.
The group finally made their way to a large door complete with an ornate brass knocker. Winking at the sisters, James knocked twice and the door opened to an overly enthusiastic Taylor, complete with a bed head and pajamas.
Taylor squealed when she saw the girls, and much to Liza's surprise Maisie went straight into the singer's arms.
"We missed you Taylowr!!!"
Liza watched Taylor's face for any sign of annoyance but there was none present. Breaking out of Taylor's hug the five year old ran into the mansion leaving Taylor giggling and Liza shocked.
"Maisie!! You do not just barge into someone's house. Where are your manners?
The five year old was out of earshot and didn't hear the comment, but Taylor did and looked at Liza questionably with a hint of what looked like pity.
"Honey it's fine. I wasn't just going to leave you two on the front steps."
If there was anything Liza hated it was pity expressions and the words were out of her mouth before she could stop them.
"You know normally people would say come in and then the guests can come in. It's a formality".
Shocked at what she had said Liza clamped a hand over her mouth. What did she just do?!
She never wanted to come off as rude but the pitying look Taylor had gave her had just made her a bit defensive, for reasons she couldn't verbalize.
Before she could say sorry Taylor pulled Liza into a bear hug and held her there, despite the fourteen year old's muffled annoyances.
"I missed you too Liza" Taylor chuckled as she escorted the girl into her mansion . Shutting the door behind her Liza followed nervously behind the tall singer into a beautiful foyer, complete with an antique chandelier. The little crystals lit up and jangled as she passed.
Despite the sheer size, there was something unmistakably homey about this mansion, and despite not wanting to, Liza felt herself relax as Taylor led her on a tour of the downstairs rooms.
