Breaking Free

Chapter 27

Carter's POV

I can't believe it. Taylor and Jake? How could I have missed it?

After everything we've been through, I can't believe she'd so that to me. And with Jake no less- the guy she knows Joy, her best friend, is basically in love with. Even I can see that- everyone in Oakville knows how Joy feels.

But that's not what I'm mad about. If she would rather be with Jake, why wouldn't she just tell me? Sure, I would have been angry, but at least I wouldn't feel betrayed.

I burst through the double doors at the right wing exit to get some fresh air and clear my head. What I see only feeds my anger.

About a hundred feet away, a blonde girl runs up to a man, who wraps her in a hug. I can hear a muffled crying sound, and almost feel sympathetic- almost. Because I know for a fact that is Taylor's dress- and that means she's been keeping a lot more from me than Jake. Because that man is definitely NOT Jake.

Before I can confront her, she's in the car and they are driving away. Obviously, they didn't see me.

How many skeletons does she have in her closet?

Taylor's POV

"Tissue?" a police asks me.

I try to say yes, but my voice is incoherent, so I settle on nodding.

I'm not in a police station as you'd think I would be. I'm actually in a hotel, with police supervision. They periodically come in and check if I need a tissue or if I've been brutally murdered- you know, standard stuff

I blot my eyes and cheeks, which have mascara dripping all over them. I should have used waterproof- after all, I knew what was coming.

Well, that's not completely true. I had absolutely no idea that Jake was going to be an idiot and kiss me. Or that Carter was going to see said kiss unfold. Or that this catastrophic event, which seems like something in a Greek tragedy, would take place right before I had to leave so I can't, and will never, be able to clear it up with Carter.

So I guess I didn't really know what was coming, if we're being honest.

"D-did you pack clothes for me," I sniffle. I want nothing more than to get out of this dress. In fact, I never want to wear a formal dress again. I think that every time dress up, I send a signal to the universe that says 'Please send a catastrophe my way!' At the Gala, Serenity got shot. When I dresses up to go to a party, Charcoal dies. And now this.

"Yes- we bought you a new wardrobe. We couldn't let you bring any of your old belongings. Except- the chief told us to give you this."

He reaches into a duffel bag, and pulls out a halter- a halter I instantly recognize. Why wouldn't I? I put it on Ezhno on a daily basis.

I snatch the forest green halter from the officers hand, and grip it so hard my knuckles turn white. I hold it like it's my life line. I close my eyes, lifting it to my face and breathing in its scent. For a brief moment, I feel like I'm in the barn.

"Thank you," I whisper, not caring how they got it.

"You have clothes in the bag- we'll let you clean up," he says, before leaving the room with the two other police officers.

I pull out a pair of pajamas, and go into the bathroom. I pull my beautifully ornate dress off, letting it crumple in a heap on the floor.

I turn the water to hot, and climb in, letting the water invigorate me.

I scrub away my makeup and the thin layer of sweat from dancing, but not only that.

I scrub away what remains of Taylor Evans- a girl whose life is now washing down the drain.

A/N

Sorry it took so long! I hope you enjoyed it! I will update when I can.

A bit of news- I have decided what my next book will be. It will be a horse book called 'Recovery.' It is on my profile, BUT I'm not starting till I finish one of my books. Please go check it put.

And for my 'Misfits Like Me' Fans, I am having serious writers block for that book, but I'm trying to put up a chapter soon.