Kaylor Family One-Shots

Bullying has Consequences [AU] (Part Three)

Taylor's P.O.V

Today's the day, it's been coming for almost three days now. Ever since I got back from my lunch with my mom she's been on my case about inviting Karlie around for dinner to prove to her that the fact that Karlie and I are working together doesn't bother me anymore. It seemed like a good idea but as the days began to get closer to Pot Pie Wednesday I can feel myself starting to lose control of my emotions that I've fought so hard to keep intact all these years. 'Come on Swift, man up!' I tell myself as I stand in the mirror applying the last of my foundation to my arms. It's been forever since I first tried to get relief from the constant bullying and luckily for me, the use of bangles and thick watch straps has meant that I was always able to hide it, but now in the work place I can't wear a pile of bangles so I'm forced to use concealer every day and then apply make-up foundation over top.

Reaching work is not hard, I simply get in the car and drive and because of my job I'm one of the lucky ones that gets to have a car park. It was part of the deal for me staying on once Karlie came to work for us, but no one knows that. As I breathe in and out I think about that first day, when Karlie first walked in the room and Mr Shams and his wife were headed out to lunch when I scuttled past them into my small office that I had just been promoted to. If I think really hard I can still hear Mrs Shams telling my boss that she 'wouldn't be long,' but I was really to tied up in my own drama to worry about what else was going on in the office at that time. So as I reached for cleansing wipes to wipe the make-up off my wrist exposing what I call a weakness but deep down I know it's not, it's a reflection on how I felt at the time. I'm not ashamed, I've seeked help because I felt that I needed an expert opinion and after counselling for most of my college years I'm standing tall again. But seeing Karlie walk into the break room like she owned it reminded me of what she used to do at high school, her and her friend Cara. The bullies, that's what everyone called them. Cara never bullied while Karlie was absent from school and Karlie never bullied unless Cara was there, they were strong while together but weak apart.

That particular day saw Mrs Shams walking in as I was cradling my scared wrist, the three small faded lines telling the story without me even having to mention it to her. I watched in fear as Mrs Shams came closer to me and as if she's giving me a moment to compose myself she quickly walks back and shuts the door. I breathe but it doesn't fill my lungs the way that I need it to. "Taylor, I thought you'd be at lunch with everyone else. Isn't today the first day of work for my husband's new assistant?" I gulp but nod.
"Yes, she's here and in the break room. I-I-I...uhm have work so I'm getting an early start while it's quiet..." I comment moving the mouse to wake the computer up from its sleep. I don't even register that she's moving closer to me until I feel her touch my arm which sends me standing quickly and bolting over the other side of the room before it hits me that it's Mrs Shams. "Oh I'm so sorry Taylor," she states moving away like she's afraid she's hurt me.
"Oh never mind, I'm just being silly," I state as I begin to hyperventilate which has Mrs Shams over to me and pushing me to the couch in the corner of the room that I use when people pop in to talk, not that it happens often. "Here sit, breathe deeply and when you're ready we can talk about it." I nod and take four or five deep breaths like I've always been taught through my sessions with Dr. Yule. "That's good, now tell me the real reason you're in here..."

Fear flashes through my head as I follow her eyesight and catch her looking at my scars, she blushes and looks away but it doesn't really make much of a difference to me anyway so I only shrug but say, "well it's the new assistant, Mr Shams new assistant..." she nods and gestures for me to continue and so I say, "well she's not exactly new to me, and I guess I always thought that when I left high school I had left behind all my feelings and the things that she makes me feel every time I see her." Mrs Shams looks confused and says, "were you in love with her or something? It doesn't matter of course," but I only scoff at her and she looks even more confused until I say, "No I wasn't in love with her, she was my bully. She made my life hell in high school. I graduated early to avoid her once my mom found out and I guess I did this..." I state gesturing to my wrist. "So I could feel something, anything. Even if it was pain at the time and it's taken me ages to get used to the idea that I self-harmed because I was scared and it was an outlet and I guess the shock of seeing her and knowing that I'll have to see her every day until either one of us finds a new job." I look down and Mrs Shams lifts my chin so she can look in my eyes. "I'm very sorry that you were bullied Taylor, but you're here now. You're so strong because of your struggles it makes you strong not weak." I look up at her,
"Really?" she only nods at me and says,
"Taylor ever since you walked into this business my husband has been singing your praises, he loves you and everything that you do so just breathe and everything will be okay." I nod and she hugs me close before letting me go and heading out to her lunch, I can hear her talking to her husband but nothing further is said so I return to my work after putting on a few bangles. The scar lines, all three of them are now a pale pink almost white tone but I'm so white that it's difficult to see them without staring at them.

Now as I sit in my car contemplating what to do Karlie happens to walk past me, I wait for her to walk a good metre before I call out to her, "Karlie, wait up." She turns around obviously shocked that I would even think to call her back to me. "What's up?" she questions while we keep walking and she barely pauses to look at me. "Well tonight is Pot Pie Wednesday at my moms and I always go to her, she makes Chicken Pot Pie and Key Lime Pie. So if you're not busy, maybe you want to come?" I question as I wait with baited breath to see what she says. A moment passes as she stares at me, obviously shocked but then she says, "okay sure. I'd love to, can I get a ride though. I bussed in." I nod without thinking about how close we would have to be considering I have a cheap two door hatchback car. "Great I'll see you later then," I nod and she walks off, an obvious spring in her step and I whip out my phone to text my mom that I've invited her and we will be there after work. I get a smiley face back and I know that she's now satisfied. With a big deep breath I walk into work and try not to think about the time I'm going to spend with Karlie tonight, but all I can do is hope that I can keep my cool and that way no one has to know about my scars. Fingers Crossed.