The Monitor Masquerade

Level 27

GraceKelli's POV

School had become a lot more bearable having Taylor around. He was always there and making me feet ten feet tall, which is something that I would have never imagined. I loved having him near me. I could feel myself opening up more at school. I wasn't trying to hide myself anymore. I wanted to be seen. I wanted people to know that I was with Taylor.  That we loved each other and how happy we were. I felt like I would walk on water. Even when he wasn't with me I felt more safe than I have ever felt at school. I went to lunch like I normally did and sat at the same table I always did. Anya was out at a dentist appointment so I placed my bag on the table where she would normally sit and pulled out my lunch. Taylor rushed up too me and kissed my cheek.

"Hello to you too."

"Hey I need to go stop and talk to my math teacher really quick I just wanted to let you know I'm going to be late to lunch."

"You could have just texted me, you know."

"Yeah but then I couldn't do this." He leaned down and kissed me quickly. "Love you."

"I love you too!"

"I'll be back in a second!" Taylor took off. I sat eating in silence remembering that this is how it had been for three years. I would sit here alone with no one to talk too. Before Anya and Prince and Taylor. I pulled out my homework and started to read it like I had done so many time before, but this time it didn't hold my focus. I wanted to talk to someone and laugh, but I forced myself to read the boring textbook. After a couple bites into my salad I saw something move in front of me. I looked up to see Amber sitting across from me.

"Kelli right?"

"Yeah." I managed to get out. I didn't feel as nervous around her but I could still feel my heart speed up.

"How are things with Taylor?"

"Good. How are you and Felix?" Where did that come from Kelli?

"You grew a pair didn't you?"

"It was just a question."

"I want us to be friends. I think I came across the wrong way. I am happy for Taylor. He looks so happy." I couldn't find the words to say anything. I just looked at her doubt founded. "But I also want to make one thing clear."

"What's that?"

"You will never have what Taylor and I had."

"And I am perfectly okay with that."

"What?"

I felt so powerful. I had never felt like I could talk to other people so one on one. Amber didn't scare me. I saw that she wanted power. I saw that she was scared of me and Taylor. She didn't have a hold on him anymore and that scared her. This was her way of panicking. She wanted me to back down so that she could steal Taylor away from me. "I don't want what you and Taylor had. I want what we have now. I want us to go on dates and have little study sessions together in my room. I want to play video games with him and yell at him through a head set. That's what we have. And I am perfectly okay with that."

"You guys study together?"

"Well it's more like me tutoring him but more or less yeah."

"Why?"

"Because school is important and it's something that we can do to help each other out while focusing on the bigger picture."

"That's lame."

"Maybe to you but we make it fun."

"Yeah whatever."

"So did you actually want to be my friend or were you just coming over here to intimidate me? Because if that was all then you can go. I'm sure Taylor will be back soon."