Lost Love

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

{Taylor}

My eyes widen. My heart thumps. My legs get weak, and my stomach drops. My jaw follows. 

I stand there, in utter shock.

This can’t be happening right now.

“Taylor? Taylor!? Can you hear me!?” Jessica calls in the background.

I’m in a different world right now. I can see Logan standing beside me, I can hear Jessica angrily screaming at me through the phone, and I know where I am. But I’m in a different Universe.

My mind can’t comprehend what’s going on right now.

Ryan. Ryan’s birthday. April 12. I’ve known that since I was born. I have it memorized. You could ask me on any given day when Ryan’s birthday is, and I would know it. I just... honestly.. I don’t even know what happened. It just sort of... I don’t even know. It completely slipped my mind. 

I’m devastated. Ryan has been there for me for as far back as I can remember. And I can’t even remember his birthday. I feel awful. I feel sick to my stomach right now.

My phrase comes back to me.

The Earth is a cold, dark, place. The Earth is a cold, dark place.

“Taylor? Answer me!” Jessica demands, angrily.

I am somewhat shaken back to reality. 

“I...” I stutter, not knowing what to say. My mind is racing, but words won’t come out.

“I...” I repeat, my eyes still wide, and my mouth still dropped.

“Whatever it was, I don’t care. Taylor, I can’t believe that you forgot about this. The party isn’t over yet, so get your butt over here right now. Or can you not remember where Ryan’s house is, even though you’ve known him your whole life?” Jessica says, rudely. 

She’s being rude, but she has every right to be. Jessica and I have been planning Ryan’s 21st birthday since we were nineteen, no joke. We just thought we should do something really nice for Ryan eventually, because he’s had to put up with Jessica and I ever since we met.

And we thought this would be the perfect occasion to do so.

“Whatever the reason is that you forgot Taylor, I don’t even care. I’m really disappointed in you.” She spits. I hear the line go blank, and know that she’s hung up.

I slowly take my phone away from my ear, and stare out at the horizon beyond me.

This is still a shock to me. I can’t believe this... there’s just no way this is true.

I’ve been celebrating Ryan’s birthday with his and my families since we were one. And now suddenly I forget it? This doesn’t make sense.

“What’s wrong Taylor?” Logan asks, sounding concerned.

The color is sucked from my face, and I can feel it.

“You look like you’re going to pass out. Come on, let’s sit down.” Logan says, taking my arm and guiding me to the nearest park bench. He sits down next to me.

“What happened?” Logan questions. 

I take a deep breath, and am somewhat taken back to reality.

“Ryan’s...” I start, but can’t finish. I am still in utter shock, to be honest.

“Ryan’s...?” Logan continues. “It’s his birthday. Jessica and I have been planning Ryan’s 21st birthday party since we were legit 19. And I forgot about it. I’m not even that upset about the party, but I forgot about Ryan’s birthday. I didn’t text him, call him, nothing. He’s been one of my best friends since I was born, and suddenly I just... forget?” I say, making myself feel even worse talking about it.