Bad Idea (Kaylor) | Completed

Chapter 4: The Classmate

          

Taylor awoke to a hand on her shoulder. Her eyes were bleary as the sun streamed in through the window, she reached up to shield them with her arm. "It's on my desk. Just take it." Taylor muttered, sure it was Gigi looking to borrow her eyeliner again. Her head pounded in a dull way. Not quite a hangover, but it was obvious she didn't make it out of last night scot free. 

"Taylor." In her sleepy haze, Taylor realized that it was not Gigi who said her name. It was Karlie. She shot upright in shock, looking quickly from side to side to get a sense of her surroundings. Once her eyes adjusted to the light, she realized she was in Karlie's room, green sheets draped loosely over her legs. Momentary confusion resolved, Taylor looked up at Karlie who was standing next to the bed. She looked down at Taylor apologetically. 

"Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." Karlie said. It was obvious she was holding back a laugh, her lips were closed tight in a straight in a straight line, but her eyes were wide. It made Taylor think of last night, of how much Karlie smiled. She shifted awkwardly, bringing a hand to the back of her neck. The laugh disappeared from her eyes. "I was going to let you sleep but-" She raised the other to reveal Taylor's phone, and held it out for her. "Your mom has called four times, and it doesn't look like she plans on stopping. It could be an emergency." Her eyes were urging.

Taylor took the phone from Karlie, fighting the urge to laugh. Of course her mom would be calling. She hasn't called once since Taylor left to start school, it's only fitting that she would call just in time to embarrass her in front of Karlie. Karlie, whose room she slept in last night. Whose bed she slept in. Upon that thought, Taylor looked down around herself, trying to figure out where Karlie could have slept. Was there even space for the two of them? Out of the corner of her eye Taylor noticed a pillow and blanket on the floor. Did Karlie seriously sleep on the floor? Was sharing a bed with someone you sort of know really that big of a deal? Taylor thought again of last night, of how obviously uncomfortable she was to be hugged, and realized that yeah. To Karlie it probably was a big deal. Before she could ask and get verbal confirmation, her phone rang again. Taylor panicked, not knowing whether or not she should answer it in front of Karlie. She wasn't sure what to expect from the call, but she knew it probably wouldn't be pleasant. 

"I can step out, if you need me to." Karlie said, almost as if she knew what Taylor was thinking. 

"I'm not gonna make you leave your own room." Taylor chuckled. She considered going back to her own room, but then worried about what she'd be walking into. "Actually uh, if it's not too much trouble-" Taylor frowned. Karlie simply cocked an eyebrow at her before nodding and slipping out of the room.

Taylor sighed and slid her finger across the screen to answer. "Five calls in a row? I guess I have a new stalker now." Taylor said dryly into the phone.

"Not funny Taylor." She responded. It was almost weird to hear her mom's voice now. She had gotten used to not hearing it. 

"Well, who died?" Taylor sighed. 

"What are you talking about?" Andrea asked. 

"Well since you're not stalking me, someone dying is the only acceptable reason to call five times in a row. So who was it?" 

"You haven't called in a month." Andrea said sternly. 

"You haven't called me !" Taylor said defensively. 

"So now phones only work one way? You're an adult now, Taylor. You should know better. I was worried about you." Taylor let out a dry laugh in response. She didn't have to see it to know her mom was glaring at her. "Look, clearly, you're trying to punish me for-"