𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬

NINE.

AND so a day had gone by and karlie dwelled on the idea of taylor coming back to connecticut. she wasn't dumb or stupid... but at the same time, it could simply be for other reasons. the world doesn't revolve around her, she thought, sometimes fairytales don't come true. or was this a fairytale she wanted? taylor coming home would be catastrophic. honestly, she didn't even know what to expect. she nibbled on her fingernails, pulling up to josh's house. she honked, waiting for him. the hazel-eyed girl was eager to dump out everything inside her head. and as on queue, josh walked out of his front door, heading over to karlie.

he pulled open the car door, "hey, girlie! how're you been?" he said, leaning in to hug her. she reciprocated the gesture and easily shifted into a conversation about josh's trip.

"...and yeah, so that's that. oh! and i tried this bomb brownie that my aunt made. could you recreate it at the café? i asked her for the recipe and i think she gave it to me. you would've loved it-" he stopped abruptly and stared at her, "what's wrong, karls? you only bite your nails when you're nervous." he said softly.

karlie relented and rushed out, "i-well first, yes. i'll try to make the brownies. and secondly, you know taylor? well, of course you know her. she's having her world tour for her new album and she's coming to connecticut! and not just anywhere, in hartford! literally thirty minutes away from here. and get this, josh! there's a week's break in between that show and the next one. i mean, it can't be a coincidence that she's coming here for that long. i mean, come on! i think something's up. and the worst part is, i don't know if i could resist talking to her if she does approach me. ugh, god. stupid taylor. stupid me for falling in love," she said, grubbing the steering wheel, pulling up to the mall's supermarket.

josh was quiet for a few minutes as they sat in the parking lot. he tenderly rubbed her back, "babe, you never know. maybe she's just here for some business? but i have to say, it does sound pretty suspicious to me that she's coming all the way here for a whole week. i really don't know. i mean, the chemistry you had... i just think maybe you need to ride it out. you can't contact taylor now, anyway. you deleted her number. but, don't let her bring down what you built up for yourself. sometimes, people just think they're entitled to enter people's lives again after they've ruined them. if she does approach you, i think you should really consider it. but, don't hurt yourself again thinking about it that much. personally, i think she's just here for some old buddies, maybe? and you're getting all this information from what? social media? maybe you should lay low from now on. don't bury yourself in all things taylor related. i know you want to know what's going on but sometimes we should just pull ourselves away from that crap,"

karlie modded, leaning into josh. "it's so complicated. you're probably right. it'll be a few weeks until she actually comes here. i just need to take my mind off of this shit," she bit her lip, "ready to go inside?"

—

karlie a bag of groceries by the time josh and her were done. they decided to drop off their bags in the car and head over to some shops. she did need a few tops. they entered urban outfitters which karlie did admittedly love - but it was ridiculously expensive. how could anyone want to buy a $20 shirt? it just didn't compute in karlie's mind. she and josh wavered around the tops section, stumbling upon a few oversized sweaters and graphic tees. she picked up a few to try, holding them up to josh. "thank you, my love," she said cheekily, giggling.

once at the dressing room, she tried on the outfit, waking out. "what do you think," she asked, posing for josh, twirling a bit.

josh nodded, a sign of approval. "karlie, you're asking the wrong guy for fashion advice. i think it looks cute though?" he said, shrugging.

the younger girl laughed, nudging josh, "okay. i like it. i think im gonna get this. the pants scream 'i'm that badass businesswoman', you know?" she exclaimed. her best friend had just nodded. she was going to reply something back. she glanced up and saw a head of suspiciously recognizable hair. was that... no. gigi?

"karlie?" josh asked. she gulped, frozen in fear. her hands were shaking as she saw the traitor eyeing at a denim jacket. her heart was pounding as she felt the same exact anxiety as when she saw her making out with taylor. she felt like dying. she knew that gigi had signed into a huge modeling agency and she was huge now. the model was scheduled to walk for prada at new york fashion week in a few months. she ran back into the changing room and threw back on her shirt and jeans, slipping on her converse. she grabbed her purse and gripped onto the items. why were all these turn of events happening now?

when she exited the room she gripped josh's shoulders, "i-uh, let's go. i'm gonna pay for these. i'll explain later," she said, voice cracking. her head was held down. nearly tripping on her own feet, she crashed into another body. she mumbled an apology, shaking her head.

"could you watch where you're going? seriously?" a screechy voice answered. she looked up and as if the universe wasn't testing her enough, low and behold: gig stood, eyeing her. the girl wore a black turtleneck, tucked into some mom jeans and some a pair of heels. a gold chain adorned her neck. of course, she had to look stunning right there and then. gigi has sighed and raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "well, if it isn't who i think it is. karlie kloss. after all these years, hm? and whose this? your new boy toy? should've known," she stated, chuckling.

josh put his arm around karlie defensively, "look, i don't know who you are but quit harassing my best friend. don't you have better things to do?" he questioned.

"look, i was just shopping," gigi retorted, holding her hands up, "but god, i must say: taylor was sure as hell great in bed. such a shame you threw her away. she deserved so much better anyway. and now with fame on her side, looks like you really did miss out. if anything, i should call her. let her know i saw you today," she sneered, "aw, is little karlie tearing up? get over it, babe. you're a little slut anyway. oh, look at that," she pointed, looking at her phone, "i have a shoot in thirty minutes. i'll... see you around, karlie," the model rudely said, stepping away.

karlie's face burned with embarrassment. "how could she?" she drew slowly, gritting her teeth. she hastily wiped the tears from her face, shaking her head. she looked up at josh. he pulled her close and kissed her hair. "what a bitch. what she said was a bunch of bullshit, you're so much more than that. she's just jealous, hm? look, i'll pay for these. i know what you're going to say. you can pay me back later wait for me in the car. we'll talk about this later," he whispered. she nodded, squeezing his bicep as a thank you. she feared if she talked, she would burst out in tears.

it was helpful that they were in a secluded part in the store. she karlie sniffled, jogging back to her car. her thoughts were racing. taylor told her that she had gotten rid of gigi. why did she have taylor's number? and how come taylor didn't confess that they slept together? and lastly, why did gigi's words make her cry? why had they impacted her in such a way? karlie thought for sure she was over taylor. she wasn't so sure now.

—

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it's been so long since i've updated. sorry babes! i've been so busy (and sick) the last few days :( but i hope u like this chapter. brought back gigi IM SORRY.

thanks for reading. don't forget to vote and comment! i love u guys

all the love,
kaela 🌷