𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬

TEN.

AFTER the encounter with gigi, karlie had talked to josh about who she was. he was shocked but nonetheless, it seemed like anything was possible at this point. it was painful revisiting such a dark time in her past. but, josh, who was ever so caring, had made sure that she was alright. he brought over lasagna and chocolate ice cream that night (her favorite). they watched a few episodes of friends and then they bid their goodbyes. she took for granted what it was like living with someone. sometimes living alone was scary. karlie always felt like there was a distinct juxtaposition with the silence that echoed within her apartment walls. the silence felt so loud at times, she just wanted someone to talk to during the nights where she couldn't sleep. and, it took awhile to get over the memories that took place in her home; from the waffles taylor and her made every sunday to every grey's anatomy marathon taylor made her watch.

the dirty blonde sighed loudly, walking over to her bookshelf. she was in the mood for a good read. she picked up the book thief and quickly changed, brushing her teeth, and jumping into bed. time passed by quickly when karlie read which was one of the reasons she loved reading. getting lost in the world so delicately crafted by the author and understanding the characters were all things she adored. back in college, karlie hated reading those stupid books where she had to analyze the minds of the characters - but now she understood. you have to know who people are to really understand the whole situation.

time flew by and before she knew it, the clock struck 1am. karlie took off her reading glasses, setting her book aside on her table and fell asleep, drifting into an abyss where blue eyes, red lips, and soft fingertips adorned her dreams.

—

before she knew it, the clock struck 8am. work. life. reality. karlie groaned internally and reluctantly got up from her warm covers. she went into her bathroom, freshening up and then changing into her work clothes. in the kitchen, she whipped up an iced coffee and nibbled on a extra cranberry muffins from the café. she scrolled onto instagram, stumbling on yet another post from her ex girlfriend. hadn't she unfollowed her? but as soon as her eyes laid on the picture, karlie's breath hitched. there was taylor sitting, smiling softly at something. a beautiful, light blue, flowy gown had hugged the older girl. her blonde hair was in a updo, nude pink coating her lips. one word came to karlie's mind: stunning.

the caption had read:
@taylorswift:
hold onto the memories, they will hold onto you.
and i will hold onto you.

karlie sat there, rereading the caption over and over again until her eyes stung. why would she caption this picture like that? she remembered... she remembered.

new year's day. 7am.

karlie had woken up early to get started on the mess that was her and taylor's apartment. karlie had the blessing of not catching hangovers as much as her peers. last night they had thrown a tiny party for their close friends, a celebration for the upcoming year. but, like any group of young, reckless 20-year-olds, they had gotten exceptionally drunk off of bubbly champagne and strawberry flavored vodka. karlie remembered josh had brought mini glitter bombs to do outside for the countdown but they all were too drunk to go out quietly and so, very stupidly, josh had unleashed the glitter. there was simply (pink) glitter all over the floor.

polaroids were littered on the floor, too. taylor had this weird obsession for polaroids and so the whole group took a bunch of pictures together. karlie glanced endearingly at a one that was taylor kissing her cheek. she smiled, shaking her head slightly. she has noticed scratchy writing - taylor's - on the white parts of the polaroid. on the bottom, it had read: "hold onto the memories, they will hold onto you. and i will hold onto you. ❤️"

karlie chuckled. even drunk, taylor could whip up poetic lyrics. after a few minutes, the younger girl had begun picking up all the bottles from last night. they sure did drink a lot. soon, she heard footsteps coming their bedroom and out emerged her girlfriend in cat pajamas and messy bed head. very, very cute. "karlie? it's so early. come back to bed, baby. we can clean the bottles... and glitter... later," taylor mumbled, voice hoarse from last night.

karlie shook her head, "'not tired. it's okay, go back to bed. i've got this," she heard taylor sigh and come up beside her, wrapping her arms around karlie. "mm, so warm," taylor said softly, kissing the space between the dirty blonde's ear. the hazel eyed girl melted, leaning into her girlfriend. she couldn't resist taylor's hugs. she held up the polaroid to taylor, "even drunk," she chuckled, shaking her head, "you're oh so poetic."

taylor grinned. she took the polaroid from karlie, staring at it. a smile crept up onto her lips. "i love your laugh, you know that? and, i'm keeping this," she announced. "you're so random, taylor alison swift," karlie chimed, letting her have the polaroid. the older girl went into the kitchen, fetching a garbage back. she started picking up beer bottles from the counter. karlie went up to her, "you can sleep, you know? it's new year's day. you look tired, tay," she said.

taylor only shook her head. "you and me. we'll do it together. forevermore."

ugh, taylor's vocabulary preceded her knowledge. karlie simply shook her head and turned on some john mayor, letting the music ease the cleaning process. together, they tackled the huge mess on that new year's day.

—

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OOF i had to. sorry yall... well sorry that i had to hit u guys w that fluff. also! follow my new bookstagram!!: @/librarylatte 💞 tyty

all the love,
kaela 🌷