UNSOLVED

21

She didn't text her when she got home. She didn't text her to ask how the family visit went. She didn't text her when Karlie asked how she was, if she was okay, what was wrong. She couldn't bring herself to talk to Karlie. She didn't sleep well. She didn't eat well. By the end of the week, she was too worn out to feel anything else than sadness.

"Hey Taylor, wanna get lunch?" Abigail asked when she saw Taylor walking into the office.

"How was the meeting with Emma?"

Taylor gave her friend a weak smile. "The meeting was great. We talked about my next project. She said I will very likely start working on my own true crime show by the end of the month."

"Awesome! I'm so happy for you!" Abigail's face lit up. When she saw that Taylor didn't seem to share her excitement, she furrowed her brows.

"What's wrong?"

"Oh, nothing."

Abigail hummed. "So, what about lunch? I wanted to try the lunch buffet you told me about!" She tried her best to cheer her friend up.

Taylor shrugged. "The one I went to with Karlie? I don't really wanna go there right now ..."

"Oh." Abigail gave her a strange look. "Did you bring your own lunch?"

Taylor shook her head no. She sat down at her desk and hoped Abigail would just drop the subject. She didn't feel hungry.

Abigail stood up from her chair and went towards Taylor. They were the only two in the office, everyone else having already left for lunch.

"Taylor. Will you please tell me what's wrong? You've been grumpy and just out of it all week. And don't tell me you're on your period."

Taylor turned around to look at her friend. She gulped.

"Nothing."

"Taylor ..."

Taylor bit her lip.

"Did something happen at Karlie's birthday party? You never told me how it was."

Taylor looked at the floor.

"I'll take that as a yes."

Abigail turned around to grab her phone and her purse. She nodded her head towards Taylor. "Grab your stuff. We're getting Chinese take-out and then we'll sit outside in the park, enjoy the sun and you'll tell me why you've been a shell of your self for the entire week."

Taylor wanted to protest, saying she was fine and wasn't hungry. But she saw the determination in Abigail's face and knew it was of no use. She sighed and did as she was told.

***

Taylor told Abigail everything. From the time she and Karlie had made out in the laundry room at the party, to Karlie making Taylor see her and not explaining herself, to Karlie reaching out again, to them becoming friends again, to them crossing their boundaries, to the night of Karlie's party.

Abigail listened attentively, asking questions every now and then. When Taylor finished, she looked at her and winked. "I told ya she liked girls."

Then she got serious. "I don't even know what to say. I want to be mad at Karlie because I'm your friend. But honestly? You're both acting stupid. Oh my God."

She picked up the last few fried noodles from the take-out box with her chopsticks, then put it aside.

"Please tell me why you left that morning?"