GOLDEN REBEL HEART

Chapter 19

Hope you like this new chapter! As always, tell me what you think in the comments below!

Songs to listen to:

What About Us, P!nk
Just Give Me A Reason, P!nk
Suitcase, Before You Exit

-

"All you adults do is fight. I don't want to grow up if I will always have to fight with others."

Taylor loses one of her hands on the gentle and soft waves of Rue's dark tresses. The kid has her head on the American's lap, eyes trained on the starry sky above them. The blonde shakes her head, staring lovingly at the little girl beneath her.

"We don't always fight, Rue. It's just—sometimes we have disagreements, and sometimes there are misunderstandings. It's human nature."

Rue hums, and she reaches out to grab Taylor's free hand. "I just think that your fight was stupid. I know she offended you, but you should go talk to her. Maybe she will apologize."

"Or maybe she won't."

"Trust me, she will,"

Rue's young feminine voice makes her chuckle, as their eyes meet. "Do you really think so?"

"Yes," the kid replies. "She will apologize. I like to think that people like you and Karlie are good, and that you won't be stupid enough to let this argument ruin everything."

"I just—I'm not ready to forgive her yet, you know? We're not obliged to forgive someone immediately. She really hurt me with her words, and I just think—," Taylor sighs. Upon seeing her friend in distress, Rue squeezes her hand three times and smiles up at her, gifting her with one of her genuine and naïve smiles. The American is grateful for her, as she adds, "I'm not ready to forgive her yet."

Rue shrugs innocently. "That's okay. You will forgive her when you will be ready," she says, keeping on staring at the dark sky. "But you need to promise me something."

Taylor grins. "What?"

"Promise me that you will forgive her. That you won't let this ruin your friendship."

The American gazes at the young girl, amazed by how much seriousness echoes inside her words. "I promise," she whispers.

"Pinky promise!" Rue exclaims, holding up her hand. The American laces her pinky with Rue's, and the kid's smile is so bright that it deserves a place on the starry sky above them. Rue holds onto Fuzz, and then excitedly hollers, "A shooting star! Did you see that?"

Taylor shakes her head and groans. "Damnit! I missed it," she whines, laughing along with the kid. "Don't forget to make a wish, Rue,"

"How could I forget? The best part of stargazing is when you have to make a wish, duh."

The American chuckles, and then lets her head fall against the bark of the tree.

"Rue?"

"Yes?"

"Can I tell you something?"

"Hm,"

Taylor meets her gaze. She smiles, softly, gently. "Thank you."

The kid adorably hides her face in the crook of her neck. "You're welcome," she mumbles, voice muffled by her sweatshirt. The blonde chuckles quietly, and as she goes back to staring at the starry sky, she's convinced that the most beautiful star is lying right between her arms.

-

Karlie comes around about three days after their argument.

The American is practicing her hand-to-hand combat skills with Ashawary at the open-air training area. The leader is hesitant, standing a few meters away from the small gate of the wooden fence delineating the section. She stares at the blonde's toned back muscles, slightly shining with sweat under the weak afternoon sun. Taylor wears only a black sports bra and tight grey leggings, abs and arms on full display. Karlie swallows thickly, and attempts to extinguish the burning of jealousy blooming inside her chest as she notices that Taylor's hickey hasn't disappeared yet. She must be strong, and after taking a deep breath and ignoring the fact that the American's light groans and heavy breath are making her brain go crazy, she steps forward and lets her presence known by the two women.