GOLDEN REBEL HEART

Chapter 20

Author's Notes: here is a new chapter. This is slightly long, but it is a really important chapter for the story. We are about to reach a turning point, and I PROMISE you that Kaylor is coming. Like real soon. Don't worry.

Anyway, enjoy! Stay tuned for other author's notes at the end of the chapter.

Songs this chapter:

Leave The City, Twenty One Pilots
Stay, Rihanna
Skin, Zola Jesus

-

She's spent five long and never ending days thinking about Sanjay's words. Karlie hates to admit it to herself, but perhaps he was right. Maybe they were really wasting their time in stupid fights and spending time apart. Maybe, telling Taylor how she really feels, telling her the real reason why she had been so angry at her when seeing her with that hickey, was the right thing. But even though it is probably the right thing, Karlie still feels anxious. She doesn't know if she's more afraid of rejection or if she's more afraid of her feelings being mutual. Either way, sooner or later, the leader has to tell the American how she really feels, because if she keeps on keeping this secret to herself, she's probably going to explode. And she doesn't want to be a mess; she has a rebel movement to lead.

And that is why she's here, with shaking hands and a wildly beating heart inside her chest, standing a few feet away from the outpost Taylor is residing in. The American is outside, scribbling on what looks like to be her journal, and there are a few other rebels around her, drinking water and minding their own business. One of them is smoking, their legs sprawled across the wooden table. It is one of the smallest outposts they have conquered, and it is one of the few that is along the road.

Karlie takes a deep breath, and confidently walks towards the blonde. She looks so beautiful, with her soft blonde hair down and her bangs slightly covering her eyes; with the first button of her light blue uniform undone, showing just the tiniest bit of skin. The leader swallows, and upon reaching the table they're all sitting at, she clears her throat awkwardly.

"Oh, hello, chief," one of the rebels says, straightening their posture. From the corner of her eyes, she spots Taylor looking up at her, mouth slightly open in surprise. The rebel that had been carelessly smoking almost falls from his chair, blushing when he sits normally on his seat.

"Good afternoon, everyone," Karlie says authoritatively. "Could you please leave me and Taylor alone?"

The three of them all nod as quickly as possible, fleeing after having collected their belongings. The American stares at her neutrally, as she sits down across her and crosses her arms on the table. Taylor immediately closes her journal and puts it aside, looking up at the other woman expectantly.

"Um—how are you?" Karlie begins. Great, she thinks to herself, I'm already messing this up. She hates the sound of her voice; incredibly vulnerable and weak and nervous. The leader bites her bottom lip, and covers her anxiousness by playing with her fingers.

Taylor raises her eyebrows and averts her eyes. "I'm good, thank you," she doesn't elaborate, and Karlie is left empty handed. She had hoped for some small talk, just to calm down her nerves before making her big confession.

She tries again, "What are you doing?"

This time, Taylor sighs. "Listen, if you've come here just to talk—,"

"I'm sorry," Karlie immediately apologizes. "I know you've told me to leave you alone but—," she hesitates, but then thinks about what she has to tell her in a few moments, and continues, "—I missed you."