GOLDEN REBEL HEART

Chapter 22

Probably one of the fluffiest chapters of the story, so enjoy that while you can. No, just kidding lmao. But seriously, I really hope you like this new chapter, and please, as always, tell me what you think about this! It really means a lot to me.

Songs to listen to:

Don't You Give Up On Me, Milo Greene
Afterglow, Taylor Swift
Rust Or Gold, Jill Andrews

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Something changed after that day. They felt closer to each other, closer than before, and Taylor seems to have silently forgiven the leader. Karlie likes the new dynamic between them; often times, the American seeks her affection, knocking at her door unexpectedly and spending hours with her, talking about everything and nothing; the leader certainly isn't complaining.

And three weeks after Rue's death, Taylor asks Karlie if she could be her teacher. The leader obviously agrees, finding the American's determination in improving her skills refreshing. It is a good sign, because that means that Taylor is slowly starting to get better; she eats more, she spends more time outside her shack, and the smile on her face comes easier. They spend most of their time together, and the leader enjoys their training sessions, which always end with one of them lying on the ground and beginning a conversation. They discover new things about one another; for example, Karlie finds out that Taylor likes to sleep with her socks — something that she finds utterly adorable — and Karlie confesses her fear of spiders. She remembers Taylor's carefree laugh, how she had thrown her head back and clutched her chest. The leader is not a morning person, but on the other hand, she wouldn't mind a sleepless night spent with a friend. Taylor tells her childhood stories, a longing burning within her eyes as she recalls old comrades.

They lie with their backs against the green grass, daylight dancing between the tree's branches. Taylor places her arm against her forehead, eyes narrowed. Karlie is beside her, lips still tingling with the blissful sensation left behind carefree laughter. It's a peaceful afternoon, one that makes your mind wander in places you haven't been for ages. There's a pause in their light conversation, as the leader enjoys the silence and the American's presence. She still remembers how awful she had felt, just three weeks prior, when she didn't know if she were still friends with the girl lying beside her. However, now it is just a distant memory, a fight that she's grateful they've put behind their backs.

"You know," Taylor begins, smiling wistfully at the sky. Karlie turns her head towards her, staring at the side of her head. "Today would have been Rue's twelfth birthday."

The American meets her gaze, and the leader is surprised by how blue her eyes are. It's like looking out the window, the calm waves of the ocean crashing softly against the shore. Karlie tries not to admire them too much.

Taylor averts her eyes, pearly white teeth sinking in the rosy skin of her bottom lip as her arms now wrap around her abdomen. She swallows, slowly.

"I miss her so much," the American's voice cracks gently, but there are not tears spilling from the corner of her eyes. She looks sad, but it is the type of sadness that comes along with acceptance, and Karlie knows what it feels like. The rebel hesitantly grazes her pinky with Taylor's, and the blonde woman is the one to determinedly intertwine their fingers. The American takes a deep breath, and Karlie squeezes her hand in reassurance. Ever since the bombardment, Taylor has never brought up the conversation they had left unfinished when they were still at that small outpost along the road. She had never asked, and Karlie had chickened out. Now is not the time to confess her feelings she strongly feels for the woman; perhaps in the future, when she will be fully okay, she will bring it up again.